Jingle Bells, Mysterious Smells, Fab Feb 2009 babies will soon be on their way - Oh what fun it is to waddle around like an overstuffed turkey all day.

[dinkystinky]

Hello lovely ladies, the new thread is open for business

Norty im with you on that one ... if you dont want to bf then you shouldnt have to. That friend of mine who had her daughter in Leeds 8 weeks ago is a trained nanny of many years. Her daughter wouldnt latch on at all and they kept making my friend try till her daughter was literally screaming for food and they still refused to give her a bottle for her daughter to the point where she asked her DH to go to mothercare and buy a set of those bottles with the sma in and ready sterilised teat, so basically the same as they give you in hospital. The upshot is that her DD is now 8 weeks and my friend expresses every single feed ( Her DD never did take to latching on ) so a good compromise has been reached by all concerned. It makes me sad when i read that women are forced into or made to feel like shite because they either fail/dont get the support/or just plain ole dont want to bf. I have never managed more than two weeks with my three and will give it a go this time but im definatly not putting ANY pressure at all on myself at all.
LLB no point in saying dont worry as if you have had a shitty experience its hard to get past that for this time but it is true that no one birth is the same and St Peters although its had some bad press also has some good reports too, If you really feel that strongly though how would you feel about the Royal Surrey? Maybe a consultants appt and a long chat would help to put your mind at ease? Take it from me i was exactly where you were two months ago until they agreed to do a CS on me as i had a terrible time with DD3 and nearly lost her, should have had some councilling but i feel much more at peace knowing that the same thing isnt going to happen again, not just cause of the CS but because of the different hospital and knowing that im not going to be induced again. Dont be afraid to kick up a bit of stink though if you are worried because like someone else (sorry i forgot who) on this thread said a couple of pages back, regardless of mode of delivery a mothers peace of mind is probably the most important and primary thing in a happy healthy delivery.
Dinky Twilight was EMO heaven i was pmpl at DH who wore this torturous look the whole way through and im sure i heard the words, 'lame' and 'bent' emit from him every so often. Me and the girls enjoyed it though! heh heh
MrsY you have all my sympathies, i dont know what possessed me but on Saturday i was determind to get all of the groceries and being a bit frugal this year i went to Asda, Sainsburys and Tesco and bought a bit of everything everywhere. Twas a bad idea to say the least and it was super busy but i have got all the stuff now and i even made white choc chip and cranberry cookies yesterday! Yummy I nearly had a heart attack at the £52 free range turkey in Sainsburys though lol - suffice to say i got a turkey crown for £20 in Asda so at least didnt go too mad.
HERBGARDEN i live in Swindon and am a bit gutted now as i bought a new dining table (beech) from Ikea last week ( remember my DIY flurry? lol) But my uni friend who lives in Guildford her boyfriend works for the Pier there and she told me that they had gone into administration three weeks ago so its all half price. I wish i had some money left after all the bed,dining table and pressie buying but i dont!

MrsY and everyone else, why do people feel they have to leave their trolleys unattended in the middle of the bloody isle so you can't get past and then give thundering looks at you when you move it over a bit like you're going to steal their shopping (I'd at least wait til it had been paid for!)

Norty Why couldn't your baby lay where your feet had been? Are you a giant stinker?

herb that's it isn't it? I have my whole "I am not interested in your experiences or your opinions, only in your medical knowledge" speech all prepared!

I have seen a few bits on here and on-line generally (ds has not been infront of the tv all day, honest )about early induction, and it seems to be popular belief/knowledge that it makes labour alot harder as body doesn't have that prep time, and obviously your body will let baby out when ready blah blah blah so not going for induction (prob still scan though) watch this space tomorrow as would have changed mind again).

Has anyone else hit the sweats stage? I have all my windows open, a vest top on and I'm boiling hot!

I've just got hold of DDs hands and they are cold....so obviously I'm feeling hot as well

Rosie - that is awful about your friend. I find it absolutely unbelievable the way people think they have the right to preach to others about how things should / should not be done. We are all adults, and provided your choice is an informed one, then it is a choice after all.......I keep well away from the feeding boards on MN...I've learnt the hard way

LBB, in your situation I'd be looking at the maternity policies for St Peters....they are part of the same Trust as Royal Surrey and should be working to the same policies. I have to say, from what I've read about induction, is that it certainly isn't the easy route as it can put you into labour strongly and quickly without your body being completely ready. I was lucky in that for the first part, I was text book, first a show, 4 days later my waters went (standing up - don't believe what people say about that not being able to happen!) and then 8 hours later contractions starting. Its just the end that didn't quite go to plan.....but not unlike many others . From what I've read, you don't suffer fools gladly and will stick up for yourself....I hope

LLB ive had three inductions because of this diabetes milarky and the first two ( both at 37 weeks) went like a dream. I only had the syntocin drip on my first and thats probably the circumstances where i would advocate an epidural as obviously they can make the contractions pretty hectic,fast and unpleasant ( well more unpleasant than usual ) It was just negligence on the hospitals behalf that i had a rough time the last time - dont be scared of induction as if they are well managed they can go as well as any labour. If you are having a large baby there is a good reason for induction too as shoulder dystocia can be a factor but big babies per se shouldnt be a problem ( all mine were over 8lb at 37 weeks ) even a 10lber is not the end of the world as it depends on how you push and your midwives technique in helping you get lo out, even with all of mine being 8lb plus i had no stitches not once and im sure that was because i was told exactly what to do and i did it. Just do what you feel most comfortable with hun, remember that from 37 weeks babies are considered term so induction after this date is perfectly acceptable and i for one bloody hate being pregnant (although this has been the easiest one yet aside from the diabetes) so the chance not to have to wait up to another 5 weeks makes me a very happy bunny. There is no reason why you shouldnt have a really good experience this time it can be done as long as you are happy with your choices and you get the ones that you want within the feasibility of the hospital that you deliver at.

I walked to my friends house for a cuppa and a play this morning and DD and I took a long cut for scenic reasons.

Then we went to the park and I couldn't resist climbing on things.

Then we ran, yes ran, for the bus.

Then we walked round the city and got the last few bits for Christmas.

Then we got home and it would appear my body hates me. I am knackered, I have indigestion, my hips hurt, my head hurts, my back hurts...

I fell asleep on the sofa and didn't even realise until I heard dd shouting 'MUMMMMMMMMMM WAKE UP'

I fear I have Over Done It.

Thanx rosie that's really nice. Your thinking the same thing as dp is, he keeps saying about if too big and getting stuck and everything else. I just don't know what to do tbh, but waste of time thinking about it until they give us the option, and talk through pros and cons etc. Just when I decide on one thing, someone says something that makes me stop and think again! Maybe as I am so indecisive that's a sign to just let it happen on it's own. God, I'm boring!!
Have put my baby carrier in the wash today along with a few vests and grows. Gonna do a few bits in with every load of ours so won't seem like so much.

Pop your feet up MS...sounds like you need to take it easy. Your disturbed nights sleep probably isn't helping. And running for the bus??? are you mad woman.

Someone mentioned the hot and sweaty stage ! Yes Yes Yes, I am boiling hot all the time at the moment (I know it's turned a bit milder) - I have permanently rosy cheeks and I keep throwing the windows open and turning the heating off. Last time it was the summer of 2006 so was boiling hot and I had fat ankles anyway but my body temp is def on the up

Ive got to do some serious baby clothes washing - have done some and packed it in the hospital bag but still have loads to do (sod ironing it though im tumble drying it all! )
MS you definately have to put your feet up, i couldnt run for my life never mind a bus. Im getting really hot now too, i went for some lunch with a friend today and opened the window and the lady behind me promptly moaned. Added to this i am on first name terms with a large bottle of Gaviscon ... its bloody expensive though i might try and get some on prescription as im getting through it pretty sharpish - dont remember having such bad reflux and indigestion last time but its been a while so maybe i did. Really need to make sure i eat well before 8 o clock, think that might help?

MS That sounds hectic. Take it easy tonight. I can't run for a bus normally, let alone being heavily pregnant. You are officially mad, woman!

herb me too, last time was summer 2007 so was bound to be hot then, but now, I feel a bit crazy going shopping without a coat and all that, but now getting cold symptoms so.... Nevermind

rosie I take Gaviscon tablets but ds keeps getting hold of them and hiding them so gets to 3am and I can't find them, the little bugger angel . You could try not eating after 8pm, but not sure how much difference it'd make at this stage. It's not like normal heartburn is it?

rosie do people actually iron their baby clothes? I couldn't be doing vests and sleepsuits and all that. Proper little outfits for meets and days out, but can't do baby stuff

Nooo its not like normal heartburn is it? and (TMI alert) i have been woken up with sick in my throat or that reflux type stuff during the night and inhaled it whilst asleep and woke up choking and stuff - i hate it and its really uncomfortable. Havent seen Gaviscon tablets as bought the first large pepperminty Gaviscon bottle i could see as was in agony but i might give them a go. I used to use rememgel up until i got that sickness bug but now i need something a bit stronger and Gaviscon seems to be doing the trick - only for about half an hour though.

I dunno if anyone irons baby clothes its kinda cute if you want to but tumble drying seems to sort out the creases, all of the outfits i got for this lo are all velour or jersey type cotton so even they dont need ironing lazy daisy that i am! I hate ironing and as a rule dont really do it ( only DH's shirts sometimes and even then he does it or i bribe eldest DD!)

I mean it's only because baby is in the way at the mo. I also use toothpaste if gaviscon isn't to hand. Started keeping a little tube under my pillow, it does help a bit....
I took loads of Gaviscon with ds and can't help thinking is this the reason he had such bad reflux?

herby..... snap on the summer of 06 baby last time.... that was an experiance wasn't it?! first and only heatwave in years and we were up the duff! i too get madly hot when preg... with dd it was the middle of winter and i had all the doors and windows open constantly, it's a wonder i didn't freeze poor dp to death with ds i lived on the beach semi submerged in the water only returning home to lie on the couch eating my own body weight in ice lollies and ice cubes daily. not been too bad so far but do find if a room is even vaguely warm my face is flushed and i feel very hot.

dinky... lol atyour ds singing the Ting Tings song... dd was dancing around to their song on the radio earlier and apparently she likes it because it's 'cat music' it solves a mystery though as she constantly asks dp to put 'cat music' on the stereo and he hadn't the faintest idea what she was on about!

of those of you with baby clothes to wash! my grand total of 3 babygroes and 6 vests is clean but that's hardly going to get me far beyond the first day! can't wait to do shopping but no idea when we'll be on top of things money wise after the few weeks we've had and the car nonsense to boot.

lbb.... was discussing with someone once about early discharge and although the official minimum time here is 6 hours she was told by the hospital themselves that no one can stop her discharging herself whenever she wants.... it's a hospital not a prison and if you want to walk out an hour after delivery you are fully within your rights to do so. if i make it to hospital that's what i'm doing.... only stayed for the night last time as they didn't have a paed available to check him over as he was born so late but i'll be damned if i do that again... my gp can do any checks that need doing.

Exactly PP. I will obviously stay if there is a medical problem with either of us, but I am not stupid and would not put ds or myself at any risk.
I think I've heard it's a 6 hour minimum stay too. I will wait for a successful feed and a dirty nappy, might think about staying if late on a friday and wouldn't get to drs until monday if paed isn't available. But we'll see at the time.
Last time, I had everything ready at 8am and told them I was calling dp and we were leaving, that we needed to be somewhere where we'd get some help and support and both of us would have a chance at recovery. They came to me and asked if I wanted him to have BCG and I said no, they said as we lived in an area where TB could be on the rise, I agreed and 5 hours! because they said they don't do it in schools and it was now or never. Liars. Not falling for that crap again either!

I'm rather more envious of those of you that get to go shopping for baby stuff. I can't justify spending any money whatsoever on baby as have so so so much from my PFB. I'd love to go baby shopping.

hello all - back from in-laws...gees you talk
Dinky- I hope you're already thinking of a title for our next thread!!

LBB-blimey you really did have a rough time...

OK first timers - some of us have had positive birth experiences...I promise

LLB ive had nothing at all here for obvious reasons but i think i mentioned earlier on the thread ive got some gorgeous bundles of almost as new newborn and 0-3 clothes from ebay. I have bought just a few new bits like scratch mitts and babygrows as they aren't that expensive but i got some really lovely designer outfits for around 5 - 7 quid so far each but have still spent an awful lot of money. PP you will get some babygrows in time dont worry, things have been tight for you i know but its bad timing with your car and Christmas and all that, I think that the sales continue till the end of Jan so hopefully you will be able to get some proper bargains just before your lo comes along
Arrghh indigestion is back after only half an hour of taking that Gaviscon again. Dont know quite what to do about it apart from take more Gaviscon.
Im keeping my fingers crossed that i get out relatively quickly for a CS and that all goes well - cant wait to get home and snuggle up with my lo, DP and DC's

The next sale has some lovely outfits - especially for those of you that know what you're having.

I'm as LBB - I have SO much PFB stuff - hardly worn....e-bay is great though for bundles....that's how I'll be getting rid of all my stuff this time.

rosie, try some milk - I take a huge glass to bed with me as I get that sick in my throat thing....an extra pillow as well.

Evening all.

Rosie - sorry to hear about the monster heartburn; try propping yourself up abit more in bed, some camomile tea or fennel tea before bed and eating little and often (maybe a ginger biscuit or something before you go to bed may give the acids something to work with). And our yoga teacher swears by good posture (try sitting up straight and leaning back slightly to stretch out your oesophagus) - all may help - worth a go I guess....

Markstretch - you HAVE to start taking it easy lady! I know you like to be active but you're heavily pregnant and your body is now rebelling as its the only way it can slow you down.

LBB - am the same as you; I have loads of stuff from DS (but got rid of the really vommy/pooey newborn stuff so have had to buy a couple of vests and babygrows). DS was a spring/summer baby so have had to buy a little child coat but that's it. Still, on plus side, is saving us a small fortune

Chilledmama - I agree, new thread title suggestions are needed asap given how everyone chats... how about

"Aches, pains, sudden weight gains - anyone would think that Fab Feb 2009 babies will soon be on their way...."

Am sure some one else will be able to come up with something much better though (suspect I used up all my inspiration on this thread title)

P.s. I am absolutely boiling too at the moment - suffering delightful night sweats too (lucky DH!)...

Havent tried milk but have tried propping up (4 pillows!) even when i was in hospital last weekend on one of those beds that go up and down at the head end i tried sleeping with it up quite a way to negate the need for pillows and it didnt do much.
Just think that my little man is up quite high and thats that ... 6 weeks this Friday ... and counting Cant moan too much though as apart from diabetes which i expected i havent had a hard time this pregnancy at all really - no terrible back or joints or anything very very serious so thats good ... so far so good

dinky you have my vote for the new thread title, sounds good.

Well, the night out didn?t quite go as planned! TBD called in sick and Tink was in no state to go either. I got there first (apparently they all went to my house first and raided the snacks TBD had bought for himself ? I?m not staying at home at the moment if you recall), we were supposed to be going to ?Round the World in 80 Dishes? but they were charging £20 a head! I asked why and apparently they have included turkey and the trimmings on the menu ? so you have to pay for the extra food even if you don?t eat it and lets face it, even if you did eat it, it?s no more expensive than any of the other dishes and you?re not going to eat more and what about vegetarians? We decided we didn?t want to go with that option so got a takeaway and went home. I?ve been back about 2 hours and they?re still over mine playing WoW and TBD has gone to bed!

I did get a nice pair of carpenter jeans from Peacocks and a couple of T-shirts, so I?m happy about my new clothes. I also picked up some new shoes as mine get a battering with me not being able to pick my feet up properly. I feel human this evening!

LBB, they were right if they were backing it up with breastfeeding support. But that?s one of the big problems with this country. We are being told all the time that we should be breastfeeding yet help is sparse when you have problems. I was fortunate that I had a premature baby as I was in for a long time and had a lot of help. Fortunately I now have a lot more knowledge and know where to go to if I have any problems.

Norty, it?s not about moral highground, it?s to do with supporting breastfeeding, it?s far more helpful to a struggling mother to help her with the feeding than give her a bottle and risk compromising the breastfeeding altogether. There are always plenty of threads about this sort of thing in the feeding forum.

I?m very sympathetic to shopping problems, I?m getting so wound up by people taking out my crutches then giving me a filthy look! Today someone kept kicking my crutch (left one too which is the important one as I?m in most pain on the right) then tripped over it (I didn?t adjust my step at all?) and she and her friend made a big fuss ?Oh are you OK?? said her friend to her followed by lots of tutting and huffing at me. It?s not like it?s hard to spot a woman on crutches walking slower than everyone else!

If you want to understand how an induction works on your body watch The Business of Being Born. They have a good cartoon showing how it works on your body and baby.

Another summer 06 baby. I spent a quarter of my pregnancy in the hospital and it was like being in a greenhouse! When Tink was in the NNU I would stay down there as much as possible because it was a set temperature so feels cold in the summer, I?d wait till I could barely keep my eyes open anymore and then ask for a porter to take me back. It was the only way I could ever sleep!

I think FiFi is trying to turn back the right way, she?s so active at the moment and I?m often having contractions coinciding with big periods of activity. Someone told me that an active baby can make the uterus irritable.

TBM Glad you feel human, shame about your evening. These things always happen when you really look forward to them don't they?
I do definately want to have some more understanding about the whole lot tbh, never really thought about it, even when coming up to having ds. We just take so much for granted and suppose quite lucky that most of us can live in blissful ignorance. I obviously don't want to consent to anything that is going to make things harder on myself and more importantly my baby which is why I've also stated under no circumstances am I to have pethedine again as read it can make baby woozy and is linked to probems with bf (just incase I change my mindd)

I had a mostly ache and pain free day yesterday and the night hasn't been too bad either, me and dp actually managed to do the deed too which wasn't too bad sorry tmi

Have woken up with bloody earache! Will go to the doctors this morning as i suppose its just the residue of this virus ive had but it hurts (sinuses are hurting too on the side that my ear is aching). Cannot wait till this infection is over.

LLB congrats on getting laid lol dont worry about anything, its good that you are using your experience to guide you as to what you think might equate to a better birth experience this time such as no pethidine, its all any of us can do and you can listen to all of the advice you like but if you take it with a healthy pinch of salt and combine it with advice from the proffesionals you will be fine If you do end up plumping for an induction then you can temper all of the horror stories that you have heard with all of the brilliant normal labour experiences that you hear too, all three of mine were good (it was just the management of the actual birth and the fact i was left alone to heamorrage which could have happened if i wasnt induced) i promise you.Induction apparently does increase the risk of CS or instumental delivery but not always, i had epidurals with all of my inductions and like i said they went really really well so dont worry, either way your baby is coming out and you wont be so unlucky with your experience this time because to be forwarned is to be forarmed

As for BFing just wait till you have your lo, if you feel that strongly about it either way you must do what you feel is right. Dont take any rubbish this time and if you want to FF make that clear from the very start (i know i bloody well will) and if you want to BF try and seek the help that you need so that you dont feel stressed about the whole experience. I dont agree that the staff denied you a bottle the same as i dont agree that they denied my friend a bottle for her daughter when she was patently screaming with hunger.Its your baby, your choice!

Christmas eve tomorrow woo! Is anyone planning anything special as a meal? Beef stroganoff here (as will be all turkey'd out for the following days) Its so exciting Am really looking forward to having a little one again over the next few years as when they believe in Santa too its even more special. As it is i have trouble getting my lot up out of bed for pressie time these days lol, im always up bounding around waking everyone up - DH will be doing pancakes and maple syrup in bed for everyone, not sure if he can acutally cook them but its a sweet idea

Morning rosie sorry to hear about your earache. At east it happened today while normal docs are still about so hopefully you'll get an appontment without too much hassle.
We're off to my mum's tomorrow for xmas up until the day after boxing day. Not sure what we'll do for a special meal, you normally need a steak knife to cut through fish fingers in her house so I predict me, dp and ds spending an awful lot of time at McDonalds!
My main reason for not wanting to bf is because I have such a young toddler and want to include him uin as much as I can iyswim. I know breast is best and I know why but formula isn't poison, ds was ff and he has never had any probs that lack of bf is supossed to inflict. Although it makes me feel a bit guilty thinking about not even trying as I did try with ds. Maybe if I only do a week bf, better than nothing, we'll just see how exhausted I am at the time! Also the lack of food at hospital obv didn't help (nothing from 7pm friday to 2pm sunday, ds born roughly in the middle)
I read about the effects of pethidine in the latest pregnancy and birth mag, so I assume that has come from a professional source in order for it to be printed.
At hos today to check for UTI's going to ask them to double check pathology report and make it clear how angry and upset I am that I have possibly taken 4 courses or anti-b's for no reason .
What's everyone else upto today?