September 2014 - Babies are starting to make an appearance!

[lilone1234]

A few babies have already arrived, with more due to make their entrance soon, and it's not even September yet!

Nazly Don't underestimate the soft wrap slings , they're very comfy as well and much better for different positions etc, in the soft wrap you can move your baby in it so you can breastfeed without taking baby out of it. There are different types and materials, I'll be starting with babywearing when he's born and have one stretchy (simple loooong piece of cloth) which is ideal for newborns-in some time these stretch too much that's why good for newborns (low weight). Then one woven which is lighter than stretchy and it's no so hot in them, but it's much stronger and suitable for toddlers as well. It takes a while to learn properly how to tie them, if you do so though, it's safe as any carrier.

But if you want carrier, than I could recommend Manduca-I have it myself) (available at Amazon or other places with lots of designs). It's designed by orthopeadists to support the right position of baby's hips and their development. Very similar is Ergo. Ideal is if you have some shop around where you can try with your baby and see what suits you as they're quite expensive.

My niece was born with very bad dislocated hip and doctors were scaring us with operation and horrible traumatic treatment at hospital. My sister didn't want her daughter to go through all these and bought Manduca. After 3 months of carrying her in it, doctors changed their mind and said that they wouldn't believe it can help so much. Even for the future it helps to keep the hips in the right place so it's not only for babies with problems right after birth. My sister also uses woven wrap (Didymos) and can't praise it enough

teameponine To be honest, I'd agree with your hubby about visitors. After your baby comes, you'll be happy to get a little sleep when you can and not to be 'annoyed' with people coming in all the time. As it usually is, visitors are coming mostly in the worst possible moment

Maybe to compromise, agree with your hubby to have a first week with baby without absolutely anyone, and then families can start slowly coming just 1 or 2 at the same time so you're not overwhelmed? And just a short visit for max half an hour or so??

And don't forget that even if you agree to some visit and then you just don't feel up to it, you have the right to call them and cancel it. It's mostly your and hubby's precious time with baby and both you and baby need a chance to recover.

I didn't actually do anything for music for DD, though during the latent phase was just mucking about going on walks and playing video games. Music never occurred to me. As I'll be at home (hopefully) I guess I'd just browse youtube for whatever suited my mood at the time. I guess it might be best to take a variety as you might not be able to predict what you'll really be in the mood for.

Just got back from MW and if there's no labour before I'll be having a sweep on Mon, which makes me feel a bit more positive.

Whoops I missed a lot of posts there

Team we'll be having each side visit once each as a group within the first week probably and then be requesting time to ourselves to adjust. With DD my MIL kept telling us when she'd next be round and made 3 visits within 11 days - I know for some this isn't much but I felt really smothered and was struggling to get to grips with being a new mum, plus my mum visited 3 times in 14 days, and along with all the other family visits and MWs and HVs it felt like we were never left alone. It was really stressful. Bare in mind you could be really sleep deprived as well. The most important thing is to do what feels right for you as a family, it's a big step and tbh I still feel a bit resentful even now looking back that they wouldn't leave us in peace so we're definitely being firmer this time,

Good luck with the group Kitkat. I didn't start going to them with DD until she was about 2 months old, though was just generally feeling overwhelmed with everything anyway. I hear lots of positive and negative experiences on MN about them, I think the thing to do is try a few and see which suits you best.

Sorry to hear about the thrush issues Ella, hope it clears up pronto!

Nazly and don't - Thank you so much for sharing your c section recovery stories. You have made me feel a lot better

Thanks all for the advice on the visitors. I think that DH is right, I just find it a bit difficult to tell people "no". This is important though, especially as DH works really long hours, so once he goes back to work he will get relatively little time with me and baby, whereas my family can come by as much as they want and will probably spend more time with baby than him. Hopefully I'll have the confidence to just tell them that and stick to it. I think we do also need to see how things are going, both with how baby is and how my recovery goes. If things are tough, we might be desperate for someone to come up and help us out, but if things are going smoothly, then I do like the idea of having a few days alone to get used to becoming a family (baby will be our first).

Good luck everyone that has sections and inductions planned, and fingers crossed that some of you start to get some positive signs for your little ones arriving soon.

Thanks again everyone for all of the advice and support. This thread really is fab

Those first few days are definitely precious, make sure you enjoy them

Here's a link I just found which includes stats for the success rates of sweeps here which I thought was interesting. Or more detailed and formal info here .

My friend's daughter had visiting hours - I'm planning to do similar (visitors welcome in the afternoons for short visits (as DS1 has preschool in the mornings) but to please call first in case we are out / sleeping). Thought things were kicking off last night but still just random BHs / the odd mild contraction. I ate almost a whole pineapple for breakfast today though!

red you didnt scare me at all! I scared myself am totally pathetic and can't quite believe it is happening so got myself v worked up about it!!

Soooooooooo, thanks to reduced wriggling for the past 24 hours and a few bouts of sharp abdo pains I'm now waiting for Mr J to come and take me to the Hosp just to get checked over. Am I being too relaxed to think this could have waited until he finished work later today?

Velvet, all, thanks so much for sharing views and experience on slings... I'd like very much to try before buy but we have no sling library nearby... So I will go with your recommendations...

Hi all just a quick post to let you know that Baby boy lucid was born yesterday at 1755, weighing 8lb 11oz. It was all a bit traumatic in the end so won't share my birth story just yet - just trying to get back to normal now. DS is doing well and is busy kick starting my milk supply.

Do I need to go over to the new board now?

Congratulations Lucid, I'd been wondering about you. Sorry to hear it ended up traumatic but I hope you can focus on those newborn snuggles . And you can go over to the new board but I think you're equally welcome to keep posting here if you'd like.

Congratulations lucid! Sorry to hear it was traumatic - hope that you are both getting on well now.

Congrats Lucid. Sorry to hear it was a difficult birth in the end. Hope you can have some time to enjoy newborn snuggles now. xx

The group today went okay - was a good day to go really as there were quite a few new faces going today by coincidence so I wasn't the only newbie, which was nice.

On return home after a couple of errands, my Mum popped over and suggested we go out for a walk. I went a bit reluctantly as I was tired already but halfway through got caught by an awful stitch in my right hand side and could barely walk. I think I gave my Mum a bit of a fright as I think she may have thought I'd gone into labour! It eased off eventually though. I think it may be baby kitkat telling me to slow down a bit. Will have a more chilled day tomorrow. xx

Kitkat - very brave of you to go to the group! Will be easier the next time you go now. I will have to force myself to go once baby is here or I'm going to be totally isolated. I get very shy though, and find those sort of things very difficult.

So I'm officially overdue. So much for the stupid super moon . I feel so useless - can barely walk or put my trousers on or have a bath or do the washing up etc. I don't know how ill manage to actually give birth and cope with a new baby when I just feel so drained and frustrated! I feel like I was in a much better position a couple of weeks ago to do it all! It's a pretty cruel trick of nature really - put you in the most uncomfortable state you have ever been with to then give you the biggest physical and emotional challenge you will face!

Congratulations Lucid, and sorry to hear it was traumatic, but thank you for not sharing the details on this thread just yet ;) I hope your newborn cuddles are making it all seem worthwhile.
I'm trying to stay calm and not be too terrified - only 10 days until due date.
zanashar hope all is okay - keep us posted.
In terms of visitors - having never had a baby before, what would those who have been through this before recommend?

Grandparents live close so last time could pop in here for a short visit (with a prepared meal) which worked really well.
My boss rang and invited herself over when DS was only 6 days old, I wish I had said no to her as I couldn't sleep when he was sleeping as I was waiting for her (and I was desperate for sleep by then). My godmother did similar. I was quite poorly after DS's birth so I think seeing me shocked them actually. I will be stronger this time around and ask for non-close family visitors to come around once DH is back at work.
One of my favourite visitors was a friend from school who came around with a picnic lunch and looked after me all afternoon when DS was 4 weeks old and I was waiting for his tongue tie appointment (so feeding non-stop).

Due date today and getting really annoyed with the calls etc, and all the contractions that just peter out to nothing. Wonder if my mind is holding me back though - need to relax to get labour started!

congrats lucid. hope you are recovering and having loads of cuddles.

zanashar hope everything ok xx

Congratulations Lucid!

Due date on Sat - really sick of waiting. I was sure that the full moon would have some sort of effect as all else has failed, but no. I really can't believe it could b at least another 2 weeks until the little one will definitely be here

Mw appt tomorrow, I really hope baby has engaged more. I'm guessing as I'm not exactly 40weeks I won't b offered a sweep just yet tho. I didn't realise that they made u wait until after 40weeks, otherwise I would have booked the appt for Monday.

Still no contact from HV! Can't believe they haven't even called. I would of expected them to prioritise first time mums as I have no idea of the process.. I'm guessing that they will def visit after the birth?!? Although I did NCT classes back in July, I really don't feel very prepared.

DH still hasn't mentioned to his mum about me not waiting visitors straight away at the hospital. I really don't want to b the one who mentions it coz then I will b the horrible DIL who stopped her visiting her first biological grandchild, but there will b plenty of time for visits when we r settled at home.

Sorry for long post.

Lucidlady many congratulations x sorry it was dramatic but glad you are both OK and together

cindy - I haven't heard from my HV either. asked MW and she said she will come once I get home and then decide whether o stay with community MW or go to HV. I feel totally unprepared and have no clue as to what will happen on the other side!!!

Congrats Lucid

Hope everything is ok Zanasha