First Time Mom's - Due March/April 2013

[MrsHippo]

Hayley, it must be next weeks. I read about just before the season started and again a couple of days ago. Watching 'coming up' at the end I think it's the couple with the baby who has the external hernia... Can't remember exactly what it is called. Watching tonight's with that lady back whose baby got stuck last time she was in :'( I remember watching it and was in tears back then. I'd hate for mine to get stuck, I'm hoping they tell me she is normal size tomorrow. Although the red head gave birth to that baby which was nearly 10lb and managed, I was quite surprised actually because neither of them were big.

Brittany, your description helps I get what feels like strong BH and my belly goes a funny shape, not like yours, sticks out rather than goes back in. I'm not sure whether that's the same thing? They only tend to happen - or I only notice them, when I'm sitting/lying down.

For a few hours now the left side of my pelvis/hip really hurts everytime I move, it feels like something is actually sticking in to it. It's a little uncomfortable.

 

[LiverpoolLass]

Aww I think its bad to show it, the number of pregnant women who watch that programme and imagine being pregnant with the same condition and seeing that happen!!!

I'm definitely not watching it. I will have had the baby by then, but I won't want to see that!

Yeah, my cousin had an over 10lb baby all natural with nothing but gas and air and shes not big! Its definitely do-able!

 

[linzylou]

Finally got a minute to upload some pictures! We have more visitors coming after dinner but I'm trying to stay updated on everyone and am anxiously awaiting your birth stories. I have moments where I actually miss being pregnant and not having to share my baby with the whole world, and taking care of her seemed so much easier than it does now.

I was reading really fast but I thought I saw something about inductions - I literally cried when the doctor told me they were going to start me on Pitocin when my contractions failed to progress. I begged for more time and he gave me two hours to see if I could get things moving on my own but I ended up needing the medicine after all...and it wasn't as bad as half of the stories I've read on here. The contractions started out slow and I never did feel like they were one on top of the other until I was 10cm and ready to push. I don't know if that helps!

Good luck at your appointments, ladies, and I'm sure things will start happening very soon! I hope everyone is doing well!!

 

[LiverpoolLass]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! Lindsay she's so cute!!!
Congratulations!!!

 

[nuttynicnak]

Gorgeous, congrats again xxx

 

[MrsHippo]

Awww Lindsey she is beautiful

And thanks for the positive on induction meds hope you are all doing well? Xx

 

[Laura91]

Oh Lindsey, she is absolutely beautiful!

I had an awful night last night Everytime I tried to turn over or get up for the loo, it caused so much discomfort and pain - like a really heavy pressure in my lady bits blush

Has anyone had this?

Also was woken by my stomach being incredibly tight and so painful - only happened once though. I was hoping it was the start of things

Anyway, just laid relaxing on the sofa today as my back is sooo sore.

Oh, rang the hospital last night to see if blood results were back (mw said they could have been) bit they werent back. They said they should be back at lunchtime - fingers crossed x

 

[doggylover]

Oh Lindsey she is just scrumptious! I could look at that little cute face all day and never get tired! (Although I'm sure when she is screaming at 3am it's a different face she does!!!)
And I echo what Lauren said, thanks for the good story about induction. I am pretty sure I will have to be induced and after reading so much crap on here about people who basically think they are dying and it's the worst thing in the whole world, I have been terrified. So good to hear a more positive story

Contractions I have had a few period like pains, which last anywhere from a few seconds to a minute, but I also couldn't time them or anything as they are very rare and irregular. Every time I get one though I automatically get a little over excited that maybe this is it.
It never is...!!

Had one of those nights sleep last night where you wake up and just cannot get back to sleep for hours. Not fun.

 

[I Love Lucy]

Sarah, now that I think about it, I think in my childbirth education class they mentioned sweeps but I believe it's only done if you're already in the hospital and labor has stalled.

Lindsey, so glad you had time to share pictures!! She is beautiful!!!

AFM, DH has been trying to avoid me as much as possible but I finally managed to catch his sickness. 39 weeks pregnant and sick, I'm miserable!!

I can't imagine going into labor when I'm sick like this. I feel so weak and tired, I just imagine the doctors would have to intervene which I definitely do not want. So instead of trying to urge Aiden out I'm definitely urging him to stay in.

Hopefully this sickness won't hang around too long.

 

[Laura91]

Hospital just rang me back, my bile levels have dropped from 10 down to 4 so all back on track for my homebirth x

 

[I Love Lucy]

Excellent news, Laura!!

 

[MrsHippo]

That's really good news Laura.

So had my appointment this morning, apparently she isn't measuring as big as my midwife says. I had a junior doctor and a consultant both see me, feel and measure. The measurements came in at 39 - my mw said I was 41 last week. So 39 is within normal range. She said they aren't ever worried if baby is a little big, only when they are small or fat. She said she has no reason to believe I have a fat baby. So I am feeling better, just a case of sitting and waiting now. Although I've had lots of pain since my appointment, I had it last time I was rubbed and poked. They can be quite rough so think it upsets things.

Is anyone else drinking raspberry leaf tea? I am planning on buying some tomorrow. Apparently it is really good to drink as strengthens your muscles for labour as well as potentially helping things move along. I am planning on trying a hot curry or two over the next couple of weeks too - although I hate spicy curries!!

 

[LiverpoolLass]

Laura Glad your bloods are ok and you're back on track for your homebirth!

Lauren Great news about the consultant appointment! Must be a relief!

I haven't tried RLT but I hate fruit/spice teas I'd be more inclined to go with the curry - my problem is trying to avoid eating them as I don't want to bring labour on but I love curries lol!

Brittany - Aww I hope you feel better soon! My mum has an awful cold and cough, I'm so paranoid she's going to pass it on to me as I don't know if they'd still do the surgery if I was sick!!!

AFM - I've got my moses basket all here and set up! And my pram is here, my dad is going to set it up tonight! And Ive got some new drawers for babies clothes so Im going to organise them all tonight! SO exciting!
Will put pics up later

 

[linzylou]

Laura, that's great news!! I can't wait to hear how your home birth goes. I'm seriously considering one for #2, or at least a birthing center.

Brittany, oh no! Is it flu-like or a cold? I hope you feel better soon.

Sarah, even at 3am I still can't get enough of her cute face - even if she is screaming at me!

Just when we were getting the hang of breastfeeding, my milk came in. I totally wasn't prepared for engorgement and how difficult it would make things. I had my second major post-partum breakdown this morning when she was crying and hungry and I couldn't get her to stay on my boob because they're so swollen. I felt helpless and I'm ashamed to admit that I'm dreading our next feed. I'm also still having some problems with my latch but we have another doctor's appointment tomorrow and hopefully I can talk to, or at least get in touch with their lactation specialist since they never set me up with one at the hospital even though I asked for help three different times. I really want to succeed at this.

And my MIL goes home today. Seth is ready for her to leave but I'm not sure I am. Her help has made a huge difference. Sorry for the rant...it's one of those days.

 

[BStar]

Hello Hello,
First off OMG I’m 39 weeks and 3 days today!!!!! Holy Moly less than 1 week to go!!!! I can’t believe after all this time talking about it we will finally be mums and living it. It’s kind of hard to believe.

Doggylover: They have been checking me for pre-eclampsia but I haven’t had any protein my urine and I haven’t had any of the other things that they look for as signs of pre-eclampsia. So I’m guessing if they were too worried about it I’m sure they would have had said so. Besides it all seems to have settled down and slowed down so it must have just been stress or something for a few days I guess....

I can also relate to what you said about wondering how you got anything done while you were working, since being on maternity leave I have been so busy seeing people and buying last minute stuff, doing piles of washing and sorting and trying to relax and rest up, and of course trying to spend the last bit of quality alone time with hubby before our twosome becomes a threesome. By the end of each day I am shattered and usually in bed a lot earlier than I was when I was still working. I guess we just did what was needed and now that we have the time to do other stuff we are filling it all with things that we couldn’t have been doing while we were still working.

I’m starting to think that I’m never gonna have this baby either. It feels so real and yet so surreal at the same time, what with all these baby’s being born. It makes me excited and nervous at the same time.
I tried to add you on facebook but it didn’t give me the option to add you as a friend.

Hehe I had a similar thing with changing my mind on our girls name but then ended up back where I started lol. Loving the name Benjamin Lucas, very cute!! It’s such a major thing naming your baby aye, coz they have to live with the name for the rest of their lives.

I Love Lucy: Wow that cross-stitch blanket and birth announcement is amazing!! You did a great job!!

Sorry to hear that you are feeling miserable. Hopefully it’s a quick sickness and you start feeling heaps better soon.

LiverpoolLass: I agree that being in hospital definitely helps you to know the things that you may need in the hospital. It also gave me a chance to see what things they provided us in hospital. Surprisingly my hospital only provides baby’s first nappy which is a cloth/flannelette type one, a shirt/vest for them to wear if you didn’t bring them clothes, a muslin wrap and a cellular cot blanket. Amazingly they also provide maternity pads in the rooms, but I’m not sure if there is a limit on those supplied. Something I found was that I needed snacks, even though I was only in overnight they serve dinner so early at the hospital, compared to the times I am used to eating at home. I mean at the hospital it was dinner at 5 and I’m used to eating dinner more like at 8. So by 8 o’clock in the hospital I was starving and looking for something to eat. Also they only provide 3 meals a day and considering I was used to snacking I found it useful to know in advance, that snacks would be a good idea for me. I also found out that the towels they provide at the hospital are tiny and not exactly suited to pregnant women’s bodies. So I’m thinking of taking a larger towel from home.

I’m sorry to hear about the stuff with your sister being pregnant. You do not sound like a cow and I can completely see where you are coming from. Have you thought of broaching the idea, of her waiting to tell people, with her? Surely she should understand that this is your time for the spotlight, even if it is only for a short amount of time before her news is announced. And hey like Sarah said you baby will be the first boy and nothing your sister does now can stop that. So I’m sure he will be spoilt rotten

Laura: I found it kind of strange that they put women on the labour ward for monitoring instead of somewhere in the maternity ward. Hearing all the women giving birth and knowing they will have the baby soon just seems kind of strange to me.

Hooray that’s great news about you bile count and that you are back on track for the homebirth

MrsHippo: wow measuring 4 weeks ahead..

Wow loving the name, Beau Harper has such a nice ring to it! And I was listening to the radio the other day and one of the afternoon radio guys on the station I listen to, well him and his wife had a little girl and they called her Beau and as soon as I heard it reminded me of you and your lil Beau.

Haha I know what you mean about the not being able to eat or sleep or walk or move barely. Eating has definitely become a tricky balance of not spilling food on myself and not leaning too far forward that it makes it too uncomfortable

NuttyNicnak: Congrats on the birth of your baby girl charlotte!! I love that name see below hehehe. Awwwww how cute is that pic of her. And you’re right she is tiny.

LinzyLou: OMG CONGRATULATIONS!! Sounds like you did an amazing job. So exciting!!!! And those photos are so cute!! She is soooo gorgeous!!

Baby_nurse: It’s a shame that you won’t be on B&B anymore. I tried to add you on facebook but it wouldn’t let me.

Facebook: Great ideas girls, I was thinking that it would be a shame to lose touch with each other after these 9/10 months we have been chatting, and I agree it is easier with facebook. I find it easier to browse on there sometimes than it is to put a whole post up here, also as I know from many experiences it is hard to catch up if you miss a few days. I will add you ladies and so you know who I am when I request you I’m Brooke Darmaja. So far I have only been able to request mrsippo and liverpoollass, as I didn't have the option to request some and the others I couldn't find. so if you other ladies could add me that would be great!!

Baby Names: Well I have gone through this a few times where I have worried and pondered over whether our names we have chosen are too popular and tried think up names but all the backup names I can think of are even more popular than the original names. So it appears we are back with Maxwell (Max for short) and Isabelle (Bella for short). One of my back up names was charlotte which I think is so pretty, but it appears that so do a lot of people in Western Australia, as that was the number 1 name in 2012. Plus when hubby says it with his Balinese accent it sounds like shallot, you know the baby onions. Isabelle is number 27 in the top 50 names and max is about number 18 I think.

Sleeping and Pain: OMG I know what you girls are talking about. I’m so glad I’m not the only getting it, I was starting to think I was strange. I have tried sleeping with pillow/s between my knees, sleeping in different positions with more/less pillows around me and I have just propped up the top off my mattress with pillows to see if that helps. I had the most horrendous night’s sleep last night, I was grunting and groaning in pain so much that hubby kept waking up thinking I was in labour. My poor hubby.

So good news I had my appointment on the 13th and my blood pressure was fine and the baby’s ctg went fine. I had another appointment on Monday the 18th and my blood pressure was good and the ctg was all good again. So my dr said that I just have to wait until this baby is ready to be born. I had another appointment with the midwife on Wednesday the 20th and she said all is normal and if my baby isn’t born on or before my due date on Monday then I have another appointment booked for Tuesday the 26th.

Being Induced: When speaking to the dr he said they won’t let me go over more than 10 days which means that I will have a baby by the 4th of April!! So exciting! I have been getting really excited to meet this lil person that I helped create and have been growing for the past almost 10 months.

Car Seat: I got the car seat installed in my car the other day, it still amazes me that anytime soon I will be bringing home my baby in it. The only thing is that I have basically lost that front passenger seat of my car, as the baby seat is behind it and is one of the large ones.

 

[nuttynicnak]

Great news Laura,

I started raspberry leaf tea on the Sunday. Just two per day and it seemed to work for me! I also had a Nandos! Spicy sauce.

Lovely Moses basket set Brittany and sorry about you feeling so unwell. I had a cold going into labour and you just sort of get through it. The pain low down might be baby engaging. I knew when she'd drop down into it as I really felt it like what you described.

I've had real issues Breast feeding. After days of midwives and support workers all trying to help they have just said today that its baby just being lazy.

 

[I Love Lucy]

Lauren, glad your LO isn't measuring as big as your MW said.

I've also been drinking the Earth Mama, Angel Baby Third Trimester tea which is basically Rasberry Leaf tea. I was drinking a few occasional cups here and there but I am now drinking 2 cups a day. My SIL says it makes a big difference when it comes to pushing so I guess we'll see.

Hayley, I was reading online about how a cold would effect labor should Aiden decide to come out and everything I read said it wouldn't make a big difference and that the doctors wouldn't try to stop labor or something because of a cold. I basically read the doctors are more so concerned with whether or not you have a fever. I don't imagine it would be too different with a C section.

Also, I saw pictures of your stuff on FB. I love the moses basket!

Lindsey, I think whatever I have is just a regular cold. Right now I've been dealing with a sore throat and headaches. But that paired with the heartburn and pain that I've already been having makes sleeping damn near impossible. DH did get me a bunch of stuff that my doctor said I could take so hopefully I can get rid of whatever this is right away.

I'm sorry you're having a difficult time with the breastfeeding. Could you maybe pump so your breasts aren't so swollen? I'm not sure if that's something you're allowed to do or not. I find I'm rather clueless about breastfeeding so I can only imagine how much trouble I'm going to have. Hopefully your doctor can help you.

Brooke, I sent you a friend request on Facebook! Just don't mention my LO's name on there, DH and I have chosen to keep it secret.

Glad your last few appointments have gone well. Your next one is booked for the same day as my next one. I'm hoping my doctor will be willing to set up an induction at that appointment so I will actually know when the latest Aiden will be arriving is.

 

[nuttynicnak]

Bstar- Charlottes full name is Charlotte Isabella, not quite Isabelle, but close. I'm struggling keeping up with journals and don't know who to add on fb. Sorry if I haven't added you or not responded. I didn't think realise how tough having a baby home actually is. Xx

 

[MrsHippo]

Nicola.....Nandos sounds like a good idea, I like nandos

Nice to hear from you Brooke :wave: bet you have had loads of catching up to do. I agree that facebook is easier to catch up on but it isn't the best place to talk about problems, emotions and lady issues hehe my carseat is quite small but still takes up loads of space. I am one of those who sits back quite far in my car, I don't have long legs....I have to stretch lol but I hate being close to the wheel. So her seat will be behind the passanger's - which is where Adam sits. Who likes his seat even further back than mine so he won't like being all squashed up - but I don't like him driving so he has no choice

Hayley, your moses basket is very pretty mine looks so plain compared!! Although, she won't be using it so I'm not too fussed. Think I would have splashed out on a nicer basket if we had planned to use it as her bed. Talking of beds, I ordered a door clamp to hang the hammock from. That came the other day so I am happy. I did want a Miyo one (same company as the hammock) but because they no longer sell them over here it was almost impossible to get hold of one. People were going crazy on ebay and didn't want to spend too much.

Lindsey, sorry to hear you are having problems with bf. As Brittany mentioned, have you tried expressing? I know you reguarly have to express if you fill up quickly as it can get painful. I know that some women who bring in a lot of milk actually freeze it, I'm not sure how that works though. How do you defrost it? I guess it can only stay frozen for so long too.
Don't feel bad for worrying about feeding, it is totally normal to get sore and women do struggle. Don't push yourself to do it if it is making you feel misrable either. I hope the appointment with the doctor goes well and hopefully you will get to see someone about it. You will be fine without Seth's mum too, try not to worry I like how your thinking about baby number 2 already

I'm getting loads of BH this evening, its driving me mad. Have to keep moving to calm it down. I blame the doctors for poking me too hard lol!!

Adam was getting freaked out earlier bless him, when we were at the hospital they gave me an appointment for three weeks time - then said 'hopefully we won't see you then though' .... you should have seen his face he looked so scared. Think the realisation of how little time we have left hit him.

The weather here is so bad at the moment. I have brought LO loads of spring outfits but at this rate I'll be going out buying snow suits!!! Good job we have lots of thick cardigans.

 

[doggylover]

Brooke got your friend request on fb like you said it is so much easier to catch up with what people are up to on there sometimes. I'm glad you've stuck with Isabelle and Maxwell, I hate the fact that we ended up changing our minds after we were so set on Max...hopefully we sick with Benjamin! 4th April is only two weeks away!! That is no time at all and you will have a beautiful baby here! Since I'm pretty sure I'll go over I have another 6 days after that to go, but just knowing the latest date makes it so much easier to get through I think.
And I think you are definitely right about how when we were working we just kind of got on with it and didn't do as much of the stuff we are doing now (for me that's cleaning!). I always thought I spent a lot of time cleaning, now I know I'm actually a dirty sod whose house has been getting steadily more filthy for the last two years!! I'm glad I'm not working now so I have time to sort our pigsty out


Lindsey I'm sorry that bf is more difficult now your milk has come in. After reading lots, I echo the suggestion to pump BUT just a little bit right before feeding to relieve the "hardness" of your breast and make it easier for Sarah to latch. That way you don't affect your supply, as its just a tiny bit of pumping (hand expressing apparently works best) and you and LO will be able to work bf more easily. Well, that's what I have read anyway! But I am sure than because you got the hang of it so quickly, that this issue won't hold you back for too long. Concentrate on getting through one more feed, and don't think any further ahead than that
And you and Seth will be just fine without mil there. Trust yourself that you are doing a great job, and you will thrive once mil goes. And rant away - that's what we are here for!!!

Laura for your low levels!!!! So glad to hear that things are back on track for your home birth!

Lauren I'm so pleased LO is not the huge beast you were led to believe and how do they determine if your baby is "fat"?! Surely all babies are little chunks? And to call a baby fat seems mean!!

Hayley the Moses basket is gorgeous, and your change bag is phenomenal! I love it!!!

raspberry leaf I have capsules from when we were ttc, and I am taking two a day. I'm not sure if I want to up the does, but I think I need to if it is going to be effective, so maybe start that tomorrow!

Nicola have you had Charlotte checked for tongue and lip ties? I've read a lot about them on the bf forum on here and how they make it difficult for LO to feed and they can make lo seem lazy.

afm nothing new. Still very much pregnant with not a single sign that anything will change in the near future!!