April 2013 due date anyone?

Hi April Ladies and new babies! Awww Alenka-you might be the last one but still 2 days to go;) Congratulations Mrs Abdullah (wow that was quick!), pink butterfly (blimy, alenka is right, you're a machine!) and so excited for all the new babies of Sandy, Bubbles, Lyndy, Babyboy....so many, such great news! Doesn't seem long since we were comparing 12week scan notes ehh?! I'm so glad that you're all through the birth safely and babies are bouncing and settled at home:) pinkbutterfly - I use the medela swing pump (single one, it was given to me by my friend) and I've found it to be very good. A friend also uses phillips Avent and says she's happy with that too. I would say that though breastfeeding is a bit of a continuous job and like you, it seems a constant feedtime, the expressed milk is helpful but it is a hassle having to sterilise a bottle, spend half hour expressing etc. and my darling boy lewis will only fall asleep BFing so though my husband can fill him up, he's still on the boob to then get to sleep (I know bad habit maybe but it is the only thing that works at the moment). I don't know about anyone else but I'm finding it VERY difficult seeing other people besides my husband hold my baby.....at one point I was tempted to run upstairs with Lewis and hide in a cupboard with him! I don't mind other people holding him for a few minutes but then I neeeeeeed him back - possessive mother syndrome! I know I sound like a nutcase but my sister-in-law has come to stay for 10days and I've found it so hard....getting a bit better though, she's kind and helpful and understanding but still....MY BABY lol! I now fear I will never let my Lewis leave home even when he's 45years old ;) Bubbles09 - Congrats!! (I owe you a coffee and cake too btw) Philly, let me know how you get on at the newborn photographers....I'd really like to have some done too. So pleased Flynn is putting on weight - tis a relief ehh? I read that my litl Lewis didn't have a cold after all, its the snuffly breathing from him getting used to the Dubai air and aircon.....phew! He's grown so strong within 2weeks of birth, I'm already scared he's growing up too fast.....I'm sure I can literally see him growing as I feed him - lol! Has anyone been to garden babies (dubai mall or motor city)? Was wondering if it was any good and whether to try it? Alenka, positive thoughts are with you, hope to hear your good news very soon....all the best hunny! Max xxx

Oh wow!!!! Congratulations mrsabdullah, congratulations mum of moo!! How are you both after your birth? And hope you still have the smiles that us new mummies have through the tiredness! I still can't believe I'm a mum but completely and utterly overjoyed! Hope both your births weren't too traumatic. Awww pinkbutterfly, so excited for you! Alenka-don't rush it....at the moment you are the one that is closer to her baby than any of us and closest you will ever get the chance to be so enjoy being one until you become two. I know it's a difficult wait but will be so worth it! Also don't be concerned by the April birth stories....each birth is a story and yours will be the one that we all wanted but you achieved;) Lewis is well thankyou, though had a snuffly cold and it's upsetting to see him struggle to breathe sometimes but overall it's not fever, he still sleeps and eats so fingers crossed it won't last long. Sending love to our April Babies! M xxx <em>edited by maxmistry on 22/04/2013</em>

Hi ladies in waiting and April mummies! Hope you're all keeping well. I read that if you can get hubby to massage the two dimples in your lower back, it can bring on labour. As can squatting (though I remember if I ever managed to get down that low, I struggled to get back up with such a big bump - lol)?! Also, someone said to massage the area of the hand between thumb and first finger.....something to do while watcching tv maybe;) At least with the lower back you'll get a massage - never a bad thing! ;) Awww pinkbutterfly, you are doing the countdown, and if baby arrives early it will be an added bonus! I know wht you mean about giving the sweep a try, but if it does or doesn't work and you end up in the c-section (if you choose to or not), it will always be the right decision as you'll end up with the right outcome:) How's tea Alenka? Had any movement? Sending love and positive thoughts! M xxx

Hi April Ladies! Really sorry to have been unable to reply for such a long time...I have kept up in case I see read of any of your great baby news! Hope you're all keeping well and babies are bouncing ready - wishing you all a safe delivery of little ones into the world! I think someone asked about buying the sanitary towels and disposable pants from American Hospital? I think it would be fine, I don't think the price is so big. The sanitary towels are 'fam' ones that are cheap, and can be bought in spinneys etc in packs of 10. I only needed them for 3-4 days, then as blod flow steadied, I switched to my 'ultra thin' ones. The disposable pants, as I had a c-section, the ones from the hospital went higher over the cut so was better than the ones I had. Mrs Abdallah, awww try and hang in there without the sugars....I had 3 months without (and pinkbuttefly I think suffered without too) but not long now and just think how satisfying it wil taste after the birth....you can imagine the smile on your face after that firt sweet mouthful of baklava with your baby in your arms - heheee;) Regarding the breast pump, I didn't think I would use it either and though my breasts leaked a little since week 26, I still used the breast pump to increase the volume of milk...my darling little boy is almost doubled his milk needs every 2-3days for the past few weeks and my body struggled to keep up. So after he 'emptied' them, I then put the pump on each evening for 15mins each and by midnight, the milk had increased supply. The pump could also come in use if the breasts engorge and you need relief, and also if your nipples do get sore (they do go from no use to heavily used so even if technique is correct, they do get worn at the beginning!) then again, it can help. The pump also helps to shape the nipple if they get a bit flat. I'm not sayin he pump is essential, but my firend lent me hers, and I'd not planned on buying one, but have found it very useful. Hand expressing is hard work - I tried after the birth and its not easy, and that's with midwife's help. pink butteerfly - fantastic news that the plug is out! Lets hope your little one doesn't keep you waiting too long now :) Would love to meet up in May after we're all here and all teeny tiny fingers and toes are counted and correct! My Lewis is doing very well.....even after so much preparation, there is so much to learn. One piece of advice ladies, if you breastfeed, try not to eat cauliflower/broccoli as it makes baby very gassy.....we were mopping up milk sick for hours afterwards - lol! I thought it was an old wives tale but I ate cauliflower with one meal and suffered the consequences. And within 1 week of birth, my little darling has built up enough strength to move on changing mats/bed etc so don't underestimate baby's strength taking time....scary! He's still not due til Saturday so can't believe he's been here over 2 weeks already but loving every minute:) My friend gave me a great tip....if your baby's sleepsuits are a little big for them when they are born, put the socks on the outside of the suit, and it stops the legs being 'lost' as the baby kicks - its been so handy! Regarding temperatures......Lewis seems to find the heat outside/in the car soothing...thinking about it the baby is currently used to your body temmperature of approximately 37C so don't worry too much, as I think the heat will bring back calming warmth of the womb for your baby;) Good luck ladies, I may be quiet but am waiting and reading and wihing you all well. Will try and reply a little quicker if you have any questions xxxx Luvlies Max & Lewis xxx <em>edited by maxmistry on 18/04/2013</em>