May 2013: 5 in the thread and the little one said, roll over - there's lots more on the way!

[Rhienne]

Running out of space over here so a new thread for all our fabulous birth stories!

Aberjen I just added a few drops to the water and the pads. Did it by smell rather than measurement.

YY to an insulated mug! Also make sure you've got some food in that you can eat one handed and isn't too disgusting if it goes cold. I found cake, biscuits and waffles to be the best for this .

DXBMermaid- I had group b strep last time- discovered after having tons BH having fallen down the stairs. Know how you feel re dirty but 25% have it.....I'm really glad
I knew risk is grossly greater if you have it and don't know co
Compared to Antibiotics! The antibiotics were no
Problem at all- the only issue I had is that my waters breaking was the first sign of labour- in group b strep cases my hospital insist on induction straight away rather than waiting and it was the induction/syntocin that was limiting.

I've insisted on being tested this time- first was done wrong, second negative which I was unconvinced about so paid privately for third which was again negative. I have to accepy it but it does worry
Me its being missed- I'd rather just have the antibiotics!

Thanks Scooby
Glad to know I'm not the only one. I completely freaked myself out by reading about all the horrible things that can happen to a newborn if they catch it. Thankfully have also read that the chance of a baby actually becoming infected isn't that high.

Loving all the tips regarding stinging wees! Love the maxi pad ice lollies! Fantastic idea! At ante-natal class the midwife recommend making diaper ice lollies to go round sore boobs. Aparently they are the right fit and shape. Just hope my friends don't go rooting in the freezer for the vodka lol.

I am only 36+6 but totally symptom watching! I am a bit obsessed I think, maybe cause I am a first timer. Only 5 more days at work and really looking forward to finishing up but at least work is distracting me from wondering if every ache or twinge is labour starting! Argh!

I have a 37 week scan tomorrow for home birth. Have now definitely decided we will be going to the birthing unit in Stockport but midwife was super keen on homebirth so I kind of went along with it. Bonus scan to check out baby anyway

Looking forward to meeting all these may babies! We still haven't decided on a name but have a short list and were going to decide on the day once we meet LO. Is this a wise strategy though? What if DP and I still disagree? We like:

Elizabeth
Sophie
Molly
Georgia

With Grace as a middle name.

Thanks mamma! And also for tip re: food - am always happy to have a good excuse to eat cake

seven mild tightenings all day but not building to anything so hopefully all stays calm til Thursday. I can't quite get my head around how certain it all is. Thank god I kept the sex a surprise.

Ha! I was going to suggest the popsical pads! A friend recommended them last time. The relief was amazing. If they are really frozen-you might want to add a pair of pants on top as well as underneath. So it doesn't stick to your bits iyswim.

Wonder if bood is otherwise engaged...? Exciting times ladies!

Has anyone set up a postnatal group yet? I hadn't even considered it until just now. I guess I'm more likely to fit into March.
Alice had a bad day yesterday. She hadn't breastfed for days and slept 24 hours solid. She was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity. It's where the blood vessels on the retina grow abnormally and in the worse rare cases can cause blindness. Bizarrely, I have te same condition due to my diabetes so I helpfully know too many details. If it gets worse (next check next week) she'll need laser surgery on her retinas which will require a general. As you can imagine I was a blubbering wreck yesterday.
But today has been fantastic! She has been awake loads and fed lots. She was on the breast for 50 mins and really going for it. Her anaemia has corrected itself which will help with her very slow weight gain and more importantly with the eyes. Feeling much better.
First timers-you have no idea what a worry these little bundles are. You can't help it. You'll worry about everything. From feeding to colour of poo. It's really overwhelming.
Like the travel mug idea! A woman at the hospital hada breastfeeding apron/cover. It looked so useful, I've got to invest. Also hides your bare mummy tummy as well as boobs whilst feeding.

Hi ladies,
How did you cope when it feels like your belly is going to fall off? Mine is killing me from feeling like its being pulled down! And- anyone else's baby movements make their foo-foo feel uncomfortable? I actually feel like I need to hold myself when baby gets a squirm on!

Also, thank you for the good advice for post labour coping strategies! Making a note of these for the future!
X

Popsicle pads and nappies on sore boobs, brilliant! Wouldn't have needed it last time but good to know.

Ladies does anyone know if there is any deep heat at all that you can use ...... Think I've got a trapped nerve under my shoulder had it since friday & in agony xxx

maybe don't go anywhere, we're glad to have you. I can imagine you must have been worried sick yesterday, glad she's had a good day today though. Any sign of her coming home soon? On my last group with DD we all stayed on the ante-natal thread until the last baby had arrived, then moved over to the post-natal section.

shelly no idea sorry, hope it improves soon. Only thing I can suggest is try stretches and doing big arm circles if its not too agonising to try and free it?

babygeek sounds like a good enough plan for a name as long as its only a small list, you have 6 weeks to register the name anyway so doesn't matter if you can't decide immediately. They're all lovely names, I wanted Elizabeth but decided against it as her initials would be EAR, we've already decided on Ann as a middle name after my mum.

I actually found warm things helped on sore boobs more than cold, a warm flannel was good, but when it was really painful the only thing that helped was a really hot shower.

Shelly you can use Olbas oil during pregnancy, it can be used as a decongestant but also for muscle pain if you rub it on your skin.

I'm another that has to hold my bump when she squirms down low, and her movements have been hurting me quite a bit too.

We're going with the name Willow Sophia, we've kept her name a secret though from friends and family until she's here. What do you all think of it? I don't want to say her surname on here but it will be the same as little Seb and his mummy , does it sound ok?

Thank you Tiger ill try anything at the minute xxx

Tiger- that's three of us with the same surname ;-)
I like your name choice... We will be sticking with 'middle of the road/non unusual' such as Oliver/Sam/Jessica et al. My husband doesn't do anything more unusual! Wanted bailey as middle name for DS but initials would have been BBQ- DH complained he would be called 'sausage' as nickname but I don't think it matters- boys will have nicknames wotever happens and I've heard MUcH worse ;-)

Baby geek- we also have about 4 names per sex with probable favourites by will wait and see what he/she looks like.... We ended up using second choice boys name last time as he simply didn't look like the top name IyKWIM ;-))

Maybe- sorry you're both having a tough time- hope things keep picking up and you're home with snuggles soon.

Re Popsicles- mothercare sell a specific freezer gel item that does same thing and works a treat if u feel you need it- I did last time - which I won't go into- but fab!

I'm reassured to hear that other people are suffering from painful bumps too! Some of the movements have changed from being a bit uncomfortable to downright painful recently and I wasn't sure if that was normal! I think everything is getting rather squashed in there...

Yes to painful movements. I'm pretty certain there's an elbow that keeps which keeps poking out on my lower left side, its really quite painful! Never had any painful movements like this with the other two.

Love the name tiger.

Lately, it's been a major achievement to tie my own shoelaces. Today, at 38+3, I managed to cut my toe-nails and epilate my legs. I feel like I deserve a medal!

Now with the money I saved by not paying someone at a salon to do it, I'm off to buy DVD boxsets on Amazon. :o

I keep gasping as LO tries to stretch. This baby is getting quite strong! DH looks concerned every time.

And yes, when LO scratches his/her nose, or whatever it is they're doing way down low, it is decidedly uncomfortable!

Does anyone have any recommendations for good washable breastpads? I tried a couple of reusables last time, but found they were leaky, uncomfortable and showed horribly through my clothes, so went with disposables. I can imagine using washables, if I can find ones that work.

rhienne you def deserve a medal. DH had to tie my laces yesterday and he cut my toenails tonight. I can't get a hold of my feet for long enough! I'm 35+5 now so don't have a hope in hell by 38 wks!

Great to learn lots of tips from ladies who have been there before. Not sure what DP will think if he opens the freezer and sees a bunch of maternity pad popsicles though haha!

Maybe, that is really positive news that Alice is feeding well and she is having some quality contact time with you. Hopefully she will just keep getter stronger by the day.

Some lovely names there, it feels like quite a big responsibility naming the baby

This LO loves to stretch out arms into my lower left side which is really uncomfortable. Seriously saw her push my belly out about 4-5cm the other morning with an elbow or something. They are bony squirmy wee things. But it's good to know that they are active in there.

Rhienne, I aspire to your personal grooming achievements! I can still shave my legs but at a very awkward angle so it's infrequent. Putting on tights is becoming very challenging, luckily only a few more days of that.

Just seen all the advice on weeing after the birth. I can honestly say both times I had no pain on urinating after at all. However, during labour and following I guzzle loads of water so maybe its due to my urine being really diluted.

My feet and legs(cankles) have now started to swell each evening

I just had a midwife appointment and baby is still head down which he has been for weeks but not engaged. I'm really surprised as have had lots of pains. She said second and third babies often engage and come out again and so on for a while.Next appt is booked for when I'm 38+ 6. I was cconvinced he would come early now I'm not so sure

Forgot to add 36+6

Picking names is really difficult, we only had a boys name. I have changed my mind twice now. Really wanted Amelie but kept hearing it loads so had to pick again.

Beaut I think I'm giving myself a week late coz dd was 11 days but dh thinks this one will be early.

I'm getting so uncomfortable now and today I have no energy at all to do anything. I'm really struggling to sleep at night and not getting chance to nap in the day thanks to a very jolly toddler.

I have family coming for the weekend so I can get some rest which I'm really looking forward to.

The end is nearly here, how exciting.

37+1