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

[tokentotty]

Whaddyathink ???

Hi ladies had a reasonable nights sleep up early this morning got loads planed to do (beds,kitchen floor, washing and cleaning ) DH gone to work not a happy chappie bless, lets just see what today brings!

banana, my DS just had a nasty coldsore but I got him some "Zovirax" bloody good stuff, does say on it check with people before using it if PG but you can do that when you buy it, as I had to ask for DS as he is only 5, worked within 3 days so go and get your self some, not cheep mind £6-50 for a 2g pump bottle, but like I said bloody good stuff!

Back l8er, Babymadxx

There was me, all smug about not having in laws... my bloody mother has decided to come and visit on Friday......

We had agreed that IF the LO had arrived in good time (i.e not the night before), then she, and my two sisters could take advantage of being in the area (they are going to Weybridge for a wedding - hardly local but never mind) and come a visit.

Mum is expecting me to re-arrange nursery for DS so she can see him, even if LO has n't arrived. I need all the favours I can get from DS's ursery, and don't really want my mother and sisters turning up and doing the whole " gosh don't you look huge" thing.

They were only planning to come for a short visit -and frankly, if I haven't had the baby, I'm going to be in no mood for them to be here.... also, what do I do if they get onto the last bit of Motorway, and I go into labour?!! In fact - if they are even on the M25, I can't see my Mother wanting to turn around...grrrrrrrrr

DH says I am being unreasonable.... ??

Ooh, sounds as though it might be happening, Babymad. Put down your mop and conserve that energy for labour, woman! Keep us posted - my friend went into labour the day after her show, though it was quite stop-start.

Just heard about a work colleague who was due two days after me - she had her baby yesterday! I'm enjoying my mat leave too much to go into labour - just came back from a lovely sunny walk over the fields with the dog. Hurray for sunshine at last!

Sorry you've got the rellies invasion, Bagpuss. There is definitely a desire for space at this stage, isn't there? I'm enjoying having the house to myself (apart from a slobbery dog and a cuddly cat). Can't you just say you'd love to see 'em but after the baby is here? It's horrible treading round people's feelings, isn't it?

I stayed up last night with a bag of frozen peas on my belly, hoping it might help the baby move. It did go a bit mad - but it's range of movement consisted of objecting to the cold peas and moving it's head down, rather than round. I felt so mean ... God, the things I'm doing in an effort to turn it.

What's everyone up to today, then?

Am wincing at the thought of cold peas!

First day of mat leave today and have a looong list - toodling round town to dry cleaners', library, Holland and Barratt for arnica etc; ordering bits online, washing the (adorable) new nappies and the handed-down clothes and bedding, hanging the nursery curtains...

And of course I am still on MN doing none of this...

Trouble is, then my Mum plays the "but I'm soooooo far away from you and im all on my own" card.... which is her classic since Dad died.

She could get on a train, but maintains she couldn't possibly change trains in London - but won't go to SLough and let us pick her up or anything...

It is always about emotional blackmail with her.

TBH, I'm more irritated about my sister coming - I am the youngest and the only one with children. My sister desp wants kids, but no DP around to father a child. We have always had an odd relationship - she is v nasty about my life choices ("boring" cars , "boring vocational" jobs etc..) -so although she is desp jealous of me, I can see the only response I'll get is "look at the stretchmarks!! ha ha ha " and "look at your fat tummy"... grrr

Hmm, sounds tricky for you Bagpuss. But I def think we're entitled to put ourselves first at the mo even if it does mean hurting a few feelings. Anyway, it'll be more fun for them to visit once the baby is born - and you can set them off cleaning and cooking and looking after your DS for you while you feed the baby .

Yay - the Badger is on mat leave at last! You sound as bad as me for making lists...

Now, who haven't we heard from for a few days that might be in labour?

Hi everyone. I have been on holiday for the past two weeks and have missed SO MUCH it seems. It has taken me two hours to read everyone's emails but it was worth it. We went down to Cornwall for about half the time, and enjoyed sunshine and walks along the sand but NO surf anywhere to be seen,

Congratulations Jem! I am sure it will be a couple of weeks before you are online again to see all our congratulations but wanted to add mine anyway. How exciting. And so many others who seem close to their big day!

Well my little one is, at 36 wks +6, still persistently head down and very active. Has perfected a "sleepy stretch" that ends with my feeling little fists in my groin and a lovely strong foot under my right rib cage. V painful, but nothing compared to the stabbing pains I get between the legs when baby really starts pummelling. Ah well.

Apart from that, I only have the usual complaints of agonizing hip pain overnight and a complaining DP who wants to get "his sleep in before the baby arrives".
I woke up at six am on Sunday morning and a decision to do the dishes led to my cleaning the entire kitchen including the inside of the fridge. Whether this is nesting or the imminent arrival of my mother from Oz, I don't know. I have been having major wobbles about the house not being ready for the baby though. We got the moses basket down from the loft but it did not really make me feel any better.

Has anyone perfected their hypnobirthing technique? I have little to do lists flying through my head the whole time I am trying desperately to think myself into the deep relaxation zone.

Annie, I loved your wedding photos! How glamourous you looked in that dress. Hope your baby turns for you.

Hi folks,

Kiteflying, nice to see you back, sounds like you had a nice time We're all suffering with our hips at this point, I keep having an early morning hot bath, it does wonders!

MrsBadger I don't have any vodka in, have a bottle of champers and a rather strange looking bottle of foreign peach schnapps. Wonder if vinegar would work?

About all these mothers/mother-in-laws turning up or making us feel guilty....I wonder if they remember what THEY felt like at the end of pregnancy, and whether they would have been happy to have relatives stay for a week or two while they were recovering? Or is it the law that when your own child/daughter-in-law gets pregnant you immediately think "well, my feelings take priority over hers, tough shit!"

It's so easy to offend family. My brother has said "As SOON as you think you're going into labour, call me!" and I was like "errrrr....what for?" Last time we gave him news over the phone (Mum being rushed into hospital) he panicked so much he crashed his car on the way to our house and completely wrote it off and had to be transported to us by the police. That's not what I need when I go into labour thankyouverymuchly!

Good to see you back, kitey!

no vodka? shocking!
perfume will work but tastes foul.

I am seriously considering staying incommunicado throughout labour and presenting both families with fait accompli via text.
Have already told PIL that visitors will be seen by invitation only, and my mother that she book a visit on the third Sunday of every month come hell or high water for ever and ever...

that she cannot book a visit on the third sunday...

Hi ladies, hope we are all well, well only 1 1/2 days left untill august!!

Def think we sholud have new thread in honour of this?

Did everyone get sorted out on the texts ??

I swapped numbers with katybird Sunday night at yoga. Do I have to do anything else for the texting club?

no thats fine Kite, i just know that people emailed me and wanted to make sure i hadnt forgotton anyone

Yep, you've done a fine job there Pink, thanks very much! I've written "text gill" on the bottom of my birthplan so we won't forget!

I was looking online for a home remedy for coldsores and found one of the most popular results on google was to rub some earwax on it! I have checked and it ISN'T a spoof website but still... I'm not sure I could rub earwax on my face, the thought of it alone is making me giggle like a loon! ewwww!

Perfume it is. My face will stink of chanel.

Yep, got mine sorted too pink. Gave DH a text list over the weekend of people he can let know by text nad he programmed all the numbers into his phone today.

banana - OMG - he crashed the car !!! Whatever you do, don't tell him you are in labour!

We certainly don't intend to tell anyone before the baby is actually born. My Mum might know if she staying with us when it happens but she is NOT coming to hospital and will have to wait for a phone call like everyone else.

Hi everyone, just quickly stopping by to let you know that I have been crampy all day today and think I may have just had a 'show'......so I might not make it to August with this LO after all .

I hope everyone else is OK!

My Mum was a bit disappointed we didn't tell her when I was in labour with DS - but it all kicked off late evening and i didn't want her and Dad (who was terminally ill) worrying about me. We rang them first thing in the morning, at a time when I figured Mum would be awake.

I don't know what I'm going to do this time - I have a premonition that its all going to kick off at the worst possible time (i.e as Mum arrives on friday) and aht I'll have a house full of people here, and won't get the home birth I want

Actually - if they were all here and refused to leave, I would ask for a transfer to hospital, get my B/F to be my birthing partner and sod the lot of them!!

ooooh Washy.... you are an early august one anyway aren't you.. Godd luck!

So how close should my contractions be before I ring the hospital?

Good luck washersaurus!

By the way - a tip I picked up on Sunday night. Make sure you know what your hospital's policy is on insisting you take antibiotics if your waters break before you are in established labour. A friend of ours booked at the Whittington had to go in and go on IV antibiotics after only 18 hours, even though she was having strong contractions by then, and I have just found out my hospital's policy is a similarly short 24 hours.

How exciting! Best of luck Washersaurus, give us a quick post on here later if you're still at home for a while (and able to, obviously!)

Hmm, I think they say to wait til your contractions are about 5 mins apart and lasting for 45-60 seconds before going in, but everyones labour is different, I say go in when it starts to really hurt!

Here's the link to constractionmaster.com for if you don't have it. It's easier than using a watch.

So excited for you, hope all goes well!

Wash, I would say every 4-5 mins and lasting best part of a minute.

I think the hospital also judge the pain you are in. If you can easily talk through a contraction then they probably won't want you to come in as you probably won't be in 'established labour'. Once you get to the stage where you can't talk and have to breathe through them to manage the pain your DH / DP should give them a call and they'll probably say come in.

Good luck !!

Ditto with Hersetta- when you can't cope alone any more - I'm very but BEST OF LUCK!!!

Oh sooo jealous Wash but SO excited for you !!!! Let us know how you're getting on for as long as possible !

GOOD LUCK
xxxxxxxxxx

oh good Luck wash!!!!!!!!!!!!! very exciting!