Due April 2009 - Farewell nausea and all things ghastly, our boobs and bumps are growing vastly.

[PuzzleRocks]

I'm always confused by established labour - when do they start counting it from cause maybe mine was shorter that 21 hours - that was when waters broke and i think when i went in I was 3cm dilated so went away for a bit and came back in the early morning and got gas and air about 9am.

Ooh, I quite love the idea of a homebirth. I was dead against them before I found MN just out of fear, but the more I read the more I fancy one. I do think that I'll be doing this one in hospital though, with it being a first labour. But if all goes smoothly I'll definitely consider one next time (I can't believe I'm already thinking about next time!) - I like the idea of it all being very relaxed & having everything just the way you want it, then being able to just cuddle your baby straight away in the comfort of your own home. I also like the idea of not having to fight over the birthing pool!

Can I wail in disappointment here ladies?

I can't have my prize as its for three specific days in Dec and DH has to work two of them and they won't budge on the days.....

It would have been amazing

Oh mathsmummy, that is tragic. After all that excited wobbling too. Life is very harsh. Could someone else go with you instead?

My new hotmilk bra has arrived and I am about to try it on now ...

Hi everyone, how are you all?
I'm stuck waiting on the bloody postie. Paid for guaranteed next day delivery on a few things yesterday and confirmation e-mail said between 8am and 6pm so there's still time. I'm not hopeful though cos the amount of times these companies have said guaranteed next day delivery then I've been on the phone wondering where the bloody hell my delivery is......phew, anyway lets stay positive there's still time.
snoozy - I'm with you on the music choice, you've totally put me in the mood to blast some Black Sabbath.
swaliswan - My MIL (well ex one now but anyway) was a shitbag, and if she'd been a MW she would've been told where to stick that kind of suggestion!
BUT, how do you get on with yours? If you get on fine then that's ok but if you have worries she's going to take over then I'd go with another. There wont be the same professional relationship, it will be more of a personal one. Because of that, would it be harder for you to tell her if you didn't agree with something she had decided/advised, or would it make it easier?
Only you can answer, but go with your gut instinct. If you decide it's not right for you, then as a very experienced MW she should be able to understand and accept that.
If you think you'd be ok then it may turn out to be a very personal, lovely birth between some close people.
By the way I had a thing for bacon fries in 1st pg but ate too much one night, puked and puked and now can't even look at the packet when they're on the shelf in the shop!
Well on the names front. I've had my boy and girl names picked for ages. I love them. I have a bit of a dilemma though. I found out at family party that my cousin's youngest daughter has same name as I was going to use if mine is a girl. I was gutted, I don't have another name that I like. However, I never see them only at occasional family gatherings (like every few years) and they live 3 hours away. Do you think I could still use the name? I'll be gutted if I can't use it.
I'm a bit superstitious in telling people the names before the baby is born. I like to keep everyone guessing too.
Ok you've got me worrying about my labour now. I was induced so the time from when they started me to him coming out was 6 hours. Does that mean I'll be quick this time? Obviously you can't say for sure but does the fact I was induced mean anything? Hopefully this time it'll all happen naturally with no interfering. Hope it's quick too, with no pain at all, just all of a sudden an urge to push.

mathsmummy that's crap they can't shift days

... ooh, it's a little bit big, cup sizing appears to be generous, but it's very comfortable so I will keep it. I would recommend it to the rest of you. It's the 'Sinfully Secret Seductress' one. I feel like a hussy in this bra.

Was going to have to get out of work for a day and a half anyway (not easy in my line) but would have been worth it to go with DH. My mum can't make it either.

What food will drown this endless sorrow?
Any ideas?

cake. Lots of cake

Nice hot chocolate with marshmallows on it.
Can't you both commute from there for a couple of days??!!

well done on prize mathsmummy, and sorry DH can't go. can he fake sudden illness?

on food I can highly recommend borsht (Russian beetroot soup). made it at the weekend which took bloody hours but was worth it. Also Jaffa Cakes (the Dutch version is sadly inferior.

conkertree, don't know when they count it from, I count it from waters breaking but had contractions for 2 days and nights before that..

tristalee, lucky you with 6 hours! I reckon you could be even faster this time!

boffinmum, might check out the website. getting really fed up with horrible old bras and tired maternity clothes (all summer ones!) from last preg.

thats rubbish mathsmummy - definitely chocolate and lots of it. very for you.

tristaleejac - i think there is no problem using that names - its not close friends or family so you'd hardly even notice they had the same name - i think it only matters if its your sister/brother's children or maybe very close friends.

Oh Mathsmummy - that is rubbish - what about taking a friend? Cake will definitely help!

I can't even talk about names - DH has decided on a name for a boy (not fahrti I might add!) but I am not sure about it - it's ok but I don't love it! and he just wont budge! It is driving me crazy - I have told him it's not happening unless we both agree and he is being stubborn so we don't talk about it now because we just end up rowing! Having said that we have 2 or 3 girls names that we just love so will have to wait until March to find out whether it has a name or spends it's first six weeks being called baby boy...

Have had 'one of those days' today - I can't wait to go home and just have a bath and pretend I don't have a job!

I wanted crisps all the time in the first three months - now I just want sugar puffs!

Gemzooks - I am sorry please tell me that was a type - 2 DAYS AND 2 NIGHTS OF CONTRACTIONS! Dear lord! I don't have ANY patience so think my midwifes will hate me!

Tristaleejec - I think it is fine too - there will always be someone with the name - you have to say it for the next 40 odd years so just chose whatever one you like! (hence my fight with DH over boys names!)

Can't remember who asked about MIL present (sorry) - it wouldn't bother me either way - although I am not planning to have anyone bar DH there during the actual thing last bit of it! Everyone else can entertain me for the 48 hours of labour!

Can't pull a sicky (well I could but DH is a highbrow musician so very difficult to replace..just not done in his industry)

No-one else around...everyone has jobs like normal people. MN people seem to agree with me that they are a little out of order giving only one option which is mid-week...

Fishfingers I think. And then hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Gemzooks I symphathise - I had three days and nights of what they call passive labour - contractions, but stopping and starting so times between rnaged from 30 mins to 3 mins. I was so excited when they first started. I also am not very patient so didn't go down very well - got sent home twice from hospital. The only thing that made it worth it was going in the thrid time - contractions now 2 mins apart - and seeing the same midwife, who rolled her eyes and rolled up her sleeves to take a look...whereupon my waters (and let's face it, it's not water..) broke IN HER FACE! I PMSL for about ten minutes..until she said smugly 'I'd conserve your energy if I were you, now its REALLY going to hurt..'

Oh mathsmummy, that's such a shame. Is it non-transferable? You could sell it & spend the money on another trip, or something extra gorgeous for the baby?

BabyBolat On the due November thread I've been lurking on, one of the ladies was in 'false' labour for about 9 days or something ridiculous before the real thing started. That's over a week of contractions, very little sleep & all the 'is this it?' wondering before it even began. She was practically out of her mind by the end of it, but has a gorgeous little boy now & says that it was all worth it. Even the episiotomy & ventouse delivery. I think that babies just must make you brave because I can't imagine it all

I was really into crisps for the first few months, too. I don't usually like them. I ate two packets of salt & vinegar Seabrooks last night, so I can't claim that it's totally passed I love vinegar at the moment - I was craving pickled eggs yesterday, even though I usually find them to be disgusting. I managed to resist, mostly because I was worried I'd go to the trouble of getting some & realise that I still don't like them. Pregnancy is strange.

I'm really impressed by all of those women who are planning a home birth. I would like to be brave and stay at home, plus it would be loads less complicated if the birth is quick. But, there is no way that I'll be allowed one after the fun of my third stage of labour last time. And, TBH, I don't want pints of blood on my cream carpets if I have another PPH! I like the reassurance of being in the hospital although I think that has somehting to do with working in one.

oh god all this talk of British junk food, I can't wait to come back for Christmas and load up on salt and vinegar crisps and sugar puffs. sigh. The Dutch have such horrible junk food, as cheap and grim as ours and you have to have grown up with it...

babybolat, I must say that although it was a long long labour, like mathsmummy's, it was a good birth, with great mobile epidural and fab aftercare (in Belgium). It was a bit like being kept up for 2 nights though and then told 'you now have to run a marathon'. contractions from Weds 4 pm, baby born (with augmented labour, god knows how long it would have taken otherwise), late Sat night 11.20 pm..

Swalismum, I sympathise with the carpets; we have epoxy flooring which is similar to in a hospital so anything could in theory be cleaned off it. We just moved here and the woman who lived here before had 3 babies in the flat, so maybe it's a lucky flat. They guarantee to have you at the hospital within 10 mins. Still not decided. Even TENS is considered to be dangerously self indulgent pain relief here..

Springy I have given it back to be redrawn

Welcome Nutty

I have to say I am really looking forward to hospital birth! But then I'm the kind of person who loves aeroplane food, so that tells you a lot. Plus I really like the 'ceremony' of bringing baby home.

gemzooks at TENS being indulgent!!

had scan, had to beg dh to take me though as had 39.4 temp, reduced by time got there. baby looked good and healthy, although spent most of time concentrating on not coughing. have to go back next week as in bad position and couln't see base of spine, so we don't know sex either.
praying don't have to be admitted tomorrow, have temp spikes all day, antibiotics should kick in tomoorow, if not am going in

mathsmummy That's very good of you! I'd have just been selfish

Welcome Nutty! The more the merrier

Gemzooks Can't you order British food from a website? I know that's what a lot of people in America do & it does cost a bit of postage, but if you're desperate it may be worth a look. You are pregnant & not just greedy

OddEyes Glad that the baby's healthy, but sorry that you're still feeling crappy & didn't get to find out the sex yet. I just know ours will be like that too - the little thing won't stop moving & was bad enough at the last scan. The healthy thing is the main bit though, obviously I really hope you feel better very soon!

Updated for Nutty Taff

Mar
25 Mar : Summerbaby
25 Mar : Jumbs: DS 15 months
28 Mar : AlexandraPeppernose, DC no 3
29 Mar : Gemzooks: DS 1.9 then 2 m/cs, age 32, live in Holland
29 Mar : LittleMyDancing, DS 2.4 born on Easter Sunday
30 Mar : BabyBolat: First Timer
31 Mar : Cosmo: 1st timer

Apr

01 Apr : Rachelinscotland: DD 2 years 10 months, and DS 18 months
01 Apr : Chickenbalti: DS 4 years DD 17 months
02 Apr : BoffinMum
02 Apr : MathsMummy27: DD 2years 10 months
03 Apr : skiingone: DC1
03 Apr : nzbabies: DS 21 months
03 Apr : purlease: 1 m/c, 1 DD 3 years
03 Apr : Kalikaroo (28), 1st timer, lives in Scandinavia (but too shy to say where!)
04 Apr : mizzannie: first timer
04 Apr : Mumacita: first time and terrified/thrilled/teary
04 Apr : babypringle: 1 DS 2yrs 1 month
06 Apr : ToastnHoney: first timer
06 Apr : Diddle: DS1 2yrs, DS2 10months 2mc's
07 Apr : babwsbach: DC2
07 Apr : Bethdivine: DS 18mo
07 Apr : TT3: 1 DS 2(?) years
08 Apr : LuLuBai: 1 DD born 02 Apr 07
08 Apr : Pinkdolly: (age 27) dd 6, dd 5, dd 2, 1 m/c January 08
09 Apr : Oddeyes: 1 DS 17 months
09 Apr : Nigeltuffnell
09 Apr : Soundbites(30): DD aged 18 months
09 Apr : Barbarella 1st timer, TRIPLETS
10 Apr : hopeful1
10 Apr : BinkyB(30): TWINS 1st timer, lives London
11 Apr : BellaMummy
11 Apr : mrsfossil: 1 DS 6.5
11 Apr : Dungungirl(30): 1 m/c, DS aged 3.5 years
11 Apr : Bubbaluv: 1 DS 1yo
11 Apr : SpringySunshine: 1st timer.
12 Apr : daisycat01: DS 6yrs, DS 3yrs
12 Apr : Salstars (34), 1st timer
12 Apr : Brettgirl, 1st timer
13 Apr : April2009Baby:
14 Apr : girlylala0807:
14 Apr : AuldAlliance DS3.8
15 Apr : flyingdaisies(33): West London, 1st due 15th April.
15 Apr : claireykitten: DS 12 months
16 Apr : tristaleejac(25): 1 ds, 3 years
17 Apr : lou031205(28): DD age 2.8, DD age 1 (next week!)
17 Apr : kittydug: first timer 2 m/c's
17 Apr : Glaskhamhasoneintheoven: DC3, have one of each already.
18 Apr : mumsoon: DC1
18-19 : minouminou(37) due April 18-19 (i think). 1 DS, 22 months
18 Apr : salbysea (28) 1st timer
18 Apr : loobee: DS 22mths
19 Apr : gingersarah 1st baby
19 Apr : Kittycat8 (29) 1st timer
20 Apr : v1kk1m: 1DD 5 months
20 Apr : MegBusset: DS 18mo
21 Apr : B52s: DS will be 2 and a quarter
21 Apr : Staryeyed
23 Apr : chloemegjess
23 Apr : katiepotatie
23 Apr : Reesie : DD 20 months
24 Apr : Surprisenumber3(32): DS1 9 DSS 9 DS2 4
24 Apr : PuzzleRocks: DD 18mths
24 Apr : Flirty: 1st baby
24 Apr : shellbaby
24 Apr : conkertree (26): DS 12 months
24 Apr : Bronze (Gawain) - 4th DC
24 Apr : Frekkles
24 Apr : EsmeWeatherwax (36) DD 17 months
24 Apr : SnoozyVic: first timer and semolina-monster
25 Apr : Swaliswan: DD 17 months
25 Apr : ReallyTired
26 Apr : detoxdiva: dd 2.7yrs
27 Apr : Bicnod
27 Apr : Carameli
27 Apr : longlegted
27 Apr : SatHereSitting
27 Apr : purplemonkeydishwasher DS 3yo
28 Apr : Laulau27
29 Apr : lauralou1 1st DC
30 Apr : Nutty Taff 2nd DC

Mathsmummy, that's a real pity about the comp, how mean of them.

Welcome Nuttytaff.

Oddeyes, you poor thing, I hope you start to feel better soon.