Due Oct ~sow's a'roasting!

[j20baby]

Hellllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooo..............here i am, sorry but waited for ages for somone else to do it and i can't find it if they have!

Has anyone started to pack their labour bag? I'll be 35 weeks on Monday and reality is beginning to kick in...

haven't packed it but did start thinking about it yesterday - have washed some babygros and vests (I keep thinking this one will come earely - but then again I thought exactly the same with DS and he was 2 wks late!) and got some new pyjamas - should start putting the other stuff to one side too I suppose....One thing is for sure - I will be taking considerably less this time round!!

I've done my list, but worrying that I've left stuff off. I'm sure I didn't need that much last time. The main thing I forgot was nappies as I had no idea I'd be kicking my heels in hospital for 24 hours... I had been planning on spending as little time there as possible.

Anything I've left off? Anything you reckon I could ditch?

Maternity notes/birth plan
Food/water
Dh?s grey t-shirt to labour in
Newborn nappies ? to buy
Baby wipes (forgot them last time!)
Vest/sleepsuits for bubba
Lansinoh nipple cream
Maternity pads ? to buy
Old knicks
Nightclothes
Dressing gown?
Slippers?

Magazines, books money for tv/phone, phone numbers to ring everyone. Camera, spare batteries.....

Dh in charge of phone numbers, but VERY good point as dsd managed to lose his mobile the other day so he has to reprogram his phonebook!

Thank you all so much for your replies, I'm very reassured by all the people who have gone through the same thing and all has turned out to be okay.

Hope you're all feeling well and not suffering too much now that the weather seems to be catching up to the idea of it being summer!

ejt- i wish you'd stop talking about you banana loaf!! am craving it right now

mump-got this off a thread i did a while ago-re hospital bag.

Your birth plan
so your carers know what you want

Large nightdress or t-shirt
to give birth in

Dressing gown or robe
dignity and warmth!

Warm socks
your feet can get very cold in labour

Small hand held mirror
if you want to see your baby crown

Lip salve/petroleum jelly
gas & air can make your mouth & lips very dry

Ice pack
to relieve backache

Tissues
blood, sweat & tears need we say more

Water spray & sponge/flannel
ideal for a freshen up & to keep you cool

Personal/portable stereo
to relax to & take your mind off the pain!

Drinks and glucose tablets
to keep your energy levels high

Massage Oil
massage can be very soothing in labour

Immediately after the birth you will need...
2 or 3 front opening nightdresses
for breastfeeding

Slippers
for moving about the ward

2 large bath towels (dark colour)
they don?t show the stains!

Flannel and liquid soap
they will not usually be provided

Change/phonecards
you will want to call everyone you know?

List of telephone numbers
Obvious

Toiletries, toothbrush, make up etc
so you don?t scare your visitors

Maternity pads (2 packs)
very uncomfortable but definitely worth it

Disposable or old knickers
they will stain even with maternity pads

Breast pads
to stop your clothes getting soaked in breast milk

Nursing bras
to hold the breast pads & make you more comfortable

Snacks and drinks
you?ll be starving after the birth

Camera
those first proud pictures are irreplaceable

Magazines, books, something to do
babies sleep a lot in the first few days

Ear plugs/eye shade
baby wards can be very noisy day or night

Your baby will need?
1 pack of newborn nappies
easier to deal with than Terries until you get the hang of it

Nappy bags
old carrier bags will do to put the dirty nappies in

2 cotton vests
depending on the season to keep your baby warm

2 cotton sleepsuits
to keep your baby warm and comfortable

Sample pot of nappy cream
regular tubs are huge and heavy ? you?ve got enough to carry

Cotton wool
used with cooled boiled water to clean your baby

Baby wipes
because we all like the easy option!

For going home you will need...
Outdoor clothes for you
unless you want to go home in your nightie

Rear facing newborn car seat
you cannot drive your baby home without one!

Going home clothes for your baby
for warmth or protection from the sun ? you?ll need a hat whatever the weather!

or here's the link for the thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=352495#7179312

lisa-thats awful for you sounds like youv'e had good advice from the other girls though.

sorry, but thats about all i can manage to write fot the time being, i'm too hot and tired-need to go soak in the bath!

Mump I?ve not started to pack bag yet although bought a few things for it and will do so over the next week or so? I?m 34 weeks on Tues. Other things I will be taking (if I get there ? probably going for elective section but want my options open if I go into labour before that?) is Arnica and TENs machine. Had a big spreadsheet last time but probably won?t take all the stuff I had on that! Oh and another thing was I had these sachets of energy stuff that dh uses for cycling. Was great when I didn?t want to eat to keep energy up

Hi everyone.

J20, that dress is gorgeous!

Lisa, you're having awful luck and I'm really sorry. I hope you can see someone more understanding next time. It must be v hard.

EJT, I'd love some of that cake...!

I had my anti-D and it was barely anything! Nothing like the horror that the dentists can be. A bit of an anti-climax (but good that it was nothing!).

Alicet, you mention TENS machines. How many of you used TENS last time, and did you find it helped?

It's the first time for me! I'm going to get the pramette this weekend and the car seat, and order the furniture for the baby's room. That's if I can be bothered - I'm tired tonight. It's suddenly quite warm here, and I guess that's more tiring.

Anyway hope you're all having a zen-like relaxing Friday night! And I really hope I will, too - I'm dead tired and will hopefully have a nice long sleep! Shame about the bladder...

oh inzi

poor you!

choc-it is rather good isn't it awaiting delivery in morning.

just sat down to have some strawberry nesquik and a effing fly's landed in it, argghh!

Chochobnob - the TENs machine was FAB. For it to really work you need to put it on really early but it was great at taking the edge off the pain. Really noticed it as I decided it wasn't helping and turned it off and then had a contraction with just gas and air - then realised what a difference it was making! I bought it on ebay new for about £25 which is similar to the cost of hiring one. And its serviced several friends too! Would be more than happy to lend it to you but its promised to another friend who is due a few days after me so depends when she has her lo....

Morning all!

Inzi you won't know the tens is on you once you have got dh to put the stickers on. I couldn't stand dh to touch me during labour either but trust me it was worth it! Doesn't work for everyone though - just another option to consider....

I wrecked my laptop several months ago by spilling ds's porridge into it! had to get a new one - when I tried to type anything it would go pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp pppppppppppp... you get the message!!! Almost felt like it was taking the p*ss out of me that the one letter it wouldrepetitively type was p for the sodding porridge! Hope you get it sorted soon.... Apparently if you take the battery out and then prop it up in a v so the keyboard is facing down it lets it dry out away from all the important bits! Good luck!

We have friends staying this weekend - dh just at the airport to collect them - so might not be on much before Sunday evening when they go home. So hope you all have lovely weekends! We're planning the first bbq of the summer tonight - keep your fingers crossed for us that weather holds! Chat soon....

morning all

just a quickie as i'm going t get dd ready and take her to her dads, she's being a pita!

got my dress, was just trying it on and the cat started being sick, hence me picking her up to chuck her outside, hence new dress in the washer now! not the missing cat btw, she's still not back

alice-hope the weather is good for your BBQ

inzi-hope the laptop dries out

have a nice day all

x posted inzi-have fun shopping

Morning all ... I am all swollen up! And feel like cr@p ... we're supposed to be going to a birthday party this afternoon, but I've decided that we're going nowhere today as I just cannot face it!

I used a TENS machine when induced with ds - during the hideous prostin induction, I used it to help me deal with the pains and found it really great.

I spent the latter part of the active labour (after they stopped fannying around with the prostin and did and ARM and hoiked me up to the drip) kneeling over the end of the bed by the wall - dh just whispered random things to me and stroked my hair, which I found very reassuring - and helped take my mind off the pain. (this was after the epidural stopped working - it worked for contractions, but not for the pelvic pain)

I am definitely going to get a TENS machine again - our hospital hire them out (£25 deposit), and there's a TENS clinic once a week to teach expectant mums how to use it.

Right, going to sit with my feet up now, in a vain attempt to get them to unswell ... they've got to the painful stage again already!

p.s. just to add ... have some virtual cake! Blueberry muffins are particularly fine (although I can't eat bananas cause of an allergy)!

Here's one each .......

hi everyone. hope you're all well, enjoying the sun and not so swollen now.....

I used a tens machine too and would agree with everything alice has said - really helped just take the edge off things and also gave us both something to think and talk about in the early stages of the induction. Definitely something to consider.

Right - better get on. We're going to a wedding this afternoon, which I just know I'm going to bake at. Delighted that it's a lovley day for them though. Also had a run of major braxton h's this morning; got me a bit jittery really. I know they start a lot sooner when it's not your first but they were strong to the point of making me stop and gasp (and have everyone near me in M&S staring, wondering if they should help - the embarassment made me move away as quickly as I could!) fingers crossed this one isn't having any mad thoughts about making an early entrance! have a lovely afternoon and evening everyone

hi all

found out this morning that my kitty had been fatally run over was in paper, the bloke said he kept it for a few days but then disposed of it, he said she ran out in front of his car just outside my house but didn't know who's cat it was, i had to hold back from asking if he was speeding, as they do down this road.
i made the error of phoning ddd at her dad's to tell her, and she was hysterical, so had to go back round to give her a cuddle.

then, had a to do with a stupid woman in New Look changing room, after she barged into me and looked at me snootily, envision me jumping on her back in a lion like cross hippo style, but i didn't, just shouted at her, the whole changing room went quiet ignorant moo.

inzi-i've been shopping too, bought shoes, a bag and some maternity jeans that are too tight-hoping that they stretch. have a lovely curry

ejt-i'm swollen too, got 'fizzy' hands constantly(as in pins and needles} that can become quite painful, keep elevated[says she after walking round town for 5 hours!]

anyway, my mum's nagging me to get ready to go out for an hour, hope you all have a nice evening

Hi all

Thanks for the TENS recommendations! Does it matter which machine I get hold of? There seems to be a choice.

J20 - really sorry about your cat

Inzi, sounds like a nice day! Sorry about the heartburn.

Nellie and Alicet - hope you had good days too - the weather's been okay here so I guess the barbecue went well? Hope the wedding wasn't too hot.

I felt dreadful this morning, sick and woozy and very upset stomach(wondered if it had anything to do with yesterday's anti-D or else the curry we had last night!) but have felt better since I managed to keep lunch down. After lunch we went and ordered the nursery furniture and we also bought a baby carrier on sale - it's the Mamas and Papas Babycruzer, no idea if it's any good but it was going cheap so we will give it a try! Also went to Borders and had a yummy chocolate chip cookie in Starbucks there. Here the neighbours are having a barbie so we went round there but I didn't manage to sit for long and no way could I face the food, so I came back and had a bath and cooked pasta instead. Might go back out to be sociable but probably will leave that to DH!

Tomorrow we are going to check the carseat we want fits the car, and buy it if so, plus the pramette. Then my brother is coming on Monday to stay overnight and we have Tuesday off to go for a family lunch. Busy busy! I've got to plan a menu for Monday night - but felt too delicate earlier.

Hope you're all well and not too heartburny!

just a quick one from me to say J20 I am so sorry about your cat . HOpe you and DD are ok.

wedding was lovely - but shattered now so off to bed. hope everyone else has had a lovely evening.