Due April 2006 - new thread for the April Shower!

[colditz]

Ok, I did it!

Now shall we get our stats down again? I think we have had some joiners since we last did it.
Copy/paste the list and add yourself to it.

Colditz - due 06/04/06, aged 25, DP aged 32, 1 DS aged 2.9, having a baby boy! Very scared of needles....

Hooray for the turny baby!

Is it me, or do I not get seen very often? My last appointment was Feb 14th, my next is march 14th. Is this normal? Everone seems to be seen every 2 weeks atm!

Hi all hope everyone is ok im new to this website. I have just moved to Germany from the UK and now i have the internet up and running im just looking for some people to talk to to cure the bordem and lonliness!! After reading through the list i realise im the youngest so please bear with me if i ask some stupid questions!!! I have added myself to the list in date order if thats still how it goes!

MrsQ - due 30/3/06 aged 34, DH 33, DS 2.7. Expecting 2nd boy.

FirstTimer40 - due 01/04/06 (yes really) Aged 40 DH age 47, first baby,its a boy.

Colditz - due 06/04/06, aged 25, DP aged 32, 1 DS aged 2.9, having a baby boy!

Ponka - due 06/04/06 (yes, another one) age 28 DH 36 DS19 mnths. It's a boy!

Spots - due 06/04/06, aged 31, DH39, DD 20 months.

MrsEvs - due 8/4/06, aged 31, DH 33, DD 18 months, having a girl.

Homsa - due 12/4/06, aged 34, DH 39, DS 2.7, expecting a girl.

Pepperrabbit - due 12/4/06, aged 37, DH 37, DS 20 months. don't know the sex.

allyco - due 14/04/06 age (41 - shush) DH 44 dd19 dd13 dd8 and dd16 months. Expecting a BOY!!

Icklesmudge - due 14/04/06 aged 21, dh aged 24. Having a little boy!

TonTon - due 20/4/06 aged 35, dh 33, dd aged 5. Having a girl.

Pacinofan - due 24/4/06, aged 38, dh 46. We are having a girl!

jifda - due 24/04/06 age 30 DH 32,DD 7, DS 5 & DS 3. We knopw we are having a boy this time & he will be called Ellis Owen (we think!)

Curzybabies - due 25/4/06 (my birthday!!) Age 27 DH 31. Already have DS age 3.

Enid - due 30/04/06 Age 39. dd1 (6) and dd2(3)

Debithescot- due 22/04/06 Age 24 DH 25. 1st baby, don't know sex.

Secreteater - 23/04/06 age 30, finace 31, first baby dont know sex

Hello Icklesmudge, there is only a few of us under 30's but don't worry, we are a friendly bunch. Are you coming back to England to have your baby or staying in Germany? I think you are very brave.

I am staying here....My dh is in the Army so its a posting and i have no choice but to join him or stay in the UK alone. I have to say the German midwives are alot more thorough than English ones, i mean they scan you every hospital appointment just to check!!!

Allyco, that is fantastic news!! What a relief, hope all goes well now and you can avoid the section.

Hurray for pepper too avoiding the insulin, it seems like good news all round. I did laugh at the biros thing pepper - how bonkers are you .

I know how you feel colditz about being too tired to nest. I am desperately wanting to scrub the place from top to toe and hyper aware of every speck of dust (OK, every 2 inches of dust all round the house ), but just cannot summon the energy at all. Lovely dh did the living room for me over the weekend - got on all fours and scrubbed the wood floors down and even scrubbed the skirting boards, so is defo in the good books. There still seems so much to do though and I just can't face doing it.

I am also a second timer who is nervous about the birth. I had a pretty straightforward time last time, and it was still hideous, not looking forward to doing it all again at all! However, that is what Mother nature designed the last month of pregnancy for - you are so uncomfy/tired/sick of being pregnant that it actually makes you WANT to go into labour - all very cunning!

Welcome to icklesmudge - I'm away from home (in the US) having my baby too, so I know how you feel.

Colditz, I would have thought you would be being seen more often than that at this stage, but I'm not sure how it works in the UK? Here it's every month until 28 weeks, then it's every 2 weeks until 36 weeks and then it is every week until you deliver. I've got my 36 week appt on Friday, so it will be every week for me after that. Maybe someone else can advise you?

I've only been seen every 4 weeks so far (in fact 5 between last one and next as i had to go a week early coz of being up in Scotland). So I saw midwife at 29 weeks, then next one is at 34 weeks. Think the one ofter that is 38 but it could be 36, can't remember.

icklesmudge; I feel young and daft too, I keep thinking of really silly questions to ask too. (usually at about 4.00am and then I forget them by the time I'm on here) Are your family going to go over to Germany when baby is born? I'm living in SE England and my parents are in Scotland and I think my mum (and dad) might be planning on coming down for 2 weeks AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH She'll drive me mad.

hi and welcome to icklesmudge. Bloody hell, I'm still the oldest.

Rang doctor's yesterday and asked for appointment with community m/w. They said well, next available one is 5 weeks away . I said well, I'll probably have had the baby by then can I have an appointment with a GP instead please. They said, is it for an ante-natal check. I said yes. They said no, GPs don't do them .

Will just have to hope don't develop BP problems or anything then won't I? Cos they're not bothered.

Can I ask where everyone's baby will be sleeping? I still really want that Stokke cot (maybe, maybe) but was thinking of a cheapy crib thing in the meantime, although at nights I daresay he will be in bed with us like all the others ended up . Does/will anybody else do the co-sleeping thing? I've always found it has been great if you are BFing just kind of latch them on and before long they find a nipple themselves, but I know a lot of people are against co-sleeping for one reason or another. Just wondered what everyone's opinion was.

Morning all,
Allyco, I have quite a lot of trouble just co-sleeping with DH so we didn't go down the route of sharing with DS! He was in a crib at the end of the bed for the first 5 weeks so I could touch him from where I was anyway.
Wasn't a particular conscious choice I have to say, I'm certain people co-slept with their babies for centuries (before they invented lovely Stokke cots to bankrupt us all ) so I don't see the harm as long as you heed all the advice re smoking/alcohol and not being too tired? I never did get that one - how many new mums are NOT overtired???
Welcome Icklesmudge, don't worry about asking silly questions even us ancient old biddies have stupid questions! (Thank you Colditz for the cotton wool answer )
Mine for today is - can anyone remember the injection they want to give the baby just after it's born? I want to put my consent on my birthplan but would like to be a bit more specific than "the recommended jab" - sounds a bit carte blanche!
This is why they should do refresher classes for 2nd timers - sigh...

pepperrabbit - I think the injection is vitamin K.

Allyco - well. The logistics of fitting a toddler and a baby into my rabbit hutch has been keeping me awake at night.

What I think I will do is have the baby in a moses basket next to my bed for as long as possible. Then he is going to have to go in the travel cot in my bedroom until ds can be trusted in the same bedroom.
Then We will have to turn ds's bed back into a cot and buy a bunk bed, and get baby into a bed asap! Ds's room is tiny, we couldn't even do a room swap because it isn't big enough for a double bed.

My plan is to have it in crib at end of our bed for a few weeks (who knows how many, depends on how well it sleeps and how many visitors we have staying) and for it to be in its cot in its own room asap. But then its hard to know coz of it being the first and not really having a clue what I'm doing!)

I'd rather not have it in our bed as I'd be a bit scared of squishing it as dh and I both sleep very soundly (or at least i did before I got pregnant)

I was also thinking that it will probably go in its cot in its own room when sleeping during the day (even when its still in our room at night). I think I read somewhere (maybe Gina Ford) that that was a good idea but not really sure. What do you experienced people suggest?

Debithescot - I would recommend that you do whatever you find works. Tiny babies will often (not always!) sleep anywhere. Ds used to fall asleep on the floor.

If you always make sure your child is in the cot for sleeps, you could find yourself not leaving the house much. On the other hand, if you always have it asleep in the pram, it might not sleep without being walked around the block .... then you have to get it into the cot with out waking it! (Lay it on a sheet before you put it in the pram, then pick up the whole sheet to move it!)

To me, being out and about was more important than ds being settled in his cot, and he was perfectly happy to sleep in the pram. It depends what is more important to you. When he was older he only had 1 nap a day anyway, so he always had that in his cot, but tiny babies can have 5 or 6 naps a day!

Allyco, so glad baby has turned for you, must be a huge relief.

Regards sleeping arrangements, we are planning to have dd2 in a moses basket in our room for first 6 weeks-ish and hope to put her in her own room around 6-8 weeks. Did this with dd1 and it worked fine. Problem is we are (trying) to sell the house at the moment and were hoping to avoid decking out a whole new nursery. We are so desperate to move I think if we get a good offer we will go into rented, even if we have a newborn, really, really want to get away from here (semi-rural location, we live on a very steep drive, would never move to the countryside again)!

Oh, did somebody mention Gina Ford? We followed her advice with dd1 (albeit some parts of it loosely so I could actually get out) and I've just started reading it again. Hoping to follow her breastfeeding routine, currently stocking up on breastpads, maternity pads, breastmilk feezer bags so we're ready.

Have you all chosen names yet? We have changed our minds a few times but think we have settled on Verity Frances, even though mil does not like it. Ah well, can't please everyone!

Thanks Colditz!
Debithescot - we put DS in his room for daytime sleeps once we got over the initial wave of visitors where we'd keep the moses basket downstairs, but what we did was put the moses basket in the cot. that way he kind of got used to the bars etc and his own room but didn't look quite so lost in a huge cot! Actually as it was early summer, he'd sleep outside in the moses basket too - we'd just lug it in and out it's a wonder he didn't get seasick!
For the first six months he'd go to sleep as soon as you took him for a walk in his pushchair as well.

Cheers. Definately want to be out and about so hope it will get used to sleeping anywhere. The buggy has a moses basket type pram insert thing so that should be good for sleeping in when out in pram and at home if I want it to be downstairs or outside.

I like most of the ideas Gina Ford has but can see how you could end up mega stressed if you follow her routines exactly to the minute. I'm planning on using it to help but not control everyting.

Secreteater I will also be working until 31st March when I will be 37+1. I guess that makes me a total idiot!!!
Rowing constatly with dh. Living in a building site. Not ready in anyway at all - bedding, kit etc
Going off idea of vbac starting to think want cs. Am obviously going mad.
Oh and I';m REALLY busy at work - business trips and lots of meetings, presentations etc.
Really hate life at the moment. Anf it's going to get worse...!

Good afternoon all. How are we all today? Just got back from my first ante-natal appointment. I know I have left it late but with moving its the best i could do! The midwife was really nice I just hope I get to do all 4 weeks before he comes along. We have decided on the name Riley David and just in case they are wrong its will be Ella Jaimie for a girl!!

Debithescot - My dad is all up for coming over for a week around my due date I dont mind him coming its if his brings my mum she will drive me crazy!!

all this talk of names! We have sort of decided but don't want to share in case anyone else has same idea and beats us to it

Verity Frances is lovely. Our 3rd DD was to be Eleanor Frances right up until she was born, now she's Imogen Niamh.

tonton why are you going off VBAC idea?

Allyco - mainly from reading the thread on the observer article currently airing on 'Childbirth' board. Just having a crisis of confidence I guess - I have been v tired and emotional over the last few days. Kepp thinking about, tearing, forceps, splitting scars...and having to have another em cs - my worst option. I know my hospital would be very unwilling to let me have an elective cs. I think I need to go home and read this wonderful book I've got, "Blooming Borth". It usually makes me feel better!

We have sort of decided on names too, but are also keeing them secret. Unfortunately we haven't quite finalised our choices, as we can't agree, AND I am sort of going off our girls names.... maybe this is a sign its a little boy? Who knows?

I have now officaly started collecting baby equipment and clothing - following a donation from my (almost) sister-in-law. I love the moses basket (which, to answer those sleep questions, in our room in the moses basket for 6-8 weeks, progressing to a cot in our room as required, and staying there while b/feeding at night..... or just see how we go)

Unfortunately the donation of goodies comes with LOTS of free advice - apparently meant to reassure me and reduce my panic level (I didn't think i was panicking). I am being encouraged to call her for a reassuring chat...

Bearing in mind I am quite an opinionated type who likes deciding things for herself I am not sure how I am going to bear up under this new assault. She is welcome to review my treasured to do/to buy lists, but if I REALLY think i need these things (and they don't incluude the Stokke cot) wouldn't just letting me get them actually reduce my panic levels more than telling me I don't need them????

OK, rant over. I will be nice and polite to SIL

I've written a new list of all the things to go in my hospital bag, obviously I haven't got off my lazy bottom and packed any of them but I feel a lot better in myself for doing it!
Other than that this afternoon I have been overwhelmed by apathy for housework, nesting, tidying....... which is probably why I'm back here
Though Kiddicare have delivered lovely nursing chair and I look forward to watching DH trying to put it together! We promised ourselves a nice chair this time - the old rigid dining room chair for night feeds is not somewhere I'm going again!

oooh I want a nursing chair!!! But i have (so far) resisted adding it to my list, although I have done my research and I do believe Kiddicare stock the cheapest ones....

At least it's one less thing for SIL to cross off my list.

tonton don't feel too disheartened, I have not read the Observer article on VBAC but i did read their terrifying article on the damage done to young children by putting them into less than one on one childcare! So those of us who need or want to work, but can not afford a nanny, and aren't lucky enough to locate the perfect childminder with a vacancy at the right time, are all meant to stay home.... I concluded that they had gone for sensationalist reporting to try and scare their usually sensible readers. I felt like writing to them and asking if they had recently employed some Daily Mail researchers...

Moral of the story. Don't believe everything you read in the paper (even the Observer) and speak to you MW for some reassurance, if your hospital promote VBAC they must provide all the appropriate support!

I am being rebelious and leaving work at 6pm tonight. Hurrah!

Hello everyone,

Is there room for one more? You seem such a friendly bunch

I am at home 'resting' this week as I had to go into hospital for 24hrs observation on Thursday - they were worried that I might be going into labour at 33 weeks (scary). Everything has settled down now though and I'm keeping my legs crossed!! Was supposed to finish work at Easter hols (I'm a primary school teacher) which would make me 38 weeks. I have now realised my foolish error and will try and go back next week but finish no later than 36 weeks!

I've added myself to the list :

MrsQ - due 30/3/06 aged 34, DH 33, DS 2.7. Expecting 2nd boy.

FirstTimer40 - due 01/04/06 (yes really) Aged 40 DH age 47, first baby,its a boy.

Colditz - due 06/04/06, aged 25, DP aged 32, 1 DS aged 2.9, having a baby boy!

Ponka - due 06/04/06 (yes, another one) age 28 DH 36 DS19 mnths. It's a boy!

Spots - due 06/04/06, aged 31, DH39, DD 20 months.

MrsEvs - due 8/4/06, aged 31, DH 33, DD 18 months, having a girl.

Homsa - due 12/4/06, aged 34, DH 39, DS 2.7, expecting a girl.

Pepperrabbit - due 12/4/06, aged 37, DH 37, DS 20 months. don't know the sex.

allyco - due 14/04/06 age (41 - shush) DH 44 dd19 dd13 dd8 and dd16 months. Expecting a BOY!!

Icklesmudge - due 14/04/06 aged 21, dh aged 24. Having a little boy!

TonTon - due 20/4/06 aged 35, dh 33, dd aged 5. Having a girl.

Emma7 - due 22/04/06 aged 28, dh 29, first baby.

Pacinofan - due 24/4/06, aged 38, dh 46. We are having a girl!

jifda - due 24/04/06 age 30 DH 32,DD 7, DS 5 & DS 3. We knopw we are having a boy this time & he will be called Ellis Owen (we think!)

Curzybabies - due 25/4/06 (my birthday!!) Age 27 DH 31. Already have DS age 3.

Enid - due 30/04/06 Age 39. dd1 (6) and dd2(3)

Debithescot- due 22/04/06 Age 24 DH 25. 1st baby, don't know sex.

Secreteater - 23/04/06 age 30, finace 31, first baby dont know sex

Is there room for another one? I already have 2 DDs (aged 6 1/2 and 3). I've actually been lurking quite a few months but kept delaying joining in, mainly because I had a miscarriage in June last year so I've been having a bit of a problem realising that I might make it to the end this time. I'm due 28/4/06 but went a week over with DDs, so I'll possibly be going on in to May!

Hello petunia, Emma7 and icklesmudge! all most welcome,. Petunia, sorry you had a bad experence before. Have you felt able to enjoy this pregnancy? Emma, agree 38weeks as primary school teacher sounds like madness! Icklesmudge, love the name Riley! My dad used to have a couple of 'classic cars' (ancient rusty chassis in garage) called Rileys, am sure there must be groovy memorabilia around. They were rather beautiful.
Tonton, sorry you feel so disheartened at the moment. This is a very tiring time, and it does take its toll I think.