Due February 07 - New Thread!!

[Tommy]

there we go...... that wasn't painful at all

Morning folks...haven't been on for ages following house move. Thanks for starting new thread, Tommy.

All is ok with me pg wise - lots of kicking and a bit uncomfortable to sleep. Still signed off work as unfortunately the acute stress caused by the job morphed into depression, as diagnosed by the doctor. As we know the root cause and more importantly, because I am pg, we are not going down the anti-depressants route, so am battling on my own. Have up and down minutes, hours and days, but setting little tasks and goals (like watch an hour of crap telly and then unpack another box) which seems to be working well. Just not sure when to return to work, seeings as problem won't be resolved until January, when new person will start, taking back one of the dual responsibilities I have been given.

Congrats Peachy on your girl! I think we're leaving it as a surprise (as much due to finance as anything!) so ladies can you impart your wisdom on cravings, symptoms and bump shape if you know the gender already?

I used to have the opposite to a sweet tooth, but can't eat enough sweets and cakes at mo! Bump is quite "up front" and the Chinese Gender predictor said boy. DH thinks its a girl.

tommy - my local hospital does a 6 hour discharge which isn't too bad. If I end up in there then I'll be legging it asap lol. Couldn't stand the heat, noise, plastic sheets, lack of support, cr@p visiting times and food last time!

We're aiming for a homebirth, although I'm fairly relaxed about whether it's actually achievable. It's my first baby, but because we're close to the hospital anyway, I think we could try and do it at home if everything's straightforward. The only slight glitch could be whether there's a midwife available at the time, otherwise I'd have to go into hospital.

Would really appreciate anyone's advice/recommendations on:
?TENS machines - are they any use at all?
?hiring a birthing pool - is it worth it?
?general homebirth hints and tips.

Thanks

sally - homebirth.org.uk is a great site with loads of advice.

Tens... used one for back pain for years but found it pants in labour - probably because I didn't start it early enough as I was confused as to whetehr or not I was in labour.

Birth pool - used one in the hospital until I had to get monitored and it was fab pain relief. I'm buying one (either birth pool in a box or la bassine) for homebirth. Can't afford most of the hire charges although you do get posher pools.

If you read the homebirth site there is a bit about what to do if they tell you there aren't midwives available. Basically it's a cop out and you have a right to a homebirth so you're just to tell them that you're in labour and expect a mw to attend you. I'm having a bit of a fight about being 'allowed' to give birth in water. I'm going to have to write loads of letters but when it comes donw to it I can give birth in water and expect them to support that. Bit scary kicking up a fuss though lol.

Agree with Tommy re homebirth - the thought of nasty hospital with other peoples screaming babies is not conducive to relaxation! My current birth role model is a lady in my village who had a 13 hour, gas and air and rescue remedy birth, all at home. Lovely. I think the midwives here are great and totally trust them if they feel I'd be better off in hospital for whatever reason, but am planning for a home birth. Strange though, a lot of people's reaction is that I am really brave, whereas for me the courageous thing would be to get over the niggling fear I have of all things medical and have it in the hospital!

I'm thinking about a home birth too, mainly because I don't want to be in hospital and eat their food. I've got a birth pool in a box and I shall be hiring a TENS thing as I used one last time and found it brilliant - it just knocked the peak off the contractions and made them bearable for longer.

I had a difficult birth with DD1 and was glad to be in hospital so I'm not going to set my heart on staying at home for the whole thing as I might need to go in, but it would be nice to stay at home for as long as I can.

I hired a TENs and used it with DS2 - the only pain relief I had. It definitely helped.

A friend has since bought one so she's going to lend it to me this time although I am under the illusion that because DS2 popped out in 2 hours then this one will be even easier!

Oh here you all are!
I've been chatting away to myself on the other thread.
I'm 28 weeks today! Yeah! On the last leg now. Baby is breech which may scupper home birth in pool plans we have. Have electrocuted myself and developed jaundice all since last week .
Dh has nearly finished baby room and then we just wait for the little numbnut to turn round the right way.
I'll hopefully be hiring the pool from the same company, it was heated and filtered and fabulous I have to say.
BH are getting a bit pokey now too.

Just wanted to add my enthusiasm about TENS...only pain relief I had with dd and worked brilliantly, doesnt take pain away but distraction/takes edge of peak of contraction I found really helpful.I had it with ds but never used it as had a bit of a complicated and stressful labour so needed epidural relatvely early on.

When does the third trimester officially start, and should I stay on the other thread until then?

I'm 25 weeks today and was under the impression that the third trimester doesn't start until the beginning of the 28th week ... but don't want to be talking to myself for the next three weeks!!

I'm still feeling really good - not having any problems sleeping, feeling quite comfortable most of the time (although baby was lying in an awkward position all weekend which made my tummy feel really stretched and tight; better today) and people are finally starting to notice that I'm pregnant - my bump is quite small and neat so until now they've probably just though I'd put on a bit of weight round the middle!

Finally managed to get a couple of pairs of maternity trousers from TopShop on Saturday - the only place that does a maternity size 6. They're still a bit big and way too long (have taken them to the dry cleaner today to be shortened) but at least I have something to wear for work now! I realised that I was never going to find anything that fitted me perfectly so have just had to settle for good enough.

Hubby and I both seem to be tarred with the same brush and are constantly looking for the 'perfect' solution to everything. Think we've finally realised that there is no pram or nursery furniture out there that will fit our needs 100% so we need to settle for the 'best fit' solution instead. I'm keen to get these big items ordered otherwise I shall start to panic that we won't be able to get everything delivered in time for the baby at the end of February.

I have been getting what i think are quite strong braxton hicks, i never had these or didn't feel them with ds, so can anyone describe what they feel lik to me please. i am not finding them painful just quite uncomfortable. I had them on and off all day yesterday and was hjust wondering whether that was them! also is it not to early to be getting them?

Hi again,
Nice to hear from Sorkycake, Plumpbump and Currantbun again, I'd missed your posts over the last few days. Packing and unpacking boxes is such a drag plumpbump even when you're not feeling down. I do like your motivation though - any particular crap telly you can recommend? I have to say that I can't stand Cash in the Attic so when that comes on I usually end up finding something else to do.
Bienchen - sorry to hear about you being made redundant. Your gingerbread comment made me smile though. I used to work full time and then moved to a new area so am just temping. When I have no jobs on I keep deciding to do some baking. I tried to make caramel shortbread on Friday but I don't think I cooked the caramel for long enough. When I tried to cut it into pieces, the caramel oozed everywhere. It still tastes nice but needs to be eaten out of the tin with a spoon. I decided that it might not keep very long so have already eaten 3 pieces today - so much for the healthy diet!!!!!
Congrats currant bun on your maternity trousers. I have no need to look for small sizes (could be due to ongoing episodes like the caramel shortbread!) but need long length and have found that pretty impossible. I still haven't found any jeans that I like that manage to reach past my ankles!!
Suzi2 thanks for the thoughts re merits of moving doctors now or later. I agree that it might be better to do it now because I have more energy than once little one arrives. Seeing MW tomorrow so I'll ask her for her ideas.

As a first timer I'm reading the stories about rubbish hospital food, plastic sheets and no sleep with some horror. I never thought it would be a barrel of laughs but perhaps I'm in denial. I'm just hoping that our little one doesn't decide to start appearing during rush hour - how many babies do you think have been born on the Tyne bridge???
Sorry, I appear to have written a bit of an essay. Not much to do at this current job!

I have been experiencing branston pickles (as my DH calls them) since about week 23!! They are uncomfortable it just feels like everything has gone very tight across my bump. It makes me quite breathless as well. Hopefully because they have started so early this time babs might turn up a bit earlier that my last two which were both 42 weeks.

hello all.
I'm now 27+6. I had an antenatal appt this morning and the baby is breech!!! I know I shouldn't panic and there is plenty of time for it to move but I've never had a baby that hasn't comliantly always been head down! I knew this one would be the most stubborn of all my kids.

I have to have a fasting glucose test tomorrow morning along with my other bloods.

Sorky cake, everytime you post you are saying exactly the same things as me! Are you sure we aren't the same person?

Just to get some opinions. I have had a bit of a tummy bug for the past few days. No-one else in the family have shown any symptoms, but I am feeling really rough. I'm concerned that I might have picked something up that might affect baby. Has anyone else had anything along these lines and what did you do about it? Hopefully going to the docs tomorrow, but can't guarantee because my drs surgery is dire.

Ruth - maybe it's because your digestive system is a bit more sensitive than usual?

When I was pg with DS2 I got really bad bouts of indigestion which meant throwing up at night and hyperventilating - I thought I had food poisoning the first couple of times. I hope you haven't got that - wouldn't wish it on anyone

Currantbun - have no idea when 3rd trimester starts - I was just getting tired of all that scrolling down on the other thread!

Titchy - to me BHs at this stage feel like a very very tight and hard bump for a minute or so. Sort of like a cramp sensation. Later on with DS, I started getting strong period pain and regularity with them which really confused me as I wasn't sure when I was in labour lol. It's not too early for them, I've read we get them a lot, just don't feel them until later in pregnancy (and earlier in subsequent pregnancies).

Glad to see there are others panicking about breech babies. It's new to me too as DS was head down at every scan and appointment! I've done a spot of floor scrubbing today so she doesn't get too comfy and I'll worry about shifting her properly in a month or so.

Ruth, it's unlikely that it'll affect baby at all. However, if you're getting dehydrated that could cause problems. If you're not too bad, I'd call your mw in the first instance. And make sure and drink plenty.

Glad to see we are all happy today! All this talk of homebirths makes me feel inadequate! I had CS with dd - kind of planned but went into labout before decided date (CS was booked for 41 wks) - I developed gestational diabetes so ended up with a baby elephant (10 lb 14 oz - yes!!!)! Seem to be heading the same way with this one, but I think consultant will make a decision at 34 weeks, depending upon 28 wks and 34 wks growth scans.

Would rather not have a CS but again don't really want to be induced at 38 wks and then end up needing a CS - hard decision - but if this one has a large head like dd then won't even consider vag birth - we know it won't work as I am small!!!

Bought another pram on Ebay today - £100 for a M&P Pramette to use on the school run - will use my bigger one during the day and this new one will live in the car boot!

Hi all just a quickie. I was going to take the 19th of this month to be the beginning of my third trimester as then I have exactly 3 months to go until my due date , nov - dec, dec- jan jan- feb.
Whether this is correct I don't know it just made sense to me. I have had lots of people ask what month I am (when I've been counting weeks) and have taken this date to indicate the beginning of my 6th month.
Thnaks for all the congrats. I went and bought something pink today!!
current bun hooray about your trousers

Hi all, just catching up with everyone and this thread, am 25 weeks now and baby is breech, am also planning a homebirth but will saty at home if he remains breech. Try not to panic about theese breech babes at the moment, plenty of time for them to turn, if anyone is still breech at 34 weeks it's a good time to start to try moxa and other methods of encouragingt baby to turn due to the liqour volume in comparison to baby's size, so plently of time yet. Just wanted to pop on and feel smug about having completed my Christmas shopping (although haven't been anywhere near a shop....all done online!) so going to start wrapping this weekend, it's gettig difficult to find a time to do it as DS is 11 and staying up later and I am so tired I am often in bed before him!

Morning to you all!
Smudgemum - don't worry about a hospital birth. When the time comes if you feel anything like me, you are just glad for any support given. I had my first in hospital. I was a bit unlucky as the mat ward was underresourced on the day, so only had an aux nurse popping round occasionally. The two midwives on duty were busy with difficult labours... The aux nurse could not sort our pain relief. Their idea of a birth pool was a bath tub,... I ended up with a failed ventouse and eventually forceps delivery as I was too exhausted too push. I just think I'll feel more comfortable at home this time but if this baby is jaundiced as well, we'll have to go in anyway for photo therapy. I think though that times have moved on (my DS is 11!) and I hope the hospital is a bit better prepared...

Snuggle ... am envious you have done all your xmas shopping. I'm still writing lists. With all our family abroad its not a big job though just DP/DS and a few close friends. I do long letters though (call me oldfashioned....)

To clear up confusion about trimesters, not as if it really matters, but it is a bit of a mental milestone. It seems the trimesters aren't exactly even... the third starts at the end of week 27.

I'm 28 weeks and 3 days and have already noticed some exciting/grisly new developments... most alarmingly last night in bed I felt something damp by my arm, looked down and saw a small damp patch on the sheet and thought oh god, the ceiling must be leaking or something, but no, it was my left breast! Didn't realise that could start so early.

Thanks for advice on TENS girls, sounds like it's worth it, and the pool in a box thing sounds like a good low-outlay solution.

andyrobo... for god's sake don't feel inadequate about homebirth vs c-section - the fact you've been through childbirth already (in whatever form) makes you pretty impressive in my book. surely all any of us can do is get through it in whatever way we can/have to. there are no points to be scored as far as i can see. i honestly don't care how he comes out as long as he's healthy (and doesn't rip me to pieces so badly i can never enjoy sex again!).

Hiya everyone

Cadbury we are alarmingly alike in posts I agree
Smudgemum I do hope you don't go into labour on the tyne bridge the traffic is bad enough atm
Good luck with the bloods this week everyone!
3rd trimester is the last 12 weeks, we're all due in Feb but some of us will be 3-4 weeks behind even so, that's probably where the confusion is.
Baby was trying to turn last night and seems to be stuck in a sideways position, will be seeing m/w tomorrow and will ask her to have a poke about I think.
BH are definitely earlier this time around, I suspect there's a lot more 'toning' to do this time .

Sally, yes - one of my books gives approximate months as well as weeks and week 27 is the end of the 6th month, so from week 28 I guess the third trimester starts. Can't believe it's come round so quickly (OK, I have a couple of weeks to go before I reach the third trimester but even so, it doesn't seem very long ago that we went for the 20-week scan).

Have my next midwife appointment on Friday - I guess that will be a standard urine, blood pressure and fundal height appointment. Will also talk to her about getting booked into the birth centre as I was cleared for a midwife-led birth the last time I had a hospital appointment.

Hello ladies

Just off to do my lucozade test, so working from home today. I got my NCT dates through the post yesterday and they are all on Thursdays, my pregnancy yoga night! Such a shame yoga will have to go, and just starting to get to know some of the other mums-to-be there.

I have also had leaky breasts Sallyn. It has happened about 3-4 times now (I am 29 weeks on Thursday) and the first time Dh and I were quite shocked. It made things very real! I bought some breast pads, just in case, but so far it has only ever been in bed, not during the day.

Must dash to get to them within the hour after drinking the Lucozade. Catch up again soon.
xxx