Wow, really getting behind on this thread now...
Massive congrats to LadyT, Verso and now Amy/Anne. Hope all mums & babies are doing well.
Thanks for the compliment on DS's name Turnip (BTW how are you feeling now? any more twinges?) - I actually did happen to mention it in an email to Cat the other day so she is probably guffawing now - only joking, but it really is not everybody's cup of tea, although I've had much more positive responses since he was born than beforehand - to those of you who are thinking twice because of the reactions of friends & family I would say just forget it and go for the name you like. We too are struggling for girls' names - we've kind of chosen one which is nice but probably not distinctive enough for her to "own" it like DS can own his (or Verso & LadyT's DDs can own Frieda or Octavia - lovely names BTW), IYSWIM.
On the subject of mattresses, I've had a look on the The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) website and found this factsheet on the toxic gas hypothesis. Elsewhere on the site I found this cot death FAQ, which says that ideally you should have a new mattress each time (but doesn't say why) but "If you are not able to do this, use the one you have, as long as it was made with a completely waterproof cover and has no tears, cracks or holes. Clean and dry it thoroughly. Check that the mattress is in good condition; is firm, not soft; fits the cot without any gaps; and doesn?t sag". I also noticed that in the general advice section on how to avoid cot deaths mattresses are not even mentioned - haven't read the whole site though so if anyone spots anything else of interest on there (or elsewhere) please let us know (trace, just seen that I've x-posted with you but can't be arsed to rewrite - love the colostrum conditioner dream btw. I reckon it just might work)
FWIW I'm now erring on reusing our Moses basket mattress, which my gut instinct tells me is fine as it seems to be such a very minor risk factor (but you're right trace, you just never know and would have a hard time justifying it to yourself if anything was to happen). Ours was only used last year and is in excellent condition - DS was not a puky baby and generally had a flannel under his head anyway so I can't think it got much in the way of bodily fluids on it. Think I will just wipe it down with disinfectant and give it a good steam clean.
Had my 38 week appointment a couple of days ago. Everything fine, 1/5 engaged (which in this case means 4/5 out and palpable), which I hadn't noticed from my notes before but has been the same since 33 weeks! Only minor annoyance is that the baby is back-to-back (again - DS was too) which looks like it might scupper my fantasies of a 2-hour labour. MW said the baby will not budge now as she is partially engaged so there is no point in trying to turn her round (but then told me to spend a lot of time on the loo - ???). Last time DS was posterior at 39 weeks and they told me to try watching TV on all fours and using a gym ball. I don't know if it worked though (I suspect not) as I'm not sure if I had a long or short labour. I've asked this once before but didn't get any response but will give it another go - from what point do those of you who have given birth before measure the length of your labours? Also has anyone got any experience or good info on turning posterior babies (I know links have been posted before but I'm too lazy to hunt them down)?
Hey and I even persuaded the MW to let me have a urine test - my first since booking in! [proud emoticon]. I am being tested for Group B Strep, but boy did I have to beg! Also I was given the choice of a urine test or a vaginal swab and since the mw wasn't able to give me any information on which was more appropriate I just chose the urine test as it seemed easier, but now I'm thinking I should have gone for the swab - anybody got any thoughts? Effie, did they find your GBS out from a routine test?
Re people expecting you to predict when the baby comes - so annoying! My sis wants to come down on 14th/15th because she has a couple of days free (I'm due on 8th - DS was 5 days late). She really cannot get it into her head that I might not have had the baby by then and even if I have I might not be ready for visitors - she was arguing with me that 2nd babies come earlier and all that, but just couldn't seem to see that it would stress me out just knowing she is going to be there on those dates regardless of when the baby is born (can you guess she hasn't got kids?). Last time round I was due on the Monday and one of my (also childless) mates wanted to come down & stay with his GF for the weekend on the following Saturday - his attitude was "you'll have had the baby by then, what's the problem?". He got short shrift I can tell you, and good job as well as I was kind of busy giving birth on the Saturday.
Also the texts asking "any news?" - haven't had any this time so (and don't expect many either as people lose interest second time round, or at least that's how it's been for me) - but last time it drove me mad.
Beans re vit K - had the injection last time and will do again this time, as couldn't really see any reason why not (did a little bit of research but nothing in-depth). The baby will be too busy dealing with having just been born & all that to notice a little pin prick, let alone develop a phobia of needles!
This December baby boom thing - is it everywhere? Meant to ask at the hospital the other day but forgot.
Blimey I've written an essay!