Due July 2008 thread - The Final Stretch!

[LikerabbitsBX]

Just thought I would start a new thread! x

peanut! hope everything goes smoothly! thanks luke for letting us know . . . .
i am getting impatient myself!!! i am 35 plus 1 today so only two weeks til full-term right???

just had chiropractor session - i never feel great afterwards and find the whole experience a bit intense but it must be doing some good. i prefer the massage therapist at work - she has the perfect balance of intensity and soothing moves. she worked out some horrid knots yesterday. i am thinking of going to her privately.

anyway, told chiropractor about my increasingly painful pubic bone and she saids its the way i get up from bed. i still try and spring up as normal but i have to do this roll-on-side, swivel legs together and push up on elbow and arm move!!! so complicated when you're busting to wee . . .

pigley - sorry about your fruitless shopping trip but yum - milkshake. made me really fancy one now. i went looking for a healthy salad after my session but happened on mexican takeaway and stuffed myself with nachos smoothered in gooey cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole and washed down with a coke! must have looked like such a piggy - sitting in the window seat on my own - wolfing that down!

is anyone else having weight fluctuations? i have gone down a kilo and a half again today.

Just popping in to say hope everything goes well for Peanut, and very impressed by dh logging in to let us know the news.

Agree with isaidno's assessment of number of nappy changes. Would just like to say don't stock up too much on newborn sizes as they do tend to grow out of them fairly quickly. And watch out for the cunning trick whereby the nappy manufacturers decrease the number of nappies in the pack as the size goes up - so you will end up paying more per nappy as they get older.

By the way, the research finding about washables vs disposables was quite flawed, as it assumed you would use a tumble dryer to dry the nappies (which is hardly very eco-friendly). There's a good summary article on them here on Times Online.

I used washables with ds1 when we lived in a very small flat with no tumble dryer. The best ones I settled on were stuffable nappies as they are very similar to disposables to put on (so dp, nursery and other occasional carers didn't run a mile when seeing them) and you can separate the outer shaped nappy bit from the inner absorbent bit so they both dry quite quickly. It was all quite manageable but he was over 1 by the time I went for it... so I wasn't washing piles of nappies every day, and had already contributed a fair bit to landfill. Also if you go for shaped nappies as I did in the end, they are more expensive so the cost difference shrink. And the breathable waterproof bits don't last for ever, so you can't necessarily hand them all down to the next baby. But I still felt fairly virtuous about not sending quite so much rubbish into landfill.

I would also say don't go for all-in-one washable nappies (especially Kushies) despite the hype as they often don't fit very well and they take bloody ages to dry. I was conned and probably still have a Kushies Ultra at home somewhere which cost about £8 and has pretty near zero resale value .

TJuice - that's the only way I can get out of bed now! The other one is that I sometimes roll out on to my knees and then push myself up. Neither are dignified.

I got stuck yesterday . We were eating dinner in front of the TV so I sat cross-legged between the sofa and the coffee table so I didn't have to bend over to eat. Then realised I couldn't get back up again and couldn't manouevre myself out. Very very embarrassing. DH had to grab my arms while I did a 50 point turn on my bum and then pulled me up.

I've been really craving milkshakes for a while, so yummy! I really should go shopping as there's nothing to eat in the house but I have a M&P order on the way and I'm terrified that it will turn up the second I leave the house.

Mummypig - that's what I'd heard about the research too. I think we're planning on using biodegradable disposables at first and then switching to reusables when it's a bit more manageable. I'd be really tempted by one of those nappy laundering systems so it's annoying there isn't one here (or at least, I think there is but my colleagues tried it and said it was so awful they switched to disposables). Luckily the recycling here takes biodegradable things, which is handy.

Swamped at work so haven't caught up with everyones posts but just wanted to say good luck to Peanut73 and I will be sending her good vibes. Thanks for letting us know Luke.

Blimey i lay down on the sofa for a bit then wake up hours later!

Poledra - ML wil be here before you know it. Im actually thinking i feel more tired being at home than i did at work! Not that i wanna go back though!

TJuice- re weight. Ive now officially put on a stone and i really notice it. I know most of it is bump but i feel heavier in myself.

Then again Mc donalds doesnt help!

I feel guilty about all the nappies I've sent to landfill, so I've got washables this time - all sorts, mostly 2nd hand. I will just use disposables for the first week. I've got 3 packs and then it's washable all the way. Can't help thinking about all the money I could have saved if I'd bought washables on baby number 1, instead of waiting for 3!

I think it is very hard to ignore the constant advertising from huggies and pampers; and they suck you in with vouchers and free gifts!

Hi All,

MR PEANUT - give her our love and hope wee baby is well when he/she is born. Was it her hind waters or her front waters do you know?

RE NAPPIES - moltex ones tend to leak a bit, the anture babycare ones are good - I use them for DD when out and about and at night.

My preference is tots bots (made in Scotland) nappies - I prefer nappies where you use a nippa as I hate the way the velcro sticks togther in teh washing machine. I also like bamboozles but they take longer to dry and liitle lambs are good too. I am going to use musling for the first week or so and some disposables and then I have these shaped terry ones I used for DD when she was new. I like velcro wraps best though as poppers can be a bit fuutery. Motherease airflow are the best and tots bots.

I put the aroma oil in the conditioner bit of the machine.

POLEDRA - not too long to go.xxx

RE PRAM PRACTICE - you could get one of those 'newborn' dolls and take her/him for a spin

I watched the 13 kids thing today - very lazy day as my pelvis is sore from tripping up last night. That lady form Scotland looked really young for having so many kids! Poor Asian woman - he needs a reality check - Allah send him some kidney stones please so he may empathise (a little) with his wife. And that van looked like a hazard not too mention how minging the house looked - no sheets on the mattress! Bleurgh - big families are all very well but you need to be able to provide basic standards for them - ie quality of living conditions.

I have got a tattoo on my hip - first 1 - it's a bit naff TBH. A crescent moon and stars. Then I designed one myself for my upper arm - I like it it is unusual and colourful and personal to me. It is my name in Teeline shorthand. Then I got a big one on my lower back of a pentogram with Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal symbolism on the points and yin/yang in the middle - again designed myself. I also have a beauty spot spot tattooed on . The sorest piercing was my lower lip - made my eyes water - tongue and nips was fine - apart form the bruising and swelling afterwards.

Well must go as DD is pulling apart the blue tack and squashing it into the floor!

Take care allxxx

KAZ - where are you?
MONKEY - still thinking of youxxxx
CLIC - hope your getting better quick xxx

Not caught up with thread but had to share this before real post- I am sitting here in floods and floods of proper tears because I've just finished watching the Disney/Pixar film "Cars" with ds. Never seen it all the way through before (ds not really that interested til today but he's still under the weather so has just wanted cuddles and tv today ) and the ending caught me a bit unawares! DS asked why I was crying and I couldn't actually get the words out! How sad of me! Its formulaic Disney rot fgs

Awww Minkus! What is the ending? I've watched most of the film (several times) with my nephew but always miss the end.

I cry at everything too at the moment, although I've always been a bit like that. I still can't watch 'The Lion King' after it upset me as a kid. I can't handle 'Toy Story' either (especially the second one where they throw out the childhood toys )

Rumpel - thanks for the tips on the nappies! We're still fluctuating about what to do but it's good to know what brands are good. The tattoos sound fab!

Luke - hope everything's going well!

Wow best wishes to peanut! gosh makes it all the more real doesn't it.

Last day was lovely, very spoilt. Was a little sad to leave, mostly about missing the kids.

Hope everyone is well.

Wow, Just caught up, but tea will be ready in a min, so no time for post really, just a quick one to say PEANUT I'm thinking of you and hope everything is OK.... Thanks Luke for keeping us all informed!

Ok, doing my best to keep 'caught up'

Peanut - Good luck, hope you are meeting your little one soon and they are happy and healthy.

Jodie - my labour was sooo similar to yours it sounds. I had contractions for about two days starting with/mainly backache (and then established labour of 19half hours ! not as bad as it sounds as I had a lovely mobile epidural ). Are you going for a growth scan soon? The registrar at the hospital yest measured me at 26cm but the midwife had measured 30cm... got to go for growth scan when back from hols - am pretty sure everything's ok tbh though (he is moving around constantly)

Heffa - Am very much looking forward to Cornwall - we are staying on a farm in Bodmin.
In fact, I am hoping we will fit in a sneaky mcdonalds/burger king on the way [blush and even more so, now you've mentioned it, Pigley...

Gillythekid, where are you in Hackney? We are in Stoke Newington. I use disposables but aim/ed (once dd was about 3 mths or something) to use at least one reusable a day. In reality I did more but it took pressure off for me. I just bought standard terries and wraps and dry indoors, no tumble drying here. Nature nappies are fine and about same price as other brands but once they get bigger they become a lot more expensive... As for how many it depends how slovenly you are . Dd has never got through the amount they quote (although there are the annoying poo-in-the-clean-nappy-you-have-just-put-on-moments).

Just wanted to ask how do you measure? Not been measured at all and would like to do a guestimate so helpful hints would be most welcome. Taxxx

Mr Peanut thank you so much for keeping us updated- we're all thinking of the three of you x

Kitty- chaps just don't get how inconvenient pregnancy is do they? I get "told off" for disturbing dh too, like I want to be awake myself! Tut.

TJuice asking your mum to stock up on the anusol just in case can't be a bad idea (esp now you've put your Danish lessons on hold, you might walk out of the chemists with something for blocked up ears otherwise ) And will get some pics up soon, will have to wait until dh is back though as I don't know where he's put the cable to download photos from my phone

Re: my 1 tattoo (not as badged up as Rumpel ) it's on my back and I had it done when I had my 1 whole week of rebelliousness at 18 (yes I was a girly swot and sooo wish I had got up to more trouble when I was younger, it really was about a weeks worth of tomfoolery and that was that) - I have never regretted it for a second as I love the look of shock on folks faces when they realise that I have a tattoo. I obviously don't fit the stereotype they all have of "someone with a tat". Whatever that is of course. Am far too boring and suburban obviously- particularly funny when I'm out with the younger guys at work, if I'm wearing a strappy vest they are all amazed that I've got one. Gits.

Didn't see the 13 kids programme grrr forgot it was on. Brain=sieve.

Heffa- what were your bloods being taken so often for? Can't remember, sorry! And apologies but I did laugh a teeny bit at you getting stuck between the sofa and table - did your m&p order arrive?
(And the ending to "Cars": Lightning McQueen is about to win the Piston Cup, but the reigning champion and all round good egg older car has a monster crash (in the style of the old race car from Radiator Springs) and L McQ decides that it is more important to go and help his friend cross the finish line than to be the champion. I bawled as much as my son, but he was crying because Lightning didn't win bless his cottons. 3 year olds are obviously not quite old enough to process the poigniancy of giving up fame and fortune for the good of one's soul )
I do cry quite easily at films but even more so at song lyrics- there are so many songs that I turn off when they come on the radio because they just make me cry (the worst are "Wires" by Athlete, "Drugs don't work" The Verve, "Almaz" Randy Crawford "Mr Brightside" The Killers - actually pretty much anything by them by God he's got an amazing talent for honest words)

Pigley I've put on a stone now too (which is shocking considering I'd lost 1.5 stone at one point because of hyperemesis)- and understand what you mean about feeling heavy. Swimming the other day was so lovely, really noticed the difference when I got out of the pool I felt really "dragged" down by the bulk of me.

Well thats me spent! Sorry for long post feel bad for missing folks out too everyone has so much news I can't remember it all! x

Rumpel they get a measuring tape and start the measurement at the top of your pubic bone, then go vertically over the bump to the top of your uterus. In theory it should be in cms the same as your pregnancy in weeks so 32 wks =32 cms etc but in practice it's quite often a bit out.

Umlellala welcome back! Hats off to you if you can keep up with all the posts I bloody well can't

Umlellala No growth scans for me, everything seems normal, both the MW and the lady who did y 4d scan last week said that baby seemed biggish, but nothing to worry about, he had proper chubby arms and shoulders! (DS was only 7lb 4oz, so I think I can cope with alittle bigger, but not much!)

DS was back to back (or OP) which is why I had contractions for 2 days, he was obviously struggling to get down the pelvis, but on the Friday morning (they had started Weds Morning) I was still only 4cm so they broke my waters, then he just slipped out, established labour was 5 hours. I did it with just a tens machine (I had Pethadine but it was shit, and it meant DS struggled with BF, no I won't be using that again!) then once I got to 7cm they gave me G & A, FABULOUS, the I had DS in the pool... I know it sounds horrible, but it was fine, honestly, I can remember most of it like it was yesterday and I'm a big wimp! So I reckon you lot can do it!

Wow I'm a bit behind but...in brief...
Peanut and DH - lots of luck and all the best, really hope all OK. Thinking of you all.
Rumpel - many many congratulations!!
Cilc - hoping you feel better soon - must be so frustrating and difficult.
Said this before somewhere - but for piles, ask midwife for 'Proctosedyl' on prescription - it is much faster acting than other creams and has anaesthetic in!
We've always used Nature nappies and love them, though my friend says they leak - her son is quite tall and slim, our daughter is tall but really quite a podgkin -so it does depend on baby.
Well I saw physio for pelvic thing again yesterday and she's given me crutches - feel a bit depressed about that!! On plus side it has shocked DH and my Mum into suddenly rallying round and helping more. I now feel worried about options for the birth though and possible risks for further / long-term damage. Homebirth or elective c-section are my current favourites in my head!! Anyone any thoughts??

Wow so much to catch up on had a real wobbly day today.

Peanut/MrPeanut - hope everything goes alright for you all, keeping everything crossed x

poledra - I am the same nothing really sorted for the baby yet, must start to get my butt in gear although we have most things it's just a case of sorting it all out and newborns only need some warm clothes/nappies and mummies boobs really.

My experience of nappies, I started on reusables with DD1 at 8 months, we had a good number of different ones, I loved Fuzzi Bunz (stuffables ones) but even with two inserts they were only lasting less than 2 hours, DD1 is a very heavy wetter. Tots Bots were best overall IME. When I was pregnant with DD2 we had a house move from hell and with one thing and another we went back to disposables, I stupidly sold my collection of nappies some had only been used once or twice I had about 20 odd (fuzzi bunz in lovely colours, tots bots, rainbow bots, bamboozles, bumbles and motherease and wraps) silly silly decision as once things had settled I could have used them with DD2 saving a tonne of money, I haven't had the heart (or cash) to replace them I could have usd them on this one as well triple .

Rumpel - I agree you can't go wrong with tots bots and motherease wraps. I was also with the state of that house. I am not being funny but you wouldn't have let a dog sleep on that bed.

Umlellala - I'm measuring about 35cms by measuring myself and I'm 33 weeks, I know they have to keep an eye on the babies growth but sometimes I think it can cause more harm than good in that it causes stress and worry unnecessarily, the number of people I have been told were told to expect a 10lb baby and they got all worried and out popped a 7lbs one.

purplejennyrose - ouch about the crutches, I have been always worried about needing them, I just couldn't function with them and have no one around to help. Theres been a few threads on here recently about writing birth plan to include managing SPD. I've been lucky so far it's never been and issue in labour or giving birth and the pain has gone almost immediately after the baby is out. Fingers crossed for you too.

Sorry if I missed anyone out theres too much happening on here now

good (very early) morning!

i have insomnia again. partly uncomfy and partly because when i wake up to wee, i get all excited about everything! its like i am anticipating all my christmases at once.then i start my new control freakish marriage planning countdown and list-making.

i think we have got permission to double-barrell our names (weird Danish system doesn't always let you, particularly if you are not native danish). Which is weird and overly-long but its a compromise situation. My dp was married beforein his early twenties and I didn't want to be Mrs Harrison #2. So I would have just kept my own but we both wanted the baby to have our surnames. So childish! So we decided to try to all have the same name. I hope it works out . . .They are also a bit funny about christening "foreign" names here. There is an official list of allowed names but I think being "foreign" anyway will help us get the names we want.

purplejenny - sorry to hear about the crutches - i bet its the last thing you need right now. but great that people are rallying round and its really not that long to go (relative to the whole pregnancy, if you know what i mean)
sweetkits - what do you mean wobbly? physically or emotionally? either which way, hope today is a better day and that its a nice weekend in scotland.

minkus - lol at me miming piles to danish chemist! even if i don't get piles (which it seems is unavoidable) I heard that you can use pile cream on your eye bags! (shrinking tissue - a model's trick???) which we may all need in the months following the birth (no way am i putting grape cream under my eyes!)

heffa - hope you got your order (was it a pram?) and your milkshake. getting stuck - there's really not much dignity in being up-the-duff imo. first part was constant boaking and haggard with tiredness, middle part was just about okay but now its waddling, getting stuck, constant weeing, tears, unkempt lady gardens etc etc etc. just think though - similar things must have happened to J-Lo, the Queen, Nicole Ritchie, Nicole Kidman . . . .

Hi TJuice My first bout of insomnia is here! Was wondering how Peanut was getting on, I think she may well be in my local hospital as she only lives up the road.
Not long to go now till your wedding eh? It's no wonder you're unable to sleep, so many exciting things happening at once! I hope your plans are going well and you're not too stressed.
I went to see my osteopath on Wed and felt like superwoman yesterday so cleaned and hoovered the whole house, God am I paying for it now! My back really seized up last night and my hips are SO painful that I can't sleep! Astride the birthing ball as I type. Bleedin SPD, look forward to being 'normal' again in a matter of weeks!

Peanut - all the very bst to you and DH. Thinking of you!!

Well had growth scan yesterday and LO is rather large - way over 95th centile....have to be scanned again in 2 weeks. I'm much happier though because Lo is fine and healthy and moving lots and the amount of fluid is normal - so nothing to indicate early labour...just maybe a tougher one if LO is big.
Worried though that they will say no home birth....but I intend to resist. My last labour was 50 minutes start to finish and the hospital is 40 mins away...so I would rather deliver big baby at home with midwife rather than in the car with dh...

Hope everyone else is well this morning xx

Peanut73
Thinking of you hun OMG cant beleive it's started.. All the very best to you and lo and DH...

It will take an age to catch up with you lot! Have been busy with lo's for the past 2 days...
Nothing to report from here.. Hope you are all well and babys are cooking nicley...

Minipink Does having a big baby necessarily make for a difficult delivery? I hope you don't get refused a home birth on those grounds, I'm worried about this too and intend to fight it all the way should it get to it! Good luck for next scan.

Umlellala - hope you have a fab time, I love Bodmin (we live in Devon so quite close)

Minkus - My bloods were being taken weekly because I have high blood pressure. No other symptoms of pre-eclampsia, but they wanted to keep an eye. It's been a bit of a saga of over-reaction to be honest, but seems to be settling down now. The ending to Cars sounds like a real killer, I'd be in tears for days over that. Maybe I shouldn't watch it just yet... I cry at songs as well. Pregnancy is the first time I've cried at TV adverts though

The getting stuck was quite funny, but I am looking forward to regaining some physical co-ordination at some point (I'm assuming this does happen afterwards?) Our sofa is really deep as well, so getting off that after lying down is fairly tricky too.

Purplejennyrose - sorry to hear about the cruthes but glad it's making DH and your mum help out more!

Tjuice - wow, Danish law sounds a bit complicated! Good luck with getting the names you want though. You must be getting so excited about the wedding!

Peanut/Mr Peanut - hope everything's going OK! Thinking of you.

My M&P order hasn't arrived yet - it's a wardrobe for the nursery! Apparently it's being delivered on Wednesday now. The pram is a Bugaboo Gecko in green which we're picking up next Tuesday so I can get used to using it. I didn't look at M&P prams because I didn't think there was a stockist down here but my Mum reckons there's a M&P shop - she wants to take me shopping for cute cot bumpers etc