Bumpety Bump- Feb 2008

[samsmam]

Here you go........

"Forgive me Ladies for I have sinned"... I made a shopping list today. For my hospital bag and "The Baby", even though I usually resolve to buy as late as possible.

Good place to pick up quality 2nd hand baby stuff can be the NCT Nearly New Sales (all September-October or April-May dates round here). But my list reminded how little stuff babies actually "need", so I reckon I can just browse in charity shops and otherwise not shop until January.

Anyone else struggling to resist the shopping bug?

Me me me!!! I've already made a list and started thinking about nursery themes!!! We didn't find out what we were having last time so just had bright colours in a jungle theme which we'll probably do the same but already looking at prams etc and working out what I might need to get. I do keep my eye out on the baby sales and pick up bits and bobs as I see fit!!!

ooooh how exciting. I haven't made a list yet but it's the sort of thing I would do. I think we've got most baby kit. My friend has had a baby boy today, and had a girl 1st time, so I'm hoping that if I have a girl this time, we'll be able to exchange baby clothes etc. which would save a few pounds!

byee for now!

I don't think we will go too mad this time round. Its so easy to get carried away apart from my trusty sling and breast pump I think I could have lived with out a lot of the rest of the stuff we bought. We co-slept with no1 at my midwife's suggestion which was great but meant we didn't use the moses basket and cot we had bought so am not even gonna bother this time. Other than things like clothes I am resisting looking through catalogues too much, don't want to be tempted by some gadget I have to find a home for.

Hi everyone, I have spent the day looking on the web at loads of pregnancy web sites, signing up for freebies etc. Stumbled accross you guys, and have been reading your posts almost all day!! am knackered - but feels good to hear a load of people talking about all the same kind of issues as I have been feeling / going through!!
I am 10+3 on Thursday. (I think thats right - if it means 10 weeks 3 days??) and this will be my first baby. I have added my details to the list below. I'm not sure my GP has got the predicted date right - but I suppose all will become clear on the 16th at my 12 week scan!!

Leesmum- (34, Manchester)due 28Jan. Ds2yrs 9mo, next scan 12/9/07
agr4y - 1 Feb.
beansprout - (37, NW London) 1st Feb. ds, 2yrs 9mo, next scan 27th July
Fillyjonk, ? Feb. ds 3.5 dd 22 months
Gingermumi - (41, South East Hampshire)1st Feb. DD1 19 years and dd2 16years, next scan 25th July, anomoly scan 10th Sept
VictorVictoria, 1st feb. ds almost 2.
Miniandme - Age 30,Livingston(between edinburgh and glasgow lol).Due 2nd february. DS 11 yrs, ds 9 yrs, dd almost 5. Scan 8th august.
Egg, (31, Putney SW London)- 2 Feb TWINS, DS 17 months, next scan 20/09/07
Bristols - 2 Feb. DS 9 months
Alkar - (31, Warrington) 3 Feb first one. Scan 24/7
Slacker - 3rd Feb. 3xDS 12,10&6, DD 3
lucylou21 - (27, Daventry) 4th Feb, DD 15 months, scan 31/07/07
Holty ? 6th Feb , first one
dearbeatrice - 7 Feb, first baby
lljkk - 7 Feb, DS7, DD5, DS3.
Basilbrush - 7 Feb, DS 16 months
CountTo10 - (28, South Bucks) 1st Feb. ds, 2yrs 9mo
mutha2beagain 8th Feb ds 6yrs
jo9977 - (39, Coventry) 8th Feb, first one, 20 week scan 20/09/07
rozzy raspberry - 9th Feb. DS1 4yrs 6mo, DS2 2yrs 7mo
ThursdayNext - 9th Feb. DS 2yrs
Loonyballoony - 12th Feb. DD 2yrs 7mon
freddie327 - 13th Feb. First one.
Bessie123 - 13th Feb. First one.
tadpolemummy - 14th Feb. DS 2 years 2 months
indignatio - 14th Feb. DS 5 yrs
Manamana - (32, Chichester) 15th Feb. DS 23mo
pobletsmum - 15th Feb. DS1 2;1
Bluepanda - 16th Feb, first one
MitfordSisters - 16th Feb, first one
Mymissus - (35 Cheltenham) 18th Feb first one scan 7/8/07
smithfield - 18th Feb.DS1 2.5yrs
rosequartz - feb 19 ? dd 6.5yrs; ds 5.5yrs; ds 4.5yrs; dd 3.5yrs; dd 2yrs.4mnths; ds 1yr. 3mnths.
violeta - (35, N London) Feb 20, first one. Scan 7th August.
morningglory (35, West London) - feb 21, ds 3y7mo, scan 10/8/07
wotsits - 21 Feb, DD 11 months
Redbush - feb 22nd dd 14mths
Lexie100 - feb 24 dd 20 mths
Gybegirl - feb 24 dd 15 mths
cheechymunchy - 25 Feb ds2.4yrs
Scully - 26 Feb dd 5; dd 18mths
BovrilSarnies - (33 Bicester, oxon) Feb 26th, first one, 12 week scan 16th Aug.
princessllama-feb 27 dd 8months
samsmam - 30, gravesend, kent feb 29th dd 8 months scan-???
bambiraptor - feb 29th ds 3.5yrs dd 2.0yrs

Hi everyone and welcome to Bovril

Hope you all had good weekends and that morning sickness is passing for as many of us as possible. Mine was back with avengance yesterday but overall, it is slowly getting better.

Am in a real quandry about the birth at the moment and would appreciate any advice.

In short, I was induced at 42 weeks and had back to back labour so was in constant pain. Ds was distressed (his heart kept stopping, meconium in the waters) and I didn't dilate well. After grinding to a halt at 6cm I had an emergency c-section. I recovered well physically but still get upset when I think about labour which I found traumatic.

Question is, do I go for a VBAC or an elective? Am all over the shop with this at the moment and would appreciate your views!!

Hello bovrilsarnies, nice to see another new face! I think feb must be a very busy month with all the twins included!

I'm trying not to think about shopping as I have no money at the moment, very depressing when I look through my stacks of baby catalogues and think about what I wish I'd bought last time with hindsight.

Sorry your labour was so horrible beansprout. I really don't know much about
VBAC's or C-sections but I'd say go with what you think is best for you and baby.

Welcome Bovril!

Beansprout: My advice is from the perspective of someone whose father is a high-risk obstetrician, and myself, as an anesthatist as a tertiary care academic center (I only saw the most complicated cases), therefore extremely risk averse...

Although each pregnancy and labour is different, I's say don't risk it and go for the elective c-section. You could try a trial of labour, buy why have to go through the trauma, and the potential fetal distress, and possible risk of abruption only to be rushed into an emergency c-section.

The most important outcome is healthy baby and healthy mum, not the fact that you had or didn't have a vaginal delivery.

I thought I was through the worst of feeling sick but my migraines have continued. Its really annoying. I used to have one in a blue moon but recently I have been getting one every few days. Anyone got any alternative methods to treat them because I don't think I can take the strong medication.

Hi everyone, and welcome to Bovril.

Thanks for the support re my bloody inlaws, I don't expect we'll see them till after the baby's born anyway so I'll just try and put them out of my mind.

I haven't done any shopping but have started making lists - I'll have to get new baby clothes, a carseat and a sling, washable nappies, and hopefully that's about it. I'll probably go to a couple of the NCT sales in October and see what I can get there. The baby's definitely not going to have its own room any time soon so I don't have to kit out a nursery.

Beansprout - as a big fan of natural birth I would say go for a VBAC, what do you have to lose? Sounds like you had the classic 'cascade of intervention' last time, starting with the induction. It could well be normal for you not to labour before 42 weeks, so if you're prepared for that this time and don't get induced, hopefully you'll have a lovely natural birth, especially if you don't go along with any restrictive protocols like CFM, strict time limits etc. Take your time to make a decision and go with what seems right to you nearer the time.

welcome bovril!

beansprout - am battling with the same dilemma for different reasons. Am seeing consultant (or one of his merry band of registrars!!!!) on 16th Aug and trying not to think about it too much till then. Have you discussed you options with your midwife/Drs? What do they say? I think in your position I'd definitely go for CS, but I had a very negative birth experience, so am probably not the best person to give an opinion.

Welcome Bovril!

congrats to all the good scan results too! Really fab to hear so much good news!

Egg, I really don't know how you are moving - we're decorating the lounge and that's stressful enough!

Slacker - you have some wonderful relations! Rise above it as much as you can...why are people like that??

We're having problems with my BIL in Dubai who is narked that DH allowed their mum to tell him about our news rather than himself. I'm ashamed to say it but even his own mother has admitted that he might take the news badly because it will affect his inheritance (he is married with no children). How sad is that?

Welcome bovril.

I got really hung up on having as natural a birth as possible with dd2 as i had all insundry involved with dd1 (very prem) but this time round, tbh, all i want (i'm with mg on this one) is a stress free time so if i have to have c-section i'm not going to worry about it. There's so much to worry about as it is without the whole 'have i failed if i have a csec' debate.

On buying things - bought a post-nuchal celebratory babygro and have signed up for lots of freebies but will have to buy most things as all i have left from dd1 and 2 is a couple of shawls and a bucket of duplo! I think my sil still has her moses basket so i might be able to borrow that, mil is going to buy a cot so i guess i will only actually have to buy a buggy and carseat. Haven't made a list yet but have looked in lots of catologues - there's so much more choice now! Will probably give in atfer 20 weeks i expect - I intend to be fairly well prepared and have as much done as i can by christmas as have been told the fibroid may mean an early arrival - having had absolutley nothing ready, not even a nighty for me, with dd1 (but 28 weeks was a bit of a surprise to say the least) i don't want to get caught out again.

Hi all, haven't posted in a while. Lots to catch up on.

Welcome to newcomers.

I have been really worrying for some reason that 'button' was not developing- no real reason just in my head. My first scan appointment is 24th August, dating scan. I'll be 13 weeks then but I just couldn't stop worrying so I paid for a private scan. All was well- and now I can be a bit more relaxed.

Now all I have to worry about is my work situation- that is a very long story.

Because my LO is only 10 months I still have most stuff so I don't have that excitement of shopping lists. My sister has even given me another cot. Just a double buggy really. And blue if its a boy!

HI Beansprout You can't be induced again It's contra-indicated with the previous C-section. So you will only get labour if it's spontaneous, and you might find the experience of a spontaneous labour completely different because it's spontaneous. Your hormones will be more in sync with what needs doing.

What I would do is research thoroughly all aspects of VBAC, and also talk to lots of women who have been in your situation (previous induced labour failed to progress leading to emergency CS). Of those who tried VBAC, how did it go?

Statistically, recovery from a vaginal delivery is I think still a lot easier than recovery from elective CS. But that's something for you to confirm, as well.

Wow, really, they can't induce me? Even if I go to 42+ weeks? That casts a different light on things!

Thanks for all your feedback.

Not supposed to induce after CS because the articial hormones make the contx too strong, makes it too likely that the scar on the uterus (where they cut it open) will rupture. Sometimes hospitals suggest induction anyway, but you always have the right to flat out refuse.

The only option you'd find really hard to pursue is a homebirth, because labour itself also poses a tiny risk of the scar rupturing, and that would require an emergency C/S.

Of course, that risk of uterus scarring makes some opt for elective CS anyway... it's something you have to read up on to weigh up the relative risks, what feels most tolerable to you.

Oops, meant "rupturing" not "scarring" in last sentence.... I proofread that 3x, too. Pregnancy brain strikes again!

Beansprout, I was also told with dd2 that they would be unlikely to induce me, due to my cs with dd1. But I had spontaneous labour with dd2 (I was 8 days late and they would have left me until 10 before deciding what to do next). For me, I will be trying for another vbac and the midwife I saw was supportive, especially as last time, once labour was established, it all went as it should. I preferred vbac for the quicker recovery, being able to drive (can't get dd1 to school any other way) and being able to still carry around dd2. Your health and the baby's health are most important, and I it also depends on how much help you will have in the weeks after leaving hospital. If they allowed you to go to 42wks again to try for spontaneous labour, and if nothing happened, recommended a cs, would you be happy with that?

They shouldn't induce you because of the extra strain that puts on your scar, particularly the prostin gel method, but I have certainly heard of VBACs being induced, it's not good practice though. But as I said if you're a natural 42 weeker you'd have to consider what you'd want to do on reaching 42 weeks and not being induced, some people go straight to c/s, others wait to labour naturally (bearing in mind that the 'risks' of going over 42 weeks are generally overstated).

Some would argue that HBAC (home birth after caesarean) gives you the best chance of a normal birth as you wouldn't be subject to the pressure of restrictive hospital protocols, which of course you can refuse anyway but it's harder when you're on their territory. I know of people who have been supported in HBAC by NHS midwives, but others prefer to employ an independent midwife so they don't get the hassle....I know of people who've had homebirths after 3 caesareans so after one should be a doddle .

The well researched www.homebirth.org.uk page has a section on VBAC, actually it's own page www.vbac.org.uk and there are other sites too; if you get reading now you'll see that there are many women who choose VBAC whether at home or in hospital and while I can't remember the figures, you're quite a bit more likely to have a successful VBAC than not.

And the risk of rupture for an uninduced VBAC is similar to the risk of rupture for an induced first birth, IIRC, if that helps to put it into perspective.

Anyway, that's enough from me - get reading, and you don't have to make a decision for a looong time yet!

I know someone had C/S due to placenta previa, next pregnancy she had her membranes stripped on due date, so hopefully she wouldn't get to 42 wks and have hastily arranged C/S (not sure if membrane strip helped, but she did do VBAC, it went fine). You have to ask consultants where you are how they like to proceed.

Thank you all so, so much for your thoughts and advice. I didn't know about the vbac website (amongst others) so can now go and actually start informing myself about my options. Thank you!!

hi guys

nuchal scan today!! quite excited now.

Had a car crash after work yesterday, car went into the back of me at about 50mph and has totalled my poor car. am ok apart from usual whiplash bruising etc but was v scared that little un was going to be affected. went to a & e and was checked over and heard a v strong heartbeat which was reassuring.

So am at home today recovering and have been on phone all morning to insurance company etc. Headache is coming back though so am going to bed.

What with flooding and this its not been an easy month - crossed fingers for the nuchal!

Hello! Please excuse the gate crash - I've just got a whole load of pregnancy/birth stuff to sell and wondered if any of you would be interested. Everything from tens machine and breast pump to hypnotherapy cds and maternity jeans. All less than a year old and mostly hardly used and for a very bargain price. I'd far rather it go to a needy mumsnetter than sell it on ebay so if you are interested, you'll find it all under 'For sale: pregnancy kit' in the Classifieds section. Okay, sales pitch over.

Good luck y'all - had my first in June and as happy as pie!!

Oh mymissus, you've had a really rough time of it lately!

Hopefully the nuchal scan will go fantastically and give you loads of reassurance. xx