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

MDM I've got one bag for labour and the baby, and one bigger bag for post-labour. In the post-labour one I've put one pack of mat pads (10) about 4 pairs of breast pads and 8 nappies. Dh can go home if we need more as we'll be able to tell if we're running out too fast. Although I asked him the other night how many nappies he thought I should pack and he said 1!! I gave him this look he really has no idea what he's letting himself in for does he

Planning to write a birth plan today...

Hi All

SK - sounds like you won't be long! I have forgetten when your induction is booked for, sorry - will it be a problem medically if you go before your date? If you can reach your toenails at this stage, then you are a better person than me! Dh had to put my socks on the other day!

Pamelat - good luck at the hospital today, hope your LO turns!

Cupcakefairy - LOL at your DH and his one nappy! Try one for every hour that you need to stay in and that is more like it! They all learn...!

Whoever was asking about BF after a c-s, I have no personal experience, but from what I have seen in the antenatal/NCT groups, there is no difference between the milk coming in after vaginal delivery or c-s - your hormones are stimulated to produce the milk through the rooting and suckling of the baby and the fact that your body knows it has delivered a baby (like someone else said about the placenta no longer being there). The only practical difference is that some people find it more comfortable (apparently) to use a cushion to protect the scar whilst it heals. I'm sure someone who has experience of c-s will be able to give better answer than that!

Well, I am sat here in the sun with my feet up, DS1 at playschool, waiting for my shopping to be delivered. Just thinking that I need to order some shorts and linen trousers for DS1 otherwise he will be permanently in jeans and cords through all this lovely hot weather. So, as soon as I have placed my order for summer clothes, expect constant downpours of rain!! Planning to go the seaside on Thursday with my Mum and Dad and DS1 so hope the weather holds out for us.

Hope everyone has a lovely day today.

MoggMum glad to hear you're still around and that everything is ok. Jitters to be expected I think at this stage.

I'm another one with a two stone weight gain, and that's on my 5'5 frame. I don't think it's too much though either really - haven't really expanded much apart from where you'd expect - including plenty of water retention. It does give me a 42" circumference though

SK, sounds like you had a close run last night. I get the impression you want to wait to be induced though. Hope it works out.

Just noticed it's Pagen's due date today. Hope all's well there, despite the carpel tunnel syndrome.

Wondering which will come first - end of this thread or another baby - could go either way I suppose.

Hi everyone, can a newbie join in at this late stage please?! I actually posted months ago, but got a bit lost as it moves so quickly! But now on maternity leave, I should have more time to keep up! I'm due 17th May with first baby, little girl. Suffering massively with reflux and asthma, otherwise generally I still feel relatively human (touches wood). Though I'm not afraid to admit I'm sooo bored of being pregnant! Hope everyone else is well and congrats to those who have had their little bundles

I had this latent labour phase with the last 2 as well. It actually fraked me out a bit last night thinking I was going into labour.

Tomlin - the reason I want to wait for the induction is I will know DP is there and that SIL is around for the girls. I have an appt with the midwife on Thursday so will get my date then, it's actually quite nice as I hope they take me before Weds with it being the bank hol weekend, the girls are off Mon and Tues so don't need to worry about the school and nursery runs.

first1 - of course you can join

hollyoaks - hope the 3 weeks flies past for you

pamelat - best of luck for today turn baby turn. In answer to your question re CS and BFing I did read somewhere that it can delay milk coming in for half to a day.

The best advice I can give to anyone thinking about BFing from my experience is put the baby to the breast as often as possible in the first few days. I will not allow mine to go 2 hours without having a suckle even if that means waking them up. The more the suck the more colostrum they will take even a few drops is liquid gold at this stage, this means they are less likely to get jaundiced and/or dehydrated and it will bring yours milk in faster. With DD1 I made the mistake of allowing her to sleep as she was a very tired baby when first born with no interest in feeding. She must have slept for her first 24 hours despite us trying to rouse her to wake. This led to her being dehydrated/jaundiced/longer hospital stay and readmitted for phototherapy. With DD2 I did the no longer than 2 hours thing and is was completely different. Honestly I cannot stress this enough, if they want to suckle constantly try to allow them to as much as possible. Do not allow yourselves to be talked into top up bottles etc by MWs who tell you they must be starving if your milk has not come in. Babies know what they are doing, the sucking reflex is very strong and they will bring your milk in themselves and any bottles could interfere with the process.

First1- welcome

SK- Glad things are ok now after little man giving you that scare.

Sorry for the me post but dont really have the energy at the mo to read back.

Took DD to the libary this morning to return her books. We also stayed for Story and rhyme time there which she enjoyed. Bumped into an old work from many many years ago. She was shocked as to how "Busy" id been in the past 2 years!
Also has a quick scoot round town.
That trip has really finished me off though today. With every step I was getting shooting pains downstairs and felt like I was going to wet myself. Today ive felt constantly damp..its just horrible.
Feeling sick now and when moving about feel very light headed,had to stop a few times in town too. I know my eyesight is bad anyway but writting/signs are looking fuzzy now so I really do need to get an eye test in.
My feet and fingers have started swelling abit and they are looking abit fatter. I feel so out of breathe too. Just making DD;s lunch was very hard work and i had to keep stopping and leaning over the worktop

Sorry for the moany post, Just feeling completely pants today.

hello!

thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone. I was expecting a bit of a non event this year, but actually got some lovely pressies - including my leaving gift from work which they had decided to get purely for me rather than the baba so got some gorgeous bobbi brown eyeshadow palate and ren skincare goodies. So it was really lovely actually. Things are always better if you don?t expect much aren?t they?

ML poor you re mastitis! It?s supposed to be so painful. I am glad the antibiotics are working now. My mum had it with my brother and I remember she got an infection as well and was in hospital for a week. She said the mastitis was agony. Well done you for carrying on with the breast feeding - brilliant!

alle good luck - hope things start moving soon. I can imagine it?s frustrating if it?s starting and stopping. I?m not sure how mobile you are but I had a false labour and the next day went for a very long walk. Then went into labour that night. Might just be coincidence but there?s some logic in thinking that gravity has something to do with it!

Loving all the talk of haircuts and waxes from tomlin and others. I have just shaved my legs cos it?s been so warm I?ve been wearing dresses. I?ve got one of these pubic electric razors so I used that a week or so ago. I think that will have to do - don?t think I can face having a bikini wax - feel vulnerable enough as it is without hauling huge bump onto waxing bench/ table. Am definately going to get my highlights done though - just need to decide on when. I have a wedding at the start of July so need it to last til then. My DD is still at nursery on Fridays so that will be my pamper/ sleep day!

RE pressie for midwife - it?s a good idea to take one with you - but personally I think taking one with might be a bit ?tempting fate? if you know what I mean? i.e. I won?t need a pressie if I have a rubbish midwife - similar to sod?s law pigley!. There is an M&S on site at the hospital we are going to so if things go well I will send DH out to get something from there. The last one I had was fab and we did get her something - it was quite easy for DH to pop out to get it.

I?ve put on over 2 stone too. Put on 4 last time so am quite pleased! I?m 5ft8 too so it doesn?t look too enormous this time (it did last time). I have a feeling it will be a big baby - just seems like it?s struggling to fit in there - elbows and knees jutting out etc. DD was 8lbs and I am assuming subsequent babies are bigger - though maybe that?s not the case?

I?ve only half packed hospital bag. I can?t decide whether to pack more or less - given we were in for 3 days last time, but on the other hand I think this time we might be in and out (hopeful emoticon) so won?t need as much. I guess I?ll pack as much as I can fit in, then leave the rest in a pile for DH to locate more easily. Because I?m 4 weeks away, I am waiting til I know if it?s going to be warm weather or not before packing clothes to wear home.

rachel - glad to hear mice have gone. Ours too? but can?t help wondering if it?s just the nice weather that has lured them out. I am still keeping ?utmost vigilence? (I repeat this mantra to my husband).

MDM hope growth issues are resolved - good not to worry about it too much - I think they can get these things totally wrong. and yay for £80!

sweetkitty good luck with holding off for induction. hope the timing works out. My parents are supposed to be taking DD but are in france until mid May. So if I come early we will be relying on very busy older brother, very clueless (about babies) younger brother, or very pregnant sister in law?. not ideal.

pigley sorry you?re feeling pants. Sounds like you?ve all the horrid stuff at once. We are having a stay at home day - largely because of potty training - but I am appreciating not having to move much for a change! I recommend it (not the potty training tho ).

hollyoaks talking of potty training - how?s it going? We have been in pants since yesterday and had 2 hits, 6 misses, groan.... Today 2 hits 3 misses so far - but one amazing moment (TMI alert) just after she had done a wee on the floor so I had taken her pants off, she said - ?need the potty? - went off and came back 2 minutes later saying ?I?ve done a big one?. And there was an enormous poo in the potty! So perhaps this is progress?

hello all!

have had a breif read through of post...think the thread will be full before the arrival of the next baby!

i have exam in exactly a week ( 39 weeks pregnant!!!) and was told yesterday that im in slow labour, so keeping fingers crossed that its very slow until after midday next tuesday when exam ends.
im trying to revise and dont feel im taking anything in, Ds is off nursery tomorrow as they have a trip all day friday, so at least i gain the time back. all i want to do is sleep and i feel as though if i sneeze that the baby will just pop out.

pigley i would get checked out if those symptoms have come on recently, especially the swelling of hands, and fuzziness, just to be sure. but do hope that you feel better soon.

pamelat hope the turn has been sucessful!

anyway hope others are feeling ok...will be abck to posting properly once i have this exam over with...roll on next tuesday!!!!!!!

Hi everyone! I've not posted anything for a long while - been totally exhausted! I finally finished work on Friday! Hurray!

Sweetkitty thank you for the bf information - it wasn't very successful last time (i was told DD was starving and to top up with formula which led down the slippery slope of FF) I am a lot more determined this time. I have read Ina May's guide but still feel very unsure that I will be capeable of doing it this time!

Rachel glad to hear the mice have gone. We live very close to the Manchester ship canal and had rats under the shed at the end of the garden. Made my skin crawl to see them teasing the birds and frolicking in the garden last summer. DH went to buy traps and came back with an air rifle. Needless to say I ended up ringing environmental health and they robbed us sorted out the rat problem for us!

Congratulations to all those who already have their little bundles! I am soooo of you!

Alle hope everything starts to move quickly for you!

Itshappenedagain good luck with your exam, fingers (and legs) crossed!

I have regular bh - I didn't have any with DD. Do you only get BH with 2nd of more pregnancies? Shocked at how painful they can be! CS booked 2 weeks today. Mixed feelings about it though - I was so sure it was what I wanted after my last emcs! Seems much more scary having it booked as opposed to an emcs iyswim?

Thanks everyone for your comments on what to put in the bag. I think I'll just stick a whole 27 pack of nappies and whole 12 pack of maternity towels in the bag for immediately after labour, and another couple of packs of maternity towels and some more nappies in the bag for if we have to stay in longer.

Exciting news of the day - I am an Auntie! My DSis had her little girl, Martha Grace, earlier today. She was a week and a half early, and weighed in at a tiny 5lb5oz. I'm so happy!! Her waters broke at 4am, went into labour proper at 10am and Martha was born at 1.30pm.

Welcome to the thread First1. Cupcake lol at your DH suggesting that one nappy would be enough!

SK - I haven't really felt like people had been suggesting that I hadn't been eating enough, I think they think they're being nice when they say the bump is neat, and I do take it as a compliment, but it just gets a bit tiresome hearing the exact same thing over and over again! I've put on 11kg, (about 1st 10), which I think is a fairly decent amount since I was only 48kg (7st8) to start with!

Booboo - you're not having your baby at St Thomas' are you? It was just your mention of there being an M&S that made me wonder, since you're in SW London. We're booked in at St Thomas' and they've just opened a new M&S store and some new cafes there.

30ish -welcome to the world of maternity leave - I finished on Friday too, and am really enjoying it so far! I went shopping this morning and was amazed at how empty the shops are on a weekday, it was fantastic!

Pigley - sorry you're not feeling great after your trip out this morning. I hope you feel better soon.

Tomlin - I've been sitting in the garden today too, it's so incredibly warm, I love it!

We're up to 935 posts on this thread - we'll need a new one shortly!

First1 - welcome back to the thread

Pagen - hope everything's OK, thinking of you

Pigley - hope you're OK, if all those symptoms came on at once it might be a good idea to call your midwife?

Itshappenedagain - very exciting re slow labour! I hope you manage to hold out till after your exam.

Re present for midwife - I guess you could take a box of chocs and then if you have a fab midwife, it's a good present and if you have a bad midwife you can scoff them yourself to make yourself feel better?

I feel incredibly grumpy and mood-swingy (prob. not really a word!) at the moment. Not sure if it's the drugs or what.

hi all,
kind generic post, don't have the energy to read back and name names,... sorry
still start stops for me, i lost confidence this baby can be delivered, spent an hour on the phone with mum yesterday, even her is getting tired of me saying this may be it, yet again, had contractions again this morning and fetch dh out of work but nothing happened, so far... i tried walking, steep steps, sitting backwards on a chair, sitting in the grass in the garden (don't ask why, i'll anything by now), anything,... so just waiting...

hope everyone is ok, can't figure out how some are doing exams, i can't even concentrate on the telly, ...
i don't know stones very well, but i put about 12 kg, i think is about 25 lb, it isn't too much apparently, and i am quite small, the mw said,considering that i wasn't a size 8 before pg, ... as far as the baby is ok and your bump growing ish to dates i don't think it matters
someone asked about bf after c-sec, my sil had a c-sec and started bf inmediatly, took 3-4 days to get proper milk, just colostrum before, but i think that is normal anyway, never top-up with bottles and niece perfectly alright and growing well, pediatrician wouldn't have her giving bottles to a new born anyway, they do things differently in spain...
massive nesting instinct, dh sick of me finding things for him to do, understandibly, i can't do them,...
hope everybody is on mat leave or nearly there, is so much nicer when you don't have to get up early in the morning and be there at a certain time, and can spend all day in the garden, thank god for the sun,...

itshappenedagain...fingers crossed that baby stays put for a week

SK..I love the lunamix..the cybex car seat is fab and it all clicks together/folds down etc really easily..the car seat actually fits our car better

registered the birth today..so Olivia is now official and can look forward to a life time of statistics checking and junk mail

I would heartiliy recommend that anyone planning on bfeeding,pack some lanisoh in their hospital bag..just in case of cracked nipples..its fab..quite pricey but great and you dont have to wash it off before baby feeds.

Id also recommend about 3 packs of maternity towels...the best ones I got were from Asda..I was sticking two together at first and changing every hour..I also put 2 packets of £2.50 for a pack of 5..big granny knickers in and just binned them when I leaked..also a couple of pairs of pyjamas as I found I leaked a little so it was nice to have a change of jamas.
my hospital actually provided pampers newborn nappies so check as you may find you only need to take a couple for the delivery room...most hospitals dont like you using wipes and will provide cotton wool etc..

also my hospital does not provide cot blankets..just a bottom sheet, so check as you might need to take blankets in..

ML - I have the Lansinoh and the Asda value pants all packed, oh and a strip of cocodamols for afterpains how did you find them this time?

pigley - hope you are OK?

MDM - congrats on being an Auntie that is lovely instant playmate for your baby, Martha is a lovely name too. Cannot remember if you know what you are having as well. Think I am just paranoid about all the neat bump comments, like you said it is all the time.

30ish - congrats on the maternity leave. I just get so sometimes that women who have just had babies get told they are starving and that they don't have any or enough milk for them and they must give formula. I know there are exceptions but the majority of the time if Mums were left alone and shown how to latch properly and often enough BFing could be more successful, it's an emotional time as it is without being told you cannot BF and are starving your baby. Sorry feel quite passionate about it

itshappenedagain - hope LO stays put until after your exam

MDM no actually it?s st georges that I?m going to. I couldn?t get into St Thomas? first time round, and then actually had a really good experience at St Georges so thought I may as well stick with it! I quite fancy the views from Tommys though - supposed to be fab! (And I did a lot of pacing with DD during the 3 nights we were in hosp - would have appreciated those views!).

Heffa LOL re midwife present. Genius idea - why didn?t I think of that?!

Thanks for the tips ML it?s amazing what you forget. Yes lansinoh - fab stuff (think I still have some left somewhere) and must root out that cotton wool, sure I?ve also got that left over from DD.

I really enjoyed sitting out in the sunshine this morning - it?s just the right temperature (I couldn?t sit out in July/ August last time, it was too hot) there is something about the sun that is so relaxing - even with a DD who keeps wetting her pants?.

Can anyone tell I'm on mat leave? Finally getting time to post!

Booboo - 2 of my NCT group have given birth at St George's in the last two weeks and both said they cannot speak highly enough of the care they got there on the carmen suite, so you're in good hands! The views were one of the main reasons I went for Tommys, as I'd heard pretty similar reports about there and George's otherwise.

SK...the afterpains were quite fierce I must admit especially whilst feeding and I would find I gushed quite a bit after feeding too..not getting them anymore..loss has eased off but still quite heavy after feeding and my spd is still playing up so Im still hobbling a bit

Hi all!! how are you? I was up early this morning, actually had a half decent nights sleep! So in my rush of energy, stripped all my bed and had it washed and on the line before 8.30, Dropped the kids at school,came home, had a bath, washed my hair, hoovered downstairs and caught the 10am train into town. Met my best friend who I haven't seen for ages, we walked miles! I got a parasol for my pram (wishful thinking but hey ho!) some nursing bras, and some of the new bodyshop baby butter. It smells divine!! Caught 2.30 train home, did school run and now I am collapsed in a pathetic heap on the sofa. I've admitted defeat, I have finally done too much! But hey ho. Tomorrows another day! DH will be home soon, easy tea and a snuggle on the sofa I think!.

ML thats a pain about your pram, at least they sorted it for you!

alle01 hope you are ok

MDM congrats on becoming an aunty!! LOL at the shoes!!

Heffa its called hormones It's allowed

First1 welcome to the thread!

30ish this is number 5 and I can honestly say that I never had BH til this pregnancy!! Or at least I didn't notice them!

itshappenedagain fingers (and everything else!!) crossed baby holds on for you!

SK sounds like you wont be long!!

Hi Ladies!

re trimming of downstairs!!! All the hospital staff will think we are all very well kempt with a neat downstairs, hair cuts and pampered hands and feet!! My MW told us not to shave close to our b days as if we nick ourselves we could be at risk of infection if we need a CS - anyone else heard this?

One more day of work - woo hoo!! The girls at work gave me Next vouchers to spend on myself - can't wait!!! ;)

Sweetkitty - hope all good with you

Pigley - Hope your ok. looking forward to the wedding, definately going with sods law!! We are heading 'down south' to Malvern, worcestershire - i am no good with English geography - all i know is that its a 9 hour drive!

Its happened - i'd take my hat off to you if i wore one!!! Good luck with exam and hopefully LO stays put!

First1 - welcome back

Angel - i'm exhausted just reading your last post!!

MDM - congratulations on becoming an auntie! Martha Grace is a lovely name.

Well folks i'm off for now. Prob wont be back on until i'm back from the wedding beginning of next week - wonder how many new arrivals there will be?!

Take care all...

Ive cleaned my house from top to bottom today...its lovely to be able to nip round the house without a bump in the way..we had a visitor this evening..the photographer I do the bump and body paintings with..he photographed my bump when my friend painted it...he bought her a little outfit and is going to do some pro shots of me ,dh and Olivia when she is about 6 weeks to say thanks for all the body painting

Hello all, had the ECV this afternoon and it was successful!!!! Bloody painful too.

I am meant to be having a pampering morning tomorrow but fear I will be too bruised.

Afterwards I was shaking. I almost fainted about 15 minutes later, but no concerns with baby, they say it was just the adrenalin running through me. I remember being sick all the time in labour so I obviously don't cope very well with "adrenalin"

Anyway its done and thats brilliant although had kind of got used to meeting him next tues or weds and now need to wait a week or two longer!!

Alle hope everything starts to move more quickly now for you, it doesnt sound much fun.

Itshappenedagain good luck. I did an exam at 37 weeks and thought I was mad

MDM congrats on becoming an aunt. I love the name Martha.

pigley sorry you feel rubbish. I feel rubbish if I do a lot but am ok in front of the laptop and eating.

Hi ladies

Birth Announcement
Baby girl born 10am this morn 7lbs 12oz elective csection, we r both fine and doing well

Good luck to everyone still waiting

brb - CONGRATULATIONS !!!! really happy for you and glad everything went well xxxx

MDM congrats on becoming an auntie and obviously I think that Martha is a fantastic name

Angel I'm feeling quite inadequate again...though I'm also impressed with your energy ML considering you've got a newborn!

Sweetkitty thanks for the bf tips; it was a bit of a disaster first time round with DD (I only lasted about 6 weeks) and I really want it to work out better this time. I still have my Lansinoh from last time so that's packed and I have some breast shells as well so that my nipples have a chance to heal if necessary. As I'm still leaking lots I'm really hoping that I won't have any supply issues

x-posts - many congratulations BRB!!!