July 2010: Our babes are due! Within the month, they'll all début.

[Chulita]

Thanks to spirael for the title, hopefully we'll all pop before this thread ends!

good luck for tomorrow random and kapars please pop on and let us know how you get on.

firerise if you live near a house of frasers they are very good and do a wide selection. My friend was gave crap advice from mothercare so i wouldnt go there

wonder whats the lavender and tea tree oil for? I was told rose oil which i forgot to buy

Think your right grumpy life is going to be a whole lot different at the other side, maybe rest will help rather than all the rushing about

Good news bout growth scan emster i predict lo will be bout 8 and a half pounds

Up early for hospital but fought the urge to nap today so i hopefully i sleep well tonight. Have to have a heart trace tomorrow and have been getting pains so need to wait and see. Hope everyones good x

meant to ask what are people puting on lo to come home from hospital? I got lo a lovely outfit as the weather is fab and a warmer outfit if its colder but do you think i need an all in one suit? I can't remember what ds wore. Thanks ladies x

Lavender is just relaxing - was hoping might help with insomnia Tea tree oil has antiseptic qualities, I was advised to add a few drops to bath water to help heal stitches last time - much gentler than the salt they used to send women home with

kapers how exciting - hope all goes well and baby comes soon.

stac I just have sleepsuits and vests, all dd wore until she was a few months old - mind you as a November babe when she was out of the house she was in a pramsuit!

I can't sleep, this darn baby is just so active - I had a bath earlier, plan was cool bath, meditaiton cd, good sleep, but babes is not on message. Head is on bladder so near constant urge to wee, and legs are kicking at stomach and lungs - keep hearing this pffft noise then having to burb, nasty acidy burbs. Little blighter made me sick last night. I'm so shattered. And it is hotter than yesterday, dispite the rain, no breeze at all. I could be pregnant for another 5 weeks!

Wow - good luck kapars - send us some water breaking vibes if you've got any spare!

And more good luck to randommama for your ELCS tomorrow

I'm having an absolute nightmare trying to sleep at the moment, I just can't get fall and stay asleep, what with the heartburn, SPD, piles, heat, baby kicking...not to mention DH snoring.

Might run myself a bath and see if that helps me relax.

I hope the rest of you are fast asleep!

Hi everyone
Thank you all for your lovely messages. Sorry i haven't been back on in a few days. We have named our baby girl Iris We're both doing really well and managed to get discharged from hospital today - yay! Iris only lost a couple of ounces and as your baby is allowed to lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first few days it means that breast feeding is going well and she is getting the right amount from me. .

I can't remember who asked about the colour of my waters when they broke, but here's an answer - at first it was completely clear...it couldn't be mistaken for pee. It flowed out at once and felt really warm. There wasn't a tsunami or anything but enough to soke through pants and jeans. In the car to the hospital it continued to trickle out and by the time we got there I'd started to contract, had my show and was continuing to have a mix of clear and bloody water. Ordinarily I could have laboured at home but because we already knew Iris was breech we were told to get into the hospital straight away. The C-section was a lovely experience. I had my iPod in my handbag with me so luckily was able to play my birth music throughout the surgery. Iris was out in about 8 minutes and it was the most surreal/amazing experience of my life. I'd only popped out that afternoon to buy nipple cream! .

Just sitting watching Iris sleep. She's beautiful! I'm still at the paranoid first mum stage though where I keep getting up to check she is still breathing . I'll upload a photo of her in the morning when I manage to locate my camera!

xxx

Hello again,
I've uploaded a couple of photos of Iris to my page

aw violet she is absolutely stunning, how are you? Glad alls going well. We have all been dying to know how you both are. You got out quick eh? Are you very sore? X

oh wow she's so beautiful violetbubbles! congratulations!!!
and thanks for your inspirational birth story.

good luck karpars!!!

Wow violet she is beautiful. Welcome to the world Iris.

Norky hope you managed to get some sleep last night - think I slept 2 to 7. Was going to get a lie-in but dh couldn't work out how to dress dd to be fair we just have different strenghs, he had to make dinner last night, and he's offered to pick her up from in-laws this afternoon.

Good luck to kapars and random hope things go smoothly for you.

violet she is just adorable!! Iris is such a lovely name too

stac Ive got a few sleepsuits for LO if the weather isnt great and a blanket but if its boiling Ive got a romper suit for him. Also put a load of bodysuits in there too.

I feel like this LO is going to fall out my pubic bones are so sore
Ive got a mw app today at 10 so will mention it to her.

Its really hot again today even though there is more of a breeze which is a godsend. Woke up every 2 hours again last night for the toilet and just being too hot.

Oooh, things are really kicking off now! Looks like kapars is going to be next... Good luck!

Ok, here's the latest list updates. Hopefully everything is right!

ARRIVED
26th June 8:40pm (Due 29th June) - violetbubbles, 33, Glasgow, #1, GIRL 6lbs 6oz, Iris
29th June 0:50am (Due 28th June) - WickedWitch, 30, Bristol, #2, BOY 7lb 10oz, Edward Davis
29th June 11.15am (Due 29th June) - Jo, 34, N London, #2, BOY 8lb 13oz, Frank

PENDING
2nd or 7th July (Elective) - Stac14, 30, glasgow, #2, GIRL
3rd July - MyLifeIsChaotic, 29, NorthEast, #2, SURPRISE
4th July - Irishfairy, 25, Oxfordshire, #1, GIRL
4th July - kkfairybrains, 25, ireland, #1, SURPRISE
4th July - orangefizz, 34, southeast, #2, SURPRISE
6th July - Delta4, 34, Leicestershire, #2, BOY
9th July - kapars, 36, E London, #1, GIRL
9th July - Memphis83, Leicester, #1, BOY
11th July - Beckyg123, 28, Glasgow, #1, SURPRISE
12th July - GlastonburyGoddess, 25, Glastonbury, #3, SURPRISE
12th July - DeeLite, 36, Sussex, #1, SURPRISE
13th July - NorkyButNice, 30, Kent, #2
14th July - secondcoming, 37, Manchester, #3 SURPRISE
15th July - Viksam, 35, Somerset, #1, SURPRISE
16th July - nixster, 28, bedford #1, GIRL
17th July - Grumpypumpkin, 35, Sussex, #1, GIRL
18th July - DesperateHousewife21, 20, Kent, #1, BOY
18th July - Kittykat77, 33, Lincolnshire, #3, BOY
18th July - Wonderstuff, 31, Hampshire, #2
22nd July - Chulita, 27, Dorset, #2
23rd July - Firerise, 31, Hampshire, #1, SURPRISE
25th July - Emster30, 29, NE London, #1, SURPRISE
25th July - Spirael, 28, West Yorkshire, #1
26th July - Anifersgirl, 33, South Bucks, #1, GIRL
27th July - EmsieRo, 29, S London, #1, GIRL
31st July - Gracie123, 26, Cumbria, #2

Firerise, for nursing bras I've bought myself a few of the Bravado Original bras (from here). I ended up needing the Double Plus in the smallest rib size because my breasts are so huge at the moment. I'm kind of hoping in vain they won't get much bigger when my milk comes in! The bras are a bit flexible for sizing though if I do expand more, also good if you're not exactly sure on your size but have a vague guesstimate?

True the bras aren't exactly the height of fashion, but they are incredibly comfortable. I've been using my normal maternity bras during the day for a nicer shape, but using the Bravados for overnight support as they're more of a sports bra style so suitable for that purpose. No catches at the back to dig in or anything.

My plan is to use them for nursing (day and night) for the first week or two after LO is born, since I doubt I'll be getting dressed or leaving the house anyway. Then when I head into the city to go and register LO at the City Hall, I'll stop by Bravissimo at that point to get remeasured up for some proper, more flattering nursing bras. Then the Bravados go back to being for overnight use only!

Hope that helps a little.

Nothing much to report here, really... Got the birthing pool set up last night, but I have to wait until Saturday evening before I can use it as DH is out every evening until then! I can't really begrudge him though, some of it is stuff for work he can't get out of, and the other is doing things with some friends that are leaving the country permanently in a week or two, so he may not see them again.

I've still been having trouble sleeping. The hip pain is getting annoying now, I was awake pretty much every hour or two last night needing to walk about to return feeling to my legs. Oh well, at least I'm not particularly busy today, so I guess I'll go back to bed for a bit!!

good luck kapers and random
and
congrats again violet she is absolutly beautiful! and her name is lovely!
wonder try having clary sage bathto relax you could have a few lavender drops in their too, and then clary sage may start you off too
stac im bringing baby home in a nice baby grow and matching hat, i dont want him in anything fussy as hes just been born naked and its likely to be warm when our babies are born.
im getting terrible cramp in my calves behind my knee is awful all the veins are showing i hope they dont start yo bulge and become varacouse (sp?) i dont want my legs looking like a piece of stilton!
got my scan at 4.30 im taking my little sister as she is so excited about being an aunty (shes 10) and my dad should be finally dropping off the crib today!! at long last!

mlic whenever i have plans to get things done i end up too tired and no energy so i just dont plan anything anymore!
best of luck to random and kapars today!
violet she's just gorgeous! Iris is a gorgeous name too! well done you!
woke up loads last night too.keep waking with real bad pressure and pains and thinking its starting but then nothing! no plans today just gonna be lazy.had dosctors this morning for check up and everything ok.
stac i just have a little outfit that you get in them sets with the babygro and vest and things.just a trousers with feet in then and a little cardigan jacket and a vest under it in the neutral colours. think it'l prob be too warm for an all in one suit

Hi Guys,
Violet OMG its amazing that she is out and we will all have one of those soon.......She is beautifull, congrats. I really cant wait now and my DH keeps telling me to just push it out!!
Went to MW this morning, all is well, 4/5ths engaged, she said the baby doesnt go more than 3/5ths before its born, interesting. According to the chart, and after converting it to lbs, babys weight is 7lbs and with still 2 weeks to go it might be a good size.

DH LOL at baby falling out, I hope my mine just falls out, in a good way of course!

I dont shop at mothercare any more, the customer service is appauling and its goods are over priced. I got my maternity/nursing bras from M&S, i got measured properly and I went in the week too which helps as its just weekend staff mostly at the weekend so u wont get good advice tbh.However Im currently living in a bra from BHS, its a padded non-wire and its really comfy, i do prefer a bit of padding.

Right got HV tomorrow so going to vac etc!!
I wonder if i should wash the dog too!!Hmmmm.
xxx

I'm totally unmotivated today. There are lots of jobs that I could do, but I am tired and can't be bothered. I feel massive and blegh. I know I should get on because won't have time for much when babs arrives, just want to hibinate until baby gets here. I think I'll go for a walk then a sleep.

Just a little warning to go easy on the clary sage ladies - especially those who may still have 5weeks to go. It is known to bring on menstruation which is why it's not recommended in pregnancy (unless you are past 37 weeks, then go for it!) but also don't use too much! It can bring on wierd dreams, but also increases blood pressure and can give extreme dizziness and nausea. Particularly not good for anyone who's had pre-eclampsia queries.

Lavender is also great for relaxing, but also causes baby to get very sleepy, so don't use it if you have had diminshed movements. It is however an excellent antisecptic, anti-viral and even anti-bacterial which promotes healing, so if you've already bought some of that, you probably don't need the tea tree too.

A really cool way to test this (if you are a bit of a geek like me!) is next time you have a burn. Cover half in a cotton pad soaked in lavender and use the best burn cream you can find on the other half. I guarantee the lavender side will heal faster - if it's not a severe burn (eg sun burn/iron burn etc... It should be gone next day.

Sorry for the lecture. This is a bit of an area of expertise and I get quite excited about it

gracie i bought something called a wrist angel that had a little flap that fit a tablet soaked in lavender on it so i wear it in bed and you can smell it to relax you as i had heard it can relax baby if you put it in the bath (although sometimes i think he needs it as he feels like hes trying to escape out my belly button )

my scar from when i had key hole is really bright red, swollen and sore, even t shirt sitting on it hurts, its obviously skin stretching but im paranoid it could split as it was only done 8 weeks ago! and it took 4 weeks to heal as it was infected, dont really want to bother doctor with it though
just done a huge shop at asda, if i have baby this week the cupboards are prepared! it was quiet and checkout woman was lovely, didnt rush me through so didnt come out feeling like death! bought baby suncream for his change bag just to be prepared not that i want him out in sun!

Great advice, Gracie123. I had read that you need to be careful with essential oils but didn't have any detail on why or how careful so will feel more confident using them now.

Violet, congratulations! Iris is beautiful and the three of you look so happy and lovely together. Makes me even more excited (if that's possible!) about my own imminent arrival.

Spirael, thanks for the bra tips. I have just ordered three Bravado ones. I'm 38+2 now and I'm still a B cup so these bras are good as the sizes seem quite flexible so allow for extra growth.

memphis honestly the doctor won't mind being bothered, he is there for precisly that reason - I hate going to the doctors too, but is better to go and get peace of mind than put it off and risk complications?

Thanks for that Gracie I didn't know lavender was anti-septic too, just thought it smelt nice Can you recommend a base oil? Dh massaging my lower back really helped with labour last time, we didn't use any oils as it was a pain relief solution we just stumbled upon. I thought having an oil with Clary Sage in it would be good.

violet Iris is absolutely gorgeous! Bet you just want to sit and gaze at her in amazement! well done can't wait to meet her and have a wee cuddle

jojo congratualtions! hope your feeling ok

good luck tomorrow kapars and random will be thinking of you both

gracie thanks for info on oils... i had an idea that some were to be avoided but no clear info! might see if tea tree in my bath will soothe the piles? i'm miserable with them

chulita brownie mix is in the fridge- going to put it in oven shortly very excited to try them!

I had a bit of a melt down after coming home from hairdressers yesterday- instead of having my highlights done i asked to go back to natural colour as the roots were getting hard to maintain. my hair was a little greasy so must have appeared darker at root so its now dark brown, not light brown! I'm pretty nervous at hairdressers so prop didn't explain myself properly so can't really blame the girl. DH thinks it really suits me but after being blonde for last 15 years its a shock for the mirror!
My piles are getting worse and my hips ache like hell so all combined i just sat and cried! DH was working til 11 last night and had early start today so i went and stayed at my mums. Was well looked after and had a reasonable sleep so feeling a bit brighter today- really couldn't face all that time on my own yesterday!

Meeting 2 friends for dinner tonight- going to really nice restaurant so hopefully will enjoy it- just hope the chairs are not to hard for the piles

Iris is gorgeous violet - well done!

I got about 2 hours sleep last night but that's it - my piles are so painful (sorry for TMI) - has anyone got any top tips?

I had an appt with the consultant at the hospital this morning as a follow up to growth scan on Monday. Baby now measuring 9lb 2oz but they're not worried, just said I grow them big! I did have high blood pressure and protein in urine though, so have to go back on Friday for more checks, and they've sent bloods off to check for pre-eclampsia.

I love having lavender baths, the smell is so relaxing (although I'm not sure my piles will appreciate it!).

norky mine are awful too! i went to late night chemist the other night in tears- been using anusol but its stopped being effective! I got germoloids cream and supositories, they have local anesthetic so numb things up for a while... got some sleep that night but TBH i'm suffering again today and the effect of cream is so shortlived!
Think it was chulita who suggested ice pack, again soothes for a while but shortlived!
i'm getting really worried about how they will be after puching baby out! infact getting quite distressed about it! think i might go see gp tomorrow.

hey ladies,

Had a lovely heart trace on lo today (mw's words lol) then into diabetic clinic for steroid injections which are given to strengthen lo's lungs due to section before 39wks. Usually its given over 24hrs but typically the ones i got are given every 12hrs so i am being admitted at 8.30 tonight for observation. Steroids and insulin arent a great combo so they need to keep an eye on my blood sugar levels so i have to stay in till friday night/saturday argh lol. Then if i dont go by myself section is booked for wed at 7.30am.

The heat is driving me mad, anyone the same? X