April 2013 Part 7: As our miracle Alex continues to grow & the one that sees us reach TERM

[toobreathless]

Over here Ladies!

As the title suggests our fore runners will almost certainly hit 37 weeks this thread.

And the wonderful little Alex will hopefully continue to go from strength to strength and edge closer to the door home with Mama

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1658011-April-2013-part-six-what-does-the-third-trimester-have-in-store

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1560543-April-2013-stats-thread

Just a quick mememe post. Think we may have gone a bit bonkers, just placed an order to have our kitchen gutted (back to brick, ceiling lath and floor lifted) and refitted, some time in the next 6 weeks... if nothing else this will leave us with no kitchen for 3 weeks.
I've not started the mountain of baby washing or stocking the freezer for 3 weeks without a kitchen let alone for after the birth. Our current kitchen is freezing cold and unhygienic so it desperately needs doing.
I'm trying to think of it a bit like labour, a minor inconvenience relative to what we'll end up with hoping I'm not being too naive though...

Hi all - birdbrain thanks for the advice.

flosshilde Good luck! Keep us posted! Wow, we r getting very close now - excited and nervous!!

I heard a great tip for mum's who are thinking of breastfeeding - fenugreek capsules and fennel tea after birth helps with the milk flow - they r both available at holland and barrett. I know a few friends who have tried them and recommend highly.

How do i join the facebook page??

There's a lady on eBay who sells stretchy wrap slings, safety tested etc if you search for her name "Victoria sling lady" it should bring up her listings.
We were going to get a moby wrap but I heard fantastic things about the eBay lady so we are going to go with one of hers.

Wow this thread is moving super quick!

Mrs S - sorry to hear about you break-in, sounds awful and hope you are feeling better afteran epic clean-up

Floss-hide - you sound very calm and organised about whats happening so I'm sure everything will be fine.

I have less than five weeks to go and these early symptoms that people are having are starting to scare me as I'm completely unorganised - no bag packed no baby clothes washed etc - think I'm going to have a busy weekend!

Thanks to everyone for all of the must have tips - been shopping at lunchtime and now have raspberry leaf capsules from Holland and Barrett, witch hazel from boots plus maternity pads, breast pads, cotton wool and vaseline - hey its a start!

Oh and off to buy a second hand Baby Bjorn after work

"breast pads, cotton wool and vaseline" sounds like the concept for a MacGyver episode (for those of you born in the 80s, think Bear Grylls meets Mission:Impossible, without having to drink your own pee)

Photochick, I have 2 kari me slings, 1 I am keeping 1, but have the other selling on eBay now if you would like it. It's navy, like brand new, no bobbling etc, in cover and with full original instructions, was given by a friend but already have 1. Am hoping for about £30 as that seems to be the going rate for them on eBay. My user name is staceyblanch1983 if you want to look, so you know it's real and not a copy as agree you never know on Ebay.

Hi ladies- late to the new thread but marking my spot now!

I've just been booked in for induction on the 18th when I'll be 37+5. Eek. Can't quite believe it. Spending the next week and a half getting the house ready, expressing colostrum, getting the breast pump on to bring on labour and having acupuncture for the same reason - would love to go into labour the day before induction!

Also bought some starflower oil capsules to use as pessaries but no idea what to do. Have started another thread to ask! I'll let you all know if any of the above works!

BonaDea how exciting! Less than 2 weeks until your baby arrives! Is there any particular reason you are being induced at 37 + 5 of you don't mind me asking?

Evening everyone

nottinghill I shall try and post a link to the fb group for you and then you can just request to join I think. If I can't link to it I'm sure someone else will.

BonaDea How exciting!! 2 weeks, that just feels unreal. Why have they decided to induce you? Good luck trying to kick it off naturally, you must let us all know if anything works

toobreathless and jacqueline I'm being induced as I'm type 1 diabetic and it's standard practice. One, the baby can get big (although mine is still in normal ranges although def topping the chart) and two, the diabetic placenta can deteriorate faster so my placenta prob has the same quality at 38 weeks as a normal placenta at 41/42 weeks.

I'd really rather not be induced but as the risk of stillbirth increases past 38 weeks I'm ok with it. Just going to do all I can to go into labour naturally - unlikely - but at least get my body as ready as I can for induction in the hope that it will play ball and get going easily!

Will definitely post back findings!

Just caught up with thread - and written a whopping list as I go (witch hazel, raspberry leaf capsules, fenugreek capsules, fennel tea, vaseline). Thank you!

Also realised today that we need to buy a nappy bucket to store the nappies until laundry. Must buy tea tree oil too as that helps with the 'aroma'

I went to a birth relaxation and breathing techniques class today. 3 other teachers there (small world) and very interesting. I have never attended any ante natal classes before so think I was the only 'not first baby' mum there but never mind.

Was at local children's centre and at the end two mums brought in their babies that had been born on Friday. The little boy looked tiny but is actually 8lb 5oz having been born at 8lb 1oz. I think we were all reassured at how small, such a 'normal' baby looked (although it did make me wonder just how tiny my 2 were at birth as they would only add up to a bit more than that together!)

Oh and I already have two wraps but ordered one from Joy and Joe the other day just because they are such a bargain! It would be a good place to look in case you are not sure they will work for you. I also have a HugaBub and a Moby.

I am now on the look out for something else - but not sure what. Something like a Mei tai perhaps. I do have a ring sling but find it such a nuisance to wash! Any suggestions?

Hi All,
Haven't posted in a while but have been reading along - so much happening!

Belated congrats on Liam's arrival, Rosie. Is he out of nicu?

MrsS so sorry to hear about your burglary. We had the same last year and it's awful feeling like someone's been through all your personal stuff.

Flosshilde keep us posted how those contractions go!

We had our first nct tonight. I was a bit apprehensive but it was great. Five other really nice couples all due within two weeks of each other and all live really close. Starting to feel real now, and hubby came home pleased about how much he knew already from reading a few books versus the other blokes, which was nice for his confidence

On the subject of books, I'm reading Rachel Waddilove's The Baby Book which I'm finding really clear and helpful in answering lots of questions I have about the early days. Seems to have a good balance of routine and structure without being as strict as Gina Ford.
And although the concept is a bit daft, DH found 'Commando Dad' good - very practical baby care info presented in a very bloke friendly format.

That's my two top book tips for this evening. Night all!

Quick post from me, anybody else have done rather swollen, er, bits?! It seems like every day I get a new pregnancy reminder/symptom/ailment anyway I'm rather sore down below and it all feels a bit 'stung'? If it was anywhere else on body I would use an ice pack.....

I can barely keep up with this thread!

I had an antenatal appt this morning. I don't think I'm meant to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth....
After booking the date for the c-section, I got sent for an ultrasound after I mentioned that I'm not getting many movements, and definitely no pattern of movements. Bub seems to be big for dates, but they were concerned with the amount of amniotic fluid and the lack of movements (heart rate good, strong and steady though). So I got sent up to the Maternal Fetal Assessement Unit for a trace and to see the Dr again.
I 'passed' the trace (and was recognised by one of the midwives who spotted that there was an issue with DSs heart almost two years ago) but they want me in twice a week now for traces and ultrasounds. And that it is extremely likely that they will do a csection following one of these visits, and that it is unlikely that I'll get past 37 weeks.....
I've been told to keep the hospital bag in the car (it will be packed today!) and if at any point I'm concerned about movements to ring and let them know I'm on my way.
Eek, need to get things a bit more ready!

I'm shattered! Been up since 3.30 with heartburn. I'm going on a spa day today so in putting money on my falling asleep during the massage!

cheese just to say my MW advised that ice packs are fine. Two suggestions from her were to put a pad in the freezer and use that or to fill a condom with water and freeze it (watch out who might find it!!). For the latter, wrap it in a tea towel before use (let's not think about ice burn!) and sit yourself on a hard chair propped up on two rolled up towels-you can then slide it underneath yourself. Hope you can get some relief.

Very very tired over here although I slept quite well! On the brightside ill be 36 weeks tomorrow! Yay! My last baby was born at 38 so hoe this one will follow suit. Had three slightly painful Bh last night in the space of an hour but nothing since. However I deffeny need get abit more organised before she arrives!

Hi all, after a rubbish night with a poorly DD, I woke up this morning to lots of mucusy blood (tmi so early, sorry!) Going to be assessed at 10.30, but the midwife was pretty sure it is things starting. She was very calming to the very tearful me! With DD's birth there was no blood until late on so was a bit scary. Well update later.

Hope everyone's doing ok, it's hard to keep up!

36+4, sorry!

Ooo how exciting! I have been wondering if my labour will kick off differently or be same as others, previouse two have been on off contractions for 2 days (ds1) and 7 days (ds2) before getting regular, plus no waters breaking and no shows! This pregnancy has been different tho so it makes me wonder how she will make her enterance!
Keep us posted and good luck!

35+6

Whose great idea was it to buy a doer-upper house and move while pregnant and DP's doing his final year at uni?

Um ... oh, yes it was mine! Can someone please send a time-machine back to last summer and tell me that now is really not a good time to be moving and doing up a house?

I'm fed up with it! I just want to nest and think about the baby. My body is screaming out at me to stop. I have SPD (not nearly as bad as last time though), heartburn, I'm massive and get tired so easily. But we have no choice! We have to be out of our flat in 2 weeks, the LL wants to start showing tenants round, we're desperately trying to get and keep it clean enough for viewings at the same time as packing enormous amounts of stuff (we have too much stuff!) and getting the new house ready.

I was up till 1am packing boxes last night. Same again for the foreseeable future. DP is doing the same (well more to be fair) only he's working through back pain: packing and cleaning here and doing work at the new house too, and neglecting his uni work. He won't let me lift anything, but he's having to take strong pain-killers just to be able to get out of bed in the morning. I want to support him more while he's in his final year but I physically can't do it. Some lovely friends of ours are helping, and we'd be absolutely stuffed without them tbh. It's at times like this though when we really feel far away from our old friends and family back home (we only moved to this town a few years ago).

People keep asking me if I'm excited about the baby, but the truth is I haven't had time to think about the baby! I'm really glad we went for the 4D scan as it's helped me see her as a real person I think, and she wriggles a lot so I'm constantly reminded she's there! But I haven't had time to really think about her properly or get excited. So different to my first pregnancy.

I've told baby DD she's not allowed to come early! The flat we're moving out of is full of boxes and there's nowhere to put a baby. The new house isn't finished yet, and there's nowhere to put a baby!

Sorry for the me me me post, but that feels better :)

Ooh, I forgot, 35+0 (I think?!)

Wow, so fast, so fast, I can't keep up! I have been reading every other day though and dipping into facebook so congrats to our new arrivals and their mums!

Mrs S - I hope you are starting to get over the shock and can get someone in to help with a massive spring clean to get rid of every trace of them and make a fresh start for baby.

aufaniae sounds like a lot on your plate too - why don't you get a 'man with van' in to help you and DP with packing/lifting/moving to take some of the train? Or any F&F around to help?

I've been doing well, but been a bit grumpy this week as I have another cold and supreme heartburn and really off my food. PLus the worst water retention in my hands and feet - the swelling is so bad it's painful and I can't make a fist in the morning. I've a spot of carpal tunnels form all the pressure in my right hand too. Anyone else had this in this or previous pregnancies? Any tips? I might pop to GP to get it checked out (I went to mat day care last week to make sure it isn't PE, so that's a relief).

Working from home today as whooping cough jab today too, so FX i'm in the lucky group for that.

33+2