June 2014 - eviction notices being prepared, rose hip tea, curry, shagging and pineapple at the ready!

[misshoohaa]

Hi all,

New thread and probably our last in ante-natal.

Holy crap!

Hey! Is it too late for me to join?

Due 12th June :)

Wow more babies and just half past May! Congratulations to both mummies.

The smokers and the bloody awful parking chestnut working there must be a nightmare. I have a consultant appt on Wednesday luckily it's a work day so I can take the bus.

Hello and welcome to newbies and returners.

I work for the university notfast so handily I have a permit so I can park in the university car parks on site. But yes, parking is pretty atrocious!

I'm 36 weeks today and getting a bit scared about all these babies popping out early! Hope mine stays in a few more weeks at least!

Welcome trambampoline

Wow it is a lovely day today! Not that great when you are pregnant and sweaty though! Our garden was a disaster area when we moved in 2 years ago. We have turfed half of it but the other half is about 3ft high with weeds that weren't there two weeks ago! DH's job for the day is to poison the lot. DD has been running around like a nutter and complaining she is too hot! And slightly freaked out by a dead pigeon thanks to a neighbour's cat (no way our idiot cats could kill a pigeon!) and I am sitting on a deck chair watching this all. In 7 weeks maximum there will be no peaceful garden chilling for a few more years!

Afternoon all. It's a lovely day up here in Edinburgh finally, the weekend was a bit of a let down, dry but not very warm. I think we have rain forecast for later though, so normality will return soon! Still, while it's sunny I'm sitting in my garden :) DS is down for his nap, and as it's a school day it's quiet all round me. Just the bees buzzing away - oh, and my washing machine! Two unexpected loads if washing to pu through today after DS wet through his nappy last night, then found cat poo to walk in in the garden and get on hai clothes :( I went a bit OTT with the poo though, stripped us both to underwear and washed the lot!

Baby has been wriggling like mad the past couple of dad, and I think slept last nights with its bum pushed as far out front as possible. Giving me a very pointy, awkward and uncomfortable bump to sleep with. Add that to waking up with leg cramp 4 times and it wasn't the most restful night.

Welcome to the new people, it's never too late to join! All the fun starts when we get to post natal and we're writing posts at silly o'clock while feeding/winding babies :)

Is anyone really struggling with the heat? I am in London and it's just too much for me I'm afraid! I'll be 37 weeks on Thursday so am now trying to talk the baby into making an earlyish appearance!

Hey ginger, am in London too and yes yes yes to finding this heat too much. I have mild asthma too and it's leaving me feeling like I just can't breathe, like there isn't enough oxygen in the air or something weird. My 18month old dd asks to go out all the time (and it is cooler outside than in flat) so there is not a chance of being lazy much as I would like to be.

My mum has never stopped talking about the heatwave summer of 1976 and being heavily pregnant with my brother so I think that if this heat carries on for a while we'll be telling our grandchildren all about it!

The soles of my feet feel like there are burning up all the time, I went to cool paddling pool in the park with dd yesterday and it felt amazing.

Also my top tip that someone in Africa told me for when it's hot at night and hard to get to sleep is to have cold shower before bed but do not use towel, just walk to bed wet and naked and lie down to sleep like that. The evaporating of the water is nice and cooling and hopefully gives you enough time to drop off.

34 weeks now and yes, also hoping for an early arrival (but guess now is a bit too early for the littl'un), mine is mostly due to the fact that my dd was 4.5kg and going for a vbac this time I want to keep it a nice little bundle that is hopefully easier to get out into the world!

Baby has hiccups - is making the computer screen jerk!

Luckily our work air on was full blast today so not so bad ginger but this evening I am not very comfy!

Baldhedgehog My toddler was extremely active as an unborn & tbf he hasn't stopped since! He is also almost 2 - are we twins ? Haha. He's 2 on 3 June I'm not due till 26 so they should still get nicely separate birthdays

My back was horrendous pretty much throughout my 1st pregnancy & I had felt so pleased that I haven't suffered as much this time - but the last week or so it's been pretty bad. Draped across ball at the moment struggling to find any pain free position. I wouldn't mind if I was due to pop but not even 35 weeks yet so could be a V long time to go grrrr

bald I have one of those too and my toddler was the same. I used to worry she moved too much and was having a fit or something. Most of the books was about counting kicks and patterns of movement and I was constantly under attack, Even during labour she never stopped and a senior midwife was called in to check the readings. Nothing much has changed except she actually sleeps at night - thank god. This one is proving to be much the same and is currently doing star jumps.

Weather has been pretty good here just the right amount of warm, there was some awful rain last night though which I thought might have woken dd but all gone today, long May it continue.

2 more weeks of work then baby can arrive. Doing an online order to boots to get the last bits in then its just organising the house and I'm done. Have left this all very last minute considering how on the ball I was last time.

Bumble,my one will be 2yo on 7th of June,DC2 due on 24th.So you have a Jubilee baybeeee? .I remember that weekend very well,being so overdue and soooo pissed off!Booked for induction on 6th and I was told to call the hospital first and check the bed availability.I was nearly howling being so fed up and thinking "surely I can't be pregnant any longer than 42 weeks and they'll think if they manage to find a bed for me?"

Notfast,counting kicks didn't work for me-some days baby was "lazy" and some it was bonkers.The same story now.

Jealous of those of you with more warmth than me-I'm in northern Scotland so no heatwave here.No complains though,managed to get 2 washings nearly dry today

Hope this baby won't be early as I still have heaps to do!

Babies keep cooking!

Take care everybody :)

Yes to the heat all being too much - I feel like such a moaner but our house is sweltering and can't have the windows open due to the amount of Mosquitos around here. Have a great fan in bedroom but the noise drives me a bit crazy.

I loved the tip re the foot soak - will give it a go tomorrow.

How are we feeling ladies? I'm 36+2 today and seriously hitting a wall. I must admit the heat hasn't been too bad but I am very very thankful that I am NOT going to be heavily pregnant over summer. I don't think that I would actually cope with it.

After a few weeks of not much movement, miss squrimie is constantly squirming away which a) is uncomfortable and b) making me wonder if she is actively now trying to get out through my belly button!

Am 36 weeks and wall is hit! Going to the pictures tomorrow as DP has a day off and the walk there is 40 mins - I usually love it but really can't face it tomorrow so may have to get 2 buses. Had to go to tescos after school pick up and it has wiped me out.

I am 36+6 (full term tomorrow - yipee!), and feeling a bit nauseous tonight! I don't want to get my hopes up... but could this be an early sign??

I am 37+4 and enjoying first week of maternity leave.. SO tired though! I have loads of plans for what I'm going to do with the next couple of weeks but even getting the washing-up done seems a bit beyond me at the moment!

Same really; had planned to do loads on my pre-baby maternity 'holiday' but hadn't accounted for the being heavily pregnant part!
Have made inroads on the nursery today tho, last bits of hospital bag to pack. Have read ahead into the post natal clubs (is that allowed?!) - that's a different world!

Morning all! 35+4 today. Had an appt with consultant yesterday to book cs if baby doesn't come by herself so I have an end date for all this, don't particularly want a cs but I did need a definite end. Getting really achy in my back, an almost constant stitch and I'm peeing for Scotland. On the plus side she did think baby looked low and that I probably wouldn't get to 40 weeks. Still 2 weeks of work though, cannot wait to be done with that. Hope you all have an ache free day

Hadn't thought of looking ahead at the other boards - is it a bit like time travel? I have so much to do ( pack hospital bag, wash baby clothes etc) but all feels a bit much. Am 37 weeks tomorrow and really hope I can get my act together .

Morning all. I'm just 35 weeks, not looking forward to that approaching wall of tiredness. It's bad enough just now! I had my physio app finally yesterday, it's was long and quite interesting, but also not that useful. She gave me a huge tubigrip and lots of advice. Basically pelvic floor is win! Clench when I'm standing, sitting, lifting, turning over...

Birth plan ideas for those that maybe haven't done theirs, or ideas of things to add. I've not even started mine, except to select a few of these options.

My birth plan
Environment

• I prefer a female doctor or midwife
• I prefer a private room in the hospital
• I would like to give birth at home
• I would like to give birth in the hospital
• I would like to have subdued lighting if possible
• I would like to listen to music during labour
• I would like to stay at home as long as possible
• I would like to use my Hypnobirthing techniques

Companions

• I don’t want any students or other hospital staff in the room
• I only want my partner, doctors, nurses and midwives in the room
• I would like my partner or companion(s) to be with me during labour
• I would like my partner to count my contractions and log them in a journal
• I would like to have a doula with me during labour
• I would not like my partner to be with me during labour
• My family and children can visit me in the hospital

Foetal monitoring

• I would like the baby to be monitored using a Doppler
• I would like to avoid continuous (CTG) or internal monitoring
• I would like to have continuous foetal monitoring
• If possible, I would like to avoid a vaginal examination

Photos & videos

• I would like to have a video shot after birth
• I would like to have a video shot during birth
• I would like to have a video shot during labour
• I would like to have pictures or videos taken during every stage of labour and birth
• I would like to have pictures taken after the birth
• I would like to have pictures taken during birth
• I would like to have pictures taken during labour
• I would not like to have any pictures or videos taken during any stage of labour and birth

Induction

• I am ok to use different methods recommend by my doctor to induce labour
• I would like to avoid my waters being broken to induce labour
• If necessary, I am ok with my waters being broken to induce labour
• If possible, I would like to try natural methods to induce labour

Pain relief

• I do not want to be offered pethidine or diamorphine for pain relief.
• If possible, I would like a mobile epidural (would be able to have some feelings in your legs and possibly walk)
• If possible, I would like an epidural
• If possible, I would like to be offered Gas & Air
• If possible, I would like to have narcotic pain relief
• If possible, I would like to use a T.E.N.S. machine
• Please don’t offer any pain relief, unless I ask for it

Tearing & episiotomy

• I have been practising perineum massage to avoid an episiotomy
• I would like to avoid any episiotomy, unless it is an emergency
• I would like to have directions regarding when to push or not to push, so as to avoid tearing
• If necessary, I am ok with an episiotomy

During labour

• I don’t want any student midwives or doctors present during labour
• I would like to be able to move or walk around freely
• I would like to be free to eat and drink when I want to
• I would like to try various birthing positions
• I would like to use mother-directed breathing down and not forced pushing
• Please remind me to drink regularly and use the bathroom

Caesarean birth

• Do not perform a hysterectomy, unless it is the only option to save my life
• I would like my partner or companion to be with me, if I have a caesarean birth
• I would like the baby to be given to my partner immediately after delivery
• I would like to be offered a second opinion, if I need a caesarean birth
• I would like to have the screen lowered, so that I can see the delivery
• I would not like my partner or companion to be with me if I have a caesarean birth
• If an emergency c-section is required, I would like to stay awake
• If possible, I would like to avoid a caesarean birth

Delivery

• I would like directions regarding when to push or not to push, so as to avoid tearing
• I would like to be free to decide my own position for labour
• I would like to push when I feel like doing it rather than being told when to push
• I would like to use a mirror to help motivate me to breath down the baby
• In case of an assisted delivery, please use a ventouse or vacuum extractor in favour of forceps

Birthing equipment

• I plan to use a birthing chair
• I plan to use a birthing pool. If it is not available, I would like to have access to a bath or shower.
• I plan to use a labour ball
• I plan to use a squatting bar
• I plan to use equipment such as a mat or a beanbag during labour

After delivery

• I do not want to be given any drugs to speed up the delivery of the placenta
• If possible, I do not want to be separated from my baby after delivery
• If possible, I do not want to have cord traction, syntocinon injection or manual removal of the placenta, unless there is an emergency
• My partner will stay with our baby if there is an emergency
• We would like to have skin-to-skin contact and time to bond with the baby as soon as possible after delivery
• We would like to pick up our baby and determine the sex ourselves
• We would not like any Vitamin K to be given to our baby, unless our baby is born by forceps, ventouse / vacuum extractor or caesarean

Umbilical cord

• I don’t want the umbilical cord to be cut immediately, but want to wait until it stops pulsating, so that the baby gets all the remaining cord blood
• I have arranged to bank the cord blood
• I would like my partner to cut the umbilical cord
• I would like to donate the cord blood

Feeding

• I would like to bottle feed my baby as soon as possible after birth
• I would like to breast feed my baby as soon as possible after birth
• I would like to have some help the first time I breast feed my baby

What a helpful post Stacks, thank you

38+3 here, not really a wall of tiredness so much as achiness!

Oh, and as for birth plans, I filled t the nhs choices one and printed it off. I figured it would have everything necessary on it, and there were spaces to add details.