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

My mums my birthing partner so she's going to come pick me and DH up (providing he comes with me!) and my dad is going to have the kids either here or at theirs depending on what day of the week it is (not sure with school etc!). I'm so grateful that they live just ten minutes away, I really feel for those of you who have difficulties in this area, it must be a nightmare!

The only room for glitches I can see is if my mum is working far away as she works all over the country but I think she'll only be taking local bookings. With DD1 I was in labour all day before I went into the hospital so I'm sure she'll have time to make it back... Now I'm sitting here worrying "what if I have a really fast labour with this one!!!!?????" Arrrgggghhhh!!!!

Chatty - thanks for that. Just googled it and dont think it is that - but the symptoms do sound a little like PGP which is very very similar. At this stage, they are few and far between, but defo worth knowing what to do to prevent it worsening. Thank you!

Morning all...

thanks for popping in Lulumama... no show from me yet, but I recognise the increase in discharge bit!

dal - I think my wakefulness is sometimes food related. I woke up the other night with the sort of hunger that would have me tearing through brick walls with my bare hands to get to food! I just can't get to sleep when I'm like that so had to have a banana and a glass of milk. No wonder I'm huge!!

kyala - sorry to hear about your argument with dh... I would be inclined to agree with you, not merely because you don't know these neighbours but also because it is a confusing time for children when another baby arrives and the more familiar the people she spends the time with the better. I would have thought being with her grandparents would be much better, they'll probably spoil her rotten and make the transition to having a new baby in the house much easier. I hope you manage to get things sorted soon!

On the arnica front... I took it each time I had my knee ops and it was pretty good, obviously i've got nothing to compare it with as I always took it, but my bruising was minimal. I think the hospital also gave me an injection of arnica before the operated on me the first time which was the bigger operation, so there must be something in it.I'm sure the NHS wouldn't waste money on something like that if there wasn't a clinical need for it.

I managed a lovely nights sleep last night, so relieved because I was shattered yesterday. I didn't sleep at all the night before, so I think I just passed out. Of course I had the usual 10 trips to the loo, but went back to sleep so quickly! Feeling much more refreshed! I'm off to meet up with some of the girls from my ante natal class now, we've had two baby girls born already! How exciting!

Have a great morning, back later xxx

I had a fast labour that started at 3am, I was worrying about what to do with ds but fortunately we have a fantastic babysitter that only lives 15 mins away if the roads are quiet and she said she will be on standby for me. If it happens in the early hours again she can drive over in her pyjamas and just go straight back to bed in our spare room She also works for my DH so if its in the day she can still come over and see to ds. I do feel for those of you that may have problems, I realise how lucky we are.

I have this problem with the lo's as well, fast labour, mum 1/2 an hour-1 hour away [she insists on getting dressed you know!]
I have set up a contact group of friends who I asked at the end of the term to text if I needed any help, but may end up with three pairs of eyes watching me lol.
Obviously if I am this quick [again ] then dp will still be about 3 hours away anyway...
I might join you for a few late night early morning chats as sleep remains elusive atm.. first my body's knackered, but my mind won't stop, then around midnightish it all swaps over....

Just think soon we'll be so knackered we'll fall asleep sitting up lol

Thank you all for your lovely comments. For those of you that are worried about names, etc, I can assure you that both times, when I looked at my newborn daughter, I thought "You look like a ...." - The name just seems to fit. It's amazing.

She is doing really well. We have to go back in to hospital for a repeat blood test at 11 am, but looking at her, I think she is a bit more yellowy orange than when we left the hospital last night, so am not holding my breath that we leave it this morning

To be honest, she could have many more issues to contend with, being born slightly early. She had no breathing issues, fed beautifully from the moment she was born, and woke herself for feeds.

She is absolutely scrummy, and we've nick-named her "Flipper" because she makes sounds like the dolphin called Flipper in the TV show all those years ago!

We are currently going about 3 hours between the start of one feed and the start of the next one. But she takes ages to feed - loves to have a full tummy. So I went to sleep at 06.30 this morning, and she was back awake at 08.45 - still have a grin from ear to ear.

Fielding the 'rough love' from my 20 month old is interesting - have a feeling Jasmine will be toughened up very, very quickly!! She is great, but kisses her one minute, and then thinks "What's that squidgy thing...?" "It's her eye, Millie, she only gets two!".

Regarding the school year thing, I some of you will wish your children had gone to school a year younger, because they are frustrated having to wait. Others will have babies in August, and wish they'd gone to their due date, 'cos their lo would have benefitted from an extra year at home. I wasn't going to get to my due date anyway, so for me it was just a case of the 12th or a week or two later.

Loux

So pleased things are going well for you lou!! xx

MrsM - You could be eating worse things at that time in the morning - sounds perfectly healthy to me! I have also posted a really good website I found on breech babies on the breech watch post. Has tons of info on there. But having read up lots more this morning, I think you should defo insist on a scan....just for your peace of mind.

I had a dream last night that they told me they were getting this baby out in first/ second week of sept....hmmm, bet that is my subconcious playing out.

Lou - you sound so fantastically happy. It is wonderful - you are making me feel most impatient about meeting my bub! Cannot wait! Hope the visit goes well this morning and have to say - your baby sounds really well aside from the jaundice. Keep us updated!

LOU CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

am soooo happy for you! you sound utterly besotted...

i am only here briefly this morning as off out to meet some girls from antenatal class for lunch/walk at 11:30, but promised i'd post after trip to midwife this morning...

well, i had been having yellow/green snot discharge for a while, but quite a lot more of it this morning. midwife said could be a show, could be infection, then she did internal examination to see how far along i was as i am so uncomfortable and heavy!! she offered a stretch and sweep which i agreed to if possible....stretch and sweep felt like pressure on bladder (doesn't everything these days?!) but nothing painful about it at all, though was HORRIFIED at amount of blood on midwife's gloves!!! apparently i am 2cm dilated!!!! OMG!!!!! i have had no pain at all, except a slight backache, no more than i would expect from having this massive bump tho, and a dull achy feel in my pelvic bones (making me walk like John Wayne). MW thinks baby coming v soon!!!

HOORAY! am very excited but very very scared as well.... i will keep you informed about how it goes and if i do actually go into labour or not..keeping myself busy today so i dont sit at home stressing!!

sorry this post is all me, me, me today, i have to go out so no time to read everyone else's....hope everyone ok tho.

Ooooh kerri, how exciting! Enjoy your walk and do keep us informed about how you're doing!

Kerri you had a much better app than me!! I had to see a GP as no midwifes available due to holiday. Didn't measure me or check babies position or engagement!!!!! I'd really have liked to know if all these pains are getting me somewhere! She was very sweet but they just don't normally see pregnant women for ante natal care. So said she wouldn't be able to tell about engagement. Ah well. X amount of days of uncertainty to go then! I have my next app at 39 weeks.

OOh kerri, I can't wait for any update!Sounds like things could be moving. I am just sooo bored sitting around resting although I know it's the right thing to do. Think I'll go and make myself some more toast with lemon curd, mmmmm yummy.........

bumpkin, I know how you feel! I've only got up off the setee once so far this morning for a wee and to make some toast and it nearly killed me! I feel awful sitting around doing nothing but I know its about all I can do at the moment!

Lou - many congratulations! What lovely news. And your first post makes it sound so straightforward - I hope it was! Also love the name. And there is nothing like hearing about a birth to make it all seem more real! Cool.

Kerry - good luck, interesting to hear about sweep, I didn't realise it might be bloody either, hope all goes well if anything more starts to happen...

Love all this talk of discharge - where else eh? It is especially bizarre reading at work?

Sympathy to those waking in the night - I have done repeatedly now - loo break at 5am, then wide awake, thinking about stuff. But I went to bed a bit later last night and did sleep through so maybe that's the answer.

I am also totally confused whether baby is in right position or not. I keep trying to work out what is what in my belly and it's a total mystery to me? there seem to be too many lumps and bumps, not to mention high kicks and low kicks - how is this possible!??!! I think I need to just stop thinking about it, and use mental powers (i.e. repeat to self : the baby is head down,etc).

I am not organised yet, though have bought most stuff I need for hosp. bag. Last day at work tomorrow and to be honest not got a lot to do now - huzzah! (thus I've been able to catch up on here!) Then I will be packing bags and washing and cooking like there's no tomorrow?. Though off to my brother's in the cotswolds for a few days first for post work relax and to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Also how do those at St Georges know who their consultant is? I have no clue? should I know this information? I am starting to think I am a bit hopeless at all this - the midwife at my last appt said I should have been to the docs for at least two of my appts. But no one told me? oh well.

Sorry to hear some of you are getting frustrated. I'm only just 36 weeks (tomorrow) and still being at work means I've got 1001 things to do? but no doubt I will start getting frustrated pretty quickly once I'm off, I'm just too impatient!

Ok this thread is now almost impossible to keep up with!!!

Lou - congratulations!!! What fantastic news. Am happy to hear its gone so well and that your beautiful little girl has adapted to life outside with such ease!

Kerri - am very excited for you too. Looking forward to hearing lots of live labour updates!!

This whole sleep deprivation gig sucks doesn't it? How nature thinks that its a good idea to prepare you for sleep deprivation with......sleep deprivation I have no idea. Bloody silly if you ask me. I can't remember if I said but I seem to be being helped by liberal application of lavender spray to pillow and a good pair of earplugs. I still wake up several times but I can at least get back to sleep fairly quickly, Not sure about the hunger thing - might try having some yoghurt before I go to sleep and see if that makes me sleep for longer. Anything is worth a try!

Right, I'm off to make a big batch of fish pies for the freezer - might as well try to keep busy. I'll check in again later today. Hope you all have good days and that we get some more baby action!

Hugs to all!! xxxx

Rin, the consultants name is in my notes... on the very first page under the midwifery team name there's the name of the consultant. It's also written on the first of the antenatal clinic visits notes, just above my very first ante natal visit notes, to the right of the page.

Lou - how wonderful things sound for you, I'm v it must be so lovely having your little girl with you. I hope she continues to progress with the jaundice. you sound so happy!

Kerri - how exciting! Keep us posted if you can. I'm sure that lunchtime walk will help get things going!

dal - I'm just off to have a look at that website, I'm going to call the midwives this afternoon for a chat about a scan.

Hello - had a call this morning. One of my friends who was only at 32 weeks has had her little girl via emergency c section! Baby weighs 2lbs. 8oz - and is obv in incubator. From what I can gather - my friends blood pressure shot up and it all happened fairly quickly. They are saying that baby needs to stay in hospital for 5-6 weeks but sounds as though they are both doing well! Blimey - I am stunned!

MrsM - let us know how the call goes. Good decision methinks.

Dal - OMG for your friend. Glad it sounds as though it all went well though. good luck to her!

MrsM, thanks for info re consultant. Just checked my notes, and the first section you mention is ominously blank, and the bit under the first Antenatal clinic visit notes just says LRM... ? ( a quick google search doesn't enlighten me... land rover monthly is the main contender). Must ask midwife at next appt.

things really are starting to get going aren't they, it is very exciting
i have spent the morning doing the housework, is still raining so thought it would be a good way to be active, bloody knackered now tho. i know it is good to be active but it is just to exhausting. as most of you sleeping at night is just not happening at the moment
has anyone else found that their appetite has decreased recently i always assumed i would be eating like a horse

Lou congratulations! wonderful news and a really lovely name. You've got us off to a great start!

Kerry - oooh - good luck! how exciting!

and Dal - congrats to your friend as well. glad they're both doing well.

Kyala - sorry you're upset. we have had v similar 'discussion'. neighbours, who are nice, offered but out of politeness i'm sure! it's rather a big ask for someone you've had tea with three times! our plan was meant to be fil having dd - but he is two hours away for the summer (the entire summer) and is now also ill so not the best person. dh has uncle down road who is willing and lovely but is seventy odd and hasnt changed a nappy since his kids were babies, oh, and he has a broken foot... dh has sister who is willing but is rarely around... and that leaves er... me getting in taxi and going to hosp to get on with it myself! I'd rather do this than be worried about dd to be honest.
my mum (thank god for my mum) arrives sept 1st and due date is sept 2nd so just keeping fingers crossed...

Chattyhan that is good idea about taking dd to hosp depending on time of day etc - but do they allow that (thinks: we can't be the only people with this problem) It could buy us some time...
Would love to hear from midwives - honestly - what attitude is to people who do this. if it is annoying i'd rather know and avoid it!

i did manage to sleep last night for first time in ages and then got up, had some cornflakes and felt so awful had to go back to bed. luckily my dh is a saint at times like these and took time off working until his partner arrived and even then kept dd for a while. i don't know how i'd cope if he worked outside the home. i was lit falling asleep!

determined to do stuff this aft. will take dd out to doc with me and then round shops to buy arnica. not a great outing in the rain for a toddler. do feel i'm letting her down but not sure what else i can do...it's waaay to wet for park and have doc to go to. the only indoor play place closed recently (and was hell on earth anyway). ho hum. bloody summer.

we're meant to be going out tonight but i'm having a real sick feeling day. still, could be our last chance for a good while so don't want to cancel it. tapas then i can pick and dh can hog out!?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CONGRATULATIONS LOU*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What fantastic news, we've all been on tenterhooks waiting for your news, what a lovely name, that's one of our top 5. 'Our' first baby, how exciting!

ECATLM, Evian spray is a good start , I still haven't finished sorting my bag out yet, need to buy 'granny' knickers!

Pennypops, sorry to hear you were feeling a bit tearing yesterday love, hope you're feeling better today?

Holly, welcome back from your hols. Was it hot in France? Glad you had a nice time, and little one decided not to make an early appearance on holiday.

Canadianmum and all those with posterior bubs, try and do everything you can to get those babies to turn, don't want to scare you, but I had a posterior labour with DS1 and it wasn't 'good'. If you do find yourself in a position of labouring wiht a OP baby, ask ask ask for pain relief, don't try and be brave like me.. stupid girl! Scare over , sorry. Canadianmum, it must seem like such a long pregnancy for you this time mustn't it? When did you have your twins? Glad the pre-eclampsia is behaving.

MrsMar, I'm so SO so with you on the 'I want to KNow', I'm exactly the same and like to plan for things and know just what is going to happen etc. Dal, yes I'm a non 'greyer' too! I drive DH mad, no in fact he drives me mad, whenever we have a dilemma about anything and I want to discuss what to do, he always responds 'oh we'll sort something out' , think he just says that to tease me!

Thanks Lulumama for your visit and wisdom . When I had a show with DS1 it was like THICK snot with streaks of blood, it just kept on coming away when I wiped, I had him less than 48 hours later. The showy type thing I had on Tues was much much thinner and it's completely stopped now.

MrsBumbleBee, details please, dinner inspiration!

PPP, my Dh is lucky he still has a Dad after today!!!! I asked him to help put up a clothes rail in DS1's room as DH is unable to do any DIY. I would ordinarily have done it myself, but like yourself am suffering from hip pain. OMG the huffing and puffing that came from the man, you'd think I'd asked him to build an extension, I was then asked to 'leave him to it'! FFS he's forgotten that 2 years ago I single handedly fitted ALL the plasterboard and timber in our loft conversion. How f*ing dare he treat me like some daft female, oooh can you tell I was a bit wound up???

Kerry, glad your stretch and sweep wasn't too horrendous. YAY 2 cms, you keep us posted won't you,

dal, my goodness that's unexpected news about your friend. SHe must be utterly shocked, glad LO is doing well.

kelmcd, yes I definitely am finding I'm less hungry, and when I do eat I'm unable to fit much in, it's somewhat off putting having a baby's head pushing on your stomach ! I was definitely eating for 2 by this stage with both my boys, I wonder if that's why they were so big

kyala, I've kind of buried my head in the sand when it comes to what to do with my boys when the event happens. Sorry about your worries on that front.

Me! I had my first physio appointment this morning for my dodgy hip. It seems that there's not much for me to do except wear this support girdle I've been given and do lots of core strengthening exercises. I have what's called joint hypermobility which means I can do things like bend my thumbs back to touch my forearms and my elbows and knees bend back too far when I straighten them. The result of this is my joints aren't supported properly. This caused me to develop bunions when I was 6/7 years old (yes you heard me right 6 yrs old!). I had them both operated on about 18 months ago. I've been told that I must take up Pilates when I've recovered from the birth, as this is the best form of exercise for my 'condition'. Well it's taken me an eternity to catch up with everyone's posts, problem was I didn't have access to laptop whilst FIL was here! I'm now sitting in lounge STILL waiting for granite company to turn up to fit the granite in our kitchen. Getting a bit worried they're going to cancel, even though they've promised they're still coming.

HIWBB 35+4

good afternoon, can anyone tell me is it normal to feel so sore inside? i feel like someone has shoved their whole hand up me and left me bruised/pulled my muscles too far. got no stomach pain or tightening and no show yet. lo is only just starting to engage

lll

37+3

i have posted in 'childbirth' to gather opinions about taking dcs to hosp when in labour - if necessary. hope it gets some answers! x

Kerri28 - how exciting, good luck and let us know how are you when you get a spare moment!

Thanks to everyone who has mentioned arnica tablets, I hadn't thought of anything like that and I've now added them to my list of things to buy for my hospital bag - whenever I'm feeling adventurous enough to try to go and shop for it. I went out this morning and had to abandon my shopping at one point to get outside - I went all dizzy and breathless.

The number of people on this board seems a bit surprising until you keep a look out and start to notice how many bumps there are everywhere!

That should say 'how you are' The weather has improved and my brain's gone mushy...