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

Happy New Year all! i made it to midnight here but reckon i was asleep in bed by about ten past!!

on engaging etc - DD was head down v early, then well engaged 3/5 at about 31 weeks... stayed there without moving until 42+1 so i don't think it necessarily means you're going to pop early! mind you, she was deflexed in the end too, so what do i know!!!???!!!

happy new year all!
I didn't make it till midnight , but I went in bed with Moscow and woke up, bright and early here, in time for New york...
I am in my 35 weeks and in 3 weeks I will have a baby (elCS) . Still no pram and no hospital bag...
flying I think in France they are scared that BF damages the mums' health (which is true in certain cases and if the mum not eating properly). Anyway if it is not working "normaly", they won't insist like they do in England. I think you might find a lack of support if your baby is not putting weight properly or dropping, it will be straight to FF.
I am sure there will be some associations you can google ("aide nourrir au sein" "aide tetee") or some private midwife ("sage femme"). Ask your pharmacie if you can rent a pomp or where you can by one. Make sure you can use it at work first otherwise it won't be worth the expence (will you have time, privacy, a good cleaning and sterilisation methods, a place to store the milk safely, how are you going to get it home if you have a long commuting...?). Can't you have one be sent from the UK? I guess your familly is going to come and see the new baby they can also bring one in their luggages, you won't need it straight away.
Fluffy DD turned head down at 6 months and was born at almost at 42 weeks.

Happy New Year everyone!

Thanks mamaloco - I am so naive about these things so it's nice to have them explained. A lot of my knowledge comes from MN which doesn't always reflect our own real life situations! There is a La Leche Ligue in the area and I hope to go to a couple of meetings. As for pumping - I work from home in the mornings and travel in the afternoons and overseas about once a month so it shouldn't be a problem in the morning if I can manage to express successfully, which I know isn't always possible.

Happy New Year everyone!!! May this year be brilliant for all of us... Managed to stay up until 1, well the fireworks kept the dogs barking til then so not much choice really

I finally spoke to my midwife who called a couple of days ago... apparently I may not be able to have a home birth after all because I had surgeries on my cervix ten years ago and they don't know how it's going to behave, I'm seeing an obstetrician for a second opinion in a couple of weeks.

Spent yesterday at Mothercare and Boots buying stuff for the hospital bag and new baby clothes. Mothercare was a nightmare! The music nearly drove us spare so we had to leave but managed to stock up on babygrows and vests, a blanket and very sweet clothes for the baby. Just washed everything and it all looks so sweet.

DP is upstairs putting up baby curtains in the nursery so it's all very exciting!

32 weeks today and baby is moving constantly. Also bought a pregnancy support pillow which gave me my first good night's sleep in a month. I highly recommend it to those of you who don't have one yet... AMAZING! I also only got up once to go to the loo in the night (sorry tmi!)!

I need to start doing some pram research... and car seat research, tried to look at stuff in Mothercare but was too put off by the music.

Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the New Year!

Happy new year one and all!

Our babies are due next month.

Gulp!

Happy New Year everyone!

Managed to stay up and toast 2010 with a lovely glass of ginger ale and the added bonus was that I was so tired, I actually managed to get a decent night's kip for once!! Can't seem to find a comfy position to sleep in these days...

Thanks for all of the reassurances re the baby's head being engaged - feel better for knowing that it doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to go into labour any minute! DH has been freaking out about it and is attacking the DIY with renewed vigour!

Welcome back Pops, good news re your DP - glad everything is OK.

Fizi hope you're getting lots of TLC and that you manage to get some respite from your back pain - sounds awful, you poor thing.

Can't believe our babies are due NEXT MONTH!!! xx

I managed 2am as well Shiregirl! I was the hostess though, so could hardly bugger off to bed while everyone else fended for themselves!!

DS woke at 10pm, and was up until we finished tidying at 2am, then he slept until 9am, so I didn't feel too bad. DH did send me back to bed when he got up though, so I feel fine today.

We have 6 adults and 2 kids descending tomorrow for the afternoon, and I will do a buffet tea for them all, and I had people round for new years dinner today. I can't be arsed going anywhere, so seem to be hosting everything! I enjoy it though.

Not a lot to report babywise. He is still very mobile, and flips from head up to lying sideways. Sometimes my bump is the oddest shape with a hole in the middle! I think this is when he is lying sideways, kind of curled round IYSWIM. But I figure a crazy shaped bump is to be expected when I have a crazy shaped uterus!!

I guess once we are back to normal after the holidays I will need to start thinking about getting organised. I haven't even thought about a hospital bag yet, but am starting to get a bit twitchy about a wee suitcase for ds in case he has to be shipped out to somebody in the middle of the night. If I end up having an elective, it will make planning so much easier!

Happy New Year Next month I'll be having a baby! [first timer face of fear]

I managed til 2am too, knocking back the Orangina, but only cause I had a long afternoon nap! We stayed at home as loads of snow was forecast and had a fab time listening to the radio then curled up on the sofa watching day of the triffids, bliss.

Am thinking it may be time to get the baby's room ready as at the moment it's full of boxes waiting to be sorted out. Plus I voluntarily cleaned the cooker yesterday which is very unlike me so I think I may be nesting . Otherwise I'm taking it easy, 2 weeks of work to go before maternity leave starts... I can't wait!

My pregnancy pillow is a godsend and worth every penny. It'll be handy for BF too.

Here's to health and happiness in 2010

Hello, happy new year all. Amazing that we can now say "NEXT MONTH." How exciting!

Spent wednesday night throwing up (on the new carpet) at my parents' house, so DH drove me home last night, thus missing the party we were going to. We slept(ish) through midnight. Not the most memorable NYE ever! But since it took 4 hours to get here, rather than the 8 it took to get to my parents, it was better to drive on NYE when everyone was partying! Recovering from sick bug while pregnant takes a LOT longer... feel pretty dreadful now.

Was in real pain on tuesday, but sometime in the morning while resting, the baby did a HUGE movement and the pain went. I can see from the outside that it's now in a totally different place to the last scan at 32 weeks - hoping at 37 week scan that it hasn't flipped to breech, but is just in a nice back to front position. PLEASE!

Hospital bag - looking forward to sorting that this week, and shopping for delightful things like maternity pads and nipple cream. Nice!

Happy New Year! Next month sounds so scary and exciting all at the same time.

Woowa I hope you feel better soon. I'm thinking of doing the same and starting to sort out my hospital bag this week as well, but keep getting distracted by the more interesting stuff I'll need for baby, rather than the practical bits and bobs!

Just got back from staying with friends and their 18 months old twins for New Year - I'm seriously hoping there is some secret formula you're given when you become a mum that gives you endless energy - I'm exhausted and we were only with them for about 24 hours!

There's no secret formula MarieKL. It's just that after a couple of years, you get used to being bloody knackered all the time.

I was hoping my baby was head down earlier today as I couldn't feel his head bobbing around like I usually do, but he must just have been lying slightly differently because he moved a wee bit and I could feel it again. He also had the first bout of hiccups that I have noticed. DS thought it was hilarious that he could feel his brother's hiccups.

I am paying now for letting ds stay up for the bells last night. He passed out at 4.30pm for about 20 mins, but it obviously refreshed him enough as he is wide awake and refusing to sleep. And of course, a late night never translates into a long lie in the morning!! Never!

Happy new year. Just wanted to say how impressed I am with you all. I do remember 2 am last night, but only as I was on a bathroom run, not because I was still up and celebrating. I am also 35 weeks today and have done nothing in preparation for d day yet. To be fair, I have pretty much everything I need, but it is all in the loft with a thick layer of dust on it. This baby simply cannot come early as my mum is not coming until next weekend to help me get sorted.

I am finally on the mend after my chest/ sinus infection. The antibiotics have worked a treat despite my gp telling me they wouldn't. I have developed an itchy rash on my arms and legs though which my midwife says is probably a reaction to the tablets.

pops it is lovely to hear from you again. So glad you and your dh are doing well.

I really can't believe it is nearly our turn to have our babies. Think I am still a bit in denial about it all.

Have a good weekend.

Hello All,

Glad to hear most of you are well and getting organised.

I am worried that I am turning into the most grumpiest woman on earth! I am so uncomfortable all of the time and have a proper waddle when I walk. I am also feeling short of breath constantly and feel dizzy when I stand up. Added to all of this dd 5yo and ds 2yo want me to play with them and entertain them all of the time.

Waaahhh!!

Dh works in retail and has been working crazy hours for the past few weeks - he never seems to be here.

We also got the keys to our new house on the 23rd Dec and are slowly moving in. It is a new build and although we own it the builders haven't yet installed the stove, range or boiler - so we can't really live in it. We are hoping they will be installed in the next 2 weeks. I simply don't have that pioneer spirit in me to camp out there yet!!

So as a result of all off this I haven't really got anything organised. I do have most things but they are packed up in boxes either here or there ready to be dealt with - if I ever get the energy.

I am 34 weeks on Tues and the way I am feeling today, if I was offered a CS or induction right now I would have it! I am fed up with being pregnant! It is freakin' hot here too which is energy sapping, 36C on NYE!

And to end my big moany post - DD is watching cbeebies and I really really really hate Big Cook Little Cook! They are wankers!!

On a happier note though I was looking at rocking chairs today and have decided which one I want. It is so comfortable - I may never get out of it!

Take care!!

Hello everyone, I managed 1:45 am too, but I was so much more tired the next day than DH, who drank a fair bit and then had to get up to go to work yesterday morning, early! I spent most of the day on the sofa, while he worked in the morning, did some more DIY in the baby's room in the afternoon and then went back to work in the evening.

I feel very at myself, but I really feel it now if I overdo it and as DH pointed out it's my last chance to take it easy (which doesn't mean he won't be hands on when the baby arrives).

I have started getting our bags ready, but in all honestly not sure how I can fit everything in! Can someone tell me - do I need to bring muslins to hospital with me?

I am also struggling to work out how much I need of the different sizes - should I concentrate on newborn for timebeing, which I don't have very much of - or can I rely on my 0-3 months? French sizing is different too, quite a bit smaller! I am also buying most of my stuff on Mothercare as there is no such thing as cheap baby clothes here...

One more VERY stupid and weird question. In out ante-natal classes, the mid-wife said she thought a full moon often had an impact on women giving birth. There is a full moon on 30 January and just wondered what others thought, or if this is complete tosh! She said if the moon was strong enough to control the tides then it could have an impact on us too! My feeling is that the babes will arrive when they are good and ready...

Hi all,

I've not popped in for a bit.. has anyone given birth yet?

I just txt DH saying 'It's January, we are having a baby in February.. Oh. My. God'.

It's just hit me. I've just not really had time to think about it up until now. I'm going to have another small person to look after.

She's way above the top line on her growth chart (GP measured and didn't know how it works) and I can't see midwife for a couple of weeks... so don't know what to do. I'm 32 weeks and she's already 6lb. I have glucose in my wee all the time and yet a GTT test came back normal.

I'm crying and snapping at everything and I STILL have 4 weeks left at work

I don't think I'm going to be able to walk for much longer as my SPD has got so bad.. so will they induce?

I haven't packed my hospital bag. What do I need? I haven't bought baby a mattress, a buggy or a monitor yet. Know where I can get them cheap? I'm after a P&T sport double.

Paninied Sorry you are in so much pain and emotion. Iknow it doesn't help much, but when i think i can't cope with the pain/tiredness any more, I tell myself it's not long! Can you take ML earlier? Does SPD count as something you can get signed off for? Anyone know?

I'm amazed at how long it's taking my body to get over being sick for one night. But I guess, as the maternity helpline person said, the baby feeds off me, not off my food, so, since I've been eating half the amount, I guess i'm being sucked dry, nutritionally. We all are. Need to pull myself together as our youth group starts tomorrow night, and the year begins afresh...

Muslins in hospital bag - hadn't thought about it, but probably would be helpful in case we have to stay in for a few days and DC is sick on us! I bought my first hospital bag things today: a small bottle of ribena and Lansinoh nipple cream!! Ribena clearly essential for labour... Can't get into baby's room to sort out its clothes for bag as have christmas junk piled in doorway. Slowly realising I won't be able to use that handy spare space at the top of the stairs for storing junk anymore. Sigh.

Happy new year everyone! We saw it in on the sofa with a glass of champagne and it was lovely. Our last NY with just the two of us - scary .

Get well wishes to all those under the weather and in pain. My pain has died down to a low ache which I suppose is only to be expected in late pregnancy. And I think it must be partly to do with having put on a full five pounds over Christmas - I really am a greedy pig (and was told so repeatedly by my family who watched in amazement as I carried on eating). I would love to walk it off but it still hurts too much to walk very far.

Paninied I'm no expert but I believe that if you take any time off work due to a pregnancy-related illness, then your ML would start automatically. Do you have any annual leave you could take (you should earn your quota for the year while on ML)?

Well done to all those who sound as if they are getting everything sorted. My mum and sisters are all concerned that we have done nothing beyond getting a moses basket. I suppose it really is time to get sorted now. I just feel uncharacteristically energy-less.

I've been away and haven't been on here for ages, I'm quite surprised that we haven't had the first arrival yet.

Since Monday I seem to be suffering, abdominal muscles, back and pelvis all hurt. Sometimes seperately and sometimes all at once so I have been gingerly hobbling everywhere and generally feeling sorry for myself. I'm not looking forward to DH returning to work on Monday and having to run around after 18 month old DS on my own.

Picked up a load of baby stuff from my friend yesterday, I think we just need a car seat now but another friend has one they are giving us, just need to gently nag them to dig it out as I've become a bit paranoid that baby will come early and we won't be able to get it home from hospital!
DH finished decorating in the babies room today so I can start sorting baby stuff out (and realising we are missing loads of stuff). We also need to have some discussion about names, we seem to find deciding on a name really hard and I'm not looking forward to it.

I can't think of what to put in a hospital bag either, last time I took enough luggage for a 3 week holiday and hardly any of it got touched.

flyingreindeer have you been into the supermarkets? I bought quite a lot the last time I visited my parents.

I am entering the New Year which a rotten cold and a chest infection (I would have never thought that I'll rely on Tena Ladies sooo much!)

I have started my bag a few weeks ago and I have:
For me:
PJ
old tshirt for labour
dressing grown
wash bag
sleepers
book
ipod
cloth to go home with
towel
maternity towels
breast pad

For baby
3 sleepsuits in newborn and 3 in 3 months (depending on his size)
4 body
snowsuit to go back home
2 muslin squares
mitain (sp?)
hat

I need to ask at my antenatal classes if they will supply the nappies and formula/bottles

Happy new year. I'm feeling physically very well (despite only sleeping for 3.5 hours last night - random bouts of insomnia are starting to drive me mad. I'm sure that my body is preparing me for the sleepless nights to come!) Mentally, I suddenly feel the urge to nest and am frustrated by the massive pile of crap which is currently blocking the nursery so that I can't get things sorted out.

Like Paninied, had a totally overwhelmed moment yesterday - I feel like we've just about 'mastered' the art of parenting one crazy child and now have to a) start again whilst b) continuing to nurture/keep safe DS1. DH was very lovely and reassuring. I'm just going to make plans to cover difficulties where I can and then forget about the things I can't change until I have to deal with them. Will see the consultant on Friday so may have more of an idea whether or not will be having a c section. Still hoping not and ploughing through the hypnobirthing book.

Muslins - I would definitely take some - if you get a sicky baby, it may be sicky from day 1 and sicky boobs/pjs are not a good look! I would also recommend a straw for sipping drinks during labour and a pair of flipflops that you can wear in the shower so that you don't have to stand on the hospital floor in bare feet. Also add more breast pads and sanitary towels than you can shake a stick at and a big packet of chocolate digestives in case they forget to feed you like they did with me last time! The camera is essential (and check the lens doesn't get misted up if it has sat in the cold car and gone into a hot hospital room - our photos of DS1 are all hazy due to this!) Having said all this, haven't packed a bean but did take my notes with me today for the first time when we went visiting relatives 100 miles away! 5-6 weeks to go and counting! Chin up all - we're nearly there.

Oh esselle I couldn't agree more about Big Cook Litle Cook. Saw one of those review of the year programmes a couple of days ago. The pair of them were commenting on various events and were described as 'comedians'. Very generous description I thought!

Re hospital bags. In the UK we are definitely told to bring our own nappies. I would also put in some snacks for during labour but also for afterwards. Hospital food is quite yuck and you are not there usually at the right time to order what you want and get stuck with what is left. Also I don't know if all hospitals are the same, but our post natal ward is boiling hot, so I wouldn't take thick pyjamas or you will expire.

Gosh, we are discussing hospital bags. We must be having babies soon....

Is anyone else getting period type pains low down in their abdomen. Just quite faint ones, but coming in short bursts like contractions? I don't remember these from last time. Am really hoping my cervix is dilating nice and slowly now so that when labour does start I will already be a good couple of cm's dilated. Yes, optimistic I know!

Hi All,

Ooh Chinook your getting me excited we could be getting started on births with those symptoms but as a 1st timer what do I know! My friend who is ahead of me, just a week off her due date has been in early labour since yesterday morning, contractions 30-45 mins apart. I jokingly said I'd see her at aqua natal on Mon and she said yes after she had been to Brent Cross sales she would be there! She says this could go on forever and her friend was in early labour for 3 weeks! WHAT, I did not realize this was a possibility. I am jealous though cos like many of you have said I feel very ready to get this done and over with and meet my baby. Really fed up with being pg, do really feel like a beached whale now. Haven't packed my hospital bag yet but think I have pretty much everything sorted. I actually think I was too eager as have had my pram for 2 months sat in bedroom, it has now gone down by 150 quid and I have decided it is too big really so wish I had waited you will prob get better deals. Only thing left to do is sort out our windows in our room. We have useless blinds that block out nothing. It's a bay window so very awkward sizes and 3 made to measure blackout blinds to be bought or curtains and pole which to get decent look like they will cost a fortune, any suggestions or sales around curtains/blinds you know would be very grateful. I cannot believe how soon our babies are going to be with us now, where has the time gone? I just got the monitor on ebay for half the price in shop brand new, hope it will be ok, love to get a bargain . So sorry to hear that so many of you are feeling such bad aches and pains, hope things improve, not long now... I am getting shooting pains down below from time to time, tightening and weird feeling when I walk of pressure down below, but all in all not that bad - YET.....take care...

hello again all!

sorry pops i too meant to say it's nice to have you back and hear that all is well! we were v skint post renovations when DD arrived 3 years ago, and used a roll of black paper to sort our windows out!! dunno if that's a temporary option for you?!? continued actually to use black paper for her room til about a year ago.. s'very effective! we eventually got blackout blinds fitted, but they were rubbish compared to the absolute inky blackness of the paper, so carried on using this too!

I got stung by a bee yesterday - ouch that chuffing hurt! My arm is now hot and itchy and starting to swell... blinking thing just landed and stung - wonder if i'm giving off weird anti-bee pheromones or something?! Googled it and it seems it may be more painful cos pregnant, but nothing to worry about unless anaphalatic (sp?!) shock sets in.. 24 hours ago now, so reckon i'm safe!

with you all on the 'big cook, little cook' tossers too!

haven't packed a bag yet, but will start sorting next week i think, also need to wash all baby clothes - another job for next week. I'll be putting a few muslins in - with DD the hosp only provided one set of bedding for the cot, and it didn't last very long - trying to find someone to get some more bedding off was a pita, so i'll be using a muslin over the top of the sheet to catch the worst of anything!

still waiting for hypno-birth book to be delivered.. hoping it gets here in time for me to read it!!!!

Hi there

I can't believe I'm posting that early!

Been awake since 5.30am and up since 6am as I can't breath! It's like I've been running while in bed and this time my ventoline doesn't want to help.

I'm like everybody and can't believe that we're going to have our babies in 1 month!!! [scary but happy smiley]

I've been doing the mothercare sale on the net and bought quite a few bargain for next winter!!! I thought I might as well save a few quid! DH thinks i've lost it...

Yesterday DH put some air into my swiss ball, renamed for this month 'birth ball' and I've started using it to seat and do some of the spinning babies website exercises.

Have a good Sunday