Due May 05 part 5

[logic]

I think it's time for a new thread! The old one was getting huge...

Ah yes, TENs machine (on order), lip balm (must get from bedside drawer) and slippers (forgot to list, nicked from hotel years ago).

Hey, I only got them packed today, and I'm due in 21 days time, so all the real May 2005 people have plenty of time!

Uwila, we have got ds a "Tiny" from the Little Robots programme to take home from hospital because it's small enough to fit in the bag - and we've also got him a pirate ship with pirates and treasure from elc as a 'big' present. We've been spoiling him rotten lately, partly because I feel guilty about not being able to give him quite as much attention as normal. Anyone else been doing this with their first?

Went to the supermarket earlier and I'm sure that I had B-H contractions all the way around. I had to keep stopping and leaning on the trolley!

Does anyone want to start a new thread again? I can't be bothered...

Not for the faint-hearted....

My slippers for the hospital lasted precisely five minutes. The first time i got out of bed to go to the toilet i leaked all over my fluffy slippers and they had to go into the bin
I read in a recent thread on mn that flip-flops were a good idea and have bought a lovely dark grey pair for 2.99 in local cheap shop.It is so hot in hospital also, so hopefully they will help to keep my feet cool. Sorry if tmi xxxxx

We got a medical set for ds. Then dp chucked out an old white linen shirt so I've sewn a red cross on the pocket and he has a doctors coat too. All wrapped up in Fimbles paper. I think ds will approve of his little brother!

I know what you mean about spoiling them, logic. When dp and I are having lovely times with ds I think about how he just won't get the same attention in the future. But as a bitter second child myself, I am even more determined that this new one will get a huge fuss made!

Yes, I am spoiling DS too. I just keep cuddling and cuddling him. I'm sooo looking forward to finishing work too (just 2.5 weeks to go).

Definately going to get DS a nice prezzie. He is 2.5 years, so thought a wooden train set - he loves stuff like that. He seems to understand about baby now. I was so proud of him yesterday at my midwife appointment. She asked if I was having a brother or sister for DS and he responded 'Sister'!!!

Shhh - I am scared witless about the birth now the day is drawing nearer. I am so worried about the day that I am panicking as each day goes by

Misblossom & logic I suppose it is fear of the unknown, people have said when the time comes I will probably be excited more than frightened but i'm such a wimp with any pain or even when i'm feeling off colour and it's scary to know how I will cope. DH & I start parentcraft classes tomorrow that will take us to about 38 weeks which scares me slightly in case baby comes early... TBH theres so much going through my head that I end up panicing over "nothing"!??
I suppose I should look at the fact that loads of people don't stop at one baby and in misblossoms case shes now on her 5th I envy you though and I honestly hope that will be me in about 5 years time
Also being on mat leave since week 28 has probably given me more time to think about things.

sam cattie, message was posted before I read your reply. Thankgod theres someones else who feels the same! Everyone around me is getting excited (don't get me wrong I DO have moments where I look at baby's clothes and nursery and feels like a kid waiting for christmas!) but I keep thinking it's alright for you lot..you don't have a massive hurdle to get over ! DH is brill though and keeps trying to keep my sprits up !

I was really scared too and confided in my best friend how nervous I was.

She was rather blunt and said "there's no point worrying about it, you're going to have to do it, there's no getting out of it now so just come to terms with the fact".

I was rather upset by her response at first but the more I thought about it the more I realised she was right, theres no point worrying about something I can't control.

BTW my friend is 7 and half stone, 5 foot tall and give both to a 10 lb baby girl so she certainly knows about the pain.

both = birth

doh!!!

Its really difficult isn't it Shhh? Everyone around keeps saying don't worry you'll be fine it'll be over before you know it, etc etc. But now the big day is around the corner, you tend to stop thinking about all the lovely baby clothes you have bought and start thinking about the dreaded day! I start my parentcraft classed next week, and I know we are going to see a horrid video!! I just want to be told how to breathe and then go! I get so paranoid that I won't cope with the pain. It certainly does help when our partners try and help out as much as they can. I just want to go to sleep and then for it all to be over! If only!

The best advise I had is be open to pain relief... I know 3 ladies (from my postnatal group) who waited too late to ask for epidurals, and feel traumatised by the fact they weren't allowed one. I knew I needed one when I was 3cm dialated but climbing the walls. It was luurvely. Shame they let is wear off, but that's another story...

Is anyone taking Raspberry Leaf Tea? I didn't last time, but have heard lots of positive things about it..

Not drinking raspberry tea, but eating loads of fresh pineapple. Been told this also helps.

Have bought rasberry leaf tea & r.l. capsules, but not taking them until 36 weeks. I heard it's better to wait until then. (???)

I'm in the same mindset as last time, when I chickened out from taking Raspberry Leaf tea, just in case?! I'm being silly I know. Am I the only one being like this.

However, will be trying everything else nearer the time... pineapple, curry, sex , ..not all at the same time mind you!

I drank loads of rasberry leaf tea last time. Never went into labour. Was induced at 2 weeks overdue. So, good luck with it.

I think raspberry leaf tea is more for helping strengthen the muscles of the uterus, making contractions more efficient, and preventing tearing than actually making you go into labour. Anyone know any more? (I'll take it anyway!)

I didn't do the oil on the pereneum (spello)thing either, and tore. I was going to do it this time, but apparently now that I've torn, it won't make any difference.

Wish I could my finger out and get going.

I heard that Raspberry Leaf Tea was supposed to make labour more effective, bit quicker (which is good!).

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I had one cup of raspberry leaf tea last time - my waters broke within half an hour!

I didn't massage my perrenium (sp?) last time cos I couldn't reach it, not even going to try this time!

I've been drinking the raspberry tea for just over a week (one cup a day) but it hasn't done anything so far....
Just seen midwife and found out that the baby is breach - she even took us for a scan to make sure. Nice to see junior again, but now I feel as though we have about one hundred million decisions to make. We had been planning a home birth but I don't think this is on the cards now.... am trying not to worry too much but to be honest it has made me feel much more scared about the birth than I was feeling about 3 hours ago!
Sorry to winge. I am about to go off and do some reading up on the options. I really don't like the idea of a c-section but I guess I may have to get over my fears and go with whatever is the safest option for junior. Is anyone else in the same boat?

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I'm a bit worried, girls. Very worried actually. I have been having contractions since about 1:30pm this afternoon. Not regular at all and not massively painful but enough to make me stop/drop what I'm doing and concentrate for the 20 odd seconds that they are lasting. Just had a hot bath to try and stop them. It's far too early! I'm only 35+2! No bags packed! I think that there is a midwife in the surgery tomorrow so if they keep on then I'll phone her first thing and try and get an appointment.

Logic are you sure they are contractions? I have been having bh since about 8 weeks ago (28 weeks) and everyone told me they are not painful but dh & I actually went to hospital last weekend as I though baby was on the way.BH that I have been feeling are not pain free at all!! I even have to stop what i'm doing and try and breath through them. With this being my first baby I have no idea what contractions feel like and judging by how the midwife was I'm trying to prepare myself for a lot worse pain Are the pains low down and like period pains? Apparently this is where contractions are and feel like? HTH

On the subject of raspberry I have ordered raspbery leaf tea and have already got the tablets, I want to take them from 37 weeks as I had heard they help when in labour and help baby to come on time, not sure if this is true but already i'm worried about taking them at 37 weeks...like you preggers i'm in 2 minds whether to incase baby comes early! I can't win!!! BUT speaking to my midwife yesterday she advised me that she had just delivered a 34 week baby and all was fine, baby had to go to scbu (special care baby unit) but is doing well, gives us all hope I suppose as most of us are around 34 weeks.

Did the bath help logic? Ring your delivery ward and ask what they think. Worry about you and the baby - not the bag!