Due November 2009 - who is going to go 'pop' first?

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Here it is!

Tamlin DS1 regressed a bit when DS2 was born and my niece who was four when her brother was born did the same thing. I think it is a normal reaction, albeit very frustrating.

Pavlov your sanctory sounds lovely! Can I use it too

Everything about being a parent and giving birth is totally scary but it is also totally awesome! Try to remember that everyone who is nervous (including me and this is my third attempt!). I was panicking this evening about getting the DSs to bed on my own with a newborn (with both the DSs I found evenings the hardest time of day with a newborn baby) when DH is working late or at his weekly Japanese class (where he is now). Crumbs how on earth will I manage? But I am sure I will, somehow.

Laugs your poor DD. I hope she is ok. DS1 has asthma but only when he has a cold coming on and we've only had to go to A&E once with him (touching big wooden table). I see it as inevitable for him as DH and the MIL are both sufferers. DH takes his inhaler every day.

The pushchair and cat seat arrived today. Bot the DSs and the cats are more interested in the big boxes they came in!

wook - silversmithing , wow! Sounds interesting. Is it a hobby or something you do for work?

laugs sorry to hear you've been at the hospital again with dd...but glad she seems to be feeling better now. How frustrating they won't take more action/diagnose properly.

I echo the not sleeping well last night camp - sounds like we were all zombies today. I woke up with a vicious leg cramp at ten to 2 and couldn't get back to sleep til after 4! Erk! Should have mumsnetted but thought it would 'keep me awake' - ha!

pav your words of wisdom about contractions, labour and afterpains are inspiring, thank you. I must admit, I'm more than slightly in awe of all you ladies who've done it before. I am looking forward to it actually (in some ways!) and that's because of what some of you have said. Thank you! I am trying to remain all zen about it in the theory that the more we stress, the worse we'll make it!

Eeyore I couldn't help rubbernecking so had to go and read that thread too... yowza... in a way though, I'm glad I did as I hadn't even given instrumental delivery any thought apart from that I wanted DH to be stay in the room (normally they ask birth partners to step out as it can look pretty nasty). Oooh, I just want it all over and done with now.

Thank you to Laugs, Pavlov and Tamlin for all your wise words. DH keeps telling me to stop reading stuff, and just go with it. The problem is, while I completely agree that sometimes ignorance is bliss, I also believe in making an informed choice whenever possible. I think a lot of this distrust/obsession with doing background research comes from my very bad experience with the contraceptive jab.

(NEVER, EVER, have or let your DDs have Depo-Provera without looking into it properly... it seems to be "fine" for some people, but the ones it doesn't agree with end up with problems for a long, long time.)

I've been trying to catch up on work but ended up a sobbing mess by the time DH came home, I'm just too tired to be dealing with it... really wish I could just start Mat Leave and relax.

Laugs hope DD is feeling better. Once she's mended it might be worth booking her in to see the asthma nurse and do an assessment.

Just to put some of your minds at rest ds was a forceps baby (middle cavity). They didn't even try suction because he was too big. Massive epesiotomy (sp?), born with a black eye but we survived and it's just become part of our history.

Bringing up a baby was much harder

Just do not think about forceps etc and if you would prefer ventouse, put it in your birth plan. I had not considered it really, but put in my birth plan that any intervention was to be discussed with me prior to decision being made - DD got stuck and her heart rate dropped. The lovely consultant left it as long as he could and then said 'we are going to need some intervention to help her out' and I said 'waaaaat intervention? ' and he said 'ventouse' and I grimaced and said 'oooooh kaaaaay' and it was fine. It was over within seconds, and DD was born with minimal suction, and no funny shaped head either! I had nothing to compare it to.

Just like, I really really wanted the catheter taken out (had an op afterwards) as it was quite uncomfortable down below. And I was confused as to why it did not stop feeling uncomfortable down below and the midwife laughed and said 'you have just had a baby, maybe that is why?' . psycologically it was fine after I knew that. I just hated the thought of the catheter being in!

Oh I meant to say...I weighed myself today...not good! I have put on 7lbs since I was 10 weeks! That almost the baby! Baby is estimated at around 4lbs, so allowing for amniotic fluid and placenta, that only leaves like 1lb most, half pound on boobs, I have basically put on no weight at all. I am feeling very skinny, which is why I weighed myself. So, I have just been shopping and bought a ton of high calorie food to increase my weight gain a bit. I have no reserves left for the baby

Sorry too late to catch up on the chat.

Been back to pg yoga for the first time and really pleased I did. I hadn't realised how immobile I'd become (had thought I was doing really well, apart from my left sacroileal joint being out of place these days) and had forgotten how to relax properly. Feel nicely stretched and chilled out.

DH been busy assembling ikea shelves. DD busy being easily upset and quick to whinge. I suspect she's picking up on the sea of change vibes.

Had a revelation from MIL this weekend re extent of FIL's dependency on alcohol and realised she is at her limit of being able to cope. I think the next few weeks are going to be hard as everyone tries to readjust to everything being out in the open and having to be dealt with. We really hope FIL initiates some help. DH is meeting him for lunch on Fri for a frank chat. Very difficult - I can't imagine having that conversation with one of my parents. So we have quite a bit to think about these days. Really hoping baby gets a look in after I stop work.

Laugs hope your DD feels better soon and that the doctors actually start to pay attention to you...

RE forceps - the MW made a delibrate choice not to show them to us at labour class, and then I saw the buggers on a birth program. Ow. Just... OW. I do not want those anywhere near me.

Thanks for the infomation in responce to my possibly silly questions. Only realising recently how much you really don't contemplate about birth until you have to! I mean... It never crossed my mind that you could tear giving birth before hand. Never even thought about labour as such, really...

Hope you're all well. x

Just a very quick post from me to say thank you for the thoughts for tomorrow.

I am still none the wiser as to if ex h will be there in person as it seems the prison service and or his solicitor "don't know" PAH ok then like I believe that!!!

Anyhoo have just wrapped ds 3's bday pressies as it's his 1st birthday tomorrow too and I am shattered. Still ill so I expect I shall be coughing non stop throughtout court anyway, oops. Also have only just realised that it's not at the court I thought it was and is an extra 45mins journey each way I'm so stupid.

Will let you know how I get on. I am so sorry I don't have time or energy to reply to all you lovely ladies right now, feel awful just coming to post about myself, again. I promise I will be a "real" member of the board asap, hopefully after tomorrow if the judge sees sense and does what I want him to

Night all x

Easyeggs good luck today in court, hope you feel a bit better today and also happy birthday to your ds.

Erika I don't remember any after pains after having ds so you may not get them. I've heard you feel them more in subsequent pregnancy's so maybe I'll notice more this time. Like Pavlov said there is so much going on with the baby that everything else pales into significance!

Laugs hope your dd feels better soon and gets a proper diagnoses.

hopbnob sorry about your fil, hope he gets the help he needs and that things aren't to stressful for you and your dh. Not what you need right now.

Ds was really sick last night and has woken up really early this morning. He seems a bit better now but hasn't eaten anything. I've plonked him in frount of Peppa Pig so he is very happy about that but I feel exausted!

Just to add on the breastfeeding, Once me and ds got the hang of things it really was a wonderful experience, just try and bear through the first 6 weeks which can be quite difficult. Also, I didn't feel any pain when ds got his teeth, felt a bit weird at first but got used to it after a few days and I'm really looking forward to breastfeeding this new little one.

Hope everyone else is well and had a good nights rest.

Easyeggs HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your ds .
Hope you get the outcome you need from todays events. Sorry they won't give you an answer about if he'll be there, that's pretty cruel . Will be thinking of you.

Helpis glad lo is feeling a bit better. Poorly children is the bit I find really hard and the bit I'm least prepared for (being a neurotic over anxious mummy). Hope you get a bit of rest soon.

Hobnob hope ds is able to talk frankly with fil. There's no quick solution to addiction though so make sure you and dp look after yourselves during this as well. An addict really has to want to change for themselves and sometimes they only recognise there's a problem at rock bottom so stay strong. Sending lots of virtual support.

Another night of no sleep here. Heartburn and an nocturnal bump.

Good morning!

easyeggs thinking of you today. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible and you get the result you want. And get better soon. Really sorry about all those problems coming all at once.

Morning! It's October - at least some of us will have our babies THIS MONTH!

easyeggs fingers crossed today goes well in court, you get well soon (that cold is really lingering isn't it?) and DS has a lovely first birthday.

Thanks for all asking about DD. She seems a lot better this morning and slept all night (even though we had to wake her every 3 hrs for meds). She got up at 5 though, which is to be expected as she fell asleep before 6pm and without any dinner. The little cutie went and got herself a banana at about 6am and brought it back into bed with us for me to open - she must have known I was too tired to get up. Today bananas, tomorrow cups of tea in bed... I can't wait! Helips I hope your DS is better soon too.

becky The evenings are exactly what I am worried about too. DH has college twice a week and doesn't get home until 9pm. I just don't know how I'm going to manage; I find those nights hard enough without a newborn. I am planning to make a load of frozen meals so that when he's out I can just stick something in the microwave.

Ugh - I hadn't even thought about forceps/ ventouse. I think I'll go back to not thinking about it, if that's ok with you. [buries head in sand] Actually haven't even considered CS either. I am stupidly just expecting this birth to be exactly the same as last time.

Easyeggs hope things go ok for you today.

Had a bad night too last night, was really uncomfortable and achey, had a couple of really strong braxton hicks too. woke up dh cos I was worried so he stayed awake and hugged me in close until I felt better. (he sang too, but i didnt tell you that part).

I dont know about afterpains after the birth, as such, obviously was a bit achey and sore but nothing a few paracetamol couldnt handle.

Wow trikken your DH sings to you when you wake him in the night! He sounds like a bit of a star. (What did he sing? Go on, tell us! ). I might add him to my list of husbands I wish were mine, along with sorryforgottenwhoitwas whose bought her 3 pairs of shoes from America

I dont actually know what its called, but the way he sings it makes it sound like a lullaby. lol

woohoo i found you all lol

im due the 17th of november, but might be any week now i got that spd so they may have to induce me. has anyone had spd?

xxxx

Trikken That story of your singing husband has made me a bit weepy . Feeling very hormonal. That's so lovely. When I can't sleep DH turns over and puts the quilt over his head! He does do very manual work though so needs to get his rest. May mention the "singing husband" and see if I can guilt him into being more attentive .

Just catching up folks..

erika you poor thing, what a nightmare experience...how are you now? must have been so scary.

Afterpains? I don't remember any, just the toe-curling few BF sessions..

Whoever advised putting a diver under my mattress is a GENIUS! my backache is a lot better thank you..

laugs that was my DH who bought me 3 pairs of shoes..he is a star but doesn't sing to me..he hates any form of communication in the middle of the night as he is a light sleeper..poor thing can never sleep after my visit to the loo at 3am! trikken your DH is a superstar indeed...

I am getting scared...how am i going to manage 2!!! How is DD going to cope??

mummy2be I have and have had SPD, why do you need to be induced? I needed a sweep last time..

I agree with laugs head firmly buried in sand..I expect it will be exactly the same as last time..If I see a forcep I will faint! Also my french is good but don't know if I will be in any state to hear or understand anything during labour..Apparently no one gives birth here without an epidural!

ps laugs and helips hope your DD and DS are a lot better xx

Trikken No way my dh would do that! He has started trips to the bathroom at 2am every night out of solidarity I think? i honestly ttry not to wake him up!

4 weeks to go. I can?t bend down properly. Putting tights on is becoming a massive inconvenience now!
Please tell me second baby do come earlier and I will have to cancel all the lunches I have arranged for after the half term when I start maternity leave!

Birth ? you can only be prepared as much, only after I had given to ds I realised what was actually happening to me while I was in labour and what it all meant, the different stages and what was happening at the certain times etc. You can?t really THINK while you are in labour, your body either works or it doesn?t BUT it seems like it is out of your hands. Only afterwards when you go through it all in your mind you realise what it all meant and how lucky you are to have your bundle in your arms! I am making myself cry now!

Also the birthing class teacher said because birth is such emotional and physical job for a woman to go through, the ?reasoning? part of her brain is switched off during labour so she can concentrate on the baby getting out etc. So your partner needs to remember only 2 things a) don?t argue with woman in labour b) remember ALL the things on the birth plan as it will be your responsibility!

Hope your little ones are all better today. Ds just started reception so expecting a bug or two soon!

Fingers crossed Easyeggs

Easyeggs hope it goes well for you today, will be thinking of you. Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your DS

Helips your poor DS, and poor you!! Glad he's feeling a little better though.

Laugs glad your DD is feeling better. It'll be cups of tea soon enough!!!

Trikken aww at your DH that's so sweet. See if DP "tried" to sing to me I'd probably have to smother him But that's really nice. Had some BHs here last night too, at which I of course flew into a total flap in fear of a repeat from Monday

Mummy2be SPD here too, no ones mentioned induction to me..? Curious!

Sleepless am okay now thank you - think I'm just going to panic every time I get so much as a twinge for any reason now though!!

Koumak four weeks? Crumbs its all going so fast isn't it... whimpers

Well - I'm offically pissed off, angry, upset, frightened, panicky, all at the same time. Quite impressive, huh? That company I told you all about? Well, NOW they're emailing me as well. Makes me want to scream. Going to call my GP later, they're making me feel so bad, and my therapist is away for two weeks.

I need cake

Morning!

23 days left to have a Libran baby May go for a long walk!

Easyeggs good luck.

Helips completely agree about the loveliness of bfing. Hope dc feeling better.

Hobnob FIL situation sounds really difficult- and really not what you need at the mo. Hope he can get the help he needs- from my experience of alcohol problems in the family this can be a big struggle and as Ninjacat says, it has to come from the addict or there is little chance of success.

Raggie I have made jewellery as a hobby for about ten years now, just evening classes. I love it! Started because I was fed up with the nonstop grind of teaching and not ever doing anything really creative. Needed to get back in touch with myself a bit! I sell a bit sometimes and the Christmas when ds was a baby I had a stall for a couple of weeks in the town centre and really enjoyed it. Have never made a penny though (combination of expensive materials, dreadful Maths and the fact I'd rather sell it at cost and see lots of people wearing it than price it properly) I am no businesswoman!!! Would love to have a little shop someday but I think the furthest I could take that at the moment is a webshop like Etsy, so I'm going to look into doing that and get myself together- clearing out the toolbox was the first step!

Morning everyone.

EasyEggs Best of luck today. Hope you are feeling better as well.

All this talk about labour etc makes me realise that it's only a few weeks away! Like Pav I had an episiotomy and ventouse delivery as DS got stuck. The consultant asked me if I wanted the assistance and I knew it needed to be done. It was over in a flash and DS was born. No cone head and he looked none the worse from the experience.

I'm seeing the midwife today so she can have a feel of the bump and see if baby is still breech. I found out last night that my private medical plan will cover c-section, so I have the option as a back up plan. I remember being in the c-section ward after having DS due to the episiotomy, I got no rest and the ward was tiny and very busy. It was ok as when I got home as I could rest when DS was sleeping, but this time around there is no such luxury with my DS running around at home.

Pav I'm tiny naturally and all baby bump. I do stock up on high fat foods to snack on during the day as my metabolism is very high and hasn't really change in both pg's. I'm sure once the baby arrives you'll be able to eat what you want and build up your strength. I had to make sure I had 3 hot meals a day to keep up my fat stores, not easy but it helped my energy levels. I also intend to take a vitamin as well.

Heartburn is very bad today. It's hit hard and the last 2 nights have been rough. I was almost sick this morning due to the acid. I seem to recall it getting bad this time with DS. I find Rennies work better for me and easier to chew, thank goodness we can take something for it.

Have a good day

PS Pavlov I know that the sickness and the builder stress have been awful for you but I have to say- the 7lb! I think I have managed a further 7lb in the last fortnight! I am prepared to share my high calorie secret diet : half price boxes of swiss choc in M and S, breadsticks and philadelphia with chives, Hula Hoops for post breakfast snack after school run, home made flapjacks with loads of syrup, strawberry ice cream, jaffa cakes and curry