Due October 2009 - To nest is best....

[smallone]

My first thread!

I wonder if someone could explain the Bishops score then? What should you be when you're closest to labour? I had a sweep yest & tho the MW said everything was sat perfectly my cervix is still 1cm thick. My bishops score was 6. She asked if I had my dates right (which I think I do) and said it would be a few days yet :-( she's going to do another sweep in a few days but I'm booked for an induction on sat when I'll be 40+14. Fingers crossed I can get this LO out before then!
Thanks HT for understanding my earlier comments.
Congrats for all the new babies x

HappyTangerine - Wonderful birthing story. Sorry to hear that the post natal care was so crap though. Can't believe the midwife was such a devil woman. No wonder you were having trouble feeding with all that stress going on. Her personal problems aren't yours or anyone else's and it's wrong of her to take it out on everyone else around her. Glad things are working out for you now.

Smallone - Your birthing story made me cry, I think you coped amazingly well, I'm sure I wouldn't have done half as well in your position. Well done you :0) Big hugs

Hackneybird - Cheers for updating the list.

Its just taken me the last week to catch up on everything. Just wanted to ask as a first time mum with no previous experience of getting out and about with babies, how on earth do you do a little supermarket shopping with a pram in tow??? I'm quite miffed.

We have a silver cross travel system and I have been using it with the car seat at the moment as Ella is so tiny, she's lost in the actual pram bit. The super market is only a 5 minute walk away, so its nice to be able to take the short walk over there rather than drive. But there seems to be no way of pushing the pram and carrying a shopping basket at the same time. The handle is a long continuous one so you can't hang a basket over the handles and I don't want to pop things straight in the basket underneath as I will get done for shop lifting! Its too heavy to push with one hand too and there is no room to balance it on the car seat without completely squashing the baby!

Anybody got any good shopping with baby tips?

Anyone heard if Dogstar has given birth yet, she was due the same day as me and haven't seen anything since?

charlie didn't sleep well last night. i think he has a bit of a cold, snotty and has a little cough. wants to sleep next to me but i felt so tired last night i really wanted him in the basket. ds1 is also ill with a cough and cold. have resigned myself to having a sofa day, joggers and cbeebies on!

shoping with baby tips:

use the disabled changing rooms where poss so you can get the buggy in.

don't put loads of layers of clothes on baby, use blankets instead. some shops are really hot and it's easier to whip a blanket off then take off a coat and cardi.

take a bttle of water with you if you are bf.

can't believe how big charlie is getting already, am starting to feel really sad that this will be my last baby. must try to take it all in as it goes so fast.

i wonder if flame has had her baby yet...

fluffy sorry to make you cry!
As for shopping with your pushchair, does it collapse down small enough to put in the trolley? Then you could put baby in the trolley seat / carseat section and the rest in the main body of the trolley. Or my local morrisons has trolley stores next to the cafe, like an enormous locker. You could leave your pushchair in there while you shop with baby in the trolley. Or use a sling instead of the pushchair?

HC today is my first day on my own too. DD has woken up everyday of paternity leave in a fantastic mood and today she's being the grump from hell. She stood at the window screaming for DH for 20mins after he left so I had to ring him to speak to her. Its going to be a long day I think!

d'oh my shopping tips not really relevant to a supermarker

i used to scoot the basket around with my feet or push one handed slowly, neither very easy tbh.

supermarket

Have't posted for a while (well a long time actually). Am due today and wodering when this baby will come. DS1 is at home poorly with me, we have both got v. bad coughs ad colds. Had a bad ight with him with high temp ad shivers but he;s being a good boy. I am a bit exhausted. DS was 5 days overdue (wet in to labour 4 days late), wondering what the likelihood is of having this baby anytime soon!?
Pricessmel you must be really frustrated - thikig of you
~cogratulations to all who have their lovely little babies already, I am very jealous

I know how you feel devils Amelie is full of cold too, gave up with trying to get her in the basket and brought her in bed with us last night. Also am very sad that this probably is definately the last time I'll have a newborn, it's such a special time I'm trying to savour every minute, which is quite hard with a house full of toddlers!

fluffy for a small shop I just put stuff in the pushchair basket, they can't say anything unless you ACTUALLY steal it

Welcome back littleblessing
smallone hope your dd1's mood improves!

Well I have a busy week, have registered Amelie's birth this morning, then been last minute birthday shopping. It's my mums 60th today, ds is 2 on Wednesday then dd1 is 4 on Friday, then we're off to a nice hotel at the weekend with all the family for mums birthday. Anyway must dash, got to pick up dc's from pre-school then off to the breastfeeding clinic I run... busy busy busy.

Hi all, having a mental morning here. Took Joseph to cranial osteopath at 9am, she was great. Said he may either become demon baby or sleepy baby today as a result-so far he seems to be going for the sleepy option (unless I try and put him in the moses basket then its demon all the way .

Got back and there was immediately a knock at the door-health visitor. Apparently she'd rung and left a message on Friday which we didn't get. House was in a terrible state, worst its ever been. Joseph had 5 minute feed then fell asleep on the breast. HV seemed happy enough but I was so embarrased about the mess.

Its DH first day back at work, he's away from 11.30am to 10pm so a long old day for us. He left immediately after hv and joseph woke up and went into demon baby mode. One of the things we wanted to work on with the ostepathy was his digestion and we were told to look out for changes today. He did a huge, huge poo that went beyond the nappy and all over his clothes. Cleaned him up and as he was screaming, quickly picked him up before putting nappy back on him. HUGE mistake-he did another massive poo all over me, his changing mat towel etc. That'll teach me not to put the nappy on first...

Back on later when I'll hopefully be a bit more zen!

One more little present from Joseph-just bathed him after his second nuclear poo explosion(nappy on this time, thankfully). Wrapped him in baby towel and he promptly weed all over it and me.

Anyone hazard a guess as to how often I'll be changing my clothes today? He's incredibly grumpy and clingy as well. On the upside-no hiccups after feeds or painful wind so far...

Hi all - just thought I would drop in a quick line and catch up on all the messages later.

Went in yesterday morning for my induction and Robert James was born at 4.55pm weighing 9lb 7oz. Not a bad weight and is 60cm long. I just don't know how he fit in my bump. I will write my birth story later when I have a bit more time but I came home late last night and was glad I did as I am sure I slept better than I would have in hospital.

Midwife has already come this morning but Robert was asleep so she is coming back tomorrow, too.

Just off to go have a rest while dd and dh go to the shops - our baby monitor wasn't working last night even though we tested it the other week - need a newe one, typical.

Just had HV here, and not sure what im meant to do with bottle feeds. Faith is taking a 5 0z bottle nearly every 2-3 hours, HV said she should only be taking 3 0z bottles, but she drains the lot & is hungry. Do i stop the 5 0z bottles??? She also asked me about not being able to breast feed, no milk, not much i can do, but everyone keeps making a big deal out of it, so now im starting to feel bad.

HC i really do feel for you, its hard enough with my DS who is hyper, but you have 2 other kids, it much be knocking you off your feet. My DH is back at work today, cant wait till he is back home. As for DS, he goes back to school tomorrow, after being off for 3 weeks! Roll on tomorrow!!

I remember doing food shopping, i always put the stuff in the bottom of the pushchair also, most people i know do it too.

Cant believe the weight i have now lost. I started out at 10st 10 when i got pregnant, 2 weeks after having DD, im 9st 10....i knew i was sick with the pregnancy, but bloody hell! Im in a dress size down now also. Has anyone else who was sick found they have lost alot of weight?

Anyone else due to go in soon???

HT - just to let you know that I made a formal complaint about my post natal midwifery care. My second midwife visiit was two wseeks after my first and Isabel didn't have her heel prick test until Day 17 - supposed to be done on Day 5. Even the midwife who eventually saw us was shocked and was going to raise it as an incident - she was v supportive about the fact that I'd made a complaint. I know yours is a different case, but I would strongly recommend making a complaint if you feel up to it. Think of those other new mums who are going to be subjected to this woman's cruel remarks. No pressure .

But glad to hear that Joseph is thriving. Has the cranial osteopathy worked for you? We went last week but I'm not sure whether it's had an effect yet.

Hi to everyone. Congrats to all the new arrivals and best wishes to those who are still waiting.......

littlepea - at your HV for her comments about breastfeeding. i find it really annoying how much pressure there is to bf - I know I'll get flamed for this, but it's not as if it's THAT much better to breastfeed than bottlefeed. i don't see any difference at all in the health of my friends' children who have been bottle fed with those that have been breastfed.

I'm sure whatever you're doing is fine. Maybe experiment with a couple of 3oz feeds and see if she's satisfied?

at the weightloss. I haven't braved the scales yet but the mirror tells me that I haven't lost anyweight......

Congratulations Sarah!

I am still waiting for this baby to turn up. Sigh.

HT I am smiling at your changing adventures.

Treats I know what you mean about pressure to BF. I intend to try myself, but I have several friends who have been unable to and have bottlefed their babies, all of whom are thriving, happy and intelligent children. To be totally frank, selfishly one of the reasons that I really want to BF is in order to lose some baby weight (plus it's free.

Hi again-Joseph having a nap so taking the opportunity to type one handed!

Saraeb Congratulations on the birth of Robert James.[grinGlad your induction was a positive experience-you sound v relaxed! Well done!

Devils, twinklegreen and Littleblessin - sorry your dcs are poorly, hope they pick up soon

Treats-I think I'm going with the formal complaint, DH and I have talked about it a lot. Cranial osteopath also had shocking postnatal care, in her case from a community mw and it sounds v much like it could be the same person. I kept thinking about what sparkly said about a more vulnerable person encountering her, I couldn't bear it.

Not sure about the cranial osteopathy yet-our first appointment was at 9am today so early days yet. Apart from the massive poos, he's managed to go down in his moses basket for 10 minutes and also come into the garden with me in the sling to peg out washing-major progress.

littlepea you can't win. If bf, hv is on about positions (or the dangers of co-sleeping in my case, like I don't know already . I was bottle fed, my sister was breast fed. We're both fine. (Hug) for you. Re the weight-I appear to have lost 2 stone and am 5lbs off the weight I was when I fell pregnant.

saraheb - congrats! robert james is my db name

Congratulations saraheb lovely name and really good size,cant believe the length 60cms is very long.You do wonder where they hide when theyre out and big sizes,I measured small and Nathaniel was still 8lbs 10oz.

Devils, twinklegreen and Littleblessin sorry your dcs are ill Nathaniel got runny nose too and does some nasty sounding sneezes.Hes been very unsettled the last two days not sure whether its the cold or start of colic.Hes 2 weeks today.
Also noticed my breasts seem smaller and not so full now, only 2 days ago they were really hard and big and leaking all over the place. Not sure whether hes getting enough as hes going on both sides now. Seeing HV tomorrow so will ask her too.

Glad you complained Treats hope it will help the care for other people.
X

haven't had a chance to pop in for a while!
Bella - I know that with DD1 once BF was established my boobs weren't as big as they were in the early days - I'm sure everything will be fine! I've got the opposite problem at the minute Maia is one week old and my right boob is rock solid! Can't wait for them to settle down. I'd also forgotten the joys of leaky nighttime boobs......my duvet will never be the same again!

Anyway - Maia is doing really well - we've had a couple of nights from hell where shes just wanted to feed for hours on end. I bought some lanisoh cream for my poor battered nips - but they seem to be fine now. Maia was weighed yesterday - shes only lost 20g from her birthweight, she's now got a beautiful belly button and had the requisite introductions at the school gate this pm.
So DD2 behaving herself! Its DD1 who's being naughty - she and a friend decided to paint her bedroom carpet this afternoon - and her dolls, building blocks and soles of dressing up shoes. When I put her to bed noticed that her poor cuddly cow is now sporting some very attractive red spots.... oh the joys!

Oh!! and the BIG EXCITING NEWS........ I'm back into my pre pregnancy jeans!!!!!

Congrarulations saraheb, look to hearing your birth story. He is very long, Matthew was 53cm but the HV said when they measure a newborn they can't stretch them so measure round all the curves which makes the measurement longer. Matthew is really only 51cm.

Treats-glad you have complained, your treatment has been terrible.

littlepea-DD1 was bottlefed and DD2 was BF and they are as healthy as each other. at your weight loss. Was 8st 10lb when I started and am now 10st post birth and had MS for 4/5 months.

devils-lol, sleep deprivation makes you mad, mad I say. It is comforting to know there are a few of us feeling deprived.

HT-don't you just hate those poos that go up the back.

lal-how have you coped with a playdate? Have banned DD1 from having friends round for tea until the New Year.

Did Matthew's hand and footprints tonight with black ELC paint-he was not impressed.

Big wave to everyone else!

HC
x

Hi everyone, longtime no chat from me! Think i've been secretly jealous of all of you having babies, knowing mines not due until 30th. Big Big congratulations to everyone who has given birth so far. I daren't mention names for fear of leaving someone out!

I'm still here waiting, mw said baby was engaged about a week ago and i then read that third and subsequent babies don't engage until labour, but thats not true in my case as i'm still waiting..............

Anyway good luck to those still waiting.

Those who are suffering the sleepless nights, just keep strong and remember that there is end in sight! When you look back in a few weeks, it will seem far far away.

Ok I have finally been able to catch up so sorry 4 the long post....

Thank you to everyone who commented in my birth story, I?m pleased to say that putting it all down has enabled me to come to terms a little better with what happened. Now all I need to do is find out for my own piece of mind what they did to Aiden when they took him out of the room plus somehow get DP to open up about his feelings regarding the birth. So far all he will say is that he is a little traumatised by it all and that he was very scared and felt out of control. He is not a great one to talk about his feelings but I sense he needs to move on from it all.

princessmel I wasn?t so bothered being in the ambulance by myself, it all went so quick I didn?t get time to think about it so much. By the time I reached the hospital I was contracting every 8 in 10 so I was just trying to focus on them more than anything.

Wow smallone what a traumatic birth story, I hope writing it down has helped as much as it did me, you went through a hell of a lot well done you.

HT What a nightmare midwife, I think you always get one when in hospital, this time for me it was the auxiliary who walked in on my feeding Aiden in bed while drifting off to sleep (I?m a co-sleeper) she came running in shouted ?Oh my god? pulled him off my boob placed him in his cot and said ?you were asleep you could have killed him if he had of fell on the floor how would you feel then?? I was in tears for ages after. Nothing compared to your midwife but I guess we have all met someone like her, don?t let her spoil your positive birth experience and good luck with the complaint.

Great birth story sammysam

Good luck for the 2nd November BellaCullen

HC Hope you had a better day today and PIL can be a big pain in the ar*e sometimes but great at other times, my advice would be to grit your teeth and smile it shouldn?t last long.

devils My DP is insisting that DS is our last, I?m not handling coming to terms with that thought so am now saying I don?t want anymore at the minute but never say never, it somehow sounds too final to say I won?t have any more, on the plus side I am like you trying to enjoy every moment even though the last 11 days have gone so fast.

littlepea Cant help with formula amounts but I will say no to babies are the same and defiantly don?t feed the same if it?s working for Faith stick with it, sorry everyone feels it?s their place to comment on your breastfeeding.

Treats Well done on the complaint I would have done the same, your postnatal care has been terrible, hope it gets better now though.

lal I?m also excited to be in my pre pg jeans (not that they were that small to begin with), hope the paint cleaning up is going well.

Congratulations to Fluffycats hope the boobs are less painful now and pleased you had a good labour.

Welcome back and congrats patmum congrats also to IDOB, Mossop, peachespaige, saraheb.

Ello

I am laying on my sofa watching a little huge lady sucking her thumb

Born today at 4.32pm (birth essay) following a live labour... Carys Jean (the Jean part after my aunt/family friend who died a couple of weeks ago) was 9lb 9oz, no stitches

huge placenta and very thick cord. (not entirely sure if you all needed to know that!!)

Congratulations on all births since I was last on. Still waiting to hear from HalfMumHalfBiscuit?

PrincessMel - how you doing now?

Congratulations saraheb and flame I was checking your childbirth thread every 5 minutes yesterday!