Due May 2008 - the floodgates have opened!!!

[thefortbuilder]

Pleased to be able to start the new thread with our birth announcement!

Samuel arrived at 1923 on thursday 20th March, weighing in at 4lb 10oz! After a fraught day of trying to find a hospital with a NNU with a cot (our hospital NNU was closed just as we were about to go to theatre), we finally ended up at Epsom General!

Sam is still in NNU but should be coming off his last little bit of oxygen this evening, is off CPAP, and having a go at bf'ing whenever he can (he's being fed by a tube).

I'm home and feeling a whole lot better than I did last time around, although very sore - TAKE THE PAINKILLERS THEY OFFER!!!!!

Jacob not sure about the new arrival although is smitten with his new scooter

will catch up with posts later but thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and good wishes over the last few days

xxx

Morning all - off to see m/w in a few mins - 37 weeks!!!

Feet have suddenly ballooned in the lat few days. I look and feel enoooormous.

SPD is also suddenly v v v sore.

And I don't fit into any of my maternity trousers any more!!!!! My bump is just too massive and out front. I'm having to use my belly belt to expand the waist on my maternity jeans! That can't be right?

Pram arrived yesterday. Ds (5) "helped" to assemble it by putting the wheels on. He's disappointed baby's not here yet because I'd said vaguely months ago that baby would arrive "after Easter" - he's not buying it

On the slightly sadder side - after a meeting at ds' school he's being referred for a diagnosis of possibly ADHD or Aspergers Syndrome. I'm relieved in a way, because he'll get proper appropriate support, but sad too that he'll have a label following him around through the whole of school. I'm not sure how confidential these assessments can stay - especially in a tiny rural community. He's zooming ahead academically - just gets a bit bewildered in some social situations and tends to do the wrong thing a lot when he tries to fit in - but he's lovely and clever and affectionate and gorgeous! Will update my profile from our Easter weekend

All the best to you and your bumps

Morning - sunny day! Spring is here!!!

Hope you're all well

Happy birthday to me...happy birthday to me....la la la la!!! .

Morning all!! Feeling great on this gorgeous sunny morning, even though I am another year older .

The DH family thing went OK yesterday, much better than expected. Don't know why but I just didn't stress at all. I think it helped that I got to escape for an hour....although I went to my MW appt at 5pm, was running a bit late cos of family being here, so after parking car had to almost half run (easier said than done at this stage of the game!!) to the clinic. It was all empty when I got there but was reassured by someone that midwife would be there soon. After 35 mins and no other patients showing up, the nice lady rang to find out what was going on....bloody MW on annual leave!!! They told me this was the case when I booked the appt but that someone else would cover the clinic, and if not THAT THEY WOULD RING ME TO CANCEL MY APPT. Hence, I was FUMING! I wasted an hour, although it was kind of nice in a way cos it meant that DH had to sort the kiddies tea out while I was gone .

I had a mega uncomfortable night with what seemed like constant and very unpleasant BHC's, probably from entertaining all afternoon!! Little Keanu (not real name) was on my bladder lots too. At one point, I actually thought that baby was gonna share my birthday with me but all settled this morning.

My MN pal Denny185 (who sometimes crashes our thread) had a little girl this am by CS (39 wks), Aeryn Daisy .

I got a lovely new DAB radio for my birthday from DH's family, a new purse, new bag, nice sanctuary products and lovely necklace....I am a very lucky lady .

baiyu sorry to hear about your friend's troubles, I'm glad she has you.....

bobsmum Lots of SPD sympathy for you

Well we are going out for lunch, then gonna take DD to the park as it's such a lovely day. Getting chinese take away later and gonna watch 'stardust' which I got for Mother's Day.

GCG xxx

good luck Mocat, Hope it doesnt get too dull for you and everything goes ok... i go really teary when i read your post so I think i'm having a particularly hormonal day....

mumofk - if you're over this way feel free to give me a shout for a cuppa

hurrah re the RL tea, Ive been worrying about inductions and midwife said to start taking it from 36 weeks, but homeopath said after 30 weeks so i was just confused... I was going to leave it till our 34 week scan on tuesday but I get the kettle brewing shortly!!!

not sure if the insomnia is catching but i spent all last night staring at the wall/ OH back... however I feel pretty awake at the moment despite this...

casserole - im so jealous!! I would actually move into the bath for the rest of pregnancy if i could get away with it (and the water didnt get cold....)

I would have loved a home birth but we decided not to as is our first and the complications. Having said that though my midwife made it very clear to me that even with worries re diabeties and too much fluid etc I could still have home birth if we wanted... Hospital we are going to is very good though and has pool (and i have no idea where we would put one in our house..) and OH is relieved....

Happy birthday GCG!

Mocat - hope your hospital has a little shop full of trashy magazines. Surely all maternity wards should have bedside access to MN, no? I know someone who had the same thing recently and had to be in hospital for weeks before the CS, but all went well and she was home quickly with her twins and fully recovered.

I wonder how many of us will have CS's?

Happy birthday GCG! Pina sometimes they do leave you longer - it's all about what they think the risk of infection may be - if you stay in your own home and don't go out anywhere, baby is unlikely to get any nasty germs, so she'd be safe to stay at home for a bit longer IYSWIM.

Bobsmum I am wearing only 1 pair of trousers now that actually fit me - a bit worrying when I'm not quite 35 weeks. I'm far too tight to go and buy anymore at this late stage, would rather spend the money on the haircut I have planned for next week!

Well, I gave the hypnobirthing CD a try last night. I listened to it a little sceptically but did try and enter the spirit of things - result: I slept like an absolute log last night and am feeling quite positive and full of energy today - and I've only told DD off once this morning - hurrah!!!! If that's the effect after only listening to it once.... Would definitely recommend it to those suffering insomnia! (BTW, I did wake at 4am and think of you like I'd said, but then went straight back to sleep). DH was meant to listen to it as well, but the snoring sound he was making after 10 minutes makes me think he relaxed a little too much

Pazza - I'm really hoping hoping for my second VBAC. Had an emergency section with ds and the recovery aferwards was not fun At All!! There's no public transport where I live so if Ican't drive for 6 weeks, life will be very boring indeed. Also running after a 5 and a 2 year old and a newborn will be impossible. Basically for me a section will mean forcing my mum to give up work (she doesn't know that yet )

Pinacolada - I've got a few of those fabric belly band thingies - the ones that look a bit like boob tubes!! My topshop one no longer fits round my bump as I'm all out front, but I've just got a large one from Mothercare and I had a large one off Amazon made of bamboo fabric - so incredibly soft. I have to wear them under my maternity tops because I'm not covered anymore

I'm all out front - I think if I was abit more evenly spread it would be ok, but I've only got 2/3 tops which will stretch over the bump now!

Happy Birthday GCG

Blobsmummy - I can't justify anymore expense on this baby either - but a nice haircut does sound like an essential bit of pampering!

I spose mocat has gone in by now ? Lots of good vibes coming your way mocat, i wonder what a 4 week hospital bag looks like? lol

Having read 3 pages my brain has now gone completely blank!

GCG Happy Happy Birthday !!!!

I went to an antenatal at the hospital yesterday. My scan was good, baby weight aprox 4lb10 she said.
I had my 34weeks Anti D and blood taken for iron levels. They made a right mess and i ended up with blood all over my jeans so i am sore in both arms today grrr.
Aside from that all seemed well, even if i was there for over 2 hours in the end.

unless i have any unexpected problems thats the last i will see of the needle brigade until i go into labour.. IV anti biotics cause of GBS. I am going to be retested at 36 weeks for GBS but dont see the point if they insist on antibiotics anyway ??

Has anyone gone through labour with GBS, i mean had the IV anti B's ? I want to know how much of your time you spend with a drip in your arm or is it hand ? It's just i had really hoped i could stay mobile in labour for as long as poss.

Am wearing pre pregnancy jeans today. bum is so fat that even with zip down etc there is no chance they will fall off, lucky i have big jumper to pull down over front

Excited cause my car is coming back today, a week earlier then they estimated which is great because last time it was at same garage it was 4 weeks later than they said . Costing a small fortune though and i dare not look at what i could slapshed out on for for baby with the £600 its cost to repair .

oh an on the up side because i have opted to stay off the anti depressants the dr has said she will refer me to see a counceller, anyone done that and did it help?

bobsmum I'm all out front too - gawd bless 'layering'!!!

Please please no horror stories about CS (or VB either for that matter!) for us panicky first-timers!!

I'm glad I spent a lot of time researching the options and talking to the hospital and mums about all the options, but I do wish I could now wipe my memory of any information about what might go wrong, as well as all the birth stories...

hi all,
gcg- Happy birthday to you...hope your having a great time.

babylove- i had GBS when i was pregnant with DD and i had to have 2 doses of antibiotics during labour from the drip andeverything was fine. just make sure you mention you are GBS positiv when you go into labour.

this time around i haven't been diagnosed with GBS and i made sure that they sent of the urine sample to the lab regulary as GBS comes and goes, therefore won't need antibiotics in labour, but as you said if you get retested at 36 weeks and it's negative it is likely that you'll negative in labour.

I am probably the smallest bump here on MN, i am that type of pregnant women that doesn't put on much weight and most people didn't even notice i was prenant till about 6 months don't worry i am used to comments e.g. oh your sooo small or you should eat more look how small you are..all nonsense as with DD i didn't put on no weight at all and my bump at 41 weeks with DD isn't much different from the bump i am have this time at 34 weeks.

went to see consultant today..everthing fine, baby lying quiet low and i measure just about right for my dates.
i asked about waterbirth and as i am low-risk (and stay low-risk hopefully) there is no reason why i can't have a waterbirth.
and as my hospital has to pools it is very very unlikely that both are taken when i go into labour.. Yieppy fingers crossed

Me again!!!

Had a lovely day out, thanks for all your birthday wishes!! DH also has just presented me with my pressie as it only arrived in post today....a SWIMP3 player, i.e. an underwater MP3 player I can use when I go swimming....how cool is that??!! I swim a lot, and it does get boring!! Can't wait to try it out.

pinacolada I am so with you on the maternity tops not covering bump.....grrr! I still have roughly 4 weeks to go too!! I don't like exposing any of my bump in case I look like Vicky Pollard . Not much longer now, but OMG, I cannot wait to get back into normal clothes and never have to wear mat clothes again!!!

Azaduhi at you being able to have a water birth. I would have liked to, but no pool at my local hospital. I had such a good experience there last time with DD, I'd rather go there than hospital 20 mins away that has pool. I think if I could guarantee use of the pool it wouldn't be so bad, but what if someone else is in it??

babylove21 My Sister saw a counsellor years ago when she had depression, and found it incredibly useful. She fully advocates seeing one. I also have a close friend who saw one and had a very positive experience too.
Thanks for asking the GBS questions, as I am in the same boat as you. I would imagine even with a drip up (for IV AB's) you can still be mobile as they will have a drip stand which is usually on wheels?? Have you been told to go in as soon as you go into labour, to get your first 'bolus' of AB's??

Right, better go and have some more birthday fun

GCG xxx

Sorry, don't wanna use my usual name for this, as feel bit embarrassed. Re fanjo probs, Mine too feels 'swollen' and as if it is prolapsing from weight of the baby??? I don't think it's piles, had a bit of a look with the mirror, but when I wipe (front to back of course!) I seem to 'catch it' as I reach to the front. Anyone else got this?? Don't even want to google anything in case it comes up in my search history when someone elses uses my PC .

Sorry to be so bashful

For all those worried about Fanjo's, i think we can safely say that the pressure of all the extra weight is to blame for any unslightly, enlarged, mishapen fanjo's.
Lumpy bits seem to be due to veins protruding ( piles) and hopefully once baby is born all will return to normal again, whatever that once was.

now is anyone taking Pregaday iron tablets ? I'm asking because my dr prescribed them and chemist said they were withdrawn yet mw happily gave me a pack from the hospital yesterday - are they safe to take, is anyone else taking them ? If so will they make my constipation any worse ?

Hi ladies - the reason your fanny may seem a bit more swollen and moist (sorry) is because it is! - you may have noticed that your nose is a bit stuffy too and it's just because this happens to all areas that have membranes and secretions in later pregnancy (sorry for TMI) you will also see that your nipples are starting to darken and so will the inner lining of your fanny -
On to more mundane stuff - saw the Dr today and all is good - baby is still going round and round and hasn't yet settled head down - will give it a stern talking to tonight as I have no desire to have a breech birth! - I have one last set of bloods and a swab test for GBH and then one last scan to check kidneys and size and then it's just a matter of packing hospital bag and spending the last 5 weeks waiting...........

thx pinacolada!

if bubba 1 stays breech it'll be CS, if she turns then VB. Don't think there's much room for her to turn tho (twins) and she's been happily in the same position for months now.

I'm really feeling sorry for you fanjo-piles-laydeez, sounds v unpleasant. I just have a swollen foot this week, doc says it's OK tho.

Hello all

Am off to do my hypno CD before bed but just wanted to say Hi.

mumofk - thanks for your comments re home birth. I think i'll keep it as an option for now. Don't want to come down off my chilled out hypno cloud by thinking too much about things (if that makes sense). To be honest, i don't really mind where we are. Home would be lovely, but hospital was OK too.

pinacolada (I think!) - the NICE guidelines say you can wait 96 hours after your waters going AS LONG AS you have no internal exam. If you have internal or sweep, then it's only 24 hours.

bobsmum - sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis. I don't know that much about ADHD or Asperger's. It must be worrying for you but at least you know now that his school have recognised the problem and can give him the attention he needs.

fanjo posters - me too! i think it's the weight of the baby, and the fact that the baby has moved down. It's quite an odd feeling, though. Sometimes I feel like bubba's going to fall right out (i wish ).

Thanks for the reassurance.
Will revert back to my usual name from tomorrow .

Hello and congratualtions to everyone on this thread, I had my daughter this time last year and it has flown past. Enjoy the early days, they are over so quickly.

Whilst I'm here just want to say congrats to someone who maybe on here from RL, don't know just hedging my bets.

If you went to Westminster college and this is your first then congrats and I hope all goes well for you. From an old friend with 2 little ones, we met again at a friends wedding last year. She spilt the beans.

youcannotbeserious-the midwives read my birth plan really carefully last time and reminded us of stuff we said with plenty of time for us to say yes, we mean that, or change our minds. I felt really respected and that the midwives really supported us with our wishes. It was a really positive, empowering experience which I agree, sounds like it can be unusual!
Pazza- happy twin stories- a couple a years ago 2 ladies got pg with twins in 1 year where I worked, and both had normal vaginal deliveries. The birth bit was fine for them, but I won't tell you the stories of life after ( both already had toddlers)! My pal (more recent twins) who could afford a nanny to help did at least manage to get out of the house- a couple of times!
GCG- I'm still hoping for my homebirth, but was asking about hospital pool in case I do end up there, and its broken!! they've got a temporary pool in, but the midwife did warn me its a very different atmosphere in the room to before (they have lovely very dim lights, and I remember being able to wander about the room with huge g&A tube) so I'm glad of the warning.

My midwife appointment yesterday was good news and bad news- the consultant has reviewed my notes about ?PPH and said if HB stays above 10 no problems with home birth, but if below wants me to go to MWL unit. I'm focussing on the positive that at least if I do go in I get to use a pool. I know I could still refuse to go in on that basis for the advice, but I'm not in the mood for a fight, and the pool option is tempting! I had hoped to have the bloods taken yesterday though, but they are waiting until 39 weeks- so by then its a bit more likely to have dropped (IIRC they expect iron levels to drop a bit all through pg, and baby sets up its iron stored in the last few weeks, that?s something a mum of a prem told me)
The real downer is my bp is up- hopefully penance for having such fun laying laminate flooring for 2 days, and I did feel really rough yesterday. Did some hypnotherapy relaxing before having bp done again and sample checked (first time in 2 pregnancies I went without a sample, and because bp up they wouldn?t let me go until I did one!), and it had dropped a bit, but they still want to check it again over the weekend.
grin]
DD on my knee its a friday thing! (no, there really isn?t enough room)- Have to stop now......
Aaarrgghh- morning without mumsnet-nightmare! I saved this to copy and paste so hope it works, I spent ages trying to get the page to refresh before I realised mumsnet must be having difficulties. My excuse is only got 3.5 hrs sleep last night, so this am DD got tv time and thank goodness she?s actually fallen asleep now before i kill her. I was zzzing myself but some idiot rang up twice without leaving a message, obviously determined to get me awake, then cat came in shouting (miaowing at top of her voice) and wanting to sleep on me without cleaning her bum first- ewwwwww (fortunately not normal occurrence!) . Less than 1 hr till dh home, and DD is still sleeping, yippee!