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

Rachel- Glad to hear your little "friends" have left

Gills- Sounds like you too had a busy but lovely weekend

Cupcake- I too am eager to see baby and get rid of this heavy old bump but then again I like having a bump and dont feel ready to have another baby yet!

Den- Enjoy the wedding. We worked on the sods law principle. If you take everything then nothing will happen but if you dont....Then sods law you will have the baby!
Where abouts "Down South" are you going?

ML-Glad you are feeling better now
Not looking forward to that stage of being awake all night again. Hope the hospital goes ok.

Hollyoaks- Enjoy your morning

Alle- Hope this baby hurries up for you
You might be our next one

Lizzie- Welcome back

Thanks for the comments on my pics on FB. DD LOVED her new dress and even wanted to wear it again today
Friends have been sending me even more georgous pics of her that they took. One pic a friend took of me is facing forward and you cant really tell that im pregnant at all

Odd question here but anyone else get hotspots on thier bump? The underneath of my bump gets odd little areas where when you put your hand on it feels red hot!

Im bouncing on my ball whilst typing. My bump really hurts, feels very tight. Hips and back aches insanily and it really feels like baby is pushing down.
Have to take DD for her swimming lesson in a bit which im dreading as I hurt so much

yeahhhhhh, my dh has a laugh saying that i am like a little hot bottle, the bottom of my bump is a lot hotter than any other part of my body, funny, ha...

Rachel - hope ds feels better soon, dd had an inhaler for a chest infection over the xmas period and she was quite scared of it. Hope ds copes better.

Alle - sounds like it won't be long.

Lizzie - nice to hear from you.

Pigley - hope swimming lesson goes well, I used to enjoy aquanatal in my last pg as te weightlessness was a relief, unfortunately I can't find one close enough this time round. I understand it's not as relaxing with a toddler in tow.

Well my morning of marking/housework, barely had half an hour to myself and a shower when there was a knock at the door and dd was back. Got to the playplace with dsis but didn't want to play and kept saying ''home'' or ''daisy''. So, they brought her back thinking she may still be ill from yesterday though she was eating fine from lunchtime. She's now lying with me on the settee feeling sorry for herself but managing to eat some chocolate buttons . Hope that doesn't come back to haunt me.

Afternoon all

Alle fingers crossed that it won't be long

Pigley my hot spots are on the top of bump, the bottom is freezing cold most of the time

Hollyoaks hope DD is feeling better after her buttons

Back from the MW and I have a sweep booked in for friday week (will be 40+3) - she decided that after I had been up for most of the night with period-like cramp pains, tight bump and nasty back ache that I could do with some rest.... have to wait 11 days for that rest if nothing happens lol
I thought last night we too would be working Sod's Law - I let DP have 1 or 2 14 beers whilst playing the computer, he was pretty drunk and very affectionate and funny and then the pains started - thank god they came to nothing as the hangover today is evil by the looks of things, he has work as 3.30 and atm is tucked up on the sofa with blankie covering him. Last drink before baby comes but somehow I think its last drink for a long long long time judging by his colour

Hope everyone is feeling good/enjoying the weather/maternity leave/a clean house (delete as appropriate) xxxx

Squirt I know the feeling - DH and I have just been to a corporate lunch together and he got a bit carried away on the free champagne/wine and tonight he is off to the football so will have a few more beers. As he has just had a dry week having been on antibiotics he was already merry when I dropped him back at work so if anything kicks off before tomorrow morning he is going to be in no fit state to take me anywhere.

DD had a terrible night, awake and screaming from 11.30pm and didn't fall asleep again until 2.45am. No idea what brought that on but I'm exhausted today as she would only sleep in my arms so I couldn't then sleep.

As for trimming downstairs, I did it myself a few weeks ago; I asked DH if it looked even and he just said that he couldn't tell as the bump was so big he couldn't see down there anyway

i'm not even bothering in shaving my legs, AIBU?, i can't even put my socks on, why torture myself with trimming? you think the staff in hospital will be shock?

Carikube lol same here - had a tidy of the lady garden and when asked DP for his horticultural advice he simple shrugged and and said 'Looks alright but that bloody huge varicose vein is waving at me!!'

alle not in the slightest, I think MW's have seen it all before FWIW since getting pregnant I've had to shave my legs about 3 times, the hair just doesn't grow

xxxx

Rachel - sorry your DS is poorly, hope he feels better soon.

I've only shaved my legs atm because I have a comfy maternity skirt that I like wearing with bare legs. I might try and rope DH into help with trimming but I don't want to freak him our more than necessary.

Have been really fed-up and grumpy today, getting sick of being so housebound and sore. DH is being fab but wish I could get some proper sleep - insomnia has kicked in now and I'm exhausted.

TCH in the the same boat as you - the insomnia is getting worse, like I said before thank god for WoW - it's my night time saviour, only trouble is I keep rolling new alts that I know I won't be able to lvl properly with Squirt on the way

xxx

Forces - Just found your CS pics on facebook and they are really lovely. Molly looks like a delight - hope everything is settling down for you at home now. Same for LuckyC and ML. Very sobering to realise that the birth doesn't necessarily mean all the hard work is over.

Littleowls - looking forward to hearing any day now that Joel is at home with you.

SquirtsMum - glad to hear I'm not the only one wondering about OH's alcohol intake. We put some of DH's musician friends up at the weekend which meant he was pretty much committed to a weekend of drinking and watching their performances. I'd had enough of it when yet more long lost friends turned up on Sunday afternoon in a mood to make toasts. I felt like a really miserable killjoy but I just wanted the party to end and for everyone to go home. Now i'm 37 weeks, should he be staying sober? It's not like I'm relying on him to drive me anywhere, but I do expect him to be on the ball!

Rachel just realised we share the same due date, but you're scaring me because you sound so well prepared. You have prompted me to book myself in for some tidying up too. That's going to be an experience because its something I usually do myself. I'm wondering too what's happened to the others due on the 16th. MoggMum used to be online a lot for example but has been v quiet recently. All ok out there I hope !?

I'm happy to report that last weeks cramps have mostly subsided. I'm hoping to get every day of the 2.6 weeks I have before due date - expecting to get bathroom tiling finished, carpet put down and a wardrobe installed between now and then. I've had many a quiet word with the bump about how he's best off where he is for a few weeks yet. Hope it works! Once I get all that out of the way I'm planning on plenty of long walks and long swims because I don't want to wait too long afterwards. I hope baby is compliant one - he does seem to becoming hyperactive too though.

Anyway:

Sassles - good luck with job interview!

Pamelat - I have my fingers crossed your turning procedure goes well.

MDM - good luck getting the appointments you need when you need them. I'm finding it hard enough just to get registered properly at my new GP. It's amazing when people suggest appointments that are after due date. Sounds like your bump has been growing at its own steady pace all the way through though.

Good luck too for whoever 'goes' next!

Thanks too to everyone for the tips re waters breaking and labour signs - trying to keep it all noted.

Finally

Question: in your hospital bag have you packed a present for midwife? I've been told that its a good idea but no idea what to get - any suggestions?

Hi everyone! There is so much to catch up on, I haven't been on since Saturday morning, help!

First, thanks for all the kind comments about my frustrating growth scan last Friday. DH and I have talked about it quite a bit over the weekend, and decided to try not to worry about it for now as long as I can still feel LO moving around, and just wait and see what the consultant at the drop-in centre says on Thursday. Five and SK - good point about me and DH being small - I'm only 5ft3 and DH is 5ft8, so I don't think we were ever going to have a whopper! Spoke to my DM too, who said I was only 6lb1oz when I was born, so it looks like small babies run in the family. Looking back at the scan notes, it said that the blood-flow to the LO is good, so I'm taking that as a positive sign.

My maternity leave started brilliantly with our lovely sunny day at the races on Saturday - I got lucky on a couple of races and managed to finish the day with a profit of £80! Happy days.

Rachel - I hope you enjoyed your first weekend off work!

SK lol at you wanting to get a t-shirt printed, and BRB I wish you had put the politeness to one side and made your comment to the lady in the supermarket! I'm getting the same comments over and over again too - I had at least 3 people on Saturday who all made comments along the lines of "only two weeks to go? I thought you must have about 4 more months! Haven't you got a neat bump". Argghhh

Angel am impressed with your decluttering effort! I was going to do something similar today, but I'm not sure where the day has gone! I have got 9 pairs of shoes sitting in my living room that I brought home from under my desk at work, and need to find a home for. I think DH got a bit of a shock when I brought them home - he already thought I had lots of shoes just based on the ones I have in my wardrobe and the shoe cupboard in our utility room. Oops!

Pigley - glad the wedding was fun and you managed to get there and back without an early arrival! You look fab in the pics on FB.

Rachel - I am going to get waxed later this week, I usually get done every 6-8 weeks, but have left it about 10 weeks now, so hope it won't be too much of an ordeal this time! Am going to treat myself to a pedicure and facial too while I"m there! Den, ML and BRB I'm with you on getting hair done too, have just booked in for Wednesday because I look like a badger with my dark roots and blonde highlights!

ML - hope you're feeling a bit better after your tough night.

alle and lizzie - I hope you both have your LOs in your arms soon, it sounds like you're both suffering at the moment. alle - I had heard that a disproportionately high number of babies are born on a full moon too!

squirt - I am exactly the same as you - my leg hair has hardly grown at all since I've been pregnant! I never had an awful lot of leg hair anyway, but now have almost none, very strange!

Schipo - I would also have been pretty narked at having a houseful of people having fun when I couldn't join in! I don't know the answer to your hospital bag question I'm afraid, but hope you don't mind if I tag on a quick hospital bag question of my own... I'm packing two hospital bags - a 'short-stay' bag (with stuff for me during and post labour and for the baby) in the hope that we won't have to stay in for more than about 24 hours; and then a separate 'long-stay' bag for me and the baby to keep in the car boot in case we have to stay in hospital for a few days. How many nappies, breast pads and maternity pads should I put in the short-stay bag?

Sorry for mammoth long post. Am hoping to be able to keep up and post little and often now I'm on maternity leave!

allie..sounds likeyou might be next..have you got a birth ball at all?? bouncing on one could help..

had a pram emergency today...took dd to hospital in the hauck travel system from kiddicare and noticed the wheels were slightly buckled..as a result it bounced and juddered along, poor dd was vibrating away in there..then when we got home..noticed that the back wheel was cracked

phoned kiddicare who offered a replacement or refund..but I needed the pram for tomorrows school run, so asked for a refund..then rushed off to cheshire oaks to the mamas and papas factory shop and now have a luna mix 4 wheel pushchair in orchid with the damask liner and cybex aton car seat also in fuschia..have been looking at them on their webpage..should have just got one to start with!

hospital were happy that the mastitis was improving and managed to feed dd from the infected side today..

did the school run and was literally stopped every other step by people wanting to have a look at her..took her into dd2's class and showed her to all the year ones..dd stood next to her car seat brimming with pride bless her..

thanks ml, i tried many things and now is all stopped again, my mum keeps saying to wait for the full moon,... apparently wednesday, i'll call her on thursday and have a word if still pregnant...

Hi All

So glad I am not the only one who has started to suffer with labour-type symptoms. I had never heard of the latent labour phase (I was induced last time) but I think I must be in it. I am 37+3 today, and have had periodic back ache all day, tightenings at the top and middle of the bump, and just so incredibly tired despite starting the iron tablets. The movements of the bump have changed as well - no more big movements side to side, but instead LO seems lodged on the left hand side and all kicks etc felt on the right hand side. Has anyone else noticed this?

ML - thanks for the info on the waters. I am still really worried that my waters will go slowly like last time and I won't notice that they have broken. I keep manically checking my knickers (takes me back to the first 12 weeks) but so far all discharge just wee from non-existent pelvic floor - sorry TMI! Bad news about your pram but at least kiddicare are being reasonable.

MDM - your mat leave sounds good, and £80 up is a bonus! I have just put a box of each in my short stay bag - no way I'll need them all but I figure nothing worse than running out so best be on safe side!

Schipo - I didn't take a present for MW in my bag, but I did get DH to bring in big box of chocs with a note from me DH and DS saying thanks when we were going home. I had a total of 3 MWs during my labour (it stretched across 3 shifts) and I was also treated by registrar, student MW, and healthcare assistant during and immediately after the labour, so a present that can be spread around the whole team is probably the best thing to take, in my experience.

Alle - sounds like you will be next, good luck. I hope something kicks in soon!

Hope all is going well with Forces, Little Owls and Lucky C.

Had a lovely day on Saturday, getting hair done, nails and defuzzed. Was lovely to do something for myself for once! Hair is now looking much better, and colour looks fab. Nails on hands and feet now match, and all horrible hard skin on feet from walking around with so much extra weight has been removed so feet no longer look like trotters! And legs and lady garden all back under control without having to involve DH in any trimming - I don't think he would be able to cope with that!

I don't think that the MW/drs will think anything about whether you are tidy down there or have baby-smooth legs, etc, but I did speak to my friend who is training to be consultant in Obs and Gynae, and she did say in all seriousness that if you are particularly hairy down there it does make it more difficult for the medical staff to see what is going on (don't know how hairy you would have to be tho!). I was also wondering whether you are ever shaved if you need some sort of assistance with delivery? Does anyone know? It's all a world of mystery to me!!

Tomlin - my LO has been firmly lodged on the left for about the last 8 weeks. I can often feel its little bony bottom sticking out just above and to the left of my belly button!

Tomlin - my movements have changed as well, in a similar way. Latent labour seems to fit the bill but it could still take ages.

Re shaving - apparently women in (some) other countries get routinely shaved/waxed for labour. I reckon you'd have to be pretty hairy though.

Re bag - hadn't thought of taking in a present for my midwife. I think we gave them chocs last time and I wrote a letter to my main midwife to thank her cos she was fab.

ML - glad you've got the pushchair you want and the mastitis is clearing up, must be a relief!

SquirtsMum - you're really tempting me back to WoW. Except then I'll never sleep! I was wanting to level an Alliance character before the expansion but not sure I'll get round to it once LO is here.

Hi All, sorry I haven?t posted for a while but have been lurking and trying to keep up with all your news. Thanks Schipo for asking after me and prompting me to finally type something! I?m fine thanks and have been making the most of not being at work by getting lots of jobs done in the house/garden. Time seems to be flying by and I can?t believe I?ve got less than 3 weeks to go before my due date. Loving this fab weather we?re having too!

Congrats to LuckyC, Forces, LittleOwls & ML - had a quick look on Facebook - Olivia is gorgeous! Wonder who?s going to be next? Talking of which - Alle01, Tomlin & TCH hope you?re all ok?

Pigley I feel the same - my bump seems to have suddenly grown and now feels really tight. LO is very active too and I keep getting sharp twinges very low down so not sure if that means the head is starting to engage or is LO just pinching me?! Also wondering if I?ve been having some BH contractions as bump goes very hard for a minute or two every so often. Hope LO?s not planning on making an appearance yet as I?m not ready - still got lots to organise & have booked myself in for waxing and pedicure next week too!!

MDM I?ve only just packed my Hosp bags but have one bag for baby and a bigger one for me as will need extra towels for planned water birth. I?ve just stuffed a whole packet of 27 nappies in as well as two packs of maternity pads and a few breast pads. No idea how long I?ll be in for but can always get DH to pick up any extras from home or local Tesco store if necessary.

This is all getting very real now and although excited I?m not sure I?m ready for impending birth or Motherhood!! Hope it?s just last minute jitters

Sorry for not mentioning everyone - hope you're all ok

hi all had a very scary evening thought my waters had gone, was in the shower and felt all funny and well felt like something was happening, got out and had a few BHs, DP said I was all flushed as well. Anyway nothing since then.

Will reply tomorrow with some personals hope everyone else is OK

Morning all firstly false alarm no baby, got woken up in the night with BHs though. Have sent DP off to work. I remember this from last time as well, at one point I called the MW as I was having 2 hours of constant BHs and she examined me and could feel the contractions and said she would be back in a few hours to deliver me, everything stopped and it was another 3 or 4 days before she came back. I think if she was still my CMW I would be having another homebirth she was fab, would pop in just to see how I was doing, above and beyond the call of duty. Better than the useless ones I have now. Anyway we bought her some lovely presents as her care was very personal.

Moggmum - good to hear from you

Tomlin - I have been doing DIYing sprucing myself. haven't done the toenails yet I wonder if I can reach?

ML - nightmare about the pram but lovely you got the Luna, I had one in pink (actually had a luna and a Lunamix) but the Orchid is lovely and love the car seat too. on proud DD2 as well.

MDM - glad you are feeling a bit better about your growth scan. Do you sometimes feel like people are accusing you of not eating for fear of putting on weight or something? Sometimes I feel like that or they think you have your dates wrong? I have put on 2 stone but I do have a small, hard, high up bump but I carried all of mine like that. I'm also 5'3" and DP is 5'8" our first was 6lbs 3ozs too. After that they got bigger with the whopping 9lbs 3ozs DD2 but she caught down her weight and is now a dinky little thing as well, same with DD3.

Who asked about bags? I have just packed the one large one with about 6 nappies in it and one pack of maternity pads, two pairs of PJs and 3 sleepsuits and vests for the baby. If I have to stay longer for any reason DP can fetch me in some more bits and pieces.

schipo - I think I would want a sober DP as well, it's different for us he has to drive me and we have 3 other children to think about plus DP doesn't really drink anymore anyway. DP had his last lads night out on the Saturday night and I had DD1 on the Tuesday, maybe inform your DP of that

pigley - I cannot believe you are still doing swimming lessons I am just about thinking about going to toddlers this morning.

Rachel - hope DS feels better soon

Remember ladies there is a train of thought that your body won't grow a baby that you cannot birth, also my biggest was my easiest labour and recovery

Glad you're ok this morning sweetkitty - sounds like it won't be long before your baby boy makes an appearance!

I've also put on 2 stones and have a small hard high bump but as I'm 5'9" and my DH is 6' I don't expect it will be a small baby! Glad to hear bigger babies do not always mean a difficult labour though

Anyway off to do my last morning at work now (I'm officially on hols but got some bits to finish before my Maternity leave starts next week).

Morning all, I had also never heard of latent labour but it sounds familar to how I feel right now, mainly sick all day and a funny taste in my mouth.

I am very hungry and thirsty but neither take the sick feeling away.

I am tired and can nap wonderfully in the day but not at night.

Very tight tummy with uncomfortable kicks low down, because he is breech etc.

Am 38 weeks tomorrow. Bit anxious as dont want to go in to labour whist he is breech, if hospital cant turn him then will want c-sec asap.

Wanted to ask, if you want to breastfeed after c-sec does it take longer for your milk to come in? Especially if c-sec is before labour would have started?

ps) I have put on just over 2 stone and am really happy at that. Put 2.5 on with DD, I dont think its too much at all

Morning all

Moggmum - glad the hear from you. Enjoy your last day

SK - sounds like it won't be long. I'm sure I was woke up last night by a very painful contraction too, but I was in a deep sleep so not sure if it was real or not as my dreams are so vivid.

Bump - my bump is quite small too, I'm only measuring half a cm behind dates but mw thinks thats because the head is so engaged. It's now gone down to 2/5ths but like you lot said its no indication lo will come early . Never mind, still five weeks to go just really fed up.

Tomlin - glad you enjoyed your pamper day. Like MDM lo has been lodged with it's back on the left hand side for quite a while now, about three weeks. Apart from big stretches where it's feet come right out of my side most of the movements are limited to wiggles.

Hospital Bag - I've packed 10 nappies, 3 sleepsuits and vests, a cardigan and thin snowsuit for coming home. For me I've put a whole pack of Mothercares maternity towels in but only 3 pairs of breast pads. I didn't leak very much last time, especially in hospital before the milk came in. However, I have put in a book and plan to take my ipod for the long nights if I need to stay in. It's all packed in a huge trolley bag with wheels though as I don't have anything smaller. They'll think I'm staying in a week when we arrive.

Well, back to work this afternoon, three weeks left and counting.

Cross post Pamelat - again good luck for your ecv today. I don't think how or when you deliver matters in terms of milk production as I think its the placenta leaving the wall of the uterus which tells the brain to start making it.

Weight gain - just thought I'd check and have put on a whopping 1lb . I know I lost a lot at the start as I couldn't eat but I thought I was making up for it now. My metabolism must be really fast during pg as I know I will begin to pile it on after the babies born if I don't exercise or change my diet.

Grrr....typed a long post last night and it would appear that it didn't post at all. I hate it when that happens...

Lovely day here today so I feel a trip to the playground coming on. Nothing too stressful though as life is just getting too uncomfortable these days - definitely in the home strait now!