Due March 2010 - just because I'm pregnant at Christmas doesn't mean I'm a taxi driver

[annamama]

... new thread for oldies and newbies due in March! ...

Is anyone planning on trying perineal massage to prevent stitches / tears etc?

Thinking of doing this, it's advisable any time from 6 weeks to go, it's a bit ewwww, but if it results in an easier delivery then maybe it's worth it

Anyone tried this before? x

oh the joys! I tried perineal massage last time but ended up with emcs so can't comment on whether it would have made a difference or not. It's a bit eurgh but I made an effort to have a poke about gentle stretch after a bath or shower with some almond oil. DH keeps asking if I've started yet - he seems to take a strange interest in some of the odder parts of pregnancy! but I must to confess to not having started yet. Will add to mental list of things to do!
IWCAS don't worry too much about the nursery! Baby will be in with you to start with anyway. We moved house when DD was 17 weeks old and she was in with us til then (and about to burst out of her moses basket so really needed a cot !). Don't worry too much about the hospital bag either, but if you have most of the stuff at home then put it all together in one place so that if anything did happen you could either quickly pack or get a friend to do it for you rather than expect them to have to rummage around. I just know that if DH had to get my bag together it would be a nightmare!
My boots order came today so I feel I have most of my stuff now, not quite totally packed but getting there.
Most of the stuff on the babycentre hospital bag link looked good shroomer I'll be interested to see how many of you pack the arnica

I have been lurking rather than posting as I find it difficult to keep up, so sorry for the lack of personal comments

Just seen that the woman who started the mountain rescue birth thread has posted - she even had a power but mid labour!

Mumbot - I was wondering about this too. Just read the instructions you linked and not sure how I will manage that with the carpal tunnel I have developed let alone be able to reach!

I am having a mild panic about hospital bag too. Bought a v cheap nightie from peacocks today for £4 that I thought would do for the birth. Its hideous but am eying up those hot milk PJ's to make up for it.

Went to visit two nurseries today, very wierd to be thinking about leaving your child with strangers before he is even born!

I second the respect for those coping with toddlers as well as pregancy. I simply dont know how it is possible!

from 32 weeks according to this site for raspberry leaf tea. . . .

Hi

I am new to this thread. I am due at the start of March with my first baby. A very close friend just had her baby a week ago and it has suddenly made it all seem very real and quite scary. She had to have a c-section at the last minute. All is fine with her and her baby, but I just keep worrying about the birth - will I get there in time, will the baby be ok, what will they have to do to me??? I am also finding that suddenly people keep telling me birth stories which then make me more worried. Anyone else feeling like this? I just suddenly feel overwhelmed by the whole thing, even though I've had a really easy/ uncomplicated and enjoyable pregnancy and should have nothing to worry about

BTW angfirsttimer - I recently bought a cheap, incredibly unflattering nightie for the big event, so I can sympathise with you.

Shroomer thanks for that link! It's given me the push I need to actually get a list drafted (such a good busy-looking thing to do at work ).

Can't remember who mentioned it but I've also not had any BHs that I've been aware of. I'm only 33 weeks though, so reckon it may just be too early for me to have any. Good to know that others haven't had them in previous pregnancies though, in case I don't get any.

Mumbot I'm also planning on perineal massage (though am also a bit euwww about it ). Am planning to start from 34 weeks-ish. A friend gave me this NHS link, which also a lot info (including one embarassing sketch) on what to do.

Pacific sorry to hear you're in the grip of a clingy toddler. Obviously not had experience myself, but I've seen my sisters go through a similar phase and it's irritating/stressful enough without an impending baby to think about. Am hoping it'll pass soon.

Ang you're so organised visiting nurseries! A couple from our antenatal class have done that (actually signed their LO up to a nursery) as apparently some of the ones in our area have big waiting lists...am totally in denial about it though. Hope your carpal tunnel clears up (or at least doesn't get any worse).

I've a question for you more experienced mums: nursing bras - when to get them? I know I need them for post-birth, but I've no idea how to get measured for them when everyone keeps telling me my milk will come in and my boobs will get massive! My boobs haven't gone up that drastically during pregnancy (bigger, but only from a C cup to a D cup) so have no idea what post-birth will be like. I thought I could just get 2 or 3 nursing vests to see me through until I get properly measured after birth. Is this a totally unrealistic plan? If so, what did you do first time around?

We also did a good bit of clearing out the spare room over the weekend, mainly because on Friday I couldn't actually get in to hang up a clothes horse in there and I had a bit of a freak out . We've some freecyclers coming to take stuff off our hands this evening and am amazed by how much we've managed to de-clutter. We also assembled the Ikea chest of drawers so feeling a bit more prepared.

Smac thanks for the reassuring words about the nursery though...I know they were for IWCAS but it's a good reminder for this first timer too

Overthemoon sorry, crossed posts with you and Pixie. Welcome! And Pixie said it better than me about ignoring other people's birth stories...there's a woman at work who has practically never spoken to me in the 3 years I've been in this job who now seems to actively enjoy telling me the most lurid details about complicated births, her own and others - it's and actually makes me a bit and so am now avoiding her!

Pixie [doffs imaginary hat at your organisation at putting the girls on the waiting list] I'm glad to hear you've got a bit of help with the school run. Though am now craving rock buns! Seriously, as others have said, I'm shattered enough with one bouncing around in me so you are doing an amazing job!

thanks for the links SMAC and mumbot. I am definatly going to go get some raspberry leaf tea for friday when I am 32 weeks (and having my 31 wk midwife app which was cancelled today due to the scary snow - yes I am on snowday number 4 in 6 days!)

My best friend (the owner of the Snuggle me) did perineal massage for dd2. For dd1 she tore a little, dd2 she had no probs at all.. kept a little bottle of olive oil in the loo.. clearly may be a prob for those of you who have to be accompanied to the toilet by a toddler..

MummyElk Ive have had no braxton hicks either, just some incredibly painful trapped wind, hoping thats as bad as labour gets

Hi Overthemoon I keep getting told horror stories too - but I know that the labour and birth you and me have ordered will be very different.. and in the mean time you get to practise with your friend's newborn

shoomer Ive been researching nappies too today and think Im going for a mixed trial pack to begin with to see what I like (and use eco disposables to begin with)

scooby so jealous of your clarins treatment!

I didn't take RLT for long enough last time. Tastes okay to me but I don't mind green tea and herbally ones. I know some people think it's terrible! When I asked at the health food shop last time they told me that the tea was far better than the tablets and the actual tea was better than the teabags as it contained very little RL but that was just one person's opinion.
Welcome newbies. overthemoon have you been to any antenatal classes? I didn't do NCT as they were too far away but they seem to be highly recommended. I did go to the local NHS ones though and the labour and birth class was quite informative. I found factual information fine and didn't listen to other birth stories - no point scareing yourself now, it's too late to back out! MW just merrily skimmed over caesarian sections altogether!
My DD doesn't go to nursery but I remember being shocked when the mums at BF group were talking about putting names down for school when DD was still under 6 months! This is just local schools too not private or anything! I did take their advice though and DD has a place at our local primary which has a vg reputation.

ooo lots of cross posting!

Pixie Im curious - did you use twins proposed names on nursery list or are they listed as twin pixie 1 and twin pixie 2?

Caitni i hope my boobs dont get any bigger - at 36G (from 34D) they are rivaling Jordan's!

Oops my last post should have said 'power cut' mid labour LOL at having a power butt! Maybe that would help who knows!

I only looked at nurseries because someone panicked me about having to reserve places months and months in advance. But actually as I have more time on my hands now than I will do after the birth it made sense to check out the options now so I can sign the LO up when I need to.

Overthemoon - even if like me you cant keep up with this lot on here who are very dedicated (unlike me) then there is some very useful advice to be gleaned from lurking!

Caitni - I am glad you posted about nursing bras I was wondering the same thing. I have a couple of crop top type things that cross over at the front which I have been wearing at night whilst pregnant for comfort. I am wondering whether these will do for afterwards until I get measured?
I had a massive hormonal rant at my DH at the weekend for failing to remove all his office crap stuff out of the spare room. Do these men not understand the need to nest!?

Oh and I haven't had any BH either so thanks all for the reassurrance.

okay nursing bras. I bought 2 x 2 packs from M&S at about 38 weeks BUT took them back and exchanged them for bigger when I went overdue and boobs were still growing. I kept hold of the receipt so that I could exchange again if necessary. I think that is really my only advice. Not quite sure what I'll do this time as I'm already wearing my nursing bras. . . .

Thanks for the link caitni although that diagram made my eyes water

To answer your Q on nursing bra's, I would recommend getting one before your baby arrives. I got measured at around 35 weeks with DC1 at Marks & Spencers, they were great at breaking the news gently around how big my next bra needed to be

It also means you won't have to traipse to the shops once your baby is born when you're likely to be tired. Milk tends to come in around 4 days after the birth then that's when the real size change comes in.

Welcome ang and OTM2009 xx

hey you lot, its been busy in here, i have read and cant really remeber what i was going to right- however, i am having lots of BH too, much more than with the other two-

Rosie is doing well seems very happy and we have mastered postitions for her to play and sleep etc- we have an inflatable booster seat that she sits at the dining table for meals and still goes in there so she is still included with meals and its a great place for her to draw and play etc- its been m,uch easier than i thought it would, however i am very tired and my back is already killing me from lifting her etc-

Dh is back at work tomorrow but my mom has the week off so should be ok ish!

hope everyone is ok, and the snow is not making life too difficult, xxx

Glad things are going OK, Sarah - and that you have good support lined up in the form of your Mum!

OK, so, clingy toddler: check. (Mine specialises in dancing around my ankles while I'm trying to cook and saying, "Up! Up!")

Raspberry leaf tea: yes. Will be having this from 36 weeks. Quite like the taste actually, although don't know if it actually did anything last time.

Perineal massage: yes, intend to. Did last time and it is a bit yuck and it didn't stop me having an episiotomy but - and this is rather - the m/w doing the episiotomy said, "Ooh, if she'd had enough time, she wouldn't need a cut. She's nice a roomy". That comment most definitely penetrated through the contractions.... (Episiotomy was needed because DS's heartrate was dropping and not recovering after each contraction.)

Nurseries: check. Baby-to-be was registered at 20 weeks' gestation, just as DS was.

More shopping: check. Only this time it's not for the baby or the birth but for me to wear when I get some sort of a normal figure back. Stupid, possibly, but it made me feel good!

Labour bag: eh? Not yet, sureeellly!

Hi all,

I had my Nct course during the weekend and it was very nice. We'll go tonight for 2hours on breastfeeding.The only down side is that all the couples were from different cities, so it will be hard to keep in touch.
We talked about perineal massage and apparently in Australia and America they are very keen on this "tool" - Epi-No. It's a bit expensive but it seems it works...

Hi again and thanks for the encouraging posts. I only found this thread today (previously have mainly stuck to the baby names thread). Have been tracking back and it's great to get so much advice! Considering the massage now and am inspired to continue packing my hospital bag (have just thrown a few things into it so far) and then research hotmilk PJs for after the birth when a bit of glamour will no doubt be very welcome.

the maternity wards of the UK will be full of hotmilk pjs come March

Oh my goodness... I'm absolutely shattered.

If this is what just one day of getting up early and 'commuting' then doing 'office hours' (albeit as a juror), then commuting home does to me then... I would not survive working at the moment! But I really didn't sleep last night; knowing I have to be up early stops me falling into a proper sleep. I was still awake at 2am and then woke many times until I gave up at 7. Woe.

And that said, I'm still in the grip of this ridiculously vicious cold. And now DP has it. Everytime he speaks to me (and he calls many times a day) I hear about how his throat is killing him, how his nose is stuffy, how his head hurts. Tell me about it! I've been suffering for a week and am pretty stuck not being able to take wonderful symptom numbing pills. So, take some pills, suck it up and just be glad a whole other little person isn't leeching your resources too!

Too harsh?

I think you'll all agree not

I want to say I'll back read and catch up but right now I just need to... flop.

Poor Manda If you've got to be back in tomorrow - does that mean they've picked you as a juror then? Hope it's not too nasty a case although I'm fairly sure you're not allowed to tell us even if it is.

OTM2009 Nice to cybermeet you. Will just put in a plug once again as the resident geek for the MN March 2010 Facebook group - if you're interested in seeing some more of us without our MN personas on!

Perineal massage Tried it both times - seems to work for me - no tearing first time and only second time because the little Wiglet used her fingernails....

Nursery Book both of my DCs into a Private Day Nursery when I was about 38 weeks pg, knowing that they'd start at 11 months and 9 months respectively. That said my local University campus nursery has a rule that you're not allowed to book your child in pre-conception as it's so oversubscribed!!!

Raspberry Leaf Tea Took it both times, plan on doing it again. No idea what it's supposed to do or if it did it but the taste was quite nice.

Clingy Toddlers I like the cuddles. I don't mind that I can't have a wee without her. Really sweet that she shouts GUGGLE when feeling a little insecure. I get incandescent with rage when I'm effectively rugby tackled by a small person clinging to my legs....

Finally got my 28 week appointment tomorrow ( at nearly 30 weeks!) and I'm SO looking forward to the cash. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!! (Although if my midwife is as RUBBISh this time as she was first time round then I'll probably never see a penny of it )