Due Sept 08: Come on babies, 'cause we are running out of space.

[kiskidee]

New thread here.

Daft name cause we only have 4 more before we hit 1000.

I haven't been online for a whole 2 days and can't catch up!

Thanks for reminders about maternity pads, will prob get night time normal pads but I don't think even they are on my list. I don't have too much more to buy but probably should start putting it all together in a bag.

lollipop lots of snacks is good, I remember sending dh to get food last time as I missed out on a meal and was starving anyway. And I'm impressed that you are ironing baby clothes, I washed all ds's neutral newborn and 0-3 stuff the other day, it looked very cute on the line. No way is it getting ironed though.

I've ordered the Oioi hobo bag even though I haven't seen one in real life, couldn't find one in Southampton yest so decided just to go for it. Got it for £48 inc postage so that's pretty good.

I'm haven't been feeling guilty about not spending enough quality time with ds before sibling comes along but now that a couple of you have mentioned it I do a bit. But I have been thinking more along the lines of ds needs a sibling to play with so I am helping him out.

Went to Southampton for the day yest on the train. By the time we got home I was aching and really tired. I soooooo feel for those of you with proper spd. I spent the whole evening in pain and moaned about it lots as I could hardly move. And i don't know how you manage to get up in the night to pee, that was really hard last night, I was so stiff. Have had a busy day again today so goodness knows what I'll be like tomorrow but never mind. DS will be at childminders so that'll help.

I'm bringing about 8-10 pairs of underwear. Last time I bled through lots. Sunshinemummy, maybe it depends on where they do the incision. My briefs were right on the scar and very uncomfortable. Maybe bring some of each sort =)

I'm planning on packing 2 bags, 1 to take in with me when I 1st go in that will have enough stuff for a 1 night stay and 1 with extras for if its a longer stay.

Can I just mention that I'm in awe of all of you who are both pregnant and have a small child to look after!

I have no idea how I'd manage atm without being able to sleep whenever and for as long as I need (slept until 6pm yesterday...) Squirmy's chances of a younger sibling are not looking high! And I'm not impressed by Squirmy showing off his kick-boxing talents every time I go for some kip, either!

Right, back to the boring project of Doom, and then to pack the hospital bag (having found an empty holdall for the purpose!) I gibbered at the whole maternity pad question and eventually asked the owner of the pharmacy - one of those sage ladies who knows everything. She said most women used the comfier Kotex heavy towels rather than overnight ones (rated 5 drops vs 6) - they're also half the price. There's 20 in a pack - should I get another pack for the hospital?

DebitheScot We just cope as well as we can.I freeze lots of his meals and have not cooked for a while. I took him to the park today and let him run so much, he is now sitting with me as I write this, HE IS knackered.

Re bags: don't forget deodorant girls! BF makes you sweat a lottttttt.
I will do mine this weekend.
Still haven't found a nanny to come home to look after my ds.I might have to go SOLO to the C-SECTION [SHOCK]

My Dh was given a bottle of Moet Champagne from a client at work, we are taking it in to hospital in my bag, I am definately having a drink when this LO is born!!

i think the head may have gone down today !!walked to my mum's and was really waddling by the time i got there then the bh's started up againanyway bump feels lower and now need to pee all the time even more than b4!!i really cannot wait to be done now i ahve well and trully had enough (although i don;t think that the weather has helped matters)

i think the head may have gone down today !!walked to my mum's and was really waddling by the time i got there then the bh's started up againanyway bump feels lower and now need to pee all the time even more than b4!!i really cannot wait to be done now i ahve well and trully had enough (although i don;t think that the weather has helped matters)

Hi guys
Another day over.
We are nearly there . If you look at the stats, Its a certainy that we will have another birth anyday. Arghhhh!
I agree loads os muslims, a stash of sanitory towels, knickers, snacks and drinks.
Champers sounds great x

Thank you for the link potxola. I think I'll need to go and look at the dash to see if its big enough - I've checked out the dimensions and its not as long or deep as the messenger, and with two children both in washable nappies, space is everything! But if it is big enough, then an uber big thank you!!!

Oh dear, I haven't even written a list, never mind started packing my bag! And my biggest dilema is what bag to use. Last time I had a little wheelie suitcase with my stuff, a rucksack with baby's stuff, and the change bag. The midwife laughed like a drain at how much stuff we had to cart from delivery to the post-natal ward. The change bag was def a mistake - I was just too excited at having the opportunity to take it. And the large rucksack I used has been washed but the lining disintegrated in the process so whenever you get anything out there's a little snow shower of tiny pieces of the lining. Not so good. But I own sooooo many bags I really can't justify buying another one just for this one event...especially as I'm going to be buying a new change bag!!

And I've said it before but I'll say it again....take food for dh!!! You will be fed on the post-natal ward, he will not!!

Good news is that dd moved into her new room last night. She seems totally happy with it, although still thinks the little room is hers too! Tomorrow night we're going into the loft to get out all the baby stuff - I can't wait to see the bassinet and all the tiny clothes again. Then once I've unpacked it all into the wardrobe, I'll start to think about what to put in the hospital bag.

Went to see my gp and I definately have carpal tunnel. I've got a wristsupport thingie to help but it's awfully annoying. Simple things like turning a tap or pegging up laundry is all of a sudden painful to do =/

Oh you poor thing sassafrass
I know pregnancy isn't a medical thing, but some of the side-effects really are debilitating!

OK, so I have been reading up on polyhydramnios - which I now have - and have scared myself witless

I now have an increased chance of premature birth, cord prolapse and c section so, as I know some of you have had sections and some of you are having one again, I wondered if you could give me some tips just in case I need one....

(Going to see the midwife tomorrow and hoping my bloods results are back which should rule out a few possible causes. I am going to tell her I think that a homebirth is now very unlikely/not advisable in the circumstances.)

What do I need to pack in my hospital bag for a section or is it the same stuff as for a VB? Spinal or epidural? Is bf much harder after a cs? and can I do anything to make it easier?

Any tips gratefully received!..........

Becaroo, I'm sorry you've got this problem. I'm sure you'll be just fine though with the doctors keeping an eye on you.

I'd definately get a breastfeeding pillow to help support the baby after a c-section. Last time I propped dd up with a bunch of pillows which was hard work. Arnica is supposed to help with bruising afterwards so I'll try that this time.

Most of the stuff you'd pack for a natural birth would be the same as for a c-section. You might need someone to get you more stuff from home since you're likely to stay in hospital for longer.

I really wanted a natural birth with dd1 but once you're in the situation where you need an emergency c-section you just let go and do what's needed I think. The important thing after all is that you and the baby are well, not how s/he got out of you.

I agree sass, but am in a bit of a panic as I really havent got a clue about what to do/take/how long I will be in/recovery time etc....

Sorry to hear about the carpel tunnel...I've had that and its not pleasant at all (steroid injections sorted mine out in the end)

Becaroo, I've not had personal experience of a c/s but from the two good friends I know who have had them, they hated having things touch their scar, and so floaty dresses were the order of the day, or if you have maternity trousers (not jeans) that have a soft jersey panel. I guess tracksuit bottoms could be good too. One friend answered the door to me wearing her undies - the knickers part of which were of an attractive disposable mesh variety!
I'm sure someone will correct me on this, but I've heard that if you have an elective c/s (i.e. your body doesn't go through any contractions) then your milk might take a a few days longer to come in. But I could be wrong.
So sorry to hear you're having problems.

Becaroo - well you won't need food and all the stuff for labour (though would be worth having something for afterwards in case you are hungry in the night) as you won't be going through labour. You will need lots of big knickers - I sent DH out for the Mothercare over the bump ones after mine and wore them for months. Might also be worth getting a Caesarian Belt but I didn't know about these at the time - ask Potxola as she recommended one. Breastfeeding - tbh I didn't have any major problems as DD got the hang of it quite easily but sometimes babies are sleepy after an elective c-section so it can be harder. Also apparently it can take an extra day for the milk to come in (you get colostrum before that) but I think mine came in on day 3 as expected. Get a bf cushion - I got mine from the NCT, it's a small one like a mini bean bag and was a godsend as you rest the baby on it and it takes the weight and protects the scar. Initially you'll prob have to feed lying down. I then found it difficult to feed sitting up but got there in the end! V important: ask for an electric bed as mine was manual and it was so painful trying to pull myself up after the op eg to get to the baby. Also ask for a cot that clips onto the bed for the same reason. I think that's about it for the main things. HTH.

thinks for reminding me that i need big knickers. I still haven't thought of a hosp bag. course, i am planning on a hb but maybe should get an emergency one done just in case.

Becaroo - I believe that it's normal to stay in for about three days after a section, so you'll need three days worth of supplies, but it's like a normal hospital stay, you're going to be fed and will be lying in bed most of the time so you're unlikely to need three sets of clothes, but you might want to take three nighties or pj's, loads of knickers, loads of sanitary pads.

I think you're not allowed to drive for quite a while after a section but I don't know how long.

You'll get to have the baby with you pretty much straight away, and you can ask for skin to skin contact to help with breastfeeding. It took me about 3 months to recover completely, but was off pain meds after about two weeks. Accept any pain medication they offer at the start. I had a mix of ibuprofen and paracetamol when I came home on the advice of midwive. I was prescribed co-codamol but they, in combination with iron tablets made me very constipated.

Regarding milk, mine did come in on day 5 or so, so a bit late, but dd was very sleepy and it was hard to get her to feed in the beginning. Once the milk did come in though, it did so with a vengeance.

I know it's really nerve wrecking to think about a caeserian and I htink you're doing the right thing in finding out as much as possible about it before hand.

What else would you like to know, can describe the whole emergency c-section in detail if you like =)

morning everyone

becaroo so sorry to hear about your troubles
someone toldme it was six weeks you weren;t to drive for but i could be completely wrong. I think that you arenlt suposed to do any household chores such as vaccing etc either so at least you will get a nice break from all that

right today i am going to pack my hospital bag, well put it all in carriers and ask my sister if i can borrow her wheelie case
how many baby grows are peaps packing and you do have to take your own towels don't you?
i know this sounds really really shallow buti dont care, my hair is in an inverted bob and i seriously hope that if i do have to go into hospital to have baby that i dont endup having to wash it as it will look bloody awful if i don;t dry and straighten it. the last two times i had realylong hair so just shoved it back into a pony!

if you have an emergency c-section its 6 weeks that you not allowed to drive, if its a normal section that you need to check with your car insurance if you are covered if you want to start driving again.

Today is today....scan day!! (gulp!)