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

Glad to see I'm not the only one who is starting to organise the house for the arrival of the baby.

As I'm off sick (I'm reacting to the swine flu jab, but nothing nasty), DH and I have just been dealing with the baby room / guestroom.
We got rid off the double bed, built a sofa bed and built the cot.
With the cot it make things more real (yep I know the big bump kicking a lot in front of me should prove me that DC is growing in me).
Now I have to do the baby clothes laundry and wait for my orders from Myminimonsters (finally used the £300 voucher I won through MN ), the reusable nappies and Minimode...

Definitely exhausted here too. The dses are finally having a good sleep phase (I breed terrible sleepers) but I still feel knackered. Possibly due to being up for hours in the middle of the night... Oh, and the fact I breed terrible sleepers, so haven't had sustained good sleep since before I was pg with ds1

My belly button is flattening out too. It hasn't popped out yet in prev pg, so hoping it won't this time (have a weird aversion to belly buttons, and the suggestion of piercing your outy made me shudder!!!)

Saw the MW today who said I was a bit small, but within acceptable. Not sure how much that puts my mind at ease with the weight thing. However, I woke up starving this morning so maybe there's going to be an end to MS

motherof2 - for some reason I found you saying you have only 9 or 10 weeks left terrifying - the idea that we're nearing single figures... eek!!! On my last AN thread, which was a due in Jan thread, someone popped in November (she had had her dates changed to Dec but stuck with the Jan thread as she was already on it. Even so, she was pretty early) so theoretically it may not be desperately long before we have our first birth

am knackered too... in fact, DD was up at 6.30 yesterday and sat in bed with me (DH on earlies this week) while i slept for another hour !! felt dreadful, but she was such a sweetie!

I feel a bit like this pregnancy is happening to someone else - feeling v detached from it... all a bit odd really. Don't get me wrong, really REALLY want another DC, it just all feels like it's passing me by without me being part of it. Am doing the things i know i should be - eating healthily etc and i've got the babygros and bedding out to wash but it all feels a bit auto-pilot. in fact, life feels a bit auto-pilot... hmm...

glad lots of us seem to be feeling better, if tired!

I hit a wall of tiredness yesterday that really knocked me after a fantastic week last week. Now worried as done nothing, bought nothing (apart from a bag) and spare room is a TIP. 4 more weeks of work to go so still no plans to get stuck in until Jan.

All the babymoon talk is spooky as was just discussing the idea with dh last night. MIL lives literally round the corner and I'm worried about getting any peace as she is baby mad (there can be no exaggeration about how excited this woman is, honestly) and I feel like a cow for wanting to shut the world out for a little while(apart from my own mum). Think dh understood...I am crap at asserting myself but am just going to have to I think.

Stoofadoof - I feel the same weird detachedness about my pregnancy too. With DS I was very excited to read the book each week to see what would be happening inside. Think I have looked at it twice this pregnancy (and certainly didn't memorise it last time!)
DS has been ill for the last 24 hours so we've had very little sleep (in only 25 minute bursts!) and I'm waiting to hit the wall. Feel like I'm getting the coldy bit myself (desperately hoping to avoid the sickness that he has also had) and wondering how to look after him tomorrow if I am feeling rubbish too and can't take any remedies to help

Hello all,

Feeling very tired here too! Still have a heatwave here in Melb and it is 36c today. I also went to see New Moon (new Twilight movie) last night at a midnight screening so didn't get to bed until 3am. Probably doesn't help the tiredness...

I am grateful that DS still has an afternoon nap and DD happily watches TV so I can chill out with a cup of tea!

I am happy that my MIL is in the UK and won't be visiting us until the baby is about 3mo old. My Mum is 6 hrs away but will come and stay when baby is born. I don't really have anyone at hand to help out but I guess I will just have to suck it up and get on with it. I just keep telling myself that life will be easier in 5yrs time!

I have been through all of my baby stuff and really don't need to get anything else. But as we are moving in January I am not planning on washing anything or setting anything up. I will have do it all at the last possible moment I guess.

I will probably go shopping when the baby is born for any little bits as we don't know the sex. Here in Aust the government give you a baby bonus of $5000 (GBP 2500). I shall have some fun! Although I will probably end up buying things for our new house...

esselle - £2500!!! I think I might move there myself!

I have been feeling really tired too, have started falling asleep on the sofa every night.

Thanks to everyone for the nappy cream advice, much appreciated. I would have got it wrong based on the advice of family. Keeping them dry and cream free makes more sense to me.

Found out yesterday that my DP will be unable to attend antenatal classes with me as he will still be working away in the week next year. Can't afford private classes so I will just have to get on with it. I won't lie to you though I do feel (as he does) quite sad about it. Has anyone had experience of going by themselves? How was it? Can't make up my mind whether to ask a friend to go with me or just go alone. ill I be the only one alone?

I'm also worried that he wont be home when I go into labour. I keep having nightmares that he misses the birth. I know this is stupid as presumably there is quite a lot of warning which would give him time to get home.

So that's my self-pitying rant for today. Just had to get it off my chest.

Hi westlondon for antenatal classes we had day time ones for DD, so almost no DH there. I went alone and I wans't the only one. Once there was a night time one so the dads can visit the wards, ask questions, and learn massages but that was it. I think it is pretty rare for dads to be able to take time off to go to classes. Don't worry you will be fine. Thinking about it most people were alone, but mine were the free hospital ones, may be it is different somewhere else?

Hi westlondongirl, I'm sure you won't be the only one on your tod at the classes, it is daunting though. My DP's sister was on her own a few years ago(she had split with her partner) and he stepped in for her which helped. Maybe tap a friend up if you can....as for missing the birth I'm sure you'll get lots of notice, especially if it's your first time! How far away will your DP be?

Having same detached 'outside looking in' experience with this pregnancy as you stoofadoof, it's gone so quickly already. Mainly pre-occupied with getting through work during the week and coping with DD and her gargantuan(is that a word?)tantrums at weekends (plus DP's not terribly helpful reactions to them, like having two kids already). There is a saying that your first child is like the first pancake, then the second one is dragged up as you just have no time to spoil them...must be some happy medium?!

Just a stupid questions , I have read threads for preparing hospital bags and they talked about not forgetting the gifts for the older children? Some of my freinds did that ("look new baby got you a scooter!") but I always found that a bit weird. Is this the norm and what is it supposed to achieve? I know my mum bought me a baby doll but I was 15 months when my brother came and had trouble realising what was happening. What is the point in giving older children something and not baby related? Does new baby have to buy the affection of its sibblings?

Hello All

Hope you're well. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been reading often but by the time I've caught up with all the news either DD or DP want time on the computer, my internet connection has dropped out (we're on a dongle at the moment until Virgin Media arrive in a couple of weeks) or I'm just too pooped to type let alone think about what I'm typing!

Anwway, not much to report really apart from the fact that we have finally moved into our new place, it took about 10 van loads to move all our stuff and it most surreal living in a place with stairs and also DP as we weren't living together before then. It is lovely though, the house as well as living with DP. The nursery is ever so cluttered with office stuff of which we have no idea where to put but I think we are just going to take our time and try and work it out when the baby is here as he'll be in our room for a while anyway!

Have had a few appointments with my midwife as she was worried that the baby was a little on the small side as I'm still fitting in my non maternity trousers and I've lost about a stone and a half in weight (I was about 5 stone overweight to begin with) but they think the baby is fine and I'm just carrying on the top rather than all around if that makes sense!

Still haven't decided about the whole situ whether to have the cesarian or not and none of the medical experts seem to want to give me advice (both consultant and midwife are very much' well it's in your hands' which isn't very helpful although I know they are only trying to be!) Does anyone else have to make the decision too?

Also, haven't had the swine flu jab as I just don't know what to do - need to think about it over the weekend with DP I think.

Anyway thats enough of me blabbing along - hope all is well with everyone.

Not sure why I'm not on the list anymore so have added myself again!

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
3rd Feb verylittlecarrot, 1dd 2y4m
4th Feb mothrof2boys, Musicalmummyjules DD 7
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
17 Feb Mrsjeff - First
18 Feb Sunnybump - First
19 Feb Sharon137-
19 Feb Extremelychocolateymilk - DD 2.3
20 Feb Gert ds 22m
20 Feb Cluny 1st
20 Feb Rainbowsprite
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

MusicalMummy what are you reasons for possibly having a caesarian? Not that I would be able to advise, I'm afraid, I'm just curious.

Swine flu - apparently there was an item on the news last night about pregnant ladies not taking up the jab, and how SF could be 10 times more harmful to preg ladies. Someone at work just told me as I was out at the cinema (I'm trying to fit in as much socialising as I can before a) I move away from all my friends and b) erm I have a baby). I am burying my head in the sand. My dr surgery has the jab but I'd have to actively make an appt to take it up; it is so much easier not to take action, than take action... So that's what I've done so far.

westlondongirl I'm sure you wouldn't be the only one on your own, but if it were me I'd take a friend. I hate walking into new places on my own... bit of a scaredy-cat.

I still catch sight of myself in a mirror or walking past a shop window and do a double-take. WTF?! Oh, yeah, I'm having a baby

Hello ladies, glad my weight gain calculator went down well - a bit of ammo to use in self defence for most of us by the sound of it!!! I sent it to my Mum and her reply was quite positive so hopefully that will keep her schtum for a bit!

Jules you have done well moving house! Hope you get everything sorted - or actually supervise whilst others do - with minimum fuss.

Went to see midwife on Tuesday - she asked if she'd seen me before and was surprised when I said "yes, twice!" On that basis VERY glad we have decided to book a Doula - even with the slim chance we get a midwife WE know, she clearly has no clue who WE are!!!

On the upside, she found the baby's heartbeat immediately in the middle of my belly - previously she has only been able to hear the placenta and has had to hunt lower down and round the side for the baby - so I am thinking the placenta has moved upwards! Scan booked for 30th Dec to check for sure but I am now feeling very optimistic about my home birth as opposed to a 'sunroof job' as it seems to be called at my ante natal!

Does anyone else have a squeamish DH? Mine has to leave the room when the midwife takes blood as he feels very faint - can't cope with as much as talk of needles etc. He has never seen a film of a birth and I am really keen for him to do so before I actually go into labour, as I think this will help him cope better on the big day. But he is saying he doesn't want to I know it's his choice but I think it's only fair that he does everything he can to cope as well as poss on the day - even though we will have a Doula his support is the most important to me, obviously. Any advice anyone?

Decided not to have swine flu jab - my GPs are offering Pandemrix and my understanding is that Cevalapan is the recommended one for pg women. As I am not at high risk of exposure (don't use public transport or work in a busy environment) we have decided against. Hope we don't live to regret it.

I am almost 29 wks now (same due date as Fizi and Pingu - seem to be fairly well prepared clothes/paraphernalia wise. Stopping work on Xmas eve so only 5 weeks to go!

Hope everyone is ok and having a good day today

Hi gingerkirsty

Just read your thread about your squeamish DH. My DP is the same and actually fainted when I was admitted last time at 8 months with a bleed at the sight of a canula being very badly put into my hand. He was whisked off to A&E but not before he had the attention of the entire nusrsing staff in the labour ward who tried so hard not to laugh. He was fine & very embarrassed, but when it came to the birth he was so worried about it happening again I think it was all he could think about. Thankfully he didn't faint, and chose not to look during the epidural so it's just needles that do it I think. Bottom line is you don't need to be worrying about them as well as you and bubba, so they need to work out a coping mechanism of their own. Strangely enough my DP found eating humbugs during the delivery was his though it irritated me beyond belief at the time!

I am seriously thinking about asking my sister to be there too so I have someone not so squeamish to lean on.

Musicalmummy - I have the "will I won't I" decision to make re a cs as well.

I had one last time because ds was breech. I have a heart shape uterus and he was stuck fast in a really awkward position. So, the knowns I am dealing with are that 1. I've previously had a cs and 2. I have a weird shaped uterus. That on it's own would probably justify another cs if I chose, but I haven't spoken to the consultant yet.

My placenta was low lying at the last scan, so I have to wait and see if that shifts or not. So, that coupled with the possibility of another breech, makes it look quite likely that I will end up with another cs.

But I just have to wait and see, or I could just say, right i want an elective. I don't know what to do for the best. I am almost hoping that the baby is breech again so that the decision is pretty much made for me!

I had my swine flu vaccine on Saturday. DH and i went to the doc today, he has been ill for a week now, and needed a sick line for work. The doc signed him off for another week and swabbed him for swine flu. She would have done me too, but she only had one kit left! So, if it is swine flu that we've had (I am ill too, but nowhere near as bad as dh), then I will have been too late with the vaccine anyway! I would be really surprised if it was swine flu though.

I have had a few hormonal outbursts. Yesterday I scraped the side of the car and burst into tears, then cried again when i couldn't find the primary school to register ds for P1 (I knew where the school was, but it just wasn't the right school!!) Then today I talked to the nursery teacher about ds's behaviour and burst into tears again. It's just all too much sometimes.

Musicalmummy - here too. I have a funny shaped pelvis which means my babies present badly, and also don't engage well so I've never gone into spontaneous labour. They won't induce someone who's had a previous c/s (which ds2 was) so chances are even if I choose to try VBAC I'll end up with a c/s because I never go into labour. Have opted for a late scan for position and will decide on slice and dice or wait and see depending on its position. Though on the subject of squeamish husbands, dh would rather I had a c/s. Despite being a vet and delivering animals all the time he wasn't exactly useful when I was in labour - he was like a bunny in the headlights. I think it's because he had absolutely no control over the situation, whereas in his work he is very much in control. You need someone who'll help you stay calm and focussed in labour, not someone who freezes!

Mawbroon - hope you get some lurgy-free time soon

Clappedout - puts a whole new meaning into bah, humbug!!

mamalcoo - we got ds1 a present from ds2. It was because it can be a really difficult time for older siblings - for us, because of drawn out crapness, ds1 had to stay with relatives for 3 days, dh just popping back for occasional sleep. I was in hospital for 5 days. So kids have to cope with the sudden absence of their parents. Then when the baby arrives, it gets all the attention and all the presents, which is hard for young ones to understand. And they no longer have the undivided attention of their parents which they used to have, suddenly things have to revolve to a degree around this baby who they've heard so much about and got excited about but who turns out to be a screaming demanding and frankly kind of boring object that you can't even play hids and seek with (though ds1 tried. By putting a duvet over ds2's head. ). So, no, we're not trying to buy love for the baby, but we're trying to show the older sibling that he is still important and loved and special, and making it from the baby tries to help nip resentment in the bud. Plus if it's a toy that can keep him amused for a bit, then that's great for when you're stuck feeding the baby and he can't get on your lap for a cuddle. Whatever's right for your family, though.

at clappedout's other half scoffing humbugs - I think if my DH decides to do something like that while I'm in labour, I'll go mental!! Really think my DH is going to have to man-up over the whole thing too, I'm not even allowed to watch anything on telly that involves surgery as he can't stand it! In fact we were watching a programme about women who gave birth without actually realising they were pregnant (the labour scenes were VERY sanitised - American telly!) and they showed a newborn "baby" (doll) all streaked with blood and everything... DH was horrified - "do they really come out all gunky like that?!" Oh dear. Presumably he was expecting bubs to pop out all clean, rosy cheeked and perhaps ready swaddled? I am SO glad he's coming to ante-natal if only for the reality check!

2happy I was talking about older children yours are obsviously toddlers. Even if I fail to see how a gift manage to do that "we're trying to show the older sibling that he is still important and loved and special, and making it from the baby tries to help nip resentment in the bud". I can see why you would give toddlers a baby of their own so they can show their affection, anger, resentment or just imitate you on a plastic doll rather than on their sibblings. But my DD will be 5 (very mature 5 too), and in case the birth is as horrendous as hers (stayed 10 days in hospital), she will probably be scared and distress but a gift won't help, may be distract her for 5 min. She is also old enough to understand it is not the baby's fault but because I am ill or the baby is ill, and that we do love her no matter what. BTW I don't kid myself that she will resent a bit not being the center of attention.

musicalmummy I am in the wagon for VBAC or elCS too, and honnestly, I can't decide and the more I read about it the more I am confused and scared about it. Like Mawbroon I am kind of hoping the baby stay breech or the placenta low or my fibroids stayed on the cervix so I won't have to make a decision... For the moment the 30% of woman trying for VBAC ending in emCS seems too much a risk for me (it wasn't a month ago, I might have a huge surge of courage and change my mind again)

Clappedout good to know i am not alone, but what a nightmare for you! I am hoping that DH will be able to cope with the messy element of labour provided there's no needles - but we've never really established whether blood etc on its own could have a similar effect!

Really that's why I am keen for him to watch film of a birth - if he watches it and faints, at least I know in advance how much/little help he is likely to be on the day, and I can mentally/emotionally prepare myself for that IYSWIM.

I don't want to end up feeling let down by him over something that is clearly not his fault, but I do feel he owes it to me to be as prepared as possible himself - does that sound fair? Do you think I should push him to watch something?

Mawbroon my placenta is/was slightly over the cervix @ 20 weeks - I have been advised that in 4/5 cases it moves upwards and as per my earlier post I think mine might have done just that. So you may find that that particular issue sorts itself out. Do you feel you want a natural birth or would you actually feel more comfortable having an elective? I think if you would be worried about a natural birth that could make it more difficult so you should go with what feels right for you. Best of luck

mamalcoo, ds1 was a toddler when ds2 arrived, but he will be 4.8 when this baby comes so really not a toddler, but he'll get a present nonetheless. It's maybe just one of those traditions that some families have that isn't right for everyone. But my oldest sister still remembers getting a gift 'from' me when I was born, and that gift is still played with today when our kids go to see their grandparents, so IMO it's possible to find a gift that has lasting enough appeal to amuse my boys while I bfeed and that makes it worth it to me!

((sorry, I have a feeling that sounds a little over-defensive, just a bit sensitive today... it's just you asked why people do it and I was giving our reasons why we did it last time and (if we get organised to get something appropriate) will do it again. I think I'd better shut up now...))

Thanks for the antenatal class advice. Feel reassured that other people go on their own.

hello everyone,
just wanted to say hello- i was on your thread ages ago (my mn name used to be sarahmikeharryandrosie!!) but my EDD moved to march and i have been posting on there, i have been lurking from time to time and just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing, i cannot believe how far we have all come along in our pregnancies it seems to be only yesterday i announced i was pg with DC3-

i am 25 weeks and 1 day today, having a baby boy so far all going very well and excited to meet our new arrival, i will hopefully come back and post more regularily if thats ok,

Take care everyone xxxx

I'm reading this new post while eating from the pot a Mackies chocolate ice cream... I know I shouldn't but it's so good

Hi everyone,
Mawbroon I feel terrible for you having had so much illness to cope with - the odd bout of tears wouldn't be in any way inappropriate.

Re SF jab my gynaecologist sort of implied that I shouldn't have it and just told me to avoid public transport (I'm travelling lots at the moment!) I am being a little bit wary of anyone with the faintest sniffle or cough.