Due July 2008 - The thread where we either all have our babies or talk our way through another one LOL

[Kaz1967]

Starting again ladies? God we don't half talk LOL

Hey Disney, I'd celebrate the 4th with you! I'd love a nice proper hot dog or hamburger with lays potato chips and a coke please and fireworks yay!It's hard to be away sometimes isn't it? Thankfully I'm itching my arse off in cold damn weather. I'd be horribly miserable fighting this off in Texas.

I try to explain to my MIL what American Independence day is and she just sort of gives me a blank expression. She has it in her head it's the day we made all the British people leave America. Hmm, not exactly.

Ooh, I should get her one of those little kids coloring books on US History. I learned most of my Scottish history that way.

thats tonights dinner sorted

will buy the children burgers from m and s (sadly there is a food m and s minutes from my house!)

all in the name of America! did not know you were from the US disney - whereabouts and what brings you to lil ole England (scotland wales!)

Good morning everyone, and welcome Silver Sixpence!

Well, I'm now 2 days overdue. On the plus side, though, mw came round this morning and managed a successful sweep, said my cervix was low and effaced, and I was about 2cm dilated - much better result than Monday. (I think DH's help with the natural prostaglandins may have made a difference!) She reckons 50% of women would go into labour within 48 hours from this point, so here's hoping! At least if nothing comes of this and we do have to start talking induction come Monday, I now know that I have a decent Bishop's score, so with any luck would start just with ARM.

I second, by the way, going to a proper bra shop to be fitted rather than just being measured in Mothercare (or M&S or any big chain really.) You really do get a different level of service and much better results.

purplejennyrose - my DS has been very similar with episodes of pretending to be a baby (in between pretending to be a monkey or whatever!) He pretends to cry and says he needs a teething ring or a cuddle or a baby toy, or some milkie - then sometimes wants to see my boob and pretend to suck it (I don't let him for long - too sore!) Of course he still remembers nursing, as we only stopped just before Christmas, when he was over two, and sometimes he asks where the milk has gone and why doesn't he get it any more (he did self-wean, but prompted by my supply dropping drastically.) I've told him that if he still wants it when the milk comes back after baby arrives, then he may try, though I expect that he will have lost his suckling reflex after such a long break.

And Happy Birthday to Aggie's daughter! As well as Happy 4th July to the Americans!

butterfly im from georgia was going to go home but i only came back again in feb this year
im not knockin the uk here but i guess from the US we are a bit more patriotic and boy can we celebrate
mcchesers i have some Lays here
brought back a load from publix on the way to airport plus cheese and peanut crackers for the boys,and peter pan peanut butter
people must think im a bit crazy where i live as i have a big american flag on the front on my house and you dont get many uk ones on the houses do you
my dh built me a big back porch like back at home so i can go sit in the evening especially in summer its great
mcchesers the heat back home would be so bad for your itching
i have loads of people say to me i bet this heat kills you being so pregnant im like well no i like it
you just get so used to the hot hot weather dont you

thanks for all the welcome messages!

butterfly - it's going to be a girl, or at least that's what they told me at the anomaly scan! I still have a tiny doubt in my mind but have bought everything in girly colours so they can't be wrong

mcchesers - well my feet are a bit itchy but not my hands so much - also arms and legs so it doesn't sound so much like obstetric cholestasis..i will mention at my antenatal appointment tho because they're going to have to repeat my blood tests anyway. No rash tho at least.

btw, with bras, i bought some from the figleaves clearance site - measured myself loads of times to check but ended up buying the bravado body silk bras which are S M L XL so didn't matter. They are AMAZINGLY comfortable - i've been wearing them ever since!

VALUABLE INFORMATION*

1. It is quite common for baby girls to have a mini-period a few days after they are born. shock It is a withdrawal bleed from the exposure to all the hormones in the womb.

(My friend told me this when she had a DD, otherwise I would have been frantic when it happened to my DD) RUMPEL

1. When your milk comes in (about 3 days after birth) they will be enormous, hot and rock hard. This extreme discomfort coincides with a happy hormone drop so don't be surprised if you spend the day sobbing. You'll feel better soon! ISAIDNO

1. Do not buy disposable paper knickers and maternity sanitary pads for after the birth, they are really uncomfortable. Instead buy some really cheap supermarket pants and Always nighttime pads. You can then throw away the cheap pants. sweetkitty

4 There are very few musts in either pregnancy or child rearing. Treat all childcare and pregnancy advice like a pick and mix counter take what works for you and ignore what does not. KAZ

1. The Lochia starts immediately after birth for which you require some form of sanitary pads. You may continue to experience pains similar to period pains for a couple of days after and possible pass a largish clot. This happened to me (the size of a small side plate) and I panicked thinking it was an undeveloped twin. After speaking to my midwife this is quite common (she'd had one the size of a dinner plate - I don't mean to alarm anyone!) but I had absolutely no idea what was happening and felt extremely scared until I'd received clarification. Best to save the evidence and show to MW or HV. Libraladyxx

1. Try and stay in hospital as long as possible, esp. until Milk comes in and your Baby blues start! As once you get home, thats it!!!! Also, try and see as many visitors in the hospital as possible, so you don't have to entertain them yourself at home! Jodie x

1. Do not wear expensive new nightwear or slippers when you are in hospital. The first time you stand up after giving birth, you will 'flood' a bit as the lochia will have pooled while you are lying down. And don't be embarrassed about it - the mws aren't! Poledra

8 Leading on form the last one you often can often flood when breastfeeding/expressing the number of poor Mums in tears I have had to borrow pads for from the wards white trousers are often not a good fashion look when you do

1. Really no point worrying in advance about embarrassing indignities during labour - you honestly will not notice or care what you do or how you behave when the day comes. Also, wear something during labour that you are happy to throw away. You may not feel like wearing it afterwards, even when it's washed.

10. If you get the chance before the baby is born (and your nesting takes full hold) cook loads of beef or quorn mince/onions/tomatoes and freeze it in take away tubs. When your new arrival appears all you've dp has got to do is boil some rice or pasta, defrost mixture and add mixed herbs or chilli beans for a really quick and relatively nutritious meal. You honestly will not want to cook.- Minkus

11. Buy Toni and Guy's dry shampoo from Boots or Batiste's version (much cheaper but not quite as good) from Superdrug. On those days post birth when your hair really needs washing but you are exhausted, and you need to leave the house but are worried that folks will think you've lost it because of the oil slick in your hair- these products are amazing and will make your hair totally presentable.- Minkus

12. I really think you can't cuddle them too much. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about wanting to pick your baby up all the time if thats what makes you both happy.- Minkus

13. If you have stithes down below or are even just feeling a bit bruised, get some super strength Arnica, also for at least a fortnight after giving birth have a bath every day with lavender oil in it. It's great for healing and preventing infection plus the lavender is really soothing. It's important to get even half an hour me time (especially if you have other DC). SWEETKITTY

14. Be prepared to spend the first few weeks sitting feeding your baby a lot (if BFing), have phone, drink, snacks to hand. I am also planning on renting some good films and DVD box sets for cluster feeding in the evenings. (I have lovely memories of feeding DD2 in bed with a good movie on). sweetkitty

15. Don't get worried if your baby doesn't poo every day, or even every other day, just be warned of the smelly explosion when it does happen. JODIE x

16. On the subject of poo (mm lovely) the first few poo's are akin to tar (very, very thick and sticky!), so try putting vasaline on babies bottom at each nappy change to make it easier to scrape off! JODIE x

17. If you don't manage breastfeeding or go onto bottles later on, make sure you invest in an avent milk holder. Fill your bottles with water as normal and take out and place the measured amount of milk in as and when required. Saves worrying about milk 'going off' when out for a day (especially in the hot weather). Water alone in a bottle won't go off. I found this was the best thing I bought. Libralady.

18. You?ll be AMAZED at how swollen your undercarriage is ? no-one tells you that. I thought it was my stitches but it was my bits It is okay though, sounds worse than it is.

19. Make sure you take loads of fruit (maybe even lactulose into hospital with you in case you are in for a few days and have drugs in labour). My DH went home with mine and the hospital had NO fruit/veg/salad and served up horrid salty food. Ended up with horrific constipation and had to get the Dr out a few days after birth

20. Following on from last point - fruit somoothies seemed to work well for me in first couple of days - you really want the first post-birth poo to be as easy as possible!!

21. Dare I say it...breastfeeding might well hurt to start with but this won't last forever and it is so worth it!

22. OK another one with TMI - especially if you push for a while, you may well have bad piles - do ask the midwives for treatment, not worth being embarressed! Also second lavender in bath - pref with epsom salts - brill for healing bits and bottom!

23. I carried a spare top with me for first few weeks as boobs would leak hugely at the most unexpected moments - particularly in Tesco for some reason... SHORTSHAFE

24. Hormones do strange things to you - dd was born in October and I found my internal thermostat was haywire - i perspired massively all of the time - to the point that my hair was wet (yuck yuck yuck) until she was about 2 weeks old. SHORTSHAFE

25. Babies can fire poo explosive distances - IME around 4ft! be prepared and buy carpet shampoo/carpet stain remover before the birth! SHORTSHAFE

26. Sometimes it is painful to pee after delivery jug of warm water containing few drops of lavender oil poured over your bits while trying to pee can help. If it does not it sounds disgusting but pee in the bath. KAZ

27. After an hour and twenty minutes, if still attached, your baby is not feeding anymore, s/he has fallen asleep! 40mins would be my maximum, and the sooner both of you can learn to feed lying down in bed, soooo much the better for night feeds and your sanity. Min912

28. If you feel hot&cold and a bit 'under the weather' plus perhaps one breast is a bit sore, it's not just post-birth knackeredness, you quite probably have mastitis. Don't panic, feed or pump on the affected side (I found pumping after a feed reduced the pressure), use a hot flanel, if it doesn't get better see the doctor. Min912
    28a mastitis normally effects 1/4 of a breast If practical (because it depends what 1/4 it is) try and feed baby so their bottom jaw is on that 1/4 this can help move the blockage which is usually the initial cause. As long as there are no medical reasons why you should not take most midwives recommend Ibuprofen as pain relief for this. Kaz

29. At some point you will very probably find yourself thrusting the baby at your DH/DP the minute they come in the door and running off to throw yourself on the bed in tears because you've had a mare of a day. This does NOT make you a bad mum, it means you are human. Tomorrow will be better, honest. Min912

Great advice rumple!

vaseline on the bums why didnt i think of that cos usually as im trying to get it of they wee all over you

Hi All,

Welcome SIXPENCE.

Amazing lightening and huge thunder storm here last night - then monsooned. Was lovely and fresh but now I am boiling and sweaty!

I did actually sleep for a full 4 hour strecth last night so feel a bit refreshed today.

Also I finally got my Degree certificate today feels abit unreal still as it has taken me so long! I would love a glass of champers to celebrate but hey ho.

Am of all you lot with imminent signs.

This bubba just spends ages battering me - it is quite sore now actually.

This is my second and I have no idea if bubba is enagaged or not - sometimes it feels like it then it doesn't He/she is back to back though and they keep whacking against my left groin ligaments and nerves - my leg goes dead!

JODIE - how is your voice box?

I am with you SWEETKITTY - I haven't been out for ages (not even for Empire biccies) and just cannot face it at all. Just want bubba to arrive now. I take it you had to examine the cheeses as part of your food scientology? Hee hee - you don't think of people being employed to do that. I love feta and red leicster.

RE WAXING - yes always trim your undercarriage - makes it easier for the therapist and less sore for you. If you go for a bikini wax and they don't attempt to trim (and you need it) before applying the wax - leave! Unprofessional and will make it very sore for you!

Well am off to chill as DD is having her afternoon kip - thank God it is Friday and Dh will be home to help all weekend. I used to look forwards to weekends as I would go out or shop or whatever - Now I look forward to them as DH is home and can help with childcare!! How your life changes

DISNEY - glad to hear you and Dh are getting on well now - hormones make you a bit bonkers sometimes! Happy Independence Day - I would love to oblige you with a bubba born today - my DD was born on the 4th of Oct so would be nice to have them both the same day IYSWIM.

We are looking at getting a new car - have discounted the mini clubman now but DH was thinking an Audi A3 hatchback for me. he has a beamer but it is just too big for me - it has a parking sensor thing but it feels HUGE.

Well am off - hurry up and produce more babies everyone

JACOBS - not me - all of us added to it - I just had to trawl back through to retrieve it - I thought it would help the newbies as there are quite a few now.

rumpel me and dh are gettin on better the thing was he was unfaithful to me many years ago literally and in the end we decided to give it another go as we had dc together
i always said i would fogive but never forget
as soon as i was pg i dont know what happenend i found out had met someone else during his travels at work he claims it was work related my mind went into overdrive i accused him of everything
tbh i still dont trust him but its my insecurity not his
in his job being a long distance lorry driver i went to his yard once and had to wait for him i coudnt believe what i was hearing ok now i know i was naive really he works in a place where the men are crude the women to actually pin ups all over the walls to me disgusting to him he says he dont notice its just work
i was an english lecturer working in colleges uni,s etc....different environment i guess
but we have found a happy medium now he com e home sometimes and swears im like your not at work now hun
his work mate think im a snob as i wont go the pub with them he doesnt either though
i have never been in one i dont smoke or drink and cant be around rowdy tipsy people im such a quiet person
so to cut a long story short we clashed at first and after 10 years hes more like me than ever but when i gt pg i always imagine he secretly want to go out and do stuff like that an i hold him back hes always trying to tell me otherwise
yeah crazy hormonal wife or what !!!!

sleepycat, know exactly how you must feel. Just waiting around like a hippo. I'm telling you this wee boy is hea-vy. I can't imagine 2 more weeks of this. I'd go mental.

I slept all morning and afternoon and now I have the dreaded task of finding something to eat.

Disney- They've been building a Quiznos over by Glasgow Central Station for what seems like months. I could do some serious damage to a jar of peanut butter right now too. I would love to go out and eat tonight but am really too frightening to look at. I'd have to wear long denims and a long sleeve blouse. The heat is nothing compared to what I'd be suffering back home. My mom found a snake that had given up the ghost on her second story back porch of her apartment. When it's too hot for a snake..it's too hot for anyone.

So need to tidy the house, but really would like to just sleep for another 18 hours.

Rumpel - we must have got the rain and thunder before you, very wet today but so clammy still, am really hot. Congratulations on getting your degree cert. I wouldn't go out if it weren't for the nursery run, it's just too much effort with walking and the 2 DDs, feel so sorry for them but it's DP's last day at work for at least 3 weeks maybe 4 so he will be on call, I so know what you mean I love weekends as it means he does everything

I was a food microbiogist bit different to food science, I did hygiene audits which were great crawling around cold factories at 4am making sure they had cleaned them properly. I have been to loads of lovely places in Europe and seen none of them, it was airport-hotel-factory-airport most of the time as you can imagine I am very fussy when it comes to food now.

This waiting game is maddening isn't it, only advice I can offer is once the baby is here you will forget all about this time and it will seem all worth it.

MW came round earlier with new suction thingie as the other one was broken and she wasn't happy with it, we have decided Monday would be a good day to have the baby, still a week to DP's birthday so would have a week between them all and she's on call. Apparently MWs are all excited about who is going to deliver me, I think it is so much nicer than just being another woman in labour in a hospital with a poor overworked MW running between all the women, sorry.

Congratulations Rumpel on degree cert! Am very , one day i will finish!

Well has bad night (again) lots of false? contractions every 20mins or so for about 21/2 hours, fell asleep at 5am and been ok since, had a few on and off but think they are BH!

DH informed me last night that if i went into labour he wasn't sure if he would be able to come with me as he has a sore throat and they might not let him in the maternity unit , in my slightly nervous state i admit to yelling what a selfish b***d he was . Don't think he really thought about it before it came out of his mouth. (he is not that ill by the way, has man flu!)

sorry i meant to say earlier well done rumpel
how rude am i today?
i just seem to be busy a lot this weekend no exception

Mummywannabee - men eh? I think they engage mouth before brain a lot and it's not a good thing when in close proximity to a heavily pregnant woman.

I said to DP I was feeling a bit anxious about the birth, why? he said

When I was in labour with DD1 he told me off for making too much noise and could I quieten down a bit (lucky he was not in A&E getting the gas and air pipe removed from around his neck)

My friends DP asked her during transition why she was crying

Anyway mine has just phoned and said we can have some Chinese takeaway tonight to celebrate him going on holiday - yey no cooking!

Am I the only one here who thinks that if evolution really worked then a show would be blue and waters would be orange/smell of rose petals so we would know what was happening down there rather than just wondering if it was extra discharge/sweaty/incontinence?

Welcome sixpence.

Hi Everyone and welcome sixpence!

I had a recommendation to see an osteopath who specialises in SPD and pregnancy and have just got home. He was fabulous...I am all strapped up but feel a little lighter. I have been searching for a good one for so long. He told me to be careful overusing the wheelchair as the jarring you get going over bumps/DH running onto things etc. can be just as bad for your pelvis/spine as walking and taking some of that weight.

DH has come home with chicken pieces and some curry sauce in a jar and rice. He seems very proud, but it is the last thing I feel like but I am so proud of him for taking the initative that I am going to down a zantac just so I can eat it.

Isn't it strange, it does not matter how many births you have had you always feel so scared. I think with every bit more i know the more fear I have. Plus the dreams I am having do not help. Is anyone having terribly disturbed dreams about their unborn babies? I really hope not. I wonder what it really means on a subconscious level? Or is it just pure hormones?

Ha, like in a nappy/feminine hygiene advert!!

My irrational/rational reasoning for thinking nothing is going to happen for the next few days:

• horrible midwife goes on holiday for 2 wks from monday
• DH's birthday is monday, need to get that out of the way
• DH is on a course tuesday/weds, and if I drag him out of it then doubtless he'll just have to repeat it at some future date, so might as well be now
• Friend's birth pool that we borrowed has a puncture (aarrrrghhh - I'm almost entirely positive it wasn't us, but am really hoping she doesn't get too angry) so we need to find it and fix it first!

So thursday onwards is good for me!!

oh yes and well done Rumpel! (where is my head?)

i have just been offered a quinny buggy with cosytoes rain cover bag and basket and the carrycot no car seat though for £250 i have no idea if this is a good price at all its 11 weeks old
good price or not?

Hmmmm Libra...

Yes forgot to also say congrats Rumpel - quite an achievement especially while pregnant!

Oh and happy 4th July Mcchesers and disney! So are you both in UK forever or are you just following your DD/DP for work?

Welcome to silversixpence and well done to Rumpel.
No niggly pains today, lots of BH's, just soooo bored not being able to go out or do anything, feel very isolated and depressed. DH has been working late a lot and is coming home having to cook and clean, very frustrating for us both!
Been trying to sleep this week but can't manage more than 90 mins at once, stopped taking the codiene as it left me really spaced out the next day.
OK moan over. Hope you're all ok.