A Giraffe and a Gruffalo went to the Cosmos to see the Starshine, but which WagonBaby will be first?

[Astarte]

It's like an 'in joke'

Births:
Kay - 12th December - 6:49pm - Dylan George - 10lbs 5ozs
Teuch- - - boy
Pop - 23rd December - twin boys, Hugo & Henry
Nat - 27th December - 8:36pm - Mikey Bradley - 6lb 10.5oz
Gin - 16th Jan- Girl - 7.25am- details tbc
Tink- 19th Jan - Girl - 1.51pm - Bracken Hope Willow - 8lbs 7oz
Astarte - 16th Feb - Girl - 8lb 12oz
Glask - 20th Feb - Girl - 7.47pm - Ruby Marie 4lb (8wks prem)
LardyBump - 21st Feb- Boy - 8lb 12oz
HappyNappies- 27th Feb- Boy - 12.01am 9lb13

Scan list:
Kooky - fetal heart echo + detailed scan @ 16 weeks - 18th March
LBOT - 22 week scan - 23 March
idreamofbeanie - 12 week scan - 23 March
STT - 12 week scan - 31st March
LaTour - 12 week scan - 31st March!

Weeks list:
Playing - ?????
GYo - 39 weeks, 1wk left. Surprise (17 Mar)
Star - 38 weeks, 2 weeks left. Surprise (22 Mar)
Cosmo - 38 weeks, 2 weeks left. Girl.(31st Mar)
Gruff - 35 weeks, 5 weeks left. Girl. (16th Apr)
Ses -32 weeks, 8 left. Surprise (10 May)
MINM- 30 weeks, 10 to go Surprise(19th May)
Diege - 26 weeks, 14 left to go. Boy!!!!(21st June)
LBOT - 20 weeks, 20 left to go (24th July)
KookyKid - 15 weeks, 25 weeks to go (2nd Sept) BOY!
Idreamofbeanie - 11 weeks (due 1st Oct)
LaTourEiffel - 10 weeks (due 8th Oct)
Sparklytwinkletoes - 10 weeks 12th Oct
BB - 5-6 weeks (due 31st oct)

Girls = 2
Boys= 4
Surprise = 4
Unknowns (yet) = 4

MW apps list:
LBOT - 21+6 weeks - Thu 19 March
Gruff - 36 weeks - Friday 20th March
GYo @ 40+4 weeks- Fri 20th March- S&S
Ses - @33wks - Tues 24th March
Cosmo - @ 40 wks - around 28th March
MINM- - 33 weeks- 31st March
DIEGE = 28 wk midwife/consultant/anti-d - 2nd April.
Mat leave countdown:
Playing - on Mat leave!!!!
GYo - on Mat leave!!!!!
Star - on Mat Leave!!!!
Cosmo - on Mat Leave!!!!
Gruff - on Mat Leave!!!!
Ses - last day 3rd April (35 weeks) 21 days, but only 15 days actually at work
STT - Somewhere around 120 working days
Diege - last day 29th April.

Hey ladies!

I'm not pregnant anymore - woo hoo! Feels amazing not to have the nausea anymore - food is so so amazing!

Thanks for updating everyone for me GYo. Labour all happened quite quick and not at all in the order I was expecting after waters breaking during the England match and having to rush into the hospital straight away. 10 hours later and our beautiful daughter had arrived! Will try and post full BS tomorrow, but have to say labour was actually an amazing experience and found it much more bearable than the nine months that preceded it. As everyone told me though, she is totally worth it. Everything seems to be better now I'm not pregnant though, feel so much more alive, hair is glossy nails growing etc...tis quite amazing. Teeny weeny bit of me misses the bump and feeling her wriggle - but so much better coz she is here now.

We ended up staying a couple of nights in the hospital because April was very mucusy and so wasn't breastfeeding straight away. She is ok now although latching her on is quite tricky at times but it is only day 3....Milk is coming in to at the mo so boobies feeling very full and nips bit sore....

First night at home was a bit of a batispm of fire - so hoping tonight a bit better. Better dash need to get some sleep while she is sleeping. Thanks for all the congrats and will try to catch up and post BS tomorrow xxx

hi cosmo great to hear from u u sound very happy congrats again

Congratulations Cosmo! Enjoy every minute! Hope bf is going ok, and that you have a good night tonight. Take care

Wow COSMO you sound like a new woman . Seriously, you sound so happy and I'm so pleased that you are feeling well again. Looking forward to hearing the full birth story .
IDOB, camping trip sounds fab; really hope the weather stays fine for you! Can't beleive you're 16 weeks already
TINKS, I think I woulod go for 2nd pram myself (silver cross one) as I think it looks a little sturdier and would probbaly last for dd2 too.
Right, off to bed! Pizza hut was good - had gorgeous hot cookie dough pudd with ice cream - now need the gaviscone , will I ever learn! Off for anti-d in morning, with dds in tow which will be fun . Hope to catch up in afternoon xx

hi everyone.
Did mega catch up on sun AM and lost it all.

Cosmo- congratultions again! Glad you had a good labour experience and you are enjoying eating again ! Looking fwd to the BS.

Hi everyone else have been reading but just too tired to do long post now (feeding- does it ever end?? )

Will update on the status of the mini giraffe when I've got my laptop rather than phone. But we are still having issues with feeding, wt gain and pooing (nice)

morning off to dentist here
hi gyo

Morning,

Cosmo, Congratulations!! You sound so well and I hope you get some sleep!!

GYo, I hope the feeding sorts itself out soon.

I've been texting Glask and she is struggling. She is having to give a bottle of formula a day to help her gain weight and Glask is really upset about it.

Hope everyone is ok.

Good morning everyone!

I have been wide awake since 7am and its my poor DH's first day of hols and I woke him up . I have him at home now for the next 4 weeks YAY!

Hi Tink - hope dentist goes ok

Hi Kayz - sorry to hear that Glask is having problems with Ruby's feeding. Hope that things get better for her soon. Let her know we are thinking of her.

Hi Gyo - nice to hear from you again. Hope things improve with DD soon. Its still early days, Im sure these issues you are having will improve soon. Take care.

Nice to hear from you too Cosmo, glad everything is ok. You do sound well Congrats again Looking forward to hearing your birth story

Hi, just thought I'd quickly update my details.

Births:
Kay - 12th December - 6:49pm - Dylan George - 10lbs 5ozs
Teuch- - - boy
Pop - 23rd December - twin boys, Hugo & Henry
Nat - 27th December - 8:36pm - Mikey Bradley - 6lb 10.5oz
Gin - 16th Jan- Girl - 7.25am- details tbc
Tink- 19th Jan - Girl - 1.51pm - Bracken Hope Willow - 8lbs 7oz
Astarte - 16th Feb - Girl - 8lb 12oz
Glask - 20th Feb - Girl - 7.47pm - Ruby Marie 4lb (8wks prem)
LardyBump - 21st Feb- Boy - 8lb 12oz
HappyNappies- 27th Feb- Boy - 12.01am 9lb13 Edward James Roy
Playing - 4th March - boy - 5 lb 12 oz - Edward Lewis Stainer
Starshinetiger - 15th March - girl - 7lb 1 oz - Charlotte Carys Rose
GYo - 22nd March 9.55am- girl - 10 lbs 12 oz - name TBC very soon!
Cosmo - 2nd April - girl - April Victoria - 8.51am - 6lb 9

Weeks list:
Gruff - 38 weeks, 2 weeks left. Girl. (16th Apr)
Ses -34 weeks, 6 left. Surprise (10 May)
MINM- 34 weeks, 6 to go Surprise(19th May)
Diege - 29 weeks, 11 left to go. Boy!!!!(21st June)
LBOT - 24 weeks, 16 left to go BOY! (24th July)
KookyKid - 18 weeks, 22 weeks to go (2nd Sept) BOY!
Idreamofbeanie - 15 weeks (due 27th Sept)
LaTourEiffel - 10 weeks (due 8th Oct)
Sparklytwinkletoes - 13 weeks (due 6th Oct)
BB - 5-6 weeks (due 31st oct)
Moosy - 5 weeks (EDD 9th Dec)

Girls = 2
Boys= 4
Surprise = 4
Unknowns (yet) = 4

Scan list:
LaTour - 12 week scan - 31st March!
IDOB - 20 week scan 11th May (will hopefully find out the sex).
STT - 20 week scan 21st May

MW apps list:
Gruff - 38 week consultant 3rd April.
IDOB - 16 week appt 9th April
MINM- 25 week appt 14th April
LBOT - 26 weeks midwife 20 April
STT - 16 weeks midwife 30 April
Moosy - booking in 22 April
Ses - 39 weeks midwife 5th May

Mat leave countdown:
Playing - on Mat leave!!!!
GYo - on Mat leave!!!!!
Star - on Mat Leave!!!!
Cosmo - on Mat Leave!!!!
Gruff - on Mat Leave!!!!
Ses - last day 3rd April (35 weeks) only 5 days to go!!!
STT - Somewhere around 125 working days
Diege - last day 29th April.
LBOT - last day 17 July (I think!)

Babys Age
Kayz's Dylan - 16 weeks
Tinks Bracken - 10 weeks

Diege - I'm cheating a little and having my 16 week appt early as I am on hols then the midwife is away. I know what you mean though, up to 12 weeks the time seemed to crawl now it is flying by.

Gruff - enjoy having DH at home. 4 weeks together will be lovely.

Cosmo - congratulations again, looking forward to the birth story.

Tink - I like the silver cross pram but as I turned my only dolls pram into a go kart I might not be the best person to ask .

Oh, I meant to say I casually mentioned the idea of a home birth (with birth pool) to DP yesterday as the midwife will ask this week where I want my notes sent. I thought he'd be really against it but he said if I thought I'd manage better/be happier at home he thought it was a great idea . Did anyone else have their first LO at home -would you recommend it? I'm really tempted but also worried I'm being naive as I obviously have no idea what to expect from labour or how I will cope. I have a while to decide but would be interested in any opinions/experiences. The midwife I see was very positive about the idea of a HB at our first appt so I'll mention it to her again this week.

hi dentist fine.
dh has taken day off
i am taking dd1 2 ikea in soton
will definetly get silvercross pram asumming ok 4 small my 1st annabel which is 36cms lond pram is for up 2 50cm doll

We're viewing that house tomorrow night

Stick with it GYo , the first 6 weeks are the hardest.
Most women give up by 6 weeks if they're going to. It does get much easier tho', I promise

IDOB if I could do it again I'd have HB'd my first. GYo has just done it, go for it!

Looking forward to your BS Cosmo (lots of detail please )

Gruff do you think you'll have your LO by the end of the thread?

Thanks Sorky, I'd somehow forgotten that Gyo just had her first DD at home . My brain has gone to mush this week.

Good luck with the house viewing.

Quick message for IDOB before my nap

I went for HWB as a first timer mainly because I really hate being in hospital and I felt I could create a calm environment at home. All I read about birth (including the Ina May book that KK and Ses have been discussing) is that calm is the best way to reduce pain in labour etc....

DH wasnt sure, said no to start with, then no because of the mess, then he slowly came around (without me pushing it) and in the end after we'd discussed it at one of our antenatal classes he was keen for it as he knew I'd be most relaxed at home. He had reservations even on the day but would recommend it now.

Agree with you about labour feeling like it was a bit unknown and I kept getting cold feet about the lack of pain relief options etc and possibilities of things going wrong etc. As everyone told me, 1st timers tend to be slow so there is plenty of time for transfer if required to hospital.

For pain I had TENS machine for the start, got some meptid (like pethidine) prescribed from my GP though we didnt use it, we had gas and air and went with that. We also had a pool in a box, which I'd recommend unless you'd want something heated like Sorkey has used. In the end I liked the inflatable pool as I spent a lot of time hanging over edge of it, especially for the pushing stage. The down side is that the water temp needs constant monitoring but it kept DH busy...

I would heartily recommend doing it this way, at home and the best bit is the 1-2-1 MW care that you get before and after.

If I have any more DCs, the only reason that I might hestiate in the future as I had such a massshooosive baby this time. Next time, I might want more pain relief or even a C-sect!... but who knows.

Oh, when I first discussed with the MW, she wasnt pushy either way and left it to me to decide and once I was sure she organised it all. I was lucky as the comm MWs here are fantastic ladies...

Wow- written an essay really need to have rest before the next feed in 35mins.

xx

Hi all... managed to get online for 10mins, having to get some contact details of houses we're going to be viewing- SORKY- the houses we're viewing are all in walking distance to my mums... DH isn't bothered!!

As KAYZ said i'm having to give Ruby a bottle of formula a day to give her extra calories. When the nurse came she'd only put the 2oz that the HV had weighed by the end of the week so the nurse said i can either express away the fore-milk of every feed or give one bottle of formula a day and see if it helps... I'm in floods of tears every time she has one but hopefully its only for the next week or so till she's gained enough weight to be stronger to feed from me a bit better.

It's DD's birthday on thursday so i've got a busy week- all the family are coming on different days and on thursday we're taking her to chester zoo for the day!! She's all hyper already- i'm dreading thursday to be honest!!

Also, HUGE congrats COSMO on the birth of April!!

Thanks GYo,

that was really helpful. I want a HB for much the same reasons as you. I took my SIL to the hospital when she was in labour and found the atmosphere in the ward very stressful. My SIL also seemed to be more anxious in hospital and her contractions really slowed down. I think I'd feel more in control at home and would manage better and feel less inhibited. The midwife I met is lovely, very positive about HBs, and I know a couple of people here who have had HBs and said the midwives are great. When I mentioned the idea to my family they all laughed and said I was mad and I'd be screaming for an epidural which gave me cold feet. DP in contrast said he thinks I'm a strong person, I know what I want and I should trust my own instincts about the right options for me (he is a real sweetheart sometimes, bless him). I'll def chat with the midwife about it.

Have a nice snooze!

Hi Glask - x-posted. Sorry Ruby is needing formula right now but hopefully it won't be for too long. Please try not to feel bad about it - you are doing your best for your gorgeous DD and you should feel good about it . Good luck for the next week, I'm sure Thursday will be great fun.

Hi everyone!

Just had a big catch-up - we were in Brighton for the weekend visiting FIL and SMIL

IDOB - how sweet of your DH - I think they have this way of seeing the best parts of us, even better than people who have known us for longer. So if he thinks you can and you think you can with his support, well, then go for it! Mine was a sweetie last night - he told me he can't even tell I'm pregnant from the back and that I seem to be taking it all in stride! Which was nice considering I feel like I'm huge and that I'm complaining all the time!

GYO - sorry feeding is difficult, but I'm sure it will get easier! Stay well and get some rest!

Kay - lovely news about your brother! Exciting! But about your MIL bringing DS home two hours late!

Glask -sorry about Ruby needing a bottle of forumla each day, but really, if it helps her, in the end everyone will be better off for it. Take care!

Moos & Diege - lovely names! My neice and another friend's baby - who were both born in October within two weeks of one another - are both called Tabitha, but clever, Moos, to build in the Beth part!

Sorky - I mentioned Gabriel to DH yesterday too! He was worried about any name starting with Gay and the kid being teased on the playgroun BAH! I don't think it'd be a problem! Right now it's still between Tristan and Ethan, although we're leaning towards Tristan. I need to sit him down with a baby book though as I want to make sure we've explored all options properly! RE: house across from your MIL, I'm not sure I'D do it, but while my MIL can be lovely, we don't always see eye to eye. My brother and SIL on the other hand live just two blocks away from my parents and really benefit from the setup. I always tell my mother that SIL must be some kind of saint because I don't think I'd be able to cope. They see my parents most Friday nights and then Sundays (with my parents feeding them, of course - which is probalby why the set-up works!

Hi Cosmo! So glad you're feeling better!!! Must be amazing!

Ses - Not sure about BH's of course, but hope you're feeling better now and enjoying your ML!! Please take it easy though! You have plenty of time until 9 May (), so don't do too much!

Claire - welcome! and Congratulations!!!!

This is going to be way TMI, but I'm having major constipation issues at the moment with bleeding It started yesterday morning and has continued to the point of when I go, the water is all red. Completely freaked me out when it first happned until I realized just where it was coming from, but now, as you can imagine, it's just uncomfortable. Any suggestions?

Hello! Just a quick post as chaotic here being first day of easter hols
All this talk of home birth is actually making me think abiut it myself - although dh is at present not too keen.. Just have a feeling that I'm not going to get the birth I want at hospital - I'm not asking for much, only to be able to walk around but my hossy are very much 'lie on the bed and don't move' in their approach to labour. I remember instinctively kneeling up and leaning against a wall when I first arrived in the ward when in labour with dd3, but was asked to get on bed to be examined, then monitor strapped on and that was that...
Great that dh is so supportive IDOB - mine is still spouting the old 'safer in hospital line' and thinks it's akin to tooth pulling - ie 'why does it matter where it's done as long as you get the baby at thge end of it...'
GLASK, as other say I wouldn;t worry too much about one bottle a day, esp if you express to keep your supply up. My friend in scandinavia (where they do a lot of mixed feeding) was told that as long as baby is getting at least 3 bfs a day, the benefits of bf remain.
Hope dentist was ok TINKS!
Anti-d ok this morning - was more painful than I remember being into the muscle, but ok. Dds were funny - rushing up to look, with dd2 in hysterics that they were putting 'yellow oil' into my arm
Right, better get back to them...

Ooh LBOX that does sound painful . Maybe ask midwife about the (horribly named) 'stool softeners' that are safe to take in pregnancy? (lactulose??)I know they were a godsend for me after the birth when constipation really struck! You def shouldn't be suffering in silence!

Just started painting the bathroom and I hate the colour. I picked the bloody colour too but it just looks awful on.

IDOB, I honestly wish I had had DS1 at home. It was amazing to have DS2 at home and the labour was a lot easier than DS1 despite DS2 being over 10lb. I will certainly be having DC3 at home hopefully with a pool this time. MW said I should get extra scans because DS2 was so big so they will know if DC3 is likely to be that big too. But the way I see it is that I managed with broken G&A to have DS2 with no stiches I can bloody well do it again!!

Bit annoyed actually about birth and pregnancy as I saw my MW today and she said she got in a bit of trouble with my consultant for letting me have a homebirth after he heard what weight DS2 was.

Diege, You are apparently safer at home in labour. It is because you are in familiar surroundings and it makes you feel much more relaxed. I recommend anyone who is thinking about a HB to look here. I found it to be great!!

How wierd that just 1 HB has made me feel so strongly about them.

Thanks for the link KAYZ, looks great. Will def show dh. I suppose my only worries concern would I be able to cope with the pain without an epidural? And then silly things like having to keep the (small) house pretty spotless with 3 dds running around no doubt in the hours leading up to labour - plus worrying about the noise and my neighbours! I suppose my ideal scenario would be midwife-led birth unit, but while one does exist apparently within the hospital, there are very few women 'permitted' into this hallowed space .
Re: decorating, would your colour look better with another coat? If in doubt, I would stop and rethink - the more you do, the less still you might like it, and the harder it is to change. Most places will accept returns on paint. Good luck!

Me too Kayz, after having DD2 at home I've become quite evangelical about HB!

Hello all!

LBOT - that's definitely not nice, poor you If I were you I'd try something like lactulose, as Diege has suggested. It can take at least 48 hrs to start to work though so see how you go and if it continues in the meantime or gets any worse, phone your GP and get an appointment. Also are you taking any iron tablets? I know they can be good but they can also make this problem worse.

IDOB - am v of you investigating a HB. I was told I couldn't have one from the beginning due to a combination of my mc history and underactive thyroid. I'm hoping that if I get my thyroid under control and we're fortunate enough to have more than this LO, I might be able to have a HB in future. Definitely better to have all your familiar home stuff around you and be more in control whilst having the one to one MW care.

Kay - persevere with the paint. Sometimes it looks better once the whole room is done and dry. What colour is it?

Glask - can only echo what the others have said. Please don't be hard on yourself. Hope she puts that weight on nice and quickly for you.

tink - enjoy ikea

Gruff - enjoy your 4 weeks of DH being off! Hopefully Gruffette will time her arrival well in the middle of that!

Well, first day proper of ML today and I've been to my last pilates class. Also been looking after a sick dog They younger one has been retching and trying to be sick most of the day. She's had a little to eat and some water and has been around the garden so I'm not worried enough to take her to the vet but keeping an eye on her.

Was good to see my cousin yesterday. She was over the moon at the thought of being on call incase DH is away with work so I think we have all bases covered. Having had my premonition (if you can call it that!) of 9th May, Mum told me yesterday that she was reading my stars and reckons it will be 20th May!

Ses, It is Grecian Spa, I loved it and the tester pot patch looks fabulous but I'm just not sure now.