Graduated elderberries - 30+ and looking forward to DC1! (Thread 5)

[Alexandra6]

Hi everyone, hope you had good wkends, I'm looking forward to my holiday next Saturday (although won't be the usual sunbathing with wine flowing!), still can't wait just to relax especially as I'm feeling a bit rough and sick today! Work are piling on the pressure ahead of my hols but who cares, in one week I will be off for two weeks woop!

Just wondered when the really preggers people started to get lightning crotch/cervix pangs? So I can be prepared and not go into cervix panic!

Nope you must all stick around so we can bask in your wisdom!

I think it would be handy to have the wise old elders of the elderberries to pass on their pearls of wisdom to us uninitiated upduffeds... But I also know that you'll have other priorities and all now that you have babies and everything!

Three and a half days left at work for me. Boss doing my head in with constant requests that are stopping me getting stuff sorted. Also, seems I have to arrange my own 'leaving' occasion... Think I'll just bring in a load of shop-bought scones and cake as Friday is too busy for everyone to head to the pub/cafe for lunch.

Big boss suggested getting a local tea shop to cater in for us... but there's no way I can afford that!

All feels very weird...

Oi! Less of the 'old'

Bear, I had to arrange a leaving 'thing' for myself as well, I don't see why you should go to any huge effort, s

Gah! Stupid fat fingers!

I was saying... Sod them, shop bought cakes are more effort that I made!

As well as pearls of wisdom, I may be able to pass on some more practical items as well. I have an entire unopened still with the seal on bottle of raspberry leaf capsules that can be taken in tablet form or turned into tea from Holland and Barrett. First one to PM me their address gets them in the post - promise I won't stalk you afterwards and everything but they're no use to me and it seems silly to waste them and I don't know any RL pregnant ladies.

we were just given a lecture about feeding the babies over here. Quite interesting what the official positing regarding bottle feeding is - as you know, in UK, according to NHS you have to use 70C water, sterilise everything before each feed and bottled water is not recommended.

Here they said to use water at whatever temperature baby likes its formula, so you don't have to cool or warm it; it is no longer recommended to sterilise, just washing is enough and if you are not too sure about the tap water, just use Evian.

French and English babies must be really different I guess?

I don't know anything at all about what official guidelines for FF are here - I will need a crash course if the BF doesn't work out.

I just lost some (or maybe all?) of the mucous plug in the bath. Totally ruined my nice relaxing bath as I had to abandon it and I had only just got in. Hopefully it's more evidence that something is about to happen, although I've only had 3 contractions all day so at the rate they're coming I will be having this baby around Christmas.

Good news though Cavort - I think the plug can only come when cervix is sufficiently softened and is opening so has to be a good thing (despite losing the relaxing bath)...

That's fascinating Hazle - they went over sterilising in my last antenatal class as you have to do it even if expressing. Official guidelines say wash everything in soapy water (do not use dishwasher - too much salt and other stuff), then sterilise it. If you don't open the steriliser, everything is 'sterile' for 24 hours.

When you do open up steriliser, you should only make one bottle at a time (not bulk make up - WHO says this is bad), and should then do so by not touching anything with your bare hands, ie must use tongs for everything.

Should use hot but not boiling water to mix formula, (add water first, then formula, to get amounts right), but must then cool down.

Such a ridiculous amount of faff that it crossed my mind that it was part of a subliminal messaging to make everyone want to breastfeed... the fact that they admitted that they were banned from talking about formula by their midwife code - unless someone asks a direct question about it said it all for me.

Anyway... tonight's class is about breastfeeding and maybe formula if someone asks directly DP has chosen to opt out again. Hoping some of the other DPs will have done so for tonight so I don't feel like the only single mother in the room!

ha I would like to see those people, holding a screaming baby 3AM faffing about with tongs. Next they'll tell you to wear a mask and full protective suit as well. I think you might be on to something - does look like the aim is to make formula feeding about as easy as rocket science.

Cavort it's certainly a sign!

Also woman from my antenatal class was complaining on FB that she's at hospital, 4 cm and really bored - I warned her that it will probably get quite interesting soon.

All quiet over here, they are really not kidding about newborns and sleep - Vic only wakes up to feed.

Cavort, I hope things move swiftly along for you, love.

How are the brand new mummies? It's weird being a latecomer and not knowing how your journeys went. Any chance of a brief update regarding where others are at?

I had my first beta hCG yesterday at 13 days past 5-day transfer: 1,375!! I have another one tomorrow and then my heartbeat(s!) scan in two weeks. So excited! So grateful!

I forgot to congratulate you juicy in my newborn haze, my apologies, I'm thrilled about your news.

Hi all glad to hear that everyone mostly ok except cavort who is being tortured by slow labour despite all the Pom poms we've been waving!

First time to be made cry from frustration caused by the inefficient NHS today. I'm 12+1 today so decided enough was enough & I was tracking down my scan date by hook or by crook. It took 5 phone calls to various voicemails & people that couldn't help before I found out that hospital had no record of me. Anyway finally got hold of midwife & she has arranged for someone to call me by tmrw.

Am seriously considering a home birth to have minimal hospital intervention. I really like the idea even if i do end up in hospital in the end. Am I mad? Yet to convince DP.

Thanks Juicy, you and me both! And great news on your hcg levels.

You are not mad Frog, I would love to have the balls to go for a home birth but I am far too neurotic for it. I'm glad you finally got hold of someone re scan - I wonder what would have happened if you were less assertive?

Just had curry for dinner and having a sweep first thing. Please let it work!!!

Frog let me know if/how you manage to convince the OH, I will be v interested.
Hope your sweep does the job in the morn Cavort

Juicy thats awesome!!! By way of a catch up I'm 22 weeks tomorrow. Having a little boy (Harvey Sebastian) who is due 7th November.

Cavort Im willing bubba to get a wriggle on for you! Pompoms are not working you need to get dynamo on the case or something.

Juicy I am now 16wks.

Frog you are not mad; I am seriously considering a home birth too. Don't like hospitals and also am quite taken with the logic that if you arrange a HB you can always change your mind and transfer in, at any point, whereas if you are nt booked for one you can't stay at home no matter how much you are coping ok. My DP has been supportive of the idea so far, think he might be slightly nervous about it but he has said that we should be doing whatever I feel happiest doing.
(Prob all you ladies who have just done it will think I am quite naive!)

Thanks quod. I read a comment by someone on mums net thread that her OH was watching match of the day over her head whilst she was in the birthing pool - reckon that might be enough to swing it for my DP.

Morning all... juicy I'm 37 gone so ready ish for junior to make an appearance (tho haven't quite finished work yet!)

Good chasing frog... homebirth is a fab idea- I was very keen to begin with but DP has absolutely vetoed it. Sadly he hates mess... and football, so can't even use that argument.

Antenatal class last night was about breastfeeding. Cue long discussion argument when I got back about me veing 'judgemental' about those who bottle feed. I just said that given the weight of evidence in favour of breastfeeding, I'd feel guilty if I didn't try, but if it didn't work out, would obviously switch to bottles!

Think he interpreted my explaining of the benefits as me calling him and his DS etc fat, unhealthy and unintelligent

Very irritating given that we essentially agree on the approach ie he is happy for me to breastfeed, but if it doesn't work that bottles are good enough!

they don't want to let me out today as Vic is still yellowish and they also want to check his weight gain. Probably a good idea and I also want to make sure that he's ok - he is a very sleepy baby. But still another day stuck here, hospitals are not much unlike prisons I have to say.

go cavort!

As for homebirths, if you are reasonably close to a hospital, I would not rule it out. Or some other solution, I'm still not happy that I ended up with all the wires, drips and monitors.

I agree with you brave. Breastfeeding has got to be best & I will try to do it if I can. DP's niece did in the hospital but stopped when she got home & I'm sure it was pure laziness as it meant other people eg her mum could feed the baby & she couldn't be bothered to express.

at Dynamo getting cavorts baby out! Any news today?

Thanks for the thoughts on HB. Well at the moment I'm booked to go to the hospital furthest away from me but thinking of switching anyway. If I decide on a HB then I'll switch to my nearest which is probably less than 10 min by ambulance as I live v close to the motorway. 60% of first time mothers actually manage a HB as labour usually takes too long but if that's the reason for transfer you're not in an emergency situation & at least you've spent more time at home. I really want a water birth & they only have one pool at the hospital I think. I mooted the idea to DP & his first thought was the carpets! I've got a whole barrage of arguments to use though e.g. SS could see his sibling asap / less disruption to him & 6 months to wear him down! Just have to hope that have a textbook pregnancy with nothing medical to stop me too!

Cavort is very quiet, is this a good sign I wonder!

Personally I dont want a water birth, I dont like the idea of being sat in the water once bubs is born, with all the fluid etc which used to be inside me surrounding me. Plus I think if my OH sees the blood in the water as bubs is born he may freak out. Each to their own though, understand the pluses for it too.

OH made me watch OBEM last night, that show is not good for me! Such a sad one last night! Althouhh there was a bit at the end where the midwife said somthing like 'It jumped out like a salmon' thats the birth I want, where the baby slides out like a well oiled seal pup

Sorry they're keeping you locked up in a bit longer Hazle - even tho it's best for Victor, still a pain in the backside for you (is that now an ironic term for post-birth laydeez?)

Fingers crossed that Cavort will be reporting back with babe in arms later today

Frog I really want a water birth and like you there's only one at the hospital, so that was a major motivation for me and homebirth. But DP couldn't face cleaning the water out and says he'd feel safer at the hospital. As it's my first, I think he has a point, so just praying that the hospital pool is free!

Mother can't believe your OH was making you watch OBEM - usually it's the other way around! I watched a couple last week when I was off with my cold and felt ever so slightly better about some of my concerns... though it was one of those episodes where a midwife has her hand up someome's bits every five mins tho - not what I needed!

Oh hazle, poor Vic. Miles is still yellow too - they told us to take him back in if it got worse. Is so hard to tell if it is worse or not though?! He was awake feeding almost non- stop from 1am to 7am so he's not showing signs of sleepiness they told us to look out for...

Really hoping that cavort's silence is a good sign!

I would def be too scared for a HB but completely understand why people fancy them, and it sounds like you're close enough to get to hospital without it taking too long.

Janey I'm not brave enough for a home birth either. I anticipate my OH being as useful as a pogo stick in a swamp so want to know there are useful people on hand. He was laughing at one of the poor girls on OBEM last night who was shouting in pain, I told him that if he laughs at me I will ask him to leave and do it on my own. Harsh words I know but I honestly would rather that than spend the whole time with him bugging the crap out of me. God I'm awful aren't I. I'm not a OBEM fan Brave, I just find it a bit scary. Kind of like watching titanic before sailing to America.

I'm also in the camp of no libido! My cystitis is back again so don't want him anywhere near my bits. (sorry didn't put that in a very ladylike way ) I figure at least he had five months of being at it like rabbits before we got pregnant.

Hope they let you both out soon Hazel!

Lol at comparison to watching Titanic before sailing to America Mother - what a perfect analogy! I'd argue that by watching Titanic, I'd know that lower class passengers have crappier bunks, women and children get priority if it goes pear-shaped, and that you can expect to sing mildly inappropriate hymns about being in trouble at sea in the seemingly obligatory church service

So I learn a lot from OBEM, even if I know not all of it will happen like that.

Cystitis sucks. Do you drink cranberry/take cranberry extract to prevent it? When I've gone through bouts of it in the past, I'll ramp up cranberry intake and it often sees it off if I do it early enough tho if this is like telling someone with hyperemesis to try a ginger biscuit then forgive me

Haha bear very true. I think maybe I just want to stick my head in the sand about the actual 'getting this little minx out' part of pregnancy for as long as possible.

I've only had cystitis twice since getting pregnant and I've done all but swim in cranberry I'm afraid , took the over the counter sachets after a very long conversation with the pharmacist, thought it had gone but nope it's back. It's not horrendous but just uncomfortable. Called the docs yesterday and he said to take a sample in this morning, which I've done, fingers crossed he can sort me out. He said that getting a full blown UTI or bladder/kidney infection when pregnant can be dangerous so would prescribe safe antibiotics if needed to nip that in the bud. It's so dignified this pregnancy malarkey isn't it.

Also, I meant to ask, does the doctors surgery or MW approach you about the whooping cough jab or do you have to ask for it? Did you third trimester/mummies have it? I figure I will, was going to ask at my 26 week check but thought I'd ask you ladies too.

On another note, bubs has really ramped up the movement this week, he's a right fidget! Thankfully mainly during the day and late afternoon, not at night yet, guess he must be getting bigger and stronger so I can feel him more.