The Zoo!

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

Is it feeding time yet?

pull up a rock or patch of grass and get comfy in our new enclosure!

Aww Meeeow I'm sorry it's bringing you down, I can certainly remember the feeling. I wasn't even getting braxton hicks or anything that might suggest imminent labour. I was supposed to be the 1st out of about 4 of us due to give birth, but I was last Horrid feeling but once she's born and a few weeks old, you'll want to shove her back in! haha.

giraffe I've FB'd you

Just gotta sort dinner then I'll be back......

I'm back, DP tried to cook jacket potatoes using the grill, they have been grilling for half an hour This could be a long night, I'm starving too.....

Giraffe I have no idea what to suggest re sleeping. Just that the more sleep they have the more they need (usually!) Is the room really dark? IME babies like dark rooms. Is N in a growbag (or something like it)? C and J slept/sleep so much better in one.
I hope he sleeps well for you really soon, I don't think I could cope if J didn't sleep well, I certainly couldn't work!

Tigger Anniversary sounds lovely - enjoy!

Mamafox Just google mapped it and yes it is right next to Gypsy Hill

Penguin How exciting! Only 3 more sleeps! I'm guessing boy Do you have any name ideas?

Hello! Tis me! Sorry not been in sooner, am so enormous I can't find any position which is comfortable to mn from!! And I'm not even kidding! Please not 5 more weeks of this...

Will name change again if I can think of a better one, but thought if I didn't get in here smartish I'd never be able to work out who everyone was! Am still going to have to get the fb list to work it out...

I tried to post this morning but our internet went down so I cut and pasted it into word and will paste it back in here in a minute, so sorry it's out of date already! Will post properly tomorrow though, promise! You are all in my thoughts lots, am just being crap

Meeow no tips on discharge sorry, but prob worth speaking to mw tomorrow to keep an eye out for infections now you've lost your plug. Really hope LO doesn't keep you waiting much longer!

Ok, here's post from earlier - enjoy!!

Going for a wax later (bet you're all fascinated to hear that) to get me nice and trim for D Day - if that doesn't guarantee LO will be at least 10 days late I don't know what will!

Happy anniversary to Tigger and for yesterday to Meeow - who I notice hasn't posted yet today... got to be a good sign??? Maybe the dry clean only outfit did the trick?!?!

Love to all xx

PS Tigger you might want to look at how you sign off your posts, am worried you're having an identity crisis

Nemo you must be mad! A wax 5 weeks before D-day? I would so have a whole wig back by then. I went (I think) 1-2 weeks before. But if I hadn't had c-section then I just knew he would have been at least 2 weeks late so probably would have had to have another wax anyway!

J's got another jab this morning, Might see if they will weigh him as I've not done it for about 2 months! Talk about 2nd child syndrome, I took C almost every week for about 6 months!

Morning ladies, just popping in to let you know I'm still here, strong bh every 10 min or so but been feeling this for over 24 hours now so not holding my breath. Have a good day all x

Meeow don't hold your breath, if you clench your jaw it clenches everything else and you need everything nice and ooooopen Sorry about the end of my post yesterday I hadn't realised that was what it said til after I pasted it in. FWIW I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to be induced if I were you, it's not pleasant. But fingers crossed, it doesn't sound like you'll reach that stage

Wino there is logic to my plan, promise! It's only 5 weeks til D Day if LO is 2 weeks late (please god no) - so the plan is to go again the day before my due date (ie in 3 weeks time - it's only £6) which is about the minimum I can wait between waxes, so if she arrives early I won't be too gorilla like (maybe that should have been my new name...), if she's on time I'll be sorted and if she's late I should be ok too - simples!

Penguin 2 more sleeps!! You'll be great

Can we start a list either without the graduates on it (for security reasons ) or using initials for the LOs? I want to be able to proclaim somewhere that I am finally 37 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!

Off for lunch with a girl from antenatal classes later, bit surprised to have been invited tbh, think it's just the 2 of us at hers. Clearly she has very good taste

I've just finished my birth plan, with great assistance from Wino - want to see it? All comments welcome! (within reason )

Birth Plan

Essentially I plan to keep an open mind. All the points listed below are intended to apply if I have a ?normal? delivery and things go to plan. If there is a problem I realise there may not be time for detailed explanations.

Birth Partners: Husband (J K) and Doula (C S). J and C both know my wishes, if at certain points I am unable to articulate what I want please refer to them.

?Ideal? scenario: I would very much like a water birth, though I recognise this will depend on a number of factors including whether the pool is available. Should I be eligible to use the pool I would like to be informed if it becomes available during my labour so that I can transfer to it if possible. I am open to the idea of the second stage taking place in the pool.

I would like a birthing ball available for use in whatever room I am in.

Induction: I do not want to be induced unless absolutely necessary. I was induced at 17.5 weeks in a previous pregnancy in 2008. I want this birth to be as different as possible from that one. I found induction very painful. If it becomes necessary to set up a drip as part of an induction I would like an epidural at the same time and (except in an emergency situation) will be very reluctant to agree to a drip without an epidural. Last time the labour progressed much more quickly than anyone expected.

Pain relief: I do not intend to rule anything out at this stage.
Gas & Air: Previously, I found gas & air helpful and I would like to use it again.
Pethidine: Currently I would only consider using pethidine if I am having a very long labour and am exhausted and in need of a break/sleep, AND if those caring for me are as confident as they can be that the birth is still some way off.
Epidural: I hope I?ll be able to cope without one, but I recognise I may not.
I am happy to have aromatherapy and/or homeopathy from my doula or the midwives.

Assisted delivery/ C Section: Except in an emergency situation please tell me:
1.What are the advantages of the proposed procedure?
2.What are the disadvantages?
3.Are there any alternatives?
4.What would happen if you did nothing?

Delivery Positions: Any way but on my back. If I am out of the water I would like to be free to move around if possible and I recognise that this may have an impact on the ways in which it is possible to monitor the baby.

The Birth I would like J and I to be given the option of feeling/seeing the baby?s head once it crowns. However, I recognise neither of us may want to at the time!
In the absence of any medical contraindication, I would like skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible once the baby is born. I would like all examinations of the baby to be done in that position if possible. If the baby needs to be taken away, or for some other reason I am unable to do it, I would like J to stay with her and for him to maintain skin-to-skin contact if possible.
Please give J the option of cutting the cord once it has stopped pulsating. After the cord has been cut I am happy to have the injection to aid delivery of the placenta.

I am happy for the baby to have a vitamin K injection.

Hippo Knitting needle....ouch {grin]
mamafox How's the blocked duct, have you tried out Giraffe's aerobatic solution yet
Tigger Hope you have a wonderful time on Saturday, will you be OVing then? Can't be far off surely
Meeeow Still in one piece?
Wolverine Have you settled into the house now? How does F like her new surroundings?
Hyena Did the dreaded heartburn strike?
Giraffe Sounds like you were making the most of your "me" time, good girl Hope N settles down soon
Impala Have a lovely holiday
Wino Jacket potatoes under the grill Yes we have some name ideas, will share after Friday if all OK. Hope J's jabs went ok
CaptainNemo Good name btw, birth plan all finished, food bought, baby stuff in bag but have you actually packed YOUR stuff yet!! You are 37 weeks you know

Well still not sleeping in Penguin land, in fact it seems to be getting worse, last night everytime I thought about the scan I cried, getting myself so wound up about it Stupid I know, I think my horror-mones are out in force, can't stop thinking that this time last year was when we had our 12 wks scan and found out the baby died, I know the movements I've been having should reassure me, but tired, emotional, hormonal and now m/s back because of all of that just seems to make me irrationally scared Also DH is back under notice of redundancy-bugger! So I have taken today off to pull myself together!

Giraffe, that's a worse sleeping pattern than ds has right now, he's only waking twice a night and that's enough for me You and dp must be so tired
Don't have any suggestions though, a lot of use aren't I
I'm not feeding though, just expressing, so I think that's part of the problem. Going to stop soon I think, happy to share feeding with the family and with the dd's having commitments that we have to get to, I can't be glued to the sofa feeding forever.....
I think the disturbed sleep and being back at work is catching up with dh, he's been as grumpy as anything, shouting away when we he gets home the last 2 nights Had better snap out of it soon though, he's not the only one that's tired.....
Have to boast though, it's not just c-section babies that have lovely shaped heads, dh and I still admire ds's lovely dome, it was perfect Maybe because he was in such a hurry to come out, it didn't have time to get too squashed.
Tigger, your anniversary weekend away sounds lovely
Meeoow, any movement? I'd keep that Mothercare comment in mind, might be worth a daily visit if you have one local
I remember Fruitbat you having a dilema about slings when J was smaller. What do you recommend? Thinking I might buy one for ds, he's a lot more cuddley than the girls, and wanting constant contact. The pouch I have will be good when he's bigger but I need something to put him in now, that he won't fall out of.
Hi to everyone else, still can't remember who everyone is, will have to study FB list again

Meeeow Any news?

Just had a text from my friend who had a little boy this morning she's only 31 weeks, but this is her 3rd prem one He's doing really well so can't wait to go and see them both

Still no improvement on the sleep front although DP was on the 'shit' shift last night. No awake from 2:30 to 4:30, although 2:30 was the first time he woke other than for his feed at 11. I'm sure he'll grow out of it - perhaps just knocked off by holiday and moving to a new room. (Please let this be so)

Mamafox Having owned/used 4 slings so far I would definitely recommend the 'close' baby sling. Really comfy and they feel very secure so you can get on with what you need to do. I could not express that much - I hate it and only just manage once a day.

Penguin So glad you've taken the day off - or was that yesterday? You're going to be fine, take some deep breaths. The relief will be immense.

Nemo Birth plan looks good. I would say don't be too hung up on delivering on your back. I was adamant that I wouldn't but right near the end I went on my back and delivered N like that and it was fine.

Off for coffee with NCT group this morning so need to go brush my hair! Try to catch up again later.

Read all abaat it, read all abaat it!

I can confirm, Meeeow is in labour! WOOHOO!!!! Text from her DH this morning:

"Meeeow said can you tell everyone on MN that she's in labour. Midwife said 5-6cms at 9am"

I'll try and keep you updated, just gonna try and see what's going on now......

WooooHoooo - Go Meeow!

Baby girl born!!!!!!

3:09pm

Imogen Marie

8lb 9oz

Meeeow's DH says she looks like him, aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww

Mummy and baby both doing really well

congratulations to Meeeow and Mr Meeeow!!!!!!!! xxxxxxxxx

Meeeow Congratulations to you and Mr Meeeow I expect pictures within 24 hours

Yippeeeee!! Fantastic news!!! Comgratulations Meeow & MrMeeow! Can't believe she was 8lbs 9oz when you're so tiny!

Perhaps I'm glad we don't have a list any more, I've just realised what it would look like now!

PS Giraffe thanks for your comment, I'm not too hung up about any of it except for the epidural for induction bit really. I actually copied that line from Wino!

Just checked and so far Baby Immy is the biggest by 2oz

hooray for meeow and mr meeow. beautiful name. am sure that both are beaming from ear to ear. and that miss meeow is a beauty. rest up lovely lady and enjoy your baby. xxxxx

hello to all you other beautiful creatures! still chaos here, but getting better. in laws down this w/e so might even be able to post as will be hiding from them!

i've missed loads of stuff. but i think i've workeed out who is who now!

f just fallen asleep after howling all day and sucking me dry. off to dunk her and l in the bath. that should please them both. not.

wino - f looked adorable in her outfit. you have impeccable taste my love. xxxxxx

Congratulations to Meeeow and Mr Meeeow. She's here at last. Sure she is utterly gorgeous. Pics and details asap please.

Congrats to Mr and Mrs Meeeow. Have just seen on FB that little (or not so little) I was delivered by C-Section so hope you're recovering well K.

Sorry I haven't popped in. DP booked for us to stay here last night with DD (and he doesn't play golf). We had a fab time. Really lovely hotel and now feel v. relaxed.

Giraffe So sorry you're having sleep problems. I wish I could give you a magic cure. L went through a similar stage. Have you tried giving him his 11:30 feed before he wakes up? I gave L a dream feed from about 3 months which meant that I could go to bed and then not have to get back up for a few hours. I didn't mind her waking if she was actually hungry but quite often I knew she wasn't so I'd only offer her water in a bottle (thus meaning there wasn't a yummy boob and a cuddle waiting when she cried!). She soon realised that water wasn't as nice....BUT then we needed to brace the 'controlled crying'. I found this really difficult for a few nights. I was literally sobbing (and felt v angry) so invested in some ear plugs. It usually takes 4 or 5 days (we've had to do it on lots of occasions). Not sure if any of this is helpful but L is a fantastic sleeper now and it's likely that N will soon settle down again BUT no sleep sucks. xxx
Wino How did jabs go? Did they weigh J in the end?
CaptainNemo You'll soon be meeting with babes in arms. Did you have fun? You're next my love!! Birth plan looks fab.
PenguinPoo Don't stress my lovely. All is going to be fine. Just keep chanting pma pma. You'll have all the reassurance you need by this time tomorrow.
Wolverine Hope all is well with you.

Hi to everyone else. Plan to take a bump pic soon. Have MW appointment tomorrow. Hopefully not measuring too big or Meeeow might fall off the leaderboard for the biggest LO.

Nemo you're sooooo next my lovely! How do you feel?
Great plan btw!

Hyena No they didn't weigh him but I took him along to the clinic this morning. He's 16lb 9oz now and is just over the 50th centile, which is fab cos C was right up on the 98th or something so nice to have a little one

I've felt like welling up since I heard Meeeow had her baby, I'm such a soppy cow when it comes to births
Shame it ended in EMCS but better out than in! I remember getting to that stage with C and thinking I would quite happily have him cut out of my ear after all those hours I was so desperate!
Perfect weight too, not too big, not too small, just right for a little girl
I'm wondering if the same thing happened as it did with C, he got stuck because he was trying to come out using the side of his head (what a wally, he still is!)

I've been sent a gorgeous pic of our new addition, SHE. IS. BEAUTIFUL!

Wolverine So pleased you like my taste and of course F looked adorable! I'm looking forward to seeing her again, I will poke her next time!

Penguin Please don't worry, you've got soo far and, like you say, the kicks are reassuring! What time is it tomorrow? You MUST post pics

Mamafox I would recommend the Close Baby Carrier that Giraffe and Impala have, it's just like the Moby Wrap without all the fuss .

Giraffe I'm sorry you're struggling with sleep, I would try what Hyena did if you can xx

Evening ladies, photo on fb thanks for your kind words; was emergency c second due to large head being pushed in wrong place! More details to follow. X. X x

Meeeow Hope you're not in too much pain this morning, I looks so scrummy, I can't wait to meet her tomorrow! I love the new pic on FB looks like she's really snuggling into her blankie

Congrats Meeeow, photos on FB are gorgeous
Don't think the Close sling is sold down here, nothing comes up on Ebay.com.au for it, but I've seen it on Ebay.co.uk. Anything else that you would suggest? Did any of you use the Baba sling?
I will do a longer message over the weekend, 9pm here and I'm v tired, ds is sleeping & I'm not far behind him.....