Due in September 2009 - waiting for an August baby!

[StealthPolarBear]

Hi everyone Can't believe we could have our first baby in 4ish weeks

Well I think the internet is my biggest distraction (as you cleverly spotted MInshu!) but I've also managed to fill up my time with loads of other things too - work, decorating, DS1, looking at houses, applying for mortgages etc yada yada yada.

Also, sleeping is nice .

Frosty - yes it's so important to test these canisters!

Hmmm, I don't get a 'homebirthing box' it seems. I'll be dragging the old towels out of the cupboard. And I've stupidly said I'll do without gas and air. Am I crazy?

I'm so of you all finishing work so soon! Having read all the messages from the past week or so, think I must be one of the last to be finishing work! Not finishing until 4th Sept as not due until 24th Sept. On one hand feels like ages, and on the other it feels like I have no time left at all.

Just one question to ask - bought some raspberry leaf tea the other day - anyone else given it a go? Does anyone know if i'm i safe to use it now (I'm 34 weeks) - I'm hoping it'll give me that painfree short labour I'm after

Good evening everyone - I'm new to posting on here, so I thought I'd stop lurking and say hello. Newbie 36 - I'm also due on the 24th and due to finish work on the 4th September. I'm so glad I'm not the only one at work still as it does seem like it's a long way away, and I just want to finish now.. I have the Rasberry leaf tea at the ready as well, but I was going to wait until 36 weeks. Can you start it earlier?

I finished work today, YAY!!!! They were all so lovely, gave me a surprise baby shower as I had previously mentioned in passing that I didn't think I'd have one as my friends haven't seemed that interested tbh. It was just brilliant and I got loads of gifts as well as a nappy cake which is amazing!!!

blue - I want a home birth too and at 34 week check was told LO was 'a little bit breech' not sure how that works, surely he's breech or he isn't??? However, she didn't seem bothered (although she's pretty useless as I asked her about something that was really bothering me and she just brushed over it and didn't answer me at all) but then I spoke to my friend who is a MW and has been for 20 years and she said not to worry about being breech, it's not until 37 weeks it becomes an issue, even with a HB. Just do all the positions you can to try and get them to turn and don't panic about it. My LO is still bopping about in there and at times feels like he's doing star jumps and spinning all at the same time!!

Now I am officially on ML I can focus on finally getting my bag packed, clothes washed and anything else that I probably still need to do!!! Nesting comes and goes, DH seems to be trying to do a lot of the MASSIVE list I wrote to stop me doing it I think, bless him!! I intend to just potter and see how it goes for the next couple of weeks and just enjoy being at home for a while before our lives change beyond all recognition, oooh I can't wait!!!

Audreyraines I think it's just to save them lugging it on the day. There is a resuscitation kit and suturing box and that sort of thing [gulp] in mine which they will have to have with them for safety. I expect your MWs will just bring yours on the day. Unfortunately no chocolates or DVDs in it.
Re: G&A - nah you won't need it! But I just want mine for the post-birth constipation.

Welcome Alidran! I'm due on the 4th Sept so we may both have a notable day at the same time.

How do you soothe puffy feet anyone?

Sprinkleofstardust - that baby shower must have been a lovely surprise - like the sound of the nappy cake! Blinder - no absolute remedy for puffy feet beyond the keep your feet elevated for as long as possible, but give your legs a bit of a stretch, rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes every so often. It's no cure but it may help a little.

AliDran - ahhh! Thank goodness there's two
of us to keep going to the 4th Sept (though some crazy lady at my work place told me she kept going to work till her due date.....Why would someone do that??!!) Right had a look at this raspberry leaf tea thing and found this.... www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/raspberryteaeaselabourex pert/

It suggests that ladies who used it from 32 weeks had less chance of having a forceps delivery - looks like I'm off to Holland and Barrett to bulk buy a truck load of it then!!

fwiw, i've been drinking raspberry leaf tea since 12 weeks (know that's a bit controversial), but did so last time too following the thoughts of janet balaskas that it 'tones' the uterus, but doesn't actual start labour. i've been taking one most of the time, but now worked up to about 3 cups, but i think i'll just go unlimited cups now, maybe make some and chill in the fridge as a cold drink.
i think the caution regarding RLT is a bit over the top but that's just me!

ps. blinder, i might make up my own homebirth box containing chocolate and champagne! better than G&A!

I am glugging RLT like it's going out of fashion. I've only just started drinking it, I was (probably unneccesarily) paranoid about starting it too early. I found it difficult to stomach with dd but am actually enjoying it this time round. Good idea to chill some in the fridge... never thought of that.

Personally, I'm not so sure about the sound of nappy cake, but that's probably just the way my mind works...

My official mat leave starts on 7th Sept (due on 22nd) but I'm using up my annual leave first - it's good to be down to three days a week now that I'm beginning to get physically tired and a bit uncomfortable. Sorry, newbie and alidran, I'm probably not helping, am I?

Holland and Barratt for RLT, then. Does it taste raspberry-ish? Not that keen on "summer fruits" in general, but willing to give it a go, if it will speed up meeting the belly-dweller face to face.

HI Ladies, I have been taking the RLT capsules from 32 weeks (36 today). I started with 1 a day and have slowly built it up to 4/5 a day. I've also read that vening primrose oil taken orally and put up the fanjo can help soften the cervix!

Hope everyone is ok. I finish work on friday next week thank goodness. Isanyone else finding themselves really irritable?

Evening!

Irritable at work definitely - just can't be bothered to do much. The tiredness isn't helping though (not sleeping that great with the interruptions of toilet trips and the pain of trying to turn over at night...)

Went for a wander around Guildford today shopping. Have developed a slow walk due to a strange painful sensation if I walk too quickly - feels like she's pressing heavily into my bladder with something sharp - not nice!!

Came back from shopping to settle down to a nice cup of RLT, have since discovered that I don't like the taste of it and from now on will buy the capsules - not heard of the evening primrose oil thing though. Really at this point, I'm happy to give anything a go!!

StayFrosty, au contraire I do believe raspberry leaf tea is effective in helping have a good labour (but not to bring on an early labour if your body is not otherwise ready iyswim).

I had a 4 hour labour at 38 weeks with ds if you want to read anything into that!

It tastes nothiing like raspberry, more like grass if I have to assign a taste. I don't hate it, but wouldn't say I love it either. you can add honey, lemon slices, if you so desire to make it more palatable.

I also started the evening primrose a few days ago, will give anything a try.

Had a gorgeous reflexology session today and going back in two weeks if I make it that long. I wanted to go next sat, but she is all booked up. I came home a fell asleep for 2 hours, that was really fantastic.

yay for people starting mat leave - must be a relief. now, if only ds would grant me my mat leave!!

Hi all,

Hope you and bumps are well. I missed the London meet up due to food poisoning which was rubbish and quite scary as the baby stopped moving for a fair bit - think it was frightened as it's now back to its former poking ways! Hope to see you all at the next one.

On the puffy feet front - boring but true - drinking lots of water seems to help. Although then you obviously need more trips to the toilet and can't put your feet up as much! But it helped me.

Lol, Minshu, it wasn't a real cake if that's what you're thinking, it's in the shape of a cake but is made of nappies and muslim squares, and then there's a beautfully soft blanket round the bottom tier (3 tier's in all). Hope that eases your mind!!!

Bless all of you that are still working and aren't giving up til the 4th September. I found this last week really hard going so although I'm going to miss work I'm pleased that I haven't got to travel and do as much for a while at least!!

Right I have been avoiding the RLT as I have erred on the safe side of everything throughout this PG however, having looked into it further and what you have all said I'm going to go and hit it hard now!!! Plus I do actually like the taste, lol!!!

LOL Sprinkle....... did you mean muslin squares....?

sprinkle, so jealous of your baby shower. I love nappy cakes but can guarantee I wont be bought one as I actually make and sell them as a bit of a hobby, since being pregnant I have been jealous of everyone i've made hehe

I would love a nappy cake made with nice fluffy reusable nappies but am not going to buy one for myself and I don't think any of my friends would of even heard of these wonderful items.

I made one for a friend when she had her first but knew she was into disposable nappies so used them and a blanket for the first tier, second tier was muslin squares with toiletries for baby and mum sandwiched in the centre and then more squares and a teddy bear for the top.

As this is our third and we already have all our equipment and a fair few clothes I can't see many people buying anything much for this one!

Thank you, SprinkleofStardust! I had no idea

Glad to hear that DH is almost homeward bound, StayFrosty! Will you hit him or kiss him first when you get the opportunity?

Blinder - not sure if one of my previous posts came across a little wrong - I meant to say how much easier it was to do all that thesis stuff back then, before real grown up responsibilities get in the way and how much I admire people who can get on with it after seeing what the real world is all about. I had a hard enough time dragging myself away from the telly at the time and not sure what my self-discipline would be like now.

Hi all - it's been months and months since I stuck my head in here, and I mean to catch up tonight, because I desperately need to know that there are other people as tired, backachey, ungainly and fed up as me! Due 10th Sep, not sure if my sanity will last that long...

Hi everyone Thanks for the good wishes about DH.
Things are fine here although we have had a disasterous day with Dd and the potty. It's been going really well up to now with very few accidents but today... its been everywhere.

I have some RLT and was thinking of starting it I am 34 weeks on Tuesday. (I bought some capsules last time but didn't use them as I found out DD was breech) My friend and her family have moved to Italy and we have been donated the half eaten bits out of her freezer and cupboards and there was a new pack in the box.
I thought I would try it with Honey first, then try it iced.

I also have some OEP too and might try some of that too but may wait a bit.

We have decided to get a new buggy. I'm quite excited. The micralite is great but if we went out for a day we would have to use
either the seat, suitable from 6 months, so only DD could ride in it or
the carry cot which only the baby could ride in so we have been looking at
one suitable from birth so either one of them could ride in it and we can
pop the sling in the bottom

We are going to go for the Baby Jogger City Mini, It has excellent reviews everywhere and is a better fit if we decide to get a buggy board. DD is walking loads at the moment and Dh is sceptical that she won't stand still on it.

Umm ... welcome to anyone new and hooray for maternity leave starting soon. I'll be back for a while in September but I have got loads done already, lots of washing etc.
My parents arrive tomorrow and I have a little list of jobs for them to do.

I didn't get a nappy cake last time but I did get a couple of thse bouquets made of baby socks which are lovely if you get one.

sorry this has now become a bit long...blah blah... blah...