MSE Pregnancy Club 26

kerri_dfw

Re: family coming to visit, I've told OH I don't want anyone coming to the hospital. The one I want to deliver in is only 10 mins up the road anyway so they can go to our house and wait. They don't let you go home, provided everything is ok, for at least 7hrs so they can do the all important 6hr check of baby. I think OH is onboard with it, if he isn't then tough as I'm the one doing the painful bit. It'll also mean I get some time to recover after the birth and we can go see our parents as a lovely little family, rather than a very tired & cream crackered one. I'm not going to tell my parents until the baby has actually arrived, they're 2hrs away and I don't want my mother constantly calling/texting me like she did my sister.

Re: whooping cough vaccine, I was all for going and having it done, but now I know it's only been pushed on pregnant ladies for a year and whooping cough is more prevalent in the summer I'm not sure whether to get it or not. I half wish I hadn't started to question it, but then I haven't taken any medicine other than my thyroxine and 2 antihistamine all pregnancy, not even paracetamol, so I know I'm already against taking anything. I shall have to have further thoughts on it, OH says definitely have the vaccine though. Please don't get me wrong, baby will have all the jabs she can get when she's already here, but to give her something whilst she's still growing and it might hinder her 8w jab, I'm umming and erring.

fluffysox

bride2be2012 wrote: »

Good luck to those having their babies today! Am ever so slightly jealous! I'm hoping baby arrives this weekend, that'd make her a week early. My due date is a week on Friday, and I'm meant to see midwife a week on Wed/Thu...if I've not had bump, do you think she'll do a sweep, given I'd still have a day or two to go until my due date?

38+4

Depends on the midwife. I wouldn't have wanted one til past due date but that's just me.

bella2121 wrote: »

Afternoon all well baby Heidi was born this morning 916 am weighing 7lb 10.5 oz it was fine just starting to feel a bit of pain but on cloud 9 so don't care hope everything went well for littleskintdragon xx

Congratulations :T

littleskintdragon wrote: »

Hi ladies, baby boy was born yesterday afternoon, he's absolutely perfect!

6lb 15oz

Just been dragged out of bed by the nasty midwives.
Been feeding him myself which seems to be going well for no
Will pop back soon xx

Congratulations :T

Been out to shop for boots and shoes at Clarks for me. Discount code online at the moment (Bespoke20) so after choosing 2 pairs of boots and a pair of shoes I told the lady I was going to order online and get 20% off and she said she could match it in store. Made up- been looking past 3 winters for comfy but smart boots to wear with leggings and finally found some I love. Also got smart but comfy shoes for work and some ankle boots to wear with trousers or jeans. Total was over £200 before discount so glad of the discount

2 more days in work

35+1

amus

I would actually rather people come visit in hospital get it out of the way so I don't have to be disturbed at home!

Even though I shouldn't if people come to my house I always feel uncomfortable if my house is a mess, which no doubt it will be for the first couple of weeks! And for the first couple of weeks I'm quite happy slobbing about in my dressing gown and PJs (I do shower but then will put clean PJs on!) so don't want to feel I have to make an effort with my appearance. Plus, I hate anybody turning up on my doorstep uninvited (unless its people I don't feel the need to 'entertain' like my mum), which is what some members of my family do.


I don't know I just like my own space in my home and hate entertaining people, even if it is just a brew and a chat!

amyloofoo

Congratulations on the safe arrival of the new babies :j Hope Mum and baby are both doing well and that you'll be at home soon.

cleofish wrote: »

just wanted to ask is anyone going to take a breast pump with them to the hospital or is that a bit much?

i bought some of those ready forumla bottles just in case there was some reason i wouldnt be able to breastfeed, but then i thought what about the breast pump to express in case there was some reason she wouldnt be able to latch on properly, so at least them she would be getting some breast milk?

35+3

Cleo, we recommend that you don't start using a pump until you're able to hand express at least 5mls as hand expression is much more effective (and less painful and wasteful) for expressing colostrum. For that reason most women won't start using pumps until 2 - 3 days after delivery. Your midwife should be able to show you how to hand express if you're unsure, or there is information available online. It can be useful to have a little practice session as even if baby latches on beautifully, it can be really helpful for clearing blocked ducts etc.

If your plan is to breastfeed then you shouldn't *need* to take either formula or a pump to the hospital as they should provide them if they were to be needed, but of course you should do whatever is most comfortable and practical for you

amus

Forgot to add for anybody beeding to take formula into hospital the ready made bottles and feeds I saw in the asda baby event was 12 bottles for £7 and it was Cow and Gate. Saw them in there again today when I nipped in.

Bangton

Huge congrats littleskintdragon and hope you feel well and ok. Have you chosen a name for your little man?

Cleo - to be honest until I read amyloofoo's post I was planning to take a pump and some formula in case I had any problems.

I'm het up about this feeding lark to be totally honest. I don't know why but I hate the idea of breast feeding, not totally in love with the idea of pumping either really. I'd rather formula feed deep down but then I think I am not being very selfless if I can't even get over whatever it is that makes breast feeding so unappealing to me! That's not to say I think formula feeding is bad because it isn't and each person has their reasons I just feel this guilt that my reasons probably stem from my boobs always been a sexual thing So I'm trying to get into the idea of pumping and have bought a cheap Phillips Avent one but now I don't know what I'll do for that first feed! Pumping was kind of my 'I can cope with that compromise!'

Anyway I won't start on that old chestnut again!

Regarding people visiting in hospital. OH and I have both decided we won't tell anyone I'm in labour at all (unless I went into labour whilst with my mum or sister or something). Then we'll have a good few hours with baby alone just getting over the overwhelmingness of it all. However long it takes really - we haven't set a time. Who knows we might even get home before we announce it!

Although this may be tricky if I go overdue as my family will want daily updates - I just know it. If I went early I think I'd get away with the above as I am so amazingly comfortable and capable at this stage (37 wks) that everyone now believes he will be late (including me) so no one is tracking my whereabouts as yet!

Since giving up work being pregnant has been marvellous and I actually think I'm going to miss it! Every night my OH has a game of where's baby where he feels my stomach to find out where it's the hardest and without fail acts totally stunned when he feels him! I'll miss that so much. I know I'll have a real baby and it will be awesome but I hope I never forget these moments! And everyone treats me like I'm made of glass which more often than not I love..although if I'm highly strung I don't!

Which reminds me Abis - hell yeah I get mardy for no reason! Today I couldn't cash a cheque in joint names because we don't have a joint account and I was raging. I mean raging..not with the girl at the bank but just in general I became enraged with dealing with rules and regulations. So I ranted at my OH about it when I collected him from work and then realised I am a bit of an ar5e! Poor lad has done a 12hr day and I'm ranting over a cheque. To really add to it though my partner's name is totally wrong on the cheque so there I was saying he isn't even called that though like it was going to change the world!

I'd love to give some tips but I can't control my own temper!

Sorry for the long, random post today I've been cooped up and clearly need to talk!

KScarlet

Aw Bangton bless you what a lovely post I really missed feeling baby's movements/ DH touching and speaking to my bump once baby was here but you will remember that and have even better memories to create of your bubba babies are hard work but amazing little creatures!
As for rage, that's very normal!! I've been terrible lately, today especially. Really one of those days where nothing seems to go right! I was ranting to DH on the phone while he is working away, about completely stupid things that had really angered me and I felt so daft after he told me about his day.
Re: feeding I have to confess I feel similar, I know BF is natural etc but even after attempting to BF my son it's still all a bit odd to me. I mainly expressed due to my son being ill then once he was with me he couldn't latch on. I can't decide whether to attempt BF or just go with formula, I feel like I should at least attempt BF again but remembering how painful/ difficult it was last time I'm not sure! My MW hasn't asked about feeding but I almost feel scared to tell her how I feel. Is that really odd?!

When I was in hospital the ward provided a fairly heavy duty Medela double pump which I used. I had a manual pump at home and went on to buy a Medela electric pump as hand pumping can be tiring if doing it full time!

I haven't even thought about hospital visits. Last time everyone was aware I was in but thankfully we didn't have visitors the first day. Then I think my parents came and inlaws. Inlaws were a bit annoying as they kept turning up unannounced whereas my family made sure they phoned first, as visiting hours were limited and it was only 3 visitors max at a time I found the inlaws were constantly there and my family were left out wil make sure DH speaks to them to stop it happening. My parents will have my son this time, I am hoping DH can stay with me for first few hours then maybe bring our son later/ the next day. It's important to me that he meets baby with just me and DH first so my parents will have to wait unfortunately! Last time we also had far too many visitors once we were home it was exhausting. This time I will be much stricter though and they can definatly sort their own food/ drinks!

MiffyMoo_2

Congratulations Bella and Littleskintdragon - hope you are all doing well

Bangton - What's your EDD and I'll add you to the list

Kanichen wrote: »

MiffyMoo - after much research and discussions with my midwife I have decided not to have the WC jab. The fact that it is untested on pregnant women and has only been out for a year made me uneasy. Also after doing some research I can find nothing that confirms that the antibodies will even cross the placenta - thus defeating the point. Also despite what the midwife etc has told me I don't believe the vaccine used is the one used for the 8 weeks jab - but IS the same vaccine used for the 3 year booster. The US have been using a WC jab for longer but again, it is not the same drug and is done in a different combo - so not really comparable IMHO. After the Thalidomide scare all those years ago I am simply not comfortable taking anything in pregnancy (although have had to resort to paracetamol on ocassion) so that includes this vaccine. I also found a GP blog saying he literally came into work one morning to an email saying 'all pregnant women to be offered WC jab' and had to start offering it. No extra training or additional info, just that NHS recommendations had changed over night.

Only you can decide what is best for you and baby. Damned if you do and damned if you don't really as you'll kick yourself if baby were to get WC and you'll kick yourself if in X years time they find this jab causes Y.

My final justification was that a year ago this jab wouldn't even have been offered to me - and I can't see little miss is any more likely to catch WC this year than she was in 2012.

Thank you! I honestly thought this was something that I'd written as they are my exact thoughts! I spoke to my MW yesterday and she understood my concerns and didn't seem particularly bothered. She also confirmed that the vaccine given is the 3yo booster which seems a bit odd to me. I asked her what was the stats for WC in our specific area and she didn't know and suggested I speak to the HV. Left the HV a message yesterday and today, so will see if she will call me back.

clearing_out_my_pockets wrote: »

MiffyMoo - have you considered the bluewater baby show? 11th-13th October

Oooh, I'll have to look into that - thanks. Think the Olympia one will be too late for me!

cleofish wrote: »

just wanted to ask is anyone going to take a breast pump with them to the hospital or is that a bit much?

No, I wouldn't. It takes 2-3 days for your milk to come in anayway, so hopefully you should be home by then. And like Amy says you can always hand express the colostrum.



When we had DD 2 years ago, we only stayed in hospital for the mandatory 6 hours after birth and we still managed to have both sets of parents and SIL crowded round our bed during visiting hours I don't think we'll bother having them visit this time, as hopefully it's such a small amount of time, they may as well wait until we get home. But we will be phoning both sets when we go into labour so that they can look after DD and dog/travel accordingly.

Had my 34 week appt yesterday and all was fine. There was a student midwife who measured me at 36 weeks and I was all a bit :eek:, but then the normal MW measured me at 34 weeks. Phew. She also told me that she saw me the other week in my car. Unfortunately it was when I very nearly had a car crash - my flip flop got caught under the accelerator whilst I was turning onto a main road and my automatic car was shooting forwards and backwards all over the place and there were cars coming in both directions. Well she was the driver that nearly hit me first. Oops. She also confirmed that I need to get some 34 weeks bloods done, I now have appointments every 2 weeks and that my hospital do practice delayed cord clamping.

Oh and last night, I slept for 9 hours straight - without waking to pee. Bliss!

34+1

fluffysox

Visitors/ announcements:
I understand that some of you want to keep things quiet for a few hours and that's up to you. Can't really relate though. Just not how things work in my family or DH's. People want to know cos they care, as would I.
I don't mind close family and friends seeing me in a dressing gown or without makeup, if I look dire it is for a good reason. They understand that and lets be honest are too busy looking at new baby to worry what I look like.
So guests are very welcome at hospital or home. But they will not be waited on by me. The family know where the kettle is in my house, as I do in theirs.
However I did find it difficult last time as I was trying to breastfeed and sometimes people arrived just in time for a feed. So I'm going to take a sign for my door saying come back in 30 minutes, feeding baby and will let family know beforehand so they bring money for cafe. Was awful last time, baby started crying and my milk soaked through the pad, bra, nightie and dressing gown. Very stressful.
Honestly tho, I was in for four days and partly cos you get your own room it was boring and lonely between visitors, the more the merrier

Angelmommy

I have a bit of a dilemma re: going into hospital. My youngest sister runs an extremely popular bereavement group on Facebook. My auntie, like a second mother to me (our girls called her nanna often, by mistake!) passed away with no warning, in April. My mum phoned my sister (who wasn't close to my aunt at all) to tell her. Sister wrote it on her bereavement page immediately, knowing barely anyone in the family knew yet as by the time we left hospital it was midnight. Family members found out about her death from her updates on this group. Sister loves the attention she gets from the 450k people across the world. DH and I lost a much wanted baby, after 6.5yrs of trying, at the end of Nov. DH works out of the Uk so I had to email him to tell him our baby died. It was horrific. My mom had come to the hospital with me and as I dropped mom back home, my sister was there. She guessed from my puffy red eyes what had happened and I told her that DH and our girls didn't know yet so to keep it to herself.

Last week I bumped into someone I barely knew from school, a friend of a friend. She mentioned that sister had put on her bereavement page a post about life being nasty sometimes, so friend messages sister and asked if all was ok. Sister then told her that I had just lost the baby! My DH and kids etc didn't even know at this point! And I certainly didn't want it plastered over fb!!!
My dilemma is this - my mom has been there for the birth of our girls and I had said she could come to this one too. However, now I'm worried as this makes it so much easier for sister to find out I'm having baby and to post about it on her page....all because she feeds off the attention! Both DH and I have other siblings that aren't close by so would need time to contact everyone. I don't want strangers around the world knowing before them. What would you do? Sorry for the long post but I'm quite upset about it all, esp after finding out that she was using our dead baby for attention - we're not even close! :-(