Due in December 07 - that's next month!!

[buzzybee]

Thought I'd start a new thread

Sorry Suey, hopefully everything is ok and that it's just your bump having a bit of a growth spurt. Wonder what you'll be able to see at the scan? There's not much room for the baby now

Sorry Suey2, hopefully nothing too serious, and consultant just being precautious. My friend had to have growth scans as she was also measuring big for dates and had gd as well. Baby was fine though, week early and 8lb 2! He's now 8 weeks old and totally adorable.
Forgot to metion after the aquafit, went to Boots to buy some bits for hospital bag, got some witch hazel, above mentioned friend said she put it on her maternity pads and found it very soothing. I also bought some badedas as well, apparently a few drops of that in the bath is good as well, according to the assistant I spoke to in Boots. It's on offer in Boots, just as well not exactly cheap - only bought a small bottle.

I have just spent the afternoon looking at toddler groups to take DS to when we move in 2 whole weeks time. One or two I went to when he was born when we lived there.

My cunning plan involves two of the groups being at least a 30 minute walk each way which is two hours of pushing buggies and both involve a fairly steep hill, hopefully this will help with the weight loss. I was overweight before I had DS and was an extra stone heavier when I got pregnant again so I will have a lot of work to do.

Dont forget we are having a Weight Loss Club once the LO's are here. I am keeping a list and will be chasing you all once you are suitably recovered....

Suey - I am sure it wont be too serious, you werent measuring massive for your dates... at 38 weeks they told me my baby was a big one, he was 7.5 lbs so please dont worry, if anything another chance to have a little look at the baby.

Ambi, I was terrified of tearing too, but when I did with DS2 (small second degree) I really didn't feel it as everything is happening at once and you're so caught up in pushing the baby out so its not like a whole separate pain. Is this making things worse?! I hope not. I'm not looking forward to the pain again, but the way that labour works, with a slow build up, somehow makes your body cope and I'm sure you'll be ok. As for the gore, it is yuk, but same again, you don't really notice at that stage. And then you get your gorgeous LO.

Honestly I didnt even know that I had a tear until the MW said she was just going to stitch me up.

Sorry to hear that Suey.

MM what pain relief did you have when they stitched you? I'm scared of being stitched at home.

I'm scared too of the stitches.... infact I think it scares me more than anything else.

Been to visit my local breast feeding support group today, was lovely everyone really nice and lots of very new very tiny babies. Very reassuring to speak to new mums a few weeks along on the other side of it all and hear their experiences of the first few weeks of parenthood.

Got measured for a breastfeeding bra too, the bravado ones are so much comfier than the M&S ones I've got, can see myself wearing that one from here on in, though it's a touch too big at the mo to allow for expansion when milk comes in!

Suey: my sympathies. I'm several weeks into the whole glucose/GD/big baby/scans scenario, so feel free to ask.

Oh, and FWIW I'm 37 weeks and measuring 41!

oo yes, better get myself down to R&P next week- they said come back at 37 weeks.

Am embarrassed to admit that now i am spending more time at home, I am loving my leisure suits I bought from mothercare- so comfotable- my mat jeans now seem to either dig into the bottom of my bump or just fall down. DH was most amused by the easy access holes in the vests for BF!

thanks for all the support, ladies. I admit i panicked a bit particularly after I spoke to DH who slightly freaked out.

Had a lovely day planned today.Facial,brow wax,manicure and cut and colour.

Then got home and realised builders have not been.This is the week they have to finish (a two week extension to original time) and so far have done four hours.

No kitchen.No cloakroom. Plastering to be done.Outside a builders yard.

DH just rang him and he was hungover.

Two weeks to go and feeling v v stressed

Housemum, I have lost at least 2lb in the last month!! I have a book which says to not to expect to put on much weight in the last trimester. When I read that months ago I couldn't work out why that would be the case but now I think its because (a) you can eat stuff all without getting heartburn (natural apetite suppressant!) and (b) amniotic fluid levels start reducing from 34 weeks onwards (the things you learn!) Both of which could tend to counteract weight gains by the LO.

Re birth plans, you can also specify a preference NOT to have stitches if your MW thinks any tear will heal naturally on it own pretty well. However, be prepared for them to want to stitch if you've had an epi.

I agree on the Vit K and the placenta injection - can't see any reason not to.

Regarding pethidine/diamorphine - just last night I was reading an old thread about the diff between these two drugs posted by Mears (a resident MW on MN). I've always been a firm advocate of pethidine (didn't have diamorphine tho so can't comment) as I found it really helpful last time. But what the thread brought home is that both are really sedatives more than pain killers (both in the heroin/morphine family) and therefore the reason I think it worked for me is I had after long sleepless night of contractions every 3 mins and the peth combined with gas and air enabled me to doze for a few hours in between contractions. So can't guarantee that it took a great deal of the pain away but was great to be able to get a bit of rest right when I needed it (and luckly wore off just as I got to 10cm).

Sorry for long post!! Oops, also meant to say - think it takes about 1 week for your uterus to shrink so you tend to look preggers for at least 3-4 days after. Then its just a matter of getting rid of the rest!!

Oh Chocpeanut, just what you need!! Really really unprofessional

Suey2, hugs to you too. As you know I am measuring very big for my dates but with me is extra fluid not GD (my challenge glucose results were on the high end of normal, but still in the normal range). Could this be the case for you? Measuring 38 weeks at 36 weeks doesn't sound too bad? All the best.

Thanks buzzy - I called the Tommy's midwife line to ask and theysaid the same as you, and that they used to bother about weight gain but now they know it can fluctuate, and so long as I wasn't underweight pre-pregnancy (some hope!) it was fine.

loucee - we both work in engineering and its so male dominated I don't even think they think about things like children and childcare - when I had phone call last week from childminder and had to leave meeting to collect him as he had fever (we ended up at A&E so not a small issue) I was asked if anyone else could collect him so I could finish meeting! I did tell them that i don't have a wife to do that and family comes first but was dh's work are better, they just don't think tho
need to have chat with mum and get her to come and help me when dh away, her n dad only live 30 mins away, am just worried if she has to be my birth partner, know she support me but she's not 100% about home birth (think she's prefer me to go into hosp and stay for a week!) there is no one else I'd like to have there tho, in some ways dh not being there for birth is the most stressful, desperate to get rid of bump but hope little one hangs in till at least 38 wks, had cry earlier but ds is getting better, we had proper giggles this evening which is lovely and dh is 'training' him to settle himself at night after being ill (he used to go down fine) only took 45 mins so by the time he goes away we should be ok, was worried I'd be sleeping of ds's floor for a week! decided positive affirmation is the way forward

Wizzska - I had local and gas and air when I was stitched - didn't even think about it if at home, guess i'll have g&a but not local?

suey - sorry to hear about measuring big but hope consultant is being over cautious

chocolatepeanut - hugs for you about house, hope they get their arses in gear and get it sorted for you

agree on plancenta injection - I felt it was best to get it over with so could have bath and enjoy baby

hi'yall im measuring huge, baby estimaed to be 9lb 6 when born, no mention of growth scan tho, im only 5ft so hope i will be ble to cope, we must just cook em well!!!

Actually last time I was measured, I was measured a week ahead, MW didn't think it was sa big deal.
Insy - so sorry that you are having a stressful time of things! I toyed with the idea of a home birth but DH was 100% against it, he wants me in hospital, but will support an early discharge as he knows I want to limit my stay.
I also work in a heavily male dominated industry. I'm the only female manager on site and one of the most senior women in the company - I manage the company's biggest lab. But on the whole they have been pretty good, boss has been very solicitous of my health and well being. It's just that it has been very difficult because of all the staff changes. Be interested to see what happens when I go back with the baby! My may concern is that both DH and I live a considerable distance from our places of work, in addition DH has to travel to London on a regular basis so he wouldn't be available to pick dc up in an emergency on those days. But we will just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

Morning all - Just a quicky hello as I have a conference to attend to for part of today. Wasn't feeling too well yesterday and with the stressful day that I had on Wednesday, stayed at home on Thursday. Dh was really good and worked from home yesterday and we went out for Pizza Hut buffet lunch (am sure they made on a loss on takings while I was there )

Sorry haven't caught up on all posts - will try and do so later. Hope I haven't missed anything and that you ladies are well.....

Housemum - I also think it might be something to do with stress!! Have certainly been a few moments for me in the last few weeks and I think for all of us we are starting to worry a little about things like the birth, house renovations, will the right people be around at the right time etc etc.

Had to laugh though - my mum has gone overseas for 2 weeks. She's due back 3 weeks before my DD. This is something she's planned for a few months. Suddenly the day she leaves she rings me 2 times and leaves messages, and sends me a text all saying "hope you're going to be OK, hope nothing happens, love you etc". Followed by an email saying that one of her friends has volunteered to be her surrogate in the event that anything DOES happen. I thinks she's more stressed than me right now!!!

morning all.
been lurking for past couple of weeks- ml = blissful inactivity (more or less) and less to talk about.

hugs and sympathy to everyone who's had unexpected/worrying developments whether absent partners or big-for-dates-ness. sometimes i wish we could do RL tea and sympathy - it's so frustrating sometimes knowing how people must be feeling but not really being able to do anything!

have our 36 wk appt (altho only 35+4) at birth centre in an hour. hopefully they'll be able to reassure me that the creaking/cramping doesn't mean that the niblet's going to put in an early appearance.

mind you, have just ordered two pineapples from tesco, and plan to start serious campaign of raspberry leaf tea, pineapple etc. when i hit 36 wks. bring it on... (i think?)

Morning everyone

Suey, yes my maternity clothes are getting quite uncomfortable - it's just shocking as they seemed soooo big when I first bought them!

Regarding tearing/cuts/gore - echo what everyone has said, at the time it seems to blend in with everything else that's going on. I found the experience of the midwives just changing your mat/bed towel quite invasive but again at the time it's the least of your worries.

Has anyone bought a wicker moses basket rather than a palm/maize leaf one? DH thinks I should've gone for wicker as seems more sturdy?

Insy - must be hard to keep your cool when you get silly comments like that from work. In this day and age you'd think work places would be more empathetic to work/life balances - not like you were saying it would be nice to take DS to the park or something!

Dundee - thanks for reminding me about Raspberry leaf, I've bought the tablets but they're at the back of the shelf. Think I'll start them on Monday when I'm 36 wks.
Started perineum massage last night - ouch!

Morning all...

On the diamorphine topic I really didnt like it personally, mainly as it made me sleep (altho maybe I needed it) and it also made DS sleep for about two days on and off. This time it is firmly listed as a no no on my birth plan and this is something I will not bennd on, however, if pain relief becomes something I want then I will transfer to the delivery suite from birthing unit and have an epidural.

Wizzka - for the stitches they gave me a local anaethe (sp thingy)and G&A hardly noticed, could feel a little tugging but not unccomfortable and certainly no pain.

Morning all

insy poor you. Hope your mum can come round and help you out and great to hear you ds is doing better. I know it's worrying but it really is quite unlikely that the baby will put in an appearance before 38 weeks (was you ds early/late?) Horrible timeing though

suey - sorry to hear about you measuring 2 wks ahead - 2cm doesn't sound too much - i was always 1 or 2 weeks ahead with dd but I suppose in conjunction with glucose in wee they are more cautious - good luck with the scan anyway

housemum - I've read to expect not to put on weight in the last 4 weeks. I haven't weighed myself in weeks but am pretty sure I have stopped gaining weight which I'm quite pleased about!

Re birth plan - I've been thinking abut this a lot as last time I had very vague ideas about what i wanted as I was a first timer. This time I think I want to be a lot more specific and like loucee want to give DH a lot more responsibility. he has been reading up on labour bless him and I want him to be quite informed on breathing techniques and knowing what i want so that he knows if what i'm asking for is what I wanted (obviously things can change once in labour)

What I would do differently from last time is:

refuse constant monitoring unless necessary leaving me free to move around
rely more on massage and breathing (supported by DH)
no pethidine
give birth squatting/on all fours
have DH make sure I really want any pain relief I ask for
have DH remind me to go for a wee every hour (needed a catheter last time because I had about 4 litres of water in my bladder!)