December 2014 thread 9: falala lala! Jingle babies are arriving!

[Peaceloveandbiscuits]

Will we even need a tenth thread before all the babies are here?!

stats page!

Drewswife has gone into labour... betting on weights/time right now

Woop thinking of you Drewswife!

Oh and DH found my certificate amongst his shite stuff after I'd sorted through four boxes of stuff. It did need doing, I suppose

Now that I can maintain feeding with one hand I've got a chance to catch up on everything during the twilight hours. Evylyn Mae was born on Weds 3rd Dec at 0603, so my last proper night sleep was Monday Labour was 6 hours long and even at 6lb 14oz we still had second degree tearing - the G&A which I didn't find effective by itself in labour came into its own during stitching. Had to stay one night for baby blood sugar tests and second night for feeding issues, so when we were released on Friday lunch I'd had maybe 5 hours sleep on the ward - yes snoring lady, I'm looking at you!

Now just adjusting to life with a little one. Any first time mums hoping to bf, I'd recommend nipple cream (applied after every feed from the start) and nipple shields - cheap to pick up and much easier to do in advance than with a baby when you don't live around the corner from Boots like myself. Ideally you won't need the shields but after initial latching problems it is taking a while for the irritation to fade and 10-12 feeds a day doesn't leave much down time. I tries to air them earlier and then leaked every where

If one more person tells me to sleep when the baby does I may punch them...I would, but you all keep turning up when she does and the washing pile is so high I'm risking no underwear soon. I moan but it's so worth it, I loves her to bits, even at this time of night

Congratulations stationaryrace!

Now get back to sleeping in front of visitors when the baby sleeps.

Can some of you wise ladies let me know how long it is before i can take a new baby away?
Ive heard we have to stay at home for the first 10 days until the health visitor has been, but i was hoping to take baby to my mums for a week when she is born. My mum lives 200 miles away so is under a different nhs trust.
Any advice please?

I've got no idea Lucy, but I don't envy you travelling 200 miles after giving birth, and with a newborn! I'm planning on attaching myself to my sofa for the foreseeable! Mind you, people said I was mad for travelling 500 miles at 36 weeks, but I survived!

Thanks peace, im back at the midwifes on the 19th so ill see what she thinks!

I would have thought the main issue would be the midwife needing to check the umbilical stump every few days.

Yeah thats what i thought too

Our midwives (Scotland) are happy to refer to a local midwife if you're going on holiday, as one of our ante -natal ladies is going to Orkney for New Year regardless of when her baby arrives - edd 18th Dec. Check, yours may be the same as they understand travelling goes hand in hand with Xmas for many people.

Oh thanks stationary thats made me feel more hopeful! Shes due 22/12 so if shes on time we will be hopefully going to my mums for xmas :)

Well, it appears I'm in quiet labour.

Went to be monitored at the hospital this afternoon, as the baby's been quiet for a couple of days. They hooked me up to the CTG, and I was quietly contracting the whole time. As soon as the reading came down, it almost instantly starting climbing again.

The MW couldn't believe I couldn't feel anything: to me it felt like the baby was stretching, but she told me it was actually my uterus going rock hard!

So after about half an hour of that on the machines, she examined me and I was 2cm dilated. Ta dah!

Back home now having some tea. My mom came to the hospital with me and so has taken DD back to her house, in case we need to dash anywhere in the night.

It hasn't really sunk in yet. I was mentally prepared for being on time-slightly over. Not a week and a half early! This week is so busy, with Christmas work party, DD's first nativity, getting my hair cut readyf for for the baby, DD's car seat is meant to be collected by the manufacturer to be checked over as it's not quite right, our Christmas bonuses are being presented at work tomorrow so I was going in for that too. It couldn't have waited a few more days???

Aibu to not want it to come yet?

YABU! I'm jealous!

But how exciting! let us know how it goes x

Oh im so jealous!!
Come on baby stetson!!!

I think I'm getting some mild period pain type cramps at the moment. MW did warn it was a possibility that my internal exam might have the same effect as a sweep (I declined a proper one as I'd rather just see how I go at this stage).

Still, what do I know? I've been having contractions all day without realising!

Good luck stetson !

Looking forward to week 2 of ml as ds is in nursery tomorrow. Pox has now passed and he had an awesome potty training day - 0 accidents!

Looking forward to shopping in peace, putting up more decorations and wrapping my presents while eating mince pies. Mmmmmm.

37+1

Dentist was great and FREE. I'll need a crown in the new year, but hoping that'll also be FREE. I love the NHS. It's almost worth getting knocked up for.

Great news on the potty training and pox! Positive steps forward, and a couple less things to worry about on ML now! Enjoy it.

The Maternity Exemption certificate is truly a thing of wonder isn't it Peace? When I was at the hospital earlier, I was talking to the MW about my trouble with piles and she said the doctor would prescribe some Anusol! It's not even that expensive to buy, but I can still get it for free, like my hay fever tablets and iron supplement. All stuff I can get over the counter, but being pregnant does have its uses

I'm feeling really down and insecure and a bit panicky this week. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by tiredness and pain, so the housework isn't getting done, which makes me feel more anxious about bringing a baby home to a shithole. DH says not to worry and he will blitz the house when he is off work (13 days to go!), but I feel like I ought to be doing it since I'm not at work.

I'm just sleeping most of the day when he's at work, then being clingy and annoying all weekend and in the evenings when he probably wants time to himself to unwind.

My PTSD flares up in the run-up to Christmas, but only very mildly nowadays - barely noticeably really - but I suppose that could be playing a part.

Anyone else experienced or heard of people experiencing depression and anxiety in the last few weeks of pregnancy? I watched some YT videos by NHS Choices earlier about what happens in and after birth and felt like crying, they made me so anxious!

Try not to!
Easier said than done I was watching beautiful home birth youtube videos and actually cried. Then realised I might not get one and cried again...

It's not the birth I'm anxious about, it's the real live baby at the end of it.

Baby girl born this morning. All good! Will post more later.

I'm always anxious the last few weeks. It's just your mind preparing. Try to take it day by day and not think too far to the mind boggling future xx

Congratulations rooner!!
And peace ive been feeling very anxious aswel, one minute im convinced the baby will never come, the next minute i wonder if i will actually realise when she is coming. Im also worrying about the baby not liking me or not wanting to come out and meet me!
OH works 12 hour shifts so im spending most of my days sleeping until he comes home and then whining when he is here.
Its reassuring to know im not the only one worrying about these things but still doesnt make it nice :(