Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[babyluv]

PA_FA - CONGRATS on a baby girl! Why does it not surprise me anymore that girls keep appearing on the singleton thread?? So fun and exciting!!

Bei - YAY for two boys! You balanced out the twin thread! Now we have an even number of boys to girls coming from the twin side. As far as strollers go, I have two. The first is the double snap-n-go for when they are little and in car seats. I got it used and on sale for much less than it was new in the store. The other one I have is the Graco DuoGlider. I am using that because I had it already with my first two. I really like it and hope it will work well with the twins!

Katie - So the GOOD news is that you should only have those cervix checks a few more time before delivery!! YAY!! And yes it's great that you are softening...who knows, maybe she will show up early! It's so hard to know. Sorry about your hips. My pain comes and goes, so at the moment I'm OK.

Angela - Ugh, sorry work is so stressful. When are you planning on maternity leave?

Natasha - I hope your school works calms down a little!!

Gi - Can't wait to hear about your u/s today! I love hearing all of the updates and how big the babies are getting.

Steph - You look great in your pic! So that's the good news. But 37 weeks?? WOW!! I'm not surprised since now they don't have a medical reason to have you go sooner unless you go on your own. Are you still staying in the hospital or are they thinking of letting you go home since your previa is now marginal? I can't wait to hear if you end up with a vaginal deliver or c/s. I think it's awesome you are going to try vaginal if you can. I may also, but I guess we'll see when the time comes.

Riley - I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear when your baby comes! I agree, it's hard to be pregnant but we've all wanted this for so long so it's all worth it!

AFM - Slept well last night and so far feeling good today. The hip pain is crazy...just comes and goes. So I'm enjoying NOT being in pain right now! And is anyone else SOOOO over the elections already?? I hate this season and all of the attack ads on TV. I know who I'm voting for and to see one side go after the other ( in all parties) just makes everyone look ridiculous. There was one on TV this morning that was so over the top that I wanted to throw my cereal bowl at the TV. Some are downright awful.

[babyluv]

PA_FA - CONGRATS on a baby girl! Why does it not surprise me anymore that girls keep appearing on the singleton thread?? So fun and exciting!!

Bei - YAY for two boys! You balanced out the twin thread! Now we have an even number of boys to girls coming from the twin side. As far as strollers go, I have two. The first is the double snap-n-go for when they are little and in car seats. I got it used and on sale for much less than it was new in the store. The other one I have is the Graco DuoGlider. I am using that because I had it already with my first two. I really like it and hope it will work well with the twins!

Katie - So the GOOD news is that you should only have those cervix checks a few more time before delivery!! YAY!! And yes it's great that you are softening...who knows, maybe she will show up early! It's so hard to know. Sorry about your hips. My pain comes and goes, so at the moment I'm OK.

Angela - Ugh, sorry work is so stressful. When are you planning on maternity leave?

Natasha - I hope your school works calms down a little!!

Gi - Can't wait to hear about your u/s today! I love hearing all of the updates and how big the babies are getting.

Steph - You look great in your pic! So that's the good news. But 37 weeks?? WOW!! I'm not surprised since now they don't have a medical reason to have you go sooner unless you go on your own. Are you still staying in the hospital or are they thinking of letting you go home since your previa is now marginal? I can't wait to hear if you end up with a vaginal deliver or c/s. I think it's awesome you are going to try vaginal if you can. I may also, but I guess we'll see when the time comes.

Riley - I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear when your baby comes! I agree, it's hard to be pregnant but we've all wanted this for so long so it's all worth it!

AFM - Slept well last night and so far feeling good today. The hip pain is crazy...just comes and goes. So I'm enjoying NOT being in pain right now! And is anyone else SOOOO over the elections already?? I hate this season and all of the attack ads on TV. I know who I'm voting for and to see one side go after the other ( in all parties) just makes everyone look ridiculous. There was one on TV this morning that was so over the top that I wanted to throw my cereal bowl at the TV. Some are downright awful.

[natasha10]

thanks ladies. I hope it gets better too but i dont think it will. I do have a hard time focusing but i try my best.

[katie99]

Riley - Hooray for getting to 39 weeks! It'll be any day now.... Cant wait to hear & good luck for an easy delivery!

PA - Well you were right, its a girl! But I'm not surprised considering this the like the pinkest thread ever.... Congrats to Team Pink!

Gi - Oh no honey, not you too with these darn BHs! I havent had not even one, if its supposed to be the uterus "practicing" I wonder if that means mine doesnt want t practice? I guess I'm just stubborn all the way around - haha. Enjoy your scan today, its always a treat to see the babies, and you're doing just fantastic, honey, no need to worry anymore. Dont stress your weight either - remember that I packed on 20-30 lbs during the 5 back to back IVF cycles before finally getting that BFP, so I started out carrying extra weight. And I'm sure that little Kayla will keep you hopping and any baby weight will just fall right off. How are you feeling lately?

Angela - UGH, I'm sorry that your job is causing you all kinds of stress How much longer until you can go on maternity leave? i hope its soon so you can realx a bit more and hopefully have those BH calm down some. Its funny that you mention that your female OB hurt you less, I have always chosen a female GYN and this is the first time that its the female who is a bit rougher than the other 2 male OBs - who would have thought? Please try to take it easy until you go on mat leave - we dont want to have to worry about you too now - xoxo

Steph - OH boy, now they want you to wait longer? How do you feel? Do you think that you can deal for another week+ ? Of course its all about whats best for the babies, but I just hate to see you so miserable. And now that they think savannah is 6 lbs too, i have to tell you that last night I was trying to imagine how it would feel to have 2 in there - and I feel for you honey! I'm just waddling around saying ow with almost every step, so you are my new hero! I'm with you on preferring a vaginal delivery - you have definitely won the award for patience & perserverance! Your picture looks great, you cant be smiling in every picture, and your so beautiful that it doesnt matter anyway. you just have a serious look on your face thats all. Jeez! with all that you're carrying who could possibly smile all the time? I know I couldnt. I seem to be doing more complaining than smiling lately myself (poor Chris) but as thrilled as we are to be pregnant - it hurts and is really uncomfy most times this far along. Can you imagine how much complaining men would do if it were them to be the ones like this? it wouldnt end! I'm kind of surprised that you havent been already pacing around your room - you must be bored to tears! I havent really felt like taking any pics lately ( I should though) but its even a chore for me to put makeup on these days and if I'm home, I seem to live in yoga pants or pj bottoms (grrrr, the only things that are still fitting) Chris has been home for the past few days and will be off til Monday - his job was called on account of how much rain we've had and is supposed to continue til Friday, i think, so its good in one way to have hin here to help me, but of course he's driving me a bit crazy
But he has become my official bender- over since i seem to drop things all the time and wow does it hurt to bend to the floor to try to pick them up! I hope that you're able to keep your head together even though by now you must want them out pretty badly - just remember we are all here to cheer you on and keep you sane - much love twin mama! - xoxoxo

Babyluv - Glad your hips are giving you a break - mine too these past 2 days, but before that? whew! were they sore! And yes, the politcal ads are driving me nuts already - like all they want to talk about is how bad the other guy is - never what they will do - grrrr. How are the babies treating you today?

AFM - I feel like I'm just puttering around and even the most mundane chores are too much ( like washing the floors, vaccuuming, wiping up Gracie drool ) I just feel so darn tired all day long. well, then again it was another night of acid reflux, and being up every half hour - to an hour. Savannah is moving a bit less often, but has really taken to making a game of putting something ( hand maybe?) behind my left hip bone and kicking me in my right side ribs at the same time - fun?? yes??? UGH I need a nap - much love - xoxoxo

[gi]

Hey girls,

PA yeah for team pink!!! Ye must be thrilled now for the names??? You must be glad to be finishing up flying soon do they allocate a different job for you then?

Natasha fair play to you for going to school as well what are you studing??

Katie Kayla is kicking a lot less the last few days and more nudging and pokes and has hiccups about twice a day she must be gulping the amniotic fluid!!! She loves kicking my bladder when i am out in public and i swear some day i will pee on myself I have been having BH since about 25 wks though they are getting more regular now and mostly in the evenings even getting up from the recliner brings one on. And nope not worried at all about my weight gain, i was very small to start off with and i think (though jasons mother reckons i have extra padding on my hips!!) its mostly baby bump hmmm but i have sticky toffee pudding for dessert in the fridge tonight that will make up for the 1lb i lost this wk

Steph gosh you look so young and like Alex in that photo! Like you i prefer to have a plan in action and hate when things change just when you think you cant make it to 35 wks they go and add another 2 wks on top of it, i know realistically it doesnt sound long but cooped up in hospital all day it cant be fun. I know you dont want a c-section but your bleeding sounds scary to me you are braver than me at taking all this in your stride.

Angela Happy 28 Weeks another milestone hit!!!

AFM uggh so disappointed no us today just an OB checkup maybe i was getting too greedy and expecting one everyvisit!!! Everything is measuring perfectly, she was kicking away while i was in waiting room and then the OB took the life out of me as i thought he couldnt find the heartbeat on the doppler, i couldnt hear anything and he was moving it around i asked him was he worried and he said no sure i have already found it, i was like what when?? So he put it to my rhs and there it was, phew i was sweating there for a sec but i knew she was ok as she was kicking only mins before! She is now head down but not engaged, i reckon she only turned last night, he said she still has plenty of room to keep moving. Next OB appt is in 4 wks but need to go to regular gp for urine test bp and chk heartbeat in 2 wks. Any one else getting upper back pain when sleeping?? I can sleep for about 1.5 hrs then wake up with terrible pain but i know its from the weight of my belly pulling my back muscles over and sometimes the hip/thigh i am lying on gets sore i have to admit i do actually like pregnancy complaints as i have wished for them for so long and may never experience it again...wonder will i be still loving it in the throes of labour

gi xxx

[gi]

P.S jason is telling everyone i am not allowed to blame him in the middle of labour pains cause i am pregnant as he didnt do it to me it was the docs at the Simms Clinic so i have told him as he will be on hols when she is born he is on all nappy duties cause i hear the 1st few poopy diapers are really bad

[katie99]

Hazel - It's a boy! George Thomas Alexander arrived on Sept 18 weighing in at 9lbs 4.5oz - CONGRATULATIONS MUM & DAD!
Emerald - Baby girl arrived at 26 weeks - Both Mom & baby are doing well - CONGRATULATIONS!!!



http://registryforwintercyclethread.webs.com/



Riley -EDD is on Oct 5
Katie - OB appt every tues til delivery- -EDD is Oct 24 -
KTelise-EDD is on Nov 3
Hope -EDD is on Nov 7 -
Gi - EDD is on Nov 14-
Claudia - EDD is on Nov28 - Thanksgiving weekend! -
Angela- EDD is on Dec 22 - A Christmas baby! -
Natasha -OB appt on 10/29 EDD is on Feb 7
PA -FA - EDD is on Feb 15 2011 a Valentine's baby!
Franca- EDD is on Feb 19 2011







Stephanie - In hospital on bed rest until delivery - EDD is indefinitely - - AND
Sara - EDD is Nov 22 - AND
Babyluv - -EDD is on Nov 28 - AND
Bei - EDD is Feb 15 - Valentine's Day babies AND





Tammy - m/c - 1 angel looking over her -
DrBoots (Ryan) - m/c - 1 angel watching over her -
Lou - m/c 11wks - We all grieve with you.. -
Malya - premature labor @ 20wks - 1 angel watching over you -
Ronda - m/c 17wks - we all grieve with you -
Karen- premature labor @ 23.5 wks -We all grieve with you -

[natasha10]

gi- Im studying nursing. I get the same way I want u/s everytime we go to the OB visits. =)

[angelaezra]

Babyluv – I will try to stick it out at work until I deliver of close to it because my job provides me 6 weeks paid maternity leave for vaginal deliveries and 8 weeks for C-sections. But I have more than 3 weeks’ vacation so I am planning on taking 9 or 10 weeks off and I want to spend most of the time with her after she arrives. So if I can help it, I do not want to start my maternity leave too early. I do have the option for 6 un-paid weeks if something medical comes up and I am on bed rest or in the hospital a little longer but I will only take that if absolutely necessary.

I am glad to hear that you are getting some relief from your hip pain! Yes, I am tired of all of the political ads also!

Natasha – Try to hang in there; I know you will do your very best!

Katie –I have a question for you. After your vaginal check, did you notice a little spotting? I had very, very little yesterday but today when I got home today I noticed that I had just a little bit more than yesterday. I am not panicking because it looks like old brown blood and it isn’t a lot. But I was just wondering if you have experienced the same thing. I will call them first thing in the morning but I don’t think it is an emergency that I need to call their after hour line as they are closed now. I took Tylenol and I am drinking plenty water and lying down but if it get worse I will definitely call tonight and not wait until the morning.

Gi – I am so happy your appointment went well. I know how you feel with those fetal heart monitors. I panic when it takes them a little longer to find her HB but I guess I panic for every appointment. Yes, I have been getting the upper back pain also. One day when I woke up, I felt like I had been an accident because my upper back was so sore. I just had my DH give me a massage because I was so uncomfortable.

AFM – My OB insisted that I get the flu shot, so I got it today. I just hope I do not have a reaction and become sick from it. I have never ever received the flu shot even when I was an Intensive Care Nurse taking care of people with the flu. But, I don’t think I should chance it now since I will be delivering during the flu season and I am around sick people all day long. As I was telling Katie, I noticed a little spotting when I got home from work this afternoon but it looks like old blood probably from my cervical exam on Monday. So I will call and notify them in the morning. Of course if it gets worse tonight I will call but so far so good. Now, I have to prepare for my glucose test and all of the other 28 week blood tests that I have to take. I am debating whether I will go tomorrow or just wait until Friday. I guess I will wait and see how I feel in the morning.

Angela

[claud662]

Hi Ladies,

I have a few minutes to post before dinner and I wanted to check in with all of you!

Steph-I'm so sorry your are feeling uncomfortable but giving you two more weeks to get those 6 pound babies to cook a little longer is GREAT!!! I also can't believe how good you look even with staying at the hospitatl the last few weeks! I would have a huge birds nest for my hair and I would have dark circles under my eyes!!!

PA-YAH for team pink!!! I guess Hazel right now is the only person with a single boy....I wonder if I will join her or not?!!?

Katie-I can't believe you only gained a couple of pounds the last 35 weeks!! I officially hit the 30 pound mark today Lincoln actually doesn't go into the baby room (which used to be the office) because we have a recliner chair in there that he used to love and sleep in all the time but the past year or so the feet sort of kick out anytime and the noise scares him so he won't step foot in there!! I wonder what he will do when the baby is there and my DH and I are in there all the time?!!?


Angela-I also have to get the flu shot and I'm nervous because I also have never recieved one before! My office isn't getting them in for another two weeks so I will wait till then to get it. I wouldn't worry about the spotting since you just had a vaginal exam but if it continues or gets red then I would call first thing!

GI-My obgyn doesn't do u/s so you have been lucky to get them so often! It must have been so scary when they couldn't find the hb right away cause the same thing happened to me today! She of course started off on my left side and Flick has been on the right side of my belly the ENTIRE pregnancy!!! Then it still took her a minute or two to hear it which was scary!! I also have been indulging in many desserts!! DH actually brought me home a cupcake for dessert since they are my favorite!

Babyluv-LOVE your girl names! So pretty....my hips have been killing me when I wake up to go pee at night-like they are charliehorse and then it goes away!! My dr told me to drink tonic water that it helps with leg/hip cramping so I will try that again.

Hazel-how are you feeling mama? I can't wait to see more pics of your handsome little fella!! What a cutie pie.

AFM...so the wallpaper drama....that night after getting the estimate we went to home depot and bought all the stuff necessary for taking down wallpaper and three hours later and a very sweaty husband he got barely a strip off because it turns out the wallpaper is 20 years old and there is a clay adhesive that was put on right to the plaster instead of an oil based coat. So we knew that DH wasn't capable of doing this project so we are having a family friend who is in the business and giving us a better price come with two guys tomorrow and Friday to take the wallpaper off, spackle the walls, prime it, and then paint!! We also had a bunch of water bubles in the paint on the ceiling so we have to do the ceiling and windows/doors as well!!!! My MIL ordered the furniture yesterday so that should come in 2-3 weeks so I finally feel like stuff is happening!! Had a dr apt today and all looked well so I go back in two weeks! Here is my belly shots from this morning!!

[Stephanieford78]

Claudia - Sorry the wall paper do-it-yourself didn't work out but at least you have family that can do it and saves you money from getting it done by the other guy. Sounds like things are happening and falling into place, soon enough it will all be done and Flick will be there! Thanks for the compliment, but I have to do something with myself while I am here. lol I can't allow a rats nst out of my hair. I have to do my make-up at least a little every day too. One reason is to feel better about myself, the other reason is because I have an alergic reaction to the linens here. I have a rash over most of my body, to include my face a bit. My cheeks are red and splotchy, looks like acne. So, covering it up is better than scaring the nurses and doctors. lol They are suppose to get me some hydrocortizone cream for a while now. Most of it doesn't itch, for some reason just my belly. Cute baby bump as always. I don't know why you complain about your butt, looks just fine to me. Not that I am hitting on you. lol Mine grew a second one on top of my old one it seems.

Angela - I have never had a flu shot either. I was told since I haven't that getting one now would be bad and possibly cause me to get sick since my body hasn't developed the usual immunity. Though I am not one to get sick every year so I wonder if I have a pretty good immunity anyway? Not sure what getting the flu shot would really do at this point, but I feel better not getting it. Given your job though, it probably is best for you. I hope that little spotting was from the exam. No bleeding allowed!! Good luck on your tests, I am sure you are still perfectly healthy as always! Thanks for the compliment. I can't believe they are growing like singletons, which you are right, would mak them 7lbs in 2 weeks. But the u/s is just an estimate so who knows for sure until they are actually here. I just can't wait till they are!

Gi - Funny you say I look young in my pic when you are younger than I am. Looking like Alex though is a compliment. lol Of course I am not bias or anything. So no u/s? I guess everything is looking so good that they don't see the need, but they don't understand that we need it! lol I use to get upper back pain laying in my bed at home. It was sleeping on my side I think since depending on which side I laid on, was the part of my back that would hurt. It might have had something to do with the position on my arm/shoulder. I have nothing but lower back pain now though. I think it's ok to have pg complaints, we might get miserable but that just means we are happy. The more we vent, the happier we are about our babies.

Katie - You are so funny! I was kidding about the EDD but I see you put it there anyway. I bet that is a first for the site? I would say that you could realistically say EDD by Oct 14th but would that jinx it? lol That is the true date based on average gestation of twins, but I would have never thought I would actually make it there. I never thought I would make it this far even! I was basing my guesses on my past pregnancies, boy is it true that every pregnancy is different! I know there is no way men could do this! Andrew cries when he has a little pain and wants me to rub it. Seriously?? I am pregnant carrying YOUR behemoth babies and I never get rubs from him. Alex rubs my feet or back out of the blue at times though. She is so sweet! My husband on the other hand needs some work! We were walking to the little kitchen area by the nurse's station and I (of course) was waddling. He decides he is going to make fun of me by waddling too. With the pain and hormones I literally came close to crying. I yelled at him in the hallway and told him I have never made fun of him when he has been in pain. In his mind he thinks he is being funny, but I am not liking his sense of humor lately. I need more rub-a-dubs and less of his humor! I have been getting up more around the room and started to walk around. Maybe IF the placenta really is out of the way, Ethan can move on down and do something to my cervix already! lol So Savannah is kicking and punching at the same time huh? I always thought that was kind of nifty, but with me it was because I could tell for sure who was laying in what position.

Babyluv - Yeah, it's bleed or labor on my own or 37 weeks. Fun fun! Two more weeks really is nothing compared to the 25 I have already done. The only difference is that I haven't felt like this the whole 35 weeks. lol I don't get to go home though, marginal is still a bleeding risk. I figure I might as well go for the vag delivery. I mean, they are going to make me wait, why not? Faster healing time is better since it seems the babies are likely not to need nicu time. I figure if I bleed then I don't have a choice anyway right? So all will be determined by that. As for the elections, I am sick of hearing it too! I don't understand why they keep attacking over how they voted, when they voted, lying about voting, etc. Voting is private, so why are they attacking that? I really don't care! I hate dirty politics. I even saw one ad yesterday paid for by a third party. Wow!

Pa - Aww YAY for team pink!! So it seems I just suck at guessing things for myself, your feeling was right though for yourself!! lol Everything sounds great. Now to think of names unless you already have that covered?? You can also finish your registry with tons of pink and purple stuff! lol

AFM - Nothing new really today, not with me anyway. I did have my friend pregnant with twins due the day before me go into labor. Her water broke at 2:30 and it was bloody but she waited 30 minutes for her husband to come home and another hour drive to this hospital. That's how badly she wanted this hospital rather than the Army hospital. She lives farther than I do too! Her babies were transverse so c-section it was for her. They are in the nicu, one 4lbs and one 4.5lbs. She needed two pints of blood since she lost a lot before she even got here. I went to see her yesterday, she seems to be doing well. I tried to get some labor vibes from her but I guess she used them all up. lol Oh, Andrew's commander wants proof that I am in the hospital now. I have been here for three weeks now, they know what hospital I am in, know the room number, know the number to call, can stop by any time, but nope, they want a piece of paper saying I am here. Talk about plain laziness. Can't even pick up a phone. People do it all the time to verify car insurance, healthy insurance, etc but not to call my ass to see that I am here. They had Andrew take Alex to work with him at 3:30 to tell him this. I need a voodoo doll or something of his command and poke them a few times with some big pins. LOL Ok, going to go walk around and maybe get Ethan to engage. lol Oh and get someone to type up a letter.

[hjw]

Hey ladies, I'm so sorry not to have posted for so long. I've been reading all your posts when I can, but just haven't found the time to post myself. I can't believe how time-consuming one little newborn can be! I'm thinking off you all as always, but I'm so behind on personals that I just don't think I can catch up. I keep watching those tickers get closer and closer to the 40 week mark, and I'm so excited about some of you joining me in the 'new Mummy' club soon. My very good friends Katie and Steph, I'm keeping an especially close eye on you two!!

Things haven't been going too smoothly with George over the last week or so, but we are now back on the right track I think. He was feeding well in hospital but last week seemed to get increasingly ineffective on the breast and increasingly agitated. My midwife thought it was wind, and said that he seemed to be latched on properly, so we just perservered and assumed that having such a a cranky baby was normal. Last Friday our boiler broke down and we lost our heating (not great timing with a 6 day old baby!) so we had to decamp suddenly to my parents for the weekend, which is a 1.5 hour drive away. Over the weekend, George got increasingly distressed and spent most of the time screaming, barely sleeping and still not feeding effectively. By Sunday my breasts were so full that I was convinced he wasn't taking much milk in, he had stopped pooing and slowed down on weeing and so I was getting panicky that he was getting dehydrated. Turns out after conversations with my Mum that I was bottle fed as a baby because I was (and still am) tongue tied, so Mum and I checked George's mouth on Sunday night and lo and behold there is a definite tongue tie (incidentally, one of the hospital midwives commented as a throwaway remark on the afternoon that we got discharged that he seemed to be tongue tied, but as she didn't say it required any further investigation, I assumed it wasn't a problem). So anyway, all the shops are shut by this point and because we're not at home we don't have our back up bottles and formula with us, so I end up manually expressing half an egg cup of breastmilk at a time overnight and feeding it to him with a pipette. As you can imagine, all very stressful and I was in a total state... We raced back home on Monday morning, gave him some formula and he gulped it down, so he was clearly starving.

My own midwife visited on Monday afternoon and confirmed that he is tongue tied - she put him on the scales to discover that instead of regaining weight after day 5, he had just continued to lose it, poor thing. So he was obviously unable to take anywhere near as much milk from me as he needed. The plan was to express my breastmilk and feed that to him, and top up with formula, but unfortunately my milk has now dried up because he was taking so little of it last week and at the weekend. So we are just feeding formula now. It's not the route I wanted to take, but we are just so happy to see him feeding, being contented, and sleeping again and thankfully as of today he has just started to put weight back on. He's back to being a happy little chap, thank goodness.

We have been offered the option of taking him to the hospital to get his tongue tie snipped. We are going to see someone tomorrow to get an opinion on how severe they think the tie is, and whether it may affect his speech etc as he develops. If it's just a case of the only effect of the tie being that he can't breastfeed (as was the case with my tongue tie) then we won't get the procedure done. DH is really not keen on putting him through any more medical stuff, given that out of his 12 days since birth he has already spent 3 of them with a canula in his hand getting pumped with antibiotics, so unless the tie is judged to be a serious one, we're going to leave him be.

Hopefully now that the panic is over, I will get more time to spend with you ladies on here. I really can't wait until some more babies pop out!

For what it's worth, I also thought I would briefly mention a few things which happened to me and which totally took me by surprise, even though I have lots of friends who have had babies and I'd done a lot of reading. So (and other than the first two, this only applies to those of you who give birth vaginally) be prepared for the following:

1. As joyful as it all is, it can be really stressful too, once you find yourself responsible for this helpless little thing. The emotions are never far from the surface, and once the hormones readjust after the first few days, expect to cry a lot, and at the drop of a hat. The crying will get better!
2. Expect to lose the blood from your uterus lining more quickly than you might think, and make sure you go prepared with lots of thick maternity pads, to save you having to send DH out shopping! You will be changing them every 1-2 hours to start with.
3. The act of trying to push out a large baby gave me fairly bad piles (lovely!). You can get an ointment to help with them afterwards, but they will start easing up anyway after about a week.
4. Similarly, a baby passing through the birth canal totally messes up your pelvic floor and you won't be able to feel those muscles for quite a while afterwards. Don't let your bladder get too full as you will have little bladder control and may not make it to the toilet in time! Again, this will start getting better after about a week.
5. My arms, legs and particularly ankles absolutely ballooned with fluid in the days after the birth, and it was pretty difficult to walk - this apparently is very normal and is just your body trying to get rid of the fluid from the pregnancy. It gets worse before it gets better, but most of it will be gone after 10 days.

Just some of the less glamorous aspects of childbirth! It's all so worth it though...

Hazel x

p.s. Steph, I think you wanted to hear any funny stories from my labour and birth. The factual account is really just as I posted a week or so ago, and I have to say it wasn't that relaxed an experience to allow for too many amusing moments, but I do have one anecdote which you may think counts! Things improved pain-wise in the early hours of the morning once the epidural kicked in (about 12 hours into labour) and I encouraged DH to get some shut eye on the chair in the delivery room while I chatted to the midwife (the thinking being that there wasn't much he could do that at moment while we waited for me to fully dilate, and I wasn't in desperate need of support at that stage as the pain was under control thanks to the epidural). Anyway, he did get some sleep and, once he woke up, he got himself a cup of tea from the kitchen down the hall. The time duly came for me to start pushing, and the midwife helped me up into a kneeling position on the bed and started giving me guidance about what to do. So after my first set of purshes, I look over and there's DH still sitting in the corner of the room sipping his cup of tea!! At which point apparently I said something about him not getting away with sitting around on his backside while I did all the work (complete with my full repertoire of swear words, so I'm told...).

[angelaezra]

Claudia – So you have to get the flu shot also. Mine wasn’t too bad although my arm is sore today. They are making the needle smaller and smaller these days! And, to my surprise I haven’t had a reaction to it but I did get a little dizzy afterwards and had a headache last night but when I woke up I felt much better. I love the belly picture! Pregnancy really suits you! Oh, and the wallpaper sounds like it is so very stressful but I am glad you have a good solution and some help on the way!

Stephanie – I am so glad that your friend is doing ok and made it to the hospital in time for the delivery but since they were transverse she needed help having them anyway. So after Andrew’s commander verifies that you are truly in the hospital, which I agree is crazy, will that allow him to stay at home with you for awhile?

AFM – Well ladies, I have been super brave two days in a row. I took my flu shot yesterday and this morning when I woke up, I decided to get all of my 28 weeks blood test out of the way including the glucose challenge. I drank the orange drink and it didn’t taste too bad but I immediately felt nauseated! I can’t drink anything sugary right now so I knew I would have some problems. So, I took the day off in preparation for me having to make a run for it back home after the test. I had so many blood tests also. She drew 8 vials of blood so I am glad I made the choice to stay at home. The nausea comes and goes but mainly comes … lol. So I will take it easy for the rest of the day. I just hope I pass the darn test because she said the drink for the 3 hour test is even more sugary and I have to sit there for hours, ugh! Oh by the way, I called my high risk OB and told them about the spotting and they said the same thing that I thought it was … just some old blood and to call if it gets worse.

Angela

[angelaezra]

Hazel – I posted right after you did so I missed your post. I am so sorry to hear about your feeding times with George. Thank goodness for the fast thinking of you and your mom to figure out what was wrong with him. Don’t worry about the breast feeding as long as he is getting his nutrients from the bottle formula is all that matters. Thanks for the tips for the delivery and following it. I have experienced a vaginal birth before but of course she was not nearly as big as George or how big Gabriella will be. So I can imagine there will be some other things to deal with following her birth but I am anxious to finally meet her, but just not too soon … lol. It was great to hear from you. I hope everything continues to get better for you and your new family!

Oh by the way, your funny story was funny and it sounds so like me too!

Angela

[katie99]

Gi - UGh, I sure know the feeling of not having enough u/s! But what can we do? I'm glad to hear that Kayla is measuring right on schedule, and ummm, yeah I think Savannah wil make me pee on myself sometimes too -lol. Why do they decided to jump on our bladders when out in the shops? what is that about? baby humor? i havent had any back pain, but will still get a sharp pain in my lower belly if I turn too quick in bed. Haaa haaaa fo Jason to get all those lovely first poopy diapers!

Angela - Ugh sounds like a rough morning you had, I didnt have 8 vials drawn for all my 28 week testing, just 2 vials. Hmmm, that makes me wonder if I was tested enough? My OB made me get the flu shot last week after I told them that I've never had the flu or a flu shot in my life. They want Chris to get one too and he's never had it either ( we're both the type that never gets sick luckily) i didnt have a reaction, just maybe a bit tired afterwards, but thats fine by me. I'm glad that your spotting turned out to be nothing, the pelvic probab;y just irritated your cervix? But to answer your question from yesterday, no, i didnt have spotting this week or the week before after each pelvic exam. Try to rest up after aft er your huge blood draw - xoxo

Claudia - I dont know what you're talking about! You look so good! You look like you've kept your shape entirely, and just still have the cutest bump - you lucky mama! For some reason I think Flick will be a boy too, no reason to it, I just think so. Yippeee for getting the nursery going and not having your DH tear his hair out over the darn wallpaper! this way works out great since you can just walk into a freshly painted room and figure out where you want to put things - thats nice. I cant wait to see how it comes out, it will be gorgeous, I'm sure. Ah, you're lucky that Lincoln isnt trying to take over the nursey, but he may change his mind when theres a baby in there and thats where Mom & Dad are spending most of their time. Gracie is still bringing toys in there every day, and now snacks - sigh - I think she's trying to lay claim on it or something

Steph - How are you holding up today, twin mama? I'll put your EDD as whichever day you like even though I think the ball is totally in Ethan & Angelina's tiny hands -lol. They are calling the shots now. Do you want me to put Oct 14? I dont think it will jinx anyrthing.
Ummmm, hey, Andrew! It.Is. Not. OK, or Funny. to make fun of the very pregnant waddle!!! I wasnt even aware that I was waddling until I saw myself in a store window - and gasped that was me??!!! I guess its instinctive or something. But Ahem, until men to carry the equivilent of a bowling ball, or 2 in your case, then ummm, making fun of how we waddle along - is not funny! Jeez, I know he;s most likely just trying to make you laugh and keep your spirits up, but hmm, try some differnt jokes there soldier! And while he;s at it, if he does that again just yell in an authoritive voice to "Drop & give me 20"! he just might do it out of habit, you never know - lol. Well at least Alex is generous in the foot and back rub departments, right? Now, his command wants what? Why do they seem to enjoy tormenting you two? hace they nothing better to do, really? Grrrr! Yup, you sound like you're right - IT IS time for a voodoo doll for these guys in charge - jeez! much love & plenty of patience for you all - xoxoxoxo

Hazel - Oh, no honey - I'm so sorry that you've both had such a rough go of the first week home with little George! it sounds like it was just one thing on top of another, ugh. Grr! for the broken boiler too. It was a good thing that you noticed the problem with his tongue, but how did the hospital not think it would be an issue, I wonder? Whew! thanks to your Mum for getting it caught so quickly. I'm glad to hear that now little George is doing better and gaining back his weight. Is it ok to feed him with bottles? the tongue isnt getting in his way? I hear your DH, its so hard to think of even more medical prcedures if you can get around them. Aw, the poor little guy. Thanks for the heads up on what can happen afterwards - it helps alot! I'd rather hear all of these things from someone who's been through it before. Are you managing to get any sleep at all? I do hope so, its soooo hard to function when you feel exhausted. Well, we'll all be there soon enough - haha, my own ticker is scaring me a little - lol. enjoy every moment my friend - much love xoxoxo

AFM - I had the strangest pain yet this morning. I was walking (ok, waddling) across the kitchen and I had this really sharp cervical pain shoot through me for maybe 15 seconds - it felt like knives were up there! I had to stop and grab the counter for a minute. it went just as quick as it came -but I was like WTH was that about? That was a new one on me, I didnt call the OB and it hasnt happened again, but I'd sure like to know what that was! Ouch! other than that, its the same old, same old around here. Its a miserable windy, rainy day, so a good day to just putter around - oh, yes, I know, the excitement just never ends, right? lol. much love to you all- xoxoxo