Due July 08 - Food, food and more food!

[sweetkitty]

Here we go ladies shiny new thread, may it grow like our bellies

1 -26JUN TJUICE (FIRST BABY)
2 -01JUL LIBRALADY (DS 3.8) POOLE
3 -01JUL MISSCHIKA (FIRST BABY)CAMBERWELL
4 -02JUL BABY3 (DD8 DS5.5)
5 -02JUL UNFITMUMMY (DD 2.7)
6 -02JUL BEEP BEEP (DD 1.1)
7 -03JUL ISAIDNO (2DS 4 & 2) Redditch, Worcs
8 -03JUL MRSCLAIRET (FIRST BABY)
9 -05JUL MRSMADMAND (DD 1.3)
10 -05JUL PONTO (2DD 4.6 & 2)
11 -06JUL PENGUINMUM (DD 2.7)
12 -06JUL NANNYJO (3rd baby)
13 -07JUL CHOCCIE (FIRST BABY)
14 -07JUL HATRICK (3DD 4, 2.8 and 15 months)
15 -07JUL MINKUS (DS 3) Ross-on-Wye
16 -07JUL CHOCOLATEDAYS (FIRST BABY)
17 -07JUL CARRIEHD9 (FIRST BABY) Kirklees
18 -08JUL PAULAPLUMPBOTTOM (DD 4)
19 -08JUl JOCESAR (1st baby)
20 -09JUL THE PUDDINGCHEF (DS 1.6)
21 -10JUL MINNIE1 (2DD 1.10 & 11MTHS)
22 -10JUL SWEETKITTY (2DDs 3.6 & 2) NR GLASGOW
23 -12JUL MCCHESERS (FIRST BABY)
24 -12JUL PIGLEYCHEZ(FIRST BABY)WEST SUSSEX
25 -13JUL MUMMYWANNABE (FIRST BABY)
26 -13JUL PEGGYP (DD 9MTHS)
27 -13JUL EEC (DS 11 DD 9)
28 -13JUL HPG (FIRST BABY)
29 -13JUL PURPLEJENNYROSE (DD21MTHS)
30 -14JUL GILLYTHEKID (1st baby)
31 -15JUL JODIE (DS 16MTHS) LICHFIELD
32 -15JUL BORGLADY (FIRST BABY)
33 -16JUL POLEDRA (2DD 4&2)
34 -16JUL UMLELLALA (2nd baby)
35 -17JUL SANDCASTLES (DD 4)
36 -17JUL PTIYPASI (DD 11MTHS)
37 -17JUL DISNEYSTAR (7th BABY)
38 -18JUL MYLITTLEELOISE (DC ?)
39 -18JUL LOVELYLOU (DD 2.8)
40 -18JUL SCOTTISHSUSAN (DS 15, DS13, DS 10,DD 5, DS 2)
41 -18 JUL SHORTSHAFE (DD 15MTHS)
42 -20 JUL RUMPEL (DD 15 months)
43 -21 JUL FROGMARSH (FIRST BABY)
44 -21JUL MIN912 (DS 1)
45 -21JUL MrsHOP (1st baby)
46 -22JUL CASS66 (DD 5 & 3)
47 -24JUL TWINKLE (DS 8& 2 DD 6) TWINS
48 -24JUL SHROOMS (DS8 DD 6)
49 -25JUL FEB (DS 10 MTHS)
50 -26JUL WALKINGTIMEBOMB (DS 10 MTHS)
51 -26JUL MISSMCGOO (DS5 DD2)
52 -27JUL DIVVY (DD 18, 15, 13, 8MTHS)
53 -28JUL LIKERABBITSBX (2nd baby)
54 -31JUL BREIZETTE (DD 10MTHS)
55 -31JUL LAZYHIPPO (FIRST BABY)ABERD'NSHIRE
56 -TBC JOOS (FIRST BABY)
57 -TBC BEALCAIN (DS1 2.2 DS2 10MTHS)

Thanks everyone for all the advice on what to buy. Has been really, really helpful. I didn't even know that you could hire breast pumps. Top tip PaulaYates.

Isaidno...read your message about the Lotus birth this morning over my porridge! Was totally fascinating but now I have images of the placenta being wheeled around in it's own pushchair .

Reckon I'll give it a miss as I remember my Dad telling me that he had to burn my placenta instead of bury it in the back garden (born at home in the 70's) as foxes will dig it up! Does the same apply to household pets? Would the cat be secretly eyeing it up for a midnight snack?

Hi All

Had scan today and not good news, our baby has Pleural Effusion - fluid on the lungs, I have to go and see the consultant on Thursday for further tests and a possible amino. Very concerned.....

monkey24; sending you a hug xx

monkey - sorry to hear your news

Agree re: Tesco nappies found them much better than Pampers or Huggies £7 for a huge pack lasted me about 2 weeks.

So sorry to hear that monkey24. I'm thinking of you, and keeping my fingers crossed.

Monkey24 - one from me too x

monkey - are you ok?

sorry i dont know what it is is it heart related?
have they told you what it means?
i hope you are k tonnight and with dp x

eec my nausea came back at the weekend and it was full pukesville - i blame it on exhaustion as we had been doing loads of diy

Oh Monkey, What a worry for you. I know what you're going through. They picked up something wrong with the lungs with DD at the anomoly scan, and we had to wait all weekend for a consultant scan on the monday. Everything turned out OK for us, and DD is a healthy 10 year old now. I will send all my good thoughts for a similar result for you.

Monkey you poor thing - thinking of you xxx

Thanks for all the advice and info guys, it has been so useful to read, I am cutting and pasting and sending off for DH to file somewhere...

Monkey - sorry to hear your worrying news. x

Re: placenta lotus thingy - erghhh! not sure i could handle that.

Sickness: I agree if i do not eat reguarly i am sick in the evening, also when over tired

Question - how low does your blood pressure have to be to cause any concern. Mine has been low all through but was very low yesterday, most likely why i was exhausted.

Monkey - so sorry, hope you get some reassurance and support from consultant. x

VALUABLE INFORMATION*

1. It is quite common for baby girls to have a mini-period a few days after they are born. shock It is a withdrawal bleed from the exposure to all the hormones in the womb.

(My friend told me this when she had a DD, otherwise I would have been frantic when it happened to my DD) RUMPEL

1. When your milk comes in (about 3 days after birth) they will be enormous, hot and rock hard. This extreme discomfort coincides with a happy hormone drop so don't be surprised if you spend the day sobbing. You'll feel better soon! ISAIDNO

1. Do not buy disposable paper knickers and maternity sanitary pads for after the birth, they are really uncomfortable. Instead buy some really cheap supermarket pants and Always nighttime pads. You can then throw away the cheap pants. sweetkitty

4 There are very few musts in either pregnancy or child rearing. Treat all childcare and pregnancy advice like a pick and mix counter take what works for you and ignore what does not. KAZ

1. The Lochia starts immediately after birth for which you require some form of sanitary pads. You may continue to experience pains similar to period pains for a couple of days after and possible pass a largish clot. This happened to me (the size of a small side plate) and I panicked thinking it was an undeveloped twin. After speaking to my midwife this is quite common (she'd had one the size of a dinner plate - I don't mean to alarm anyone!) but I had absolutely no idea what was happening and felt extremely scared until I'd received clarification. Best to save the evidence and show to MW or HV. Libraladyxx

1. Try and stay in hospital as long as possible, esp. until Milk comes in and your Baby blues start! As once you get home, thats it!!!! Also, try and see as many visitors in the hospital as possible, so you don't have to entertain them yourself at home! Jodie x

1. Do not wear expensive new nightwear or slippers when you are in hospital. The first time you stand up after giving birth, you will 'flood' a bit as the lochia will have pooled while you are lying down. And don't be embarrassed about it - the mws aren't! Poledra

8 Leading on form the last one you often can often flood when breastfeeding/expressing the number of poor Mums in tears I have had to borrow pads for from the wards white trousers are often not a good fashion look when you do

1. Really no point worrying in advance about embarrassing indignities during labour - you honestly will not notice or care what you do or how you behave when the day comes. Also, wear something during labour that you are happy to throw away. You may not feel like wearing it afterwards, even when it's washed.

10. If you get the chance before the baby is born (and your nesting takes full hold) cook loads of beef or quorn mince/onions/tomatoes and freeze it in take away tubs. When your new arrival appears all you've dp has got to do is boil some rice or pasta, defrost mixture and add mixed herbs or chilli beans for a really quick and relatively nutritious meal. You honestly will not want to cook.- Minkus

11. Buy Toni and Guy's dry shampoo from Boots or Batiste's version (much cheaper but not quite as good) from Superdrug. On those days post birth when your hair really needs washing but you are exhausted, and you need to leave the house but are worried that folks will think you've lost it because of the oil slick in your hair- these products are amazing and will make your hair totally presentable.- Minkus

12. I really think you can't cuddle them too much. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about wanting to pick your baby up all the time if thats what makes you both happy.- Minkus

13. If you have stithes down below or are even just feeling a bit bruised, get some super strength Arnica, also for at least a fortnight after giving birth have a bath every day with lavender oil in it. It's great for healing and preventing infection plus the lavender is really soothing. It's important to get even half an hour me time (especially if you have other DC). SWEETKITTY

14. Be prepared to spend the first few weeks sitting feeding your baby a lot (if BFing), have phone, drink, snacks to hand. I am also planning on renting some good films and DVD box sets for cluster feeding in the evenings. (I have lovely memories of feeding DD2 in bed with a good movie on). sweetkitty

15. Don't get worried if your baby doesn't poo every day, or even every other day, just be warned of the smelly explosion when it does happen. JODIE x

16. On the subject of poo (mm lovely) the first few poo's are akin to tar (very, very thick and sticky!), so try putting vasaline on babies bottom at each nappy change to make it easier to scrape off! JODIE x

17. If you don't manage breastfeeding or go onto bottles later on, make sure you invest in an avent milk holder. Fill your bottles with water as normal and take out and place the measured amount of milk in as and when required. Saves worrying about milk 'going off' when out for a day (especially in the hot weather). Water alone in a bottle won't go off. I found this was the best thing I bought. Libralady.

18. You?ll be AMAZED at how swollen your undercarriage is ? no-one tells you that. I thought it was my stitches but it was my bits It is okay though, sounds worse than it is.

19. Make sure you take loads of fruit (maybe even lactulose into hospital with you in case you are in for a few days and have drugs in labour). My DH went home with mine and the hospital had NO fruit/veg/salad and served up horrid salty food. Ended up with horrific constipation and had to get the Dr out a few days after birth

20. Following on from last point - fruit somoothies seemed to work well for me in first couple of days - you really want the first post-birth poo to be as easy as possible!!

21. Dare I say it...breastfeeding might well hurt to start with but this won't last forever and it is so worth it!

22. OK another one with TMI - especially if you push for a while, you may well have bad piles - do ask the midwives for treatment, not worth being embarressed! Also second lavender in bath - pref with epsom salts - brill for healing bits and bottom!

23. I carried a spare top with me for first few weeks as boobs would leak hugely at the most unexpected moments - particularly in Tesco for some reason... SHORTSHAFE

24. Hormones do strange things to you - dd was born in October and I found my internal thermostat was haywire - i perspired massively all of the time - to the point that my hair was wet (yuck yuck yuck) until she was about 2 weeks old. SHORTSHAFE

25. Babies can fire poo explosive distances - IME around 4ft! be prepared and buy carpet shampoo/carpet stain remover before the birth! SHORTSHAFE

26. Sometimes it is painful to pee after delivery jug of warm water containing few drops of lavender oil poured over your bits while trying to pee can help. If it does not it sounds disgusting but pee in the bath. KAZ

27. After an hour and twenty minutes, if still attached, your baby is not feeding anymore, s/he has fallen asleep! 40mins would be my maximum, and the sooner both of you can learn to feed lying down in bed, soooo much the better for night feeds and your sanity. Min912

28. If you feel hot&cold and a bit 'under the weather' plus perhaps one breast is a bit sore, it's not just post-birth knackeredness, you quite probably have mastitis. Don't panic, feed or pump on the affected side (I found pumping after a feed reduced the pressure), use a hot flanel, if it doesn't get better see the doctor. Min912

29. At some point you will very probably find yourself thrusting the baby at your DH/DP the minute they come in the door and running off to throw yourself on the bed in tears because you've had a mare of a day. This does NOT make you a bad mum, it means you are human. Tomorrow will be better, honest. Min912

And I am living proof of no. 29 - DS was baby from hell yesterday, we met a friend for lunch and he was the food-refusing troublesome screaming baby that you never, ever want on the table next to you in the restaurant (no other kids there of course). Couldn't get out of there quick enough and by the time DH came home I was trying to get DS to eat dinner (and failing) with tears rolling down my cheeks.

However, like Scarlett O'hara, today is another day, much better all round, lots of cuddles and smiles today and happy baby and mummy. Like it never happened!

VALUABLE INFORMATION*

1. It is quite common for baby girls to have a mini-period a few days after they are born. shock It is a withdrawal bleed from the exposure to all the hormones in the womb.

(My friend told me this when she had a DD, otherwise I would have been frantic when it happened to my DD) RUMPEL

1. When your milk comes in (about 3 days after birth) they will be enormous, hot and rock hard. This extreme discomfort coincides with a happy hormone drop so don't be surprised if you spend the day sobbing. You'll feel better soon! ISAIDNO

1. Do not buy disposable paper knickers and maternity sanitary pads for after the birth, they are really uncomfortable. Instead buy some really cheap supermarket pants and Always nighttime pads. You can then throw away the cheap pants. sweetkitty

4 There are very few musts in either pregnancy or child rearing. Treat all childcare and pregnancy advice like a pick and mix counter take what works for you and ignore what does not. KAZ

1. The Lochia starts immediately after birth for which you require some form of sanitary pads. You may continue to experience pains similar to period pains for a couple of days after and possible pass a largish clot. This happened to me (the size of a small side plate) and I panicked thinking it was an undeveloped twin. After speaking to my midwife this is quite common (she'd had one the size of a dinner plate - I don't mean to alarm anyone!) but I had absolutely no idea what was happening and felt extremely scared until I'd received clarification. Best to save the evidence and show to MW or HV. Libraladyxx

1. Try and stay in hospital as long as possible, esp. until Milk comes in and your Baby blues start! As once you get home, thats it!!!! Also, try and see as many visitors in the hospital as possible, so you don't have to entertain them yourself at home! Jodie x

1. Do not wear expensive new nightwear or slippers when you are in hospital. The first time you stand up after giving birth, you will 'flood' a bit as the lochia will have pooled while you are lying down. And don't be embarrassed about it - the mws aren't! Poledra

8 Leading on form the last one you often can often flood when breastfeeding/expressing the number of poor Mums in tears I have had to borrow pads for from the wards white trousers are often not a good fashion look when you do

1. Really no point worrying in advance about embarrassing indignities during labour - you honestly will not notice or care what you do or how you behave when the day comes. Also, wear something during labour that you are happy to throw away. You may not feel like wearing it afterwards, even when it's washed.

10. If you get the chance before the baby is born (and your nesting takes full hold) cook loads of beef or quorn mince/onions/tomatoes and freeze it in take away tubs. When your new arrival appears all you've dp has got to do is boil some rice or pasta, defrost mixture and add mixed herbs or chilli beans for a really quick and relatively nutritious meal. You honestly will not want to cook.- Minkus

11. Buy Toni and Guy's dry shampoo from Boots or Batiste's version (much cheaper but not quite as good) from Superdrug. On those days post birth when your hair really needs washing but you are exhausted, and you need to leave the house but are worried that folks will think you've lost it because of the oil slick in your hair- these products are amazing and will make your hair totally presentable.- Minkus

12. I really think you can't cuddle them too much. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about wanting to pick your baby up all the time if thats what makes you both happy.- Minkus

13. If you have stithes down below or are even just feeling a bit bruised, get some super strength Arnica, also for at least a fortnight after giving birth have a bath every day with lavender oil in it. It's great for healing and preventing infection plus the lavender is really soothing. It's important to get even half an hour me time (especially if you have other DC). SWEETKITTY

14. Be prepared to spend the first few weeks sitting feeding your baby a lot (if BFing), have phone, drink, snacks to hand. I am also planning on renting some good films and DVD box sets for cluster feeding in the evenings. (I have lovely memories of feeding DD2 in bed with a good movie on). sweetkitty

15. Don't get worried if your baby doesn't poo every day, or even every other day, just be warned of the smelly explosion when it does happen. JODIE x

16. On the subject of poo (mm lovely) the first few poo's are akin to tar (very, very thick and sticky!), so try putting vasaline on babies bottom at each nappy change to make it easier to scrape off! JODIE x

17. If you don't manage breastfeeding or go onto bottles later on, make sure you invest in an avent milk holder. Fill your bottles with water as normal and take out and place the measured amount of milk in as and when required. Saves worrying about milk 'going off' when out for a day (especially in the hot weather). Water alone in a bottle won't go off. I found this was the best thing I bought. Libralady.

18. You?ll be AMAZED at how swollen your undercarriage is ? no-one tells you that. I thought it was my stitches but it was my bits It is okay though, sounds worse than it is.

19. Make sure you take loads of fruit (maybe even lactulose into hospital with you in case you are in for a few days and have drugs in labour). My DH went home with mine and the hospital had NO fruit/veg/salad and served up horrid salty food. Ended up with horrific constipation and had to get the Dr out a few days after birth

20. Following on from last point - fruit somoothies seemed to work well for me in first couple of days - you really want the first post-birth poo to be as easy as possible!!

21. Dare I say it...breastfeeding might well hurt to start with but this won't last forever and it is so worth it!

22. OK another one with TMI - especially if you push for a while, you may well have bad piles - do ask the midwives for treatment, not worth being embarressed! Also second lavender in bath - pref with epsom salts - brill for healing bits and bottom!

23. I carried a spare top with me for first few weeks as boobs would leak hugely at the most unexpected moments - particularly in Tesco for some reason... SHORTSHAFE

24. Hormones do strange things to you - dd was born in October and I found my internal thermostat was haywire - i perspired massively all of the time - to the point that my hair was wet (yuck yuck yuck) until she was about 2 weeks old. SHORTSHAFE

25. Babies can fire poo explosive distances - IME around 4ft! be prepared and buy carpet shampoo/carpet stain remover before the birth! SHORTSHAFE

26. Sometimes it is painful to pee after delivery jug of warm water containing few drops of lavender oil poured over your bits while trying to pee can help. If it does not it sounds disgusting but pee in the bath. KAZ

27. After an hour and twenty minutes, if still attached, your baby is not feeding anymore, s/he has fallen asleep! 40mins would be my maximum, and the sooner both of you can learn to feed lying down in bed, soooo much the better for night feeds and your sanity. Min912

28. If you feel hot&cold and a bit 'under the weather' plus perhaps one breast is a bit sore, it's not just post-birth knackeredness, you quite probably have mastitis. Don't panic, feed or pump on the affected side (I found pumping after a feed reduced the pressure), use a hot flanel, if it doesn't get better see the doctor. Min912
    28a mastitis normally effects 1/4 of a breast If practical (because it depends what 1/4 it is) try and feed baby so their bottom jaw is on that 1/4 this can help move the blockage which is usually the initial cause. As long as there are no medical reasons why you should not take most midwives recommend Ibuprofen as pain relief for this. Kaz

29. At some point you will very probably find yourself thrusting the baby at your DH/DP the minute they come in the door and running off to throw yourself on the bed in tears because you've had a mare of a day. This does NOT make you a bad mum, it means you are human. Tomorrow will be better, honest. Min912

Thanks for all your supportive messages.

Paulayatesbiggestfan - I'm ok, struggling a little, just feel so useless not knowing what it is or what to do about it.

Why does two days seem like such a long time...

Trying to keep my spirits up

Morning all.
Monkey sorry to hear of your worries.
Well I am now at the point where I am relishing my Wednesdays off. I am knackered. The frequent pee breaks during the night are not conducive to a good night's sleep. Added to that I am getting really bad cramps in my legs when I am in bed which also wakes me up.
Babba was really moving and kicking last night but my DH just couldn't feel him. I lifted my top and at least he could see the movements and kicks (some were really big ones!
I'm now 23 weeks and planning on working until 38. Don't know how I am going to manage it, but financially we have to. Can only afford to take 12 weeks mat leave so want to maximise my time with the baby before I go back to work full time again. At least the majority of my time off will be over the summer hols so I can spend quality time with DS also and prepare him for going to 'big school' in September.
On another note, we booked our family 'summer holiday' the other day. Yep it's October half term!
Going to sunny North Wales again to our cottage in the mountains and will spend the week visiting all the little steam trains for DS. Can't afford to go in the summer hols plus don't really want to take LO away before his jabs.
Anyway must rush and tae DS to nursery.
Catch you later. LLxx

Morning.

Monkey - am thinking of you. Big hugs.

Re valuable information - think I will be waiting a while before I cut and paste the info as it seems that the list is only going to get bigger and bigger.

Placenta tales - interesting but I too have an image of the placenta being carried/pushed around in it's own little buggy!!

Morning all, my you lot can talk.. Haven't been on for a couple of days, and you are all chatterboxes, will catch up with all the news when I have time.

Just to let you all know I'm having a fab time on holiday, although am knakered as DS has been geting up at 5.00 every morning and as I'm here without DH there isn't anyone to share the early morings with! Oh well, Mum and dad have taken him out most afternoons, (like now!)so thats nice. I'm supposed to be packing right now. BAck tomorrow boo

I'm off to light a candle at church in a min for my friend, she lost her baby at the weekend, at 39 weeks, very sad, it makes you realise how lucky we are.

Right better get off and pack, will catch up when I get back and supposed to be working on friday I suppose!!

Have a nice day

Hi all

Monkey, hope the consultant appointment brings some comfort, must be a really worrying time.

EEC & Paula- my sickness reared its ugly head again recently, and my bump has also grown quite considerably- maybe our babies are having growth spurts and all the extra hormones are making us ill.

Current craving is a fresh green salad with tons of balsamic vinegar and a smidge of olive oil- when pg with ds the smell of lettuce even in the fridge made me really nauseous so perhaps this one is pink! Hot choc is also still hitting the spot, I have gone through 1.5 jars since Friday though so maybe I should ease up a bit or I will end up mahooosive.

Am starting to panic a bit about how I'm gonna cope with 2 children, mums with 2 or more already what was it like for you? DS was a relatively easy baby (if there are such things) and I'm worried that no. 2 will be really different. Would really appreciate hearing about your experiences of going from 1 to 2!

monkey - hang on in there I know the wiat must be bad but it will pass soon x

minkus - I'm sure we all think like that how we going to cope with 1,2,3 and beyond. You just do I don't remember it being particularly hard yes there are tough days but all in all it was fine with 2. It gets a lot easier once no2 is walking and can follow no1 about and play.

Jodie - read about your friend on your other thread that is so horrible, I have a friend who's baby died at 3 days old due to a botched up delivery (proven in court) you feel like a bit of a spare part really but all you can do is be there if they need you.

libralady - I worked up to 37 weeks with DD1 (had her at 37+5) anyway I think as long as you take it really easy you will be fine. Do you have a long commute? Your holiday sounds lovely I don't think we will manage to get away this year, I don't really fancy it heavily pregnant or with a newborn. Probably have a load of day trips and loads of time in the garden (weather premitting).

Maybe we should think about cutting and pasting the valuable info into another thread it's getting huge now.

Heartburn/acid indigestion driving me mad and I have run out of Gaviscon will see MW in about 2 weeks think I need a prescription for 2 litre bottles of the stuff. Apart from that I'm not too bad, SPD is still there but manageable so far, bump is growing, growing, growing!

Hi guys,

Hope you are well - did anyone see the programme 'Dawn gets a baby'? The childbirth scenes were quite overwhelming!!

sk - oh quick get some more! Couldn't live without my milk and maalox to settle my indigestion! Yay to big bump!

Monkey, good luck x

Libra - working to 33 as have lots of holiday to take. Feel lucky but till not sure how long I can last as have no motivation for anything non baby related!

Mink - Salad? Salad? Mine's Ben and Jerry's Half Baked, need it every night, gonna have trouble shifting the wieght once he popos out!

x

SK Luckily my commute in the mornings is only about 5-7 minutes due to the silly time I arrive at the office. Takes 15-20 minutes in the evening as I try to leave before the rush hour but not always possible.
DS was 5 days late although I'd been having contractions for 13 days. Saw consultant at 40+3 and he said you're exhausted aren't you, right book her in for an induction. This was the Tuesday and the induction was booked for the Saturday (not too impressed with date as it was ex DH's birthday)anyway had the old membrane sweep which confirmed I was 3cm dilated and lo and behold DS was born two days later after an established labour of just 5 hours 25 minutes. Only had gas and air as when anaethsetist came into to give me my epidural he told my DH I was too far gone. Apparently DS was born with the next 1/2 hour. I must admit I was too out of it on gas and air. That stuff is great. They should bottle it and sell it in Boots!

I wholeheartedly agree about the gas and air I know some women don't get on with it but I thought it was great. Maybe it's just something to do whilst you are in pain.

You sound like you will be fast again, DD1 was 4h 20m, DD2 2h 30m but that was only because my waters didn't go and her head stayed high it slowed everything down! Oh and they were 37+5 and 41+5 too so it's a complete stab in the dark when I will do this time apparently third times can be a bit unpredictable.

CONGRATULATIONS SWEETKITTY Another gorgeous girl to add to your collection. Totally know what you mean about not having a son - we've got our scan in 3 weeks and I can't wait !