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

ohh and rasberry leaf... i got the caps, the woman at the health store said the tea is distusting, but you all seem to like it.. does it TASTE like rasberry???

and clappedout [crossed post, lol] I'm due the same date as you guys, getting so so fed up now, just want him to arrive!!!! got the pram and the cot in the last few days and putting it up at the weekend, feeling more and more real now!

can anyone recommend a good monitor btw? the choice is baffling!!! :S

I got my consultant's appointment through yesterday, so scan on 2nd Feb, then consultant on 5th.

Baby isn't breech today, but he's not head down either. He is sort of lying sideways, and when I get braxton hicks, my bump is shaped like a doughnut with a big hole in the middle. I reckon he is curled up lying straight across my middle.

No raspberry leaf tea or any other labour encouraging methods. Firstly, I have read that they will only encourage labour if you are just about ready anyway, and secondly, I want this baby in here as long as possible! It's much easier to look after in than out!!!

I am on my own all day today. DH dropped DS at nursery at 9am, then my SIL will collect him and look after him until DH finishes work. I am going to miss him, but I just have to get used to it I guess because I can't be on my own with him all day when my leg is in plaster. I got a commode for downstairs, and ds loves using it. At least it means if we are alone, I can help him if he needs the toilet. He is a lovely wee boy and is willingly helping me when I ask him too. This morning, he came downstairs and said "oh, mummy, the recliner is folded in, that's no use" He then reclined the chair for me and put the correct number of cushions out for me to rest my leg on. I am hoping this is all a good sign for when I ask him to help me with stuff for the baby.

Nikki I wasn't going to try the tea 'cos I thought it would be awful, however with a little bit of honey in I think it tastes like hot ribena. It's also quite nice cold.

Mawbroon your DS sounds lovely

I'm braving the snow to go out for lunch today. All this white stuff is spoiling my plans for this period of mat leave when I was going to go out for lunch and shopping etc. 'cos I'm stuck inside, grrr.

I can't imagine what raspberry leaves taste like! I think raspberry flavoured tea itself is pretty useless isn't it? I am looking forward to my delivery. If for nothing else I am going to drink it as it can help with breastfeeding no? Or certainly can't do any harm.

DH and I went shopping yesterday and had a lovely day in Paris. We had quite a bit of wedding money set aside for baby stuff, so it was really nice to go and spend it together. DH is a great shopper, but he had to put up with me needing to go to the loo every hour! We stayed for dinner (DH had sushi - so unfair, while I had miso soup and noodles) and then went to a friend's leaving drinks. It felt like a normal non-pregnant day! DH has early starts too so likes to use me as an excuse to go home early.

I had my second ante-natal class this morning (on the perineum - gulp!) and it was great, but one of the mums to be has already given birth! We had our first class on 12/12 and she gave birth on 17/12 - a full two months early!! Apparently mother and babe are doing well though (the mid-wife taking the classes looks after this mum).

I need to read up more on alcohol and breastfeeding. As far as I have researched a glass every now and again in pg does no harm, but I feel a bit different about having even a small glass while feeding a tiny baby so I will see.

woowa - I think one cup of coffee a day in pg is fine too (certainly my doctor told me it was fine) and I have drunk one cup a day the whole way through. I read on Kellymom that there are some (disputed) studies that show that caffeine can have a positive effect on milk-production, but I think it's best to keep it to a minimum. Nonetheless it did say that if a low caffeine intake is maintained during pg it is easier for a baby than being exposed to it for the first time in the breastmilk as they will have built up a minor tolerance.

Just a quickie - flyingcloud I would have found that very hard to watch my DH have sushi - I love the stuff and it is my biggest craving now.

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but i know everyone is packing their bags now. The NCT midwife said last night that you should make sure you pack your bags with birth partner, explaining what each thing is because they will be the one retrieving things from it most likely. Seemed to make sense, she also said to always have 30 quid to hand in case you need to jump in a cab and get to hospital urgently - also seems sound advise...

I have't started on the raspberry leaf tea, but have it ready to go in a couple of weeks time (not that it did much last time).

I have packed my hospital bag, and have remembered a blanket for me - last time I was freezing, and despite many requests, the staff wouldn't/didn't bring me a blanket or any kind of cover, so I ended up covering myself in sarongs, baby blankets and towels! I have also put in loads of change for parking, as we'll undoubtedly not be able to find any if we look for it at the crucial time!

Really struggling with tiredness today. It's much harder being heavily pregnant and looking after a toddler when you can't get out. And today is DH's birthday and his parents and brother have just phoned to say that they will come over for dinner (as planned) but could they stay the night so to avoid driving in the snow at night. What can I say? Better go and make the beds and clear the rooms, and I really hope Tesco bring my groceries today (rescheduled from earlier in the week) otherwise I don't know what we're going to eat. Dh has also invited round - wait for it - 22 people for lunch on Sunday (he originally asked them all over for dinner on the Saturday night and to stay over and I quickly kiboshed that), so that'll need preparing too. Feel bad at dreading it all because it is his birthday, but I'm just so tired.

westlondon same here, glucose fine but still aneamic after tablets and eating red meat again, booh.
watercress I am sure your guests can make their own bed, let them, they will understand. Can you order food in or let your DH cook, I know it is his birthday but if you are like me at the moment I am struggling to stay standing for a long time. I can walk fine, (ice melted here yesterday ) but for some reason standing over the stove and sink, is killing my back.
flying you can eat sushi while pregnant, if you know that the restaurant prepare it according to the law (i.e. real japanese and not disguised chinese, the fish is frozen before cutting which kill alll the parasites). They are changing the recommandations in the UK.
woowa for the coffee it is for you to see. I went straight back to coffee with DD while breastfeeding but it made her insane, jumpy and awake all day... I had to stop again for my own sanity
Have a nice weekend, hopefully I will find a pram!

Thanks Mama - recommendations here in France are still no sushi! I would happily jump right in if there was even the slightest ambiguity, as I think raw fish must be good for you, but I am not convinced by the place we went to. We both had raging thirsts afterwards which suggests that there might have been some MSG in some of the food - which strikes me as very un-Japanese!

watercress sounds like you have a hectic weekend - good luck with it all (and definitely make your guests make their own beds!)

Smaller sushi restaurants have all told me its fresh and they do not freeze (they are prob just trying to sound good) but yo sushi told me they do - have to admit I still haven't braved it anywhere yet - sorely tempted to jump in car now and find one . Having said that only approx 5 weeks to go now!!!

Speaking of sushi make me think of steak tartare!! Can't wait for this LO to be here and to be able to eat a homemade steak tartare!! Yummy... ]grin]

I was due to have a growth scan tonight but it has been cancelled as the person is sick, but it as been rebooked for Monday, so not long to go before I know what's LO current weight (I know it's not accurate)!

Does anyone know if it's ever going to stop snowing? Am drying new nappies and muslins in front of fire (washed to help absorbency!). But when babies are here, will we be able to hang their washing outside???

We haven't had snow for about three days woowa, but it was -9 this morning when dh took ds to nursery.

Baby has the hiccups just now. It's kind of cute but annoying at the same time.

I have sort of managed to prepare the tea for dh getting home. I sliced the (nice) ham , flung some tatties in the automatic oven to bake, opened a tin of beans and tipped them in a pan, and peeled and chopped some mushrooms. I also set the table and put some dishes in the dishwasher. Not bad for having my leg in plaster I reckon. I really hope I get a walking plaster from the fracture clinic on Monday. It would mean there would be so much more that I can do. My leg gets very tired when I have to hold it off the ground, and my stomach muscles are having to work hard too, when they are already stretched with my bump.

Ach, bodies are amazing. I am sure it will all heal itself in no time.

Yummmmm, Sushi... and dippy eggs with soldiers... and King Prawn anything from the Chinese...

Woowa and Clappedout I never did find out how my pals sister conceived with a broken pelvis. I assumed it must have been as it was mending but not totally healed. I never found out for sure. And now, having my pelvis ache like I do I can't imagine being able to even think sex was a good idea with any kind of pain there! It was all part of a huge crazy elopement with a new bloke while emigrating and the whole thing was like a mad soap opera for ages. Totally irrelevant really but popped into my head

I've been having a wobble about my home birth recently after seeing a different midwife the last couple of times but managed to see 'my' one yesterday. Feeling much better about it again now, I think it's just scary not knowing how I'll cope, especially in this ice and snow.

Any Home Birthers got their pool/tens sorted yet?

sunnybump - am seriously considering tellin my consultant I've changed my mind to a homebirth if she won't let me deliver where I want! I've sorted the tens already (though not a homebirther yet), hired from here, which i hope will be ok.

Thanks for the pelvis explanation!!

On dippy eggs with soldiers - i've been having them all the way through, as well as fried eggs with runny yolks. I just presumed that well cooked meant the whites!! Well, me and baby are still alive, so I shall continue, since they are delicious! Wondered why people on the grumpy thread kept mentioning them, but i suppose it makes sense.

And well done Mawbroon - a truly stirling effort. Hope your DH lets you sit down and rubs your muscles after everyone else is in bed. Maybe not the stomach muscles - being rubbed on those at the moment would be very odd! But the neck and back and foot...

That's it, tonight I've started my batch cooking to go into the freezer!

Cooking right now is:

• mince beef for a cottage pie
• Steak and Kidney casserole

Tomorrow, I'm planning to do:

• mince lamb for shepherd pie
• chicken curry
• fish pie
• mince beef for lasagna
• pre cooked potatoes

and maybe another steak and kidney casserole

Am I mad to cook stuff in advance in order not to be too rushed when baby is here?

Dee2009 anynews what is happening.. that is biog for 36weeks.. I had my DD at 35+5 and she was 4lb 14oz.. we had to stay in hospital because she was a csection because of other probs in pregnancy, and she was on antibiotics as soon as she was born.. she was on them for 5 days then we had to have 48hrs free of them before she could go hiome to make sure she d idnt react.

Mawbroon I think memory is shit at mo so sorry.. well done you for getting all that done very impressive.. hope all goes well at clinic on monday.

Hope everyoneelse is ok..

The hospital tour went well I was very impressed..
The scan today went well too baby weighs roughly 2.4kgroughly 5lbs.. I am 34+5.. so looks like I am in for another 6.5-7pounder 6lb 15oz is my biggest.
Dh has invited friends over tonight to celebrate my bday yesterday.. he has finally fifnished our cellar bar so should be a good night, just cant wait till I can join in with the drinking..

Hospital bag will be getting packed this weekend, think I have got everything.. The hospitals here are good all I have to provide for the baby is going home clothes for him as they provide everything for him whilst we are in there.

I have another scan booked for 2 weeks...

Take care all and hope everyone is alright.. must take time and catch up with everyone.. if I get some time over the weekend....

I had a scan again today (as have unusual antibodies) and at 34+2 the baby is already measuring at 6lbs 1oz, but then DS1 was 7lbs 13.5oz so I guess it's no surprise that this one is likely to be relatively big (especially when I consider how many mince pies and double deckers I have consumed in recent weeks).

The good news is that baby is no longer breach, after an evening spent crawling on hands and knees round the lounge yesterday, much to DH's amusement!! All I have to do now is hope that the baby stays that way up! I'm back into my Hypnobirthing book today as I think it's my best chance for a natural birth without causing problems to my bowel, like I did last time.

I'm not too bothered by the snow here, although I find trying to keep DS1 and myself upright at the same time a bit of a challenge.

Hope you all have a good weekend. Keep safe in the weather.

guernseyfrench you are not mad, you are very wise. I hope to be following your example once we've eaten some space into the freezer! full of cooking apples and blackberries - not very useful for post-birth meals! Though i spose I could make some pies for puddings.

guernseyfrench I am seriously impressed with your cooking. My mum and dad were supposed to visit this weekend to help wash clothes, change the pram over etc and help me stock the freezer. They have had to cancel as it involves them travelling from Lancashire to Surrey, so now I have to do it all. I feel even more exhausted than usual just thinking about it.

Thanks to those who said I should get my itching checked out. I took your advice and had monitoring and blood tests on Tuesday and have to go back next week for more of the same. The baby sounded fine but am still waiting for the bloods to come back. I also had a scan today to see if my placenta had moved, which it had thankfully. His weight was estimated at 6lb currently, so with 4 weeks to go I am looking at an 8lb baby. I am fine with this as dd was 8lb8oz. However his head circumference measurement was enormous. The size of an average 40 week baby. I am now very nervous of delivering and if anyone has any tips on how to get through it I would be very grateful!

Spent a fortune in Boots today on such delights as maternity pads, Lansinoh cream and Lansinoh breast pads. The latter are my top tip for breast pads as they are the only ones which have a thin plastic backing to stop leakage on to your clothes. Plus they are very thin and discreet.

Hope everyone has a good weekend and that the snow doesn't cause too many problems.

Respect to guernseyfrench from over here too - I am planning a similar freezer-fest, but have yet to get my butt in gear! Hoping that when I finally start Mat leave I can just spend all day stirring vats of chilli and bolognese! Also marvelling at mawbroon, slightly ashamed at my evening of vegetating on the sofa, whining to DH about my rib pain now!!

Sunnybump thanks for the reminder - I'm not going to bother with a pool, but I do need to get my tens hire sorted. TBH, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to have anywhere in my house to actually give birth, it's still total DIY annihilation

Really excited about starting NCT classes now (although not doing till the 14th - having 2 full-day marathons) - sound like lots of you are getting some good info from their ante-natal classes.

Have a lovely weekend all... watercress try not to to do too much!!! easier said than done under the circumstances I know, but take care!! x

ladies, for those of you looking at renting a tens machine, you can actually buy one for more or less the cost of renting from Lloyds pharmacy! i think i'm going to be doing that cause that way when I have number 2 [any maybe more....] or someone else needs to borrow [with their own pads of course]

Decided I'd go out to my knitting group this morning as NCT antenatal cancelled due to snow. Knitters meet at a nature reserve cafe which is down a private road, which is on a hill... You guessed it. 8 months pregnant, stuck in the snow. DH said before I left "are you sure you should go?" Did i listen? I did not, since I have cabin fever...

Anyway, to cut a very long story short, my fellow knitting ladies and some other random passers by pushed the car out of all the slidey bits, and after 45minutes I was out again. I offered to park up and go back to help the other 4 knitters who had done the same as me, but they said i wasn't much use for pushing at the moment.

I'm not leaving the house again. Ever. Especialy since some more passers by had to help me get back into my own driveway. Which i now need to go and clear since all i've done is ice it up.
Please melt now.

Nikki87 - check the tens machines which are the same price as hiring one, as i think the cheaper ones aren't for pregnancy. For labour you need the larger ones with 4 pads, and most in the shops only have 2. Happy to be wrong though!

its actually called the labour tens machine, i know the really cheap ones are for your back only, and most other places they are really expensive to buy your own, but Lloyds one is ok
for those interested

Nikki I stand corrected . Well, sit, obviously since I'm 8 months pregnant and can't be bothered to stand. Pretty impressed by that price, and why didn't i buy it?!

Driveway clear of snow and [some] ice. Off to make dinner. Sigh. Wish life stopped entirely when in late pregnancy. Low day today.

Hello all

Spent Thurs night hooked up to a monitor in a (not v nice) delivery room as phoned MW to say I hadn't felt LO move much in 3 days. All fine anyway but the monitor showed lots of little 'tightenings' of my uterus every few minutes. After much thought they decided twas nothing and sent me home since I can't feel them, they don't think it's a problem. Never (to my knowledge) had a Braxton Hicks either. Now hoping I have medical miracle of no sensation in my uterus and birth will be pain-free . Seriously tho, anyone else had this? Am slightly concerned.

Re rasberry leaf, out NCT leader said it helps once labour has begun as it affects muscle tone, and post labour to help uterus contract, but it won't induce labour. She said the following things might: pineapple; spicy food; long walks; sex (inc orgasm if poss...) and clary-sage oil (sp).

Not saying she knows it all mind you, just passing on the info.

Finally, if you did want to massage your perineum, what would you use? Is bio-oil ok or do you need some special oil like almond for example (think I read something about almond oil once)?? Can't stand the thought of tearing...