February 2014 - babies flying out all over the joint!

[marzipanned]

We've now welcomed mini sun, dawn, kat, zazou and selfies (please tell me I haven't missed anyone...)....who will be next?!

Those of us waiting impatiently will be showing down on dates, pineapple, RLT and curry while having awkward whale sex.

Sorry you're not enjoying the nct classes Julietee - it does seem really hit and miss. Try not to worry about the social part - your group leader will probably suggest an organised meet up at the end of the course and will send out everyone's contact details and I'm sure people will be eager to meet up afterwards as you'll all be in the same boat. Even if there are some you don't end up really good friends with I'm sure you can bond abit over babies and make better friends with the other members.

Marzi - id make sure your DH knows to keep an eye on your jaw and shoulders and if he notices they're tense then he can just stroke them and it encourages you to relax - I found that really helpful. I also made sure to really try and relax my shoulders after a surge/pushing, but it is hard to remember in the moment. We had relaxing music on the whole time too (the comfort zone by Steve halpert). I thought it would annoy me but it was on quietly and I think it did help keep things calm. If you've done the breathing in yoga you'll be fine - I'd make sure DH knows what the breaths are like too so that he can guide you to do them during labour if you forget. Ooooh I can't wait until everyone else pops and I get to see your babies and hear all the birth stories!!!

Thanks for the stats update chocco! I can't believe we already have 5 babies!

Welcome back Bumpie! Are you all prepared for babies arrival or have you still got bits and bobs to do?

Hey,

I am pretty much sorted I think. feeling a little strange being off work but I am sure that will pass?! I have yet to buy any nappies though!! feeling like getting that final part will bring on labour!!

Thanks Marzi and MissKat :)
I'm hoping our Doula knows massage techniques because as a trained masseuse I kinda have to grit my teeth through DHs efforts (though he is amazing at just relaxing stroking!) :D

Marking place on this thread - thanks for starting Mazi! Sunflowered started the last thread and had the first baby so watch out...

Not having section until 6th Feb and don't want baby escaping earlier so it could be the next thread before I pop. But happy to hear everyone else's news in the meantime!

I still don't have the hospital bags packed...made a pathetic attempt this afternoon and shoved a few baby things in the case but it's not really thought out and I need an actual list. Because I don't want it to happen earlier than planned I think I'm avoiding the task in the hope that I have plenty of time!

I also should know exactly what to and what not to bring as I've done this before but I can't seem to remember ANYTHING useful!

Welcome back bumpie!

Kat - pleased you're at home now and loved reading your birth story. It's a bit weird to think that after 2 sections I won't have a story as such but at the same time I'm a big fat wimp and happy to stick to what I know! (Too posh to push).

Juliet - stick with the nct class. As others have said, you don't have to be bezzie mates with everyone. And they can be different to your other friends as you're socialising with them in a different way and bonding over babies and cake rather than hobbies and nights out, so have an open mind. They're all probably feeling the same as you!

First day of mat leave nearly over now. DD went to the childminder anyway for less hours than normal as I'm not at work (she gets free hours now that she's 3), so I picked her up early all excited to see her, and she was quiet and then told me at home that she didn't want me to pick her up, she wanted to stay at the childminders. My hormones made me burst into tears and I ran upstairs. I really need to start being the grown up! She didn't mean to upset me of course, but I felt a bit guilty for leaving her there while I'm not at work and although obviously I'm happy that she loves being with her childminder, I want her to prefer me at all times! She said sorry and I felt guilty again as I should be more controlled. Hope my hormones get back to normal after the birth but not so sure if they will get worse then!

I did have a lovely lunch with a friend though whilst we were both child free so it's not been a bad day really :) And tomorrow I have another lunch with another friend and a mooch round John Lewis :)

And meant to say to Last Night - great that you have your show, baby could be on time this time! x

Just marking my place so I can keep track of all those babies popping out (preferably on or soon after the 37 week mark so that they arrive happy and healthy with prepared mums who have actually packed their bags instead of just talking about it on here...)

New thread is busy already! Thanks for settinf it up marzi and eyes on you for the next baby ;)

julietee hope the classes pick up. I've found mine really slow going and really only covering basics not stuff I'd really find useful but the social part is slowly emerging and I think I'll come out with some lovely other mums to spend time with post baby.

misskat keep sending us labour advice! Really good to hear what worked and it pushes me into practicing breathing and finding some good music to have on.

And I'm amazed at you.laura that you will work so late you're a superwoman. Matched perhaps only by shrops' energy on no sleep. I am very firmly in the lots of sleep and lounging around club

Although perhaps should stop lounging enough to pack my hospital bag. It has some nighties and pads in it. Nothing for baby yet...

Haha part of me would love to be next but I don't think the chances are too high! (Part of me knows that there aren't nearly enough full tupperware in the freezer. DH did buy the car seat today though, so at least we can get kiddo home from hospital.)

Thanks so much for the advice misskat - will definitely tell him what you've said.

LittlePandaBear Since there's not much I don't cry at right now, I definitely would have been in tears at that too! I think every Mum on the planet whose child has ever spent time with another adult must feel exactly the same way. Glad you are making the most of ML though.

Woohoo a new thread and already 2 pages of posts! Thanks marzi

lastnight sounds like you could be next, fingers crossed!

My first day of ML has been spent supporting a friend at a series of hospital scans and then I came home and have put a lamb tagine in the oven for dinner and ironed DH's work shirts for the week. 1940's housewife or what?!

My DM is on baby alert - she has text and rung me every day since Friday to 'see how I'm doing'. I keep telling her that all is well and she will know when something is happening (or at least she will know once DH & I are ready to tell her). She's 3hrs drive away so I won't be telling her once waters have gone but will probably get DH to tell her once we are in hospital and well on the way. I'm secretly hoping to have a mid-week birth because then relatives won't be able to visit us until the weekend, thus allowing us a bit of family time (and hopefully we'll be out of hospital and back at home). Just a dream at this stage though!

36+1 today and looking forward to seeing more snuffly newborn photos and hearing about amazing birth stories!

julietee I was given similar advice about nct, stick with the group as you will have something in common once babies arrive. How's your cold?

I'm going through the latest bags of clothes we've been handed down. I can't see us needing to buy any 0-3 months, my sister gave us loads, and as her son was only in that size for a short while they're in new condition! I've filled a drawer and there are still more to unpack. I've also got lots of boy clothes from SIL, which I've washed but I'll not put away unless baby is a boy.

DH has been doing lots of work in the house this afternoon but he's in a proper grump. It does my head in and I take it personally even though I know it's not my fault. I want to tell him to pull it together but I know that won't help.

Just marking place x

Marking place

Wow a new thread already!! Thanks marzi :)

And that sounds promising lastnight :) what a way to start the new thread!! Still almost 2 weeks left of January to go so sounds like we are going to have a few more January babies!!

Feeling rather sorry for myself just now as I have blocked sinuses and have never felt pain in my face like it!! Did not realise it could cause tooth ache and all I keep thinking is maybe if I go into labour now it won't hurt as much because I'll be concentrating so much on my stupid tooth ache:( plus have my second iron drip at the hospital tomoro and b12 injection and definately feeling like I need the boost.

misskat thanks for sharing your story:) your DH sounds like he was an amazing support:)

laura haha on the sneezing accidents. Was cleaning my kitchen a couple of days ago and was dying for the toilet, suddenly realised I needed to sneeze and have never crossed my legs so fast. Was mega proud at myself for not having an accident haha

I've had pineapple today and sex last night. Sex set me off last time but only a slight twingey back this morning! I'm only 38+2 and was 39+5 when we tried that with DS1 and it worked. Will have a few days' 'rest' (as much as I can with a 22 month old!) and try sex again soon...

checking in

Thanks for the good wishes for my interview, everyone. Not sure - feel I was less than sparkling, partly because I was so tired, but also because of the questions they asked; I didn't really get a chance to shine. Hey ho, it's done now, and fortunately there's only the one round so I don't need to go in again. I should hear in a couple of weeks - by which time I may well have other things to care about

So I'm now well and truly on leave (annual leave until 2/2, then ML); it feels strange... I want to get a few more meals in the freezer, read as much as possible, walk as much as possible (we live in the middle of fields, lots of nice footpaths around), do my yoga DVD, listen to my natal hypnotherapy CD...and if I could sleep a bit more, that would be great. All whilst avoiding my workmen...

Well done for the new thread Marzi, and in answer to your question, I am looking forward to newborn cuddles but because I've had the easiest, most delicious pregnancy ever that I know I'm soon to have my comeuppance!

Saw this website and thought it was worth sharing .....
tellmeagoodbirthstory.com

In other news I think I'm a genius. Today I started the day with a big hilly dog walk, then shifted and stacked a whole trailer load of logs, then went swimming then another dog walk. My theory is that whilst doing all this my baby is sleepy, so when it's born it will be all about the snoozy time. Except at night..... That's where my theory falls apart. Oooops.

tellmeagoodbirthstory.com

Sorry.

shrops I can't get over how much you're doing! I'm super impressed.

I spent much of my downtime today reading this thread. It's made me feel really quite positive.

Shrops I am jealous. You are describing a fairly standard weekend day for me pre-pregnancy and pre-SPD. I hate hate hate being so immobile! Just pushing a trolley round Tescos wipes me out for the rest of the day now.

Just did a massive filing/tax return/financial sort out perhaps this is the starting of nesting - or perhaps just the end of January. Feels much better though.

SugarMice - why would you not want a Valentine birthdate?

littlepanda I am keeping my ds at CM one day a week while on ML until he qualifies for his free place. I think he will need it for his sanity as much as mine.... He cries every time I pick him up "wah I want to stay at Gaynors" to which I wail back "I want to you to stay to but Gaynor, sadly, doesn't do overnights or weekends". It will still feel weird sending him there though when I am not working but I figure it gives me one day a week to rest with a newborn (as in actually sleep when baby sleeps).

Baby is totally hanging out and doing some rolls on the right side of the bump tonight. Even seems to be the right way round (not back to back). Sadly its hedge appears to be wedged in my hip rather than pelvis. I am trying to prod it in the right direction but they are not obliging.

DH has a phd viva (and practice viva) during my 37-42 week "window" - the other side of the country!!! It was during his last panel meeting (for a masters) that ds arrived and dh missed the birth. I can't help but feel history might repeat itself. Hopefully it will be during the mock viva, purely because thats the 10th Feb and the real viva is 5th march. Also I have had it in my mind that this baby is going to arrive around 38 weeks.

35+3 today

glitter I figure when she's older her friends will never want to go out and celebrate her birthday as they'll be too busy doing coupley stuff for Valentine's Day. That and restaurants being really busy/ fully booked/ charging over the odds for meals. I am not a big fan of the massive over-commercialisation of Valentine's Day!

I've made myself a massive to-do list, now the countdown is on. This week's tasks include lots of batch cooking, buying crates to sort some of my boys' old clothes into in the loft and washing, drying and reassembling the pushchair/ carrycot/ car seat covers. So many other things to do too, but the SPD is really limiting my mobility I have the urge to clean/ tidy/ nest, but not the energy or physical ability now... I have bored myself senseless with too many hours sat on the internet when I want to be doing stuff.