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Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Due Jan 2010...the month our bumps become babes!!!

938 replies

mistletoekisses · 03/01/2010 17:21

Getting us started with our new thread!

Will cut and paste the most up to date list so we know where we are.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
mistletoekisses · 19/01/2010 14:15

Hello all!!!

Lots of posts to wade through.

Re the front sleeping thing; I think all the advice makes things a little harder for parents nowadays. When DS1 was 3 weeks old, he was such a noisy sleeper - I wasnt able to get any sleep whatsoever. Obviously the current advice is to room babies in for 6 months to reduce the risk of cot death. But I couldn't find any information anywhere which told me how much the rooming in part of the advice lessened the risk of cot death. In the end, I had to do what was right for my sanity and DS1 went into his own nursery. It was right across from our room - and both he and I immediately started to sleep a lot better.

It was the same on weaning. I desperately tried to get to the recommended 6 months, but DS started to go from 4 hourly feeds and sleeping from 10pm to 6am to waking heaps by 5 months. I went to see my GP who said that he was showing all the signs of weaning early and she said the majority of parents she saw never made it to the recommended 6 months.

I guess all I am trying to say is that there is lots of advice out there about what the 'right' thing is to do. And some of it may work for us, some of it may not. All we can do as parents is make the best decisions we can based on our circumstances/ needs of our babies. And hope that they are the right choices.

CTFN - for all my posts a few days ago against the co-sleeping, DS ended up in my bed last night. . He has had another growth spurt and been feeding constantly. Only once he was in bed with me did I get two half decent stretches of sleep. I swear I had forgotten how exhausting the first 6-8 weeks are. Am still blissfully in baby heaven though.

Crumpette - glad to know that the pain has gone. I too have been off the painkillers for 2/3 days now and feeling heaps better.

Sending birthing vibes to all those who need them!

OP posts:
londonlottie · 19/01/2010 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

showmethemummy · 19/01/2010 15:38

hello ladies,
just read back my rather miserable sounding post - do feel a bit better today. sorry she's lovely and i think i'm really knackered after what was a bit of a marathon starting friday evening and ending really only when i was finally allowed home yesterday afternoon.

First things: mtk hurrah for that last post! agree with your sentiments. i just think there's so much by way of 'advice' and 'guidelines' for parents on almost everything one has to do as a parent! and sometimes the 'guidelines' feel more like ' THINGS YOU DO IF YOU'RE NOT TO BE A BAD BAD PARENT'. it's all so emotive, personal and stressful.

anyway wmdo YOU are the mummy!! I'm glad you had a better night last night. have you found routines useful in the past? just asking because a friend who's baby was like this thought a more structured eat/sleep plan is what helped them.

have to run... dd2 now here too.
life's going to be busy!

FifiForgot · 19/01/2010 17:37

Lottie DD was in her own room from 6 weeks - I just couldn't stand all the noise she made - I never got ANY sleep!

WMDO We also put her to sleep on her tummy occasionally when she wouldn't settle, half the time she ended up there anyway!

Still pregnant, despite on/off contractions since Friday. Oh well, Baby Fifi will be here next Monday regardless, if I can just live through the next 5 days (v v uncomfortable, awful heartburn and totally shattered!)

On a rather more amusing note, we had a phone call from FiL last night. The conversation when something like this:

FiL: Oh, you are still there then
DH: Yes, why?
FiL: Fifi hasn't had the baby yet then?
DH: Err, no, we're planning on waiting until Monday so the Consultant can deliver the baby, if we can
FiL: Oh, well let us know when the baby arrives

I was so, so tempted to say "well actually we had the baby 2 weeks ago and thought we wouldn't tell you!" Why do people say such stupid things?

Congratulations to all the new arrivals and good luck to all those who are still waiting - lets hope its not too long!

crumpette · 19/01/2010 18:00

fifi your post made me laugh, DS will be two weeks old soon and I haven't told anyone yet is that really bad!? Only 4 friends know and one family member, nobody else! Not my mother or any of my immediate family..!! I am enjoying the calm before the storm.....!!!

Re sleeping on tummy, read an article last week one of Anne Diamond's babies was SIDS slept on tummy and she started campaigning afterwards, but people were only following guidelines at the time. Dread to think what current guidelines will be overturned in 20 years time!

Anyway I personally think for you WMDO it's perfectly alright as you have the monitor there which would sound in the event of any problem at all. You and Olivia need some sleep and if it soothes her and you have that safeguard in place I say hooray.

I put baby on his back to sleep and he always ends up on his side.. completely refuses to sleep on back....

mama2moo · 19/01/2010 18:36

Mw wont do a sweep until Im 40+7!!! She told me to have some 'good' sex as it will do the same thing - DP has now refused because he doesnt want to be used. I dont really want to have sex with him but if it makes the baby move I will!!

fifi Your fil sounds funny! Is he really excited about this baby or just annoying??!

FifiForgot · 19/01/2010 18:48

crumpette when DD was due, PiL told us that they would be in the car "at the first sign of labour" (they live a 2.5 hour drive away) and told my mother that they would "see her at the hospital". Umm, no you won't! As it turns out I was in labour for 26 hours following induction and by the time I had been put back together in theatre it was 11.30 at night on a Thursday and they didn't actually arrive until Saturday as I was in no fit state for visitors. I think DH rang and told them I was being induced and we would let them know when the baby had arrived. I think that they find it a bit hard as they lived with SiL for 2 weeks prior to both her children being delivered and again for 2 weeks following her DH's paternity leave, so were on hand to see the newborn grandchildren. Not for me thanks, its one more stress I couldn't stand!

This time, its almost that I'm not pregnant and its all a bit of an inconvenience. I'm not quite sure when they are planning to arrive, I'm hoping it will be a brief visit!

I can totally understand the not telling people. I would love to have a few days to ourselves as a family, but thats the problem with an elective section, everyone knows roughly when the baby is due to arrive!

FifiForgot · 19/01/2010 18:52

mama2moo I think FiL was trying to be funny, but I have NO sense of humour at the moment.

Sometimes I really think that they think we keep stuff from them, but really, the arrival of a new grandchild?!

sockmonkey · 19/01/2010 18:58

just popping on to say congrats to showmethemummy

chickbean · 19/01/2010 19:21

Baby girl chickbean born yesterday at 13.55, a week early.

I was at a Netmums coffee morning and my waters broke (not dramatically, thank goodness - that would have been - just a trickle). After about an hour, feeling more and more uncomfortable I decided that it hadn't just been a weak bladder and thought I'd better head home. Phoned my mum to collect the boys and my husband (luckily it fitted in really well with the trains so he was home in an hour). Contractions turned out to be a really strong pressure in my backside. Decided against having a bath at home and went straight to hospital - a bit worried that I was being neurotic and would be sent home again. Luckily I was 5cm already and got into the pool as soon as they had run it. About 45 minutes later DD popped out (less than 4 hours from arriving at coffee morning). I feel very fortunate to have had such a problem-free labour and birth.

No name yet - we were so sure it would be another boy - still can't get used to hearing "her" and "she".

whensmydayoff · 19/01/2010 19:22

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Im still nervous but today I thought right, I will put her on her back during the day to get her used to both.
Doesnt matter if she wakes alot during the day - - she screamed all day and I had to carry her everywhere.
She is currently on her tummy fast asleep recovering from a full day of wakefulness.

The article skidoodle showed me made me immedietly doubt myself. The SIDS dropping from 5000 to 3000 in America. I agree with londonlottie, it cant ALL be based on back sleeping. The 3000 babies will have died for different reasons. BUT it puts me in a real quandry.

I phoned the health visitor and she was against it then when i explained it all she just sat on the fence a bit, thought she might!
She said Id be better putting her on medication.
The medication depleats the baby and interferes with the absorbtion of calcium and minirals. I only put my DS on it as he started to loose weight at 4 months and stopped feeding properly. He was on it from 5 months to around 14 months.
Anyway she'd have to be like that before I put her on meds.

Then what crumpette said about Anne Diamond. I didn't realise her baby had slept on her tummy, is that what caused it then?

It is funny isn't it. I know what works for me and my baby but we are all terrified to within an inch of our lives to go with our own instinct. Maybe there's too much info and advice out there now! My mum thinks childcare books are the funniest things ever. When I was PG with DS I was reading Gina Ford like it was the bible. She thought it was hilarious !!

showmethemummy I do think structure helps and I do believe you can over feed a BF baby too. MY DD is proof! They can comfort feed and make themselves colicky.
I had DS in a kind of feeding/sleeping routine from around 10-13 weeks.
I'd defy a team of 'experts' to try and put DD in a routine though . She's just too unsettled just now but I plan to get her in one once she is better as I think babies that have had good sleep and a routine are happier. >ducks to avoid backlash.!!

mama2moo · 19/01/2010 20:11

chickbean Congratulations, that was quick and seemed to have worked out perfectly for you. I hope my labour is like that!

crumpette · 19/01/2010 20:17

whensmydayoff the article I read also mentioned other factors like sheepskin rugs for babies to sleep on. I think lottie is completely right, that back sleeping is only one variable as at the same time as Anne Diamond for example the advice was to sleep babies on sheepskin as it helped keep them cool, when it doesn't and didn't, and goodness knows how many other variables were involved. I didn't mean to cause you doubt, any quick google can do that to anyone regardless of anyone's parenting approach.I think you need to do what is right for you and Olivia and it is essential that you get some rest.
I am co-sleeping with baby and every night I wake up panicking and worrying that he won't be breathing.. but for me it's the right thing to do because he is so much more settled and it's so much easier to feed him. There's conflicting advice on everything and you need to follow your instincts

PS have you tried Olivia in a sling close to you during the day? when DD was all colicky carrying her in a sling was the only thing that soothed her (other than lying her on her tummy!!)

crumpette · 19/01/2010 20:21

chickbean just read your post in awe! what a fast labour!! well done and huge congratulations on the safe arrival of baby girl chickbean!!

mama2moo I did suspect it would be unlikely for you to get a sweep just yet, but if it's any consolation many don't 'work' and are just uncomfortable, might cause bleeding and don't get you anywhere nearer to labour. Sorry about the sex go for lots of walks to help baby drop down further?

Fraochsmum · 19/01/2010 20:27

Wow, a wee while off here and you miss so much!
Showmethemummy and chickbean - lovely news on the new arrivals! Beautiful name showme x I was the same as you chick and took a couple of days to name Cara.
Fifi what a laugh! I felt the same when my dad was calling every day - I called him when I went in to the hospital (at his insistance) to give an update, racing through the acute ward, unbeknown to me, fully dilated!
Somewhat - omg! That is a story and a half! So glad it worked out for you and hope it wasn't too rough x Yours is really inspirational and will hopefully help others too going through the same.
For those who asked about the pushing; when I told my mum I could feel a lot of pressure in my bum, she said not to push. At this point I was still in my bath (not planning a home birth) and fully dilated.
re:sweeps - I had an attempted one at 39+6, but baby's head was so far down it was too posterior. I didn't feel it uncomfortable at all, even though the midwife was wincing because she thought it would be painful. I had a show that night, waters broke next day, Cara born morning after. Not conclusive it was due to the sweep though...
Cara doing well and has put on a further 2oz in 4 days so feeling mightily chuffed! Bought her first hairbrush today too, shee could actually have had a cut from birth!!
Huge birthing vibes to both the mamas - unusual for males to ned coerced into doing the deed! There is always nipple stimulation which may/may not have brought on my contractions?

quirkychick · 19/01/2010 21:15

wmdo I think you just have to do what works for you and your baby.

For dd1 (funny to write that) she would not be put down, would not stop feeding so I ended up with a sling and co-sleeping and doing a lot of research about that. The plan was to do something very similar this time...

dd2 cannot demand feed as down's don't really demand and often lie there placidly. A few times in the night I have heard her just sucking/routing and wondered how long she's been hungry. Also, with heart defect she mustn't over tire and only attempt bf for max 30mins. So, we are bf (when she's interested), topping up with formula (which I never thought I'd do!) and then expressing some to try to keep up my milk supply. So you just have to go with the flow, each baby is different.

The mw came today and weighed dd2: birthweight 7lbs 13oz, 1 week old 7lbs 9oz - very pleased as DS babies can apparently take a long time to recover birthweight.

Mw said she had good muscle tone, bowels are definitely working, good colour so oxygen levels are high and seems very alert. So far, so good.

devotion I took dd1 to lots of music classes and I was planning to do the same this time too.

whensmydayoff · 19/01/2010 21:20

Crossed posts with chickbean Congratulations, brilliant birth story too.
Im the same with 'her' and she'. I have a DS and sometimes I still call Olivia 'He' 5 weeks on!

Biccy · 19/01/2010 21:29

Oh lord, so much to catch up on, and it's not been that long since I was last on!

Huge congratulations to jasmeen, somewhat, showmethemummy and chickbean. Lovely news all round.

Mama2moo, I agree that overall baby's movements seem much slower and lazier. Although I'll get odd sessions, like last night, of loads of movement, so it really looks and feels like baby is trying to get out through my tummy... then a day of laziness (but definitely still frequent movements).

WMDO, I really do sympathise; dd didn't have reflux, but she was similar in her need to be held upright to sleep, and slept better the odd nap I allowed her to sleep on her tummy because I was watching her. I asked my HV at the time who enigmatically said 'eight years ago I'd have been telling you that you must put her to sleep on her tummy...'.

mama2b5, sorry DH is refusing to 'be used' to help... DP would be only too happy to oblige, but the bump has become so low and big out front that we are now struggling a lot to make it work - certainly can't get close enough for it to have any impact on cervix, IYSWIM . Both of us a bit fed up about it actually and looking forward to a couple of months time when we can hopefully start to resume a slightly more normal sex life!

fifi, I've been getting calls and texts saying things like, 'just ringing to see whether there's a new addition' - my response 'no, and there isn't a new addition due yet' (and under my breath 'stop winding me up, I'm impatient enough for myself as it is!'). I remember it from last time; I'd come home to messages along the lines of 'ooh, you're not answering, you must be off having the baby'... had none of them heard that we don't do confinement anymore!

Anyway, I'm still there with mama2b5, mama2moo and devotion - all sorts of cramping and pains and even the odd contraction that I need to stop for... then nothing for at least a few hours.

DP has succeeded in getting me very het up and stressed today (he's very behind on his admin, which means his cashflow has gone totally up the creek, to the point of me having to put money in his account to cover his standing order to me for the housekeeping - and I'm just not really flush enough myself). He has the most amazing ability to procrastinate, even in the face of what is actually a pretty sticky situation with him being chased by creditors , and tax due in 10 days etc, and it drives me insane! He told me today that he's 'too busy' for me to have the baby just yet, but has gone out tonight for a drink with what is left of his band, to see if they can decide whether to try and replace people who have left or not. Having spent the last 2 whole days 'doing paperwork' and not producing one single invoice (there's a backlog going back to June now) or quote I had to go and have a cry and the idea that he's too busy for the baby to come, but not too busy not to put off a band crisis meeting is too mcuh. So his priorities are clearly Band, Cashflow crisis, baby, actually probably should be Band, Dickarsing around doing nothing all day, Cashflow crisis, baby. So, I'm probably too stressed to go into labour now.

Saw 4 magpies land together in a tree today though, so now I'm convinced it's a boy (stands to reason, what with all this messing about making me think things are about to start on a daily basis, but actually nothing happens at all!)

Sorry for the rant, it's just all this worry about money is really the last thing I need at the moment. We've been here before, many many times, and no doubt we'll be here again, and again, and again; I just wish it wasn't happening when I'm less than a week off my due date, in need of some TLC rather than feeling like I have to do absolutely everything with dd and around the house so he has the space to get on with his work, and really impatient to cuddle my babe.

lilacpink · 19/01/2010 21:44

Hi All
Congrats to all the new babies

On the subject of sleeping positions, my DD had v. painful colic from birth to 7 weeks, she only slept if her cot was propped up and often on her side (we had an angelcare monitor and checked her). I would do the same this time if DS has digesive pains. BTW (for anyone with a newborn currently screaming lots) DD's a great sleeper now so those first weeks were thankfully no indication of her long-term sleep pattern.

2 sweeps and loads of shows later, but contractions just aren't regular enough for full on labour. My MW sent me into hosp today to trace my baby's heart rate as it seemed slow when she checked it. All was fine and they even said I'm having uterine contractions, but I've had weird irregular pains for so long now that to me it's normal to have niggles. Not sure if I'll recognise proper ones when they do start now TENs machine at the ready just in case!

I'll be induced on 23rd should he hang on that long.

hurrydownthechimneytonight · 19/01/2010 21:45

OK ladies I blame you all!!

Was reading everyones posts catching up thinking to myself this baby will never come......... felt trickle slight panic i was bleeding or something..... got up and woosh there went my waters!

Been examined at the hospital who confirmed yes definately waters (I knew that with the aount!)

Of to bed now for sleep as tommorrow could be very long day, no contractions as such so get rest while I can.

lilacpink · 19/01/2010 21:50

Goodluck hurrydownchimney wishing you some deep sleep before all 'kicks-off'!!

Fraochsmum · 19/01/2010 22:00

Woo-hoo! Best of luck hurrydown, will be thinking of you x

mama2moo · 19/01/2010 22:02

hurrydownthechimney - You lucky thing. Good luck

I havent seen mama2b5 post today - I wonder if she has had her baby??

Im going to take dd for a walk tomorrow to see if that gets anything going. I have had a few twinges today but nothing major.

Good luck to all of us ladies who are waiting

chickbean · 19/01/2010 22:47

Good luck Hurrydown the chimney

Expected
1 singalongamumum (DS 18mth)
2 Lisylou1980
3 sunshinejanuary - South London
6 oomska (DD 13mo)
6 gizzy1973 (1st baby)
7 natapillar (baby no.4, DD1 9yo ,DD2 7yo, DD3 15months)
8 STA1mum (DS15mth)
9 bigpreggybelly (1st baby)
10 Zen1980 (1st baby)
10 lizzylu (DS 14mths)
10 kittykat765 (DS 19mth) - Bristol
11 Katiei (DS)
11 anastaisia (dd b2005)
11 lilacpink (DD 3)
12 JoInScotland - 1st baby, Scotland
12 roastbeef
13 skidoodle (DD 13mo)
13 LessThenIdeal
13 Sleepingalot - Sheffield
14 Thingiebob - 1st baby (girl) London
15 lynchy09 (DS14mth)
15 Sersi (DS1 6, DS2 4) - Herts
15 Worriedunfortunately (DD 4y)
16 Partyofsixsoontobeseven / SixMincePiesSoontobeSeven (DS 16yrs, DD 11yrs, DD 7yrs, DD 6yrs)- Surprise
16 DesertFairy (DD3)
16 ILoveDolly
17 slightlybonkers (DS 3yo)
17 MrsStripey (DS15mo)
17 showmethemummy/TheGruffalo DD4; DD2. girl
18 alfiesmadmother (DS1 7,DS2 5 and DS3 3)
18 Southwestwhippet
18 Sockmonkey (DS6 DS4) - Notts - Girl
18 Fififorgot (DD 3.5)
19 SuiGeneris
19 DeeMented
20 sooooexcited (DS 2)
20 verytiredmummy (DS)
20 Totalmisfit (DD 3.4) - Norfolk
20 helenabeth (DS1 4.5, DS2 20mths)
21 Mowmi - Surrey
23 AutumnAir
23 Noodlesforbreakfast (DS 20mths) - girl
23 Mrsjammi - DS1 14, DS2 20 months, DSD 13, DSS 18
24 Sazlocks (DS 20mo) - surprise
24 Blocka (DD 32mo) - North East
24 Laura233
24 coffeeicecream (DS 9mo) - NW London
24 MamaLazarou
24 Biccy (DD 3)
24 Fibilou (1st baby) - girl
25 Iateallthecreameggsyummy / HurryDowntheChimney
26 Siochfradha - Edinburgh - 1st baby
27 Happybump (DS 19mo)
27 Devotion (DD 6YRS & DD 3YRS)Faran for boy / Sylvie for girl so far...
27 Mama2b5 (DD-15,DD-8,DS-10,DS-4) - S London - Isaiah !!/Aaron ??
28 Brasso4 - Peterborough - girl - 1st baby
28 Maygirl(DS 3)- surprise
29 yangymac (DD 4) - girl
29 Mama2moo (dd 19mo)
30 GetThePartyStarted
30 nervoussara - Brighton
31 IrrationalMother (DS 18mo)

ARRIVED
1st Dec - Missmarjoribanks - boy Thomas William Francis (33+4)
10th Dec - ClaireDB - girl Mira - 5lb 11.5oz (36+5)
11th Dec - Alibobins - boy Jacob, 6lbs 1oz (37weeks)
14th Dec - londonlottie - twin girls Juliet 6lb 1 and Eve 5lb 6 (35+5)
15 Dec - Whensmydayoff - girl Olivia - 6lb (36+6)
22 Dec - Liskey - girl Ellie - 5.5lbs
24 Dec - timmette/shinybaubles - boy Oliver - 7lb (38)
25 Dec - Fakeplastictrees - boy Luke Edward
29 Dec - CantThinkofFunnyName - girl Olivia Iris - 6lbs 2 1/2oz (38+5)
30 Dec - Liny - Nottinghamsire - girl Elise
1 Jan - TheMinnieBauble - boy Freddie - Weight TBC
2 Jan - nomorebboze - girl Megan - 5lbs 12oz
2 Jan - Jasmeeen - girl Annalise Marie - 7lbs (38+1)
5 Jan - Fraochsmum - girl Cara Elise - 6lbs 2oz
5 Jan - FlightofFancy - boy Edward - 6lbs 14oz (37+3)
6 Jan - salvadory - girl Imogen - weight TBC
7 Jan - MistletoeKisses - boy Nicolas - 6lbs 8oz
9 Jan - Pepa - girl Marilla - Weight TBC
10 Jan - crumpette- boy 'babycrumpette'- 8lb 15 oz
10 Jan - Bethoo - girl Kira - 8lb 0.5oz
11 Jan - MissChatterbox - boy Jude - 7lb 6oz
11 Jan - MrsVik - girl, Lucia Rowan - 8lb 1oz
12 Jan - quirkychick - girl "baby quirkchick" - 7lb 13oz
14 Jan - Somewhathorrified - WAITING FOR DETAILS!
15 Jan - Ampster - girl Edith Priscilla Mae - 7lb 3oz
16 Jan - Flyingma - boy Aiden - 7lb 3oz
18 Jan - chickbean - girl Martha Grace 8lb 6oz

Mama2b5 · 20/01/2010 00:19

hi all - no MAMA2MOO - still here no LO!!!!
Congrats to SHOWMTHM- wonderful and so close to your due date!- welcome Ada.
Also Chickbean - and Martha Grace wonderful its funny to read 3rd times mums have such total different experiences!
Hopefully this 1 will be quick and painless!

I was only kidding with the home "sweep" DH is not comfortable with any talk with the " baby escape hatch" wether fingers or anything else!!! DH has been so good really have to get him something nice when LO finally comes!
QC- nice to hear things are settling and your dealing with feeding your way!
Ok - HDTC- show off with waters going just like that!( sticking tongue out at u)
Good Luck and happy painless labour to you!
DH has run me bath- ahhhhhh so off i go - nite all!