Jan 2013 part 4: the one where we are closer to the end than the beginning

[PricklyPickle]

Here we go!

Stats: 16 girls, 9 boys, 13 surprises

BuntyCollocks (29) DC2 EDD 28/12/12 She?s a girl!
Pmgkt (33) DC2 EDD 28/12/12 He?s a boy!
Birdies (33) DC2 EDD 30/12/12 She?s a girl!
Pascha (35) DC2 EDD 30/12/12 It?s a surprise!
PricklyPickle (31) DC1 EDD 31/12/12 It's a surprise!
LowLu (31) DC2 EDD 02/1/13
TootieMaroo (32) DC2 EDD 03/1/13
MarasmeAbsolu (31) DC2 EDD 03/01/13 She?s a girl!
Lora1982 (30) DC1 EDD 04/01/13 He?s a boy!
IsSpringSprangedYet (?) DC4 EDD 05/01/13
DollFisher (28) DC1 EDD 05/01/13 She?s a girl!
Allchik (30) DC1 EDD 06/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Pockemuchka DC3 EDD 06/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Happyhow (26) DC1 EDD 07/01/13 It?s a surprise!
EmilieFloge (38) DC? EDD 07/01/13
Complicated24 (44) DC1 EDD 07/01/13 It's a surprise!
Newbie6 (36) DC1 EDD 08/01/13 He?s a boy!
Norfolkinway (25) DC1 EDD 09/01/13
Octanegirl (34) DC1 EDD 09/01/13 He?s a boy!
BumgrapesofWrath (30) DC2 EDD 10/01/13
Kim222 (30) DC1 EDD 11/01/13
Lulabel27 (29) DC2&3 (twins) EDD 11/01/13
CraftyGirly (26) DC1 EDD 11/01/13 She?s a girl!
Cejay8 (32) DC2 EDD 12/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Tinyeyes123 (30) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 She?s a girl!
CreepyCrawly (22) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 She?s a girl!
PixelCarrier (37) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Shakemyhead (37) DC1 EDD 14/01/13 She's a girl!
Godzookey (35) DC1 EDD 14/01/13 He?s a boy!
PeshwariNaan (33) DC1 EDD 14/01/13
Hormonalhell (40) DC2 EDD 15/01/13 He?s a boy!
DoIgetastickerforthat (36) DC4 EDD 16/01/13 She?s a girl!
Theboutiquemummy (35) DC1 EDD 17/01/13
ChutesTooNarrow (33) DC2 EDD 18/01/13 She?s a girl!
Glorious (28) DC1 EDD 18/01/13
Tugstonia (33) DC1 EDD 18/01/13 It's a surprise!
SpringFlowers (39) DC4 EDD 18/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Eagleray (40) DC1 EDD 18/01/13
13mma (29) DC1 EDD 18/01/13 scan 13/09/12
LetThereBeCupcakes (30) DC1 EDD 20/01/13
Silversixpence (29) DC2 EDD 20/01/13
mulan07 (27) DC1 EDD 20/01/13 He?s a boy!
BadgerFace (34) DC1 EDD 21/01/13 She?s a girl!
PreggoFabulous (30) DC1 EDD 22/01/13 He?s a boy!
Bunny222 (31) DC1 EDD 22/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Bealos (34) DC2 EDD 22/01/13 She?s a girl!
AppleCrumples (??) DC4 EDD 22/01/13 It's a surprise!
Woody2313 (33) DC1 EDD 23/01/13
SigningGirl (?) DC1 EDD 24/01/13
Mrsbugsywugsy (34) DC1 EDD 25/01/13 She's a girl!
SquealyB (29) DC1 EDD 26/01/13 It?s a surprise!
knuckingfackered (39) DC2 EDD 26/1/13
Thinkingpositivethoughts (28) DC1 EDD 26/01/13
MrsMallard (35) DC1 EDD 26/01/13 She?s a girl!
Salt1 (38) DC1 EDD 27/01/13 She?s a girl!
Lilblondepessimist (33) DC4 EDD 28/01/13
MamaMary (31) DC2 EDD 28/01/13 She?s a girl!
Sebsmama (32) DC2 EDD 29/01/13
BionicEmu (26) DC2 EDD 29/01/13
Missymoo (32) DC2 EDD 30/01/13
DiscoDomina (31) DC1 EDD 30/1/13 He's a boy!
Brugmansia (35) DC1 EDD 31/01/13
Mummypud (32) DC3 EDD 31/01/13
PipIsOutNow (27) DC2 EDD 31/01/13 scan 19/09/12

I was supposed to see my midwife at 16 weeks but it was cancelled and I saw her at 19 weeks. I saw her again today, almost 22 weeks, and have another appointment in 3 weeks time.

Squealy I am also feeling lots of movement low down, including what I assume are kicks to my cervix, which isn't an altogether pleasant sensation! The baby was breech at my scan so I assume that's what it is. The sonographer said it was nothing to worry about at this stage.

DP still hasn't felt any kicks yet, maybe because I have an anterior placenta and a thick layer of blubber in the way

Tugs I had an appointment at 16 weeks, another coming up at 24 weeks, and then I think at 28 weeks. The 24 weeks one is for first timers only, IIRC.

bealos I'm also hoping to have a homebirth

Welcome Sanam

preggo I have a bit of a runny nose at the moment and am getting a bloody tissue when I blow rather than full on nosebleeds. I think it's because we are pumping more blood around than usual.

I am very much planning on giving birth in the hospital with whatever drugs/care around that I need/want!!! I fancy using the water pool but don't know if it will be possible. I think hubby will be ok with whatever as long as I'm not screaming!!!

I have every intention of screaming!

Hi Sanam, welcome.

How are you doing Bunny? So sorry to hear about your Dad.

Hope you get your Mat B1 sorted tugs

No heartburn yet (for which I am incredibly grateful), but struggling with pelvic girdle pain. However am now referred to an obs physio, so hopefully there'll be some relief in sight...

I feel your pain pixel - literally! I've got a support belt and lots of paracetamol... It's been better this week though. The midwife reckoned it might ease off for a bit as my uterus lifted off the pelvic bone so I think that's maybe what has happened. It'll probs come back later when the baby drops though. I hope physio helps you - my midwife reckoned it wouldn't help me at all...

preggofabulous Last week I had 3 nosebleeds in 4 days, blood streaming from my nose for a good 10 minutes ... haven't had since and hoping not to have any more! Hope yours pass soon...

I fancy a waterbirth too... watched Keeping Up With The Kardashians (guilty pleasure) on Sunday and they showed one; it didn't look like the mother was in any less pain but it didn't put me off!

I've been seeing my midwife every 4 weeks since I was about 8 wks preg. Don't know if that's particular to the home birth team or not.

@mrsbugsywugsy great stuff. Hope all goes to plan.

First time mums get extra appointments, subsequent times they just leave you to it and assume you know what you are doing.

Does anyone know when is normal to start discussing with the midwife birth plans and the like? It was briefly mentioned at booking in but not since. Or is it one of those things that varies place to place?

Bugsmania, the birth plan discussion happens quite late, I think usually at the 34 week appointment but in my experience, unless you bring it up proactively, many midwives might not even do it. But if you want to discuss it, you bring it up closer to your due date.

I am pregnant with %232 and agree that there are much less appointments now, the first one I felt I constantly had to see the GP or midwife and now I think I have a 2 or 3 months break between one appt and the next - which is great. My next one is mid October only I believe.

The trouble with making a birth plan for us first timers is how do you make a plan when you don't know what to expect or how you will react?

Is it a good idea to do one anyway stating what you think you want, or just leave it unless you have specific preferences?

Hi, and thanks for the new messages and wishes. Funeral isnt til Monday, and am honestly dreading it. My brother showed me the Eulogy he's written and of course it mentions me and dad not being able to meet our baby etc. think I will have to tune it all out. Am keeping busy with the organising and haven't been back to work yet. Fell apart a bit at the wkend but DH has been great and keeps feeding me.

Have a midwife appt today (still hadn't run me back since last week!) so can't wait to hear the heartbeat etc. have also been considering a waterbirth, is anyone else having one? Can you have one with your first. Will ask MW for some info. Also, haven't had MATB1 form yet, have you got yours?

I don't think the words 'birth plan' were mentioned even once by the midwives, not even in labour. I my experience you have to be proactive and bring the subject up yourself. I know what you mean about not knowing what to put on the plan. Last time I didn't do one as I felt that what would be, would be and no amount of writing stuff down would change how I was handled medically if intervention was necessary.

This time, I know certain things I don't want to happen so I will write down a list of sorts but I know that it could all get thrown out of the window at any point.

My list basically says:

Pain relief - bath, tens, gas&air in that order, no pethidine/morphine sulphate, no epidural.

If I have to be in hospital I want mobile monitoring as long as practically possible. Only to be strapped to the bed if medical problem.

If baby is breech I want to explore the possibility of vaginal birth but understand that if they insist on me being strapped to the bed on my back in stirrups with monitoring for this I will agree to a CS.

CS is last resort only. If I need it then all the above goes out of the window.

Give me the damn injection for 3rd stage. Give the baby the Vit K.

The only problem I have in my mind is that MIL is on standby to look after DS. If I do give birth at home in the middle of the night the last person I want in the house is her. I would prefer it all happened when he is asleep and nothing needs to be done for him but DH would like him in her care from the start in case I do have to go to hospital which probably means I need her here throughout

Will be thinking of you bunny. And hope your midwife apmt goes well today. You can have a waterbirth with your first but sometimes the pool isn't available on the day so need to be prepared for that (depends where you choose to give birth, how many they have etc).

prickly I would recommend doing a birth plan. If nothing else it helps you to feel more prepared, which helps you to feel more relaxed at least in the run up. Mine bore no resemblance to what actually happened (I didn't have 'would like to nearly give birth in the car' in there!) but I don't regret doing one. Being more relaxed reduces the pain you experience, so anything at all to help with that can only be a good thing. Just don't expect the birth to be like your plan - if it is, great, if it isn't, you'll be too preoccupied to care anyway!

I'll have had an 8 week gap between appointments by the time I next see my midwife and am having my anti D jab at the same time. Is anyone else rhesus negative or just me?

pascha i can see why your DH would want her there but it doesn't sound very conducive to having a nice relaxing home birth!! Is there a neighbour maybe where if you did have to go to hospital they could look after DS until MIL gets there? I'm sure you've thought of all that though! Or what about there being 2 midwives surely one of them could wait for MIL in an emergency?

Ps have you got your cot yet?!

Reading all the birth plan info with interest!

My adorable changing mat came today

I also thinking about writing a birth plan but like prickly I am a first timer so it is hard to know, quiet frankly, how much pain/discomfort I can handle.....

I am in AWE of people who go the home birth route, I think it is pretty amazing. I am too much of a 'fraidy cat to go down that route this time around.

The hospital we are giving birth in has a mid wife lead birthing unit which is supposed to be similar to a home birth, they encouarge active labour and have three birthing pools and various balls, stools etc. So we are planning to give birth there. As you can be transferred to the labour ward at any time should you need to/want to, it will help my cope with some of my nerves about not knowing what it will be like.

Thanks for all the info from those already experienced in these.

I hadn't even thought about a detailed plan, just beginning to consider the basic where to have it stuff. Several people already seem to have planned quite a lot, eg home birth, elcs.

At the booking in appointment my midwife put me down for the midwife led unit, but very provisionally and really just to put something down. From what I recall she said it's worth expressing an interest early as it can be very popular and get booked up. She hasn't brought it up again since.

OK. Finally got time to sit down and concentrate on stuff. Firstly welcome to Sanam lovely to see you here.

Bunny so sorry to hear about your dad, will be thinking of you on monday.

My antenatal appointments seem to be every 4 weeks even though this is my second. I missed the 16 week appointment though so maybe its just catch up. I've had 9 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks so far, next one is 28 weeks when I get the next bloods taken. I think it varies for everybody but there is a minimum number of contacts which is a bit less for 2nd and subsequent pregnancies and when they are depends entirely on how your midwife team works and real life getting in the way.

Prickly you scream if you want. Do what works for you. I found counting down the next contraction as it built up really concentrated the mind and in the end I was just going '3...2...1...AARRRRRGGGHHHH!' to get me through.

WRT waterbirth, I like the idea of one but if i'm at home i'm expecting to be fairly quick labouring so not really sure its worth me hiring one as it would take too long to fill. If I do end up at the hospital then I will do my best to get one but it will only happen if I'm on the MLU downstairs as opposed to the delivery suite upstairs. Last time I had no choice as I was bleeding.

Birdies I know. I'm quite stressed at the thought of how to get around the fact I basically want no-one there bar me, DH and the midwives but I know realistically I have to have a plan in place for DS. One of the main reasons I intend to stay home is because it might be over within about 3 hours, if it goes anything like last time it will be overnight and done by dawn meaning there is absolutely no reason to wake DS up at all. However, if I do need a transfer then we need someone to ready to take care of him straight away so it seems reasonable for MIL to be here. I just hate the thought of it.

And no, my ebay watch list is full of the damn things. I just can't quite justify the cost yet and we still need to buy a carseat which comes first really. We do still have the old crib so its not an essential, just a really really want.

NCT sale here on saturday morning so we will see what goodies I can snaffle there. Hope everyone's having a good day today.

Brug we had a tour of the MLU at about 34 weeks last time. It was included as part of the antenatal classes but anyone who hadn't been there before was welcome. It wasn't mentioned between booking appointment and then at all.

Speaking of wants rather than needs....I may have just bought a pea and a cow romper suit..... from Zulily.

They have a lot of cute things that seem to come under the "want" rather than "need" category...my favourite category. Here is the link if you are interested: www.zulily.co.uk/invite/kblair370

I can't get that up as I'm not registered but I did a search for pea sleepsuits and came up with this which is beyond cute

For any fellow cheapskates bargain hunters, I went to a car boot sale last weekend and bought heaps of baby clothes for 10 or 20p per item. I really splashed out on a cute little dress which looked unworn and cost a whole £1 . Car boot sale season is nearly over, so you need to get in there quickly.

I am very sad and made a spreadsheet of baby stuff we have bought, and what we still need. It's a good job I did as I discovered we have bought 20 babygrows for age 0-3, and almost nothing any bigger. Oops - let's hope I don't have a huge baby. I was also advised by a friend to get a couple of things in 'tiny baby' size, as her daughter was born a few weeks premature and they didn't have anything small enough for her.

I don't have my Mat B1 yet - I assumed I'd get it at my next midwife appointment. My work just said to send it to them when I have it.

Pascha can't your MIL take DS to her house when you go into labour? Otherwise is there someone else who you would prefer to be present at the birth if it happens at home, who could also stay and look after DS if you need to go to hospital? In my area they like you to have two birth partners for a homebirth anyway, I think the idea is that one person is a backup to help the midwife carry equipment, make tea, etc, while your DP focuses on looking after you in labour. I have asked my sister to be my second birth partner. Much as I like my MIL, there is no way I would want her to be there.

Squealy I am also a big wuss, but I am far more scared to give birth in hospital than at home! I find the idea of being in an unfamiliar, medicalised environment really off-putting, I have never spent a night in hospital before so maybe that's why. I also really want a waterbirth, and that's not guaranteed in hospital. Apparently you can transfer in if you need stronger pain relief.

Pascha the one I have ordered is very similar..... DH and I love fancy dress and are generally very silly humans so this kind of thing really appeals to us. I am sure DC will be telling a therapist about it some time in the future!