February 2010: Babies have started arriving...

[woowa]

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

Hurrah!!! Stop. Alert. I haven't had the opportunity of catching up on the past few days (which I will do with great joy a.s.a.p.)

BECAUSE.....

Angélique Aelig Rose arrived on 27 January at 13.26 weighing in at 3.8 kg.

She is absolutely gorgeous (dare I say perfect? )and we are besotted.

I returned home yesterday and will post soon re birth. (All good stuff).

Surprisingly it is the breastfeeding which is causing me more difficulty than I would have imagined: she has amazing sucking powers!!!!!

ps Aelig means 'little angel' in Breton - we have to have a Breton name as my husband is from Brittany!

pps The most amazing thing is that Angélique arrived a few days earlier than expected but very convienently on Saint Angélique's name day, which is a fairly big thing here in France. In fact after the birth several people at the hospital gleefully told us this. I like it .

Updated list:

T4tastic DS Aiden James 17/01/2010 ?weight?
AngelaCarleen: Poppy Elizabeth, 25/01/10, 5lb 7oz
InmaculadaConcepcion DD Rosie Ines 26/01/10, 5lb 1
Jardins DD Angélique Aelig Rose 27/01/2010, 3.8 kg
Clappedout Induction booked 27/01/2010
Mamaloco c-section booked 28/01/2010
GuernseyFrench induction bookded 02/02/10

JARDINS - congratulations to you! Lovely, lovely names... I went to school with an Angelique and have always loved the name. Hope you are all doing well and you are coping with the bf demand!

GF sounds like you'll be next, wonder if I can carry on the French theme... although friends are very at my impatience. Although DH's sil said to me the other day - we're all waiting impatiently for the arrival - luckily it was in an email and I had time to compose myself before replying.

We don't have long to name the baby here, I think you have to name before you leave the hospital - so DH is under strict instructions not to take advantage of my vulnerable state to change his mind (again) as happened to a good friend of mine!

shiregirl hope you are ok? Does sound scary.

I have been offered a sweep today, even though I am 39+3. If anything else I am going to ask them to have a listen for the heartbeat as the movement seems to get less and less every day. Is this normal? Also it's 2 weeks since my last appt and if I don't see anyone it will be another 2 weeks before EDD, when I am 41+3 and they have said that's when they'll look at induction. It just seems a long time from 37+3 to 41+3 to go without seeing a medical professional, so even if the sweep is a no go at least as a panicky first-timer I'll get to see someone today...

Jardins Congratulations

Hey Ladies

A few minutes of respite until the next feed, thought I'd check in!

LOL AC at using up the excess formula in your tea!! Cheers for the tip. Hope your post CS recovery is going okay - I'm hoping they'll take out my stitches in the next day or two, but I've been lucky - although I'm taking it easy, I can heave myself around okay and the pain is getting less all the time.

Back to bottles: I was also wondering if things like microwaves could make the sterilisation process quicker or simpler - anyone got any thoughts in general?

fizi - yes, cuddling DD is the BEST thing ever - but, by god, make the most of the chance to sleep while you still can!!!

Just had the prem team nurse call and check on DD - she's putting on weight, so the 2.5hour feeds are doing the job. Her jaundice is settling down too and overall, it's all good.

One last thing - this is a copy of an email DH got from his cousin - I thought it was a lovely summary of early parenthood from another dad and it had me in tears (doesn't take much, mind) - so for all the first-timers, I reproduce it here:

"Enjoy the time, those days of freedom are replaced with fatigue, worry, panic, self doubt and sleep deprivation. They are also blessed with something that you will only now be able to understand as you embark on parenthood. Its the intensely personal joy of watching a blank canvas of your own creation begin to awash itself with paint before your very eyes. For the next few weeks to be honest, the only colours hitting the canvas are going to be brown, sometimes green, sometimes milky and sometimes best described as toxic. Often projectiled or water cannoned in your general direction they are a grown man's kryptonite. Be brave, and if you can't then advertise for a nanny.

The only true insight I can share cousin is that when a baby first arrives they seem so demanding. They aren't really, but I was so new to it everything seemed like a challenge. At the start they tend to sleep, eat and destroy nappies. The magical thing is that as they begin to demand more, so your confidence grows ahead of them. There are adventures and indescribable learning curves ahead mate, and there is much to be learned. Draw comfort in knowing that there wont be a day that goes past where you are not rewarded in some way. That's all the help I can give, you will love figuring the rest out for yourself.

oops, slow on uptake....

jardins congratulations!!

lovely name, too

really happy for you!

My appetite had come back, but now I'm 39+2 I have no appetite at all. Like someone else said, there's no more room in there.

Little bear was stretching his feet out so much I had to have words last night because I was like 'there isn't anywhere else for you to go, stop pushing your feet up!'

So tired now. Those last days at work are a killer when all you want to do is sit down and put your feet up and you have to stand and sell bingo books and smile while 300+people ask you the same questions (Do you know what it is? Do you have a name? When are you due? Is it your first? etc...)

Had my hospital bag packed for weeks.
Takes me all day to do smallest amount of ironing/cleaning, but want to keep it all up to date as I'm paranoid about me being in hospital and DP having no clean pants!

Having a weird reaction to iron tablets - my poo is black! Has anyone else had this??

Black poos are very common with iron tablets, don't worry!

Been away for a few days and have come back to a clutch of babies - congratulations to all (such lovely names) and hope everyone is doing well.

Dorinda - I came off my iron tabs recently but can confirm the colour issue!

Lovely email IC...

Congratulations Jardins! Angélique is such a beautiful name. Good luck with the BF.

I am starting to get sooooo jealous of all these arrivals !

GF come on now, you must have news for us...? Curry, nipple-twiddling, sex...?

Shiregirl I have been having the same thing, not to the extent of falling over, you poor thing, but sudden very painful flashes across my hips and it feels as though my legs are giving way and I have to sit down suddenly. So far it has only happened indoors... Hope you are ok?

flyingcloud my baby's never been a big mover but now there are days (not every day) when I hardly feel him/her move, I assume because there is little room to move now. And a book I read today said that you may not be able to feel the movements at this stage (but didn't say why). So maybe they are moving, and we can't feel it.

IC great that your DD is progressing well . Beautiful email too.

Dorinda I can't believe you're still at work, I would be good for absolutely nothing if I tried to work, apart from being shattered I don't seem to have any brain cells left right now . I am hoping they grow back after the birth.

Fizi Nope, I'm still there, contractions are about every 8mn but not as painful as they were yesterday

But my backache is really killing me.

I have done everything advisable to bring on labour but at least I hope that all this pre-labour work is going to help the induction tomorrow!

Congrats jardins! So that's a spanish baby and two french ones... is there something about the food or water in europe that we impatient anglos are missing???!!! And guernsey french may be next... I'm on the next plane!

fizziwizzle bit misleading the way I wrote that - been off work nearly a month now; just harking back to those last days that really dragged out! Gosh I can barely get to the corner shop now, let alone trudge for nearly an hour through the snow to work, which is what I was doing in the last fortnight! Madness.

My superstitious mother has decided that baby will arrive today or tomorrow, so I'm willing him not to do anything until wednesday earliest now, or I'll never hear the end of it for the rest of his life; how she predicted the birth! In-laws arrive Friday so I'm kind of hoping for Wed' or Thurs' because they might drive me mad otherwise!

most annoying question when you get past 39 weeks ladies? Has to be 'have you had it yet?'

..yes, but I thought I'd keep it a secret! ...actually, at least we'd have peace the first day or two!

Oh, I'm rambling now BUT I was having a discussion with DP other night about how and why I don't want anybody popping over the day we come out of hospital.

He says they'll all be too excited and want to come and see the baby - but my mum warned me about how she got home from hospital,looking like death warmed up,wanting to get in and sleep, not quite sure what to do with her little bundle, nervous, exhausted and drained..to find half the family on her doorstep!
Given that, I said to him please, at least make them phone and check it's okay before they all start descending on us!

Congratulations jardins! Lovely name too.

You're probably a bit busy right now but I posted a couple of links re breastfeeding a couple of days ago. I would encourage you to have a look and try the biological nurturing position if you can.

Yes, had black poo with iron tablets too. Stopped taking them over Christmas time. Can't remember why. Probably because we had loads of visitors and I was cooking non stop and just didn't remember!!

I am having a lazy day today. My ankle is a bit stiff across the front, and a bit nippy at the sides, presumably at the site of the incisions from the surgery, but it's a bit hard to tell. DS is away to his auntie's until almost bedtime, so I might just put the telly on and fall asleep whilst struggling to keep my eyes open. I woke at 5am this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. I am normally a very talented sleeper, so found this a bit odd.....

I have decided to up my dairy intake. I probably do get enough calcium, but I figure that I am trying to grow a baby, repair three broken bones, and in a couple of weeks will be breastfeeding a baby and a 4yo, so I will probably need all the calcuim I can get!! I suppose I could trawl the net to find out my exact requirements, but I can't be arsed tbh, much easier to drink strawberry milk and eat more cheese.

Oh GF fingers crossed you're well on your way to meeting your LO by now.

A gorgeous email IC thanks for sharing. I will not blub... [hides sniffle with mahosive tissue] It's so lovely you're finding a few moments to pop in and update, you'll be dab hands by the time I come home with a newborn and 20 million questions!

I'm only 37+4 and just so can't wait to met my wee one, 4 weeks at the absolute maximum I suppose as they let you go 10 days over here. That said,I have been spring cleaning today like a woman possessed... I don't really like curry so I'll save that for 3 weeks or so.

Dorinda, in the UK your date is calculated at 40 weeks, but in France it seems to be 41 weeks or 41+3, so nothing in the water, just different maths!

And of course, huge congratulations Jardins. How lovely that Angélique was born on her Saints Day, beautiful. Glad the birth went well and looking forward to hearing more

Congrats to all the new mums.

Had my scan today for the low lying placenta and am still none the wiser. The placenta (horrible word...must think of something nicer) is the wrong side of the baby's head and on the edge of the exit (nice word for cervix!). They said they would decide today but now want to rescan in two weeks and make a decision then. If it doesn't change they will bring him out in 3 weeks by caesarean. Was told if go into labour before then to come to the hospital straight away incase I haemmorage (very reassuring). Feel like i'm in limbo now. I don't mind a caesarean but would just like to know ahead of time rather than having to rush in for an emergency one. Oh well, not much I can do I guess.

Looking forward to hearing more lovely birth news.

Good luck with your scan tomorrow Mawbroon

Congratulations to all the new mummies and babies! I second Mawbroon's links on breastfeeding for those who are interested.

Crikey, Mawbroon, it really doesn't seem very long since we were on that 'magic' TTC bf fertility thread. I can't quite believe I'm due tomorrow. Wow.

DD stopped feeding about halfway through this pg, and probably the truth is it was led by me, not that I really wanted her to stop completely, more that each feed got sooo sore that I just kept putting her off again and again. So no tandem feeding on the cards for us.

I have had enough of this pg now. Pool is inflated, gas and air waiting in my utility room (wahay!), birthing ball, lavender oil, and various bits and bobs laid out. All ready for my second attempt at homebirth. I'm really at the drumming my fingers stage.

Oh congratulations Jardins! Another beautiful name - no pressure for the rest of us then . It's so nice to hear how loved-up all the new mummies are too!

IC - love that email (sniffle), thanks for sharing!

GF definitely sounds like you're nearly there!! So exciting!!

This week is definitely going to be a good week, carpets are going down tomorrow and DH's tools are finally starting to find their way back to the shed! Once the final bits and bobs are done, the nesting frenzy can commence - I haven't cleaned properly for ages as it's been utterly pointless while so much mess was being generated, looking forward to getting stuck in!

Weirdly I suddenly have tons of energy, skin hair and nails are all in good nick and people keep telling me I look great - could I finally be blooming?! Only a week and a half before my due date - thanks hormones!

Congratulations Jardins.. I am sure I have congratulated everyone else.. hope so!! Beautiful names.

Some one think IC was asking re steralising.. I use the microwave sterilisers as they are quicker they take 5-8 mins. Mine is a 6 bottle Avent one.

Saw the MW this morning and she sent me up to the hospital for another check up , BP went up to 170/100 (shcoked what would it have been if i wasnt ion the tablets for it!!) then an hour later back to 140/90 so I was allowed home. Again littlemans CTG wasnt greatr to start with so they woke him up shaking him and the last 10mins were fine.
TBH I have had enough now.. just want little man out so that I can see for my self that he is ok. I am back at the hospital next friday the 12th.. hopefully they will give me a sweep then as I will be 39+5.

Just to say re weight in scans last week they said the baby was 3500g, this week he is 2800g!!!! by the scan last week the EDD was 06/02/10 this week EDD was 23/02/10.
Obvioulsy the bigger the baby gets the scan get less accurate.

Not been feeling right today just want to cry and dont feel myself.

He is still 2/5 engaged.

Sorry there i go again waughling about myself..

Good luck thosed booked for inductions and Csections over the next few days.

Take care everyone xx

congrats Jardins - agree, lovely name, and how lovely about the Saints day too!

3plus1 you're having a bit of a cack time just lately aren't you!? hope you're feeling a bit better this morning!

good to hear everyone else plodding along ok, and it's lovely to hear from the new mums too!

LO has headed south again this week, and back to ROA (returned from free and posterior last week, so maybe the crawling around and bouncing has worked)

Advice from MW today is to call her when contractions are established and 5 mins apart (cos of previous sect) when we'll head into the hosp... unless waters go and are brown, green or red before then... otherwise am 2 weeks away from post dates appt at hosp for them to decide what to do... the idea that i might still be pregnant in 4 weeks fills me with horror!!

Oh, and i've had really nagging toothache for 4 days solid now... was hoping it might ease off as it has earlier in pg, but it seems set in now... best ring the dentist tomorrow i think and see if there's anything he can do... was hoping to get out the otherside before needing treatment, but on top of everything else, having toothache (and earache now too :-() is just pants... oh woe is me!! might have to crack open the paracetamol tonight and see if it makes enough difference to sleep... off to find the cloves!

keep well everyone! night all!

cheers 3plus1 I will look into that option - could be a lot cheaper than boiling everything up on the cooker - our fuel bills are already skyrocketing as it is. sorry to hear you're feeling out of sorts.

good news fluffycoo on the receding building site! must be a huge relief. good job your LO didn't do what mine did and show up four weeks early, huh?!

I notice a few regular posters have gone quiet lately...more announcements on the cards???