Due October 2009 - Feeling better and feeling baby!

[princessmel]

I have started the new thread

Belated congrats to Boob on your exam results and to Sammysam on your engagement! How exciting for you both!

Calypso, sorry to hear you've been so poorly.

MHCB, can't believe what time you're planning on getting up for work. I worked up to 37 weeks with DS but am SAHM now, can't imagine getting up to go to work each day.

Am very relieved to hear some of you are also really struggling with the tiredness. I'm now 32 weeks and am absolutely exhausted. I struggle to sleep at night, sometimes not going to sleep till late, sometimes waking early. I am catching up during the day when DS sleeps, if I don't think I'll make it through without a nap, am beginning to wonder what I've done by having another DC if I can't cope with the one I've got...

I'm also starting to get a little worried about how DS is going to react to the LO when it arrives. We've done lots of chatting and he does say lots of positive things, like that he wants to cuddle the baby and hold the baby etc but I think when it arrives and reality kicks in, he's going to turn into super jealous pants.

I'm also starting to get nervous about the birth (didn't go great first time round) and the fact that we don't have anything ready yet...

but... am comforting myself with the fact that I have boobs to feed, nappies in the cupboard, maternity pads and baby clothes stashed somewhere (no room to wash and put them till DS new bedroom finished) and that we'll get by.

Am waffling aren't I, sorry. I know all these worries are normal and probably triggered by hormones, but that doesn't make them go away does it.

Oh, and I've been feeling quite sick recently too, not helped by having to deal with stinky potties full of poo!!! [dry heave emoticon]

MHCB - I joined the Boots Parenting Club online and they give you a fistful of vouchers for stuff, including a changing bag if you buy a pack of Pampers nappies. And it's not as if nappies are a wasted purchase.........

I don't usually do loyalty schemes - don't have a Nectar card or a Clubcard or anything - but we have a big Boots near us so I figured that it would be worth signing up for their Reward card because I could get all of my baby things in there and get lots of points.

Calypso - about your illness. At least you can spend lots of time in bed. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi everyone(big wave). Not much to report, constantly shattered, baby still kicking loads and am now sleeping downstairs on v comfortable sofa from 3 to 7am-so at least I'm now getting some sleep rather than my 5 weeks of going to bed at 4 or 5am. Iron tablets are a bit bleugh though, they give me tummy cramps. Am spending a LOT of time on all fours in effort to get the baby into a better position-am convinced he is back to back. Natal hypnotherapy birth prep cd is helping with the nerves, thank God.

Is anyone else finding it diffuclt to bend down and pick stuff up because huge bump is getting in the way? And sods law, I am currently dropping stuff all over the place. Picking them up is like a military operation.

MHCB Re Boots Parenting club - I joined last week, the changing bag is great. There is a sale on babywear in there at the moment, lots of packs of Mini Mode sleepsuits half price from £12 to £6. Lovely cashier then picked up a copy of the Boots magazine (poss the baby one?) which has a £3 money off voucher in the back so in the end, the pack I got only cost me £3. Hope this is useful to someone.

twinklegreen-keeping eveything crossed that your daughter is discharged soon. It must be a relief to finally know what it was.

Treats thats good news about your sister. How is youir mum after her op?

Calypso - so sorry you are unwell, I often have the asthma/chest infection combo and it's pretty grim. Get well soon.

Peaches-so sorry about your friend.

Smallone - owww, feel better soon

Theboob-congratulations. You're off to a good uni as well, I've interviewed lots of the lecturers there about writing textbooks, esp in nursing and social work. Nice campuses too.

Thanks for sympathy, not got any bruising to show for it, mores the pity! Saw mw today and she said to go to gp if no improvement. Not sure what can be done tho, its not like they can put my bum in plaster!

I'm also exhausted, not helped by not being able to get comfortable in any position, so sleep is really hard to come by. Still, I've got my reflexology on thurs, which is fantastic and I usually sleep like a log afterwards.

Hi everyone.

HappyTangerine - I literally can't bend down at the moment. Anything that can't be lifted off the floor in a quick swiping movement has to pretty much stay there. Even picking up a load of washing to put in the machine is difficult. I could sit back and let DH do all the housework - and he probably would - but I feel guilty for not doing my share. I'm sooo glad that it's the summer. There's no way I could cope with having to put on socks or tights daily, and I need to get DH to tie my laces for me - so thank god I'm mostly wearing slip on shoes......

My mum is recovering well from her op thanks for asking. It wasn't an urgent thing, but she decided to do it now rather than wait, so that she'll be all ready for grandparenting in October

smallone - hope you feel better soon. Sympathise about the sleeping and glad the reflexology is helpful.

Hi all just book marking as i'm so unbelievably tired.

Iron tablets are bleaugh and am not taking them every day as they make it impossible to go to the loo. I had a midwife appointment yesterday and she suggested spatone, which i took in my last pregnancy and it didn't alter my iron levels what so ever. So i suggested laxatives along with the iron tablets so need to book a dr.s appointment today to get a prescription.

Baby is still measuring a week small, which i'm actually quite happy about as i wouldn't mind another 7lb baby. Ds measured spot on through out pregnancy so can't really see him getting much over 7 1/2lb (hopeful).
Not that the weight isn't going on everywhere else my thighs are thunderous! Not attractive. Oh well winter soon, much more flattering season for a post baby bod.

Right off for a nap after a quick tidy.

Hello everyone

It's been ages since I last posted.

I have been really busy with the dc's. Every single day we are meeting up with someone , or they are coming here. Going to farms, woods, splash parks, or just their houses. I like to be busy and it's nice for them to have such a nice holiday, plus I get to see my friends
We truely only have one day left with nothing planned till they are back at school!!
Today was more restful as my friend came here but just for an hour or so, with her ds. Then my ds went out to a friends and dd and I did crafty things.

I am still getting the 'huge' comments and I am trying to let them wash over me.
Going to the midwife tomorrow so we'll see what I measure.

Bump is really hard and I have beeen getting Braxton Hicks quite a lot, didn't get them the last 2 times.

It was dd's 4th birthday at the weekend and we had a party here. She loved it and it was really nice, no rain!! I made a barbie doll cake and we did fruit, marshmallow and brownie kebabs, 2 colour jelly and all sorts!

We also went to a wedding reception on saturday which was fun. Although I was the only sober one!! And the driver...

Boob conrats!!!!

calypso hope you feel better soon. xx

peaches so sorry for your friend

Great to hear everyones news.Sorry that some of you aren,t feeling that great.princessmelyou sound like you have enough energy for all of us.I am having a little nap every afternoon as mum comes round and boy is that a help.Up to the loo at least 4 times a night.DH still in the spareroom.I don't pick much up off the floor.I am bribing the children with 20p for doing a job and what a difference that makes.They are getting rich but the house is sooo much tidier.I am off to find DH and see if we can see the meteor shower.

Hello all - I'm another one who hasn't posted in ages, but I'm still here and all is well! I do check in and read everyone's news quite frequently.

Had a 4d scan last week, which was excellent and took 4yr old DD along to see. She was SO excited, but then started to get very possessive of me afterwards ... jealousy kicking in already!

If I can work out how, I'll post the pics on here later for you to see. It was amazing how much this little one looks like dd, just a slightly different shaped nose.

Good that most of us are feeling reasonably OK. I am having trouble sleeping now and various aches and pains, but only 8/9 weeks to go.

Got my pram this week, so things are getting exciting now!

Have a nice day everyone!

Hi all

I too am bad at keeping up. Bought some bits for my hospital bag and am now going upstairs to pack it.

Laters!

HC
x

33+2

Princessmel-i'm in awe of your energy you are super woman!!!

I'm knackered! Looking into weddings and getting all muddled. Really don't want to spend the vast amounts of money they all ask for but have little energy to look into other options......

Still trying to sort out the blooming conservatory, still haven't done anything to get ready for the baby, looked at names etc etc

Need to order birth pool soon but not seeing the mw to talk about homebirth til i'm 37+3.....doesn't give me long to sort things out

33+4..........6 and a half weeks to go

Panic panic panic!!!!

AAAAAAAAAh my feet are like Elephants, so swollen, I am the not so proud owner of some serious cankles!

Been to the midwife today. I measured 31 cm and am 30 weeks so that's fine as far as I'm concerned.
She listened to the babies hb and it was very fast to start off with, but she listened for a while longer and it settled down. Baby is head down...

Have also been at a friends house with the dc's today. Just got back am sitting on sofa with laptop Just ate some millionaires shortbread that dh got me last night aswell. Yummy!

I am going to ask dh to get the bugggy and carseat down from the loft tonight. To see how manky/nice it is. My friend has a carry cot attachment that is the same make as my buggy, so I'm hoping it fits. It's in a different fabric but beggars can't be choosers!!

You're all getting me worried now! I have done absolutely nothing to get ready except write a very short birth plan Everything is still in the loft/garage, no bags packed, no supplies bought... It has just occured to me that based on my original due date (9th Sept) I would be over 36 weeks now, maybe I should be getting going with things, you're all so organised.

princessmel I am having loads of braxton hicks this time too, which I have never had with the previous two.

fidelma I'm also getting up about 4 times a night to pee, sometimes there's absolutely nothing there, it just feels like I'm bursting! Have a 34 wk midwife appointment on Monday so will be interesting to see how far down the babys head is, it feels pretty low!

I've been sorting out stem cell storage.My step dad has lukemia so we are very aware of how useful it can be.Stored for dc3 and will for this one.Sadly most hospitals wont do it so you have to get someone to come and do it.DH did it last timebut he is not allowed to do it this time.Not cheap but an insurance policy that we are taking.There is a 1 in 4 chance that it will be a match for other siblings and also a chance that it will match some other family members.
DH working hard and playing lots of squash lucky him.I am ready for the children to go back to school now.They have been off for 6 weeks.Not feeling to bad.32+3 weeks.I think we are in the final count down.Hope you all get a good nights sleep.

Hi all, Fidelma - we must be really close in EDD's - I'm 32+2 today! I've been having the major weeing thing too, I didn't have it first time around, but then his head never engaged so maybe this one will go a bit better .

I've also been having loads of braxtons, far more than last time, sometimes I have to just stop and bend over and deep breathe - was getting some funny looks in M&S last week and think mum and dad were a bit surprised / concerned too!

Twinklegreen - if it makes you feel any better, I don't have any kind of birth plan, just three packs of maternity pads, one box of breast pads and a couple of packs of nappies!

Actually, I have been and bought some new nursing pj's and a friend (also MN'er) has sent me some maternity pj's - not that I'm in love with them or anything, but I've washed them, they're tumbling and I'm sooo wearing them tonight! (Am allergic to all sorts of powders so best to wash)

I'm going to stay with friends next week with DS, but when I get back, that's when I'll get sorted ... honest!

Hi

thanks for the advice on the Boot Parenting club - will join now! Am really sorry to hear that we are mostly all suffering from exhaustion - I'm still trying to do 40-45 hours weeks but am generally awake from 3am each day and have just been told I'm anaemic as well - can't wait till the weekend!

off to buy our pushchair and car seat so at least thats one thing out of the way

sleep well

My bladder is bursting all the time and I hate going out as I feel like it is all going to pour out Little Britain style. When I sit on the loo I can't wee so try and stand up and sit down again or heave my bump up to relieve the pressure.

Just realised I haven't even done a birth plan. I am stll being poked in the ribs so know he isn't head down-little monkey!

Night ladies, off for another non nights sleep.

HC
x

Well, I just about managed a draft of a birth plan last night. Motivated by you guys - I joined the boots parenting club again, got some good bits from them last time IIRC, and I'm sure their site has improved loads since I last used it. There is a pdf you can download which can be used as a basic birth plan, I just copied and pasted it into word as I wanted to change it all around, add bits and take bits away etc.

First draft was nearly two pages long, so I went back and took out all the unnecessary justifications of Why i wanted everything, and its now a neat 1 side of A4.

Last time I wrote a birth plan it was focussed around achieving the birth I wanted and no other options were given thought... this time I have some do's and don'ts for both VBAC and a Section, hopefully ensuring whichever route I go down, I end up with at least some of the things that are important to me taking place. I feel much better for writing it all down.

Am quite happy to email it if anyone thinks it might be useful. I haven't run it by my midwife yet to see how much of it is do'able, but will at my next appt. I know some bits will depend on hospital regulations but my principal is 'If you don't ask, you won't get'.

DS has been sleeping in his new room this past week, despite it not being quite ready yet - and as I thought, he's been sleeping through every night. He only woke when he fell out of his cot bed each night, but would then come into bed with us. I'd never turn him away (soft touch? maybe.. ) but at the same time I'm glad that he's happy in his new big bed. It means that I've had uninterrupted sleep for quite a few nights too now and I think its slowly starting to make a difference. Apart from anything else, there's far more room in our bed for my huge nest of pillows!

Right, that's enough waffling from me, I think! Hope you all have a good day,

morning all - been lurking for ages again but will make more of an effort to post more

so, am 32 + 4 weeks now

still no definitive decision on whether i can use the birthing unit yet, but after all the panic with growth scans etc all seems well on that front with baby small-ish but certainly fine

SPD been grim - have my belt and exercises to do

now, i am going to read through the thread and catch up with everyones' news

have good days all

Morning all

My birth plan is VERY basic. Had a really detailed one for dd and don't thinks it ever came out of my bag, didn't bother writing one for ds. This time it's about half a sheet of A4 and is basically along the lines of.... I want to be upright and mobile I don't want to have to lie down, I don't want continual monitoring.... oh and my baby is not to be given formula, bottles or dummies. Job done! Everything else I can decide along the way

Anyone know anything about waiting to cut the cord until it has stopped pulsating?? What are the benefits? How long does it pulsate for? etc.

Morning all!
I've only posted about twice on this thread so it's probably a bit cheeky for me to ask for advice now but...(and sorry if this is TMI at breakfast time)

I'm 30 wks today and have noticed twice this morning a brown discharge almost like when starting a period. The baby has moved a few times this morning so that's good but I wondered if I should contact anyone about it? This week has been the most stressful as in me finding FIL who'd had a stroke and co-ordinating my Mum moving from London to the country, so perhaps it's just a reaction to that?

As an asided I did spot throughout the beginning of the pregnancy.

Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks.

Twinklegreen- saw this article the other day-waiting 2 mins to cut the cord is quite an interesting read.

I haven't done anything yet, no birth plan (didn't do one with dd but suppose I should this time to include the cord thing etc), need to buy mat pads, breast pads etc etc plus order the birth pool and get all the bits and pieces sorted.....

Was really pissed off yesterday as we hadn't heard back from planning re permitted development (they said it'd take 7-10 days and it had almost been 20!) so finally got hold of them after several attempts for them to tell us when our house was built they took away our right so we have to apply for planning permission!!!! DP was going to start digging this weekend! Now it'll be at least 6wks! Baby due in 6wks! RRRRAAAAAHHHH! So it has all gone very wrong, and am going to have to try somehow to sort oyt everything for the baby without anywhere to put the stuff we need to move
Plus all the options we are looking into for the wedding are £££££££ more than we want to spend!
So i'm feeling quite stressed!

sparklytwinkletoes-would you be able to email me your birth plan? Would be quite interested to see what you have put-might save me some time

Baby has been head down for a while now-seen in scans and i'm sure it hasn't moved as can feel all the hiccups right down low.

I wake at night and then have trouble getting back to sleep-not helping with my knackered-ness!!!

Hopefully i'll get some rest today-off to dd's friends-it's his birthday and they have hired a bouncy castle-will just be him and dd so hopefully I can plonk down in a chair and watch!!!

How is everyone else? Can't get my head round the 6wk thing!!! Anyone else feeling the same?!

sammysam, no problem - can you either CAT me or post your email address?

Hi Fanjita

I'm no expert, but would definitely call the midwife/hospital if it was me, just to put my mind at rest.

Fingers crossed that all is OK.