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

Thanks for all the hints about slings - we had a couple of Baby Bjorn-type ones for DD but I think I'm going to try a soft fabric one this time to see if it's more convenient.

LO one will be in a bouncy chair/on a play mat during the day and will sleep in the moses basket. Obviously this depends on how DD takes to them as it might be easier to leave LO in a playpen when DD is trying to walk/get about.

On the weight front, I've put on about 10 pounds so far (weight gain with DD was about 1.5 stone) as I don't put much on in the early days (using up the fat stores probably ) so hopefully I'll be back to pre-pg weight fairly quickly (though I could then do with losing a stone or so anyway).

I am feeling terrible today as was up in the night with really bad diarrhea (sorry for TMI) which is not easing off today. Having had a breeze of a pg with DD, this time round I seem to be catching everything going and haven't felt 'well' for weeks (although I know that what I'm going through isn't a patch on what some of you are putting up with). I just wish all these bugs would come to an end as it just means that everything feels like a struggle. As I think we might still want at least one more after this one I keep telling myself pg is just something to get through for the great result at the end but I am starting to wonder how the hell my mother managed it 6 times!!!

hello all.

Carikube, hope you are ok. I had a dodgy tummy for over a week Hope you are better soon.

ML not long!!!

SK, having other kids to run around after means theres no need to diet!! lol

BRB yay for the car! I have got my pram the baby will sleep in most of the time. I haven't even bought a moses basket this time. Not sure if I need to. I've bought the silvercross sleepover pram, and though the matress isn't the best, I was thinking of getting one made thats suitable for more than occasional use and then I won't need a moses basket? I also got a little swing reduced to 40 from 90, a bouncy chair that reclines for £25 from 50, and I also splashed out on a beanbag from mothercare. So I think it will have plenty of places to sit/lay! lol

Forces, omg glad your midwife spotted it.

32 weeks tomorrow. MW in the afternoon. My tumble dryer blew up the other day. Literally went bang! Hopefully being fixed on tuesday. Only so much washing I can fit on my washing line!! I managed to get all the kids bathed this morning. We are all sitting watching a dvd together now this afternoon. DH is working. I have packed mine and the babys hospital bags. sigh. I got on the scales this morning. 12 stone 1. I was 11 stone 11 before I got pregnant.

Hi Ladies,

Once again the thread has completely gotten away from me!

Carikube, I can relate, I had a fantastic pregnancy with my DS but this one is really taking its toll. Granted, I am also grateful that I don't have the SPD, blood pressure issues and GD that some of the others are having to cope with! I've been miserable for a week now with a cold and haven't been sleeping well. I'm exhausted today at work, I could just fall asleep!

As far as baby gear goes, I have a moses basket and a swing that also works as a rocking chair (takes up SO MUCH SPACE though), playgym and also a bouncer. I found with my DS I mostly put him in the rocking chair in the early days or under the playgym as I didn't get the bouncer until he was a bit older. I have the feeling the bouncer will be the favourite with this one, I hope he likes it! I had a sling for DS, Mothercare brand, but didn't use it much as he was so heavy, carrying around 10 lbs on my shoulders seemed too much back then, but that was before I knew what it was like to have to hoist 40 lbs of flailing toddler! Think I will give it a go again with this one now that I have more muscle!

Forces, I'm really glad you're ok, that was very scary! You must have been so worried!!

MDM, what a great idea to get the green liner from the Sola for your Urbo! I am enjoying my Quinny, dying to take it out for a spin but don't want to put DS in it as he might get the wrong idea! Where is your DSis having her baby? I'm having mine at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury. It would be so funny if we ended up in the same hospital at the same time! I went to John Lewis in Watford on Friday and got fitted for maternity bras, they were very good so thanks for the recommendation! I am that I went from my pre pregnancy 36A to 38D already! I'll be going back to get the nursing bras in a couple of more weeks, hope I won't be too much bigger!

I got a few more things for my hospital bag, 33 weeks today. I think I'm still in denial. As if not packing a hospital bag will mean that I don't have to stay in hospital! Was it you SK who mentioned packing an emergency bag for your older child? Genius, whomever did, I hadn't even thought about having a bag packed for DS!

ML, wow I can't believe just a couple of more weeks, I saw that on your FB and thought "I'm not ready!" I hope you're feeling more prepared!

I hope everyone away on trips is having a good time, and I hope those with new cars are enjoying them or at least getting used to them!

LuckyC congrats on passing your driving test!

LOL about the big headed baby on the hypnotherapy CD, I hadn't noticed! But I think probably because my DS had a 38cm circumference head at birth, so I'm with you 99 centile ladies! How are those of you with the CD finding it? I like it, but I fall asleep nearly every time I listen to it! Very relaxing!

I've run out of time on my lunch break now! I hope you are all well and having a good weekend. I'm enjoying reading everyone's posts, keep them coming!

ml we're probaby about the same size then, as I'm just touching 5ft3. I wanted to try and limit my gain to a stone and a half but now it's so close to C-Day I'm hoping I can keep it to 14st or less, 14st would mean I had gained 1st 3. Last time round I gained 4 stone so really chuffed with this.

angel wow, 4lb gain! Have you had a lot of sickness?

sk you were a wee slip of a thing before the pregnancy so you had to put some pounds on (and you're right - they'll drop off in no time with 4 to look after), those of us with a bit more padding had plenty of existing resources for baba to leach off of. I'm sure Mollybump would have still got plenty of calories even if I hadn't gained an ounce.

Thinking of all the various things we buy for baba to be on/in/stimulated by during the day made me think of what my mum told me about when I was a baby. I used to get put in my big silver cross coach-built pram and stuck out in the garden all day! Then they wondered why they had to walk the streets with me all night when I wouldn't sleep!

carikube sorry your feeling so crappy (pardon the pun). TBH I'd give my right arm for a dose of what you've got right now, constipation + piles is making me long for it!

Spent most of today in my bedroom re-arranging clothes between wardrobes, storing away all the winter woolies (overly optimistic?), digging out nursing nightie and nursing tops I knew I had bought at an nct sale ages ago but couldn't find! The entire house still looks like a bomb site but we're getting there a little bit at a time.

rachel good to hear from you, don't work too hard! When do you finish up?

no forces. I don't get morning sickness. Have had a bit of a tummy bug at one point but thats it. My bump is HUGE though lol. Sounds like you've been having a sort out!!!

Interested to hear the variations in weight gains. I'm small too (another one in the 5ft3 club with you Forces and ML!) and was 7st8 before I was pregnant and have gone up to 9st now.

Rachel - my DSis is also having her LO at Stoke Mandeville, will be really funny if you end up meeting each other!! I hope you've recovered from your day at work. Have you got long to go before you stop? I've got 4 more weeks to go, but if the last few are anything to go by, they'll race past. Everyone else in my NCT group has finished work already and have had a couple of daytime meet-ups, so I'm very !

I hadn't even thought about where to put the baby during the day! I think DH's parents are going to get us a play-mat thing, and we'll be able to bring the moses basket downstairs I guess. We'll be getting one of those travel pop-up moses baskets for when we go to Canada for DH's brother's wedding at the end of July, so I might just leave that downstairs to use for daytime naps - might as well get as much use as possible out of it!

We had our last NCT class yesterday, and the teacher had brought along some slings for us to have a play around with. We liked the baby bjorn and the closer sling. We're going to be able to borrow a bjorn from a friend, so will see if I can get a closer sling on e-bay as they seem ridiculously pricey for what is essentially just a strip of fabric! I think the closer will be nice for using around the house if the baby's fretful but I need to get on with chores, and it can also be used for surreptitious breast-feeding in public.

Went shopping with DH today and got a few more bits and pieces for the baby - a couple of blankets, a baby monitor and a blackout blind. Our nursery furniture should arrive the week after easter I hope, and then I'll feel like we can finally get sorted and unpack all the baby things!

DH is waiting to use the computer, so I'd better finish up! Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the extra hour of evening daylight.

Good to catch up on everyone's news.

Been through the mill a bit since friday, after my visit to the DAU. It turned out to be a long weekend stay . When I got there on friday, I still had the headache I had on sunday and then when they put me on the methyldopa on tuesday, I began to feel really spaced out, breathless and floaty. They took my BP which was 140/114, they monitored the baby and kept taking my BP. At one point, the MW refused to tell me what it had gone up to! (notes say 169/120) They then shipped me off to the labour ward and put me in my own room and said I couldn't eat until my BP had gone down. They were getting ready to induce me I think! After checking it every 15 minutes, my BP finally calmed down to a more sensible 140/110 and they sent me back to the maternity ward. They have given me another set of pills to take nifederine or something. So since friday, I have been laid up being monitored until my BP came down. It is now hovering in the 90s and they finally decided to let me out now it is under control. I have to go back on wednesday for a growth scan and more monitoring of my BP. I have been in such a haze all weekend. I think its the tablets I'm on so its all a bit of a blur really so what I've written probably makes no sense. The doctor did say that it won't get better until the baby is here and they MAY induce early. I thought that was it on Friday, so another few weeks or so will be good.

I have tried to read everyones news, so here goes...

TCH - Hope you have a good holiday. Thanks for the adivce on the pills! Hopefully I won't be on them for too long. I can't imagine walking round in a daze all the time, not remembering conversations!

SK - Hope you have had an enjoyable sunday! I haven't dared use the wiifit as a weighing device as I don't want it to make my mii ping up!

ML - Glad to hear you are having the iron transfusion again! I am thankfully feeling pretty organised with nursery equipment, after this weekend, I may be joining you with an early baby. 2-3 weeks at the most I'm guessing!

wibblela - Sorry to hear about your friends mum . I have yet to set foot in an IKEA yet, but was planning a trip to get some drawers this weekend. Will have to try and go soon.

BRB - glad you got your new car in the end.

Five - That sounds painful! I haven't really had any rib pain as yet. Hope I don't get it from what you've said! That must be a relief about your mum too. Hopefully the consultants can help her.

Slings etc - I wasn't going to have a sling, hadn't even thought of having one. Are they useful for certain times or is it enough to just have a pram?

Weight gain - I think I have put on about 1st so far. I am 5ft 1 and was about 9st before. I fretted before I started getting bigger that I didn't want to put on 2 st, but now I don't actually care! I just want baby to be healthy.

Forces - glad that you are OK and the result is more positive than first diagnosed.

Carikube - I hope you feel better with your bug.

Rachel - I keep falling asleep to the CD too. I'm not sure it's doing anything for my blood pressure, but if it helps me sleep then thats fine by me! It may kick in during birth.

Hospital Bag - I've already used mine twice! I hadn't packed lots of labour and post labour things yet, but had snacks, toilettries, PJs already in there ready to go. Lucky really as DH didn't really have to put anything in, just clean clothes. I have got a bag ready for LO too.

Well, that's all I can manage for tonight. I'm off to bed now and get some proper sleep. I am so looking forward to my own bed.

littleowls..sorry to hear your bp isnt behaving..I doubt they will let you go to term if your bp doesnt stabilise..so you might beat us all with an early induction..37 weeks is considered term so if they induced in 2 weeks, bubs would be fine..

Just back online after having a 2hr power cut, it was most inconvenient!

Thanks for the feedback on places to put your baby during the day. I think i will just get the swing then and use the baby gym and moses basket for the day. SK I also had that swing, I bought it off a mumsnetter but sold it on once i had finished with it, rather annoying!
A sling is not vital but I found mine very handy for when the baby was unsettled or if I wanted to nip to a shop or two without getting out a pram and car seat etc.

I am absolutely shattered tonight so I am off to bed, hope you are all ok

Morning all!

Littleowls hope your bp behaves and that you don't have to go through another experience like this weekend.
I still haven't packed the hospital bags though may look at doing that today whilst dd is at nursery. Having had DH say he wasn't ready for LO to arrive, we bought his labour snacks so he feels better prepared (though he has already started tucking in to them so we might have to buy some more )

Still suffering from bug or whatever I've got and was up another two times in the night. I just really want all bugs to be over by the time I'm in labour as the thought of being run down whilst trying to give birth is not great...

Morning!

Forces - what a palaver! Glad it's not as bad as it first sounded. Hope you get back on an even keel soon.

BRB thanks for asking about that. I hadn't quite thought that far (although with 8 weeks to go, I'm not quite so pushed for time)

Yorky and Slipperthief Thanks for the sling links too. I've got loads more shopping to think of than I thought!

Had an uneventful apt with MW on Friday. Measuring 31cm, which I think is pretty average? Iron slightly low, but not enough for them to want to take any action. No drama to report.

Finally made a start on Baby's room yesterday Two walls are painted, and the whole room's sanded. I feel better now we've at least started, but still really behind!

I can't believe we're expecting babies in 3 weeks! It's really starting to come round quick now. It makes me want to do a very un-MN-like eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Morning all

ML - good luck with the iron infusion, hope you feel better afterwards.

Forces - glad your mw got you checked out, just a shame they mis-diagnosed you, that must have been really scary. Sympathies with the arterial blood test as well, dsis has had two as well and said it was the most painful thing she has ever had done to her.

Littleowls - hopefully the meds will keep your bp in check for another few weeks, but if you need to be induced lo is big enough now to be absolutely fine is they arrive early.

Birth plan - I'm currently working on my birth plan with dh as my last one read 'go with the flow' and that was it. I was sure I would have a text book birth as everyone else in my family had had, so after a difficult instrumental birth I went into shock and didn't bond with dd for about 2-3 days. Anyway, I'm going to make a more detailed birth plan this time and was wondering what the thoughts were on episiotimies (sp?)? I really really don't want one but I know they must be necessary in some circumstances. Has anyone had one and did they feel it when they did it?

Hope everyone else is well and not too uncomfortable.

Forces - What a shock! Hope you're okay now. And a second OMG at them pushing your baby's head back in?! My DD was 96th centile for head circumference is a brainy girl, too - it's worth the extra pain of labour to have a child you can boast about, I guess! She wears adult-sized hats now - child ones don't fit!

Littleowls - what a horrible time. Hope your BP behaves itself. Maybe you'll have the first baby of the thread if they are going to induce...

Hollyoaks - according to my mw, there's not really a choice for episiotimies vs tears. THey will cut you if they need to for an instrumental birth, but for delivery, they usually try to control the head out and prefer you to tear than to cut. Apparently it's better for healing? I had a massive episiotomy for the ventouse delivery with DD1 - internal and external. Took ages to heal, but I think I'd prefer it to the idea of tearing - just seems horrible to think of your body ripping!

Forces - get your woollies back out. Snow on Tues/Weds!

Beginning to panic about everything now - still sooo much to buy and prepare, and loads to sort out for work, too. A woman in the village gave birth a month early yesterday - I'm just not ready for that to happen!

Hollyoaks I had an episiotomy with DD as it was a forceps delivery - as Hobnob said, they pretty much have to cut you for an instrumental. I was really worked up about tearing anyway (the one part of the antenatal classes that really put the fear of God in to me!) especially as they said that you can still tear even with an epi. However I didn't feel anything as I had had a spinal block by this stage and they seemed to do a pretty good job of the sewing up after. Although I couldn't sit down properly for a couple of weeks, it all seemed to heal pretty well without any problems.

Morning all I have had a shock this morning due to my own well daftness really. Dropped big two off and decided to head to Asda for a few bits, got there and was wandering around and thought "my bag is open why is my bag open?" and of course no purse in it. Now I only ever have about 10p cash in my purse but I took out the pram money yesterday and had about £400 in total in there, cue total panic drive home and there was my purse on the worktop, arghhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Wish I could have a double vodka will have to make do with a strong tea.

I am feeling so sore and uncomfortable too like my whole pelvis is splitting from my erm bum up. I cannot believe I could have another 5 or so weeks of this, I can feel all the hard bits of the baby and feel so full up IYSWIM? Everyone keeps saying how "neat" I am but I don't feel neat. The weight gain thing well doesn't bother me really I put on over 2 stone each time and it falls straight off again, we will have plenty of time to worry about it afterwards there is nothing we can do about it just now is there?

One of the Mums at DD1's school was due twins on the 18th May and she had them at the weekend, 3lbs odds each twin boys and she has two girls already so that is lovely. 3lbs odds I think this one was measuring that at 28 weeks. I am sure I am in for a big one this time over 9lbs odds is my guess.

Anyway rant over.

ML - hope the iron infusion goes well and you feel fab afterwards

Hollyoaks - I have torn twice, the first time was because DD1's hand was by her head so nothing could have been done, I remember having my legs in stirrups and 4 midwives and a doctor peering at my nether regions deciding how to stitch me back up again DP said he lost count at over 20 stitches but to be honest it was fine afterwards. I go have erm different geography downstairs now though shall we say. DD2 was my big girl with the big head and I had nothing with her, DD3 shot out and I had a second degree tear but they did't stitch and again it was tender but not too bad.

littlowls - what a time you have had. I feel bad moaning about the SPD although it is painful it doesn't interfere with the baby IYSWIM. Fingers crossed your BP calms down and you at least get a few more weeks, 37 is the magic number for us all isn't it?

FS - thank you for your kind comments
Am envious of all your organising clothes etc I am so lazy have done nothing like that.

Five - glad you feel a bit better about your Mum

brightredballoon - which car did you get? I am still trying to get to grips with mine, it's so hard to drive with the bump/SPD combination.

Right am off for some food and to try and sort out this bombsite house, luckily DP is off tomorrow and Friday, I cannot complain he is a star with the housework just now and is getting faster at the ironing as well

Hollyoaks I also had an episiotomy when I had my DS, forceps delivery, and I did also get a 3rd degree tear. I had an epidural at the time so didn't feel a thing. I remember my piles being more sore after delivery than the stitches underneath were! In my birth plan I am requesting that if I need stitches again that an OB stitch me (as I had last time, he did a great meticulous job) and not a midwife, as a lot of the horror stories I've heard about the aftermath of tearing have a lot to do with how well the repair job is done. I don't know if they will accommodate my request, but it will make me feel better to have that down in writing! In the US they tend to give most women episiotomies (at least they used to) and it seems a bit OTT to me, I'm glad we only get them over here if we need them!

Forces and MDM I finish work on 25 April. I'm debating about whether or not I should stop sooner, but that's just 7 more shifts to work so I'm tempted to push on.

MDM that's so funny that your DSis and I will be at the same hospital, it very well could be at the same time. She must live near me then? Maybe we can meet up sometime once ML has started?

Carikube sorry to hear that you're still suffering with the bug, too! I'm feeling worse with this cold today, have had a headache since last night, and I rarely get headaches! I tried to get an appointment to see my GP but she's all booked up. Being ill and pregnant is just soul destroying. Thank God DS has pre-school this afternoon!

Memory I hope your iron infusion goes well!

Littleowls sounds like a terribly horrific weekend! Hope you're feeling better and your BP is still down. Glad I'm not the only one who keeps falling asleep to the hypnotherapy CD!

Yorky I've sent Mr Yorky an email just asking if the secret stork "assignments" have been sent out as I haven't had an assignment yet and am paranoid about missing out! If he's not sent them yet and I'm just being pushy, sorry about that!

I'm sure there's loads I'm forgetting, I hope all of you are doing well and getting some good rest!

Thanks Hobnob, carikube and SK for the info on episiotomy vs tear. I had a ventouse delivery with dd but they didn't cut me, however I did tear when her shoulders came out. No idea how many stitches it was as they just kept saying one long one but it did take a while to heal and still feels sore from time to time two years later.

I didn't feel the tearing but they had put a local in before the ventouse, I assume they'll do this for an episiotomy too. It's one of the things thats really scaring me but wouldn't want to put on the birth plan for them not to do it. Guess its just something to get my head round before the big day .

SK - glad you found your purse.

Hobnob - I'm with you on feeling totally unprepared. With dd the nursery, pram, clothes, name etc.. was all sorted by about my tenth week but I'm 31 weeks today and this one hasn't even got a definite name yet, no wardrobe, no clothes, no hospital bag. Poor little thing, I think I'm still in denial.

littleowls scary stuff. So pleased they let you out. Hope your BP starts behaving.

forces poor you - this sort of medical disagreement between people totally freaks me out - I like to have answers. Sounds like you are coping very well.

Reading about tearing with interest/horror. But I must say the more I hear about birth the more I think it's sort of a case of you get what you're given - seems to be so little you can do to influence whether or not LO is breech, or your BP, or the pool rooms (sounds like spa) are free etc etc.

Yorky are you near Oxford, then? Apparently the new MLU at the JR is brilliant. I toured the Horton in Banbury yesterday, which is where they send you if you're at the Chippy and something goes wrong. Seems fine, though I am now definitely decided on the Chippy MLU, if possible.

Thank God for spring.

Forgot to add a question for the supermums.

Do I need a breastpumo even if I plan to breastfeed?

What sort of breastpump should I get? Do you have to get a specific brand to fit with your bottles or are they multi-use? Thanks.

LuckyC - I did get a pump with my first, MN advised me not to get a handpump but to go straight to an electric one! I have the Mini Medela one and it is fab and hopefully will be using it again. The Medula Swing is supposed to be good as well.

DD1 wouldn't latch at first so I was expressing for her so the pump was essential from the off. Even if you are fab at BFing I think it's a good idea to get them used to taking the odd bottle if you want to pop out etc. I would pump into the Medula bottle then decant the milk into storage bags and freeze. Then if I was going somewhere I would defrost the milk into a sterile bottle.

DD2 would have drank milk from a rusty bucket she never cared where it came from lol DD3 was a madam though, she would never take a bottle from me but would take it from DP or SIL.

I've bought a pack of 2 Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles this time, haven't bothered with a steriliser or anything, gave that away after DD1.

LuckyC I agree with SK, It's a good idea to get them used to having bottles as well even when breast feeding. The Mini Medela electric is a good breast pump, I used that one a lot at the beginning. Once my milk came in full force I switched to the Avent hand pump as I had Avent feeding bottles (wide necks, Medelas are narrow necks) and got tired of having to have a sterile bottle for the pump and then transfer to a sterile feeding bottle. I got both pumps from eBay so didn't spend too much in the end.

SK I can relate to feeling all the hard bits of the baby and feeling full up, I really don't think my skin can stretch anymore to accommodate the squirming limbs! It is very painful at times when he shifts around, I wish he'd just engage already! So sorry that you're feeling sore, it sounds excruciating! Great that your DH is helpful with the housework!

Hollyoaks I'm also feeling like I must be in denial, I have so many half-finished jobs in preparation for the baby. I can't imagine when I'll have time or energy to get it all sorted, so I figure it will all work itself out in the end!

Attempting to catch up but apologise if i miss anyone out!

LolaAnn- Hope the infection clears quickly.

Memory- Hope the infusion helps today.

BRB- Yay on the new car.
We bought everything with DD, so baby will have the choice of the playmat, bouncy chair, swing, basket and nest.

Weight wise- Ive put on about a stone.

little owls- Hope your BP settles down. That must of been abit scary.

Hollyoaks- I had an Episitomy with DD as I had vontouse to turn her ( back to back) then forceps. I still ended with a 3rd degree tear though as she came out with her hand on her cheek.

sk- at the Baby brain!

Didnt get back till late lastnight so DD was already in bed but had lots of nice smiles and hugs this morning.
She was still Ill during the weekend but it sounds as if DH coped admirally!
I Had a fab time at the hen weekend. We were in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by hills and very very narrow, hilly roads with no mobile recpetion! If anything had happened to baby then we all guessed it would of had to be an air ambulance! Thankfully baby stayed put- Although they did give me the large room with the cot in it "just in case!"
Had a nice drive through Exmoor national park, and saw wild ponies and big old hairy cows. Saw some amazing scenery.
The others went horseriding in a stunning valley so I sat in the tearooms there eating cake!
Spent all day yesterday in a Health spa. Very posh place! Had a 3 course lunch in our robes, a fab back massage and enjoyed swimming and dangling my feet in the jucuzzi

Lots of comments from people about how neat I am and one old lady commented that I didnt look old enough to be on my second.

Had a great time but missed DH and DD like crazy. Managed to find the odd pay phone to call them and did have a little blubb when DD was on the phone saying Love you Mummy, Miss you!
Back to reality now though!!

Just taking in the tearing stories too! The thought of this really scares me. LuckyC, I think you are right. You get what you are given!

Birth plan - I was going to do a birth plan but not sure if there is any point now. I don't really have any preconceptions, if something has to happen such as an episiostomy or forceps then it has to happen. My belief is that the doctors and MWs know best. I don't know if that is naieve or not! The only thing I'd really want is to be able to move around during labour and not be strapped to loads of monitors. Again probably wishful thinking.

Breastpumps - Interesting to hear people's opinions. My MW has said buy a cheap manual initially, especially if you are only going to express once in a while. She has recommended a medela manual one.

SK - don't apologise for 'moaning' ! If we can't share our worries, aches, pains and life's daily adventures on here then what is the point?

I have just had such a good sleep! I didn't wake up once through the night, which is unusual. I think I just missed my own bed so much.

sorry Pigley! Missed your post, it took me so long to post mine.

Glad you had a relaxing and decadent weekend and enjoyed the cake and massage.

Piglez - so glad you enjoyed your weekend. I'm shocking, well up at everything just now, could feel myslef going just reading about you on the phone to DD.

LolaAnn & Memory, hope you feel better soon

Littleowls - hope everything stabilises for you, must be such a terrifying weekend.

Tearing - I did with DD and all I can remember was the first few pees stinging like crazy, no one really warns you about these things. I think the thought of doing the other made me constipated!

Had a visit from friend today and her 6/7 week old DS. Actually made me quite scared about it all again. He is very colicy and is getting advise from a dietician to see if there are any meds he can take.

Anyway she was talking about breast pumps. She had tommee tippee electric one and is about to return her second one, wouldn't recommend. She did recommend medula which am sure SIL has. I have a manual tommee tippee one just because thats the bottles we have but if all goes well with BF will treat myself to electric medula.

I am so tired, got very busy day tomorrow getting mum back to hospital and entertaining DD and DN. DN also has dance class. Just can't seem to get going. Had to hide my ironing pile when friend came today. Sure it is size of DD now, wish DH would hurry up and come home. Had him at home for 2 weeks and really missing him/company.

Really need to start getting things sorted for DD, skint after paying his golf membership so will need to go on spending spree next pay day.

34 weeks today, was told I could start taking raspberry leaf capsules now.

Must go DD tearing up house