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

[susiemj]

Hello!

lucky not licky obviously

Fruitful - I am so with you on this...definitely suffering from extremely high levels of GG at the moment, bordering on the DHUTW (driving husband up the wall) level, which I understand is nearly as bad as it gets

Awen - I've shifted my maternity leave a bit earlier so I now finish on 11th Jan - hopefully I'll get the full 10 days before my EDD to get some stuff done!! DS was 2 weeks late, which is why I don't want to stop too early, but I've been feeling so run down (and suffering from really bad GG, too!) that it seemed sensible to allow a proper break. Oh, and my GP and DH both threatened to force me to stop earlier if I didn't do so of my own volition !!!

I got all of ds's baby stuff out last night to sort through and wash, and was quite surprised to discover that lots of the white stuff (sheets, blankets, babygrows etc) had developed weird yellow stains . Everything was washed at 60 before I put it away in a zip-up bag in a dry place..... Any ideas on the yellow? I've sprayed it with Shout and stuck it on a 60 degree wash, but what has caused it and will I be able to get rid of it?!

Anyway, I got nicely broody as I sorted it all out , and have got a load of old vests and suits to freecycle as I've decided the LO can have new ones (well, they're only £5 for 7 from Tesco, and the old ones are a bit bobbly!), apart from the newborn stuff which is pretty much in mint condition as DS only used it for about 2 weeks.

What are your thoughts on dressing baby girls in baby boy hand-me-downs? All our really small baby stuff is white and cream, as we didn't know what we were having last time either, but the 3months+ stuff has lots of baby blue and navy blue or red things. There's a few items (lumberjack shirt and tops with cars and trains on, for example!) which scream 'boy', but does it matter? Or if we have a girl am I going to want her to look like one? Has anyone been through this? Sorry, I don't want to sound silly but if we've got perfectly nice clothes in good condition it seems silly to replace everything if we have a girl, but I wouldn't want everyone to think she was a boy, IYSWIM....

I've decided to WFH again today (and tomorrow and Monday!) as the weather is pants and apparently there's only one person in on my floor of the office today (so you see, there are some benefits to working for a very distributed company ), so might bunk off at lunch time to go to Asda or Tesco and 'look' (ahem) at baby stuff

One more quick question - can anyone recommend where I can buy maternity tights? So far I've been using my normal ones but they're getting quite uncomfortable and I'd like a couple of pairs that sit nicely over my bump for the next few weeks....

Sorry, another mega post...will try to restrain myself next time ...

Love and hugs to all xxxx

Morning all!!!

Trying to keep up from home is a nightmare...miss one day and there are 5 pages!!

Luckysalem - Hadnt thought there might be some music on a tuesday that sort of starts it off..will have to have a look! My midwife came round yesturday and left the box of tricks and im only 36+6, but all set...can you get a second opinion? Loving the name x

Gingme - Boys haircuts sound cute! Hope the heart burn is better xx

Fluffymummy - take it easy when you can hun xx

Mrsmcjnr - The pains and BH stopped after 2 hours again...how annoying! x

Angel99 - I havnt even looked into the strep b thingy?

Madmouse - I had a massage yesturday and she recommended the same oils xx

MerryKaty1 - Hope the weekend with the in-laws go ok and you get a rest xx

Susiemj - Im thinking of having babybel in the room with me for about 10-12 weeks..? xx

Awen - Hi!! Are they still monitoring you?? xx

NAetha Enjoy the xmas do!! No stretch marks yet...still slavering on the bio-oil...37 weeks now, still time though i suppose?!

Lillyloo - Have sort of packed a bag, but dosnt include any clothes or anything for me haha so have to do it again ! xx

Fruitful - thinking of you xx

Hope everyone is ok...?!

The midwife came yesturday, she dropped her bag of tricks off...Did the ante natal check up from home, and all ok and head engaged!! Could still take some time i know, but good things are heading in the right direction!
Off today to tescos to get the shower curtains she told me to get and the torch batteries

My sister is trying to get me to stop driving?! Anyone else going to do this? Really dont want to be stuck at home..she says for 2 reasons,

1. Going into labour whilst driving (longets journey i will be doing is 45 mins?)
2. if you have acrash the steering wheel is alot closer! Was going to stop maybe weekend before xmas, but shes really not happy? Big wave to everyone xxxxxxxx

Awen - defo good night sleep of 7 hrs .
I haven't had a show - it is defo a brown/pink? Just lots of goop.
How are the contractions? Can you take anything for the pain.

By the way, went to Asda ysterday and bought a packet of Sharwoods Prawn Crackers. Had a few and they didn't taste right so threw the packet away. It wasn't until I took the trash out to the main bin, that I realise that on the packet they had expired 03/2007!! Made a complaint and got £10 back as goodwill, but am I being too paranoid but will eating something that out of date affect me or baby?

Amani if there is something dodgy in there you will get sick and throw up. That is your body's protection mechanism. So I would not worry.

Are you sure you did not have a show? Sounds a bit like it? Could happen up to two weeks before labour though.

Beller, getting real now and very exciting . Following your home birth developments with special interest for obvious reasons. Do you have a web cam?

Afternoon ladies. Heartburn realy settled now but thanks for the offer of Gaviscon Awen. Have you discovered all the little hidey holes in your new car yet? Oh if your dp wants to pop the bonnet the lever thingy is under your side by your feet. My Dad told us this as he has one too. Aparantly the spare wheel is a total pain to get off too.
MW check sounds very good beller. Glad your enjoying your time at home. I keep touching ds4's hair and cant believe its been cut. Miss his curls.Kept some for his baby book though.
Amani that was good of Asda. No I dont think out of date
prawn crackers are going to do you or baby any harm.
Luckily I kept ds4 away from the Pollyfilla. Dh getting some new double plug sockets now to put in then hell start the papering. Cant wait to see it when its done.
Right lunch time. Im starving. See you later xxx

Sorry if this is TMI but goop is clear - might just be a heavy discharge?

With DD I don't recall having a show - hence being clueless about what it's supposed to look like etc?

Beller - haven't stopped driving, just pushed the seat as far back as I can while being able to reach the peddles. Think I will driving up to very last minute as I need to pick DD up from nursery, but this is a short journey for about 10 mins.

Hey ladies all fine with me, just too busy at work can you believe it, they want me to go to a meeting about a new project tomorrow when I already have 3 on the go and I finish 2 weeks today!? DH is worried that they?ll try and make me work on past 20/12 but there?s no way, I?ve got stuff to do and ladies to lunch with etc. Have now booked hair cut, pedicure and manicure for 21/12 to remind myself that I am really off work!

Had MW appointment yesterday. All was fine my suspicions were correct, Beanie?s head is engaged (3/5ths) with his/her body on the left and in my MW?s opinion, it is not coming out again and so I can tick breech worries off my list clever Beanie met a very fed up lady in the waiting room a week overdue

My tree arrived yesterday it smells so lovely, can?t wait to decorate it tonight.

Gingeme ? thanks was for your thoughts on my questions you must be right about peeing in the pool, why not? not sure about co sleeping, I am a bit scared to with DH in the bed too. I intend to use the monitor more for during the day really as the baby will be in rooms with closed doors due to the pussycats.

Luckystar ? you ARE doing well on eBay stand up for your home birth rights hon!!! Would it help to write a letter with why you want one?

Sabinar ? like Susie said, it?s the Angelcare one that doesn?t work with the Amby, it?s to do with the shape and movement as I understand it, you could check with Moffi if it?s the same

Angel ? love the festive name

Hey Angelcake I decided having spoken to my consultant not to have a test as if you fall into the high risk categories (labour before 37 weeks, high temp, waters breaking early etc) they test at my hospital and I thought that was good enough for me. I know some of my NCT complained of imaginary discharge to get tested though. I think it is quite easy to get the test done privately, you just send off for the swabs and ask your GP or MW to do them for you HTH.

Madmouse ? hello.

Amani ? those nesting instincts sound good!

Susie ? I?m with you, the plan is 6 months of breast and our bedroom but who knows what the reality will be! my mother said to me last night (bear in mind I haven?t see her since I was 24 weeks or so) ?I saw a massively fat, pregnant woman in the lift today and thought of you? ? thanks Mum!!

Awen ? loving that name! I?m a Royce fan too. I was told at Bravissimo to order J or K nursing bras ? goodness me!! My 36Gs are tight but I don?t see the point of buying any more at the mo. Not leaking but feel stirrings! Can I have a link to that Iampregnant site? I can?t find it

Naetha ? sounds like lots of organisation underway with you we collect our buggy and car seat tonight ? so excited! I have a black tie dinner with work tomorrow night, luckily my sis had a long black mat dress but I look like a misformed sausage in it! I?m the proud owner of one stretch mark, about 3 cms long diagonal from waist to bump on the left hand side!

Fruitful ? it must be odd knowing exactly when I?ll be thinking of you on 20/12, it?s my last day at work. X

Hello Fluffy

Toomanyshoes ? I would love to do that wardrobe sorting love doing things like that. Glad to hear all was well at the scan. I have my next one (last one!) two weeks today when I?m 36+2

Lolo ? praying for somersaults for you ? loads of time

Hello to everyone else!

Morning all (well, afternoon now!)

I'm absolutely loving being on maternity leave - apologies to those of you still working, but it's so nice to have a lie-in! We always get up early on a weekend (usually about 7:30 - 8) so it's nice once DH has gone to work to go back to bed for another two hours!

Although my nesting instinct is coming in thick and fast, unfortunately it's taken over by my laziness gene!! Having said that, it's partly because the house was in such a state after having the kitchen done - it's taken me a week just to catch up with the washing!

Got a busy day tomorrow - dropping DH off at work, doing an Asda shop to get Christmassy stuff including a tree - believe it or not, me and DH have been together for 7 years now, and STILL haven't got round to ever having a Christmas tree! Then I'm getting my hair cut and coloured - I've just realised that I'm not going to be at work for over a year, so I can go for a more outlandish colour than usual! I'd love to go blonde again, but without some major hair cuttery, that isn't going to happen, so it'll probably be reddish again I then need to get a million and one things sorted (car tax, motorbike tax, dry cleaning picked up, car washed, Boots shop, finish getting my hospital bag packed!) and then it's off to pick DH up early from work and straight up to Harrogate for our fancy evening do

Can you tell I'm a bit excited?

Beller - my mum is trying to get me to stop driving as well. She keeps on going on about how poor my reactions are during pregnancy, and how much damage you can cause if you get in a crash, really reassuring stuff . I've told her I'll keep driving until I physically can't fit in front of the wheel any more, which is unlikely given there's still a good 4 or 5 inches in it.

Fluffy - I don't have a problem with dressing girls up in boys clothes and vice versa, certainly not for the first 6 months. As long as it's not boys in frilly dresses and suchlike! I wouldn't have thought that the odd train on a top would be any problem! I'm hoping that this one does prove to be a boy, otherwise she's going to be wearing an awful lot of boys clothes for the first year!

Fruitful and Awen - hang in there! It must be really tough for both of you at the moment, but just remember that in not too long a time, you'll both be holding your LOs in your arms and everything that went before will be forgotten about

Toomanyshoes - why would you be considered for an induction? Is this because your LO is measuring big, or because of an underlying problem?

right, have just managed to read all the posts but it has mostly gone in one ear and out the other & no time for catch ups sorry!

sounds like everyone is getting organised, we must start planning for the new baby in this house!!

off to inlaws today for long weekend, going to see santa on a train in longleat, anyone done it before? not sure if we get to see any animals? ds saw santa this morning and wasn't overly thrilled so think a long drive x 2 plus a scary man might not be the best way to spend sat, but hey!

more discharge here too .

so, i'm meant to be packing car, clothes for all of us, presents for early christmas weekend and other assorted stuff. hope i remember everything...oh yes, bibs & food for ds, right better go. off the net most of the weekend so will spend monday catching up and repost on tues prob!

have good weekends everyone

Hi everyone! thanks for the replies. Thanks MrsMc Jnr.. i will think about what you have said.. I see consultant on monday so will ask about it all then.
Glad to see you are all doing well.. I can't beleive how time is flying now!!

Hi everyone! Hope you're all ok!

Angelcake... I can't believe it either! I realized yesterday that according to the hospital, I will probably give birth within the next ten days! Where has that time gone??!! Maybe now would be a good time time to join the December thread?

Is anyone else feeling in a constant rush with a million things to do?! I keep getting cross with myself because well work is work and I shouldn?t let it get to me but I never seem to get all the things I set out to get done at home or at work done and lunchtimes seem to pass in a flash because I can only get to a couple of shops and back in the time. I guess this is why I need to be on mat leave soon but I just have so many commitments before then

Poor MrsMcJnr, have a hug.

Funnily enough I wonder whether having a lunch break rather than running to the shops would help? You must be getting really tired and that can make everything really overwhelming. All shops are open late round this time, rope in dp to help!

Good point Christmasmouse! MrsMc - don't do too much. They're lucky to have you there! I'm sure your house looks fab and that a sit down and a long, hot coffee would do you better. How exciting you're engaged! LOL at your mum! My dad topped 'mighty' last night with 'robust'. I wonder how many euphemisms for 'huge' he can get through before the baby comes!

Naetha - have a fun afternoon. It is exciting isn't it!

Beller - How exciting the head is engaged! There's no medical advice to tell you not to drive is there? You're the best judge of whether you can do it or not. I should think any risk to Babybel has been true all along and not worse now.

Amani - I would have thought your body would get rid of any nasties. Hope you've not got your head down the toilet though. you must be very ! My MW didn't seem to think a show mattered much either way so i wouldn't stress about it.

T+Twins - love the name. Glad you're well.

Katy - have a lovely weekend!

Sabinar - I guess you're the best judge of how much work you can do. Go for it if you feel well enough! LOL at the idea of being prepared after the classes. Mine finished two weks ago and I can't even remember when i'm supposed to go to hospital. I've got the numbers 'five appart / 45 long' written on a piece of paper somewhere. I hope that refers to contractions and not my new curtains!

Madchristmasmouse - LOL over Lo's position. My bean seems still to enjoy excavating my side with her bum. Do you know which side the bum is supposed to be on for 'good' presentation?

Awen - exciting about mothercare delivery. I'm washing all my bits and pieces. No time to dry them though! Hope you're feeling ok. You sound brilliantly positive!

Fruitful - I have BHs when i walk all the time too now. These tough times for you will all be worth it I'm sure. Induction soon sounds exciting! . How many weeks are you now? You must be chuffed to have gone so far.

Lolo - At 33weeks I asked my MW if baby would stay in position (she was perfectly placed). She said there was no chance and she was right. This LO has been spinning like a top in the last couple of weeks!

Toomanyshoes - Congratulations on good sca. Induction soon sounds exciting. Are you pleased?

Fluffy - Can symapthise with you on the aches and pains. You are a hero working up to 10 days before! I wouldn't worry about dressing a girl in blue - unless she looked really like a boy I suppose.

Lucky - well done for ordering pool.

Interesting fact! 100 years ago pink and blue were the other way around! Pink was supposed to be a diluted red - colour of blood and all things macho. Just shows you how silly all this is. I do find myself looking at prams and making a judgement as to sex based on the colour of the pram blanket though. Hate it but just comes automatically.

Interesting comments on the baby sleeping dilemma. I hope I'm not being too optimistic thinking of 6 months. DH thinks it should be 18 months! Ill play it by ear.

Off for a snooze. I've made my first bid on ebay - more out of curiosity than anything else. Wish me luck!

Apologies to anyone I've missed who's posted since i started writing!

Susie, my lo returns to his fave 'stick the bum out of mummie's right side' as soon as I sit back to relax. He does the 'fold in a ball bit' when I sit behind the computer, which I do quite a lot at the moment.

For good position they need to have their backs just left or right of your front. Can never remember which one .

Hi girls!!!!!!!!!!!! Missed you all - I've only had chance to read the last couple of days but it feels so Christmassy on here I have got really in the mood. Am LOVING all the names - so so clever. Madmouse I too have got all choked by the Isaiah prophecy and funnily enough Advent and all the Advent hymns at Church on Sunday have really had a new significance to me - all waiting for the arrival of love in the world thru a wonderful little baby. Mary having to give birth in a stable means SO much more to me now after going round the Whittington's labour ward at the weekend. Feel really sorry for her Joseph couldn't ring in advance and get a room! Never saw my faith thru these eyes before.

Sorry I have been away for so long - I was in Southampton on 2 trials and I just couldn't face the travel so stayed down with friends. I think that means I must have missed a meet up - am so sorry, was it lovely? Haven't had Chinese for so long either. I don't have the energy anymore and feel like a limp rag at the end of the day in court. Like Mrs McJnr and Fluffy I feel regularly at the end of my tether at the amount that has to be done at work when all I want to do now is rest but professionalism or whatever means I can't just say dammit and ignore. I don't quite know how I'll do it but am sure I will. My big concern is a case I have been closely involved with may well have a final hearing on 4th Jan when I am due on 15th. It means travelling to Southampton and back and some pretty heavy concentrating for a full day but I'd feel I was letting the family down if I didn't - don't know what to do?!

Fruitful and Triplets - things sound good for you after earlier scares even if maddening whilst you wait - and awen you have clearly had some excitement and anticipation.

Can someone answer me some labour questions - has anyone had pethidine and what were their views - was thinking of trying to avoid it and much more likely to go the epidural route from what I read and wondered if anyone cd help on that decision?
What is a Show?
Should I get an exercise ball and if so should I take it to hsp and if yes on either or both why?

Well done Gingeme on redecoration - my dh has jumped into doing the same even tho' we hadn't been that fussed. He just felt he wasn't doing anything and this will make him more prepared. As a result baby's room is a MESS just when I want to start looking at how much stuff we have and what needs to be done to clothes etc etc.

On other questions - I have no stretch marks as yet but think they will come as have them from adolescence. My tummy button feels like it's about to pop out any day now. I had a growth scan last week and still have a whopper if these things can be relied on - head legs and tummy all in 97th centile so have to have another scan on 8/1 and then they may decide to induce me - should I resist this? Have ordered a BT monitor and will move baby across landing from us so still in earshot as soon as possible to be frank. Believe everyone will sleep better that way.

Is there anything dramatic I have missed?
Hugs to all.

Hi all, haven't been posting much from home - seems to take me ages just to catch up! Glad to see everyone seems to be doing well...time's really ticking on now, hey? Can't wait for the first birth announcements from this thread!!

Had my midwife appointment today (36 weeks), and lulu's head is engaged! Interestingly, my midwife has scheduled my next appointment for 39 weeks - I thought they were meant to be weekly around now? Oh well, guess it means there's nothing she's concerned about.

I had another driving test today, and another nightmare examiner. Needless to say, I didn't pass. He was an ex police-man and was actually telling me off during my test! e.g. - 'come on, go, otherwise we'll be here all day!' at a mini-roundabout at the beginning of my test. Freaked me out, and did nothing for my confidence, things just went downhill from there. (He didn't actually mark me down at that point, just told me off - weird).

Am feeling really upset actually , was a bit teary eyed when my instructor dropped me off home, which is quite unlike me - I'll just blame it on the hormones. I can drive, just seem to lose the plot in the test, although I'm usually fine in other exam/test conditions. Quite depressing to think that I'll be stuck at home on my own when the baby comes because I haven't got my license. Won't be able to squeeze another test in at this stage, I don't think. Big sigh.

Just popping in to say hello. I've just tried to catch up on all the threads that I've missed but it's really tough. Don't know how people do it? My brain only takes in a little bit of information at a time at the moment so I have to go with that!

I am too suffering with gestational grumpiness and lots of tears. Also quite uncomfy as it seems most others are with their growing bumps. Mine also does the fold in a ball and stick bum under ribs tricks! Bless though it's really sweet. Ow!

I've tried to get onto the group on facebook but can't find it. Can someone explain very simply how I do this? Am I really this stupid? I don't think I've quite grasped facebook yet!!

Barristermum - A show is when the mucus plug is dispersed and therefore you will see blood/mucus in your knickers.

Exercise Ball - My yoga teacher says they are great for when you are in labour as the position is ideal but you are supported. They are also great if you need to turn the baby round ie it is breech. I've got one and it is really comfy to sit on and watch TV.

Can't comment on pethidine

Hello Barristermum, was just wondering where you were earlier today .

I can really recommend an exercise ball. Got mine from Argos, it is not an 'official' birthing ball, mw confirmed exercise ball is fine. It is quite hard work pumping it up. I get my dh to do it with our bicycle pump.

Check with hospital before you drag it in. My local (John Radcliffe, Oxford) has one in every delivery room and really plugs the use to all mums-to-be.I guess you would have to drag it in fully pumped up .

If you have backache they are really comfy and they help with positioning of baby before and opening pelvis during labour. Shame you can't slouch on them .

Re pethidine, here they use Meptid which apparently has less effect on baby, but I feel like you, if I am really not coping with gas and air it is likely because I am exhausted and losing control. Then I want a transfer to hospital and an epidural so I can rest, not an injection that does not take away the pain but makes me feel out of it.

Lulubump so sorry you failed again . So brave for trying though. Hugs

Hi all,

Been busy today - NOT!! haha.
Had a plumber round this morning to fix the central heating. Have never had it in the 18 months we've been living here so now it's like living in an oven AND I can actually have a bath tonight! Turns out it was just the pilot light out! lol

Been to pet shop and got the cat a new collar cos he broke his a week ago. It's quite funny, he's cross that he's gotta wear one again now.

DP's got a catalogue of all the things you can get with Everton on. LOL. Keeps telling me that LO will look SO CUTE in this, that and the other.... including a full on fball kit.

I've had a glance through the thread but sorry nothing seems to be sinking in except I read about painful babies and I've got one. He/She keeps putting their feet under my ribs (which isn't too bad) and Stretching!! OW!

Hope you are all ok! xxx

Oh yeh - Pethidine. I'm not using it. Never had an instance where i've had the chance but I keep reading that it makes the baby slugish and more likely to need help breathing afterwards - NOT that i'm saying that to scare anyone.

Going to try again, as I'm a bit desperate and think this question might have got lost in the huge scale of my lengthy post this morning....

Can anyone recommend anywhere that I can buy maternity tights? I'd like some funky patterned ones but also need plain old tan and thick black as well....

Thanks all!!

Lulubump - sprry to hear you failed your driving lesson. Examiner sounded vile. Am that you are not going to see a m/w until 39 weeks.

I had a pethedine jab - but made no difference to the pain (they give different strengths so maybe I had a lower dose). Made DD very drowsy when she was born and as a result didn't BF for about 4 hrs until after I had given birth.