December 2013 - steaming towards 3/4 cooked

[LadyMedea]

Our shiny new thread... Pile in!

Yup me too. The birth bit is the only bit that she scaring me!

Why is the hole so tiny :( seems silly lol.

I've noticed today that I've become huge!! I dont want to get any bigger :/

I don't know how I feel about giving birth, rose. I'm a bit apprehensive, but I'm just telling myself that it will be fine, thousands of people do it everyday and if then can, so can I. I think the thinking about it is probably worse than actually doing it. We have time to think about all the pain and worry about it now. When it's happening, hopefully we will just focus on doing it and it will be fine! I think that makes me sound a bit loopy, but I know what I mean!

Sorry you are feeling sick again whisper. I was sick on Tuesday night and I'm hoping it was just a one off. Hopefully yours won't last long.

I can't remember who said about maternity pay being done on the last 8 weeks of work, but I have a question. I'm not expecting any answers, just wondering if anyone knows. I'm a teacher and my union is due to strike on oct 1st. I am in 2 minds about whether to strike because whilst I agree that issues need to be sorted, I can't really afford to lose a days pay so close to maternity leave. If I do strike, will being paid a day less affect my maternity pay if it goes on last 2 months? ( I will get paid less in the last month due to strike.) I'll have to find out somehow!

Also, I have my tests for my lump later. I had convinced myself that I wasn't too worried, but I'm feeling more anxious the closer it gets! My appointment isn't until 8, so it's a long time to wait too :(

Sorry, have properly gone on!

gannet don't worry all the calculations are done on the 8 weeks up to your 'qualifying week' (week 25) not your EDD. So anything in October won't affect it.

On the 'oh crap I've got to get this thing out of here somehow' front I can't highly recommend enough the book Birth Skills by Juju Sundin - I heard about it from a post on here. She is an Australian natal physiotherapist with 30 years of experience in coaching women to take control of their birth experience. Ok as I haven't used it yet I can't demonstrate its effectiveness personally but it has helped me feel so much more mentally prepared for labour which can only be a good thing.

It is 100% agenda free so not specifically a 'natural birth' approach but more well rounded and admits there is pain and that pain relief can be a really good option for many women. It's full of really practical active birth coping strategies for each stage of labour and how to not panic if things don't go to plan. I have it on my kindle and will now be going through it again a chapter a week with DH until twiglet arrives.

For other helpful birth resources try Ina May Gaskin's 'guide to childbirth' and 'spiritual midwifery' and the Natal Hypnotherapy Effective Birth Preparation CD and booklet.

Also having done it I can hand on heart say I am not scared of the birth, if that's reassuring!

gannet just because the union have collectively decided to take strike action doesn't mean you have to agree or strike. You wouldn't be teaching that day anyway and it might be a good time to catch up on other stuff! I'm not generally in favour of strike action though, and was a member of the non-striking union!

rose completely with you on the whole realisation that somehow baby has got to come out, I think you focus so much on actually being pregnant and thinking about little one being around and in all the cute clothes you've bought that you actually forget the whole labour part and then suddenly 3rd trimester comes along and you can't ignore it anymore! I just keep thinking some people go on to have 12 children so it can't be too traumatising...can it?!!

Might have it give those books a try at some point - I'm fine with being pregnant, fine with the idea of becoming a mum, breastfeeding, changing nappies and all that sort of stuff, it's just the whole giving birth part that's scaring me!

I'm glad I'm not the only one getting a bit nervous now that time's ticking on, though. Still can't decide whether ignorance really is bliss, or if I should read up on coping with labour and try to be as well prepared as I possibly can...

Hope you're feeling a bit better now by the way, Whisper
I never had any morning sickness in the early stages but have been feeling really queasy and headachy lately. Not sure if it's pg-related or if I'm just ill!

Jumping on the labour/birth bandwagon. I figure it's gonna hurt so just deal with it when it comes, but I'm wondering if there's anything to physically prepare for labour. I know there are exercise etc (must get back to prenatal pilates DVD soon!) but are they absolutely vital or will our bodies just crumble to dust if we don't do them?! I know this sounds weird but I'm also worried about OH seeing me in such a state. He's said he's gonna be clueless on the actual day and wondering if all the blood exposure pain goings on will freak him out. Too late now I guess lol!

thanks for the book recos - i'm with you itsliz havent yet decided if ignorance is bliss and if reading these books will stress me out even more. but good to know they exist. it's probably the smart thing to do. it is crazy that nature did not make the exit a little bit wider after all these years of women giving birth :)

nom i'm glad you say that having done it, it does not scare you anymore.

gannet thinking of you and your appointment for your lump. i'm sure it is very scary. please keep us updated

I hear ya abcdemma my dp faints at the sight of blood and can't watch any hospital thing on tele.
I said how are you going to cope when I'm in labour he says he's going to be fine. But I'm not convinced his cousin has put money on him fainting!! Lol

And he hates seeing me in pain. I had my tooth out at avery bad dentist/sedation clinic. I woke up during then pulling my tooth out and as the sedation and pain killers had worn off i screamed at them to stop. And they didn't. Worst experience ever. Never again! Dp had to walk out the recovery room as I was such a state luckily mum was there. But I'm think if he couldn't cope with tthat how is he going to cope in labour...

I guess it's different and there's something good at the end? Lol

He hasnt got a clue what's going to happen.. He even stiffens up when he holds a baby lol.

I hear you on the blood taking whisper my veins are a bitch and always collapse, had it taken from my femoral artery in my groin as they couldn't get any, my veins are thin and awkward, just had bloods taken at last midwife appt and it came out right away, which I find it always does in the 3rd trimester as there's lots more blood floating around in there.

This will be my third birth and I'm not worried about it either.
I am normally the worst sick person ever and my sister was dreading me in labour (she was birth partner with ds1) she said she was so proud of me as I coped great.
I was very quiet through it all, just remember that everyone handles pain differently and copes in different ways.
Some women scream not nessercary because its that painful but that's how they cope through it.

I made myself watch birthing program's so I'd have an idea of what to expect.
Just remember that it's a good pain as in the end you are getting something so precious to look after and that should be the one thing we have to work for and once its over and baby is in your arms the pain is gone.

Dp was amazing and did all he could bless him, he just said it was awful watching someone you love in pain and there's nothing you can do, but him being there giving me water meant the world.

pushing for me didnt hurt, it just felt like I needed to push out a poo (that type of pushing feeling) don't get me wrong it burned when the head was coming out but after that it was fine.

I'm sure everyone will be fine and will be wanting another one not long after just like I always do

Sorry forget to say gannet thinking if you and hope its all ok xx

I've also (someone else mentioned) looked at my bump today and realised how huge I look! Third tri looming certainly does get you thinking about labour more!

Being my third I'm a bit apprehensive but not worried about the pain. It is quite a lot but just when you think you can't stand it, that's when it gets easier! You get to 'transition' then the pushing bit- less painful I thought but harder work. However with DS2 I had what they call a spontaneous birth. It's when your body just does it naturally and I didn't have to make myself push if that makes sense- one involuntary push and baby's head was out, another one and the body came out! Anyone who has that is lucky- it was sooo muh better than the half hour or hour of pushing I had 1st time round. But it's not usual for 1st labours (sorry to those of you having your first!). And like the others who have kids already say its so worth it and you soon forget the pain once your baby is in your arms.

I also highly recommend any natal hypnotherapy CDs- I have one and it relaxed me a lot towards the end of both pregnancies and took away the fear too- it gives you a sense of calm and control- makes your labour seem like something powerful and amazing rather than scary and daunting (sorry sounds a bit hippy-ish but its true!)

Im definitely taking the blissfully ignorant approach to the birth at the moment, i know that if i read too much ill start to panic and worry myself.
On a much more positive note i bought my pram today well my parents bought it for me and DP. :)

Ooooh I'm hoping for spontaneous pushing this time. With DS I felt like I couldn't control the urge to push, it was totally involuntary - the MW was trying to direct me and I was telling her that I didn't have a choice. I was pushing when I was pushing and had no idea what I was doing! And that was a first labour so there is hope. DS was OP, though, so pushing was a bit protracted. If this one is nicely positioned I'm expecting it to fly out.

hey all, I have changed my user name. I was carole803

gannetgob, how are things?

Thanks for those who are asking after me. I had to have an ultrasound on my back and the dr said its just a lipoma which is a fatty lump and nothing to worry about. Excellent news and I feel like a right numpty for getting so worked up about it.

In my state of relief I forgot to ask what having a lipoma means - can I leave it or will it have to be removed? My dad said he had an op to remove one a few years ago. I'll just have to wait and see if I hear anything from doctor.

Thanks again for asking after me and being so nice. I think it's taught me a lesson - just go to the doctor at the first sign of anything. It's better safe than sorry!

Have a lovely day tomorrow all :D

Glad it all went well gannet

I have a job application dilemma. Be dears and pop over to employment issues to help me out?

gamnet glad to hear it isn't anything to worry about. Not sure if its the same as what I had- I've had 2 cysts removed from my back in the past- just 'fatty deposits' as they called them, little lumps that had to be cut out and stitched up. One is a bit of an unsightly scar but it'd probably only be seen if I wore a bikini.

Really glad to hear your news Gannet. Lipoma literally means fatty deposit under the skin. They are not at all harmful. Removal is generally considered a cosmetic procedure these days unless they're in a position which causes you a problem- ie under bra strap or something..

Glad to hear the good news missy. Now you can breathe a sigh of relief, and catch up on that sleep you have probably worried yourself out of :)

got my gtt today, does anyone know if I can have water or is it strictly no food or drink at all after 10pm? I'm so thirsty :(

Hope it goes ok whisper sorry I don't know if you can drink or not!

My hip is KILLING me today- woke up and it was so painful- from sleeping on one side all night I guess.

sorry whisper I'm not sure of the guidelines for the GTT but usually if you've been told 'nil by mouth' then you can have water up until an hour before your appointment. Maybe give the doctor or the MW a quick call to double check.

great news gannet

Will go have a look nom - I've also got a post on the baby names thread about middle names to go with the first name James if anyone has any suggestions pop over!

lucozade is such a horrible colour. no drink should look like it glows in the dark. feeling pretty ropey and still have another hour to sit around waiting while till my next blood sample. can't decide what I want to eat for lunch when I get home. I'm starving after not being allowed anything since half 8 last night. I missed my usual 3am/8am breakfasts

glad everything is okay gannet least that's off your mind now