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!

Emmalina I must say that I do not know the evidence behind expressing antenatally. I really hadn't really heard of it until very recently, so I can't really answer your question. I even had a look in my Royal College of Midwives book about breastfeeding and it doesn't mention hand expressing before birth. But to me common sense would say that it is likely to make a difference, not in the time it takes for your milk to come in, but in the amount of colostrum you have. 3-4 days is the average time it takes for milk to come in after an elective c/s. Slightly slower than with a vaginal delivery or emergency c/s because the labour hormones haven't been going through your body.

Emmab have you sought help for your anxiety? It sounds like it would be useful to look for help, especially with no2 coming up.

dandy yes, 2 sizes bigger than your pre-pregnancy size, that's what I meant. I was talking about a fresh scar of course, when everything is still very tender.

Big granny pants were so nice for me last time after my cs- I bought size 14 (pre pg i was a 10-12). I decided i didn't care what i looked like when i was wearing big maternity pads, carrying a lot of loose skin on my tummy, and I could stick a pad to them to protect my wound.

Thank you so much for the replies!

I have not spoken to my GP about it no. I don't know why...I always tell myself that it is no big deal and I should just go out. I have looked into groups and sadly all the ones in my area (within walking distance) have shut down. Others start at 9am and that is just to early as DD usually sleeps till 8am even though I put her to bed at 7!

This is the first time I have said anything to anyone other than DH and my mom. I don't really get panic attacks anymore...somtimes...but mostly it is my own mind that talks me out of it for whatever reason.

Ex: Today I was going to get on the bus and go to town for the Next sale. DH was working overtime so I thought ok I can do this...well DD ended up sleeping till 2pm and then I had a phone call and before I knew it I was talking myself out of going and ended up staying in.

Having read it in black and white maybe I should talk to someone...

Weird thing is I was never like this until I became pregnant. I lived here before and went to Uni in Stirling. I used to get the train and buses and taxis and go to places with friends and alone all the time...

What changed?

Dandy- guess one size bigger might be OK if you dont gain a lot of weight. But i do tend to gain a lot (already gained 2 and a half stones at 31.5 weeks) and they didn't roll down for the first few weeks anyway...

On the undie topic...

Last time I bought black cotton ones (with lycra) from asda...

I found them so much more comfortable than throw away kinds.

I am usually a size 12-14(ish) lol but when DH ran out to get some they only had 20-22 lol To be honest they are soooooo comphy huge and they sit real low.

I still wear them (only to bed now) and DH has even commented that I need to throw them away or at least change the colour lol

I will be buying more this time around too!

I still have some disposable pants from my 1st pg which shows how uncomfortable i found them- i think the cheap pants from tesco etc is a much better option.

wow you guys have been busy today!

Emmalina Glad to hear your hospital visit was a short one and that there was no sign of PE.

Emmab take going out one step at a time... if you have a friend who could chum you to a playgroup etc would it help give you a bit of confidence to go out more regularly? Even if you are on your own with DD you don't have to talk to anyone if you don't feel up to it... that would come in time. I'm sure your DD would keep you busy when there and would love to go somewhere new with you and socialise with other children too.

I'm absolutely shattered this evening... wall to wall house viewings today with a break for lunch. 2 this morning in the area with big gardens but on the fringe of the not so good area with outstanding ofsted school for ds. The gardens were both a great size but the houses themselves were a bit disappointing. Then this afternoon 3 more viewings. 2 victorian houses... very nicely done up (just move straight in finish) but with swing a cat size 3rd bedrooms and not great gardens. The last one of today was a surprise...a modern semi-detached 90's? great size back garden space but needs to be made a bit more child friendly.. just a bit of re-decorating and minor updating needed inside and 3rd bedroom not as small as the other ones today. It is worth thinking about so DH & I want to go back for a second look... along with a bungalow I saw earlier in the week that is very near to our fav primary school choice for ds. Day off house hunting tomorrow... phew! going to get DH to put the crib together and i plan to get the linen out for it and get it all washed.

Off to bed shortly as worn out with climbing up and down many sets of stairs of all the houses and up and down from our 1st floor apartment!

fi sounds like you hand an exhausting, but productive day. Hope you find a good house soon.

It looks like i'll have to sleep in the old ap's bedroom. The decorator is still in my bedroom (well not him in person )and there are no curtains or blinds. I normally need a black out blind AND curtains to sleep, so I'm going to have to sleep amongst our baby stuff in the spare bedroom. The only thing is that the bed is really low, so I'm not looking forward to this night.

Apparently the clocks change tonight. I didn't know until just now when I heard it on the radio.

thanks for the reminder about the clocks belgian.. remembered yesterday but completely forgot with being so hectic today. not that it will make any difference to ds's wake up time tomorrow am. stair gate is helping.. he now opens his bedroom door to see if we're up.. sees our bedroom door is shut.. closes his door again.. switches on his mobile music and climbs back into bed if he doesn't fall asleep straight away he puts the mobile music back on (it shuts off after 10 mins). twice this week he's fallen asleep again and slept till 7.45

Thanks for all your messages.

I really can't recommend Sloggi Maxis enough - somehow they seem a bit sportier than other Granny pants (if you get black ones - last time I got flesh coloured ones!) and they do go right over cs dressing without falling down! I'm usually a size 12 but find size 18 is best post-cs.

Thanks for clocks reminder too. Am going to change mine now. I have been trying to re-set DD for the past week so that she's running on maternity leave time. This could just do it!

Fi enjoy your day off house-hunting tomorrow. I don't envy you at all but fingers crossed you will find the right house soon enough.

House of Fraser in Epsom - on offer £14.40 for 4 pairs!

belgianchoc thanks for the expressing/diabetes link

fikelly seems like you're getting somewhere on your mammoth house hunt [smile

emmalinac glad your okay

Re: big pants, haven't even thought about them!
did think about starting to sort out hospital bag earlier but then forgot about it again and went and met friend for lunch and gossip

I keep thinking about my hospital bag, but i've never done this until i'm on maternity leave before, so will probably wait a few weeks!

I have just booked a night away in a hotel with DH for next Saturday whilst the DCs stay at my mum and dads (first time they will have had both of them). Will probably put the kids to bed first but will then have a relaxing Sunday (might hit the shops) before collecting them in the afternoon.

Must stop watching Annie Lennox and get to bed as its really midnight in "new time".

Night night all x

Am also watching annie lennox but must go to bed.

Watching Alan Whicker but must go to bed too.

Re big pants, the other day I got some fab granny pants/apple catchers from M&S, 4 or 5 pairs for £4 - bargain! Only 1-2 sizes bigger than normal though, wonder if that will be enough?

I too can't believe we're spending Saturday night discussing big pants - oh, the glamour!

Am loving the big pants chat! I think I'll grab some from Marks and Sparks next time I'm passing...
pulapula part of the reason I feel like I need to do something to help DP quit is that he had stopped smoking and has just started again in the past few weeks! Its so frustrating but he has been mega stressed at work (he works in a bank so it's not been easy lately) and I'm guessing he is also starting to panic about the fact he will be a dad very soon!

Cheap, big, pants are fab. Wear them once and chuck 'em I say. My friends MIL (who is very, very, very posh and extremely wealthy) buys her pants in Macro apparently - 5 pairs for £1!!!!!!!!! or so she tells us. (She also buys her christmas presents there, probably why she's still so wealthy!)
Anyway, I digress. Big pants = good.

Am quite excited (and surprised) - had a go at expressing last night in the bath and to start with there wasn't anything much so I left it for a bit then had another go and there seemed to be a fair bit in the end. Had to stop as got some pretty strong BH contractions as a result
Am just surprised there was something there......will leave it till nearer due date then do it more regularly I think. Might even get myself into labour as a result [wishful thinking emoticon]
Am waiting to hear from a friend who is being induced this weekend. Very excited!