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

I"ve had a TENS machine with both ds and dd and found them very helpful when I"ve been at home, then once in hospital I moved onto the gasnair and kept forgetting about the "boost" button for contractions.

With ds my contractions started on Friday teatime and I put the TENS machine on at about midnight and kept it on while dh and I did the shopping etc on the Saturday. Eventually went into hospital Saturday midnight and finally ditched the TENS machine at about 10am on Sunday when they insisted I had an epidural - it was a loooooooonnnnnnng labour Ds was born em section Sunday lunchtime!

With dd it was great at home, and whenI got into hospital they said I wasn't established and put me in an antenatal ward for a few hours. If I hadn't had the TENS machine I wouldn't have had any pain relief until I got to the 6cm when they called dh back in and moved me to a labour room. I was a lifesaver - I would have been v unhappy with no pain relief and having to keep quiet while 4 other women slept in the same room - not fun!

ONce in the labour room the batteries went at some point, but I was so far gone I didn't notice by that point.

I hired the TENS those 2 times, but this time I've borrowed from a friend and got new pads and batteries.

Pazza - makes me fill up when I see it, but it is definitely standing room only. Can't imagine my family and neighbours giving a cheer when baby latches on!

Hi there, sorry to gatecrash your thread but thought you might like to read this. I went to see jackblackroady today as she is a friend from work and as I know how you've all looked after her so well over the last 8 months I thought I'd pop over (from the due Sept thread) to say that she is doing brilliantly. Isla is a beautiful little girl and is sleeping and feeding really well. At night she only wakes for her feeds, gets changed then goes straight back to sleep. And JBR is doing so well. She looks so healthy and happy and was bouncing around all over the place, getting us cake and playing cars with my ds! She said she feels really good and is just so glad to have got rid of the horrible bits of pregnancy, like being able to smell things without wanting to be sick. She absolutly does not look like someone who gave birth last week and has a newborn in the house! Her, her dh and her ds are all obviously very happy and seem very laid back and chilled about it all! They are going to be a very happy family I think.

Hi all,

Good spot Bobsmum! We're home now (was not going to fight with the Patientline computer thingy)

Elizabeth Jeanette Sheila Hull is the most gorgeous girl! She looks just like DS when he arrived. Will post pics as soon as poss (tomorrow probably).

Planned section was a dream. Put a lot of demons to rest after DS's birth. Had a bit of trouble with the spinal (took 45 mins to get needle in) but the op was very speedy and I got everything I wanted i.e first cuddle, heard first cry etc! DP was fabulous all through it and the surgery midwife support turned out to be a friend of a friend so we were having a real giggle!

Libby is a fab weight and feeding well - expecting milk in tonight so massive norks in the morning

Must go, can hear her stirring... hope you are all ok and not suffering too badly...

Congrats Podglet- glad you are home already, I am hoping to be in and out in two days aswell. Hope you are getting lots of help now that you are home.

Debithescot: thanks for the JBR update

Sorry to all those not sleeping.

Sweetbean: I hope you start to feel better soon.

Mumofk: I am pleased you managed to get away with no blood test

GCG: not the best time for a cold on top of everything else us pregnant ladies have to contend with. Hope you get better soon. Take lots of Vit C

My DS is also huffing and puffing when he gets up. (Copycat)

i hired my tens from here www.tens.co.uk/acatalog/Obstetric_TeNS_Hire.html

they come with free practice electrodes which is good for a newbie like me.

Azadhui: hope the tens machines work well for you.

hello

hope you're all well.

Good to hear from you podglet, and congratulations again.

thanks to everyone who answered my rumpy pumpy question - I think i will chat to dh about it and then give it a whirl if he's alright with it!

pazza - can't believe you had the energy to jump your dp at 5am after not sleeping all night! you're going to find twins a breeze

for those not sure about BH contractions, I had them a lot with dd and have started havin them now as well. It's definitely a tightening of the whole belly. Takes my breath away sometimes but never painful (although i think some people can find them painful). the whole belly goes rock hard for a minute or so. hope that description helps!

if it's low down pain you're feeling, it's probably stretched ligaments / weight etc rather than BH....

at all the cute dd's. Mine is getting so excited about the imminent arrival now. She's accosting complete strangers in the street to tell them her brother will be here soon (we don't know the sex, by the way).

goodnight all - here's hoping we all get some sleep.

Ooh! My computer is alive again! I've missed you all so much (and it's taken me forever to catch up!) Ok, deep breath, here goes...

pinacolada82 nice to know that somebody has been in the same situation age and friends wise. I'm pretty happy and confident that DP and I will cope even if it is a bit tough and the social life is a bit rocky to start with. You're clearly making a fantastic job of it all!

janemf I'm pretty happy with my decision to have a midwife led birth too. All the midwives are really lovely and experienced so fingers crossed it'll all be easy and straightforward.

michell how's your back doing? So sorry you've had a hard time of it. Hope you feel better soon.

poglet Congratulations and welcome Libby! Thanks for the stay put vibes, DH back in the UK on the 2nd of May. He then has to drive all the way to the Highlands from Oxford in (hopefully) our new car, yay! Just hope he makes it in time, eek!

Ooh and JBR Congrats to you and Isla too, your photos on facebook are just beautiful. I have the same newborn babygros packed in my bag, so excited!

aussiesim so glad your acupuncture worked! one day I'll be brave enough to have it on my knees as recommended!

mumofk I'm with you on the crocs. If I don't have to bend down then I'm happy. My sister the fashion student is despairing but I couldn't care less at the moment! looking forward to treating myself to some pretty summer shoes when I feel like a human again. Oh yes, and big nips over here too. Mine seem to change size though, anyone else?! Sometimes they are not a matching pair too, most strange!

GCG sorry to hear about your Nan. A tough time I'm sure, sending you lots of hugs. We had the exact same situation last Summer with my grandma so I know that funny mixture of feelings well.

pregnabrain I'm feeling a bit like you when it comes to sex especially as DP hasn't seen me since the end of January! I went away with a tight little bump and no stretchmarks and now I'm bloody massive and the whole of my belly is a red angry mess of stretchmarks, I had no idea they could be this bad! Very much hoping for at least a few days of loveliness in bed when DP gets back before LO arrives but my body confidence is rock bottom. I can't really imagine that he'll still fancy me however much he tries to reassure me now!

casserole thanks for the giggle! enjoyed that thread, you'd think some people had immaculate conceptions the amount of hang-ups they have!

bobsmum thanks for your TENS stories. I have rented one but was starting to get a bit unsure whether it would be any use. Glad I've got it now!

Azaduhi i'm planning a water birth and have been told that to be either naked or in a tankini top or strappy vest is best. Something with a bit of lycra anyway and definately not a big baggy t-shirt cos it'll just float up and get in the way. As long as you're comfy anyway.

otter1980 I'm having lots of vivid dreams too, all involving DP. I e-mail him every morning to tell him just what he's been upto in my dreams. Making me look forward to our reunion even more!

Phew, I think that's all I wanted to say but I can't be sure...muddled brain. I keep finding myself doing funny things, yesterday I went outside to scrub my pram then decided to scrub an old cot too and before I knew it I was washing my mum's car! Regretted that one as I limped around last night. Today it seemed of utmost importance that I make a little reference library in my house, complete with excessive sticky labels. Is this nesting or just a bit odd? I'm doing pretty well I think, feel like a total whale though. Apparently I only have 20 days to go...madness.

So lovely to be back and hear all your stories. Sorry for the massive post! Big hugs to all you lovely ladies. Night night

Morning all

Pinacolad82 you have been very quite on the posting front are you OK Hun xxx

PazzaPlusTwins Good for you babe so glad that you managed to jump on your DH
Thanks for the advise on Cyprus i have heard that the north of the island is really lovely, do you know where you friend stayed? My DH has also been going of sex recently but he says that its because the bigger i get the more he thinks about the baby so it puts him of! but I'm sure its just because i look like a prize winning heffer or as he so politely puts it Budda !!!!

baiyu Nice to have you back Hun sorry to hear about the stretch marks! How long till you see your DH? If your really worried about the changes in you, then you could always email him some photos to show him how much your bump has grown oh and i would say that you are defo nesting xx

Well I'm feeling quite positive today so I'm hoping that i can hold on to that all day.I think that i will wash the covers for the moses basket and maybe the car seat.

Hope everyone ok xxx

Morning all,

Blimey, I only missed a day and it's taken me half an hr to catch up!

asicsgirl I know what you mean about allergy/cold dilemma, I'm not sure myself. I have definitely been sniffly and itchy after swimming recently, but this is definitely a cold now . Interesting what you said about your allergies and some better, some worse, very useful to know. Fingers crossed I will be OK swimming after birth.

mumofk what a good idea to make up pizza bases and freeze them?! I know it's not rocket science, but we love homemade pizza, so I may well make some up oveer the next 2 weeks. Thanks. Also, with you on the Crocs. they are so F'ing ugly, but v comfy and v easy at this stage of pregnancy!!

otter1980 I PMSL at your 'RAF logo' reference....how funny!!! Talking of which, bobsmum, great BF video link, but blimey, how many people in the room with that poor woman??!!!

Pazzaplustwo I am most impressed at YOUR mojo!!!! I have lost the inclination now, but did manage for longer than with DD. I do think a lot of men are put off by the site of us and bumps, esp at this late stage when most of us are enormous! My DH favoured 'doggy style', I think cos he couldn't see the bump, but also, I found it the most comfortable and easy position. Just a thought for you all battling with DH'd with low mojo!!!!!

Great to hear that JBR is doing so well, sounds like her babyblues have settled down a bit. Let's hope we can all follow suit....

Well, DD is at the CM all day. DH is decorating the downstairs loo. I have been given strict instructions NOT to help today. My cold has gone onto my chest (so I sound like Phyliss from Corrie) and I managed to flare up my pubic bone pain by spending 1.5 hrs spring cleaning the bathroom yesterday.I decided to wash down all the walls, the tiles, the ceiling (few mould patches) and give it a dam good scrub. At one point I was balancing one foot on a chair and one on the bath....... I am really bad at taking my own advice. I then had a leg and bikini wax and had to get into some very 'interesting' positions for my lady to get to all the bits she needed to get to.
At least I won't look like Chewbacca giving birth this time .

Got my pamper party tonight!!! V excited, got 4 close friends coming over, manicures, facials etc etc. DH going out with the lads. Should be just what I need after the last week!!

Anyone listening to the 'golden hour' on Chris Moyles??? I think 1989. Great year and great music today!!!!

I think I might have to join you all in watching green wing again. I've just got into 'Gavin & Stacey', just watched series 3. My mates got me series 1 for my birthday so I want to watch that too. Bryn just cracks me up, my Dad is sooooooooooooo like him (he is welsh too).

Right, I'm sure I'll be back later as I have a relatively quiet day .

pinacolada are you out there????? You have been very quiet? Haven't gone into labour have you??!!

GCG xxx

relief that im not the only one whose finding clothes a pain!!

bobsmum - nooo - i just watched that breast crawl and had a cry - i want my baby.. although I do feel a bit scared (absolutely terrified) because although I know im pregnant, and have been for ever, and i know im having a baby and have all stuff ready - i dont quite think ive got my head round having a baby...

sweetbean - my DP tried to grab my fat bits and kept saying - nope, no baby there just pies... git!! hes not been able to do that since she moved back down though... hahaha!!!

newbishad - i had the same thing with my anti-natal classes, was a little disappointed really. However they seemed really helpful to DP so not a total waste of time...

pazza - I've become a bit of a sex pest too... DP isnt having any of it at the moment but i've gone from not that interested to wanting to harrass the poor love constantly... he (like sweetbeans DP) cant help but think of baby and hes having none of it...

baiyu - good to see you back, glad baby still staying put!

Podglet - great to hear you're doing well and back home. Sounds like you had a really positive birth - very pleased for you

GCG - you put us all to shame!! I managed to meet my friend for lunch yesterday and i was really impressed that I a) got dressed and b) left the house... although I am planning a bith of bathroom cleaning myself later. lol re interesting positions - i'm going to look like a gorilla giving birth as i havent given my bikini line some though for a while now.

news about both podglet and JBR got me all again.
I was awake most of the night (and last few nights) with sort of dull achey period-like pain and horrid back-ache... is this a BH type thingy, practice labour or should I panic? I feel ok now though...

Debithescot - thx so much for the update on JBR! Great to hear they're all doing so well. You will let her know we're all thinking of her won't you.

Congratulations Podglet too! What a lovely name, hope you are all settled in. Can't wait for the pics

Right have got my TENS ordered ... thx Azaduhi for the link.

otter you cheeky girl

TMI ALERT!! Its really bad though! i cant help but think about it being some serious time before i'll be getting any....

So great to hear JBR and Isla are doing well... thanks Debi for that.

Good luck with the TENS everyone. I think I probably had the electrodes in the wrong places... not very technically minded!

pazza yeah I know what you mean about J R-T. Was in a complete swoon the first time round, not so this time. I think it may come back though - Mac is really quite annoying in the first few episodes, but I think we all get a bit more sympathetic towards him as the series goes on (if I remember correctly).

Good to hear there are other 'sex pests' around... DP is still keen tho' I have to initiate - I think he's worried that I'm too tired... otter IME you may not feel much like it for the first couple of weeks after the birth but after that there are ways and means it doesn't have to be a wasteland!

I've been getting lots of BH for the first time this pg. Got in a bit of a panic last night as my Mum is coming up on the 26th i.e. next Saturday (baby due on the 1 May), so I was all 'What if! What if!' and snivelling at the kitchen table. DP rang our neighbours over the way and they said whatever you need, just ask. DS is totally happy with them so I feel immensely relieved. Funny 'cos we've only really known them since Xmas but we all get along really well and their DS is great mates with ours - DS said to me the other day 'I love Georgie!'. Awww.

So now when I get BH I am concentrating on trying to lean forwards... apparently they can help to get the baby into the correct 'lift-off' position, i.e. with his/ her back towards the front or on the LHS of your belly. Gives me something to think about anyway...

hi everyone,
i had a really bad morning,
had to wake up early to take our guinea pig to the vet, but when i woke up i didn't feel like having breakfast, felt that i would be sick if i eat anything, so left the house without having it. DH drove us to vet but was also getting ready for work, i told him to wait in the car for 15 mins and if i am not out of the vet in 15 min he can leave to work.
i was in the consultation room listening to the vet when i started feeling all dizzy and almost fainted
grabbed a stool in the consulation room and sat down, dd was mucking around too. DH rings me saying he has to leave now me repling: if you leave now and make me walk home you can pick up your pregnant wife FAINTED on the streets. so i made him wait another 5 mins and he then drove us back home safely.
at home quickly grabbed some cereals for some energy boost but it didn't take long until i was running to the bathroom throwing up. STMI.
laid down on the sofa for a rest until the bloody phone rang and been up since but i am going back to sofa now and sleep for like an hour or two.

hope your mornings went better than mine.

azaduhi

poor you! get your feet up and try and get some rest. doesnt sound like fun, try and relax and get something plain down you later xx

asics - good to hear its not a total wasteland!!!

azaduhi - sounds awful! I have totally stopped bothering to answer the phone - I can't haul myself off the sofa fast enough before the voicemail kicks in anyway.

Poor you azaduhi. Sounds like a horrible bug of some sort doesn't it. Hope you feel better soon.

Thats ok. I'll let JBR know you are all thinking of her. And good luck to the rest of you.

asics- no it's not a bug.....i tend to have low blood pressure and often feel weak but the last time i actually fainted was 6 years ago..i can really see it coming and have to act (sit down) immediatly.
therefore breakfast is really important for me. but not easy to have have breakfast if you feel sicky.

anyway feel a bit better now.

Hi all

I feel a bit like I'm crashing a party part way through - but I'm due my first baby on May 31 (although I fully expect to be late). Planning a homebirth as everything has been pretty straightforward so far. Two weeks left at work....all starting to feel quite real now!

Welcome Wendyjk

Wendyjk hello and welcome xxxx

Pinacolda82 where the hell are you girly I'm starting to worry !! xxxx

Ive managed to keep my good mood all day and have done loads so I'm feeling very positive !! hope you all have a fab evening lots of love xxxx