Due Jan 2008 - Jingle Belles and Boys are on their way

[susiemj]

Hello!

Hello all,
well, i predict this won't be a proper catch up, but..

Angel - I'm sorry - I don't know anything about group strep B.

Thanks for reply about the monitor, Amani. I've been doing a lot of cupboard sorting too . Although I haven't thrown anything out, just repackaged it.

Gingeme There are so many things I haven't thought of! I don't knw what to think about weeing in the pool! It was only yesterday I thought about the other kind of little accident. oh no! I warned DH and he was completely unfazed. He said he'd wear blinkers

I'm going to have the baby in a cot right next to the bed to pull her across too. Or that's the plan so I gues I won't need the monitor during the night.

I agree Gingeme - people like pregnant women don't they? Lots of grins!

Question for the day: Are you planning to have the baby in your room? If so, how long do you think you'll keep the little darling there. I'm thinking 6 months (which is how long I'm planning to breastfeed for) and then a phase out of both breast and bedroom.

I sent pictures by email to all my family (who are all miles and miles away) yesterday and they all wrote back saying, "Are you sure you're not just about to give birth?" . My dad said I looked 'mighty' ! What does that mean?

Morning all,

Right i'm ready for the MW. I've perfected my sentence..... "I wish to have a home birth and here is my birth plan for it" lol.

I didn't want the baby to stay in our room at all, as far as I was concerned baby had it's own room and that was it!! But DP managed to persuade me otherwise so now baby is going to be with us for a couple of months.

Sorry Angel - I have no ideas about Strep B.

Speak to ya all later!

lucky - hope mw goes well

loving the xmas names.

Have now sorted monitor from comet on offer. Bt digital with lullabies, light and temp. Was £50.

Also mobile been replaced dp was lovely about it.

Still here and preg.. bet he doesnt arrive for weeks now. Ah well. Will just keep doing what i am doing.

Thankyou Merrykaty1 Ill have a try in a minute.
I have always had baby in our room till they sleep through realy. Mainly thats because the other children wake up if baby cries. Just think its easier all round and its only me thats walking round like a zombie and not everyone else. Dh sleeps through baby crying anyway. But youll be suprised how much sleep you do get when co sleeping.

Awen welcome back. How are you? Have you managed to catch up on any sleep yet? I know thats impossible with another lo in the house Take care honey. xx

oooh awen, your christmas name is fab too!
may have to rethink mine to come up with something better...

g - we had ds in our room for 10weeks, as soon as we moved him into his room we all slept better and he was sleeping through by 11 weeks, so was thinking of having this one in with us for even less time.
i know i have to stagger across the landing for feeds but if the sleep in between is better it might still be worth it. guess will have to wait and see what kind of feeder/sleeper this one is!

awen - you'll go overdue now and be desperate as we all start popping - wishful thinking on my part?

susie - mighty fine?

OOh loving all the Christmas names - I have the creative ability of a brick, so will stick to Naetha for now!

As for sleeping in the room with us, I'd like him to sleep with us for a bit (in his moses basket) as that's what FSID recommend (helps them regulate their breathing patterns or something) and then move him to his own room after about 3 months. He can sleep in his own room for daytime naps as well. I'm hoping to breastfeed for a good year or so, and have him weaned by the time I go back to work. When I was waiting for my scan the other day I was chatting to a woman who breastfed until her DS was 4! Apparently it had got to the point where he was continuously lifting her top up to try and get a "drink" in places like supermarkets etc. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but it doesn't seem right to me to breastfeed to that age.

I've finally given in and ordered all the big baby stuff online. Got the pushchair (Quinny Buzz), car seat (Maxi Cosi cabriofix) and things like a couple of grobags, footmuff, nappy bag and nursing bra all ordered. Looking forwards to them arriving in the next couple of days

Got DH's works Christmas do on Friday which I'm kind of looking forwards to - it's always a very posh do, but generally lots of fun. We're staying over at the hotel it's being held at which will be a bit of a luxury, and also means we can do some saturday morning shopping in Harrogate Got my hair dresser's appointment booked for Friday morning - my hair is...unruly at the best of times, so will get it trimmed and straightened and looking wonderful I hope!

How are everyones' stretch marks doing (if they've even got any !) Mine are currently making a lovely flower pattern radiating out from my belly button! No amount of bio-oil is making a dint on them, although it smells lovely!

Right - job for this afternoon - final coat of paint on the spare room walls and ceiling! Then it's off to the cinema to see American Gangster - we're trying to cram in as many films as possible until I pop!

Hello all

Naetha well done for buying all the big stuff. Weight of your mind? . I have recycled most of my old stretch marks from when I was overweight, but I now have a very fetching circle of new ones round my belly button. Actually looks quite funny.

Overorganised me has just wiped the moses basket and mattress, they are airing now and when done I can make it with the sheets that have just been washed and put a dust sheet over the lot. How pregnant am I? 32 weeks. Right!

Baby will be in our room, as there is no other room. Our second bedroom is a very full study and there is no third. We will move house when he is 5 months and we will have him in with us for another month then so he can get used to the new house, then we will get him used to his own room.

Lucky, I hope you get what you want from the midwife and that it would be as easy as it was for me. I had heard the most terrible things about how hard it is to get a home birth so went into my booking-in appointment at 9 weeks ready for a fight. Then the mw asked 'Where would you like to have your baby', I took a deep breath, said 'At home', she said 'Great' and put in my notes 'Wishes to have home birth'. That was that .

Re sleeping in room. LO will be in with us for first 6-12 months. See how it goes really. Ds1 co-slept for first year, tbh it was lovely but i think i am putting this one in his moses basket then cot (cotbed too big for bedroom so keeping that in nursery). Will use nursery for daytime sleeps tho.

Naetha - christmas do sounds fun. DP declined all of the work ones this year as he thinks i will need rest. Bless but wish i was getting glammed up. Will prob go to panto instead as a family which will be lovely. How exciting to have ordered all the baby stuff.

We have car seat now maxi cosi black reflection. Have ordered moses basket bedding, bath stuff etc from mothercare as we realised we hadnt got very organised . Also now have a snowsuit and going home outfit for baby. Got first size snowsuit (up to 9lb) but no idea if will fit him when he arrives! PRetty much got everything else, except for cot bedding, change bag, sling and stuff like that.

No new stretch marks (just old ones from ds1). I am still all bump. Got new bras tho, royce ones are really comfy. 36J and ordered the anita underwired online which arrived yesterday 36H, still comfy although not sure how iwll fit when milk in. Anyone else leaking lots?

Merrykate1 - you are probably right, i will end up being very overdue. Oh well, as long as he is snug. According to i-am-pregnant site i have 25 days till due date! Not convinced will make it tho. I havent got baby xmas presents etc as I am thinking if he does a arrive ealry dp can get a few bits but he wont need much anyway.

Gingemebells - not caught up on sleep, am still very tired. Is that when i am trying to sleep is dirsupted with the tightenings etc. I am just trying to take things slower.. think i may have slightly over done it will dp away with getting house on market, selling car, buying new car (we went for citroen xsara picasso in the end) and trying to be superwoman. How is it with you? Did you find your labours similar? I feel like afirst timer again as it is so long since i had ds1.

Well done to Naetha and AWen for gettting organised

Hope you get what you want from the MW, Lucky.

Madmouse - I had ideas about doing the same thing with the cot! Have managed to restrain myself so far.

Interesting answers on the 'sleeping in bedroom' front. Gingeme - I think you played your cards well re: your other children. DH insists his younger siblings didn't cry in the night. I was terrified of matching up to this feat of parenthood until he realised that they were in his parents' room at the other end of the house for 18 months each! LOL

Have just spoken to a friend who has a six month old, plus been reading thread of woman in labour, plus DH just referred to the baby as 'our little dream'. Came over all teary and 'I'm going to have a baby' ish. What's that about?! Awen - I looked up 'i am pregnant' this morning too! I have 36 days apparently. It's all getting very real!

Susie, I get really soppy too . The words 'Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given' from Isaiah does it for me anytime, helped by the fact that Isaiah will be lo's middle name . So that was me crying in the carol service 8again8 yesterday

Guess I meant again

Can i just ask all of you having home birth are you packing a bag for the hospital ?

Awen glad to see you still around although not sure whether you will be ?

Love all the xmas names you are all very creative

Awen snap on the car your the 4th person I know with a Citreon Zsara now. Great arent they?
Yes all my labours were different and ds3 was like starting all over again as there is a ten year gap between him and ds1
Talking of ds1 The song 'How wonderful life is now your in the world' was out when he was born and I used to sing it to him all the time. I heard it on the radio the other day and I was nearly in tears too. Hes my first born and still is my baby in lots of ways. Soppy I know.
Definately no new stretch marks here dont think I could fit any more on my belly though dh did say I have quite a few on my boobies now which I never had before.
Got to clear out under our bed tommorrow. dh doing the wallpapering then were off to my parents for the weekend on Friday then were going to lay the new floor Monday. Weve decided on laminate flooring and Ive seen some lovely rugs in Ikea well put either side of the bed. Mum said theres a nice curtain shop in Dover too that arent massively expensive. Cant wait till its all done and fresh
Well cuppa tea time. Ill try to pop in later.
Take care all xxxx

LilyLoo, yes, it is already under the bed (boy, I am anally retentive), one for me, one for lo. Very basic: toiletries, nighties, disposable knickers, maternity pads,towels, flannels and breast pads. Baby's bag contains everything needed to clean and dress him and take him home. I read somewhere that even if you do give birth at home it is handy to have everything in one place. I still want to add glucose tablets and energy drinks and nursing bras.

I am not planning to pack any labour aids, as I assume to be beyond labour aids if I have to go in .

Glad I'm not the only one tearing up! I haven't been like that since the early days!

Ah! Stretch marks. I have them on my boobs and on the sides of my hips. None on my belly (touch wood) which is a bit weird, isn't it?

The word 'tens' s gradually filtering through into my brain. I know there was discussion recently. Were there any conclusions as to which one was best?

madmouse and any one else packing labour bag. Pack atleast 5 vests and babygros (sleepsuits) for baby. Even though you might have it in mind to be home within 6 hours you may not be for one reason or another. If you are you will be suprised just how many times your little darling can wee and pooh all over the bed,sheet,vest,nappy,babygro and ofcourse you
Yes I am speaking from experience. x

Well been productive today - cleared out my cupboards and donated a whole black bin bag of clothes to charity.

Lilyloo - not to bothered about doing that as when I go back to my usual size 8/10 figure (fingers crossed!!!) going to get DH to buy me some more clothes.

Re sleeping in room - will prob have LO in room with us for 6-12 months - depending on how he/she is. DD still sleeps in the cot in our room and been meaning to move her out before LO arrives, but can't bring myself to do it.....

Susie - same with you on the stretch marks on boobs but not on tum.

My birthing ball arrived today - how nice is it to just sit on? Haven't been that comfy for ages. DP keeps telling me not to sit on it in case it brings the baby on.

I'm so and after MW apt. She did all her normal stuff and everything fine except baby is still measuring big. So she's booked me in for a growth scan next week and then just said ok thanks.... as in hint hint, we're done. SO I said I wanted to have a homebirth and what did she need from us for that. The response I had was sooo un-encouraging.

She started with all the rules.... You can't have a HB unless you're normal (so if scan shows big baby they won't let me have one) you have to be over 38 weeks and the pack has to be at the house.
"Do I realise that first babys can labour for over 24 hours?" yes "Do you think you'll be able to cope with the pain as we can't give you anything" (I forgot to ask if anything meant no G&A either) I've got birthing ball and hopefully pool. Also TENS machine on order.

So I said when can we expect the pack at our house then. Well we'll decide at your 38 weeks apt if you're acceptable for a HB and then send pack out. If the pack doesn't get to you before labour then you'll have to go into hospital to have the baby.

I'm so fed up of all these rules!! I mean HTF did women used to give birth bfore all this started? I'm just so defeated.

Sorry it didn't go as you wanted, Lucky

I love the look of those Moffii cradles. I don't think I could trust ds not to give the baby a push though ...

Monitors - we have a Tomy Digital Platinum one although we paid about £50 not 99! The best feature is that you can talk into it and the child can hear you - I don't expect its much use with a newborn but its fab with a toddler. (Lie down and go to sleep! Don't make me come up there now!)

We had dd in our room for all of 2 weeks - she was so noisy in her sleep that I was awake all the time, thinking she was about to wake and want feeding. Ds lasted 5 months, till he outgrew the cradle and needed the cot (which didn't fit in our room). I never got much sleep when he was in bed with me so co-sleeping was out!

Hang in there Awen, it doesn't sound any fun at all.

Lucy, have you seen the www.homebirth.org.uk site? Lots of advice on what to do.

Christmas presents for the baby, Awen? I was thinking I'd give mine a nice mouthful of milk! Hmm, may be worth putting labels on a couple of dd's and ds's presents to say they are from the baby though.

Lilyloo when I planned a homebirth I put a load of stuff that I thought I might need in a box, with a bag handy. So I could get at it easily at home, but dh could throw it in the bag if we needed to transfer.

14 days to go for me! And counting.

I just had a harrowing half-hour with the consultant giving me a blow-by-blow account of the operation complete with little diagrams. Slightly too much info but he?s trying his best! I have just realised that Christmas Day will be Day 5 ? when the milk comes in and the hormones crash and I start crying and thinking my baby is dying and everyone hates me and my hair doesn?t look nice ? Oh well. I can?t really believe I?m going to last that long anyway.

FF - You still in hospital?
I've seen the website - I went into the MW with all this info but none of it was any use in the end.

Lucky can you make an apt to see adifferent midwife to specifically discuss a homebirtH ? What a shame you got that repsonse. Be firm and say you are having one and you would like them to deliver your bag ready.
I already had midwife do home visit at 34 weeks and should get back next week. They can also do homebirths from 37 not 38 weeks!
Get on the homebirth website loads of advice there for unhelpful midwives.
Well done Amani guess that's good excuse to get new wardrobe!
Thanks for advice on bags like the box idea Fruitful , are you in hospital now ? Can't believe they will be here in 2 weeks !
Hope everyone else ok x

Hi Lily - I don't know if that will make a difference tbh cos the MW seemed to want to help but again with the rules if that makes sense. It seemed to be that it's the actual hospital rules.