March 2009: Beware of TMI . . . we're getting ready to give birth and there's nothing we won't share.

[MKG]

Ok so I'll start it off.

Has anyone else had a huge increase in discharge? It's gone from clear and not too much to thick and white, and copious amounts.

puts hand up had a bit of a show just now, not really bloody though. Am 36+ erm, 3? now, so it's nice to see everything going in the right direction! DS2 has definitely dropped, had the shock of my life out shopping today when I caught sight of myself in a mirror and realised how 'out front' I am right now!

Hi all

Just a quick update - we brought Bettie home yesterday and it is lovely having her join the rest of the family. The doctor said they would normally keep a baby her size in - she is still only 1.7kg/3.74 lbs, but she is doing so well that they have let her go home.

So far all going really well. The nurses trained her to be on 4 hourly feeds so we are on a good schedule and she also bottle and breast feeds so my husband and very keen 5 year old can help too. Very handy as my first dd refused to have a bottle and I ended up bf her every two hours as that was my answer to any little murmur she made.

Only downside is because of the cold weather and bugs around we can't really leave the house and we have been told to restrict visitors, so we can't show her off yet - but that's just a small price to pay. We'll have a big party when she is a bit bigger.

Am excited to read about all your impending births. Amazing that all our experiences are generally universal and shared, but still so personal and special.

WOW. And WOW again. Bettie must be unbelievably tiny, but soooo strong. How wonderful for you all to be at home together!

laweasel, I'll be at 35wks Monday - still no BH.

Looking forward to:

1. No more piles! (oh please oh please oh please)
2. Cheese, cheese and more cheese
3. Wine, wine and more wine
4. Getting back on a bike
5. Moving around without grunting (oink!)
6. Watching family and friends try to remember that Cletus' name isn't Cletus anymore

YAY!! Bettie is home!!!

She sounds like a total joy!! flannel we need to see piccys of our first March09 baby , my dd1 also came home from scbu in an excellant routine!! she stuck to it too !! and was a very easy baby now DD2 thats a whole new story!!

fififlores are the contraction thingys painfull? BHs arnt normally painfull btw, just uncomfy IYSWIM.

hello flannelcat i'm new to the thread, but read lots of concerned posts about you, so wonderful to hear you have been allowed home to enjoy being a family.

Looking forward to:
1 having more energy
2 eating blue cheese
3 eating soft boiled eggs
4 a glass of wine
5 sleeping better on tummy
6 sight and scent of a newborn..ahhhhh

getting loads of BH now...5 more weeks to go, or maybe 7..

I have switched on my profile, i fancied showing off my girls to you all i will leave it on for a few days

Flannelcat-- Excellent news. You must be so happy to have her home with you. Bettie sounds like a little fighter. You're in for a lifetime of trouble with that one

Well me being the pregnant crazy person I am because I got to work 3 hours early because I was convinced I started at 11 am instead of 2 pm. I'm sitting here with people telling me they don't want the clothes to get wrinkled. I looked at this woman and was like, "Don't you was your children's clothes before you use them?" Is she doesn't it's gross.

My bump is rock hard and I feel like I'm going to pass out. Not to mention I'm alone in the store for a few more hours.

Here are the things I'm looking forward to:

1. Having my body back and never being pregnant again. So losing this baby weight and the weight from ds2.
2. Dressing my baby up in all the cute girly clothes.
3. Eating anything I want without worrying about it's affecting the baby.
4. Breastfeeding (Actually I hate doing it, so I can't wait to finish doing it)
5. Feeling like my family is complete.

Welcome home Bettie!

Looking forward to:

1. Finishing a whole bottle of 2005 Chateau Neuf du Pape
2. Having a baby to put in gorgeous nursery
3. Eating sushi (the only thing I have stopped really - have been eating cheese, runny eggs, pate, all that stuff!)
4. Having a fag (which I will probably hate, and DH won't let me start again, but I am going to have ONE and not feel guilty about it, even if it tastes rank)
5. Less discharge (sorry!)

xxx

2CD love your pix! they indeed very cute!!

no, my BH don´t hurt, they´re just uncomfy, so I guess that´s the answer - they´re just BH. occasionally I get one that really hurts (last time in H&M kids dept).

last pg, as i remember, my BH were less frequent, but really did hurt, which is why when I went into labour, I didn´t realise and thought it was just more BH!! you would think I would have more of a clue second time round, but I am even less aware, and also terrified of going into labour in the middle of the night while dh is away, which is more than half the time! i suppose I will know when it happens...

Flannelcat Congratulations on your tiddler - my sil´s dd2 was 900g - 10 wks prem - but caught up really fast and is now a picture of health and energy and has no problems at all.

PS Is anyone doing perineal massage? My doula advised it. She also suggested placenta millkshakes, no kidding.

fifi( I think it's funny they recommend massage after 34 weeks, when I could probably only reach up to 34 weeks!

Have tried getting Dh to help, but he gets um, distracted!

Sorry to have worried all off you. Never had iron drip on weds cos they kept telling me to call later to the point where it got too late so had to call all day thursday. Internet then went down thursday morning so haven't been able to get on till today.

No baby yet but not looking too far off. Drip did set of contractions. Very painful but they slowed down and were less painful by friday morning. Was still getting the odd tightening last night but nothing so far today.

What I didn't realise was that I need to have iron transfusion done 3 times! So I am going back in tomorrow morning for 2nd one. So there is every possibility that it wont be too much longer but hopfully will stay put till march!

Thank you for all you concern and lovely messages.

Flannel cat Glad that LO is home where she belongs. Good luck with everything.

What I am looking forward to once no longer pregnant.

1. Being able to walk without enormous pressure in pelvis.
2. Being able to eat a whole meal without suffering during or after
3. Needing to wee and actually being able to do so.
4. A whole nights sleep - oh wait is that a bit ambitious?

Re: being without car. I am selling mine due to failed MOT. Dont really need one as not at work and will share DP's but is sad all the same.

Flannel Glad to hear The Kitten is home and really wish you all the best with her. Can't wait to see pics!

Fifi I sympathise more with you if yours is away that much! That must suck.

As for massaging your perineum - Oh God why bother. Really, who can be arsed (no pun intended) when you're that pregnant? As for placenta milkshakes? Tell the weirdo she's welcome to it!

Sorry. I'm not in a very tolerant/good mood this morning. I am just so tired and feeling so run down as I just can't sleep and I've got to spend the avo tidying my DD1's room again so it's nice for her Nana coming up tomorrow with DH. Luckily mum's helping with the rest just now. I think this platelet business is really on my mind.

I think it was Twocute that asked about it - your platelets are for clotting and I seem to have a naturally low count - traditionally around 122 - 138. Anything lower than 100 and they want to treat you for it. If you can't clot in labour obviously you can haemorrage and it's one of my biggest fears. Apparently a lot of people's platelet counts are between 300 - 600 so I really am low (I think my mum is too). I might call my MW friend for more info and hopefully reassurance as the Dynamo did nothing to reassure me the other day.

Sorry to bring the thread down. Just one of those days I guess. Still 38 weeks today - can't be that much longer!

Congrats to Flannelcat and family must be lovely to have the little one at home at last.

Baby glad to hear you are OK. Fingers crossed everything continues to be OK.

I am really looking forward to pate on toast, not having to go to the toilet everytime I stand up, crunchy nut cornflakes and prawn toasts.

Is anyone planning to take arnica tablets? Are they worth it? And does anyone know anything about the strengths - Boots seem to do 2 varieties one that says 6c and one that is 30c - means nothing to me.

Also someone has recommend buying Lansinoh nipple cream does anyone know anything about this either as it seems quite expensive. I know I am useless first timer who knows nothing.

Hey JJ I would say Lansinoh is worth getting. I know it's a bit pricey, but def worth it in my opinion. I've still got the same tube from last time and it was a bit hard when I went to put it in my hozzie bag, but after two mins on a warm radiator it was nice and soft again! What I guess I'm saying is, it lasts fo ages!

Never taken arnica tho so not sure about that altho I've been told that it is great to prevent bruising.

Slickbird I agree about the placenta milkshakes, was just curious to see if anyone else had ever heard about/tried them!!

I totally sympathise about feeling tired and rundown - now that dh is back for the weekend, he is busy on maintenance jobs in house and garden as usual, rather than with ds1, so no break for me! last night between his snoring and sleeptalking and general restlessness, my weeing, and ds1 waking up, i didnñt get much rest myself. we´re off to a yoga session for partners later, so will try and get a nap in before that, or will fall fast asleep during relaxation!!

I have a little experience of the low platelet count thing, ds1 had it from 15 months, got the all-clear last month. possibly triggered by MMR, although as ever no way of proving any links. I hope your count stays up till you give birth - presumably they can´t give you any treatment to boost it, ie gamma globulin, while you´re pg? I can understand it must be worrying, and easy for me to say, but sure that the hospital staff will do everything they can to make sure you are OK. Can you stick on a DVD this avo and get some kip? Sounds like your body and mind could both do with a break.

Thanks Fifi - If DH was here he would take the kids out (got an 8 year old and a 17 month old) but as he's away I'm on duty. My mum is here in case I go into labour but as she's also doing cleaning for me, I feel to guilty to say, "er...once you've done that, howabout taking the kids for a walk!"

Am sure I'll be ok, just need to get a hold of my friend and have a chat with her. Hopefully she can put my mind at ease.

Placenta milkshake - fantastic!! Wait until I tell DH... see him barf! I'm actually going to ask to see mine this time as it was whipped away with DD1. But eating / burying / hanging from a tree etc etc I think I'll pass on. I know it's very nutritious and in some cultures definitely the thing to do. Still not convinced though

I'm a bit run down too, have conjunctivitis which is driving me up the wall, desperately trying not to pass on to DH or DD1.

But YES to Lansinoh and arnica - Lansinoh was a godsend when I was BF DD1, and you can use it on really chapped lips too. Infact, DH used it on his knuckles over Christmas as they were really dry and cracked - worked wonders! I took arnica after my c-section last time and I'm sure it helped, I've got some more this time too.

Flannelcat great news that Bettie is home - what a fighter! and so TEEEENY! Glad to hear you're settling into some sort of routine. I hope she (and you) continue to thrive.

I told the doula I´d give the placenta issue some thought, as she is very nice and didn´t want to be rude. Apparently I´d need to take in a large tupperware and they can keep it in the freezer for me - as a veggie, it is the stuff of my nightmares.

I used arnica after a D&C soon after ds1 was born, and it helped - had more discomfort after D&C than after childbrith, despite 30 stitches!!

I have some kind of eye sore thingy too, and on the corners of my mouth - do you think we will magically become healthier once we´ve popped? hope so!

Hi everyone!

fififlores lol at perineal massage- I tried it last time but had trouble actually reaching round my huge bellyy to get to my perineum

slick - hope your platelets sort themselves out - one of my close friends went through it and she's pretty worried it will happen again if she gets pregnant. is there no way you can get a new MW - the dynamo sounds marvellous .

To everyone who is sad about leaving work - i was first time round - this time I am so excited to be going!! Had to work late on Friday night and have had to cancel a days holiday on Monday because I am too busy - I think they forget that I am about to leave for 9moths.

JJ you MUST buy some Lansinoh - it is a life saver if you get sore nips.

I'm thinking of getting in touch with a La Leche Counsellor before no.2 arrives - just to try and sort out all the mess in my head surrounding my failed attemots to bf dd - fingers crossed it will sort me out and I will be able to bf or accept not being able to bf no.2

Lovely to hear that falnnelkitten is home - made me go a bit teary - I think I have turned into one big hormone!

Enjoy Valentines Day everyone - just been to supermarket and was drooling ove all teh nice bottled of posh wine ........ so here's what I am looking forward to when no.2 arrives:

• BIG glass of red wine
• pate on crusty bread
• peanut butter on toast

Alas - I know that I will still not be sleeping on my tummy because am having a section. Though I do manage to pretty much still sleep on my tummy at the moment - with one side kind of propped up!

Who said they were looking forward to a full night's sleep ................ maybe in about 9 months time (if you're lucky)

Hi everyone - well it seems that I don't have gestational diabetes after all, so have been eating lots of cake to celebrate

I did, however, wear myself out something terrible yesterday by walking about 3 miles with DD in the buggy. I was so knackered I had to lie on the sofa until DP came home, then I went to bed at 8.30pm. However, the baby does seem to be more vertically aligned now, so perhaps it did some good

2cute your girls are v gorgeous!

Placenta milkshake - well I felt a bit nauseous anyway but now I definitely do!

Six days until we move house - it just seems like a ridiculous thing to be doing at this particular moment in time, but still...

I'm looking forward to:
Cycling, running, jumping (or at least being able to)
Breastfeeding
No more heartburn
No more snoring (for DP's sake)
Not waddling!

I sometimes wake myself up snoring !

Ugh. I went to bed feeling fine, but woke up this morning with a stinking cold. At least I hadn't planned to do anything interesting tonight! I did get a voucher for a deluxe parafin wax pedicure from my DH for valentines though, which was quite impressive...

Sorry to hear that so many people are having a rough time with iron levels and all sorts of other pregnancy woes.

Had a (35wk?!eh?) midwife appt this morning. I'm still measuring slightly big for dates, baby is partly engaged, and although I have an induction booked for my due date my midwife reckons I'll pop before then. Hope so! Any time after 37 weeks suits me just fine.

I want cambozola. I don't even normally eat it. I just want it cos i can't have it. And a bottle of proper 15% new world red to drink. I can't be doing with 125 ml glasses of 'light' french stuff. Might as well drink bloody ribena.

BTW - how can midwives expect you to pee into such tiny pots at 30 weeks+? It's impossible. I can't even stretch that far under my enormous bump...

Flannelcat - must be so lovely to have little Bettie at home with you. Many many congrats. She sounds like a real tough cookie!

I sometimes wake myself up dribbling...