January 2012 - it's not just the corks that are a-popping

[Mulledbee]

New thread for new babies!

Previous thread at: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1363221-January-2012-Will-any-of-us-deliver-before-Father-Christmas-The-race-is-on?pg=20

Happy new year everyone, not long for those of us that haven't popped yet!

X-post sorry to hear about the swelling red. It's something I'm asked about at every appointment but I'm not sure why. Maybe give the MW a call?

Can't help with labour questions/show etc as I'm a first timer!

Red, I haven't been able to wear my rings for several weeks now and have very puffy hands and feet. I have a touch of carpal tunnel syndrome from the swelling. Pre-eclampsia signs are sudden rapid swelling so it's more likely just late pg. if you have headache, rib pain, rolling pain across your bump, flashing lights etc, those are PE signs and should be checked out (I know because I've had mild versions of all of them in recent weeks but not together and I don't have PE). I tend to wait it out but you could do worse than calling the MW to check!

Holidays... We are planning a week in Cornwall with friends who will have two kids by then, and I expect the rest of our holidays will be used up visiting family, who are all ~200 miles away. DH gets a lot of leave technically but rarely gets to take it all or has it cancelled/moved at the last minute.

and he's just been put on call again overnight tomorrow. Apparently he's the only person who can do it, but they have a back up plan in case I go into labour - then why can't the back up do it??? It's not that I'm worried about sudden labour as in light traffic he's only 25 mins away, it's just that these are literally our last days as a couple and i'd rather he didn't spend 36+ hours at work (he'll have to do a working day after being on call unless he has to fly in the night) when we could be together. I may be a bit grumpy and puffy atm but surely I'm not that unpleasant to be around...

Red we've been sticking to uk holidays since dd was born we have a couple booked for next year. We also have a holiday to France booked for 2014 this will probably be our first abroad holiday with the girls and we're going by train. Depending on how that goes we may venture further after that but by then dd will be 3 and bump will be 2!

Ghost sorry to hear about your dh being on call :(

Having a really grumpy day again today so going to go back to lurking.

Hope everyone else is having better days.

Morning every one, still here with bump to. No vomiting though last night so I actually got some sleep. However got really confused and forgot to take ds2 to school today, feel like I am a really bad mum. Just so hard to keep up with schedules from 3 schools. I am madly sorting washing so that when things kick off any one can get them ready with out hunting around.

Also washed the cover for the baby's car seat and got it all back on with the insert and pads to. Not sure if the crib will go together though as we can't find the bolts for it so we will have to see.

Red, I've not worn my rings for a couple of weeks, (I'm also suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) but I think swollen hands as a stand alone symptom is normal.

Moobee, re holidays, we're going away for a week over Easter with DH's family to stay in a cottage on the South coast so I really hope he's a good sleeper or he'll keep everyone up at night! I did think it may be a bit quick but it had already been booked and paid for by PIL so seems rude not to go. We'll need to sort a passport as we're moving to Sweden in June but not started thinking about that yet - need to decide whether he gets a UK or a Swedish passport first! When DH's nephew was born they got a fast tracked passport for him within a week as we were getting married in Sweden 3 weeks after he was born.

Hey all. Got back to sleep eventually and slept till 9.30 - bliss. Still feeling a bit tearful and emotional, esp at being on my own in an empty house. Am very glad my mum is coming up later. I'm such a sap.

Went out to baby group this morning - was a v cute 4 week old there called Jack. So sweet. Had forgotten how tiny newbie ones were now all the ones at group have got so big! Can;t wait to hold my little man.

Came home to wet floor, wet guitar, wet painting because the ceiling has leaked, as we warned landlord it probably would judging by the damp patches last time there was heavy rain

And Moobee - you're not alone on the weird dreams. I had my recurring one again last night about the baby emerging through the flesh of my belly and being made of the flesh from my belly. It freaks me out.

Ghost so sorry to hear your DH is on call again. Suckage. I hate that Ad is back at work, but at least that's standard and predictable and not at night. Give me a yell if you get utterly fed up, we could meet up halfway - maybe at the uber Tescos on the ringroad, the one near the Mothercare... do you know where I mean? That must be about halfway...

Red join the 'I wear my rings on a chain round my neck because I have fat hands' club.

Oh yeah - holidays - we have a UK one booked for May, but nothing else yet. We were thinking of Italy for our anniversary in Sep, but DH started having doubts last night, so we may need to rethink. UK stuff would be easier...

We're thinking that all our holidays will need to be car based for the first year but that doesn't rule out France. We also have friends in Ireland to visit so that will give us plane practice on a short run. My passport runs out next year so I will probably get a baby passport at the same time.

Been to midwife all ok. Bump measuring 2cm small still but consistent. BP slightly raised so will go next week just for an extra check as now being induced so no more MW appts.

Hello, Happy New Year to all and congrats to all who have delivered already!

I'm not ready yet; I'm trying to put 'mind over matter' and aim for the 29th (actual due date is 30th) so that there will be no race home from work for my DH!

Talking about holidays with a baby, with the benefit of hindsight, (and ignoring all the extra 'stuff' you may need to take), I think it would probably be 'easier' to fly with a small baby who only needs milk, sleep and a clean bottom, than it is with an older child who needs a seat of their own, constant entertainment and is too excited to sleep. I was too chicken to consider flying anywhere with v young baby, but DS hated the car seat so much, it would have been a better option than driving somewhere anyway, so I should have just gone for it!

With passports for babies, up to a certain age (not entirely sure what it is), the passport photo requirements are relaxed (i.e. baby does not have to have eyes open) and the passport is valid for 5 years, I think. Again, with hindsight, wish I'd sorted it when DS was younger as it was a massive battle to get the passport photo right 3 years down the line when standard passport photo rules apply!

My DS is starting school in Sept, so we're considering a 'last chance for an out of peak season holiday' in June/July, so that will put all of my above theories to the test!

I can wear my rings in the day but by evening they are uncomfortable and digging in a little.

No holidays planned yet but we usually holiday in the uk anyway. DH doesn't like flying and I think holidays at home are easier with little ones. I'm hoping we have a nice summer so we can go camping. If not maybe a cottage holiday on the south coast.

Is anyone else on the short side? I feel like baby is running out of room. Bum is just below my ribs and head is down (although not fully engaged). I'm getting so uncomfortable now.

afternoon all,

Been to midwife-she thinks the boy is fully engaged now. Offered me a sweep but i have said no til next week.

My daughter and have had shit day together again. Im so bloody bored of this theme. Shes just bloody impossible at the moment. We went to a friends today, i asked and she said she wanted to go and I was grateful to get out because she was fair bouncing off the walls this morning. Friend has a dd of the same age (nct buddy) and the girls normally get on really well and they did. Then suddenly dd wanted to go home, i asked but she just said she was tired-they hadn't argued or anything, so we did.
Then in car on the way home shes starts wingeing and moaning on about how she didn't want to go out today. I said "oh well, were home now" and she started having a huge temper tantrum and just would not stop going on and on about how she had changed her mind and didn't want to go.
I am so stressed out by her. I'm afraid i ended up shouting and then went sat in my bedroom for her safety because i think i could have really spanked her right then. I honestly feel like the stress she is causing me is the reason i'm not in labour. Before then i was nicely relaxed and I was having good strong braxtons. 5 minutes of being at home and having a shouting match with a bloody 4 yr old and it all stopped. I just feel I have no control. I have done loads of nice things with her, shes had shit loads of lovely gifts and QT with us over xmas and it just seems to make it worse.
Honestly if i spoke to my mother the way she speaks to me I would of got a total leathering. Not my parenting choice but I can see why parents get driven to it. Then that thought makes me think how the hell am I ever going to cope with 2 of them. Shes 4. Any technique I have tried doesn't work she just strops and argues and winges.

Sorry you are having a tough time with your DD fish. I'm not sure I have any advice other than possibly speak to your health visitor? My DD is 3 and can be so difficult sometimes. It's like she is two people. I'm finding the back chat, demanding behaviour and tantrums a lot harder at the moment. Part of me thinks it will be easier once baby is here and part of me is dreading it.

Does a sweep actually do anything to bring labour on?

Back home now having spent most of the day in hospital being scanned in one way or another. Turns out baby is doing brilliantly (strong heartbeat, head down and in the right position) although he may have shifted a little to the right; I AM having quite strong contractions, but I'm not in labour - might still go to 40 weeks (20 Jan) Who knew that was possible? :) Fortunately even one paracetamol seems to reduce the pain significantly, although OBGYN suggested trying to do without in order to monitor things more accurately.

In a weird sort of way it was good to have a dry run - nurses were really kind - and it's given me a much-needed kick up the arse to get everything ready here - nothing like running around the house looking for a presentable nightie to bring home the reality of the situation :)

Anyway, many thanks for the sympathy earlier and v sorry to hear about everyone else's woes, i.e. stroppy daughters, absent husbands and swollen hands!

fish Can't help, other than also suggesting talking to a HV, see if they have any ideas. She's probably just acting up to all the tension and change that's going on. Not much help, but, well, maybe things will settle a bit once baby appears? One of my nieces, who's usually the loveliest, easiest child on the planet, is getting all fractious as her Mum's pg and wound-up with various worries (though she seems to be "feeling poorly" or just being very tearful, and again, not really knowing what she wants), one of them being that my neice is wound-up and not acting 'normal'. Catch-22 there!

capy glad to hear all is good.
I'm also liking "stroppy daughters, asbent husbands and swollen hands" as a book title...maybe we should all gang together and write a series of very short stories...

I think the idea of a sweep is to get your cervix dilating by separating the membranes and hopefully kicking of prostaglandin production. I think...god, antenatal classes weren't all that long ago...must get a new memory-chip installed.

I managed a grand total of 30mins swimming before the hoof in my liver and the indigestion got the better of me! Still, not bad. Abi was fairly quiet for the experience and I discovered I have a very floaty arse now... Still, it's taken the regular bus driver until today to realise I'm pregnant...so my arse can't be that big...

Hi I can only add with my experiences about dd's. I have 2 of them 22 months apart and they are very different in temperament. One is easy going the other nothing is right. They are 10 and 8 and when they are home together it is open warfare. The younger dd gets on with every one the older one picks fights with every one. DD1 has been like this since 2 I am sad to say. Dealing with girls is far harder than boys.

At the moment hate the fact that things could start all of a sudden. Really hate my mums first question are you in labour every time I call.

Hi there ladies! Have been going to hospital to be monitored everyday since Friday and am now in for good till the little one is here tomorrow!!! Feels so surreal... They will start induction tonight, will keep you ladies posted

Man hands over here too, my wedding ring has been off fit months!!!

Sorry fish to hear about dd being difficult hope you get a break soon and she gets less demanding.

Holidays: going to Brazil in June, wohooo! GP said after they get their jabs they are fine to fly.

Lots of love xxx

Sorry to hear about woes with existing children - not much advice here as I'm totally inexperienced but just keep breathing and trying to relax I guess!

Green eek that's so exciting, good luck! Has anyone on here actually posted a labour thread? I love those things

Today at NCT we found out that one of the babies, who was born at 33 weeks, is home and doing well, yeys! And the other news is that one of the babies is breech so there's an ELCS booked next Tuesday - the girl was due after me but I bet her little one arrives first. Am a bit but it's mental as she obviously wouldn't choose a breech baby and ELCS. Pregnancy makes me grumpy and irrational .

Thanks for the support re DH - I've calmed down a bit now but am worried by his apparent inability to say no to work. He says it's all so he can say no after the baby arrives, but I have my doubts! I guess I can also be more forceful re his work when the baby is here.

Cakes when does your mum leave? Yes let's meet up, Tesco would be ok, can't particularly think of anywhere nicer that's halfway! Thurs? Fri?

Back from all my various appts now. MW said that we were 2/5 engaged but when we got to the scan she was slightly off centre to the right but during the scan she moved a bit to the left and was central. My bubs is obviously having difficulty aiming! Also have discovered that she doesn't really kick me but she punches with a mean left hook - we watched her doing it. Her feet are up in my ribs but I can't feel them. Anyway growth is still perfectly average and they are happy with my GD management, BP was back to normal this afternoon so we are still on for induction at 38 wks rather than a brought forward date.

I remembered to ask this time why I was being induced early, as the MW wasn't 100% comfortable either. She was concerned that as a 1st timer, my body wouldn't be ready so it might be more difficult. She advised staying as active as possible once they put the pessary in which is apparently better than being strapped to a monitor the whole time. Apparently with older mums they don't advise going over 40 wks as the risk of unexplained still births is higher (small but higher). Apparently with GD the risk of unexplained still birth increases after 38 wks so it is an automatic induction at that time - which I think ties in with kittie's experience. I'd rather go through the induction I think than live with myself if anything happened to bubs because of a risk I overruled - even though it is relatively small.

I feel a bit happier about it now - it might not be what I wanted but if it is safer for bubs then that is best I think.

Good luck greenlady FX all goes well for you tomorrow. We'll be thinking of you :)

Fingers crossed for tomorrow Greenlady! :)

Oh! FX green Update us if you feel able!

Is it normal to have a very sudden intense dizzy spell?

I've just put the plates from dinner in the kitchen, sat down for a couple of minutes and BANG, massively dizzy. Faded a bit now, but still feel "wrong." Abi's moving about as usual, but this is usually what I feel like mid-aura with non-pg migraine, but no slurred speech, loss of sight, loss of grip etc. My head was sore earlier and I gues it does a bit now, I do have some flashing lights, so maybe that's it. Just a migraine. Hummm... DH is unwell too, and he says he's been feeling a bit dizzy. I'd better not be getting some form of plague.

Oiesha that sounds nasty. Take it easy.

Good luck ladygreen :)

After the trials of today dd seems to be being gorgeous again-we have just had the most perfect bedtime. I wish we didn't have to get to the shouty stoppy stage before it changes!

The pains are back. They feel really kind of good-I was trying to explain to DH how much more "positive" these pains are compared to the pains I have been having.

fish sounds like your dd is wanting your attention and as new baby is almost here it's all quite normal I think? Glad she settled down for you at bedtime. My ds is constantly chatting our heads off and not sure how he'll handle us having to divide our attention once smurf arrives. Sometimes I think it's best to ignore them when they constantly whinge.

oeisha get some chocolate down your neck maybe you need some sugar to help with dizziness? lol at floaty bum in pool, do you do breaststroke or front crawl? Thinking of going swimming this week myself.

I have seen VBAC clinic and MW today in 2 separate appointments and all I wanted to do in-between was sleep on sofa just feel like I could sleep forever today. Apparently I'm able to use birthing pool as a 'top priority' patient if I go into labour spontaneously and they now supply a wireless waterproof ctg which they can use to monitor me so I'm praying for this as never got chance to go in birthing pool first time round. MW said baby's head is low down but still doesn't feel like it to me as not huge amount of pressure felt there yet?

When is your induction parsley

Good luck greenlady and anybody else who is going in tomorrow or is in early labour.

We usually go camping in Cornwall in the witsun holidays but have decided to stay in caravan on same site as all our family go each year and really love it there. It's a four hour drive but we will do a few stops on route. Wow brazil sounds so cool! Villa holidays ate great for babies as can keep them in shade in travelcot bit they are so bloody expensive.

Good luck greenlady

Has anyone managed to find a cure for constipation yet? I really haven't the energy to drag myself to the GPs. Is there anything I can eat/drink/take without having to get a prescription? I'm having lots of wholegrain, fruit, veg, water and peppermint tea. Avoiding white bread etc. Does prune juice actually work?

frillymilly no help I'm afraid but will be watching with interest as I have same problem!

Oeisha sounds scary, hope all is ok now. Second the "get some chocolate down you".

Congrats to those who have had their babies, and good luck to greenlady tomorrow.

It's been a horrible day here, actually felt the house shaking at times! So many people have told me to be as active as possible and go for walks but no such luck in this kind of weather. My bump feels enormous, I'm almost afraid to move at times because I feel like my skin will rip apart!

Feeling a little less shit since dinner's started to be digested. So probably a migraine. I will mention it to MW tomorrow however.

milly prune juice helps me...bloody grim, but it does help, as does dreid fruit (which is also grim IMHO). Though I am on lactulose too now! I know many pregnant women take Fybogel but I don't, mainly as it has citric acid in it and I'm doing my damdest to avoid that as it triggers migraines for me. It does say no to take it without seeking advice, however...but then everything does... It's a fibrous bulking agent, helping make the natural spasms more effective by increasing the content of the bowel.

bhm I did breast stroke. Crawl is just plain uncomfy with missy's foot in my liver and her head being 3/5 it was noticeably different to last time I went. Oh, and crawl tends to bash my boobs about bit...not very comfy. I figured I don't have any signs of PGP/SPD so as long as I was relatively calm about it it'd be fine.