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

Hi Wendyjk!

How's it going for you so far?

Hi sweetbean - well done, I am also feeling quite chuffed that I actually did 2 hours painting this afternoon

Glad your feeling better Azadhui, and know whats going on. Its a bugger when you don't want to eat but that's what you have to do.
GCG- my DH used to make bases years ago, but we've been buying them for a while, though we've gone organic and its hard to find a)edible bases and b)organic edible bases! So last months sainsbo's magazine gave tips on freezing them, and Jamie Olivers cookbook has a nice recipe for a batch of 8...so the two went together and I'll only have to do it every 6 weeks or so (we don't have pizzas that often!) Hmmm I am noticing a pattern here, think I might need to get a subscription to Sainsbo's mag!
Podglet- glad you're home and so far things going smoothly, and lovely to hear JBR doing ok too.
Pazza- I'm with you on voicemail. I don't take a phone upstairs so I can nap in peace (can't hear it when I leave it downstairs) and have told everyone to leave a brief message as I refuse to rush to the phone. We're registered with TPS but we still egt the occasional double glazing sales call- very annoying!
Someone was asking about TENS- this time I've just got whatever Surestart have lent me for free ( not fussy when its free!) and last time I hired one from Nature's Gate which was fine to use at home in early labour (definately before 2-3 cm), used for a while at the hospital but when things stepped up a gear G&A helped me more. I didn't feel spaced out or drunk or anything, I think the noisy breathing thing and having to concentrate on when to breath it (our NCT classes told us to use it until the peak of contraction then stop). I kind of reckon the TENS was a distraction thing too, pressing the button, turning it up enough, but it definately stopped being enough. I think it helped me by putting it on nice and early (though it didn't feel early!)

I went to my chiropractor and my (very mild) SPD is a lot better!!! Wow! I thought it was something I'd just have to live with these last few weeks but no, she's been able to do something (nothing major either, so really wish I'd rung her last week) and now just have instructions to get in touch when bump lands so I can get 'adjusted' within a week or 2 of birth....Its all getting a bit imminent!
I'm definately into 'new stretchmark' territory this week! My old ones have nicely spread out, but also equally obvious that they are old, but now getting new ones and I'm working on the assumption there probably was more of me around the middle when I got pg this time, so this baby isn't neccesarily bigger! Can't remember if I told you all yesterday, but I have a small wobbly bit at the bottom of my bump, which I just assumed was little bit of flab, but the midwife assured me its fluid, and its one of those places (as well as ankles and hands!) that it can collect, and that it'll be there till bump lands.
Oh joy, I had completley forgotten about the first week of sweating for England, and at least in hospital (last time around) I didn't have to deal with the bedsheets- I guess I'd better plan sleeping on towels for the sweat, as much as anything else that might be leaking!
Well, had most of the day DD free as my parents had her overnight, but spent 1.5 hrs wandering around Hebden Bridge expecting to find some children's coat hooks, so I could get a nice one for DD- I want just one to put at the right height for her, and a cute one. Nowhere had Anything close- grrr. I really expected one of the nice kiddy shops to have something. Anyone seen anything nice online? All that shopping wore me out, and DH and I had our 'last' meal out just the two of us last night which was lovely, but had a rotten night hardly sleeping. So glad I didn't have to get up with DD at 6 am!
I am feeling like a zombie now (there's a definate link with me tired and massive posts on here!) so better leave you all in peace. Sorry if I've missed something important- we all keep this thread moving along at a pace. Pina's not even been on, either!

Missed a few days and loaaaaaaaaaaaaads to catch up on .

Sweetbean Cyprus is amazing. I got engaged there last year and I'm getting married there next year and it's just gorgeous, I can't recommend it enough.If there's anything you want to ask me, fire away!!

Azadhui I'm using the birthing pool and I'm wearing a thoin bra, and a great big t-shirt. I can always whip the tshirt off if needs be. I don't want to be naked either.

pina Yep I'm definately hoping baby is imminent, I'm on the homeopathic tablet thingys, the raspberry leaf tea, but still can't get DP to have sex because he's all baby baby baby and feels weird about it lol. I'm doin' me nut!!

Newbi- I thought the same about the antenatal classes. Nice to have a look around the hospital, but what use is that when I don't know how to breeeeeeeeeeeeeathe????? I'll just do whatever comes natural I think, but I'm fairly sure the midwives will help. Have you been to aquanatal? They get you to breathe a ball across the pool, then when you get to the middle you have to pant like the baby's crowning... so maybe that's how it's all done??

Podgelet so glad a Libby has come out of this thread because that's what we were going to call ours if he was a girl. Maybe next time eh!! It's such a beautiful name.

Debi thanks for the JBR update. She sounds enviably lovely and mumsy and I can't wait to join her in the not feeling sick at smells club!!

WendyJK- congratulations and welcome. Not long to go now!!

mumofk I went to see my physio about SPD and she was really good but she said that the reason my stretchmarks are so bad (tummy covered, barely any normal skin left and as a result it's completely numb) because there's not much collagen in my skin, which means there won't be much in my muscles, so that's why SPD has probably happened!! Who'd have thought???

About the numb stretchmarks- does the feeling return? Anyone know? I've no feeling in my tummy at all. Dp was tickling it before and I didn't know.

Pain in side is getting worse everytime baby sticks something (elbow? arm?) out and it hurts like mad. Will this definately just be stretching muscles?

Has anyone else turned to homeopathy? Is it working?? I hope it brings him sooner. How's raspberry leaf tea working for everyone?

Grandad had an op to have more cancer corterised from his bladder today, and nana has contracted pneumonia, so she's in hospital too I'm v.close to them so worried and hope the baby gets here in time. Especially as nana is so excited to see him. I'll be saying lots of prayers for them.

I'm actually applying for jobs for my DP as we speak lol... hope he appreciates it. He's at work at the mo but we're struggling, so hoping something will come along.

Can't believe there's so many people due before me on this thread. I was convinced I'd be next lol.

Hope everyone's well and there's no more fainting going on!!

xxx

Azaduhi, thanks for the explanation! Poor you and glad you are feeling a bit better.

Welcome wendyjk! mumofk - good news about the SPD!! DP reckons Debbie is a bit of a star too - she has sorted some problems out that he has had forever. Sorry you didn't find the hooks you were after in Hebden - as a resident I feel personally responsible for the shops of course

Off to cook some tea now while DP puts DS to bed. Am I the only one wondering how we will manage to cook dinner with two of them to attend to in the evening...? especially as DS used to spend pretty much the entire evening latched on (I remember many nights eating pasta in front of Location, Location with a tea towel draped over DS's head to catch any spillages!).

mumblesmummy sorry to hear about your grandparents' illnesses. Hope they are on the mend soon.

newbi/ mumblesmummy re. breathing - I went to an NCT 'refresher' class the other day and the coordinator said only very simple stuff about breathing through contractions:

1. concentrate on breathing out (the in-breath takes care of itself).
2. blow slowly out (I'm just doing it now and the out-breath takes 2-3 seconds)

You might also be asked to pant when the head crowns (as you say) to give the perineum time to stretch. Apparently it's very difficult to pant and push at the same time!

The main point of thinking about breathing at all is to stop you holding your breath, as far as I can make out, as this increases muscle tension when you need to be relaxed. So I think you're right that it will probably take care of itself. I remember being quite worried that we hadn't 'done' breathing in antenatal classes but in the event the midwives do demonstrate what you should be doing.

Love a x

Pinacolda82 AHH breathing a big sigh of relief now that your back, it seems strange not having you around sorry your DH is as insensitive as mine whats wrong with them ?? xx

Mummblesmummy i will defo be picking your brains for info about Cyprus where do you usual stay? and what part is the quietest and lest touristy ?? Thanks babe xxxxx

I didn't go to any ante natal classes the first time round and haven't this time either i think that for me the less i new the more i just let my body do what it wanted so I'm hoping that it works this time round and i can get away with just G&A again. Alto the bit that seems to most worry me at the moment is that bit when the head comes out !! is it as bad 2nd time round please reassure me 3rd timers xxxx

Oh and yes i had a super productive day manged to wash the moses basket and the tiny love gym thing that i had for DD and it all looks brand new now so I'm really chuffed xxxxxx

PazzPlusTwins well done on the painting Hun how much more have you got to go until your all finished? xx

Pina- thinking maybe I should mention the numbness to my midwife as I can't even feel my belly button.. weird. The homeopathic remedy thingys are tiny little sugary tablets, I'll have to check what they're called and get back to you with it. They begin with a C. I have to take two a week at first, then one every day if I go over, then one every hour in labour. The homeopath guy gave me some arnica too. He was really good. With you on closing ears to the head-coming-out questions lol.

Sweetbean- we stayed in Paphos and it's so beautiful. It also has the Tombs of the Kings and some chapels and things like that. You can also visit where Aphrodite was meant to rise out of the water in the Greek myth. The beach is gorge, and it was 47 degrees last July! I like it hot.. but with a baby that might be a bit much, I'm not sure. The people were really friendly with us and there was loadsa great places to eat, altho we were all inclusive. We stayed at Crown Resorts Hotel last time and it was luxury. 5*, amazing food, lovely big pool and we had a really posh room and we didn't pay any extra or anything. Think next time we're looking at the Iberostar Ledra hotel, also in Paphos, it looks lush. Paphos is meant to be the least touristy from what we were told, but the main thing is to TOTALLY avoid the squaddie parts of the army, as it's where our army are. Also, don't go near Ayai Napa as it's party capital- similar to Magaluf. If you have a look on the Thomson's website it shows you everything. We did that, then booked through someone cheaper like teletextholidays or holidays-direct or something. It's definately worth going though!!

Asics- fantastic, I'm going to write that down in my notes so I remember it for labour. Thanks hun.

Thanks Pina and Asics for the well wishes for my nana and g-dad.

sorry, just read what I wrote and I meant to say 'avoid the squaddie parts of the ISLAND as that's where our army are'.

Mummblesmummy Thanks hun xxxx

Hello all just a quick update as have only got dial-up internet chez parents. Had hospital appt yesterday, they agreed to repeat c/s no problem and it's booked for May 8th - hurrah!!
DH has now gone off to do his Masters course for a week, will be back 10days beforehand. I'm sure that despite my enormous size and non-existent sex-drive I'll be jumping on him anyway (though from what Casserole's thread indicates, bj's are the way forward - at least I can see how I might manoeuvre into position for that and last time I tried I did get majorly painful BH's). I want this baby OUT now - three weeks just seems too long away.....

mumblesmummy thinking of your Nan and gdad xxx

pina You aint alone chick on the cant be as*ed (I took a letter out lol) with sex thing! Everytime I think 'oh i'll give it a go' something crops up...pains...sickness etc oh well

Oh and pina THANKYOU SOOOOO MUCH for the chat!!

^ shes a good lass...I'm going into whinge mode lol....going through a crappy time at the mo...not going into detail...ive bored Pina enough but its nice to know there was an ear to listen to me go on so big thanks xxx

I'm having twinges up me fanjo as we speak but got protein in me piddle so could be an infection?! Am getting a scan in 1.5 wks..cant wait!!!!! Its just to check that baby is still head down. Im also going to see the birthing pool at the hossie on a tour with my NEW midwife (never got one with my first baby)

Mumblesmummy...how long you got chick??

Oh welcome Wendy and yayyy Zammummy to being booked in for 8th May!!!!!

LMFAO!!!Pina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you got there in the end!

and you tight bugger at winding dh up....but I am amused!!