Due May 2009 - There's a bun in my oven and it's making me HOT! HOT! HOT!

[FiKelly]

Shiny new thread already!

Good grief - I've had to read about 5 pages to catch up!!

alapala - I am so sorry to hear about your work friends death - that is such a shock for you and all in your work. Bug hug to you.

Regarding my hospital bag packing - I know it really sounds organised, but truthfully it isn't. I had got all my previous baby gear out and it was lying in my bedroom, so I thought it might as well get packed away in order to keep it neat. My bag is not yet complete either - but again it was a matter of tidying all the stuff I already had into a bag... I suppose it is in stead of going out and buying loads of baby stuff - I feel the need to do something! Otherwise this time is very laid back.... zzzzz!!!

I had an epidural too last time. I was induced and tolerated the pain for about 8 hours on gas & air, then pethidene (not recommended - made my recolections of the birht very fuzzy..) then I got the epidural - what a relief!! Baby was born 2 hours later and the doctor & mws were very impressed' with my pushing ability even though I couldn't feel very much (no pain, just a pressure and heaviness in my bum!!) - but I visualised doing a poo and used the same muscles to do it... good tip!!

Detsy - love the cow!!! Very very good!!

Dandylioness - OMG you MIL!!! What is her problem? She really sounds like a spoilt child. It is good that your BIL and DH both agree with you that her behaviour is out of order. Maybe you should point out to her that you may be able to live without her, but does she want to live without seeing her grand-daughter??? Cos it seems that is where this could be heading if she doesn't wise up! It is unbelievable - there are no words to describe !!!

I think my bump is BIG and am concerned how I am going to get through the next 10-11 weeks - where am I going to put it?? But so many women say how neat I am - one lady tonight didn't even realise I was pregnant until someone else asked how I was keeping!! I think they are being polite!!!

Belgian- you are more diplomatice than me. I went for the "better to be prepared" approach, but it sounds like you just can't tell. Sorry momino. don't worry- belgian knows best!

Thanks all for the lovely "cow" comments

Pula def with you on your comments about syntocinon, i had it in drip from 5cm - and yes contractions were fast furious and frequent. I remember asking politely if I culd have 5 mins just to get head together as it was like being on a non stop roller coaster!! I'm glad therefore that natural contractions are not like that?? Can anyone confirm this for me?

I've done no work today - couldn't get in gear so am having mega early night any minute now.

Spangle - thanks!! We got a few moos and she def had the best outfit IMO

Fi thanks for the vest links - may just buy a few before bedtime...

Oh also posting my Oi OI bag on ebay

Night all

RE Vests, just wanted to point out, if you are using reusable nappies, you might find the vest sizing a little tight. You can buy vest extenders, but if they are under sleepsuits, you can't tell if they are a little baggy in the next size up.

Also, you won't be washing them for the first few weeks anyway so what's the harm in keeping the same vest on for a few days....unless it's covered in poo of course, but with reusables, you are far less likely to get that sort of accident.

Not washing the baby that is, not the vests. That wouldn't be right would it.

I mean bath the baby. You can wash them with a vest on. Oh dear I should quit this and go to bed. I'm TOO tired.

Alapala, sorry to hear about your friend.

Detsy- i found that natural contractions were easier to manage because they build up slowly (although mine suddenly went from every 10 mins for 24+ hours to every 3-4 hours which was a bit of a shock, but manageable). With the drip, they were so strong and so frequent all of a sudden after mine had been slowly fading- not sure what its like if you have the drip to induce labour as i was fully dilated when I had mine, but it sounds like yours were really strong (thick and fast) too. When i had the spinal i wasn't sure i'd be able to keep still which was vital when they were inserting it. I think they tried to fit it in between contractions though.

d'oh i must be as tired as jennster- that should be every 3-4 mins not 3-4 hours between contractions lol

I'll be getting an epidural this time. Have already seen the anaesthetist and have it arranged. This is because I've prolapsed discs in my neck that would mean having a general anaesthetic trickier, so I am getting the epi as a precaution in case I need a cs. Im happy with the arrangements - I live with chronic pain every day, and do not see the need to experience more of my fair share of pain during child birth. I quite fancy being pain free for a wee while!

Away for my uninterupted soak in the bath!! Loads of bubbles and my book!

This is all interesting about the syntocinon drips - when I arrived back at the main hospital with DD they tried to get me onto a drip to make sure that my contractions didn't stop (even though they weren't showing any signs at all of slowing down). They got the thing in my hand (canula? not sure what it's called) but couldn't get the pump on the drip working so was connected but nothing going in. Always wondered what difference it would have made.

Forgot to say Detsy - cool cow!

We love vest extenders. DD is long and slim, and we use cloth nappies, so they really mean we get value for money out of vests - just going up a size meant that they were huge on her widthways. She was still in 6-9 month vests at well over a year.

Morning!

Now this is what happens when I don't get chance to keep on top of this thread - you all get chatting and I either catch up and don't get chance to post or I post without catching up properly, so apologies if I miss anything. (I've tried to do a skim catch up and post combo!)

alapala - sorry for your sad news. Thinking of you.

Dandy - I'd feel v frustrated at only getting half the story from DH but I guess he thinks it just won't be productive. There'll never be that magic switch I suppose to put everything right but I hope things can get easier with your MIL.

Detsy - I echo all the other comments about the cow outfit. Am v impressed!!

Jennster - as a first-timer I didn't realise that reusable nappies might make clothes seem a bit tighter.
I've still not decided whether to go for reusables or environmental friendly(ier) disposables or a combination of both.

Also not thought about bag packing really yet. Still got to go and buy maternity pads, breast pads, cheap nasty knickers, etc. My mum keeps telling me that I don't really need to buy anything until the baby's born as I shouldn't tempt fate. Thanks mum!

Also wanted to ask... I'm hoping to BF but should I buy bottles and steriliser in case?

Right - off to work. Meting in Eastbourne this morning and then in Robertsbridge (just north of Hastings) this afternoon. Hope my back survives all the driving!

ses even with breast feeding a simple sterilizer can be useful.. breast pump bits etc if you're going to express.. doesn't have to be all singing and dancing. the microwave ones are great. i planned to bf with ds but in the end i just didn't produce enough milk. of course things came to a head when the shops were shut and we had no formula in the house.. i was totally empty and ds was screaming hungry.. luckily a neighbour had also just had a baby little before me so she had formula. but it still took ages to make 1st feed as i'd bought a fancy sterilizer and we had to figure out how to use it.. then ds didn't like the teats of the bottles that came with it! in the end he drank from the edge like with a cup. the next day we got organised and the fancy sterilizer got swapped for a simple one!

sorry turned into an essay.. didn't mean to get carried away!

Belgian, Pula, thanks for your 3rd baby feedback. i'm not any more nervous with this one than with no. 2. I am expecting it to be difficult since I thought no. 2 would be easier and, although labour was shorter, dd2 still took hours at the last stage to arrive (don't know if pool slowed her down?) and i feel dd2s birth more negatively than dd1 which was an induction (with drip and an epidural that didn't take fully).

my strategy is to try to relax more and be prepared for the pain, try hypnotherapy (still need to buy the CD though!) and have DH be prepared to support (physically and emotionally) as well. i would love to 'order' an epidural but don't think that's possible so will do my best on the day.

on another subject - baby feels low so that sometimes when i walk i feel a sharpish pain (but doesn't feel like a kick) that takes away my breath and i have to slow/stop. Does this happen to anyone else?

Fi, an anectdote on sterilisers. With dd1 we didn't have one so I resorted to boiling bottles/equipment on the hob. One time, I forgot it was on and was upstairs. The smoke alarm went off when the pan caught fire and there was a melted glob of what had been breastpump accessories. our kitchen still bears the grey marks of ash (we're due to paint this spring).

i promptly went out to buy a steam steriliser which we've had now for 2 and a bit years. don't use the hob.

lol momino glad i'm not the only one to forget things! we left the bottle warmer on after a night feed.. it boiled dry but luckily had an auto shut off when that happened.. had to replace it as it never worked the same after!

dandy def not be nice to know the details of drunken rant.. it really is her loss.. but a shame as she'll prob never think it's her own fault.

Oh Dandy I'm so sorry to hear that you are having problems with your MIL. I think your last post really demonstrates that the only way to sanity to accept the way things are and work around them. It is a real shame that we have such difficulties with our MILs. There is a thread on mn somewhere about a woman who is dreading her sons growing up and marrying in case her future DILs have problems with her. From my perspective, I am learning as much as I can now about maintaining good relationships so that I am the perfect MIL!

Monimo I've only ever used a cold water steriliser because I knew from my time in hospital I would never have the capacity to cope with a steam one or anything that involves thought! I fill ours first thing with cold water and a good old milton tablet and job done!

Detsy I love the cow! Lottie looks amazing. Fab effort.

alapala so sorry to hear your news.

I had a great time at the spa yesterday. Very relaxing! DS stayed with his grandparents so I toddled off to the supermarket to do the weekly shop without having to contend with a stroppy toddler refusing to use the trolley seat. I came back and had a relaxing evening in a way I could not forsee before I had children. Yes, on my child-free evening I got out the ironing and tried out my super steam generator thing. Fab. I highly recommend it. And yes, I am sad!

Thanks for all the replies yesterday. And yes, because I am "supposed" to be having a CS I'm under consultant care, even though I haven't actually seen her yet, and won't until 4th April. I shall have to keep calm until then, hope baby stays put and talk to consultant, it just seems soooo long away!

On a better note, I slept so well last night! First night in around two/three months! Makes you feel so much less grumpy in the morning lol

Am v. about your spa trip llareggub.

Jael X

So much chatting!

Alapala so sorry, I hope you and your friend's family are ok. Such a shock.

detsy I love the cow, your dd is VERY cute (almost as cute as mine ).

Definitely agree about steriliser even if you bf - we went with microwave steam steriliser which was fine, and also brilliant for steaming bulk lots of veg when weaning.

Interesting stuff about inductions/epidurals - I was induced with 2 pessaries last time round (fortunately no drip) and contractions were pretty fast and intense, esp after my waters broke. Also they were kind of 'double', they built up, reduced a bit before getting going again and then finally going away. Anyone else experienced that? I distinctly remember feeling it wasn't fair to have to do 2 at once, no-one had warned me that could happen! I ended up with an epidural, which in the end was great as it was 'mobile', ie I could feel everything but it didn't hurt. But I did feel the whole thing was a bit out of my hands and would love to have an active birth this time, without epidural which in Belgium unfortunately is the only pain relief available. So will be v interested to see what difference a non-induced labour makes. Do really hope the 2nd one will be quicker - last time was +/- 13hrs from start to finish, not that bad for a first time, but I reckon my chances of natural birth are higher if it all goes faster!

Loads of other stuff to catch up on but have gone all pg and can't remember what...

Oops emoticon idiot... don't think my french-speaking keyboard does the right shapes to make smiley faces!

Btw have joined the HOT club! Dh not happy about sleeping with the window wide open but feel like I will suffocate otherwise. Plus am getting lots of trapped nerves and backache - can I really still have 3 months to go??! And where exactly is all that extra baby going to go, am huge already!

Good morning everyone (just)

Well I've had a 3rd bad night. I think today it was self induced though. Yesterday I had the brilliant idea to tidy up the mess that the chickens have made on the lawn and collected enough bits of moss that they'd scratched up to fill 6 binliners. I've been suffering ever since and by yesterday evening I could barely walk. I think I kept waking in bed because I wanted to turn over, but the pain woke me . Anyway, the plan is for today to sit down all day and do nothing (well, did do the ironing while sitting)

euromum those doubling up contractions do exist and they're quite comon with inductions. Never had them, but I can imagine it not being very nice.

re: sterilisers I'd vote for the microwave ones if you're bf. They're smaller and take up less space, because you don't use it as much as when you'd be bottle feeding. The one I've got can be used as a steam steriliser too, which is brilliant for traveling. Personally I'd be cautious with getting formula in if you're determined to bf. Sometimes if you're have a hard time and it's there, it's easy to give in and the beginning of a slippery slope. I bf my 2 and did have some bottles, but didn't have any formula in the house. The bottles were never used and I ended up selling them on eBay.

I meant that the microwave steriliser I had can be used as a cold water steriliser too, which is of course great for traveling, because not all hotels/tents/caravans have microwaves.