Due in June - Creme eggs are long gone and our own eggs have started to hatch. Who will be next?

[Upsidedowncake]

We are two down and have another 30-40 to go. Makecakes and Gemma have probably popped by now, then G43! It's all happening!!!!!

Well done Sophie. It feels good to have Plan Bs, doesn't it?!

My doula has said that will come back from weekend away if I go into labour while DH is in Austria, and have two friends sorted to babysit DS. Obviously am not going into labour as I have cystitis + BH and cannot tell the difference but anyway!

Here's to hoping you don't have to use your Plan B!

I like Plan B's just need another couple of phone calls to slot everything in place and a list of what goes on what breakfast and the I am done.

Hello ladies,

not managing to get on here much but congrats to Katyjo!

I'm 38 +6 today and had growth scan and appt with consultant yesterday. I've managed to dodge diabetes this pregnancy which has really surprised everyone (including me)!

Rolf I've been told that my baby was transverse/breech for the last 4 weeks, but despite this the scan yesterday showed my LO is head down, and it doesn't feel any different to me! So fingers crossed for you. I'd also been told to dial 999 if I went into labour or waters broke.

All change now though! Baby is approx 8lb 2oz and they attempted a stretch and sweep but my cervix is only dimpled. If I haven't delivered in the next 2 weeks I'll either have my waters broken (if cervix has behaved) or I'll be having another section.

Good luck to everyone - if you're feeling as fed up and as uncomfortable as me you have my sympathies!

Anyone elses appetite gone?

Poor ds is so fractious with being ill! He absolutely insisted we go out this morning (sometimes I regret teaching him baby signing!) so we went into town to pick up more meds for him, but he was v. up and down while we were out. Every time we went inside we had to be outside, every time we moved from an interesting shelf he screamed. Old people were staring at us disapprovingly in the street! I was quite shocked tbh, I didn't realise so many people actually did this, surely they know toddlers do this sometimes? It was my first proper public tantrum (he's 21 months so there will be loads more to come!). Pleased I wasn't stressed or embarrassed though. Eventually calmed him down with chocolate - NOT my long-term plan for how to handle tantrums I hasten to add, I'm not planning to train him into doing more of them, but I think it's different if he's ill.

On the plus side, on impulse we went into the local baby shop to try out double buggies (who were completely unfazed by ds' mood, obv. used to such things) and I pushed a couple and fell completely in love with the P&T sport - so easy to push compared to the others I looked at, and looked not dissimilar to my beloved Zapp. They had a limited offer on of a free doubles kit so I bought it there and then - one more worry sorted! Delivered next week, if I'm not in hospital.

Astonishingly I managed to walk (well, totter) into town and back without flaring the SPD, and even now it's not too bad. I think I must be one of the lucky ones for whom the head engaging helps, and I suspect it has gone down even a bit more this week. But she has to wait now till we're all better ...

Exciting news about Paro, can't wait to hear!

Oh dear, he was down for his nap 15 mins ago but there are screams coming from above, must go ...

Afternoon all,

I haven't been around much lately due to the new job and a dh who has become obsessed with getting as much done before the baby arrives as possible. It's amazing how much he's getting done now he's put his mind to it - trouble is I don't think I want to have another baby next year just to get the kitchen done

Anyway, I've been feeling mostly good lately but I've been getting woken up with a lot of painful braxton hicks/lower back pain etc at night that I keep thinking I am not going to last another 3 weeks! THe BH have been far more painful with this baby than the last one - I am assuming this is normal as my body 'knows' what to do! That expression does make me laugh as it kind of implies that your body will just do all of the work for second and subsequent labours - if only that were true . I had some really bad bh and lower back pain during the night last night and as I had been getting naughty with my dh earlier I convinced myself that it could be it - but I guess not as I fell asleep and woke up with the alarm a few hours later

Well done to all those who have already had their babies - I am so when I see the baby photo's! And well done with the bf it sounds like you are all doing really well.

Well only 5 more days at work after today and the end really can't come soon enough. I've got to the point where I am really uncomfortable at work and have just had enough. I have even secretly hoped htat I will go into labour early so I could escape - is that wrong????

SA - we have the P&T sport and it is lovely, totally agree with you about old people and the horrendous looks they give you, it is really quite upsetting, I only take DD shopping now when we have to get her feet measured and then it is just in and out.

Part 2 of Plan B now in place and DH getting moses basket and clothes down from attic so packing bag this afternoon.

Josey my BH have been more painful and with back ache as well, but I don't know what a contraction feels like as they never happened last time.

SA, glad I didn't put you off about the P&T sport the other day, and glad that Sophie, the long-term owner loves it!

Aberdeen, glad you have been getting more sleep.

Ladies, can't believe you're all going to Ikea all the time. I heard it was a dreadful place and consequently must be the only person in the UK who has never been ...

Oh Sophie it's so unfair that they upset you enough to restrict what you can do with dd! Makes me so cross, I can't believe people are so unsupportive! Did they never have kids themselves??

I was too shocked this time at all the judgemental looks to respond, but am practising for next time. My responses will start with a hard stare, and if that doesn't shame the b*ggers, I will say 'oh wonderful! an expert in child behaviour! just what I need, here you go, would you be so kind as to calm my unhappy child since you obviously think I am doing such a bad job?' and start to hand over the pushchair. They won't do it again ...

Hi lovely ladies

Just a quick one for me as I am so busy nesting and going through all my wardrobes one by one I couldn't possibly spend to long on mumsnet these days.

Big congratulations to Katjyo, Mia is absolutely lovely! Good luck to Paro too.

Not much to report here apart from the furious nesting. Had a bit of a false alarm on Friday/Saturday. I had BH all day until 2.30am and they were getting a bit more intense towards the end. Next day I had a little bit of pinkish blood and wasn't sure what to think of it. Nothing to report since. I have also done my Group B test, fingers crossed it comes back negative.

Right back to my cupboard and to lurking!

upsidedowncake - it's the play centre at ikea I'm talking about - not the shop itself! my mother is very keen to take DS to the new one in Toronto when we're there on vacation as apparently the play area is really good.

seems like us second+ timers are all getting crazy amounts of false labour/BH/back pain compared with the first time around. I wonder why no one tells you about this...

Hi All!

*Katyjo - Mia is beautiful (as is the name). Well done you!
*Sorry if I'm being dim EmotionalW, but why did they sweep you at 38 weeks? Great news about the diabetes.
*Systemsaddict - can you tell me more about babysigning?
*Can't wait to hear back from Paro!

My last MW appointment was two weeks ago and neither the MW nor my notes say this LO is engaged at all! I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and will be seeing GP, so fingers crossed that changes. No more M/W appointments for me until 41 weeks, hopefully I won't need that one.... LO still seems to be back to back (I have a concave bit under my belly button), but when he moves at the top of my bump I can feel a round thing that I assume is his bum, so surely he's not back to back....I'm confused!

3 OH's of men at DH's work have had 1st babies in the last week or so. I'm getting impatient and fed up of feeling so big, not even one definite BH for me though. I know I need to relax and enjoy this time, but I'm so uncomfortable and SLOOOOOW! Not unhappy as such, just getting a bit bored of being this size....

Never tried about corgette chocolate cake, but can recommend wasabi choc cake (Wagamamas) and beetroot choc cake (Canteen restaurant). Re: sugar and cake rotting teeth, my friends DS is 5 and had to have a lot of fillings because he eats so much fruit! No sweets/cakes/crisps other than Xmas, Easter, etc and even then v. limited. She really does feed him on the healthiest diet possible so was absolutely gutted he needed so many fillings.

PP, forgive me for butting in but you're in Wimbledon, aren't you? With DS, I did four terms of Sign and Sign here and really enjoyed it. DS only learned a couple of signs, but his language was always quite advanced, and I think it was due to baby-signing providing helpful input.

Upsidedown - that's fantastic, thank you so much.

HI all-

BF counsellor useful if annoying and definintey having more luck ( and less tears) since, though still a little sore, but baby cakes going three hours at least between feeds, so beginning to feel like I might be getting the hang of this mother thing.... (famous last words) Yet to try out all those reusable nappies though. And still waiting for a bloody move date- chain now in danger of breaking. Agggh.

Discharged by MW today- such a milestone!

Wanted to say well done to Katyjo- lovely ame and beautiful baby.

Oh and good luck Paro!

And hello everyone (or have I said that already? Still got cotton wool for a head!)

Katyjo - congrats on the birth of baby Mia. The birth sounds fab - if only all births could be that quick!

Have you tried maybe expressing some milk before you latch Mia on - it might be a bit too much when your breasts are very engorged.

We have been trying that with Esther, she has been very fussy on the breast so now I am putting Theo on for 5mins then putting Esther on, and she seems to be coping much better.

My mum was here last night and she did the 11pm and 2am feeds (with expressed milk) so I slept from 10 till 4am!!! Bliss! Then I went back to bed at 5.30am after feeding them and then again after feeding them at 8am - got up at 10.30am. So feel fantastic now. Mum is coming every Tues night now to do that for me.

DTs (three weeks old today) were weighed today - Theo has gained 10oz in a week for the second week running! Esther has only gained 3 and a half oz (3oz the week before). They are 7lb2 and 4lb13 now.

Health visitor says she wants to see more of a gain from Esther next week (so do I). I forgot to ask her about a BF counsellor - how do I get in touch with one of them?

I think maybe I need to perservere with Esther more at each feed - sometimes I put her down after 5mins if she is fussing and then don't try her again until the next feed (she never really cries to be fed but I always feed them both every 3 hours at least). So now I am going to keep persevering with her for at least 30 mins at each feed.

Any other ideas???

Hi makecakes - x-posted there. Glad BFing is going better. What advice did the counsellor give you??

My sil is in Wimbledon - small world. Try not to let the looks bother you, sa, sophie & no doubt everyone of us in time. I've had no end of rediculous comments over the years. When I 1st moved to Switzerland, 1 day it was pouring down, was walking along, ds in pushchair, close to nap time, so crying..... Old boddy came up and had a go at me that he couldn't breathe under the rain cover, how stupid I was to cover him in plastic etc etc. I couldn't speak much German back then, so just smiled warmly and went on my way, then slowly my brain did the translation, and I spent the next week feeling outraged at her sutpidiy, imagining what she'd've said if I didn't have a rain cover on, and he was screaming and getting soaked..... Oh the ONLY way forward is to ignore or go insane.

Anyway, I did go to Ikea, it was empty, very quiet. Got a black out blind for the play room as it can be used as an emergency bedroom (have a bed settee in there anyway) - ie so I can hoof dh out if he snores. ANY disruption to my non-existant sleep will not be toleratd.

No news from paro or anyone yet?

Neenz, I'm no twins expert or expert in tiny babies, but I wonder if Esther has an upset tum. I forget - are you giving them infacol or anything?

It's also interesting that she doesn't fuss if you put her on after Theo has been going for five minutes - ie when the hind milk (fattier and more calorific) is coming in? Perhaps she just wants to get to the good stuff? Or perhaps, like you said, her mouth isn't big enough to fit round very full breasts.

I would definitely try and see a BF counsellor. Have you been given a copy of Birth to Five? THere are addresses for La Leche, The Breastfeeding Network and the NCT in the back.

DS used to feed for about 45 minutes each feed at that age, but he was 8 pounds when born, so I don't know how big Esther's tiny tummy will be now!

How are you feeling about what the HV said? Sometimes they can be quite hurtful. At least she is putting on weight.

Debs - I see now about the swimming and I'm afraid I have no idea!

Sybil - I wasn't off having a baby! Went to do the weekly shop, went to our nice farm shop then went to get the rest of the stuff from Tescos, I hate going to the supermarket, might start doing all my supermarket shopping online!

SA - hope your DS starts feeling better soon.

UDC - am shocked that you have never been to Ikea! It's horrible when it is busy but if you pick your moment to go it's not too bad. We popped in the other day and I got a pile of cheap towels (29p each) and a fleecy throw thing for a couple of quid, possibly for baby to play on.

makecakes - glad the breastfeeding is improving.

Neenz - glad you managed to get plenty of sleep, sounds like you are getting to grips with the feeding as well.

PP (and UDC), it's Sing and Sign that we have been doing too (in fact ds is tucked up in front of the S&S DVD right now). He loved it from day one, and within a few months was using lots of signs to communicate - he probably uses over 100 now, and it means we've been able to 'talk' since he was a year and a bit. It's only in the past few weeks he's been using much speech so he would have been really frustrated without the signing - I highly recommend it!!

Neenz here's a link to some breastfeeding helplines www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastfeeding/directory/ - one of them should be able to put you in touch with a bf counsellor in your area, and you can also discuss other things to try with Esther (though if she is gaining weight, even if not as fast as Theo, and is settled and energetic, I wouldn't necessarily worry too much that there's something going wrong; HV's are a bit obsessed with weight gain, don't let her scare you). Your hospital might have one too (depending on their funding priorities!).

ktpie I have barely set foot in a supermarket since I was 7 mths pregnant with ds, we did one experimental online shop with ASDA and have never looked back. I now have no idea how people do supermarkets on a regular basis with children - but then I am v. v. undomesticated (despite using washable nappies) and always found food shopping exhausting anyway. Even with the delivery charge we save money because we only buy what we plan to, and now that we have our regular purchases stored online it takes about 5 mins to do each weekend.

See, now I'm slightly disappointed that you weren't all off having babies. Still, at least I don't feel left out anymore!

ktpie - I have been doing my shopping online for weeks now - its ace!

About BH, don't feel left out if you haven't got any first-timers, I'm on my third and I haven't had any yet - ever! Given that they sound really painful I'm happy to do without though.

Neenz - while Esther may not have put on as much weight she is putting on a similar amount each week, maybe that is just all she needs? My ds put on 10-12 oz every week when he was born and then when dd came along she only managed 4 oz a week. She was 8lbs 8 born, so not a small baby, but she just didn't seem to need/want any more than that and nothing I did could change it. I was really lucky in that my hv was very supportive and basically just said, 'she's designed by nature to be little', as long as she was making a regular growth they were fine with it. It did worry me, especially as she was born on the 75th percentile and made her way gradually to the 25th, but that's just who she is. At 4, she still isn't a big eater. Try not to worry too much as being stressed won't help with the bfding, you are doing a fantastic job.

Had 38 week MW apt today:-
Everything normal and baby is in a good position.
MW reckoned I'm 3/5 engaged (so 3/5 of the head still palpable above pelvic brim) but did say that the head can pop in and out a bit with 2nd babes. So sometimes it may feel heavier than others.
She also thought the baby would be about 8lb.

I'm feeling really excited even though there are no imminent signs. Hoping that DD2 won't be as late as DD1 was.

Must go DD1 frustrated; trying to put a nappy on her teddy bear...

Ktpie - have done my shopping online for a year and it is fab, we are 30 mins from our local supermarket and just saves so much time, still get meat from local butchers.

Makecakes - glad things are settling down.

Neenz - if you put a shout out on the breastfeeding topic for Tiktok or Hunkermunker thaye are a huge source of information help and encouragement.

Afternoon all.

Have not been on as, debs I have been swimming! Had a show ten days ago myself so I hope it is ok. I thought it was just if your waters break as well.

good luck paro! sa glad you managed to get out and got a bargain P&T - bonus!

Should be getting our moses basket tomorrow which we're borrowing from my best friend. V excited about it. DH is unfazed but I know when he sees how weeny it is he'll come over all gooey

PP don't want to scare you but when was the last time you were scanned? The shape of bump you describe sounds just like mine and my LO is breech (as you've no doubt registered from my constant whinging). It was missed by three v experienced midwives (including one of 30+ years practising who palpated me the day before the scan while explaining how a breech baby would feel different from mine ) and two consultants. Can you get yourself to the day clinic to check? It is easier to miss that the medics would have you belief and wouldn't want you to have a nasty surprise on your delivery day...

re shopping did a mega supermarket shop this morning so now the freezer is full of food and I feel a lot happier we will be fed when LO arrives! Still need to sort out my labour snacks bag - any suggestions? I think debs posted a list a couple of weeks ago but can't find it. Ideally I need things that will keep so that I don't need to keep restocking.

38 weeks today and really can't believe it. Feel ENORMOUS and looking forward to not being pg and being a mum at last! (not in that order...)

Hope you're all well