Dec Mums - Christmas is coming...the Dec ladies have got all fat...time to have our babies...the novelty's worn flat

[Beans33]

Here's a new link for us all - think it needed doing asap as running out of space!!

Hurrah! Congratulations PD can't wait to hear more about it.

Mibbes well done - and lovely name. Hope your DP is doing ok. I sometimes think that in those situations it's a bit easier to be the woman because you're so in the zone and often don't realise how serious things have got (I didn't know until after DS was born what had been going on)

Hopefully everyone will tell you this but you should try to believe it - you haven't 'failed' at anything. Formula isn't bad, and breastfeeding isn't right for everyone. Much more important for health of you and the baby that you're happy and able to cope. I cried and cried when I had to FF DS and looking back was sad I'd been so hard on myself. Really easy to completely lose sense of perspective, and for this to be another thing to beat ourselves up about. Enjoy your beautiful boy.

Verso hope feeding was ok last night. Agree with chutney that if you're trying to clear duct baby is much more effective than pump - unless it's one of those hospital milking machines

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Its not that bad today thanks Cat. Just a little bit when I got up. I had to get up because I was hungry too.

Hello again...congratulations to PD, another one here can't wait for the full story!!! xx

What lovely news to start the day, PD .

Not going to go on about last night - suffice to say it was dreadful. DD2 wouldn't settle at all until 4am!!! DH let me sleep in til 8am and then I had to wake DD2 to feed. He's taken DD1 to Sainsbury's for the weekly shop.

Have decided to ignore expressing advice as too much of faff and pain lessening now anyway...

Mibbes Many congratulations on the birth of your beautiful boy! I'm sorry that the birth wasn't straight-forward. I'm also sorry about BF, though you have to be kind to yourself and do what's best for both of you.

Katie congratulations on the birth of Lily, she sounds lovely! Mine is estimated at just over 8lbs now, so don't think we'll manage another 3lbs in a week!

PD I'm pleased your birth went so well; it sounds ideal. Congratulations!

So many congratulations . It's all happening now.

Veggie I'm pleased your cat is okay - it's quite stressful when something is wrong (especially when the vet bill arrives!).

I've had enough. Section might be scheduled for 15th, but that hasn't stopped me wanting him out now! From the shape of my bump, I don't think I've engaged, but continually have pain and discomfort between my legs. Also, have been having severe BH for well over a week. But is he coming out? Is he heck! 9 days to go (including today, so technically 8!).

Verso poor you I remember it well from DS he had a tongue tie and my nipples were shot to bits. I have to say you are doing remarkably well. Dont blame you for not expressing especially with 2 LO's to look after. Have you tried feeding her in the bath to see if you are both more settled or expressing for a couple of mins to get it all going and then popping her on. Sorry if that advice is no use I just really feel for you. Wish there was something more we could do to help.

Arnica, ladies how much am I meant to be taking?

Argh!! Why are breast pads so annoying??

They make me itch like mad!!!

Verso, I am struggling with BF pain as well, although apparently I am doing everything right. When she struggles, I hand express a bit of milk into a syringe and give that to her first so that she isn't completely starving and thrashing about to get on me. Don't know if that helps at all? Am also using Lanisoh for nipple pain.

Jam: Veggie suggested 30cc before the birth (a few times a day IIRC) and then 200 once a day afterwards. I have the 200 but not the 30 so will have to stock up .

Congratulations to Gez

Verso: sorry you had a bad night. Hopefully things will be a bit more settled today

Mibbes: thank you for the birth story, sounds like they were on the ball with the CS. Don't feel guilty about the bfing, it didn't work out for you and there are advantages to ff as well (not least that your DH can do some of the feeds).

Kays: try a different brand, I found the Avent or the Tommee Tippee ones the softest.

I will have too I think Effie, I have some mothercare ones and they are horrible.

Good morning. Hooray for PD, and to think she was still posting last night. Dying to hear her birth story. Loving hearing all these fast birth stories hope it is a good omen.

DH has taken DS to football class and later we are going to the movies, DS & DH are seeing Madagasgar 2 and i'm going to see the secret life of bees. I think DH is more excited about there movie than DS is.

DH and i got sprung this morning, DH is bit stressed with work stuff and well i'm free to go into labour when i want now (except would rather wait til after b'day) so i thought i would give him a little lovin, with DS happily playing in his room, but of course he decided to come back and give mummy and daddy a cuddle. I was...uh...erm...under the covers at the time and DS said 'where is mummy is she hiding, i'll find her'. Poor DH did everything to bribe him back to his room cheeky little monkey.

Also on the dream front i have been having really crazy almost dirty dreams, the other morning i was just about to get a snog from Noel Fielding (i have a little pregnancy hormonal crush on him) when DS started slapping me on the face saying 'wake up mummy'. the weird thing is he never usually does that he usually wakes me with a kiss, maybe he knew i was being unfaithful to his father in a dream.

oh yeah Jam, my homeopath said Arnica 30c once a day a week or 2 before EDD (2 weeks covers you in case you come early). and then 200c once a day for 5 days. I think you also take it during labour but not sure of dose, DH has a few remedies he is putting in some water for me and i'm to sip it during the birth. Keeps me hydrated as well as aiding the birth and recovery etc.

Veggie: DH took DS to see Madagascar yesterday, he enjoyed most of it but got a bit bores so they didn't see the end. He's been running round making roaring noises ever since

and thanks for clarifying re: the arnica . I've been enjoying the raspberry leaf tea, though it does seem to increase the number of BHs.

i've had loads more BH and have found them really uncomfortable. Either really tight in lower abs or really really tight across the top of my bump the other night it was so tight it felt like my bump might rip open.

hopefully DS will sit through, it will be the 3rd time he has been to the cinema, he likes t but if there is ever a slight scary or sad bit he either gets freaked out, or cries.

Morning

Just wanted to say a quick congratulations to PoisonDwarf. Sounds like the birth I would love .

We are off to the park for breakfast pastries ( clearly it has taken us a long time to get ready since that plan was made!).

hi all.
was just reading through the posts since last night and a Skype call has flashed up from my FIL - I'm ignoring it. I am a very bad DIL.

Not feeling fab today - feel sick again and the tears are out in force. DH has just taken DD out to Tesco so I can catch up with ironing etc in peace. Used to do it all in the evenings but am too pooped these days.

Have a sudden paranoid feeling about MN - thinking that everyone can see what I write - not that I spend my days being mean about anyone but I have a weird feeling that I'm being watched.

well done PD - looking forward to the story.

Poison congratulations!! Looking forward to hearing all about it but it does sound very wonderful!

Mibbes great to hear your birth story, so glad all was okay in the end but that must be very scary at times. All worth it though for your beautiful boy! Sorry to hear breastfeeding didn't work out but please don't feel bad about it - he has loving parents who sound thrilled to bits with their baby boy and that's the main thing!

Lal frilly curtains is still making me giggle! Northallerton does seem to have really positive reviews from everyone so fingers crossed.

Veggie laughing out loud at your interruption this morning!

Trace I am all over the place as well - tearful and a bit loopy in the head! DH is shaking his head at me as I am insisting on bizarre things. Crying because I can't fix Christmas decorations when I haven't got all the bits to do them. Doing an on-line order with Sainsburys because they are doing free delivery, even though it's going to take me hours as all our orders are set up with Tescos. Crying hysterically as the blind in the nursery isn't up yet. Oh dear!

Hi all! Had a lovely day today with DH, BIL, SIL & niece in Sydney. Feeling quite tired now though, and have just spent ages catching up so it's now almost time for bed.

trace good on you for trying the cervix thing. I just re-read it - how are you supposed to 'sit' on the toilet with your leg up on it too? Perhaps they mean stand with one leg up on loo or bath? That would make more sense to me. Anyway I too was worried about starting something off if I go pokin around in there, so I might wait till next week when I'm actually due to see if anything is happening. And I was surprised they didn't mention anything about at least washing your hands first - esp if waters have broken, surely you want to keep things as sterile as possible? At my appointment last week the MW at the hospital gave me some medical gloves so that my mum (MW) can check dilation etc before I go in. I'm sure she'll be much more effective at it than I will be!

Also trace I moneysavingexpert too. Wish they had something like it here in Australia. It was there I first found out that you can get crazy cheap train tickets from London to Manchester from just £1 each way! Awesome stuff. Also here's some info on cheeses for you. Looks like Boursin is fine.

kayz LOL @ "Both me and the MW decided Sunday would be the best day". You're my due date buddy you know - don't say thinks like that, I'm not ready yet! (I still have too much to do). Knowing our luck, you'll come late & I'll come early eh?

verso you are my hero. I am so impressed with your BF perseverance. I really hope things get better for you & DD super soon xx

mibbes thank you so much for your amazing birth story, you did wonderfully well and hope you're recovering swiftly from the em C/S. I also think you don't need to feel guilty about not BF, you just need to do what is best for you & DS... and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise

kayz I wonder if you'd have any more luck with fabric breast pads? Not sure if the ones you've got are fabric or not, but perhaps worth a try if you can't find any other comfy ones? I've bought some washable ones from a chemist here, but don't know yet if they're any good. So sorry, that's probably not too much help is it?

katie I definitely think you're up in the nominations for biggest baby & funniest birth story. Your poor DH though, must have been embarassing for him (but at least now you have a cool birth story to tell DD when she is older!)

hatty !!
Don't worry, it'll get done eventually. xx

And of course... hooray PD !!

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

14/11/08 - MrsMattie - Baby Girl "Bella", 7lb, C/S (due 28/11)
18/11/08 - DonnyLass - Baby Boy, (due 03/12)
19/11/08 - Flumpybumpy - Baby Girl "Niamh Lily", 6lb 13oz, C/S (due 02/12)
20/11/08 - pixsix - Baby Boy, (due 01/12)
24/11/08 - daisydora - Baby Boy "Harry", 8lb 8oz, (due 03/12)
24/11/08 - Amy123 Baby Boy "Robbie Lewis", 7lb 13.5oz (due 3/12)
25/11/08 - Verso - Baby Girl "Frieda Harriet", 8lbs 13oz, C/S (due 04/12)
25/11/08 - LadyThompson - Baby Girl "Octavia Poppy Alice", 6lb 9oz, C/S (due 03/12)
28/11/08 - theyoungvisiter - Baby Boy, 7lb 2oz, HB (due 09/12)
29/11/08 - lal07 - Baby Girl "Nancy Elizabeth", 6lb 11oz, (due 08/12)
01/12/08 - ChutneyMary - Baby Boy "Matthew", 8lb 6oz, C/S (due 10/12)
01/12/08 - jumpjockey - Baby Girl "Sarah Kirstin", HB (due 08/12)
03/12/08 - mibbes - Baby Boy "Evan", 6lb 5oz, EmC/S (due 06/12)
03/12/08 - katie3677 - Baby Girl "Liliana (Lily) Alice Grace", 11lb 2oz, C/S (due 14/12)
06/12/08 - poisondwarf - Baby Girl, 6lb 15oz, (due 08/12)