Due July 08- The "Oh my goodness we're really actually properly pregnant" thread

[Minkus]

Thread title reflects the fact that every day that passes it dawns on me a bit more

Thanks for all the messages re cramp.

I've just had a banana so hopefully things will improve tonight.

Hubby was a bit disappointed when I said I need to have a banana and he got his hopes up

Need an early night in preparation for DS's birthday tomorrow.

Night Night.

We used a moses basket but no, not essential - the amby nest looks lovely and I'm sure I've heard good things about them. I think a lot (most?) newborns just appreciate something to sleep in that's quite small and enclosed for them, more secure and calming. But you could even make a cot like this.
If b/f and expressing, you're supposed to get bottles with teats that resemble your own nipples!!! I used 'Nuk' teats which were recommended cos they are shaped so that the sucking action is closer to b/f - they are kind of flattish and hit the baby's palate as in b/f.
Breast pumps are personal - electric are faster if that's an issue but the Avent hand pump I thought was easier to control so more flexible / comfortable and could be used sitting in the bath which is great! Warm water helps milk flow..
Sorry if that's all TMI, hope it's helpful!!

Hi all just came back from work can't stand the long hours anymore.

Re breast pumps I really recommend the electric ones and as fo the moses basket they're nice for the baby and also nice because you can carry around the house

I must go to bed.

taff taff - you don't have to pay statutory mat pay back if you do not return to work, but if your company gives you any enhanced mat pay you will have to pay the extra back or return for a specified period of time.

SK - my birth plan is just like yours - 38 weeks at home, just after the 2 DS have gone to bed - say 8pm ish; labour for a couple of hours, baby born by 10pm, all tucked up in bed by 1 am! I am starting to worry about having a very quick labour, and not being at home when it happens (DS1 was 5 hours, DS2 3 hours) or being at home with the DC, and trying to hold it in til the mw arrives!

morning ladies

isaidno - I have the same worries about it being too fast and DP not getting home in time. The thing with me is I don't get an inkling (well did with DD1 waters going although I didn't realise labour would start so soon afterwards) with DD2 I had one big contraction (thought it was BH) then another a minute later. I am scared how I am going to cope with the DDs when I am in that much pain. I really hope what they say about you not going into labour until you feel safe is true. DP works an hour away too.

paulayates - hopefully will be ordering my P&T next month

I like a moses basket for the first few weeks if you need to put them down somewhere safe. This one will probably cosleep as well but it's nice to have somewhere portable during the day. Wouldn't spend a huge amount on it though ideally borrow as they aren't in it long.

Breastpumps - I have a Medula mini electic one it's great have never used a manual one so can't comment. Bottles I had Avent bottles with some "closer to nipples" teats. My two both took a bottle no problem. DD1 started off on bottles of EBM so we continued with one or two a week, DD2 would have had milk in a rusty old pan probably don't think she cared much about the feeding vessel.

Oops better go DDs are getting their hair cut at 9am (wish me luck) and then SIL is coming up for a visit.

The critical part of my birthplan is getting out of hospital as quickly as possible after the birth! Definitely will be hospital, as prevous em-cs and also possibility of this LO needing treatment for jaundice - that's what might keep me in, but I really want to come home! Apart from anything else, food is awful at the maternity hospital.
Also, could this baby please be on time as my parents are coming to stay with us from a week before due date so would like on time/up to 6 days early would be good?
Have had long labours before, so not too bothered about getting to hospital on time. Also, with parents there, DH works at the hospital so no issues with hime getting there on time! Dad might be a bit stressed at driving me in, mind.
Would loooove waterbirth, but was not recommended for my first VBAC. Consultant has suggested I might be able to use the pool for some of labour, bur would probably prefer me out of the water for birth.
Hubarbspong, re bottle teats, I'd get a slection of different shapes and sizes as babies like different things (and one of my dds changed her mind about what she liked between the ages of newborn and 16 weeks!). I bf'd both my dds, but supplemented with formula for the first few weeks with dd1 as I was struggling with bfing. Thank god for the local NCT breastfeeding counsellor, who was fab!
Ooops, sorry for long post, saying not very much at all!

My perfect birth image.......

waters break at 39ish weeks and then contractions start....labour lasts 40 minutes and baby born with no pain relief...no stitches.... 8lb 7oz ...perfect home birth xxx

Actually that's what happened last time and I hope to repeat it this time xx Only concern is midwife and dh being there. DH was at work last time and made it with 10 minutes to spare and only 1 midwife made it 15 minutes before deliver xx

Hi all

Hopefuly it's encouraging for first timers to hear that those of us on dc 2,3,4,5,6 or 7 are concerned about babies arriving too quickly rather than it taking too long! DS took just over 4 hrs from when my contractions started, and as hospital is about 40 mins away we are thinking of making a dash for it as soon as I know I'm in real labour

Always think of labour starting at night, but it dawned on me recently that this ain't necessarily so! DH works about 45 mins away and so I need some contingency arrangements if I go into labour in the day and things start happening fast. All parents/ inlaws/ siblings work or have their own small children to look after too - closest is my lovely sis, works about 15 mins away so I might have to ask her if she would ferry me to hospital if needs be until dh arrives! But then what to do with ds? Aaaargh!

Re: sickness, mine has cleared up very nicely- I'm going back to work on Monday! And actually looking forward to it a bit, will be nice to re-join civilisation again. Because I'm not normally at home during the week apart from Fridays I haven't got a routine established/ network of other mums to get together with etc and I've felt a bit lonely and isolated- would be different I think if I was at home properly instead of just playing at it like I've been doing since xmas when I came out of hospital! (and I dream of spending more time at home with ds, the new baby and the house! I like home making activities!)

Sorry, I've wittered- tell me to get back to the major declutter I'm doing in our bedroom and spare room please!

Hmm the message set up has changed - again!

Re Bottles - I use NUK too - as they are better for flat nipples. And NUK dummies too. Was totally against dummies until I had DD - she practically came out sucking her fingers! Very sucky baby and she only uses it now when tired or very sore teeth.

I used an avent hand breast pump - it was fine but quite time consuming, I am considering buying an electric one this time - I think it will be worth the money. I always get a bit of carpal tunnel syndrome when pg too and puffiness you get towards the end makes it worse so pumping manually can be a bit sore on my thumb joint.

You feel like all you do the first 3 weeks is sit about bf - and get really thirsty too and starving in the middle of the night!

I am going for a P & T too - quite like the Kawasaki ( hmm my favourite bike) green for a change.

I am hoping my labour is quick this time - 21 hours active last time and was a pretty horrible experience. Would be nice to have a labour of 4 hours and baby weighing 6-7lbs. DD was 7Lbs - we couldn't believe it as I was massive and my DH is tall and so am I! She lost weight too as I had problems bf and I had to buy her premmie stuff. A wee 6lb would be nice though as they are so tiny and cute and grow so fast anyway.

I love the moses basket too - great for sleeping baby beside you in the room. Did DD for about 4 months. She loved to be swaddled as she used to suffer from reflex jumps all the time and it would startle her.

I have been feeling much better the last few days - despite the lack of sleep with DD, so am actually starting to feel excited about LO now.

Did any of you watch the single Mums in the mansion last night? What a mixed bunch - that wee boy Ernie was so cute! Some very pretty Mummies - feel like a dog's dinner at the moment. So unattractive

Oh well must go do some work as DD is asleeep at last!

Hope you are all wellxx

TWINKLE how are those babes treating you?
MINKUS - has your MS gone yet?
LAZYHIPPO - how are things with you?
MONKEY - how is LO getting on?
SWEETKITTY - hope your SPD is abating a little and you are feeling a bit sunnier
DISNEY - have you learned to relax yet or booked that reflex yet?
LIBRALADY - LOL at the banana

Hope everyone else is well too!

hi all

re. ideal birth - baby out, as quickly and painlessly as possible, with fanjo intact. baby - healthy, gorgeous and breast feeding immediately. me - healthy, gorgeous and skinny immediately.

yes, wishful thinking.

Has anyone heard that its bad to eat chorizo while pregnant? I just had four slices for lunch and someone mentioned that it wasn't a good preggie choice. Sweet Kitty - sorry to keep asking you these questions - but didn't you say that lunch meats weren't an issue? Or is that wishful thinking too?

Hi all.

I'm 26 weeks today!!! Yeah here's to entering the 3rd trimester! I have been feeling abit low this week, extra hungry, extra cranky, extra tired, bump extra achy, going a bit dizzy (although not enough to get worried about, just if I make sudden movements) I am seeing the doctor this afternoon so he can check my iron levels, so fingers crossed... Was it you minkus that feels the same?? I can't remember who said it now.

My ideal birth plan would be (at 38 weeks)contractions start at about lunch time, get DS over to MIL, get to hospital and they find out I'm 6cm, prepare the pool, 1 hour active labour 7lbs baby, cough out the Placents, all done by 9.00 and stay in hospital for 2 days! My hospital is lovely, like a hotel (well it's a midwife led unit) I want to stay in as long as possible! oh yes, no stitches! (My DH wants me to have the same birth as last time as DS was born at 5.45 on a Friday night, so when DH left the hospital that evening, he went straight to the local and everyone was already there to 'wet the babies head!'

I haven'y bought anything yet, but don't need anythig 'cute' just practical things like steriliser, bottles, teats, dummies etc.. boring! Am going to the Baby Show at the NEC in May so hopefully will have a browse and get some nice things then. It's so difficult to buy nice clothes for boys on the high street, they are all so dull!

Gosh I've waffled on sorry.

Hope everyone else is OK today!

Afternoon all,

Jodie...I've been getting really tired again recently. However, mine varies on a daily basis but if it gets worse then I'll get myself to the docs too. My bloods showed that I was slightly iron deficient at around 20 weeks but not enough to worry the MW! The only thing I don't want is iron tablets as I've read that they can make you even more constipated!

Minkus...glad to hear that your MS has cleared up and that you are heading back to work. I'm also with you re how to get to the hospital. I have jsut moved here so don't know anyone and therefore, if I happen to go into labour during a work day (and it's a quick one) then there is little chance of my DP getting back in time to then take me to the hospital (30 mins away). Am hoping that my antenatal classes will help introduce me to some other mum's that might be able to help out. If not, it's a taxi for me!

Thanks everyone for the maternity leave and pay advice. My work does enhance the pay but I can't find anything out on the intranet re guidelines. I guess I'll need to give them a call nearer the time (no point thinking about it now)!

Hope everyone's well.

My stomach is insatiable, started a thread about ithere. Just don't know what to feed it! Aaaaargh!

hi all well rumpel i havnt booked reflex yet as i havnt anyone to have or watch the children im afraid its just me and them as my DH works away and is only home saturday and sundays.............
been very tired lately but i guess partly cos of the pregnancy as baby is growing huge now and partly as my blood sugar levels are sky high
they have started me on insulin injections tonight ive had to do my first one alone this evening i didnt want to the sheer fact of sticking that needle in my leg was bad enough let alone doing it
but if i want to feel better and keep my baby healthy its got to be done
the joys of pregnancy never end do they
i have had so much movement lately he kicks and turns what seems like for hours
the kicks are so strong he can kick something of my stomach all my children laugh they think he can do tricks
is anyone else gettin strong kicks or movements now?
to all the mums and mums to be hope you are all ok and gettin this much needed rest we keep hearing about.

Evening all am so stuffed, had spag bol and garlic bread for dinner and feel so full.

I am so hoping I go into labour when DP is here, luckily this time I have made a few friends in this area so am going to inform them they may be getting a phonecall from me. SIL in nearest relative and she is an hour away. Does anyone secretly envy people who have a c section from the pure point of view that at least they know the date and can plan accordingly? OK don't want all the other stuff but it would be lovely to know when I will have the baby, would make my life a whole lot easier. I've had one 15 days early and one 12 days late so this one is a real stab in the dark.

Tjuice - some places you look do not advise eating raw dried meat like chorizo when pregnant. Now although these type of meats are raw they are salted and dried for ages and I have seen tonnes of data over the years and Listeria and Salmonella will not survive in them. IMHO they are probably safer than eating lettuce. If I wasn't a veggie I would have no problem tucking into them, that my opinion FWIW.

minkus - I have a theory that your body especially has been starved of nutrients when you have been so sick so is restocking so you need to eat loads remember these little babies are the ultimate parasites they take everything from us and leave us nothing thats why we have to eat loads especially chocolate.

jodie - am of your hospital mine was horrid with DD1, couldn't wait to get home. I think even if I was in the Portland I would be seperate to get home I'm the worlds worst patient, thats why I hate this SPD thing so much it forces me to rely more on DP and slow down.

rumpel - I think I am going for mega boring black for the P&T. Also I had a terrible time with BFing first time round, very sleepy jaundiced baby that wouldn't latch and unhelpful MWs meant we came hope expressing bottles of EBM. But I do think you learn for your mistakes and the second one will go much mroe smoothly. Oh and second labours are a lot quicker I read somewhere roughly half what a first is.

Oh yes, rumpel - swaddling!! Absolutely saved us with dd - started swaddling her at 8 weeks and suddenly found we could her put her down to sleep...! Have a fantastic shaped swaddling blanket that works really well - makes the baby look like a snug little caterpillar.
HAve been sorting through and washing newborn clothes today, and feel really impatient for baby to come now - but also know I should make the most of the time, enjoy being with dd1, and rest!!Also small matter of a course to finish...

I know I read somewhere that regular chocolate whilst pg makes for a happier baby, I can't vouch for the scientific validity of this hypothesis......I'll leave it up to you

(Better stock up on the plain choc Bounty bars for dw)

Thankyou for all the advice btw

well, if the new scientist say its true . . . .

chocolate and pregnancy = happy,smiley babies

thanks, sweet kitty. its silly how paranoid you can get by googling things . . .

DH has given me a rotten cold. I'm so poorly I have lost my appetite!

Of course, because I am a woman I still have to do the school run etc, instead of recuperating in bed.

aww isaidno - I hate a cold when pregnant always seems so much worse probably because you can't take anything either. Hope you are feeling a bit better now always worse in the mornings.

Tjuice - no problem it seems like every 5 minutes theres something about what pregnant women should and shouldn't do it drives you mad. It's different in every country as well. In France you can eat as much soft cheese as you want yet they tell you to get rid of your cat!

Well banana's definitely work. I went to bed early as I was shattered after DS's birthday yesterday and I forgot to eat one. Consequently, I was up with cramp 5 times during the night!!!!!!!!

Morning all

libralady Happy birthday to your DS, how old is he?? Did you have a lovely time?

everyone else, hope everyone is OK, it seems to be quiet on the grumbling front the last few days, which either means that we are all getting over the worse, or silently getting used to the idea of feeling crappy! (My money would be on the latter!)

Went to the docs yesterday and have to wait a week for my blood results, in the mean time, rest rest rest, easier said than done though! I was in asleep for 100.00 last nigt though! Bliss! I even dreamt that my baby latched on easy with no pain and BF wonderfully, how about that for wishful thinking!

supposed to say 10.00 !