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.

Don't panic! You find new reserves of energy to get you through! Just always at least try and sleep when the baby sleeps and you'll find it really is enough. Set alarms to make sure you wake up for feeds if you have a sleepy baby that might sleep through. My saving grace was doing combination feeds almost from the off so he could have a bottle every other feed at night, administered by DH (now just expressed but we did use some formula in the first week) which allowed me some good 4-5 hour stretches. Not saying that would work for everyone, and the bf latch needs to be established (if you're breastfeeding) first, but we were very lucky in that it only took about 5 days and then there was no confusion. Worth considering if you're struggling.

morning ladies,

first official day of ML for me today.....I'm currently still in bed with a cup of tea watching this morning....bliss!!!!

I've had a mini sweepstake with my friends & family about due date, sex & weight and my guess was today..... I don't feel like I'm going to win although I'm happy to keep this baby in for a little while longer!!

it's very surreal to think some of you already have your snuggly babies even if you're sleep deprived with nocturnal babies

have a good day all

bugsy enjoy your first day! :D Relaax and don't go mental with nesting!

I hope baby stays put until my cold has passed, and I get a few good nights of sleep. But then he's more than welcome to come out. We've finally decided on a name, turns out we had decided on the same name months ago but not really told the other? My other half and I have such fail communication at times it is ridiculous. Though I found out at my babyshower that two of my good friends have decided on the same name if they ever have a boy baby. With one being single and one being married to a girl and still in uni, I don't care :P We're first!

I'm sleeping in a king size bed by myself with Olivia in her Moses basket next to me within arms reach. When I feed her at night I must admit I'm forcing myself to stay awake as she just feels so small and helpless and I'm worried about falling asleep with her at the moment.

When she's bigger and we are both more au fait with breastfeeding again I will happily lay her next to me and feed and snooze but for now I prefer to sit upright in bed and stay awake.

Thanks for all the comments re visiting discussions with family. I spoke to my parents last night and think we have cleared the air a little bit and come to an agreement about when and for how long. I have to remember that they had the luxury of having all of my grandparents nearby (within 30 mins) when I was born and I think the reality of how far away they live from us is hitting home all of a sudden. It is understandably hard for them to come to terms with the fact that they will have to visit less frequently than they would like to, simply due to logistics with their work and travel distances etc. Also emotions for me have been running high anyway due to tiredness and stupid hormones which hasn't exactly helped us have these discussions in a calm and logical way either. Probably should have discussed visiting etc a lot earlier than 38wks pregnant! Anyway, today is the start of a new week and hopefully we can put this behind us now.

I'm enjoying a relaxing day of doing nothing so far - am still in my pjs! Might muster up the energy to bake DH a banana cake this afternoon for being lovely to me this weekend.

Today is the day my Mat Pay officially starts - another mini-milestone!

So lovely hearing from all those with lovely newborns, makes it easier to imagine having a baby for real now.

Can't believe it is finally February and we will be having our babies this month!

Well tomorrow is my due date but doesn't seem like this bean has any intention of meeting the world yet. Been trying all the old wives tales to try to speed things up but think he is obviously far too comfy in there. Have had period type cramps on and off the last few days but never amounts to anything. Just can't wait for that first cuddle now.

Hope things start moving for you other ladies.

glad to hear you've cleared the air with your parents jazz - hope all goes smoothly when mini jazz arrives

eeyore have you tried swaddling her in a small cotton sheet? After 2 hrs of the little one only nodding off upright at the weekend I buzzed for the nurse who wrapped her up and put her down to sleep in 30 seconds.

We've tried swaddling, but to no success :( we're trying out the carrycot as it's cosier and we've managed to get her to stay in there for a little bit. Just not a good sleep's worth.

Glad things seem better now, jazz :)

Eeyeore I've read that babies can be soothed by the sound of your heartbeat. My fetal doppler (that I never actually used) has a recording device and explains to record your heartbeat and put it on a cd for baby to listen to to sleep! Sounds like it would inside you I guess :) Could be worth a try.

Went to GP today - MW is off sick until I'm due so going to the doctors from now on. Baby's head down with his back along my left hand side - just as I thought. It is a bum that keep poking my ribs then. He's not engaged whatsoever, but otherwise happy and bang on average in size! 37+1 :)

www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ brilliant little post this :)

Ugggh another early hours wake up call with stomach pains and sickness only this time I have been sick. Feeling very sorry for myself right now. I think in last three days baby has gone from lying with back on my right hand side to left hand side and then back to right hand side - should I class this as a lot of increased movement and speak to hospital in morning? X

Happy due date to marzi and me! Can we have cake?

Aw thanks laura! Of course we can :)

My due date thus far: Woke up. Noted that waters hadn't broken and stomach wasn't cramping. Rain pouring down outside. Vomited. Ate a banana. Went back to bed.

Marzi you sure know how to celebrate! Congrats to you and Laura for making it to the big day. At least you know now you'll meet your babies within the next 14 days. I am now starting each day with a mental scan of my body: waters broken? No. Cramping? No. Back ache? No. Business as usual then.

Happy due date laura and marzi!

Due date for me too but no signs of baby no matter how much bribery I tried to use last night to persuade him on a prompt arrival.

Hopefully they won't leave us waiting too much longer marzi and laura.

My needing the toilet intensity has increased since yesterday morning but when I go I hardly go at all (if you know what I mean?), also noticed I'm not having many number 2s but no constipation pain or anything - anything to be concerned about?

Happy due date Laura, marzi and tinker!

Loving your day so far marzi! I woke every hour in the night convinced my waters must have broken as today is the day... But alas no!
So I'm at work... On my due date and not bitter about it one little bit, oh no
I have warned my boss, if I'm still here this time next week to not bother speaking to me as I'm already grumpy so god knows what I'll be like next week!

Happy due date to tinker too!!

Champagne - hope you're feeling a bit better now. Sounds similar to me. I've stayed in bed and got some rest and don't feel as sick anymore but was sick twice in the early hours. X

Happy due date day! Another 5 days to go for me but I am happy pottering around. I have spent a fortune on coffee and last minute baby frivolities, I must stop. Just today I have started symptom spotting - it does feel a little like the beginning of pregnancy. I too have cramps and sickness etc. but nothing productive. Consultant will offer me a sweep tomo (if favourable) but in two minds whether to take it. We shall see. Baby is still very wriggly at the top of the bump but is very low otherwise, and the body does move from side to side, must have plenty of room - not sure if that's a good thing or not! Lovely to hear of our Jan/Feb births, I find the stories very interesting, although they don't help with impatience if that's what you are already feeling

Morning all - oops I mean afternoon!
Happy due date to those due today! I'm 38+5 and having my section on Thursday and am nervous yet very excited. I've been waddling round Sainsburys this morning at a snails pace. Bought a few last minute bits, and they've put some more baby clothes in the sale so couldn't help myself and bought baby some more things!
And my baby bouncer has just arrived so I get to have fun assembling that later.
Should have some lunch now and then do a bit of housework...although very tempted to have a nap as DD not back from the childminder until about 3.30pm...
Have a relaxing day everyone (unless you go into labour! )

Happy due date, ladies!

I'm only 37+2 so feels like I have forever to go still!

I struggle to sleep, as little one is with his back firmly on my left side and it feels like I squash him when on my side? Just not able to only sleep on my right side!

Laura good on you for still being at work :o I find it hard work to put the tv on at the moment, haha!