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! ...

Ah just all goes to show how we all have different experiences.
I loved the bumbo like I said before and I also loved the gro egg and it's still in DD's room now. I did think they were quite pricey though so got one from ebay.
Baby nail clippers was a good addition to the 'essentials' list though DrSkiddadle, it had crossed my mind too. I have to say cutting baby nails is terrifying initially! I cut DD's thumb and was beside myself with guilt! but they grow so fast and are so scratchy!

I'm already on tena lady - didn't even know there wer such things!

smac I will switch to DH2 if DH1 doesn't sharpen up and recognise pg-induced hysteria and deal with it appropriately (i.e. with a hug).

I found pushchair hooks essential - one day I may even remeber to remove the bags before removing the baby - doubt it though!

I stayed away from any bf clothing - they look odd (IMHO) and show more than normal loose tops.
I never bothered with any baby proofing/ pens - just a gate at the top fo the stairs.
High chairs is the one that took afew differnet ones until I was happy. The more fancy (I learned) the worse to clean. I am very happy with my basic plastic Argo cheapy - It's not collapsable and it's easy to clean. I started weaning in a baby bouncer as well until he could sit up in the high chair. I started weaning both at 5m - DS1 wasn't too interested unitl about 7m; DS2 loved it from day 1!

I also tended to use a backpack with a few bascis and always travelled light.

I loved my babybjorn and used up unitl I switched to my MacPac backpack. We do a lot of walking. I found with a toddler and baby it was easier to have the baby on my back to keep hands free.

I never got with electric breast pumps - preferred the hand pump (I spent 6m expressing at work each time).

Also advise not gettign it all at once as you will change your mind as to waht is essential.

ooooh I'm all excited!!!!!!
Just had a phonecall from my uncle and my cousin's wife has just delivered her baby 6 weeks early but he's 6lb and in an incubator but doing well
Our due dates were within a few days this time and also with DDs. She sadly had serious complications with that one and lost her DD at quite a late stage which was terribly sad but I'm so happy for them now.
It's all becoming quite real now.
Glad my hospital bag is packed ladies - time to get your head out the sand!!!!!

Hi all,

just tried to catch up on the weeks posts but sorry if I miss out crucial info!

Re baby clothes - DS is quite small but at 28months he is still wearing some clothes from Sainsbury in size 12 -18 months - they are insanely big but they wear well and are cheap. John Lewis clothes also seem to come up big.

Am so exhausted at the mo and struggling to keep mind and body together - DS is getting more and more clingy especially at night and when I do get to bed I am struggling to sleep.

I really am sorry to moan and be depressing but I am so beside myself with worry at the moment that I don't know where to turn - trying to keep positive in front of DS but it is hard work.

Baby is really struggling to grow - very small for dates and they told me yesterday that the placenta is like a battery and mine is going flat. The sonographer told me that if this was her baby she would want it out as soon as possible as he is obviously hungry and not getting enough food to grow but the obstetricians keep telling me that he needs to stay in a little longer even though the placenta is failing. Even if he does go to term he is unlikely to reach 5lb as his birth weight and it all seems so scary. The prospect of SCBU or ITU seems more and more likely and I am terrified - how do you look after a toddler and be there for your baby if you don't have family support around? Does anybody know of anyone who had a very low birth weight baby?

Guess I should go and get back to work. Sorry for the doom and gloom post.

EmLouT I'm so sorry you're going through such a tough time. I'm afraid I don't have anything to offer on low birth weight babies, but just wanted to say that I think you're being very strong.

and Smac ooh, that's exciting and sort of scary all in one go! Time to break out the maternity bricks for sure...

Smac - glad to hear all is working out for your cousin. Late stage bereavement is traumatic (my brother and his partner went through this) this will help them move on. 6lb is a great weight!

Emlou - sorry missed your post.

sorry to hear it's not going well. A friend of mine had DD1 at 28wks and DD2 at 32wks.

Both spent a lot of time in hospital in the early weeks and have no problems at all (now at school). It will be difficult but you'll get through it.

I would trust your obstetrician not your sonographer for advice. They have the experience and will be weighing up the pros and cons.

emmalou gosh, you poor thing. how many weeks are you ? sorry have no advice for you, but thinking of you and keeping everything crossed that baby comes at the right time and you manage to get some rest before hand.

well, as for me, not much to report. just seen a friend who is due tomorrow..baby more or less fully engaged and she is hoping for it to arrive very soon,

DS clingyness is becoming more noticeable, dropped him at nursery yesterday and he clung on to me for dear life. poor we thing. bound to get worse as i will have more time to spend with him in the weeks before baby arrives, with him only being in nursery for 2 days/week.

Off to Sainsburys this afternoon to grab some bargains in their 1/3 off baby gear promo. Please tell me it's not finished yet ..?

Managed to talk DH out of the idea of a full scale kids party for DS1 (3 in Feb), and persuaded him something smaller and low key for a couple of ds's buddies would be much better. still wondering how the hell i can produce a spiderman birthday cake.

slackbladder- could you not ice a round cake red, pipe on a spider web then stick on a Spiderman figure? It's what I'd do.....

emmalou- I can see how and why you are so worried. It must be very worrying. My niece was just born four weeks early at 5.5lbs and was home 48 hours later, whereas DD was 7lbs, almost term and spent 12 hours in SCBU. I don't suppose that will be in any way reassuring, but it does show that every baby is different. Thinking of you xxx

[waves to all from her sofa] awaiting arrival of mw and wheelchair. Have packed hospital bag for me, one for baby, and will leave food bag to DH as he did a great job with it last time. I totally recommend the food bag!!

Morning,

Emlou Really sorry for your worries. It sounds like it's understandably getting on top of you. Now you have had OFSTED can you not give up work and take some time out for you??? Sadly I don't have any clever ideas on juggling toddlers or small birth weight other than I was less than 5lbs 32 years ago and nothing wrong with me ( others may disagree!!) I was also left behind in the hospital as my parents had a toddler and my twin to look after - it hasn't caused them or me any problems.

SMAC - Very exciting!! 6lbs is great for so early - sure all will be well.

My antenatal class has started popping them out. First one had a 7lb 14 girl that sadly took 36 hours - but wait for this one - Second had a 6lb 13 boy that took 3 hours!!!!! Both first babies!!!!! I'm in awe of number two!!!

elm sounds like you need a break hon, do you have family that could travel to stay with you for a weekend to give you a break, failing that stick cbeebies on and put your feet up x

puree you are so creative, love the idea of the spidey-cake, hope u are feeling ok x

smac midwife gave me a grilling for bringing baby nail clippers in to hospital last time, saying they can damage nail beds (nice way to treat 1st time mum eh?) and that I should be peeling them instead, however I now find them so useful

feeling v tired today, DS got up at 6am, had v little sleep due to reflux and kicky baby x

Not sure who it was who mentioned a hungry catterpillar babygrow, but i am now the proud owner of one aswell now. certainly not the cheapest babywear on the market but impossible to resist.
and am fully stocked on nappies, wipes, bath gear etc. feel very pleased with myself, albeit quite a lot poorer now.

slackbladder I bought one too! And have just done my first wash of baby things including a limited number of newborn sized items, just in case smallsiamese isnt as big as they reckon.

Emlou dont apologise - it sounds like this is the only place you are able to voice your concerns and that you are being so strong through this. Im sure you'll cope if it comes it, although fingers crossed for you xx {hug}

Ive just got back from the doctors where I am still waiting for a referral date for my CPS which seems to have got worse rather than better since mat leave started - I had to (attempt to) sleep sat up so my hands weren't 'buzzing' as much last night, but I didnt sleep so well, and even just typing seems to be setting it off.. is it you ANG that is also suffering? Do you have any tips? Im surprised that something like this can be giving me so much bother! Maternity leave however has meant Im not driving as far so my cankles ankles aren't so bad.

So what is/ will be in everyones food bag? A regular picnic or something like pate, champers and an old prawn??

doh! CTS Carpal Tunnel Syndrome obv, clearly Im not quite over work yet with CPS!!

Emlou so sorry that you're facing all the scary times without enough support. FWIW 2 of my friends now regard me as 3 weeks overdue (at 31 weeks!!) they have a 10 year old and a 5 year old respectively and both are ( and pretty much always have been) absolutely fine. It's terrifying to consider that the baby might have to come out early but they're much more resilient than you might think. Can you get a second Obstetrician's opinion?

Oh, EmLou . As has already been said, don't worry about voicing your worries here. Maybe it will help release some of the stress. If it is of any comfort, one of my nieces was born around the 5lb mark at 34 weeks. She had no significant problems after birth and is now a healthy 4 year old. I am sure your obstetrician knows what s/he is doing but, as Arcadie says, why not ask for a second opinion? People must do this all the time.

Very impressed by all this talk of food bags. It is something I've been giving some thought to as, last time, I ended up on a drip because I was dehydrated and had very low blood sugar. All I managed to eat in labour was one square of dairy milk - and from first contraction to delivery was 36 hours. I'm going to try harder this time so am trying to think of what I might be able to stomach. So far, I can't think of anything. Post-birth marmite sandwiches are, for me, though, a Must. They were the best I had ever tasted and I was blimming glad I had them as I wasn't offered so much as a cup of tea after ds was born. Ah well, if I go with a home birth this time, perhaps the what-to-eat during and after labour/birth question might be easier with a whole kitchen full of food to choose from.

Envious of everyone already on maternity leave. I am being a rubbish employee today. Zero concentration, application, output etc. But have eaten some chocolate. Laying down supplies for labour .

EmLouT, so sorry to hear about your ongoing worries for LO. I do hope you feel well looked after and that you trust the advice and explanations you've been given.
How many weeks exactly are you now? If you are over 30 weeks which by my estimation you must be, then your baby's chances of being healthy even if he/she (sorry, I forgot what gender baba is) needs a bit of help initially are great .
My DS1 was 12 months and 10 days old when DS2 was delivered by emCS due to placenta praevia at just over 31 weeks (1710g, 3lbs10oz). In the v first periods DH took time off work, I think it was a combination of paternity/compassionate/annual leave. After the first couple of weeks my mum flew in from Germany to look after DS1. My dad learnt to iron his own shirts and boil an egg himself in that time !! We will forever be grateful for their support at that time.
I expressed breast milk for DS2, initially with a hospital grade pump, but then invested in a Ameda Lactaline. The hospital DS2 was in for 5 weeks had a creche that took DS1 when I went to visit at least 2x/day. Never got BFing established but expressed for a few months ...
There was a little boy in the incubator next to DS2 who was born at 33 weeks but was much smaller than DS2. Cannot remember the details, he was delivered because of IUGR and from memory was

PacificDogwood - thank you so much for that -it helps to hear that other people have gone through similarly difficult times and come out the other side

EmLou, fingers crossed, kisses and hugs!

I have the hospital bag ready, but now I can't stop thinking about the Food bag! Can we also pack another bag for after labour (Pâté, brie, etc, etc.)?
Thanks for all the tips on clothes and essential things

xxx

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all doing fine.

Em i really feel for you. I wonder if it would be any comfort to know my SIL had a 5lb baby at 35 weeks in November and he didn't have to go into an incubator or anything. They brought him home after a couple of days and he is thriving.

I fell over flat on my face on the pavement outside work yesterday. Fell on the bump but broke the fall slightly with my teeth (now cracked, to match my split lip). was very shaky and teary and had to get from London to Brighton. But the GP listened to the heart and all is fine.

Still...be careful out there gals - I seem to just have keeled over due to my bump!

I'm getting excited now...

EmLou so sorry to hear how worried you are but I'm glad you've shared with us and that other ladies (particularly Pacific) can help with some stories of early delivery. Please do keep coming on and updating us - you're not moaning, and it's so important for you to not be carrying a huge burden or putting a brave face on it for your DS and DH...big (((hugs))) for you

Sarah glad your DD's second op went well - sounds like she's had excellent care - and I hope your second test shows your sample is clear.

It's been so busy that I can't respond to everyone else (barely have time to skim the posts - am still at work!), other than thanks for all the great tips re essentials (and useless stuff!) and sizing etc. You ladies are a goldmine of info . We're keeping it quite minimal but have bought/borrowed/ebayed what I think of as essentials. Reckon I'll enjoy buying things like black out blinds once I'm out and about after the baby is born

Also washed all my nappies for the first time last night as they need a couple of washes to get the absorbency up. Am sure I'll be sick of washing nappies soon but was positively coo-ing over them last night

My maternity cover started yesterday, so in day 2 of handover. Am managing to give a much more motivated appearance than I thought I would as I too am a useless employee at the moment in terms of motivation etc. And my MN time is severely curtailed, as I can't be on t'interweb as much with a brand new person hovering next to me! Still, she hasn't run away yet so all going well in my book .

And I have my driving test in a week, so this time next week I'll know whether I have my full licence or not (am really hoping I pass first time as am so sick of driving lessons - both the time and the cost!).

Bye for now
xx

evitas forget the stuff for you - pack the whole fridge/pantry for your DH - I wouldn't let mine from my side no way and the hosp might give you food but not your DH, poor bloke he was starving ny the time I'd finished giving birth to no 1! , seriously pack a couple of packs of biscuits etc, and drinks - I got really thirsty towards the end.

clingy toddlers - also check ever since no2 started nursey in sep for mornings No3 doesn't know what to do with himself

Baby items - most of our stuff apart from cot matress, buggy & carseat was given/borrowed from friends and with got loads of clothes pressies given to us too.

baby clothes - I tend to find a sleepsuit that fits and measure everything else for size against it - far more accurate than shop's sizing, beware if you have tall skinny babies like me - dungarees and the like fit a lot sooner than the rest of the clothes.

EmLou my friend who recently had her baby prematurely at 32 weeks had a tiny baby even for being 8 weeks early. She was only 2.5lbs, but was breathing on her own straight away, out of intensive care within 12 hours, and though she's in hospital until she's gained a bit more weight she's already (2 weeks later) got chubby little cheeks, out of the incubator and doing really well.

Maybe a second opinion re: when to get the baby out is a good idea though - just for reassurance?

I overdid it a bit today - my Mum came to see me and we walked (for 20 mins) to the shops for me to buy a few bits for hospital bag. Have been having constant braxton hicks again since so back on the sofa. Boring!!

Thanks for all your tips re: what to buy and sizing - really helpful.

x

rebeccacad - thank you so much - all of these positive stories make me feel so much better! LO's been giving me a good kicking tonight to tell me he is ok. Going to push for more info about how they decide when to get the baby out when I see the OB on Thurs but feeling a little more positive this eve than I was this am - thanks you all you lovely MN ladies.

Off to bed now (DS finally settled without too much fuss)

Glad you're feeling more positive EmLou, and no wonder with all these lovely stories of early babies doing so well. How many weeks are you now? Could you arrange in advance (esp. if you know they are going to induce you) for your mum or someone to come and stay for a week or two?

caitni - I also have my driving test next week!! Mine's next Tuesday - when's yours? Fingers crossed for both of us...

don'trythisathome - you poor thing - are you OK now? Sounds like a really horrible fall

angfirsttimer - thanks for the link - got that cardigan (or a very similar one) today! Cost me £35 though so maybe not exactly the same one

PacificDogwood - i am so with you on the who on earth am I haveing another one of THESE?! My lovely calm good-natured DS (2) has suddenly started having raging 30 minute tantrums at least once a day! What have I done? Why did I think I wanted another one? Pre-schooler, tantrumming toddler and newborn all day every day on my own - aaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!