Due Jan '07 part 6: Santa baby, slip a baby under the tree for me (and save me the agony of labour!)

[2Happy]

Well it's one better than coal...

Wilkie, I feel the same as you. Last night someone mentioned the new year and my stomach turned becuase I realised how close we really are. I'm petrified. Was trying to imagine myself pushing today . I get quite emotional when I think about it too. I'll be a blubbering nervous wreck when I go in to hospital.

Any words of wisdom anyone?

Daisypops - glad it's not just me. I don't think it helps either that everyone seems to revel in telling you the birthing 'horror' stories. I cannot believe how insensitive some people are. The receptionist at work today spent 15 minutes describing in detail how all three of her daughters children were born at prematurely at 34 weeks (I'm 34+5) and had to be kept in SCBU where one developed CP because he wasn't ventilated quickly enough and another had to be transferred to another hospital because she went grey and lost weight....oh and how filthy the hospital is where I am due to give birth and how her daughter picked up some disease whilst she was in there......FFS!!!!!! Helpful!

I had an awful day today I was in the car driving to the hospital for my appointment when someone bashed into the back of me because they were too close, the car skidded along the road before I was able to stop. I was so shocked it took me a while to realize that my DD who is 19months was howling. I was quite shaken afterwards. Luckily we are both fine and our car only has a few scratches.
Was able to change time of my appointment and DH took me to it, everything is ok. Gowever c/s is now booked for the 27/12 OMG less than 2 weeks to go.....

OMG Oonagh, glad you're both Ok!! You must have got some fright!

Make sure and get your car checked properly even if it only looks like it has a few scratches.

How exciting/scary that you have only 2 weeks to go!!

I've just been looking at TENS machines and started sh**ting myself about labour. I have managed to not think about it too much up until now, but it is looming closer!!

WARNING .....WARNING.....WARNING
VERY SWEARY POST COMING UP.....

shitfuckbollockswankstitshitshitshitshitshitshit.....I fucking hate being PG!
I know I should be savouring these last few weeks, enjoying them and stuff but...

I've still have 3 wk 4dys to go which in the real world would go in a flash. For eg if we were 3wks 4dys from going on holiday, or waiting for the school to start or waiting for anything else so why does 3wks and 4dys in pregnancy take fucking eons to go by.

I'm sick to fucking death of it.

_

Nice LTH returns to post.

_
To All of you waiting for labout to start with your 1st baby. I'm so jealous.

It's such a lovely exciting time. My best friend has reacently told me shes expecting after years of trying and my hairdresser is expecting her 1st too. I'll tell you I'm more exciting about their news and newborns than I am my own!!
Labour will hurt, of course it will but the best bit of advise I was every given is to listen to those around you when in labour. I had a bloody awful 1st labour because I was soooooo stubborn about not wanting an epidural.
I eventually had one after hours of sobbing inpain and within about 2 hours ds1 was born. Had I listened to the MW and DH maybe it would ahve been quicker?? I didn't go in with an open n=mind about what I wanted/needed and thats what made my 1st labour so bloody awful.

After I had him my friend asked me what it felt like to give birth?
There nothing to explain the way it feels when in a instant you go from being a woman with a huge PG belly whos in labour to being a Mum. It's just amazing. It's surreal, it's shocking, it's wonderful, its' scary...its a whole load of things but most of all, for me it was exciting.

She then asked how much labour hurt on a scale of 1-10.
Well, I was honest and said 10. Because it does bloody hurt but just think of the outcome.
It's got to be worth it.

I'd love to feel that 1st time of becoming a mum again.
I envy you all.

Ok, lesson over.

heya all...

LTH i know what you mean...i'm so bored of not sleeping, heartburn, backache, spots, greasy hair...then i remember that i hardly had any morning sickness and feel bad for feeling bad. mad eh?

well had my BF workshop yesterday at the surgery, again didn't really tell me anything i didn't know already, but it's still nice to meet new people isn't it?

have got a stinking cold though, as well as a poorly tummy...in the boots parenting magazine i got yesterday it said that these could be signs of impending labour; i've never heard this before...any opinions??

tilly - sorry to hear about your DH...my mum broke her arm three weeks ago so i can sort of sympathise. is he in plaster?

anyway, got to go as i'm off to the solicitor's with my mum this morning! nice! take care y'all! xxx

Well all you first time mummies I have to agree with lth labour aint any fun and it does bloody hurt but what happens to 1 person could be different for another I had a horrible birth wih my son I had all pain relief possible and was in labour 24 hours but when he arrived I forgot every single bit of it until I went to the loo . Being honest im very nervous about this birth but want to try more natural as lth said go in with a open mind and listen to those around at the end of the day they do know more than us, and when you have that baby in your arms the pain will go it is the most special thing in the world me and my dh just cried he was and still is the best thing in our world. Might change my mumsnet name to sadalot.

My breastfeeding workshop was a bit like that too, cosy chat for a couple of hours but nothing I didn't already know.

He's got a small plaster cast on at the moment and then has to go back to the fracture clinic next friday for the proper cast. Apparently he managed to play around 30mins of rugby with a broken arm but he's getting no sympathy from me!

Hi everyone
I agree that you should listen to your midwife (if you have a good one anyway!). I have heard so many first time mums talk about their birth plans as though they were some kind of united nations document. You can't plan birth - you have to accept that you will be out of control.
Don't be too envious of the first timers LTH - don't forget our labours will be quicker than theirs (Please God!!)
And seeing the other children's reactions to their new sibling is priceless.
Of course I may not be so upbeat in 5 weeks's time when I have a nearly 5 and 3 yo to look after as well as a new sleepless baby.
My sister is expecting her first (due end March) and her nursery is already completed, looks beautiful, like a Mamas and Papas showroom (Milly and Boris design). The only new thing I need is a mattress, how exciting. I have bought her the Tracey Hogg "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" does any one know if its any good?

LOLO...my birth plan with ds1 was laughable!
I'd printed out on the PC. It had bullet points, heading, sub headings...the whole works!!

I'm positive I heard the MW snigger when she saw it.

I've never bothered with one since.

Actually...thats I lie, I wrote Please can I have a nice quick labour and tea with no sugar after the birth for Ds3.

Labour was quick and I got my tea...but with sugar!!

LOL at subheadings!
Well I reckon you deserved the sugar!
The thing with the pain is that of course it really hurts (especially the head coming out bit as I recall - I made a really funny noise at that point) but afterwards you just can't truly imagine the pain. If you try and imagine bad toothache, you can, but if you try and remember the pain of labour, you just can't. Which is probably why we have subsequent babies! Labour amnesia, Mother Nature's little trick.

I never had a birth plan with ds either lol I just tried all he drugs to see what I liked best

OK Ladies I'm trying to be cool and not panic, BUT I've not had my best week. I will get back into my positive frame of mind BUT

Scan Wednesday - BIG BABY - I know scans can be unreliable but to be honest - it looked big and it feels big. The lovely consultant would n't predict a birth weight, but did say it's around 7lbs at 33+4 - OMG OMG!!! No birth centre for me then. I just don't want to think about having a GIANT Baby - will I ever have decent sex afterwards??!!!

Even more crappy - there are some things that the consultant wants the Professor to check out - relating to ds's cancer. I've got a scan next week. I know it's really unlikely that it's anything, but my heart just sank. I'm finding the build up to the first Christmas without my son tough anyway.

To top it all...I was fine when I went for the scan on Wednesday but by the middle of the night I woke up with the start of a stomach bug. Managed to get back to hospital the next day to do a GTT but then made it home to crawl into bed with raging temp, aches all over and such bad stomach cramps that I did actually think that maybe I was going into labour! Feeling better although totally wiped out now. Convinced I caught the bug in the hospital or someone there on Wed!!!

May write birth plan soon - last time I only just got it on to one side of A4 - headings, bullet points, the works!! This time I'm going for the:
"Be nice and supportive - otherwise bog off"
" Please help me get the baby out without me splitting in two"

hi, so pleased its not just me feeling like my baby is about to drop through my knickers at any time. I can hardly walk, and want to wear really tight pants to keep everything in place, and even waddling round Tescos I have to stop every 5 meters and resist the urge to pop my hands between my legs to make sure there is no baby head coming out! Its not a nice feeling this head engagement thing...and it only gets worse? I could hardly move in bed last night due to it.

re maternity bra fitting - you are supposed to not bother getting sorted before 38 weeks, as you can have a final growth spurt. Points to remember (in case your bra fitter is a moron)

1. Make sure your hand can fit down the side of the cup easily, as after your milk comes in it is likely that your boobs will grow a bit more, and also you will need to get a breast pad in there too, so don't be precious about a bit of bagginess in the cup as you dont want a snugly fitting nursing bra at 38 weeks

(nb - I have mine already as I cant face walking round town clutching at my fanny in public like the local loony!)

1. These bras are not attractive, unless you are lucky enough to be a D cup or under (top shop do a nice range) or a G cup or under (Agent Provocateur ones are very nice but quite expensive)

1. Make sure the bra fits you tightly/snugly on the loosest notch at the back. After you give birth your rib cage will shrink back to normal and you will need to bring the notches in again to the tightest hook. (Or my suggestion would be to buy a back extender and then you can wear it stretched out now, and as normal when the baby comes)

- £2.50 from NCT catalogue.

1. The bra should be HORIZONTAL front to back and not ride up your back. Even though you will look like mother earth in a groovy granny bra, your boobs still need support, and this should come from your back and not your poor tierd aching sholders.

Goodluck!

re. Baby whisperer book - my sister used this in conjunction with the 'contended baby book' and found a combination of the two really useful, taking the best bits from both.

Hello...am I too late to join in with the due Jan people?!

I've been using Mumsnet for a bit and have frequented the pregnancy talk sections for peace of mind when being neurotic which can be quite often

I too have been thinking about the horrors of actual childbirth...perhaps if I'd been mindful of that during conception this Christmas would be oh so different! Wouldn't change this experience for the world though...well, not today anyway.

I'm 32 and expecting baby no. 1 and it's a boy. I'm 34wks and will be having a cervical stitch removed just after the new year so my little man could arrive, possibly, anytime after that.

Now I've got this far after the stress of a potential prem baby I've started to panic about other things - like his enlarged kidney (RPD) enyone else had this spotted?

On a more positive note, the indigestion should be gone shortly!

Jojo
xx

tell me about it Jo Jo!
I cant wait to binge out on a proper sized meal and not suffer the consequenses. Bloody heartburn and indigestion, I've lost so much weight this pregnancy due to not being able to eat....I am SO HUNGRY! (and fed up of having to order child sized portions when we eat out!)
Do you reckon it will go straight away and we can just stuff our faces the day after the baby is born?!

Ha ha Lizzz - you are so right about the small portion thing. DH suggested going out for a romantic meal tonight but there is no point cos I can only eat a sparrow portion when my poor body is crying out to eat the whole flipping menu!

LTH - your sweary post made me LOL - not good considering I am sat in the office, next to the director, trying to pretend I am busy working!!!! That is EXACTLY how I feel some days - then I feel really guilty cos I am so excited about this baby but sick of being pg. WANT MY BODY BACK. I want to be able to see my pubic hair again to ensure it is neat, cut my toenails instead of DH doing it, get out of bed without having to roll on my side whilst simultaneously and totally involuntarily farting before I stand on two feet......oh the joys!

Oh FFS! Bl@@dy mother sat down today and said "well, since the baby's not so far away I think it's time to talk to you. What are you going to do about contraception afterwards?" I'm 30 fecking years old!!! She has been convinced all along that I got pg too quickly after ds (there'll be 20 months between them) and has spent most of the pregnancy telling me how difficult I'm going to find it until I lost my temper at her, (and then threw the telephone at a wall and broke it ) am I going to have to put up with this for months until I get annoyed again?! If I decide to have another baby it'll be my (well, and dh's!) decision, and if I don't then I am perfectly capable of getting some contraception myself! Grr. Mothers...oh wait a mo, I am a mother. Shit, I'm going to end up p*ing off my kids just as much!!!

Anyway. Jojo - welcome! A cervical stitch - sounds like you've had a rough pregnancy! What's your due date?
Galmum what a crappy week. I'm sure the GTT won't have helped you feel any better, I hope it comes back ok after all that. Fingers crossed for the scan. You'll be worrying so much anyway, you don't need the worry of a big baby, or extra scans - though if the scan's all ok, maybe the reassurance of an extra scan will help?
Haha at birth plans with subheadings!! My birth plan was "I don't mind what happens; the only thing is I don't want an epidural". Guess what I ended up with?! This time my plan will be "when you examine me, just tell me the baby is OA"!!. The idea of labour is scary, but it is worthwhile in the end - and the baby sure as hell can't stay in there
Annie - I think my dsis used that book with her dd and found it useful.
Tilly, sorry about your dh's arm! Still at least you know which bit of him to grab when in labour to give him some idea of the pain you're going through!
UD - hope your cold is better. If it is a sign of impending labour then get your Mum to update us again!
Right, I'm going to finish watching Bodies - though given the opening 5 minutes (shoulder dystocia) maybe I shouldn't!!...

BTW, Hi and welcome Jojo - only joined the thread too about two weeks ago and am completely addicted now (am also v neurotic). I'm 35wks on sunday and expecting a SURPRISE!

XX

Hello everyone, finsihed work today got some lovely pressies a lovely thick quilted playmat (dd was washed so much nothing works on it!) a pram toy, pram blanket in pink, big boquet of flowers and a wicker basket full of wipes, formula, bottles, bibs etc so was very spoilt and understood why they ordered a taxi to take me back to park and ride car park as couldnt carry half of it. The nicest thing is that they have bought dd a prsent as well so she won't feel left out plus a few of the 'oldies' who have known Ellie since shes been born have got her xmas presents so my house is overloaded.

The only bad thing was that I feel so ill today I couldn't really enjoy myself was up in the night feeling really sick (think I ate dinner too late and to quickly) DH got up and said are you in labour, FFS I think I may have informed you if I was. Then when I got up this morning the fridge/freezer making funny noise so ended uo defrosting freezer which seems to have worked. On a positive note MIL got dd all day I finished work at 1 been home and had a hour long bath and snooze and waiting for dh to come home and then in laws treating us to chinese at theirs (if my heartburn/indegestion sp? can take it)

Sorry no personals can't remember who has posted what today xx

I'm new too..a latecomer to MN ( got a DS..4yrs & DD 15mths already..where I have been all this time!!)
Due with a 'likely' boy on 31/12/06 although a medium has told me a girl ....suppose the scan might be based more on fact though!!....

Hi Lizzz, I've been told that the evil indigestion goes when the baby engages as this give you more room up top...although I've been told or 'advised' lot's of things since being pregnant and I'd say the utter cr*p ratio is about 50/50...

Perhaps it never goes...can you imagine it?! I thought I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown last night when upon finally getting comfy (pillow between the knees etc) I had a nasty attack of the old throat burn. What tipped me almost over the edge though was learning I'd left my gaviscon and tums tablets downstairs...b*llocks!

Hi 2happy, I'm due 27/01 so only just qualify for the January thread...another 6 weeks or so. Seems like far too long. Surely I can't get any bigger? Where's all the extra skin going to come from?!

I have heartburn tablets (or acid tabs I have started calling them! ) in every room in my flat and in every handbag I own.
The best ones I have found are the Tescos own brand, 85p for a pack and they are like refresher sweeties!
Considering my baby is supposed to have dropped a bit, I still have heartburn, so I'm not believing anything till the baby comes out and I can manage a meal again!
BTW, I found that milk, bananas, pineapple, licorice and herbal remedies dont work at all. Only double doses of Gaviscon (ugh) combined with above mentioned acid tablets.
Considering the amount of calcium carbonate based pills I am popping, my baby is on the way to being born with a full set of teeth!

argh! Just read on the Huggies website that some women go for like 3 weeks at 3cm dilated. Imagine!

2 happy - re mothers. As much as I love mine, she keeps ringing up to tell me the latest horror story about my local hospital. And before I went up to London yesterday, she informed me that I shouldnt just be thinking about myself now, and that I was responsible for another life too....meaning, that if I got held up in a terrorist attack I would be responsible for my unborn childs death.

I had to snap back she was instilling unreasonable fears in me which wasnt helping my pregnancy. Gotta love the grannies to be!

And she wonders why I wont let her into the room when I am actually giving birth!