Due Jan 2008 - Ahhh getting close now!!!!

[mixedmama]

Helloooooo????

Afternoon all, I'm going to try to do a catchup but I've got a crap memory so apologies if I miss anyone or confuse names.

Awen - Congrats on the scan, sounds lovely. We have a MW apt tomorrow and if baby still "big" (Outside the 90th percentile) I'll have to go for a scan, hope it's as detailed as yours.

Apologies to all ill people - I feel quite lucky that i've had time off work now cos i'm sleeping loads and I think that's what's keeping me from feeling ill.

Naetha - Keep your chin up and just stand your ground, It's your baby and your body so if you don't want them to come TELL THEM!!.

On the conversation of baby clothes, I've been told over and over not to buy too much cos people will give us stuff and buy us stuff so ALL i've bought is a bundle off ebay and a snowsuit for coming home (oh and some socks, hats and TINY trainers)

RANT TIME - I want to knock my head against a brick wall with my mother..... First of all I told her I was thinking of a home birth bcos I hate the fact that if I give birth outside of visiting hours DP will be sent home and I HATE hospitals, scares the crap outta me. I got told not to be silly, it was a waste of money (birth pool) and NHS rescources. Then I said well I'm not going in till I absolutely have to and again I got a huff on the phone and don't be silly. You HAVE to go in as soon as it starts, whats the difference? Why do you have to be so difficult. She didn't have a normal birth so I know its silly of me but I don't really value her opinion on the labour side.

Oh I'm rattling on aren't I.

Big hugs to all the ill people and at your meeting tonight, have fun!!

Beller, the bag looks wicked. In fact, I'm rather tempted (being a bit of a 'silver' girl) but I've still got my funky OiOi bag from last time and I probably need to get a bit more use out of that to justify the £55 or so I spent on it...although, actually, I wouldn't normally hesitate to buy a new handbag after 2.5 years of use, so maybe I'm being foolish!!

MM - sorry to hear you're still feeling ...big ((((hugs)))) and hope you feel better really soon xxx

you can tell your mum that its cheaper for the NHS for homebirths!! Its true
Anyway you are the one having the baby, you have to do what YOU feel more comfortable with xxx

I like the mamas and papas bag a LOT. Pricey though..

LuckySalem - my MW at the antenatal class said to stay at home as long as possible because it's less stressful by far. She also said the NHS are trying to up the numbers of home births because they often have good outcomes and are EASIER on maternity departments. Feel free to pretend this was your MW! Drives me mad when everyone thinks they know best. Like my friend who told me that the ONLY place to have a birth was at home. Her DH privately confided that he'd hated it and was terrified. Each to his own I say! You should be free to do what makes you comfortable. with yer mum!

Lucky - Don't let your mother dictate to you. This is your birth, not hers. She should support you whatever your decision (as long as it's not something daft like wanting to have your baby half way up a tree )

Naetha -- hmm tree hugging birth! Sounds good!! hahaha.

I've already told DP I want a home water birth and he loves the idea but I don't think the MW will let us do that cos of my size I think it'd add to the risk but must remember to mention it to her on Tuesday to see what she says. (NOTE TO SELF, DO NOT TELL MOTHER)

My hospital bag arrived today, time to start packing soon then!! [scared face]

I find 'not telling' a good strategy!

By the way, I would a million times go for funky over practical, as long as its reasonably wipe-clean/washable and holds enough stuff...there's no need to put all fashion sensibility on hold just cos you've had a sprog, and this will replace your handbag for the forseeable future (ok, about 5 months at least!!)

Having said that, I bought this last time www.babygiftgallery.co.uk/Merchant2/4.13/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=O6]], which sort of seemed somewhere in the middle....

Eek, link failed

Trying again...!!

www.babygiftgallery.co.uk/Merchant2/4.13/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&StoreCode=1&ProductCode=O6

Oh dear...that didn't work either...giving up now...

luckysalem - Is you having the baby not your mum so your choice. Am lucky with hospital here as birth partners are allowed around outside of visiting hours.

We are getting this change bag here in the khaki.

I cant remember if i posted earlier but vbac looks very very pormising now Was a bit surprised that when i am 40 weeks i have to go in for internal and if looking favourable they will pop my waters, if not will discuss section (personally i would prefer to wait and see). They are also going to give me the leg injection to speed up delivery of placenta and also get me on syntocin mix drip after as a preventative as they are really concerned about me haemorraging again. The lady i saw was also very pro active labour

Anyone else mega farty? my poor ds had to endure snuggles with trumpets.

Meeting with school went really well. Ds has done fab today and they told me his reading age is 2 years 8 months ahead so equivalant of a 10 1/2 year old!

Hiya laaydeeez!
Hope those out for nosh are having a good time! Thank you all for the sympathy , i'm a wee bit better but was up wandering the house at about 5 this morning with bloody awful backache, any great remedies? I already sleep with full length pillow between knees and try to move around so as not to get stiff, but have a feeling this will be as good as it gets for the next 10 weeks!
Hope everyone who is feeling crap is a bit better, Awen your scan sounds lovely! Don't get another up here unless there is a good reason, but i had one at 34 weeks last time and was dumbstruck to see the detail... awesome! And how exciting for the grandparents! Hope your dh is home soon!
You are all making me feel bad because i haven't packed a bag yet, but i have a bit longer than most of you so am trying not to panic!
By the way i have never heard that about birth balls (that they can bring on early labour) but was told they can help the head to engage and totally loved mine last time at the end.. bit like a theraputic space hopper!
I also drank buckets of raspberry leaf tea last time (after 35 weeks) and am convinced it helped! (dd born at 39+5, dilated from 0 to 10cm in 4 hours...before it all went wrong!!!)
AS far as the nasty reflux goes, i still swear by fresh pineapple, not tinned or juice, sounds weird but honestly it works!!
Yeah, my dd comes and chats to me when i'm on the loo, although my dh (a SAHD) is trying to encourage her to sod off for 2 mins when he's having a pee as she's begun to point at the essential bits...and he doesn't want her to remember watching daddy pee! I think it might confuse the whole potty thing too when we're ready to start!!She comes into the bathroom and chats to me when i'm in the shower though!
Oh and LuckyS... tell your mum to get knotted, stay at home as long as you like! You'll know yourself when (or if!)you want to go to hospital - hope you get the birth you want hon!
Mrs McJ - glad NCT went well, who knew West Lothian was so multicultural?!? Delighted you didn't run into anyone uncomfortable though!!
Love everybody's exciting nappy bags - ours is a bit more unisex (in deference to SAHDad!) and matches the pram, and was too expensive to justify another... although i do intend to buy all new sleepsuits and vests, as all dd's are a bit grubby and they are frighteningly cheap in Asda and Tesco!
For what it's worth i tried working on last time until i was about 38 weeks, but gave up, crying and puffy, at about 34 weeks. This time i'm chucking the towel in at 33 / 34 weeks.... can't wait!! As someone said last time, it doesn't matter when you go back, you won't want to anyway(!) so a week or two won't make much difference, whereas a week or two at this stage can make all the difference to you, your baby, the birth etc...I thought that was probably right for me, but if you can keep going go for it!
anyway, sorry for the epic post, hope all you London gals had a good night, and a big wavey thing to everyone else!!
lolo x

I don't know whether I should get a specific change bag, or just use one of my many rucksacks...it seems like a bit of an indulgence!!

Can some of you help me out with a dilemma?

We've been given a winnie the pooh cot bed second hand. However, it's been in a house where they've smoked, and it still smells very faintly (how anyone can smoke near their child still amazes me, but there we go). It's also been stored in an open garage for 6 months. Am I being a fool not to use it, or should I play it safe (what with all the FSID advice on stuff) and buy a new cot-bed?

Help!

hi all, just trying to catch up, we've all been warned off internet totally at work now!

Only 9 days left at work

Have mw tomorrow, more test results, I had plus 3 sugar last week but they still won't refer me for a glucose tolerance test.

had a crap weekend, been quite weepy and weather was horrid so just hibernated... neither of us are sleeping. Got upset with DH again as he flatly refuses to face his issues or seek help, says he prefers just to "get on with it". But he's clearly so guilty that he feels like he does and is making me unhappy (tho I'm sure it's not all his doing).

we have to go to a posh sports awards do next w/e, black tie for goodness sake, I have nothing to wear and it seems daft to get something nice for just one occasion. Hey might get to meet some nice sportsmen though, Jonny Wilkinson, Michael Owen, Fab Flournoy (fit Newcastle basketballer) would be nice! They'll probably just wheel out the usual Geordie folk, Peter Beardsley, Steve Cram etc.

hopefully going on ward tour nex week, our hospital is really nice - the whole hospital is only a few years old and all the delivery rooms are ensuite etc. All the midwives rave about it!

hi naetha

I would have thought you'd be fine just getting a new mattress, you could try airing the bed itself first and see if you're happier after a week or 2.

Naetha - re the cot, I had a 2nd hamd one with ds1 and i sanding it down and waxed it. Was lovely. I think if you can do that and get new mattress it should be fine. I love the bag we are getting as when baby on solids good to carry food bits for him

ayrshire - raspberry leaf tea from 35 weeks, is that ok? If so i think i will get some next week then! DOes it just help get everything ready ? About the loo thing, dp is funny about anyone being in the room. Ds prefers to sit to wee, wonder if that is because i sit or if it is just more comfy?

Angechica - I had 2 ++ glucose in wee, they said if have glucose in wee next antenatal (2 weeks time) I need to have a random glucose blood test. HOw are you feeling atm?

Still tired & mostly low, was really lethargic at weekend - got no housework done (what a shame!). Work are letting me come in late and go home early so I don't have to drive into Newcastle in the rush hour which makes such a difference though! I went through a phase of crying at work every day and i think they were worried I was cracking up!!!

A lady brought her baby in to work today - he is 11 months and weighs 32 lb!!!!!

hi all turns out i could have made it tonight but because i hadnt logged on i had forgotten that it was tonight.

Lo really kicking around and going quite wild nearly all the time, had some acupuncture on saturday to try to help with the pain of my scar tissue - worth a try i thought although very expensive may try sticking needles in myslef at that price.

My murder continues - really hope it finishes by christmas otherwise this lo will arrive and have to be carried home in a bin liner as it will have no clothes no sheets no blankets or anything else for that matter.

Also not bought bag or packed it - but i am nearly 4 weeks behind you lot 28th jan so i reckon i need not panick yet.

dh actually came to antenatal class - so some improvement there

Hi all,

Found a picture off my changing bag cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270184858451&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=017 it's all packed now and my hospital bag arrived this morning so will think about packing that in the next couple of weeks. Was gonna do it tonight but seems pointless seeing as only 34 weeks (tomorrow)

Hope you all enjoyed your meal and if anyone took piccies, POST THEM.

GNight

Me again!
Awen, yeah, Raspberry leaf tea box (bought in Holland and Barrett) says 35 weeks onwards and that's when i started drinking it last time! According to my mum my gran used it with all 3 of her pregnancies (all born at home, she was over 40 for all of them!)and i asked my lovely consultant during the one and only time i saw her this pregnancy if she would recommend it as i think it helped last time. She said it wouldn't do any harm and as old wives tales go it was one that seemed to work.. so go for it! it's supposed to tone up the muscles in your uterus (ooooooh errrrrr!)so everything happens more quickly and more efficiently.
Naetha, we had same issue with the cot bed we inherited from dh's sister. I sanded it down, squirted it with Dettox and let it dry before waxing it, and it's been great (with new matress!)
Nicky6, nice to hear from you, think it's gonna be you, me and madmouse at the end!
Angechica, hope things are a bit brighter for you soon, and sod the housework!
LuckyS, that's one groovy bag!
Right, need to stop lurking on other threads and get some sleep!
Night all! lolo x

Only me. Just to let fluffymummy and barrister mum nkow I got home safe and sound about half an hour ago and I was offered a seat on the tube
Im totaly stuffed and realy wished Id taken you up on that Gaviscon tablet fluffy Im suffering now.
Ill post that buggy website tommorrow when my brain is working.
Hi to everyone else.
Off to bed now xxxxxx

Morning all!

Hop eyou girls had a good night last night..i listened to my NCY cd and fell alseep at 8!

Awen - I like that bag too decisions, decisions....

Fluffymummy - I think im going to go for the top shop one...might ask my dad for it for xmas! xx

Ayreshirelolo - I agree with taking time off making a difference....2 people i know who worked til the end had emergency c sections...dont know if it was directly involved..but must make a difference if youre rested and relaxed? Do raspberry leaf tablets workt he same way? I really dont like Fruit tes ( im imagingingits a fruity taste? )

Naetha - I must admit I wouldnt use it if it smelt of smoke, but liek the others have said...could try sanding it down and re waxing? xx

Angechica - Hope thngs improve at home xx O have a dinner dance in Dec, and im just going to wear this black wrap top I have with trousers and dress it up with jewellery. Did think about getting a dress, would be nice..but a waste for one night! xx

Nicky6 - Any early indications that it might finish before xmas? Hope youre not finding to too hard,and glad DH went to the AN class! xx

I went home last night and did my ironing...back was killing me after...then watched a bit of tv, then thought id listen to the NCT homebirth cd i bought for the second night running. 10 minutes of relaxation..then goes on to the positive birthing bit...both nights i have been asleep!! I fell alseep from about 8-9, woke up..tried to watch Dragons Den, fell asleep again until 10.15, went to bed...and straight to sleep! I did wake up a few times, but got back to sleep quickly...Think its the new Dream Genii pillow too though, its great!

Awen I have noticed im a bit windy too is this normal!!! xx

Morning all

Hugs to all the ladies who are ill, just think not long to go now!!

Hope all the ladies who went to the meal had a nice time

Just to say I had a WONDERFUL night sleep last, went to bed at 10.15pm and next thing I know DD is shouting 'mmuummmmmmy' at 6:45am. Feel ready to take on the world today.

Got m/w appointment to discuss birth plan today - got my long list ready to take with me....

good morning all. hope the meetup last night was great! I'm sad to have missed it.

Well, I am resolved to be much less moany today - I've got a bunch of work to get done and drumroll an appointment to get my hair cut! yay! (it's been ages since I've had a chance to get my hair cut and it looks dreadful at the moment!) Just need to decide whether I should hobble down to the train or splash out on a taxi... (we're still a no car household... that's on the list of things to do along with preparing hospital bag!)

After that, I think I'm going to go check out the local indoor swimming pool... think it might be time to integrate a bit of swimming into my routine (seeing as I seem to struggle with just simply walking!).

I had been thinking that I was going to get one of the Skip Hop nappy bags but am mighty impressed with the selection you girls have come up with.

I've noticed that I'm becoming worse and worse at decision making these days... I seriously have to make myself little tables with all the information of all the different options that I'm considering and methodically work through it to make a decision. Help! My brain is falling apart! I definitely used to be able to do this kind of thing without paper!

re: Raspberry Leaf Tea - in our NCT class they said that you can/should be taking it from almost the beginning of pregnancy, with smaller doses at the beginning and litres of it towards the end. I'm going to look for some when I'm out getting my hair done this afternoon and get stuck into it I think