Due November 2009 - Remember, remember we're due in November, but not yet quite ready to pop!

[Fruitpastels]

Hope everyone can find us!

erika I think it is Margaret Dibben at The Guardian, and another man who does it, but can't remember his name. I'm so cross for you that you are dealing with all this harrassment. FWIW mobile phone companies do seem to normally allow you to upgrade a month early, but it seems terrible that you should be forced into changing your phone number to get away from these people. Perhaps you could ask on here for legal advice? There seem to be a few lawyers about. Did you ever get a response to the letter you wrote to the photo company? Surely until they have replied to you, the matter is between you and them and nothing to do with the creditors at all.

broodzilla I hope you have recovered from your tumble in the night and managed to get back to sleep ok. I read somewhere that our bumps are the world's most sophisticated shock absorbers, so the baby will be just fine. You've reminded me of the first time I stayed at DH's flat when we started going out. I had a 3/4 bed at my flat, so was very excited by his king size one. I rushed in the room and started bouncing on it. Cue almighty cracking sound. So embarrassing! (and I didn't even have pregnancy as an excuse)

katster Hope you're feeling better today and managing to get plenty of rest. Have you decided when to leave work yet? Maybe you could think about bringing it forward if it's all getting too much (I imagine controlling a group of 30 6 yr-olds to be too much at the best of times)

ursi I used tea tree oil in the bath. It's hard to tell if it was successful as I'd torn quite badly, but I'm sure it didn't do any harm and I'll use it again. I'm also going to try the arnica tablets after reading recommendations on here. I am imagining since I tore last time, it is likely to happen in the same place again. Can hardly bear the thought of it actually...

Laugs with you on the tearing front, just trying to put it right to the back of my mind. Salt in the bath was best for that for me- a big salt bath every morning!

Still loving American Wife, but starting to worry about the narrator, she seems to have gone a bit 'blank' (I'm about half way through and she is being the dutiful wife)

Ursi For me no aromatherapy/homeopathy was any good. After the birth I still had my entire Neal's Yard 'birth homeopathy kit' left- utter utter waste of money. We also didn't use the lavender oil, relaxing aromatherapy room spray or anything else 'd bought in that particularly pointless shopping expedition! I guess these kinds of things work for some people but after my ds's birth I'm pretty sceptical.
I'd recommend painkillers, salt, ice packs and a doughnut cushion for after, and every available wonder of western medicine during! I'm not being totally serious here, I mean I definitely think there is something to acupuncture for example, and I think that just believing something works is half the battle sometimes, but I do think some things are just a waste of money. I'm prepared to be shot down!

Just found that my friend who miscarried in July is pregnant again- hooray! She feels properly sick this time, so fingers crossed.

Katster I hope you really get a chance to rest. I could not be more delighted that I am not having to teach at the moment, I can imagine just how exhausting it is for you.

Thanks everyone for you suggestions and support, really appreciate them right now. My therapist just called me back and said she'll write a letter to them tomorrow. The next step will have to be legal advice, I think, on the harassment front, regardless of the issue at hand. I never heard back from the original company; I have one letter from them dated July 14th. I have written to them multiple times without response. I am considering Watchdog - Dad is especially keen now that Anne Robbinson is back on the case!!! - though I might check out that Guardian suggestion. Again, thanks. x

Wook congratulations to your friend

Broodzilla - definitely the bed, not you!!! Hope you feel a bit calmer now. And as for the flashing lights ? a ?friend? suggested recently they get me a ?WIDE LOAD? sticker to put on my bum. So we can join together and make a lorry!!

Scarlotti will drop you an email in a minute ? had to curl up last night was all shaken again. Nap wise ? my ME doctor always recommended napping between 12 and 2 so that it didn?t interrupt with sleeping at night. I hope that helps you a little.

wook did you know she is Laura Bush (wife of George W)?
Hooray for your friend! My friend who had to terminate at the end of May (the baby had a condition incompatible with life) is trying to conceive again too. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

Hello all,

Broodzilla hope you are ok after your eventful night?

laugs Try not to think about the fact you tore last time, it may not happen again. My friend tore very badly after her 1st (a good 8 weeks of pain afterwards)but after her 2nd nothing at all! Try not to get stressed about it as it won't help.

erika what a nightmare for you, I second what laugs is saying. Keep your chin up, you have been doing so well

ursi As laugs says, tea tree oil in the bath after birth and arnica in tablet form to help heel your bits!
Raspberry leaf tea in tablet or tea form to help prepare your body for the birth.
Also when I was having ds2 the mw gave us some clarigh (sp) sage oil to help bring on contractions (may have been a coincidence but a few minutes after dh rubbed the oil onto my tummy I had my 1st huge contraction and ds was born 2 hours later)

Can't remember who asked for my shopping list, here it is anyway

From Boots (or similar)

Arnica tablets (boots own)
nipple cream
box of breast pads
1 packet of paper pants (I bleed very heavily after giving birth so used these for 1st 24 hours)
1 packet of maternity pads
1 large packet of Always Ultra night (not so bulky but still very absorbent)
Small bottle of nice shampoo
Small bottle of conditioner
Small bottle of luxury shower gel
Tooth brush
Toothpaste
Lip balm
Paracetamols
Glucose tablets
Face wipes (no time or energy to cleanse)
Deodorant

From Health Food shop

Raspberry leaf tea tablets

From other shops

Muslin squares
ASDA smart price pants (or similar)
Magazines/puzzle books
pack of cards
snack bars
bottles of water
Nursing bras

Also to pack
3 babygros
3 vests
hat
scratch mits/socks
pack of nappies
cotton wool
nappy sacks
blanket
3 pairs of pjs
Dark towels
flannels
hairbrush
hair bobbles
hand held fan
swimsuit top (for waterbirth)
Camera/ spare batteries and card
mobile phone
cd's
list of people to call with numbers (in case of phone ban/breakdown)
Change for phone
Change for parking
Change for vending machines (should snack supply run low)

Think that covers it all

wook great news about your friend

Am now officially worried!!! must get shopping and bag ready..eeeeeeeekkkkkk I like the idea of pack of cards I remember from the last time not having much brain power to do anything! What is good is hundreds of bottles of water..Gas and Air makes one very thirsty and hospitals are very warm indeed.And more than one nightie, pjs..its so warm in the ward I was sweating all night post birth..

Is anyone "preparing" their nipples??? I really want to this time so I can avoid the pain..I was given bepanthan cream here in Geneva but not sure it will do the trick..? anyone got any ideas? My great grand MIL says a nailbrush should do the trick

Right off to get the bag packed with STUFF!

anyone doing their pelvic floors?? worried about tearing again too laugs was pretty awful last time and trying not to think about it...but funnily enough a bit spaced to really be worried..must be going mad!

Hope you're all ok... Good luck to all your friends trying to concieve..

Broodzilla hope you're feeling better after your fall.. I'm sure my bed is about to go too..every time I move it creaks a LOT!

Katster hope you're ok too still working?

Tigger Thank you for your list I'm going out with DH later to buy all the bits and the list is fab!

Laugs I has an episiotomy with DS and was lucky the consultant was there as I may have torn badly. Anyway, it was very sore and I had about 8 weeks of discomfort afterwards (got an infection as well). For those who have had children before, our bits below have done this before and we won't have to push as hard and the birth should be a little quicker and easier. We have to be remember to be more controlled to stop tearing from happening. Try not to worry, I know its easier said than done.

I meant to say the other day broodzilla, you didn't have any baby vests on your list for the hospital.

erika do the CAB not have a drop in service so you could speak to someone sooner? Really hope they stop the harassment.

katster hope you're feeling ok. Hope you get some rest this week.

broodzilla hope you're ok after your tumble in the badly made bed!

I'm just back from hospital appointment. Was supposed to see consultant for feedback on the growth scan I had on Friday. He didn't turn up so saw another doc an hour late who just said 'yeah we'll probably induce you at 39 weeks but it's the consultant's decision.' Total waste of time.

I noticed on the way home they'd put some extra papers in my notes and my blood test results from the beginning of August were in there. There are 4 results with low next to them but nobody has picked up on this as I haven't seen a midwife due to all my other appointments. It says haemoglobin, red cell count, haematocrit and absolute lymphocyte are all low. One of those is iron, right? Great, more stuff wrong with me! Not sure if I should chase it up.

Morning All, I am surrounded with bags of stuff that we've had sitting in our porch to be sorted since we reorganised practically everything in the house when moving DD into her new room. I really should start sorting through them but oh no, what's this? The laptop just magically fell open and landed on Mumsnet.... I'll just have to put the sorting off for another half an hour!

Laugs Your DD sounds sooo cute! How old is she? My DD is turning 2 next Thursday and I can't believe where the time has gone! She likes to kiss my bump in the morning when she says hello to the baby in my tummy which is cute but this morning she decided to do it before I realised she had a rather runny nose (runny candles had nothing on this child!) so I ended up with snail trails across my bump, euww!

Tigger I just read your post about the roadside birth with my mouth hanging open! My sister's last baby was almost born in the hospital carpark but she said she has a "lula like a bin lid" after 4 children so it practically fell out!!

Lemontop I'm glad you're thinking of Isaac too. I was only wondering this morning whether it was unpopular since I haven't heard of any boys with that name so thanks for stopping me having to race back to the drawing board! Sorry to hear the consultant appointment didn't go well. Can you speak to your MW and see if she can get some firmer and less flippant sounding information for you? You could also ask her about your test results while you're at it.

Lissyglitter Yes, we're in the NE. I was hoping to go to the same class as Laugs but as she said it's a 4 week course, I think I might have to give it a miss, depending on when I get my CS date... Do you and Laugs fancy trying to meet up one Saturday (or other day, if it's ok with childcare)? It would be great to put faces to 'names'! I'll try and find you on Facebook when I log on later (or sooner, depending on how much work avoidance is needed!)

Kyte I saw some trackie bottoms in Tesco yesterday that were either £6 or £8 (sorry, hormones have destroyed my memory) and felt really soft. They came in black or a sort of purply colour so I'll be going back to get some next time I'm in. Also, my DD is a just a bit younger than your DS and is going through a major sticking things phase. I cut out pictures from old catalogues/magazines/leaflets etc and put them in a box. She then picks the ones she wants and sticks them on paper herself with pritstick to make her own pictures (often with one pic half covered by another). She also had great fun sticking random bits of things to the shoe box she keeps stuff in so it's got a couple of feathers, some wool, some stars, a random receipt pinched from my bag... you get the idea!

Katster Sorry to hear you've had a scare. Let's hope the rest of the home straight is plain sailing...

Broodzilla Ouch for your rude awakening - it's definitely the bed, you are not a hefalump! It must have been all the trying for this baby that put the strain on the slats!

Sleepless Now you've set my brain going in a whole new direction. I didn't breastfeed last time and really want to this time but ((asks sheepishly)) how on earth do I prepare my nipples?

I hope all those who have joined me as ladies of leisure are enjoying themselves so far. I'm finding it amazing how much I'm actually doing in the day - it flies by! Most of the day is spent on the internet at the moment, as I'm trying to get things organised for family birthdays in the next few months and ((whispers)) Christmas.

I think I've caught up with all the posts now. I'm going to try and check in every day from now on, as I can't believe how behind I got just by missing one day!!

WizzyWoo I will have to forgive you for mentioning the C-word!! I don't think there is anything that can really prepare your nipples. I'm going to give it a go again, tried and struggled with DS1 and DS2 but managed some weeks with each before I gave up. I think everyone finds breastfeeding different - some easy, some a challange, some really, really hard! I really want to make it work this time.

I hope everyone is ok today.

Broodzilla bump!

Raggie bump! - as in what a nice bump you have.

Katster I hope you are ok. Take it easy if you can.

Isaac is a lovely name. I know two Isaacs. One is DS1's best friend and another is a friend's little boy who is about three now I think.

I am getting mroe and more convinced I am expecting my third boy. Everyone tells me it looks like a boy bump and it feels like a boy bump too.

I am working up until end October so very of those of you on leave now but work is easing up somewhat. I suspect my boss is doing it on purpose to force me to relax a bit! She's coming up to Shrewsbury tomorrow for lunch and talk about my maternity leave. She has three children herself so she is very understanding about working with children.

I nearly gave birth to DS2 in the hospital carpark at Chipping Norton hospital so that story about the road side is freaking me out too. I am so worried it'll happen in the day and DS1 or DS2 will be in the news as the youngest ever midwives or something. I'd better teach them how to dial 999. The hospital here is about 15 min drive away - might be too far!

Afternoon all,

Erika watchdog seems a good idea, they have definately gone too far and shouldnt be treating you like this.

Isaac is a lovely name, my friend has a month old baby boy called this but spelt 'Izaak', still nice but must admit prefer it the more traditional way.

loving your bump pic raggie! also loving your tops, I need brighter colours!

Have just added some pics of me and the bump, I apologise for the weird camera angles and facial expressions, I took them of myself about 5 mins ago with the camera on timer on top of my display cabinet!

Thanks for all your messages. Am taking it easy today and will do tomorrow, although I can't resist doing a lot of cleaning! Although the more I clean, the more I find that needs doing, it seems! Am just counting down the days now, really want the baby to be here, and fine. This pregnancy business is really stressful!

Tigger love the list, v helpful.

Trikken lovely bump pics. ALso, really love the colour of your top. Is it a maternity top? I want one!

Erika what a horrible, horrible company. Have you managed to speak to someone at the CAB today? It's ridiculous.

Usigurke I don't know anything about homeopathy (although to be honest am a little dubious...) but I do like aromatherapy. Our NCT teacher advised us all to invest in a bottle of lavender oil for relaxation. Haven't got one yet though. I think places like Neal's Yard do a pregnancy pack of oils and things, and they can definitely advise you on what is safe to use during pregnancy/labour and what could be beneficial.

Laugs yes I would love to finish earlier. Am contemplating finishing at half term now. Although it has only been 3 and a half weeks since the summer, I feel so, so drained. I think the commute doesn't help.Thing is, I don't know if I am just being pathetic or if it really is too much, if that makes sense? Although yesterday did really freak me out so am really trying to relax as much as poss today. We have observations and inspections in the next two weeks, which I really just could do without! I wish they hadn't given me a class for half a term, but anyway...

Lemontop - re blood results - I had that, with those exact blood things all being low. I rang my uncle who is a blood person (he works for the NHS in the blood bank, not sure what his exact job is, but he knows everything about blood/tests!) and he said they are all linked to anaemia. The haemoglobin is the thing that actually causes but red blood cells, PCV and lymphocytes will all be low if you are anaemic. He said it was nothing to worry about and to either take iron supplements or try to include lots of iron-rich things in diet. Hosp didn't say anything to me either, which is why I rang my uncle. I think it is so common and not serious that they don't bother. In case you are interested, cashew nuts and dried apricots are v high in iron and should be consumed with orange juice as vit C helps your body to absorb the iron. And the tannin in tea prevents absorption.

BBL wow, re nearly giving birth in the car park!!! Was your first labour quick? I am so confused about when to go to hospital! The NCT lady is all for leaving it until the last minute, but how do you know when that is, when it's your first?! I have no idea what to expect really!

Right, sorry for mammoth post. Might go for a walk in a bit, is such a lovely day. Not heard from hospital about the swabs they took, but they said it would be 2 days probably.

You might be one of the women like those in the stats published earlier this year about the percentage of births in strange places, BBL! I'm sure you'll be fine, although if the baby does come in a random place, you'll be able to dine out on the story for years to come!

I agree with Trikken - I need to take inspiration from Raggie's wardrobe and brighten up once my post baby jelly belly has subsided (oh, how optimistic!!)

In that spirit, I've just got a delivery from Amazon - it's a book called "Colour Me Confident" by a company called "Colour Me Beautiful" which focuses on, surprise surprise, colours that suit you. My boss always looks amazing, no matter what colour she wears and she swears by this book... I'll let you know in the post-natal thread whether it works or not!

BTW, Trikken your little boy is gorgeous! And your photos look really good, not a wierd expression in sight! I must pluck up courage to get DH to take a pic of me to post but I'll have to wait until I'm not feeling fat!

After reading Katster's post about counting down the days, I went and did just that - if I was allowed to go to my due date (8th Nov), it would be 45 days until I meet baby boy but since I'm being booked in for a CS, it'll be sooner than that! Scary stuff, if only I could have a stiff drink... a cup of tea will have to suffice!

Great Pics trikken..very glam and yes love the top too!!!

Just put DD to bed..a mammoth task in itself..

wizzy am hoping just lots of this bepanthan stuff toughens them up for the suckathon that occurs in the first week. That i think is what is unbearable for most..the pain..I grinned through the pain but its the pain i remember most!..I might try and brush them a little too.. for healing I hear Kamillosan is the best. I used lansinoh last time so will keep both at hand. All this prep and I bet the little blighter will be anti breast or something. All the faces and smileys cannot reflect my feelings. Maybe I should suggest a nervous face!!!

Katster DS2 nearly came in the car park because I was following expert advice to leave it to the last minute! DS1 had been born after going in to be induced so I had no experience of natural labour when it came to DS2. Labour had started nice and gently at 10.30pm after ER and I went to bed, got up, had a bath (big mistake!). I rang the midwife from the bath and she said 'do you want to come in?' and I said 'well maybe I should give it a bit longer' and she said (thankfully she did) 'you may as well come in and we'll see how far gone you are'. Then the pain increased by about 10-fold and I just about managed to drag myself downstairs. My mum was staying over and she told DH to take me to the hospital. I said 'but I need to go to the loo first' and my mum, very adamantly said 'NO YOU DO NOT! GET IN THAT CAR NOW!' She later confessed that she was in two minds as to whether to stop me going and deliver the baby herself (she did midwifery training when she was training to be a nurse). DS2 arrived about 2 minutes after I reached the delivery room! My first thought: humpth I was looking forward to a bit of gas and air and I've missed the chance!

PS Trikken what a neat bump you have! Mine is huge. I'm getting a bit fed up of people saying 'seven weeks to go?' no way!' I ought to upload a photo too.

trikken nice bump, too. And I also love the colour of that top! Must put stuff on my profile too sometime since we're all sharing.

becky at your disappointment about g&a - be sure to get loads in this time round.

Talking about nipples - ouch!! Mine are painful as they are without using brushes. Is this the same principle as with guitar fingers? Get them nice and leathery and ready for a good gumming (nipples, not fingers)?

I love your birth story, BBL, your mum sounds like a star! I must admit I'm a little gutted that this birth is going to be a cs, as the last one was an induction and I was practically chained to a hospital bed for 3 days, which I wouldn't exactly call a natural birth experience... still, so long as it's out safely.

So I have a question: Does anyone else get a bit funny about throwing out old photos? Not just any old photos I hasten to add, but ones that are really blurry, never get looked at/go in albums etc. I finally started my sorting and as is so often the way, I ended up sorting some cupboards to move stuff into. Anyway, I've come across all kinds of photos and empty albums, so I thought I'd just lash them in roughly in themes but have found quite a few that I can tell who they are, but they're so blurry they almost hurt your eyes. I've put them in a "bin" pile but I'm a little bit antsy about actually chucking them... Are my hormones on overdrive or does anyone else feel like this when it comes to photos? I don't know whether I think that something will happen to the people in them if I chuck them or what but some are of my DD, taken by my mum, the world's worst photographer, but they're just soooo blurry.... Someone talk some sense into me, please!

Wow, Becky, so you delivered him with absolutely no pain relief?!?! Wow!! And your mum's midwifery training could have come in use... I thought baths were meant to slow things down?!

I am thinking I will start raspberry leaf tea next week. Even if it does nothing, it can't hurt I reckon?

Going to read a bit of Ina May now.

My mother used to run her local La Leche group, and she says that you absolutely do not need to 'toughen up' your nipples, that's an old wives' tale. (Just the thought of it makes me want to cringe!) Once baby's out, lansinoh and lots of fresh air on them - yes, it feels odd sitting around with your nipples hanging out, but if you rub a little breastmilk into them, it helps with healing. I followed her advice and never had any painful cracks or anything with DS - that said, the best thing you can do is make sure that their latch is absolutely perfect. If the hospital midwives aren't much good, try ringing about for a lactation consultant.

Apparently my pelvic floor was TOO good with DS, and wouldn't give at all (apparently it's a problem riders sometimes have?!) I had to have a whopping great episiotomy which got stitched up badly by an ass of a consultant who (I swear) gave me the old 1950s 'honeymoon stitch' for good measure. I had to get resliced and restitched under GA some months later, and while it healed up perfectly, I'm terrified of the scar site tearing again as it's not supposed to heal as well a third time. I've actually specified in my (otherwise very short) birth plan that I want them to cut a medio-lateral episiotomy to the left if they think the old site is going to tear. DH suggested that I tattoo a helpful arrow and a dotted line on my inner thigh with 'CUT HERE' for them to follow. Very funny, I don't think.

My original birth plan was about two lines long, and essentially read 'No drugs and for the love of God, don't cut me up.' Ho, ho, ho.

Add me to the 'Isaac' fans - there's a perfectly gorgeous one year old called Isaac in our village, all golden hair and huge brown eyes. He's the most good-tempered little boy.