Due in Feb 07. It's January its all getting a bit close now

[peachygirl]

Hi new year, new thread!

No need to be jealous...haven't even given birth to 8lb poo!! Actually slept reasonably well. Contractions have again left the building so I am destined to be one of the lucky ones who goes through days of pre labour!!! Whoopee!!!
Will retire to a quiet corner to sulk until head is crowning, then will be able to confirm something is definately happening! Alternately I may give up on the whole caboodle and become a nun.

Going out for a large cake now.

You sharing your cake Sallyally or is it just for you?

hello all, me too very jealous of first-timers who were able to take it easy. I haven't been sleeping with blocked nose from bad cold (can't take nightnurse, so it remains a stinker!) DS also with cold and earache, DH snoring with cold, me peeing 6 times a night, and with SPD... got very ratty when some small thing went amiss yesterday, DH said how bad-tempered I was and I said - I'm nine months pg and have hardly slept a wink. what do you expect? Julie F*** Andrews? (with preggy brain, forgot words for Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp )

so you lucky ladies, nap away and enjoy it while you can

we had friends over yesterday (DH forgot to get any biscuits in, hence Julie Andrews outburst) including their 6 month old baby, and DS was hugging her and saying what a cute head she has - very sweet indeed, and just what I needed, as I'm most worried about how he'll take it. Indeed, my head is so full of him, I can't imagine what this baby will be like, or that it will ever happen. Anyone else have tips for preparing older children for the new one?

on maternity bras, I can vouch for the Elle Macpherson ones too - very pretty, which makes you feel a bit more human! although John Lewis also do Emma Jane ones which are good and a bit cheaper. Wearing black or coloured ones seemed to be more cheerful than white ones, which got grubby-looking easily. Its amazing how much washing they take.

I found the most useful thing to get on the bra front (although not needed for the elle mcpherson ones, they have a fantastic 7 or 8 hook selection) is bra extenders. I was amazed how my back seemed to expand and bras got really uncomfortable for pinching at the the bottom of the boobs and round the back. I did find the crop-top ones useless as the elastic bottom was hard to pull over the head and ginormous bosoms - really uncomfortable, and difficult to get into. I went from a 34B to 36E or so, and am still about the same size (although found it hard to shift weight gained with DS1)

have a good day all XXXX

First day of maternity leave today - only tidied out one cupboard so far - made a list of jobs to do - all sitting down paperwork sorting out type jobs and filled half a bin bag so far!!! Got doc appt tomorrow morning to get more insulin as rapidly running out!

Bump is aching at the moment - BH I think - probably complaining after my mum was here for 6 hours doing little jobs for me yesterday - well at least my dad put the border up in the buba room - so that is finished! DH is miffed as he thinks that they think he is lazy!!!!! Yes he is, esp when there is football on tv, but he does try - will do one job and then sit down with a coffee - great!! doesn't e realise that these pg hormonal women need these things doing now if not before!!

Going to hosp on thurs to get c-section date - finally!!!

Been lurking on this thread for a little while. I'm 39 weeks pregnant, due 1st February (or 4th Feb, my date). Had what I believe was a show yesterday - phoned Maternity Unit and that's what they thought, have had a bit of blood loss most times when I go to the loo. They don't explain this in any books or magazines! I'm getting quite intense period-type pains since yesterday but not what I would call contractions. I haven't had any BHs and as this is my first baby not sure what they feel like but surely I would know if I was having contractions? Getting fed up now and DH gone to work and no one else around so quite anxious so thought I would ask you whether blood loss is normal and how long intense period-type pains (mainly in my back) can go on before contractions start.

Babycat - def sounds like a show. When I was in labour with dd my pain was all in my back - I didnt actually have any bump tightening contractions so it could well be mild contractions or braxton hicks your having. Are they regular? Are they getting any more intense? Have you been timing them?

Thanks leahsmum . Sort of constant lower backache and then occassionally intensifies around lower abdomen but doesn't seem to have any regularity to it, so I haven't been timing. Keep getting sort of spasms in my bottom, too, sorry if tmi .

If they start getting more intense or showing signs of regulating then mayb should start timing them. have you phoned the hospital?

Babycat, blood loss is ok so long as it's old (dark or brown) blood. If it's bright red and new looking I think you ought to get seen. What you describe sounds like contractions to me, your LO might be putting in an appearance very soon!

Sounds like you might be in labour! Get timing and ring your Dh to let him know you may need him back, woohoo, I hope you're next.

My top tips for preparing an older child are to talk lots about what the baby will be like, what being a big sibling will involve if they would like to help, but most importantly, if they are moving rooms to free up a nursery room, then move them before you hit 6mo pg, otherwise ime they won't settle as well & will see the baby's room as still their's and chaos ensues. My friends who left redecorating and room moving til the last minute all experienced exactly this without exception.
Tell all visitors that a fuss should be made of the elder children first " wow you're so lucky to have a little brother/sister" "what a special day this is for you" etc. Let them open any gifts that are wrapped and ask them to show the baby what they have. Get a gift from the baby.
Lastly, the best advice I got for managing rivalry when things are more settled was to make sure that when the baby is asleep or no longer needs you that the time is spent solely with play with the other children, not washing clothes, dishes. I found this really hard I have to say, but if I did sneak off to wash nappies, I was followed by a whinger and then all feeds/changes were disrupted for the rest of the day as she constantly sought my attention. Eventually she learned that once the baby was sorted I was all hers again and everything was fine, until he got to six months and wanted her toys, but we're still dealing with this issue now and they're 3 & nearly 5!.

all sounds like it's getting underway babycat! Good luck

LOL at time4tea - we went swimming yesterday - hired out a pool for an hour for DS1's and some of his cousins' birthdays -which was great fun. But DH complained about how long I took getting changed!
I had DS2 with me as well and I just kept think "Bloody hell - I'm 37 weeks preg, spent the last hour in a not very warm swimming pool heaving children about, I've got DS2 dried and dressed (with great difficulty - can't bend over obviously) and managed to get myself sorted out as well!" I really couldn't have done it any quicker!

Grrr....how can we get these men to appreciate how it feels?!

(shouldn't moan - he's still up finishing off the bedroom )

babycat- hope to hear some news soon, sounds like it's starting to kick off!

sorkycake - so hope you are wrong in my case about changing sibling from nursery to own bedroom...because last night was dd first night out of nursery and in her own big bed in her own bedroom. I know we've left it quite late in the day, but didnt want to leave it until after the baby comes which I think would be worse. She took little to settle but was fine and was only up once through night for a bit of reassurance. She seems totally fine about the baby having the nursery...but of course that may all change when he/she's here for real!

Just heard friend at work had a wee boy at the w/end...11lb 2oz . OUCHHH!!

Tomorrow is my last day at work thankfully I am really struggling today.

Can't believe it's nearly February...gulp!

Hope to hear some baby news soon from someone...

time4tea, given me a big laugh..really cheered me up.
babycat...sounds very promising, good luck..hope it all goes marvellously for you. x

Smudgemum...of course you can have some cake...I saved you some x

Smudgemum I saw your name next to the meetup thread in active convo's, wandered in and remembered the comment about the Tyne Bridge. I used to work at the QE, I like it there, it was a nice run home of an evening.
Sallyally I do hope your cake did the trick!
I've had to book in with the m/w at her request on Wed, it would normally be 40 weeks but I think she's a bit cautious with the whole home birth. I would imagine it'll be the usual pee in a pot, BP, measurement and poke about. Wonder what worry she'll have at that appt? She's tried everything so far it seems.
We walked to the shops today (about 2 mile round) and the pain was awful, lots of downward pressure and the odd stbbing pain under my bump which really took my breath away, was a bit scared I'd go into labour with 2 kids in the park, but it subsided when we got home and I lay down for 5.
Hairycaterpillar I hope everything goes great with the room move, it's so hard to know what to do at what time isn't it? Just when you think you may have this parenting lark sorted up pops something else that you never even considered.

Hi Everyone, Really pleased, I went for my 3rd growth scan this morning and the baby is still in the normal range (not too small) and so I have been discharged back to midwifery care. This means that if I can hold off labour for another 8 days I could have my home birth! Very excited haven't done any preparation as yet because I didn't want to get my hopes up and then be disappointed. Have asked midwife to call with appt for this week to talk me through it and then will get ordering pool and dig out duvets and plastic sheets pdq! Having said this must keep feet on the ground -had some scary moments on Sat when I thought I was having contractions but they eased off so musn't tempt fate just yet. Hope everyone is feeling as well as can be expected for carrying 5-8lbs of baby and a load of fluid about all day! Non-heartburn causing Cakes all round on me!

Ladies

My back aches, my hips ache and my knees ache, my ankles are huge and I cant lie back with my feet up because of OP baby! Just about to attempt yoga dvd to make myself feel better. I want the baby out NOW! Have sunk to new depths - am excited about the return of Richard and Judy to our TV screens at 5pm!

Hieveryone sorry to hear about all the aches and pains. Things not too bad for me just a bit of abdomen pain when I'm walking about.Eve the leg and bikini line wax I had today wasn't too bad.
I really need baby to stay put at least tomorrow.. meeting friend in london town and seeing a show, probably last one for a while unless we go for day tickets.
I'm having mixed thoughts about names, although we still like Nova , which I found out today has the Native American meaning 'butterfly chaser' I'm being drawn to Maya more and more. I have said to DH we should see what she looks like but he doesn't seem to understand what I mean by this. You all know what I mean don't you.
Welcome to babycat and great news for you forgottenfreetime!

Poor you Alocin, can you lie on your side? I have varicose veins (not in my legs! ) and it's nice to put my feet up but LO is OP too so I lie on my side on the sofa with cushions under my feet to tip the blood back up north.

Moosma, I have taken to lieing on left in front of telly with combination of pillows and bean bag!Feel virtuous as did all yoga dvd, so rewarded myself with chocolate too!

alocin, i've got varicose veins in legs and vulva fairly big time and although this LO is in the right position, ds1 was OP so daren't lie on my back just incase he wants to turn round so i lie on my side all supported by pillows with a leg on the wall (if i'm in bed) or up on the sofa arm in the eve.

peachygirl, envious of your waxing, i've usually done it around this time but because i've got so many bad veins especially in the vulva and round about i'm figuring it might be a bit grim for the person to do it so i think i'm just going to have to suffer the shock of the state of my bikini line when i've given birth and can actually see it again!

Me too qsack, I did have a trim recently (very ladylike in front of the mirror!) but was so scared of nicking something and bleeding to death! The sister of a friend of mine is a midwife and says she does appreciate it when ladies keep tidy, she says it's a bit frightening sometimes when they go all natural!

Im hoping to book a wax for tomorrow - my legs look like footballers legs right now.

I hate hate hate these last weeks - I am so uncomfortable all the time. And I have constant heartburn. Nearly there now though.

Evening all, we're a miserable lot now aren't we?

Thanks for the cake Sallyallyally. What flavour is the non-heartburn one you're offering forgottonfreetime? I'll do tomorrows - any requests?

I saw MW today and she isn't arranging to see me again I already have an appointment next Thur for a sweep at the hospital and she said that there's no point me seeing her a few days before. When I go for the sweep she said they'll give me a date for induction if needed. She did say i can call anytime though and MW is lovely but still I feel a little bit abandoned!

Impressed with everyone's primping and preening down below. I tidied up a while ago just in case anything happened early and plan to do it again but going to be a DIY job in front of the mirror!

Really pleased for everyone who was wanting home births and it's all coming together. I can't believe we're so close to Feb and still only 2 babies that we know of. I think there's going to be a rush on! Bagsy the bed next to the window