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

As we're talking about bodily functions - I wanted your thoughts about breast pumps...

A friend of mine said she used hers a couple of times and would give it to me, if that wasn't too gross(!), but not sure if you can get spare suction thingies..? The electric pumps are bloody expensive, and not sure I'll be very patient with a hand pump.

T4 xx

ps. I think the only poo we really need to worry about is meconium, particularly as an indication of a distressed baby.

This baby doesn't move nearly as much as DS1 (who used to move about 10 times a minute, rather than the required 10 times a day) but it has started kicking DS1 when he sits on my lap. DS1 has been sitting on my lap a lot in the last 24 hours as he now has a bad chest infection (according to the out of hours doc who also reckons he has probably had swine flu - though how they can tell I don't know)
Hoping that my cough stays as just that and that we all get some sleep tonight. They worried me a bit when they said that if he gets any worse in the night we have to take him back in. Let's hope the antibiotics work fast. Will give another dose in a few hours. Think of us! For those of you expecting DC1, having a poorly child is no fun at all and something I was unprepared for beforehand, although they generally bounce back well too.

Get well vibes to your wee one Bethylou, hope the antibiotics start to do their stuff overnight.

I don't think I would have a problem using a second hand breast pump. I'm sure they must come apart for sterilising in between uses (?) so everything's going to be all clean and safe for Mum and Baby. Just my thoughts though as I have nil experience, I'll be interested to see people's experiences!

Sunnybump x

T4tastic - I got a second hand medela pump and you could replace all the parts on it. For the type I had they did a "fresh- up kit" which replaced everything but the electric pump for about £10.
I also got a second hand manual pump from ebay for 99p and when it arrived it was obvious it hadn't really been used so I was happy giving it a good clean, sterilising it and using it.

I don't think I did a poo during labour, not that I know of and not that DH noticed!

Pyjamababe - I had intended to be active during labour but when it came down to it I was happier lying down. The MWs did try and encourage me to move around a bit. I think you will just do what suits you best when it comes to it. I wouldn't worry about being undignified, I don't think it will cross either of your minds when it comes to the time.

I borrowed an electric Medela pump from my breastfeeding counsellor and I think providing you wash and sterilise it you should be fine. I went to see the bf counsellor and got the pump 5 days after dd was born and it was the best thing I could have done. I really struggled with bf and was on the verge of mastitis. Dd had mild jaundice but wasn't putting on weight so the doctors at the hospital said the most important thing was to get her to drink milk even if that was formula. The pump took the pressure off me so I did combined feeding for a couple of weeks before returning to full time bf. I found the Claire Byam Cook book and dvd really useful although I know some people don't agree with her methods. She was the bf counsellor I went to see and she was incredibly kind and helpful.

I didn't do a poo in labour when I had dd1. There's so much going on at that time that you don't even think about your dignity ime.

I had my swine flu jab yesterday. I'm 27 weeks and have spent the last few weeks umming and ahhing about whether and when to have it. I live in London and my doctor told me yesterday that a pregnant woman in London died of SF 3 weeks ago - obv hasn't made the press - and she had no underlying conditions. My surgery is also going to start offering the jab to under 5s from December. I seem to have been feeling much more movement from the baby since having the jab - all day whereas before it was really just in the evening. Felt nauseous yesterday night when I was trying to sleep on my right side so even though it was a bit sore it was better for me to sleep on the sore arm. Arm has been sore and have felt tired and a bit sniffly. I am right handed so had the jab in my left arm but as I sleep on my left side really should have gone for that arm.

Sorry people are feeling unwell, and hope they are on the mend.

I thought I'd share my birth story from DD1 as it's a good illustration of hoe the best-laid plans can go awry...

I went overdue and had to be induced. My hospital has this policy of taking you in at night, inducing you, then sending your partner home. So that's what happened, despite all our misgivings about it (they won't sway from this policy). My induction was horrible, there was only one member of staff on duty for a full antenatal ward, so I had no support or help at all. Early the next morning, they induced me again, despite the fact that things were going quite fast and I was in quite a lot of pain and they wouldn't give me any pain relief. Then they stuck me on a monitor. As the best thing to help my pain was for me to walk around, this was very difficult, and after an hour of nobody coming near me to see how I was doing and I was in masses of pain, I called DH. He arrived, had to argue to get onto the ward, then was basically my envoy as the midwives couldn't be bothered to come near me and were incredibly rude (at one point telling me that I should stop complaining about the pain and that I didn't need pain relief). I couldn't have coped without DH there - he chased the staff to come and check my progress and for things like glasses of water as they insited on leaving me on a monitor and I couldn't get to them.

When I made enough of a racket, they got fed up of me and transferred me to labour ward where the staff were much nicer. I had an epidural when I was 10cm dilated and everything stopped. After the world's longest second stage (not that I cared, I was pain free!), then decided on a ventouse. Cue a cast of thousands entering the room (nobody told me who they were or what they were doing), shoved my legs into stirrups and did the ventouse. Where was DH? At the business end (unwillingly) because they had made him hold a light on my nether regions. So he not only saw the horrors of a ventouse delivery and me sustain a third degree tear, but was shining a light on proceedings!

He was a bit traumatised. He's very good, not squeamish at all, but found it barbaric - the process, what he saw, and how I was treated. But at no stage were we given any choice in anything that happened. I have to say it hasn't put him off me at all, in fact, he has so much respect and love for me for having gone through it all that he fancies me all the more!

So my message would be: have your DP with you because things may happen that mean that you can't communicate with staff as you need to (in my case being stuck on a monitor and then having an epidural meant I had no mobility and the staff were not near enough for me to get their attention), AND don't worry about what they see, they will not think any less of you for it - quite the opposite.

Sorry for such a long post.

Oh, and a very quick post about godparents...

I am Hindu and DH is atheist, so we don't have godparents for DD1. But we do have some a very close friend who we call her "fairy godfather" - he also isn't religious (he';s atheist too), but because of his closeness to us, he has a very special relationship with her.

So that's our way of circumventing the whole godparent thing (DH's family are a bit churchy and my parents are quite religious). We didn't have a ceremony at all.

Hope that helps x

watercress thanks for sharing your birth story with us. Your hospital sounds horrible Are you planning to give birth there again?

I was speaking with my sister about it today and really I think I'd be happier if I had my two sisters with me as birth partners rather than my DP - they would give me all the support I need, my elder sister has given birth three times so would be able to provide really constrictive support, and I wouldn't give a monkeys about pooing in front of them. But I know that DP would be devastated if I suggested that he wasn't there. I suppose I could have them all, if I give birth at home as planned - would be rather a party in our little house, though, with MWs too.

Get well vibes being sent to all those under the weather.

Thank you for good wishes. DS slowly improving but I am coughing enough to compete with him now so will be spending my birthday off work tomorrow trying to look after him at the same time! The most amusing thing is that I have suddenly started having Braxton Hicks contractions every time I cough or bend over DS's cot!! This is making things much more interesting - I had forgotten what they were like (and how they make me desperately need a wee - not terribly convenient with poorly DS!) Anyone else having fun with them too?

re breast pumps.. For all three of mine I have used a hand pump, and have bought another one for this time.
T4tastic.. you are right the only poo to worry about is the meconium.. both my boys were covered in it when they where born.. With DS1 had him in the UK they said i was to stay in for 24hrs .. woth DS2 whom I had in Germnay I exp[ected the same but was home 7hrs after I had him..

I have 4 children for the next 2 nights one of the girls has just moved onto the patch in october and her DH has gone away .. her youngest who is 2 has been admitted to hospital for concusion, and dehydration for 48hrs I took her to the hospital.. and as she will obviously be staying with him I said I would have her eldest who is 4 bless him.. tonight he has treat it like an adventure just hopung this continues..

Bless him

I am having the swine flu jab tommorrow just hoping I dont get ill afterwards as some people have esp now.
19/06/2004
For those interested here are my birth Scott was born at 4.23 saturday morningweighing 6lb 15oz natural delivery. he was op so very painful.

run down.
Went to hospital at 6pm Friday night contractions not bad but every 4-5 mins.
9 pm contractions every 3 mins but wasn't dilated.
11pm contractions every 2 mins still no dilation
1am contractions every 1-2 mins 3cm dilated
1.30am had epidural as couldn't stand the pain any more.
2am epidural kicked
3.30am started to shiver epidural wouldn't top up
4am wanted to push, still shivering mw examined and i was 10 cm but baby was not down. she told me would still be hours.
4.15am I just had to push couldn't hold off. head crowned with push.
4.23am head and body delivered in one push Scott literally flew out. bless.

scott and I were both in shock for a good hour afterwards as things had progressed really quickly. Mw commented that she had never seen an op go through second stage so quick.

I have a small tear no stiches quite sore.

stories for DS1 and DS2.. hope it helps..

Scott was born at 4.23 saturday morningweighing 6lb 15oz natural delivery. he was op so very painful.

run down.
Went to hospital at 6pm Friday night contractions not bad but every 4-5 mins.
9 pm contractions every 3 mins but wasn't dilated.
11pm contractions every 2 mins still no dilation
1am contractions every 1-2 mins 3cm dilated
1.30am had epidural as couldn't stand the pain any more.
2am epidural kicked
3.30am started to shiver epidural wouldn't top up
4am wanted to push, still shivering mw examined and i was 10 cm but baby was not down. she told me would still be hours.
4.15am I just had to push couldn't hold off. head crowned with push.
4.23am head and body delivered in one push Scott literally flew out. bless.

scott and I were both in shock for a good hour afterwards as things had progressed really quickly. Mw commented that she had never seen an op go through second stage so quick.

I have a small tear no stiches quite sore.

18/07/2007

Lee Anthony was born at 4.05 this morning. (3.05UK time) Weighing 6lb 6oz

Got to the hospital at 12.40 was only 1cm.. and he had turned himself back to back.. Machine wasnt picking up contractions but his heart rte kept dropping to aslow as 89 then shooting up to 190.. he eventually settled down. At 2.30 got in the bath, didnt really help got out at 3 and asked to be examined was only 2cm. Contractions were coming fast.

At 345 I asked for pain relief.. think I was given meptid.. at 4am I said I needed a poo.. dh called for the mw who said she would check me.. she was very shocked to tell me I could push, Lee crowned with the first push and with the second his waters went and he came out and landed on the bed..

We are both doing well. I am very sore though

I love reading other peoples birth stories, thanks for posting them. Though Watercress yours sounds more like a horror story. How awful for you to have been ignored like that. I agree though that when you go through something traumatic like that together, it brings you and your other half much closer together.

Is anyone else very hot all the time? I sleep with the duvet off me and the window open and nearly expired when I went to a heated shopping centre last week.

Hope everyone is on the mend.

From what I have heard about hospital births (never had one but will this time) it is good to have a DP or someone with you to attract attention of medical staff and generally follow the baby around when it's born and you are dropping pools of blood all over the place or getting stitched up and can't move.

For first timers I would mention particularly the pools of blood and gunge afterwards - need a LOT of sanitary pads etc - personally I found the maternity ones rubbish as they fall out of pants - need lots of BIG black (or old) knickers too. Maybe TMI but I feel it's good advice.

For what it's worth I haven't done poo in labour but quite honestly I don't think anyone cares and if they do I would think that was their problem and not mine! DH never mentioned any of the personal embarrassing stuff after and he had to deliver them so I suppose he saw. I think there was plenty of other stuff to think of at that time!

watercress your DH sounds amazing, how awful for him to be roped in like that at the last minute during the birth, no wonder he was a bit traumatised. I can't believe they wouldn't let him on the ante natal ward. Was it a London hospital?

I was induced last time around and remember being strapped to the monitor and abandoned for lengthy periods. It's awful as you literally can't do anything, at one point I ripped it off so I could go to the loo and was slightly hysterical. I got a severe telling off and was told I would have to start again with the bloody monitor, awful. Those beds are soo uncomfortable on the coccyx too. Three days later I too had a ventouse delivery after my DD became distressed. The dr was just reaching for the forceps which I saw out of the corner of my eye and I did the biggest push I could which sent her shooting out, thank god. I was cut and the dr stitching me up wouldn't say how many stitches but felt pretty bad for a week or so. All ok now I hasten to add!

chinnok I am hot all the time too, almost passing out when I go into shops or get on a heated bus adn revoltingly sweaty. I thought our body temperatures were only supposed to be a degree above the norm while pregnant?!

Anyone out there addicted to pret xmas lunch sandwiches?

I love reading birth stories too. Keep 'em coming!

Clappedout and chinook I have been waiting in vain for the raised body temperature. Someone told me it would kick in at about 6 months but here I am at 29 weeks and nothing so far. I'm someone who is constantly cold, wearing 5 layers etc so I was looking forward to a winter not bundled up in jumper after jumper, for once! No such luck.

Can everyone else tell which way their baby is lying, which body part is sticking out etc? I can't and it's driving me mad. It's not much of a mover in any case, but I would so like to know if it's a little bottom or head or leg etc. I just can't tell

fizi they do squirm around quite a bit at this stage, even if you can't feel them so body parts might be all over theplace still but I can feel feet an knees in the top near ribs and head is pretty much down and fingers in bladder....

Am permanently overheating I'm afraid and it is making me v dizzy too!

'Hello everybody, can I join in, please?'

My EDD is supposed to be 30th January BUT both my other children arrived a few days after their due dates,.... AND my DS was born on 15th Feb six years ago: does that make me eligible for this lovely thread, please?!!

I've really enjoyed reading your thread this evening and, as FlyingCloud already knows I share a few things with her: living in France and a strong desire to run away from French doctor's weighing scales. Plus, I see you're due on February 15, FlyingCloud?

I'm currently 31 weeks and really feeling the tiredness now. I can get through a busy day but feel totally lethargic the following day. Is anyone else (secretly) looking forward to not being pregnant anymore?

Lovely evening to all.

It is no secret in this house. I am desperate not to be pregnant anymore! I had 2 mc's before this so 3 pregnancies in rapid succession have left me a bit fed up with the whole business. Am so pleased to have got this far though.

Must be having an (overheated) and emotional day. Dd has come home from nursery singing 'Little Donkey' and 'Away in a Manger' as they have been rehearsing for her first nativity play. Lump in the throat time as she is only 3.

Welcome jardins. Hope you stay with us. As you are due in January maybe you will be our first delivery? I recognise your name from other pregnancy threads and have to say I sympathise with you having your weight monitored. I would be sorely tempted to stick up 2 proverbial fingers and shove more cake down.

Evening ladies - welcome jardins

I love reading other people's birth stories too - thanks to all who have been sharing! It really is true isn't it that every pg and birth is so completely different. watercress how on earth did you get through that whole experience?!!! What a dreadful hospital - your DH sounds amazing though! I'm sure some people have lovely hospital births but it's definitely made me more determined to go down thw home birth route (add to that the scathing letters in the local paper about birth experiences in our hospital)

Also over-heating at random - went Xmas shopping at the weekend and completely boiled over in Debenhams! Faint, sweaty and a big old nose bleed just to add to the indignity!!! Weirdly I've been cold today though...

Some days I adore being pg and could happily sit, dreamily stroking my bump all day - other days however, when it seems like LO has donned his/her Doc Martens and started guzzling amphetamines, I feel like I would quite like my body back now thanks very much! Mostly I can't wait to actually give my baby a cuddle though - DH is the same, in fact he's more impatient tha I am!

Oh and breast pumps, I also to stand to inherit a 'leccy one from a friend - hadn't even given a thought to the hygiene implications!! Just assumed i would be able to take it apart and sterilise it...! Good to know you can get these refurbish kits though - I shall have to look into that (BAD mother! )

I agree with Watercress, you need somebody with you. I have been left alone for nearly 24h with a midwife shouting from the door and not waiting for any answer (i.e. I am in the middle of a contraction....can't talk ). Without DH I wouldn't have been able to get proper assistance when it went rough. He was there to defend me and make sure someone came to see me. He also make a huge fuss to stay the nights (the one for labour and the one after CS) on the ward. Learn about it after, I thought it was normal for the DP to stay and I would have been terrified to be on my own. Especially after the nurse told me "it is normal to bleed after delivery" (I could feel liquid gushing out of me with every heart bit), so DH went to find somebody who believed me that there was something wrong (there was BTW, the 2nd nurse rushed out and came back with 4 people!!! slightly scary but I am really happy that DP managed to stay the night ).
Thanks for those who gave advice for the godparent thing. . We are in an excommunist country and no orthodox/catholic or protestant ceremony is just unacceptable (bouddhism is not even considered here). We are hoping to get away saying the ceremony will be in france or UK with familly, later (muuuch later! ), and hoping this guy doesn't expect us to pay for a plane ticket/hotel for him... (which we can't reallly afford anyway)
Welcome jardins, like you I have days were I can do lots and then be lethargic for few days.
I think I will go for a walk the weather is lovely here have a nice day. Hoping your are not suffering too much with the storms.

fluffycoo I am sure you are not a bad mother. Sterilising is enough to have a fonctionning and safe pump (they are used in hospital repeatedly by different women). The replacement kits are because after a lot of sterilising the rubber/soft parts can become damaged, breakable and leak.

Thanks for the sympathy on my last hospital birth! It was a London hospital (it has a name that airline pilots use when an aeroplane is about to crash!), and bizarrely, I am going there this time. The main reason is because the gynae team there are amazing and I had such bad time because of my tear that they know me very well (embarrassed emoticon) and have pushed my case for an elective section. There's also a part of me that needs to right the memories of last time, and it's also only five miles away so is very convenient!

Welcome jardins. And loving all the other birth stories!

Also having hot and cold flushes. DH has launched a campaign for the winter duvet to be installed, but I'm resisting as I get hot in bed! I'm also getting a bit of swelling in my hands and feet so have had to dig out my "stunt" wedding ring from last time.

Hello, can I join you ladies? I am due on the 2nd Feb with baby #3. I have a dd (6) and a ds (3). As we have one of each already and this baby is absolutely for sure our last, we're up for the pot luck and have not found ut what sex it is. Look forward to getting to know you all

watercress do you live in Croydon? I lived in Wallington until this time last year when I split up with my long term parter (and here I am, engaged and nearly 7 months pregnant with a new one ). It's great that you have a positive attitude about righting the memories from last time. Good for you

Hi jardins!

I'm having one of those 'just can't be bothered' days.. which are becoming all too frequent actually... I'd just rather be at home getting on with all the nesting I need to do, or thinking about Christmas, which hasn't really crossed my mind yet

Hello all,

It's taken me ages to catch up with the thread. We've moved house and it's taken about 3 weeks to get the internet back up and running. It's good to hear about everyone's birth experiences, I just hope my experience will be an uneventful one! I'd put the whole labour topic to the back of my mind, but now I'm getting a proper bump, it's all becoming very realistic!

After lots of research into the topic, I've had my swine flu jab. Apart from a sore arm I've had no side effects and I feel more at ease around people coughing and snuffling!

I was wondering if anyone else is still running? I'm now only going 1-2 times a week, at a very steady pace. However, a few people have expressed surprise that I'm still running at 27 weeks. My view is that I ran lots pre pregnancy and I feel absolutely fine running at the moment (I'll stop as soon as I get uncomfortable and I have already supplemented the running with other lower impact exercise). Am I being foolish? Your views would be much apreciated.

Welcome to all the newbies.

Watercress - I hope your experience this time round is better than the last. It sounded awfull.