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

Hello everyone,

Happy Christmas, New Year etc. We've got such an exciting year ahead of us!

Shiregirl and Clappedout - I am getting pressure too, I am taking the minimum available, but working part time (from home) either side of my mat leave. I don't have a huge amount of choice in the matter and I love my job but I hate the 'oh you are soo going to struggle' comments I get from family. This started quite a while ago so I am getting used to it now. Here in France though it's not such a big issue as mat leave is so short anyway (16 weeks for first child) but I got VERY upset on Christmas Eve having a conversation about BF with MIL and SIL (that stemmed from going back to work).

SIL BF for two weeks before she said her supply cut out and she was advised to switch to FF. I asked her what kind of medical advice she was given and she said none, just told to switch to FF. MIL then said the same thing happened to her after a month and that as I was going back to work so quickly the stress would do the same thing to me. I got a little bit uppity (unfairly so, I admit) and said that supply cutting out was rare (I don't really have a right to judge as a naive first-timer) and that French doctors and nurses just gave crap advice. I almost ruined Christmas Eve by my idignation over the matter. On the same subject I tried to buy an electric breast pump and was told they are only available on prescription for women with problems - when I asked my doctor about this, saying that I want to continue BF (all being well) for as long as possible and will need to pump, he said that I should just stop when I go back to work. I have found one seller of electric breastpumps here in France but they are
three times the price that they are in England!

Sorry - that's my little Christmas rant over. I know BF can be really hard for some people, but I hate the defeatist attitude that they have here.

Oh and yes, tons of Braxton Hicks. Yesterday we did a lot of sorting and moving stuff around, and I wasn't able to sleep because of the BH last night. My back really hurts too if I sit down for more than an hour at a time - the six hour drive back in the car on Sunday had me in tears by the end.

But before you think I am all misery-guts, festive-spoiler I am starting to get so exited, the baby's room is taking shape and we have managed to make some space! DH got a lovely set of books for Christmas so he abandoned his idea of packing away all the books in the garage and has put up some lovely shelves in our bedroom. I feel so comforted surrounded by books.

Hi FlyingReindeer, glad I'm not alone with the 'hicks.

I am shocked by the dr's dismissal of BF in France, 2 weeks!!! You can hire pumps here from the NCT, I wonder if there is any similar organisation in France? Good luck.

stoofadoof thanks for the link, but have you been able to open it recently? It seems that the server is down!

DS has been head down since 27w but I think he has just turn over Xmas weekend... ah well the growth scan next week will confirm where he is.

For me my induction is booked for the 1st week of Feb! I'm excited and a bit disappointed as I won't have the wondering of when is the labour going to start, is that contractions...

I can't believe that we are in the last month!!!!

hi GuernseyFrench just checked it and i can get on? If you still can't get on, try googling 'optimal fetal positioning' there are quite a few good websites that will come up (american mostly with that spelling!) but midwife and doula led... i did discover that a nice rounded out tummy usually means that baby is in good position, whereas a flattened tum often means they are in some sort of posterior position - that figures for me, both last time and this time - there was me thinking i had (or hadn't!!) funny tum muscles!

I've been spending a lot of time on my hands and knees playing and cleaning, and have actually bought a gym ball too - sitting on this instead of a chair to eat, and whenever else i get to sit down!! don't think baby has moved yet, but my pelvis and groin pain has improved immensely!!

oh and shiregirl clappedout and flyingreindeer i worked f/time to 38 weeks last time (then went 15 days over, so still had a month off before!!) - my family were fine, but i got a lot of pressure from DH's family - which just increased as it became apparent that i fully intended going back to work too!

TBH the returning to work was more of an issue than late mat leave... DD was grandchild no 7 and the first one to have part of her baby care provided by nursery - had a lot of 'well you'll change your mind when it comes to it' etc ... i was really surprised by their attitude, cos i love and respect all of them and didn't expect it...

seems to me tho that as the mum everyone from complete strangers to close family thinks it's open season on judging you and your choices (or lack of them - i had to work for the money, even if i hadn't wanted to return!) when it comes to everything around caring for your baby... i've got a much thicker skin now and will do whatever it is that i/we feel is the right thing to do for us and our family and everyone else can sod off....

ooo, ive never written that down before - sorry!!! quite cathartic that!

Hello all!

I too was able to access the site via Stoof's link ...? Excellent too - thanks for that! I've been trying to figure out what the hell is going on in there and the mapping thing has really helped... seems like LO has managed to get into a pretty decent position (albeit with little feet wedged in my ribcage again ).

Seems like there's an awful lot of pressure out there re mat leave - all being well, I'm intending to work until week 39, which has raised a few eyebrows (the boys I work with are just terrified they might end up delivering the baby! They're great with machinery but I have yet to be convinced of their abilities in midwifery...), but in terms of comments the worst has been along the lines of "yikes - cutting it a bit fine eh?!" My family certainly understand the rationale behind it - i.e. having as much time off with LO as possible. Sadly I have to return to work too, but again it just seems like that's what everyone expected me to do, so luckily I haven't had any grief over it - DH would love it if I could be a SAHM, but his salary alone just doesn't quite go far enough. This whole thing of "oh, you'll manage" is not necessarily applicable in this day and age IMO - not when the average mortgage or monthly rent on it's own is so crippling and most people have a bit of debt kicking about!

Hello everyone, Happy Christmas

I am having a Pyjama Day today (these are my favourite thing in the whole world - hence the name I suppose).

We seem to have been out at parties nearly every night this holiday and I am:
a) shattered
b) sick of not drinking
c) sick of driving and having to wait for drunk people to be ready for their lift home and
d) being pounced on by mums who want to talk about babies non-stop and try and either frighten me or wow me with their amazing knowledge and skills in a very patronising fashion.

There! said it. Phew! That feels good

On the up side, I just ordered a pram, and yesterday I went a bit mad in the Mamas and Papas sale ordering matching nursery stuff - bumpers, blinds, mobiles, bookends, moses baskets etc. I wonder how much of that stuff will turn out to be a complete and utter waste of money? Don't care though, retail therapy is one of my last remaining pleasures!

Still no braxton hicks and a strange prickly rash has appeared on my chest (TMI? Sorry)which I have put witch hazel on and am hoping will go before I have to show it to the doctor

By chest, I do, of course, mean tits. Forgot I wasn't talking to my grandma for a moment there... sorry

Wow, the spinning babies website is amazing. I now feel like I need to pay attention in class, been floating along in a bit of a bubble til now. Can't wait to stop work so I can read up a bit mroe and actually do some yoga, my pelvic floor is abysmal!

With you stoofadoof on giving less of a damn about what people think and their throwaway comments. Feel much more confident second time around, way more assertive with the in-laws, much easier and less exhausting than trying to keep everyone happy. My Mum made a less than helpful comment about keeping my DD at the childminders for a few weeks when the baby arrives. She did not appreciate that we are terrified of coping with two and this is our only safety net as she lives too far way to call on for help. I was upset and felt guilty at first but now I know that whatever works for us is fine. I am sure there are others who will disagree but i don't think my DD will be scarred for life if she continues her normal routine for a few weeks after the baby comes?

Another cathartic rant!

What is it with people thinking they can sya what they want when you are pregnant? Do we have signs on our bumps saying "Pregnancy means we have no feelings"?

Clappedout, I am maintaining DD's normal routine when the baby arrives, and not just for a few weeks! She loves nursery (two days a week) and going to her granny and grandad (one day) so why not give myself a bit of time with the new baby and let her do what she wants to do anyway?

I'm fed up of people commenting on how they think I must feel: "You mus be getting tired", "You must be feeling big and uncomfortable" etc. Grr.

Anyway, last time I posted on this thread I was off to a 32 week scan to see whether the placenta had moved. It has, and after a chat with a very good registrar, I am hoping to go for a "normal" delivery. I've gone from hell bent on an elective section to this in a few weeks, but am happy with the decision, especially as DH is working horrifically long hours and the thought of a section recovery is a bit much. Having said that, I'll undoubtedly now end up being induced and having an emergency section, which would be the worst of all worlds!

Last two days of work for me, and I'm really ready to give up (though that is probably as much to do with the fact that I know I'm stopping). I'm getting the opposite comments to a lot of you, like "You're stopping work early, aren't you?". GO AWAY AND COMMENT ON YOUR OWN LIFE. IT'S MY CHOICE AND I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MY REASONS TO YOU.

Phew.

Pjbabe Liked your rant - and agree whole heartedly with the having to drive drunk people everywhere and not being able to drink.

I am doing one of those glucose tolerance tests for gestational diabetes because I'm over the hill (over 35) and so have been fasting since midnight, then went into hospital, had my blood taken, was given a bottle of bright orange fizzy lucozade to drink and now I'm going back in 10 minutes for another blood test... can't wait for lunch, I AM STARVING!

Flyingreindeer I do feel for you regarding the BF thing. When I lived in Spain I worked as a manager in a factory, and my secretary at the time had just had a baby and come back to work. She asked me if she could pump during her breaks because she wanted to keep BFing for a year, and I said absolutely. I don't know what your situation is at work, but if you can find a couple of half hour slots during the day (I'm no expert but this is what she did) and can find a quiet place to pump then you should be able to pull it off, together with the morning and evening feed at home.

I have had SO MUCH ADVICE this Christmas about what to do, how to behave, big surprise at my decision to give birth at home, heard all the "things that can go wrong" scenarios... I just smile and say "we'll see..." I've got rather used to hearing people's terrible birthing stories now and not really bothered.

Pjbabe on the rash on tit front, I sympathise, I have eczema on my left hand in between my fingers which is a new symptom, never had that before but apparently my mum had exactly the same thing when she was pregnant (weird). I think by the end we're all going to be used to being prodded and flashing boobs and things so we might as well just get used to it!

Must dash back to the hospital.....!

Hi.
Hope everyone had a nice christmas, ours was hectic but lovely.

I had a scan yesterday at 32 weeks(estimated that they weigh4lbs 3oz each) and saw the consultant, it would seem that these guys have to be born by the 8th Feb as the hospital policy is not to let twins go beyond38wks, but as its twins they could arrive anytime now the consultant said that normally if arriving of their own accord they tend to arrive between 34-35 wks(I really do need to pack my hospital bags soon).

Have a final scan booked for 36 weeks if they are still there to arrange c/sect date but with luck will avoid having one.

Wishing everyone a fab new year x

Hi girls,
spinningbabies website is working today! I need to try to map the baby.

I just had a very unhelpful phone conversation with my obstetrician staff. I went to see him on Xmas Eve and he gave me a booking slip to book my next appointment for next week. When I went to reception, I was told that his secretary was on leave and she'll contact me upon her return. So this morning I called them and asked to speak with the secretary, I was told that she on leave until Monday (04-01) and will contact me then. When I say that I needed to organise my week as I was still working I was told that the appointment were only to be done by the designated secretary as they have a new computer system!

I'm so annoyed as this will probably mean that I will need to take some hours or even a day off in order to be able to get my 2 appointments and that DH will probably not be able to come for the growth scan as he works long and unsociable hours!!

Sorry for the rant but I needed to let the pressure out.

OK, so i just got back from my midwife appt and I'm not sure what to make of the developments! Thanks to Spinning Babies, I figured out the baby is in LOA position, which the midwife agreed with and also reckons that the head is engaged... he wrote 4/5 on my notes which means that the baby's head is 1/5 of the way into my pelvis right?! So anyway, having done a little bit of t'internet research (oh, the dangers of Google!) I gather this would "normally" happen around week 36... whereas I'm now just shy of 33 does this mean LO might arrive early???? EEEEEK!

Don't worry fluffycoo, in first pgs the head can engage and disengage a few times, so you may well find that at your next MW appointment it hasn't changed or is even less. Head engagement is not really a sign that labour is imminent, more that things are going as they are supposed to.

LOA is a good presentation so you're doing fine.

BTW, has anyone packed their hospital bag yet? I did the baby one last night (inspired by picking up my free Boots change bag yesterday), but haven't done mine yet.

I'm feeling a bit pathetic...

Still getting loads of BH - the last two nights I have woken due to cramping in my general abdomen.

This morning I felt really sick, like a return to morning sickness, accompanied by the same fatigue.

This afternoon I have had cramps in my tummy all afternoon. I thought it was trapped wind (as tummy has been really rumbling) and baby has been moving a lot. I eventually went for a walk and the pain just moved to my lower abdomen, where it has stayed. It is is pretty constant, although it is coming in waves now. The waves are very close together.

I think I'm just being silly - can BH really be this bad?

Phew, thanks Watercress! [slightly embarassed at daft first-timer panic emoticon] As much as I'm now dying to meet my LO, I'm just not prepared for an early arrival - I have so much left to doooo! I haven't packed either of my bags yet, although I do have stuff to go in them - just a case of getting my act together!

Sounds like you've had a bugger of a day flyingreindeer - I've only had a few BH so far and they've been mild so unfortunately can't offer any advice... sending lots of sympathy though!! Are you able to speak to your doctor/MW for some reassurance? x

Clappedout - we've done a review of our finances and can now afford to keep DS at the childminder 3 days a week until the end of April. We haven't actually told anyone yet and I'm sure that there will be a few raised eyebrows but I'm all for keeping my sanity. DS on his own is enough to have me on my knees at the mo, without a newbron to care for too. Want some quality 1:1 with DS2 when he arrives too and DS1 loves the childminders.

FlyingReindeer - last time my Braxton Hicks were pretty bad (and other friends weren't having any which bemused me!) and this time they are fine sometimes and bad others. If they carry on, don't be afraid to ring the maternity unit for advice - they are up all night and will be happy to reassure you.

Have had a busy day seeing friends and have not had my customary nap so feeling a bit icky and knackered. 33 weeks today and beginning to consider acupuncture to help turn the baby as I know he is still breach. Will check out the fetal positioning stuff too. Happy new year to you all. Wonder if we'll all stay awake till midnight?

heyyy everyone, taking me ages to catch up with everything thats been happening over xmas with everyone!
me and DP went up to my mum n dads xmas day and boxing day [his parents don't really 'do' xmas, altho have told dp that they had better get used to it next year, lol!] so apart from the occasion comment from family members [mainly grandma saying silly things, and staring at bump for ages at a time] i've been away from the judgementable people so far.

i am a little concerned about babi tho, i've been getting very low, where pevlic bone is, sharp shooting pains, not in my abdo, just where the bone is, kinda lasts about 5secs, normally in the evening, for a couple of hours, during the day the pressure is horrid, and i've been getting this 'nesting instinct nonsence' that you get a few weeks before birth... also babi has been head down for about 7weeks and at my last midwife appointment [2weeks ago] she basically said he was starting engage.... from anyone elses experience, could i end up popping sooner rather than later? [i'd be happy to as long as babis ok tbh, lol]

lastly, does anyone know of any nice places to get nursery curtains? i want a nice blue pair, with cars on, i've tried EVERYWHERE, and i mean EVERYWHERE, but no luck =[

Sounds like everyone survived Christmas! Mine was marred by incredible back pain that started on Christmas Eve and hasn't really let up since. It's worse when I'm lying down, so I can' sleep, and I am really at the end of my tether. I spoke to a MW who said it could be the baby sitting on a nerve. For the first time I've been wishing that baby would come early - this week would do, I'm in so much pain.

FlyingReindeer did you contact your MW? I was convinced I was in labour a couple of days ago with terrible BH and waves of back pain, but baby still here. I was terrified but also looking forward to not being in pain any more.

Anyway I'm under strict instructions from my family to sit on the sofa and do NOTHING for the rest of my pregnancy or as long as the pain lasts. Which I would usually strenuously object to, but seeing as merely walking for five minutes brings me to tears, I'm going to try to enjoy it

Hello Ladies,

Happy Xmas and of course merry non alcoholic new year for tomorrow. I hope some of you may remember me. For some reason I have taken to reading all your posts every day in bed on my iphone and its not ideal to post from. I feel bad for doing this but not contributing at all! The last time I posted my DP had a lump in his throat that was being investigated and after several weeks really pleased to report all is well according to consultants tests. phew. Everything else is ok so far I believe, am now 33+4 getting lots of major baby movement and little sleep. Possibly braxton hicks but not sure as 1st timer, tightness across stomach - oooh and that pressure. I went nesting crazy a couple of weeks ago and did whole nursery, even painting my own big mural of a tree on the wall. I keep going intp nursery and just feel so happy in there. Just want baby now. Pyjamababe know what you mean about mamas and papas, I am addicted to them and cannot stop buying stuff though I think I bought a pram that is far too massive and I will regret - the joolz. We bought a car yesterday too which is the most fantastic development as I really am soooo big and its great to have the driving option places, especially when baby comes. Anyhoo - sorry for not commenting any of your posts but thought I should do a catch up first - sorry if a bit long - then fully intend to be full mums net participant again not just stalker

Hello,

FlyingReindeer I had painful BHs over Christmas and spoke to a very reassuring midwife as they were worse at night and close together. She told me to take paracetemol and try adn sleep and if they were still waking me up in 2 hours time to come in for a check up. This did the trick and luckily they didn't get any worse. She also said if they get longer in duration and more regular they could be a sign of early labour. I guess you really have to take it easy. I think mine were brought on the by the stress of flying to Scotland with DD adn DP! Hope they are better and you feel a bit more rested.

Nikki87 I remember getting these pains last time at this stage and a friend told me it's due to some sort of static/grinding action of the baby on your pelvis once it's engaged. Not sure if this is right but I know it's quite painful.

Am frantically reading up on hypnobirthing trying to convince myself all will be calm and that I can do it without spending a fortune on classes.....

Thank you everyone for your kind advice. I had a bath, and that didn't help, but the pain eased off last night before bed time but I still went to bed early - even though I am finding bed a relatively uncomfortable place to be right now! I feel better today, the odd tightening, but that's all - and I can cope with that. If it happens again I will contact them. Baby is still moving lots, so that's ok then!

Nikki - My babe has been head down for about six weeks or more too. I don't think being engaged can have any effect on when they can come, can it? I am not sure on the pains though - it could be lightening perhaps?

Pops - glad to hear your husband is ok, what a huge relief for you. I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes ok.

Am now 34+6 - the idea of going to 42 weeks scares the living hell out of me!

Happy new year everyone when it comes!

I have been pottering all day getting ready for our party. We have hosted loads of stuff this year, I kind of feel it's my last chance for anything very sociable for a few months at least after the baby is born.

I'm away to put my feet up and watch Corrie before the guests start coming at 9pm.

See you all in 2010.