Due November 08 - A clove of garlic to cure Strep B...but where do I put it? Oh dear, Oh me ;0)

[LackaDAISYcal]

I kept it pretty clean; too chicken for anything else

Oh I hate that question My mum is a smoker and I hate it too. I have never been able to do anything about it. She would eat my head off! And I am really close to my mum, but that is just one area you just don't go.
DH would go mad about it to begin with but I/we have just had to accept it.

lovely news from merrym
Jude and Mirissa

yep agree, the smoking is a difficult one, but im sure anyone who knows the situation and the risks involved would understand

hey all jude and Mirissa beautiful names!!! Obs glad you are home, was lovely to catch up on the phone earlier

As for smoking Hana I am afraid I piss untold people off as there is no way in a million years I am giving over my LO's to someone who absolutely stinks of cigarettes (and bear in mind, 5 years ago I was a 20 a dayer) I cannot abide it and after having had DS1 go to Granny for a cuddle and come back stinking, I put my foot down........I don't care what anyone says!

wisaps ohhhhhh, off to call DH now to get him to bring me one in!!

Yay Jude! (noughties texting version...)

I have a small miserable question - how painful are BH contractions suppoed to get before you call them slow labour? I am getting rather pissed off with them especially as DH seems to think I can help him wallpaper between BHs. He is not a monster, just a total and utter plum.

Smoking - most smokers - and I speak as a an ex-long term smoker - are more than capable of going without a fag for a long-haul flight or cinema visit, i.e where there is a long-term gain for a short-term period of abstinence. Put this way, it seems less mean to ask them not to have one for at least an hour or so before cuddling your baby. Sorry - I am very preachy but I know quite a lot of smokers act like you're saying they smell or somthing - it's not that, it's simply a health issue. My mate's DH smoked throughout her pregnancy (as has my own DH) and used to cuddle his little son after having a fag and the kid has a chronic cough... Insisting on holding the baby just after having a fag is rude and self-righteous. [climbs awkwardly down from soapbox and goes off in search of bloody wispas, you've got me at it now...].

that's great news from merryM

I bought myself a pair of £15 fake ugg boots in tesco, and I can barely get them on either, but at least I can wear them without socks!!

I lost count of the number of people who remarked that I look "fit to drop" as we went round tesco. I'm surprised they couldn't tell by my rictus grin that I was fed up responding to that comment.

bought loads of grapes so I will be sitting munching tonight; although things have gone tits up at DHs work so he has to go in tomorrow and Thursday to sort it out (how they will survive without him I have no idea!!). So, if I don't go into labour tonight, virgil needs to hang on until Thursday night

welcome home obs.

its been snowing here, am frozen through, but thats cos of the rain as well, its v v cold.

i picked up my pram today. its gorgeous. i had a wobble at the weekend over it, as was annoyed at having so much money tied up i na pram. but as my sister pointed out, i got it for a good price, i could use it solidly for a year or two, maintain it well (and i do, as i am a pram nerd) and sell it on for little loss.

Lacks, do grapes make you give birth? I have some in the fridge and am sorely tempted...

I have just remembered I have two wispas in the fridge, as well as a pakc of snack soze time outs so I am covered for chocolate for this evening.

Rutho, how long do they last, and roughly how regular are they? Are they making you stop what you are doing and can you talk through them?

"real" contractions usually last about a minute and will make you stop in your tracks and it will be difficult to talk through them. Also, our NCT teacher said (and this was backed up by my doula) the closer you need to get to the floor to deal with them, then the worse they are.

Off to change DDs 6th pooey nappy of the day

someone said on another thread that they ate loads and loads of grapes and it kicked things off. I think what they will do is encourage looser motions which can in turn set things off with your cervix/uterus, in much the same way as a hot curry or castor oil will. But, like all of these natural methods, I think they will only work if you are good to go anyway.

It's worth a try for nothing

I got some evening primrose oil capsules earlier as well so they will be being applied before I go to bed.

Ooh, Obs, welcome home! Sorry, little distracted!

Lacks, they aren't regular but some of them are making me make funny noises into the sofa cushions like a nutter . Some of them are just making me irritable or want to cry (but then I just heard that Take That song from the Stardust soundtrack and that made me cry as well, so I dunno).

I can talk through them but I tend to lose the thread a bit. Plus, and sorry if this is TMI, they are making it feel like my bits are expanding and contracting as well and not in an entirely bad way, and ! I keep being amazed there's no show to show for it, iyswim.

Oh dear Hana really wish I had a super tactful way around that one...

I really cannot abide smoking and think this has gotten worse since the smoking ban as I guess I am not used to the stink anymore!

Do you think you could get away with tactfully using Ruthy's suggestion that he doesn't smoke for a period before seeing the baby? Only you and your DH will know how he is likely to react to this. I know if it was me I would find this a bit awkward however it would be far preferable than being anxious before he arrived and during his visit.

Difficult one though hope you find a solution. (you could always use the trick I did if you need the baby back with you... say it is feeding time - it probably will be anyway!)

I think grapes would work if they make you "go" when you aren't pregnant if you see what I mean. Grapes make me go, so would have the same sort of effect as a hot curry or maybe even castor oil. Pity I normally have to be in the mood to eat them. Still, a bag of red grapes was ordered with my shopping that arrived today, so may have to force some down my neck tomorrow, lol!

DH has fallen asleep on the sofa, poor old thing. He looks absolutely shattered. He was telling me earlier that he feels really really pressured at the moment with work as well as impending doom fatherhood and mass decorating, and he's been really sweet this evening, even when asking me for help with wallpapering...

Grapes unfortunately have no effect on me so I guess it's back to hoping the BHs turn into something else. Denied. Plus, the thought of being in real labour with a bad case of the squits is not appealing just yet. I might give it a go if I'm still here this time in 3 weeks.

Rutho.....You could always call your midwife and see what she says. would you be averse to going in for a bit of monitoring? At least then you would know what you were dealing with.

Or just give in to DHs demands and let him give you a natural sweep

hana; not sure how to approach that one. My dad was a smoker but tbh I don't think it hung about him too much (he smoked rollies though which are different); I certainly don't remember him smelling overly bad such that I wouldn't let DS near him.....but then I was an ex-but still longing-smoker myself.

Is it me or is the whole eastenders gun storyline a bit inappropriate for this time of the evening?

I can't go in tonight, DH is not feeling well - sick, headache etc and I cannot drive any more. Also, I am scared that they will keep me in again like last month and I won't get out for 24 hours - like last time! I am quite scared of hospitals...

My stepmum is coming over tomorrow for decorating, a trip out into the fresh air and cake so I will keep a kick chart as well (not mega-active but I definitely know the little darling is in there and mobile) and see how I get on. I might see if she can take me to see the community midwife for reassuring Doppler action/check and see if I'm dilated or something.

I feel really crappy, headache, solid abdomen and tired so I'm going to go for a lie down, but not before I wake DH up and demand a pizza for later. Poor man. Having said that, he is now snoring like a pig, so maybe I should leave him to it.

I cannot make any decisions because I am so uncomfortable. I want a grownup to come and look after me! [sad} I have also noticed that I can no longer punctuate. Blurgh.

its really snowing now!

i better not go into labour tonight. its just too darned cold to be driving anywhere. just been outside wrapping the animal hutches up in card and extra hay and straw and froze my arse off lol.

Saurus you sound really down in the dumps tonight - I hope things get moving for you so you can know what you are dealing with.

Merry love both names for 'our' twins. Can't wait to see the photos.

Obs welcome home to you and baby (is he officially named yet??) hope you are all settling in well.

Sparks poor you with DS - dealing with a stroppy toddler is not pleasant, even when you are feeling 100%. Just console yourself that it is just a phase and he will go back to being an angel again

Monkey don't worry about Sparks and her newly-developed Scrabble talent - I am still available for a 'sound thrashing' (so to speak )

Hi to everyone else - loads of chat chat chat today!

Big news from here - have got my elective cs and tis booked for Thurs 20 November - yeah!! Appointment went really well (got myself in a tizz over nothing) as the doctor just accepted my decision and didn't even try and persuade me to reconsider. The MW said that although they are perhaps meant to encourage natural births, as far as they are concerned, it is all about what is going to be the best birth option for me, and if that is an elective cs, then so be it. I feel so relieved having it sorted and it does feel a bit strange knowing my baby's birthday in advance!

So of all the CS and imminent arrivals. I'm 39wks and to be honest, never wished it before, would like a date just to get set for a CS. I just want to see baby now but also dont feel like I have any strength left in me for the birth. Probably down to to my bad cold and looking after a very poorly 2 yr old who still manages to be energetic.

lacks - Hope your hair prob gets resolved.

ruth - I understand your feelings regarding being touched by anyone and everyone. Gets a little annoying after the first few weeks. Also your friend's husband is a w**ker. I would refuse for him to be at the birth as he is fed up of it all.

sparkletoes - Know what you mean about DH his alarm and not being able to get back to sleep. The other day I woke up to DH alarm clock set to static rather than the radio. Hope DS better soon.

obs - Glad you home.

x-mas - This is the 1st year that me and DH have told our families that we are having x-mas morn at home rather than trekking (but only 5mins by car) around to my parents and PIL and rushing DS through his presents. My parents will be fine with it will have to wait and see if PIL play by the rules . Not known for it.

pedicure - On top of my cold, bad mood as wanting to see baby, I went at 9am for a relaxing luxury pedicure. Well it wasnt ... the beautician at the beginning of it took a slice with a razor blade thingy out of my big toe! Boy did it hurt and bleed for ages and she put my foot back in the foot spa which turned to a lovely blood red colour. It completely ruined the point never mind the pain. I now have nice painted toe nails but a massive plaster covering my big toe which has lots of cotton wool stuck in the wound. Also my feet are still rough as I think she didnt dare file or anything after. She didnt even apologise. Unless the £3 off was the apology.

Will now keep reading the posts. Only up to 3pm .

I am similarly grumpy. Baby's head feels like it's grinding into my pelvis. Headache. DH getting on my t*ts.
Grump, grump. Sorry for me, me, me.

Sorry your pedicure turned out to be a bleeding mess Vbabs. What a stupid woman!! In my current mood I might have hacked a piece out of her arm just to make it quits. .

DH is watching a programme about exploding whales on C5. I have tried to protest that he can't put me through that in my delicate condition, but as I'm on the pooter and can't concentrate on the two at the same time now I have no choice.

ouch at your manicure vbab...stupid cow.

Great news ceebee . It's often never as bad as we build ourselves up for it to be. The knowing the birthday thing is weird though. We actually picked DDs dob as it had a nice ring to it (05/06/07)

no snow here....just bloody cold; the car was saying it was 0deg on the way back from tesco and the gritters have been out.

I tried to get in the car today and couldn't get behind the wheel without moving the seat and then I couldn't comfortably reach the pedals. I only drove yesterday as well

lacks - My DH was watching that programme on C5 whilst eating his T. FREAK!

itchy belly/stretch marks - Anyone had it? Today for no reason at all for about 10 mins my bump became very itchy. So I lightly scratched (honest guv). Now the stretch marks around my belly button are now a lovely blood red to match my big toe. BY'ECK I BET I LOOK GARGE AT THE MO.

Welcome home Obs
Lovely names Merry, hope you get home tomorrow, is DS1 a proud big brother?
Whatever I may complain about my ILs, at least they aren't smokers. Awkward situation, I understand exactly where you're coming from but you have to be braver than me to take baby back from smokey person and coo, "Now lets just get you changed out of that nasty smoky outfit shall we?!"
Ouch to pedicure! not very relaxing at all!
tp your local reflexologists, mine is lovely, I sent her an email saying I'm 37 wks this weekend so she's coming to me 1 evening a week until I pop!
And I need to book my waxing - I haven't got over the shock of seeing it in all its hormonally fuelled glorious growth for the first time in ages when DS was born - surprised he didn't need a machete to cut his way out!
No baby for me to meet yet Lacka? It sounded so promising last time I was on, glad your pelvis is better even though driving sounds difficult
I struggled in Mums clio on the way back from dropping off our Zafira for service this am. Cost less than I'd feared but glad dad is a mechanic as they tried to tell me the brakes weren't safe to drive!!

did you want to meet up Yorky? I'm kind of housebound as I can't fit in the car and doubt it would be a very safe thing to do anyway

You're welcome to pop over for a coffee