Not yet November but already three babies down! Ooooh oooh nearly there!

[BeckyBendyLegs]

New thread...

Raggie, we waited until four weeks to start bottles with DS to avoid this mythical thing called 'nipple confusion'. Big mistake. HUGE mistake. DS flatly refused to take bottles to the point that he wouldn't eat for six hours during my viva voce in order to avoid taking a bottle from DH. It made going out at night almost impossible, because I was always worried about making it back in time for the 11 pm dreamfeed, and we could never stay away overnight.

My midwife this time around said that she thought four weeks was probably too long. She says that if the baby is latching well and getting enough milk from the breast, no baby will prefer a bottle to the breast (and we think this is true, given that he sleeps for much longer periods when there's only a bottle on offer.) We started him off with a bottle of expressed milk at a week old, and he's still far keener on bosoms than bottle.

BBL, the burning question is - who's going to do YOUR poem when the time comes?

Good to hear, thanks tamlin x

homeinthesun congratulations on the arrival of another girl, welcome kyla oh how exciting! I hope it all went well for you. How are you feeling? How great is this? I am getting very excited, and for the first time, a touch scared .

Talking of scared. Describe a show to me ladies, if its not too gross a thing to post. I have had a tmi lot of yellow discharge, not a big 'plug', and not tinged with blood. But definitely significant enough to make me go . Also, bowels are working (again tmi), and I feel that the baby is getting close to arriving. Maybe not today, but I think in the next couple of days...I can't remember all this last time with DD. I recall being given a sweep told I would induced on the monday, but that I was 2cm dilated (had a scan to check baby due to low growth). Was told to 'be romantic' with DH!. DH and I went out, we had very 'different' sex that night (he said it felt different), then i woke in the morning with broken waters and regular BH. I don't recall any pre-warnings like heavy legs, or a show, or the head moving downwards and pressing, or a feeling, but today, I do!!!

I wonder if it because I have just finished a mammoth 6500 word defense and counterclaim in respect of the arsehole builder which needs to be in on thursday (so we are putting it in tomorrow), and have just got some nice fluffy pillows, a new baby blanket and a throw for snuggling with baby in our new room. The fridge is stocked AND our bedroom is back to normal. And the friend who is looking after DD when we go into hospital is coming over for tea, so all the signs are there .

Or, I could just be making it all up

OMG I just googled 'mucus plug' and it gave me a pile of images EEEEEEEW I did not ask for images! Just a description would do!

Appears it was a show...what does that mean? Imminent? I can't check the baby book as its in the loft (in the eaves that are now hidden by hatches) and I can't find the key best get that sorted as we have stuff in there we need!

it appears a show esp if not a bloody one does not indicate imminent labour, just that things are starting to get moving. I should hope so, seeing as I am 38 wks tomorrow

LissyGlitter I'm stalking you

Happy pushing ladies

Laugs you too! Click the link!

Oooh Pav shouldn't be too long now then! I knew I was ready both times and I was right, both boys were born within a couple of days of me saying I was ready.
I've never had a show so would be as clueless as you

Pavlov I think you can get a show a couple of weeks before D-Day. Not sure. I've never knowingly had one!

For the last two days or so I've actually started to feel quite nervous. It really is going to happen. Oh My God. I don't know why I feel so nervous. I probably was nervous with DS1 and 2 but I've forgotten. I'm such a wuss when it comes to pain! I know I've done it twice before but I really am a big wuss. Crumbs.

Good god. I just had one of the scariest expeiriences of my life. I LOST DD!!! We were in a cafe (ok, it was Macdonalds, in my defence she had a fruit bag and I had a massive gherkin craving) and she, with no warning, stood up and ran out! She got a head start as at first I was sitting down and shouting for her to come back so as not to make it into a game of chase, but when she got to the door I jumped up (leaving my handbag and shopping) and waddled as fast as I could (which wasn't fast, considering I have a baby in my pelvis). I chased after her, doing my strictest shouting of her name, she carried on running and giggling, and then i rounded a corner and she wasn't there. I swear I nearly had a heart attack. I just ran about a bit, asking everyone if they had seen a little girl, and they had all seen us together earlier in the day, but hadn't seen her by herself.
Luckily it is a very small shopping centre, and I went to the customer services desk, and luckily she was there. A very kind couple had found her and were holding her firmly by the hand, she was smiling up at them and doing her cute little blonde, blue eyed, little girl thing and completely charming them. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, shout or what at her. I ended up scooping her up (never mind the back pain) giving her a massive hug and saying that she should never run off like that because it is very dangerous and makes Mummy feel very sad. We went back to Macdonalds to get my bags and she started crying, I think the shock took a bit to sink in. I wiped her tears and we had a little cuddle sat in macdonalds while I had some of the biggest BHs ever. My heart is still racing.

I think that is the end of just me and DD going out places together. She is just going to have to play in the house when no-one else is available. I'm going to start making her wear her reins or sit in her pram if we have to go anywhere as well. God knows what I would have done if I had the new baby with me as well. although I suppose at least I wouldn't be pregnant then so i could have caught her pretty quickly.

She is in bed now, partly in disgrace and partly because I suspect she is really tired, hence the bad behaviour (she has been playing up all day)

Sorry for the me me me post, I am just so shaken up by it, and I don't think my RL friends would understand. There is something primal that happens to you when you think your child could be under threat. I'm on the verge of tears just thinking about it. I knew on a practical level that she was probably running about giggling somewhere, but that jolt when I realised I had lost sight of her...

BBL I think the fact you have done it before is making you nervous, knowing what you are letting yourself in for . I personally find the anticipation of something more nerve wracking than the reality, you know like having blood taken, a job interview, running a training group. every time I have to run training I crap myself, I make it so much worse than it usually is, I over inflate all the bad things, and then, its all ok, so I am trying to remind myself of that in relation to the birth and that before I know it, baby will be here and we will both be fast asleep and dd will be taking photos with her new vtech camera which arrived by speedy post yesterday!

Talking of which - when should she get this from brother? As soon as he is born? When we get home? After a day or so?

lissy ` oh how scarey that was for you. DD has run off for a few seconds with me not being able to find her and I have been in blind panic, so to lose your DD for more than that must have been absolutely heart stopping. I am glad you found her quickly and safely. Make sure you chill out a bit and calm yourself down now she is in bed.

lissy hope you are feeling ok now, that must have been very nerve-wracking. lost ds in the house a while ago and it really shook me up. (had left the front door open accidentally and he was actually only behind the long drapy curtains in our lounge.)

lissy woweee...what a mad day..I hope you're ok now..

homeinthesun congratulations!!!!!!! what amazing news..its like a popcorn fest here. LOVE IT.

laugs will keep on all fours, my ball doesn't have a stopper..lost it in our last 2 moves in the year...sigh.

Lissy it happened to me with DS2 at the Shrewsbury festival. It is horrible x a million. They just don't realise how awful it makes you feel! Big hugs to you as I know how you feel!

Pavlov I think you are right. I think it is partly knowing that each birth is different and even though DS2's was 'easy' I know I shouldn't just expect the same again. I'm also nervous about the afterwards bit too. Getting everyone up for school every day and trying to master breast feeding at the same time, and Christmas and not even having thought about it yet! Ho hum. It'll be fun!

Oh my goodness - I knew I was reading all 28 pages from start to finish for a reason rather than just popping in to say hi! CONGRATULATIONS to so many people!!!!

Firstly to Claired21 your DH-to-be sounds so romantic!

And to Fruitpastels, Helips, Koumak and Homeinthesun - huge hugs to you all and your babies! How dare all our visitors keep me away from all the exciting news on Mumsnet?!

Tamlin Glad things are going so well for you all. Thank you so much for the advice on breastfeeding/expressing milk. I'm booked to have my gall bladder out on 10th December and asked my MW how long I could store expressed milk for and she said I shouldn't give expressed milk via a bottle until at least 6 weeks and even then, should get someone to give the baby formula from a little medicine cup to avoid "nipple confusion" with a bottle - what a load of rubbish! I'll be doing the same as you now I think and freezing some milk in advance for someone to give to the baby when I'm in hospital.

Pavlov I had a definite show at 35 weeks and I'm still here this time (grr!). With DD though, I had a show after a membrane sweep and my waters broke 4 days later so it could be you meet your little one by the weekend? Who can say - this waiting lark is killing me!

Lissy I'm so sorry to hear about your DD running off like that - my heart was in my mouth for you reading what happened. My DD did a similar thing last weekend in a small shopping centre and I had to run to catch up with her. I know what you mean about the primal urge of protectiveness - I was terrified that someone would grab her and I would have scratched their eyes out if they had tried to take her away from me. When I caught up to her, I really told her off and I think she got the fright of her life. I couldn't stop shaking for ages. Sending a big hug x

Well, I've finally caught up with everyone's news from the last 28 pages and what a thread it's been! I can't believe I missed so much with the visitors being here. My MIL left and my parents came over the same day but they're staying in the caravan they bought earlier this year, which they're trying to convince me would make a great holiday location for our family (if the baby ever emerges!) but as it's only 25 miles away on an undeveloped campsite, hence a very good price deal, I'm not convinced. I've been taking them all over the place in the rain and tomorrow they've decided they want to take me to Wooler for the day. I've lived in Northumberland for nearly 7 years and have never been so I guess it should be nice but tbh, all I want to do is relax.

Still nothing on the baby front for me. MW this morning said that the baby is 4/5 engaged now so at least it's head is going in the right direction, although I know it might not go down until I'm actually in labour. I'm due on Sunday but want the baby to wait until after that now so I can go to the fireworks display with DD.

Speaking of DD, the potty training is still kind of hit and miss and while me and DH were debating what to have for tea in the kitchen for just a couple of minutes, DD did a poo in her nappy in the living room. Nothing wrong with that... but she came into the kitchen looking very shamefaced, holding her hands out with brown stuff all over them. I was wondering where she'd got chocolate from until the stench hit and then I noticed that she'd tried to wipe it all over her clothes. When I went into the living room, she'd also tried to wipe it over the TV and stand and the door - yuk!!!! Needless to say, I didn't fancy anything to eat after that!

Hoping the labouring ladies are doing well - maybe there'll be a couple more announcements by tomorrow?

Lissy That must have been terrifying. I hope you're feeling better now.
I had the same thought yesterday - as DD was running all over the place, giggling her head off at the fact I couldn't chase her - that I might not be able to go out with her on my own until the baby is born and I can run faster. She is so much faster than I am at the moment, it is really scary. Sometimes I think she is sensible and I can trust her, but that's my fault, she's only just 3 and can't be expected to understand. I think I'd drive myself mad staying in the house all day though, so I'm a bit stuck.

Tamlin You sound like you've thought through the Texas thing and come up with the right choice for you. How long's he going for? Have you got anyone nearby who can entertain DS for a couple of hours if you're really tired? I feel like a bit of a wimp now for worrying about the nights DH goes to college until late, but I guess it is just a matter of knowing what you're comfortable with. Make sure you hit up the deli counter too for all the treats you weren't allowed when pregnant (I think I remember your DS has adventurous tastes!)

Pavlov My show was definitely plug-like and could not be mistaken for anything else. This was in labour though, so I guess I lost mine all at once, whereas other people lose it in stages. Have you washed your eyes out after googling? I am strangely tempted to look too. WHY?

Wizzy I was sure you'd popped! I went to my parents' for the week last week and they insisted on entertaining me too (they've just moved to North Yorkshire, so were showing me the sights). It was lovely, but I was longing to say 'how about entertaining DD and I'll just have a rest?'

I am excited to hear from Ursi and Preggo!

Getting worried I will be that one last kernel in the bag that pops ages after the rest, while you are waiting for the popcorn to cool down. Saw the MW today and am not at all engaged. I thought I was. Humpf.

Lissy poor you, I hope you have time to calm down and relax this evening, you must have been very scared.

BBL I'm kind of with you on the scared front, although my problem is I have a huge fear of dying in childbirth its got so bad that I keep thinking to myself, I must tell Dh that all the boys next size up clothes are in the baby's room and I must make sure I have Christmas gifts for the boys and my nieces. I feel I need to prepare Dh on how to look after all 3 children so that he will bring them up how I want.... Is this normal?

Tigger that is totally normal. I keep hearing about / watching by accident bad birth stories and I wish I knew how to avoid them.

Oh lissy you poor thing, must have been so scary for you. I know what you mean about the primal thing, i felt tearful just reading your post, mind you am very hormonal at the mo! glad dd was safe and well.

wizzy nice to see you back! I gave ds the odd bottle of expressed milk after a couple of weeks and he never experienced nipple confusion. Also if you are in hospital what other choice is there? I think those midwives are talking rubbish if you don't mind me saying!

pavlov I didn't have a show until in labour both times so hopefully things are imminent for you. Sounds like a few of you are ready to pop, hurry up and join the fun!!

laugs hear, hear for the paternity rights. We are in an unfortunate (well, in this respect only) situation of my dh having just started a new company, so can't really stop working. He does however work from home a lot, so will be around. Fingers crossed...

Eeeeek - have been away for a day, and look what happens

CONGRATULATIONS to koumak and homeinthesun and v excited for Pav, Preggo and Usigurke!! Keep us posted - I was talking to my mum about shows (we have that sort of conversation!) and she said her labour started 12 hours after her show.

A friend has been in labour since 1.30am on SUNDAY NIGHT, has had no sleep and keeps getting sent back from hospital!!! I am scared by this... Think it is good I am still at work or I would spend the whole day worrying!

Lissy also wanted to say poor you for such a stressful day. I hope you're OK now.

Raggie that sounds like me!!

Tamlin thank you for the tip about bottle / breast, I have been worrying about that.

Pavlov let us know how it goes with the arsehole builder. You sound like you're nesting rather feverishly - could be you soon!!

Becky I can't offer any comfort on the balancing act, as this is my first, but you seem wonderfully organised, and the fact that you are worrying shows that you're aware it won't always be a breeze. I'm sure that, just like everyone, whether it is their first, third, or tenth, you will get used to it very quickly, and you won't be able to imagine living like you did before

Lissy you poor thing, you must have been terrified I'm glad the couple took her to the services desk and that you're both okay. Deep breaths. And big hugs. x

Katster that's terrible Have her waters broken?? I hope her baby arrives soon.

Had a sleep and a nightmare Wish DP was here to cuddle me...

Oh, and is there anyone else who reckons waiting for a baby is like waiting for a package in the postal strike? You might well have the paper work saying it was ordered and supposed to be delivery on X day, but in actual fact it will turn up when it bloody well feels like it

Lissy poor you, how scary and thank goodness someone had the sense to go to a central spot. Hope you are feeling calmer now.

tigger I think you are normal. I tried to have a conversation with DH along similar lines (about this baby as don't have any other lo's) and although he clearly thought me odd, I really felt I needed to say it. Sometimes you have to work through your fears to be able to discount them.

Re: the bottle thing, I have no personal experience, but most of my friends have introduced ebm in a bottle after a couple of weeks, and one friend who waited longer then had huge trouble ever getting her ds to take a bottle at all, and has subsequently introduced them earler to her other lo's. I am going to wait and see but have bottles and pump ready.

TMI -I have had 2 days of occasional bloody discharge, no plug or anything like but definitely something's going on, fingers crossed we will all pop soon!!