Due Sept '08: Bring on the babies!

[LittleConnie]

Well that was cutting it a bit fine...

Oh, and meant to add, MW told me that my hospital's policy is 1 hour uninterrupted skin to skin immediately after birth (no weighing etc, only removed in an emergency), which was v reassuring!

Debi hope you manage to get an appointment - MW stayed late and added one extra for me last time I forgot to book one till the last minute!

I too am feeling slightly jealous of all these meet ups - I want one too! Specially after flumpet arrives and dp gone back to work (horror).
I live nr Chester but do go to Manchester and Trafford Centre quite a lot.

Someone was mentioning perenial massage and not being able to reach the area (I struggle to wipe properly after a wee now, TMI I know!). I've told dp it's gonna be his job from next week onwards. Who knows, may even lead to something a bit more fun...... (On that note, is it just me who feels totally horny all the time but dp is too tired - bit of gender reversal!)

Does anyone have a link to perineal massage technique? I have bought almond oil (for some reason got very alarmed at the prospect of olive oil down there, am loving the irrational pregnant brain), and have realised I have no idea what I'm meant to be doing with it!

Oh, and crappy evil 2 left feet have promised me my cot is on its way, and bugaboo will arrive at the end of next week. I will not believe it until the whole lot is on my doorstep.

lolly that's so sweet of your dd, she's lovely (so is your ds) and ds did seem quite taken with her too. We'll have to meet up again now!

Still no word from sassa?? Hope she's ok, I remember her saying she had placental abruption with her last PG...

Was summoned to hospital again this morning as some of my blood test results were less than perfect. BP is fine though and no protein in urine (hoorah!). They monitored the baby again and for the first 15 minutes it had hiccups! Quite hilarious to actually hear them on the monitor rather than just feel them. It made me realise how many little movements I've become accustomed to over the last 6 months.

sycbs yes, got a couple more weeks to wait till my acupuncture session, but will keep you informed! Lying on the sofa works for me too! Although I find my knees feel a bit stiff on getting up (probably more to do with oedema than SPD though). Have heard best positions to labour in are: on all fours, standing and lying on your side (once you get tired). Squatting is an absolute no-no. And on no account should the midwife push against your legs.

I've been trying to get through to the physio dept again for a proper appointment with the SPD specialist, apparently she writes loads of warnings in your maternity notes so the midwives and doctors know not to do certain things during labour. That was the main reason I wanted to see a physio, and the last appointment i had was very disappointing...the physio wasn't a women's health specialist and seemed to think that with a few pelvic floors my SPD would be gone by the time I came to give birth.

This is the only thing I've had to make a fuss about during my pregnancy. Everything else has been pretty good.

Hope sassa's doing ok.

By the way, johnworf has an update on Katherine over here

bogie- I've got all the time in the world so whatever works for you, works for me. Was your ds born in Notts? Are you planning on City hospital or QMC or somewhere else?

mellabella I had DS1 at QMC, in the birthing pool - although it was 6 years ago now (where has it gone??)

Jenpet-... thanks for sharing! I'm trying to figure out what all to pack because we're booked for QMC. I've heard that some hospitals you have to bring your own sheets so I just have no clue on what to pack! Any suggestions?

Well, it may have changed since I was there (Jan 02) but I certainly didn't need to take sheets!! I had a look around the "maternity" area, but I have to say there was no point as I ended up in a diferent bit to the bit they showed me!! My opinion was that the care I had - midwives etc were all great, couldn't fault them - the pool itself was great (although there was only one at that time)but the actual ward, the toilets & bathrooms, and the food were all terrible! The showers - yuck! not nice, and even though I was only in overnight and one day (I tore quite badly) I had DH bring me food in - you had to buy food from a trolley, this was crisps and pre-packed sandwiches etc. it was really rubbish, I was quite shocked, but they have maybe made improvements since then, and as I said the staff were lovely. If you want to know anything else, ask away...

Sorry, waffled a bit there! To answer your question - if it is the same now as it was then I would pack as extras; anti-bac handwash or wipes (I'm not obsessed with hygiene by any means but it was pretty grotty!) and your own food - dried fruit, cereal bars, juice, that kind of thing...

I had ds at city and I am having this one at city hospital aswell they were good (one midwife was not very nice but the rest were good)
I think we might give the hotel a go this time round because I have heard it is lovley, but it was being refurbished when I had ds so we didn't have the chance to use it then.
I don't think you will need to take your own sheets to QMC I haven't heard of anyone else I know having to do that.

Would a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday after 1 be a good time to meet? (my ds goes to nursery in town on those days and finishes at 1)

I live about 10 miles from notts! Near Long Eaton.

they must have changed policies since then because all you get is an online tour I'm with you on the hygiene thing-not neurotic but definitely can't stand dirty stuff. I will have to remember to pack food. I'm praying that all goes well and I don't have to stay any longer than necessary. I hate staying overnight in hospitals!! So you tore even while giving birth in the pool?

...and i am booked at QMC too!

becaroo- we'll have to plan a time for the three of us to meet

mella - i got some energy snacks (mixed bag of raisins, nuts stuff) from Hollands and Barrets which it was a bargain! Last time i was in hossy i was puking for England as had a reaction to Diamorphine (had a induction) and it was bad!!

Defintely

Yes, I tore because he came so quickly at the end - I don't even remember pushing at all - he just kind of shot out & next thing I knew he was on my chest!! The midwife was fairly suprised too. I would love to do the whole labour and birth in exactly the same way this time, but water births are just not as common over here...

mellabellaThanks for the bicarb of soda tip gonna try it later! It's actually starting to ease now thankfully but got to do another pessary in in a couple of wks just to make sure, mw said it'll be best to get rid of it before the birth.
i hope like you jenpet the pessary works

biglips-oh man, lol I think I hate puking even more than being in pain. fingers crossed that doesn't happen! Good idea on the snacks. They're in the hospital bag!

jenpet-I'm hoping to try at least labouring in water, the idea of delivering in the water sounds appealing as well. This is my first so I guess I'll just have to see how everything goes.

becaroo and bogie-any of those days and times work perfectly. I'm just at home with no plans for next week (except for my birthday on Friday, yay!!!). Hopefully we can set up a time/place to meet. I'm so excited to finally meet other gals who are in the same position that I am in

sympathies to all those with thrush it is truly awful ezpecially when it;s hot, i've been lucky so far when i'm pregnant i don;lt tend to get it but i used to get it before every period before i had kids

yogurt is supposed to help with thrush too - not a muller light or anything just a bio natural yog

Bogie and Mellabella

Can only do weds next week! Crikey, my weeks are filling up quickly!

Any news from Sass???

My friend just gave me 2 boxes of nearly new/new baby clothes from Next, Pumpkin Patch and Jo Jo Maman Bebe....so chuffed! The baby will look like a superstar and I will look like I have been dragged through a hedge backwards!!!

When are you due mellabella...cant find you on the list?

I'm due on the 21st. I'm the new kid so I think that's why I'm not on the list

Weds works for me!