February 2010: Babies have started arriving...

[woowa]

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

Hi All,

Clapped out - looks like we'll be having birth near each other, sorry to hear about you being induced but at somepoint I guess we just have to go with the flow and trust that the doctors know what they're doing - at least you get to see you're little one soon, how exciting!

Poor you Sunnybump, I know how dissapointing it is not to get the birth you want. With DD, I was in labour for 70 hours trying to go down the natural route which resulted in having an emergency c-section. I hope it all goes well for you and you have lots of support.

and threeplusone I totally emphasize with you, when it was snowing I was stuck in the house for 2 weeks, even now I'm being nagged by the doctor, consultant and midwife and DP to rest, so after this will promptly be plonking myself on the sofa to watch crappy tv and have some lunch before picking up DD from school.

I've also been getting the 'have you had it yet' conversations, everytime I take or pick up DD from school - grr! I feel like just saying, well obviously not, as I am standing right here in front of you! The fact that they have all been through this would make you think that they would be more subtle but obviously not!

DP and I were hoping to go out tonight and tomorrow night on our last nights of freedom as it were, but once again DD's dad has let us down Still hoping to go out on Saturday though for a meal and to see Sherlock Holmes which will be nice, if I can manage to walk. I keep getting stabbing pains at the top of my abdomen which apparently is my stomach walls separating (does anyone else has this?) and my SPD is making it a bit difficult to stand up and sit down, I'm imagining not actually being able to leave the cinema as I can't get out of my seat ;)

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Hello ladies!

I was thinking it might be an idea to add all the c-section and induction bookings to the list - would be nice to be able to send positive vibes to everyone at the appropriate time and my preg brain is never going to cope with all those dates... Add in your bookings if you like girls!

T4tastic DS Aiden James 17/01/2010 ?weight?
Clappedout Induction booked 27/01/2010

Immaculada - I was looking at those Lillypadz things, and I just can't see how they would work! Neither could my best mate and bfing mum of two who gently prodded me in the direction of the Johnsons pads!! They could be brilliant though - must be some kind of online review somewhere....

Here you go Immaculada lillypadz reviews here Generally positive stuff, but there does appear to be a few drawbacks!!

Hooray! Turns out bursting into tears when nice 3rd year medical student, when taking history, asks "is there anything you're worried about", is not such an silly thing to do! Meant I got to talk to lovely nurse (teaching med student how to feel bump etc) about worries about talking to consultant about where I could give birth, which meant nice nurse (or MW?) talked to doc for me. Turns out she would have released me to midwife unit anyway, but meant i got to cry on a MW instead of a consultant, which somehow feels less embarrassing! HUGE sigh of relief, and I can pack my bikini for trying out water birth. Hooray!

Of course, I could still end up, on the day, being packed off to theatre, but at least now I can try and be normalish!

Thanks for the best wishes about back, it's feeling less sore today, and hopefully each day will improve it. For some reason though, my right foot is killing me! Doubt it's related to back, more to weighing an unbelievable amount at the moment (as i found out this morning at hospital. Scary!). Right, off to eat some more s

oh PS, the MW at antenatal yesterday said "the nipple cream we recommend, Lansinoh..." If people haven't bought any yet, this might be a helpful tip.

I second the Lanisoh recommendation. I used a very similar pure lanolin ointment (Lanisoh not available where I live) and I do believe I could not have continued beyond the first couple of days of breastfeeding without it. It relieves sore nipples v. effectively and it's not necessary to wipe it off before feeds.

We are all a busy bunch.. chatting away in here..
Seen the MW this morning BP was fine 125/75 which is good. I asked her to feel if the baby was engaged and he is.... she wrote in my book 4/5 so I think he is 1/5 engaged.. but she did say that she cant move the head.. Seeing her again on monday , then at the hospital on tuesday.

Hope everyone is ok xx

Good idea Fluffy re the list for people who know their date

Yay Woowa, brilliant news! My pelvic pain is much better since I had reflexology, dunno if it's because baby's head is engaged the right way round or if it's a placebo but who cares! I always think these things are worth a try even if it's only the pampering making you feel good.

You do get washable breast pads too, anyone tried them? The reviews all say they show much more but in February I doubt I'll be wearing less than 3 layers of clothes!

Bought Lansinoh yesterday (though said it totally wrong to the lady at the counter ) and Arnica tabs for post birth. Feeling a bit more organised now.

Off for a nap, I'm knackered! How those of you with toddlers cope I don't know, hats off to you.

Yep, Lansinoh recommendation here too. I never finished the tube I got for DS 4yrs ago, but have treated this babe to a new tube. I bought it ages ago when Sainsbury's were having half price on their baby stuff.

My baby isn't breech at the moment. I am not sure exactly what he's doing, but he's not breech. Fingers crossed....

Hospital bags and stuff seems too far away for me at the moment, but I think it's because I am distracted by my broken ankle. I really need to get it sorted, although I am only 35 weeks. But I am quite chilled about it. I figure that there are worse things than going to hospital with no hospital bag.....

My mum has been down all week helping with ds, and she's going home tonight which means next week I will have to do a lot more stuff for myself. DS will be taken care of, but a lot of it will be out of the house, so I will be on my own a lot. I guess I could start making lists of what I need out of the loft, and what I will need in my bag.

I went out to LLL meeting this morning, and was out yesterday too. I am managing pretty well on my crutches but am finding the pitying looks from people a bit . I guess they just don't really know what to say. I probably wouldn't have done either! But since I the pain stopped, it's not as bad as it seems.

I looked in the mirror today for the first time in three weeks and my bump is enormous compared to three weeks ago. I shouldn't be surprised really.

mawbroon is LLL La leche League?

lol at threeplusone that being here means we are busy. More like busy avoiding doing anything else! I have a pile of washing up languishing in the kitchen which I can't be bothered with. Dinner needs cooking at some point. And i need to get wood and coal in for the fire, which i can't be bothered with either. All in all, a waste of a day!

Good for you Mawbroon you are putting me with my fully-functioning ankles to shame. I haven't gone out because it's raining .

Once again Mum's finishing off the nursery and I'm here on MN... It is really exciting seeing it coming together, I didn't realise how much more real it would make it seem. Wonder when we'll have a baby to put in it....?

Hurrah woowa on being able to give birth in the MW unit. What will you wear for your WB?? I suppose I'll see how I feel on the day but was wondering if it would be wierd to wear a top and no bottoms. And if there's any use in preseving my 'dignity' when there's not a lot of dignity in giving birth, from what I've heard (still at the thought of pooing in front of DP).

IC I have bought reusable breast pads! But am wondering if I should invest in some disposables too in case I leak a lot and they are all in the wash at the same time. My goodness I am going to be doing a lot of washing (nappies arrived yesterday! ).

Also I have been bleeding fairly frequently after sex - MW is very unconcerned even though it's often bright red. I have a bleedy cervix in any case which means I'm liable to bleed a lot as it dliates in labour, she says, and that may be a reason they will transfer me to hospital. I do hope not.

Clappedout my friend had her baby at 40w and he was only 5lb 13oz. He wasn't considered small, from what I've heard, he certainly didn't have special care or anything and of course is a strapping 4 year old now (spoilt rotten, but that's another story...!). Best of luck on your induction.

Sleeping... how is everyone getting on? I keep waking at 4am (and 12, and 1am, and 2am etc etc) and am unable to get back to sleep until DP leaves for work at 8am. Shattered!

Nice one, fluffycoo, I'll take a look at those!

Great news, Woowa - sounds like the pregnancy waterworks were just the job in your situation!! S'funny that we keep meeting up in the pregnancy threads too...! Hope the back continues to improve.

Nipple relief cream - sounds like a good call. I remember reading somewhere that using the breast milk itself as a gentle unguent can help relieve sore nipples - could be rubbish, of course!

My one's still breech. Easy to tell because I can clearly feel her head and the curve of her shoulders nestling under my rib-cage. Come on baby, take a dive!!

sorry, fizzi, cross posted with you! Good to hear someone else investigating the re-usable option! Just got my first batch of washable nappies in too - they're hanging on the line after their first pre-wash as we speak. They're still pretty rare in Spain - what with the washables and my keenness on baby-wearing, I can see why my Spanish friends think I'm a bit of a hippy, this will convince them even more!

Also reassuring to hear someone else having harmless post-coital bleeding issues as well (IYKWIM!)

mawbroon very pleased to hear the ankle is coming on and you're more mobile, good news.

Anyone else feeling almost sad that this could be the last few days of ever being pregnant? DH said if I want a third child I'd have to find another man... Seems more hassle than it's worth somehow! So I may well dd1 (2 1/2) and dd2 (due 11th Feb)....

So I may well only have...

BabyGiraffes I'm not sad at all, to be quite honest I want that baby out!!
Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed being pregnant but now I want to meet this little one!

Has anybody bought a tens machine from the net and can recommend a good one? Boots do hire them for £50ish but you get back £25 so thinking of buying one...

I've got some re-usable fabric breast pads that I've had since my first - sounds minging but they've bene washed - promise!! They are Avent ones and they are thicker and would show more under clothing but I use them at night and when I'm at home as they're comfy. I remember using the Johnsons ones last time but I've just bought a cheap pack from tesco to be going on with for now.

GuernseyFrench I never bought a tens machine but wish I had as I've just hired my 3rd one so paid out £80 in total so far hiring. I could have bought the one I like for that and sold it afterwards. So I would recommend if this is your first child and you're planning on more to buy one. Or buy one between you and your friends and pass it around when it's needed. I recommend the Babycare Tens - Elle Tens I think it's called. Used it twice now and thought it was brilliant. I saw it in my local Blooming Marvellous the other day on offer for only £30 which is brilliant - was gutted as just that morning I had paid out for my hire one.

Guernseyfrench I was asking about TENS on the 2nd Trimester thread and ktpie posted this link... a hire rather a purchase but it is a bargain (ktpie is ace for money saving tips!!). I shall be getting mine from there if i ever get my backside in gear...! .

Woowa brilliant news on getting into the MW unit! Reee-sult!

Fizi I'm not sleeping either, what with the peeing and the rib flare and the pelvic pain and the hyperactive night-owl baby....!!! Moan moan moan! It really sucks doesn't it? espcially when DH manages to sleep through it all!!! Historically, lack of sleep has always made me go a bit mental, but suddenly I seem to be able to get by on just a few hours - must be natures way of preparing me for the fact that if baby wants to boogie all night now, he/she is probably going to want to do that when they come out

guernsey lloyds pharmacy do a labour tens for £30, not tried it as DF is ordering it over the weekend, but its supposed to be good

IC i heard that about breast milk being good for sore nipples, but may get a small tube of something, just incase

marbroon i know what you mean about bump sizes, i feel massive all of a sudden!

it hit me before that as of today i am classed as full term, last week i wanted him out ASAP, but now i'm getting a little worried cause theres still a few small things i need to get, arghh!

good to hear everyone is getting along pretty much ok!

slipped in the loos at the airport collecting my ma a couple of days ago (here for 12 wks - erk!!) and have pulled something in my groin i think... still, managed not to fall over so i'll just keep plodding on!

yep - breast milk can be used to help with sore nips, but i always found lansinoh more effective... the other thing about breastmilk is it's good to help clear up gooey eyes in v young babies... but your mw or hv will no doubt tell you that if you didn't already know!

hope everyone has a lovely weekend - wonder if any more bambinos will arrive before monday?!?!

Yep breastmilk is quite good and also a great disinfectant so squeezing out a few drops and rubbing in does help prevent infections, but it's not as soothing or longlasting in effect as lanolin, nowhere near!

Hello Ladies,

I have been doing it again, reading all your posts in bed on iphone - which I hate to post on! Anyhoo - well sounds like we are all very much going through same things and now that T4 has bought our first baby to the thread sure we will all start bringing on the babies soon - oooh I am soooo excited..um and also absolutely terrified . I had my 36 week (tho 37 on Sun) appt today and all was great, am 3/5ths engaged...don't know if its because I know that but ever since the MW told me that I seem to have been sooo uncomfortable, we went to see Up in the Air after app - very good by the way - but on the way back in car I thought I was going into labour with combination of engaged baby, sore lower back and severe need for the toilet in boths ways sorry if TMI. It all scared me enough that since I got back have spent evening washing all the baby clothes, blankets etc and getting hospital bag ready - finally, have put off enough now. Of course will prob be late after all that sudden rushing which I fear soo much...

My NCT has been going really well, the ladies are really nice I so hope we will stay good friends and DP clearly enjoys thenm greatly and feels so much more involved, we feel has been very worth the money but I know its luck of the drawer with elements of it.

T4 - Massive congrats, it is so exciting to hear of the first baby on thread and makes this all so real now, fab name too!

Clappedout - how exciting to know when you will meet your LO.

Woowa - in same boat with back and fighting to be allowed in birth centre now they say I will but after all the pushing to get the opportunity always knowing anything could happen is just so annoying...

Musicalmummy - feeling your pain, as I said just went to the cinema and my back is now really killing so def could have contributed but who knows when we will next go to cinema. TBH the only thing I seem to be able to sit on that doesn't hurt my back now is my yoga ball but its not actually very relaxing sitting up on it - I really wanna lie back (apparently worse possible for baby positioning).

Mawbroon - So sorry you have this to deal with, being pg and having another LO is diff enough at this stage. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Fiziwizzle - hats off to you and HAVING sex, I have not been interested for ages. Only chance DP has is if I want to bring things on soon...wish I felt diff about it. On the sleeping front I am soooo tired now but struggling to sleep, DP is now on nights indefinitely, leaves at 8pm and returns at 6am to sleep till 1pm. All a bit weird but I do get afternoon with him which could be nice when baby here. Thing is like you I wake up every hour and then when he comes home I cannot get back to sleep for ages...

Guernseyfrench - I got the Elle tens machine that Galadriel recommends (and NCT) which is usually 69. Got it on ebay for 40 and was new and unused so worth trying to get a good deal. Hire seems ok but the diff in price seemes so low and with this being first baby figured I may use again!!!

Hoping for more news of babies soon.

Ooooh sorry for such a long post there, rant rant rant...

Thanks ladies for the Tens advices.

I actually wonder if I'll have the time to order one as it looks like things may be moving along! I'm having really bad low backaches (apparently the women in my family have their contractions in the back and not bump ) and period like cramps!! Maybe it's just a false alarm, we'll see...

Have a good weekend

Ooh, GF how exciting!

Keep us posted (if you can) x