Lemon top 1st to pop then ensued impatient Brood. Who'll be next? Come place your bets and join us on our November thread!

[Ninjacat]

Because you chat sooooo much!!!

ursigurke dd 31st Oct, 37+2
VenusInfers dd 1st Nov, 37+1
Tamlin dd 5th Nov, 36+4
Scarlotti dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Fubble dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Kyte dd 6th Nov, 35+0 (CS)
Helips dd 9th Nov, 36+0
Sleepless dd 9th Nov 36+0
Southernbelle77 dd 14th Nov, 35+2
Tigger dd 14th Nov; 35+ 2
Pavlovtheforgetfulcat dd 18th Nov; 34+5?
Ninjacat edd End Nov (a little secret, as Lissy)
LissyGlitter dd 22 Nov 34+1
longwayaway dd 23 Nov 34+0
Laugs dd 26th Nov; 33+4
skorpion dd 29th Nov; 33+1
raggie dd 30th Nov; 33+0

Lissy I hope you're ok.. Ouch!

ninja great news on case and don't you worry soon you will be singing along to Cbeebies like the rest of us..your DS sounds very mature and cool!

laugs I only turn the tv on 30mins before lunch and supper..its far too tempting to turn in on at other times but feel too guilty..

Went to see Gyno today..Baby is head down and the head is quite big.. however she is around 3kgs and I've lost weight..this cold is to blame i reckon..still coughing like a smoker.

yes, might just do that. there are some apple turnovers calling me from the fridge actually

Finally I have read through all the chatter!

erika sorry you had a wasted trip, still I would look at it as one step nearer to meeting Bryn Hope the pains eased a bit so you got some sleep.

ninja Great news yesterday, I'm so glad your ds is now in control of his dad! Sorry he is feeling so poorly though, hope he feels better soon.

pav glad you got back to sleep, any decisions on the skirting yet???

maman2tom Any news?

Well I've just been to see my councilor and she has agreed to down grade my care she also said she was impressed with how well I'm coping with my dsd being poorly!
I'm off to the hospital in a bit to see him again, he seems to be getting better each day, tomorrow is a big day for him though as they will do the "treadmill" test to see if there is a blockage or not, which in turn will decide whether or not they need to operate, so fingers crossed.
Thanks again for all your kind messages

Sleepless I hope you feel better soon, you've been ill for ages, poor thing!! Glad baby is head down though.

Trikken you better be sending one my way please!!!

Tigger will keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for your dsd. And glad to hear the good news from your councilor

Skirting not done, but we have made a decision. We are painting eggshell white, not varnish. Mainly because a) DH proclaimed up to yesterday how much he hated varnished wood doors/skirting etc and b) we have oak wood furniture and the varnish would need to be pine to match the skylight wood. We had wood clashes in the front room for along time and it did our skulls in so, on balance I felt it better to paint (notice i said i, not we? ).

However, we have not done a jot! DH was meant to get our tins of paint from a friend's, who has a huge tin of primer/undercoat only 1/3 used, and did not, so I cannot pre the paint. We do however have emulsion for the walls, so we will start on that once the builders have finished planing doors. I am blaming them for the delay, not the fact we popped in to visit my friend and her baby and got distracted by 10wk old baby cuddles - i felt rather tearful as she kept smiling at me .

I think I've just lost my mucus plug. Gnnnh. It looks almost exactly like something out of Ghostbusters (but not hugely blood-streaked as it was with DS, so I assume things aren't kicking off right away).

Pregnancy is revolting. I'm off to nap with DS in the hopes that things settle down.

Looks like it's your turn to pop tomorrow then Tamlin I have worried a few times that I won't notice when I have a show, but am assured with laughter that I most certainly will... Eww.

Pavlov we had a class on bathing a baby yesterday and one of the girls who used to attend the antenatal class brought her eight week old in. Half of us were misty eyed and not paying the blindest bit of attention

Tamlin - when you put it like that, its so true . I hope things go smoothly for you. How long before labour did you have a show last time? I do not recall having one...must have, but don't remember it being a defining moment, but perhaps it was in the middle of the night!

If there are two words in the world more disgusting than Mucus Plug... mind you, at least it lives up to its gross name. You'd be more shocked if they called it something pleasant and then that came out of you.

So is losing it not always a sign that labour is imminent? I only lost mine mid-labour.

Hope you're ok Lissy.

Sleepless I know, it's so hard to turn the TV off once it's on, hence my 5pm threshold. Yesterday DD watched I Can Cook twice - we had been out in between though.
Oh, on the getting them used to the idea of babies thing: we got a book out of the library yesterday, My Baby Brother by Harriet Hains. It's a Dorling Kindersley one with photos rather than illustrations. Anyway, DD absolutely loved it. We read it, at her request, 4 times last night, and then again first thing this morning. It does give the impression babies are fun though, rather than sleepy little things that cry a lot (which is what I've been saying).

Trikken Have a lovely child-free afternoon. The cleaning can wait.

Oh my god, how am I supposed to keep up! Thought I had caught up only to find another load of posts!!

Erika sorry about your day yesterday. I hope you are ok and things either calm down or speed up for you.

Lissy hope you are ok.

Pavlov glad you've sorted your dilemma out!

Ninja glad it went well yesterday and your ds is such a good 'un.

I had a call from the midwife earlier saying she had made me an appt with a different consultant and had made a complaint to her manager about the original one! Only problem is that the new consultant appt is a week after my next one with the horrible one and I don't think I can go on a further week without knowing any more information. She called back and said she is going to try and make a different appt with yet another consultant at the actual hospital where I will have baby (as maternity wards are not close here we can have appts at local hospital although can't have baby there itms) in the same week as the one I have with horrible consultant! God knows what's going to happen! I told her I would rather see the horrible consultant a week earlier and get things moving even if it is naturally (well induced anyway) as I can't cope with this pain any longer.

However, I'm having really sharp pains down below today! I'm sure it's not anything happening although my friend has said to make sure I keep an eye on timings just in case!! I'm sure it's just that I've done too much, lol!

God, not sure any of that makes sense sorry!!

southernbelle, drink some water and lie down, if you can. If everything calms down again, it's not the real thing.

I'm really glad that your midwife made a complaint about that consultant.

Do you want to read my birth plan? I just found it from last time! I need to edit as its long! (i even had a little front page with a picture of a stalk carrying a baby!)

BIRTH PLAN FOR pavlov & Pavlovthehusband*

I am aware this birth plan is a plan of my ideas and wishes only, it may not be possible to follow completely, and I may change my mind during labour or it may be changed for me! I would like to request that if at any time I am unable to make decisions, my partner is given the option of making an informed decision on my behalf.

Birthing Partner: DH
Other Support present:
Partners telephone no in case of emergency: xxx

I do not want:
Any medical students present during my labour/birth, although I am happy for a training midwife to be present if labour/birth is straightforward
Any induction of Labour that is not medically required
Use of forceps/vontouse unless absolutely necessary

I would like:
As natural birth as possible
A Water birth if Pool is available.

Comfort measures during Labour
I would like:
To be able to eat light food where possible, and to have access to drinks such as water, fruit drinks and herbal teas.
Use of my own pillows and blanket
Use of my own clothes, nightgown et for labour and for delivery.
To be able to walk around as much as possible for as long as it is possible to do so.
If I need to stay in bed, I want to avoid lying flat on my back for as much as possible, and to be able to move around the bed when I need to.
To be able to use my birthing ball when needed to help relieve discomfort
Use of birthing pool if it is available, for pain relief. If the pool is not available, I would like to use the bath to help relax, aid discomfort.
I would like to be able to use massage oil (by my partner) to massage back/shoulders as amd when needed.
I would like to listen to music (which I will provide) to help me relax

Pain Relief
I would like to use gas and air to help relieve pain
I would like to use the Birthing Pool if this is available, for both pain relief and delivery if possible.
I wish to use the TENS machine that I will have with me for pain relief for as long as possible (unless I go into the pool).

I would prefer not to use pethidine/diamorphine to relieve pain, at least to start with, as I would like to use the birthing pool. I may change my mind at any point during labour.
I would prefer not to have an epidural, although if Labour continues for a long time and I am getting exhausted this may be re-assessed.

Normal delivery:
My partner to be present at all times - any decisions that for some reason I am unable to make, my partner to be consulted to make decisions on my behalf.
To use the birthing pool for delivery if it is appropriate to do so (availability, birth going well etc).
If I cannot use the birthing pool, I would prefer to deliver in squatting position if I am not too tired, if this is not possible, then I would like to be on all fours or as c lose to this position as possible (I would prefer not to give birth on my back if it can be avoided).
Episiotomy - only if required, any other suggestions to avoid cutting can be made (perineal massage).
I would like local anaesthetic for any repair through tearing/episiotomy

Caesarean Delivery (if required).
I would like if possible for Epidural/Spinal anaesthesia.
My Partner to be present for epidural caesarean.
If I am unable to hold the baby immediately, I would like my partner to hold baby immediately instead.
If I am awake, I would like the baby placed on my chest immediately as with a normal birth.
As with normal birth, I would like to breastfeed as soon as I and baby are ready.

Post-birth
I would like to hold the baby immediately after birth. If I cannot hold baby for some reason, I would like my partner to hold baby immediately.
I would like to wait until the cord is cut before I receive medical assistance with the delivery of the placenta (use of Oxytocin)
I would like to breastfeed as soon as baby and I are ready
I and my partner both wish to be present for all medical checks.
I wish my baby to have the vitamin K injection.
Both me and my partner wish to be present and involved in the bathing/changing of our baby.
I do not want any additional feeds to be given to the baby, I wish the baby to be fed by breast milk only.

Medical Intervention:

If any medical intervention is required for the baby, both I and my partner would like to be kept informed of ALL decisions that are made, and where possible to give permission for medication/treatment that may be required for baby.

If baby requires special treatment, & needs to be moved to another unit/room I want to hold baby before she is taken. If this is not possible, I want my partner to hold her & if able, accompany baby.

If medical intervention is required for me I am unable to give consent, I wish my partner to give this consent (or not) as my next of kin, if it is an emergency procedure, I wish him to be notified immediately of all actions taken.

THANK YOU!

Ooh, pavlov, impressive stuff. I'm seeing my mw next week and I think that's when we talk about the plan. I'm not sure if I'll prepare one before the meeting or together with her at the meeting, but I've taken notes from yours. I'd like the cord to stop pulsing before it's cut, and will put this in mine. I also have pretty much the same wishes for pain relief. Right, must get my thinking hat on.

I don't think my midwife ever discussed my birth plan. It's like that checklist of questions in your maternity notes - do they ever actually have time to discuss all that with you? Mine always seems to be in a tearing hurry.

ninja go glad that DS did so well yesterday - no wonder he's exhausted! You'll both be suffering from post-stress fatigue today I would think. Still, a great outcome .

pav thanks for the birth plan. I saw the consultant MW today and it was a great meeting. I've written all about it [http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/842445-VBAC-a-positive-and-informative-chat-with-consultant- MW-today?addwatch=1 here] for anyone who is interested (there are some interesting titbits in the 'things I didn't know' bit for normal births too). I learned loads of statistics about why hospital protocols are the way they are, and had SUCH a supportive approach re. my planned VBAC. I'll have to augment her notes when I get them re. my birth plan so yours will be handy to refer back to. Bad news that I'm likely to go over dates again though .

Sprog was trying to suck its fist in the scan this morning - the tongue was going in and out! Pretty unclear though at this stage - but it still resembles an alien.

erika hope your MW appointment went well today and that you're getting to the bottom of what's going on.

this post in childbirth - doh

Southern put your feet up and relax, start timing them just incase. Hope you feel better soon. How confusing with the hospitals and consultants!!!

Pavlov I might steal your layout its much better than mine. In fact, do you just want to write that letter for me as well instead? Am going to be dicussing CS today when midwife actually turns up (an hour late so far...) so might have to just chuck mine...

Hobnob awww how cute We had a tounge stuck out at us last time, and what resembled a wave.

Still having tightenings and pains

Good god Pavlov that's somewhat impressive!! My birth plan with dd was short and sweet and this one is pretty much the same! Figure right now as I'm not sure whats going to happen I wouldn't bother writing much!!

Hope the midwife turns up soon Erika.

I'm feeling better now. Pains have gone since I went and had a lie down and a sleep so was obviously just the walking that caused it! It's just not my luck to be in labour already

forgot to say that at the scan this morning the sprog's abdominal circumference was measuring halfway up to the 95th centile line for dates, and I think that my EDD is 5 days too early .

So kyte, I think I might just have to pretend I didn't see that recipe and try to ignore the bar of Green and Black's in the fridge and try to stick to eating more sensible things that I'm not really interested in.

Or maybe I should just eat that bar of chocolate to get it out of the way?

SB glad things have settled down for you. Rest up.

Hope the pains have passed SouthernBelle and that your midwife turned up Erika: what did she say about the contractions?

Pavlov your birth plan is very impressive. Did you feel like it had an impact on your birth? I don't remember my midwife discussing mine last time either, though I did move house and doctor's surgery at 34 weeks, so it may be that both midwives expected the other to do it and I was none the wiser.

Ok thats it now, someone mentioned chocolate so I'm now going to HAVE to go to the shop and buy a dime bar as I jsut CAN'T hold off any longer!!!!!

Kyte - they look lovey, may have to try them later in week.

Pavlov -that looks pretty uch same as mine, though you've put more info in than me. nly thing i have added each time is that i would like cord to stop pulsing before it is cut so baby gets all 'good' blood, also that i would like naural third stage unless i am losing blood and they think it's necessary.

Just got back from MW, am measurng 2 wks ahead but not too worried (yet!), she checked my iron results and despite dc calling me worried about the, she says they are fine and that I can stop taking the iron tablets if I like, but then she's asked me to have bloods taken with nurse next week to check my antibodies & iron levels - bit confused!! Surely if I stop taking the tablets my iron levels will drop? or does the body maintain the level? Also not sure why she's checking my antibodies - she said it was ready for the birth the MW I saw wasn't my normal one.

hobnob Sounds like s/he's going to be a big one! How sure are you about the dates though? I was convinced I was due nearly 3 weeks earlier last time, but it turned out I was completely wrong.

kyte I just might make those biscuits with DD tomorrow. I have developed a REALLY sweet tooth the last week or so.

Does anyone else get really excited about going to bed at night? I have put the best sheets on the bed. I have Sunday's paper to read - still untouched. I have a new book from the library. I need to ask DH to bring something sugary home from work, and then I'm all sorted. In the absence of all vices, bedtime seems to have become my big treat. What a loser!