December 2011:Once we pop, we just can't stop

[OiMissus]

Here's the new thread!
Squee-eeze those muscles, or squee-ee-eeeze those babies out!

Darcies, are you meaning with the epidural that even if you change your mind and scream for one you don't want to be given one? that sounds a bit extreme TBH - is there a particular reason you would deny yourself one under all circumstances? eg if baby was distressed and they recommended a c-section, banning yourself from an epidural means you'd have to have a far riskier general anaesthetic.

It's completely up to you but birth plans really are a "wish list" rather than something that will be totally adhered to so do be aware of that. I wanted to deliver squatting with DD1 but baby didn't seem to like that position at all so it didn't happen....

Aethel With DD I requested an Epidural but not because of pain just due to tiredness. Obvs in the event of C-section then i'd want an epidural not GA.
Like I say would mainly just go with the flow.

OK, darcies, fair enough! It was just the way you worded it made it sound like you wanted to be refused one even if you begged for it, I suspect it was just the way I read it... go with the flow is totally sensible. Anyways, should be quicker and easier for you this time around xxx

and in other news, I've been mooching around all day at home which is lovely, but haven't actually got very much done. curse you, internet....
Have been rung to help out at Rainbows this pm which is nice though, cos when I help out, DD2 can come along as well which she loves. yay.

Wording is not my best thing at the moment lol. PB!

Aethel DD loves it when I help out at Rainbows :) Got to sort DD Brownies form out on weds. Have fun.

darcies just been out, off out now for my reflexology, I'll get back to you re:florists. They are bloody expensive, and I was thinking of doing table decs etc myself - I'm so glad I didn't. I certainly didn't need any extra stress that morning!

For an archway (massive), my bouquet (gold wire with orchids), 4 bridesmaids posies, 7 corsages, 2 big standing arrangements and one tall table arrangement, 8 table decs (martini glasses on mirrors, with orchids)... I paid £1200. Scary stuff. But the flowers were amazing.

How are things going, kri5ty, Mmmcheese and Honey?

Fingers also crossed for your having a short quarantine, Mmmcheese

HoneyLovesCake, that sounded like an excellent response to your mother: "Drama Queen" indeed! Bet she has no sense of humour about it, unlike the rest of us when we have mini drama queen moments!

Oooh, KateM, hope you sort the boiler out permanently soon! Remember that newborns and other vulnerable people in a house make a boiler outage an emergency, so don't be afraid to pull rank!

Glad your mum is still happy about the homebirth, Tyelperion; that's really great news, and must really have calmed you down. I find the business about stress really reassuring, actually - it makes me believe I CAN get to hospital in time (on adrenaline), then chill out and "pop"! Making idealism work for oneself!

jigglebum, I can't remember how old your DS is, but mine is 3.7 and very clingy (has moved house so many times that is not surprising), so I feel for you. I have been "dealing with it" (badly) by getting cross a lot, but trying to take control of my emotions and fabricate calm, "set up" cuddles, have instituted a bedtime story about the "Bright, Bright Hospital", which ends with us bringing baby home, DS meeting us at the door and getting his sister on his lap (she wakes up a little to see what's up, sees him and recognises his voice, then goes back to sleep because she feels safe and happy with him).) This finally seems to be working, both for me and for him. We've also been discussing them having a bath together, etc. If it will help, I can write out the story and PM it to you.

hawthers, that sounds very productive. And you have reminded me I have to do a collection this PM for my midwife appointment... when I could scarcely wipe my bottom yesterday . I'm still 48", but somehow feel bigger - an anti-TARDIS! Aaargh!
When do you get the results of the development review? And yours, Mmmcheese?

OiMissus, those poor feet!

sotiredofwheelsonthebus, so exciting you have a firm ELCS date - much more focussed than the rest of us, waiting and wondering....

I daren't refresh the page, as I am now struggling to catch up and post this before running out again this afternoon. Hope you will figive me for leaving anyone out!

Just necking coffee as have still not done my "sample" for the MW this afternoon. What a slacker. We had popcorn and melon for lunch, too! Fibre and vitamins, dontcha know.
Think we have sorted DS's preschool, too. Just need to drop the application and follow up tomorrow, to start in Jan

Hope my yuletide namechange has worked!! Just got in from a 1.5 mile battle down to Costa and back, it is blowing a gale out there!

Re flowers, after nearly fainting at a £2000 quote we did our own the day before our wedding - it was brilliant actually. That morning I and a couple of friends went to the flower market around 6am, bought 12 silver vases (like mint julep cups), floral foam, wire, tape and pearl headed pins, and armloads of flowers that we thought looked nice and were the right colour - total cost was about £150. We then organised lunch for 12 later that same day (food delivered from Ottolenghi), my aunt and I made one display that I liked and then everyone copied it. Since most of our relatives had arrived in town at least a day early this was a lovely way to catch up with them the day before and to introduce them to each other so they knew some people at the wedding the next day!

All displays were sent over in a taxi to the venue that afternoon and kept overnight in the catering fridge, then set out by the catering staff when they set up the room the next day. Bouquet was made by another aunt the next morning and sent to my room while I was getting ready, buttonholes by my cousins who brought them to the church. There are photos online if anyone wants to see how easy it is if you're laid-back about your flowers

Well im still feeling sorry for myself but have mw coming over later to do blood tests but with this stupid strike tomorrow might not get results until after the weekend. I think the liklihood is that im immune but still worrying, and now im worrying that if DS has it when DD is born DD and i will have to avoid contact with DS until hes no longer infectious. Hows that going to work?! Also read that if newborns get chicken pox 30% can die from it. Scared now :(

Forgot to say had no more mucus plug today, and no idea when will get results of DS assessment, from my past experience with the nhs it will be 6 weeks! Another moan, DS wears special shoes but has grown out of them and they hurt his feet so he cant wear them now. Still waiting for next size up from nhs that he was measured for 7 weeks ago. Dont understand why everything has to take so long with the nhs, its not as if they are specially made for him, just a standard size.

Sorry think better stay off mn for a while as feeling ridiculously sorry for myself and just want to moan :(

Just got back from MW appt which was very frustrating, was supposed to be a happy positive one with my favourite MW who is very understanding of my demanding OCDness & a bit alternative (even DP was looking forward to it). Instead I am greeted by a complete stranger; my lead MW has been transferred to a different area , this MW is not even my new lead she's just covering for the day. Had to talk about all the stuff my MW already knew; refusing internals, sweeps etc...I could tell she thought I was just being stroppy & I am thoroughly fed up :( If I make it to next wk's appt I will be seeing another MW who is also not my lead & I'll have to go through all of this again.

Hi all, wow this thread moves so fast I can't keep up. I've had the plasterers here all day doing bathroom (crossing my legs is getting trickt!) and baby room ready for painting at the weekend.
It's given me the excuse of lots of sofa time Which in turn has made me notice that when I get a really strong kick I hear a little click at the same time - could this be their little joints clicking? Very cute if so!

So a quote for £800 is good then :)

Mmmm Stay on MN we are all happy to listen as we all have our moans and groans.

Honey That's pants about your MW, esp this close to delivery.

Walking def seems to be doing something because my does it hurt down there :(

Mmmm that's what we are here for - moan away. Anyway, you definitely have something to moan about - totally rubbish situation :( I hope it's all okay. What a pain.

Honey also what a pain for you, the first 24 weeks of my pregnancy I saw a different midwife every time and it's rubbish, I hope you don't have to go through explaining all again. Don't worry what she thinks though! You are not being stroppy, just stating what's right for you. It's your body and your birth, so you have every right to!

Hi everyone else! Hope all ok and aches and pains/tiredness not too bad.

I have been inspired to be a bit yuletidey. :)
I'd probably agree that £800 for floristry is pretty fair. :)
Mmmm moan away, that's what we are here for.
honey Sorry to hear about your MW, that is crappy after all this time. Has your potential labour stopped now?
The reflexology session was lush. So relaxing and calming. I never thought I'd be able to lie down for an hour and let someone play with my feet, but it was heaven. Let's hope it starts something. Now, on the lady's orders, I must go and lie down and take it easy.

Oi Glad you enjoyed your reflexology session, take it easy now

I think £800 is fair price for everything that I we like :)

honey that is pants! Especially as you have had a mw you get on with up to now. My favourite midwife retired in between DD2 & 3, she was amazing but I do quite like my lead mw this time too.

I know how you feel mmm I wear digital hearing aids and it takes sooooo long from having the hearing test to getting the settings changed.

We have the birth pool!

mopsy she's my 6th MW so far...I have at least one more to meet for post natal appts (my new lead) & another it I make it to next Wednesday's A/N appt

oi no...still going but I'm ignoring it MW was very sniffy about the possibility of labour having started....said I didn't look like I was in labour I asked not even the latent phase & she said it's possible but we don't really take an interest in it until your contractions are 2-3 mins apart...well, excuse me for mentioning it then

What an ignorant cow!! (the lay MW) I am happy for you honey that she's just there for today!
I've seen 3 or 4 different community MWs, and you can't make an appt to see a specific one - you get whoever's on duty.

Mmm and Honey Sorry to hear about your troubles. Last thing you need at this stage.

Looking forward to an update from Kri5ty

Thanks plu The plumber is coming back tomorrow to fix the boiler and we're making do with portable heaters in the meantime. Could be a lot worse as it's just a valve that needs replacing.

Well, I have now finished my Christmas shopping and will do the last of the wrapping this evening. Have never been this organised before. Then it's just cards to write and decorating to do - we're going to get the tree at the weekend if baby hasn't arrived in the meantime. I treated myself to a white hot chocolate in Thorntons cafe to celebrate - bloody lovely :)

Oh, and loving the name change tyel tinsel

Hi everyone - sorry to hear about the aches, pains and MW hassles. I have seen a few different MWs but all have been really nice so hasn't mattered for me.

Thanks for the advice on my clingy DS. He is 3.6. I think it is a mixture of having spent lots of time with me when he was ill and anxiety about the baby. Thanks for the book/story ideas too. We have read a fair few and we have just started a sticker book about a new baby. The problem I have with a lot of the stories is that the older child always feels left out when baby arrives and then they realise it is all ok and have a happy ending. However, I could do without the first bit. DS said to me the other day that when baby was here I would not have time to cuddle him, which I thought was really sad. I am trying lots of reassurance and trying to be more patient with him but it is hard work!

Thought I might have gone into labour sometime today as had period type cramps last night and some mild but sporadic contractions, but had very little action today but baby definitely feels lower, so perhaps soon - just my luck if it is tomorrow and everyone is on strike!!

Been productive today and bought nearly all my chirstmas pressies on line and done the housework whilst DS at preschool.

Thanks kate - I'm just waiting for jiggle to bow to the inevitable and become jinglebum

Like Oi (love your namechange too!) my community MW team has five MWs, all of whom I've now met at various appointments, but apparently when I ring up for a homebirth they could all be out at other people's houses so there is a backup list of the other two community areas - so in theory I could get any one of my own MW team, or 10 others who I have never met! So far I have liked everyone I've met very much so I'm not too worried - they're all very pro-homebirth, many of them have hypnobirthing training even.