Where's that bloomin' Carol Vorderman when you need her as the August '07 Countdown begins....

[tokentotty]

Whaddyathink ???

and i'm the same with the bottle/breast feeding - i do intend to breastfeed and although i know people can have problems, i'm not really thinking about it that way, and am assuming i will be able to, so am not buying any formula or bottles.

Saturn, thanks for telling me what your midwife said regarding the baby being posterior, I have a definite hard lump there most of the time so he must be the right way round, thanks!

Oh, remembered one or two things that should have been on my list: a hat for baby, nail clippers in case he's born with talons, and a list of phone numbers for dp.

Also probably need to make sure any extra nightwear, nappies, babygrows etc are to hand at home so dp can find them if I need to stay in longer.

hi everyone - I've just logged on and i've been half packing my bag, a bag for DD and a bag for DP today (though there's not much for him - change of t'shirt, phone no's, camera, book, water).

a couple of other things i've got packed are - for me - cool water spray, socks (my feet got cold last time), flip flops, bobbles (?Sp) to tie hair back, plastic cup to fill with water for that first pee . some extra carrier bags as family/friends are very generous and you end up going home with lots of other stuff - flowers/presents etc.

for baby - outfit for when the Bounty woman comes round to take that first 'professional' picture. the last time the hospital provided nappies, toiletries, clothes (though they were a bit starchy), cotton wool, ready made formula etc. Don't forget your car seat (and make sure you know how to fit it - took us 10 mins to decide that it was in correctly before we left.

Thanks for the advice. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow and ante natal class on Tuesday so will check with the midwives what exactly the hospitals provide for the baby. A lot of the other stuff on the list I have is similar to what you have banana, it just looked like a huge list - thanks for letting me know what the things I hadn't heard of were

Have got out the things I've already bought, but seem to have quite a few things left to buy - not as organised as I thought I was, but at least I've made a start now.

Just had some strawberry cheesecake ice cream and going to watch a film (raining here now so good excuse to spend the rest of the afternoon on the sofa!!) hope you are both having a nice relaxing day.

thanks myweegirl, crossed posts there - take too long to type!!

does someone come round the hospital to take the baby's picture?

hadn't thought of taking a plastic cup, do they not have those in the hospital? hadn't thought of taking plastic bags either - good idea, will add to list

oh you've got me wondering now if it still happens - think it does! the bounty woman comes round every day to take photos of new babies (they charge you!). and you also get (or got if they don't do it anyone) a new mum/baby pack with free samples in - things like fairy washing powder, weaning spoons, scrath mitts (oh that's another thing for the baby's bag if you don't feel brave enough to cut nails straight away...). it took me a few weeks to pluck up the courage to do DD's.

the hospital i was in did have a plastic jug - i just didn't feel comfortable using it knowing that lots of other woman had done and were doing the same thing with that jug . i also have a thing about public toilets but that's another issue.

the sun has disappeared here too - but it's still dry. enjoy your film.

Hello folks, me too just packed my bag. I put in music and headphones to try to drown out the sounds around me when trying to sleep after birth, and CDs for the birth itself cos they have stereos in the birthing suites. Also going to get a flask with ice, someone recommended on here as its August and hospital was hot last time at the start of January. Have packed less than half the amount I took last time but think I've got what I need.

Guys - my hosp doesn't provide anything barr cotton wool, and linen -so I've got everything I need just in case I have to go in.

Squash is a good idea - Ice is a fab idea!!!!!

Tell me - was it not the wierdest weather day ever yesterday? It was SOOOOOO hot and humid here in Kent - Bump and I didnt' know what to do with ourselves. It stayed hot at nigth,was 27c in DS's room at 10.30pm (but we do have a v hot upstairs anyway). Needless to say, I got no sleep. The only way I could sleep was to run my t shirt ner the cold tap. Sounds wierd but it works!

Growingbagpuss,

The hospital i at only provide a nighty which they put on (when your ready). But this is so they know which ones they have bath when they put on the clothes you have bought in.

I have been sleeping with a fan blowing on me, while dh is tucked up under the duvet right up over his head like it's the middle of winter.

Dh has just install an air conditioner in his home office. So if it get to hot i will just disappear into there .

Hi everyone. Found you!

We've been away on holiday last week. Can't hope to catch up!

Baby is still breech at 34 weeks. Midwives are hopeful it will turn though. I really hope it does before the scan at 36 weeks. Doing lots of forward leaning but so far no movement.

Weather was quite hot yesterday but raining today. I can cope with the heat if it's just days at a time! Let's hope the heat wave waits til the end of August...

its just hit me (not quite for the first time - but harder than before maybe) that there is going to be a baby here in the not too distant future.

will be 38 weeks on wed, and finishing work that day too - i dont love my job but i also dont hate it, and think i might actually miss it a wee bit - yes its true purplerabbit - i cant wait to see the baby but man is it a scary thought.

anyone else feeling slightly overwhelmed by it all just now? think its just that its been months away for so long, and now it could really be any day.

hi everyone,

I'm a few weeks behind you, 35wks, but I'm going to atart on the bag this week too.
I'm having a problem finding a decent nightie for b/f.

Conkertree and others still working- how do you manage?? Are you still feeling physically active?

I'm so uncomfortable these days. Can't walk far or stand up for long, even sitting down is uncomfortable. It's really driving me crazy! I have a teenager to amuse and I walk slower than a pensioner, I'm feeling like such an invalid!

Everyday I wonder how those who have to go to work manage

Hi Ladies,
Got back last night from 4 days down in Cornwall, so feeling very chilled. We did manage to get one day of sun - just enough to give the bump an airing on the beach!
I don't think I'm even going to attempt a full catch-up. Have I missed anything really momentous?
I don't mean to sound smug, but I really have had the easiest pregnancy ever (so far) and it is starting to worry me - surely my luck must run out soon? I'm trying to brush of the nagging feeling that it will mean I'll have a shocker of a birth or a really difficult baby.

God, I know exactly what you mean about walking like a pensioner, it's horrible isn't it??? dp says I waddle too, worse luck.

Things to look forward to:

Sleeping on your front, back, side, upside down if you want!

Taking whatever over the counter meds you want (oooh zovirax, I've missed you!)

Wine! Vodka! Wine!

Getting back into clothes that haven't fitted since march

Thundering down the stairs without having visions of tripping and landing bump first on the deck

Running about picking stuff up, scrambling under the bed, stretching on tiptoes for the last can of beans, not asking other people to do EVERYTHING (so it never gets done) standing on a teetery chair whenever I want, wearing tight impractical pants, catching spiders and slugs and taking them out instead of just swearing wearily at them because I know I can't reach up that far/down that low.

....and last but not least... BABY!!

(itchy - try Next here or here, or Blooming Marv for nice-looking nursing nighties - the Mothercare ones are rank IMO.
Primark have button-through nightshirts in at the moment for about a fiver as well - good for labour as well as feeding)

Oh yes Bananna - can't wait to be back to be able to get up off the sofa without a struggle! Why can't you reach up high though?
Thanks for the links Mrs B - that was my next issue to deal with!

itchy - i think its one of those things that if you have to get up and go to work, you have the energy, but if you dont have to, you feel as if you dont have the energy. but i definately feel that enough is enough and i'd like to have some time at home to get tidied up etc.

sweetydarling - i feel like that sometimes too - apart from the hip pain and a bit of not sleeping - it has been very easy (and fun) so far for me too. but i was thinking, even if its a hard labour or difficult baby - could have had that anyway, so the pregnancy being good is a bonus.

going for my works lunch today which should be nice but will probably mean i dont work so well this afternoon. oh well. after 1pm on wed - it wont be my problem any more.

definately feel the baby lower now - hopefully its gearing up for some action.

hmm - either the first or the second Next link isn't working, but I promise they have two in the summer collection (grey and plum) and two in the new autumn range (black and grey).

I pulled a muscle in the bump a month or so ago and have been scared to do it again as it really hurt and had me calling NHS direct like the panicky sod I am. Actually I think I originally did it carrying something a bit too heavy, but stretching always scares me cos it uses the muscle I pulled and I'm a big wuss.

Plus the sodding spiders are always just an inch out of my reach (I'm a midget)

Hi Everyone

Ended up in hospital for the day last wednesday. Pulled a muscle in my stomach by turning in bed. Absolute agony. I was actually crying out with the pain. Then did it again in the morning when our lodger called me. MW told me to get to the hospital as i hadn't felt baby move since it happened and they were worried i wouldn't be able to push when the time comes. All fine now. Just had to spend the rest of last week resting. Thought i would spend hours on MN but our broadband went down .

Itchy - at your plane journey! You're very good. I'm a terrible flyer and wouldn't have been able to get on the 2nd plane.

Jem - Can't belive your IT dept! Our IT guy here is lovely (just incase he's reading this) Have you had any deliveries from Lullabys yet?

Banana - I'm getting a bit worried now too. I haven't had any info about the birth. Apart from what i've read on MN. Was supposed to have an app with MW fri but he cancelled as someone had gone into labour. How selfish . Can't see him til thurs now and want to know about ante natal classes - am 37 weeks this week.

Growing - Feel for you and everyone else with the sleep situation. Sat night i was up at 4 with the worst heartburn ever. To make matters worse had run completely out of Gaviscon. Couldn't get a drip out of the bottle. DP was useless as had been drinking the evening before, so i was very grumpy and teary sunday and have banned drinking until after the birth. This could prove a problem as DP is supossed to be bestman and organising a stag night for the 4th Aug. Knowing my luck Baby will choose that night to make his debut.I've warned DP that i will throw him out of delivery suite if he is p*ssed.

On the subject of hospital cases - i realised after our little trip last week that i hadn't packed half of what i needed. No going home outfit for me, no nightie, no water, food etc. Nothing for DP to wear if we had to stay longer. Half the toiletries i need. So spent saturday morning re-organising and packing. Hopefully all ready to go now.

Hi MrsShuvel, that must have been a bit scary, are you feeling ok now? As I said in my last post I pulled a muscle in the bump once before and it is really painful, I can sympathise! Don't be surprised if it feels like it happens again only milder if you do the same thing that caused it, mine's been painful three times for lifting one basket of washing.

Your midwife is a him? oooh, don't think there are any male midwives at my hospital, I suppose I wouldn't be too bothered at the time as long as he was nice and knew his job well, as long as he wasn't too sexy cos that could be a bit .... Not that I'm looking forward to anyone peering at my nether regions for hours, but somehow the thought of a nice old fat warty female midwife is reassuring lol

Hi everyone,

Mrs s, glad you are ok, what a worry for you! now you just have to rest and try not to worry about dh!
Do feel very sorry for all you with sleeping problems, i have been really lucky this pg ( dont worry i REALLY SUFFERED with ds) i am only waking up about 6 times a night for the toliet then going straight back to sleep! I know it will be so differnet in 5 weeks time

Are we still on for a meetup at Bluewater on Wednesday??

Thanks guys - being really careful now. Only have until friday at work and taking wednesday off for Bluewater (yay). Have we decided on a time and meeting place yet. I know we were discussing toilets hahaha.

Yeah male midwife. Wasn't too sure at first but he's really nice and i feel confident with him. Dp wasn't sure he wanted another man digging around in my bits but i think he's realised that there's nothing remotely sexually about any of this.

I have no idea of time or place yet, am going to put ds in crech for 2 hours i need to be back for school in the afternoon but it will be great ot meet eveyone!

Hi all. I had an awful day yesterday. I had to go to Lakeside shopping with my mum and sister to try to find the kids bridesmaids shoes. I hate shopping with my sister because it's all me me me with her. Anyway, dd was being a bit difficult and I was getting fed up (now I realise it's cos she wasn't too well) so I kept saying that I was going home soon. We wanted to get some dinner so we took the lift. There were quite a few people getting in so I said "I wonder if we'll fit". My sister, at the top of her voice as we walked into the packed lift, said that we would make ourselves fit because it was full of lazy people who couldn't be bothered to take the stairs and it was for people with buggies and disabled people. I just ignored her and turned my back to her but she carried on and ended up having an argument with a woman who said she was disabled. I've never been so humiliated in my life! When we got out I said I was fed up and wanted to go home and burst into tears. It was then that my sister decided to tell me it was my fault that I was fed up because I didn't make dd go in the buggy. She's so horrible. I told dp and my mum that I would never go anywhere with her again, which is a shame because dd and her kids get on so well. I just couldn't believe she did that to us.

Saturn - at the hospital I had dd in you only get 1 free nappy so you'll need to take some just in case. Don't worry about baby toiletries, you'll only need cotton wool for cleaning him/her. You won't need nappy sacks or blankets (apart from when you go home - although it could be too hot by then). There's no need for formula as the hospital will supply it if you need it. You could take infacol (you can only give gripe water from 4 weeks I think) but if you're not staying long then it's probably not worth it. For the baby just take nappies, cotton wool, vests, babygrows and a hat. It might be worth taking a couple of muslin squares and a few bibs.

lizziemun - I had a similar problem last night. I asked dh to put the ceiling fan on high cos I was roasting. A few minutes later he turned it down again. I was still baking. I could have gone into dd's room and slept on the spare duvet on the floor. Not ideal but I could have covered her up and put her ceiling fan on full. Luckily I managed to get to sleep.

conkertree - I've been feeling a bit anxious too, although I do have 5 weeks to go still. I had a dream the other night that I was in labour. I couldn't feel any pain but in the dream I could - if that makes sense.

Sorry to hear about your scare MrsShuvel. Hope you're ok now.

I'm still up for the Bluewater meet up on Wednesday. Unless anyone else has a preference we could meet at the front of M&S inside downstairs. That's where I normally park and I can generally get my bearings from there. The food court is just round the corner from there so we can stop and get a drink (and I'll probably need food!). 10 - 10:30 would be good but I'm easy as I'm child free all day. I found myself a dress for my sister's wedding. It's not exactly what I wanted so if we happen to pass anywhere with maternity occasion wear then I'd like to have a look but I don't want to dominate the shopping trip. If I see something that I fancy I can always go back another day - Bluewater is just down the road from me. I hope to get a picture of me on my profile this afternoon.