Still Brewing a March Baby!

[Carlitawantsababy]

Shiny new thread!

Beewi-
I was always at least 3cms smaller than 'normal' Nobody can be textbook and as long as you are eating well & feeling ok i wouldnt worry ! I had growth scans every two weeks with my first baby and was told he would be under 5lbs (he was 7lb 11oz born so midwives word is not always gospel!)

Thank you for sharing DublinDee! I am very excited to have another little human. I agree that i will have to realise i cant do absolutely everything. With my DS i did (and still do!) everything. Every night feed from birth, never put him down, every nappy change, i hate going out without him and normally opt out of any socialising that is not baby friendly! Although saying this i have a great circle of friends with babies who are very similiar.

Myself and DH have spoken about letting him 'help' more this time round! I think it will be hard letting go of the reins as i am so set in my ways!!!

Regarding pain relief... Whatever gets baby here safe is the right option! If you feel like you can cope without drugs then fantastic, epidural- also fantastic! You do not win any medals for staying drug free - trust your instincts!

The other thing that terrifies me is the thought of a C Section! Of course i'd go down that route if completely necessary for babys and my own safety but, the thought does freak me out! Iam also worried about recovery time? How would i cope with having to rest up for so long with a toddler to care for? Food for thought.

Oh so excited for your sis Jezz. Don't worry about horror stories, you create your very own one instead pet! And even if she does have a rough time - doesn't mean you will! Please let us know what she had :)
Franki agree totally - you don't get prizes for being a martyr ... The drugs DO work in this case, Richard Ashcroft is a big liar :o

Boys off school today both had high temps this morning. Gonna go get them fed and will check back later. Have a lovely afternoon ladies xx

I'm certainly not expecting any prizes/ trying to be a martyr but would like to stay drug free for me and for my baby if at all possible! Of course if a c section is needed then an epidural or anaesthetic will be needed and if I need it for my baby's sake or for mine then so be it, I'm keeping an open mind as labour and birth are very unpredictable but still have preferences!
How exciting re your nephew jezzabell am with you on the weeing thing, it's really odd to wake feeling so desperate then just have a tiny widdle!

Afternoon all! Well, I'm now part time working after finishing my last five day week at 2pm today. I am exhausted so v glad to have got to this stage finally!

Re drugs: I don't want epidural, pethadine or diamorphine unless absolutely necessary. I've done pregnancy yoga for help with breathing and relaxation so hopefully I'll be ok with just that and maybe g&a (although I'd prefer a g&t tbh ) I may have to end up having a C section anyway as my placenta was low lying for my 20 week scan. Hopefully it has moved as I really would not have a c section out of choice - all your bits still in tact yes, but major surgery and recovery period? No thanks!

It's interesting to hear what everyone hopes for their labour. I know I am hoping for a waterbirth, just using gas and air if I need it.........but the reality is I have no idea how painful (or not) it is actually going to be. So I agree with the ladies that say, use whatever works!! I will wait and see how I feel at the time, and if I 'need' all of the drugs they offer, then I'll be taking them, although I'm with broody and think a couple of large vodkas would work just as well!!

Also on the sleep issue, I'm having trouble sleeping (but mainly because I'm in pain from my SPD/PGP). Everytime I move or try to turn I wake up. The weeing problem was an issue a few weeks ago and I was up like clockwork at 3am, but that has settled down again now.

And I wont even start on the baby budget. We definetly have PFBS........but I'm sure we have only purchased essentials, you might not think the same if you looked in my spare room!!

Have a lovely weekend ladies.

broody the g & t sounds perfect!
Congratulations on finishing your last full time week, must be such a relief!
moffit as long as you had fun shopping and you'll have fun using everything doesn't matter so much if essential or not does it?

Hello everyone- good to see how busy it's been on here the last couple of days! I've been at my parents picking up all kinds of free goodies from people. Interesting to read how much/ little you've all been spending- I've realised (a bit to my shame) that I've only really spent money (about £120) on myself so far (maternity clothes/ bras/ Bio oil/ yoga classes etc)... apart from a few very cheap second hand baby bits. But- I still don't have a pram/ travel system yet or a proper cot (the 'crib' I've been lent turns out to be a large Moses basket) so still quite a lot to sort out...

My friend had a home water birth a couple of days ago- all fine, and she didn't have to go to hospital at all (it was her first baby), her partner said she would definitely have had the drugs if she'd been at hospital as it was much more painful than she had anticipated (and she ended up delivering on the futon, rather than in the pool!) But good to know it all went well... I don't know if I'll write a birth plan, really I don't feel I can predict it at all, so I think I'd like to be as flexible and open as possible. I'm interested in a water birth, but my hospital only has one birthing pool, so it's really just dependent on if it's free or not..

I'm sleeping terribly, too- partly acid reflux, partly being uncomfortable, but mainly I just wake up at about 4am every morning and simply can't get back to sleep again.

Sleep - oh how I miss a full eight hour session My SPD means I can get off ok but as soon as I move, I'm awake again. I mentioned it in my yoga class last night and a few other mums have it too or have had it before. I'm ok to carry on with yoga but my instructor gave me a few alternatives on some exercises so I don't overdo it. It's just so strange after being able to really stretch out my legs all this time with my horse riding that I can't do it anymore. Fingers crossed it all goes back to normal after baby arrives. I heard from my dad earlier that mum has been diagnosed with it too - not through pregnancy but the change!

Hi kiki, hope you had a good time away, good to hear about your friend's birth!
broody sorry to hear you're suffering, hopefully the adapted yoga will help. I would really strongly advise avoiding stairs as much as possible as they make an enormous difference to me, do you live in a house? I live in a flat but when I'm at my sister's house I now go up and down the stairs on my bum. It's a bit of a faff, sure, but helps so so much. If you're not sure it's a trigger for you how about trying it for one week and seeing if you get a reduction in pain. I'll even go as far as changing my walking routes outside to avoid steps, use lifts in shops etc. HTH

Thanks, Carlita- yes, it was nice. Only thing was I was offered loads of stuff I didn't really need, it was a bit overwhelming, and I started to feel like I was being really fussy. There were hundreds of baby boy clothes that just weren't the kind of thing I like that much myself (I like simple stuff, and these had logos and big cartoons all over them & things) so I just took the ones I liked and my mum thought I was being a right fusspot. But I don't even know if it's a boy or girl, yet! Not that I mind too much- just that I have a small house and don't want to clutter it with a load of old stuff I'll probably never use...

Broody- I'm sure my yoga teacher said that people who regularly ride horses/ bikes or do a lot of yoga etc are more likely to suffer from PGP, and that keeping your legs together as much as possible really helps. (Insert 'Carry On' style joke here etc...)

Is anyone starting to get rib ache from being kicked? Ouch. X

You need to be fussy with a small house and not knowing if it's a boy or a girl though, there is so much baby equipment available that you could fill a whole house with just one of each thing so assessing what will likely fit in with your life seems the way to go! it makes sense what you say about horse riders and yoga people as their ligaments would already have a greater range of movement (like mine with hypermobility) and the tip sounds like a good, simple way to think of it too. No crossing legs or ankles, no stairs, walk with legs close together (think geisha) are my rules and they fit in well with yours!

Its a good theory about SPD affecting riders more...but it's not strictly true. It's like stretch marks - some of us get them, some of them don't (although that's mostly down to genes rather than luck!) It's just one of these pregnancy oddities unfortunately :/ Doesn't make it any nicer for those of us that are suffering!

I seem to inadvertently offended my MiL this week she came round armed with tons of clothes, nappies, blanket and some bedding. Many of which we've got already. With nappies, me and DH had decided we wouldn't buy loads because my sister (who has a 7 month old) said that she found one brand to be a better fit for her son than others and her friend who had a girl found another brand to be better - much like clothes shops I guess. Bedding wise, I know the dimensions of the cotbed so I got the right size - she's got some other type instead. But I didnt want to appear ungrateful and I thanked her as normal. As she was leaving she said she wanted to buy the changing bag and to let her know what else we need and she'll buy it. But as much as I'm grateful, this is our baby I'm brewing and we want to buy some of our own stuff. I said "oh you're so kind but, seriously, you've spent such a lot already, don't worry about getting us anything else." Apparently she made a snidey remark to my DH when they were out a few days later about "being told not to buy anything else, even tho it's [my] grandchild too." I really didnt want to offend her but I don't want her to go spending loads of money on things we've already got. So... Seems like I have offended her Any suggestions of what I should say to her next time I see her?

Hmm, Broody- a tricky one. I've been letting people know what I've gathered already to avoid duplicates- maybe think of one thing specifically that would be useful for her to buy? My mum is usually very laid back and not particularly interested in babies/ shopping, but she seems to spend half her life worrying about it now- when we went out last week you'd have thought that if we hadn't bought everything there and then that we'd never have the opportunity again... she was fixated on those sponge floats you can put babies in the bath on- I hadn't really thought about what to buy for bath-time yet, and didn't see the need to decide right that second... It's all well-meant, but can drive you a bit mad! Thanks for your reassurance, Carlita- I'm trying to keep things as simple as I can at the moment!

I'm with you on the nappies, too- I've heard some people praise certain brands (Pampers in particular) & say that they never leak etc, whereas other people find they irritate their baby's skin & that supermarket own brands are better, and much cheaper- I think it's definitely best to try them out before you end up with loads you don't end up using...

broody a friend of mine has a MIL like yours! Honestly, I'd think of something that I really didn't give a hoot about then bring it up next time you see her in a "I feel a bit cheeky asking but you know when you said was there something else you could get for baby? I'd love some (insert item here) and you have such a good eye for those sorts of things/ you'll know much more than me about which type will be best/etc. (as appropriate)"
As long as repairing the relationship is more important to you than discouraging her from shopping for you in future that is! Friend's MIL comes over with full sized rugs, curtains, clothes (and sexy underwear) for her etc etc etc !

Oh broody you poor thing!

Of course YANBU wanting to buy some things for the baby yourself. But your MIL is getting swept up in the idea of being a gran as well so I can see both sides. FWIW I think Carlita's approach is ideal. Pick something you're not bothered about and let her fuss and get all excited about picking it. That way she gets to feel a part of what's going on and you can get the other stuff yourself xx

That's a good idea carlita and dee thanks - will try that I think. My poor DH is caught between devil and deep blue sea with this so I want to do anything that will not cause him stress.

This week, we have our first NCT class. Really looking forward to it! Anyone else started theirs yet? What did you make of it? Someone at yoga mentioned getting on a NHS halfdayer if poss as they'll show me round the wards, rooms and birthing pools etc and where to go for food. Anyone done that? Xxx

Ooh also have any of you tried the ring/gender trick? For those of you who know what you're having, does it match your ultrasound? Xx

Always get mixed up as to whether it's a boy if it circles or swings so didn't try it!!! If you tell me what to do and I'll let you know

Oh, what's the ring trick? Don't know hat we're having but am getting impatient to know iyswim.

Broody - hope things go better with your MIL; it's not a time when you need pointless drama. We started antenatal classes a few weeks ago. The first was rubbish- the woman was totally disorganized and we came away feeling really despondent, like it'd been a waste of 2 hours. She'd got her act together by the second week, thankfully. She didn't tell me much I'd not read previously but it was great for DH to be there as he's a bit clueless about the full childbirth process, so it was really worthwhile. Feel like it'll help him become a better birth partner and it gives s a chance to discuss what we want to do.

Been getting more nesty today and sewing up under sheets for the bassinet and going to start painting the baby's room tomorrow. TBH getting a bit twitchy now. Just coming to the end of the 6 weeks hols a week on Wednesday and not made my mind up if I'm going to ask my school if I can do some cover work. Feeling like I should because it's extra money and maternity pays crap here as well as starting to get a bit bored/fidgety at home but on the other hand it'll be as hot as hell and not sure how well I'll deal with being on my feet or sustained lengths of time. Decisions. When is it 'normal' to work up until? Feel like it's odd timing with having had a big block of hols during most of my 3rd trimester so far.

bee - the ring trick is an old wives tale where you take your wedding ring, put it on a piece of cotton and hold it over your bump. Apparently, if it swings side to side you're having a boy and it you get circles, its a girl. It intrigues me, all these tales!

Re work - go til when you feel comfortable would be my advice. I'm finishing march 6 and baby is due march 25. I have a big commute to work and I'm getting a bit stressed out with my role and colleagues (whole other thread!) so I feel this is the right time for me. Having said that, as of this week, I'm doing part time so down to three days a week in the hope it'll chill me out a bit. We wait and see... :/

broody my wedding ring is off (fat fingers ) and packed so can't try it out!
bee I finish work on Thursday (then have one day delivering training on the 1st feb) because hopefully we're moving very soon (still don't have a date but had to have a guess) how flexible will the school be? Can you change your mind if it gets too tiring? I have to say I am really looking forward to finishing so that I can get some sewing done/more things made, just haven't had time between packing and working! We got so much packed and sorted this weekend though, feeling very pleased with ourselves and a bit closer to moving!
Have any of you noticed an increase in baby's size/strength recently? When I lay on my side he pushes down on the side of me that's against the bed (not sure what with) whilst raising the upper side very noticeably up and down (in fact the cat pounced on him through the duvet yesterday ) it's like he's doing push ups in there!
word Am popping CD in the post to you on the way to my midwife appointment this afternoon.

Carlita- the movements have definitely changed the last week or so- and the position - it's still wriggling around, but one day it was right at the front and my bump pretty much doubled in size overnight, then it went further backwards and shrunk again. Also getting the odd kick in my cervix or towards my hip- I don't know what it's kicking there exactly, but that's really uncomfortable. It's pressing against my lungs a bit, too, which can leave me a bit breathless. Still really like the wriggling though, I just have to encourage it into different positions, sometimes! And now when it does somersaults it really feels like it's twisting and jiving away!

Oh, I meant to say, too, that I've a Health Visitor coming to visit at home in early Feb- I received a letter about it. Has anyone else got anything like this coming up? I think they just introduce themselves and check the home environment is OK (god, mine is still all in the middle of being decorated & a complete tip- at least it gives me a bit of a deadline!)

Carlita, thank you so much! Looking forward to that. :)

I think I have just started with heartburn. Never had it before though so am only assuming that's what the burning in my throat is . . .

I am noticing a change in strength too. Am feeling quite battered by the end of the day at the moment.

Broody, I went through a period of trying all sorts of old wives tales to find out the gender, including the bicarb one which was very comical, but the mood seemed to pass quite quickly - can't remember what they all said now anyway!

It's great that you get to look around the hospital - they have stopped doing that here. Our antenatal classes don't start for another month. In a way I am glad because I am so busy, but in another way I would quite like to be getting the info now!

My husband and his friend painted the baby's room this weekend, so the house is in total disarray. It looks lovely and fresh in there though.

Am very emotional and tired at the moment - the slightest thing seems to make me weepy. It's ridiculous. The amount of work I have to get through is not helping.

Hello all, hope Monday isn't too bad for you. I slept really badly last night as usual on a Sunday night, then woke up worrying about money DH hasn't got a job at the moment, although is calling agencies all the time and he can't get jobseekers as i work over a certain amount of hours and he hasn't paid enough national insurance for the past 2 years due to being a student. It's so unfair as he went to sea in the merchant navy at 16 and has worked full time since then apart from the past couple of years when he was at uni and then not manging to get full time work so not paying enough national insurance (yet they don't tell you that at the time) so is entitled to no help at all and there are people out there who have never worked and get given plenty of benefits. It's the only thing we've got to worry about really and gets me down a bit. Hopefully when baby arrives we can get some benefits if we're still in the same situation.

Anyways, enough - rant over!

Just to keep you posted on my sis. She had a beautiful 8lb baby boy at 2pm on Friday. She breathed through the entire birth and labour with no pain relief at all. She did a hypnobirthing course and said she felt so relaxed all the way through and was completely in control. She's sent me copies of the CDs to listen to, hopefully they might be a bit helpful if i listen to them regularly for the next few weeks. She was buzzing about the birth and I'm glad it went well. If she can do it so can I. I know my sister well and I'm sure I can do the same as her - although if i don't as long as baby and me are fine that's ok. But it has made me feel really positive.

Kiki my MW is going to arrange a home visit when i'm 36 weeks as I'm hoping for a home birth. Not sure what she'll need to do. She's also going to arrange a scan at 37 weeks to check baby's position.

Carlita I definately can tell baby has grown. Movements feel much different and when she's in a certain position, bits of my bump (mainly the top) feel really hard and I can feel hard body parts under the skin, not sure what parts yet. I'm constantly entertained by watching my bump move, although she seems to know when anyone else starts watching and stops! DH keeps missing her moving, although has caught a couple of proper Alien like moments!