Due Dec 08 -- Getting Ready for final push (in every sense!)

[Beans33]

Here's a new thread for us all lovely Dec Mums!

Afternoon everyone

poisondwarf i'm so sorry about your brother and dad. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they both improve. Try and focus on your new little arrival and look after yourself.

kimberly that sounds awful, and the last thing you need at a time like this. Hope you're feeling better.

Well we took shortstuff to a playcentre this morning, and i'm now shattered! It doesn't help that his favourite game is being chased, so dh was running about with him while i did my best waddling around like a demented duck It wasn't pretty!

Had a bit of a moment yesterday morning when i had severe Braxton hicks, and i wasn't sure if i was starting labour, so Mark held off going into work for a bit. When i told him they weren't proper contractions, he said 'i didn't think they were because your waters haven't broken' Apparently he's forgotten all the antenatal course we went on before Ben, and he's expecting this baby to do exactly the same thing his brother did. It'll be nice if it goes that way, but i think he's now worried (i may have lost it with him a bit ) that he can't rely on it being the same as last time, so is now a bit put out at not knowing what to expect. Poor sod I feel for him

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow, i'm going to order the pool

Hope everyone's okay xx

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I think most research is all for letting it stop pulsating. I have to say of our NCT group for my DS i was one of the few that the midwives actually encouraged us to let it stop and we and the others that did were the ones whose babies didnt have mild jaundice. in fact one friend who had her baby's cut very quickly actually had to have her baby readmitted for phototherapy. My MW said it allowed the correct amount of blood from mum to enter and also leave the baby so everything was nicely balanced out nicely. oxygenated and iron rich blood had entered the baby and deoxygenated had been removed. I will double check again on tuesday with my latest MW but that was my understanding.

Cat- i think i remember you saying you were hoping for a homebirth, is that right. I have a list of things to consider for my birth plan which i will be going through with my midwife on tuesday. I can see if i can scan it and somehow send tt to you, it is way too much to type though,

actually just looking at it now it is more a load of topics she wants to discuss on this next appointment but includes things we need to consider for her to know for our birth plan.

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Hi all,

trace I hadn't heard any downsides to leaving the cord to pulsate either. That's quite interesting to know.

veggie is a birth plan for a homebirth different to going to hospital? I'm sure the one I've got is pretty much the same

cat definitely make the most of the little things while you can!!

oli hope you have a good night out!

We're going out tonight as well. Think we're going to go see the James Bond film (at least I can ogle DC, though no skin tight shorts unfortunately ).

Evening,

DS was really ill yesterday with his cough. He was all bunged up and sneezing and coughing. He was so clingy and just wouldn't let go at all. I even had to take him toilet when I went as he wouldn't stay downstairs.

Then we went out for a meal last night. It was lovely and DS picked up enough to enjoy it. I think I had far too much as I was up most of the night being sick. Then I had to much water while I was being sick so was up using the toiet all night.

DH has done the nursery!!! The cot is built and it looks good. Just need some stuff taking to the tip and the walls painting which I might do this week.

PD Sorry about your brother and your Dad.

Hello to everyone and I hope you are all ok.

re the pulsating cord and jaundice stuff - I've not seen any research - that's just what the MW told us at antenatal yesterday - so i'm sure it's worth looking into. veggie your experience would certainly seem to contradict what she said!
My day has been fun - dh continued as super-dad for a while but is now fast asleep on the settee so looks like he's passed the baton already!

we're going out too - last supper before D-day!

Spent the day pottering and shopping. Was supposed to be getting Christmas stuff sorted but apart from some wrapping paper and cards I still have lots to do. Did manage to get DD a fab present from the baby though - she's been pointing out "Hello Kitty" things to me in shops for ages and I managed to get her one today (it's a surprise btw). She is going to LOVE it .

Sorry I haven't caught up with everyone - just popped on quickly before the babysitter arrives (or "baby sister" as DD calls her).

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we are off out tonight as well, would like to see the bond film but haven't seen the last one yet and have been told it is best to see it first. We are going to see Zack & Miri make a porno instead, i love Seth Rogan he is so funny, so hopefully will stay awake i'm feeling very tired, not getting much sleep lately.

trace- my dh looked after DS all day yesterday while i went to my course down in wolverhampton, he was so shattered poor thing, i have tried to tell him to pace himself poor thing 3 years demand a lot of attention and can be like a whirlwind of energy. DH could barely keep his eyes open by 8pm.

DH had a little consultation with our homeopath today to go over all th stuff he needs to have around for me for the birth, i can't believe i am due 1 month today!!!

Rosemerta- i haven't been in hospital for a birth so i'm not sure of the difference, i guess yo don't have to worry about stuff like who you want there and extra bits you want allowed to bring in but it still has all the stuff about analgesia and Vit K and the 3rd stage stuff.

oh and Lal meant to say glad the acupuncture helped. You were having a tough time of it.

Hello girls

PD, I am very sorry to hear about your brother and your dad. Please try to take it as easy as you can - my dad was very ill shortly before DD2 was born and it's doubly stressful when you are about to give birth. Thinking of you.

Just looking in really - we too are going out tonight and the baby sitter has just arrived. Just need a quick respray before facing the local pub. Look forward to a proper catch up with you all tomorrow.

XXXX

Is everyone out tonight but me? Was out for lunch though - and DS slept right through

Oli: at your going to see Bill Bailey

Xmas shopping - ha! Have told everyone to update their Amazon lists (slacker). We don't tend to make a huge fuss for Xmas anyway, though I do rely on doing my shopping at lunchtimes which may not happen this year! I am planning on getting a tree though (last year we had a nativity but no tree) but will not be putting it up until Xmas eve so I can see DS's face in the morning

Hello All,

Not been on for a week as my computer broke but its back up and running again thank goodness! Was very stressful having no MN

Not caught up as too many posts to read but hope everyone is well and for those who aren't out have a good evening.

I'm not out Effie - at home watching X Factor - !

Hi Effie - I'm in as well, watching a poll of 100 Greatest Sex Symbols. Ahem. Jessica Rabbit is on at the moment, my superfavourite. It's all I am fit for, DP and I have both had a tummy bug and a disturbed night's sleep (not that a disturbed night's sleep is out of the ordinary for me ) and only forced ourselves out of bed at 5 o'clock to go to the supermarket.

I don't need a tummy bug to feel bad though. My hands are now so swollen and painful in addition to my gammy wrists that it is actually difficult to do every day things like haul my body out of bed, get tops off bottles, even wipe my bum! But I am SOOOO sorry for Kimberley with the kidney stones, I had one when I was 7 weeks pregnant and BOY did it hurt. The pain nearly sent me out of my mind. At least it's out now, you poor love.

My ankles are like a heffalump's, my ribs still hurt...in fact it's easier to list the pregnancy ailments I haven't had to date (do I want to tempt fate?) - stretchmarks (still paranoid they might appear in this, my final week) and piles.

But I know some of you have it so much worse (eg SPD) and poor old Veggie throwing up almost every night. I'm just a whingy old bag, but at least the end is in sight.

Poison, I am so sorry about your Dad and your brother. With a bit of luck the cancer will still be localised. I am crossing everything, believe me, and I hope you are getting a bit of a rest up North.

Verso and anyone else having thoughts about money, I have been quite relaxed about all that up to now, but last night I had a bit of a wobble and have concluded I have been in denial! I'm not sure returning to work part time next summer is really going to be enough. I might have to up the hours. Well, I guess I will stuff that to the back of my mind until 2009.

Got a driving retest - next Friday morning. I am going to have to turn it down: it's DP's 40th (he is older than me!) and we are off to the Fat Duck for lunch. I had to book weeks ago. I feel like I am too fat, tired and painful to do a test this week, the momentum has gone I fear. So I will ask if he can get me one for Thursday instead and if he can't...I will have to do it in the New Year.

Hmmm, this is a bit of a Me-Me-Me post. Sorry folks. I was going to ask how soon after a c-section you can have sex, which maked me sound like a sex fiend. I'm not, just interested, as someone I know who had one had sex when she was still in hospital (yes, I know that's keen) but my Jo Frost book says not for 6 weeks cos of stitches in your uterus. Eek. Big big Saturday night hugs to you all.

LT- there is this whole 6 week rule but apparently i know for sure with VB that is not necessary and i assume once sutures have been removed/dissolved and you are feeling vaguely human again it would be fine when you ready. At the NCT class i went to they said basically when you feel up to it have a go. I'm sure the girls with previous CS experience could tell you more.

I have to say these kidney stones sound nasty, you are going to have no trouble with post op recovery if you have delt with that. My nocturnal spews sound nothing compared to those stones and also your hands. I think that driving test is going to be difficult with all that going on.

Zack and Miri was funny got a bit soppy at the end but still funny bits.

Hi all, woke up at 4am & couldn't get back to sleep so decided to come downstairs & check MN!

Didn't get to see Daniel Craig in the end as the cinema was full [boo!] but we did go for a nice meal instead.

LT poor you, you're having a rough time of it! I think its a good idea to put the test off until NY if you can, try and get some rest & enjoy your dp's birthday.

kimberley sorry about the kidney stones. I haven't had that but I have had gallstones before. Have to say, the pain from them was worse than giving birth

veggie thanks re homebirth plan. I'll just do a normal one then! I am wanting to cut the cord myself this time though, hope they'll let me!

Morning -
LT your friend - WOW - in hospital!!! !! keen all right!
I think it's a case of when you're up for it...
Very crappy nights (and I use the term night loosely) sleep, and now have to go to work [vomit emoticon]
I've been having a panic about £ too - what with my salary going to about a third on SMP and the electricity bill I just received - oh well, trying to stock up as much as possible now on baby stuff...
Anyway, must get going for work... have a great day all

LT - As someone who has had a previous c-section - I've no idea about the sex thing! I don't remember being given any guidelines or rules and actually am struggling to recall having 'done it' since...although that was over 4 years ago and as I'm preggas I guess it happened!!!! Seriously - I guess your body will let you know when its ready - follow your instincts!
Am sooooo tired this morning- slept ok ish (apart from usual bladder awakenings) till 5am, then dd had a nightmare, then a sore tummy, then got scared of noises (the heating coming on!)...anyway - and so the day begins! Have got my sister and her partner and kid for lunch today - they rang and invited themselves yesterday - but they are 'Atkins' people (not the child) so won't eat carbs!!!! It's so annoying - everything I think of is loaded with carbs so think we will end up in the local pub so it's not my problem! Is that mean?
Rumbly tummy calls for some breakfast...
catch you later xxx

LT, I've also had a previous cs. No idea about the sex thing but whilst still in hospital sounds a bit soon (god knows how she felt in the mood!!!!!).

I'll ask DH how long it was he's bound to remember as he is already moaning about my distinct lack of sexual appetite and saying how it'll be weeks after the birth before I feel like it again. Apparently his mates wife couldn't get enough when she was pregnant. I look like a small(ish) walrus, have fat ankles, what looks like some dodgy veins on legs and I waddle like a duck.....hardly sex kitten material is it??

The whole immediate sex in hospital thing feels more like a control issue on the part of the dh/dp than the woman tbh. But maybe that's just me wincing at the thought of it!

Hi all - sorry I've been a bit quiet.

PD - I'm so so sorry about your brother and Dad - am thinking of you and hope you're bearing up ok. Big love to you and hope you're alright. x

I haven't had time to read up on everything but ouch to the kidney stones, kimberley - horrible. Gall stones are bad as well - not envious of you all!

I've done my NCT course now and actually really enjoyed it. Such nice people and hopefully will have made some friends there - was fun too - being able to chat about the birth and the baby etc without worrying about boring people rigid!

I'm really enjoying maternity leave - it's fun. Although am not getting as much sleep as I was hoping - seem to be meeting up with people for lunch a lot! Also, DH is taking next week off, so will be doing stuff with him. But will also be trying to make sure I get some rest too. Quite keen to go on London Eye! But weather is going to be awful, so maybe not a good idea afterall.

27 weeks today, so guess I'm now considered full term - very very weird! But exciting. The beast doesn't seem to have stopped wriggling in ages - I thought they were meant to be calming down now! Have finally finished all the shopping now for the nipper, plus done nearly all my Christmas shopping too - feel a bit anti-climactic now!!!

Lots of love to all. Will try and get on a bit next week. Looking forward to seeing as many people as possible on Weds.

xx

I remember being told at my NCT classes last time around that sex within the first 24hours after giving birth is very dangerous, but after that it's up to you unless you have stitches in which case the midwife will advise when it is safe. But have no idea about after a C-section, guess I should find out. Last pregnancy I had a huge sexual appetite, which pleased DH no end, but am struggling to summon the enthusiasm this time, probably not helped by having a 3 year old to deal with as well.
I really don't think I'm going to make it to my C-section date of 3rd December. I am so huge and uncomfortable and having constant BH's that I think I'll be lucky to go another week. I'm also verging on OCD with the nesting thing, yesterday I scrubbed down the whole of my Mum's kitchen, because I'd already done mine and had the urge to clean. She was very but pleased! My DS keeps asking me to stop cleaning, and even my DH is a bit bored of my constant polishing, hoovering and scrubbing.
Have a good Sunday everyone, I'm off to SIL's for lunch which means I have to tolerate her excruciatingly boring DP, but small price to pay for someone else to cook lunch, and maybe she'll need some cleaning doing!!!