Due in October part 8- still plodding along, this time with copious amounts of raspberry leaf tea

[Londonmrss]

Surely this'll be the last one before moving to the postnatal section?

Due Dates:

Sept. 24: Lisbethsopposite DS2 by planned induction
Sept. 25: Squidkid DC1
Sept. 26: Elpis DC2 by ELCS
Sept. 27: Planktonette DC1
Oct. 1: FjordMor DD1 by planned induction, Gigglewhizz DC1(?)
Oct. 2: Firstbubba DC1, Milk DC2
Oct. 5: Yomping DC1
Oct. 7: Crazypaving DC2
Oct. 10: WantAnOrange DC2, MrsConfusion DC1, MidgetM if induced
Oct. 11: Smileyhappymummy DC2 by ELCS
Oct. 14: Hufflepuffle DC1.
Oct. 17: Smorgs, DC1
Oct. 18: Bella2012 DC2, Beccus DC1
Oct. 19: Shellwedance DC1
Oct. 20: Beeblebear DC1, MidgetM if ELCS DC2
Oct. 21: Dosomethingmutley DC1
Oct. 26: Londonmrss, DC1, Zara1984 DS1, Liege07 DS1
Oct. 28: Kyyria DC1, Loopyla, DC1
Oct. 30: Cherrychopsticks, DC1
Nov. 1: Londonlivvy DC1
Nov. 8: Mickey DC1

Actual babies:

Sept. 20: Velo - Max 2.35kg
Sept. 25: Angelico - Mini Angelico, CWest30 - Naomi Louise, 4lb 10oz

Well, I spent yesterday crying and feeling crap. Proper meltdown . Not even entirely sure what it was about specifically, reasons seemed to alternate between feeling ill, feeling uncomfortable everywhere I sat, just being epically fucking fed up with being pregnant, constant squirming inside starting to feel deeply unsettling, feeling terrified about labour, feeling terrified about imminent lack of money, feeling terrified about DH needing attention once baby is born and me not having any for him and me seeing him in a negative light because of that and me going off him and us splitting up because that is what has always happened in the past (I have gone off people and split up with them, not had babies with them). You name it, I was sobbing about it yesterday. We ended up going for a long walk in the New Forest in the drizzle with me pouring my heart out and DH doing lots of reassuring (and probably lots of eye rolling when I wasn't looking!). Feel better today, and embarrassed about loss of perspective yesterday.

Today we were going to go to the zoo but it's tipping it down here so we're going to get some face paints and paint the bump instead! Will post pics later if any good.

Hi to all, hope you're OK, hope it's nicer weather where you are!

Poor you, yomping but I'm glad you're feeling better today.
It's just such an anxious and difficult time, not knowing when/how little one is going to arrive (I feel terrified, too- sometimes feel like I'm living in some weird nightmare and then feel guilty as I know I'm so lucky) and then there's the hormones surging round. I actually feel on the verge of tears most of the time which is v unusual for me (stony faced cow most of time!).
Will all be over with soon! Then we'll be able to laugh about it all?! Hopefully!

Aww, Yomping. That sounds like what a lot of the others have gone through shortly before it all kicked off. Maybe things are going to start soon. But either way, I think it's perfectly natural to feel like that with such a life-changing event coming up, nevermind the lack of sleep.

Midget how does one let light into one's womb exactly?!

Bella, it is technically optional but I'm sure there will be lots of tutting, guilt tripping and disapproving which I'll have to fight against at a time when I don't feel like fighting. Must stay strong!

Couple of questions...

1. In the UK, or any country other than Japan, when do you have your first shower after the birth? Here, they don't til the next day, which sounds a bit grim to me, but no idea whether that's normal. Wonder whether it's another thing I need to be an awkward foreigner about.

1. What music (if any) are people having/have people had for labour? I had been thinking along the lines of bit of Florence and the Machince or something equally "uplifting" to get things going (always helps when I'm doing the cleaning ), but then I read that adrenalin actually slows labour down (something to do with needing to be safe when giving birth).

So calming is the way to go, but I have nothing calm/relaxing really. Any recommendations? I plan to do a bit of downloading tonight, all legal of course.

Anyway, birthplan done, freezer cooking done, bag packing done sort of. Material for bunting still in bag.

Hugs to you Yomping ((((()))))
This is all such a lot to deal with isn't it?? Yes we are v lucky but it is all such a roller coaster. U r being perfectly normal, methinks.

Off down to work for an hour (no panics, just calling in!!! Pathetic, I know.......!)

cherry i gave birth at 8am last time and was in recovery for a few hours. Got moved to different hospital and that night had a shower. Didn't really touch my bits though as they were agony. But washed my hair and felt better for it. I stayed in for a relatively long time for a first birth I think, but it was nowhere near a week. There are a lot of benefits- getting help with every feed, they can take the baby for you at night in between feeds if you want to sleep knowing baby is being watched and looked after, all your meals are brought to you and you are able to manage visitors more effectively (in that they can't just turn up at your house and never leave!) You could just see how it goes and after a few days if you are looking and feeling a lot better then you may be up to dealing with the tuts if you really want to get home.

elpis thanks so so much for the tip! Will see if DH can pick me up some. He is coming home this evening (wahooo!) so will be able to do bedtime for me so I can just chill. Feel better already thinking of that.

Poor yomping what a shitty day. You and your DH sound so great together, I am sure the baby won't tear you apart as you fear. Yes, it will be harder to find time for each other but there will be so many amazing new ways that you will be brought closer together by the new baby. Knowing you made him or her together is an amazing bond and the child's complete faith in you and devotion to you both is just the best. I really love how our little fella sees us as his two absolute best friends and playmates at the minute and the time the three of us spend together is such fun. Also, you become like a really close team sharing all the decisions, day to day care and pride in every little achievement they make. It is lovely being the only two people in the world who think this is literally the best, most beautiful and incredible child ever- it is so worth all the stress of pregnancy and the first few very tiring weeks.(Apologies if that all sounds a bit nobberish, ignore me if you like! I can just remember feeling exactly as you do when the worries seem to outweigh the joys and here I am doing it all again because it really is so worth it.

cherry i had kate rusby on repeat last time as that was the only chilled cd in the car. If you like folk music, she is a good choice. This time, DH has made me a playlist so it will doubtless contain a lot of country love songs (his bag!) and chilled out jazz (my bag) and some Kate Rusby for old times!

My Mum has taken DS over to her house for a couple of hours and I am so torn between getting some of my mountain of jobs done, or just sitting here for a bit longer! Think I will sit and sew the advent calender I am making for DS for a bit, then it is at least a bit productive!

Hello bean bakers, writing this on the bus so apologies for typos. Just going into town for my weekly language exchange group which I haven't been to for a couple of weeks and am starting to go a bit stir crazy being on my own (still without internet/landline, grrr) in my quiet little house in the 'burbs recently. Sunday was lovely - managed a 5km walk and slept really well afterwards! Even after watching Lawless at the cinema (very violent, but good and Tom Hardy is so hot ) Last night not so good though, woke at 3.30 and didn't get back to sleep till 6ish. Whoever's tip it was about using your legs to turn over not your hips/tummy/shoulders has been great though, thanks.

Right, catch up time...

Cherry, I'll probably want to listen to Pink Floyd during labour- music that I love and that can be intense and calming etc.
Might try some vagina music like Joan Baez or Joni Mitchell too for the lady-power.
No, I wasn't born in the 50s...
Hugs to Yomping. I suppose it's a similar meltdown to mine- the change our lives is about to go through feels quite overwhelming sometimes because we have no idea how we're going to feel. Thanks to everyone for their words of support yesterday. Oddly enough, my husband is completely unfazed by the whole thing- he's just really excited about being a daddy. I think it's because there are so many babies in his family and he has always known he wanted children, whereas it's all a bit more alien for me.

Londonlivvy well done for teaching a yoga lesson at this late stage! Agree with the others that you'll probably do a fair bit of baby holding during your lessons so maybe it was good to practise? Did you hoodwink BiL into doing any DIY for you?!
Yomping and Londonmrss you both have my huge sympathies on these last minute wobbles. All I can say is I think it's natural - I had some mini meltdowns the other week and over the summer I was a complete mess most of the time. But I kind of think a few nerves are a good thing; they help you prepare and at least it means you're not going to be one of these types who thinks its all going to be a bed of roses all the time. Big hugs though.

Hi Yomping - I could not apply logic to those blues. I cannot even remember what I was fretting about now, when I had what I called my blue days. It was completely hormonal. I had been thinking how cool you were being about the changing EDDs, but stress is like a little pot, it simmers away and then pours out.
We used to be DD pals and DS was 2 weeks yesterday and I was at the end of my tether. I think you are holding it together great, and forgive yourself the odd wobble.

Cherry With DS1 I had a shower before I left the delivery suite - but there was blood everywhere
After my epidural I went back to the ward with DS2 and it was up to myself when I showered. I actually had a shower the next day when DH came to visit - I wanted him on standby in case I fainted.

Hi Yomping - I could not apply logic to those blues. I cannot even remember what I was fretting about now, when I had what I called my blue days. It was completely hormonal. I had been thinking how cool you were being about the changing EDDs, but stress is like a little pot, it simmers away and then pours out.
We used to be DD pals and DS was 2 weeks yesterday and I was at the end of my tether. I think you are holding it together great, and forgive yourself the odd wobble.

Cherry With DS1 I had a shower before I left the delivery suite - but there was blood everywhere
After my epidural I went back to the ward with DS2 and it was up to myself when I showered. I actually had a shower the next day when DH came to visit - I wanted him on standby in case I fainted.

Ps yomping very impressed with the dates and prunes in your cupboard, trying to soften up that baby eh?!

Beeble happy thanksgiving!

Kyyria I really sympathise on the sleeping hip pain thing, sounds like you're really suffering. Have you looked into going to a physio? I was thinking about it but it seems a bit late in the day now, then again if you go overdue and it means you get a few night's rest before baby arrives...
Glad your mat ward sounds nice though.

Beccus hope you feel better soon. I've just ordered Homeland series 1 to help pass the time during feeds!

Huffle - ah ha it was you with the feet tip! Thanks!

Loopyla - congrats on being on mat leave. Can highly recommend vegging and eating biscuits all day

Bella - so sweet of your dh to take you away for the night, love the idea of a pillow fortress. Sadly our bed is too small.

Midget - another one suffering! I totally get what you mean about the mood swings, I'm behaving like a teenager some days. Hope today goes well and you can make the decision about which birth to go for a bit more easily.

Oh and cherry they keep you in for 3-5 days here, more if c section so my hospital bag(s) look like I'm off to the costa for a fortnight! Think you're allowed to shower straight away, but I have been told they don't bathe the baby for the first few days as all the cheesy gross stuff from the womb is good for protecting their skin.

Will get back to you on music as I have been thinking about this A LOT. But might be best to prepare a mix of adrenalin- inducing and more calming stuff for different stages. One thing is for sure, if I ever have to listen to that appalling Kenny G-style tripe on the hypnobollocks cd again it'll be too soon

Turns out I'm not very good at resting Day 2 of mat leave has seen me out on a 5 hour shopping trip

Oh dear, DH will not be pleased as he left me strict instructions to REST WOMAN after he came back yesterday and found I'd done a mahoosive ironing pile of his work shirts.

I know I should, god knows I won't be able to when the baby comes, but I just get a bit carried away

I'm sitting down with a now though & slice of cake so there's hope for me yet! actually, maybe I could squeeze in a quick nap before DH returns home...

Ooh, loopy, tea and cake. Think I might join you.

HAve read thread and want to do epic catch up but need a nap first as baby is kipping... just want to say all my love and luck going out to all of you, could not have made it through pregnancy without you, the baby is so worth the last few hard weeks and please ignore the negative head-shakers who claim having a newborn is soooo hard... it is a lot of work but it's so much better than being heavily pregnant, in my eyes anyway! And all that pelvic/hip nonsense when you sleep just disappears - did for me anyway. Love you all, stay strong, not too long now

squid xxxx

Also want to apologise if I put anyone off or upset anyone with writing about my birth last week, yes it was hard but I wrote that when it was still very fresh and raw, feel loads better about it now and whilst it was really hard work, it is a pain that does just stop when it's all over. Am not running up mountains yet but recovering pretty speedily which I put down to it all going naturally. I'd do it again! (not soon )

So you can do it! and good luck! to anyone planning/hoping to have a natural delivery (also anyone having sections/inductions/etc of course, but cannot give personal advice) xxx

Hola chicas!

Now. I am going to try and read on iphone and write in ipad so i can catch up properly. Tho my typing for some reason on pad is crap. Hmmmm.

So...

Midget hope u feeling better? Hope u get your head round section or not. Think if i had the option of likely EMS or elective i would go elective. Most people seem to be recovering v well. Hopefully a good chat on this appointment will inform you well.

Bella good Karma indeed!! Sounds like a blissful break! I was v tempted to hav a wee hotel night in past few weeks but i was too scared of imminent labour!!

Cherry nice to hear from you! Is your MIL Japanese? Just being nosy really! I suppose she is helping lots with understanding social niceties of pregnancy and birth!! You seem to get on v well, facials together etc, that is so lovely! Glad you are pampering self and doing nice things, we should all take a leaf out of your book! The 7 day hospital is interesting! As much as i am bemoaning the likely 6-8 hr stay i might get, that seems v long! Was certainly the practice here up until about a decade ago, and great to get lots rest and get all your visitors in and out! But think i woud like somewhere in between! What about DH? Is he just supposed to visit for 2 hrs then go home again??! Never mind how you would pack for unknown baby needs??! Sorry, i am not helping!!! I am sure you will get the balanc right. Hav u spoken to any other English ladies ti see if they bent the rules?!

Wipe warmer...............! Only in Japan!

Lononlivvy sympathies on double jabs! My WC one took about 5 days to settle, but localised only, i felt fine. Glad u got nice and early. Mine is one week today so hoping baby stays in long enough for 10-14 day antibody production period. If not i will be none too keen on visitors.......... Glad u finding what u need on that nursing bra site. I ordered another one last night, Carriwell. Will let u all kno what it s like. Hope all well with big presentation today!! Bet u sat/stood there for half of time thinking "please stop looking at my bump, i am talking about something v important here"!!!!!!! Hope u are finishing soon, the end is in sight and you need to rearrange your brain! (hark at me, workaholic!)

Bella regarding a 'day off' . In yoga class at start i was horrified by the teacher laughing with the term ladies saying wouldnt it be nice to just take baby bump off for a while and have a break..... Yup!! Totally!! Oooof. Would be so nice. Loving the image of DS and buiding a traffic jam....... Awwwww, cant wait to play!!

Yomping as i said earlier, you are totally normal having meltdowns...... Actually peeps, anyone NOT had blue days and melts?

Going to post this incase silly MN logs off or omething.....

Thank you all for saying such lovely supportive things. Definitely feeling better today, and have spent afternoon eating healthy food (I so need to learn how much this helps) and having a giggle with DH as he painted designs on the bump - check out the photos on my profile!

Will do proper, namechecked catchup tomorrow.

Argh! Just got out my breastpump (Philips Avent Single Electric) to have a look and assemble it. There are no instructions and I have no idea what I'm meant to do with the fucking thing! Apparently it is electric and the parts allow it to convert into a manual too- but I can't work it out! Help!

Where was I? Yomping yes, hope trip to Zoo was fun and lifted your spirits further!

Cherry you made me giggle.... "how does one let light into ones womb exactly?!" Very valid question! I will answer on Midget's behalf if I may?! This is part of the visualisation from hypnotherapy! Breathing in golden light, taking it to various parts of the body to relax. I love it!! Being doing yoga for years and this type o visualisation works well for me!

Last night finally got DH listening to my hypnobollocks,..,..,... Much tittering and silly faces ensued........! Even if is totally feckin useless in labour i do believe it as kept me reasonably sane thus far and helps me sleep.

Last stage for labour tho is just the weird music, no talking. Hmmmm. It is supposed to trigger and suggest all we have taken in, but think i might just think it is crappy music!! Im not that in to music tho, so if do not like it, room will be otherwise quiet (or perhaps some early ACDC to drown out the screams?...........!!!!)

Shower? Well, as i said, my hospital aims to follow normal unomplicated delivery with discharge from 6 hrs post birth. Within this tme they want you to hav establshed feeding, twice, show you how to bath baby and also help you to shower self......... Ok.....,, and my mother is put out that i request no visitors...... So shower is suggested first day and tbh i am a bit freaked out by state of shower tray!! But hey, i wont have to clean it!

Bella glad DH home to help this eve, you put your feet up!! And a lovely reassurance to yomping and the rest of us first timers......, thank you xx

Smorgs in awe of your 5k walk......., eek! Glad someone else benefitting from push with feet advice!! Really helped me! And hope u are still having the occasional authentic croissant for my benefit, i am relying on you!

Lononmrss glad ur hubby not daunted by being a daddy, wish i cud say same.......... And mine will be SAHD.......... Male meltdown imminent here!

Kyyria not heard from you..,.... Hope u are ok and getting some sleep, poor pet. Xx

Sorry if hav missed anyone, that was me catching up on one page only, phew...... Hugs and love to you all!

Oh and i am fine today. Even tempered, reasonably comfy, ankles only vaguely puffy and house tidy. What more could an upduffed chick of 39 wks+2 ask for? Ask me again tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Ha huffle I've had partner listening to hypnosis cd too and he's away with the fairies after 5 secs whereas it seems to take me a while to chill out. In fact he starts snoring and then I can't bloody listen to it!

Eat croissant!! Thanks huffle i knew there was something I'd forgotten.

loopyla 'dr' smorgs says sit down and eat cake.

cherry totally forgot to respond re apricots. Yes dried ones are very easy to get hold of out here just tell him to go to any supermarket or even mini market and ask for abricots seches They do really nice dried prunes here too prunes sechees

Well I survived the endless presentations and meetings ? 10am til 4pm ? ooof (no lunch til 4pm ? thought I was going to keel over) and boss said ?well done? so I feel glad. Thanks huffle for vote of support. Was odd to have people keep talking about babies and stuff. I was more ?let?s focus on the topic, people, I?m a professional. And I?ve spent BLOODY WEEKS researching and writing this damn thing?. I also feel a bit sad to be not seeing those clients again and to be handing over all my hard work of the last five years to, well, no-one. Sigh. But I must focus on the positives of our future family and not dwell on that! It feels particularly sad though I am not a 100% fan of my job (there are bits I love, but large bits of being unappreciated and hating spending my life chasing people or responding to stupid questions), I probably won?t be going back to work there, certainly not full time. It doesn?t make sense financially and in terms of time management would be nigh on impossible, particularly as DF is doing his masters.

Of course now the adrenalin of all the pre-presentation printing / binding running about and of the meeting itself is gone, I am absolutely shattered. I suspect I will not be awake past GBBO. Lame. Ah well. Still a fair bit of admin to sort in the next few days and then? Friday night I leave work? goodness? a new life is beginning. EEK.

Yomping poor you on the meltdown (zero judgement from me, btw, just feeling for you). Very glad that you have such a good relationship with your husband ? that seems awesome and so supportive. You?ll be grand, no matter what happens, just keep communicating, keep being a team, and you?ll get through the challenges of parenting.

Cherry part of me really likes the idea of being in hospital for a week, with folk around that I can ask questions of etc ? unlike in the UK where you?re home in under 24 hours, looking at a tiny baby and thinking GULP what do I do next? Very surprised re lack of shower til the following day though ? my impression of the Japanese (from previous housemates etc) is that they are a scrupulously clean nation and so I wonder whether there?s some medical reason? Not sure. I can imagine that I would certainly want to wash / shower, particularly if there?s been blood / gunk / sweat. On the music front, I shall go with my trusty ipod that has all sorts of horrors on it (DF?s point of view!). I?m thinking country music for the calming-me bit and rock music for the PUSH HER OUT bit. After all, shouty rock music got me up Alpe D?Huez after I?d already cycled 160km over mountains.

Smorgs sorry to probably ask a tricky/ unanswerable question but why on earth can the Frogs not sort you out with internet after a month? Are you properly in the sticks or something? Sadly no time to hoodwink BiL re DIY but we have had a handyman recommendation so hoping that?ll work out. And re yoga lesson, it was undoubtedly a great experience and I learnt a lot. I?m certainly happy to try another lesson like that. It?s just that I don?t feel happy about handing it in as an example of how good I can be (if that makes sense?).

Loopy I empathise with the inability to rest. I must get better at that. I am already making loads of plans for mat leave and DF keeps reminding me that I am also supposed to be RESTING and not just running about and visiting all and sundry.

Kyyria hope you?ve been getting some rest and feeling ok.

Lizzie My OH is also asleep within about 2 minutes of Paul McKeena. I am not so lucky. Grr. But I do like the yoga nigra stuff ? ace for relaxation and I often fall asleep by accident too.

Ooh smorgs? croissant? oooh.

RIGHT. Must go and respond to all the emails I didn?t read whilst was in meetings and then chill on the sofa with my lovely man.
I absolutely echo what squid said too ? you guys have been my saviours and sanity over the last six months. You are ACE.

Aaargh! My long catch up has just been deleted. Humph.
Will just say, anyone looking for nursing bras this place www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk/ has 10% off in October free delivery and have been v quick for me.
Will try to return later and reply to you all, but you are all doing great!