Due in September 2006......nearly there ladies!!

[Coriander73]

New thread...

Cori x

Hi homemama, really pleased your LO is ok but sorry to hear CS booking needed. Have they not offered you an ECV? Also I've read acupunture techniques can work very effectively - worth a try?

Compo - own room not a problem for labour but because fluorescent lights/sleep deprivation triggers my migraines I'm worried about 'afterwards'. I know with a newborn there's little I can do about sleep but after I had DS I was put in a 6 bed unit where the lights were on all day/night to some extent and the baby opposite me was on phototherapy for jaundice. I got a migraine really quickly and in addition I needed medication for an allergic condition I'd had in late pregnancy - I could have just about coped with that by itself but with DS refusing to latch on, the migraine and the itching I 'gave in' and took my meds which meant I also gave up the possibility of breastfeeding. I feel if I'd been given a room where I could have switched off the lights and maybe got a bit more sleep I could have coped better, maybe even not got the migraine and I might have succeeded in BF DS. Not to mention my first week with my new baby was spent in more pain than it needed to be and I feel quite sad about that.

Sorry, that was long. I feel like I need to justify making a fuss but at the end of the day I live with my condition all the time and it's trivialised by people saying oh, migraines,yeah I get those - but it's not the same when you get them all the time if you're not careful. Midwives seem to be the worst health professionals I've ever met for that attitude and it's starting to p me off.

It's late, I'm tired and frustrated - will shut up now before I start to sound too whingy!

Hope everyone sleeps as well as possible given relative bump sizes!

Liquid, I can sympathise with the migraine issue. This time round I have only had (touch wood) 5 in total, but with my last pg I got them every other day and even had one in labour (due to sleep depravation and lack of food). Midwife just didn't understand, gave me a bowl incase I was sick and refused to dim the lights for health and safety reasons. Also, codeine is an opiate so it could cause you to hear or see things. It makes me slur my words and then fall asleep, great when you take it at work

Claire, there's no fear of me lifting anything, I'm so lame as ds keeps saying. We are moving furniture on saturday but the boxes are all there and we're using picnic plates in our old home!

Look after those bumps x

Oops ... sorry Liquid; misunderstood about rooms .. ...
now if your midwife's saying "oh, yeah, I get those ..." about migraines, then she doesn't have them; she gets regular headaches. Real migraines can be some serious "just kill me now & make it go away" pain.

Cal - poor you, pleased it's not been so bad this time for you. Lack of food doesn't help at all does it?! During my pg I've been following a very set 'lifestyle management' routine (you know who would be proud!) to control them but it just won't be possible post-baby. I've worked out that the dose of codeine I've been given is 4 times what I'd normally have had when using co-codamol - that explained a lot!

Marls - yes, I had the 'kill me now' pain last night!

Liquid & Cal - At the risk of sounding like a drug commercial ... I take Imitrex (i.e. sumatriptan succinate) 100-mg tablets. Within 1 hour of taking a tablet, migraine is always gone. Always. Works like clockwork & works every time. Mine are triggered by diet/low blood sugar; luckily I don't get them often (and never when pg, for some reason). Was prescribed a med containing codeine (propoxyphene-N 100 w/apap(?)) from the very beginning for both pg, just in case. Would be if had been suffering all this time & no one had told me about that option.

Took the codeine last night and didn't 'hear' anything! Must have been something strange going on!

Marls - I've been using the odd sumitriptan (immigran) which my doctor was reluctant to prescribe but I read the research and decided I was happy to take it. But, I am rather that I wasn't offered this 'pure' codeine from the start to help me manage the breakthrough attacks as they were fully aware of my problems with paracetamol - I suppose it's just pot luck which doctor you get.

Appyday - For the first time last night in ages I wasn't awake with you at 3am, maybe you could ask for some of my magic drug too to ease your groin pain? Green cake sounds fun! I had a craving for black ready to roll icing earlier in this pg - you've just reignited it!

{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}} big hugs Liquid - your migraines sound awful and i agree you shouldn't have to justify your choice of aftercare to your midwife. Really hope you get what you want and the head of midwifery (if you go down that route) listens to your concerns.
Great news Homemama re. the scan - sorry about c-section though. Fingers crossed the baby will turn.
Saw midwife today. Have to have extra scan on Monday and then see gp at hospital as platelet count is still dropping on Wednesday. Feel like I'm spending all my bloomin' time at the hospital. Couldn't sleep from 4am onwards last night so absoloutely shattered!!

Hi all

Help! I have had a shock ths morning - please tell me I'm not over reacting????
I was just coming out of the shower this morning and DS was in our bedroom standing on a little wooden chest so he could see out of our bedroom window and he'd pulled the curtain back slightly. I walked in to the bedroom absolutely starkers and the bloody window cleaners there staring at me! God I was mortified, shocked and upset, i dived behind the curtain and stood there til he'd gone (he carried on cleaning the window!!), and then he knocked on the door expecting me to come down and pay him!!!!
I was so shocked I'm surprised I didn't go in to labour! I got really upset and cried afterwards. I think it is bad enought being caught starkers but when you're nearly 9 months pregnant, it seems to make it all the worse. I told DH and he wants to sack him now as he never knocks to let you know he's there and several times, I've nearly been caught out before!
Am I being silly? Told MIL this morning as she came to pick up DS and she said 'oh he's prob seen worse' which I'm sure is true, but that doesn't make me feel any better.

Anyway - any sympathy / reassurance would be gratefully received at this point as I am still in a state 2 hours later.

Liquid - Just a thought, but are you able to book a room at the hospital. I know you could at the hospital where I had DS, it was still NHS but you had to pay something like fifteen pounds a night for it, but for peace of mind, maybe it's worth enquiring?

Message withdrawn

OMG Mabel! - poor you! Our window cleaners never used to knock but they would come at the same time every week so you could be prepared - maybe get your DH to 'have a word' rather than sacking them if you'd have trouble finding replacements. On the other hand if there are plenty of potential replacements then maybe that's an option and make it clear from start that ou want them to knock before starting. I can't get a window cleaner at my new house, windows getting so dirty no-one can see in anyway!

hi all just had a very quick scan through posts as I am not feeling too good today, so sorry if I miss anything

Welcome treggers

Cori sorry to hear about your gm fall, hope she is ok.

oh wow that great news hellkat

calvemjoe good luck with the move, try to take it easy

can't believe people were bitching on a secret thread angeliz

Liquid, you stick to your guns I hope the meeting with the next week goes well for you. If it helps for you to know I had a epidural with ds he was born at 00.43 and we was at home by 15.30. I think the epidural took a few hours to wear off. big hugs to you re the migraines my step dad gets them all the time really quite severe.

Homemama sorry to hear you LO is breech are they going to try to turn him/her?

Had my consultants appointment yesterday and was offered to be induced or have a c section earlier than due date due to the spd. I reclined and stated that I would like nature to take its course and they were happy with that. Hopefully I won't go overdue. Baby is head down and 3/5 engaged. SPD has been a little easier for the last week still on crutches though.

36weeks on sunday, isn't time flying by

Morning all, nice cool morning here in Cambridge - I hung my washing out last night so of course it rained and since I haven't taken it in yet, we're probably guaranteed some more!

Very glad to hear your delivery unit is prepared to listen to your need for a separate room, Liquid, let's hope they follow through. A lot of midwives I have come across do seem to let the stoic approach to pain management spill over from labour into other areas - probably subconsciously - which doesn't seem appropriate to me. I find labour pain is so much more manageable than the pain associated with problems: I wouldn't dream of trying to deal even with a serious headache without painkillers, for example.

Marls: are you Texan by birth? I like your style

This may be a bit late for some of you suffering from sleep problems etc, but I'm finding some of the breathing and relaxation stuff you learn from antenatal yoga and self hypnosis tapes is really helpful. I'm still a bit cynical about whether it will be of any use at all in birth (see, I'm not yet ready for elevation to the ranks of the lentil weavers) but it's been worth the money to have a fairly good night's sleep 4 nights out of 5!

oh mabel, I would have been mortified too I agree with your DH he should knock on the door to let you know he is there. Our old ones used to just turn up on different days and different times, thats why they are our old ones and also they kept increasing their prices too much

Gizmo - part of my work in OT has been to teach my patients relaxation (visual imagery and the 'muscle relaxation' type) so consequently I'm pretty good at myself and find it very helpful when having a bad head day. Unfortunately useless in labour though.

Mabel - Of course if paying for a room would guarantee it I'd do it in an instant but from what I've been told it wouldn't and since there's a medical need I shouldn't have to as I'd get piority over anyone paying anyway. I'm going to stop thinking about it until my appt next week, just winding me up!

TBH thinking about trying to do birth with just gas & air and pethidine so I can just come home. How long did people stay in who've done it before with no epi?

Bloody windowcleaners!
Ours used to open the locked gate by putting their hand through. When we then got a second lock lower down, they climb over the wall. They are canny lads but it does my head in.
Infact yesterday i told them that next time would they please wait as i'm hoping for a hyomebirth so they may get more than they bargained for!
Hope you're o.k Mabel. Don't dwell on it, i'm sure he's seen much much worse and you probably look gorgeously pregnant!

BTW, must clarify for all you that read about the bitchiness on the Feb thread. They weren't bitching about us or each other on the actual thread. I never got to read the secret threads (wouldn't want to tbh) but it just so happened there were a few Mumd from the FEb thread. It wasn't about us though, we were all friends but kind of all went our seperate ways after that!

I am seeing the Midwife this afternoon, just routine check. Am shattered all the time lately and think soemthing is gonna happen soon. Am nesting big time.
Had dd2 on one side of my bed last night then dd1 ran in after a nightmare and was squashed in the middle with the baby kicking too! I'm sure i'll miss all this when the baby days are over. I do actually love it all.
A lady in Argos last night also made my day. She asked if it was my 1st and when i said 3rd she said 'Good Lord you don't look old enough to have one!'
Bless, she knows what to say!

thanks for all your sympathy ladies - I have calmed down slightly now. (and eaten about 4 chocolate caramels that DH brought home - comfort eating to get over the shock).
My neighbour came round and I told her all about it, she managed to make me see it for what it was - embaraasment basically - nobody died! she's also just dropped off some milk and decaf tea bags for me (ran out of tea bags and milk was off this morning - so not a good start all round). Feel grateful for having such a lovely neighbour

Liquid - of course you shouldn't have to pay, just a thought if the worst comes to the worst. Lets hope you get it sorted next week.
Is anyone using a birthing / fitness ball at the moment? I have just got mine out to sit on - my midwife I had with DS told me it helps get the baby in to the 'optimum foetal position' - thought it might help with anyone who's baby is still breech or in a strange position?

Mabel, hope you're recovering from your shock! TBH, I'd rather be seen naked when heavily pregnant than at any other time. Feel my bumps and lumps are more justified!

I've been on my birthing ball for two weeks now. Much more comfy than the sofa. I used it last time in the run up and in labour. Found it very useful although it hasn't managed to turn baby yet.

LC, I can't believe that you wouldn't get priority on a side room. You clearly have a medical need and the worry over it can't be helping. I have had 5 or 6 migraines in my entire life and I can honestly say they are horrific. For me the only way to cope is complete darkness and complete silence. I hate to hear people with slight headaches say, 'oh I think I've got a migraine'. You really have my sympathy for being a regular sufferer.

Angeliz, DS woke with a fright last night shouting, 'in der, in der' and pointing to his toy chest. Anyway, he was terrified and came in with us. It gives me such a warm, fuzzy feeling to have him fall asleep cuddling me. He's nearly two and I keep reminding myself to cherish these times.

Puppy, fingers crossed for you not to go overdue. It must be so hard being on crutches when so heavily pregnant.

Norms, thanks for the reassurance re CS. I guess I'm just nervous both about the procedure and the recovery esp looking after a toddler with no other help.

For those that asked; they aren't keen to try to turn baby due to the exact position and the fact that he/she is very big. I've looked up a acupuncturist locally who specialises in fertility problems and pg problems inc breech presentations. We'll just have to see.

Hi to everyone else.

Afternoon all,

Homemama, I had a c-section last time for breech birth when DS arrived a week before the appointment for an ECV. I can honestly say that it was a relaxed and calm experience, nothing like an emergency at all. It was so pleasant in fact that I've had a really hard time this time grappling with myself about whether to just opt for an elective, as I am terrified of labour. The recovery was fine, although I didn't have a toddler around - do you have any friends who would be able to help you out at all? Or a local teenager you know and trust who could help out for a little cash? Or is your toddler in nursery at all - that would help. Does DH get any paternity leave? After about 1-2 weeks I was back on my feet and walking around a lot - but you will need to avoid lifting your eldest for a while.

Liquid, keep on at the hospital..

Appyday, I was awake with you at 3 last night (and 1 and 5 and 6.30...). The joy of it all.

Mabel, LOL at the window cleaner! I can't believe he kept cleaning that window!!! If it helps, he must have been embarrassed too, and maybe didn't quite know how to react - if he'd got down, then you'd know he'd seen you in all your glory!!!

Off to go for a "swim" now - i.e. walk up and down the pool for 15 minutes before getting too breathless and needing to get out...

Hi all

Well, it took an hour and a half of waiting around today to be told that the Radiographer couldn't see LO's foot because the baby is now too big to be able to see in detail and its feet and hands are all curled up! But, it wasn't a total waste of time because I did at least manage to find out that LO is still happily head down, the heartbeat and blood flow are both good and baby is slightly above average weight wise (they wouldn't say how big they think but apparantly the average for my hospital is 7-8 lbs so thats not too bad). They also told me that LO will be able to see a Paediactrician straight away and a Physio if necessary for the Talipes and it shouldn't affect how long I stay in. At my hospital they encourage you to stay in at least one night and only go if you are happy with feeding etc. So, I don't need to go back to the hospital now until D-Day so will be seeing my community mw from now on. Oh, and I resisted finding out the sex. I'm really glad now too because I've only got 3 weeks to wait now and its exciting not knowing! My Mum told me that she carried out front with my sister and at the back with me so I guess you just can't tell

Liquid - I guess every hospital is different but at mine you can request a seperate room which costs aprox £60 but they don't guarantee you'll get a shower/bathroom or you can pay privately which is aprox £200. It must be very stressful for you, not knowing though. I hope that it all goes ok for you.

Hi Mandaz - really pleased your LO's ok and well done for resisting tempatation. I'm sure s/he will be fine with all the help from physio etc after it arrives. Btw DS was 8lb 11oz and I'm only 5'3" and he came out with no help at all - just do the panting and take the pushing slowly and the head moulds nicely (unlike me in a rush getting him out in 20 mins - ow!).

Claire - SO impressed you're still finding time for swimming! wish my pool was closer though just for feeling weightless but also it's too cold for DS - he turned blue last time we went!

Migraine finally went around midday so in a much better mood now - sorry for ranting everyone!

BH's ALL day really strong - LO's getting ready! very exciting!

Liquid - for some reason my mw didnt go into the breathing at my class. She just said that everyone copes differently and as long as you don't hold your breath you'll be fine! I have a relaxation class tomorrow though so they may go into it more there. They told me to take a pillow and a duvet to lie on as the mats aren't very comfy. I think I'll stick with the mat though as if I lay down with a pillow and duvet I'll be out for the count. I really don't want to be snoring my head off in the middle of class

My midwife didn't do the practise how to pant/how to push thing either - don't worry comes naturally. Hope you enjoy your relaxation class, I'd definitely take at least a pillow though to support you a bit if you have to lie down. (duvet's probably a bit OTT though!)

Manda - Good to hear how well things are going! Love that you have a pic on yahoo now! They taught us some Lamaze techniques but I think they were really useless for me. Honestly just having the right music helped so much. Hoping the same thing will work as well as before ...

Homemama ... thinking about you - & hoping for good luck with the acupuncturist.

Gizmo Thanks! 3rd generation Houstonian, born & bred, and I love everything about that city except the heat! Currently on the "two year plan" in Arkansas & returning to Houston mid-2007. Family (my side) is all in Texas.

Mabel - I think I'd be feeling the same way ... there's just something humiliating in the rotundness of the present time ... Glad you had people to discuss it with!! Speaking of working men one wouldn't want to see you naked ... I think our roofing crew of 10 or so have finally finished banging ... but had another power outage today (unrelated); v. thankful for A/C again.

Had a dream last night that DH & I were back in London and I was wearing some incredible jewelry ... night before's dream we were out clubbing in downtown Houston & I was in a short miniskirt ... keep having these dreams, every night in the past week, about being in some hip urban area in some fabulous outfit with a slim body to match. Sigh. Someday again, perhaps ... until then, I'll live it any way I can.

Hey everyone hope you are all ok.

So, I took none of your advice and totally overdid it today, now i ache all over and don't think I'll be getting out of bed tomorrow!

On a positive note, someone knocked on my door today and asked if my mum or dad were home, he looked very embarrased when I said I was the mum.

Look after your bumps x

hi all

Calve - lol at man asking for your mum or dad - I wish that happened to me these days - I look far too knackered!
Mandaz - hope your relaxation class goes well today.
I am just waiting for the midwife to turn up. It is a 'morning' appointment, which usually means she turns up at about 1pm, just as I am getting DS up from his nap and trying to get his lunch ready!
It has been torrential rain here all monring, hopefully it will clear up thise weekend as we have a 'Crescent' bbq on sat, which is all the neighbours on our crescent out on the green in the middle - very nice! Then sun we have offered to do a bbq for my mum's birthday. My brother and SIL will be over with their 11 week old DD, so I will have to get practise in!