Due May 2010 - not long now ladies, is this the thread we get to have our first baby?

[sweetkitty]

Here you go ladies, waddle on over and get comfy

27 April (just brought forward a week)- Pagen, 36 #1 (unknown), G&A & water birth (I hope) Bulford, Wiltshire
29 April - Littleowls, 31 #1 ??? Carlisle,Cumbria
01 May - Brightredballoon, 32. #3
03 May - hormonalmum, 33,#3
03 May - Lizzie9442, 23, #4 GIRL
04 May - ForcesSweetheart, 36, #2, GIRL (CS 22/4/10) Bulford, Wiltshire
04 May - Memorylapse,37 #5 GIRL Chester
04 May - Squirtsmum, 27 #1, Belfast NI
05 May - Sweetkitty, 34, #4 3DDs, BOY, Lanarkshire (nr Glasgow)
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, 35, #2, GIRL, Edinburgh
06 May - LuckyC, 35, #1, GIRL
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 38, #2 GIRL, Wye Valley/Forest of Dean
08 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2, GIRL, planned CS, central London
08 May - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL
08 May - Asparagusaddict, ? , #1
09 May - alexw, 37, #2
10 May - Sophie2008, 28 #2 & #3 (TWINS!) BOY & GIRL
10 May - Gils, 28, #2, ?, Falkirk (Central Scotland)
11 May - Itshappenedagain, 26, #2 GIRL liverpool
11 May - MarquiseDeMerteuil, 33, #1, South London
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2 BOY Nottinghamshire
12 May - Katnkittens 30, #4, GIRL
12 May - Haribolicious 36, #2, BOY
12 May - Mustbemadno3 35, #3
12 May - LivsHannah 27, #2, BOY
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - Wibblela, 36, #1, GIRL?, Huddersfield
13 May - TinyVeins, 29, #1
13 May - Mummymunchkins, 40, #3, BOY
14 May - MinnieMummy, 37, #3, ??
14 May - Fiveisanawfullybignumber, 37 #5 GIRL
14 May - Carikube, 36 #2 ?, Southampton
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2 GIRL
14 May - CornishSAMum, 33, #1, ?, Cornwall
14 May - TomlinTowers, 31 #2, GIRL, York
15 May - LuckyMiller, 33, #1
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - schipo 40, #1, BOY
16 May - Vicky204, 34, #1
16 May - Rachelfruitloop 35, #2 BOY, Chilterns Bucks (NW London area)
17 May - TwentiethCenturyHeffa, 26, #2 Devon
17 May - Morph2 36 #1
17 May - KaffaCakes, ? , #1
18 May - 30ish, 31, #2 BOY, cs booked 11th May, Bolton
19 May - Pigleychez, 28, #2 West Sussex
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1, BOY
20 May - Aim, ?, #2, BOY
21 May - Suey2, 39, no2, GIRL
21 May - Sweetpeasmum, 38, #2
21 May - Mumofeag, 34, #3 BOY
23 May - Mollybob, 37 #3
23 May - RacquelWelsh, 38,#1 BOY
23 May - Nimk, 30, #1
23 May - myfirstbump, 26, #1, Shrewsbury
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
24 May - Yorky, 31, #3
24 May - peakyispreggers, 27, #1 BOY
25 May - Den26, 26, #1 BOY Inverness, Scottish Highlands
26 May - booboomonster, 35, #2 GIRL, SW London
26 May - kateyjane, 32, #4, Halifax, West Yorkshire
26 May - AliMouse, 40, #3 BOY
26 May - Glastocchick, 34, #1
31 May - Hollyoaks, 28, #2

ML how exciting!! Sounds like they are looking after you properly now anyhow and that all is well baby wise. Good luck

Hi all I am having a nightmare day, got up this morning and I was so sore could hardly move so took two cocodamol on an empty stomach big mistake as then felt really spaced out and sick for hours afterwards. Luckily DP came home from work at 11am and took over, spent 2 hours asleep this afternoon as well. DD3 was up at 5am screaming as well then at 6am which isn't like her and she has been v clingy today too.

Feel very low today I cannot even stand for any period of time now, 4 weeks seems a long way off just now. Sorry just feeling a bit sorry for myself today

ML - at least you are in the correct place now, hope you manage to get some rest and very exciting looks like you will be first to pop!

Speaking of which one of the Mums on DD3's post birth thread had a baby boy yesterday 10lbs odds, she had to have a section in the end but he is gorgeous and scrummy. I feel I had a part in creating him as I convinced her to go for another

Who said about peeing in the little bottle? Pee into an old plastic jug and then pour it in saves you getting pee all over your hands!

Also a jug is good for those post birth pees, I have to admit to having a pee in the shower and someone else said pee as you are getting out the bath! It's so dignified this birth visit and don't even start me on your first poo, whoever said dried apricots in your bag was spot on, also satsumas or grapes are good.

cupcake - yes you could hold a mat pad over your bits, it's just if you want to dab yourself dry IYSWIM. I have bought a couple of Asda Smart Price Towels that I will throw afterwards. For me there was a lot of blood the first day and the time inbetween getting out the shower and getting your pants and pad sorted you can bleed a bit.

I think I am being convinced about these Skip Hop Dash's and other nice bags!

I have ONE stretchmark from DD2 bless her she was a big girl.

Right had better dash the girls are back from their bath, I have to do hair

Hollyoaks - I've been told stretchmarks are genetic. My mum doesn't have any but my sis and I have loads so maybe they're from my dad's side. I was talking about it with my MIL who was telling me that she had them badly so if it's genetic then I probably would I think she gets a bit confused about genes (she's also told me that my sister isn't related to me by blood before???)

Cupcakefairy - I didn't find the flow too much worse than a heavy period but it probably is wise to have a towel that you're happy to throw away. Pouring warm water over your bits is very soothing when you're having a wee, I had a sports bottle in every bathroom and it stung a lot if I forgot to use it.

ML - very exciting, hope you're OK, have been thinking of you.

Memorylapse, thanks for updating us and very best of luck to you! Amazing to think that you'll be holding your baby so soon.

SK, I hope the 4 weeks go quickly for you. SPD on that scale must be awful, and with four children to care for as well ... frankly I don't know how you do it.

But we are technically full term after this week, right? So, perhaps a weird thing to say but maybe your DS will be early; you never know, he might spare you a week at the end .

Have been meaning to say, I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but I'm getting really specific cravings for certain tastes/smells. I know the end of pregnancy is not traditionally the time to get cravings at all, but it only began recently. Is it just me?

It is a seriously weird set of stuff as well, all sort of bitter/chemical things. For example: cappucinos with lots of really solid, bitter foam (decaf is fine, so it can't be a caffeine hit I'm after); lager (again, alcohol-free is fine, it's just the taste, although I don't drink much normally; and grapefruit juice. As for smells, I get genuinely swoony for swimming-pool chlorine, plain old Dettol, or Dr Hauschka spruce bath, which is very unperfumey and basically does just smell like a tree. Today I even actively enjoyed a passing whiff of Domestos from the bathroom WTF?

Sorry SK, getting muddled, this is number 4 coming now isn't it? oops.

just wanted to post to say I am still alive!! haha!
We havent had internet at home and I havent been at work due to being poorly so very frustrating not having net. I briefly have it at min but it dosnt last long. Hopefully will be fixed at the end of week.

Havent been able to read all posts due to slow internet.
ml how exciting and best of luck.

Has anyone picked names yet?
Sorry if you have already spoken about this but Ive missed sooo much!

Hi all, I am new on this thread. Due on 25th May, baby #1

Welcome Swastayana ML good luck, hope you can keep us up to date from your phone. Enjoy the rest whilst you can, is your DP at home with the rest of the brood?

Just a really quick post to say hello, going for an early night now, just so tired all the time... think its this Easter Holiday doing me in !!

Hi all and welcome to alle and swastayana and anyone else new that I have missed!

Just a quick post to wish you well, ML - looking forward to seeing pics of the new arrival whenever they decide to make an appearance!

I have also heard that stretch marks are genetic - my Mum didn't have any, and I didn't get any with DS1 and he was 8lb 9 and 53cm long, so hopefully will avoid them this time. I didn't use any creams or oils or anything, either.

Changing bags - I used the M & P one that came with my pram, because I am a bit weird and like everything to be matching. Have just been looking at it this evening and wondering if it is big enough to fit stuff for two children in it! We also got a Cath K rucksack for DH to use - it was the print that has all the letters on it - so it was a bit more "manly" than the red spotted over the shoulder bag that went with the pram.

Cupcake - I remember that my flow was really heavy, for the first couple of days it just didn't stop and I was regularly leaking through mat pads. I just couldn't have got from the shower to getting my towel without bleeding a bit. For this reason, I am also taking some Flash wipes in my hospital bag, so I can wipe out the shower and loo before and after I use them, as last time they were cleaned once a day, and other people are not necessarily as clean as you are!

I have been packing my hospital bag and sorting out the nursery for the last two days. Nursery is now done, but I don't seem to have a lot of clothes or toiletry type things for the LO. I have 10 newborn size bodysuits, 10 newborn sleepsuits, scratch mitts, hats, and one romper suit that we had given last time for DS1 but is a good neutral colour. I feel bad because none of it is new - all second hand from DS1. Think I may have to get a couple of new things to compensate.

I also realised that I didn't have a changing mat or nappy cream, so they are now on list.

What else does everyone else have ready for LO to come home? I am so used to dealing with DS1 that I forget that you don't need so much stuff with a newborn!

DH getting bags down from loft tomorrow, so will hopefully get all stuff into bags - at the moment, we would have to be taking all my stuff in a cardboard box so really need to get it all packed up properly now!

Welcome Swastayana And welcome to Alle01, I think I forgot to say earlier.

Dorothea - I seem to get cravings towards the end as well. I've just been quite tempted by the chlorine you mention! Last time I found myself chewing elastic bands a bit obsessively . Atm, I have a huge craving for something and I can't figure out what.

Mustbemad - glad you're OK We're still not 100% sure about names, but have a few up our sleeve.

Tomlin - we haven't really got anything new for this LO. Ooh, I lie, we bought a lambskin but nothing else as yet. I had loads of toiletries for DD but never used them so have pared back to the basics now. I did mean to get a new changing mat though.

heffa - at mil and her grasp at genetics. My grandmother had loads of stretch marks but neither of her dds did so I guess it can be passed from either parent.

mustbemad - that you have limited internet just as we're about to get our first arrivals. We can't decide on names and were hoping to have a couple like you to see what lo looks like when they arrive. So far proving difficult.

ML - good luck, keep us updated

Tomlin - we didn't have anything new for this lo too so bought a couple of neutral outfits and then had to indulge on a new buggie . Felt a bit sorry for it. All we have for lo is a moses basket, steriliser & bottles (still undecided on bf), about 10 babygros, 10 vests, scratch mits, a couple of hats, buggy, monitor and we're getting a bouncy chair as a present from my dsis.

Swastayana - welcome to the thread, congratulations.

Can't remember who asked about bleeding, but I found that after the initial post-birth bath it wasn't that heavy. I never bled through any clothing etc... but we're all different and I think you have to be prepared for any eventuality.

Hope everyone will get a chance to enjoy some sun today .

Morning all just sitting here waiting for the painkillers to kick haven't taken a full dose this morning after yesterday.

Have the consultant tomorrow, don't know whether to take the gang in for sympathy am in two minds, as I am for the induction still to be honest, what am I like? On one hand I want her to see that I have a 5,4 and 21mo but on the other I don't want them to see me get upset which I know I will.

I have had babies at 37+5, 41+5 and 40+5 so who knows when this boy will make his arrival, I think induction on due date unless he decides to come early. I am a bit scared of the induction TBH which I know is mad as I have had 3 babies on gas and air but once labour gets going there is not a lot you can do to stop it IYSWIM? I am hoping that with me being 40 weeks when I am induced and it being a 4th baby and your cervix never really closes after a baby and sometimes in a mother with a few babies your cervix can be 2-3cms at the end anyway it will be a case of popping my waters and letting nature do the rest.

Sorry am waffling on a bit.

Tomlin - as this one is a boy we have bought new clothes for him, the pram was secondhand, was going to get it new but as I was offered one in great condition chose to get that instead. Have a new blue changing mat but apart from that everything else is from his sisters. I need to get a monitor as I have not had one before. Still debating a new car seat as well.

I didn't want to say but I bleed quite heavy especially in about the first 12 hours afterwards, I have packed some toilet wipes in my bag as well, TMI but I remember it running down my legs and onto the floor/toilet etc and then there is the odd clot that falls out when you stand up as well. Especially if you have been lying down for an hour or two then get up it's a bit gushy. Sorry if it upsets anyone but it's not really that bad and you have a brand new baby to look at so you don't really care.

welcome swastanaya

mustbemad - no internet I would be going mad

dorothea - yes this is number 4 and the last one for me even DP is making noises about "getting himself sorted" which I was a bit about! He actually did say though that HE would have considered another one if I had easy pregnancies!!!! I said there is no way I am having another one (and I know there will be someone coming along that will say SK you said that last time too) but I think emotionally as well 4 will be my limit on what I can give them all IYSWIM. Haven't had any weird cravings, food is very hit and miss with me just now as well, need to eat small portions as well.

ML- Thanks the update!. Hope you are resting up and look forward to more updates if you can.

SK- Hope you have a better day today

mustbemad- Hope you get the net sorted soon.

Swastayana-Welcome

I packed my bag last night and discovered that we only actually have 3 newborn sleepsuits. We only kept the nicest neutural ones so must of got rid of most of them. I had bought a pack of 0-3 ones from Asda so got them out but they are HUGE!!! Guess ill have to get some diddy ones... at least baby will be getting something new

Think my bag is pretty much sorted now apart from a few last minute things. Scary that it feels real now. DH said" right, lets go have a baby!" If only it was that easy!

Annoyed here that I seem to have a return of morning sickness or something. For the past few mornings ive woken and been sick. Surely I shouldnt be getting it now at this late stage!?

Sun's out so plan to head to the garden centre to grab some plants, then spend the day in the garden. DD has been bugging me for her bubble machine outside already!

Morning all, Having the morning from hell here filling out (the longest form I've ever seen) my application for Maternity allowance.
It seems that as DD2 was so poorly with chicken pox in Jan, and I missed 3 days work I've slipped under the threshold for work paying me Mat Pay. PITA forms!!!

Piggley, is it reflux causing you to be sick? Mine always used to be hellish in the mornings as i'd been laying down all night. Enjoy getting the new sleepsuits, I've stuck with 3 for now as my babies tent to be very long. Will she just how long this one is when she arrives.

ML, good to hear you're being looked after, by the sounds of it you will be our first arrival. Hope your DH is coping well with the other DC's.

Looks like a lovely day here, will pop out to tesco's in a while to get my mum some bits as she's poorly again and can't leave her house. Then into work to get a few more baby bits, then hopefully a nice nap with DD2
Take care all of you.

ML SO excited for you and crossing fingers - keep us in the loop.

Sk sorry you have had such a tough time. Sounds like you are still dashing around loads. Hope you have an easier time of it.

Dorothea and others: yes, I also wake on my back and in agony. Lots hurts now. Sleep v hard, one hand constantly numb from carapal bloody tunnel. Very creepy.

twentieth I at MIL and genes. Hilarious.

Dorothea I at your cravings. Apparently quite a lot of people crave a smell and not the taste. I am quite jealous actually - DH is desperate for me to have cravings and does not seem to think that chocolate counts. Have been thinking about faking it for him.

I am HUGE HUGE HUGE. People have stopped rubbing my bump, I think because they are frightened of it. Seats on the train are mine without question; a man picked up something I dropped in Boots yesterday; people keep saying 'Are you overdue?', I overheard someone say 'Woah!' when I pointed the bump at them yesterday. Is quite threatening. Feel a bit self-conscious buit generally am loving it.

Hi swatayana.

Bugger have just realised that I need newborn size stuff and not only 0-3. Still have LOADS LOADS to do and am in a bit of denial, must jump around.

Have lovely sunny weekends all.

ooh forgot question any ideas on how I should clean second-hand pram?

And toys/playmats? I was planning to soak them in Napisan or Milton's sterilising fluid, but will that ruin them?

Thanks.

hi everyone, i finally got my midwife to get me some tablets for the heartburn so looking forward to actually sleeping,ml, i wouldn't let my husband pack my bag, i bet there will be lot of cut accessories and nothing you actually need,luckily you don't need to worry about that for long...
i have my bag from my sister and it matches the pram, also from sis, so i won't worry about that unless i run into trouble.
i got all my stuff 0-3 m, except the presents, i didn't see the point in buying newborn, i'm having a tall baby they said, anyway it doesn't matter if the grows are a bit big, i think.

LuckyC, not sure about Napisan, but Milton will bleach fabrics in an instant! Great for getting stains out of white linnen trousers though. Ok for hard surfaces, so toys and pram handles etc should be ok.

I have some newborn vests and sleepsuits/babygros but think he will be in then for a matter of weeks, all the rest of the things are 0-3 months.

It's so difficult as you don't know what size they will pop out, DD1 was tiny 6lbs 3oz and even the newborn things swamped her, I think she was in 0-3 months clothes at 5-6 months still. DD2 was 9lbs 3ozs born and 10lbs 6 days later, I think she was in newborn for 2 weeks.

LuckyC - was in you that got the Graco, cannot remember again, I think you can get the whole seat cover off them and in the wash, if not I would give it a good hoover all over then Dettox spray or hot soapy waters and allow it to dry in the sunlight. Toys that cannot be washed I would wipe over with a Dettox wipe. (SK is sponsored by Dettox today)

Can I say a massive thank you to my extremely thoughtful and organised secret stork. I have just received a lovely gift pack of The Body Shops Satsuma body polish, shower gel and body butter.

The shower gel and bag that it cam in will be going into my hospital bag and the rest will be being used tonight after a long relaxing bath with a good book.

P.S. Rachel, thanks for the tip on using the timer. We have been using the oven timer this morning and so far nothing on the potty, but no accidents and lots of treats. Fingers crossed this works.

Crikey - so much to catch up on! Sorry for non-personal replies - I'll be here all day!

Hospital bags - how big are the bags you're taking?! the lists seem huge! My bag is massive and full and I don't seem to be taking that much! Maybe I need a lesson in packing...

We're over the sickness bug in the house - but now have stinking colds and sore throats. Typical that in the last month before baby comes, when I'm up to my eyes in work and trying to get everything sorted, I'm well below par... I'm too busy to be ill!

Good luck with the form-filling, Fiveisanawfullybignumber _ I have mine at the ready, to post on the way to the hospital! My leave starts when my contractions do!

Anyone else excited about the election? Baby is due the day after the election, so the countdown has begun for the country - and for me! If baby is early, I hope the room has a telly, so I can watch the results coming in...

Talking of births... Good luck ML. Think it's for the best that you're in hospital, rather than fretting at home. At least they can keep a close eye on everything - and it sounds as if LO is imminent. I keep checking in, just to see whether you've sprogged the first baby for us!

Maternity bras - I thought 35 weeks on was ok to be fitted, but M+S said the earliest I should be fitted is 38 weeks! What is baby is early??!

Had a nightmare trying to find button-down night shirts for b/feeding. Spent hours trawling the shops - in the end, I ordered a load of cheapies on teh Matalan site! Well, they are only going to be covered in vomit and leaky milk... !

Next up, I'm trying to search for dry shampoo. I guess Boots may be my best bet. I've had my hair cut short, ready for baby. I know I won't have the time to spend hours drying my massive mop and straightening it...

Late cravings and sickness - not happening here yet. I felt a little nausea last month, but it seems to have gone. No late cravings either. What are you craving, Dorothea? Same things you craved at the start of the pregnancy?

Hope everyone else is well.

Hi, hope you're all doing ok. I'm having a bit of a rubbish morning - got people coming round later and ds is just trashing the house so badly and won't help to put his toys away. I'm achy and constipated and keep losing my temper with him. I wish he had a pause button. And a mute!

Anyone else really moody and fed up? I'm not fed up of being pregnant, but it's so much harder with a toddler this time round. SK and those of you with lots of children, I genuinely don't know how you do it, the mess is driving me crazy as I'm feeling nesty but I can't get on top of any of it. I'm so upset!

Hello all, and welcome to the newbies.
With all the moving in I've only just been able to keep up, and wouldn't know where to start with personal replies. Fingers well crossed for ML though, and everyone else having difficulties. Certainly it looks like we will get a baby on this thread.

Been too busy with gas leaks, arranging builders etc to get my bag packed. Still need to wash everything I bought from ebay. Still dithering about pram and cot still unassembled. I do have a changing bag though - ally capellino's (gift!). Still waiting for my stretchmarks to arrive too - I got some on bum and thighs when I was a teenager so reckon it's only a matter of time. Annoying though if its the day before birth.

Anyway, still planning a home birth here. Is anyone else? I've been told twice this week I shouldn't be. Once by a male nurse who said that first babies should be had in hospital, and another by a woman who had her first baby in her forties who said that I'll be too old to have it at home. Anyway, I'm persevering - I look at it as just widening my options. I can choose to use the birth pool at the hospital or have an epidural at the last minute, but I can't choose to have a home birth at the last minute without a lot of preparation. So that's what I'm doing. I have no idea obviously how brave I'll feel at the time.

I do feel like it's all going too quickly. 34 weeks, I can't believe it.

Hobnob - I'm quite excited about the election. DH and I are signed up for a postal vote because I was worried that I'd never make it to a polling station. Can't decide who to vote for though.

James - sorry you're having a tough morning I know what you mean about feeling a bit moody, I'm in a super-nesty mood but can barely keep the place tidy.

Schipo - ignore the naysayers about the home birth, those reasons sound daft. I'm sure it will be a lovely experience

Pigley - I often feel quite sick after food in the late stages. My sister had morning sickness in the last month or so very badly with her second so it does happen. She said it disappeared as soon as she gave birth though.

We didn't bother with newborn stuff for DD but the 0-3month stuff swamped her (she was average weight and quite tall) so DH bought an emergency pack of newborn things until she was old enough to fit the 0-3months. She dropped down the centiles a lot (50th to 3rd) so has worn everything since for a long time which is convenient.

TCH I'm with you on the postal vote - although I'm not due until the following week I didn't want to take any risks! DH is quite bemused as I have been cross about all the electioneering that has been going on over the past weeks/months but now the date has actually been announced I'm getting quite excited, especially as this one looks as though it will be closer than some of the other ones recently...

Schipo I'd say go for the home birth and ignore everyone else. If DH wasn't so traumatised by the idea I would probably have gone for one myself. Where I live is actually closer to the hospital than the MLU that I laboured in with DD and I managed to get transferred from the MLU without the world falling apart so I really don't think you're running any risks - if the MWs at any stage aren't happy with how things are going with you they'll make sure to get you transferred before it gets too risky.

DD went straight in to 0-3 mo stuff when she was born and although it looked a bit big I was glad that we hadn't spent any money on newborn things. We'll do the same this time round as well (tightwad emoticon!).