February 2010: Babies have started arriving...

[woowa]

and here we are...who'll be next?

Glad to hear you are home IC. Sorry to hear they seperated you overnight. Hopefully you are making up for it with loads of cuddles.

Not sure if you are familiar with kellymom.com. There is loads of really good advice on there.

hey ladies, its time for a weekly question/worries/rants if you dont mind firstly, and i know this will sound like a silly question, but apart from the physical 'wet' feeling, will you know mentally that you're waters have broken? i've got this feeling I'm going to be in the bath/shower and not feel the wetness, so want to know if you actually feel different inside when they go....

next, re labour encouragements, how much pineapple needs to be eaten/how much and strong does the curry need to be/how much sex do you need to have [as I'm sure you can all sympathise, its not the top thing of my last, lol]/how much walking do you need to do. is it different for everyone or do you need to be eating a full pineapple everyday for example?

sorry for all the questions, i just want to be able to do something if i go over my date as i dont think i could handle being pregnant any longer than my date!!!

thanks to all the ladies that have posted BF'ed advice, I'm hoping to so its very helpful to have a read/watch

hope everyone is ok, wonder how Clappedout and Mamaloco are....

lol at Nikki preparing to shift that baby! NCT lady was saying that. while there's sound science behind the whole pinapple thing, you probably need to eat your whole bodyweight in the stuff every hour to reap the benefits lord knows what that would do to your innards!!!

Mawbroon thanks for posting all the BN stuff - had no idea about that at all and am now definitely going to give it a try, looks so lovely!

Hmm, bed now maybe...!

Nikki - I went to a Thai restaurant for lunch and had Indian takeout for dinner on Thursday (day before labour started). Both with several rather spicy dishes. Pretty sure that was what brought the labour on, prior to that was convinced DD won't pop till slightly after due date.

Felt light period pains at 6am on Friday morning and had the first mucus show.... so I'd say that was quite effective!

For the g+a, make sure you breathe it all in....and several times and don't let anyone take it away from you

mawbroon - well so far I've had several good feeds and for the first time didn't need to supplement slightly with formula to get DD off to sleep at night. V pleased. Thanks for sharing the BN links. It feels v natural as well and helps no end with the bonding. Hv been using the nipple cream, it's good - but nothing compared to finally getting it (almost) right!

Try ordering stuff off the internet and getting them to deliver. That would help lots with getting stuff on your shopping list. As for the baby clothes - just think, one load and dry then you're done.... you just need the vest and bodysuits first, the rest could wait if needed (and if anything should happen quick!)

niki - first timer too, trying all of the above! I think in reality that nothing will bring the baby out until it's ready, although I think walking is good for getting the baby to engage and the general gravity effect.

Lots of people swear by different methods and I am trying all of them: a pineapple a day, sex once a day, a walk a day, spicy food once every two days, even throwing myself on the ground, as evidenced above!! and nothing is helping. There is a thread about this in childbirth at the moment. There are various things you can do to induce contractions such as nipple-twiddling, but I don't think it's a good idea to induce contractions unless the baby is ready as it can distress the baby, I think

I am 39+2 today, got a sweep on Monday if possible, reflexology booked on Tuesday, but apart from feeling like I've got trapped wind all the time I have no other signs!

guys, I was re-reading the thread that I was on in the run up to ds being born in 2005. It was full of women eating pineapple, having sex, curry, etc etc etc. None of it worked and we came to the conclusion on the thread that it was a waste of time!! I think these things can help get labour going, but only if you are just about to go into labour anyway.

If nipple twiddling induced labour, I would have had my baby months ago because ds is the world's biggest nipple twiddler whilst feeding.

sunangel - I am really pleased to hear that the BN has helped. Once you feel more confident with it, you can then adapt the same principles of allowing the baby to latch unaided whilst sitting up. But one step at a time - keep reclining and snuggling for now.

I feel better about all the stuff today. Now I look at it after having had some sleep, there's really not a lot to be done! DH and I are going out to Sainsbury's soon, and I am sure I will be able to get nappies, maternity pads and breastpads there and combine it with a food shop rather than make a seperate trip to mothercare (or wherever). No doubt dh will whizz me round the shop far too fast in the wheelchair and I'll forget half the stuff even though i have a list!

The clothes were in a big bag in the loft with various sizes muddled up, and it just all seemed too much yesterday! Top tip - if you are putting baby stuff away in the loft as this baby outgrows them, do not use biodegradable binliners to store them in. This is because it does exactly what it says on the tin, and a couple of years later when you go to get them out of the dark loft, the bloody things have only gone and biodegraded resulting in little flakes of binliner all over the house.

Congrats Immaculada!

I think 3.2kg is a healthy/average birthweight though, it's more or less spot on 7 lbs isn't it? (My son was 3.1kg and we converted that to 6 lbs 13 oz anyway and he was born at 39+6.)

Off to read mawbroon's biological nurturing links...

Oops, sorry - I meant 2.3kg - post birth delirium setting in!

Well, I don't know about all the techniques to bring on labour, but I had precisely one cup of RLT during the afternoon of my sudden headlong rush into motherhood! Actually, I don't think that had anything to do with it, but it was one of the crazy thoughts that sped through while I was in the ICU...

Ladies - any tips on sterilisation and bottle-feeding techniques? I mentioned before that we're having to supplement with a bottle at the moment and I didn't really prepare myself for that possibility. DH is being a tower of strength by sterilising the bottles and making up formula as required, but I wondered if any of you experienced mums had any good time-saving tips etc.?? Much appreciated, if so!

Hi everyone, hope you're all not too fed up with waiting .

I'm sat here snuggling with Poppy on my chest and DH asleep on the sofa next to me. I really think he needs some kind of award, I've not done anything other than feed Poppy and occasionally change her nappy since I got home, he's organised all the washing and cleaned the house every day and cooked all our meals.

Had an awful day with breastfeeding yesterday, apparently it's normal for day 5, wish someone would have told me. Poor Poppy just couldn't latch on because they were too full (imagine Jordan, before the reduction ). Had to get a hand pump in the end so I can express a tiny bit off first, I just wasn't getting on with hand expressing. Anyhoo, I now have nearly 2oz of milk in the freezer and a contented baby. Just thought I'd warn any other first timers 'cos up until then feeding had been going really well.

Also I seem to have recovered really well from my CS, plucked up the courage to look at my scar yesterday and I have a very very neat line which goes about 3/4 of the way across my bikini line (I think 'cos she was back to back as well as breech they were careful with their cut). I even managed to nip to the shops yesterday and I keep forgetting to take my pain relief. I was terrified about the recovery, more so than the surgery, so if anyone else in the breech club feels the same I hope this helps a bit .

Good luck and I hope more of these babies start arriving soon!
xx

thanks for all the responses, i kinda figured that it might not make much of a difference, but I'm willing to try anything, lol! my bump keeps dropping, then moving back up, wish he'd make his mind up and arrive!! however sunangel when u say spicy, do you mean burny mouth or just warming? lol

angela, i am so jealous, of the lovely DP, mines brilliant.... most of the time, the rest he moans none stop, lol! and its sounds like your having a quick recovery

wonder if anyone else has popped.. yesterday being a full moon and all...

I have officially started nesting... Got rid of the huge pile of ironing and hoovered the house. Long list of things in my head that need urgent attention, too. Wonder if this means I'll go into labour??

Keep remembering and sniggering about something a student midwife told me last time round (24 hour labour so plenty of time for chatting). Apparently the student was present at one birth where the woman turned on her and snarled 'What are you looking at???' Hope that woman didn't get the shock of her life to find WHERE the baby eventually emerged from .

IC. glad you are recovering well.. My DD was born at just under 36weeks by csection and weighted 2.2kg.. she is now a 5ft5inch 13year old.. She had trouble latching on, and I just expressed for her.. it got to the stage where she would scream at the sight of my boob, whcih stressed me out stressing her out even more bless her.
With all three of mine the only one that latched on was DS2.. but he did this days before he was admitted to hospital for surgery.. so aqll of mine have had expressed Breast milk..
Will try again though with this little one, I do have the expresser ready though..

Re bringing on labour.. I think most things only work if yo0ur body is ready for labour anyway.

I am having lots of strong BH sometimes I think mmmm I think this could be the start.. but to no avail, they soon stop..
I have a hospita; appointment on Friday and I am going to ask them for a sweep whether he will or not I dont know as i will be 38+5weeks. I can but ask. TBH I hate taking the tablets and know once baby is out then BP should return back to normal.

BG know what you mean about nesting..down stairs is all done, need to finish of our bedroom, it is washing needs putting away.. but as you can imagine with 6 of us (FIL included) in the house, I seem to have a never endoing amount of washing, and putting away.. no sooner is it all cleared then the piles start again..

Of to finish cooking the sunday lunch whilst DH is tackling the washing.
Take care everyone and looking forward tohearing more birth announcements..

thanks mawbroon, my NCT teachers said she's going to use what you wrote in her notes on BFing! Ah, the fame you could have if this weren't anonymous .

Birth announcements seem to have stalled for a while...but IT'S FEBRUARY TOMORROW!!! Oh my goodness. And i'll be able to say "baby due next week". ARGHHHHHHHH. People kept saying to me this morning at church, ooh, but it could be a few more weeks...we've decided not to tell anyone the obs wants to induce at 40 weeks (hoepfully just a sweep!), to keep it exciting for us, and the presure from everyone else off us!

Right, must do everything I'm supposed to do this afternoon, as 16 teenagers come round every sunday night, so I need to bake lots and prep stuff to think about. Told DH i'm taking maternity leave from anything that involves thinking, as of tomorrow!!

Hello. Just popped over from Fab Feb 2009 to say welcome to all the Feb 2010ers. Congratulations to those who have already had their babies and good luck to those who are waiting.

My little one will be one on Tuesday. Seeing your thread has made me go all weepy.

Ah! Thanks swampster. Nice to think that in a year's time we'll be in your position of looking back with happiness and tears! And not in this strange place of waiting!

Nikki - it's not vindaloo spicy but enough to warm your tummy. About 2-3 chillies in the usual restaurant nomenclature. (vindaloo being 4 chillies!) Good luck!

It's lovely to hear your birth stories and about all your lovely cuddles. Some great top Breastfeeding tips too.

Off to bounce on the birth ball...

Well, got the stuff done that I needed.

Have a million maternity pads, loads of breastpads (just wait - I probably won't leak a drop this time!!), disposable pants, snacks, nappies etc etc

Got enough wee vests and babygros washed for the first wee while and just have to make sure that the car seat fits in the car (we are using a different one to last time, and we have a different car!!)

So, I am pretty much sorted. we are going to my parents' house this weekend, so I will take my hospital bag and notes etc just in case.......

I am away for a shower now before bed. I am able to shower without help now which is another step in the right direction. I can't wait to get this plaster off and get a removable boot, but that's another fortnight away yet....

Congratulations Sunangel.

Only thing to add today having caught up (after a rubbish night with DS I need to get to bed speedily) is that I didn't have a show or waters breaking before I got to 6cm dilated last time, so don't assume that you're not in labour if you haven't experienced them. I will be quite shocked this time if they do happen!
I think we have finally reached a decision on a name which is hilarious as we are pretty much back to the alternative that we had for DS1, even though we've spent approximately 24 hours talking about it to get there in the last 18 weeks!!! How ridiculous..

Congratulations sunangel! Have you decided on a name? (Sorry to be unoriginal, I'm sure everyone is asking that.) Sorry to hear about the tears , I hope they are healing well.

Yours and mawbroon's talk of G&A has scared me rigid! Not sure I would like to feel so out of it when in labour. I'm going to avoid pethidine for the same reason (a very unscientific sample of two people, close friend and cousin, both felt very out of it on pethidine and regretted having it).

GF, any good news?! Any full moon babies?!

Hi to IC and AngelaCarleen! So jealous of your cuddles with your DDs . WHEN'S MINE COMING OUT?

Last night I had a hot curry (well, madras, hot for me) which has upset DP's stomach but has not got me moving! Still a week to go until my due date (only a week - nearly there! ). I agree with flyingcloud and mawbroon that unless LO is ready to emerge, nothing will really work. Fun trying though!

Have found all the BF posts really useful. Thanks all. I so want to BF and am currently buying those BF tops on ebay like a mad thing so hope that I will have use for them.

Well, off to bed, hopefully to sleep and not lie awake for hours thinking of things to add to my To Do list (ha! What are the chances).

Nearly there fiziwizzle, we may need our full 42 days to finally decide but things are coming together. We went with a name pretty much the whole of the pregnancy but once DD was born it just wasn't right so it's back to the drawing board!

You can control how much g+a you take in, so may not be as out of it as I was. I could hear and understand everything that was said around me. In fact my MW told me that it's something that all MWs are told, they need to be careful what they say as ppl under g+a remember everything that was said. When I wanted to I could take alternate breaths, or stop entirely, to reduce the high. But loved the high, they couldn't pry the g+a tube out of my hands.

DD was amazingly alert after the birth as g+a doesn't count as pain relief, unlike pethidine. If pethidine is taken, the baby may be sleepy after and may not take to BFing right after birth. With g+a BFing can occur immediately, which helps with the BFing going forward.

IC - not experienced mom, having only been one for 1 week but what helped me when supplementing last week was buying those small cartons of ready prepared formula (SMA) then all that was needed was the sterilizing of bottles by boiling for 5 mins just before DD fed. Because the milk was in a carton, we just needed to open it and pour into the sterilized bottle. DD drank fine with the milk at room temperature. Any leftover milk I'd drink in tea - incidentally it's v creamy and tastes rather good. May start buying it just for tea purposes....

Oh, that sounds quite scary Shiregirl. Must have given you a fright. Hope you are ok.

fizi - it's exactly as sunangel says with the G&A. You are holding the mouthpiece yourself and are in full control. It only takes a couple of breaths of fresh air and you are right back into real life. I think I only got so high on it because the doc doing my plaster kept telling me to keep breathing, keep breathing every time I took the mouthpiece away. I am the type of person who doesn't like being out of control and even I enjoyed it. Much more control than pethedine which is in your system for longer. And, as sunangel says, pethedine can make the baby groggy and it may well take longer for him/her to feed.

Also, re the breastfeeding tops - great if you are getting them for a nice price but not strictly neccessary. A vest top under a normal top works well for out and about. Lift the normal top up and pull the vest top down and hey presto, no saggy baby belly being revealed at all. But feeding in public and breastfeeding attire are not the most important things to be worrying about at the beginning.

LOL bethylou - we have almost got a name too, and it is one that we really liked for ds!! I can't think of a middle name to go with it though. We get three weeks to register the birth in scotland, so add that to the 2 - 6 weeks that I might have left, and it still gives us a bit of time.....

I have my scan tomorrow. I am going to get them to check for sure that it really is a boy. Don't want to be caught out without a name if it's a DD!!!

Hi girls,

It nearly came last night... but no!

I went to the ward about 4pm yesterday as I was having contractions every 6mn quite painful.

The mw put me on the monitor and LO was fine and the contractions spaced to every 10mn. The mw did an internal and said that cervix was still posterior but that baby should come during the night or if not probably today! She doubts that I'll need the induction tomorrow.

So after 3 hours in the ward I went back home where the contractions decided to stop!

This morning, contractions are back and so far I've vacuumed the stairs (ouch my back), got baby's room ready (the final touches) and now I'm going to go for a walk.

Anyway, this baby will be out by Wednesday on way or another!