Due October 2009 - Feeling better and feeling baby!

[princessmel]

I have started the new thread

Hi all
It has taken me a few days to catch up with almost 3 weeks news.I am sorry that some of you are feeling rough.I think we are all over sensitive about issues at the moment.I have also been struggling with some family isues.But I am going to pretend that I am Nigella Lawson and make everything breezy and light !!!!(easier said than done)

Well here is my holiday nightmare.(also fantastic)On holiday(where the fishermen died yesterday)in the middle of nowhere.I wake up having contractions.they are so painful that I have to get onto my hands and knees.I have a runny tummy and the contractions continue it feels like second stage labour.The only hospital would be a helicopter ride away.DH is up with me while I crawl around on my hands and knees.He is just about to call 999(luckly there was a phone in the house as the mobiles don't work)when I throw up and then everything stops and we calm down!!!!I was completly exhausted for the next few days.I continued to have contractions every few days(bad ones)I spoke to a MW one night and after a lenghthy chat decided that I had stomach problems eg a bug or food poisioning.However if it got worse that they would send a helicopter(I never want to go in a helicopter)We considered comming home on a number of occasions but it always passed and then I would have a good day.The last time I had it we called the district nurse who told us to call Fortwilliam 2 hours away.They wanted to see me so I said that we would be there in 2 hours and she said'no I will be with you in 2 hours'she drove to see me,now that is service.She checked me out and again said stomach bug go to bed which I did after throwing up.(she did ask if I had been in contact with anyone with swine flu!!!!PANIC)

Apart from that we have had a wonderful holiday.Playing on the beach going to Balamory(Tobermory) Boat trip and fishing.We had a week on our own when I wasn't well and a week with friends we met on our NCT course,they also have 3 children.we have had a great time.The children had a ball.It was lovely to get DH for 2 weeks.He was a star.Oh the ups and downs of being pregnant.

We are all home now and I am enjoying the slow mornings with no school.

You haven't said much about swine flu.Have any of you changed anything that you do as a result?I am not going to go to crowded places and we have all upped our hand washing.I have also said to people not to visit if they are coughing or sneezing.Do you think I am over reacting?

loving the birth stories.The best advice is to have an openmind and be prepared to change your mind.I will bore you with mine at another stage.Although I must tell you that I get the most increadable high from giving birth.It lasts for about 4 days.That is the best drug for me.

Fil....OMG i dont know what to say after reading that, how scary! What a nightmare to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere & thinking that the baby is coming. Will you be sent for a scan? That MW sounds like an angel, not many would drive 2 hours to see you, some wont even talk to you. Your DH sounds great too, mine would of ran lol....

MIL's.....a deep breath & remind ourselves to be completely different when its our turn.

I havent even thought about getting my bag put together, i think im going to start getting a few things. Was going to buy it all next month when i got home for a break....but now im starting to wonder....

fidelma how scary.Glad youre better now and baby still safely in tummy.Not doing much about swine flu as probably better to catch now then when babys here and strain may have got sronger.DD had bad cough and sore throat the other week and I thought she got it but no fever so just a cold.

I got my £190 health grant today hurrah .Am impressed how quick I got it sent off form last tue.Want to go shopping now and buy stuff but will restrain and save a bit more first.Still not sure which wrap/sling to get too many out there.[confused smilie].Anyone know whether you get nice slings/wraps in any shops?
Planning a trip up to London in few weeks to take kids to Kensington Park its nice and close to Oxford Street so was going to do some shopping too.

Morning all,
fidelma very scary! Glad everything has settled down now!

I'm not worried about catching swine flu. Asked my MW at my 28wk appt what happens to my antenatal care, and she said basically it only lasts a week in most people so it shouldn't make much difference. Unless its at the end and I'm in labour, then they're setting up a separate unit at the hosp for infected mothers. I'd rather get it now while the baby is in, than have a newborn with it. I have made some preparations tho, I've stockpiled calpol, paracetamol, tissues, antibac, loo roll and "flu" food, lots of squash, tinned fruit, jelly, rice pudding etc. I reckon, if I stop going out, I might not see anyone between now and christmas and that would be far worse for my health!!!

Hope everyone has a good day, I'm hoping I'm having another girl, coz I don't want to be a MIL to a DIL, they always seem to have the worst relationships! I think men just ignore their MIL! I always get on with mine over everything but DD, then she just drives me insane! Still plotting on how I can keep her away when this one arrives, have settled on having her visit the hosp when I have MWs to get rid of her, then leave it a few weeks while DH is off, then have my parents, then I should be back on my feet enough so she doesn't take over too much. That and the hormone levels should have subsided!

Bella, don't know about many slings, I made a pouch sling for dd out of fleece material, and it was great for the first couple of months when she was lying down, then came back into its own at about 8 months when she wanted to be upright. Also unfolded and used as a blanket for the carseat, so I always had it with me.

I've also heard good things about the karri-me, I think its a bit complex but once you've got the hang of it it's ok. I fancy a maya wrap this time as it's adjustable whereas the pouch slings aren't.

littlepea Bad luck about the Strep-B but I think it's fairly common and I expect won't cause you any problems

fidelma what a holiday! Big relief that all is ok. Would love a ride in a helicopter, but not in those circumstances!

slings & carriers. I also am not sure which sling to get, torn between a BabyHawk and Joey, both are Mei Tais that have been recommended for petite women (and are very pretty!). I'm going to go to my local slingmeet on Friday www.slingmeet.co.uk/ to look at some and see how they tie on and of course have tea and cake , so hopefully there are sling-meets near any of you considering sling-wearing?

Have also booked my hypnobirthing class for late August but appreciate all the comments regarding being flexible and open about anything happening in labour, I have 9 friends who've had babies since the new year, and I don't think any of them quite anticipated what finally happened! I have to wait until my 35 week scan to know if my placenta is out of the way, or else I'll be having a planned c-sec anyway...

Being optimistic though, I have switched to the homebirthing midwifery unit in my area, and am totally bemused that my new midwife (who will be my only midwife even if I end up having the c-sec, she'll stay with me - how lovely is that?) is actually my antenatal aqua-aerobics instructor

HC - sorry to hear about your MIL. I agree with littlepea . It's a shame that you can't celebrate your 40th properly. Why don't you 'postpone' it for 6 months and have a proper celebration in the spring, when you've recovered from the birth and have had a bit of time to save up. at your DH for trying to find an excuse for not getting you a proper present.

Fidelma - you poor thing!! That must have been really frightening for you. I'll take it as a reminder not to stray too far from home once it gets closer. Glad you managed to enjoy yourself though.

So I was planning to get a BabyBjorn - is that wrong???

Hello all, just trying to bookmark the thread again - it keeps on getting away from me!

On slings, I had a baby bjorn with DD which was great for DH who loved it but I found it completely did my back in from about 4 months and DD was minute. I then got a Kari Me wrap sling and carried her around in that until 11 months so I would highly recommend that one.

Hope everyone is doing well. DH is flapping around trying to get me to pack my hospital bag - 28 weeks just seems a bit too early!

Hi all

fidelma-now that is very scary.

Of course I am still speaking to you littlepea and you are so right.

Trouble is smallone-with DD2 I was only iin for 6 hours after the birth so all visiting was at home. Good luck with your plans.

Things got worse with DH last night when he didn't bring the girls home from MIL's until 10pm and then they hadn't even had their milk so lost it with him big time and we haven't spoken since. Dreading him coming home later.

Had a dizzy do in the hairdressers today, thought I was going to pass out. Infact I felt dizzy all day but think this is normal.

Big wave to all.

HC
x

Hi all.
fidelma you sound like you handled it soo well, I would have freaked out!
littlepea Glad they caught it now rather than as you were giving birth.
hc My birthday is 8th October too! I hope you can sort something out. You sound very stressed, take care of yourself.
bellacullen my friend is Vietnamese and has a shop called Sling Mama. You can use these on your front or back and are very comfortable, not sure if shes on line.

With ds1 I had a 22 hour labour from start to finish. My waters broke at the very begining and I stayed at home until I was 6cm. Ended up having a Ventous as his umbillical cord was so short he kept popping back up when I pushed, like a yo yo!
Ds2 I had in 20mins!!! Literally just made it to the hospital. I think it was 4 hours in total from the very begining but the contaractions suddenly got so strong!
I tore both times and used gas and air only, not much choice with ds2! I did end up with a spinal with ds1 just to get him out as my contractions stopped. Water birth planned both times but it never actually ended up that way.

Well back from the gym so going for a shower

HC don't get tooooooo wound up it's not worth it.Be kind and loving to DH and be very clear with him about what you want him to do/support you.Men often need it spelt out to them.I do sympathise with you,but sadly I think it is you who has to turn it around.You have lots of emotional intellegence therefor you have to do it.Bloody annoying I know.

I have forgotten whos daughter had the op.How is she doing?

littlepea glad that you have a diagnosis(
sp?)

And as for the armed forces.One of my best friends DH is in the army with 4 children.It is not easy.

Thinking of you all.

sorry spelling even worse than normal.I didn't read before posting.

Morning all, got my first reflexology appt this evening, will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

I agree with things having to be spelled out to men, they never do anything the way you want and once you couple that with raging hormones, you have a recipe for a row. I'm getting a bit fed up with DH coz after all my nesting and tidying I've got places for everything and he's just shoving things here and there, the place is starting to look like it did before and I'm wondering why I bothered!

I second fidelma HC. Try not to let his shortcomings get to you - you've got better things to stress about! that you're dreading him coming home..... Hope you're feeling better after your dizzy spell.

ChocolateRabbit - thanks for feedback on the BabyBjorn. Think it's mostly DH who is keen to get one - fits the manly image - so if I don't get on with it, I can always find something different for me.

fidelma it's my daughter who has had the operation, she's doing absolutely fine and recovering well. Unfortunately myself and dh not doing quite as well as we are waiting for the results of the biopsy to tell us what the lump actually was.

Anyway to cut a long story short... The neurosurgeons were pretty sure from x-ray/ct scan that it was a harmless dermoid bone cyst. When we spoke to them after the op (actually while dd was still in theatre being stitched up)they said it definately wasn't a dermoid cyst and it was a bit 'unusual' so they were getting a biopsy. At the time the weight of this remark didn't really register as we were just SO relieved that the op had gone well and she was ok. At first I wasn't to concerned (they said the results would be back in up to two weeks), had a follow up appointment last week but results weren't back. The neurosurgeon was then speculating that it may be more appropriate to refer her on to this specialist at Jimmy's (St.James') to have the follow up, anyway googled her when I got home and found out she was a paediactric oncologist (cancer specialist) so ever since then I have been a complete mess!! have been waiting in dread for a phonecall with the results all week since. Had an appointment yesterday to get them back (as it is two weeks since op) they rang on Tuesday to say they didn't have them yet, and they would ring on Wed to say whether there was any point coming for appointment (again specialist at Jimmy's was mentioned). Anyway they rang again yesterday to say that the results were STILL not back and they thought it would be monday next week (we're going on holiday this friday) So I got a bit emotional at this point, demanded to know why it was taking so long... they're very sorry nothing they can do, sometimes it just takes a bit longer to analyse bone samples etc. So had to resign myself to having it hanging over me for another few days. I am not usually a person who gets stressed, but this is seriousely pushing me to the brink! This poor baby has been surviving on a diet of coffee/tea and crisps for the last few weeks and I sure my bp must be all over the place, have had several fainting episodes. Have also lost over half a stone in weight last week, which is not ideal when you are 30 wks pregnant... Anyway, somebody must have taken pity on us as we got a very unexpected phone call yesterday afternoon from the (very lovely) nurse we have been dealing with. She had been on to the lab and managed to get a bit of information out of them... so even though they as yet they don't know exactly what it is they are 99% sure that it is nothing malignant or to nasty. So very very BIG RELEIF , that is all I needed to know, as long as it's not life threatening I really don't care! So feeling a bit more human today!

Sorry for the 'me' post, my brains just a bit mushed at the moment. x

Oh my word Twinkle my heart so goes out to you, and am hugely relieved to read that DD is (99%) ok.

Also to you fidelma, what a frightening experience.

HC I feel for you as ever. Essentially it seems as though your ILs treat you and your DH like children still - ie you have to do as you're told and defer to their wishes at all times. I admire your strength and poise in dealing with t hem, I'd have had a tantrum by now (and probably terminally fallen out with them too).

I've been mostly fine, got notification that my Health in Pregnancy grant is on its way, plus I have heard that I qualify for Maternity Allowance (I am freelance so no SMP from an employer for me!). That's a weight off my mind.

Physically been great, although am starting to get sore hips at night. Anyone got any bright ideas on how to make myself more comfy?

oh twinklegreen what an exhausting and upsetting experience for you, I'm so pleased that its turned out to be alright. I hope that you can re-focus on yourself and the baby; you're right that such weight loss isn't ideal (but completely understandable). Enjoy your holiday! x

babybjorn hmm not sure about these, but from what I've poked about, they seemed to be regarded in the serious sling wearing community as a bit of a lightweight 'commercial' version of carriers (but still very popular). As my DH boggled at the thought of wearing a lovely Babyhawk, we're also going to buy the Ergo 'Sport' Carrier for him www.naturalnursery.co.uk/ergo-sport---brand-new-with-free-delivery-3125-p.asp
I've tried on the Ergo myself when less pregnant, as my friend carries her 3 year old when he's not cycling, and I thought it was fabulous, and you can buy the newborn insert for really small babies. This will almost certainly be our main carrier, but just can't resist getting a mei tai too. As we're not getting pram/pushchair, a little superfluous spending on pretty things is ok... right?!

30+1 today, and have been getting an odd stabbing sharp pain high up in my vagina. Its how I imagine a UTI might feel, but this isn't when I urinate. It comes on and off for past 2 days with the same intensity and duration as a baby 'kick' - is it pressure on my cervix? Nothing indicates that there's an infection, but it nearly brings tears to my eyes!

Poor you Twinkle (big big hugs), i think with things like lumps they send them to people who deal with Cancer just so they can rule it out, but god knows, the internet is a curse sometimes, it can send you loopy sometimes. Im glad you feel better about it.

Havent seen my DH for 3 days now, he has been on a few things to do with work. Social events. Says its great to get out of the house...a few words come to mind, and if he thinks he will be out again this week....well a frying pan to the back of the head works wonders! Hang in there HC.....and always remember....frying pan!!!! LOL....

All this talk about baby carriers....can you get a good sling that you can wear for breastfeeding, that will allow you to breastfeed & do housework etc at same time?? Also does anyone know a good breastfeeding book that i could read up on???? Going to give it a go this time, but not very well in the know about it all.

Calypso....i get that too, its where the wee one kicks, it brings water to the eyes doesnt it! LOL....Going through the gaviscon like water now....10 weeks seems like a bloody lifetime, but really its going to fly in

Twinkle your head must be all over the place,I am so glad your DD is okay. Enjoy your holiday, it sounds like it couldn't have come at a better time

Fidelma-how scary, glad you are ok.

Calypso - have been getting v similar pains to you, makes my eyes water! I am at hospital for my anti-D injection tomorrow so will ask midwife.

All ok here, still very sore from the fall but bruises now a v fetching rainbow colour and baby is moving and kicking away happily. Had some new furniture delivered today and DH has taken the instructions to work with him so that I can't "attempt" to put bits together and end up with a totally different bit of furniture and several screws left over. He is yet to realise that this happens prescisely becaue I don't look at the instructions

Is it too late for another birth story? Mines pretty boring - which might be reassuring for some! (WARNING - timings may not be totally accurate as this was 5 and 1/2 years ago!)

I woke up on the Tuesday morning (1 week before due date)at about 4.30 am with period like pains and a gradual show. Took a couple oof paracetemol and went back to bed. DP headed off to work - though I told him to be ready to come home if he was called!

He came home at lunchtime - and I didn't let him go back! By about 4pm I thought it was time to go into hospital - so off we headed (can't remember how far apart contractions were). Had internal exam in hospital, was about 4 cm dilated. Was given the choice of either staying in hospital, or going home. We went home. DP spent the next couple of hours speaking to folk on the phone to give updates and I spent them either on the toilet or going up and down the stairs.

At about 7 things were getting to the "nippy" stage - so headed back to hospital. I told DP tp be careful driving, ended up shouting at him to put his bloody foot down as he tootled along the dual carriageway at 40.

Got to hospital - got into a lovely deep bath and got some gas and air. DP headed off to park car properly. When he can back I felt the urge to push and I think my waters went. Midwife helped me out of the bath and into delivery suite (must have been about 8.30/9pm or so). All pretty hazy from then on in - stuck with just gas and air, remembered eventually that I'd asked for an epidural - but by that time I was only a couple of pushes away from having her. At one point I asked the midwife could she just pull baby out to which she replied "I can't, I don't have any ears to hold onto yet".

DD1 was born at 10.04pm and was/is the most beautiful baby in the entire world. Cord was round her neck when she was born, which meant DP couldn't cut it and we had a few very stressful seconds while they sorted her.

I had a little tear, which I got stitched with gas and air (I remember asking the midwife to "make me bonny"

Anyway - 5 and half years later if it all goes so smoothly I'll be extremley happy!

Twinklegreen - So sorry you've had such a nightmare, and what a relief for you that everything looks OK now. Hope you have a fab holiday.

Hackneybird - I'm having the same issue with my hips hurting at night. I've been sleeping with a pillow between my knees and under the bump for a bit now, which has helped, but as the uncomfortableness is now coming back, I'm going to try putting two pillows between my knees and see if that works - I've heard it recommended, so fingers crossed.

lal - that's a good birth story - sounds nice and straightforward and just the sort of experience that I'm hoping for!

Hello to everyone else, and hope you're all feeling well.

Happy i dont blame your DH for taking off with them....leave it to him!!! LOL....glad you are feeling ok now, must of been scary to have a fall like that, and the marks to show for it!

littlepea have a read up on www.kellymom.com/ It is the breast feeding bible.

twinkleOh my goodness poor you.It all sounds really positive though so hang on in there.really thinking about you all.x

slings, i need a new one as I gave mine away.we had a baby boirn(sp?) with the other 3 but it didn't last that long before it was killing our backs,although the children loved it.I still have the backpack for later,so time to do some reserch.

Complaints today are Piles,constipation,sore leg after too much standing and yesterdays wasp sting on my hand getting bigger by the second.Oh joy!!!!I also get a tingling sensation in my groin and near the bottom of my ribs,does anyone eles get this or have any ideas what it might be?

I had the active Baby Bjorn with extra lumbar support as I have a bad back and it worked really well with no pain at all. Having said that, DD is rather a lightweight!

Have had a look around and I think this is the one.