I copied this from another forum.. i thought it would be nice to start. It also gives those waiting for d-day something to read and those up all night with babies something to entertain them with too!!

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes, i really enjoyed being pregnant and felt so 'normal' that sometimes if forgot that i was! i did have some pelvic pain, but i think the pain during the birth made up for my easy 9 mths! Ouch!

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
Harry was 9 days early.

3. What pain relief did you use?
All sorts! As it went on for 27 hrs! Paracetamol, hot water bottle, warm bath, tens machine, gas and air, pethidine, but the only thing that made any difference to the pain and didnt make me sick was the Spinal/Epidural!

4. How long was your labour?
27 hours from the first contraction to birth but only 7 and a half hrs in established labour from waters breaking.

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
No the pain was alot more thn i had ever imagined! and alot longer, i also wasnt prepared for how tired i would be. But once i found the pain relief for me i enjoyed it and would repeat the last bit over and over!

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
They mostly say he looks like tom but my family say he looks like me when i was a baby.

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
At my 6 week check up i will ask for the pill.

10. How do you feel about your body?
I was quite worried about my post birth body and wasnt looking forward to feeling like i had a deflated balloon on the front of my body but i have been amazed at how my bump has shrunk down and its not all soft and empty, or balloon like! Ive also already lost 11lb out of the 17 i put on! How i do not know!

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
YES! I am actually finding it easier than i thought i would. And h2b is too :-) this may be beacuse im used to 20+ children/routines at my job as a nursery asst so just one feels alot stressful. Although you constantly worry about your own, and you dont give them back to anyone!

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
H2b says he has the same shape eyes as me, and he definately has my round chin.

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
That sometimes when he cries he only stops when he's in my arms! And the way he looks back at me, and pulls these hillarious faces!

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
The worrying that your doing things right and the worry that he's breathing as he looks so still when he's asleep!

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Yes very much so! We take turns to change his nappy and oh says he enjoys it! He gets up in the night and if he is not settling on me after a feed h2b lays him on his chest to settle him. It is the best thing to see, he is a natural.

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
He was shrimpy in the womb but now he's little man and baby!

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Not at the moment, but i do have the gina ford books but not sure if i will use them, i may just take points from them.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
I will be meeting up with my nct group once the lst baby has come in novemeber, and i will attend the early days nct class.

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes i hope so, but not for a while yet!!

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
As he will have my h2b's last name he has my dads middle name.

This is lovely and will like to see this kept bumped up so that when baby here i can fill it out for me!! xxx

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Ummm, yes and no - I loved the fact that I was carrying my little bundle and keeping her safe, but found it very tiring with a 19 month old.

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
11 days early

3. What pain relief did you use?
Gas and air - only just though as it was so quick!

4. How long was your labour?
Waters broke at 3.25am and Isabelle was born at 5.36am = 2hrs 11mins

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
No , I had a good labour with my son and this was so much quicker but not as painful.

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
Depends who you talk to, I think more Tony (hubby).

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
James is 19 months old and is very good, kisses her all the time and wants to cuddle her, today he offered her a bit of chocolate and a crisp.

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Not too sure, not to keen on pill as I put on weight, might enquire about the coil.

10. How do you feel about your body?
I am really determined to get fitter, my belly has gone right down already considering she's only 4 days old.

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Yes, its the most fantastic responsibility in the world.

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
Ummm yeah she's gorgeous!! LOL! She's got long fingers and toes.

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Everything!! Knowing that when they cry and when they say mama and only want you.

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
Worrying something will happen to my gorgeous babies

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Yes, he's fantastic!

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Isabelle is known as Izzy or bubba or sister.

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
No, we'll get her in our own routine to fit in with James.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Izzy attended little lights on Thurs (baby-toddler group), at a whole 2 days old.

19. Are you planning on having more children?
No, I've got my gorgeous boy and girl. But never say never!

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
Just loved the name Grace. Funnily enough she was then born on a Tuesday and Tuesday child is full of Grace.

Oohh... loving this!

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yep- Absolutely loved it! Had a horrid first few months with threatened miscarriage but after that, I loved my bump!

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
Nearly 5 weeks early!!!!!!!

3. What pain relief did you use?
Nothing really! I had G&A for the contractions but as it turned out, I wasn't using it right so really all it did was take my mind off the pain. The MW told me to put it down for the pushing bit so I just did as I was told!

4. How long was your labour?
Short! My waters went at 0230 on saturday morning but the contractions didn't start properly (ie- I tried to ignore them cos that meant that baby was on his way!) till about 1930 on saturday night then Oliver was born at 0040 sunday morning.

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
Hell No!!!! Contractions were fine (well, not necessarily 'fine'!) but the pushing bit was the weirdest and most uncomfortable pain ever! Like the biggest pooh of your life and yet I still didn't want to push too much incase it was the biggest pooh of my life!

6. Breast or Bottle?
Both. I just wanted to breastfeed but Ollies health was more important and he needed topping up.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
Hubby! Without a doubt! Even the midwife that came round the other day said there was no mistaking who his daddy was!

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Contraception???? I'm just not planning on ever having sex again! ha ha!

10. How do you feel about your body?
Hmmm.... I'm not loving the saggy belly and now I can really see exactly how much weight I put on but I'm not stressing about it, it was all for a good reason and I know that I'll lose it eventually (when I've scoffed all the chocolates everyone bought us!)

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Yes... although it's true that it is one long worry! Is he breathing? Is he eatting enough? are there enough dirty nappies? is he warm/ cold enough?- the list goes on!

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
Possibly my nose (but I think people are just saying that to make me feel better cos he looks SOOOO much like his daddy!!)

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
I can make him stop crying just by talking to him and being able to touch his soft as a cloud skin whenever I want!!

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
See question 11!

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Crikey yes! We actually bicker about who gets to hold/ change him because we both want to do everything!

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Little man/ wee man/ Bubba/ Superstar!

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Nope. Although his body clock seems to be back to front at the moment (he's a proper night owl) so I may have to start following something soon.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Not yet. Getting out of bed in the morning is a struggle at the moment let alone making conversation with someone other than my hubby!

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Ask me in a few months! (when the stitches have gone and he's sleeping through the night).

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
My dads name and hubbys dads name.

xxx

[Modified by: Bert666 on October 03, 2009 03:34 PM]

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
yes when she started kicking it felt more real!

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
16 days early

3. What pain relief did you use?
cocodamol was sick! Gas and air i dont think was on lol! the pethedine the best thing ever invented!!! funny dreams whilst i slept!! lol about beer bottle top and beer mats lol!?????

4. How long was your labour?
??? contractions started tues eve bearable! had bubba at 8.14am weds i would say 9 hours from contractions startin.

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
when the pain started i knew what was coming as had one before 12 years ago! it brought it all back and i really didnt wanna be there!!

6. Breast or Bottle?
Bottle

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
my son!! weird as different dads but nice for my son!

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
he loves her and comes in each morning b4 school to give her a kiss!! ahhhh!!

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
everything!!!! not doing ot agaoin lol !!!

10. How do you feel about your body?
i really havent ate well since birth! so my belly has shrunk! still podgy but im in my jeans so dont care lol!

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
YES!!! but need a little me time! OH bak at work so im tired not sleeping when she sleeps! but i love her soooooo much!

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
when she pouts her sulky face lol!

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
putting her on my chest and she stops crying!

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
nite time i lay and listen for ages to hear her move, breath anything!!!

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
noooooo he is working and now out wetting her head!!!!!!!!!!!!! not happy! my turn next week how will he cope not changed a nappy yet!!

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
button, puppy!

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
trying with GF she went from 4 hours feeding now to 3!! means i have no time to shop!!

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
not yet

19. Are you planning on having more children?
he wants more but i dont have my boy and my girl!

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
Lena my OH nans middle name!

I love this, like Lucy said, I can't wait to have my turn to fill it in xxx

Bumping this cos I want to read other peoples answers!!

Oh I so want to add my answers! Cant wait but loving Reading these at the moment :D
xxx 40+3

Same here. won't be long and we will be adding our own answers to these questions. I can see a bit of a pattern with many of them though. Like best and worst bits.

Charlene
39+6
XX

Bumping this as like looking at others answers plus want to do mine soon xxx

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes I enjoyed my pregnancy. I had hardly any symptoms and loved watching my bump grow,

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
Jake was 11 days late

3. What pain relief did you use?
I used everything in the end. started with paracetamol and when that was doing nothing warm baths. As my labour went on for 3 days i was in and out of hospital and had codine and pathidine a few times. Gas and air and an epidural which was topped up several times and then had to have local as i started to feel things after the c-section.

4. How long was your labour?
72 hours in slow labour and about 12 hours in full established labour although had a c section in the end

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
It was and wasn'[t i knew it was going top hurt like mad but didn't realise how long it was going to go on for. plus my epidural still give me pain and I didn't think you would feel all the contractions as much.

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
Looks like his dad most of the time. Has looks of us both certain ways he looks :)

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
I havent decided which one to go for

10. How do you feel about your body?
I haven't really thought about it. Before i had Jake i was loving having my bump. My stomach isn't too bad at the moment just need to get walking around and get back dancing to tone up when i am allowed too.

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Yes i love it. I find bits scary when he crys and just dont know why and you have exhausted all the other options and making sure he is ok at night time. I love taking him out for walks and have him laying on me when he is asleep its so lovely. Its the best feeling in the world

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
Been told he has my eyes

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Providing everything for him and the love i feel for him can't beat it

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
Worrying about him at night time. Finding it hard to sleep in case somethinghappens to him and i'm sleep.

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Yes he is very hands on. Loves doing everything that i do. Feeding and changing him. Getting up during the night. He loves it just as much as i do and wouldn;'t have it any other way.

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Not got one at the moment.

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Not at the moment we will see how we go.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
I haven't as of yet but still early days would like to do baby massage

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes I would love to have more in a few years time

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
My OH first name and my dads first name

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes, loved it, got a little bored in the end but it was magical to feel baby growing inside me.

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
Seth was 9 days late.

3. What pain relief did you use?
Paracetamol up to 7cm then gas and air. Ended up with Pethadine but only right at the end.

4. How long was your labour?
4.5 hours from going into hospital to havin him, only pushed for 8 mins.

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
I think i coped quite well, it wasnt until the end when it was pretty unbearable but i just went for it and thought the quicker i push this baby out the sooner i'll hold my baby.

6. Breast or Bottle?
Wanted to BF and tried it for 2.5 days but baby wouldn't latch on so bottle now :-(

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
My brother!

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Oh gosh, to early to say, a baby and stitches is enough of contraception for now!!

10. How do you feel about your body?
I love it, i feel thinner than i did b4 being preg!! Got a jelly belly which will need some work but not upset about it at all

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Lovin it, sleepless nights are hard but well worth it and can nap in the day which makes up for it.

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
Hubby says he has my nose!

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Seth is a real mummys boy and sometimes he'll only settle when snuggled up to me.

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
Sleepless nights.

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Oh yes, he changes nappys, baths him, dresses him, gets up in night and does feeds etc.

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Little dude but must stop using it!

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Not at the moment, .

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Not at moment but i will do.

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes i hope so, but not for a while yet!!

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
As he has hubbys last name we decided on my dads name as a middle name

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Not particularly. I spent most of it absolutely petrified something would go wrong. Bleeding for 4 weeks in the middle didnt help, and the lack of healthcare support.

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
The boys were born by planned section at 36 + 2. We were SO pleased to get them that far!

3. What pain relief did you use?
Spinal for the section and paraceptamol for a few days afterwards

4. How long was your labour?
Spinal went in at 10.30am and the boys were born at 11.01 and 11.02am

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
The section was nothing like I imagined as many (unhelpful) people told me that a section was the easy way out!! It certainly wasnt! It was the most uncomfortable feeling ever, coupled with a bad reaction to the spinal that made me shake uncontrollably and my bp drop so I was dizzy and sick for the rest of the day.

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast, but looking to mix feed so I actually have some time not feeding!

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
Most people seem to think that Ryan looks like J's side and Alfie looks like mine (funny, as theyre identical and no one but me seems to be able to tell them apart! lol)

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Would like to go back on Depo Provera as dont plan on any more children for a long while!

10. How do you feel about your body?
Im not keen on the excess skin that was my huge tummy, but I do weigh less than I did before I got pregnant! My stretch marks arent pretty either but generally its ok.

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Yes and No. I absolutely love being a mum and knowing that these 2 perfect human beings are here because of me. I dont begrudge them anything, whatever time of the day and night and feel like im just here to nurture them, which is a lovely feeling. I dont like all the visitors as im quite a private person and I feel so protective of the boys that I hate them being pulled around. Ryan also seems to have developed colic of sorts and it is heartwrenching knowing there is nothing I can do to make him feel better. The only other thing I struggle with is that, as there is 2 of them and they are feeding all the time at the moment, I dont feel like I get to spend that special 1-1 time with each one. Im sure that will change when they begin to go longer between feeds.

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
The boys have my eyes and nose but I think they look like J.

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Knowing that these two boys are ours and we can nurture them and look after them how we want. Also, I love watching J be a dad as he is absolutely amazing at it, as I knew he would be.

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
The worrying that your doing things right definitely. Also, wanting to help when Ryan's crying in pain and not being able to do anything about it.

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Yes very much so! J has changed most of the nappies as he isnt too involved in feeding. He will wind the boys and I love seeing him sit at night with one of them snuggled close in his arms.

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Little Man or Baby Boy

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Nope. Not sure if many of them will work with 2. Just going to try and get into our own routine.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
I hope to but depends when they are as I would love to take the boys swimming and to baby massage but difficult to do on my own!

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes i hope so, but not for a while yet!!

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
Ryan has J's dads middle name and Alfie has J's middle name. Really, just liked the sound of the names together.

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes, I loved being pregnant and am a little sad it's over - although I only have to look at my little boy and the sadness goes away ! :-)

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
H was 3 weeks early.

3. What pain relief did you use?
I had gas and air although as I was dilating so quickly and my contractions were coming in at thier peak I didn't get a chance for it to kick in. I gave up on it by the time I started to deliver the little man. I did however have it for when I was being stiched and it was fab !!!

4. How long was your labour?
My waters broke at 7:30am but didn't really feel my contractions until about 5pm. At 10pm I was 2/3cm dilated, by 12am was fully dilated and the little man arrived 1hr and 7 mins later

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
No - it was a lot quicker and a lot more painful !!! I thought it would be (for the most of it) quite calm and I'd be able to relax etc ... no chance !

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
We don't know !!!

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Condoms - don't want that horrible pill back in my system until I'm done having babies !

10. How do you feel about your body?
Quite impressed at how quickly my belly went down - but still can't get anywhere near my pre pregnancy jeans :-(

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
I love it !!! It's not as tough as I expected although I've a feeling night times are going to get worse ...

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
He has my shaped head !!!

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
That no matter how much everyone wants to cuddle, at the end of the he is my little man !

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
Worrying about him being ill or upset ...

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
Very - I hurt my back just after he was born so DH did most of the nappy changes. Now he always settles him when he grizzles and as soon as he gets in from work he's cuddling him and talking to him. He is a wonderful dad - I knew he would be !

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
I keep calling him Buddy ... !

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Not yet - he was only due today so I thought I'd let him have his own way for a while - he's actually setting his own little routine so hopefully we can build on that ...

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Am going to go to a breastfeeding support group tomorrow - and will meet up with the NCT girls once all the babies arrive.

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Definately - but not for a couple of years.

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
DH was meant to be Robert Moore (after Bobby Moore) when he was born but his mum said he couldn't have Moore as children would take the mick (it was the 70s) so Hayden was given the "Moore" instead.

K xxx

Hi,

Sorry just gc from due in november, loving reading these.

Alfie John *****
Born 14th October 2009

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Ish- was a bit sick at the start and i hated the last 2-3 weeks as i just wanted to meet my little man. Did not like the very long two week wait for the results of the CVS test i had at 16 weeks. Other than that it was a breeze, lol.

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
7 days late.

3. What pain relief did you use?
Gas and air, pethadine and epidural as a c section had been mentioned so thought might as well.

4. How long was your labour?
My waters went (very little bit) on Sunday 11th october and the same again at 11pm on 12th.
Started with the gel to induce me at 8.30am on Tuesday 13th October, was in labour till 11:30am ish on the 14th October when they decided i needed a c section. Alfie was born at 12:17pm on 14th October. About 28 hours in total from the gel to my baby being born.

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
Well i had a waterbirth and domino birth planned which were both out of the window when i needed to be induced. C section was not as bad as i thought it would be. Was over really quickly and was on paracetamol for a couple of days.

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast, trying to stick with it for now but its hard work.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
His dad. he has his nose. But he has loads of hair like i did when i was born.

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Not sure yet, probably the pill but i will discuss it with the doctor.

10. How do you feel about your body?
The saggy tummy is horrid but worth it.

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Very much so. I love starting at him watching his funny faces that he pulls.

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
My ears.

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Knowing that we have to do everything for him as he is so small and helpless.

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
worrying at night. As much as i love feeding him because i know its the best start for him i am not enjoying feeling like a cow because he wants to feed all the time.

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
As much as he can be as i am breastfeeding. He loves giving him a bath as much as i keep telling him he shouldn't be having one every day he is choosing to ignore me, lol.

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
little man

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
not yet, would like to but when he feeds every 2/3 hours none of them cater for that. The midwife said he will settle down soon. Fingers crossed.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Not yet but would like to do baby massage.

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes, definatly.

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
His dad's middle name is John so is his grandads as was his great grandads. Not sure why it started though.

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Towards the end, yes, the nausea and back pain in the first half spoilt any enjoyment but towards the end I felt really well and was sleeping lovely (oh how I miss that)

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
Late, by 5 days, and was induced so could have been later!

3. What pain relief did you use?
2 half doses of pethadine for the labour, couldn't have an epidural and gas and air was foul

4. How long was your labour?
established labour - 3 hours but my God it felt like longer

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
Not at all, the pain is like no other and it was very surreal. Think I went to my home planet to escape the reality.

6. Breast or Bottle?
Bottle

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
His daddy

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Back to the pill, but using condoms till its effective (don't want any little accidents too soon!)

10. How do you feel about your body?
Proud, it did a good job, plus I'm 16 lbs thinner than when I first got pregnant! So lighter to

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Not for the whole day to be honest, when we are going good its brilliant, when its 3 am and I've had no sleep and I can't settle my boy, its very hard work

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
My mouth

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Not too sure yet, still getting used to the fact I am one!

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
No sleep, its soul destroying

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
100%, I couldn't ask for better

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Every affectionate name I can think of lol

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
Nope, and I have no idea what these are!

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
No, not yet

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Not sure

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
Its the same as his Dad's

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes once got over being sick etc. But at the end it was a bit of a struggle again but worh it

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
a day early

3. What pain relief did you use?
spinal epidural

4. How long was your labour?
Erm 45 mins, as it was c-section but i had to wait from 7 am unitl 3pm so i felt like i had waited a very long time

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
To be honest i had not planned a c section had thought i be natural etc but Luen was breech. It was a good experience though and i feel good already and it day 5!

6. Breast or Bottle?
Bottle, started on sma gold and it made Luen quite sick etc so he now has apatamil

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
To begin with nobody lol, i thoiught he looked like me as a baby but now he looks so much like Ben (daddy)

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
I just spoke to mw today and am hoping to go on coil so am going to see dr next week.

10. How do you feel about your body?
It is disappeasring a lot faster than i imagined and it weird how it seems to fizzle away! It makes me feel good yeah and all the marks etc are a testament to my son

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
It is really lovely and am enjoying so many aspects of being mummy it still doesnt feel quite real

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
Yeah my little button nose and that all i can see. Oh and he hungry baby like me ha ha

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Am loving watching him grow and that we have to do all the things for him

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
Worrying that all ok and that they not too hot or cold etc just silly things

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
He is good and getting more and more good each day guess he just learning too

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Baby boy and Louie but have called him 'pooy louie' namely when he smelly lol

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
No just Luen routine he he

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
No but am goin scalliwags tomorrow with my neice and Luen's Nanny

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes just the 1 but not until Luen at least 2

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
His Daddy middle name and my brother, plus Alan is my Grandad name and the initials are same my late Uncle who died earlier this year.

Ava Grace B******** born 17th October weighing 8lb 5oz.

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes, absolutely loved it. Well, apart from the horrid morning sickness i suffered with from 4 - 17 weeks!

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
A whopping 14 days late the little madam!

3. What pain relief did you use?
Gas and Air (marvelous stuff!) and an epidural (fantastic!)

4. How long was your labour?
9 hours 49mins.

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
Yes and no. The pain was different than i imagined it would be, but it's a pain that you know why it's there. It was nowhere near as bad as i imagined it would be, however i had a bit of a bad time at the end and needed forceps and had an episiotomy. My daughter was back to back and her head was looking up rather than chin to chest so she got well & treuly stuck!

6. Breast or Bottle?
Unfortunately i couldn't get her to latch. I think it was mainly because straight after she was born, i was being stitched up for over an hour so missed that first opportunity to bf. So, she's on bottle feeding.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
OMG the absolute image of her Daddy - it's scary lol!

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A but we do have a cat who seems rather wary so far.

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Stitches will put paid to any of that lol but i'll probably go back on the pill for a year or so before we try for another.

10. How do you feel about your body?
I actually feel very proud of what my body has accomplished. I have a few stretch marks on my tummy which i'm not keen on but i'm ok with that. I have a saggy belly too lol and look a bit deflated at the moment but i'm in no rush to get my body back to pre-pregnancy.

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Absolutely and have found things have come so natural to me. She's a very chilled and relaxed baby and think it helps that me and DH are the same. I've wanted to be a Mummy for a very long time and i'm so in love with my little girl that i know being a Mummy is just right.

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
Err, nope she doesn't - honestly is the spit of my husband.

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
When she looks right into my eyes and we "talk" to each other. Knowing that i would do absolutely anything for this little bundle too. I find her fascinating and love watching, and listening, to her.

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
Worrying that something bad is going to happen, or just general worrying that she's ok and all her needs are catered for.

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
As much as he can be. He sees to her at the night feed and also in the evening when he gets home from work so i can go and have a relaxing bath. He loves having his time with her and i love listening to him talking away to her!

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
Little lady seems to be my name for her.

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
I've just been following her own routine, which she seems to have settled into herself. I do have a Gina Ford book but find her just too strict but i might pick bits & pieces up.

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Not yet but i will be joining the baby groups soon and take her to music classes! And baby massage and anything else really, i want her to interact with other babies.

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Yes definitely, but i need my body to recover from the birth first and i want to also enjoy my daughter so maybe 18months (or maybe less, see how i feel lol).

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
Just because i liked it! If we'd have had a boy then DH would have chosen his name and i got to chose the girls name!

1. Did you enjoy your pregnancy?
Yes, I was really lucky as I wasn't sick and felt pretty well all of the way through. The first 10 weeks were tough when I couldn't tell anyone my news and felt like I was constantly hungover!! We also had lots of scares with bleeding - those times were horrible too, when we thought we might lose our baby From 30 weeks onwards, the bleeding stopped and I really enjoyed the rest of my pregnancy!

2. Was your baby early, on time or late?
Callum was 5 days early.

3. What pain relief did you use?
You name it, I had it!! I started at home with tens and breathing exercises. Then, once at hospital and about 9 hours of labour, I started on the gas and air. Once my contractions stopped (couldn't believe that after 12 hours of contractions, they would just give up!!) I was put on a syntocin drip and Callum rotated the wrong way and got stuck back to back with me. The pain at this point was crazy, so after 4 hours of this I had an epidural. It was bliss!!

4. How long was your labour?
From the first contraction - 25 hours. However my waters broke 11 hours prior to that!!

5. Was the labour anything like how you imagined?
Yes and no. It was a bit surreal really!! The way I lost all concept of time was odd and how I lost all concern about my dignity!! The pain was about what I'd imagined, until the drip started and Callum became back to back - then the pain was much worse and the contractions were fast and furious!!

6. Breast or Bottle?
Breast.

7. Who does everyone think your baby looks like?
I think he just looks like a baby!! Everyone says he looks like my husband though.

8. If you have other children, how have they taken to the new addition?
N/A

9. What contraception will you use, if any?
Not sure what I can have with breast feeding, so I'll wait until my 6 week check up to have a chat with the doctor!

10. How do you feel about your body?
Ok, it's odd not having a solid bump any more, but I have solid boobs instead!! It looks a bit flabby at the mo, but I can't do much about that yet because of my c section Even if I am a bit wobbly... it was worth it!!

11. Are you enjoying Motherhood?
Yes Callum is gorgeous and generally very good which makes life very easy - he just sleeps!! There have been one or two difficult evenings when he wouldn't settle and just screamed his lungs out and that was really hard - it made me cry

12. Does your baby have any of your features?
I don't think so! He likes to sleep - does that count??!

13. Best bit about being a Mummy?
Watching his contented face when he breast feeds and watching him when he sleeps in my arms.

14. Worst bit about being a Mummy?
The night feeds, being weed on during nappy changes and feeling my heart break when he cries and I can't console him.

15. Is your OH hands on with the baby?
He has been great with him. He is totally smitten with our little boy and he does nappy changes as well as loving cuddles. He has also been great at doing all of the washing and cooking while I recover

16. Do you have a nickname for you baby?
As a bump, he was Haribo, now he's munchkin!

17. Are you following any routines like Gina Ford or The Baby Whisperer?
No, we're going with the flow!

18. Are you attending any baby groups?
Not yet, although I will meet up with my NCT mums and there is a support group at my local surgery which I hope to go to too!

19. Are you planning on having more children?
Eventually!

20. What made you choose your baby's middle name?
He has my dad's middle name and we thought it sounded right!! Callum James