The PESH are waddling their way to Christmas & trying not to freak out!

[FrankelInFoal]

The ante-natal fred for BESH graduates.

Recent Grads (aka CRESH)

blonderthanred, boy, born 26th October 2012
FriendofDorothy, boy, born 14th December 2012
QueenRollo, boy, born 21st January 2013
LazyMachine (38) boy EDD 9/2/13 - need an actual arrival date!
CamelKnees (34) EDD 22/04/2013 - need actual arrival date!
HaveALittleFaith (31), Faithlet arrived 14th April 2013
fertilityFTW (34) arrival date needed!
pinkr, (33), girl born 25th August 2013
Jethro (36) boy born 23rd September 2013

Waiting to lay:
Noks - EDD 28/12/2013
Frankel - EDD 4/3/2014
Sinky - EDD 18/3/2014
Ginfox - EDD end April 2014
Kat - EDD needed
Drizz - EDD 7/6/2014
Draf - EDD 19/6/2014
Winks - EDD 29/6/2014

Apologies for any misinformation or omissions!

Normal. My belly is smaller now than 4 weeks ago because of the lack of bloat.

I have been horribly bloated and I am 8 weeks today.

I am back on Slimming World though so that should help.

Also constipated so back onto the Fybogel! Lovely.

Hello euro! I've only really started expanding on the last couple of weeks (16 weeks now), but it may just be that I haven't noticed, as I have plenty of fatty clothes from this time last year before I rode my bike all the time. Also, I think I've had a pretty easy time of it so far compared with most, so am probably not much of a guide anyway. Good to see you over here!

Bloating is very normal, mine was horrific and down in part to the Pregnacare ante-natal vitamins. I switched to the Sanatogen ones and bought some Acidopholus tablets (probiotics) on the advice of Faith and it got much better.

I've noticed today that I am beginning to waddle, it's only going to get worse from here I fear!

Oh and no I haven't looked at nurseries yet, we'd have to either use a childminder or a local nursery though as there are definitely no work provisions.

Oh, my Top Tip - tesco pregnancy multivitamins. Never been so regular in my life!

I think we're going to be able to work it so we don't nerd childcare. However my sister moved her younger to a new nursery at 2, she didn't like his old one, she had no hassles. I think it's possibly easier to get spaces for older ones because of ratios?

One more Badminton question - is it a family friendly day, or would my friends with kids be well advised to leave them behind?

Definitely family friendly, assuming the children in question are alright with walking (or bring an all-terrain pushchair). If they are very scared of dogs I'd leave them behind, as every other person seems to bring a dog with them (though they are all on leads, and worth noting that there is extremely little poo as people are very responsible about picking it up). If kids are likely to get bored being outside and watching horses all day then leave them behind, but there are plenty of open spaces away from the course where you can run around, and of course you can bring a picnic! Older children are likely to enjoy it more than toddlers though, as it can be quite a long day. There's not much/nothing in the way of dedicated kids' entertainment: think of it as a giant park with lots of people, horses, dogs, and trees, but no swings etc.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to that now!

Should we maybe arrange an East Angular meet before frank is too big to waddle to a cake shop?

Can you tell I love eventing? I've been to Badminton almost every year since I was about ten, and still love going :)

Yes we definitely should have a meet-up!

As of 1st Feb I'm free every day for the next year

weekend-wise I've got antenatal courses on 8th and 15th Feb, but other than that I'm pretty flexible about times/dates. Let's chat on Facecrack.

Despite hailing from that part of the world I've never done Badminton I'd normally have gone with college but both years we had other trips that clashed! and then I moved away and Badminton always clashes with Guineas Weekend here in Newmarket, which is a very big deal in the racing world, so I've always gone to that. In fact this year will be the first Guineas I've missed in 13 years

V jealous of the East Angular meet up. Boo.

Am just in from antenatal class number 1. Am a bit scared. Apparently midwives should be encouraging me to build a "secure nest" for labour, amongst other things. Yeah. Ghj suggested I bring a duvet and hide in a cupboard.

I don't think we'll be star pupils...

I think the "next" thing sounds like the "anchors" that my teacher talks about - have things that make you feel secure and relaxed: a certain piece of music, dim lighting, etc. it'll be fine.

I do need to bring something next week that I think will help me in labour. I thought the cat? Or more seriously, some music.

Can you borrow a dummy epidural kit from the hospital? Are these the nct classes sinks?

You could take a birthing ball sinks? mine never made it out of the car but still!

We could possibly venture over for an East Angular meet if it fitted round my shifts. My family are in Ely so could combine the two.

A nest? So long as I have HOTB I can't imagine anything else I'll want. Even music I like irritates me if I'm trying to concentrate... How about a teddy bear?!

Fb'd you faify

Without wanting to come over all woo and lentil-weavery, the philosophy that my antenatal teacher has been using for the "anchor points" is that if you get yourself into a routine of being in a relaxed state of mind in particular circumstances you can replicate them in labour to help you stay relaxed. She said the 3 best things are dim lighting, the same piece of music and a particular scent.

If you spend 5/10 minutes each day just sitting quietly using these things then you can create a "memory" so when you use the same things during labour your body will recognise it as a time of relaxation.

Did that make any sense? Noks will point out if I've got any of that wrong.

Tis NCT. Birthing ball is a good back up option, but I don't own one, and would have to use the one in the meetings room.. that might defeat the point of me bringing something!

I'm with you Draf. Get GHJ there and I think I'll be happy. Food makes me happy, but I'm not sure stuffing your face is encouraged in labour...

Have you thought about music frank? I can't think of anything I listen to that's relaxing.

Sinks we got given a cd of the background music used during our classes. If it's of any use I can see if I can email you an mp3 file of the cd. It's a bit plinky plonky but it is relaxing

Argh, I hate plinky plonk 'relaxing' music! I'm with draf, music I like turns into music I violently loathe when I'm in the wrong mood for it. Is it possible to fail an nct class?!

I am a bit tongue in cheek about all this. I had lots planned for labour - music on my phone, I'd done hippobirthing off t'internet, I had snacks, drinks, a birthing ball. I got MSB to get an app with random facts and was going to say 'Fact me' each time I wanted to hear one. However the only useful thing I took was the tens machine! Obviously my labour was super fast but all I could concentrate on was riding out the contractions. Even if music had been playing I don't think I've have heard it....

Oh one phrase that the hippobirthing said was I trust my body to know how to deliver my baby. I clung to that phrase. It was very helpful!

A cuddly hippo. Hippobirthing and comforting in one!