Due Sept '07 - This Autumn we shall mostly be wearing stripes!!

[Hopeitwontbebig]

Just thought I'd get the shiny new thread up and running. Well done Twit on the thread name

Congrats to sparks too! cannot wait to sit and stare ay my LO too! also cannot believe that september is finally here. Occasionally get a bit nervous when I think about the huge change that is about to take place - but then the excitment overrides that and I just cannot wait!

MrsB - its a tough one for you. can understand why you are a little torn by it. I am not thinking about any of it too much. My intial birth plan involved nat delivery, waiting til the cord had stopped pulsing before cutting and then nat delivery of placenta. Now it is csection and so much will depend on how the baby is - it could be whisked away straightaway. But I hope not. Fingers crossed!

Chatty - glad it isnt just me then! LOL!

Canadianmum - i did everything in reverse. When was meant to have increased appetite, it went away and now when it is meant to be decreasing (and weight gain does tail off around now, some women even lose weight right at the end) - I could eat 2 dinners in one sitting! Thanks also for the tips on pain relief after csection. I am more woried about the trapped wind, apparently that can be worse!

EmJ - at poor nights sleep

Floss - LOL at the vomit story. The thought of that has me more squeamish than my bub coming out covered in gunk!

Hope everyone has had a nice saturday and a good rest of the weekend

Edie Mcredie - I went to the antenatal classes in Poringland at the local Sheltered Housing scheme which I thought was quite amusing, all those oldsters curtain twitching at us lot waddling across the carpark to use their communal lounge!

We were in our local branch of Blooming Marvellous today. I briefly eavesdropped on a lady's conversation with the assistant regarding feeding bras, for some reason I never thought to look at what bras were on offer but the assistant did sound very knowledgeable. I think I might pop in there once my milk comes in and see what they can offer. I am thinking that they might offer more tailored advice being exclusively for pregnancy etc rather then M&S or John Lewis who do a bit of everything.

I am also very keen for my baby to be cleaned before putting on my chest, although the midwife said at our classes that delivery straight onto the chest is the norm now. It is the only thing I have written down on my notes but I feel that we will probably just see what happens on the day. I may be to overcome with elation to care, but if I can keep some sort of control I will ask at the time of delivery for this to be done.

Hi all, I'm sorry I've been off the radar for a bit and had loads to catch up on. I'm still full of cold but I'm getting there, my sore throat isn't so sore that I can't swallow now (so now able to resume tea and biscuit consumption... yay!)

Congratulations sparks!!!!! Iris is such a gorgeous name, and your birth experience sounds fantastic. Long may the bliss last!!!
And congratulations Filbrit too on the birth of Natalia!!!! I hope you're both doing well and you're recovering from your cs well. Gosh, all these babies, can't wait to see some pictures!!

Dal - I've been recommended to stock up on peppermint tea to help with the post cs wind issue... and as an emergency i'm going to take some windeeze with me just in case I can't get any hot water to make some tea. As a bit of a sufferer of trapped wind anyway (sorry, tmi I know!!) I know walking around is good to get things moving, so I'm aiming to be on my feet as soon as possible after the cs. Get those bowels working!!!

canadianmum - I'm feeling much happier now I've decided what we're doing and it's all arranged. I did have a slight case of the sweats this morning thinking about what it'll feel like to have someone's hands in my abdomen while I'm still conscious, but surely no stranger than having a midwifes hands up your ladybits !!! I guess there's lots to be a bit squeamish about either way you have a baby, just got to focus on meeting my baby, I so can't wait now! Having a date has made me much more impatient. Thanks for the top tip regards the painkillers. I don't have to be asked twice to take them, I'm such a wimp, just having a cold I'm clock watching to see when I can take my next batch of paracetamol!! When ever I've been in hospital in the past they were quite tight with the painkillers (I had to practically beg for some when I had my knee op a few years ago) but I know how important it is to get moving as soon as possible after an op, much as you just want to lie around dozing! I love your idea of birthing playlist on your ipod. Is that for during labour? Do you want mellow stuff only or would baby love by the supremes be a good one to add? Maybe one for between contractions, dance around the room singing (so good for active labour hehehe )

On the matter of wiping the baby straight after the birth, cos I'm having a cs I really want to have him deposited on me straight away, no matter what his condition!! I don't care if he's slimy, I'm going to miss out on dressing him the first time so I'm not going to miss out on his first minutes. Dh isn't too squeamish about things like that, if he can survive the cs he'll be ok with a bit of goo I've already told him if I can't do skin to skin he's got to do it, slime and all

hayley - glad you're back at home and feeling better!

I get accused of being addicted to mumsnet too, I keep relating top tips I've learnt from here saying..."my friend says..." and his response is "is this a mumsnet friend or a real one?" The cheek!!! My midwife said to me the other day that I should be running the antenatal classes cos I was so well informed. All down to Mumsnet I think

Lou - great to hear jasmine is doing well and growing fast! I was thinking last night as I got up for the loo for the millionth time, that I hoped it would feel better getting up for my baby than to pee. You've confirmed exactly what I thought!

On the bf bra front - I don't really have any specific ones, but when I got pg I found underwired bras really uncomfortable and the only decent non wired bras in my boob size (pretty generous!) were breastfeeding ones with the detatchable strap things. I'm hoping those will be ok. My boobs were so sore when I was first pg that I did buy them in quite a generous size so I've got a bit of room to grow in to them.

Tinkjon - good luck for the 13th too! our babies will be twins

Phew! loads of catching up to do, sorry this has been so long.... I guess I must be getting better cos I can focus long enough to type this much

I hope everyone is well and having a good weekend

MrsMar (12 days to B Day!!!)
xx

MrsMar

I too am due on the 13th. I will count down with you.

NorfolkBumpkin

I actually live in Norwich so went to one round the corner. I know Poringland though.

oooh goody!! Let the countdown commence... T minus 12 days!!

38 wks today!

Ok so i really thought i might have delivered by now and consultant appointment on tues is looming so i'd like some advice please.

The appointment was set up to discuss induction if i hadn't had the baby due to back and pelvis problems and a generally difficult pregnancy. I'm very fed up, suffering with an uncomfortably itchy bump and stretchmarks growing by the day which is really depressing me. I've been willing things to happen naturally but i'm slightly anxious about induction! On one side i would have a definate end and wouldn't have to wait possibly another 3 wks, would be able to arrange childcare which is a problem at the moment as nearest help 2 hrs away, and my other fear of actually making it to the hospital due to quick labour last time wouldn't exist! But i've heard some negative things about induction mainly being stuck in a bed and unable to move around possibly lengthening labour and generally going against nature, which bothers me. I need to decide either way what i want to do. Any suggestions/experience of induction?

Morning all!

MrsM - you feeling better today?? I have been told about the peppermint tea/ windeeze - gawd, wonder how bad it can be. cannot be worse than I have been on occasion during this pregnancy...heaven help me if it is!

Chatty - sorry cannot help re. the induction. Am sure someone with experience will be able to share.

Well I am sat here doing nada - this baby always moves more when I am resting, so intend to rest lots. Dont want another reduced movement episode to result in early delivery. Want to make it to 37/38 weeks! So have been busy googling mother to be spa packages! Hopefully havent jinxed myself - have another appt first thing tmrw...bub better be ok! I still have to squeeze in a predelivery haircut! LOL! I have my priorities straight dont I??

Have great sundays everyone! Hope you all had restful nights..

Hi chatty, sorry I can't help but I hope things get moving soon!

Dal - I'm feeling a bit better but I have some spectacular phlegm (tmi I know, but if we can talk about discharge.... hehehehe!) and a hacking cough. I sound like I'm on 40 a day, but at least it's evidence of the infection coming out!

I'm pretty tired though, woke up at 6am with total brain alertness syndrome and lay in bed with my head buzzing. Dh is away on a stag do so I was just enjoying having the bed to myself

I'm going to be doing some mummy to be treats this week too dal, my sister bought me a top to toe package for expectant women for my birthday, so I'm going to cash that in and enjoy myself. I hope your LO behaves him/herself long enough to allow you to enjoy some serious pampering!

I'm off to lunch at my mum and dad's have a lovely sunday everyone...

take care xxx

Congratulations to Sparks and Filbrit! Lovely names (Iris is a fave of mine but not of DH!), enjoy the early days with your LOs.
Chatty, I had an induction (i/v drip) and OK, it's my only experience of labour, but it was fine. I felt 100 percent confident I was in the right hands, and (as you say) it felt more controlled. FWIW, the drip was started around midnight, I was in full labour an hour later, and fully dilated by 8AM. Pain relief was G and A, then an epidural started around 5AM - maybe only necessary because of continuous foetal monitoring, as once I walked around the contractions were easier. We had a ventouse delivery. I think people worry about the 'cascade of interventions', but many natural labours have epidural and assisted delivery, so I took the view that I have no idea what a natural labour would have been like with DD! Hope that helps.

Morning all.

Congratulations to everyone who has had their LO - I am very jealous. I am fed up of this waiting game and of having to have my blood pressure taken twice a day while they decide whether to leave me be for a bit longer or induce (because of the blood pressure). Am 38+2 today and although I would love to have the baby now I am also concerned about induction and the risk that it might end up leading to a c section.

At least it is the weekend and I have my DH here with me today - I dread the week days when I am on my own and surrounded by builders.

Sorry for the moaning post - just feel a bit up in the air this morning!

Birth Announcement

Hi ladies I have just had a text from PLP!!

Cerys was born at 5.34am this morning weighing in at a nicely rounded 8 pounds!! According to her Mum she is a guzzler and gorgeous with it!

Apparently PLP's waters broke during X Factor - does Simon Cowell have this effect on everyone???

Will catch up more later xxxxx

FANTASTIC another girl.

Congratulations PLP and Cerys. So exciting they are coming quick and fast now. We are due a boy though aren't we?

Ooooh, lots of babies!!! Congrats to everybody - what beautiful names, too! Lovely to hear the news!

Chatty, I was induced and was far from kept to the bed. I had Prostin gel and was positively encouraged to get up and walk around (even leaving the ward for a walk around the hospital grounds at some points). I never got further than the gel so can't advise about drips but the gel definitely wasn't confining - only in the sense that you can be sometimes in hospital for some time before it starts to work. As for intervention, the only reason my induction ended up in a cs was because I asked for one I wanted one all along but was refused, then when they said to me during the induction "if the next lot of gel doesn't work you might have to prepare yourself for the possibility of a cs, I'm afraid". They obviously expected me to burst into tears at the prospect but instead I was delighted and said "yes, yes, that's fine, pleeeease c/s me NOW!!!"

Dal, re. the post c/s wind - the peppermint didn't really help me last time (and I've heard it can negatively affect milk supply) so I'm taking Windeze this time. The problem is that because you can't use your stomach muscles for a while, it's pretty hard to try and... ahem... expel it, shall we say? If you really want a tmi tip, then the only thing that helped me was the act of sitting down on the loo - I'd sit down, stand up, sit down, stand up, repeat, several times and that was the only thing that actualyl got rid of it. There, I said it was tmi, didn't I?

I am getting so frightened about going into labour before my section date - and MN'ers who are popping early aren't helping Every little twinge and I break out into a panicked sweat. Argh, I just want a day without anything to panic about!!! I know it's better for the baby but I can't believe they're making me wait so close to my due date...

Well. I am off tomorrow for my c-section. Couple of times I felt like I would go earlier but not meant to be.

I am hoping for a girl but I have no idea what I am having - just couldn't get a clear feeling like I did when I was pregnant with my son. I knew he was a boy but this one???

All the best to the ladies still left on this thread. I will let you know how everything pans out.

Congrats to PLP and welcome to little cerys!! Hope you are both doing well!

MrsM - glad you are feeling a little better and phlegm talk on this thread certainly isnt tmi! I have moved into the spare bedroom - given up sharing with DH. I love having the whole bed to myself. I do miss him, but think both of us getting a good nights sleep is more important..

Tink - that is what I had heard about peppermint tea too, well I will ask some more questions of my midwife tomorrow. Sorry you are feeling a little anxious! Even if you go into spontaneous labour - wont they deliver you via csection anyways? If my waters break - I have to head straight in for a csection. Please try not to worry (easier said than done i know)am sure everything will be ok.

Pinkhearts - good luck for tomorrow!

Congrats PLP!

Thanks for advice re induction. Still hoping something will happen before then?

I'm very jealous that PLP has had Cerys 3 weeks early but with that weight i bet she's glad she didn't go full term!

38wks

Wow BIG congrats to PLP and bayb Cerys, though it is a bit rude of her to queue jump
All the best for tomorrow Pinkhearts, look forward to hearing the announcement

Chattyhan - re IOL that doesnt mean that you cant still have choices. Sure you may have more monitoring etc but you dont have to be lying on the bed for that, you can sit in the chair, on your ball, standing, you can still have some control. Plus as its you 2nd baby it is more likely to work quicker and the fact you had a previous quick delivery are all plus points! I think as long as you keep an open mind and just go with it, it will work out for you. HTH I am sure what ever you choose will be best fro you and bub!!

Dal, yes I will still get a c-section if I go into labour, but there's always the chance that they will be tied up with several emergencies and I'm terrified that they'll be too busy to do me and that I'll end up having to labour for hours...

Hello All! Soory for radio silence, congratulations to all new mums who have delivered since i was last here on thurs - all such beautiful names, what lucky babies!

and thank you to all who posted me good vibes - they must have worked because babyenormous, 8lb 11oz was born 1858 thursday 30th august after the most amazing and wonderful birth. she was born in the birthing pool with just me, dh and fantastic midwife in attendance. it couldn't have been calmer or better in any way. no stiches! and quick! it was around half four when we got to hosp!

i can't speak highly enough of queen charlottes, our midwife or childbirth. it really can be a good experience!

i'm afraid we're still struggling with name which is a bit pathetic but our new daughter is adorable and beautiful and we're smitten!

if it wasn't for the piles i'd be walking on air. oh well, you gotta laugh haven't you?!

Ooooh my word what fab news ECATLM, What a big bouncing baby you have!Hope everything is going well. It's really getting exciting now, all these babies popping. I have just had my home visit from the midwife to check my BP/urine and everything is a bit better. She said head is definitely engaged so I just want to see my little bub now, getting very jealous of all these babies arriving.......

ECATLM - Many congratulations to you too, blimey, they're coming thick and fast now I wonder who is going to have the first boy??

OMG!!! So many babies arriving thick and fast, and so many girls - pinkety pink pink.

Congratulations PLP - I am also very of this blatant queue jumping, you will be back in your jeans before mine even pops.

Congratulations ECATLM - So pleased to hear you had a wonderful birth, it is very inspiring for those of us still queuing. You must be walking on air.......

Mrsmar - I have had a hideous phlegmy cough for weeks, I really sound like I am a heavy smoker sometimes. It only really hits once or twice a day but is very embarrassing . Fortunately I never suffered with wind pain after my CS. If I end up needing another CS I will pack some peppermint tea, windeeze and loads of rennies.

pinkhearts - good luck! Hope all goes well and I am very jealous that you will be seeing your lo soon.....

I am mega-nesting today. Also had a weird night's sleep, kept getting a lot of bump discomfort from baby moving. Have also been getting lots of pokes down below, am hoping this is bubba moving down a bit more and getting ready for a timely birthday.

Have a lovely rest of the weekend everyone!

canadianmum - 38+1

mrsmar - re: my birth playlist, so far it is all mellow but I might add some "boogie" stuff soon .

For my DH, I call you all the "internet ladies" as in "Another internet lady has had her baby". He thinks its weird because I don't even know what most of you look like, but I said that I know a lot more about some of you than I do my best friends!!!

Many congratulations to PLP and ECATLM, and all the best to you for tomorrow, Pinkhearts!

CONGRATULATIONS PLP AND ECATLM!! And so nice to hear some really positive birth experiences. Helps make the rest of us a bit less nervous, hopefully!

And good luck pinkhearts . Jealous of you knowing it will be tomorrow.

Thanks for all the thoughts on baby cleaning - I'm going to ask my MW on Thursday what usually happens, and see what she thinks. If I make it that far!

Getting impatient for the big event now. Though at the same time, have just spent a very pleasant afternoon in bed with DH, and it occurs to me that once LO arrives, we won't have much opportunity for afternoons like that for about the next twenty years .