Due July 2009 - Part 4 - The Third Trimester.

[Phoenix]

A new thread, the old one's almost full

July 09 List

25th June - Christiana - DC #2 - Surprise
28th June - Woollyjo - DC #2 - Having a girl
29th June - Welshlinz - DC #2
29th June - JLo2 - DC #4 - Having a boy
29th June - Highrise - first baby
early July - lyca - DC #4
1st July - Rattling - first two babies - Surprise - TWINS
1st July - binkerbeany - DC #2
1st July - Mrsmope - DC #2 and #3 - Having 1 boy, 1 girl - TWINS
1st July - trixiechick
2nd July - Nicky6 - DC #2
2nd July - pop1973
4th July - Mum2boys2girls - DC #5
4th July - ActivityApple - first baby - Having a boy
5th July - soozze - DC #2
6th July - xxhunnyxx - first baby - Having a boy
6th July - Wiltedrose - DC #2 - Having a girl
7th July - MuppetGirl - DC #3
7th July - Misspaella - DC #3 - Surprise
7th July - QueenFee - DC #3 - Surprise
7th July - thelollipoplady - DC #3 - Having a boy
7th July - Eviebear
8th July - JetLi - first baby
8th July - deleting - DC #3 - Surprise
8th July - rubyriley - DC #3 - Having a boy
9th July - LargeGlassofRed - DC #4 AND #5 - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - Betsyboo - DC #3
9th July - London11 - DC #2 and #3 - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - bellybaba
9th July - Gillyan - DC #2 - Having a girl
9th July - Hobbgoblin - DC #4
10th July - Baffy - DC #2
10th July - Mij - DC #2 - Surprise
10th July - Newb - first baby - Having a girl
10th July - SafferUpNorth - first baby
10th July - eveningall - DC #2
11th July - Marsmonster - DC #2
12th July - Jenny79 - first baby - Having a boy
13th July - Scully - DC #3
14th July - doublehelp - DC #3
14th July - Naturopath - DC #2
14th July - Dannyg - DC #3 - Having a girl
14th July - LittleDoe - first baby
15th July - Accebar - Having a girl
15th July - Lydiathetattooedlady - Having a boy
16th July - BeccaBump - DC #2 - Having a boy
16th July - Knax - DC #2
16th July - NattyTomAndEllen - DC #3
16th July - SheWillBeLoved - first baby
16th July - plot2 - DC #2 - Having a boy
16th July - Lillabet - first baby - Surprise
17th July - Patchybob - DC #3 - Surprise
17th July - Phoenix - DC #2 - Having a boy
17th July - alibobble - DC #2 - Surprise
17th July - Bozette - DC #2 - Having a girl
17th July - BrumOne - first baby
18th July - maxmissie
19th July - Dinkyboysmum - DC #2
19th July - busyemma - DC #3
20th July - LBK - first baby
20th July - Belgrano - DC #2 - Having a boy
22nd July - ray81
22nd July - chellebelle - DC#4
23rd July - Andie01 - DC #2
24th July - Madoldbird - DC #3 - TWINS
24th July - Lastboxoftampons - first baby
24th July - Moominmoma - first baby
24th July - Lyrebird - first baby
24th July - ilikeyoursleeves - DC #2
25th July - PrincessButtercup - DC #3 - Having a boy
25th July - BonzoDoodah - DC #2 - Surprise
25th July - Mickeylou - DC #2 - Having a girl
27th July - KitCat26 - first baby
28th July - mylilmiracle - first baby
28th July - Cheekycel - Having a girl
29th July - Brainmish - DC #2
29th July - Poppet45 - first baby
30th July - Mavornia - DC #2
31st July - madeinamerica - first baby - Having a girl
31st July - littlepipbumpmummy - DC #2
31st July - EarthMotherWannabe - first baby

So sorry for your losses Belgrano .

JLo2 and Mij - thank you for the advice, it's good to know I can let myself off the hook when the little one arrives .

At the moment, I am still trying to sort out the house with the DH - actually painted the nursery this weekend and cleaned the carpet. Still got to do the woodwork, re-lay the carpet, get the furniture and build it (ah the joys of Ikea) and create a small study area for our PC and paperwork (it is a quiet PC and there is nowhere else to put it!!). Once all that is done, I still have to wash all the clothes, bedding and real nappies I have!!!
And then there is the rest of the house to sort out too!!! think I will delegate a good proportion of this to the DH QueenFee if you are feeling really keen, fancy a trip to Lancashire?

I can't remember who asked about how long HiP grants take, but mine was about 4 weeks from sending the application off.

Still got 3.5 weeks to go at work - frankly mat leave cannot start soon enough!!

Ooh, while I remember - the friend who wouldn't leave me in peace has announced she is expecting. I congratulated her warmly and I am very happy for her. My spirits dropped, however, when she quite gaily said "And I will be ringing you lots for advice and assistance. You'll have to help me!"
I have 7.5 weeks before my LO arrives, I am busy now and it is only going to get busier! I don't think she has a clue how busy either Help!!

Better go and sort through the pile of CVs I have for my maternity cover replacement so I can actually go on my mat leave!!

Apologies for the long post !

Belgrano so sorry for your loss. I hope that you get through your grief ok. Hugs.

I am having a crap day with my DC's today and feel like just running off somewhere alone to sleep, read and maybe even have a massage. I can at least dream. I find half terms hard as I have 2 little ones running round my feet for attention and I am hitting that stage of pg where I just want to put my feet up.

Tens Machine
I think they are great to start with. I have used them for both my labours and plan to use again for this one. You do need to put it on as soon as early labour starts.

Nesting
I am scared to start packing my bag and getting baby clothes ready as I feel I am wishing the inevitable early. Selfishly I want to first have my weekend away with DH (I'll be nearly 37w) and also host my DC's joint bday party (will be nearly 38w for that) before this one arrives. Why do we tend to pack in lots of stuff when we are in our latter stages of pg?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Yee hah!
I'm feeling really happy now as MIL and SIL just left (they are very hard work to be around) but I am so grateful to them beacuse guess what.... They have taken the kids back with them for a couple of days!!! This is unheard of for me so I can now go out and do all the lovely things you do in your first pregnancy for a couple of days

I feel very lucky today ]

A sweet observation of my 2 over the weekend too, I walked into my bedroom to find the 2 of them had tucked DSs favorite teddy up in the crib and were standing next to it rocking it gently and singing a lullaby - I could have cried.

mispaella I also have a birthday party to fit in preferably before Bubs arrives. My DD is 5 just after it is due. What are you doing?

I would love to come and do some work for you all, but as I now have no kids I must go and do some of the more boring DIY jobs I get out of whilst they are around First stop putting up some curtains on my wardrobe. (whispers it's only been 5 years waiting )

Hope you all had a lovely bank holiday

Belgrano - So sorry for your losses , hope you are coping ok.

QueenFee - for the kids going away for a few days, enjoy your peace.

Just back form the midwife, all fine but still measuring large for dates. At 32+4 i'm measuring 38cm . I won't be seeing the midwife in 2wks time because i've got an appointment with the diabetic team at the hospital and they do all the ante natal checks there so its silly to go to the midwife on tuesday then to hospital on thursday.

Queenfee how gorgeous to have time on your own. Try and actually get some rest as opposed to doing all those jobs you find easier to do without DC's running about.

Re the DC'd bday party I am being a bit lazy and hosting it at one of those indoor play zones. All I have to bring is the cake and goody bags.

Phoenix what is next for you then as you're measuring big and with the GD? Will you push for a CS?

Better get back to Britain's Got Talent.

No idea MissP. The midwives didn't seem bothered by the measurments because they know i have GD. I'll be seeing the consultant on 11th June and am def planning on asking for an elective and refusing to be induced as he already mentioned possibly inducing at 37wks if the baby is big. They haven't mentioned a growth scan either yet so hopefully i might get one once i see himm again.

Phoenix I think you have to fight for what you want but also to ask your consultant a list of questions, like what are the risks to my baby/me if induced at 37 weeks against allowing pregnancy to continue to term. Also what are the advantages to me of a CS and the disadvantages. I think that these experts are kind of employed by us ultimately & should be prepared to fully explain themselves and their decisions to our complete satisfaction. It is our body, our baby after all!

A friend, who used to be a midwife, once advised me to know my facts and stand up for myself, otherwise you can become a faceless pregnant woman who could be treated quite inconsiderately (dare I say barbarically?) if you allowed them to! More specifically, she was saying that to break your waters when you were not dilated was barbaric (had heard women at ante natal appointment in last pregnancy discussing how this procedure more painful than actual birth ) Midwife friend said to ask midwife to confirm was dilated before attempting to break waters - which I did & was, & it didn't hurt at all (and shouldn't!!)

I also have a birthday party to fit in before DD2 arrives (I'll be 37 weeks) I do appreciate that I'm quite lucky though as I've booked somewhere that will organise the whole thing - all I've done is the invites, party bags, fairy wands and tiaras and bought a few decorations - they sort the rest and even supervise the kids if needed. DD1 was induced a month early and I was hospitalised at 35+4 so I didn't want to take the chance that she wouldn't get a birthday party if the same thing happened all over with this one (so far touch wood it hasn't!)

Sorry for your double loss Belgrano, it's a lot to have to deal with at any time let alone when very pregnant. I hope you've got people around you to support you.

Phoenix the MW measurements are sooooooooo inaccurate - how can a tape measure on the outside of your belly tell you what's going on inside?!! Don't worry and ask for a scan. I am measuring huge but scans show the baby is just below the average curve (I don't have GD although I did last time). I have a friend who is due any moment who is measuring well below the bottom line but is bang on the average curve when scanned.

I do agree with rubyriley, I became a faceless pregnant woman last time around and it was awful - I felt as if I had no control over what happened towards the end and it took me 2 years of counselling to get over it! And there are still some days when it all comes flooding back

Hello

More info on friends birth...

It is her 2nd baby - i was her due date - she woke up at 3am with pains and decided to get in the bath, got out at 3.45 and a small maount of her waters went ( they had to be broken during labour last time ) she noticed the waters were green, she woke up hubby, got child care sorted for her DD and got to the hospital at 4.30am - no staff - lots of people in theatre apparently, they put he ron admission ward and she was shouting at them that she needed to push and they didn't have a delivery suite free.

Got her to a room at 4.50 - she had 4 big contractions that she pushed with and he was out! She pooed herself with every push - bless - baby had cord round his neck twice was but was fine. 7lb 13oz. She was told she had to stay in 12 hrs because he had done his first poo inside her. She had not a graze on her. No-one checked on her or baby all day and her hubby had to fight to get a pedeatrition to come and check the baby - then they were told she had to stay in 24 hrs but they ended up letting her go at 10.30pm same night.

Saw her and baby yesterday, he is so cute! She is breat feeding and mlik not in yet but at 11am yesterday she hadn't slept for more than 2 hrs and she said he was very whingy compared to her first baby and she fed him about 10 times in the hr I was there, he would cry the minute he was put in his basket. I suggested she try swaddling but it was quite warm so she didn't wnat to. Hopefully when her milk comes in and he gets a big belly full he'll sleep for a couple of hrs. He was so tired, constantly yawning but only nods off for a few mins then wakes up again.

Her nearly 3 yr old wasn't phased at all and my DD wasn't that fussed, they just wanted to play with each other. My DD held the baby and looked amazed though!

So there we go, second time birth and how easy was that!!! Her first labour was about 10 hrs and she had her waters broken and she had not a scratch and just gas and air....she is one of my best friends and I am so glad she had an okay time but I secretly hate her

I am totally screwed now regarding my sleeping, I just cannot stay lying dfown for more than about 3 hrs, I have been getting up at 4am and just going down stairs, this is fine on days like today when DD is at nursery but the days she isn't I'm going to have to get someone to have her for a few hrs so I can sleep as I am just shattered. My hips are so painful now that even sitting down too long is hurting.

Been feeling that really niggly feeling you get low down when the head is lower, baby is head down and has dropped quite a bit, she had been stuck under my ribs for weeks but its eased off now. The twinges were so bad a couple of days ago that I couldn't walk! Won't be long now!

I bet I gp into labour before my booked section! I'm going to start taking bets I think!

Just wrote my birth plan for if I do give birth naturally and have been very forceful about what I want and don't want. Not going to write one for the section scenario ubtil I have seen consultant in 2 wks as not sure what I can and can't do with it being a section.

ooooh QueenFee time on your own, how lovely! Hope you're enjoying it.

Belgrano so sorry for your troubles. I hope you have lots of support around you and have some time to feel/do whatever you need to. There's never a good time to lose anyone you love but that really is a triple whammy

DDs party is in a couple of weeks. As she'll be 3 we can still get away with a few mates around for a picnic in the garden - maybe a couple of games this year - so hopefully not too much work but plan to take up residence in the most comfy garden chair and be waited on hand and foot! Thinking of making some very basic cotton bags and getting the kids to decorate their own party bag. Lazy? Too right! She's as interested in having her 'grown-up' friends around as other kids (typical oldest/only kid), so hopefully the ratio will allow for a modicum of calmness .

Did my first pg yoga class last night. Did it from 23 wks last time, just couldn't get organised this time. It was harder work than I remember! I'm sure the class is more dificult, can't be me being less fit .

Gillyan your friend's birth sounds exciting! Maybe she's just got a 'don't you dare put me down' baby. Get that woman a sling!

And with you on the sleeping. I'm not uncomfortable in bed as such, I just can't find a position that's 'right'. So I'm lumping around and waking up DP and DD. Had a better night last night though (although average 4 hours sleep a night still not adequate by anyone's standards).

Hi - just a fleeting visit with info for xxhunnyxx - this is the tissue salts programme. The salts are homeopathic.
If you want to take them all, and have a friendly homeopath locally, they may be able to make you up a mixture, such that all the tissue salts are mixed together, so you'd take 1 tablet instead of 3 or 4.

Months 4 and 8 Calc Fluor, Nat Mur, Silica
Months 5 and 9 Calc Fluor, Ferrum Phos, Silica

Remedy Information
Calc Fluor ? for bone development and elasticity of connective tissue, helping to prevent stretch marks, circulatory problems and varicose veins.
Mag Phos ? for nerve and muscle development, therefore reducing the chance of heartburn and cramps.
Ferrum Phos ? for blood oxygenation, hence reducing the tendency to anaemia.
Nat Mur ? for controlling fluid balance, helping to prevent swollen hands or ankles and high blood pressure, as well as supporting nerves and muscles, including the heart.
Silica ? for building strong teeth, bones and hair and general strength.

Calc. Flour is the one which is supposed to be helpful for the perineum - since it's supposed to improve tissue elasticity

Message withdrawn

Hi christiana - not fully - the diet for instance seemed a bit too restrictive for me I like my food too much! Also I couldn't have afforded all the reflexology and therapies sadly. But I've done some of the other stuff in her book, and I'm going to book a bit of reflexology each week for the last 4 weeks to help things along...

Interesting about the salts with my history of tearing. Just wondering if it is a bit late with only 6 weeksto go? Can you buy the calc flour just on it's own?

Had a really busy morning doing jobs/nesting then I had a lovely long soak in the bath followed by an afternoon sleep - oh the luxury of no children I feel fab for it. Bit sad of me I know but I am actually missing them.

Thanks jetli for the info, I'll have a look in to it. I must admit as a first timer tearing is something I am terrified of.

Is anybody else totally knackered at the mo? I'm not sleeping too well at the mo, keep waking up at 4am and then not being able to get back to sleep until about 1/2 hour before I need to get up! But last night I got a really good nights sleep and I'm still exhausted. Roll on next Friday when I finish work! . Think there's a defo risk of me falling asleep during guided birth class tomos, which would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that I snore like an old man lol.

Yep you can defo get the Calc. Fluor by itself - I got all the Remedies in Holland and Barrett - they're made by a company called New Era.
I'm with you xxhunnyxx - utterly terrified of tearing and also throughly against episiotomy if I can possibly avoid it (seems a wee bit too "routine" for my liking). My little sis has never been the same again in the undercarriage department since an horrendous tear with her first (bloody useless student midwife). It was that bad she finished up needing a blood transfusion. So hence all my perineal stretching and moisturising and the homeopathic remedies - anything that could remotely help, I'm up for trying!! Sadly with only 1 pool at my hospital unit I think I may as well kiss a water birth goodbye right now and I think the water seems to be the most helpful thing.
So all being well I'll have the s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-e-s-t fanjo in the street by July!
Gosh what a thoroughly unpleasant thought!

Hi all - not been on for ages so just spent hours catching up.

Belgrano what terrible news - I'm crying here for you. I can't imagine how difficult it must be. I hope you can concentrate on the baby as a positive while you mourn for your losses.

plot2 SO glad to see you on here - I was getting worried about you. Pain in the neck about the bleeding and losing the holiday but good that you are still okay.

I've been shattered and run down and feeling my bump stretching and pulling all the time. I can't remember it hurting this much last time. Keep having to rest and put feet up on the settee and sleep with a pillow under the bump at night to stop it stretching.

Excitement though - having a 3D/4D scan tomorrow evening ... can't wait!

Breastfeeding - just to reassure first-time mums ... (and not to try and sound smug) ... but I found breastfeeding really easy and natural. baby latched on pretty quickly and that was pretty much it. There is no magic and spells and special things you must do - once the baby has learned to latch (and mine did it instantly) you're off.... The business with remembering which side to empty and all that comes naturally pretty quickly. And you can usually tell which boob to use next as it is full and hard. Although sometimes at the start I used a hairband on my wrist clipped into my bra strap to remind me which boob to use next.
I know people do have problems and I'm in no way belittling those problems ... but I think sometimes it can scare people away from Breastfeeding as they think there is some mystery to it.
I honestly found it really easy and SOOOO much easier than bottle feeding - no bottles to sterilise - or prepare or water to boil and cool with a screaming hungry baby waiting - baby squeaks - stick her on ...
I B-fed DD til she was 17 months old and I wouldn't have done that if it was a drag.
Hope this inspires some of you who are feeling a bit worried about it.

Just to second what bonzodoodah says. DD1 started out on bottles in SCBU but I just kept expressing and when she was ready (about 6 weeks after she was born), she latched and then we were off. It isn't true what the midwives will tell you about how if you bottle feed the baby won't then breastfeed, at least not in my experience. We kept two bottle feeds a day going, the bedtime feed at about 7 and the dream feed at 11, just so I could have a break of an evening and that worked really well for us!

The only down side, is that it was then always me who had to wake up in the night but at least I could stay half asleep and in bed and not have to fall wander downstairs and wake myself up properly while I waited for a bottle to heat up!

thank you again for all your kind messages. It really helps.
Does anyone know when we are supposed/allowed to start perineal massage? I remember it being so helpful last time (didn't tear or have a cut) but can't remember when I started. Also raspberry leaf tea - is that after 32 weeks??

belgrano hope you are doing ok, perineal massage can be started at week 34 and RLT at 36 weeks, at least that is what I have read.

BF'ing is it possible to combine formula and breastmilk? if i decide to give a bottle twice a day does it have to be expressed milk or can it be formula too? thanks for the positive notes on breastfeeding bonzo and quilted, it does help to hear those stories of it being straightforward. It sounds weird to hear that it is so hard when it's natural.

PS I have my buggy now, it's a from birth one and lies flat -was wondering how i can make it cosy for a newborn? any tips would be appreciated seeing as it's not the classic carrycot with built-up sides etc.... Also as it will be July, I'm thinking a cosytoes thingy might be way too warm?!

evie what about a soft cocoon / soft carry cot such as this
you can combine breast and bottle. It's wise to use expressed milk in the early days so your body prodces enough milk. After that you can gradually swop a couple of feeds for formula. Often though once BF is established you find you can be bothered with the bottle after all! I used formula for the occasional feed mine had from a bottle when being babysat etc. This would have been after about 3 months though. Hope someone else has more info on combined feeding for you.

Oh and meant to ask which buggy have you bought? (nosey emoticon )

queenfee thanks, that looks lovely, I wonder would it fit what i just bought? I impulse bought the bebe confort streety! It is light and faces both ways plus came with car seat. I think I will soon end up with a Maclaren so this is perfect to have baby facing you for the first while! I hope it was a good choice but wasn't too pricey so I won't be disappointed if I end up not liking it.