Due Aug 08 - This Way To The Tent Shop

[TwilightSurfer]

DUE AUGUST 2008 NEW THREAD!!

Dizzy, I've already checked to make sure WI-FI is available so hopefully I can log the birthing experience REALTIME.

lol, uplinked with live photos too

dh's are not allowed overnight within our maty wards, I coped by buzzing all farking night as couldn't manage to get up to see to baby

am hoping not to be in for too long this time

Morning (just!) all! Hope you are all well. Dizzy - I am now going to the loo about 3 times a night, it's a PITA. I remember after DS was born how weird it was not needing the loo so much!

Hospital bags - I have juts bought my bag (took mums suitcase last time but she uses it and I want to pack now). It's a medium holdall but on wheels like a suitcase so I don't have to carry it I bought a TENS machine yesterday, some maternity pants (does anyone know where you can get super stretchy ones that look like one layer of dishcloth?), a gilder , a moses basket, footspa (my feet are already starting to swell to the point that they are hurting, but then I was on my feet most the day Saturday) and err.... a bikini trimmer . I shaved it abit the other week (blindly!) then saw it in the mirror, so I think I will just keep it trimmed! (am sure you all wanted to know that). I shall go and copy and paste my hospital bag list from the other thread, I think I had nearly everything down. Is anyone who is having no.2 doing the antenatal classes? I was going to but all of a sudden I am this far gone and haven't booked! I was induced last time so am clueless when to go into hospital - well basically clueless in anything to do with early labour! Soooo...names... we have ;
boy -
Thomas
William (but 3 things 'wrong' - 1) Being called Willy (or Billy even)(eeek, or Bill!) 2) DHs grandad was called William, and it was DHs dads middle name and I don't like babies being seen as people "reborn", I think they should be their own person so William is better suited for a middle name I guess... 3) DHs exs facebook profile says she wants William for a boy, because of being with DH so that puts me off abit (silly I know but anyway!)
Erm... I liked Peirce but I always think of James Bond or worse - Piers Morgan! Don't think DH liked it anyway
Joshua
Timothy (but somehow it sounds abit weak?)
Malacky (have to check correct spelling)
Sean (as someone correctly pointed out it's Seamus that's the Irish version of James (DS)) but it seems abit... 'hip' now B Spears' son I think is called it. And my sisters boyfriend is called Sean, and they are serious so it could be soon to be Uncle.
Patrick - but it's DSs middle name, as is...
Theodore
That's it I think at the mo. for boys names. I need one first name and 2 middle

Girls -
Grace - really love it but I like sticking to Saints names, we had it picked last time when we were told DS was a girl, it sort of has it's own special meaning for DH and I aswell
Mary - Love the name, DH loves the name but my mum is called Mary and it's all DH can associate it with!
The full name we had for a girl last time was Grace Patricia (due on St. Patricks day, fem. form of Patrick - DSs second name) Bernadette (saint) May - which is what I think DH thinks we are still having, but it was picked based around the due date etc. of DS. And DS doesn't have 3 middle names and I feel like he's being left out.

Hmmm...

DH stayed with me in the delivery suite the first night (DS born 10.59 pm so I was still being fiddled with until about 2am) but had to leave the next evening because I was on a ward (I really hope I can get out ASAP this time!) - I am not sure if they are allowed to stay with you though if you book a private room.

Labour Bag

Maternity notes
Birth plan (not doing one this time though I don't think)
Nightdresses (or old T shirts) (a few as I puked all over mine twice)
Socks (although last time I had fat people socks for my epidural )
TENS machine (anyone buying one?)
Books/magazines (last time I took a puzzle book, was great fun for me and DH)
Snacks and drinks (incl. energy drinks, boiled sweets, MINTS (dry throat alot))
Camera
Camcorder (eek!)
ipod
Massage oils (have to check good pregnancy ones, last time I just took baby oil)
Leg cream (that tingly stuff from Clarins I was on about as I was in bed alot due to epidural)
Water spray (so worth the £6/7, keep in fridge as long as possible)
Wet wipes
Hairbands (last thing you want is hair all in your face)
Clips
Hairbrush
Lip balm
Watch (with second hand)
Dettol wipes (for the baths if you have a bath in labour)
Face fan !!! (and spare batteries, will be mid August!)

Hospital Bag (me)

Feeding nightdresses
Dressing gown
Slippers
Nursing bras
Breastpads
Nipple cream
Going home outfit (last time was BIG tracksiut trousers and a big comfy top and I think my slippers!)
Knickers (BIG stretchy disposable, I found boots ones were not good (they feel like paper) The best ones are the ones when you stretch, they are like stretching a white dishcloth (see throughy))
Maternity pads
Toiletries bag - toothbrush, toothpaste, mirror, flannel, soap, shampoo, makeup etc.)
Towels (dark, or just not white)
Change for phone
Arnica tablets
List of phone numbers
Spare clothes for DH incase we are there a while

Baby Bag

Bodysuits (tons - about 6)
Sleepsuits (about 6)
Nappies
Cotton wool
Hat
Mittens
Socks (DS was born very cold)
Sunhat
Suncream (?)
Muslins
Nappy cream

I think that's it (so far!)

Dizzy dear, I didn't even LOOK last time so live photos/videos...the answer is a NNOO. I was bored silly so I'm hoping having my laptop will give me a little fun time. Plus I can play movies with it. NOT THE BIRTHING KIND though.

It's very sad that your DHs/DPs can't stay with you. Mine's no nurse but during our time four years ago HE WAS A DREAM!!! He also kept me in check because I'm a bit of a crazy lady when stressed. I only DISMISSED one nurse....so that's good.

I don't really have to pack much for the baby in my hospital bag. The hosptial puts them in clothing while there (and they actually prefer their outfit to a homebrought one). I actually left with three or four of their baby shirts last time because I liked them so much. They provide disp. nappies and wipes and any ointments that may be required. So I just really have to have the car seat and a blanket...that's about it.

For me they provide those fancy paper/stretchy panties and witch hazel pads, fem pads (in the jumbo size) and a hospital gown (again, recommended for at last the first 36 hours). Typical stay is 48 hours but longer if a CSec.

Most of my hospital bag will be things for DH and DD1.

when I was having dd1, dh was on nightshift so he would come to ward in morning to say hello and goodnight, head off home for a sleep and come back again in the evening before work - that way we had more time off after I got out, was in for just over a week

with dd2 it was more complicated as someone had to be there to look after dd1 but I was also more of a mess as had labour THEN EMCS so am not even wanting to THINK about it this time [panic!!!]

lofW thank you for reminder, have just phoned and booked my TENS machine

i am hear for a big moan so i am sorry in advance! I feel dreadful.. had really bad brackton hicks yesterday, a rubbish sleep last night and now i am breatheless today!!

Why oh why cannot pregnancy suit me and let me bloom? I am so tired all the time, i don't want to go anywhere or do anything!!! Arghhhhhhhh

I am so sorry again for this massive me moan.. thank you all so much for listening xxxxx

Hello

DH had a sofa bed in my room after DS was born. As it was about 2am, DH was thinking of staying and sleeping in it until we realised the midwife was coming in every few hours to check me (for something, I can't even remember what). We figured he'd be better off at home...

Don't know why I had my own room. But it was fab, I had my own loo and shower too... And I still moaned because I wanted to be discharged to the local midwife unit in my home town. Ungrateful cow!

Thanks Sazzle, I came into work with am and i knew i really shouldn't have.. going to go home in a min and do what you recommended and try and get a snooze before going to get lo from nursery!xx

sarahnh moan away, tis what we're here for

actually while we're on it

my feet are slightly swollen every night now
I am getting heartburn/indegestion more frequently
breathing much more heavily, dh has commented on it twice now
itching on feet/arms and stomach has started
peeing all the time
and tightening every evening - not painful but just 'solid' feeling so not sure can class it as BH!

there, think thats me done lol

LoW - here for string vest pants. How come you're packing nappy cream? They're unlikely to get a rash in the first few days unless they're allergic to disps in which case your cream is likely to make it worse!
I've just signed up for a 'Refresher' course with my local NCT so I can meet some RL subsequent mums due in August (as opposed to you imaginary pals).
Sazzles - No I live at The Pentagon! Old house was a cube so could hear everything, new house is a very long cuboid so could not hear a baby in our front bedroom from the kitchen down at the rear .

TS - can't believe your DH can stay. I was SO desperate for mine to stay with me last time. Knew I'd hate being alone in hospital and even considered a home birth - as it turned out a VERY good thing I didn't. Resigned to his absence this time, but will, of course, have DD to think of. Last time DH was chucked out at about 4am after he'd watched me go through a horrible time and stayed up with me the night before too (and seen England lose to Scotland in the rugby! ), so was totally shell-shocked and exhausted. Says in retrospect he SO shouldn't have driven home and actually doesn't remember the drive . At least at that time there was no-one else on the roads.

Def. haven't thought of the hospital bag yet. Shouldn't need too much new stuff for this LO. Just some slightly less bobbly babygros and thought we'd splash out on some new bottles .

sarah - sorry you're feeling down. I was horrendous last week and the week before. I think it's easy to forget the hormonal changes in the midst of the physical ones. And they don't make anything feel better! Hope you're feeling happier soon.

I'm doing far better on that front. Had a really good chat with a friend about the whole VBAC issue and I'm now really believing that it's ok to have a c-section, and if it comes to it again, bottle feed. Those first six months will be hard enough without me adding to it and me not being unhappy and guilt-ridden will be so much better for LO as well as DH and DD.

Oh thankyou! I got them free from hospital last time, but they were soooo good I don't want to risk them not being there this time Dunno why nappy cream... I just carry it in my changing bag all the time.

No way, you can't brag irl. I remember getting people's backs up once at a postnatal pub lunch the first time with my cheery 'sorry we're late, we overslept!' Well you can do that the first time can't you? Feed - nappy - bed - feed - nappy - bed - feed - nappy - brunch - get dressed maybe. Don't know what they were all doing all morning - new mums make far too much effort with housework and personal hygiene IMO.

BTW I've decided to book myself a morning at the local salon at 39wks and get my eyebrows waxed, eyelashes dyed and a tasteful spraytan too.

Oh gosh yes, must remember to get eyebrows waxed before I go in for section. DOn't want to be hairy of brown in first pics- plus then they can have a few weeks re-growth unitl I can get out easily.....

{{Twilight comes skipping in whistling a little tune.}}

I got a passing grade on my glucose test today!! (as if I was worried) Doc also said if I was "leaking" it'd be an "all the time" thing not just when I move a certain way, cough or sneeze. Baby's heartbeat was excellent and is already showing signs of good nuerological developement. Seems if the baby's heartbeat goes UP while moving around the brain's connections have connected. Can't quite remember exactly how the doc said it but he said if the heartrate stays the same then the baby has more developing to do. He said most people talk in terms of lung development but brain development is even more important...and that we're in the brain's biggest development stage.

Oh and another little note. Because of my "advanced maternal age" I get to start seeing the doc every two weeks from this point on. GREAT! DD will just LOVE this as she'll have to be dragged go. Guess I should start making my bribery list now.

Okay enough about me.

Thanks for that about the leaking TS. I've been worried (again) about that cos I've been rather damp. But I htink it is just lots of cm plus my rather poor pelvic floor (v v but i made dh sniff my knickers last night. Poor (but very brave) thing).
Just feel damp a lot and had a damp patch on trousers (tmi sorry) on Sat even with panty liner - but it was excessively hot so i think i was sweatng a lot too........

Hi everyone,

Anyone else see that panorama programme last night about super bugs? Makes me worried about having a csection in hospital. I have had two before with no infections, and they were talking about elderly wards, but still it was scary. Especially as my plan had been to make sure that anyone who came near me used that hand gel stuff - but they said that alcohol only makes the cdiphicile (how do you spell that?) bug make spores and does NOT kill it. Silly thing to worry about really, but I am!

I am going through a weird phase at the moment. My body is definately slowing down. I am 27 weeks today and experiencing all sorts pains - today the SPD type pains are quite bad. But on the other hand, I am also sort of pretending that I am not pregnant and organising all sorts of outings and meetings and things for right up until the baby is born. Total denial!

Next week I have to have anti D injections. Anyone else having these? I remember from last time how painful they are!

Hello all
Just a quick message to say hello (I am meant to be trying out new iron - not on pillow cases I hasten to add ) Moved in, almost unpacked. The house is lovely but a money pit so lots of work to do and can't afford the interior furnishings I would really like as there is the kitchen, and the bathroom etc etc to do but can't really complain. Been to register at the Drs today and spent about an hour filling in forms in triplicate with all the same sodding information -wtf is that all about. I'm desperate to get linked to the midwives for my homebirth - fingers crossed.
No chance of catching up in the day for some time yet as dcs not in nursery yet. Dh has been working his arse off but there is still loads to do and both of us are grumpy and tired - but at least we are in the same place at last after 3 weeks. Tip for everyone - never go to John Lewis (large department store for TS's information) with children - it always ends in tears. Why do I never learn.
Can someone catch me up in a few sentences please (wail) I can't possibly read all of your posts but am missing posting! Ds1 moving a lot now - very comforting to know he's there. I've a feeling he'll be early but don't know why.
Libbysister any tips for places to go round here. We've done Millets farm (ds complained it was too small!)