Due Sept 08: The one where we pack our bags and write our birth plan.

[mamamufin]

I thought I would be brave

eandz i am keeping everything crossed for you that your baby stays happy inside for as long as possible.

yes, planning a HB but have not 'written' a birth plan yet. Have however written a stroppy letter to the Head of Midwifery in the Trust I come under. The team leader for my CMWs now has a better idea why I am adamant for a home birth. I have a thread in 'Childbirth' called 'Clever Childbirth people...' If you want to look up my scary birth story with DD1. Won't link it coz i am lazy and don't want to put off first timers too much.

OH, worth looking up if you are thinking of a HB though as there are some good links on there.

Debthescot - I got back from Iron Maiden a bit ago. It went very well - after trying a self-propel wheelchair on Thursday and realising it would only be useful as a walking frame, swapped it for a lightweight get-pushed one. And yesterday the physio gave me a support belt which reduces the pain when I toddle. So got to Waterloo by bus, got dropped somewhere and the signs for level access stopped nowhere, so I decided I needed to put the belt on over my clothes despite the naffness of it (they don't come in black!), got my ticket and lunch and met a friend-of-friend who could then push me. Managed to break the stairlift at Twickenham, or rather it didn't work, so had to climb up the banisters. I was not amused by the station guy saying it must be because I+chair were over the 31 stone weight limit! Half that at most!!

But then very smooth - all of us got to a pleasant pub, and then to the stadium, swapped 2 tickets for the wheelchair area, excellent gig, and then back to the station - although by that time the two people with me were both just a tad drunk, and I was codeined up, so they were shouting at people to get out of the way while I tried to shout and prod them with my stick before anyone else got sharp footplates in the ankles! Luckily it's level access to the return platform and the crowd control got me onto the train, and a couple random fans got me back to the concourse at Waterloo, so just had to get buses back (after putting the belt on again, this time hidden under a XXL Maiden T-shirt!) - again people helpfully got the chair on and off the bus.

I know I'll be tired tomorrow but thanks to the chair I'm no more tired than going to the hospital or antenatal class locally.

Scary bit is I only have 3 more things (all easier) in my diary before giving birth...

Hi all.

when i said i dont mind meeting in the middle i ment if any one from london wanted to meet up i dont mind driving half way i no eandz wants to meet up. but im easy i will just go with the flow

DS has a nice big purple lump on his forehead he fell and hit his head on the door frame ive never seen a lump so big it was like a golf ball thankfully he is fine and the lump has gone down.

Gosh ponymum that must of been abit scary seeing a cricket ball heading towards you.

eandz - at least they're all looking after you well, and monitoring you, fingers crossed you can hang on for as long as possible

notcitrus - sounds like you had a good night - it's amazing how rubbish the trains and tubes are for anyone with a wheelchair 9or buggy for that matter), and the staff aren't always that helpful either

I'm having a restful weekend, though the shocking state of the house is stopping me enjoying myself. The thing is there's so much to do, however long I spend trying to sort out, it doesn't make much impression, so it's very depressing. My answer seems to be do stop once I've done essentials like vacumming the biots of the floor I can still see, washing up, clothes washing. That's about it! Feel exhausted all the time from early rising and just keeping up with essentials, without taking on the mammoth tasks required.

P is being model dad this weekend. He took dd to father's group yesterday morning, then straight on to a bbq. I couldn't bear tp pretend to be a happy family so stayed at home. dd apparently had a lovely time til they did the hokey cokey, swung her up in the air, and then she started crying she'd hurt her shoulder. I went to meet them - she was sobbing if you even touched her shoulder,wouldn't move her arm, and told me she needed an ambulance! So took her to hospital (by bus though). Waited nearly an hour, then they wanted to weigh her - she was really crying at the idea of getting out of her buggy, still hadn't moved her arm in 2 hours - but when lifted out, she moved it without thinking, and lo and behold she was fine! So came home again. Now she and p have gone fishing (possibly bit ambitious for a 2.5 year old) before she goes to her grandma's for the rest of the day. I think I might go back to bed.

morning all

the builder hasn;t turned up today althought as it is sunday thought that the chances would be pretty slim

have looked at the weather and it says it will rain all next week - hope that doesn;t slow things up!!

dh has just made me a lovely bacon sandwich in bed and i'mjust waiting for my cupof tea

not sure what we will do today as it's wet and miserable out and i had a mad cleaning spree yesterday so not much to do inside - might see if dh wants to go to ikea although i have a feeling he would rather fullhis finger nails out with pliers

Morning all, i'm knackered again now just tackled the biggest pile of ironing imaginable, i felt refreshed this morn when got up after having 13 hrs sleep....i could do with another nap now

mustsleep the bacon sandwich sounds good

eandz it's good they are keeping a close eye...your in the right hands and they'll only do what they have to...take care x

Having a baby is really not an easy ride is it!!

starlight Maybe they only discuss things from 32 weeks here too?

I have got a book on homebirth which is very good and is advising me to write a letter to the hospital midwifery leader - thing is I will be under a different county for a homebirth so not sure which hospital to send it to!!

I'm not sure with the whole water birth thing - firstly we havent got much room and secondly I tried a bath in labour with ds and it didnt help....have ordered my rental TENS machine though.

Why cant you deliver the placenta in water?? Is it because they cant measure blood loss accurately in the water? Surely they would notice if you were bleeding excessively??? Its very frustrating how the "rules" differ from trust to trust - with seemingly no valid reasoning.

In laws not very happy with the HB idea and my parents know better than to try and talk me out of it Apparently my MILs cousin said "Oh, God, shes not one of those hippies who want a water birth is she?" !!!!!!

If you have really strong ideas about what you want - or more importantly - dont want then a birth plan is a good idea. I'm planning to go with the flow and see what happens.....a plan I may well regret!

becaroo i would write to the Head of Midwifery in your current trust and take a copy along with any response you may get to the first antenatal meeting you have when you move trusts so they can't say that they haven't got your file yet.

there are smaller birth pools for smaller areas. I will get a smaller one as i can't see anyone wanting to join me in it plus it means that i am closer to all the sides for any helpers, and i am petite anyway.

labouring in a pool is different from labouring in the bath. In the bath you can only recline. In the pool you can kneel and the water is still chest height. Being in an upright position is how we are cut out to labour. Not on our backs. hope i am not pointing out the obvious to you.

Oh man I'm panicking now...although I'm very mobile (as ponymum and mamamufin will testify!) I do have terrible pain in the front of my pelvic area - feels like my legs are struggling to stay attached. Some things like playing on the floor with dd, or climbing the stairs are absolutely fine, but walking any distance is getting more and more uncomfortable and I can't roll over in bed any more. But here's my dilema, I REALLY want a waterbirth - I laboured in the pool at York last time and didn't get to deliver in it, but want to this time. But if I 'fess up to my mw at 28wk appointment tomorrow that I think I have spd, then they might stop me having the waterbirth I want. So what should I do - put up and shut up for 12 weeks and hope I get a waterbirth, or get the treatment I need for the next 12 weeks and accept that I might have to deliver in bed (which I did do last time, although because it happened so quickly, not because I chose to).
Homebirth is absolutely definite not for me!
Appointment is 9:45 tomorrow...

On an unrelated note to the above post, Debi we've got dh's brother's wedding next weekend, and I started a thread called 'what have I forgotten to pack'. THe most useful responses I got were: maternity notes, and wedding gift! (which reminded me to buy a wedding gift, which we have now done!)

Hi guys
Another rainy sunday this end.
Carrieon you sound like me. I have started with the pelvic pain and got my referral thru with the physio yesterday. I just need to phone and make the appoint. However, I really like the sound of the birth pool now (after talking to u! ) would a spd diagnosis truly cancel it out though? Surely the water would make it more comfortable and less stressful on your pelvis . I will ask some questions when I phone up tomorrow and report back to you.
I wish I was brave enough for a homebirth but am a bit of a wimp and live miles away from the hosp.
I am off to my folks house this week as my sis is back from dubi for the week. Not sure if I will get time to post much and dodgy internet connections.
Deb my sis middle name is Kyra is that pronounced the same as ciara?

notcitrus so glad you enjoyed the Iron maiden concert! I am enjoying picturing you as you make your way across London in the wheelchair. My perspective on disabled access has changed so much since I now actually need it. I used to think there were dropped kerbs and automatic doors simply everywhere, but there SO AREN'T!! And just one little barrier like a heavy door or a step means you are just stuck unless you are with someone who can help. Quite humbling.

carrieon and mamamufin, my instincts tell me that surely water birth would be a good idea for SPD sufferers. It would take the weight off the joints, and you could actually get upright and comfortable.
OK, I have now just checked the guidelines sent to me by the Pelvic Partnership, and this does suggest you should consider water birth, as it says you can move freely and change position as you need to. Based on that I would go ahead and tell your MW, carrieon, and if you've got SPD it looks like this makes an even stronger case.

BTW, becaroo, cannot believe there are people who think wanting a water birth makes you a weirdo hippy. But nice to know I'm not the only one with relatives who should keep their opinions to themselves!

Arrivals!
28-May - Johnworf ? Katherine, 1lb 8oz
30-June ? KashaSarrasin ? DS2, 1.39kg

Counting down the days:
25-Aug - Excitable - age 31 - North Lancashire - first baby
30-Aug - Gracie14 - age 26 - Berkshire - BOY
31-Aug - Sassafrass - age 31 - east midlands - DD 3 - GIRL
31-Aug - Sunshinemummy - age 38 - SW London - DS 2.2m - GIRL
01-Sep - Talia1 - age 29 - Leeds/Buxton - 1st baby - GIRL
02-Sep - expatmom2be - age 28 - London - 1st baby - GIRL(?)
02-Sep - Fandango - age 31 - Cheshire - DD 11m
03-Sep - KashaSarrasin - age 38 - N Yorks - DS 3 - *Surprise!Boy?&
03-Sep - Debithescot - age 27 - North Hampshire - DS 25m - SURPRISE
03-Sep - Jenpet - Brittany, France - DS 6
04-Sep - Lollipopmother - age 26 - Oxford - 1st baby - GIRL
04 -Sep - Meglet - age 34 - North Hampshire - DS born Nov 06 - GIRL, planned c-section
06 Sep - Lilapple - age 37 - North London - first baby - surprise!
06-Sep - Potxola - Age 41 - Exeter - DS 3.6 - GIRL
6-09 Sep - Starlight - age 32 - Herts - DS 13m - GIRL
06-Sep - Kagey - age 30 - Kent - first baby - GIRL
07 - Sep - Leenie - age 36 - south london - 3rd baby
09-Sep - Hopefully - age 25 - West Sussex - first baby - Surprise!
09-Sep - Kirstygem - Norfolk - DD 19m
10-Sep - kiki21 - age 32 - Southeast London - first baby
10-Sep - Lollyheart - age26 - basingstoke - dd3,ds17 months - BOY
10-Sep - MrsElle28 - age 28 - Yorkshire - First baby - BOY
10-Sep - Workstostaysane - London - DD 17m
12-Sep - Mustsleep - age 27 - ds 6.8, dd 2.10 - yorkshire - BOY
12-Sep - Biglips - age 33 - Liverpool - DD3 - SURPRISE - girl???
13-Sep - Lulu15 - 1DC
13-Sep - mama2bee - age 34 - South London - first baby
13-Sep - mumiyumi-age 35- Warwickshire -DS 2.9 - suprise
13 Sep - notcitrus - first baby - South London - BOY
14-Sep - Crabby - first baby - Cambridge - GIRL
14-Sep - kel78 - age 29 - dd1 3, dd2 8
15-Sep - ellideb - age 24 - North Wales - 1st baby - BOY
15-Sep - Bogie - age 20 - DS2 - GIRL
16-Sep - BikeRunSki - age 37 - W Yorks - First baby - BOY
16-Sep - Surelyyoucantbeserious - age 30 - s. London - first baby
17-Sep - LumpyBumpyThingy - age 23 - W.Sussex - 1st Baby - GIRL
18-Sep - MelT76 - age 31 - Staffs - 1st baby - BOY
18-Sep - Becaroo - age 35 - ds aged 4 - derbyshire - BOY
18-Sep - mamamufin - age 28 - Yorks - DS 3 - BOY
19-Sep - barnpot - age 27 - west yorks - 1st baby - BOY
19-Sep - kiskidee - dd 3 - Durham. - - GIRL
19-Sep - LeonieD - age 31 - Sutton Coldfield - DD 4.2
19-Sep - Naturalblonde - age 28 - N. Somerset - DD 1.4
19-Sep - Lilypink - age 31 - Suffold - DD 19m
20-Sep - emandz - age 24 - NW London - 1st baby - BOY
20-Sep - imoscarsmum - age 35 - Cheshire/North Wales Boarder - first baby - Surprise!
20-Sep - izzybiz - age 31 - Winchester - DS 15, DD 3.8 - BOY
20-Sep - Jenbot - age 28 - Herts - 1st baby
20-Sep - Treadmillmom - aged 37 - West Midlands - DS1 5, DS2 2 - GIRL
21-Sep - Charitygirl - age 30 - SW London - first baby
22-Sep - jearund - age 35 - South West - DD 15 months - BOY
22-Sep - Luboo - age 31 - Hants - DD 14m
22-Sep - MummyToOneForNow - dd 14mths
22-Sep - Slinkiemalinki - age 31 - West London - dd 2.1 - BOY
22-Sep - kgirl - age 25 - 1st baby - Herts
23-Sep - digitalgirl - age 29 - North London - first baby
23-Sep - feelingpositive - age 31 - Edinburgh - DD 21m - GIRL
23-Sep - LouiseAnn - age 40 - Guildford - ds 8yo - BOY
23-Sep - Blimey - age 40 - South London - DS 5, DS 3 - BOY
24-Sep - Ninja - age 37 - Manchester - DD 4.5
26-Sep - MissusH - age 35 - S.Derbys - dd, 5.8
26-Sep - Pitufina - age 29 - 2nd baby - ds, 3.5 - surprise! - South wales
27-Sep - Inquisitive - age 31 - Berks - 1st baby - BOY
27-Sep - pidge - age 37 - London - 2 dds age 5.5 and 2.10 - Surprise!
27-Sep - Jennylindinha - age 36 - London - first baby - Surprise!
28-Sep - Carrieon - age 28 - York - dd 12 months - Surprise!-Boy??
28-Sep - LittleConnie - age 33 - West London - 1st baby - Surprise!
28-Sep - splishsplosh - age 37 - London - dd 2
29-Sep - WombFor1More - age 26 - Kent - DS 6, DS 4, DD 10months - BOY
30-Sep - Ninja - age 37 - Manchester - DD 4.5

carrieon I saw that thread and it did remind me about maternity notes so that was useful. Wedding present is done through gift list so don't have to worry about that. Hopefully I won't forget anything too important.

mamamuffin I'm not sure how you pronounce Kyra but if it is the same as Keira (Knightley) then it is the same as Ciara too. There are a few different ways to spell the same name.

notcitrus glad you enjoyed the gig, hope you're not aching too much today.

lollyheart Half way from Basingstoke to London would be good for me too for a meet up if there wasn't a separate London one. Not sure where best place would be and it'd have to be somewhere child friendly but if it's a Monday or Tuesday or any day once summer hols start then I'd be up for it,

Hello, not been around for a bit so thought I'd pop in, I can't believe there's another baby already!
Congrats Sasha!

I'd like to come to a meet up if there were any sort of nearby, but Basingstoke is the wrong side of London for me as I'm North of the city.

What news do I have? Hmm. Ooh! The baby had hiccups today!

kiskidee seeing the midwife on thursday so will have a word with her re: when the other midwives should be contacting me and where to send the letter....I laboured upright (well, sitting on a birth ball) the whole time with ds and would like to again....REALLY didnt like lying down or standing as I found it made it much more painful.

Who empties the pool though? Dont fancy THAT job

ponymum Thats nothing!!

My mum turned round the other day and told me that she thinks its best to have your children close together so they can grow up and play together (like my sisters children).

Didnt feel like pointing out that there will be a 5 year gap between my children because I lost 2 last year

My dad keeps making comments along the lines of "you are enormous!!" This from a man who is 3 stone overweight

My mum also informed me the other day that my dad had taken 2 weeks holiday on my due date so they can help me so to make sure I have the baby then I (not very politely) told her to cancel his leave as babies tend to come when they feel like it!

....dont get me started on the in laws!!!

Hi girls!
Nadal has just won. What a year for Spain!
Don't get me wrong, I am no expert. I kept for asking questions during the match, but it was really exciting!

I didn't sleep last night thinking and worrying about who is looking after my ds while I have my C-section. I just know that taking him to a childminder house won't work and I need to be focused in hospital, I can't be worried about him. If they have emergency C-sections that day, I would have to wait for mine.
So...... I,we, have decided to try to find a nanny for a day to come to my house. At least I will know he will feel Ok at home with his toys or videos.

Girls, in moments like this I envy all of you who have normal parents and normal parents in law who voluntarily help you out

Do you think I would be able to find a nanny to help me out for half a day? I am sure I am not the first mum in this situation.
There is a nanny agency nearby, they also have emergency appointments and maternity nurses . I wish I could get it sorted tonight.
I will call them tomorrow.
Having this second baby inside me has made me love my first even more. Today he poured some water from his cup over my tummy to give Lorea a drink!!!!!!!!!!

I feel better now I have told you what is in my head.
Let's all have a great day tomorrow!

potxola - that is so sweet, your son pouring water over your tummy to give his sister a drink! Lovely!!!
I'm sure everything will work out well. He'll be fine when you're having your c-section. If you're happy with it I'm sure he will be.

Potxola, sorry to hear of your troubles sorting childcare out. My family is in sweden so can't help so I have insisted on living nearby dh's parents ever since we moved to England.

You could check this website: sitters It's an agency for babysitters. My friend works for them and they are very good taking references and checking people out properly. At least with an elective c-section you will know which day it is so that makes it a bit easier to plan.

becaroo dh/p empties the pool. well, i think you buy accessories which include a pump which empties it.

Potxola, my parents are across the atlantic and I haven't spoken to my mum in 3 yrs so similar vibes going here. MIL lives 1.5 hrs away and she is waiting for a hip op. Plus we don't see eye to eye on childcare issues. FIL who lives nearby has no idea of child care and is firmly a 50's kinda man. So thankfully, her godparents who we have excellent relationship with and are a childless couple adore dd and have volunteered to look after her.

Phew, only a couple of pages to catch up on over the weekend!

Had our party for all the grandparents to meet. It went really quite well, lots of nice food and drink, and no one took an instant dislike to anyone else. Was all very civilised.

Potxola I was exhausted watching the tennis! We were supporting Nadal and it was so stressful watching him - I felt like the poor baby got the biggest overdose of adrenaline in the world as I was leaping around shrieking at him to break Federer's serve.

DP's sis brough round even more stuff for us to borrow this weekend - seat for the bath, baby gym etc. She is saving us an absolute fortune, and saving us debating whether to buy loads of bits and bobs - we can just try hers and see if we like it!

Eandz glad you managed to get some answers last week, even if it wasn't exactly what you wanted to hear. At least you'll be getting proper monitoring so you and the baby should get the best care possible.

morning

i can certainly confirm that labouring upright helps

with ds i was induced and forced (well not given the option to move around) to stay on my back as i was attched to a drip and it took ages and ages and was not pleasant. was absolutely dreading dd's birth because of this but my waters broke at home and by the time we had got to hospital been messed around and sent home as it wasn't happening even though i had pointed out that it was but what do i know? got home and then basically had a cup of tea and then had to get my poor dad out of bed in the middle of the night to take us straight back again - had to walk all the way to the delivery suite as there were no wheelchairs ffs- then had to stand buzzing the delivery suite door while the midwifes finished drinking their tea (bitter me? no!) finally got in and convinced her i was in fact in labour and 5 mins later we had dd!!

much faster, less painful and i remember thinking afterwards was that it? i could do that again!! so i can;t have been bad!!

yay builders are here again and there is no rain as of yet

Is it only monday...wish it was fri, i've really had enough of work now i can feel my grumpy head coming on with the thought of going in!!! i've only got 2 wks left now but there gonna be the longest 2 ever.
have a good day xx