Due June 08 - Creme egg season is over, summer is now here, so time to tidy the ladygarden before the big day

[bitofadramaqueen]

I wonder how quickly we'll get through this thread?!?!?!?!

goingfor3 - thanks for the info. I can't get a hold of my community midwife to check things with her and I'm not handling the uncertainty very well. It puts everything in my birth plan upside down so I'm wishing I could get an appointment!

Morning all, and welcome newbies (sorry- lot to catch up on. I leave you guys for the weekend and you fill pages!)

Debs- have a great break. YOu deserve it.

Neenz- more sleep less mn you mad woman! Still v. impressed with your birth story.

Re: 6 year old Marmite- I didn't think Marmite was the kind of stuff that ever went off!

Have finally told PIL that we are being induced this week...they want to confirm when we are having the baby so they can 'clear their schedule for a quick visit'. Am now more stressed about the visit than I am about having the bloody baby. Added to which my Blackberry has given up working and o2 have told me I have to take it back to the store where I bought it (easier said than done with SPD) and i will get it back within 7 - 10 days. The week that I am due to have the world and his wife trying to get in touch. Fuming.

Hi all - my first day of maternity leave - am so excited and have a list the length of my arm to get through, including some work which I can't get out of.

Off in a mo to my birth prep yoga in a bit which should be nice. However, just wanted to say hi - welcome newbies, Neenz - have a rest, katyo - hope all is well.

Speak to you all later.

PS ernest - have finally got enough courage to go and see the dentist today - am rather dreading it because I think I've cracked a tooth. Hopefully, they will be gentle with me becuase they won't want to induce labour!

Speak later.

Makecakes seriously annoying about your blackberry, is there anyway you could swap the SIM into a different phone so you can stay in contact? Which day is are you going in for the induction, btw, I can't remember.

I packed my hospital bags yesterday - I ended up filling 3 of them! Now, I promise I have not put in anything extra other than what is on the list, and in fact there are still quite a few things missing, so how can I possibly need 3 bags worth? This is excluding the birthing ball and house plant that the NCT suggest you take with you! Am I alone in having all this stuff? Ths hospital ask that you only bring in a small bag, and then give you a list as long as my arm. Do they expect us to have a carpet bag like Mary Poppins?

A houseplant, is that just so the midwifes know you are knowledgable because you have been to NCT classes!!

is the plant for your ladygarden?

must pack a bag soon, keep hoping it will magically happen without me actually having to do it!

Morning all. I'm still having trouble walking so have taken today off.

Alipalli - one tip I had was to pack two bags. Stuff that I'll definitely need for labour/birth and immediate essentials for the baby and a second bag for everything else - change of clothes, more baby stuff etc. I can leave the 2nd bag in the car and DH can bring in after the birth.

Makecakes - I'd cry on the phone and ask if I could post it in and they could post it back again. I really know what you mean about stressing out about visitors. I just know that my parents (who live within an hours driving distance) will arrive and expect to stay a day or two and I really dont want them to! However, if I tell them that it'll cause all sorts of upset. I know I need to put me first, but the thought of the upset caused really stresses me out. I've promised DH I wont think about it because the thought of their visit is probably more stressful than the visit itself would actually be IYSWIM?

Good luck at the dentist mellymell - hope it goes ok. I went a few weeks back and for the first time in god knows how long I didn't need any work doing!

Aberdeen - sorry about your Strep B. I really hope that you get an appointment soon and it doesn't impact your birth plan too much.

Ooh, I might start on my birth plan today as I'm stuck at home...

I think the houseplant is to make it feel more like home . I can really see that in the height of labour I would glance across at the house plant and think "ah, my half dead house plant is making me feel so much more relaxed".

I have heard the "2 bag" advice. I was initially aiming for a labour bag and an afterwards bag, but it grew into a labour bag, an afterwards bag, and a baby bag (nappies taking up quite a bit of space). How many nappies do you think it's sensible to take? I think 1 packet of 27 nappies sounds reasonable.

Potential TMI coming up... after the excitement of garlic-gate last week, I may have stumbled upon the second installment of our Mediterranean food odessey. Following advice from NCT I had a go at perineal massage this morning. I used olive oil as it is meant to be fine. What a bizarre experience, and a reminder of just how small things are down there normally . Has anyone else been tempted to try this? I can post the instructions if anyone is curious about what to do...

Morning all, glad things are still going well Neenz, and hope all those with niggling pains are doing ok, think it's about time we had another baby on this thread

I'll be here till the bitter end too I expect, 6 weeks to go and still 3 more weeks at work (argh) which seems ages now lots of you are already starting your leave.

Swithering between being happy to see the sun and just being TOO BLOODY HOT, pardon my french!

Oh dear, am worried I still have no bags packed and have had no olive oil-meets-fanjo incidents. Think I will put all that out my mind till I stop work, not much spare room in my brain these days!

alipalli I have packed about 10 nappies and will probably stay in hospital for a couple of days. DP can bring the rest of the packet if I need them.
Very impressed that you managed to do your own perineial massage - most f us can't even reach down there for a trim!!!!

Still here! I keep getting contractions and sometimes they get sore bit they seem to stop and start, very annoying.

I know what you mean g43 it is so frustrating, everytime a get pain its like. Dh is driving me nuts asking how long between contractions and telling me to phone the hospital, I was induced with ds as waters had broken and I think he much preferred that option, quick and straight forwards for him!! I would rather have an intervention free birth this time, but can't stand the not knowing and poor ds thinks his mother is really boring!

makecakes and bq I know it seems like it would cause problems to tell people not to visit but much easier to have the conversation before hand. Why not just ask them to book into a local b&b and then you can control the visiting. I was quite strict on visiting after ds, but my family all live quite close. I loved the visiting in hospital but when I got home I just wanted to spend time alone with my little family.

Hoggle I've got 3 and a bit weeks left too, am regretting having not decided to finish earlier! sounds like we're about as organised as each other on the bag front.

alipalli I was advised to have 3 small bags as you have ended up with so wouldn't worry about it!

katyjo everytime I get a pain dp gets excitied as he really wants his pertenity leave as he hasn't had any decent amount of time of work for ages. He looked at me disapointly this morning as nothing was happening! I just looked and we are due on the same day.

debinaustria im always up at that time im regular as clockwork! lol

hoggle
lauraT my bags been packed since i was 30 weeks im now 35 weeks haha i just had to be organized or i would be worrying i forgot something!

Another hot day people and i might get into me nieces paddling pool its a deep one would fit me and bump in easy it may cool me offfff

SOunds lovely gem, I need to get the girls a new pool and will scare the nighbours if they see me sitting in it but I'm past the point of caring!!!

Morning all, I've not posted for ages as all my time has been taken up with work, eating and sleeping. I've been signed off work 3 weeks early as developed boarderline pre-eclampsia. I finally remembered to check my own blood pressure as had previously abandoned going to midwife, to discover it was sky high ooops . So I now have lots of time for chatting and afternoon naps .
V.excited to hear things are moving on the baby front. Well done neenz seems like you sailed through labour.
Went to first NCT class yesterday, and TBH it was bobbins (although kept up pretence that had been worthwhile as had dragged a disgruntled DH there) the teacher wasn't a midwife or physio,and some of the stuff she came out with was just plain wrong, although she has had 5 children, but then so has my Mum. Is the same in other AN classes?
Sorry about long post, hope everyone enjoying sunshine!

I've just started packing my hospital bag today but at 36 weeks with a 10 pounder on the way I only have two bottom half items of clothing to fit me and I guess i'll need to keep one clean for my 'going to hospital' outfit!! Also no idea what to pack to come home in as I don't know how big i'll be (and I guess something that won't show up 5 inches of santitary towel) any suggestions? PS weather will be back to normal come Thursday - hurrah!

Sorry things haven't moved on katyjo. Ta for advice re visitors, I would absolutely agree with you normally but unfortunately my mother is a special case so I really just have to not think about it and see what happens at the time. The thought of my mother is actually more stressful than the reality so it wont actually be that bad if I dont worry about it. Let's just say that my drama-queenness is genetic .

Welcome back pyjamarama sorry about the pre-clampsia. My NCT classes have been really useful - sorry yours was a bit duff.

at sunshine everyone is getting - its wet here. I had to put the heating back on!

People im feeling pretty emotional today i just dont know what has come over me,, i was just thinking that soon it will all be over and ill be holding my baby and how proud i am that i have got through all this on my own , also sat thinking how much i dislike her dad! i think its just all got a bit too much and now im a bit upset ill be so glad to see the back of the hormones!! I cant help but be upset though i didnt think i would make it through without her dad but i have deffinatly showed him i dont need him! I cant wait to hold my little girl i think its just properly hitting me im about to be a mom and that is lovely but scary and such an emotional change. I think sometimes i think im still a child myself but i am not and just realizing the amount of responsibility ill have for this baby it overwhelming and i cant help but have a few tears

Gemma- cry away. I find it the best relief and am doing a lot of it at the moment. Sending you hugs.

Am having the day from hell...doing battle about my bloody phone has sent BP through the roof and have been dispatched to day assessment. Again. DH at work, and I have the cleaner coming and a Tesco delivery. I bloody hate Mondays.

Hello,

Glad I'm not the only one having massive hormonal mood swings, one minute I'm fine the next I'm practically screaming at my dp because the builders still haven't finished work on the house & of course it's his fault!

I need a bit of sanity back in my life!

Went to Neal's Yard at lunch for Raspberry leaf tea - smells nasty but I'll give anything a go that is going to help with the birth.

Alipalli I'd be interested in the perineal massage instructions...

Hi Gemma, yes the twins are my first children. The birth was amazing - everything I wanted it to be, but very painful all the same! My top tip is get in the bath as early as possible and stay in there as long as poss, it really is a great pain reliever. Suck on the gas and air in really deep, long breaths - try to get through a minute on six deep breaths.

Contractions last about a minute and get worse in the middle, so you should be past the worst of it in four breaths. Counting the breaths got me through the 1st stage (where my cervix felt like it was being cranked open with a crow bar!). Try to visualise your cervix opening, like a rose opening - don't fight the pain or you'll tense up and cervix won't open. Just try to relax as much as poss!

My full birth story is on this thread somewhere - I posted it on Friday I think so have a look back for the full gory details .

Aberdeen - MW has been today and says I can take ibuprofen for my stitches but having had two baths now with tea tree oil (thank you so much for the tips, guys!) I am feeling so much more comfortable. Only needed to take two paracetemol before I went to bed last night but haven't had any since. Will do that twice a day now till it heals. I recommend you all get some in before you go into labour!

I feel so sorry for all you ladies still suffering the effects of late pregnancy. I really feel for you!

The twins are still perfect - they only woke up twice in the night and both fed and went back down without any trouble (although to feed both and settle them can take 45 mins and if I do nappies too it can be over an hour, cos they often go back on the breast after their nappy change). We were up at 7.30am, DH had to go to work this morning. I took them in the bathroom in their carrycot and they just lay there asleep while I had my bath. They have pretty much slept ever since! They have been much easier to settle since my milk came in. And they went pretty much three hours between feeds yesterday. Dare I say they are two of the easiest babies ever?! No, I really shouldn't speak too soon.

Neenz- sounds like you are doing so well and have a great attitude towards your new life. Keep resting as the first few weeks can take you on a rollercoaster as you and babes and babes addapt. I always think that mums should get an official big gold medal when we get to 6 weeks.

For all those that are feeling emotional- I'm feeling it too. DD's asleep right now and even though I'm exhausted I can't sleep. I feel panicy and am worried that I'm turning into evil short-tempered mum. Phoned DH this am and shouted at him for something quite small, then cried, then DD saw me and went quiet. She's teething so has ants-in-the-pants syndrome and couldn't stay still in the music group we go to on Mon am's. And I'm still trying to shake this miserable cold that has left me even more breathless and waking up for hours at a time at night because my throat is so sore. (I'll prob join you for the night shift tonight Gemma!) Ans I'm trying to get the bathroom renovations sorted before newbie arrives- it's all got to me today. Needing a hug

Lorettah - this is what was handed out in our AN class. In terms of oil - a massage base oil is fine, or even olive oil as long as its not nut based. Good luck!

Perineal Massage

The perineum is the bit of skin between your vagina and anus. When your baby?s head begins to crown, the skin and muscles of the perineum stretch to allow the baby to be born. Sometimes the perineum does not stretch very well and tears instead, or you may need an episiotomy (cut) to the perineum to allow more space for the baby to be born (during a forceps birth for example). Research has been done to show that massaging the perineum can reduce your risk of tearing. This is because massage stretches and increases the elasticity of the perineum. It also encourages you to actively relax your perineal muscles when there is pressure on them. The massage should be performed during the last month of pregnancy and can be done by yourself, or by your partner. When a partner is doing the massage, it is important to talk to each other to make sure you are comfortable and relaxed. You can begin the massage up to six weeks before your due date, doing the massage 3 or 4 times a week. Two weeks before your due date massage daily for 2 minutes. Increase this to 4-5 minutes daily until the birth.

Method

? The massager should cut their fingernails short and ensure that their hands are cleaned before starting.
? If you are doing the massage yourself, stand with one leg raised and resting on a firm surface, such as the bath.
? If a partner is doing the massage, sit comfortably in a semi-reclining position, well supported by pillows. Only start once you are relaxed.
? Dip your index and middle fingers into some unscented massage oil and gently insert them 1-2 inches into the vagina (if you are doing the massage yourself, you may find it easier to use your thumb). Breathe slowly and relax your muscles.
? Slowly and gently, with your fingers in the lower third of the vagina, pull the skin down towards the back passage and out (mimicking what the baby?s head will do), until you feel a slight tingling or burning sensation, but not pain. If it hurts stop for a short while before trying again, making sure that you are relaxed, using enough oil and are being gentle!
? With a sweeping motion move from 3 o?clock to 9 o?clock and back again. You can also massage the skin of your perineum between your thumb and forefingers.

You should stop massaging your perineum if your waters have broken, you have a vaginal infection, are in labour or are finding it too painful.