Due October 2006 - part 4

[nowanearlyNicemum]

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

congratulations whiffy, glad everything went ok.

Welcome Lisamarv, I live in Reading too and my second DS is due on 10th Oct. I had my first DS at the RBH and didn't find it too bad although haven't got anything to compare it too as I'd never stayed in hospital before.

Re breast pumps I didn't get on with the avent one either and invested in a medela electric one which did work better although breastfeeding and expressing didn't really work out for me at all.

I wanted to bf but my ds never seemed to get the hang of it, I persevered for about 4 days by going to the bf clinic etc but DS was only feeding properly once a day and lost quite a lot of weight so I got really panicky and switched to bottles. I did try and express as much as possible at first but then found I was hooked up to the milking machine and was missing out on sleep and spending time with my new baby. As soon as I started using formula we all started to get into a routine and ds thrived so I think the most important thing is not to get too hung up on any method of feeding and go with the flow!!

Whiffy: great to hear from you. So glad you and Hannah are home and getting on well. Sounds like you had a worrying time.

Thanks for all the feedback on baby baths - will order a bath suport this eve.

Another unsociable git here - really can't be bothered with other people! I suppose I should be enjoying the good vibes you get from people when heavily pg - people (tho not on buses) are really nice - but I just feel like grumping at them all!

Info on bottle feeding also v. useful, as will want to inrtoduce a bottle feed at some points. Seems like as early as poss is good.

The combination of pg hormones, increasing discomfort and worrying about birth/new baby is a nasty one. I'm surprised we're all still (relatively) sane . I keep hanging on to the thought that there isn't long to go, then I'll be too knackered to worry!

Hope the last minute shopping trips/haircuts/pedicures and other activities go well.

In the interest of venting, what's the worst thing about this stage of pg? For me, it's not being able to sit up in the bath without turning on my side and hauling myself up - feel like an ice breaker trying to turn!

Welcome home Whiffy! It must be so exciting and such a relief to have baby Hannah finally at home where she belongs!

Marthahm - Saw the NCT breastfeeding counsellor today. She agreed with the fact that the best time to encourage and stimulate the breast to produce more breastmilk (the time you produce the most prolactin) is between 12pm - 6am, so it looks as if you can't get away with not doing night breastfeeds.... hmmmmm.....

Gemmity - yes, we're doing Hypnobirthing. Seems really good (obviously, no idea how it will work in practice!) but teacher showed us videos of people birthing whilst in this relaxed state and you really wouldn't believe they were actually in labour - looked more like they were sleeping, so it bodes well. Sort of allows the body to relax enough to get on with it. You need to practice the relaxation, though, so that you can quickly get into a relaxed state when you need it.

Oh, and Swizzler, the worst thing for me is the acid heartburn going on in my throat. Every time I think it's gone, it rears its ugly head again - nasty!

Oh yes the heartburn - am planning to smash all Gaviscon bottles after the birth (it tastes VILE).

Hypnobirthing sounds interesting - do you try and relax through the contractions? Would make sense as adrenaline supposed to make them worse.

Worst thing(s) about late stage of pg
-not being able to bend,walk,sit!
-not being able to sleep on front
-not being able to have a really close cuddle with DH

My DH thinks I moan too much so I keep telling him to read some of the postings on here. He genuinely thinks some women enjoy every minute of pregnancy. I don't understand how anyone can not feel fed up by this stage!!

at your DH nicand2: he should try being 8-and-whatever months pg. Bet he wouldn't even make it out of bed!

I have got round to writing my birth plan and have stapled it into my maternity notes so I dont lose it!!

Went on a big food shopping trip to asda today with dd as we had practically nothing left to eat it the house - felt rather tired afterwards especially as dd decided to only take a 15 minute nap afterwards - no peace for mummy.

Something else I have been reading about is flat head syndrom as it is on the increase due to babies lying on their backs all the time - have any of you heard of goi goi pillows? They are advised for all newborns in Sweden as a preventative and curiously they have a lower rate of cot death than us so having them in the crib/cot doesnt seem to be causing problems. Just thought I'd look for opinions really:

Goi Goi pillow

The bit I hate about this part of pregnancy is you sound like an old person when you sit and stand grunting loudly as you do it. Caught my dh grinning at me yesterday as I tried to get out of the car as dignified as possible without grunting too loudly. Ive also found myself sighing alot lately. For no particular reason. Maybe Im taking in more oxygen and this is the way IM doing it......

The worst thing about this stage is the pain/pressure on my pubis and being so generally uncomfortable all the time!

Seona - yeah I've heard flat head is on the increase - they are advising people to allow their babies to lie on their tummy when they are awake, on a mat or rug or something. Apparently babies need to do this to help their neck/back muscles to develop strength as well.

Think flat head must be cos baby always in some sort of carrier - cot to car seat to travel system - you don't actually ever need to get them out of it...
I used sling and non-removable car seat last time (bought britax one that she is still in at 2 1/2) and think this was why DD had no probs with shape of head - she was always being lifted up and carried. Pillow sounds interesting, but surely easier (cheaper) just to move them around a bit more? I couldn't get enough of cuddling her and having her lying on my tummy etc.

Reusable nappies - really can't speak highly enough of fleece liners to keep them dry - just buy a cheap scarf and cut it up.

Worst thing about PG - that the skin on my tummy feels like its going to rip every time I move. Rubbed some clarins cooling leg cream into it earlier though which felt lovely so can recommend this!

[pops head round door]

Just wondered if you guys had seen the BBC advert on Media/Non-member requests, looking for someone who's due before November 2006.

Nothing to do with me but i'm having a roam around the boards atm!

Best wishes for all your babies

[leaves and closes door quietly]

gemitygem, i've had 3 sessions 1-1 with a hypnobirthing teacher. i decided to do it after meeting a woman who had used it and highly recomended it. not sure whether it's going to work but it makes me feel calmer about the whole thing in the run up at least which is good.
not sure about the pillow-had a look at the pillow but you can't get a close up on the design. at the kids osteopathic clinic where i work we are overloaded by anxious parents who bring their flat headed babies to us. we always advise maximum time for the babies on their front whilst awake. this is what used to happen before people were told never to put their baby to sleep on its front. somehow parents can't get their head round it being different during day when the baby is awake and at night. also it has to be done for small amounts of time to start with generally as they get bored at not being able to see much.-i'll probably be more sympathetic to the parents once i encounter the problem myself! at the nicu i work in they have pioneered tiny pillows made up of an iv fluid bag with half fluid taken out. it has stopped the babies coming out with the characteristic prem head shape.
the worst thing for me about being this pregnant is getting so tired and ratty. oh and being awake at 3.33 most nights!!

have been wide awake since 5am,bored stiff and uncomfortable.MW been coming to check my BP every day so trying lots of things to keep it low as dont want to lose my home birth.Accupuncture seems to be working best but i have my daughters school place appeal today so i will probably blow a gasket.

nicand2, thanks for your take on breastfeeding. It's really easy for us first time mums to read up on everything and have opinions on all sorts of things we know nothing about. You've reminded us not to beat ourselves up if it doesn't work out the way we want.

After some recent postings on public transport, I feel I must say a word or two in defence of Londoners. I haven't had to stand on public transport since pg became noticeable and yesterday evening, it was a really young man who gave up his seat. I am biased though, as I love my hometown and am v. proud of our public transportation. My Dad lives in the sticks and his buses stop running at 6.30pm. I can get home from the West End at any time of day or night for 80p.

Seona, the pillow looks interesting but I think I'd be too scared to use it with current advice on pillows, duvets etc. I've bought a black and white playmat for tummy time during the day and as sallyrosie recommends, a fixed car seat for use in the car only. I think experienced parents like the travel systems though, as you don't have to keep waking the baby up every time you get out of the car.

PMSL at your grunting Gingeme - glad I'm not the only one becoming more vocal. Our antenatal teacher warned the men to watch out for mooing during labour, as it can mean that second stage is about to start.

Have just read back through this (sorry far too long) post and realised it sounds really smug. (I'm not smug - it's the hormones.) So instead of apologising, I think I'll make it worse, nicand2 and just say I'm still really enjoying being pregnant.

Hope you manage to keep your homebirth, totallyfloaty - although how you're supposed to keep your blood pressure low with all that going on, I can't imagine. Hope the appeal goes well too.

Gingeme, I"ve also been grunting and just breathing a bit like a warthog; there seems less space in the lungs somehow. My DH was asking why I kept sighing, and I felt it was just opening my lungs somehow..

Worst bits of late preg debate: definitely turning over in bed and getting out of bed (wobbly hips), and the frustration of wanting to leap up off the floor or whatever and taking 2 and a half minutes of strategy to do it...

I'm going on daily forced marches of about an hour round the park and find it really helps (though not at the time, just spend it fantasising about where the nearest loo is!)

martha, rumpel and wuzzle, I feel exactly the same, just want to be a bit grumpy and on my own. Will finally see DH on Sunday after a whole blumming month apart; we do video chat and he keeps saying 'that's just distortion isn't it, your bump can't be THAT big in real life!' (just you wait, mate!). I can't imagine what it must be like for those who have kids already, nowanearlyNicemum and others, as you can't switch off being a mummy and just give in to being pregnant, so shouldn't complain. People here are pretty direct and actually laugh directly at you as they look at your bump, which is odd. There's no other situation where you would just laugh out loud at someone's body in public!

I definitely don't think I could have more than 2 kids, it seems such a very long road to travel just having one! I hadn't really realised before... not to mention the impact on your marriage etc; oh Gawd!

Also terrified of the birth but just thinking I'll try and cope as best I can, and if I can't cope I'll have the epidural.. and trying to focus on how very lucky we are to be giving birth in nice safe places and not in Afghanistan or whatever.

um, when I said 'shouldn't complain' I meant 'I shouldn't complain', not that those with kids shouldn't complain.. Just thought I'd clear that up!!

Welcome home Whiffy and Hannah. How is it to have your tummy back?!

Hope all goes well Emzickle with the pre eclampsia. I was in hospital four days for pre eclampsia when I had DS and I got so much rest there. You are in the safest possible hands and everyone is looking out for you the moment you go into labour. That being said, I don't know how I am going to recognise the signs this time and every time that I get the smallest cramp I am convinced baby is about to appear! Plus you are monitored for the pre eclampsia throughout at hospital which is really reassuring.

I had perineal massage for DS and was very elasticated for 8lb13 DS needing no stitches and I am sure that this was due to the massage. However DH has had to stop this time around (how gutted he must have been) as GP found I have varicose veins inside (sorry about TMI but such are things at present!). If you can have it though, definitely do it.

I am quite on for making my own birth announcement cards. Does anyonme have good ideas about where to find fun crafty things?

Hardly sleeping at night and don't get a chance in the day as DS needs my full attention all day long.

I have given up with London transport. Last year they were meant to introduce a baby friendly initiative by introducing baby on Board badges to Mums-to-be but despite phoning them up three times, I never received a thing. And then a few weeks ago a bus driver chucked me off the bus as he did not have enough change for £2 (ticket cost £1.50)and my Oyster card had run out. And despite being heavily pregnant and with i year old DS in pushchair no one came to my defence. To be honest, I am much happier walking now!

Has anyone been watching Eastenders? Such a depressing storyline with Honey and her new baby.

Oh no Gemmitygem seems like your dh is in for a shocke at your tummy size when he sees it in real life!
Lol out loud at the mooing Dogmum. Still its better than some of the language some ladies come out with in labour. Aparantly my sister was swearing like a soldier during her labours. My Mum was with me with my first ds and shes always saying how quiet I was considering the pain I was in.Thats why it annoys me the way they show ladies in labour on tele and make them out to be hormonal wrecks. Were not all like that and it must scare the bejebers out of you first timers....
I had a terrible night too. Well more the early hours of the morning realy. The pain in my hips,thighs and groin was realy bad. I had period type pains too which woke me up and ofcourse as soon as my eyes open I need a wee. Took ages to get back to sleep too. Feel grumpy today. On the plus side my ds slept in till 9 so I had a sort of lay in.

Gemmitygem - Agree with you on the stopping at 2 theory. My DH pointed out to me yesterday that I've been pregnant for nearly 18 months out of the 40 months we've been together so I think he's looking forward to having me back to 'normal' for a while.

Just about to take DS for the new jab that's been on tv. I feel so guilty taking him but I've put a packet of choccie buttons in my bag - they seem to diffuse most situations!!

Message withdrawn

Seems like a bad night's sleep is really common at the mo - had bad dream about going into labour, having to be induced and nasty doctor laughing at the shape of my baby's head - blasted hormones. Avoiding all media stories on birth/sick babies/bad parenting until after the event! Not what I need right now.

Gemmity: I'm also trying to get a walk in each day, though 1 hour sounds v. impressive! I find that about 45 mins is my limit, preferably with a rest in between. After that the bump starts to hurt.

Still trying the perineal massage, here's hoping it will have some effect. I keep forgetting about the raspberry leaf tablets, though.

If this baby hangs in, we're going to have the tidiest flat ever! Sudden urges to sort out paperwork and shift piles of books (interspersed with snoozing and eating chocolate of course ).

Nearly October now - must be due for another birth announcement soon. Any volunteers?

Are the stats still up to date? Those new to the board:just copy and paste with your details added. Glad you're feeling better Milliee.

Babies Due:
1st -
- sallyrosie, 2nd baby, scan said a boy. 2 1/2 yr old dd
-morespamthanglam, 3rd baby,dd11yrs, ds 7yrs

2nd
3rd - Jobot, baby boy, 2nd baby, dd 14 months.
4th
5th
6th Rumpel 1st flavour unknown
7th
8th
9th - Seona1973, baby boy, 2nd baby, dd 2.9yrs
=====Tigerlion, baby girl, 2nd baby, ds 12 months
---Highlander, baby boy, 2nd baby
---
10th - mamado, baby girl, 2nd child, dd 2.8 yrs
=====nicand2, baby boy, 2nd baby ds 21 months
=====majormoo, boy, 2nd baby, dd 3
11th - Emzickle, baby girl, first baby
===== chilligirl, first baby but flavour unknown!
12th - Swizzler, first baby, colour unknown
13th - Justers, first baby, colour unkown
--Mrs Blobby, baby boy, first baby
=======marthahm, unknown type, first baby
--jmcmugwump first baby unknown flavour
--totallyfloaty, baby girl, 3rd baby
14th Luboo - 1st baby - pink one mmmmmchocolate 2nd baby dd 2 last week blue one due.
15th
16th Girlygale1 - pink! (1st date) 2nd baby dd 2
17th
18th
19th KATGOD, 2nd, colour unknown, DS 2.7
-agrimum, 1st, colour unknown
20th clon, first baby, girl
21st DogMum, first baby.
---- Emmy01 first baby colour unknown.
22nd nowanearlyNicemum - colour unknown, 2nd baby, dd 1.11
23rd Girlygale1 - pink!2nd baby dd 2(2nd date!)
-Binbon2 - colour unknown, 2nd baby, DS 3.25
24th -Wuzzlefraggle, first baby, pink one!!
25th
26th -DashingRedhead, first baby, colour unknown
27th
28th
29th youngmum21, first baby, girl
30th Bendyb- first baby, blue 1!
31st Gingeme, baby boy, 4th baby, 3x ds 12, 11 & 2.4
---- Catgirl, colour unknown, 2nd child, 1ds who is 4 in 2 weeks
---- EmilyTurner, 2nd baby, 1 dd
----popsi, baby boy, 2nd baby, DD 2.2yrs

Babies Born (!!)

Sep 14 Hana baby girl Martha 6 lb 8 oz
?Sep 17 Saka baby boy, Adam, 8 lb 5 oz
18 Sep Whiffy baby girl, Hannah Blue, 7 lb 6 oz