July 2010: We’re ready to drop; Not long to go until we pop!

[DesperateHousewife21]

Possibly our last ante-natal thread ladies!

Yeah Stac, THIS THURSDAY!!! I haven't even painted my toe nails are dyed my roots yet so Thursday was a no-go. I'm joking of course. .I just felt like i was being rushed into the C-section because they had a slot available on Thursday. I hope we made the right decision by opting to wait. I think it's best to try to keep baby in there as long as possible and I'd feel more comfortable delivering at 39 rather than 38 weeks. It's really reassuring to hear that you were told you had low fluids with your first LO. I was very scared when they first told me but it seems like the ultrasound is not 100% reliable when it comes to estimating fluid levels. Fingers crossed!
x

Hi, hope everyone is well.
Just came on to sing from the rooftops about maternity Shiatsu. After weeks of broken sleep (I know it's good practise!) and not being able to walk, stand or sit without being in terrible joint pain, I am a new woman today! I had a maternity Shiatsu massage yesterday, and have booked in for next week too. I can't explain how elated I feel not to be confined to the sofa stuffing paracetamol.
Was feeling a bit down after visit to Drs in the morning as they said head is not fully engaged yet (38 weeks now) but now I'm over the moon as I can actually keep myself occupied.

Sorry to waffle on about it but just so thrilled!

Glastonbury Last time I was given initially paracetemol (didn't work) and then cocodamol about 5 months into pregnancy (I had severe SPD, which included shoulder and hip sublocation - very painful). Unfortunately the more I took, the less effective it was and consultant kept upping doses and offering me different things.

3 weeks before I was due I couldn't walk and was in pain even lying down, so consultant gave me some new pain killers. They didn't really have an effect and DH rang up two days later to say should I keep taking them and he said 'double the dose, will be fine'.

48 hours after DS had been born he was rushed down to SCBU because pediatrician was coninced he had an infection (high temp, stopped eating, screaming constantly, shaking, vomiting) and were scared he was going to start having seizures. He had to have lumbar punctures, broad spec antibiotics by IV etc... when a pediatrician asked me to sign something to say that I hadn't been using drugs. I replied only the medication the dr gave me. She asked to see it (was in my handbag) and was horrified. Apparently it's not suitable for pg women and DS was having withdrawal.

They immediately put him on a morphine drip, and weaned him off slowly. It extended our stay in hospital, and was obviously a very distressing time. I know pain killers aren't all bad, but I just prefer to avoid them, and it's not long to go.

And just to make this an even longer post...

I desperately need a rant!!

DH boss has just told him via email at 10pm last night that he may not have the requested time off to take me to consultant appointment on thursday (despite having changed the appointment twice already because it was inconvenient to them). She doesn't even give a reason! Just no!!!

DH thinks it's because he was off last week, but that was leave for a university course he is on that they pay for because they wanted him to have more qualifications!!

He has gone in today to tell her that he will be taking thursday off, and would she like him to arrange cover or not.

Bit difficult, but I do think it's unreasonable to email at 10pm three days before the appointment when he requested leave over a week ago.

Also, we are nearly three weeks late with this appointment because the first two appointments were inconvenient for work.

The fact is we live an hour and 10 minutes from the hospital, and I can't drive at the moment, so it's not optional.

There is also always that possibility that I will stay in and have a section, so DH would need to take parental leave to look after DS anyway.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Sorry for the long post
this should probably be on AIBU!

becky I watched Run Fatboy Run the other day which was quite funny. I like light hearted comedies at the mo, nothing too in depth as my brain cant cope! Also yesterday I watched Walk the Line which is a very good film (about Johnny Cash + June Carter) featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Then rom coms like Bridget Jones, Legally Blonde, Notting Hill etc. Hope Ive inspired something for you!

emster Im the same as you, I think my bump is small for 8 months but thats just cos of my body shape, I was quite tall and slim before so lots of room for the bump to spread out rather than stick out in front.

Im going out today with my friend to a shopping centre, DP's just been paid but still cant go over the top.
The weather looks set to get steadily better through the week so will def get my bum out this flat!

dee great bargain hunting hun, is that your hospital bag sorted? Due to c-s i bought what i can only describe as belly warmers as my friend said to be careful with knickers due to irratation

Tbh violet id have put it off due to unpainted toenails and undyed roots. Wouldnt want first pics with lo to make me look scary lol. The sonographer has said to me recently they are not a 100% so try not to worry hun

nooky sounds like shiatsu has lifted your mood and helped the pains, defo seems worthwhile.

Wonder how all our ladies are that were in pain yesterday, hope your ok x

Violet no nail varnish for c-section ;) Which I am quite upset about, cause I was ooking forward to having my havaianas and one decent thing was that my nails were nicely done. Oh well...

Oh and knickers - wise after the c-section. The scar is very low and below any type of knickers under the hair line.... So knickers don't really matter as long as they are soft, cotton I reckon. First days you want to use disposable ones anyway and I have a belly bandit for afterwards anyway;)

violet eek! Fingers crossed baby surprises everyone and turns... A friend of mine has just had an elcs and she was encouraged to write a birth plan by her mw. The mw gave her a document with loads of ideas on it and I've just pasted it here for you to give you some idea of what you can ask for if that's the route you go down:

C-SECTION BIRTH PLAN NOTES
Before my baby is born, I would like:

• all procedures to be discussed with me and my partner.
• my partner to be with me throughout the preparation procedures
• to carry out the shaving myself / shaving to be kept to a minimum.
• medication to be administered only after receiving information about it including the purpose, effects on me / baby, options about timing, e.g.: before or after the baby is born.
• to avoid any drugs that will make me drowsy or - if absolutely necessary - to be kept to a minimum dise.
• a Spinal / Epidural / General Anaesthetic (delete as appropriate)
• to have the catheter inserted after the anaesthetic.
• to have a suppository for pain relief administered before the operation.
• x number of students / no students whatsoever to be present at birth.

During my baby's birth I would like:

• to have / to not have a commentary of what is happening.
• to have the curtain dropped at the moment of birth / no curtain blocking my view throughout.
• a mirror so that I can - if I so wish - see what is happening.
• photographs / a video to be taken of the birth.
• our choice of music to be played.
• as little noise as possible at the moment of delivery and for the baby to be handled as gently as possible.
• the suctioning of the baby's airways to be kept to a minimum.
• to discover the sex of the baby for myself / my partner to tell me the sex of the baby.
• my baby to be delivered onto me, if he/she doesn't need resuscitation
• to have help to hold my baby immediately / to have the baby washed first.
• to have help to put my baby to breast whilst the operation is in progress.
• my baby to stay with me at all times.
• to be consulted if my baby needs to go to SCBU
• if I need a general anaesthetic, for my partner to hold my baby immediately after the birth.
• if I need a general anaesthetic, for my partner to put my baby to the breast as soon as possible.
• my partner tostay with my baby at all times (i.e. in the recovery room / SCBU)

Emergencies
I and my partner (or my partner alone, if I am not awake) will discuss and assess all eventualities as they arise. In any case, it will help us to know the answers to these questions:

• What exactly is wrong ?
• What you suggest and why ?
• What would be the possible outcomes with or without the recommended intervention ?
• How much time do we have to make a decision ?
• Are there any other alternative courses of action open to us ?

We will be guided by balanced, informative advice. Our wish is for both baby and myself to be healthy and we will take all the necessary steps to achieve this.

Post-natally, I would like:

• to be offered regular pain relief which does not conflict with my desire to breastfeed. This includes any drug that will make me drowsy (i.e. codeine)
• a Patient Controlled Unit (PCU) for pain relief.
• for my baby to NOT be offered any formula.
• to be given help to breastfeed on demand.
• for my baby not to be washed/dressed immediately, so that he/she can have the opportunity for skin-to-skin contact.
• my baby to be with me at all times, unless I specifically request otherwise.
• to be given help to hold my baby, if necessary.
• to be present when my baby is bathed or has a nappy change.
• to be consulted as to when I can be discharged from hospital.

hth

No Memphis yet....hope this means things have progressed for her. After most of yesterdays interesting contractions...they all eased off at bedtime and now nothing is happening. Feel very disappointed.

DH answer is to try sex again. It was so uncomfortable as there was too much pressure on my back (and was not at all in mood) last time that I was quite firm and said no. Feel now like I am being horrible to say this and it's my own fault if the baby is late/I have to suffer the uncomfortableness for longer!!

He hasn't said that, but thats what I imagine he might be thinking.... at thought of how irrational and fed up I am feeling. I should just pull myself together!

re knickers, I bought the boxer short style as they seem most comfortable now and I hope it'll be the same after!

Hope all well with everyone.....
Gracie Hope your dh manages to sort his work. I can never understand why some workplaces seem to think that the father should not have some leeway/more consideration at this time....

violet I know it's not the way you planned, but how exciting to know that you are meeting your baby in a week! My sil had a ECS, after labouring for 36 hours, she said that although when they said they needed to section she was gutted the actual experience was a really positive, calm birth.

Dee sounds like you had a really successful shop. I need to get to Primark soon

Gracie how unreasonable of your dh's boss - I'd be fuming too. My dh frequently gets late evening calls and emails from his boss, I think it is unreasonable, especially as he isn't really earning that much, but he insists that is just the way it is/has to be. I think at the moment, the way the economy is many employers feel they have the keys to employees souls. Really annoys me that employers don't see that fathers need to be able to prioritise family in the same way that mothers do. I earn pro-rata more than dh yet I am the one who has to arrange work around childcare. At one time dd needed to be picked up from nursery because she was ill, dh told his boss he had to go and she said 'why can't your wife do that?'

Some of you were up really early! DD actually needed to be woken this morning, which is a rare event. I feel quite good actually, woke up about 5 times last night to go to the loo, but didn't spend hours lieing in bed awake like I have been doing.

Yesterday I was a right state, was convinced labour was starting - dh and I wrote a list of things we need to get sorted and we are in no way ready for the baby!! Thankfully seems to have been BH which went away last night, I went through several pairs of knickers last night and was so worried that my waters were going to go on the way to get dd from nursery. I wasn't at all worried about labour last time, but was bricking it yesterday - I think having the added responsibility of dd is making it all a bit more worrying. MW tomorrow - haven't seen her since 28 weeks, then HV on Thursday and consultant next Thursday - you don't see a health professional for months then 3 turn up at once.

Right plan for today is to sort our the mahoosvie pile of clean clothes that need putting away, wash the small collection of baby cloths I have and sort out a healthyish lunch.

morning ladies ice only just woke up, i was up most of night though in my defence for being a lazy cow, srill feeling very uncomfortable, dh wants me to call my mw eventhough im not booked into see her til next tuesday lo's movements have realy changed, they have become very slow past few days then last night they became very thrashy and violent if that makes sense!
mlic about 4 of my friends said to get into the bedroom last night to get me moving, dh was up for it he looked very disheartened when i said i was im way too much pain!! he should have taken advantage more b4 when i was always up for it!!!
dh i think we are quite similar, i love run fatboy run and walk the line! i watched labrynth (always had a thing for david bowie in thoush trousers)and wanted (james mcavoy looks hot )yesterday another couple of
funny ones are blackball and tropic thunder!

Right hospital bag list - am I missing anything?
Nightie x3
Drinks + snacks
Maternity pads
toothbrush
toothpaste
showergel
towel
lipsalve
hair brush
camera
book
knickers
bra
t-shirt
slippers

For babs
cotton wool
nappies
vest x3
sleepsuit x3
scratch mits
blanket
vasaline
car seat (in car rather than bag obv)

Also does anyone know if anywhere sells sleepsuits with scratchmits on the sleeve? We had some for dd and they were really good.

memphis yeah Ive seen tropic thunder and I LOVE James Mcavoy, Ive always had a thing for him and he does look very hot in Wanted!

LO is being very quiet today, which is typical as he woke me up with extreme kicking and hiccups and now hes really quiet hopefully shopping will perk him up, it usually does!

dh please dont tell me you think hes hot and havent watched it! i watched it day it came on a flicks just to see him all oiled up lol!
wonder totally forgot anout lip balm!
anyone know what i should use muslins for im clueless!

Morning- memphis i just woke up too! but i am a lazy cow as slept most of the night too

violet sorry to hear things are not going as planned... i'm glad hosp are being so honest about their capabilities but at the same time i din't think its good enough from NHS not to have staff qualified as so many babies are breech! will maybe see you at aquanatal on fri? if not will be thinking about you, hope all goes well

DH and memphis thanks for the film tips! will get dh on the case and get me some dvds to settle doen too- i'm so bad at making myself rest but enough is enough!

memphis i assumed muslins were for cleaning up puke etc but really don't know!!! anyone else?

stac glad your sugar levels are sorted not long now til cs yeh i was up with pains on sun night but not pattern to them and all settled now.

Right! my mission today is to get hosp bag properly organised and zipped up as i keep opening it and borrowing the PJs!!!
Also planning some time in the sun

my god its been busy on here this morn! and you were all up so early!
stac you'd know you were back to your computer! how does the house look?
memphis no harm to just ring anyway and see. hope things get moving for you soon!
violet thats brill only a week to wait! its not what you had hoped for but i think its good to keep an open mind for these things as birth never really goes to plan anyway! i've never heard a bad c-section story off anyone i know and most people say its a positive experience.
gracie no wonder you dont want painkillers thats frightning. poor you and poor ds.must have been a horrible time. and your dp is so right to just tell her he's taking it off thats ridiculous. you need to see the consultant and you need him to drive so she just needs to get over it.especially when he can arrange cover.
*wonder that list looks about right. amazing how more laid back you are about these things second time round!
had an ok sleep last night.dp went to local for a drink,came back to me sprawled across the bed and i asked him to give me the bottle of water and i took a drink and fell back asleep holding onto it and woke an hour later for a wee and spilt it all over myself! and i was giving out to him for giving me an open bottle of water when it was me who left it open!lol! so was awake for little while after that but thankfully i fell back asleep! no real plans for today i might call in to see one of the girls later. have a house that needs cleaning but not in the mood to do it!

Morning all! Been really busy over the weekend with parents visiting and various events, and still really busy currently getting caught up on everything that I didn't do at the weekend! So I've not had a chance to read back over everything in detail, sorry!

However, Wonderstuff, I've got most of my starting sleepsuits from Mothercare and they all have the fold over scratchmits. Mothercare also seem to have a constant "Buy one get one half price" deal going on, which is handy. I'm limited currently as I'm trying to buy unisex until LO's gender is absolutely confirmed (by birth!), and Mothercare is the closest store with the biggest unisex options in my area.

Hope things are going ok for everyone. I'm also quite surprised we've not had any births yet! Considering that a lot of people must be past the magical 37 weeks mark now with their LOs considered fully cooked. Sounds like we may have LOs appearing soon though!

I've got another eight days until I'm in the green lit period for home birth, though the MW will see on Friday whether LO has moved into the right position. I thought LO had dropped over the weekend, I was getting the 'bowling ball between the legs' feeling and needing the bathroom constantly. But then the sensation went away, so I have my suspicions that LO may have dropped but popped out again. Naughty baby!

Things are getting organised here though. Currently I'm in the process of arranging collection of the rigid birthing pool we've hired for sometime next week, so we can get it set up for the 1st July. And I have a doctor appointment this afternoon to get the prescription for the various labour drugs so I can get it to the chemist, as it'll take them a few days to get everything in.

It's all getting alarmingly close now!

Oo I really want to meet this baby now! Nothing more serious than a few twinges and i expect that's more to do with the little burst of housework I've just done

memphis you'll end up grabbing a muslin for anything and everything. With dd I slept with one in the last week (must start doing that again) so it smelt of me to use as a comfort blanket for her. dh also took one home from the hospital which would smell of dd for the cat to have a sniff of so she wasn't too alien coming home. But I used them for everything - dribble catcher, comfort, as a cover on the plastic change mat, rolled up as a wedge to keep her on her side (twas the only way she would sleep!)....the possibilities are endless!

spirael good luck with all your final details!

I feel like I'm on maternity leave now and it's lovely! dh got up with dd this morning and got her ready for school (sort of, if I hadn't got up she would have gone minus sun cream, water bottle and piece of fruit lol) and has decided that as he is now working from home he's going to cycle to school with her every day which is fab so no school run for me!

Time for a bounce on the ball I think

Memphis my DS is still so attached to his muslins that he cannot sleep without one!!

They are soooooooo much better than a teddy, because when they get too stinky/tatty/lost you can just buy a new one (or retrieve one from the secret stash in your wardrobe!

I think he got attached to them initially because I used them to cover my clothes when feeding (catches drips) and they smelled of milk. Now a fresh one seems to be perfectly acceptable though.

I am wondering if he is going to try and steal them from the new baby though. I thought I might dye a large number of them a different colour so he can tell what is his and what is hers. Any of you third timers had to deal with this before?

Just found my debit card in the freezer - huge relief as I have no cash!! Brought ice cream last night and carried it home - total pregnancy brain

gracie my dd is also still obsessed with her muslin. Unfortunately she has a special one (which is raggedy as hell) so I can't help you with your ds potentially nicking them! Dyeing them sounds like a good plan though.

violet I had an emcs and they're apparently very different to elcs but I had to wear huge over the belly knickers. There was no way I could wear normal knickers and it took me a good month to be able to wear trousers other than very baggy jogging bottoms. I didn't have a good time of it though so hopefully your elcs will be way better! LO's still transverse so although I would (almost) sell my mother to avoid another cs, I might not have a choice

I used muslins under DD's head for a long time so if she threw up I could swap the muslin rather than changing the sheets.

My DD is still crazy about her blankie, which is al in holes and pieces and looks like it was taken out od rubbish....