due in november - part 4.........

[saralou100]

we are here!!

I don't think I have any new stretch marks on my belly this time, but believe me, I have got enough from last time, I have got some new ones under my boobs, I guess things are going to start looking a bit erm...saggy after this baby! LOL

I did also get a lot on the back of my knees for some reason last time, neither me, DH nor anyone else can remember my legs getting any fatter last time, but they obviously stretched somehow!! I am very pleased they haven't gotten any worse, I can only just about get away with wearing a skirt in the summer as they are, wouldn't like to be doomed to trousers for the rest of my life!

LeBe definately get the internet set up at home, I don't know what I would do with out it! Day time telly is worse than you can ever imagine!

Evening girls!

I am having an uncomfortable day today, i have started to get migrains at 4pm everyday on the dot and its sooooooooo annoying! Dp did however buy me a box of Malteasers to cheer me up

I have a few stretch marks in a semi circl around the top of my belly button! I tried everything when i was pg with ds and moisturised religiously every morning and night and i got more stretch marks that you have ever seen! So this time im doing nothing at all!

My mum and i have just been watching the cow's next door give birth from the window and one's just had snow white twins there gorgeous i want one!

I have had no boob leakage i didn't have at theis point with DS either though and i had a huge flow of milk with him even though i didn't feed. I plan to this time though so who know's i may flood the house!

We have a definate girls name which weve always had since i first fell pg when i was 16 and that's Phoebe - Skye.
We haven't got a boy's name though i think it will have to be one of thoses things that get's decided in the hospital if it is a boy.

Luv to all

velcrobott....
i need a section because of spinal problems, not spd/eds per se, have pins in my lower spine to fuse it, very unstable otherwise... advised to avoid vaginal birth as i may not be able to push baby out without causing damage to the fusion. I do remember pie! poor thing had a terrible time. I am worried about having a section at my local hospital... my last hospital were so brilliant and really looked after me, took the eds seriously. this time i have no faith. the fact that they can tell someone with my spinal hstory that my spd is nothing to worry about alarms me a little... especially as eds compounds the problem. hope you're okay. xx

hi all
debz - know what you mean about alien the othr night i think it was doing acrobatics because even through my t shirt you could see it moving from one side to the other with pointed bits sticking out all over the place.

I am starting to worry that i will not have enough time i am due the 4th nov and have still got to decorate the nursery and even get a hospital bag organised - do you actually need all that stuff can anyone recommend a good list of what is actually needed?

i have bought a lot of bits but still need stuff i had not even thought about like breast pads and cotton wool balls

speak later eeyoreuk

eeyoreuk - This is what i took and used in my hospital bag, i had a vaginal delivery i don;t know if theres alot of difference for a c/section depending on what your having.

1. Maternity Sanitary towels

2. front opening pj's/nighties for feeding (if you plan to)

3. Toilitries nothing stron gsmelling baby need's to beable to smell his/her mommy.

4.Going home clothes for baby and you - you will still need maternity clothes.

5. Camera

6. change for phone

7. Black pants or disposable ones

8. Old t-shirt for giving birth in

I didn't use anything really in labour as i spoke to my DP and mum for amusement so didnt use my c.d player or read my books, but you may want to take them as it takes a long time sometimes! I also took chapstick as your lips can get dry, energy tablets, and warm socks but i didn't use them as the hospital provided tea and toast which was plenty.

Apart from that your maternity notes and the baby's clothes and a nappy to take it home in. i took dummy's and god knows what into the hospital and didn't use it. They provided nappies whilst i was in there and you get a baby welcome pack with baby toiletries for bathing it.

not all maternity units provide nappies etc though, mine doesnt...check. Dont worry too much, dh can get things from home for you. take a few changes of clothes for baby, snack bars, cos the food is crap. flip flops for walking around in... especially in the shower... beware... some maternity units are filthy places and you really dont want an infection. I took antibac wipes in to clean loo seat... and i really needed them, the place was awful. I cant remember what else i took apart from the obvious stuff... I'm bound to forget loads of stuff!

Hiya, I found that the maternity pads were no good - instead I used the allways night time towels. I don't know whether it was just me but I found them more absorbant and they also had wings, so I didn't worry so much about moving around I will also be taking some fruit pastilles this time - my dh popped over to the shop and got me a pack of these last time for energy and I was devestated when the pack ran out and by that time he couldn't really chance leaving the room - will deffo take loads this time

Can you not have a better consultant in same hospital ? Someone a tad more on the ball???? I hope you do get proper care... how bad is your SPD?

What I thought about EDS and sections is that we do bruise more and we don't scar well so an op for the sake of an op does not sound like a good idea (not talking about your reasons for a section )
But that's my rant over !!!

its a very small hospital, so i doubt i have much choice. am meeting with my actual consultant in october so will ask her to do my section and explain my problems,,, but theres no guarentee she'll agree to do it... as the registrar put it: 'its more luck than judgement who you get'. Which is a strange thing to admit! Belive me, I'm not having an op just for the sake of it, I risk an awful lot more by having a vaginal delivery... i may not be able to push and I dont want to find that out when baby is already stuck.

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Lebe - I don't know if I'm having boy or girl. Like you I'm finding the time is really dragging. Maybe first pregnancies feel longer than later ones because you've no kids to run round after. We are also very organised and have bought everything for nursery and baby. We did everything early as there is a lot of decorating to do in our new house and we didn't want to be painting etc with a new baby around.

Kaybee - I like J names too, like James and Joshua, but dh prefers Luke. I'm not so sure and am hoping to be able to talk him round! We don't have problems choosing girls names, so it probably isn't a girl!

Debz - hope the belt is working out better for you today. I have also noticed strange things moving about in my bump. I'd love to know which bit of the baby it is that sticks out so far.

I thought I'd update the stats with our newest members. Hope I've not missed anyone.

CattyB due 27th Oct #4 has DS1, DS2, DS3, having a baby, Spott, East Lothian. Prediction 9lb 14oz born on 5th Nov
Mummy2Toby due 30th Oct #2 has DS having a girl - Romford, Essex
Tinasan due 31st Oct #1 having a girl
Dpind due 1 november #2
MeAndMyBoy due 2 Nov #2 has DS (3) 3rd scan 19/08 flavour not known. Warwickshire
Chubley due #3 on 3 November flavour unknown, DS (3) DD (16 months). West Yorkshire
Berthablatherwick due 4 Nov #2 Has DS 22m Flavour not known
TwoCatsOnTheBed due 4 Nov #1 Missed M/c last year
Eeyoreuk due 4th Nov #1 Leicester
Camgirl due 4th Nov #1
Debz99 due 5th Nov #1 having a boy
PinkMagic1 due 5 Nov #2 has DS, having a girl
Zink due 5 Nov #1
Delia due 5 Nov #1 flavour not known. Birmingham.
HopingCat due 6 Nov #1 flavour not known, Preston Lancs. Prediction born 4th Nov, 7lb 12oz
Lebe due 6th Nov #1 having a boy
AussieInLondon due 6 Nov #2 has DD
Emom due 7th Nov #1
Novis due 7th Nov #1
Rarrie due 7th Nov #2 has DD
AwayFromHome due 9 Nov #2 has DD
Spinach due 10th Nov (but will have cs weeek earlier) #2 has DD, having a girl
Staceym11 due 11th Nov #2 has dd 16mth, having a boy Surrey
Velcrobott due 11th Nov #3 has DS and DD
Mower due 11 Nov #2 has DS having a boy
Mygirllolipop due 13 Nov #4 (a girl) has DD1 (7), DD2 (5), DD3 (1) homebirth, wed aniv. 12/7. Shropshire/north east
Tamula due 14 Nov #2, a girl, has DD (age 13.5mths)
Kif due 15th Nov #2 has DD aged 2, having a boy
Sighkotika, due 17 nov #1 having a boy.
Fatbetty due 18th Nov #3 has DS1 & DS2 (age 3 and 21 months)
Podglet due 18th November #1, m/c Nov 05, flavour not known, Colchester - Essex. Prediction born
20th Nov 9lb 4oz
Kaybee7777 due 19th November #1 having a boy
Flowers1 due 19th November
Bethbe due 19th November #1 unknown, h/b 140, prediction: 2nd Dec @ 8lb 12oz, Herts/London
Joules1234 due 20th November
Foghornleghorn due 21st November has DD aged 23 months
CharleeSunnysunsun due 21st November #2 has DS 22 aged months, scan says having a boy
Littlemermaid due 22nd Nov #2 has DS
Hattie 05 due 22 Nov #2, a girl, have dd aged 3
Harrogatemum due 24 Nov #3, has DTs aged 18 months. Harrogate (!)
Frangosa due 24 Nov #2, has DD aged 18 months
Calsworld due 24 Nov #1
saralou100 due 24 Nov #2 has ds 17months flavour unknown Bournemouth, dorset.. predicts born on 30th weighing 8lb 4oz
NatalieJane due 25 Nov #2 has DS age 4, Accrington, having a boy. Predicting: D.O.B. 2nd December, weighing 8lb 9oz.
MommyUpNorth due 25 Nov #4 has DD (5), DS (3), DS (1)
amyjade due 30 November #3 Have 2 Dds. Having elective C section at 38 weeks(Flavour unknown)
LadyAnne1sttimemum due 27 November #1 flavour not known, Plymouth, Devon
Debbsy 1st time mum due 27th Nov a boy. Staffordshire

OMG, don't know if I dare post my hospital bag list.... OK here goes: (It was typed out to pass onto someone else so that is why there are extra notes all over it!)

For Mummy...

• Maternity notes
• Birth plan
• Dressing gown (only a light weight one, labour wards are kept very warm)
• Slippers
• Socks
• Nightshirt (to labour in)
• Second nightshirt/pj's (for after the birth - front opening is easiest if you plan to BF)
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, tooth brush/paste, etc. also if you plan to use anything like nipple cream or femme pads)
• Hair band
• Lip balm
• A watch (with a second hand for contractions)
• Magazines, puzzler, books, mp3 player/stereo, anything to help you relax and pass the time!
• Camera (don't forget extra memory/film, batteries)
• Camcorder
• Change for phone and parking
• List of friends and family phone numbers
• Nursing bras (if BF)
• Flash or anti-bacterial wipes (for the shower/bath and anything else that seems mucky)
• Cheap plastic flip flops (for use in the shower)
• Hair brush
• Drinks and snacks (for birthing partner as well!!)
• Breast pads (whether you plan to BF or not)
• Big knickers, the big belly warmers, the papery disposable kind are just awful!! Check out your local market for cheap big pants, and get the biggest size you can find!!)
• Go to Boots or Mothercare - anywhere that does proper maternity pads, they are thicker and longer than normal sanitary towels, my midwife said to use two at once in the beginning and I still had to be careful with them then! Get about 5 packets at the ready, you will need to buy more, but that should see you through the first few days/week!
• Dark coloured towel and flannel
• Going home clothes (You will probably be about the size you were at 6 months when you come home, so maternity clothes will still be needed)
• Bed mats, these aren't really for the bag, more for the car (and handy for in bed), if you look down the aisle in Tesco near the nappies, pampers have bed mats, meant for use as disposable changing mats, they are slightly quilted so will hold liquid, so if you line your mattress and car seat with them, if your waters should break then you won't be trying to clear up rather than concentrating on the labour!!

And for the baby...

• A travel changing mat (or if you buy a changing bag with a mat on it, just take this)
• Wipes and/or cotton wool - check with your hospital, some won't let you use wipes, some won't let you use cotton wool, when I had DS they wouldn't even let me bath him, so check what your hospital policy is.
• Scratch mitts, most babies come out with long nails - the only reason I had to have stitches was because his nails scraped against me!
• Hat
• Socks or booties depending on what clothes you take in, obviously if you only take all in ones with feet in them, then you won't need socks!!
• A good few bibs/muslin cloths, I'd say at least 6 - you can never have enough!!
• Going home outfit - think carefully about this, it needs to be easy to fit the car seat straps around, and in November it will need to be warm!
• Blanket (at least one for the trip home)
• Take a full packet of nappies, you may be home in no more than a few hours after the birth, or due to the time of birth and doctors rounds etc. it could be closer to 36 hours, and new born babies (especially if BF) poo A LOT!!!
• Nappy/barrier cream
• Nappy sacks
• You don't need anything more than sleep suits and all in one type clothes, I will take in 3 vests and 3 sleepsuits for whilst we are actually in hospital, but obviously if you want fully blown outfits then that is up to you!
• Lastly I will be sneaking in some baby lotion this time, as I said, last time they wouldn't let me bath DS, and a two day old baby smelling of where it came from isn't very nice if you get my drift!! So even if I have to put some lotion on him when no one is looking, I will!!! LOL

Don't forget to put the car seat in the car, we actually put the carseat in the boot before I was any where near due last time, just in case!!! LOL Sounds silly now, but you never know when you will need it!!

I don't really know what you would do if you are planning to bottle feed, I guess you would have to ask the maternity unit if they have bottles and formula there, and if not take it in with you.

Also find out visiting times so you can pre-warn family and friends!

Is that too much then? It is all the stuff I needed/wanted when I went in with DS, can't seem to find anything that I would leave at home to thin the list down...

Considering I want to be home within hours of the birth, it does seem like a lot of stuff!!

Also agree with the name thing, we had Maia all lined up for a girl, and no boy name to speak of when we went for the scan, and low and behold it is a boy!

And an update on the eBay thing, the woman has agreed to refund all costs and pay for the return postage, just now got to decide if we are going to send the parcel before we get the refund or wait until we have it!! LOL It is a PITA, we have another woman who we sold some baby clothes to three weeks ago, she has since given us 3 incorrect addresses, finally got the parcel couriered out early this week and she has now said that it has gone to yet another wrong address (although it is the one she supplied us with...), what is it with some people? You would have thought that when you've paid for something they'd want it asap. I think I might give up on eBay altogether!

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I didn't know they did maternity bed mats, I haven't really looked before! But I guess either would do the same job? You might find the pampers ones work out cheaper just because when the word 'maternity' is used, everyone seems to add 20%!! But obviously that is only a a guess!

I have told the first woman that we're not sending anything until the refund is in my bank account, and the second woman I just can't work out, she paid for the items straight away, and then just for some reason doesn't want to actually get her hands on the clothes, honestly if I listed all of the emails that have come from her, you would find it hard to believe that anyone could be so down right difficult!! LOL I suppose I should be grateful in a way, all of the messing around is filling up my days!!

Actually looking at the list again, it seems like a long list of things but it isn't really, when you think of the actuall physical things sat in front of you, it isn't nearly as enormous!

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I think my image of birth has been gained from watching films and TV. I was watching the episode of Friends where Rachel gives birth, and the second she goes into labour she races into hospital and then lies on a bed for hours. Then afterwards there is no mess, no placenta delivery and definitely no maternity pads! How on earth are pg women supposed to know what to really expect? How do people cope without mn?

Hi

just a thought would it be a good idea if i put all the baby stuff in the changing bag i have and do a seperate bag for me to make it easier to find.
that s a good idea about the car seat at the moment the travel system is at my rowing coach's house because i refused to have it in my house.

NJ glad ebay is starting to get sorted for you

catch up later eeyoreuk

OMG NJ I have packed my bag and i havent got half of those things! I dont actually think i have enough bags for all those things but now you have listed them all im thinking oh yeah i will def need that so i will now be on a major shopping spree to redo it. Thanks for the list tho i couldnt find any such help in any of my books!

Mygirl - Glad to see im not the only one suffering, do you really know people that had them joining right round!! I had one of those awful hormonal moments last night where i just cried about everything and then just as i managed to pull myself together i put some cream on my stretch marks (god knows why!!!) and the light made them look blood red and i was off again, but this morning i am feeling calmer and reading that has made me realise im not too unlucky.

Hopingcat - I thought that about it being the 1st pg and thats why it drags because as you say 2nd+ mums have other kids to focus on in the menatime but then saying that i know alot of them would give anything to be in our postion because when your feeling sooooooo tired at least we can most probably rest whereas you cant with other children to entertain etc. so im trying to look at it in a good light now and make the most of it. Also i think its def the best way to go doing all the decorating and stuff before hand even tho the baby is going to be in with us for a while, but because we only rent we cant go to mad with the painting etc. but i am going to get those stickers that peel off afterwards they are a brilliant idea. Did you want to know if you were having a boy oy girl or did you want a surprise, im so nosy i had to find out i was actually dreading them telling me he wouldnt open his legs, but its wasnt important either way as long as he is fit and well.

I think it must be only me in the whole wide world that doesn't mind the big fat pads I felt there was that much coming out, I felt 'safer' with the fat ones. What a lovely topic!!

LOL That last post was in reply to MyGirl, seems a bit out of the blue after the last three posts!! LOL

I think the thing that surprised me most when I was going through it for the first time was how I felt after the birth, I hadn't given any real thought to how I would feel physically after it at all, I couldn't believe it when I could hardly move after, and it took a while for it to sink in that I had just given birth of course I wasn't going to feel comfortable!! The whole nine months is concentrated on seeing your baby for the first time, holding him, taking home, etc. etc. et.c not once did I think I won't be able to get in and out of the car very easily for the trip home, or that DH would have to drive at 10 MPH all the way home so as not to bump my bits!! LOL Oh the joys, it is all coming back to me now!! LOL

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I did take in separate bags the first time, but when we got everything home I found I had lost my slippers, a nearly full packet of nappies and something else that I can't remember with all of the to-ing and fro-ing, so this time I have bought a huge bag, like a holdal but massive with wheels in case for whatever reason I am on my own, and I am just going to put everything in there, in the hope of getting home with everything in it!!