Due May 09 - May Day! May Day!! Read All About It - Babies Dropping Everywhere!!!

[divedaisy]

Here we go ladies... over to you all!

ooh but tummum I'm soooo looking forward to dressing my little one in blue, brown or other colours for a change instead of all that pink you get for girls. Am thoroughly sick of pink now! Will remember the sock on the winkie trick, handy! And LOL at calling him 'good girl' - expect I'll be doing that too. Don't know about you but I'm not very good at remembering their names when they are little and my babies tended to get called allsorts anyway! In fact DD1 is still called 'Ga-Ga' at home most of the time and she's 8!
cote hope you're ok and good luck
jael oh poor, poor you - you are having a hard time of it. Fingers crossed you start feeling better soon, have you got plenty of support at home and from the midwives? Am sure belgian will be around later with some excellent jaundice advice - all I know is feed lots and strip them off and pop them in sunlight (obviously in a warm room!) to get rid of it. Things will get better honey x x x

jael Sounds like you're having a horrible time. After all those worries before the birth of baby J this is the last thing you need. Hopefully now you've got the right meds for your scar you'll start getting better soon. Like the others said, you need to be better first, only once you've done that can you start bonding with baby J. Can you bear having him skin to skin in bed with you for a while after feeds and things, that'll help both of you feel better . As for jaundice. Don't worry too much, it's not a liver or kidney problem, like with an adult. In newborns it's a normal physiological process that's part of adapting to life outside the womb and most babies get it to some sort of degree. It's all got to do with the fact that in the womb babies take 2nd hand oxygen hand have both more and a different type of red bloodcells to be adequately oxygenated. Once babies start breathing for themselves they don't need all those extra red bloodcells anymore and start breaking them off. A by product of this breakdown is something called bilirubin, which is a yellow substance. This can stain the skin and whites of the eyes yellow. Babies elliminate this bilirubin by feeding and weeing and pooing, it also gets broken down by light. So best thing you can do is feed baby J a lot and make sure he's exposed to sunlight as much as possible. Sometimes jaundice can get more severe and make babies a bit sleepy, which stops them from feeding enough. When this happens babies are treated with light, they usually go on a special baby 'sunbed' or have an overhead light. Obviously I can't tell how severe baby J's jaundice is, but as long as he's waking for feeds and weeing and pooing plenty, he should be OK. Definitely get your cmw to have a look at him if you're worried. Get her to come back earlier if you think it's getting worse, but I have a feeling you will be seen quite often anyway, because of the problems with your scar.

cote I'm surprised you haven't been admitted if your uric acid is high and they're worried. Hope you're OK. Take it easy between now and your c/s.

Belgian - My uric acid level in blood is above normal range but not too worrying for now. They are testing again tomorrow and again every two days thereafter. I feel I'm being properly monitored this time.

(As opposed to last time, when my so called doctor was surprised to hear uric acid was over 400 when I mentioned it to him during routine monitoring towards 40 weeks Obviously he wasn't in the habit of actually looking at the results of the tests he ordered)

Wow detsy that sounds like it was some 'show' fantastic news though the signs are good for it to all start for you soon.

Frazz & BelgianC I agree totally about the nipple shields - they were a godsend for me first time and DS never seemed to care if they were there or not. Occasionally once he got going I was able to slip it out and he carried on.

Had my Scan earlier and they confirmed I'm NOT breech .... YAY !!! I never thought I was and BelgianC you were so right about the heartbeat, the sonographer said exactly the same thing - the heartbeat can echo and bounce around and be picked up anywhere on the bump and it doesn't necessarily mean anything. Hence I have asked to go back to seeing my own midwife again next week. Ses so sorry to hear your news wasn't so great but glad you are happy you will be holding your LO very soon.

and fab news about your show BelgianC too, really hope things start happening for you soon.

Jenn ... oops ... and LOL sorry !!

Jael Oh no - omg, sounds so awful for you. I'm sure J will be fine with you no matter how much attention he is getting from your DP - I know thats not too re-assuring right now and so frustrating for you. It sounds like your DP is an absolute star. I really hope you start feeling better very soon.

I forgot to ask earlier: Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to prevent my uric acid levels from increasing too quickly? Anything I can eat/drink of refrain from eating/drinking?

I'd like to keep the baby in at least until 38 weeks, if possible.

Hello ladies

I've just seen pula's updated list - WOW! 14 babies so far. What fabulous news! Huge congratulations to all you new mums. I hope you're recovering well and your babies are thriving.

We are settling in an home after Niamh's low blood sugar scare. She was drip/tube fed for a few days but the staff in the neo natal unit worked really hard with me so that we could establish breast-feeding (and let me stay in with her) and by the time we were discharged she was fully on the boob... and I have the nipples to prove it! (I am also a big fan of nipple shields just until she settled into her feed, then I slip it off and pop her back on - she doesn't even seem to notcie). She's doing really well now: sleeping all day and hungry all night

Febes I have nothing but praise for the team at St Helier. From the labour ward to the neo natal unit all the staff and the care we received were fantastic. You'll be in very good hands!

Am just reading back over the thread to catch up on all the other news...

Good luck to all of you who have had shows or who have c-sections coming up!

jael I'm so sorry things are tough for you. It all sounds so scary. Both my boys have had jaundice. DS1 had it quite badly, and was under the lamp for 24 hours. Now DS2 has it, although it has cleared up well. I've given him daily sun baths, lots of feeding etc but it isn't as bad as DS1's was.

detsy sounds exciting...I wonder how long it will be for you?

ses I nearly missed your post about being admitted. Perhaps you'll be next? Good luck!

cote I've no idea, I'm sorry. I don't think anyone has ever monitored my uric acid levels.

Sorry if I've missed anyone, it is hard to type and breastfeed. We've been to the doctors today because George has a rash on his neck and chin which made me panic about all sorts of nasty things. Thankfully all is fine but they did make me wait in a side room in case he was contagious! DS1, bless him, put his hand on George's forehead, nodded sagely and said "hot mummy, needs Calpol" which made me laugh. Perhaps we need to save for med school?

Hi Girls,

Im baaacccckkkkk!

My internet went down the swanny and couldn't access Mumsnet through my mobile so thankfully jennster has been a star and kept me updated with all the news.

Ses Good luck with CS.

Jael Hope your feeling better soon ((hug))

Cote I have no idea what uric acid is or what it means but hope your ok and that t doesnt get worse.

Belgian & Detsy OOOoooo how exciting re shows, hope it means babies will be out soon for you!

Frazz & Mini Congrats on the scans, bet its a relief, am v. you got to see babies again, not long to go now!

Sorry if I've missed anyone, so much to catch up on.

Now, as for me, baby seems to be well and truly wedged in, no signs of labour at all, although I do keep getting that sharp pain, think someone said "like a knitting needle in the fanjo?" Do we know what this is???

We've almost recovered from Friday now, Madi is still slightly hungover I think as she is sleeping a lot at the moment, but she has become very aware of my tummy, and has started to take real notice of movements and hiccups and will qute happily sit and touch bump for ages!

Those numbers above re breast feeding, is it worth ringing them before hand and getting advice? I had a real issue with breast feeding last time (madi would not under any circumstances entertain the idea) and it was a horrible situation as I had no help from anyone really, the midwives were very rough wiith Madi and me and it got to the stage that whenever you put Madi near boob she got so upset that she was crying so hard that no noise was coming out so I couldnt carry on with it and so expressed for her for the first 3 weeks of her life, this time I want it to be different, I really want it to work so wonder whether it will be a good idea to get a support network in place now?

I havent sorted my TENS out yet, does anyone know of any good rental places?

And, your all going to shout at me, but I still havent packed hospital bag it is still sat here, glaring at me, in the corner of the bedroom, I dont know why I cant bring myself to do it, maybe some kind of subconscious reasoning, I dont want to admit that Im 38 weeks gone already!

I keep getting very scarey dreams at the mo, latest one being that baby keeps sticking foot or knee or elbow out on my right hand side, so the extent where you can see and feel it so much so that you can almost hold on to it,well in my dream baby was doing it but had sharp toes nails which had burst my bump and I had 5 sprays of water coming out of my side, which is apparently rather painful, honest to god it was so vivid I woke up in a right mess!

Oooo sorry fo the gigantic post!

Aargh!! Just been told I won't be seen by a dr til tomorrow so no definite plan until then. Also they don't do elective CS over the weekend!! Hence I may have to stay in hospital until Monday before they do CS!!! They won't let me home as oblique breech can be dangerous if waters break apparently!!

Sorry for selfish post... On phone and got brain like a sieve!!

cote As far as I'm aware there's nothing you can do to stop your uric acid from going up. We generally say your UA should be about what amount of weeks you are, so just over 40 at 40 weeks would be acceptable (I think with you they must add a 0, because 400 would be impossible with us. Or if you did have a UA of 400 you'd be whisked off to theatre and have your c/s before you know what's happening!). Sounds like they're monitoring it regularly, about the same as you'd get here. Are you getting regular bp checks too?

Emmalina Yes, 14 babies and a nice 50/50 split between boys and girls too! Sleeping all day, hungry all night. Sounds about right for a baby . Glad to hear baby N is doing well now.

minim great to hear that lo is in the right place. Must be such a relief.

chocbunnies Glad you're back Mrs. Those lines are really helplines, so I don't think they could give you all that much info beforehand. However, I think the ABM and NCT might be able to give you info about your local BF support group and I think it's useful to visit one before lo is born if possible (you know not too faraway for you). Oh and chocbunnies, uric acid is something they look at when they suspect you've got pre-eclampsia. It builds up and is a guide as to how serious it is. If it suddenly rises sharply it's a sign something is wrong and they generally intervene at that point.

llare glad you're still doing well and that baby G's rash is nothing to worry about.

Ses So sorry to hear about your C/S. I suppose it's too late for an ECV at this stage. The risk of cord prolapse when your waters go is exactly why they kept me in when my baby was transverse. Luckily s/he turned. Maybe you could take advantage of the delay and shock the ward by spending your time there with your bum up in the air? With a bit of luck baby might turn before you get seen again

Thanks Belgian
That did make me chuckle!!

Okay, I'm 100% SURE it's not going to come to anything but I'm having contractions every 4-5 minutes right now. No show and no waters yet but because the baby's head was high on Tuesday I've to go in and get checked out.

I honestly don't think it's going to come to anything but better safe than sorry.

Oh, and DiveDaisy texted me to say Sofiah's back in hospital because of her Strep B result

Good luck blotted keep us posted.

Ses hope you're not too bored and fed up, don't worry about trying to reply to eveyone on your phone, its nice to just hear your updates.
and remember our saying ... 'Wave your bum in the air like you just don't care'

Choco Welcome back!

Ses Hope you manage to shock with your bum in the air and have a laugh as belgian suggested hehehe

Pula Thanks for the info on the Tens. I am, and I am not, looking forward to using it lol

Blotted Ohhhh well you never know. Hope everything goes well!!

More babies ladies?? I have had some (ahem) gloop too...but nothing major. Do NOT want this baby coming before Wed when FIL is back so trying to hold off on all induction tech. until then. Grrrr lol

I just made a vat of guacamole and ended up eating all of it on my own, plus nearly a bag of tortilla chips. Oh and it gets worse...then I ate my weight in dark chocolate. So I guess that was my dinner then?

Plan HB is underway now. I will be on call as of Monday at 7am. I got everything we need nearly so feeling more and more relaxed. Although I had a go at DH today for wanting him to worry and stress about stuff with me lol I yelled I wanted the hall closet organized...why? I don't know, but I do. I told him he did not have to understand it but he just had to smile and say ok and then do it. I don't think he is to thrilled with me right now...humpf

I am to admit I am watching Clueless on Film 4 right now lol Oh the memories...

Wow it looks like this weekend might be a busy one with lots of new arrivals just like last weekend!!!

I had my haircut today I feel like a new woman!!

I want to name check but can't be arsed sorry I do care.....

Good luck blotted Hope you are in labour and avoid the induction and finally get to be relieved of the SPD!

Hope divedaisy is OK with lo's GBS result.

DH has been in Ostend all day, he's on the M20 now on his way back. So didn't really want to go into labour today, but in a couple of hours I can happily go into labour if I want to.

The top of my bump looks like a shelf now. I'm sure I could balance a cup of tea on it when sitting down

I don't think I'll be back on here tonight. I'll just sit and watch telly while watching chamomile tea for now (and try and ignore my mum's chatter too as I really don't feel like chattering at the mo, to tired for that).

Hi ladies just a quick one from me, im soooo nervous about tomorrow, i know everything will be ok but feel a bit sad about leaving DS.

Ill be in touch with the new arrival details tomorrow afternoon xxx

going to try and catch up... dh is off doing our food shopping and ds asleep so i've the laptop to myself

jennster how disappointing for you that it turned out to not be your waters after all... don't wear yourself out with the rug doctor though.

febes how did the toddler group go today? I hope you had lots of fun...

daisydoo our ds went through a weird mood/phase recently... I thought he was brewing some kind of lurgie but in the end (few wks on) he's now back to his normal happy self and no sign of any lurgies!! I'm now thinking it has been a growth spurt as he's suddenly wearing the longer next size up jeans without them looking too long. He was sleeping more and quite grumpy so that fits too? I too need one of 'those' t-shirts as everywhere we go people say 'so you're still hanging in there then?! (um yeah... what gives it away i think to myself) I do have one of these fun seraphine t-shirts with the picture of a baby scan on the front... it used to be long enough to cover the bump but even this one is now getting too short... it does distract people asking about how long there is to go though.

bantam oooo exciting

ladyhelen roller coaster describes the first few days really well i think. I struggled with bf too combo of latching difficulties on one of my nips and milk supply probs due to being so poorly after my emcs with ds. I don't think the small amount of formula will do any harm but as everyone i'm sure has said already keep putting him to your boobs to feed as it will help your supply etc. We all get v teary a few days or so after the birth... i can remember the tears rolling down my face and saying bizarrely "i'm so happy, ds is so lovely... so why am i crying?!" my dh was at a loss of what to say so just went with lots of hugging.

yawningprincess i would get checked out just to be on the safe side... my PE with ds was found by the mw very unexpectedly right at the end of my pregnancy (38.5wks) i'd had no symptoms up till then except mega swollen feet/ankles/hands etc

detsy at your large unmissable show! how's your day been?

frazzle sounds like your anniversary was a good one & very intrigued re the custard, but as i don't like custard i'll not ask i am so envious that you can get into the hot milk bras. i was scuppered size wise on that one even before being pregnant

ses that you've been admitted... naughty wriggly LO.. but YAY you'll be holding wriggly LO very soon

belgian here's hoping the show is the start of more goings on and things will start properly before your mum has to go home or your DH runs out of leave. I too am now in the larger of my pregnancy clothes as the bump still hasn't dropped and seems to be heading further and further out to the front!

jael It will get better... and Jacob will be totally happy with you no matter how much time he spends with his daddy. Being poorly after a cs is really hard and i think you're doing amazingly well. I was really poorly after having the emcs with ds... came home from the hospital in bristol 4 days after my emcs and 6hrs later collapsed at home and dh in a total panic had to rush me down to the local midwife led unit at 10pm at night with ds. I was admitted and stayed there for just over another week while our lovely local mw's endeavoured to put me back together. Even when i did eventually go home it was quite some weeks before i had any energy. So rest as much as you can, if you're stuck in bed do as much skin to skin as you can with jacob and you will probably find bf a lot more comfortable lying down on your side or the rugby tackle hold. Try not to feel guilty (hard i know) re not being able to help v much... Your body has been through a major ordeal and needs time to get better. Now you have anti-biotics that you're not allergic too the incision will heal a lot faster. Keep taking the paracetamol for pain too if you need to... hopefully it may take the edge off the pain.

cote at the possible hyperuricemia... but good that you knew what to watch out for and that they're keeping a close eye on you.

re nipple sheilds... i've bought these ones by medela as they seemed a vast improovement from the thick latex ones i had from boots or was it mothercare? with ds. I like the fact they are available in different sizes... i found the previous ones i had were way too big and my nipples sorta got 'lost' in the copious size of the formed nipple section. I also like the way that there is a bit of the outer circle that sits on your boob cut away to still allow some skin to skin contact while using them.

Right off to hit post before this catch up gets even more marathon like!!!

oooo more possible excitement blotted well you never know?! it may be everything getting going...

Ha fi you've done it again on the ol internet shopping love the look of the medela nipple shields think debit card will be out in a minute after I've measured my nipples...

Had more show all day but nothing more gargantuan and scary like this morning. Had reflex today which started some minor cramps but they've gone again
Also had a lovely long snooze this afternoon so feeling very chilled out - will be back in bed pretty soon after another clary sage bath!

Frazz CUSTARD??!! OMG I dread to think what the crazy lady has been up to now!! I can well imagine and think you are super bonkers Custard is one of my all time faves but remind me never to partake at your house!!

Glad you had a lovely anniversary - are you sure you just had the one margarita?? Good to get cards on the table so glad its all sorted out and that you feel better. Sleep does make an amazing difference to how I feel as well.

Bekka good luck tomo - all v exciting. Empathise completely about leaving a LO behind at home but this is one of those very few occasions when only we can do what needs to be done! Lotti threw up on me this eve (think was just trapped wind or so I'm hoping!) and I thought OMG how can I leave her if she's poorly

Febes happy new haircut!

Off for a ball bounce for a while xx

Hope all goes well Ses. Also good luck for tom Bekkaboo.

Jael hope you are feeling better soon - you really have had a rough ride recently!

Fi - I love the t-shirt!!! Don't suppose your ds went through a stage of throwing things did he? For the past 2 nights ds has eaten his dinner and then just chucked the bowl and whats left on the floor and thinks its funny when I tell him off

All the best for those who are in the early stages of labour. The only pain I have is in my butt! I think I have sciatica - it bloomin hurts!

Detsy - you saying about leaving a sick lo at home when you're in labour. My mum 1/2 in jest yesterday said that I had to have a natural birth and get a 6hr discharge afterwards so I can be home and put ds to bed as he won't go to sleep for anyone else other than myself or dh