Due April 2008 - the food porn thread for expanding waistlines!

[SantasGotABigFatEllieG]

Hello

I'm dreading mat leave, hated it the first time round. I love my job and am not really cut out for fulltime motherhood, plus we moved not that long ago and don't really know anyone where we live now so it's going to be very lonely. I must start finding out about toddler groups and such like but don't really know where to start.

Third trimester starts today!!

I'm going to be a SAHM too (well, for 2.5 years but may do the odd editing assignment here and there. After 2 years I'm sure I'll be dying to go back to work).

Molly, you don't look massive at all!

I still wear heels too, is that bad?

Piccalilli2, I really don't know many people either but am hoping I'll meet a nice bunch at the NCT classes. Otherwise I'll have to abandon my husband and spend most of my time back in Dublin!

SuzeM, is this your first? I think most people find they meet lots of new people with first babies, I've already got 2 yr old dd so not doing antenatal classes.

I'm looking forward to ML, but I too have just moved and will probably be quite lonely. will have to occupy myself doing lots of cooking in preperation.

Hi All, So many message I have given them a quick scan but I will go back and read them all in more detail.

Hope everyone is OK?!?!

Sheds - how come you have only 8 weeks left? I have the same due date as you and I still have 9 weeks left at work?!!? Are you have a CS?

I am fed up already and really want this baby at about 37-38 weeks - Anyone who has got advice on how to get things going please let me know and I will start trying at the begining of March.

My current weight gain is about 3 stone and apparently now I really start gaining weight!!!

Piccalilli2, yes, it is my first.

I was thinking of getting a post-natal doula but now having second thoughts as both my MIL and my aunt said they'd come over for a few days each so maybe I don't need anyone after the initial week or so. Women of experience, what do you think??

Depends suze, are you planning on bfing?

V1KK1M, I'm with you there I want it out by them too, or I know I'll get so fed up I'll be tempted to go in for an el cs anyway!

Apparently giving head and erm swallowing helps as does raspberry eaf tea and going up and down the stairs sideways, maybe we should start a thread

V1KK1M I'm finishing the end of Feb as I have to use up my holidays and I plan on havign 39 weeks ML, so some hols before ML and some After takes me to starting back at work in Jan 2009 (how strange does that sound!)

VS, yes, I am intending to bf. I had originally thought about trying to get someone to come in for 3 hours per day for a couple of weeks but if my aunt and mil are there for backup, maybe it is not really necessary and I can just get on with things myself.

I read that having sex helps, and if you don't manage that stimulating your nipples can do same thing.

I'm not going back to work til April 2008! May do a bit from home though as they will employ people for external assessments - might help with the money when all a bit more settled.

My friend has just emailed me telling me about some depressing thing with maternity allowance or something. She is lovely, but such a worrier, and she always brings me down. I know I will be skint, but it ain't forever, and I'm having a baby! I want to be excited not made miserable.

I meant Apr 2009. Dur!

Ellie, you're due April 2008

V1kk1m, I would suggest that you try and get in contact with someone who is an experienced breastfeeding counsellor or a doula that knows what they are doing wrt bfing, your family will be a great help practically, with things like cooking and cleaning etc but the bfing is probably what will cause the most worry in the first few days, just because it is something new and so important to get right (if it's not done right, you'll panic LO isn't getting any food and you could be in pain).

Once you have your latch sorted it should be pretty plain sailing and there are always people on here to support you in it but nothing beats real lfie help when it comes to getting that perfect latch.

If you post in breast feeding on here there may even be someone close to you that does peer-to-peer help which means you won't have to 'hire' anyone, I think breastfeeding counsellors are free too as they are normally volunteers if you go through the helplines.

I wouldn't worry too much about anything, you'll likely spend most of the first few weeks in bed if you can!

Oh and sex, yes there is something in semen that helps the labour start, what they use to induce is actually pig semen

An orgsam can stimulate the contractions of the uterus as can nipple stim, the reason they say to 'swallow' is that whatever it is in semen that encourages labour is ingested somehting like 20x more through the stomach wall tham vaginally.

I'm off until April 09 as well. Leaving work on 29 Feb so only 8 weeks to go! Hoping to meet new mums at ante natal classes but still no news on when these are going to start (my midwife was supposed to be organising them). Anyone any idea on when I should hear about them? I'm in South East London if that makes a difference.

bashboid, I've just booked my classes, they begin 19/02 and are for 4 weeks, my Mid wife said that you usually go to them at around 34 weeks

aaargh. PIG semen to induce??
puleeeeeeze beany, do come on your own...

Thanks Sheds. I am seeing my midwife tomorrow so will ask her about them then.

I'm ready to have this baby now - never mind at 36-37 weeks! I detest being pregnant.

Last time went to 42 weeks

On a more serious note - anyone who does end up seeing a breastfeeding councellor/ lactation consultant person who you end up paying for, check any private medical insurance policies you may have as some of these cover new mums for breastfeeding advise.

Elfsmummy I went just over 42 weeks with dd so I sympathise. This time, however, whilst I don't want to go overdue I don't want to be early either as my parents are away until a week before the baby's due and I have no-one else to look after dd.

VS, thanks for the info, I might just contact a bf counsellor if/when I need to rather than pay someone to come in every day. Since is my first, I guess I can sleep when the baby sleeps (fingers crossed!)

If you're planning on bfing you can sleep when baby feeds too

All the better!

I was induced at 38 weeks last time cant imagine going 42

Here is my plan I will exsicute it on the Monday/Tuesday after I am 38 weeks (DS is in Nursery until 1 on a Tuesday - so best day for me)
First I will be taking Raspberry leaf tea from 36 weeks then on the Monday evening (38 weeks) I will have a hot curry, a Clary sage oil bath followed by evening primrose (I have been told that its best if you insert the oil so bring on the childs med applicant!) also will rub some clary sage oil into my belly then the tuesday morning I will repeat the bath, rub and evening primrose followed by a whole fresh pinapple on an empty stomuch followed by a walk into town which means a steap train bridge there and back! and hopefully that will do it

Went into town today and bought my wash bag and towel in the sale at Cath Kidston also bought loads more bits from Next for the bub and a book on mummy having a baby for Max!