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

Re nerves- Same here. I think its the whole uncertainty of it all. When it will start, how bad will it be,Will it happen naturally this time, Where will I be, Who will look after DD, Will she be ok, Will baby be ok, What if theres an emeregency, What if I have to stay in for days... So many questions!

Pamlet- Hope the scan goes well. They will discuss the turning with you so you can decide what you want to do.

Alle- Hope everything alright now after your scare.

SK- Thanks for updating the list.

ML- I agree, Parents had thier turn... Your baby, your name choice

Just relaxing before DD's swimming lesson this afternoon. Really must go and defuzz though and thats no easy task anymore!
Only 3 more lessons before I stop but will be 38 weeks by then so will def be ready to give that up for a while.

Discovered earlier a possible cause for DD's terrible temper the past few days... 2 whacking great Molars poking through her gums at the bottom!

I'm at work to, so only a quick post.

ML - your birth story is fab, and Olivia is an absolute beauty. I can't wait for my turn. Well, I can obviously but I'm so excited! Glad you're enjoying her, even if it does mean so little sleep.

Pigley & Hollyoaks - I've been getting some real seismic movements this weekend too. Baby has been going crazy! I think it wants to come out and try out all its new things

Alle - we've gone the washable route too. Everyone gives us looks and tells us how brave we are... But then I say we're going to be doing a ton of washing anyway, and the £300 spent now means we don't have to spend £30 a week for the next two or so years so

myfirstbump - £30 a week where are you buying your nappies from? DD3's are £6 a fortnight. I am a bit of washables, I do love the look of them and there are so many fab designs. I gave up with them when DD2 was born and I had 2 in nappies, no tumbler and lived in Scotland. Sold them all wish I hadn't though.

pigley - ouch the molars always look sore when they are coming through. Am impressed with you still going swimming too.

ML - aww I remember when DD1 was born she was 37+5wks and 6lbs 3ozs and nothing newborn fitted her either. She was a wee jaundiced clingy thing as well. As she was my first we could spend days just cuddling her to sleep.

Can you imagine the shock of 9lbs 3ozs DD2 18 months later?

i got my nappies from my local council, i paid £40 now, got two sizes for new born and up to 13 lb, then the council will exchange the bigger size for free, and when we're done with nappies, give them back and get £20 back from my deposit, how good is that !!!, the only shame is only a few councils do it, we're so lucky, that's what i call taxes well spent.
pigleychez, thanks everything is ok, it's just i'm fed up, and done with being pregnant,... i bet i'm not the only one, only 10 days to due date any way....

SK - well, however much nappies cost per week. I'd been led to believe (by friends, not nappy co) that disposables were really expensive! Think I've just had my first attack of the PFB! Bugger.

Alle - of £40! I know some councils give you some money back for buying washables. Mine doesn't, but my Mum's does, so she's going to try claim it for me.

X-post before Pigley. Sorry but ROFL at the thought of defuzzing. Last time I attempted it I got stuck on my back in the bath - think ladybird!

Anyway, I'm supposed to be working. Can you tell I wish I'd booked my mat leave to start earlier?

myfirstbump - even Pampers aren't that expensive, they are about £9 for a huge pack that lasts about a fortnight. I prefer Pampers to start with as they seem to cope better with newborn BF poo but then I go onto supermarkets own brand which IME are better than Pampers or Huggies. I do find that you have to use a few different types to find out which ones you prefer. Maybe this one being a boy will be different.

I must admit I do feel very guilty throwing the disposables out in the rubbish but with 4 I will barely be able to keep up with the washing as it is.

Thanks SK. I'm still embarrassed that I didn't do more research into costs before plowing ahead with them. I think I got blinded by the pretty colours!

I will agree with your eco guilt though, rather than blame PFB. And I can always use them next time round and get double the value. At least, I can tell myself that now and make myself feel a bit better.

Hello all. Congratulations on new arrivals. Everything is beginning to feel scarily real now. Finish work on Wed and can't wait (am teacher). Thank you so much to my secret stork for the lovely gift - I have only just got to the depot to collect it.

MFB I am absolutely with you on the 'meant to be working but wishing you were on maternity leave already' thing. Last week for me too, and can't wait to finish on Friday. Hospital just called to say my growth scan will be at 3.30 on Friday afternoon, so I guess that means I get to finish at lunchtime instead, which is a bit of a bonus!

I have bought several different brands of disposable nappies to try out - have been spreading the cost over the last few weeks, getting whatever was on special offer each week (it seems to vary week-to-week). I'll then stick with whatever seems to work best for us. I did contemplate going down the re-usable route, and might look into it after the first couple of months when things have hopefully calmed down a bit. I also have have eco-guilt at the thought of the landfill.

Names - we had a big chat about names again yesterday, and have narrowed it down to one leading girl's name (which has been our favourite for a couple of months) with about 3 different middle name options. We need a reserve though, just in case DSis uses that name for her girl, who is due 3 days before our baby. We have been really strict about not discussing names with each other, so as not to get into the situation where we feel like we can't use certain names, or accuse the other of 'stealing' our name. On boys' names there are about 4 that we love and I think we'll just decide between them when the baby arrives, if it turns out to be a boy. In a bit of a turnaround, one of the 4 boys' names on our shortlist is one that I had suggested months ago, but DH said at the time he didn't like. But this weekend he suddenly suggested it himself, and I think he's forgotten we had even spoken about it previously! He now keeps saying he really likes it, and seems to think it was his idea .

Will respond more to everyone else later when I get home this evening.

I've heard scare stories about the cost of disposable nappies as well. We use Lidl's nappies which we've found are the best for DD and quite reasonably priced. I did think about re-usables first time round but DH really wasn't keen.

Heffa - I bought a pack of Lidl nappies after noticing that they got a really high score in the Reviews bit of MN. They only had size 3 though, so won't be able to put them to the test immediately! I also got some pampers, huggies, boots own brand and nature babycare. Someone has recommended the Sainsbury's eco disposables too, so will try those as well. I've heard that different babies suit different nappies.

MDM - yes, our local store only has size 3 and up as well, it's very annoying! I liked Nature babycare as well, and Pampers were OK but as she got older they started to leak a bit. I'm going to give Boots own a try for newborn size and see what they're like.

Just a quick update, been to mw. BP is still fine, nothing in urine this week and baby is definitely head down and 3/5's engaged. I think those big movements must have been baby moving into position. Wonder if this means I'll go early?

Think i'll pitch in with the nappy debate here. I like Pampers new baby ones, hate the Huggies ones as they have this fluffy outer coating which seems to shed in your hands. doesn't stop them working well, just annoying. When onto size 3 or above i find Huggies Superdry the best, Pampers won't hold a full nights wee for my DD2 (20m).
I get the economy boxes from asda, usualy on 2 for £18, works out at about 10p per nappy (as i remind DD2 as she only like sto poo in a clean nappy.). Good as you can mix & match sizes and brands now DD3 is due soon.

Nappies: like most people it seems I've bought a range of newborn disposable nappies (pampers, bamboo, nature) but Hackney is part of Real Nappies for London organisation that means with a MatB1 form and a passport and a couple of proofs of addresses you can get a voucher for £54 to spend on reusables. Unfortunately it only applies to new nappies so I don't suppose it'll go very far. The choice is overwhelming too. Fortunately they run seminars (called 'nappaccinos'!) on why you might choose each sort. Don't know why anyone wouldn't try some with all that encouragement, but I doubt i'll ever be organised enough to only use reusables. I can't imagine using them while out and about for example, also a bit worried I'll end up trying different types of them too.

Births: very nice midwife visited on saturday and approved our home birth. This at least means my last few midwife check ups will be at home It also means I'll be ordering a birthing pool on ebay just in case (and there are a sad amount of them for sale on ebay unused). A friend of mine due about 2 weeks ago was hoping for a home birth for her second but is currently being induced in a hospital. Excited to get happy announcement from her soon - but it doesn't raise my hopes of actually completing this birth at home. Also the way MW laughed when I asked about confusing BH's with real labour doesn't make me feel too confident

Work: I've pretty much given up now - but will be going in one day a week until baby is born and doing a bit of work from home. Sadly that doesn't mean much of a rest - still lots to organise re new house. At least the nesting instinct makes that easier to engage with than the day job.

Hope everyone has a good nights sleep

Nappies - have found pampers to be the best. I dont find them expensive either and have recently switched to the simply dry cheaper ones and they last about 2 weeks or so for £9.

I hear huggies are better for boys and pampers for girls??

Really I should be potty training as DD is ready and is 2.3 but its really not the right time for me right now

Hi All

ML - lovely birth story, many congrats again

Nappies - I don't want to put anyone off the reusables, but we tried resuables for DS1 - lasted about 9 months. We found that they made him huge around the middle, so that he couldn't fit into any of the 0-3 month clothes. We had to keep him in one size bigger clothes on his bottom half through the whole 9 months, although that's not a bad thing in itself. However, the real problem we found was that after washing and washing the nappies they became really stiff so it made it difficult for DS1 to start rolling/sitting/etc which is why we gave up on them in the end. From an eco point of view, they are really good, and I have friends who have used reusable nappies for ages and swear by them. They probably are cheaper in the first 6 months when you can go through 10 - 15 nappies a day too! It's really such a personal decision tbh.

We have decided to use disposables with this LO. We will just have to plant some trees to off-set our increased carbon footprint! We have used every disposable brand in the book - supermarket own brand are absolutely fine, and you can buy huge boxes which are better value.

I hope everyone who is waiting for scans and appointments that they go well. Looking forward to hearing about lots of turned babies.

Had my 36 week MW appt today and all fine - baby is 2 - 3/5 engaged which is apparently really unusual for a 2nd baby . Had all tests and everything, made another appt, and then as I'm going out of the door MW said "of course, it's perfectly possible that you won't need the appointment, that baby's ready to go" . My next appt is a week on Friday!! Made me realise that I really need to start sorting out childcare arrangements!!

Hope everyone else is OK.

Tomlin - can I ask what sort of reusables you were using?

Hello all!

congrats to Memory, forces and Lucky!

been trying to keep up with all your posts but internet conection at parents is slim to none, so have not had chance to post in nearly 2 weeks!

Alle- thanx for the tip about reusables...our council give you £50 towards the cost or a pay for the first month of cost to hire and have them laundred...may look into that option!

excuse me for the lack of memory...but who was it who has an exam on wednesday? good luck...i have mine in 2 weeks time and will be exactly 39 weeks! so that should be fun, but hospital have said that they can let me do it there as long as im not in labour as they have done so before! so i would enquire with hospital and uni if necessary!

anyway, im off to bed, as have an early start and trying to make the most of the mornings to get things organised so i can get revising in the afternoon!

itshappenedagain its my exam on Weds Is yours with the OU?

If so they let you sit it at home pregnant, I randomly inquired as to what would happen if I had to miss the exam because of having baby early and they said that 8 months pregnant onwards they send an invigilator around to your house! I couldnt believe it. I get to do my exam sat in my kitchen

Good luck with yours. Thought I was mad

I've bought a few nappies on special offer and you seem to have to buy a set to get your free gift in Tesco etc, so built up a wee collection (no pun intended, honest I'm Scottish).

ML congrats on the new arrival. Picture on facebook is gorgeous.

Thanks for the advice and stories re leaking nips and larger carriers. Leaking hasn't happened again, but wearing breast pads in case. Ended up buying Mothercare own 4 position carrier. Was tons of room in it. Reviews seemed ok for it. Have 28 days to return it if anyone has any neg comments to share.

I got a lot of baby stuff second hand including a mothercare moses basket from my sister, but I can't get a new mattress. It's 28x66cm, but been to two of the three mothercare's in Glasgow and looked on-line and not in stock for 4 to 6 weeks, which will be too late. Due date 2 weeks on Sat. Do you think I could just use the one that is in the basket that my sis used or is that really bad. I could wash at high temp?

Had really bad night's sleep last night. I can't turnouver anymore in my sleep. I need to wake up to sit up and turn, so I'm waking up when my hip is so painful it breaks my sleep. Was up 4 times last night to loo as well. On the fourth time I woke with and agony pain in my side and had to get up and stretch for 15 mins before I could even lie down again. Think I was maybe sleeping twisted, but been really sore all day too. Not been in labour before, but pretty sure it is a muscle thing and too sharp to be labour pains from what I read. Annoying tho! Can't really moan as had such a nice pregnancy so far. Finish work on Friday, but would love to have not been there today.

Had midwife appointment and think my midwife has aversion to taking blood samples. I had Gloucose TT months ago and they told me then that I should have had full blood teasts again before then, so hosp just did it. Had diff midwife today with trainee midwife and heard them saying my usual midwife should have taken another set ages ago, so more taken today.

I was told by consultant that he was handing me back to CMU as all looking good (was referred due to high BMI). His notes are illegible and when I asked midwife today if that meant I was now CMU, they had no idea and said it was protocol due to high BMI to stay consultant led and they don't know whether I should be seeing them or not. There is a nice chart at the beginning for which pathway you are on and for handing back and forth between CMU & CLU, but no-one has ever written in it.

Midwife ended up keeping my notes so she can speak with consultant to see what is happening. No-one seems to be concerned that I could go into labour anyday and I have no idea where I'm supposed to be going or when next appointment it. Bit annoying really, but not stressing about it. Yet.

Had weird craving tonight for something to eat. Hubby suggested loads before remembering we had scampi in the freezer. That was just the ticket!

Hello, I'm in the reusables camp here as once I got the hang of them, they seem to work pretty well. I've even managed to feel confident going out and about with them as well. However DD wears disposables to nursery as they couldn't really get the hang of the reusables (and also claimed that wearing reusables was the reason that DD wasn't walking yet) and from a disposable point of view, I do like the Nature Babycare ones best (though Sainsbury's Ecos aren't bad).

Tomlin I know how you feel as when MW told me last week that she thought I would go in the next couple of weeks (I was 36 wks on Friday), all I could think of was how I don't think I'm ready yet. I just need this one to hang on until May 6th when MIL comes to stay as we will then have people staying on a constant rota for 3 weeks to look after DD....

Evening all!

Once again trying to keep up!

Rachel - have your little visitors gone?
ML - olivia is lovely, thanks for the birthing story!

All the pregnant ladies around me are going early which is starting to scare me a little!! Think i'll get my bag packed this week just in case!

Re names - we have decided on a boys name but no clue for a girl (so hope the 20 week scan was right!) Were keeping name a secret from family etc in case they put us off!!

Got 1 more week of work so tired now, my manager is great and sent me home early this pm so had a lovely nap before dinner time - i have so much respect for those of you with other DCs!!

Was up all night on sat with lower back and pariod like pains which seemed to come in waves. Was sitting at 3am wondering whether to call labour suite. Glad i came to my senses and decided it was sleep deprivatio that was affecting my thinking!!

Not sure if i'm right but is littleowls due for a section tomorrow?? If so - goodluck!

evening all. totally shattered and feeling a bit off colour. Not really ill even, just not right Feels like I need to go to the toilet all the time, I've got a right pressure there!! Painting nearly done, just the ceiling to do but that will have to wait.

I am in the reuseables camp here too! Tots bots bamboo ones! Bought slight seconds this time from their ebay shop, they were half the price and you can't even tell whats 'second' about them!! We used them with dd2 and they were fab. Can't find them though, hence why I had to buy some more

ML fab birth story

Sassles, glad you enjoyed your scampi. I love it but am allergic to it

itshappenedagain and pamelat, good luck with your exams! My DH is sitting one as I speak!

Good hearing about everyones maternity leave starting. I found when I started mine it made it all feel very real all of a sudden!
How I miss the long lay ins and lazy days of first time! I remember posting to the July 08 antenatal thread at 10 am whilst laying in bed with my laptop

re Nappies- Agree with the others about different brands suiting different babies. With DD we found the best for her were Sainsburys own so have been using them since she was tiny and have bought the newborn size ones for this bubba to try.

Hollyoaks- Glad baby is now head down

Schipo- Glad your home birth has been approved

Tomlin- I heard that 2nd babies usually engage right near the end towards labour. Mine is 1/5 engaged. They can pop in and out easier 2nd time round.

Sassles- Have you tried here They make mattresses to order and are pretty quick to deliver.

My parents may finally be arriving back home tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Feel so tired today.. Think the swimming has done me in!