Due May 2009 Hairy Mary!... We're on the final stretch!

[Belgianchocolates]

Thought I'd better start the new thread before it was too late. Here we go!

Morning everyone

For the diabetics amongst you I found this on the baby friendly website. It's about bf and gd, quite interesting.

For those amongst you struggling to hand express. This is the best I could find in terms of pictures showing you how to do it. At work we've got an excellent booklet from the NHS with really good pictures. I was looking for it online, but I just can't find an online version. I find that if I try to hand express 'dry' nothing happens and it's quite uncomfortable, but when I have a go in the shower or the bath, then it works really well.

I'm not keen on Sebastian, but I think it's the same as Will for some of you. It just reminds me of a not very nice boy from primary school

My dcs and I have been working on the 'baby sugar' that I talked about before. I discovered it's a great way to help dd with her counting: you know 5 sugar beans in this box and 20 smarties in these bags. Counting to 20 made her tired though and after about 2 bags she gave up and made me count for her. All that's left now it to tie ribbons around them all. I've done 10, only 70 to go, but not today. I've got a bit tired of it. Once baby is there we'll have to write it's name and date of birth on 100 tiny cards too. I think I might delegate that job to my mum who will be there. I'm sure she'll enjoy it. When they're all finished I'll take a picture and post it on here so you can have a look.

Chocbunnies Glad you've decided to take action. Your dd is now getting to an age where she'll actually play with other children rather than alongside them, so I'm sure she'll enjoy going to a group.

I'm also one of the ones who is fed up with being pregnant. I'm fed up with the constant aching in my ribs and of course the PGP. A lot of people seem to think I'm about go give birth any minute and when I tell them I've got 6 more weeks to go they all go . I don't feel like I'll go past my date this time. With dd I had a feeling I would and I did. Somehow I tend to be quite good at predicting when I'm going to give birth

I've got a cold coming too, last thing I want at this stage. My ribs are achy enough without coughing and sleeping is difficult enough without a blocked nose

Thanks Belgian, that is really helpful, and I will add it to my folder of ammo information to beat my hospital over the head with. They insist on sending babies born to diabetic mothers straight off to special care for routine monitoring, without any clinical assessment of need. I am concerned that this will inhibit successful breastfeeding. I am fighting this policy, as it is against NICE guidelines but I have also expressed just to be on the safe side. The closest I've got to success is my consultant telling me that it will be up to the consultant on call that day to decide, but I've categorically said to her that that isn't acceptable.

Obviously if there is a clinical need for baby to go to special care I will agree to it, but just for routine monitoring I am not happy.

I like the name Will, by the way. I also like Fergus, and know a lovely little boy with that name. I think we will have to stick with George as even DS has started calling him that now!

It is miserable day here. My washing went on the line this morning and it is now wetter than it was when it went out. I really ought to bring it in but I'm far too comfy here on the sofa!

llare I'm surprised about your hospital sending all babies born to diabetics to scbu. We generally just observe the blood sugars and then send baby to scbu if there are any problems. I hope get to keep your baby with you. Success.

Time for lunch in a min.

My first DS was sent to SCBU for monitoring but he was brought back by the time I had been stitched up and bathed, so less than maybe two hours? They did his blood sugars there and a repeat apgar because he'd been a little too slow for the paeds liking. The other two were monitored in the delivery room

I am having a much more positive day today (hooray!) and have made hubby swear we'll have a name conversation tonight. I've taken to referring to her by the name I want, and hubby hasn't flinched too much. I'm hoping the exposure will break him down!

Oh - also worth mentioning that although he was sent to SCBU for monitoring and blood sugar levels, he had a shoulder dystocia which was probably why he was sluggish and possibly factored into the decision to send him to SCBU.

It's taken me ages to catch up on the thread!
So exciting to read all the name discussions, makes it feel that much more real doesn't it? My LO is going to be Jake Piran- luckily we agreed without any arguments (although I was keen on the name Toby which DP hated!)

chocbunnies Well done on deciding to attend a group- I'm sure it will help. I work in mental health and thought it might be worth mentioning that sometimes people benefit from 1 or 2 'top-up' sessions of CBT so it may be worth checking if that is an option open to you?

jennster a few pages back you mentioned about aqua natal and post natal exercise with baby massage- are you by any chance from beautiful Preston like me? I love the aqua natal classes and they seem to sooth my back probs

Anyone have any advice on how I can help my DP stop smoking- I really hope he can do it before LO arrives and want to help but just feel as though I'm constantly nagging

Hi all, sorry, not been on for ages & only had a chance to skim through (again). BUT I finished work yesterday so I can get on here more often and be a better MNetter

Much as I'm happy & relieved to be on maternity leave it did feel a bit strange, especially because I've been doing a special project for the last six months which we (just) finished this last week, so it's not like I'm leaving a role behind as my other projects were already being covered. Plus we're moving offices about the same time I get back, so I had to completely clear my desk & condense 10 years worth of important papers crap into two small boxes. Somehow I had much more of a sense of one chapter of my life being over and another beginning than I ever thought I would. Hmmmm...... that sounds a bit deep for a Saturday afternoon!

detsy thanks very much for sending the cds. I was out when the postman came so I have to pick them up from the post office. Haven't had a chance to do that yet as our new bed was delivered this morning (which I'm unreasonably excited about!) but I'll go on Monday.

Jael when are you due to have your CS? I wonder if we'll be in hospital at the same time.

Sausage sorry to hear about your proposal . Some honest, constructive feedback from your academic friends would be useful in putting together an appeal - which I think it's worth doing, btw. It's only my opinion but I sometimes think the academic sector can be more prejudiced than you'd expect so IIWY I'd want to make sure that's not happened in your case. Good luck & hope you manage to have a good break.

Re names Harvey is the current favourite. The random name generator (thanks Belgian it's great fun) came up with Bevis (interesting, but no), Rocky (!! - esp if you knew our surname) and, best of all, Narcissus

Hope some of you have got some decent weather. It's horrible here, and cold.

sophietom difficult one re the smoking. Does your DP really want to give up? Because I think that's the key to it. I gave up when I moved in with DH and it was made much easier by the fact that I wanted to, coupled with a big change in lifestyle (I moved up here from London), and that he really hates it. If he does want to give up then I guess praise and distraction are the best tactics. If he doesn't, it will be much harder, but I'd suggest trying to avoid nagging but setting a rule, something like 'smoke if you want to, but do it outside and don't come near me or the baby for 20 minutes' [amount of time it's supposed to take to get rid of the chemicals from the lungs] and sticking to it.

I'm wondering how to handle the same issue with DH's best friend who smokes quite heavily. He gave us all their baby stuff too, so I'm going to feel mean and maybe come across as being all precious-first-born-ish (esp as his son is 4yo & completely healthy) but I want to minimise any risks.

Spanglemaker Thanks for the advice- DP says that he wants to give up but he has been a smoker for a long time, we've been together 10 yrs and he has always smoked. He has managed to give up for periods in the past but always ends up going back to it. I know it sounds silly but I feel hurt that he won't give up for me and the baby as it's really important to me and I worry about his health (see- I'm nagging again! ).
He does go outside to smoke, so maybe I'll ask him to stick to that 20 min rule once baby arrives. I'm sure that he is trying his best but he doesn't seem keen on using the nhs stop smoking service so maybe he doesn't really want to give up? Oh I wish I knew what was going on in that mind of his!!!

Oh I think the nesting instinct kicked in this morning. Ive done some of the washing and it's blowing out on the line - including the bedlined.. Tidied and sorted and REARRANGED DS's bedroom! Then I ran out of energy!... So a few cupps later, some Star Bursts and I think I'm ready to go again! It is a LOT slower with the SPG, but thankfully today I haven't needed the crutches. I managed to get ds to school yesterday when a mum (due same time as us) asked me if I was OK - on my crutches, and I immediately burst into tears.... so she invited me back to her house for tea and CAKE!! We had a long chat with a big chunk of home made cake and I feel much better - I think its born out of frustration/disappointment that my physio couldn't offer me more than a belt and crutches. Anyhow Belgianchocolates thanks for the links regarding SPD - I am doing exercises on the big ball thing I have, pelvic floor squeezes and good posture and abdominal exercises, so really there isn't much else. I have phoned a few acupuncturists and they are expensive and some wont touch me... Anyhow, I have my spa day next friday to look forward to and really only 7 of so more weeks to go. I will just have to adapt and accept I can't do as much!

Also Belgian - hows your Skate?? I can't wait to get mine, but it won't be mine until after baby is born - dh will collect it.

Looby - I can sympathise with you re sore hips and pelvis... Take it easy. My hips are so sore they feel as if they have arthritis!

Blotted LOL at you biting the Dentist - wish I had thought of that one! Anyway, the Dentist probably would be glad you didn't have your appointment yesterday when you were feeling very angry!

Chocolatebunnies - good on you girl! Maybe you should also consider getting more CBT sorted soon? However, having a positive view of things and taking small and signficant steps is the best way to achieve things - well done and good luck.

I had a very big when reading about Knitted Breasts!!! Absolutely amazing!! Never heard of them before!

I also didn't know you could express before the birth of a baby. I have creamy and clear stuff coming out with a gentle squeeze - does expressing not start off contractions?

As for the random name thing - here's my result - (Boy) Pancratius Bran Ruben (Girl) Cari Jonquil Ophelia!! I like Ruben (Dh doens't) and Cari reminds me of one of the characters in 'Flowers In the Attic', and Ophelia is noce too though hadn't thought of it until now! Great fun site!

Sorry about long post - lots to catch up on!

Dive you are putting me to shame with your nesting - especially with PGP as well. You too with your crafting Belgian

Today Cbeebies has been my baby sitter, and I am feeling really guilty about it. DD2 has chicken pox and doesn't want to do much, combined with my rapidly expanding ankles = not very active saturday. I also didn't sleep a jot because I was worrying about a horrible pain just underneath my shoulder blades. I stupidly looked it up on tinternet and convinced myself I had pec. Turned out to be indigestion

I have no idea how I am going to cope with work next week... am thinking about asking to be signed off but no idea how it all works as it's never happened to me before. Any advice girls?

Hope you are all having a nice weekend. I'm off to look up chicken pox symptom remedies on the internet.

Tummum you can self-cert your sickness for the first week. To be covered for day 8 and onwards you need a med cert from your GP stating that you are unfit to attend work. If you are still off by week 36 of your pregnancy then your maternity leave will automatically be triggered.

If you are struggling I'd highly recommend going off. I started my maternity leave at week 29 as I suffered really badly in the 3rd trimester in my first pregnancy. I feel so much better for it! I feel a lot less stressed, am coping better with everything and I feel a lot better physically.

Looby I had a very low reading this afternoon before lunch, just 3.0. I didn't take my insulin as a result and tucked into a lovely bowl of ice cream after lunch and now I feel a lot better. I did start feeling quite shaky, it wasn't good! I'm seeing my consultant on Wednesday so I'll have a chat with her about it then.

spangle congrats on starting your maternity leave! I felt the same as you when I started. It is like a new chapter in life.

Now have headache from too much telly, lol!

sophietom - I agree with Spangle - It's all about whether or not he wants to quit. If he does, he will. If he doesn't, no amount of nagging will do it.

I quit cold turkey, and honestly it wasn't that hard, especially after the first few days. I hear others have found Champix a great aid.

The biggest obstacle is that little voice in your head going "What does this 'quitting' mean? That I will never have a cigarette ever again?!?". It feels like losing a friend, a source of pleasure and comfort all in one.

I told myself that it wasn't forever, that I could always pick up one of DH's cigarettes if I really wanted to smoke in the future. (I never did, by the way, and he still smokes. Not in the house, though).

Good luck to your DP

tummum don't feel guilty about Cbeebies being your babysitter. It usually babysits for us when one of the dcs is ill. I think when they're ill they haven't got much energy to do much else anyway, so I just suspend the rules for a bit. What sort of job do you have? Do you think they could let you go on lighter duties?

divedaisy have you looked into a chiropractor or so, they tend to be successful. I'm one of those oddballs for whom acupuncture works. Most people benefit more from manipulation. I know how dissapointing it is when the physio just sends you home with the belt and crutches. I had hoped for more too. My instinct and how it feels told me I needed someone to press and pull to get it back into shape. Even though manipulation hasn't brought the relief I hoped for, it actually feels nice while she was doing it and so I did enjoy it.
I like my skate. It just doesn't fold quite as small as I remember, I think I will have to take the wheels off, but it all goes together really easily and looks lovely. It pushes like a dream . Can't wait to put a real life baby in it!

As ds and dd have been really caring for me today. Ds was masaging my shoulders and back while I was assembling the boxes and tieing [?sp] ribbons. If only he could teach is dad to do shoulder massages

Sophietom I second what the others say about him quitting. I think for men the baby is often not real until they physically hold it in their arms, I know my dh was like that. So maybe the birth of your baby will be the trigger that might spur him on to quit. Otherwise you'll just have to ban his sigarettes in the house and forbid him to hold lo for a good 20 mins after he's smoked, because that's how long the smoke will linger on his breath and in his clothes. Good luck

Tummum- DH gave up the fags when I was 7 months pregnant with DD with help from some pills from the doc and a few sessions with NHS support group thingy. I can't remember the name of the pills but ask the doc. He was a dedicated smoker and I am still so proud of him 18 months on. He only took half the course on pills so I guess it was mainly will power. I bought him a drive in a ferrari at silverstone as a 1 year giving up pressie too.

Dandy- I think the big knickers are just so they don't sit tight on you so small shape but big size knickers might work. I just used my normal ones last time but they were a big size anyway and I didn't bleed too much so didn't find it a problem.

We bought DDs curtains and duvet cover today from Ikea its really nice and a cute greenish design. She won't go into her big girls bed yet but we have set it up so that when she is ready she can try it out maybe in 4 months or so.

Dandy Small knickers tend to sit right on top of the scar and dig in, big knickers are looser and go well over the scar. The biggest granniest knickers you can find are the best for c/s's. You know the ones that go right up to your belly button. I bought cheap 2 size bigger ones to use during my pregnancy, because my normal ones have become too tight and I intend to use them after the birth and then get rid of them.

febes Brave you for going to Ikea on a Saturday! I avoid the place like the plague in the weekend.

Not granny knickers for me, btw. Just bikini briefs, I'm planning on a 3rd normal delivery! But if I do end up with a C/S I'll send my dh out for some HUGE ones straight away.

sophietom- my DH smoked for 10 years and stopped cold turkey and has never smoked again, but he must have really wanted to stop. HOWEVER I have known a couple of blokes who started smoking again, one whilst DW was pg and the other with the "stress" of the new arrival (and feeling a bit neglected) . So I guess he really has to want to do it, and even if he stopped now, he might start up again (especially if he's done this before). I would therefore insist on the smoking outside and waiting 20 mins rule...

Evening all! Hope you're having good weekends?

Mine got off to a stressful start - I had abdominal pains yesterday afternoon (definitely NOT contractions) and assumed it was just a tummy bug. When DH came home he suggested I phoned the hospital who advised me to come in for a quick once over. When I got there they took one look at my history (of pre-eclampsia) and checked my blood pressure, which was slightly raised though not high, and admitted me to the maternity ward! DH and DD were with me and I had no hospital bag because we assumed it would be a flying visit but actually we were there til 2am when I was eventually discharged. It seems there's nothing to worry about - bp & urine normal and no other symptoms so I think it probably was just digestive pains but it was all a bit dramatic. It's fab that they take these things so seriously though.

I'm interested to read discussions about expressing before the birth. I don't have GD but am having a planned c-section and I have heard it can take longer for milk to come in. Belgian do you know if expressing for a week or so before the elcs would help this?

Tummum I wouldn't feel the slightese bit guilty about letting your DD watch Cbeebies when she's poorly and you're exhausted. The other day I let my heavily-cold-riddled DD eat ice-cream in front of the TV and it did her no end of good!

Dandy I have bought some Sloggi Maxi pants - they're massive! - but I like everything to be held very firmly in place I tried disposable ones last time and they were rubbish.

Hello ladies!! This is gonna be long lol

Oh so much to catch up on when you miss a day around here lol

I have thought about expressing early and I even started a thread about it (although I didn't get a lot of replies!). I bought my pump a few weeks ago and I keep eyeing it up thinking 'why not?'. Is there any harm or benifit in getting in the flow so to speak?

I am also finding it hard to get out and do things. I moved here 2 years ago from the States and found out I was pregnant 2 weeks after my arrival. Suddenly it was not just me I had to worry about...but this little life inside me too. I started to have panic attacks and was completely housebound for about 4 months. The only places I went was with my DH...and any idea of going anywhere alone...forget it! I only spoke to my DH and my mom about it who both said I just need to get out...but they don't really understand how hard it is. I was so proud of myself for taking a 15 min bus ride all by myself with DD when she was about 2 months old. That was the first time I had ever been out without DH. As a result of my issues I have not made many friends and I still feel so isolated. I have noticed that although I know I can go do things...I find it easier to reason in my mind why not to...and I end up just staying in with DD which makes me feel so quilty. I only hope it does not get worse when I have 2. It is to the point where DH will text me a million times if he knows I am out (rare) asking if I am ok.

Whew I wish I was nesting lol I couldn't even do the dishes today! I felt so bad when DH came home from work and did them...very grateful but guilty all the same. Although I have not got the kick up the butt yet...I have begun to freak out about the lack of organization. I had a melt down yesterday and was listing all the things that had to be done to DH inbetween hiccups and tears. I think he got the point as he is putting the cot together as we speak

I am going to bake me some cookies to make myself feel better! Always a good cure!

Sorry if I have not replied directly to anyone. I am finding everything very useful, funny, and enlightening. So nice to hear from people going through the same!

Emmalina- sorry to hear about your extended hospital visit, but good to hear everything seemed ok.

I had a planned cs and milk came in after 72 hours (3 days) which i thought was pretty good (although i made sure DS suckled a lot!). Better than with DD where it was 6 days and she was a bigger baby (nearly 9lb) so was probably very hungry, poor thing. My CMW kept saying that some women arent aware of the milk coming in, so not to worry, but when it arrived, I didn't understand how anyone could miss it (in some ways I found it worse than contractions!). At least with DS, it came in earlier and i wasnt half as engorged (but had my cabbage leaves ready anyway- they are a godsend).