July 2016 Babies (9) - let the babies commence!

[Ellizardo]

Nearly there folks.

Cookies is there a reason you have to have your chicken at different times? Are you not comfortable having it around your friends?

I've forgotten everything everyone has ever said on here, I think it's the humidity. Two nights running of hardly any sleep is making me a bit mental, I think! Tonight feels a bit cooler. Chuffing hope so, anyway.

Ooh I know: cleaners! I like cleaning! Is that a bit mad?? I find it does my mental health good, the process of order out of chaos and something about taking responsibility for my shit. But having said that I completely get why people have cleaners too. I am also too poor - or will be come 6 months into mat leave. Good thing we have our shiny new doors as I was saying to DP, a trip to the garden will be about the only day out we'll be able to afford for the next couple of years!!

Bluebell sorry to hear about your hands, that's so rubbish. I finished DD's blanket after she'd arrived last time and am anticipating a similar situation this time! Meant to ask: how are you joining the hexagons? Sewing or crocheting?

We have no clue about names yet! We still have some girl names on the list from when we named DD but I didn't have a boy name lined up then and I still don't. I keep forgetting about it and then going...eeek, that's quite important! Apparently DD told a nursery worker yesterday that her 'sister was coming soon'

Went for a blood test today to see if my iron levels have recovered at all since taking the Spatone. Apparently the nurse said she could see it wasn't as red as some people's blood - great! Apparently they'll call me if there's a problem but I think I'll call on Fri if I haven't heard. If there's any chance my levels are low I need to take action asap as last time I lost quite a bit of blood after delivery so I need spare! Please pray for my piles if I have to take the dreaded red pills. I really don't want to have to give birth twice(!)

Fifi hope you and Luca are getting on ok.

mascara you do sound like you've been messed around, what is it with these people? When I went for my second growth scan and saw a diff consultant, he said 'were you expecting a scan today?' Erm yes, that's why I'm here. 'It's just that normally we'd do them a bit later'. Well I don't know, do I? Your colleague suggested growth scans at 28 & 32 weeks and made appts accordingly, I didn't just rock up unannounced!! They're so clueless, sometimes.

Right. Falling asleep. Night night.

dats - 34+4

Much cooler here today- hope you all have a nice day lined up.

Fifi hope Luca and you are doing well.

I've started knitting a blanket but I fear it will also be a little late... Nice easy pattern but I'm 1 and a half balls into the 6 ball project... Still. At least I have tried!

At Nct we talked about raspberry leaf tea-I am going to try find some. But we also learned about eating dates. 6 a day. Helps 'ripen' the cervix apparently- and the scientific findings so far are pretty positive. Many health benefits and they are doing more studies currently. Worth a go if you don't mind dates every day

Having a lovely cake outing with nct ladies today, then yoga after. Have a nice day everyone

35

Jem01 thats a good sized baby :)

Cookiesandcoffee yeah might mention it next appointment. My induction date is the 28th but trying to avoid it like the plague.

IndiansInTheLobby we agreed on a name and told my nearly 3 year old DD, she keeps telling everyone, even strangers on the street so its the name we are now going with :)

Lucia82 enjoy the cake!

So went to the birthing centre to plan out the arrival. The birthing pools are massive and you have a rope swing looking thing in the centre of the room with a bouncing ball you rest on while holding the rope (cloth drape thing). Also a little seat where your partner sits behind and of my DH wanted to test it out and act like a child in front the midwife. hehehe. All feeling a bit real now.

36+5

Tams my cankles are ridiculous. Definitely a lot worse when it's hot. Shoe wise I'm living in my Havs and they will be going in the hospital bag.

Primary I'm sure you're not huge. My legs have taken a hit I'm not sure if it's water retention or fat. I can't wear anything that shows my calves as they are huge

Cookies I can't really offload anything. Although ds3 does go to childcare and I'm keeping that up until baby arrives I think as I don't want him to get out of the habit.
I think we have decided on babies name now. It's a slight variation of one on the list. Everyone is bound to hate our name choice though it's so marmite.

Bluebell I've been eating fruity ice lollies too and mango sorbet. In fact anything fruity. I'm loving all citrus at the moment. I bought some lemon yogurts from Asda and they are divine.
I bought our car seat and pushchair second hand. I'm just going to put the car seat cover through the wash with a bit of dettol washing detergent added in.

Becks I've been trying to moisturise my feet they are so so dry.

Photographer I think I've cracked sleeping. I bought a fan for the bedroom and sleep wise I've used a normal pillow and I keep my top leg at a right angle to my body propped on the pillow. I'm still waking a few times with achy hips but it is helping.

Jem I'm always woken by needing the loo too it's so annoying. Although not surprising as I'm drinking so much water.

Dats lol I'll pray for your piles. I get them with every pregnancy since ds2 so I blame him. This time though they haven't caused me any pain. Strange but I'm not complaining of course.
I'm with you on the saving money with garden days out. DH has just built a sand pit in the garden and i need to get around to ordering a new paddling pool. It's such a difficult decision with pregnancy brain.

I've not been induced before so hopefully I'll avoid it this time too. Just taken ds3 to pre school and he had a major tantrum and didn't want to go in. It's so difficult as I couldn't even bend down to his level with ease. I'm so big. He has his first pre school photos today. I really hope he smiles.

35+6 eek

Ahh the cankles. And I used to have nice legs....

We've got a name picked for a boy and one for a girl. No back ups, and took us ages to decide on a boy's name, so we'd better not have doubts when baby arrives!

I've also had a number of experiences now where I've turned up to appointments and been closely questioned as to why I'm there, as if I've just shown up on the off chance. I just go where I'm bloody well told!

Engaging ladies (see what I did there?) - how will I know if the baby is engaged? I've started to get some high fanny twinges (the technical term, I'm sure) throughout the day, but he's still kicking around my ribs so I don't think he's really dropped, but maybe he's seriously considering it?

34 today

Wow...some of these birthing rooms look / sound like a spa!

Re raspberry leaf tea I just ordered some from Amazon. Re dates the study was done on a particular type - Medjool dates - you can get them in Sainsburys. I've been eating them for ages! My cervix must be very ripe now...

No cankles unless I do loads of walking thank goodness. Just generally feeling overheated. My low blood pressure continues, accompanied sometimes by a very high heart rate.

I wish mine would engage...he's getting too big for the bump now...feet and elbows etc digging in everywhere which is very painful at times not to mention uncomfortable!

Pulpi I get the feeling baby is going to come out between my legs any minute and it's really sore now it's fully engaged and I'm definitely waddling. I still get kicks under my ribs as well as down both sides. You could check your notes mine says how many 5ths are engaged.

ooo beautician - mango sorbet! yum. so overhot today...so why am I drinking warm tomato soup?

becks - wow you are for sure going to be in the first flush of babies!
I'm like you pulpi - aware of stabbing vaginal lightning pains but powerless to explain them!

Sympathies to everyone suffering with swelling/water retention - this warm spell definitely isn't helping with it.

Beautician I'm also obsessed with fruity things, mango sorbet, soleros, and currently watermelon! As much as I can possibly get my hands on.

I had my 36 week appointment with the consultant today (was a registrar again though), which went ok. My blood pressure was a bit higher than it ought to be, so now I'll have to have twice weekly checks to keep an eye on it, which is a right faff to sort out. I'm supposed to be doing another 2 weeks of work, but I might take another week's holiday so I can stop sooner - I'm finding it hard to run around after my nearly 4 yr old, and also working 3 days a week.

The plan at the moment is to do sweeps at 39 and 40 weeks to see if things will start on their own, and if not I've got an induction booked in for after that. I really really don't want to be induced, but in reality there's very little I can do to make things start off on their own. It's a horrible catch-22 situation. Just have to wait and try and be optimistic!

Elliz I'm hoping I pop soon. My community midwife finished her job this week. Saw her for my 38 wk app on her last day. (Seen her for all but one of my app's). She's now going to work at the hospital. First shift on Sunday. I said wouldn't it be funny if I was her first delivery in her new job. Fingers crossed for Sunday!!!!

Those of you with mango/fruit cravings. Frobishers do a bottle of mango juice. It's delicious. On a thurs DD goes to a gymnastics group. Me and 3 other mums leave them for an hour and got to a posh hotel across the road for drinks. Since its been hot I've been having the mango juice. It's delicious and feels like a treat.

Same here speak - I really don't want to be induced but there's nothing I can really do apart from just hope I go into labour myself in the next fortnight.

Haha oops dats well done for noticing - was clearly v tired with that typo!! I've got chicken on the brain!! Praying for your piles! I got them after dd2, horrid.

indians not being able to sleep is the worst. Hope you get some more sleep tonight. I've also started in the Raspberry Leaf. Took it last two times. I did have strong contractions in my labours so I'm sticking with it.

Talking of which, I've started nipple stimulation and sex too! Much to DHs delight. I call it being a trooper in this heat - I made sure the fan was pointing on my face who said romance was dead?!

lucia i hadn't heard about dates but ironically I've been eating loads recently! But not in their basic form I make them into balls.
You could always continue knitting when you are up feeding / not sleeping?! I'm doubting we'll need many blankets in the early days in this heat?!

photographer do you mind me asking which birthing centre you are going to? Sounds amazing.

beaut I'm excited to hear your name choice! Similar problems with mine at nursery drop off recently. Nursery have been great thank goodness . I know what you mean about not being able to offload- people keep telling me to 'take it easy' and I'm like how exactly?!

Also embracing the citrus - keep drinking mango and lime squash!! And I only usually drink water. becks I need this drink and j need it now sounds yummy

speak sorry to hear about your blood pressure worries. Better to be safe than sorry but just sounds like a faff. Good news on the sweeps, they told me no at 39 weeks damn it

Oh my...my feet and ankles are huge!! People stop and stare at them also living in Havianas now! Baby has been quieter last few days again, I can feel him but I think he is running out of room as there isn't much in terms of movement just more pressure of a foot or some other unknown limb. I only go for ctgs now if I'm concerned, the judgment call I find is harder!

It's hot again tonight, restless. Jealous of those starting maternity, not sure I'll last another four weeks

Now I'm not saying this to be negative but just to warn you. I tried EVERYTHING to get DD out on her own. Walked miles, had the tea, sex, nipple stimulation, sat and bounced on the bloody ball for hours everyday, walked up stairs at IKEA over and over, found this ridiculous exercise routine on Internet, curry... Basically everything. And still nothing! Not even a bloody braxton hick. I'll admit being induced was a bit tough but it's really not the end of the world and lots of women have great experiences with it so try not too worry too much.

In good news my mum is due to be discharged tomorrow. They have done extensive scans today so two weeks we should have answers. She's finally starting to feel better though which is the main thing.

We are also going to exchange tomorrow! Whoop!

eliz I've been looking at blinds for DD new room. Too much choice lol!!!! I can see why it took you forever!

Yes to the citrus cravings! I'm also addicted to salad at the moment and magnums

We have barely discussed names! We have decided once we've moved in we can do that but we have a long list for girls and the same list we had last time for boys! I like to see what they look like and then pick!

Swelling is so horrible. Try get those candles up as much as poss. My back hurts after sitting at work so I try get up and walk around as much as poss. I'm feeling really fat too. I don't think skimpy summer clothes help.

I've got four more weeks of work but I think it will fly! Enjoy mat leave to all those that are off. Promise me you'll do at least one day where you lie in bed all day and watch crap tv. I miss that lol!

Hope you all get some rest tonight. I have a feeling some babies may be coming soon X

Eliz yes I had the same midwife for about 2 appointments but then that's changed now I see them at the midwife clinic at hospital. Will find out next week if it'll be the same midwife I saw on Tuesday.

Regarding names we've got the first and middle name but we're undecided about adding another middle name too. Probably will change our minds again once baby arrives!

photographer can't remember if you said you were planning a water birth? The rope thingy in the birthing centre sounds very, erm 50 shades of grey!!

Anna glad to hear your mum is being discharged tomorrow.

I too have a feeling there will be some babies arriving soon! Who is due next?

Start reflexology tomorrow so looking forward to that. I've also downloaded some hypnobirthing podcasts as I want to give that a try too.

1 hour until I'm 36 weeks!

Hey all and happy Friday ! X
Sounds like some of u ladies r very close to having ur babies ! Can't believe in just a few weeks babies will be arriving !! X
I had my 34 week consultation at the hospital yesterday and have my c section date for the 19th of July , they wer going for the 14 th but was fully booked ! I have decided if I go in to labour on my own before that i will give VBAC a go but I doubt I will as I was 5 days overdue with DD X
Quite nice to have a date I must say so going to organise childcare for DD while we r in hospital x

Looking at some of ur labour rooms , Waw they aren't like that at our hospital ! They are lovely !

I tried raspberry tea leaf with DD , can't say it did anything for me although my waters did break in the house at (40+5) X
No harm in trying everything tho !
Maybe not a good idea eating very spicy food tho in case u do go into labour , a friend of mine ended up pushing more out than a baby she was mortified ! X
The water birth looks very appealing ! Shame ur not allowed to use them if uv had a previous emcs X
All those still hanging on in work ! Hope the time passes quickly so u can relax before the big day and hats off to u ! X

It's exciting that people are starting to get dates for inductions and c-sections. I can't believe how quick it's all gone so far. Not long until babies start to arrive.

Still in work and struggling a bit with my cankles. Think I might mention it to the midwife at my appointment next week because I don't really know at which point they'd start to worry about swelling.

Hope those of you struggling to sleep are finding it a bit easier as it cools down slightly.

Well I'm pooped!!! 12 ladies and children over for lunch today!!!! Work friends and there little ones. All the kids were so well behaved. No arguing, tantrums or tears. Age range 7months to 4yrs! So much mess though! I've just finished tidying! I was hoping all the activity might have bought on labour!!

BeauticianNotMagician81 yeah my induction was a three day long experience I never want to go through again. I did it all last time from red raspberry tea by the litre, spicy curry, walking all day and night, sex.. she wasn’t coming out.

pulpi I went into my 36 week appointment telling her that I felt like the baby was away from my ribs. To be honest I didn’t feel a lot of cervix pain til after she told me she was engaged. But I know its not in my head cause man the low punches and kicks now really make you jump.

SpeakNoWords yeah I know how you feel, induction is booked for the 28th and as much as I hope things come naturally I don’t want to be totally gutted if I have to be induced again.

Cookiesandcoffee going to the New Forest Birthing Centre.

Jem01 lol yeah just a bit. I am going “swing” til I am in established labour or as far as I can go til I get in the birthing pool. Midwife and I talked about how sometimes water can slow things so hoping to avoid it.

Gx91 sound spicy food advice but thankfully last time no one mentioned if anything like that happened in my labour last time. I was on the pineapple and curry for weeks.

beckslovestimmy sounds like quite the event!

Well I am trying to keep myself really active. Yesterday about 3 hours walking to, in and around town with my DD. She’s such a trooper as she hates the stroller but was okay with getting in if she was tired of walking. She made it all but the last half hour. I have been lucky with hand holding and her generally being really helpful out and about. Saying that I am not sure if its the baby coming or the heat but she will not sleep before 9am and its killing me. DH in with her right now reading and she’s sleeping in til 9am which means I have to wake her for preschool.

Pulpi usually the midwife tells you when baby has engaged. I've never noticed until told.

Speak exactly the kind of things I'm eating. I've always liked fruit but more berries and apples so this is new. It's even smells. I usually like shea/ cocoa butter smells but I've had to change all my shower & body lotions to fruity scents

Becks I'm now on the look out for the Frobishers mango juice. I have been drinking loads of a new innocent juice pineapple & lime. Yum

Mascara I bet your ankles aren't as big as mine. Mine are like chubby baby feet with the folds.

Anna yay for exchanging & glad your mum is feeling better. I have been in bed a little this week after work in my pants with the fan on hahaha tmi.

Jem I've been thinking about trying hypnobirthing too. Last chance so I kind of want to try everything.

Gx91 yay for a c section date. I really hope the baby arrives on a week day or we are going to be a bit stuffed childcare wise.

Photographer your induction sounds really tough. I'm trying to keep active too.

Well I think it's safe to say I officially have SPD. How rubbish to have escaped so long and get it now. I'm sleeping a little better with a pillow propping up my leg. However, I walked around town today and I could feel that awful ache/soreness in my groin. It's moderate not severe but I do hope it doesn't get worse.

I won't be trying raspberry leaf tea I don't believe anything really works. Although I have gone into labour after a long walk with all 3 of mine so far so I will be trying that right near my due date.

No more work now yippee. I need to get the house sorted now and the last few baby items in. Not sure how I'm going to prepare the house as I struggle to waddle around.

36 weeks

Gx91 - I think it's pretty normal to have incidents like that whilst pushing a baby out. Midwives are used to it. Having said that, I won't be eating curry or similar foods as I don't want to make things worse!

My DH will be staying firmly at my head end. A male friend of ours said that being at the other end is "like watching your favourite pub burn down".

34+4.
3 weeks left before mat leave.
And I haven't cried for 3 days

Julfin - love your friend's comment! It may look like that to them, imagine it FEELS pretty similar for us!

Off to 36 wk midwife appt this pm.

Ooo I've been reading, but my fingers have been so fat and fuzzy I haven't wanted to type to reply! Got to do it now or it will get out of control!

Cookies do you mean washing the car seat with nappy san? Is that what it's called? Sounds like a good idea - don't know if I can be arsed to take it all off and wash it again now though! I'm sure it's clean and I have had to buy a new newborn insert anyway so the baby won't really be touching the main seat! I need to get some nappy san anyway though because I have bought some high qual washable nappies secondhand off a colleague, and although they are in great condition and I know she has washed them, they do have a slight nappyish smell that I would like to get rid of before they touch my little boy's bum!

Ellizardo I'm a bit frustrated about names to be honest. For years and years (we're talking like, since 2008) DH and I have said that if we have a boy, we'll call him Reuben. Well, I had a wobble about this when I was first pregnant because I have subsequently taught a Reuben who, although a perfectly nice child, has been a bit of a pain in the ass. So we spent weeks going through other possibilities, and came up with Benjamin, George and Francis, all of which we like, but none of which we love. Then I decided that I was being ridiculous about Reuben because this kid I taught is nice at heart... Only for DH to say that he'd gone off the name! ARGH!

Dats I wish I liked cleaning. I mean, I like the feeling you get after you've cleaned, when everything looks shiny... But I'd get that if someone else had done it rather than me . I've been pushing on with the hexagons, just very slowly, because I am so fecking determined to have something to welcome this little man into the world that I have made myself. I got upset about it the other day and DH very sweetly said that the important thing was that I was making the baby, but, argh, I just have this feeling that I need to finish it. I've done ALL the whole hexagons now, and have started on the half hexagons (only need 8 of those), but I've misinterpreted something on the pattern because the half I've finished doesn't look right. I'm not sure if I'm going to sew or crochet it together. I was worried about getting ridges with the crochet, but maybe that would look cool... Kind of honeycomby... What would you do? Did you hear about your iron levels yet?

Lucia good luck with the knitting!

Beaut lemon yoghurts sound fricking delicious. I'm a big fan of lemon at the moment - I've been squeezing wedges of lemon into my pints of water. How did the preschool photos go? Sorry to hear about the SPD.

pulpi mine's still kicking round my ribs too, but when he's not kicking there seems to be a lot more space up there when I press if you know what I mean? This might just be wishful thinking on my part...

Anna I'm really glad your mum has been discharged and is feeling better.

julfin oh, my DH will be firmly at the business end. He is very excited about it all, and wants to do everything that the midwife will let him do - ideally he'd like to be the first one to touch the baby and to bring him up to me. Actually, ideally I think he'd like me to give birth in a lay-by so that he can do the whole bloody lot!

Took a shopping excursion into Glastonbury yesterday to get me some raspberry leaf tea (I figured Glasto would have it, and I was correct), and a lady wished me goddess blessings for the birth! I really do love Glasto. I don't go there often, but when I do, it never fails to make me smile!

Delighted to announce that DH has caught the cleaning bug off me. I slept in this morning and he took it upon himself to scrub out the inside of the dishwasher and clean the filter like it's never been cleaned before.

We've repacked the hospital bags as well and oh my god, we have so much food in there. Enough to survive for about a month on rations, and I am not kidding. I'm nobly helping the situation out by reducing the number of mini Mars Bars a bit .

37 + 4