Due October 2006 - part 4

[nowanearlyNicemum]

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

firstly welcome to the new ladies to the thread..there are so many of us now...october is going to be swarming with babies lol

Saka - im so glad to hear that you are staying x

the leaky boobs thing - mine have been leaking a little bit for about the last 6 weeks-ish

I hope that everyone is doing well xox

has anyone heard anything more about Kat and her baby??????

DashingRedhead, could I CAT you? (I tried but you're not currently receiving mail from MN)? I'm another red head of white/Asian origin...

I've had nosebleeds all the way through my pregnancy all that extra blood and pressure in your system.

I packed my bag yesterday:

1 dark hand towel 1 dark bath towel
7 pairs of cheap knickers - you can throw away as must be more comfortable than paper ones.
1 nursing bra
2 babygrows 3 baby vests
1 baby coming home outfit and my outfit
10 eco disposable nappies
slippers/dressing gown
1 cool nightie - hospitals are always roasting
1 giving birth vest
homeopathic kit
essential oil massage blend
minature burts bees toiletries for me and nappie cream for baby
spray bottle of water with lavender essential oil for labour
book
tissues
maternity pads & breast pads
2 face cloths for soothing hot brow in labour

Some people advise Dad's to be to take a change of clothing too in case you puke on them!
My DH is going to be laden down with water, chocolate and fruit to keep me going!
Also read a good tip about filling up a flask with ice cubes to keep you cool.

I am very lucky as I have been off work since June - I handed in my notice- and we will just need to manage off of one wage for a few years.
Thank goodness I've been off as I have had a rotten pregnancy felt awful the whole time.
Still not long to go now - AGGGG SCARY BISCUITS!!
Am trying not to think about the 'giving birth' bit too much.

For labour: vest, socks, cheap knickers, face cloth, sweets, bottle of water, change for drinks machines etc, camera and spare batteries (for afterwards ONLY - no pics of delivery thankyou!)

For afterwards: babygros x 4, nappies, wipes, sudocrem, 'going home' outfit for baby, present for dd 'from baby', PJs for me, lots of big knickers in dark colours, maternity pads, breast pads, lansinoh cream, toilet bag with nice miniature shower gels etc, makeup, hairbrush, perfume, tracksuit bottoms and couple of tops, paracetamol and ibuprofen, nursing bra, muslin square

Sorry to but in ladies but pop a packet of polos or soft mints in your bag. If you do puke during in labour(which your midwife will assure you is a good sign)its nice to suck on something minty just in case you cant get to brush your teeth. And trust me not only will you appreciate it everyone around you will too especialy when your breathing through the pain into your mw,dps face!!!!

Gingeme - Glad I'm not the only one with fat feet! I've been in flip flops all summer but some days now I can't even get them on. My doctor told me I've got to rest with my feet up as much as I can but it's not easy with a 2yr old!!

I feel really worn out today, our house is on the market and i've spent all day getting ready for a viewing, not ideal when your 8 months pregnant. I get really stressed and emotional about people coming to view the house, I think it's like a kind of nesting instinct that I don't want strangers in my nest!!!

I also keep feeling really scared about giving birth again now I'm down to the last few weeks. I know I've done it before but I still don't know what to expect with this one. I'm sure once it all kicks off and I'm on the way to hospital I won't feel scared anymore.

hi all,

welcome to the newbies!!!
Well ive only got 4 days of work left and i cant wait i havent slept in 2days anyone else having trouble?
Any ideas to help me get sum sleep?
Gosh it not long to go ow for some of us is it, im very anxious bout the birt as this is my first anyone else feel the same?

Tell me about it nicand2 put your feet up with a toddler about don't make me laugh! Funny thing is it only seems to be my left foot thats fat. Strange.
Sleep whats that? Ive been waking up on my back too which is realy cutting off my air supply. I had a horrid dream the other night that I had realy bad asthma and couldnt breathe only to wake up and discover it was because I was laying on my back and realy couldnt breathe.
Wish you all the luck with your moving. nicand2 rather you than me love. Try to get your feet up though xx

youngmum21 am not sleeping well either. have been up from 4.30. have had bowl of cereal, watched episode of west wing and read all emails from last few days. can't see why this is good in evolutionary terms, surely we'd be better prepared for birth if we weren't knackered.
i'm up for the meet up on the 3rd, just have to check the diary, but i'm sure there's nothing in it.
i've been leaking milk for the last month at least, mercifully still small quantities but increasing.
sallyrosie, if you have to wait til your milk comes in doesn't that means after the birth? don't know if i'll be able to face waddling to the bra shop in first few days after baby and on a good day i already require significant structural engineering to keep everything in place-am already 34f.
welcome to all the new people. this place is great to restore your sanity.
a well meaning girl asked me last night whether the baby moved alot when i was asleep. fighting fatigue and hormones my brain was thinking 'duh, how would i know if i'm not awake you moron'. you'll be relieved to hear i stepped on this thought and answered politely.
i can't see how any of you with kids are getting through this or any of the last 8 months. deep admiration. in fact, end up wanting to go up to pg woman when you see them holding a wriggling 2 year olds hand and give them a medal.
at the yoga class the other day the teacher suggested lying on side on floor with top ankle on top of gymball. obviously not an option when you're battling with the kids at the same time.
am still struggling with dh over why it's bad enough tryinng to drive from bournemouth if i go into labour a week early, without trying to find a taxi to take him at 2am, or waiting for hours for a train.(he thinks would be easier not to take car). am i right in thinking most likely to go into labour at night?
must be officially mad nesting as decided to take all fabric off maclaren buggy to wash it all.
am going to try going back to sleep again next to sweaty snoring dh. it's got hot again and i must be the only one not feeling joyful about it.
last thing, started packing mat. bag yesterday and it already looks like i'm going away for a month. also says put in snacks for during labour but dh will probably demolish them by the time we get to hospital. i really need to pack him a sandwich or two. are you meant to feed them in labour?

hello every1! welcome 2 all new people!
I haven't been on 4few wks(taken me ages 2 read through everything!) only just had the internet re connected after movin.
The move went well, still quite a lot 2 sort out but we've at least done babys room!
Does any1 no how Kat is? I havent had a chance 2 read through any other threads yet. R they back home yet?
I'm really gettin fed up now, countin down the wks till babys here! I just feel so huge & I've also got fat feet now aswell!

Like the tip about the mints. Will get some today. Would definitely feed your DP/DH during labour -wouldn't want them passing out or (worse) having an excuse to nip off to the hospital canteen!

Come down with stinking cold and all snuffly. Dh told DD she had to be good for mummy today, cos mummy not well. She asked to go to work with him instead...

Have to go to the hospital with her later for skin prick testing and can't be bothered! Too much hassle trying to find somewhere to park. Need to take her to get her haircut too as I am struggling to find her face under her fringe. Gives me an excuse to take her to a cafe for lunch thereby avoiding cooking tho...

Am sleeping terribly so I'm glad I'm not the only one - I just keep waking up and I have no idea why. Plus I am far too hot in bed - have resorted to sleeping naked, with no covers, and both windows open. Dh meanwhile wears PJs and a thick duvet, and he's usually the one who is too hot...So frustrating - I'll be a physical wreck by the time this baby actually gets here. Last time I was literally begging them to induce me at my 41 week appt - I love being PG, just not these last few weeks! If I could have an induction at 37 weeks I'd jump at the chance...

Re the nursing bras - yeah, I went about 5 days after my dd was born. My boobs are changing size so much at the minute its ridiculous - they are bigger now than they were a week ago so how they can make an accurate measurement for a bra now I have no idea. It was quite nice to get out of the house tbh - I was going a bit stir crazy and in desperate need of a nice coffee!

Sorry for long posting!

Hi everyone!

The solicitor went ok. Basically there is no reciprocal agreement with Japan, so even if I was awarded a settlement, there is no way of enforcing it.

If dh doesnt agree to a divorce, then it is a case of waiting three years, being separated for that time, and then the british court system would grant me one, even in his absence.

He does have parental rights, but I dont think he is going to do anything about that. The times I spoke to him he doesnt even ask after dd or the baby.

It is a case of making a statement we have separated, and when we separated etc, and then waiting it out. Im going to try and get him to agree to a divorce in the meantime. If he knows there is no way he will have to share the house etc, then he might let me have it...or hope he meets someone else and wants the divorce himself. Under Japanese law, as long as he protests I will not be granted a divorce. Also under japanese law (my daughter is counted as having Japan as her habitual residency), unless he gives up parental rights, there is apparently no way I would be given custody. No foreign parent ever has unless the Japanese parent agrees, no matter what the circumstances....

Anyway. All we have to do is stay away from him, and Japan, and get on with life. I accept I wont get a settlement out of him, and have to take a deep breath and start again financially. Ouch, though!

Apart from blood leaking with the colustrum out of one boob, chronic indigestion and sleeping sitting up, Im feeling qutie good.

Dd starts school half days on Friday, but 5 days a week. Im dreading it, but know she will be fine.

Whiffy, Ill call that number and see if they can help out.

I did get a great pressie from friends, a 'voucher' for 2 weeks of cooking and cleaning after I have the baby! The best pressie I hve ever received!

I have to take us to the dentist now..

Yesterday was also not fun..I did my weekly shop, came home to a power cut, which didnt go back on for about 4 hours! All my refrigerated food for the week was ruined. I have to use my emerency money to buy more food,and go shopping again today! I called up the food hygine people, who said that anything over 2 hours unrefrigerated was not safe, esp for a pregnant woman. Once you open the fridge door it loses any residual cold, so even my putting it in the fridge was useless...arg!..

Whiffy, 6 days to go! Im jealous!

love

saka

welcome back bendy! no, ive not heard anything about kat. ive had a little look out on the other forums, but nothing.

has everyone been asked to go through a birth plan with their midwife?

well, im furious. the last bit of my kitchen was due to arrive on friay and i was told yesterday that it aint going to be here until the 4th of october!!!!! im due on the 24th!! and we bought the bloddy kitchen bck in april!! i do not want diy going on with a newborn in the house!

hey wuzzlefraggle, how annoyin bout ya kitchen!

Hi saka, just been reading through all ur other posts, sorry 2 hear ur havin such a hard time.x

Is any1 havin a baby shower? my friend has arranged 1 4me, sounds quite good, I've never been to 1 tho, has any1 else?

oh wuzzle, bout birth plan my midwife said we gonna write mine when i c her next wk, good thing she's gonna do it with me as i've got no idea what 2 write on it! Well i think i sort of no what pain relief etc i'd like but not sure how to actually word it, do u no what i mean? All seems bit confusing to me!

Motherinferior - yay sister! Yes, you can CAT me. I've enabled it on my profile. I didn't do it before because I wasn't sure what it was...

yeah i get what u mean bendy. mine did mine with me last friday and somehow managed to calm me down about birth lol. i took the oppertunity to ask as much as i could about everything

oh, meant to ask too...has anyone bought maternity dungarees???

Wuzzlefraggle - I bought mat. dungarees during my last pregnancy and they are sooo comfy. Admittedly they don't look that flattering but as my dh said 'this isn't a fashion show'

Bendyb - I had a baby shower last preg. and it was great. My friend organised it and laid on food and games and I got so many lovely presents from everyone - enjoy!!!

I seem to have a compulsive scratching problem - in my sleep...

I keep waking up scratching my legs, my tummy etc... so much so Ive made little bits of my bump bleed, didnt even realise i was doing it, I see the MW on friday, i think she'll be horrified!!!

I am getting so desperate to have this baby now!!! Im 36 weeks tomorrow - god... how can I induce myself...

oh, and to those of you who have already got LO's.

Can any one recomend a good baby sling, I like the Hugabub, but the tying thing really daunts me, any one?

Hi wuzzlefraggle. Sorry about your kitchen. There is no way I'd want diy going on with a newborn in the house either, but it sounds as though you might get it sorted first. Also, I went through my birthplan with mw at my 34 wk appt on Friday. There are still a couple of things to update though. Whether to have a natural 3rd stage or not. mw didn't recommend it in case of haemorrhaging. And whether to give the baby vitamin K orally or by injection. mw recommended injection as they get the full dose in one go. My concern is that if most babies have it by injection, the second and third oral doses may be overlooked. I'm also worried about increased risk of leukemia with injection - although this isn't proven. Any views from the experienced mums?

Earlier on in pregnancy, I said 'take me outside and shoot me if I come back with mat dungarees.' Now that the mat jeans I can still get on are falling down, I'm steering clear of shops selling dungarees. Don't want to be tempted. I look large enough as it is. In mat dungarees, I would look like a v. large whale.

Welcome back, bendyb. You're ahead of me. We're hoping to get the baby's room in shape over the next week or so.

And Saka. Glad you know where you stand now, having seen the solicitor. The future's bright.

Glad you can make the 3rd Marthahm. (Are we celebrating german reunification day?)

thanks for the dungaree info nicand2!

dogmum, fingers crossed that it all gets sorted. i'll be very upset with b&q if it doesnt. they have until the 4th.

nicand2- what games did u play at your baby shower? My friend has got 1 of them pinata things but wanted some ideas 4 other games???

I have thought bout gettin some dungarees, they seem comfy but dunno if i could face wearin them now i'm this big! I'd feel like a whale 2!

OMG. We have people like motherinferior reading our thread. Ye gods, tis enough to scare half of us away...... we're not worthy . All your fault, DashingRedhead.

Catgirl - I will try to send you an email in a second to check I've got the address correct.

The sling I use (and love) is the wilkinet, but be careful as it is one of those things that you either absolutey love, or loathe with a passion...why not buy one from an NCT sale - they always have loads for sale really cheap.

For those of you meeting at Liverpool st, I have a recommendation for a good meeting spot - there is what looks like a very small starbucks on the corner of Old Broad st and London wall, which has a huge basement with lots of sofa's - quite a good spot for a meet as it doesn't normally get too busy down there. Only problem is that there are the stairs to negotiate... maybe I'll be able to join you with my LO . but maybe not, as I seem to recall that last time it was about 6 weeks before I managed to even get out of my pyjamas, let alone out of the house.....

Welcome Agrimum. I think 6.5lb at 34weeks is a fairly big size for a baby but that's not a problem - I'd ensure the MW keeps a watch though... with DS I was having scans each week because mine was similar size (I've just checked back and he was estimated to be 7lb at 35wks) - the prognosis was that he would be well over 10lb at birth but in the end I went into labour early (37 wks) and he came out at just under 8lb, which was fine. I think some babies just cook a bit faster and come out a little earlier, but always best to monitor size. This time they reckon my LO is even bigger but we haven't bothered with the scans because she's coming out the zipped route anyway...

For those packing I'd recommend some light reading (NOT A BABY BOOK) and socks and flip-flops in addition to the stuff people haVE already mentioned. The most irritating thing about the whole hospital thing is that once LO arrives you will be absolutely shattered but unable to sleep because of (A) being terrified you won't wake up if your baby cries (hahahahahaha, oh the irony...), (B) being too hot and (C) too much noise going on and it not being dark. I'd recommednt hat you don't evenbither trying but just whip out the latest Heat magazine or whatever.

BTW, did laugh at someone wondering about packing snacks for DH....beleive me, he'll find the hospital canteen if he needs to, and the sight of him muching a nice cheese & pickle sarnie in front of you, when the MW won't let you even suck on a strepsil will not endear him to you...