Due October 2006 - part 4

[nowanearlyNicemum]

there we go - I did it.
just need for you all to find it now...

Oh - forgot about the weight conversation as too busy rambling - I've put on about a stone and a half (i think) (was 8 1/2 before). I put on more weight in first pregnancy as was due in Jan - lots of christmas food. This time round just feel permanently sick (although might be the raspberry leaf tablets).
Best way to lose weight after baby is lots of walking with the buggy, and breastfeeding. 500 calories a day gone without you even noticing.
So depressing though after delivery when none of your old clothes fit, and none of your pregnancy clothes fit...unless you're victoria beckham that is and back into your size 1 jeans...

Hi there

Haven't posted for a few days either but lots of chat to catch up on! Sorry to say I'm not a big fan of Avalon either but do really like Ava. I had wanted Orla for my dd to come as we have a very common and boring surname but after ages my dh decided he really didn't like it so we are now having Megan with a middle name of Amelia. I found it so much harder than I thought I would to come up with name ideas!

Oh and I daren't get on the scales!!

just scanning and trying to catch up - but isn't Avalon a song by Roxy Music from the 80s? (showing my age probably!) Love Ava by the way, but that isn't the question! Will carry on reading and be back later!

more and more newcomers every time I get around to catching up with all your news. I'm sure there are people missing from our list. Anyone fancy beating Whiffy to be 2nd baby arrived???

saka, special welcome to you. sounds like you've been through hell but you seem to be coming out the other side. for what it's worth, you sound incredibly strong to me.

it's taken me ages to read through all the posts - I'm almost too exhausted to post now!!

whiffy, not that keen on Avalon but love Ava - also really really like Suzanna but if your dh isn't keen I guess that's a no no.

still having really strong braxton hicks - weird, as I didn't feel them at all with dd. totally agree with all of you saying it's hard work with a 2 yr old. dd will be 2 next Wednesday - don't think we'll be throwing a huge party though

hope those of you still at work don't have long to go now - Friday is my last day of work but I work from home so it's not going to make a huge difference to me

can anyone remember which country Gemmitygem is in at the moment - we haven't heard from her in ages. If you're lurking gemmity, let us know you're ok.

DogMum, have you taken your dp to any more antenatal classes? sounds like he's livening them up no end!! Mine are a bit tedious to be honest but a couple of the girls in the same group are really nice.

on the weight front, I've only put on 8 kilos so far which is amazing for me. I put on 16kg in total with dd. Don't think even I could put on another 8 kgs before Oct 22nd!!

Seona thanks for the weight link - I was overweight to start with so I feel a bit better now that a weight gain of 1-1.5 stone should be OK, was starting to worry the baby wasn't growing, but will still check wtih the midwife on Thursday.

Whiffy - I love Ava - not too sure on Avalon - wasn't that the name of one of the women in strictly come dancing - bl*y h**l - can't remember my mobile number but can remember really useful information like that!!;)

nicand2 - gaviscon & pregaday should be fine together I was prescribed both within days of each other so they surely can't be contrawhatsit! Met a very nice lady in the chemist today whilst collecting the above - she had her 3.5 week old baby with her and asked me how long I had to go - how nice is that, makes a change from people pushing in front of you at the queue! She also said the delivery suite and midwives at the hospital were really nice which is a relief, still going to take my dettol wipes though!

First day off tomorrow and can't wait - have first ante-natal class, they only do 4 at my surgery and this is the big D-day one - told other half I wanted him to come to and originally he couldn't as he had to work, but as he has been signed off for a week with a chest infection he has no excuse, although he tried to tell me he was going back to work tomorrow so he didn't have to go to the class - no chance matey - especially as that was followed by a 'what are you making me for my tea?' Have also treated myself to a pedicure tomorrow as can't quite get down there any more - what a fantastic excuse - will have to come up with one post LO so I can keep being pampered!

Best go and see what I can find in our V bare cupboards for dinner - I would be quite happy with marmalade on toast, but if he doesn't get any meat he thinks I am trying to poison him if only he knew....

Hi all

Hope you are all well!!!

I cant wait to finish work im really struggling with the walking to and from work to get to the car!!!!

Raspberry leaf tea is vile. The health shop said you can only get tablets on prescription...is this right? And how much fresh pineapple a day? What does it actually do? Oh and why does my midwife tell me I cant have a waterbirth due to the fact that I had a CS 8 years ago?

I bought raspberry leaf tablets from Holland and Barret so you have been told a load of cobblers!! (they also did the tea and some capsules)

Re: Pineapple, this is what Babycentre says:

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix and so bring on labour.

Is it safe?

There is very little available research. Each pineapple contains only very small amounts of bromelain so you would need to eat as many as seven to have any effect. The most likely side-effect of eating large amounts of pineapple would be a severe case of the runs.

Does it work?

There is some debate about the role played by bromelain on prostaglandins, which soften the cervix to prepare it for labour. Some studies actually suggest that bromelain inhibits prostaglandin activity while others think the opposite. Regardless of this, eating large quantities of pineapple is likely to stimulate the gut and bowel and, as with castor oil, could kick-start the uterus into action by that means.

How do I try it?

The pineapple must be fresh: bromelain is destroyed by the process of canning or juicing.

Sorry, dont know about the waterbirth, c-section thing!

I was told 'no' to a waterbirth too, MSTG, due to a prior c-section. The reason I managed to get out of my obstetrician was that they will probably need to monitor the baby's heart beat on a regular basis during labour and that machine just isn't compatible with a water birth. Having said that, I'm sure I've heard of others who've had a water birth after c-section. Good luck fighting your corner.

Belly button has well and truly popped out now. Gutted!! It only came out a couple of days before I gave birth with dd. Stretch marks not looking too horrendous though. Suppose I can't have everything

Just back from the swimming pool. Can't get enough of it. Such a good feeling to be 'weightless' for a while. Hoping I can keep it up until the very end. Helps me get off to sleep without too much tossing and turning too.

Thank you ladies for advice. Bloody independant health shop. probably had a job lot of tea to get shot of!

Is it really necessary to be monitored all the time? Dont they have an underwater monitor thingy?

I went to a waterbirth evening at my hospital last night and they said often women are given fake excuses about the possibility of waterbirths. The heart beat monitor is a waterproof doppler and the only reason you wouldn't be allowed in is if there were complications and they had to use one of those electronic monitors.
Don't know if that helps...

Still not sure on the waterbirth thing at all - but have 1st Antenatal class today, so might feel a bit more incluned after that.

Belly button is still some strange inny outie hybrid, and fortunately can't see any stretch marks as everything south of my belly button is no mans land til I get to my thighs.... I know they are there though as I can see them in the mirror.

Is everyone having Braxton Hicks? I haven't felt a single one yet, and only 5 weeks +2 to go, isn't it nice counting down to D day rather than counting up from conception.

Feel so much happier today as i'm not going into work..long may it continue!

Seona, you're an oracle! Would you consider moving in next door to me? Especially when my LO starts getting homework. At my 30 wk check, I'd put on about 12kg (I think that's almost 2 stone.) I'm not even a bit worried. I'm eating a healthy diet, with treats obviously but no more than before I was pg.

Don't know if it's nesting instinct, or that we're having a party on Saturday with at least 16 people staying over but the last car load went to the tip on Monday morning and the furniture upstairs has been rearranged. I'm doing a room a day downstairs at the moment and our house has never had so little dust in it. (Bugger - nothing for me to eat on my post-pg diet!)

Whiffy, that's under a fortnight!!!! We're really getting close now. I like Ava too and I think you can get away with a name like Avalon only with a double-barrelled family name.

Funny you should ask nowanearly. Took dp to the first NCT class last night and I have to say they are so much better than the hospital ones. I now understand why you're supposed to sleep on your left side toward the end of pregnancy (more organs on rhs of body and so more room for the baby to get out on the left.) Dp wasn't embarrassing apart from when we were introducing ourselves and the men were supposed to say something about the pregnancy and he said I was doing really well and he was so proud of me. (Bless.) Did have a bit of a scare when the teacher asked what we were dreading about classes, as I know he was worried she would get her tits out to demonstrate latching on, but fortunately kept his gob shut apart from a few giggles.

jmc... have you considered the birthing pool for pain relief and then getting out for the birth if you're not sure about a water birth? I wanted to do this, but with all the interest in water births and our hospital having only one pool I'm not hopeful. Also, if the TENS machine is working I'm not going to want to take it off.

Good luck with the waterbirth thing! TBH I can't see why on earth a land dwelling mammal would want to give birth in the water...with all that blood and gore and goodness knows what else floating around as well...sorry but yuck
Is there any higher risk of infection in baby after water birth? Just wondering as lots of people apparently wee or poo as baby is descending - so would be born into effectively a big tank containing sewage? I guess ok as long as they didn't open their mouths before reaching surface? Sorry for tmi, am knackered this morning and my mind is doing odd things.

Good point Sallyrosie. That may be a concern, but a bigger one is if the baby gasps while still under water. Lots of people have water births though, so must be quite rare. More disgusting imo is someone I heard about having a home birth in the kitchen. With DP doing the cooking for the first few days - not to mention the dog sniffing about, there's no way I'd consider that.

Has any one else got leaking nipples yet?

Or is it just me...

35 weeks today

Good morning ladies.Oh dear you lot have got it in for waterbirths havnt you? Not going to go on too much but as some of you already know I had a waterbirth with ds3 and no there are not 'bits' floating about and there is next to no chance of baby taking a breath before surfacing basicaly because it still thinks its in the womb. Anyway each to their own but I found it the best labour and birht Ive had so far. And they monitor heartbeat and blood pressure in the water with waterproof doppler system.
Well thats all Im going to say on the matter. Im going for my 32 week check up today. Got to try and do a sample but have had my morning wee! Sorry tmi.
Oh well keep smiling. ttfn xxx

35w tomorrow and yes, have had leaky nipples. Only at night so far, which is good as I'm still at work (working from home today, tho).

The mw at the hospital said there was no danger of the baby breathing underwater as the breathing reflex only kicked in when they were exposed to air. Def trying for one, though I've also ordered a TENS machine for early labour (and in case the pool isn't available).

Anhyone else having problems sleeping again cos of the heat? It's been pretty humid the last couple of nights in London - hope it settles down again soon.

After the mothercare trouble, and having to send everything back, now Ive had Boots hassle. I went out yesterday for a cup of tea with a friend, left my daughter with a good friend who is a reg childminder. While I was out my cot etc was delivered. Turns out that one whole package was missing. Boots say it was signed for by the childminder at my house along with everything else and had been elivered. It was clearly not here.....I called up mothercare, they start saying that it had been signed for, I would have to fill out missing goods forms, and that was that. They couldnt send it out again, or give money back..btu I didnt have anything.

So....cue tears, worries that I leave my daughter with a thief - far fetched ones, I clearly trust her enough to leave my most treasured little girl with her, and general 'oh I told you not to use the internet' from Japanese family who helped me out buying it.

I call back today, same story..until I speak to someone else who counts the signatures and says...ohhh...yes...one is missing, parcel xyz hasnt been signed for. More tears. Then she says she will trace it to the warehouse, and of coure it is still there. No problem. THey should have checked to start with not told me it was stolen or missing or whatever..

Usually Im a capable person. Things dont get me upset easily. Hardly the end of the world all things considering. But it was like the last straw, and now I cant stop crying and am in a right old mess.

Im sorry, just needed to tell someone. Pretty useless right now

saka

Saka: it's difficult enough just being pg at the moment without having to deal with stupid companies, If it helps, I nearly burst into tears in Boots the other week when I found they'd run out of free Huggies packs... not at my most rational at the moment. Can you head out for a bit of fresh air or grab a bit of time to yourself?

hi swizzler...nope cant get out today, I had my morning off yesterday, so it is a case of staying in for now.

No free packs! I would not be happy either. I didnt get all my points from boots either, and threw a major strop.

I have to go to the docs at 2.50pm. As Ive no midwife, thought i had better get bloodpressure etc done. Ill just have a good cry.

I know it is just one thing too far, and Ive temporarily lost it a bit. Ill be ok in a minute.

saka

On a lighter note, I was coming home via train yesterday, when it really bumped and shook hard, I almost wet myself as baby's head banged down and let out an involuntary loud 'ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh'. The two men sitting opposite me went deathly white and said 'are you alright, what happened!' as they reached for mobile phones no doubt to call for hot water and towels.

I couldnt admit to almost wetting myself and said 'oh sorry baby kicked hard', blushed bright red and tried to shut my eyes/listen to ipod until I could get off the train and find a toilet really quickly.

morning all,

i had braxton hicks last nite from bout 7 -12 last nite is it normal for them to keep coming i was quite worried and it ,kept me up most of the nite so havent gone to work to day as im exhausted and have a terrible headache!!!!

Hi Saka,

You seem to to be having a really hard time at the min sorry to hear that i hope when your little bundle of joy comes it will of been worth it xx