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.

Well I spent most of last night wondering, "Is this it?". I just didn't feel right all day, and last night I just didn't feel right. I got some killer bh contractions and baby's movements were very weird, but nothing. I'm still here. I can't believe tomorrow I'll be 37 weeks. It's so cool and yet so nerve wracking that anytime I could have this baby. This week is going to go by so slow. I have another ultrasound to check the growth on Thursday so will be counting down to that.

BIB I'm happy you're doing ok, but was a little excited that we'd have another baby on this thread.

Hey MKG -- did you sterlise stuff for your first 2? Will you sterilise for your next one?

Hurrah for Bettie being home Flannelcat !

BiB - Glad all is ok with you although sounds a bit rough going through 3 lots of iron. Hope all goes ok.

I used arnica last time - started taking in when I was admitted into hospital for induction and carried on after my c-sec and I recovered really well - so I'll definitely take it this time. Get as strong as you can - I've actually got 200 - you can get 6, 30 and 200 I think - but it might only be specialist places you can get 200 - I got mine from www.helios.co.uk/. I've actually got their homeopathic birth kit - I was umming and aahing about whether to get it and was chatting about to a friend who said she had one, wasd one having children and all I had to do was replace the arnica.

I intend to start perineal massage - although keep putting it off.

Slick - hope the platelets sort themselves out.

As for what i'm looking forward to:

• not getting out of breath walking up stairs,
• being able to sleep
• smoked salmon
• drinking when I want to
• pate
• runny egg
• most importantly, having DC2 !

Well ive woke up this morning with a stinky cold feel so tired i hardly slept atall last night, infact i got up in the end from 4 til 6 after tossing and turning from 2am!!

Paracetamol dont make any difference, blub blub !! i just want a beechams i am so thinking that tonight i shall have a large glass of wine and try and knock myself out!! but i keep thinking what if i go into labour what would the MW think

Yay for Flannelkitten!! I would have expected her to be in for much longer, so that's really great. Much be much nicer to have her with you all comfy at home.

Re: Placenta - my next door neighbour showed me a picture of hers being held up it's MASSIVE. Which I guess makes sense since it's all big and chunky and fits round the baby. But I was expecting something a bit more like a bloody pair of tights if I'm honest!

DP and I went to our one NHS antenatal class. It was a bit stupid, because it's a room full of heavily pregnant woman having to sit down the whole time and my back did not appreciate it. However - we did a spot of massage at the end which was lovely they showed us a tape of csec, vaginal and water births as well which I didn't really want to see. The regular birth looked the most unappealing - so hopefully the pool won't be being used when I get checked in!

On the negative side the midwife said in our area they won't allow vaginal breech births unless it's too late to do anything about it. I'm a bit nervous because even though my midwife keeps saying baby girl is in the regular position I have such a strong family history and such bad under rib pain that I wonder if actually they are wrong.

I don't really want to be csec'd because I hear partially by lip reading and I won't be able to tell what's going on in theatre. Midwife said DP would just have to translate for me - but I don't sign (just lipread) so that only works if he isn't made to wear a mask too!

Boobz- My dh sterilized stuff for ds1 until I told him that the dishwasher got it cleaner. I only sterilize pacifiers every once in a while.

It's interesting that it's a very UK thing - to sterilise everything... I figured you being in the States would do it differently. I mentioned it at my ante natal class, that the UK is sterilisation mad and that other countries don't do it and I was made to feel like a leper for even suggesting that a dish washer with hot soapy water and then leaving to air dry was good enough!

Anyway, off to bed now. Night night all!

Hmm, if you don't have a dishwasher you'd still need to sterilise? Presumably washing using a tap isn't hot enough....

law fingers crossed you get your water birth - but if you do have a section I am sure my dh did not have a mask on - think it was only those standing at the business end who did!

Sorry to hear some of you have colds.
Hope everyone had a good valentines regardless.

Been to hospital this morning for iron again but was sent home and told to ring at 2pm to see if any space. Told them I cant keep arranging babysitter and then cancelling so I will take tablets at home and not bother with the transfusion. Last time my hand and arm were so achy I would not have been able to drive home. Luckily DP was driving but next week he will be at work so I have to drive myself and get babysitters on stand by. So I have decided enough is enough. I am not going!

Seeing GP next week anyway so she will be able to take more bloods to check if levels have increased.

Sorry about the moan but I hate being messed around and cant live my life waiting for them to not be busy. Women dont stop having babies!

Hi

Thanks for your messages - slowly getting used to having a new baby at home!

I have now posted some pictures of the little lady.

xx

how annoying BIB hospitals seem to be like that a lot of the time - not really bothered about the fact that the patient might have a life and things they need to do and not be able to drop everything and go in on the off chance.

Hope the tablets work out well for you.

FlannelCat Gosh! She's so tiny! Really lovely though, and the one of her and your DD is really cute. Hope you are settling in well.

WOW WOW WOW!!!! Flannelcat she simply amazing!! love the piccy of both DDs together.

love the pics flannelcat. Had to laugh at the going home one she looks so funny! in a cute way!

Oh wow, Flannelcat she's amaazing! Bless her, she's so gorgeous.

Started maternity leave on Friday - does feel odd. Have lists though, lots of lists, so they should keep me occupied

laweaselmys know what you mean about antenatal class being uncomfy.

My poor DP - midwife held up a drawing of a baby on it's way out and he fainted! It was SO SO hot in there so that is why (he's not squeamish at all) but obviously nobody's going to believe that so the poor guy had to sit outside and lots of people laughed at him

I just wanted to give him a big hug - I'm sure he'll be super at the actual birth...

Flannelcat - Bettie is gorgeous...keep posting updates!

Millie my DH was exactly the same, went all light headed when we saw that video of childbirth. He was absolutely fantastic when I was in labour though - it was a great preparation!

I'm seeing the consultant tomorrow at 10am and am nervous. As my pre-eclampsia hasn't returned I'm not sure they're going to be as accommodating as far as an elective c-section is concerned. I'm desparate not to go through what I went through with DD1 again - this is my last pregnancy and I need it to be totally positive.

Wish me luck ladies!

good luck auntyspan let us know what happens.

flannetcat what a tiny and gorgeous little girl! Made me feel all funny

babyinbelly - what were your haemoglobin levels before they decided to put you on iron infusions?
I'm really struggling with the iron tablets, they make me feel sick so I haven't been taking them but the doctor and midwife are both really on to me about it. I'm just waiting for my next blood tests to come back.Midwife very reluctant to let me have a home birth unless it starts going up.

Titmouse have you tried Spatone? I can't take iron tablets as they make me feel bloated and horrible, but Spatone is a godsend - you put it in water and there's no black poo or anything . I've stocked up for after the birth and am taking them every now and again at the moment to ensure I have a good level. Boots etc sell them.

Hi auntyspan I've been taking spatone nearly every day for about 3 weeks, if I take the recommended 2 a day the sickness comes back, I think it might not be having the desired effect as the midwife said I still have to take the tablets!

I'm vegetarian and I am trying to increase natural iron in my diet but am seriously wondering if I should eat red meat for a couple of weeks!

I hear Guninness is good for iron, is this true? I don't like it and don't really want to drink alcohol but could give it a go if it is worth it.

Flannelcat I love the pic of your DD dressed to go home. Did bring a lump to my throat though, I remember when my DS was that tiny!

MKG Starting to lose my plug too (not pink yet, just clear) so guess I'm on the way as well, race you?

Hi All

Lovely lovely photos Flannelcat ! Thanks for sharing them with us and keep us updated. Maybe soon it'll time to start a post-natal thread .

Auntyspan - remember you have the right to want an elective c-sec, however hard that is to cling on to when they're trying to railroad you otherwise. If they are difficult - I have been told due to previous probable pre-eclampsia (which actually in hindsight might have only been hypertension) I have been told I am not 'allowed' to go too much overdue as the chances of preeclampsia are higher the further you get on so to my mind, unless you're a stubborn curious fool like myself, it makes a lot of sense for a elective c-sec at 39/40 weeks.

DH and I have been doing loads of sorting this weekend - I took dd to a party yesterday and came back to find DH had even remembered how to use the washing machine. Then today we have been cleaning all the old baby stuff (although car seat still smells a bit musty but hoping a few nights in the conservatory will sort it out). Next weekend my parents are coming up so my Dad can help DH get the cot and dresser etc out of our shed so we can actually get the room ready.

Anyone else beginning to feel a bit of a freak when they're out and about. I am sure people are staring at me expecting me to pop at any moment ! Useful sometimes in shops when people are more inclined to help out !!

Well I spent all day today thinking that "this was it" all day I just didn't feel right and my bump was rock hard and had bh's pretty regularly. However as soon as I got home everything was fine. I think it was just the 9 hours of being on my feet at work that caused it.

laumiere- you're on! Am 37 weeks today so am officially full term ready to get this baby out. Maybe I'll get some EPO and red raspberry leaf tea this week.

Flannelcat--Bettie looks absolutely brilliant. Love the pics.