December 2011 - She Canna Take Much More, Cap'n...

[Xiaoxiong]

Betwee 8 and 12 weeks to go...and we're giving it all we've got!

He's jealous of our piles

Birthing ball? Wassat about? Something you could recommend or a waste of time & money?
Any specific recommendations?

Oi, I've been wearing long socks too! Sorry about your piles!
I've got stretch marks above my knees (on the front, on my thighs), wtf!?

mopsy, LittleMiss, I'm 32wks tomorrow, due 22nd so you won't be alone near the end!

Sorry everyone seems to be having really crap nights!

Oi I think you should avoid working as much as possible, you're 35 wks tomorrow...they're lucky to have you there at all [hwink] Also, I always write incredibly long posts so it's nice when someone else does too [hsmile]

Great idea btw, I think we should definitely move to a post-birth group in January when all the babies are here. Just had HV visit & I'm sooo much more comfortable talking to you lot than I was to her [hsad] When she started asking about my childhood & mental health issues I felt quite hot & flustered. I know you don't have to tell them everything but I have one of those faces that shows if I'm lying so I probably said too much & then I felt like I had to explain why I didn't think my crappy childhood & history of depression would effect me being a good mum. Poor woman probably just wanted me to shut up. Aaargh!!! Honestly, she seemed lovely but it's hard to feel like you're not being judged especially when you chat about something for 5-10mins & they try & turn that into 1 sentence so it'll fit on a form for other HV's to read [hsad] Should've kept my mouth shut really but that's always been a problem with me. [hgrin] Anyway, it's over with now & I have to say that it went better than expected. I thought they'd be dead set against bedsharing for example & she actually gave me a leaflet explaining how to do it safely...nothing I didn't already know but nice that I don't have to argue my side.

I think I may try to give myself a bikini wax now [hhmm] I bought a magnifying mirror last week & I've got an anglepoise lamp so I'm convinced I can do it. Wish me luck!

Birthing ball - very highly recommended! Mine is a gym ball - but bought from a birthing site. I get uncomfy in the evenings sat on the sofa, and now beginning to get uncomfy sat in the office... - the birthing ball is so much comfier! And easier to get up from! But apart from that, it is impossible to sit badly on a birthing ball, you can't slouch. It's great for posture. It's great to stop your baby going into the wrong position - back to back or breech. And it's good for doing little thrusts and figure 8's on whilst watching TV which help strengthen your pelvis to avoid pelvis pain.
I bought a 65cm ball, which at 5'2 / 5'3" is perfect.
Warning: nephews/nieces etc find them very entertaining and they are difficult to reclaim once balancing competitions start. [hgrin]

wow good luck honey i shaved my legs today which was hard enough so will be roping in DH to get on the bikini case at some point. there is no way i'll be able to see a thing down there now!

AHWCH Birthing ball = essential for me. I'm not comfortable on a regular chair any more; I get terrible back & pelvis pain. Cried when I burst mine & in the week it took to sort out a new one my piles trebled in size [hshock] (TMI~Sorry [hblush]) I have a gym ball now but my Birthease ball was softer & more comfortable.

honey i'd be the same, I can't shut up, and can't lie for toffee. And I really like toffee.
The MW's at Parentcraft were dead set against co-sleeping, I actually managed to stay quiet on this one. They are doing a big promo in my area about it being very dangerous - because the NorthWest is one of the worst areas of fatalities (I guess due to falling alseep on sofas under the influence etc, and not due to responsible co-sleeping). Also, they said that one of the main things they check on their visits is where the baby will sleep to ensure that the cot/crib/moses basket area is safe.
I tried a Veet removal with the aid of magnifying mirrors, but the results were disastrous. I think because my skin was already a bit sensitive/chafed. OUCH OUCH OUCH. You can probably be more "area-selective" with wax, than with cream... Good luck!

honey I've done the same thing before now. Actually, I'm thinking about turning down hv care at all after some of the hassle I've had from them. The one I had when DD1 was a baby was great, but we moved area and I haven't met one that doesn't think I'm crazy since. They just can't seem to cope with the idea of a young Mum who is very alternative, they lecture me and try to push me into mainstream parenting.

At the minute my baby will be sleeping in the pram as I've not got a new mattress for the cot yet or decided if I'm bothering with a moses basket/crib.

My last one didn't stop pressuring me to give up breast feeding once. She was weird.

Well I am due on the 31st guys so hopefully there will be loads of us around for the last stretch of December.

Mmmcheese wow why did they put you on bedrest for so long were you having contractions 4 weeks ago?

Honey I can't see my bikini area at all, I figure what I don't know won't hurt me...... I am so past caring it's nearly liberating.

also another TMI alert: I am now seem to be losing parts of my plug, i.e. getting browny/reddy discharges. Should I phone the labour ward or is this normal at this point?

Sorry to those of you with rubbish HV's, I'm lucky that mine is lovely and has even helped me fill out DLA forms for DS as she said she didn't want us to miss out on anything we're entitled to.

I'm not sure I'll bother with raspberry leaf tea. Last time painful 'proper' contractions started at around 10.30am and DS arrived at 3.15pm. We're an hour from the hospital if the traffic's bad so I don't want to encourage labour to be too fast! I might get some clary sage oil instead then I can just use it when I get to hospital if need be.

fusam I'd maybe ring your MW rather than the labour ward.

Birthing ball it is then! Should I fork out for a proper birthing ball or will a bogstandard swiss/exercise ball do?

Honey, I find myself being very straight to the point & short with MW as I don't want to give the impression that I'm struggling or anything that will jepodise me having a homebirth, glad your HV was helpful!
Spoken to my Nan and apparently my mother is laying a guilt trip on her because I haven't been over to see her (my mum) since being pregnant. This is a woman who has my home number, address, email and lives a million miles away on the other side of London(!) and hasn't once contacted to ask how I am?! SO I feel like I have to promise my Nan that I'll go over to mothers when LO gets here just to keep her happy (Nan, not mum..don't give a stuff about mum's feelings). Families eh?!

fusam, I'm due 22nd & the MW keeps on making helpful comments like 'Ooh, you'll probably still be pregnant next year'! So I'll be here to keep you company!

Well, that was bloody difficult but everything is now very tidy downstairs [hgrin] I'm definitely going to have to get someone else to do it if another wax is needed before LO is born.

AHWCH I definately found the Birth Ease ball more comfy (softer with a non-slip surface) but I got it cheap on ebay...there are some on there now if you're interested. Neighbours gave us the gym ball & as birth is imminent I'm happy to put up with the difference but I'd probably by a Birth Ease for the next pregnancy. Sorry about your mum...sounds similar to mine.

Not sure what to advise re gymballs. I bought mine from the natal hypno place, it was approx £16, I think - but is a gym ball, not a specific birthing ball. It's really sturdy and I can't imagine it popping. But you can get much cheaper gym balls - from about £5 - I don't know what their quality is like, nor can I speak about birthing balls specifically.
As for your nan and mum... jeebers! Why hasn't your mum been in touch? how silly. Families. Bonkers.
I think I told you that 2 of DH's 4 siblings are now expecting - or are partners of expectant females. Now his cousin has joined the happy throng. Such copycats! [hwink] I was first. [h-pulls out tongue defiantly]

fusam I've had contractions and pain since 13 weeks! And DS was 10 weeks early so obviously worried about the same thing happening again. At 28 weeks I started getting contractions pretty much every time I moved and baby was engaged so went on bedrest then.

I'm feeling rubbish today, nothing specific but just feel uncomfortable all over and bit nauseous. I find it really hard to tell if I'm hungry now and feel full after a few mouthfuls but force myself to eat a small portion then feel sick! Feels like my stomach is in my throat!

Also, my bump now starts right under my boobs and I can't see how I can possibly get any bigger. It's hard never being comfortable!

msbuggy I keep meaning to say how impressed I was that your tricks worked to put your baby in the right position. Well done!

Evening everyone,

I had my MW appointment and the following was the out come:

1. baby is enaged, head down and low
2. My mucus plug has gone - thats the snot type stuff and the water leek from yeasterday (yuk)
3. 34 weeks and a baby that is already more than 5lb 5oz she should be fine if i go into labour now
4. i have a growth scan on 10th nov if i make it that long and a MW appointment on the 11th nov
5. I have a rash in a sensative area so doctor poped in to MW appointment to check me out and give me cream [yuk]

Highs:
Getting hospital bag sorted
Son still sleeping in his bed
i have just eaten a yumyum
My sister does not like the name we have picked and we have the only girl in our family as everyone is not having anymore children (i like pissing her off)

Lows:
My cervix has sharp stabby pains and my tummy hurts
DS and DH are ill - DH now off work sick with flu and is grumpy
I still have a very sore throut and aching, runny nose cold
Son is ill and being very mardy and grumpy cos of it - so lots of tears today
I'm behind in my course work and housework and i dont feel like chatching up right now as i hurt and i might go into labour any time now.
I have upset my mum (we are not close) cos i told her she does not have to come she her only GD that i can just send her a photo and visite them next year - there is history and i dont feel like driving 90 miles to see them now or with a tiny baby in tow, and they dont have money to come on train or stay in hotel so i told her not to come that i dont need her!

Evening all. Not much to report today, had antenatal class and flu jab. Feeling a bit rough now.

A message for the babies now:

STAY PUT FOR AS LONG AS IS SAFE! [hsmile]

Just to say I have a Birth Ease ball and I love it! But I think it was about 18 quid with the pump. But it is anti-burst. So if it bursts I won't bruise my bum. Although it's so well padded it would be unlikely to bruise anyway :)

I am Soooooo tired tonight and no idea why! Meant to be going to a PTA meeting but not sure I will make it...

and posted here cos I hope it may be useful to a few of you:
For anyone who's a-buggy buying, Mothercare have a 20% off sale at the mo, plus there is a ridiculously twee mag they sell at the till called "gurgle" (who thinks up these things?!?!?!) which costs £2 but has a £10-off-any-buggy-over-£120-in-Mothercare voucher in the back. Just sayin', as it got my £200 rrp maclaren techno down to a bargain-tastic £152....

aethel I am tired too - and I haven't even done anything today really!!

Highs:
Third day off sick from work (taking kir5ty's suggestion of sick leave till mat leave starts next friday - haven't discussed this with work yet but I will bully them into it!)
Rained hard today so DH has finally stopped worrying about the state of the rugby pitches being too hard and breaking the boys' ankles
Went to an afternoon showing of Tintin which was AWESOME and we both drove home with big grins on our faces
Friends coming a long way to have dinner with us tonight as I was not up to travelling into central London - have made saag, bombay potatoes and parathas and a whole tandoori chicken is in the oven
DH continues to be a prince among men - did a huge amount of housework today and while I was cooking he took ukulele requests - I asked for "I'll follow the sun" and "I'm yours" (jason mraz) and now being serenaded with "I wanna hold your hand (to get you off mumsnet)"

Lows:
Bump hurts everywhere
Pelvis hurts when I walk
Something inside (cervix?) hurts with stabby pains
Had red/brown stuff on my knickers this morning but no mucus and no more leaking waters thank goodness
My mother is saying things like "I walked 100 miles to work at 45 weeks pregnant with triplets and didn't complain" and has suggested I use my mat leave to do one of the following:
(a) get my UK passport (I actually will do this) - so I "can stand for parliament and become prime minister";
(b) get an MSc in Finance or an MBA; or
(c) study for the New York Bar
as I "won't have anything else to do" [hhmm]

Sorry to hear about all the tiredness/aches/stabby pains.

I saw my MW this afternoon. I mentioned my 'football between my legs' feeling and she said it sounds like she's engaged but that 32 weeks is early. Then she asked if I went full-term last time, I said no and she said oh. So it wouldn't surprise me if she makes an early appearance. MW wasn't concerned though, she just said if I go into premature labour we'll worry about it then.

I'm doing my charity street collection tomorrow, the wind will probably be blowing up the high street off the sea so I expect it to be bloody cold!

Loving your mum's idea of mat leave Tyel! She must have a short memory!
Imagine trying to do an MBA with a new born!!!!

Off to have a lovely bath and stop stressing about this nightmare chapter which I just cannot seem to finish :(