Feb 2010 part III,

[mamaloco]

Sorry I couldn't wait anymore half of us is in the 3rd trimester and half will followed soon
Welcome sharon I have added you to the list

27th Jan Devotion DD1 6yrs & DD2 3yrs
1st Feb Moth2, 1st but also stepdaughter 3 yrs
2nd Feb Raindroprhyme DS1 8y, DS2 4y
2nd Feb Ktpie DS 13m
3rd Feb sunangel88 1st
4th Feb mothrof2boys
5th Feb chinook Dd 3.6yo
7th Feb grin DS 1 yr 6 m
7th Feb mamaloco DD will be 5y near due date
8th Feb fiziwizzle, 1st
8th Feb gingerkirsty, 1st
8th Feb PinguCarrier, 1st
10th Feb Lovelymonster, 1st
10th Feb T4tastic 1st
11th Feb Woowa 1st
12th Feb Fluffycoo 1st
12th Feb Yummylilmummy 1st
13th Feb mignightsun DS 3y
14th Feb tryingtobemarypoppins DS 21months currently!
14th Feb Clappedout DD 21m
14th Feb Pops78, 1st
14th Feb Glynnispig 1st
14th Feb Threeplusone- DD 12.11yrs DS1 5.2yrs DS2 2.1yrs
14th Feb Stoofadoof, DD 2.11
15 Feb AngelaCarleen 1st
15 Feb flyingcloud 1st
16th Feb GuernseyFrench 1st
16 Feb Watercress DD1 2y 10m
16 Feb esselle - DD 5.1y, DS 20m
16 Feb hannahsaunt - ds1 (8.11), ds2 (6.5), ds3 (23mo)
17 Feb Bethylou - DS currently 16 months
17 Feb Becks130 - DS 3.5 yrs
18 Feb Sunnybump - First
19 Feb Sharon137-
20 Feb Gert ds 22m
20 Feb Cluny 1st
21 Feb Pyjamababe - First
22 Feb Skibelle
22 Feb Scoobydoo
23 Feb 2Happy ds1 4y ds2 2y
23 Feb (twins!!) Insanitybecomesme DS1 9yrs, DS2 7yrs. DD3y 3m, DS3 21m
23 Feb TheOldestCat DD 2.9y
23 Feb Phee96 DD 9m
24 Feb Elebereth
24 Feb TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied DS 15m
24 Feb MidgetGems
27 Feb Westlondongirl
28 Feb Mawbroon Due DS 3.10yo

Uh oh, did anyone watch the Amanda Holden trying to be a midwife programme last night?

I cried so much when the baby was not breathing, how awful to watch (he was ok after a few minutes). And I have certainly never come across such amazing midwives in Hackney, think this was in Richmond, is it too late to switch hospitals??!

I get really preoccupied if I haven't felt kicks for a while during the day and cannot think of anything else but am getting lots at night so that kind of makes up for it. With you all on the anxiety it causes despite thankfully not having suffered any losses before.

pyjamababe sorry for your sil, she is lucky to have you as a sil as you sound very sensitive and caring, hope xmas goes ok and she is not too sad.

I didn't want to write this in response to Pyjamababe's post, as it was a bit insensitive.

I had my 32 week scan yesterday and it went really well, there is a real little person in there, she was waving away at us. The scan also confirmed that I can feel her position too - I know where her feet are and can usually feel them, even when she is not kicking. He said she seems plenty big (about 1.8kg, not sure exactly what his estimate was, slightly freaky that she is likely to double in size over the next 7+ weeks!). We don't get the actual typed up report for a week or so, but I think she was measuring about 33 weeks. Does this mean I have a higher chance of going a week early (I am 32 weeks now) or does it mean that I am going to have a big baby, or does it mean nothing at all, considering that there is still quite a lot of growing to do over the next few weeks?

DH and I then made up our minds to go and have the SF vaccination. How I dithered. I do have a stinking cold at the moment (Chinook, I think I miss NightNurse right now as much as I miss anything else that is banned in pregnancy), and I can't breathe and I'm sleeping poorly too. The thought of getting SF freaked me out though and I thought if I am slightly run-down then I am at even higher risk of catching it. So we've done it. It didn't hurt and I feel fine today, my cold is even improving!

PJbabe my heart goes out to your SIL. How very sad, and at this time of year too, I can't offer any more advice than has already been offered here. It is never easy finding the right words, but I'm sure that she will appreciate that you're there for her.

Sorry for your losses chinook. Very pleased you're here with us on this thread

As for the CP, have you had it? If so then there shouldn't be any problems with contact. My BIL had it recently and we were all due to go out together so I was googling furiously and all sites (inc NHS) seemed to say the same, as long as you've had it you can't get it again. In the end we didn't get together as he was feeling too ill! A bit at the mother sending her potentially infectious child to school though.

We had a scare yesterday. I bled for the first time since the first trimester on Sunday morning, post coital, wasn't too worried, made a mental note to call MW yesterday, forgot. Then last night went to the loo and felt a 'gush' and looked and the water was red, and I had fresh blood with clots when wiping. Freaked, called hospital, went in and was examined, nothing wrong at all apparently, healthy cervix (yay!) and no apparent reason for the bleed. Baby was monitored for an hour and apart from proving itself as exceptionally lazy (they wouldn't let me go until baby had kicked; lazy baby took an hour to kick!) was pronounced fine. So all's well that ends well, but for a while there I was very scared

Today I'm KNACKERED as we didn't get home til gone midnight. How many coffees are we allowed...?

fiziwizle - how scary, but so glad your little one is fine.

Just spent half an hour catching up with everyone's news on here. I think the overriding impressions I get are
a) eek! We're having babies soon
b) we haven't got everything ready yet
c) christmas shopping is hard work with a bump

So much reading, no time to say anything else. Off to morrisons. DH's birthday, so need to pull finger out and cook nice tea.

Just spent half an hour writing, and then scrolled back to find who said what, then lost it all! Yikes! Now I can't remember what I was trying to say....

But in a nutshell

Fizi your scare sounds terrifying and glad the baby is okay. Every time I have sex, I think oh God, is there room in there for that too? If you know what I mean...

PJbabe really sorry about your SIL, she is really lucky to have you, people are super insensitive, had she announced the pregnancy or is she suffering her loss alone?

Mamaloco THANK you for improving my Xmas! I shall be heating everything.... except pate, you're right there! And indulging myself with melted blue cheese!

Anyway, time for a post-shopping rest I think.

PJbabe sorry to hear about your SIL, must be a very difficult time. sending hugs.

Finally got to the bottom of my high pulse rate. Turns out I am anaemic which apparently makes your heart beat faster. Have been given Iron and told that I can fly. I was so pleased as it looked like xmas was going to be ruined. Fly to France next Tuesday for some festive fun.

Had to move out of my flat for the week while builders get stuck in at repairing damp. Will all take around 6 weeks which is irritating but at least they are starting.

Hope everyone is feeling ok and looking forward to xmas.

Thank you to everyone for your very supportive messages. Hugs back . My SIL had, perhaps unfortunately, just announced to the extended family, but then again I think it will lead to more support for her in the long run. I will tread carefully and do my best to help. Anyway, I don't want to bring everyone down in our lovely group so I will leave it there for now, but thanks again all.

fizi sorry you have had a traumatic episode , I would have gone to pieces I think, so glad it turned out well. I would love another scan now, just to see how everything is going, as my baby also seems a bit on the lazy side - maybe they will be a good sleeper when they are born?! Here's hoping...

A high chair and bouncy-seat-thingy arrived today. Bit early for the high chair I think! Anyone else sitting on a giant bouncy ball? My dh keeps nicking mine and playing with it so looking very much like I'm going to have two babies to take care of pretty soon

Blimey Fizi - so glad you and LO are Ok, that sounds really scary! Hope you've got your feet up and are being looked after!

Am finally seeing some light at the end of the long, dark, decorating tunnel - baby's room is getting a new radiator this weekend, so not long till it can be carpeted and fully "babyfied" Yay! Also DH has gone to pick up our most recent Ebay purchase, a rocking stand for our moses basket! So pleased that LO has somewhere to sleep now! Feels like real progress.

Worked out that I have a mere 30 working days left until my Mat leave kicks in - woo hoo! Not bad considering I'm working till the last minute... CAN'T WAIT!! Also today was the culmination of a horrible crappy project that I'm delighted to see the back of, so (fingers crossed) I can coast a bit until Feb! [celebratory boogie emoticon]

Hope all you poorly ladies are shaking off your respective lurgies. I was really full of cold last week and found that having some warm alcohol-free ginger mulled wine (available from Dobbies garden centres!!) was ace for a bit of soothing and clearing - admittedly not as good as a Night Nurse hit but what's a pregnant gal to do eh?! x

clappedout I saw the midwife thing too. Not sure it was a wise decision as I had really vivid dreams of being in labour all night. Can't imagine too how scared that poor mum must have been waiting to hear that first cry.

Well I made a complete show of myself today. It was dd's first nativity play and I was the only one who blubbed. In my defence I was also the only pregnant one there. You've got to love these pregnancy hormones....

Clappedout - I watched the out of depth tv programme and it scared the life out of me. I'm now paranoid that I'm going to have a still born baby! Does the worrying ever get any easier?

Fizi - glad to hear all is well after your scare.

Fluffycoo - well done on the decorating. I'm not touching the nursery until after New Years Eve, as we've got lots of people staying. Have spent tonight planning a NYE menu that makes my tummy rumble!

Hope everyone is enjoying all the Christmas festivites - at least we don't have hangovers the next day!

We watched the out of depth programme as well, I was a bit freaked out by all the women screaming 'I can't do it' 'make it stop'. Kind of knocked my rose tinted glasses off for a bit . DH was really upset when the baby came out and wasn't breathing, I was okay at the time but I had some funny dreams that night.

I've got a breastfeeding antenatal class this morning, and then a midwife appointment. I'm interested to see which way up the baby is as I can't tell at all!

Fizi your scare sounds awful, hope everything goes smoothly from now on for you.

xx

morning girlies. just a little question, and it may sound silly, but.... well, i am silly, lol.
what are the rules on bikini waxes while pregnant, as its getting harder to diy, but i was concerned the.. shock? no wrong word, bit that 'takes your breath away' might disturb babi too much....
am i just being OTT??

Hi Nikki, I'm still having bikini waxes, in fact I started having them for the first time while pregnant and it all got a bit verdant down there. Gosh doesn't it hurt?! I'm sure baby is happily oblivious, cocooned in its nice warm womb .

I am so glad that I didn't watch this programme you all saw, it sounds SCARY. My antenatal class last night was scary enough, after last week's 'normal' labour the MW went though all the interventions that may have to take place, and said that most first labours don't go according to plan . I'm sure we were all sitting there thinking, "well mine will", I know I was!

I am keeping my rose-tinted specs firmly on, and will start my hypnobirthing CD once Christmas is out of the way.

I'm glad I didn't see that programme, my Mum rang me and told me all about it, sounds traumatic!

I'm starting to feel a bit more prepared for the baby, in fact I am sat here sipping some raspberry leaf tea. Blew the gym ball thing up this morning and DS has had a whale of a time pushing it round and round the living room. Got some bio-oil from Amazon so have rubbed that all over my stretch marks, it seems to be a good price from there and it's a big bottle. May be a little late for me though, having DS made my tummy resemble a tiger! I've even ordered a TENS machine. This is all remarkably organised for me.
Fizi - you've reminded me to try and find my hypnobirthing CD, that can be my next job.

Hope you are all feeling good and prepared for Christmas, I still have to write my Christmas cards but BHS seem to have lost the ones I ordered 10 days ago

pyjamababe I have a a big purple ball to bounce on. My DH likes bouncing it like a basketball, which invariably makes the cats leave the room. It's meant to be good for making the baby go head down, but I like it as a footstool when watching tv too!

Hi Ladies, finally had my MW appointment this morning, first one at 30 weeks! And she convinced DP and I to have a home birth as all is well, and we live five minutes from hospital. Anyone else having this? Or has anyone had this? Would appreciate your tips... She said lots of people do this...

On the bikini wax front... it's getting a little overgrown down there, I can't see it but I'm too embarrassed to subject anyone else to it! I know I probably should but last time I had a wax at about 22 weeks, I let out this huge fart (sorry no control!) and I swore I would hide like Rapunzel for ever and ever! The poor girl who was doing it was SO EMBARRASSED, I wanted to die!

ktmincepie - I was just about to type about hypnobirthing when I read your bit above about it. I haven't done a course but have borrowed a book from a friend who is convinced (and was from day 1 afterwards) that she has had two short comfortable labours through using it!! I have laughed at the very concept in the past but, while I may not take all the contents on board, I think the first 40 pages do talk a lot of sense about the importance of relaxing during labour in order to let the body do its work. Not sure whether it will work (or whether I will get the chance to try it due to possiblilty of c section at the mo) but thought some of you might be interested to hear about it. I wish I'd known more the first time round.

My baby has its head down, yey (I do know it can move around still, I'm just hoping it wont )!!

At the antenatal class yesterday the breastfeeding lady told us not to worry because by the time we go home, 2/3 days after the birth we'll be able to recognise feeding cues etc. Two or three days?!?!? Flippin heck, I was hoping to go home as soon as possible, if I'd decided on a home birth (which the midwife was happy for me to have) they would have had to support me to establish breastfeeding at home, so why would I have to stay in hospital for days? I'm swinging from being really and really about the thought of staying in hospital that long, and anyway I doubt that the support from midwifes on the ward is really that good, after speaking to new mums recently. I should really have spoken to the midwife as I had an appointment with her straight after, but she had a student nurse with her so I didn't want to risk getting all over emotional (I always get over emotional over christmas but being pregnant seems to be making it worse .

Was anyone else hoping for a six hour discharge, or am I just being really really thick?

Oh, and on the lady garden pruning front, I tried to do mine yesterday with one of those special electric trimmer thingy's for down there. It's battery ran out half way through, lets just hope I don't go into early labour while I'm still 'half done'

xx

AngelaCarleen at our AN class this week the MWs said that they would like us to stay in for 12 hours if it's our first birth, or 6 if it's a subsequent birth. I have never heard of any hospital in recent times keeping any mum in for 2-3 days! We should be so lucky (those that would like the rest and support). If you have your baby in the morning, you won't necessarily stay overnight - they will let you if you ask, otherwise they'll assume you'll go home that evening.

In any case, the MW said that they can't keep you in for any length of time - as with anything else, it is your choice if you want to leave and when.

I'm planning on a home birth anyway and I've heard that the MW stays for an hour or so after it's all done and dusted (placenta delivered, stitched up), she/they help clean up apparently (yay!) and presumably help you feed and then leave you to it.

If you're after breastfeeding support I'm sure there is plenty out there. We are awash with leaflets about BF support locally, they seem to be really pushing it in my area (perhaps because it is a bit deprived so rates are low?) and there is always the NCT and La Leche League too. As well as HV and MW visits. I'm sure the support is there if you want it

Have just spent ages catching up, I seem to have been really busy these last few days. Doing what? I have no idea, I don't seem to have achieved anything!!!

Not a lot to report here. Got iron tablets as my last bloods showed I am a bit anaemic. Heartburn and constipation seem to have eased up on their own, and I think the thrush has finally been cleared. Hoooray.

I am feeling tired, but hopefully the iron tabs will sort that out. I can't believe the difference in this pregnancy from last time. I am still only 67kgs and am pretty neat. Last time I was already like a beached whale at this point I guess that's what having an older dc to look after does!!

I got the decision through about my Maternity allowance, and have even had the first payment, so after worrying about it, it's finally sorted, and I have my HIP grant form to put in the post.

We have a blizzard here today which is nice when you don't have to go out in it, but not so nice when you have to be somewhere!

Ive been rubbish at writting on this thread , but now im finally on mat leave-thankfully missing a xmas eve sale launch! and gonna enjoy my first xmas off in 5 years! i guess i have no excuse to forget to post on here.

ive been reading through the last few posts since ive joined and seen quite a few of you are having scans stil... my last scan was 22 weeks!!! still had mw apps but no scans. is this normal?? im feeling pretty jealous that so many of you have had more scans i really enjoyed the two that i have had.

Hi ems147 glad you're off work now! I can't speak for everyone, but i have scans all the time because I have an "underlying medical condition". I have kidney disease which means they keep a really close eye on my blood pressure, urine protein/blood/sugar and they scan every 4 weeks to make sure sproglet is growing properly. This despite the fact that I usually have NO symptoms whatsoever of kidney disease, and don't expect to have any til i'm about 60. WAYYYY too paranoid, but hence all the scans. I expect everyone else having loads of scans has either a low placenta, or has had problems in previous pregnancies, or is breech, or has some other medical problem. So the fact that you haven't had any scan is GOOD!!!! I know it sounds really ungrateful, but the scans are less interesting each time, as I just want to meet the real baby now, not just see bits of it on a screen!!! Not long now though...

absb lol at farting during a bikini wax. That has decided it for me, it will be a DIY job or the MW will just have to find the baby through an urban jungle. Past caring tbh.

dh now complaining my bouncy ball is too high for him to use a footrest and has given him sore calves...can you see what I have to put up with girls?!?!

I know I should be eating healthily but too tired/bored to cook. Any ideas? Just ate a whole pack of dried apricots to try and balance out all the party food I ate at school today... so ready for the Christmas hols.

Snowing here

Ems - I'm in France, so I've had three regular scans, as well as an early scan at 7 weeks as I had been bleeding. I think we get more here as a matter of course.