The Creme Egg Appreciation Society...memberships expire June 08

[debinaustria]

Good morning all you creme egg lovers ( and those weird ones amongst us who don't appreciate them)

Good luck for all the scans coming up this week, and next.

BB. Have changed my settings so you can CAT me now.
And am glad you're fired up - can't believe you've been treated so shoddily!

If my birth plan says nothing else it will say 'baby to be given to mum straight away' in large capital letters!

When dc1 was born I tore really badly and they took ages stitching me up so gave him to his dad. The thing I remember most about his birth is lying on the bed watching dh doing his 'I'm your daddy and I love you!' cooing over the lo and me thinking, 'but I want him!!!!!!'

After 30 hours of labour I really felt like I deserved it too!

Wotcha all
Am tucked up in bed after a three hour sleep - have had a rotten cold and tried to struggle through this morning, but went home at lunchtime so have just been catching up.

Re pink - I wasn't saying pink was chavvy! Just chuckling at the picture painted of head to toe pink and 'princess xxx on board' stickers - but I also said 'each to their own' and I meant it. I was reading a post the other week from a mum who didn't want her children to wear fancy dress to walk to playgroup and I thought that was such a shame. Who cares what they wear fgs?!

Re birth plans. I have been reading a very good book about active birth and what I've noticed is that, despite having PILES of birth births including the bible one, and miriam stoppard, it's the only one I've read which explains every stage of labour in detail and its implications for how you will feel and react physically. I always feel other books are too vague and gloss over stuff. It was written in 1981 (and updated since then) so some of the info about standard procedure is a little old - but it makes you aware of what women used to put up with - inc routine everything! My mum is v proud of having had no drugs (inc no gas/air), but she still gave birth lying down and had oxycontin (sp?) and a routine epis which did nothing to help. Perhaps if they'd let her stand up she wouldn't have needed either...

re BH contractions - I've read they start as early as six weeks and are nothing to worry about, but if you're getting painful ones it can be caused by physical or emotional stress - sounds like the A&E visit ticks all those boxes! Advice I've read if this happens is to take it easy, so put your feet up if you can.

As for starvation in labour, even if you are high risk of CS they should still feed you as you can eat before an anasthetic in an emergency. Basically, as you are going under the theatre nurse would just press on your throat slightly to stop any gag reflex. Most CS these days are epidurals which makes starvation totally irrelevant so NH bring food and bloody eat it! Twins means twice the work after all - you'll need your energy.
Great tip I've read so far is to bring bendy straws so that you can drink water even if you're at a funny angle.

All this talk has made me think I should probably get writing my birth plan. Have emailed doulas over the weekend as I thought I had one, but she's stopped doing it due to not making enough money, but there are at least three in Bristol so I should be able to replace her.

Blimey, another novel. Right, bfn.

Josie I too was sick throughout and when it stopped they wouldn't allow me to eat in case I had to have a C section. How on earth are you supposed to push a baby out if you haven't go any strength?

Which leads to my other question: why are you not supposed to eat before a C section?

OMG - how many posts this afternoon. My birth plan currently in my head, really must get it onto paper sometime!

Hello all!

feeling very broody now as just got given 5 yes 5 bags of girls clothes from a colleague!!! So think Fleur will have enough to change her at least 3 times a day!!!

Also Upsidedownegg Congrats on girl!! Thought boys had begun to take over but seems very even now

Re Birth plan they dont exsist over here, you dont write one!!! Basically you go in and get told what to do!!! One thing i am going to write in big letters over my bed is I WANT PAINKILLERs(im crap with pain!!) AND I DO NOT WANT HER EARS PIERCED!! They do it as soon as baby is born more or less!

Also on mil front things going rather fast, I cant travel anymore more due to my BP so might be on here looking for friends from time to time as could be alone very soon as df will go back soon and be with her til the end. Very sad but Fleur keeps us going

Re baby room I love my room so much i want to move in!!! Now have to convince df to do our room as it doesnt look as nice! Cant wait for furniture to arrive so can start organising things!

Well off to study exam on SAT

China that book does seem interesting but then it is by Janet Balaska who is supposed to be "the reference" in active/water birth. I think I might read it.

Thanks for reassurance re BH. Due to past experience, I tend to worry about/be very watchful about anything that might suggest prem labour.

Thanks for advice re food also. There is no wasy I am starving this time round.

Finally I am thinking of moving to Bristol after LO is born (if I can find a job there that is). I might ask you loads of questions about Bristol nearer the time if that is ok with you?

estt - EDD 27th May (1 ds 19 months)
goingfor3 - EDD 29th May (2 dds, 3 and 6, mc july) GIRL
flosspot/makecakesnotwar - EDD 29th May (1st baby, mc June 07)GIRL!!
katyjo - EDD 29th May ( 1 ds 20 months)
systemsaddict - EDD 31st May (1 ds 1YO) GIRL
lazylou - EDD 31st May (1 DD 3.9/ MC September 04)
laughinglil - EDD 1st June (3YO twins)
nh101 - EDD 1st June (it's twins!, no other DCs, MC Mar 07)1 BOY
Trix11 - EDD 1st June (DS and DD)
paromapu - EDD 3rd June (first baby)a girl will be called Fleur
Tizzwizz - EDD 5th June (MC June)
emotionalwreck - EDD 5th June
aberdeenhiker - EDD 5th June (DS, June 06)
Josey - EDD 5th June(DS8, DD2)
Kif - EDD early June (DC3)
Calebsmum - EDD 6th June (DC2)
supperwoman - EDD 6th June (DC2)
nettiehay - EDD 6th/7th June (first baby)
Lucy0608 - EDD 6th June (1st Baby)
Debinaustria - EDD 7th June (2 ds's 7 and 5)
mellymel - EDD 7th June (DS 14 months)
ChinaSurprise - EDD 8th June (1st baby)
dylansluckymum - EDD 9th June (1DS 18 mos)
basilbrush - EDD 10th June (1 DS Feb 06, 2 m/cs 2007)
tassisssss - EDD 13th June (ds aged 4, dd 15 mths)
Deese20 -EDD 14th June (1st Baby)
Jules43 - EDD 15th June (1st baby)
sybilvimes - EDD 16th June (2 dc) Expecting a boy!!
GardenAngel4 EDD 17th June (DD 7months)
Josie57 - EDD 18th June (ds1 13 months, mc sep 07)
hedgehog1979 - EDD 18th June (first baby)
babyalfie - EDD 20th June (got 3 DC - 16, 14 & 7)
ernest - EDD 20th June (got 3 dc - 8, 6 & 3)
ktpie - EDD 20th June (first baby)
poppy34 - EDD 20th June (2 m/c, one ds lost at 21 weeks) (GIRL)
HeyBaby07 - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
Hoggle - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
needahand - EDD 21st June (DC2) (boy)
Wigeon - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
Upsidedowncake - EDD 22nd June (1DS 27 m, ep Aug 07) GIRL
bitofadramaqueen - EDD 22nd June (first baby)
august26bride - 22nd June (First Baby)
looneytune - EDD 23rd June (DS 4 yrs) BOY
puddock - EDD 24th June (first baby)
sophiewd - 27th June (DD 22 months)
Gemzooks - EDD???
Pyjamarama -EDD??
capricornqueen - EDD 30th June (DD 2yrs)
Kittyjimjams -EDD 30th June (2 MC)

Just adding me and my girl...

Re: Birth plan...have been putting off thinking about it until past 24 weeks, so that's my next job. Anticipate it saying: be nice, give me the drugs and don't freak out my husband!

Needahand - do read that book - I felt all empowered with info afterwards. More helpful than anything else I've read so far.

As for Bristol, CAT me if you like and ask away, but in short, I moved to Bris straight after uni thinking "I'll stay for a couple of years and then go to London". As a journo London is where it's at really - 11 years later I'm still here, no intention of leaving EVER and am happier than anywhere else I've ever lived. Bristol is FAB. As I worked on the local paper for seven years I also know a stupid amount of stuff about house prices/ crime/ nice vs nasty areas etc etc. Feel free to ask anything.

Re CS/ anasthetic questions , the theory is that if you eat before a general anasthetic you could vomit and choke as you go under. However, as said earlier, they can get round this by putting pressure on your neck (this was in that active birth book now I think about it). As most CS are now done with local anaesthetic - even emergency cases, it is totally irrelevant for the majority of women. And imo it makes NO SENSE to starve a woman of energy as she gathers herself for one of the most physically challenging things she will ever do. As a newbie I can only go by what I've read/ heard but it seems common to be hungry in first stage/ after first bf but not during transition/ pushing.
Eating before general anaesthetic can also make you feel/ be sick when you wake up, but from what I've read a lot of women throw everything up in early labour so, again, it would probably be irrelevant.

Lots of routine hospital procedures are more about what's convenient for the staff than what's best for you. Eg - MW asks you to get on the bed for the pushing stage to make it easier for her to see what's happening when a torch/ anglepoise lamp would allow you to stay upright and make use of gravity. Eg - routine episiotomy. Eg - speeding up labour without signs of fetal distress just cos it's not average. Often what procedures are used in birth are more about culture than medical need.

Have just posted Bump Pic.

BB xx

Unfortunately you cannot be guaranteed not to have a GA with an emergency c section, mine was classified as an emergency although didn't go into labour and I was not allowed to eat just in case.

My bump is bigger than everyone else's, even NH101 . My stomach muscles really are that bad . My babies weren't particularly huge - all around the 8lb mark - but my body is just so destroyed.

After a horrid pregnancy with DD, my birth plan said "please keep us safe, if you can't, call a priest" . Think I'll be a bit more proactive this time!

Lulumama doesn't live far from me but doesn't do deliveries at LWH. As soon as I know that I can anticipate having a vaginal delivery, I'll start thinking more seriously about the midwife/doula from the birthing centre.

When DS2 was born, they brought in some tea and toast which DH grabbed saying "thank you so much, I really need that" and he actually ate the toast. I have never forgiven him!

Hello all,

thought I'd update myself on THE LIST:
estt - EDD 27th May (1 ds 19 months)
goingfor3 - EDD 29th May (2 dds, 3 and 6, mc july) GIRL
flosspot/makecakesnotwar - EDD 29th May (1st baby, mc June 07)GIRL!!
katyjo - EDD 29th May ( 1 ds 20 months)
systemsaddict - EDD 31st May (1 ds 1YO) GIRL
lazylou - EDD 31st May (1 DD 3.9/ MC September 04)
laughinglil - EDD 1st June (3YO twins)
nh101 - EDD 1st June (it's twins!, no other DCs, MC Mar 07)1 BOY
Trix11 - EDD 1st June (DS and DD)
paromapu - EDD 3rd June (first baby)a girl will be called Fleur
Tizzwizz - EDD 5th June (MC June)
emotionalwreck - EDD 5th June
aberdeenhiker - EDD 5th June (DS, June 06)
Josey - EDD 5th June(DS8, DD2)
Kif - EDD early June (DC3)
Calebsmum - EDD 6th June (DC2)
supperwoman - EDD 6th June (DC2)
nettiehay - EDD 6th/7th June (first baby)
Lucy0608 - EDD 6th June (1st Baby)
Debinaustria - EDD 7th June (2 ds's 7 and 5)
mellymel - EDD 7th June (DS 14 months)
ChinaSurprise - EDD 8th June (1st baby)
dylansluckymum - EDD 9th June (1DS 18 mos)
basilbrush - EDD 10th June (1 DS Feb 06, 2 m/cs 2007)
tassisssss - EDD 13th June (ds aged 4, dd 15 mths)
Deese20 -EDD 14th June (1st Baby)
Jules43 - EDD 15th June (1st baby)
sybilvimes - EDD 16th June (2 dc) Expecting a boy!!
GardenAngel4 EDD 17th June (DD 7months)
Josie57 - EDD 18th June (ds1 13 months, mc sep 07)
hedgehog1979 - EDD 18th June (first baby)
babyalfie - EDD 20th June (got 3 DC - 16, 14 & 7)
ernest - EDD 20th June (got 3 dc - 8, 6 & 3)
ktpie - EDD 20th June (first baby)
poppy34 - EDD 20th June (2 m/c, one ds lost at 21 weeks) (GIRL)
HeyBaby07 - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
Hoggle - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
needahand - EDD 21st June (DC2) (boy)
Wigeon - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
Upsidedowncake - EDD 22nd June (1DS 27 m, ep Aug 07) GIRL
bitofadramaqueen - EDD 22nd June (first baby)
august26bride - 22nd June (First Baby)
looneytune - EDD 23rd June (DS 4 yrs) BOY
puddock - EDD 24th June (first baby)
sophiewd - 27th June (DD 22 months)
Gemzooks - EDD???
Pyjamarama -EDD 19th June (BOY)
capricornqueen - EDD 30th June (DD 2yrs)
Kittyjimjams -EDD 30th June (2 MC)

The only birth plan I have is NO STUDENTS as this may prove embarrassing later on if I have to teach them, and they have been privy to close-ups of my lady bits. Other than that plan to go with the flow.

Re: eating, should be fine as vast majority of c-sections are under epidural/sinal anaethetic. However in the event of a major emergency when only have minutes to get baby out ie uterine rupture, may need general anaesthetic. This can be done if you have eaten but its pretty high risk. So perhaps if you are aiming for a VBAC they may keep you starved just incase. hope that makes sense.

Something really interesting has been happening with DS (27 months) in the last few days.

For the last two months, DS has been sleeping in a bed. So we moved the cot, changing table and so on after his room at the weekend. He - as you would - burst into tears when we moved his cot out. And then asked to climb into a sleeping bag and get into his cot. He spent 15 minutes just 'being' in his cot.

Then today as we were coming home, I felt him bury his face in my boobs, 'Mummy, I want to drink milk from your breasts,'! He hasn't fed from me for about a year, so I asked him what was going on, 'Mummy, I want to be a baby again.'

Now the interesting thing is that we haven't explained that a baby is coming, but he is obviously processing something. Anyone else have this experience?

BB - love the bump pic. Your ds is a couple of months younger than mine but they seem pretty parallel! Mine likes wearing my clothes too!

Rolf - the good thing about having a big bump is that at least people realise you're pregnant. I still look tubby!

Pyjama, LOL no students! What area do you work in? Will you have to give birth surrounded by your colleagues?

Re eating, I seem to remember reading somewhere that you don't need anything to eat while you're in labour as your body knows you have bigger things on your mind. But you do then get hungry afterwards. LOL Rolf toast story.

could he not have worked it out and feling insecure stuff is going on and you're not telling him? Any reason you not told him yet?

upside I am a facial surgeon, so my obs/gyn knowledge is scanty at best. I have however taken the precaution of booking delivery in a different hospital to the one I work in, so none of my collegues feel the need to just "pop in" to say hello whilst I am all sweaty and shouting obscenities.

just catching up -loads of posts over last day or so.

BB have you had any luck asking about your change of terms?

all thoughts on birthplans are very helpful as I've no clue about mine yet apart from not wanting to make too may plans and wanting to go with it.

pyjamarama can't blame you for wanting to go t a different hospital - I'm concerned enough that my hospital 10 mins walk from work and already had lots of offers to visit which frankly nice as the offer is I"m not sure I'll want (yes a bunch of colleagues when you're just about to enjoy your first toast or creme egg post labour).

Has anyone actually started there hypnobirthing class yet? Mine is next month and have no idea what to expect (except a lot of "look into my eyes" jokes from dh).

Not much else to report but I seem to be getting so big so fast - so much for neat little bump- no hiding it now.

hey Rolf - at least you have an excuse! I'm only pg with my first so no excuse for being so out of shape and having a big flabby bump . (Obviously I'm talking about my big flabby bump!).

Is it really time to start thinking about birth plans? I'm still enjoying the shopping for baby stuff - please can I just carry on with the fun stuff for a little while longer...

bb - there was loads of links today, so I hope you spotted my post on contract law (pg 17). In my humble professional opinion I think its your best starting point.

Pyjamarama - when I was having DD two of the people involved in my care were pregnant and having their babies in that hospital. One had placenta previa so she had no excuse to stop work early - instead of hospital bed rest she had hospital based normal-day-at-work with instructions on where to go if she had a big bleed . I guess it was a nice testament to the faith they had in their colleagues, but I'd have to agree with you that it would be very embarassing.

Upsidedownegg - your poor DS. Would this be a time to start reading him books about new babies, or maybe get him a doll to "practice" on?

Hi Ernest, thanks, we wanted to wait at least until after today so that we could talk about Dorothy or Daphne or whoever. Also, we thought it would be better to let him experience changes like saying 'goodbye' to his cot without associating them with being usurped.

And finally, DS, while talkative, is still very young, and we thought if we told him that someone was coming, he'd expect them soon rather than in another four months!

But you're the boy expert. Is it OK to let him experience these 'want to be a baby' feelings without explaining why he may be feeling them?

Just scrolled through very quickly before going to bed, can't believe we're talking birth plans already I need to start thinking about this I suppose but not sure what to write. I'm planning on a Home Birth so should I just put what I'd like? Although I may not be able tp have a Home Birth as you never know I'll grab the notes tomorrow and see how much space there is as I suppose it would be good to have back up plans in case have to go into hospital.

Right, night night you lot

Rolf LOL at the toast my DH also ate mine but he was welcome to it I was already being sick at that point.

birth plan "Leave me alone" "do not poke at me" I will tell you when the head is coming after that you can help me pant and push then go away again Im not very good in labour, my contractions start very strong every 2 mins and do this till i deliver so folk wanting to see what goes on stresses me. I dont want to eat as I get really sick for a bout 12hours after, but I want loads of ice and ice lollies, ice is better than water and you get very thirsty (well i do) and when you cant wee it has to come out somewhere else. With DS I had a 3rd degree tear who mentioned ear to ear yip 2nd that, and the pain i remember was the doctor running her finger over the cut to make sure there was no serious damage, so when they went to check me after DD i freaked and screamed at them to get the F away from my * so I suppose that might be mentioned
Not too worried about tearing as I dont really have a perineum left after DS

Upsidedown your DS is maybe just a bit nervous at saying goodbye to his baby things which make him feel secure, maybe if he knows he is going to be a big grown up boy he might be ok, he is only 2 months younger than my DD she knows there is a baby in my tummy but isnt very fussed.

wasn't havig a go you understand, just curious. We moved ds1 out of cot etc before ds2 so he didn't associate the 2, but he was a lot younger (17 mths). told him quite early. ds2 was nearly 3 when ds3 born. again, moved beds a couple months before so's not to associate being kicked out of bed for baby, but we'd already told him about new baby. He liked the idea of being bid brother and we read ' how babies are made' a lot and he'd say 'hello' or 'goodnight baby in the belly'.

I do think they pick up on far far more than we give them credit for, even at this young age. Everyone has different methods/ideas. Just for me personally, I like to be as up front as soon as possible as kept in dark a lot as a kid and I knew things were being ket from me, just not what and I hated that.

And have now gathered my spare parts, and tomorrow, with ds3's help will convert the cot bed back to a cot. Sil is coming next week with 7 month old dn, so am saying it's for her, which it sort of is, he gave up his cot bed ages ago for the lure of ds1 double bed or ds2 bunk bed. It's musical beds here everynight. I peep at them on my way to bed and they^re usually in different beds than those I said goodnight to them.

Today, I have mainly been cleaning windows.