Due March 2008 Surely someone has to pop soon...

[turtle23]

New thread

wow, so excited for MarchMum and SpaceHopperHayls

thank you all so much for your kind wishes. In the end I decided to go with the majority opinion and not travel to the funeral.

piggyp - sorry to hear about your great uncle. I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted you to travel at this stage of pregnancy. I'm not so sure about mine. He was a man who really loved a good funeral , I'm not sure he'd ever understand someone voluntarily forgoing one.

The burst of energy I had last week seems to have dissipated now, yesterday I really struggled to get up and go to work. I've finally switched into longing to be done with work mode. 1.5 weeks to go though, so better not long for it too much until it's a bit closer. Today was a bit better than yesterday though, so maybe it was a Monday thing.

HQ, JFly I'm 37 weeks and still haven't done my bag OR list for what should go in my bag. I need the influence of my more organised XL-using peers.

Here is my list so far:

1. maternity pads
2. nursing bra
3. nursing pads
4. lansinoh cream
5. laptop
6. DVDs
7. clothes for baby (should I get newborn and 0-3?)
8. clothes for me (what will happen to my bump after the baby comes? - floppy empty large bump or smaller bump like when less pregnant?)
9. book

10. iPod 11. phone 12. all my regular beauty potions 13. pyjamas - is it better to get a nighty or can I just wear comfy old jammies?

OMG David Milliband has the reddest lips I've ever seen. He's on C4 news right now looking like a painted lady.

Skidoodle - laptop and DVDs? Not sure you'll need those, you'll be far too busy!! If you get stuck in there for the long haul, someone will be able to bring them for you.

Most newborns will only fit into newborn clothes, so unless you have reason to believe yours will be a big 'um, I wouldn't worry about the 0-3 clothes for baby.

As for clothes for you, you'll still be in maternity clothes when you leave. I'd take something baggy and comfy.

What happens to your tum after the birth.... LOL!! Best not to ask!!!! Post-baby tummy is horrifying!! Imagine your bump without the firmness and support of a baby or fluid. Serious jelly belly!!! Luckily it doesn't last long but it's nasty while it does!

haven't posted for an age but have been avidly reading! very exciting that others are starting to pop.

My DH also has me 'on admin duties' which I HATE!!! So much sympathy HQ.

My hosp bag is:

pads
nursing
huge knickers
nightie for labour
nightie for after with front opening for feeding, but comfy old jammies sound fab too.
warm socks
slippers
book
camera
tracksuit bottoms, loose top and jumper for going home. Someone said the bump goes back to sort of how it was at about 20 weeks? Am trying to remember how big I was then but I know it wasn't much... I'm certain that it wont' disappear completely and am anticipating agonising fanjo so loose trousers a must for me.

nice toiletries - I bought myself a whole new set of those travel ones which are mini bottles, cost £1-2 each. I liked the idea of having something special for hosp, rather than just scooping up my sainsbury's own shower gel etc.
I think that's it. I've packed enough for one overnight stay and if it's longer then DH will nip home for more stuff. Will also send DH to stock up on food when the time comes, or if poss might get it myself in early labour, or am I living in a fantasy world? I comfort eat like mad and actually got quite excited today thinking of all the treats I can get for hosp. What a saddo.

There's a separate baby bag with baby stuff in:

couple of vests
couple of sleepsuits (inc one of those ones with no legs but long with elastic at the bottom for easy bum changing overnight)
loads of nappies
couple of hats
warm stuff for journey home
blanket

I've got two really small bags. Personally I'm not taking my own pillows or anything major like a laptop. If i'm in for the long haul then people can bring things in for me.

I'm starting to get mixed feelings about starting maternity leave early now. I'm just not sure what I'm going to do at home.

In my mind's eye I had visions of going to museums and nipping into town in my third trimester. My plans have had to be downsized somewhat now that I'm hobbling around like an invalid.

What does everyone get up to during the great countdown to D-day?

insert hollow laughter<

what do i do? i hobble after a 2 year old who needs much more than i can give this week! i sleep or float in pool whenever the chance comes, never often enough. i am reading a bit. with ds1 PG watched loads of tv. i try hard all day long to find positive things to say when people ask how i'm doing. then i come here and can tell you almost weeping that between the nonstop nausea, the torture carpal tunnel and the tedium of getting increasingly housebound that i'd like to poke my own eyes out for a bit of light relief...never, ever, again for me.

Hospital bag list confession: I actually take in my own paracetemol. The number of times I've asked and never got, or got so late my anger levels have risen, not good. The number of times I've been dispensing and not got round to it, when I nursed

LOL @ laptop idea I read that somewhere the other day and thought it was a fab idea. damnit I can't remember where now. But the idea was that you'd watch DVDs DURING labour to distract you.

derah oh no, I had a feeling the tummy question was one of those things people just didn't talk about to first timers.

All the baby clothes I have so far are 0-3 months (all presents from grandparents and aunties) and I thought they might do but I guess I'd better get some newborn size clothes for the first little while. Thanks for the tip.

Fluffs I've copied your list and I'm going to just use it. For some reason my brain just won't engage properly when I try to pack. this is true of holidays so it's obviously going to be impossible to concentrate on packing for going in to hospital to give birth which is just unimaginable to me right now.

hi purley, i agree with you - was looking forward to ML soooo much, dreaming of afternoon sleeps and so on, but now as it is almost here (thurs last day) I'm feeling a bit panicky about what I am going to do. I should clean the flat, I suppose, but difficult to muster energy. I keep looking at books but the covers make me weary. Am terrified my brain will rot, all my friends will forget me, my husband will be bored of me and I'll turn into enormous fat cabbage.

Yikes. Paranoia!! Why is it so hard to let go of all the 'work' stuff? I suppose our identities have been tied up in it for so long...

hmm. Hope all babies are bouncing happily in those bellies. x

Holy moly SHH, it's all going on!
Must be this full moon/eclipse. Thanks for advice on dogs - puppy seems to be recovering and took other one to vet as wasn't drinking water. But he should be fine. And yes, your girl dog is very clever! Mine are typical boys and haven't noticed anything is different with me!

Good thinking, merry, I left it off my spreadsheet but did put paracetamol in hospital bag as someone told me they have to prescribe it for you in hospital, so could take a while for you to actually get it once you request it.

Figleaves has good return policy so might be able to actually wait until baby is born to see if I need bigger bras. Or maybe that's just a disaster waiting to happen - I'll end up a Q cup or something! As you say HQ every bra is different and Selfridges only had the Freya bras in my size and didn't find them comfortable at all (too tight), so perhaps just a matter of trying a few more.

And although I don't have a toddler to run around after, I find my days go quite quickly now what with naps and reading and the Internet! Mat leave can be boring, but use what energy you have at the beginning, b/c now in week three I'm so exhausted after going up to the shops I have to lie down for the rest of the day.

You've hit the nail on the head, frannie

I always used to insist that my job what what I did, not who I was, but I guess my identity was tied up in it more than I thought.

If I feel up to it I shall force myself to do things like attend afternoon film matinees, check out the local 'bumps and babies' groups and start making freezable meals.

Maybe now's the time to take up tapestry

For those of you worried about what to do on ML (who don't have other children) I implore you....do NOTHING!! Enjoy the silence, rest, do the nesting bit if you want to, but just remember that this is the last time for a LONG time that you'll be allowed to nap all afternoon and (at least try to)paint your toenails whenever you feel like it. Everyone tells you your life will never be the same for a reason. Just enjoy it!!

I second turtle, big time! Other things to do while you can:

Go out with with just your keys and a cash card (tho suppose we shld have mat notes with us at all times now!). Rather toting than umpteen baby bits and bobs.

Have lunch in places that aren't child friendly.

And about work...mat leave is a fantastic time to really look at what you've achieved already, take a fresh and honest look at things you mussed up or missed out on. I reckon derah has done all this thinking too? Do some fantasy thinking and research about how your work could be even better when you restart: I've got a folder full of course prospectuses (what's the plural I wonder?) that I am mulling over as my refresher/retrainers/reentry paths to the workforce. I plan to up my tech and consulting skills so that when I do go back I earn more than I did in public service and so can work fewer hours. I would LOVE to only have to do about 20-25 hours a week when the kids are both in school. And have the holidays off to be with them.

I need BABY NEWS! Must have BABY NEWS!!

Can't stop wondering how hayls and MM are doing.

Me too merry - I should be in the shower and getting ready for my antenatal class but instead am checking on here in case we have news of little bundles of joy...

I haven't bought any newborn size clothes, they're all just 0-3 months. I just have 3 sleeveless vests that my mum bought me for that size. You've now got me worried that my little one will be drowning in his clothes whereas I just assumed I'd roll the sleeves up and he'd fit them properly 2 weeks later. Should I be buying newborn babygros and, if so, how many?

Hello ladies.

I haven't been on the thread for weeks (couldn't keep up lol). Has anyone else other than preggersagain had their baby(s) yet.

If not, can I claim 2nd place with the birth of ds2 at 35w+2 on 12 Feb. Details here if interested (scroll down a few messages) especially for those of you suffering from constipation.

We are all home now but it seems very strange having baby at home knowing I should still be pg for a few more weeks!

BABYNEWS! congratulations don'tlookatmei'mshy! I'm glad you're all home now. Very funny about you demanding enemas not delivery help!

Babies, we have babies! Exciting stuff.

Wow DLAMIS what a story! It's all going on here for us March (or should I say February!) ladies. We have two others who are probably holding their LOs as we speak as we had some waters breaking yesterday. Keep an eye out for news from Marchmum and Spacehopperhayls.

Glad to hear DS is home and well. Congratulations!

Yay!! More babies

Congratulations dontlookatme

congrats don'tlook and brilliant that he's home with you now... so was constipation more painful than labour Wonder what would have happened if they'd kept telling you you were a bit bunged up

Who's next then?

Congrats DLAMIS!
News! We need more news!! Just been for my last midwife appt before "the bag" gets dropped off here. So exciting!

Congratulatios don'tlook!

I too thought I would be bored stiff at home, but this is what I've done today:

slept in (while I still can)
ate nice brekkie (while I still can)
had a bath (while I still can)
talked to SIL

and I'm not bored one bit! I have plans for the rest of the day like some freezer cooking, making a nice dinner for DH (while I still can), packing my hospital bag and possibly knitting. And I might go out for a coffee later on if any of my mum friends are free. But that's a lot to do in a day! You will be glad for the break.

I also try to have one house job a day so I feel like I'm not completely slobbing out, and one activity. Yesterday was a trip to John Lewis (at a snail's pace) which was ok because that's ALL I did.

Anyway, better go, lots to do!

skidoodle I'm not sure I'm very organised, but I do have a spreadsheet, so that makes me feel a bit less guilty about the state of my readiness!

If you want, I'll email you my spreadsheet. Your list looks similar, although I've included stuff for my DH and snacks. Also, have put newborn and 0-3 clothes in, just in case I have a big baby. I've found some of the clothes have shrunk anyway, so they aren't as huge as straight from the shop.

I'd probably not bother with the laptop, although maybe my husband would disagree! I'm going to bring a book/magazine just in case things grind to a painless halt (ha!) and I get bored. Wishful thinking, I suppose! Or maybe for antenatal ward and you're awake but bored. Dunno, I'm sure the experienced mums are laughing at me right now. Awake? Bored? Hah!

Hi ya my baby is due on the 21st March and I feel like he is ready to come out now!
My brain is all over the place and I feel like I am on 'edge'

I nearly gave birth last week! I was in hospital for 4 days wired up to a drip because I was vomiting and had bad dihorrea that bad I became dangerously dehydrayted and passed out! I was having contractions because of all the vomiting. All is ok now and i'm back at work.

I can't wait to get this baby out now. I am soooo tired!

Is anyone else due around the same time as I am? Do you feel like you don't know where you are half the time!! lol!

Yep, I'm due 17th March and am about to go to a v. posh hotel for tea and cakies this afternoon. Have tried to squeeze into decent clothing for the occasion so I don't let the side down (my mum!). I've just put my Hospital Notes into a bag to take as well, so I'm seriously realising its all happening soon.

Have packed bag but its looks gigantic! As a first timer, I keep pretending i'll be walking out 6 hours post delivery HAR HAR HAR yeah, riiiiiight, i'm petrified!

What do I do during the day? Telly (god, just too much trash, addicted to "Come Dine with Me"), knitting, cooking up feasts for DP while I still can, stare out of the window at my neighbours windows! Have tons of stuff planned for the next 3 weeks but as of yesterday when I hobbled into town to buy a buggy, I realised that this really is the end of the 9 months, as my back seized up and my feet felt like burning bricks in my shoes!
Am so jealous of the new babies imminent arrival - good luck to SHH and MM and DL - well done you!

congrats to everyone who has just had their babies!

My friend who isn't on netmums gave birth to twin boys on valentines day! she only went on her maternity leave at the start of last week!

Her due date was the 17th march but because she was having twins she gave birth early - and it was all natural! Well done Sheli!

I am now eager to get mine out! hehe!

just popped by, so much to read - getting the idea that two babies are shortly to arrive - how exciting is that...my due date is next week but i'm assuming it'll be late - infact totally convinced of it so will have nasty fright if it comes on time!
anyway - sorry to all those who aren't feeling up to much. I constantly feel lucky to have had such an easy time...and in the final straights I feel home and dry!
To those of you wondering what to do at home...I envy you as clearly you don't have the list of things to achieve before chaos descends! Today I'm cleaning...and how!

love to you all and fingers, toes and all crossed for any impending arrivals!