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 have actually gone mad - shower man didnt come, when DP came home from work and told me this I actually had a complete meltdown and cried for a good half hour because a) i wanted to clean the bathroom b) i too cant have a bath without assistance getting out c) the workman is an inconsiderate git d) hes going to track mess through the house...

this did get a little hysterical and turned into "we live in a germ infested house and we cant bring a baby here" all because i want to mop the bathroom floor...

I have now calmed down a little and DP has a list of tasks tomorrow and he will apparently deal with the man tomorrow - i may try and be out when he comes so i dont hurt him.. DP is now out playing football and probably having a moan about crazy pregnant otters to his friends... poor love...

ooo exciting horseshoe!!! less exciting re the polish though...

pina - nothing from mumblemummy or babylove21 and that got me thinking about some others that we havent heard from for a while who were experiencing some discomfort - i started going back though the thread and people get in touch!!!

baiyu - is your friend doing any better? we havent heard from you in a while...

kangaandroo - twinges in fanjo at last report

blobsmummy was suffering from high BP and we havent heard anything since

zammummy has a c-section booked for 8th may - this sould be that she only had dial up ay her parent though

pregnabrain was very uncomfortable and experiencing cramps

now it could be that i have missed a large section where everyone said they were ok...

also mocat - you still in hospital? hows it going? I hope you arent climbing the walls too much xx

Well a whole day has passed with nothing like yesterday, swimming was lovely and floaty, which was great. But only a few aches today, i think maybe bubs was just taking a full on dive south as heartburn not been as bad, still bad but not cronic, and bum is out of my ribs. Am feeling knackered now though so i think i am gonna get in my jim jams and drink hot choc and watch crap on the telly, got to make the most of it as we have vowed to get rid of the tv when the licence expires at the end of the month.
OOh just had a major panic, just started typing this and realised i had a couple of bits of furntiure on ebay to bid for with only 3 mins to go, won 2 out of 3, phew!

horseshoe- thnks for your message i definetly had my LMP way before the 8th of august theirefore something must be wrong

Evening all,

asicsgirl Thanks for the orgasm tip....all the more reason to continue, and having just asked DH, he is more than happy to oblige. Also thanks for the OJ tip, only problem is, it gives me heartburn at the moment .

pinacolada I really hope you are right and that I am next....wishful thinking I think!!

bobsmum Happy due date! I too am hoping not to celebrate mine (this time next week).

Thanks to all who gave advice on the sweep, I will definitely ask.

Poor Mumblesmummy sounds as though she is having a really terrible time of it, way too much stress for someone so heavily pg. Poor thing, sending (((hugs))) if you are reading this MM.

I felt very low earlier, I think because DD was born on the day I was 39 wks with her (i.e. the equivalent of today). I know I can't just expect to be early again, but I just spent a lot of time thinking 'by this time last time, I'd had her'. I am getting stupidly impatient.
I went to see my lovely friend who does beauty treatments, she was gonna do an eyelash tint for me, then when I got there she asked if I wanted a free facial too.......ummmmm? Let me just think about that for a while? Oh go on then, twist my arm!!! So I had a lovely facial and eyelash tint while DH took DD to see MIL. Feeling much happier now. Still want baby to come out though.

I have decided to plan more things to do next week. We didn't have much on this week (after all the decorating we needed a break!) but I am feeling quite bored of being at home not doing much, it's so unlike me to not be busy. I have arranged a few meet ups with friends next week, I'm hoping the more I plan, the more likely baby is to make an appearance, and if not, hopefully the time will go quicker!! DD going to CM monday afternoon so DH and I are gonna try the cinema...yay!!

Right, best be off.

Hope you are all OK tonight, esp you otter1980, hope you are feeling better and that the shower gets sorted tomorrow.

GCG xxx

magicfairy get rid of your TV????? !!!!!! That's brave!!! I had a friend once who gave up TV for lent (6 weeks) and said her and her DH did so much more in the evenings, but did miss it after a few weeks!!!

Just popping in to say a quick hello.

Pleased to see so many birth announcements on here .

Nothing much to report here with three weeks to go - BH getting A LOT stronger and more frequent, little head has been engaged for three days (having spent weeks popping in and out just to tease me). Best bit so far has been the past two days have been completely depression free (WOOHOO!), first time in nearly three years - soooooo nice. Not sure why, think it is down to some hormonal shift. 'tis the main reason I am posting today actually - can't stand coming on here and being a miserable sod (so I go to another thread and make them all miserable on there instead ). Another scan next Thursday to check kidney size then I guess the next time I see his little nose I'll be able to kiss it

I think I must be the only one on here who is more than happy for their bump to stay in place for a while yet. I know once he is out then the hard work is here - I like the fact he is the right temperature, fed as he needs it, nappy changed without any effort on my part and isn't at too much risk from the constant prodding from the DDs (Oh yes, and he's nice and quiet in there too).

I still haven't packed my hospital bag - been very busy with Real Nappy Week this week so thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Did buy a pack of chocky hobnobs for the bag but have eaten half of them already .

GCG was it you who was having DD problems? I had a lot of problems with my DD1 before DD2 arrived. The moment DD2 arrived, it all stopped - it was fear of the unknown causing the problems. I remember bringing DD2 home and DD1 peering briefly into the car seat before dragging me off into the garden to show me the digging she had been doing while I was in labour - the whole thing was very smooth really.

Oh yes and quick whinge about DH - we had chosen a name for 'nugget' a while ago - I had talked DH round to the name and he actually (after 6 years) had decided he really liked it. Last weekend his dad came to visit and he told him the name for nugget (BIG MISTAKE) his dad immediately said 'you can't call him that' (it's hardly an awful or unusual name) and now DH refuses to use it . With 3 weeks to go we are back to square one - think it will come down to what nugget looks like in the end - I hope so or he'll be nameless for weeks after he is born . Maybe I'll think of something during the labour - he is OP just like his sisters were so expecting another long one. Did the drive to the hospital two days ago as DD2 had to see the paedeatrician. It is easily a 50 min drive at the best of times but some inconsiderate person at the local coucil has decided to dig up the road in many places - roadworks and traffic lights everywhere...not happy as it is a windy road at he best of times. Ended up going by ambulance with DDs 1 and 2 - but this time I had planned something a little more low key!

Right, will shut up now

ummmmm...that wasn't exactly a quick hello was it???

Evening everyone. Thanks for sending me 'get out of my body' vibes - nothing happening yet though! Congrats to Bobsmum for reaching 40 weeks.

Otter - thanks for thinking of me. Had my consultant appt and they're not particularly worried by my BP (unlike the MW's), so it all seemed a bit of an anti-climax (in a positive sort of way IYSWIM ). I have to have it montitored twice a week and I'm booked in for a sweep in 2.5 weeks time. I also ranted to DH about our germ-infested house - he had bought in about 10 pieces of grass off his shoes when he had come in from mowing the lawn - and I felt the very necessary urge to vacuum the whole of downstairs again, after only just finishing it. I have turned into Monica from Friends....

Congratulations to Mumofk - what a wonderful and positive birth experience for you

GCG - glad funeral went ok. 7 pineapples?!! I've just eaten half a pineapple and felt a bit ill afterwards (not really my favourite fruit), so I may stop with that route - definitely can't face 7! Oh well, sex it'll have to be then...

Bobsmum - I tried using a breast pump today for nipple stimulation - all I ended up with was a sore boob though!!

BigBadMouse - sorry to hear about your difficulties with names - we've really struggled this time around, so I sympathise with you. Hope that when he's out a lovely name will be obvious.

MM - hugs] emoticon

Can I please add carrot cake to the virtual bar? Oh, and a snowball whilst I'm at it....Will now have to creep off to the kitchen to raid the cupboard yet again...(DH has actually taken to putting food on top of our fridge so that I can't reach it!)

P.S. I've just added the latest picture of my DD amongst the daffodils to my profile. I know I'm biased, but she's so cute!

Sorry for extended absence. I'm all chat and chickens these days. But GCG has chastised me.

bobsmum - just saw on another thread that your SPD has landed you in a wheelchair. So sorry, it must be making life in the wilderness extremely trying. Lets hope you've not much longer to wait.

So many early babies on this thread, hope you're all doing well. I feel quite ready and have reached the 'very fed up stage' but still have 4 weeks to go. Midwife has threatened me with hospital if I'm more than 3 weeks early. Otherwise homebirth going ahead as planned. Baby has moved round from back-to-back to back-to-side but the head isn't fully engaged yet so he could still move either way.

blobsmummy - do you always clean obsessively are you nesting and shortly to go into labour?!

Hello lapin! Yes I am. Time flies and all that. May I politely enquire when Mr Lapin will be coming home to impregnate you?

LL - Enjoy his leave whatever the circs! Sounds like you'll have him back for the summer, is that when you're moving?

I'm not huge really, I've only put on 1.5st but it is all bump and feels much heavier than that now it's crushing my bladder and pelvic floor.

I haven't gone up a bra size either. I have a full range of previous maternity bras sitting in the bedroom all empty and forlorn.

Hi duchess - yeah - I'm needing to borrow the shopmobility wheelchairs if I go out for any length of time. Ikea last Saturday - possibly B&Q tomorrow - whoopeedoo Must finish this lounge before baby can come!

My MIL has basically moved in with us now and has been here for the last 2 weeks doing most things around the house. But she's registered disabled with sever arthritis so really can't manage an awful lot.

But she's been taking ds to school and doing a lot of cooking. It's been handy being able to get out a couple of times and use her disabled badge (when she's in the car obviously ) - but she races ahead of me - I can't keep up!!!

Old sofas got taken out and passed on to neighbours this evening - so I can only sit on my birthing ball until Sunday afternoon when we inherit some newer-ish sofas from friends.

Come on baby!!!

Hello everyone

Hope all is well with you all. I am definitely still in the waiting room. Getting lots of BH now. Bubba appears to be head down (phew) but not engaged at all.

CONGRATULATIONS MUMOFK!!!!! What lovely news. Hope you'll have time to give us the lowdown on the hypno-home birth at some point. I'm hoping for similar.

Happy labour vibes to Casserole, although probably a bit late by now! Can't wait to hear your news.

GCG and other constipees - one thing that always seems to work for me is wake up, have a big glass of water, then a strong coffee and two kiwis. Pootastic!

BBM - good to hear from you and fab that you're feeling so upbeat. I loved your comment about kissing bubba's nose!

Pina - my dd is also playing up a lot at the moment - some really obviously 'babyish' behaviour. I'm hoping that Mitchell81 is right and that the arrival of the baby will fix things (crosses everything and prays).

I ended up at the maternal assessment unit today as I have really noticed a massive decrease in movements from the baby this week. Tried not to worry all week, and then gave in today and went to get checked out. Of course, as soon as they put me on the monitor the baby started doing breakdancing in my tummy! It was a massive relief that everything is OK, and I will try to stop being such a worry merchant from now on.

I'm sure I've missed out some things I wanted to reply to....will post again if i remember.

Wow, after about 2 and a half hours and much note scribbling, I'm up to date, hooray! I'll have a bloody mary and a flapjack please and get down to a big post... (I miss living in a city, no flapjack shops for 20 miles, may have to get baking tomorrow!)

Very jealous of everyone who is sleeping better at 38 weeks, I've just had the worst weeks sleep of my life and have been a total hormonal zombie (too tired even for MN, it's serious!) pinacolada your sleep troubles and pains sound exactly like mine, have you found anything to make sleeping less uncomfortable and painful? It's driving me crazy. Oh and I'm also with you for the lower back pain and ignoring the 'lady garden'! More important things to worry about!

Still knackered but a bit more alive today which is great. After some major stresses about the Chinese internal transport system (inefficient and chaotic at the best of times, watch out Olympics kids) now DP has the links of his transport back to me sorted, it'll take him 4 days of travelling poor soul but a week tomorrow he'll be here and i am so excited! No movement til after then please little one!

mumofk congratulations! so glad you had the kind of birth you wanted, hope we all get what we want! hope you're having a fab time snuggling with your gorgeous wee girl.

pazza good luck for monday! i'll be thinking of you.

otter thanks for asking about my friend. It's all still hellish I'm afraid, the custody battle rages on and now it's on up to a bigger court. Today was the court case which was thrown by her own mother (yes really) declaring her an unfit mother. Her mother is an alcoholic on her 4th marriage, in and out of mental hospital and hasn't spoken to my friend for about 3 years yet for some reason the sheriff took this as fact... My friend has been a fab full-time mum for 10 years and somehow she can be stripped of all her rights so easily, I just don't get it. She has her girls this weekend (after 5 weeks of no contact) so we're just trying to keep things as normal and fun as possible for them. Sorry for TMI ladies but had to have a rant. Please ignore!

YCBS So sorry about your friend's baby, it's just everyone's worst nightmare isn't it? you're not being selfish at all. A friend of a friend just lost their baby to cot death at 5 weeks and being a tiny community it's all everyone is talking about. It's a horrible nightmare that i just can't imagine but I have to make myself block out the chat to a certain extent otherwise I'd just be a quivering wreck.

GCG porridge! it's a winner. sometimes I don't even have time to finish my bowl... good for the energy levels too and always works a treat. Maybe I'm just a bit too Scottish but it works I promise!

pinacolada hope your DD is being a bit less hard work, poor you. Oh and MSG is monosodium glutimate, it's a flavour enhancer that is in a lot of asian food. When I first moved to China it made my hair fall out... It's hardly used at all in the UK (but there is some in stock cubes but not a worrying amount). In China they add it like salt and would never consider cooking without it.

mitchell hope your mum is doing ok after her op, JBR hope your mum is better and massive hugs to mumblesmummy.

sweetbean have you got any further at sorting out paternity leave? It's most unfair, should be automatic for everyone. I'm still very bitter at the lack of any help for student. i hope you get it all sorted.

BigBadMouse sorry about your names troubles. I have one boys name i really like and apart from DP obviously i'm telling no-one so they can't not like it! Still have absolutely no idea about a girls name, maybe that's a sign? is anyone else absolutely convinced about the sex of their baby without any proof? I'm so sure I'm having a boy I'll be so shocked if it's a girl! though i'll be very happy either way of course just a bit mentally unprepared!

It's very nearly May! soon there's going to be babies everywhere! Apparently i'm due in 12 days, finding it a bit hard to believe! My bedroom is still in the middle of a massive clear out that I keep being too tired to finish. It looks like a total bombsite and definitely no place for a baby just yet! Perhaps that's subconsciously the idea, if I'm still living in a mess then the baby won't come early... fingers crossed!

Sorry for the massive post ladies, will try not to leave it so long next time! Night all, big hugs

hi, thanks for all the kind wishes. I've had a couple of half hour naps but can't believe I'm still awake right now!
I wasn't actually ready for bump to land- as i went to my car talking to a friend after our meal I was saying how another week would be fine, and 10 mins later it was starting!
for the recod i had spanicopitta (sp?), chicken kebab and amaretto icecream- but shared a friends pickled peppers- yum. Somehow I think things must have been already on the go though.

Asics-
My midwife was great, really just left me to get on with it. She was actually from Hudds- the nightshift midwife for calderdale MLU had an accident so 1st on call was covering there, and when I rang 2nd on-call and the hudds midwife were at another homebirth, but just finishing off. My 2nd midwife was also from hudds, but she got here too late, just in time for paperwork and cuddles!
I used 3/4 cylinder of G&A, her other HB used 3 whole cylinders [preens].!
Still on a different planet....

oops, the important bit- jasmine elizabeth! not any of the names we discussed apparently (i didn't write any down so couldn't remember) DH decided she looked like an Elizabeth, and Jasmine is something I love the scent of, and like the idea of baby Jas (though for round here it reminds me of Yasmin, which is very common in the local Asian community!). we did consider megan briefly, but changed our minds.

BBM No it wasn't me having DD probs, it was Pinacolada. I'm sure she would have read what you said and been pleased . at your FIL re name!!!!

mumofk Love the name

Well, this is just a quickie. I had a shit night's sleep, felt like my belly was a lump of concrete, and I keep getting weird digestive juices 'gurgling' noises all the time....anyone else get that?? Had another round of hanky panky which usually relaxes me enough to sleep but at 2am I was sitting up in bed eating Rich Tea, reading my book . Woke up really early too. I think I am just thinking about baby coming too much.

Right, I've had my breakfast, spent £30 in the play.com sale (worth a look!!!) I think I will try and get some more kip now.

GCG xxx

mumofk just seen this and wanted to add my congratulations!! - your lovely LO and I share a birthday