Graduated Elderberries (thread 2)

[Cavort]

Oops, seems we ran out of room without noticing!

I have the list at home, not sure what's on it, but dry shampoo? I would hope they have showers and if you're well enough to go home, you're well enough to have one? Or what am I missing?

Checked the local prices for those Medela pumps, it's a Swiss company after all. Unsurprisingly, the pumps are significantly cheaper in France and germany than in Switzerland.

I think the dry shampoo is just in case you can't have a shower as soon as you'd like... so due to long labour (eg friend's wife, who v. recently had a 100 hour labour - that's a long time without washing your hair!), emcs or whatever. I guess to try and look non-greasy for those first day pictures?!

I assume the dry shampoo is for the all important immediately post-birth photos? If the labour was long and hot I can imagine my hair will look like you could cook a fry-up in it and I can't imagine DH waiting for me to shower before snapping away. My Sis had CS and they wouldn't remove the catheter until epidural had completely worn off so she couldn't shower until until the next day.

Those Medela pumps cost about £1000 here but can be hired for around £45/month.

Cavort I totally share your non-festival pain. Not only have half my family all got glasto tix again this year and the line-up is sickeningly immense (was decidedly meh in 2011 when we went, but still cool), but had planned to get OH some Vampire Weekend tix for his birthday in May.

His response was 'I don't think you should be at a VW gig in your condition'. Which was so depressing it's untrue. Fx they do a proper full UK tour next year when we can palm off let someone babysit PFB for the honour!

I have greasy hair that I normally wash every day. After 100 hour labour, no dry shampoo will make any difference. But will take one just in case then.

I have already warned DH that he can take of course pictures of the baby, but I don't want to have one of those "immediately post birth, nightgown open, tits out, blood running down the legs" photos - sorry for the image - and he must give me some time to compose myself.

Hazle I'm sure Princess Kate will be making the exact same demands of Wills when her time comes

I have this list;

dressing gown
flip flops
button front nightie
big pants
maternity pads
breast pads
jogging bottoms
stretchy vest top
long cardigan
nursing bra
hairbrush/make-up/wash bag/toiletries
nappies
baby wipes
lansinoh cream
lansinoh latch assist
snacks/drinks
pillow
lip balm
phone charger
Camera & charger
drinking straws
sports bottle
midwife notes
Magicool spray
cold compresses
travel towel
book/magazines
change for parking
Notebook & pen
moist toilet tissue
plastic measuring jug (for pouring over self while weeing after VB)
vaseline (to stop meconium sticking to baby's bum)
babygrow 7.5lbs
babygrow 10 lbs
body suit 7.5lbs
body suit 10lbs
hat
cardigan
bib

I will also have another bag left in the car containing more pj's, clothes, nappies etc for me and baby in case we have to stay in for a few days.

My hair usually looks decent thanks to the help of GHDs but left to it's own devices it's crazy - think Monica from Friends when they go the tropical holiday and the humidity gets her hair! So not sure dry shampoo will help my situation!

I am starving at the moment, my stomach rumbled all morning and I can't stop eating. Wondering if it's a symptom but seems too early to be eating for two! Luckily I'm on the slim side but not for long at this rate!

Hmmm ok, well I already own a hairbrush and a phone charger from that list so that's a good start, right?... I was really late so my baby will be too...right? So I've got loads if timetable sort this out...

Aw not again Purple. I hope you've not got anything too bad.

I'm not sure if I should add beer to my list. When I visited my Sis after her 4 day ordeal I took 2 bottles of beer from our fridge (I am a complete dufus and had bought Champagne but had forgot to put it in the fridge so they had to have warm Champagne as a gift to take home and make do with cold beer to celebrate) thinking my BIL would probably drink both of them and my Sister surprisingly loved hers and said it's the most enjoyable beer she'd ever had.

Beer! Oh yes I'm so adding a beer to my list, just the one mind or I'd be on my arse after all this time of barely drinking anything and the midwives might look down on that and would be v embarrassing if they phoned social services since I sort of work with them
No idea what random yuckiness I've got this time, weird chest/stomach pains, sickie feeling went to work yesterday but had to crawl home by 3pm and go to bed so haven't gone today even though I'm missing two meetings which none of my useless colleagues will cover, sigh, what can you do? They don't pay me enough to crawl into work and cover a meeting until 8pm tonight when I feel like this. In 5 years of working there I've only been off sick 4 times and 2 have been since I've been pregnant so I don't think they can moan really.

Oh are you allowed fizz straight after cavort? Didn't know that, I'd heard horror stories about not being able to drink for ages after because of breast feeding, is it fine to have some then? Good!

Well according to the BF book i'm reading, you can drink while BF but you should not drink enough to get drunk, so 2 units max, preferably straight after a feed so the alcohol has a few hours to clear from your system before the next feed.

Apparently there is not much chance of alcohol passing into breast milk and getting baby drunk (unless you're really caning it), but alcohol inhibits oxytocin levels which in turn decreases milk production.

Personally I don't think I'll be drinking much if I successfully manage to BF, but I am very much looking forward to that first guilt-free ice cold beer or glass of bubbles after the birth after 40 long weeks on the wagon!

Purple sod 'em if you're ill. You have to look after number one (and little number one).

In that case (thanks cavort you genius!) - Alex - you are officially tasked with bringing me a large glass of chilled Marlborough Sauvignon blanc to hospital for me. I am missing it more than words can describe...

You can also get around the bf/wine/beer/fizz issue by expressing a few feeds worth to cover 12 hours or so. Something my friend recommends for a rare treat...

Hope you feel better soon Purple that sounds deeply unpleasant. I was off Thursday as well - having had loads of time off before and after Christmas (nearly 3 weeks). They're gonna think I'm a holiday skiver!

I will bring your fave wine janey and please do the same for me! There's a nice thought to get my last push done!

Just booked my early 8 week scan for 20th April, two weeks away - fingers crossed!

How did the scan go Mother? And how's progress on the loft conversion Janey? I'm guessing you've probably seen more progress with your proper builders in the last couple of days than I have in however many weeks of chaos. (I also bet you haven't got a hole in your landing ceiling where some silly oaf 'slipped' and put their entire leg through the ceiling).

Oh yes - lots and lots of luck for your scan mother x

Any news mother? Fingers crossed for you...

I has midwife appt today... Only turned out that it was with the top obstetrician in the hospital as I'd asked about having a c section. Anyway they've computerised all their birth outcomes over the last 15 months and based on my age I have a 49% chance of having a cs - whether that's an elcs or emcs. Plus on top of that increased risks for forceps or ventouse. Anyway they said they would monitor me and we could make a decision at 36 weeks, when I have another consultant appt. anyway I'm glad I asked... Would prefer to go into this with open eyes.

Also turns out that I have slightly high blood pressure and also protein in my urine. As such I am back in tomorrow for the results of blood and the full urine tests, and have to have fortnightly monitoring from now on. Great. Still, she was amazing and I feel in very competent hands...

It's a girl!!!!!

Have you just had your 20 week scan? Woo Woo massive congrats zombies

Awww congrats

Thank you
Would have been equally happy with a boy, but it's just so good to KNOW!

scan was fab ladies, looked a bit like a blob and it wasnt moving around, but heard and saw the heartbeating and as we had to wait a bit he gave us 6 pics for free. The look on my OHs face when he saw it was amazing! Well worth the money!

Congrats, think of all those pink bits and bobs you get to buy