due may 2009.. half baked to fully cooked we're not all ready yet!

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Using Fi's suggestion......

dandy just checked out your fb photos.. awwww so cute! & that goes for both dc's I hope our ds is even half as happy with his new sister when our time comes..

HI, so said I wasn't coming back until I'd had the baby, but seeing as that might not be until the economy recovers I thought I'd just come on quickly.

belgian good luck with the passport photo thing - hope Jessops is good. Also belgian I just wanted to say I couldn't believe what you said earlier about the Ina May Gaskin book - so strange because I'd literally just been really upset and crying hysterically about work, (am self-employed), money, the amount of stress I am under at the mo to DH and said to him, 'I bet that's why this baby can't come out and the contractions keep stopping - because I'm too stressed to cope' and he just rolled his eyes at me obviously thinking I was being ridiculous.
Then I came on here and read what you said and you're right. Also I think (and this sounds ridiculous) the fact that we aren't settled even on a short list of names is really bothering me. I almost feel that although I really want to have the baby, I am also really scared of the additional stress and the complete inability to do any work that I'll have to deal with once the baby is here. Plus DH wants me to take DD2 out of nursery since I won't be 'working'. God am waffling on - sorry. So anyway belgian - thank you. And grumpy - that was a really nice hug, ta . Right back at you - if you feel you need one. x
Am loving reading about how you're all getting on with your babies and sorry don't have time for a name check tonight. Off now to deal with some scary paperwork then maybe go in to labour. If not I have (another) sweep tomorrow - should be my 2nd but due to all my hospital faff at the weekend it will actually be my 4th. God only knows how many cm I'll be - I was 4cm and v.stretchy (nice image ) on Saturday and have been contracting off and on since.
Anyway so sorry for being a grump. Must try harder .
Normal smiley frazz will resume shortly.

frazz, you do sound atressed but with good reason. i wish dh hadn't rolled his eyes - men don't really understand, do they? your fears are only natural for ths time (does that help?). also don't worry too much about names, see what baby looks like on arrival.

do your best to relax and good luck on the sweep; after 4 you'll be a pro! something's happening, just hope it kicks in soon for you. i bet once it does, it will be really quick.

finally, don't worry about being a grump, just go with it. none of us minds here . it's all part of the pregnancy package. xx

morning

frazzle I do think our emotions must play a big part in when baby arrives.. the hypno leaflet mentioned something about our fight and flight hormones.. must be connected. good luck with the 4th s&s and keep your fingers crossed I manage to talk the hospital into my 1st today.. as nothing else is working

I think all of us overdue are well fed up and grouchy.. getting a taste of how the 8th mayers were feeling now!

at my hospital review this morning they'll prob set a cs date. I was told they'd let me go 12days over which I've just realised is wednesday next week! so VBAC or cs there'll be baby kelly arriving no later than then..

Hi all,

Just trying to catch up quickly, things move so fast! CONGRATS Febes, Yawning, Blotted, Clove, great big well done to you all! Some more quick ones too goodness me, don't know whether to hope or fear that this is a May trend! And Dandy and Blotted your fb/blog photos are lovely, as are pula's and in fact several others, have been having a good peek when I can, so lovely to see the May babies that have made it so far.

Hope those with birthdays over the weekend had very happy ones, with or without new arrivals (fi, emmabemma, I know I've missed at least one other, I'm sorry ...). And Fi I do hope the (possible) sweep goes ok and gets things moving, you just sound so frustrated and it would be great if you can get your vbac.

Really interested too to see what belgian said about stress and baby arriving late - makes a lot of sense and I must say with the move/renovations, I don't feel like this baby is coming out early (due 30 May). Would not be at all surprised tho if once I finally relax he arrives pretty promptly aterwards. Frazzled I hope you feel better soon and can relax a bit, poor you and especially with your eye-rolling dh.

Well we are back in our house but for another week the builders will be finishing things off so we are still wading through dust and not bothering to unpack/sort out furniture etc yet which is really annoying! But it is inhabitable and so much nicer than before, just have to be patient. Am also finding it hard with all this going on to give dd enough attention, esp as she is really unsettled by the moving and changes to the house and new baby all at once. Feel really bad that during her last few days (weeks???) as an only child we are totally preoccupied with other things and clearly also stressed - it's not like she can tell that we're not actually stressed with her. Doing my best to focus on her but it's hard going especially as I would be exhausted in the best of circumstances!

Anyway, time rolls on and must be off to ikea again now - for the last time in a bloody long while I hope!

Hope everyone has a good day, whatever it brings .

morning all,

Not meaning to brag esp to all the new mums
but I had 5 hours solid sleep last night - think that's the first time in about 3 months! As a result have got up, done some hoovering and had shower and brekky all before 9am, its a bloddy miracle! But am also secretly hoping its a 'sign' but not until after my Mum has gone home tomorrow!!!

frazz I know its not really our done thing but a big hug. Can't imagine how you must be feeling. I also read the thing about hormones in the hypno booklet - apparently squeezing/massaging the fleshy bit between your thumb and forefinger is a good accupressure point for relieving stress as well as lavender and cammomile. I also find writing down the things stressing me out helps too as then DH can see what's on my mind and often comes up with solutions to some of the problems. For some reason if I just tell him, he tells me not to worry about it which makes me even more stressed out!

Blotted and Dandy gorgeous babies I love both your names too altho not heard of Greer before, is it a Scottish name? Its lovely.

Well I finally finished my pram blanket last night, my first ever bit of proper knitting [proud mum-to-be emoticon]. All I can say is that its 'interesting', prob because DH wanted a go at knitting a few squares and his tension was obv a bit different from mine, so its not exactly square... MIL is going to love it!

Fi hope this morning goes well.

re piles I thought I had escaped but no, that's the latest symptom this week. How pleasant. Do they normally go after the baby arrives like it says in the books?

Aw Frazz, bless you - you certainly are living up to your name! Have another non-MN-y hug (or a large G&T, you choose).

Blotted and Dandy - such lovely cuuuute babies!

I'm getting really bored with my bump now. I look like they do on telly, a huge basketball under the jumper, waddling around with one arm supporting the back and one hand on the bump. Ugh. Tis v uncomfy. 8 days to go till D day, and I bet anyone a squillion pounds I'll go over - and then I have to wait bloody TEN DAYS before the hospital will do anything. Ha. We'll see about THAT.

Yeah Greer is a very Scottish name but it's rarely heard of these days. Apparently there's an actress who was in Gone with the Wind who's called Greer but I'll need to check that out.

I had piles with my other pregnancies and don't remember them being as bad as this, but Greer was out with two big pushes and I think the speed was what did me in this time. Ah well - I really can't complain because I have zero damage to my vagina, not even bruising so piles are a small price to pay.

Congrats on your pram blanket! Are you going to post pics?

Frazz - mucho hugs your way - hope it all goes well today and the sweep has the desired effect.

I think at this stage it is really difficult to concentrate on anything - I feel twitchy and restless but can't focus enough to do anything meaningful and worthwhile - including my hospital bag. In the back of my mind I feel that once it's packed I will be going to hospital - daft eh? and even dafter - why is that a problem? Also been tempted to get the breast pump out but kind of scared that I start something I cannot control and I am a bit scared of the possible pain of labour, what a wimp!!

Well, if you really want to see it! Will dig out the camera later. Its a nice pattern actually from a 'easy baby knits for beginners' book but I chose completely different colours as I wanted it to match our black and white pram. I have really enjoyed making it so think I might try a hat next.

Morning - just a quick one.
Thanks for all your supportive comments and hugs - you do make me feel a bit better. I think I just need to calm down and chill out a bit. Will try a bit of acupressure squeezing later.
running very impressed by your knitting (and sleeping ability)
fi thanks and good luck today with your review
euro sympathy to you with your rennovation and upheaval. We were in the midst of a big rennovation when DD2 was born and I banned the builders from the house for a couple of weeks! I think you might be right about your LO waiting to make an appearance until you can relax and things are organised.......it sort of makes sense doesn't it?
blotted had a wee look at you pics of your beautiful kids last night - we obviously have similar taste in names as we also have your other little boys name near the top of our (quite long) short-list! We also have Greer/Grier on our name list too - although I do think of it more of a girls name because of Greer Garson. DH's father knows a bloke called Greer (or possibly it's spelt Grier) and DH is quite keen on using it. I have to admit I think it's lovely but am just slightly concerned everyone will think he's a girl if we do! Maybe it's unusual enough to get away with? I know two blokes called Lindsay too and they seem to survive...... (in fact one Lindsay I know, who is a bloke is married to a girl called Lindsay - a bit confusing.) [frazz waffling on emoticon]
Anyway big congrats to you, and your kids are absolutely gorgeous.
Must go get in shower and clothes on.
Contracting again - ouch but am trying to ignore it.
DH just phoned to say he's been drafted in to make up numbers for a golf tournament 1 hour drive away tomorrow........I said go ahead - following my 4th sweep, surely having DH away for the day and me left on my own should mean sod's law kicks in and I'll have the baby by myself in 20 mins on the kitchen floor????
God, shouldn't joke.
Byee. x

Frazz My Greer is a girl When I checked the Scottish baby names register there were more boy Greer/Griers than girls but I know the name from a girl a few years ahead of me at school. My boys are Nairn and Findlay and I think they both work for either sex (in fact, I worried when I had Findlay because Irene's daughter in Home and Away was called Findlay and I thought everyone would think he was a girl!)

I think the personality makes the name so you call your baby whatever you want!

blotted- i think Greer is a lovely name and not one i've come across until recently - one of the NCT mums i met with at a coffee morning has a 4 year old DD called Greer- I just wasnt sure how it would be spelt but think it sounds like a girls name.

And Dandy- I think Hector really suits his name- i wasn't sure if a baby could look like a Hector, but then i saw him . Great choice.

Hi everyone. Just a short one to say: blotted your newest addition is v. cute. Lovely pic on your blog.

Frazz Interesting isn't it what Ina May Gaskin had to say. I do think there's a lot of truth in stress delaying labour or slowing it down. Hopefully you get to relax soon and things will kick off in the end. Remember no one is pregnant for ever, even though it might feel that way

Better go again. Little C is crying, again. She's not the most settled baby in the world. Harder work than any of my other 2, hence my finding it hard to get on MN these days.

blotted - never thought to check out the Scottish baby names register for inspiration. The other name near the top of our list is Nairn (we already have Findlay in close friends and family so that's a no for us). I like Nairn but know 2 who are children of friends so hence feel a bit strange about using it which is maybe a bit silly. I'm surprised there are more boy Greers than girls - will go and have a look at the list! Thanks!

belgian - sorry little C isn't as settled as you'd hoped. If my LO ends up as unsettled as my nightmare DD2 was I'm going to head straight to the cranial osteopathy clinic this time - I've heard it can work wonders on unsettled/colicy/refluxy/grumpy babies - have you thought of giving it a try? I have one friend who says it had an instant effect on her daughter who has barely cried since (and prior to the treatment did nothing but). Anyway, worth investigatiing maybe? I know also it doesn't work for everyone but I reckon for the £25 or whatever it's a good gamble.

Oh and dandy - you might remember that Hector was top of our list too (and DH still really keen to go for it for this baby) - I showed him your pics last night and he took one look at your little man and said 'Oh, he looks like a real little Hector!' - think he's quite jealous actually. Beautiful children and Hector looks absolutely perfect.

Oh and quick boob update - I started an experiment a few wks ago to do with avoiding sore nips this time and seeeing if I can increase my colostrum as have supply probs in the past. Well, I seem to have plenty of colostrum on the go, but having done a bit of nip stim every day to express, plus maybe 15 mins each side per day with breast pump I now have tender, sore nips and the skin looks like it is breaking and starting to come off around the base of the nipple just like it does when I get sore nips from b/f. Will be interesting to see if I've actually 'toughened them up' by doing this or if they'll just crumble into a painful mess when I start b/f in earnest. We shall see. I obviously just have rubbish nips! Will slap my new Silverettes on tonight and see if they do any good.......

Am having strong tightenings every 5 mins and have been since I got up. Maybe this sweep will be THE ONE?

Hope everyone is ok today. x

oh and piles - had them after DD1 but mine were inside not outside IYSWIM. Absolute agony - ended up going to the all night Asda and buying some Anusol cream stuff with an applicator to put it (ahem) up - which I have to say did really help. They went away on their own after a few wks and didn't get them with DD2 (thank god). But to all who are suffering you have my absolute deepest sympathy. Not what you need when recovering from childbirth.

frazzled I'm seeing my own osteopath on thurs. I might ask them about it. I suppose such a quick delivery might have given her a bit of a headache. She's OK at night though, but I think the co-sleeping and free night time boob access might be to blame for that. Interesting about the results of your experiment. I was wondering how you were getting on with that. You found some silverettes then? Good luck with your sweep.

cranial osteopathy - we took dd1 for a session because she was incredibly unsettled and colicky. however, he had us come back about 4 times which, at £30 each, was pricey and I had to just say stop after 4th time since I couldn't see much of an improvement (though she settled during the sessions) and we couldn't afford any more.

it's different for each child though as I've got a few friends who said it worked for their babies.

love the scottish names by the way but don't know any Greers or Nairns in my area. The only Greer I know is the actress Greer Garson.

blotted, dandy, gorgeous pics of your little ones.

Hope all are well today.

just a quick post as I'm on my phone still in bristol having a late lunch.. had appointment with hospital this am and doc did an internal exam. my cervix was so high up she could barely reach it. so no chance of a s&s but she gave it a good try to get up there and baby still bobbing around like a cork in a bottle not remotely engaged. due to bank holiday weekend not much choice for a cs date.. so elective cs date now set for this friday 22nd may in am . they've done all the pre op stuff and I have the tablets away with me I have to take thursday night and fri am. so just have to be at hospital for 7.30am friday and wait for my turn. so VBAC looking v unlikely but will be holding baby girl kelly by lunch time friday always said I'd go with the flow.. so trying to concentrate on the positives! will catch up properly later.. xoxox

Frazzled glad to hear you sounding a bit better. I share your hope/fear about sods law and quick labours - here's hoping all things combine well for you so you're in labour by tomorrow but not so fast your dh can't be there!

Fi you're absolutely right to go with the flow and focus on the important thing, ie your lovely little dd. I really admire your positivity about it. And of course who knows, it might all kick off in the meantime...

Rosie I am SO relieved to hear that I am not the only one with an unpacked hospital bag! I must must must do it soon as procrastinating it is just making me more stressed than necessary, but I'm also sure I'd be tempting fate and would end up needing it immediately.

Meant to say detsy your birth story was a great read, so well written, although it sounds like a pretty harrowing experience to go through. Your pics on fb are lovely, both your babies are absolutely gorgeous.

news alert someone from the mumsnet facebook group has announced the birth of a baby girl late last night but im not sure who it is as dont know mumsnet name-facebook name. anyone have any ideas who it is?!

I can't see who it is either. It must be one of us I haven't added as a friend yet.

Something completely different now. I can see the most beautiful big rainbow with a fainter one above it framing a gorgeous sunny view of the fields behind my house from where I'm sitting. One of the most beautiful views I've seen in a long time. Even the dcs were impressed [smile[

I wonder how frazzled got on today.

ReeBee My birthing ball was the only place I was comfortable during the last week of my pregnancy. It was also my anchor during my labour, so they were the best few pounds I've ever spent; on a pregnancy related thing anyway! Not sure what to do with it now though. They're great for your posture apparently, but it just takes up so much space in the house.

dandy I've seen the pics on your f/b page too and they really are lovely. Your dd is so cute and so is H off course

Right, dh has gone circuit training, so I'm going to have to put the dcs to bed on my own now [slightly worried emoticon]. C is asleep at the mo, so fingers crossed, it should work.

matthewandbumps was it baby darcy? yawningmonster(rubym) posted saying her news on our MN thread first.. wondering if we remembered her.. I saw the fb update last night and had to go and check who it was.. to find out I already knew her news!

well have now re packed my hospital bag with a longer stay in mind.. more of everything including snacks just got to hope now that I've not got too much internal scarring from last time as really don't fancy them accidentally cutting into my bladder.. maybe I could ask for a little tummy tuck at the same time lol!?

Hey belgian - good luck with the bedtime routine for 3 - must admit I'm not looking forward to my first attempt at that with my 3.........would a glass of wine help, do you think?
Went for sweep No4 at 4pm - midwife was lovely (am so lucky to have had the same m/w whole way through) - even though I couldn't stand her in the beginning. Anyway, she did the sweep and said 'oh my goodness' - which I thought was a good sign that I was at least 6cm or something!!!! Sadly I was wrong and she was just shocked that my cervix appears to have gone 'backwards' and is now less stretchy, less dilated and more posterior than it was last time she did a sweep on me. She seemed very baffled plus I was finding the whole thing really quite painful and had to breathe through it to cope (last time, again, it wasn't painful AT ALL). She echoed what you said belgian about stress preventing labour and advised me that i have to calm down and not deal with work if I want to go into labour myself. She also phoned labour ward to book me in for induction at 41+5 - am really hoping it doesn't come to that.

Have just ordered a chinese takeaway to cheer myself up - hot and sour soup - yum. And also incidentally I am contracting (yet again) regularly every 5 mins lasting about 40 seconds ish but doing my best to ignore them and not put my TENS machine on as I'm pretty sure it's just a repeat of last week's post-sweep night of pain which will just fade away.

I can't see who has had a baby on FB either....assume it must be clove? reebee good luck with your sweep tomo - remember to breathe
I also love my birthing ball BTW. So do the DD's!
dandy yes, of course 'looking like a right little Hector' is a huge compliment coming from DH - bear in mind he covets the name thinks its the best name I've suggested. And also, I have to say he isn't usually remotely interested in other peoples babies!
How are you both doing today?

Oooooh my chinese is here. See you later x