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!!

((((((((((((((verso))))))))))))) oh my love defo get rid of the clocks. DOnt think too far ahead if thats possible just go feed to feed I second the lying down feed/dozing. Keep going you are doing brill!!!!!!!

Hello! I am here and not having a baby!
My parents have been visiting that's all...so not been online.
I did have what I think was 1st braxton hicks today...gasp shock horror, exciting!!
German names, the only boys German name I can think of is Jens, the name of the first boy I ever snogged on the German exchange, aged 13.
He had too short trousers and white socks, not a good look.
Right gotta go to bed now!

Message withdrawn

Just a quickie, lovely ladies. I have no time these days...I wonder why

Gloves up, Verso. Everything seems worse, and just too much, when you are so very tired. It WILL get better, you know it will. Be kind to yourself.

PD, I am deeeelighted for you. Hope you are now home.

Lal, Nancy is such a lovely name. It was on my list

Had lots of visitors today and yesterday so I've been swigging lots of champagne. I am still worried about my scar area though, it's so SWOLLEN the one side. Midwife didn't turn up again today, it's bloody rubbish I tell you. They asked me to go in again instead and I said no. I am not doing my third 20 mile round trip in the space of a few days.

Anyone know anything about...er...sex after a section? I hate to lower the tone but I can't quite bring myself to ask my obstetrician. I know full sex is out (and I can't even contemplate the thought, believe me) but what about...other stuff? I keep thinking about my uterus being cut into and though it would be nice to do something which will make me feel normal, the thought of anything contracting when it is still healing worries me. Am I being too ambitious? Should I take up knitting instead?

To all those getting hacked off with the late stages of pregnancy, when you get your lovely baby it really will all be worth it. I can't stop kissing mine. She is all pink and beady eyed and scrumptious.

Night night all xxxx

Good morning! I'm on an extra early shift (usually lie in on Sundays) but DH feels sick so I am being kind! Fully intending on going back to bed at some time!

Verso I so so feel for you. I remember dreading night time. Daytime was tiring and hard but it was the nights that were the killer as you are so conditioned to being able to switch off and it just doesn't happen with a tiny baby. But, as everyone keeps saying...it does pass. It's just very hard whilst you are in the middle of it. Eat well, sleep when you can and remember you'll look back on it with rose tinted glasses on!

I'll second the washable breast pads too. I did a market research trial when I had DS and ended up with some of almost every brand! I seem to remember that Avent were pretty good. I also have some of those lilypads which are stick on latex ones that kind of push the milk back in! Not perfect but very handy for when you don't want that 'two circles in my bra' look. Not to be worn for a long time though as you get an attractive sweaty rash around the nipples!

LT very impressed at your desire to start getting physical!! Not sure what the rules are but the intent is nothing short of admirable!!!!

Had a lovely evening out with some friends and there were two other pregnant girls there, one who I didn't know. A few people popped outside halfway through the meal to have a cigarette and she got up and went with them clutching her malborough lights . Now I know it is each to their own and that we pride ourselves on not being judgemental on this thread but I found that really really hard to cope with. I couldn't speak to her after that.

Lovely day of decorating the tree ahead and making Jammy Dodgers from the Tana Ramsay book. I came over all 'organised mum' yesterday and made the dough whilst DS was napping so that it would have sufficient chilling time without DS saying 'is it ready yet'!!

Catch up soon - hope everyones nights were peaceful! x

morning!
I've been awake since 4am! Finally gave in at 5 and had toast and a cuppa, just drifted off in time for dd to wake me up shouting "It's 7 o clock!" - why did I teach her to recognise getting up time on the clock?!!!
Have had a headache since 4. Grrrrr. Paracetamol are rubbish sometimes.
Decorated my tree yesterday - it looks so pretty - it's actually the same fake one we've had since we got married, now on its 10th Christmas - but as we can't really justify replacing it, it's out again!
DD wants to go for a special meal 'just us' before the baby arrives so today we're off to the Chinese buffet after church! Yum Yum!
LT - impressed with your libido!
and Oli - you make your own Jammie Dodgers - very impressive! Hope they turn out yummy!
Dh and I had our first attempt in about 6 months at making love yesterday, but were completely unsuccessful! Couldn't find a position that worked without of of us being squished and by the time we'd worked it out, he'd run out of steam - if you know what I mean (TMI!). Oh well - the cuddles were nice!

Good morning lovely ladies.

Verso, I am so with you on the sleep front. I fed from 10-12, 1 til 3.30, then 4.30 til 6, 7 til 10 then on and off throughout the night. I was in tears by 7 as I was so tired and the DDs were playing up, but a bit of chocolate got me back on track for the night. My nips are really sore and the latch is excrutiating to start with. However, it will get easier for all of us. Sorry I can't remember if you co sleep or not. That is the only thing that keeps me going over night. At least I am lying down and can drift off. I also have the laptop by my bed so look at MN, DVDs, BBC i player etc if I am awake enough. The first few weeks are very hard though. We need to reward oursleves with a big lunch to mark them being over.

Mibbes, I don't think I've got round to saying huge congratulations to you on the birth of your son. It sounds a bit traumatic but wonderful that he is here safely now. Don't beat yourself up over the feeding. You gave it your best shot and it didn't work out and I am sure he will thrive now that he is here with his loving parents. Hope you are home and enjoying those first few days.

Oli, I am at the pregnant smoking woman - I feel bad enough sometimes having a glass of wine out when heavily pg in case people have their judging pants on, so she must have some balls to smoke out there! I remember when I went out for my birthday I wore my long cardigan so I wouldn't get looks if I ordered a second glass of wine! I suppose people could be as disapproving of drinking as smoking in pg, but as it's so hard to smoke in public now anyway, it seems doubly shocking. BTW, do you rate the Tana Ramsay book? I feel quite tempted but probably don't need YET another cook book.

LadyT, respect to you on the nookie bear front. I am as likely to fly to the moon as get down and dirty at the moment. I think you can have actual sex once you've stopped bleeding, but can do, er, other things as soon as you feel the urge. Obviously if it is sore then stop, but I can't see that the scar of itself would make much difference. Gentle contracting whilst healing would probably do it good so long as you aren't too athletic

Trace, I am with you on the sexual gobi desert. I haven't seen any action for months as I don't feel like it pg. Respect to you for having a go.

How are you today, Veggie? Feeling any better - hope so. Was Beans on yesterday? Any word from Kayz?

Off to have a bath while M sleeps. Why can't he sleep at night?

katie so sorry to hear you're going through similar, although it's hugely comforting to know I'm not alone. Love some of the names on your list, by the way -Gisela in particular. I think all the advice people have been giving about not clock watching and taking it a day at a time is very sound.

Well, I had a bit of a better night last night, thank God. DD2 went down finally at about 11.30 - then up at 1.30 and 5.30 for feeds. Only thing was the 1.30 feed was an hour and a half!! LOADS coming out the other end (TMI? ) so I think the latch must be better. It's still sore but not quite as bad - and no longer bleeding, which is much better.

Did someone on here suggest jelonet for healing or was that a different thread?

LadyT respect to you and your amorous question. I wondered the same re contractions internally - but that is NOT to say that I'm 'up for it' as yet!!

P.S. chutney the big lunch to mark the end of the early weeks is a fantastic idea. I think we should get something in the diary!

I don't co sleep as I found it too stressful with DD1 and that was with a superking size bed. We only have a kingsize now (smaller bedroom in this house) so I think it would be even worse. I know it works for a lot of people but I also just found DD1 would adopt a snack-bar approach and never had a proper feed, keeping me awake all night with constant suckling, which was even more exhausting.

Morning,

Nothing has happened here. I really want him to come today so I am going to try everything possible. But I'm not holding out much hope. I want to go for a walk, I haven't been out since Thursday and I hate being inside. It is still really icy though.

Verso I'm glad you had a better night last night.

Cat Tell me all about Mr Lehman. There is not enough German football on the tv to see enough of him.

Oli I can't believe the smoking lady. I suppose its each to ones own but still. I feel bad for having a shandy every now and again. My sister gave up smoking when she found out and half an hour after having my niece she was outside having a fag. It really confused me.

I hope everyone is feeling ok this morning. Please try and think labour thoughts for me.

LT am absolutely about MW not coming to check your wound and expecting you to go to her ! Mine came yesterday and was lovely. She checked my wound and then showed me how to use the breast pump. She also offered to come again today in case I was struggling with expressing. Am very impressed that you are thinking about sex - there will be none of that for a long time here .
And I totally second what you say about your little bundle. For those first-timers worrying what it will be like, my experience is that it is amazing. I have cried ssooooo much but all happy tears (except the ones about not being able to BF). I can barely look at my wee boy wihtout welling up - I feel compleltely overwhelmed with love for him, it is incredible. I was honestly terrified I would not bond with my baby beforehand, but it all seems to fall into place when you see their wee face . And what people say about following instinct is so true, you get to know your wee bundle so quickly. I'd also advise not legging it out of hospital at the first opportunity (unless it is a seriously rubbish one) as I learned loads and found the support excellent and reassuring. They were open to all silly questions - like the night I darted through to the MW station in a blind panic because Evan's eyes rolled back - they just sweetly told me my baby was dreaming without making me feel like a complete idiot !

Expressing going well, in 3 'pump sessions' yesterday I managed to express about 170ml which was enough for 4 feeds . Have decided to try skin to skin and see if he goes for the breast - am not going to force him as he seems to be trauamtised by some of the less patient MWs in hospital who shoved my breast into his mouth... am not going to be too if it still doesn't work as he is hopefully going to get at least 50% breast milk from my expressing

kayz I so feel for you missus, it feels like you have been desperately waiting for months ! I am so glad I went early and didn't have to hang on waiting. I'll do a 'early-baby' dance for you and see if that helps (I'll be doing it slowly though after CS !!)

Thanks Mibbes, I do feel like this pregnancy has been 10 times longer than DS's.

TMI but when I just went to the toilet there was some stuff like a show but with no blood streaks in it. So it might just be extra discharge but could be something else.

I didn't fall over when we went out, though I did have a few moments where I thought I was going to go over.

Just a quick post from me for now (shocking, I know! )

Oli glad you think the Avent breast pads are ok, as those are the ones I've bought!

mibbes wow - great work with the expressing. Are you using a rental breast pump from the hospital or do you have your own? I've bought a Medela one for when I go back to work, hopefully it will be good.

I wonder how modernlove is going - at last recollection she was in labour!

I'm pretty happy I've finally finished the cot sheets (2 sets of fitted waterproof & 2 sets of fitted thick cotton). Also did some curtains so nearly done on the sewing front for now.

I'm off to bed so hope you all have a lovely day!

Hi all
Conrate on the babies i have missed since I last posted. Lovely names. It makes it all seem very real all these babies arriving. My best friend who was due the week before me had a girl on Wed. She had been in hospital since 31 weeks with a low placenta after several bleeds. They are both at home now so once I have shifted yet another cold I am going to visit. I have read somewhere that holding a new born can induce the start of labour!
Kayz: Any sign of your one arriving yet?
Verso: I fully rmemebr the sleepless nights with DS. One of the things I am most dreading this time, as I really love my sleep and need at least 9 hours. Any chance of having more sleep during the day. I know that sometimes is easier said than done though.
TRaceface: Fully sympathise with the early It is so frustarting when you know you should be asleep. DS also has another cold and was up 10 times last night. He coughs so much he makes himself sick -10 times in an hour on Friday. Have stayed inside today as the change in temp and cold just sets him off. The doctor would not give him anything as said it is just viral. Just hope it all clears as could do without it when DD arrives.
Effie: I am aslo enyoying the raspberry leaf tea. I did have a very short 2nd stage last time so I do think it helps. I just hope that I make it to the hospital in time.

I went for a fitting for a nursing bra as could not find my ones I had for DS. Initially the woman in M and S said I should come back nearer the birth as I was not very big. I explained I was 37 weeks- she was very surprised and then after measuring me told me to buy 38 E. I was so shocked I am normally a 36B. The thing is they do seem to fit with a bit of room for when my milk comes in. I went huge last time from BF, and as someone else said I fully recomend the Avent breastpads.

Quick question for you all. How would you spell Alana (allanah, alanna- double l, n with a h????) I would like it as a middle name after my Dad (Alan) who died jsut after I found out I was pregnant. Also not too sure how it will go down with my mum. Not because they are divorced, but DS has as his middle names, both his grandfathers names and i think my Mum thought I was going to do the same this time with grandmother names. Should I talk to her about this?

Must go DS has just woken up.
Good luck for all those going ibn to labour soon. Looking forward to hearing the birth stories

well my lovely plans failed.
My headache got worse and worse and having been reprimanded by the MW last week for ignoring symptoms 'with my history' I rang the maternity unit and they said they'd check my BP. So I didn't go to church with DH and DD - I went to hospital instead - BP was fine but they did bloods and the results took 3 hours, so I also missed our very special last meal out . DH and dd had Chinese buffet while I sat on my own waiting to be told everything was normal except I'm anaemic so have been given iron tablets. I really wish I'd not rung the unit. Should have just stuck with my family today. Grrrrrrrrr.
Head is still killing but at least I know it's not my BP I suppose.

Simmo I think I'd naturally write Alanah. Lovely name. And full of meaning for you - I'd talk to your mum about it. I liked Emily for a middle name with dd1 but didn't dare because DH had a sister called Emily who died as a baby. Then this year when dd got guinea pigs she called one Emily and MIL was absolutely fine about it!!! So am pretty sure if I'd talked to her about it at the time it would have been all fine!

No sign of anything here. But I can hardly move due to my SPD. I feel like an old lady. I'm not sure if the SPD is going to make labour difficult but I hope not.

Trace I am really sorry about your afternoon being ruined. Could you maybe get a takeaway one night this week and have a chinese buffet at home? Not the same I know but it would still be fun.

Simmo, I would either write Alana or Alanah. It is a lovely name that is full of meaning for you. I second talking to your mum about it.

My DS's middle name is Dominic which was my little brothers name but he died when he was a few days old. I asked my mum and dad if they would be ok with me using it and they were fine.

Oooh, I had a moment of excitment in Pizza Express at lunchtime but sadly it was nothing.

I was getting intense pressure in my pelvis together with tightenings and I got DH to time them and they were exactly 5 mins apart. They only lasted about 15 seconds each time but they were very intense. However, there was no pain so I kinda knew they could not be contractions. Didn't stop me getting excited though.

Nothing now for 3 hours.

Oooh Arti that is exciting, maybe it is going to happen soon.

chutney/ verso - re the feeding thing, i asked mw today about why some feeds are short ~(about 20 mins) and others much longer (an hour plus, especially at night) and she said that often babies stay attached when they've actually finished feeding - so the second half hour is just for comfort rather than because they 'need' it - so you can unlatch them and they won't be going hungry. if they try to go back to the breast then by all means carry on but if they've fed themself to sleep you don't have to carry on just for the sake of it.

we had a v grizzly night last night. several long feeds and burping/changing didn't seem to sort it out so dh ended up coming downstairs with her and walking around for half an hour then she came into bed with us. We've pretty much defaulted to co sleeping as it's the easiest way to get her to sleep and stay asleep, not sure how long we'll have to carry on but i can't bear to think of her being upset when we're right there to give her a cuddle.

mibbes great work expressing, that sounds like loads! so with you on the crying, i can sit for ages just looking as her and then comne over all weepy at what a miracle she is, how tiny and yet so perfect and her skin so soft, little hands, little squeaky noises and wriggles [sob]

simmo lovely thought, i'd prpbably spell it Alannah (like hannah). dd has my mum's maiden name as a middle name. i'm very sad she won't know her gran but will try to keep as much of her memory alive as possible for her.

LT crikey, you're keen i'm in a truly hideous mothercare nursing nightie which is enough to put off even the most enthusiastic chap. god it's awful, it's enough to cause pnd on its own.

(rant alert) our local mothercare branch is so shit, they made me very cross yesterday, all the racks of nursing tops are size 8 or size 18 plus, but still completely rammed so very hard to rifle through them to get to the one size 12 lurking at the back. i asked if they had my size in several things and the answer was always "no but we can order not in, will take a week". with a kind of rolled eye thar suggests it's my fault for even thinking to ask they might check the stock room. Don't you think your stock control might need a bit of looking at if none of the size 20s are selling but you're always having to order in size 12s? also sleep bras only in a 34 or a 44

a couple of great MILisms for the sweepstake if i may - on being told on monday about dd's arrival her first comment was "oh no, monday's child, that's full of woe isn't it?" erm no, but thanks for the cheery thought. and her congrats card said "have had this card for ages, am so glad to be able to use it and that nothing's gone wrong" Then again this is the lady who asked why we were doing our wedding seating plan so early (a week beforehand) "because someone might cancel, or die"

jj your MIL sounds hilarious! Is there a craziest MIL comment category in the sweepstakes?!

hello ladies have just caught up with your day. I can't remember all I was going to comment on, the home made Jammu dodgers very impressive Oli very impressive indeed. The Australian equivalent is making my own Tim Tams or Kingston biscuits.

Well have had a lovely veggie family day out. It is my birthday today so got a nice sleep in and breakfast in bed. Then we went for a drive up to Stanton moor to see a stone circle up there called the nine ladies. I would have liked to go there on the solstice but will be otherwise disposed I think so went for my birthday. We all had a nice walk across the Moor ds did really well walking for a long time. Then when we came to the circle there was a lovely cover of snow which ds loved. Then we headed to the nearest village for a late lunch then a nice drive home through Matlock Bath.

I am also very pleased because I am writing this from my new itouch. Du thought it would be handy to have this after the baby is born rather than my laptop to email and surf on. Also for Reading and generally amusing myself while breastfeeding.

simmo sometimes a spoon of honey can settle a cough. Only temporarily but can be enough to break a coughing bout that can end in vomit. Obviously cough medicine is not recommended for children as you shouldn't try to suppress a cough but sometimes to help them get the sleep they need to recover one dose before bed one night is ok.

Arti I wonder if you went into labour in pizza express if they would give a free meal or 2.

JJ your MIL sounds a very happy go lucky lady...not.

Veggie Happy Birthday!!!!

Sounds like you had a lovely day, well done for walking so far. I can hardly manage the 10 minute walk to the shop now.

Ooh, ooh, can I add some MILisms? First off when I was in labour with DS she came for coffee and ended up staying for the whole day, right up until I got DH to take me to the hospital (more to escape her than anything else). She watched the Star Wars trilogy all day, not asking if there was something I would prefer to be watching/doing, and every time I had a contraction she kept saying 'It's goingto get so much worse' . This time round she lives much further away and has posted on her facebook status about her new grandaughter a) the wrong weight and b) the wrong name . Also, when asked when she was coming back this way (where all 5 of her children live) to meet her new grandaughter she has said that she is far too busy and has no idea when she might make it down here. And by the way...cooked lunch for Ashley and Cheryl Cole today as a trial run for cooking them Christmas dinner...wtf? It's not like she is a professional caterer or anything!

DS has this sickness bug that is going around and is projectile vomiting all over the place, nice. Really hope DD or I don't get it, I am not good at being ill, and not sure how I would cope with a 4 day old being ill either. No sleep for me again tonight then...

jj your MIL sounds priceless! Thanks for the tip re long feeds - I'm not worried if she takes a long feed from time to time, whether for comfort or not. What I'm most concerned about is making sure she takes plenty of hind milk. DD used to snack and so ended up with too much foremilk, loads of wind and very green frothy nappies. Not good!

Sounds like there are some rumblings afoot, arti and you're close to the off!

traceface so sorry you missed your last lovely meal you had planned and all because of poxy m/ws . It's good to know the headache isn't due to your BP but it must be so infuriating to miss out.

We've had a lovely - but busy - day here. Took DD2 to church to show her off a bit this morning - then had a bit of a palaver as I took her to change during the service and discovered I was bleeding v heavily again (TMI sorry! ). A lesson to me to take it easier. Then some friends came round this afternoon - lovely to see them but their DS is quite boisterous (he's at DD1's nursery) and so they wound each other up to a high level of noise and activity. Would have been perfectly fine but DD2 got quite upset and wouldn't settle after her feed. DH took her out for a short car ride so I could get a nap - and I now need to wake her up a couple of hours on for a feed!

mibbes what's your secret with the expressing? That's a tremendous amount! I can do 25-40ml at a sitting if I haven't just fed beforehand, and think that's fine for week 2 - but your output is just prodigious! Did I say I ended up ignoring the advice to express - and DD2 has been taking good feeds while my nipples heal up so I'm glad I did as it's less of a faff.

Wish me luck for tonight...