Due May '09, a Spangle-tastic start, who will be next....anyone, anyone........?

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Starting new thread ladies, in honour of Spangle.

sausage t'was me who mentionned Rufus. Glad for a positive reaction. I think its one of those names you love or hate really. I love Martha for a girl too (spot the Wainwright family connection!) but one of my best friends has just used this for her little girl so its out for us sadly. Its a friend who we see regularly so really is a no no for us.

blotted do take it easy. I had the whole high BP thing with DS. I was tested at home every couple of days and when I saw MW coming up the drive, I reckon it automatically increased it. WHite coat syndrome I think it's called. Make sure you put your feet up up up!! Cake and a cuppa sounds a good idea.

Still cant get my photos to upload on ebay. What am I doing wrong? Grrrrrrr.

Ooh goody Dermot O'Leary on Paul O'Grady. i heart Dermot. He is lovely.

Sorry for the capitals Fi! Hope you get help soon. If there is a chance your dad has hurt himself then it should probably be left to emergency services to get him up. Just make sure that he's comfortable (well, as well as he can be!) until help comes.

I had so much I was going to type - I can't remember 1/2 of it. I'm shattered and ds hasn''t slept today so haven't been able to get anything done again. Fi I was going to ask you how your ds copes with all the upheaval? Ds won't be left to his own devices, or just generally causes havoc - yesterday he drew all over the wall when left alone for 5 mins (I was in the next room!)

Blotted, hope your bp comes down and you feel better soon

Sorry Ladyhelen - fil's dog was called Rufus! That was my 1st thought! Love Martha - just not the meaning.

I'm back from the 7 month ultrasound and baby is off the charts in weight & height. If we wait to term, he will weigh an estimated 4.3 kgs [scared]

I'm now trying to decide between a c-section and an early induction (say, 3 weeks before term). Any views?

Oh Fi just seen your post. Hope ambulance is on way/there and your Dad (and Mum and you) are ok.

Ladyhelen i think of Rufus Sewell when I hear the name rufus, had a massive crush on him when he was in middlemarch. Martha is lovely did you mention Harriet too? I think Harriet Rose is a lovely name.

Cote sorry no advice to offer being a first timer, I guess you have to go with what feels right for you.

UGH - moist, discharge and gusset

Btw - Belgian - congrats on your job! Forgot to say! Wooohooo!

Fi - don't you dare lift - please, call an ambulance, its definitely called for.

Just eaten 1/2 a giant bag of off doritos that are in the office left over from a meeting. Blaaaah.

LadyH - hahaha re the Wainwright connection - didn't twig! Daizy - know what you mean re the dog connection... I had a lady chat to me on the bus the other day - she had 2 little ones with her - her boy, and another little girl who she was minding. Her name was Darcy. I said 'oooh thats the name of my parents boxer'! She got off at the next stop....

Cote - is that the options that they have given you? I don't know really, but my gut feeling would be an early induction...

Wow - busy thread today
Chocbunnies I think your dress looks really lovely. Another vote for the T-shirt sleeves, sparkly necklace and visit to M&S with dress.
Blotted hope you have managed to get some rest today and are feeling better. It sounds like you are having a totally crap week. Good that they are keeping an eye on you, and really hope your BP goes down tomorrow.
Fi what a nightmare. You did exactly the right thing in suggesting an ambulance - there is no way you can help lift up your Dad. Hope he is OK - keep us posted
Cote My DD2 was 4.3+ kgs.... and I had her OK (in water) with a tiny graze, so it is possible to have a big baby with no probs. Although I am size 16-18 so probably have a big pelvis. Must be very difficult to make this sort of decision, especially if last time around you had a tough time of it.

Who said that they are FED UP with being pregnant?! Can I add my vote here. I shrunk the only pair of maternity jeans that are comfortable this weekend, so went out and bought some more, because I am sooooooo fed up with looking and feeling like a big fat blob who has to constantly pull down tops / pull up bottoms to cover a stretch marked, white, hairy, huge bump. Attractive, no?!

And on the whole moving from one to two DCs thing, I can echo Belgianchocs advice to leave the baby to cry while you sort out the eldest as the baby doesn't know any better. I am worrying about how to cope with 3... I am sure daytime will be alright, but bedtime is a nightmare already. How will this work with a baby in the mix, esp. as DH is away all week. WTF was I thinking having a third?!

Here endeth mega-post

cote I've no idea what you should do, but I had DS via c-section at 37 weeks. He was just under 9 pounds, so I was pretty thankful that he didn't go to term and have a natural delivery! Still, he did develop jaundice and had phototherapy, and the told me it might have been because he was a bit early.

cote- i think if you have someone around for the early weeks to help you and your DC and LO, then i would go for the c-section, as i know you had a difficult time last time. But that is me, as i opted for a cs rather than face another difficult labour. You could always try the early induction first, and be prepared for a cs if that doesnt go to plan.

chocbunnies- I think the dress looks lovely and I think it should still fit in a few weeks time - if it was me, i would buy a long seamless slip (and not worry if it shows in the cleavage area) and then get a support/padded bra to emphasise the curves.

jael- i agree that you need to keep your eldest DC happy. We had a rule that when bf she could choose a favourite programme to watch on TV - she was younger (2.6) and it was better to have her next to me than off doing mischief! I also had the suppport of my DH for the first few weeks, and my PIL would come and take DD out for an hour or so which was a chance to recharge my batteries. I found i couldn't nap in the day but needed to have quiet times. Also is your DD in pre-school- those 2 days a week when DD was were a godsend. If she isn't, i recommend you should think about it and make the most of the free places on offer- it may only be a few hours a few days a week, but would be good for both of you, as you dont want your DD to get bored at home either (babies are very demanding and boring at first!).

lol sausage!!

Cote - I think I'll will have to be making a similiar decision to you tomorrow and I really don't know what to do. My gut says go for a c section, but I'm not 100%. My mum (a midwife) said yesterday that having previously had a big baby it might have made the pathway wider for more babies... Also all health professionals have been telling me how inaccurate these late scans are... See I'm no help!

pulapula The free nursery place for my DD doesn't start until September, so she'll be at home with me 5 days a week until then, with DP home at weekends. I don't want DD to feel like she's being pushed to one side or anything, I haven't got anyone who could take her for an hour or so either, as DP's parents live down south, and my parents both work, I wish we could afford to send her to playschool now, but it's just not do-able at the moment at all. Jael X

Hi I've been reading the thread all day but have had a velcro DD today. I think she's teething and she didn't want to be too far away from me all day and was very yearful. I went and meet a friend for lunch and luckily she slept in the buggy but for the rest of the day its been cuddles and cbeebies. She's gone off to sleep now so hopefully we will have a calm night.

Choc I also think the dress looks good and you will be a blooming, beautiful bride. I took my wedding dress (off the shelf from Monsoon) to bravissimo and tried on every bra in the place till I found one that fitted under the dress and made me look as good as possible. Good luck. I think in 4 weeks your bump will fill the dress and look even better .

Cote a hard decision. I know you had a hard time last time so maybe the CS will be best for you at least you can plan ahead and have things in place to support you in the first few weeks.

blotted I hope you are resting up and feeling better.

I am feeling a bit shattered today and am feeling very bloated and big and sore. My friend who I went and visited today pissed me off a bit. I rang her at 9.30am to say I was waiting for the washing machine and I would be at hers in an hour. She needed to get dressed, pack for her trip tomorrow to Spain and wanted to tidy the flat before I got there . I actually was at hers at about 11.30 and when I arrived she was still in her PJs and the house was a mess as usual. I then had to wait with a grumpy DD while she got ready. She also swears like a trooper and unsavory things in the flat( drugs, empty booze bottles etc). I have been friends with her since we were 13 and we are very close but just at a differnet stage of life at the moment so its hard at the moment. I don't want to lose her friendship and want to make an effort but she doesn't seem to realise what a mision it is to get out with DD and 36 week bump and then she isn't ready and then wants to traipse around the shops. Rant over I love her really.

Can I ask a question, it might be a really stupid one, you ladies who are like starting to express, and get colostrum (sp) etc are you already BF another LO, as I'm not getting anything at all, no leakages, nothing, sorry if that sounds really silly, I've been reading and wondering for ages. Jael X

Jael- sorry to hear your DDs free place doesn't start until Sept. Although that isn't too far away- my DD starts school then so i keep telling myself i will only have 2 DCs to manage then! Would your parents or PIL have DD on a weekend away- I know your DP might feel like he doesn't see her then, but my DD goes every few months to my parents, and they all have fun, and we have a rest with just DS.

Off out now to collect a chinese takeaway. It's mine and DHs 5th anniversary today and he is busy preparing for a job interview on Weds.

jael I am already bf another one. What are you using to express? I've never been able to hand express.

Jael Good question! I have just started to leak a bit (when I gently squeeze I can see it start to come out) but I am not having to wear pads yet. I do remember leaking quite bad last time when I slept...but that was near the end.

I was also wondering if you all were saving/freezing your colostrum as it is important for baby to get that right? Or, will you just keep producing colostrum as you won't be expressing so much as to get your milk to come in?

Slightly confused too as I want to start. I had such a hard time with DD and ended up giving up. I think if I had my flow going before I have #2 then it would make it easier to BF...but should I save what I express if I get anything?

Happy Anniversary Pula!

a quick update.. and thanks for the reassurance that i rightly suggested the ambulance to mum. after i calmed her down a bit she did phone for one and they came v quickly. luckily dad hadn't hurt himself in the fall this time.. last time at xmas he cracked 2ribs. basically it turns out he has an upset tummy.. which sapped his already low energy levels and he just couldn't support his weight and crumpled to the floor. the ambulance crew checked him over thoroughly and he's now resting after his dinner. dh arrived home while ambulance guys were here (mum and dad live in flat below us) but wasn't needed.

re upheaval and ds.. he has been 'helping' us and found the wardrobe building esp exciting as dh had his screwdrivers out etc. cbeebies was on a lot too.

have to go and hang up my clothes.. dh has just finished putting the rail back in the wardrobe.

xoxox

I'm not hand expressing or anything, I've had absolutely nothing from my boobs at all, and nothings started to leak out or anything. I'm v.confused lol are you supposed to start trying to get something out now? Jael X

Right, so can't remember who has asked what but here I go: Colostrum : I'm expressing a bit every night (usually in the bath) to attempt to get some supply going before delivery. I'm not b/feeding DD2 (she's 2.5) so starting from scratch again. Not much there at present but hoping to increase the amount gradually.....have had probs with low milk supply/ feeding/jaundiced baby etc before so paranoid mother this time

cote I've been listening to your worries about this delivery since very early on and sense that maybe you'd be happier going for a section? You seem very frightened about another experience like last time (understandably) and I think maybe for your own peace of mind (and assuming you have support at home for the first few wks post-birth) a C-Section may be best for you. Obviously the growth scans aren't particularly accurate and can be wrong, and this is your 2nd baby so you are more likely to deliver without tearing / episiotomy in theory but as I say you've always sounded scared so maybe a planned, calm, C-section would be best? I don't know - what is your gut feeling?

Moist, and gusset are quite a vile combination I agree. However, I do think that Moist and Crutch is even worse (shudder).

fi glad your dad is ok
choc I think your dress looks lovely but I do think you'll feel more self-confident in it if you get a good bra underneath and as someone suggested those maternity tights with a gusset built in so you don't have a VPL showing. And also take it to a dressmaker to see if they can let it out over the bump if that makes you feel more comfy (and give you a bit of growing room for 4 wks). Basically though you look fab.x

ladyHelen I like Rufus too but must admit it makes me think of that comedian type ginger man on the Richard and Judy programme (that I've had the misfortune to see once or twice). He sort of put me off. Having said that it is a lovely name. Hector is on my list and is in a similar vein to Rufus I think..........and I love Martha. Was on our list for a girl. If you like Rufus, how about Rupert as an alternative [love Rupert emoticon] [bloody DH hates Rupert emoticon].

BTW have been blubbing this afternoon - my friend had a little baby boy last week and just sent a photo of him. He is possibly the scrummiest little man I've ever seen and I just took one look at him and burst into tears. Gorgeous. Can't wait to meet mine [am getting all teary again thinking about it - hormonal, moi!]

sorry blotted meant to say TAKE IT EASY and fingers crossed for your BP coming down. You poor thing. x x x x

Oh Fi, I'm so glad your Dad isn't badly hurt hugs

For any of you crafty lot, can I cheekily pimp my latest blog post as a very talented UK designer has two giveaways running on her blog right now for her patterns - I've linked to both of the posts so you can see for yourself.

Thanks for all the reassurance and thoughts too. I'm in bed now and trying to wind down, DS2 and DD are in their bedrooms, DH is watching TV whilst cleaning the kitchen and DS1 is staying with his Granny until Wednesday to avoid the HF&M plague! I'm meeting our new health visitor tomorrow which should be interesting...

Also - I sniggered at moist discharge and gusset. I am actually a 13 year old boy in a 27 year old woman's body

Did I read someone mention an underwired nursing bra? I'm on the lookout for such a thing, I was so sick of having my bazongas under my armpits when I finished breastfeeding DD that I immediately went and bought myself a wonderbra. Size 36E - made for a comfortable resting spot for my chin!

Blotted I got a underwire 38G from figleaves they were pretty cheap too.

fi good to hear your dad is OK.

cote I think only you knows what is best for you. Like the others said: growth scans aren't 100% accurate. You've given birth to a big baby before and clearly your pelvis could accomodate it, being a 2nd baby it'll be more than like be easier to give birth. However anxiety and fear will affect the way your labour goes and at the end of the day you've got to be happy with the way your baby is delivered. If your gut feeling tells you a c/s will make you happy, go for it, if you feel you'd like to go for an induced v/b at 38 weeks because baby will be smaller, then go for it. Only you know the answer to this. We've all got different expectations and desires when it comes to such a personal experience after all. (i.e. not all of us would want to give birth at home, use the pool, etc...)

re dcs while there's building work We built and extension and did all sorts of things to the house when ds was 2. He loved to have his own plastic tools and 'helped' his dad all the time. Be careful though, because he loved the saw and one unguarded moment he took the saw and started sawing dd's pram (luckily without her being in it).

As for Felix and Rufus unfortunately our cat eats Felix cat food and Rufus does make me think of a big dog

jael Did you say you're not expressing? Because if you're not then I'd say not to worry if you don't leak. I never leaked with my other 2 and even with this one. The more you express the more you'll start getting, sometimes it's a question of getting the technique right. I often find that women can't get anything out and if I have a go (with permission of course) I get loads.