Mumsnet Talk

I'm 38 weeks today. Just wondering if anyone else is around the same point. Starting to feel a little fed up and I could still be waiting 4 weeks for baby to arrive. I don't have any real symptoms of impending labour at the moment. I am getting quite painfull tightenings with some back ache but saw the mw on friday who said head isn't engaged yet so not expecting much soon. How is everyone else dping?

I'm 37+1 and start maternity leave on Monday, I was fed up, but now I want three weeks of babyfree time to do stuff! I can't walk far, bubba is 3/5ths+ engaged and I have had period pains for the last two weeks.

Everyone thinks baby is imminent, I think I have 5 weeks to go

38 tomorrow but having a section this week. Am bored and in lots of pain and very grumpy. Had enough weeks ago now.

Was 38 weeks on Saturday. I hate it, I'm not even excited anymore, can't stop crying

Seeing midwife tomorrow but I think she'll tell me Il have to wait another 4 weeks, the thought terrifies me! Between the sciatica, spd and pre natal depression I wish I was still at work! xx

I'm 38+1 today, baby is not engaged yet and no other symptoms either just lots of braxton hicks.
Not long to go now ladies!

I would have been 37+2 today but had my baby last week - complete surprise. We were both working on the better out than in principle

Seriously, the end is in sight for all of you, and it's definitely worth it! Make sure your hospital bags are packed and ready is all I can say - babies really can come any time...

37 + 3 and due for a c-section on the 11th. Also fed up and huge >:] I've had period pain for about a week now so that's been fun as I did think I was going into labour hehe. We will all get there in the end!

38+5 and very very fed up.

Was foolishly expecting baby to have made an appearance by now.

38+3 and totally fed up with no signs what so ever (but then I never have had any befor) this is my 4th always go over and have to be induced . luckily with this 1 being massive already km being induced on my due date :-) dont know why im smileing im petrified. ..

37+3 here, totally fed up, SPD and carpal tunnel syndrome keeping me awake all night. Still, just started mat leave so at least I don't have the daily commute to deal with. Hoping this baby decides to make an early appearance, not sure I can cope with 5 more weeks of this!

Glad to know there are others like me just waiting! I have spd and also a toddler (sahm) so I just feel terrible about the lack of things I can do with her now the weather is nicer. I can just about handle the walk to a couple of toddler groups they are saving my sanity.

@ Twitchy but Congratulations also! Hopefully at least one of us can also be early.

39+2 here and absolutely no sign of baby arriving anytime soon, still hoping though .

37+3 too, and fed up to here with the whole enterprise! Got two DCs of three-and-under already so am exhausted haring round after them, and have had a really long-drawn-out cold too which has left me with a hacking cough. Am of those who aren't engaged yet - this bub has had his head in my pelvis for the last six weeks and the pressure down there is so wearing.

The only bright spot is that I've started maternity leave now, so at least tomorrow will be fractionally less exhausting!

37+2 here. Had preterm labour at 32 weeks which was stopped but now on tenterhooks and leaping at every niggle. Little bugger darling will probably stay in till 42 now.

Not helped by massive exhaustion and a hyperactive 2 year old!

Zuleikha, how are you coping with 2 under-threes? You must be knackered, poor thing.

This period is the worst time - the waiting and the not-knowing.

Good luck all!

I'm 40 weeks tomorrow , no signs at all as yet .

Due date tomorrow. Fed up now.

I keep getting back pains and crampy feelings in the evenings / night time. Had a couple of contractions last night and got very excited.....

And this morning? Nothing. It's so frustrating!

Whip, I am the same. Had a ridiculously bad night, am exhausted and want baby out NOW.

Why can't it just be straight forward?

I was 10 days late with DD so I guess I should have prepared myself for being late again, but I didn't have all these pre-symptoms before.

Grrrr. I think we're bang on the same dates, aren't we sundae? Hope it happens soon for us!

You're a very important day in front!

Well if anything starts happening for me, hopefully it'll happen for you the next day! Because that's obviously how it works....

38+1 now, section next Monday, got 3&2 year old as well and feeling that I should be making the most of the last few days with them on their own before I'm hands-off, can't lift and breast feeding but everything is so tiring!

38+3 and getting too preoccupied with watching for signs. DS was born 39+2 and I went in to labour at 2am so maybe the same this time?! I had no inkling that it would be happening that night though. Been into town and been lifting DS in and out of pushchair/highchair/car a few times and walking fast so BH are a bit more painful today. Is it wrong that I look forward to DS's nursery days! Only just got my TENS machine today and have MW appointment tomorrow so hopefully she can tell me whether baby is engaged.

38 weeks tomorrow and fed up

Hi, I'm 38 weeks today with my first and I've had enough! I believe I have been lucky throughout my pregnancy, minimal morning sickness, no other real problems (apart from my teeth, I can't believe how much hormones can effect my so called healthy teeth! ) however over the last week I cannot believe how moody and irritable I've become! I think my hubby actually looks forward to going to work to get away from me!! I'm fed up, I sit and watch tv when I could be doing cleaning and stuff it i just can't be bothered! And whilst I am worried / nervous about labour, I would love for it to be this week! No twinges yet though although my MW said baby's head is engaged!

Good luck and fingers crossed for all the other pregnant ladies here xx

SayCool I am knackered. I'm a CM too so I've actually had three under-3s until last Friday. Pushing that lot around on the buggy hasn't done my pelvic floor any favours! Glad to be looking at my last two or three weeks of pregnancy, and DC3 is definitely the last one!

On the upside I've finally found a comfortable way of sleeping, so the last few weeks when I've been waking up at 3.45 every morning are now a distant memory!

Poor you Zuleika, but glad you're getting some sleep!

I've been doing some very gentle bouncing on DD's trampoline and DH is picking me up a birthing ball this evening. Curry and pineapple for tea!

37+3. Can't make my mind up whether I want to have nice maternity leave for a couple of weeks to chill out, or whether I want the baby to come now!

I'm so uncomfortable when I sleep its horrible, but then the days aren't too bad!

Trying to clean everywhere, hate the idea of leaving the house in a horrible mess when I go in, but hoovering for 2 minutes really hurts my back!

There seem to be a lot of catch 22's to this whole period!

Wow I dont think I would have coped with that Zuleika. Glad you've found some comfort in bed. I am in incredible pain with my hips sometimes if I just roll over takes up to half an hour to go away then I have to get comfy! Dd was up for two hours last night hoping for better tonight.

Was also 10 days over with dd so shouldn't really be hopefull of anything soon.

I'm nesting/cleaning like crazy too, though that makes a good change from usual. Things are actually presentable for a change!

Gah I'm in too much pain to clean and now the plumbers I tried to arrange 6 months ago have finally arrived so I have no bathroom til tomorrow night and when they do go it will take all kinds of cleaning to put it straight.

Thought I'd love being on maternity, 6 days a week, 12 hours a day on my feet was taking its toll but being off is far more stressful feeling like I should be doing things but not having the energy.

Went to the midwife today too and he's not engaged yet but he's getting there...?! But then she went on to talk about inductions and booked me in for 2 days post due date...

Need this bambino! Had braxton hicks getting stronger for 3 weeks and been getting more swellings and headaches and even had 2 shows but I guess the little man is teasing me; he's so grounded when he arrives!

Sorry for the whinge, whinge, whinge xx

Whinge away, it's what this thread is here for!

DD has vomited spectacularly everywhere tonight so for once hoping I DON'T go into labour.

Not having a bathroom sounds awful, hope that it gets sorted soon.

Hopefully by tomorrow night it will be ok which is a bonus for a fear free bath in early labour (it currently creates a waterfall in the kitchen if I do have one).

But same, I really want him to hold off a few more days now, mostly because of the cleaning that needs to be done. Bah xx

Well, had the midwife today and she had a quick feel around - said my cervix is shortening and effacing and I'm about a cm. baby is fully engaged.

I know it doesn't always mean a lot with your second but I'm hopeful!

How is everyone today?

Can I join? 38 + 5 today with my first and this is my first day on maternity leave! Feels like I'm skiving at the minute. Been a bit twingy and tummy achey these past few days but baby is still quite high so not getting my hopes up. Getting my TENS machine tomorrow aft and have been taking raspberry leaf tablets since the weekend.

saycool sounds like you might be close now then, hope the proper action starts soon for you.

Hi OohShiny - love your username

Wow, only just on mat leave? Good for you, I couldn't have worked up until then, too lazy fat and tired!

Is this your first?

Yep my first. I'm feeling quite good at the min and have a desk job which is how I've managed so long I think.

I'm not quite believing I'm going to have a baby at the minute it feels a bit surreal hence the skiving feeling, but obsessing at every twinge as I've no idea what labours like or how/when it's going to start! Babies should come with an actual eviction date so we don't have to play this waiting game!

Yep tell me about it! Ten days late with DD which was the longest time ever!

Just remember you're not skiving, you're getting your body ready for labour. I'm sure millions of people have said this already but take advantage of your last few days of freedom without a child - put your feet up, nap, do lunch with the ladies, date nights with your DP/H etc.

The last few weeks are the worst... until the first few with a newborn

Good luck, SayCool! All sounds promising.

Had a MW trip this morning and the wretched boy has got himself over on the right-hand-side again, so am hunched over the Spinning Babies website wondering whether to buy an exercise ball. I just don't want a socking great thing around the place afterwards.

I was due yesterday , have had no signs since last Wed when period type pain kept me up all night . got midwife on Thursday for a sweep .
1st baby and I'm told they are usually late.
id love baby to be here before Mothers Day

Fingers crossed Christilass! First babies are usually late but as you're past due date now, anything could happen. Sweep worked for me with DD.

Zuleika I was wondering the same about the gym ball - is it worth getting for what could be just a few days? But I suppose they deflate, right? <clueless> And I think on another thread someone said they're £6 from Argos...

Hope he gets into the right position soon for you. I was told to lie on my left side as much as possible but I'm sure you're doing that already!

Well DD just vomited everywhere again and then so did I. Joy!

I suppose the chances of mine being labour sick as opposed to bug sick are slim to none....

Think I might just be talking to myself on this thread.....

DD vomited copiously throughout the night so none of us have had any sleep. Probably not a good time to go into labour!

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

I was hoping to go into labour last night as I had a few aches and a lot more braxton hicks. But no, just a horrendous night's sleep. Probably from being on the go at groups with DS all day yesterday and then having midwife appointment who then sent me straight to triage because of increased BP where I had to wait for 4 hours to see a doctor who sent me home. I had no dinner because I was there from half 4 - half 8 and on my own as DH had to be at home for DS! I had a takeaway pizza waiting for me when I got home at 9pm though... mmmmm - apart from the indigestion I got when I went to bed from eating so late!

Woke up with a big painful POP down below this morning, after screaming waited for the gush of waters but nothing guess it was my pelvis clicking. This child is a pure tease! xx

I can't go into labour yet anyway because the plumbers STILL haven't shown up, it's stressing me! xx

Can I join? Am 38 plus 4 with ds2. Fell last week chasing after 16 month old ds1 at the swings and now have severe sciatica as a result. Reached the end of my tether about a week ago

Milky jo how frustrating! But everything's ok with your Bp?

Szeli you never know.... It could be a delayed leak...? <clutches at straws> <tries desperately to think of plumbing-related joke>

I got DH to pick me up an exercise ball from Argos last night. Haven't had much of a chance to use it with poorly DD but hoping to have a good bounce this evening. While simultaneously nipple twiddling, eating curried pineapple and having sex

X-post dirtymistress - ouch for you, your poor back!

I'd say take it easy but I know what that's like with a 16 month old.... Are you able to have any pain relief?

coolwhip

I've just done my online shop to give me an excuse to stay in and do nothing again on Friday . Got some meals I can potter about making during the day for tea and restocked my baking cupboard to give me something else to do. Sod's law I'll go into labour over the weekend now and not get a chance to cook or bake anything!

Not got into the idea of batch cooking. Has anyone else? Not sure if I'll bother or not as DH doesn't eat stew type meals and I don't eat mince which rules out spag bols/chilli type meals so not sure there's anything left to batch cook?!

I've got my ball, not very good at going on it though although I really should to try and get this baby to move out from under my ribs.

Hope everyone's aches and pains are doing ok.

Dr has given me 50 codeine and told me take it four times a day. Am not keen but have already had meningitis during this pregnancy and been given lots of drugs. None of it is ideal but when you are in agony, you have to Di whatever it takes I sound like a right moany cow! When I'm not upduffed I promise I am jolly!

Am envious of you all - am 31 weeks and feeling so sorry for myself it's sad.

I am supposed to be resting but ended up doing 3 loads of washing. I painted my toenails and now I ache and toenails are a mess. I have got some nice relaxing lavender burning to chill me out but I feel a little bit queazy now as I don't usually have fragrance in the house, just a little waft of polish to make it smell like I've cleaned usually. I picked up an oil burner from Sainsbury's for £1.75 so I had to try it out!

SayCool; any and all plumber jokes welcomed! thankfully they've finished now so once everything's dry I can stop stinking and give the sciatica/spd pains some relief.

OohShiny; get some meat free mince, I've never been able to stomach meat mince (except in pregnancy) then you could do cottage pie(with or without the topping, spag bol, chili or a basic base for all three that you can defrost or add to.
I also do soups and curries in the freezer, all mainly for the OH if I end up in hospital; but if it's anything like when I was kept in over christmas he just won't eat... :/

Dirtymistress at meningitis in pregnancy! You poor thing!

DD slept for 3 hours today which was amazing. Fingers crossed no more D&V from her.... Or me! (Unless its labour-related)

Had windy indigestion feeling all day but not even a BH or anything.

Someone come and wave some labour dust!

LOL yes, you have some labour dust so I can go next I was awake for 2hrs in the night with some very ouchy cramps. Today I keep getting cramps like you have with food poisoning? Weird. I have had a good preening session and now very very tired, hoping tomorrow will bring more energy!

Fingers crossed sundae! That does sound promising - I had cramps before DD, and I've heard a few labour stories that start like that.....

Get a good night's sleep, everyone - here's to another day closer to labour!

Maximum of 24 days to go...! Haha sending contracting thoughts everyones way! xx

Good advice Zuleika. <ignores and carries on bouncing>

24 days sounds so long.... It's practically a whole month! <Bounces harder>

Yes I am actually bouncing while MNing. And they thought I couldn't multi task.....

I have had horrible period like pain for 24 hours now and still no baby! Am going to have to have sex I advise everyone else to do the same!

Is it terrible that I'm hoping for pain??

Good idea Dirtymistress - synchronised DTDs tonight!

Sorry I got a little busy (not labour wise ) and forgot to re-check the thread.

I agree 24 days sounds far too long!

With dd I had period pain/back ache on and off for at least a week. They then started getting closer together and stronger in the evenings for at least three days before she arrived. It seems like similar things are happening again. We dtd at the weekend and nothing.

Fingers crossed and lots of labour dust for everybody!

That is not reassuring deathmetal! I don't want to wait another week. Anyway my plans have gone awry since ds has woken up just as I planned to pounce (perhaps this is not the correct word since I don't think beached whales are capable of such displays of agility) on dp. So now he is upstairs trying to get him back to sleep. Sigh.

Hehehe, I am the epitome of beached whale.... Not sexy. And DH is staying up whereas I am ready for bed!

Deathmetal a week of pains? Nooooo! Lets hope for quicker second labours!

Yy to beached whale. Don't think my hips would be capable of a pounce either! It takes me around 30 minutes at least to roll over in bed as I have to do it in stages.

I think that just may be the way labour starts off with me. Hopefully not the same for you all. Yesterday and today I timed some 'crampings' (I'm pretty sure they are contractions) at 7 minutes apart. Then nothing for a good few hours.

Deathmetal, I think I am going to start off that way, I am having regular painful tightenings this evening, but they only last about 10 seconds and aren't that painful. I think this could go on for weeks yet!! Sick of it, every day this week I have had some version of this, this is baby number 1, so they could well be BH's and I am just pathetic! I keep needing to poo and feeling pressure over my coccyx too, I just want my three peaceful weeks of mat leave

How's everyone feeling today? Hope your tightenings turn into something sundae.

I have pain very similar to trapped wind. It probably is, actually, trapped wind!

I am now 40+3 and still pregnant despite sweep (Monday), reflexology and acupuncture (Tuesday), sex, pineapple, curry, long walks, birth ball, yoga, raspberry leaf tea the most mingling drink in the world etc. I am still not in labour. Been having cramps for a few days but nothing regular or painful enough to be labour. Boooo. 2nd child. Was 40+6 with DD 1. Oh yes and I am averaging 5 "any baby yet?" texts a day. So that's nice.

Radiator you make me , I was hoping at least some of the old wives tales might work!

39 weeks today!

Spent an hour on my ball last night and been taking my raspberry leaf tablets (too wussy to try the tea, the tablets are bad enough!) booked in for a sweep day after my due date if nothing happens by then but fingers crossed it will.

Getting random back/tummy ache but nothing significant.

Poor you radiator. I am sick of the 'still pregnant then?' comments too. No freakin baby here, despite the attempts to shag him out last night at least dp is off today so I can have a break from toddler wrangling.

I'm 40+4 Today 1st baby .
having a sweep at 10 am this morning .
have to say I'm still feeling great .

Nothing doing here, just sore from last night. Feeling very fed up that every night I have all these pains and then nothing. I am the preggo that cries wolf!

I like that good positive mental attitude christilas!! Today I am going to sack off all the long walks/ birth ball bouncing and lie on the sofa all day and watch movies once I've packed DD off to nursery!

Up all night with cramps and shooting pains across belly this morning plus constant back ache and I believe the nesting may have started.... but I'm past getting my hopes up now with this 'little boy who cried labour' situation.

Hope someone pushes a baby out today! xx

Szeli that sounds promising! Get bouncing / walking to shift things along!

not jealous at all

And of course, as your top priority, keep us all informed!

Maybe we'll have a mass labour exodus and all of us will pop out our little joy-bundles today....

< delusional hopeful>

Still no signs of labour here. Anyone else ?!

No signs here either . Not even had many crampings today so any hopes of anything happening soo have all but gone.

I wonder how Szeli is doing things definatly sounded promising for her.

soon*

Sigh!! I've had cramps on and off all day but they are just annoying. Not real contractions. Last time I had them for three weeks before I went into labour. At least this time I know what to expect (last time I naively thought I was at the start of labour every time I had the cramps). Boooo.

Nothing here. Had absolutely horrific diarrhoea this afternoon (9 times! Sorry if tmi) so forced myself to go for long walk thinking was definitely it but nothing. Now I just feel sick as a dog and mil takes her car into the garage tomorrow morning and will then be without it all weekend so won't be able to look after ds1 if things kick off so I am also stressed

Oh boo. Hopefully start of something good luck.

Nothing here either apart from some seriously bad wind and a few strong BHs. Another 3 weeks of this is going to test me sorely!

Yes, hope Szeli reports in soon! Maybe she'll start the domino effect.....

Hope you all get good nights sleep - or if not, only because you're in labour!

Nothing, nothing, nothing told you haha just been away from the laptop all day cos the OH had been doing something with CDs or whatever. I don't care I have a clean house now although I got called "a f*****g psycho bitch" for my nazi demands with the Hoover... Ooops :/ I actually don't even feel pregnant any more! xx

Well I hope you're all getting some much needed sleep. I currently on the sofa, in the dark, trying to convince the toddler to go back to bed. Quite why I thought having another was a good idea is beyond me

I don't suppose any of you was the lady who gave birth on the 18.18 to Maidstone last night??

Haha not guilty here! Sounds exciting though Zuleika!

Szeli how annoying - maybe it's the calm before the storm though.... And yes at least your house is nice and clean! Mine's an absolute pigsty thanks to 2-year-old monkey. Wish I had the nesting urge - I do in my head but my body just isn't motivated.

Dirtymistress - yes I was up with toddler as well.... Joy. Why I think it's going to be EASIER when this one is born I have no idea!

And WTF is up with my pelvic floor?

I'm so sick of thinking 'ooh my waters are leaking.... Wait... No, it's just a bit of wee....'

I was the same with the nesting so I got the sil round for dinner; houseguests kicks me into cleaning action haha

I can walk about at the mo and I'm eating even more than normal; fingers crossed that means he's engaged...?!

Hear you with the weeing eeek this is a darn sexy time! xx

Oh god tell me about it - I've still got this massive cough and if there's ANYTHING in my bladder when I cough, out it comes. Oh the dignity!

Ha I can relate to that Whip!

Still not in labour :-(

What am I meant to do with this birthing ball? x

Szeli - bounce! <helpful>

Um... I've just been sitting on mine, legs apart, and bouncing gently up and down, sometimes rotating my hips in a figure of 8. If I bounce hard I get what feels like the beginning of a BH but I read you shouldn't do it too strenuously as that could be bad.... I think there are some YouTube videos that show you how to do it, or of you're trying to get the baby in a good position the Spinning Babies website is good.

But I think just sit and bounce as much as you can (while watching TV, MNing etc...)

2 days till Mothers Day - that's a good birthing day

Can't even get down to the ball with the spd :/ will persevere later. Can labour feel like someone's just ragged a knife thru your stomach whilst kicking you in the down belows? Cos that's the pains coming every couple of minutes but they seem to have slowed down to a dull ache in my entire lower half now

Anyone got good news? xx

I think that sounds promising szeli nothing doing here except now my left ankle seems to have given up from overcompensating for my sciatica ridden right side. Joy.

Szeli that does sound encouraging.... Are you timing them? Does walking around make them better or worse?

I was walking home at the time and had to stop each time and cling onto my OH for dear life. Came home and they've completely eased off bar the aching and big pressure in bum and lady bits. Had to get out of the bath cos it was too uncomfortable but I'm not convinced at all. If it had carried on like earlier then perhaps but nopes he's gonna be on payback with this teasing for the rest if his days! x

Szeli I agree that sounds encouraging. I think you may be the first on this thread to go with all your promising symptoms!

Though me and dp both had terrible night sleep last night, and I have a huge spot which has taken place on my chin so wouldn't surprise me if something happened today for me. My spot would make some lovely post-birth photos. Still dillusional

I can join the non-existant pelvic floor club too, not a pretty sight. Though evey time I read those words I do some exercises.

With my birthing ball last time I just sat on it when watching tv or playimg xbox/wii games. Occasionally bouncing/circling my hips. The way you sit is supposed to open up the pelvis and help encourage the head to go lower. Good for early labour iirc. I just found it comfier than any chair/sofa to sit on. None of that this time for me unfortunatley I don't have anywhere to store it really and my toddler would have a field day if it was inflated.

dirty take up hopping to encourage baba out? Lol.

Sorry whip walking made it worse but no didn't time cos by the time I'd got home they'd slowed down xx

X posted with Szeli, I would try and get some sleep if you can. Take some paracetamol and go lye down you might need the energy later!

Ahaha deathmetal giggling at the thought of a toddler let loose with a ball, most fun ever for tiny tot!

I tried sitting but then nearly fell off and couldn't get up from it, might try again later on xx

Already beat you to in on the bed and painkillers thing. You're not giving birth in manchester are you? If you were I could pack a wee kit into my hospital bag and sort you right out for the post birth piccies haha (I'm a makeup artist btw, realised that sounds odd)

hope the spots a sign of your baby trying to get out! x

Ooooh I have a spot on my chin too - first one in 9 months! Is that on the list of signs and symptoms of labour starting?????!!!! Also DS (2 years) awake a lot in the night (must be the misty weather that seems to have descended). Also it is inevitable that we will all go into labour when the weather turns cold and it starts snowing! Here's hoping for Mother's Day babies! Oh and DS loves to roll and kick my exercise ball around in our open plan house, I can't get near the thing in the day!

szeli I am due to give birth in Manc- at whythenshaw. You too?

Anything that takes your breath away sounds very promising.

I'm still not in labour. On and off pains today (hmm that's about a week of them now .... Sigh) but still not painful or regular enough to get me excited. Boooo.

On top of that I've endured soft play!

Indeed, my 2yo loves my exercise ball and is constantly trying to play with it, despite the fact that its bigger than her. DH had the clever idea of lifting her onto it and bouncing her - henceforth it's now 'Mummy bounce! Mummy bounce!'

Szeli that does all sound good, even though they've eased off now. Fingers crossed for you - and get some rest while you can!

I have just blitzed my house - not sure if it was nesting or self preservation.... But hopefully I've at least knackered myself into some sort of labour. <delusional>

Radiator - soft play I commend you! I'm not sure I could stomach it (ha ha!) at this stage of pg....

Fingers crossed everyone

I've just been on my hands and knees scrubbing the stairs and hallway floor, my aims were 1) to clean the filthy place, 2) Get baby engaged, 3) Start off labour. The first has been achieved, however I will check in tomorrow if anything else has worked... or not!

Good luck milkyjo!

And if nothing else, at least you'll have a clean floor

<wanders off to scrub skirting boards>

Nah baby was def just teasing had some rest, DTD, vindaloo again tonight but currently nothing.

I'm having baby b at St Mary's milky a Salfordmama tho really x

radiator even

I took grandma to soft play but I did go on the (huge) wavy slide as someone suggested it might encourage labour. However, people looked at me like I was mental and afterwards I did feel a bit stupid. Not sure going down a big slide is sensible when you're 9 months pregnant :-(

Obv I also took my DD to soft play as well as grandma ;-)

You see my toddler would try rolling on top of it on her tummy, she has tried with large balloons in the past so it's definitley a no-no.

Not in Manchester no and I don't think the spot is a sign either not had one pain/cramp at all today. Though I have not been up to much either. Well apart from setting up the moses basket in the bedroom so dd can get used to it being there.

Wow softplay Radiator you are brave I'm pretty sure I would get stuck either due to my size or hips/spd!

I've been a bit crampy today and braxton hicks have made an appearance if these twinges are anything to go by. Nothing regular though. [Sad]

Couldn't cope with this uncertainty for over a week so I hope it means things might start happening soon. Been on my ball for an hour tonight and off walking round some shops tomorrow.

Dh thinks the baby's moved down a little but I'm not sure. Had fun testing my tens machine earlier though, can't wait to see if it helps when the proper pains kick in.

Good luck for tonight everyone, fingers crossed for weekend/mothers day babies, although I have been instructed to not go into labour in the middle of the night as poor dh would be shattered!

I'm jealous at all of you with the motivation to clean. I can only be bothered to do little bits at a time.

I wish these tightenings would either stop so I can sleep or become proper something or others and be productive! grrr. Every blinking day this week. I am 38 weeks so could have four more weeks of this, gutting.

Sundae You poor thing. Here, have a . Hope you managed to get some sleep.

I'm just sooooo tired of going to bed with backache and tightenings and being convinced that I'll wake up in labour, and then in the morning..... Nothing. Not a sausage.

I am still very windy So much so that I woke myself up in the night

Hope everyone had a good night... What are everyone's actual due dates, BTW (because we're all a week further along than we were when the thread started!)?

I'm March 22nd.

March 23rd here.

Are we all just deluding ourselves hoping they'll come early? DD was 10 days late but I was hoping the old 'second pregnancy is early' thing would kick in....

Imagine if we're still posting here in a month..... <cries>

How are you feeling Zuleika?

Mine is the 17th. I have to go to a wedding evening do tonight. Have nothing to wear. Have not sent my mother her Mother's Day card in time which she will berate me for till one of us drops dead. Dp has gone to work. And I am still in agony with the sciatica and need to entertain the toddler. Am beyond fed up.

Mines the 14th. But its my first (and ive been told theyre always late )

Got a sweep booked for the 15th if nothing moving by then but again not hopeful!

I want my baby!!! <wails>

My due date was March 4th so now I am overdue. I thought I was in labour in the night but alas no. Have a nice day everyone!

I'm 37+4 and waiting patiently.. No signs of anything yet but head well engaged so going things soon start...
Loving maternity leave tho!

Radiator - oh poor you... Maybe things are starting to happen though. Get walking and nipple twiddling! (Maybe not at the same time though...)

Dirtymistress can you get out of the wedding do for pg-related reasons? Labour is a good excuse!

I feel like I've been pregnant forever!

Oh and OohShiny, a sweep worked for me with my first so fingers crossed for you....

16th March for me but as there was some dispute regarding dates I also had 28th Feb as a due date so now it feels like its been forever! 39 weeks today; come on baby b! xx

17th of March for me too, though my dates a few days before. I have a mw appointment friday next week hoping I can bribe the mw to give me a sweep a couple of days early if I'm still with bump.

I'm sure you will need more by now Sundae sounds like you had an uncomfatable night.

Just taken dd for a run around outside to wear her out a little though I'm more worn out than she is. Though may have brought on a few cramps! More labour dust for everyone.

15th for me. Nothing today but a very grumpy toddler, at least DH is around to share the grumpiness!

Hello! I'm 38 weeks tomorrow, been on maternity leave for just over a week and now I'm bored and ready for baby to arrive

Anyone nesting? I'm not sure what the difference between general cleaning and nesting is but have to say the house is looking lovely but I think that's more to do with the fact I'm home more rather than me having an overwhelming urge to scrub everything in sight!

My next MW appointment is at 39 + 3 and there's no way I'm leaving without a sweep!

I don't see my midwife now until I'm at term so unless anything happens between now and then I won't be having a sweep til the 27th which is 3 days after my due date!

Mrsb can you not ask to see her sooner?

My MW obligingly tried to do one at my appointment on Tues at 37+3 but cervix wasn't in right place. Hoping she might try again this coming Tues. If I haven't gone into labour!

Just had a lie down while DD screamed and shouted in her room had a nap and was getting some good BHs, but as soon as I got up because DD wouldn't shut up they have subsided.

<groan>

Am very very grumpy today and being foul to both DD and DH. I am not nice when pregnant! AIBU to have a small glass of wine?

Yes I might do that, head isn't engaged yet its still free if that makes a difference?

I'm not uncomfortable (yet!) and not particularly struggling but I'm sure that will change!

Any slight twinge or pain is getting my hopes up tho!

Have a large glass of wine coolwhip. Honestly. These babies are cooked so it won't do any harm. I am also being vile. But only to dp. Bless him.

I'm having a glass of wine when I want one, certainly!

mmm glass of wine you say. Think i might have to have one also.

Joining in! Am 39 weeks tomoro. My DS was 2 weeks early so had expected thus baby to gavmade a appearance now but nothing!
Had a bit of a show yesterday so hopefully sign things moving but can also mean not going into labour for another week. Fed up of going to the toilet 7 times a night! May treat myself to a glass of wine tonight also !

17th March here too. . Quite a few St Patricks day babies! May see should all have a pint of Guiness & see if that gets babies moving!

Been out and about this morning waddling along, nothing happening though. I'm now going to wallow in the loveliness that is freshly washed baby clothes and put everything away and try and sort the nursery into some sort of order (looks like a stork exploded mother are in there!)

Hello all I'm 37 weeks tomorrow but still gt another 2 weeks at work, sciatic pain now agonising, can't even sit anyhow comfortably. Baby is 2/5ths engaged and apparently big. Everyone thinks I'm going to be early and I haven't even done my hospital bag yet. or got enough vests for a baby. I'm completely disorganised.

Going in the nursery depresses me so I'm giving it a wide berth atm, really getting frustrated now AND the in laws have decided now that the most sensible time for them to visit is my bloody due date :/ you have had ample time to visit before then dears... Sorry dunno why that's annoyed me xx

Ratbag - at still being at work! How do you do it??! You should be resting and having wine

I had a glass of wine but then was promptly sick. Don't know if it was the wine but DH packed me off to bed and took DD off to see PILs. Then I spent half an hour crying about what a useless mother and wife I am. I really hope this is pre labour hormones and not me completely losing the plot!

Szeli do your in-laws live far away then? So their visit will just mean extra work and stress for you? How kind of them.... Maybe you'll have popped and they can be roped in for babysitting.... <hopeful>

Oh and lol at Guinness for labour induction - you never know!

Tell the inlaws to bugger off. I won't have mine in the house now until at least two weeks after littl'un makes an appearance. Whenever that is!

I'm due 23rd, my mum made me cry today as she tells me my bump is way too high and I have weeks and weeks left. Cheers mum. She then backtracked and said maybe sooner... but she was blatantly just trying to cheer me up!

Ah, mothers and their comments....

The other day my DM said 'I can see the top of your bum in those trousers. Is it because you're so fat?' (It was actually because my maternity jeans were too big)

Then this morning when she rang the first thing she asked was 'Baby here yet?' Because THAT'S not the most annoying question ever. Arrrrgh.

Sorry. I think I have anger issues today.

As you were.

And Szeli, a high bump doesn't mean anything wrt labour timings - honestly, don't worry about it. Some people don't drop/engage until labour itself. I expect you'll go into labour tonight just to prove her wrong!

Sundae even.....

<head desk>

Anyone else getting irritated by the 'any sign of baby yet' texts/open liner on phone calls??

My mum & MIL start every conversation with it whenever they phone. Am very tempted to answer 'yeah actually, went into labour last night, just got back from hospital, you have a new GC, was just about to phone you & let you know!'

They're both on standby to look after DC1 in case the other one is out so they KNOW they're going to be phoned/text as soon as I go into labour. . It's not exactly the kind of thing I'm going to forget to tell them about!!

Lol. . Was posting my msg at same time as you Saycool about the 'baby here yet question'. .. Glad I'm not the only one!

In laws aren't too far away; just over an hour, it's just annoying as they were 5 mins away for a gig this week but were 'too busy' to bob in for a brew; yet next weekend there'll be no football or something so coming round - it just upsets OH, he hasn't seen them since Christmas and my parents bob up at least once a month.

Loads and loads of pressure today and a fair few bathroom trips (tmi) which seem promising but I'm just resigning myself to Easter weekend now. Can't believe none of us have gone yet! xx

My dad told off my bump today saying his grandad wanted to see him which I thought was quite cute. It's the 'had baby' questions off people who know il text them/call them straight away when I do who annoy me xx

I'm feeling a lot of pressure down there. Have been a bit bunged up so thought it was that but been to the loo now and the feeling remains. I had the worst night's sleep last night. Bump still looks high but I can't remember it even dropping in my first pregnancy. I still think I'm in for the long haul! I was 39+2 with ds which will be me tomorrow.

Were there any signs before DC1 tho? Might be a similar case if there weren't...? Fingers crossed xx

How is everyone today? I had flashy lights in my eyes that turned into a migraine and had stomach pains all night.

Nothing today though!

I'm so sick of symptom spotting!

Hope someone else is popping soon.

Happy Mothers Day!

Well I waddled along to the wedding last night, had a glass of wine, got horrific heartburn, watched people dancing and came home to ds1 still awake at 10pm. Babysitter had text me to say he was asleep on her chest and everytime she tried to put him in his cot he cried. Bearing in mind she has a GG bust, I can't say I was surprised I am lying in bed having contractions. Not sure if this is it. But I had forgotten how much it hurt so now I think I have changed my mind.

Feeling okay despite what felt like I was awake half the night dd woke up and even though dp went to her, I couldn't get bloody comfy.

That made me chuckle about your ds1 dirtymistress .

Few odd cramps but nothing to go by I don't think. Though my cousin had her two week overdue baby last night (not sure on any details). So it's my turn now I hope the baby knows this and makes an appearance soon!

Good Luck with those contractions dirtymistress whispers maybe a mothers day baby?

Oooh good luck Dirtymistress! A couple of paracetamol and a hot bath? <channels midwife>

Hope it doesn't get too painful!

and keep us posted

Stopped. After a solid hour of being 5 minutes apart. Bastards.

Noo! Dirtymistress get bouncing or DTD, anything to start them up again!

I got a mum to be card of my DH. I was very touched bless him.

Off to my mums for Mother's Day lunch so will be subjected to my whole family talking to my belly and complaining that she's not here yet. Oh the joys!

Fingers crossed for more happenings and to all us mums and mums to be.

No news here, fed up of this false/practice labour .... Pains for days that just never get strong or regular enough but are bloody annoying. Will get another sweep tomorrow at the MW and just try and book in for induction at 40+ 10 I think. Happy Mother's Day/ mother to be day to you all!

Been in pain all night but nothing new. Spent most of today in tears; thoroughly had enough now. Ever heard of an induction on mental health grounds? Properly at a loss x

Aw szeli. Don't be sad. I feel very like you honey. But we will survive. Have a drink

Oh poor you - all of you! Szeli, Radiator and Dirtymistress - hope something happens soon.

Try and keep your hopes up. Definitely have some

Fingers crossed for all of us!

Anyone else getting grinding pain / shooting stabbing pain in their pelvic / vagina area when lying down? I was up and down like a yo yo last night with constant grinding/ stabbing pain, dunno if it means cervix is opening? Eventually fell asleep thinking 'I'll wake up in labour & have a Mother's Day baby'. . . Pffffffffffft.

Had that since about 20 weeks; according to the doc and midwife it's part and parcel of preg caused by increased weight/pressure xx

My face has gone really really fat. The way that only a face that has reached the end of pregnancy can be fat am so pissed off now. Want to go for a run and be thin again. Not a huge, practically immobile, incubator. Grrrr!

Was just about to say I can't wait to be a human rather than a vessel :/ sobbings stopped now thankfully but I look a reet state after 8 or so hours of histrionics :/ was even getting angry at baba for moving, feel like a total evil cow for how much I want this over with! x

I hate the pathetic feeling that everything is a struggle, particularly trying to pull on Ugg boots over my fat ankles. Feel like I'm permanently huffing & puffing!

How is everyone doing this evening?

I too feel completly fed up/pathetic just had around an hour or so of pains 7/8 minutes apart then just fizzled away. Heres to another uncomfatable night.

I had no warning with ds until waking in the night with contractions 7 minutes apart. Nothing last night but had a nice relaxing mother's day. Midwife came today for bp reading and was happy. I asked about a sweep next week which could be a possibility. I'd rather baby be spontaneous though! Hmph, uncomfortable is not even the word right now!

Well he's here. Ds2 arrived at 11.40. Went to the hospital at about 8.15pm. Got in the pool about 9. Hurt like hell. 7.7lb. Beautiful.

Congratulations Enjoy your newborn snuggles!

I'm awake with cramps again totally all over the place though.

Congratulations Dirty! One down...

Congratulations dirty mistress! Very jealous though!

I'm 38 weeks today and throughly fed up! Felt ok and human up until about a week ago. Now I'm full on waddling, struggle to put socks/leggings/shoes etc on due to pressure down below. Had lots of little signs but to no avail.

At midwives tomo and hoping she'll tell me its engaged rather than still bobbing around!

Good luck everyone! Xx

Congratulations Dirtymistress! Well done! Hope you and baby are well

Maybe this will be the start of the domino effect.....

Myself and baby Eben are fine. Though flipping heck, the after pains with your second are hideous. Next doors baby has been very very loud and I haven't slept but all worth it. Come on ladies, I want some more babies!

Congrats dirtymistress I am hopefully that I am in very early labour I have been having contractions since 1 am ish. They are still not regular enough for me to think anything is close and while they are more painful than anything I've had over the last few weeks they are still not THAT painful. I am hopeful though. I've sent my daughter off to my mum's. Hopefully they will pick up pace soon (I am 41 weeks today). Failing that I have a MW appt at lunchtime will get another sweep.

Congrats Dirty!
Your due date was same aine so you've given me hope. . What a lovely belated Mother's Day present!!

Radiator. .sounds like you're next???

Someone mentioned the afterpains to me the other day. Not something to look forward to I see, don't really remember them from last time.

Sounds like I had a similar night to you radiato. Was awake from 2am with contractions closest they got at one point was every 4 minutes. Now back to a couple an hour. Would love a MW appointment to tell me if anything was going on!

It's so annoying isn't it DeathMetalMum. Plus it's never like this in the movies is it?! Waters break, contractions come, a bit of pushing and Bob's your uncle... A baby! No hideous false labour pains for weeks before all this!

COngrats Dirty! I hope you spur the rest of us on

My pool has been tested, the MW has done the homecheck and I am all go for my homebirth. Very excited to have my first baby in my own home with my own things and everything just so. We live a 2 min blue light to local hospital, so not far if I do need to transfer.

Well done dirty giving us some hope! Came on quick too! OH is actually leaving my side for a couple of hours today - wonder if that will kick start baby b into action? Haha xx

My "D"H has decided to tell me at this point he no longer likes the names we've chosen and instead has given me a long list of suggestions that are truly horrendous.

I am so upset and now very stressed.

headinghome mine has done exactly the same! He did it last time too. Don't worry, you have in your favour the fact that you will have given birth...I predict that DH will be in utter admiration of you such that you can choose whatever name you like ( note, there is a limited widow of opportunity for this ;-)). Good luck!

Yes, the afterpains with my 2nd were pretty bad, so I'm presuming they'll be bad again this time - worth asking the MWs for some top-strength painkillers!

Not sure I can count on that, Radiator...

Congratulations Dirtymistress! C'mon babies! Not liking the afterpains stories as this is my 2nd - I found them quite bad with my first - waaaahhhh!

HeadingHome - it's totally your call on the names. You're carrying the baby, you're going through labour, plus if you've already agreed the names previously it's unacceptable for him to change his mind.

Good luck Radiator. Hope it kicks off properly soon for you!

I am grumpy and miserable today. I cannot go through another 2 weeks or even 4 of this. Can I have an ELCS at 38 weeks??! (Kidding...)

How's everyone feeling?

Am envious of Dirtymistress's newborn snuggles!

Milkyjo - ditto! Mine weren't too bad with DD, not looking forward to them this time around

Congratulations dirtymistress!

My little one seems to be a bit lower today, hopefully this means she's ready to start things off!

Has anyone had a sweep before? I've got one on Friday, at 40+1 and the midwife will be coming to my house to do it but I have no real clue what it entails or where she will do it (obviously hand up my chuff, I mean will I need to lie on my bed/sofa )

I had a sweep with DD. it wasn't too bad. You will probably have to lie down on a bed or sofa for it though.

She'll probably put on a glove and insert 2 fingers up. For me it was more uncomfortable than painful. Afterwards I had cramping and spotting and it did eventually kick off labour!

Good luck.

Thanks coolwhip I'm hoping she comes before I get to Friday but that may just be wishful thinking!

Thanks for congrats everyone. Bubs is snuggly and delicious. But oh my god, the pains are excruciating, just as bad as being in labour. Have been in floods of tears with them. Apparently it's worse if you have your babies close together so my 17 month gap isn't helping. Other than that though everything is lovely. And no damage to my bits so it doesn't even hurt to wee!

I didn't realise about afterpains with 2nd baby??! Eek!!

So far today I have had 3 cups raspberry leaf tea, eaten half a pineapple, been on a long walk & borrowed friends gym ball so my night will be spent bouncing!! C'mon baby!!

Keep being told to have sex. . Can't think of anything worse however if there's no movement by the weekend I might have to rethink that one!

Good luck chubbychipmonk! I will also be bouncing and possibly DTDing with DH if he comes to bed at the same time otherwise I'll be asleep

Have mw tomorrow so hoping she might attempt another sweep...

Well I have mostly been nesting today, hoovered, changed all the beds etc. So I'm ready cramps/pains seem to be starting again slighly earlier than last night so will see.

Do you think a hot water bottle will do thr same thing as a bath? There is no way I will be running one if things start at 2am again.

Does anyone else have snow? We have a dusting at the moment but any more and I might get worried about being able to get to the hospital if I need to!

Yes I've got snow. . .

Which is quite ironic since my DS1 was born in a very snowy Dec & I said this time round, 'oh how lovely, a Spring baby, the sun will be shinning, I'll be able to go walks with the pram. . . . '

<looks out the window at snow covered garden & ice on car!>

We've got a fair bit but not on the roads. Pretty icy though so won't be doing any high speed dashes! Hope the cramps turn into something Deathmetal! And I'm sure a hot water bottle will be fine.

I am in the middle of an emotional meltdown, I feel like the crappest mother in the world to DD because I just don't have the energy to deal with her. Then I wonder why the hell we're having another one and that makes me feel like a worse mother.

Hoping the tears are just labour hormones....

I asked for an induction on mental health grounds today. I don't think the counciller could tell if I was joking or not...

Asked my midwife for a sweep Monday too (next appointment) I'll be 40+2 but she said she has to wait until 40+7, what a jib!

C'mon babies, I think we should aim for at least one baby a day now it's started xx

Yes I would like one a day too hopefull. I know two people who gave birth on Saturday and Sunday one very late another early I'm very jealous.

Exactly the same here chubbychipmonk my dd was born in Feb after the very snowy winter two years ago. I too thought a lovely Spring baby. Ha!

I was feeling like that last week Saycool I had a good few days of feeling totaly crap and guilty about everything. Tears thinking I wont be able to cope, Etc I have read a lot of poeple on here feeling similar though so that helped me muddle through a bit.

Understand your tears Saycool, I feel like a crap mum to DS too. I had all these great plans that once I was on mat leave before the baby came I would take him out loads & go on nice day trips just the 2 of us before the baby arrives.

Now I'm lucky if I can just about waddle to the park at the end of the street & thank God every day for Disney Junior channel!

Hi ladies, happy news our new daughter arrived yesterday at 6.26pm after a quick labour at 41 weeks exactly.

Day went like so:
1am-1pm contractions on and off. Bearable.
2pm -MW appt, 3 cm (yay!) stretched by the MW to 4 ( never even knew that they could do this?)
4pm -went to hosp as not coping well with pain. 6 cm ( yay!)
Then went to MLU, puked a bit, many hideous contractions, got in pool, urge to push at 6.10 pm' born at 6.26.

Just gas and air this time v different experience to DD1 ( labour ward, pethidine, 2 hours to push).

Feel quite empowered and pleased with how I managed it but it was still incredibly painful.

Left hosp at midnight now home. Bit stressed as she won't feed just sleeps! Hence being on the Internet at this time googling!

Thanks for your support ladies and all the best I hope it's soon. Good luck!

Congratulations radiator! So happy for you. Pleased you had a good birth. Which doesn't sound dissimilar to mine! Can't believe you're home already you mad woman! Look after yourself. Xx

Congratulations Radiator! Hope your new daughter settles and feeds soon.

I would have liked to have stayed but they seemed keen to get rid!

Good lord where did you have her? I am in a midwife led unit at my little market town in Northumberland's hospital and they would happily encourage me to stay for a fortnight! Came in last night at 9pm and asked if they could please look after him while I slept? Have had six hours in a row! Feel like a new person.

Aw well done hope these straightforward labours are the fashion and we're on track!

x

Well done Radiator!

Our MLU kicks you out pretty pronto too - a couple of hours if everything's fine. Though last time I had to stay in for 12 hours because there'd been meconium in DS's waters and they forgot I was there - had to wander the halls trying to find food!

Congratulations! Xx

Dirtymistress that's awesome! Get as much sleep as you can!

Congratulations Radiator!!

Aww we'll done ladies

Radiator - Did you actually give birth to DD 'in' the water? I really fancy a water birth this time round.

Water births are the way to go chippy. No damage to your bits. Nice clean baby!

I'm hoping for a water birth this time too.

Went to mw this morning - she says I'm a cm dilated and about 50% effaced but she couldn't reach to do a sweep. She said from how I'd progressed I'd hopefully give birth in a week or so.... But I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

How's everyone else feeling?

Sore! Haha. A water birth does seem the way to go and although the maternity ward I'm on does have pools one of my clients (works in obs and gyny at a different hospitsl) suggested they probably wouldn't let me in it due to being high risk and consultant led... Surely everyone on the consultant ward is high risk so why have the pools if you can't use them? Any of you repeat mummies have a clue?

Aw whip never knew them not being able to reach was possible least she's hazarding within the week! xx

Yep apparently so Szeli - and my mw has long fingers! (Sorry tmi...)

Sorry you're so sore. Have a and maybe a cheeky

I don't know much about high risk wards but I would think it's definitely worth asking about a water birth. I know you can't have any pain relief other than gas and air if you're in the water, and it depends what sort of monitoring they want to do. Definitely ask though!

There's only one birth pool at my MLU so if someone starts dropping before me and opts for a water birth I won't get one anyway! Plus, I have heard that its a bit of a pita for the mw as they have to keep monitoring the temp of the water, and it takes quite a bit of time to fill up etc... I don't know if I'd feel like I was putting them to too much trouble!

I suppose we could always jump in the baths in the en suite haha ours ward only has 2 pools but on the tour they said they're not used very often which suprised me. I just like the idea of actually fitting properly in a bath style thing without my blankets made of towels!

only gas and air? that's a shame, i'm counting down the days to the opiates! xx

Oh and having lots of womb juice (affectionate name for rlt) and a duvet day but sadly no wine as maternity payments have still not arrived so had to borrow the rent this month off mother (i feel like a shit) got one lonely tenner left for the taxi when i go into labour! the joys of the self employed lol xx

Oh Szeli that's rubbish about your mat payments Hope they get sorted soon. Have you got enough stuff for the baby?

I've been taking the raspberry leaf capsules and started on evening primrose oil. I've heard you can use EPO as a pessary but slightly grossed out by that.....

Yeah baby stuff is more than sorted; just bummed out I can't use maternity time to pop for dinner with the OH/see friends etc. They're hoping it'll be the end of the month for everything.

Tried the EPO as a pessary with the help of a grimmed out OH and it was so painful but I did have a show (probably more down to his ferreting than the oil) have been having at least 3000mg a day orally tho and tried it the other night in conjunction with DTD which was much more appealing.

Love the rlt too, drinking about 5 cups a day, don't think il ever stop with that

Congratulations Radiator!

I've been having nipple trouble today. Just managed to get rid of a painful what I can only assume was a blood blister or blocked duct from the centre of my left nipple that appeared overnight.

Can't believe I've got problems before the baby! Im not even leaking colostrum, only tiny drops come out whn i squeeze.

My wonderful DH who was home for dinner even tried popping it with a needle for me bless him. I'm now sat with my boob in salt water to cleanse the hole that's left! attractive.

On the plus side (possibly) nipple tweaking seems to have set my Braxton Hicks off again, or hopefully the real thing! delusional

Szeli duvet day sounds perfect (im waiting for payday on friday so also lounging and doing housework) but cannot agree about the raspberry leaf. The tablets taste bad enough I could certainly not stomach the tea!

What's the primrose oil used for? Not heard of that one.

Sorry for the essay!

My Grandparents had a raspberry farm; think that's why I'm fine with the tea - used to years of unsweetened fresh raspberries.

EPO is just used to assist with the softening of the cervix (in theory) even if its not done that tho its made my hair and nails nicer than they 'be ever been!

At least with a salt water nipple bath you've got to see the funny side! Pregnancy is mental xx

Congratulations Radiator! I've had a hectic day at groups with DS all day. I am just getting more and more twitchy because I'm booked for homebirth but still no signs of baby - that said I've not even reached my due date yet (Friday). I just want everything to go smoothly, and even if I have to transfer in at least try and spend most of my labour at home. 12 days over and they say a homebirth is not recommended. I am using evening primrose as it's supposed to help your cervix dilate quicker. I take 1000mg orally in the morning and 1000mg as pessary at night when I get into bed. I can't actually reach my cervix but, as I said on another thread, hoping its getting absorbed and if nothing else the oil is helping to soften my perineum!

When I mean it helps to dilate your cervix I mean once you're in labour - it doesn't start you off as far as I'm aware.

Well I feel like crap! Didn't sleep all night due to contractions well maybe an hour or so of dozing. They have slowly fizzled out again however every now and then get hit by a wopper and have to breathe it out etc. Dp is off to work in an hour, I'm wondering how long after he leaves it takes for things to start up again if I'm lucky.

Hi all Dirty it's a hospital near Manchester I think if you are in the MLU then quick in and out is the norm. The idea is that it's in homely surroundings then you go home. There was no bed in the room just a couch thing. V nice though. It's ok. The MW came round this morning and baby as been feeding well today.

Chubby I did have her in the water yes. I didnt feel strongly about having a water birth or anything (didn't really have a birth plan... it just said "I'm open to all forms of pain relief!)... but they'd run it for me and it looked inviting and indeed it was. It was quite nice to be in the water when youre in such pain.
Bit minging to be sitting in a bath full of blood, poo, mucus etc after you've had the baby but hey ho (they clearly don't promote that when pushing the water birth 'eh).

Szeli last time I had my baby on a normal labour ward and I was low risk. The MLU at that particular hospital was full on the day. It was fine though. There were no pools at that hosp put I think some do have them on the normal labour wards.

Whip... PMA... At least you're a cm dilated :-). Re. The pool and no drugs I agree that was one of my fears. I was all for the drugs to be honest. Because it was so much quicker this time 'round though not much time for drugs and strangely I found the gas and air reasonably effective. It made me feel drunk. Weird as last time I don't remember it having ANY effect. In fact I was pretty sure there was just normal air in there! So (in the event a pool is available) gas and air and pool might not be too bad.

DeathMetal sounds to me like you might be next!

Anyway conscious am high jacking this thread with birth and baby tales so I will stop as this is a much needed overdue moaning thread!! It was nice to wake up each morning and have a mini moan on this thread. Keep it up! Good luck and quick, pain free labours for all soon!

Aw DeathMetal, hope something had kicked off for you now. All this stopping and starting must be so frustrating!

I went for a long brisk walk today in the hope of kicking something off, have eaten pineapple and curry and will attempt the EPO pessary tonight, possibly accompanied by DTD. Now if I can just fit in some nipple twiddling and gym balling I should be ready to go!

Radiator don't feel you can't update us - we all love a good newborn story. Stay and whinge about sore nipples and tiredness (not that I'm wishing these upon you...!)

Any more movement Deathmetal?

Have been a walk today, sat on gym ball, DTD (not very sexy!) and am back on the ball drinking raspberry tea!

Keep getting cramps / twinges when I've been on it a while but then they stop! Grrrrrr

Midwife tomorrow morning so will see what she says. Am due next Sun, do you think she will give me a sweep? Didn't have one last time, not sure i want one? Will it hurt?

Didn't think about the after effects of sitting in the birth pool radiator, kinda forgot about that bit!

I'm due Sat, midwife won't do a sweep til a week Friday; I believe it has something to do with the NICE regs.

radiator chat away about your newborn - remind us all why we're doing this!

Really wish I could get down to/balance on the ball, just bounced on the sofa for a bit today instead!

No real twinges today but just saw his foot come clear out of my belly, so freaky!

xx

I do indeed have sore nipples (already :-( ) and am v tired!

Introduced DD1 ( 2 yrs 10 moths ) to newborn tonight it went well and she wanted to give her cuddles and kisses. At bedtime DD2 was crying, so DD1 cried, cue me having to go from one to th other for about 20 mins to calm each one down. Joy!

Re. Sweeps where I live they won't sweep until 40 weeks. Policy for 2nd time weeks is apparently 41 weeks but I managed to get the midwife to do me one at 40 weeks ( not that that one had any effect).

I'm 38+3 today, first baby. My question is when is it time to start all the hot curries, long walk and sex??

I'm just excited to meet baby B! Plus I really really do not want to be too overdue and have to be induced as I'd like a water birth

At least 10 days ago! Haha ooh another baby b crack on with those old wives tales hun xx

Yay! Thanks szeli I was hoping you would say that! Which particular ones would u recommend? I've been taking raspberry leaf capsules although I know they don't actually induce labour just help strengthen things! I haven't got a birthing ball as of yet but am willing to try anything!

Iv been putting chillis in vindaloo; aiming for sex at least daily, nipple stimulation, evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea like they're going out of fashion and this has been since 37 weeks but nothing just telling myself it'd take even longer if I didn't... xx

Hmmmmph. Got MW appointment today, not sure she'll agree to a sweep as I'm 2 days off 40 weeks. Looking at the NICE guidelines you can get one at 40 weeks if its your first but not until 41 weeks if you have already given birth! Surely that should be the other way round?! Every night I wake up thinking, oooh that BH hurt ever so slightly - here we go! But then I wake up in the morning and find there's nothing! I'm going for a long brisk walk before lunch as DS is in nursery today and we can only manage a slow 2 year old walk usually. Has anyone felt sick before labour? I feel quite queasy this morning.

I've felt sick the last couple of mornings and had an upset stomach today. Also had a big surge in my appetite. I'm clutching at straws I think!

Just back from midwife, she gave me a sweep (am 39+3 weeks).

Not painful as such just very uncomfortable! Said I was 1-2cm dilated & that she could touch baby's head! Said my cervix was still quite thick but that it was favourable (?!) and quite stretchy. She couldn't feel any bulging waters or anything but said its 50-50 as to whether it will work or not

Anyone know of any positive sweep stories to spur me on??

How's everyone else feeling today?

I was swept at 40+3 and 41+3 last time and the second one did the trick - went into labour about three hours later.

If my cervix was reachable I'd be sweeping myself . Though I know with both the previous two that when it was thinning out I could reach it (tmi!), so the fact I can't means I'm probably a way away yet. I'll be 39 + 5 at next MW appt so she is GOING to sweep me, NICE guidelines notwithstanding!

I also had MW appointment just now and said she'll give me a sweep next week when I'll be overdue. Having said that she asked me if I was feeling sick and I said yes this morning, she said it could be a sign of things moving! I went for my walk and now I just ache. For some reason I bought fibre rich foods for my lunch - hummous, wholemeal pittas and dried apricots - its what I really fancied and now I know I'm going to be in agony later!!! Picture a birth jacuzzi instead of a pool! TMI? I don't care.

Perhaps my midwife just doesn't like to do them...?

Reading up on sweeps last night suggested that post 41 weeks around 70% of women go into labour within 48 hours.

Not terrible odds; really not keen on her doing it in my house tho x

I get that too milky, think going for a walk is a good idea until I'm hobbling home & collapse on the couch aching all over!

Maybe the nausea is a sign of things moving? Fingers crossed! X

When my mw tried yesterday her words were 'remember this is on the QT as we're not really allowed to do them this early...' (I'm 38+4)

But as I said yesterday she couldn't do an actual sweep Maybe next week.

Milkyjo I was sick during labour last time although it may have been due to me caning the gas and air but not before. But I've heard it can be a sign.... However I've been puking on and off for a while.... Had horrendous sickness throughout though.

Come on babies! We need another one today! As DD was 10 days late, hopefully this one will be 10 days early. Which is today! <hopeful>

Freaked myself out by reading the thread about foetal movements and still birth and am now convinced movements have slowed down (which is not a good thing!) but don't know if it's paranoia or not. Arrrgh. Do not like pregnancy one bit!

Anyone seen sundaesundae??

I'm happy for it to be me today!! My due date is the 24th which is the day after my own birthday so I'd rather have baby early : )

Saycool, ds2 totally seemed to slow down movement wise the last few days, my midwife just said its cos there isn't much room by the end. He was extremely active during labour though-and I don't remember that at all with ds1. We had a pretty good first night home. All four of us slept a bit

Thanks Dirtymistress. Think I'm just starting to get paranoid about everything!

Glad you've all got some sleep How is your new little bundle?

Gorgeous. I am definitely in love now. It takes me a while if I'm honest, when they first come out I don't want them awful to admit but true. But yesterday, I fell head over heels with his soft, delicious ttiny was

It's not awful, Dirty, I was exactly the same. When DD popped out I was expecting the massive rush of love etc but actually all I could do was think 'thank fuck that's over'. Definitely took a day or so to bond etc..... I think this is more common than people like to admit!

Had a few pains while walking about which have now disappeared Groan!

Hi guys, starting to pack my transfer bag, still haven't done it. Questioning whether my waters are leaking or I am just superdoopa moist. All my period pains, cramps, tightenings and everything else have disappeared to be replaced with super bad SPD pains. Grrr!

MW tomorrow, 38+5, was so hopeful a week ago that I'd have a nice early arrival, now I am convinced it will be 1st April!

Sending softening, dilating and contracting vibes to you all.

Yay to Rad on your arrival and to anyone else I missed, I read it, just can't retain anything at the moment!!

Some of my maternity has come thru so me and the mister are going to have a date night involving the curry mile; I'm even going to wash my hair!

OH did ask if it was 'safe' for me to go out but the curry mile is next to the hospital - much nearer than where we live haha he seemed comforted by that although he has described the way he feels at the moment as ''having dynamite strapped to me not knowing when it's going to go off!'' errr I've got to do the labour thing :/ strange boy.

Did we have a birth yesterday? I'm losing all track now but someone needs to get labouring to keep us on target please!

xx

Sundae I'm getting that lovely 'moist' feeling too. . . It's all so glamorous isn't it!! Yuk!

Enjoy your date Sz, maybe tonight's the night after a big curry!

Am feeling increasingly more crampy as the day goes on after my sweep this morning, hope they start to turn into contractions!!

Fingers crossed chipmunk! Sounds positive! Maybe it'll be you today

Enjoy your curry night Szeli, have a hot one!

Fingers crossed everyone. It's my due date tomorrow. (Eek!) highly doubt I'll be one of the lucky ones who has the baby on their due date though! Midwife coming Friday to do a sweep as well so I'm hopeful it might be this weekend.

Tmi but I've been getting lots of discharge lately which is pleasant not!

I still can't quite believe I will get a baby to keep at the end of this, I'm feeling really well and could quite happily carry on forever but I'm also ready for her to come out of that makes sense!

Ooh you never know. . Could pop out tomorrow! The discharge is delightful isn't it!!

I'm sat on my birthing ball ever hopeful but something tells me this baby is far too comfy in there!!

Went in on tuesday evening dd was born this morning 8lb13oz. Have been enjoying newborn snuggles after and eventfull birth. Good luck to all you ladies still waiting!

Congrats deathmetal! Xx

Congrats woo we're still on track!

I just had another but of a show and the pressures building up; will happily settle for tomorrow but I reckon at least another 10 days if awkward!

Thanks everyone; date was lush xx

Congrats deathmetal

Your DD has a great date of birth! Glad all went well

Enjoy your newborn snuggles & well deserved !

Wonder who's next??

Congratulations Deathmetal!

Aarggh I feel like I'm going to be the last one and there'll be nobody left on the thread and I'll just be here every morning by myself getting huger and huger until he's 21.

Congratulations Deathmetal! Hope all went well with the birth and you and miniMetal are well. Enjoy the newborn snuggles!

Zuleika, don't worry. I'm sure I'll be last.... I'll be hanging here for the next year month

Please can we have detailed birth story deathmetal? And can everyone else promise the same please? Hope everyone is alright this morning.

Ooh yes, good point, don't spare us the gory details!

Congratulations! Counting down the days now xx

Hiya - can I join you frustrated ladies please? 37 weeks tomorrow but already feeling very impatient. Last day of work tomorrow and then maternity leave. Been having period pains for the last 3 nights but guessing I've got weeks yet. Also jealous as half of my NCT class have popped already!

Hi Novia - I think I saw your thread about period pains. It's so frustrating when you think something might be happening but then it doesn't turn in to anything. You've done well to work up to 37 weeks!

I'm hoping a nice bumpy bus ride and lots of walking today will shift something...

novia im starting to think the best way forward is to try and move your due date in your head to your induction date then anything before then is a bonus!

(We'll see how that theories holding up tho after my official due date on sat :/)

C'mon death gory birth stories please haha xx

Congrats DeathMetalMum really pleased for you!

Hi Szeli and SayCool - thanks for your replies. You've got a few weeks on me yet - hoping the labour fairy is on her way for you guys!

Bumpy bus ride sounds like a good idea. I've been walking a mile to the train station every morning, then another half a mile at the other end - doesn't seem to have shifted her yet though!

To be fair - I would like to get my last working day out of the way first (my worst fear is my waters breaking at work) so any time from Saturday would be great.

Thanks everyone.

So was up all night monday contractions fizzled out during the day on tuesday. They started back up again quite regularly about 5pm Tuesday (10 minutes after dp had left for work!) I worked out that sitting down was slowing them down so avoided as much as possible. Put dd1 to bed and they were around every 5 minutes rang maternity ward and they said to ring when I was having three in 10 minutes. Rang them an hour later 9pm ish and said to go in.

Examination when I arrived found me to be 5cm dialated alredy. I was surprised as I had convinced myself I was going to be told I wasn't far enough along. Then I basically stayed active and moving around. I got in and out of the pool (pool seemed to slow things down but was great for taking the pressure of my hips/back/legs.) Used the birthing ball on my knees occasionally sat on the chair.

At 7cm started with gas and air still active and moving but resting on the bed/chair a little more and in the pool again. Got to 9cm and MW had to break the waters for me. We then had shift change for mw and even though first one was great. Had a fab student mw and another fab one. Told me to do what my body was telling me which was to start pushing. Dd was born quite quickly though her shoulders were stuck but MW managed to sort it.

Then I had retained placenta mw managed to get half out, consultant turned up managed to get some more, but not all ended up having to go to theatre and spinal block I was terrified. During theatre they found I have a heart shaped womb, which was the cause of the retained placenta. Then has some problems with my temprature, so had tonnes of tests done to test for Infections etc.

Finally got the okay to go up to the ward. Yesterday evening. Dd is feeding great, and I actually feel better than after I had her which was a less traumatic birth by far.

Good luck for whoever is next!

better than after I had dd1*

Well done DeathMetal! You are all giving me hope that I won't be pregnant for ever and will survive child birth!

Got MW later, no sweeps or anything yet, but want to make sure she is sure of position, all hiccups are top right, I am worried bottom is head and baby is breech!

Got quite bad period pains and pressure this morning, nothing new. Going to an NCT sale on Saturday, so have decided baby can come on Tuesday next week, that feels quite convenient.

Wow Deathmetal, thanks for sharing - what a scary ending though. Glad all is well now.

All my niggles have totally disappeared I want to go to my niece's birthday party on Sunday but DH is putting his foot down and saying a 2.5 hour journey is too much at this stage. Not sure whether I should push it or not.....

Sundae, best to make lots of plans then the baby will turn up!

Oh and Sundae let us know how the midwife goes - hopefully baby isn't breech and is just kicking you lightly....

Student measured me VERY small, so made her redo it, now perfectly on the 50th centile line, but apparently I have a good amount of waters, so she reckons a 7-8lb baby.

Lots of poking and prodding we have decided bottom is almost certainly bottom, it withdraws but isn't ballottable. I now have baby hiccups down low as well, so by bump is just weird

Next appointment is 40+3, which she and student guaranteed I won't make. Therefore I will of course be being induced at 42 weeks now!!

Ah congratulations deathmetal! I'm still hanging in there. I was convinced it would be last night after the cramps I was getting but no baby in the bed this morning! I feel fine in the day but then it gets to about 5pm and starts feeling hopeful again! I have been vigorously mopping the kitchen floor as I had an immense rage after I found cut finger and toenails all over it - DH did them last night and obviously missed the bin - FFS I was soooooo enraged as he's not picked them up! I have also been chasing DS around and tickling him as I have been feeling very guilty by not playing rough and tumble with him. Now my mum has taken him for a walk and I've had (TMI) a loose poo and have got some mild cramps. Fingers crossed again! If all else fails I am having a sweep on Monday.

Well, hoping the quiet thread means you're all popping out babies...

Sadly not me though

Have decided I'm just going to be pregnant FOREVER! I'm just such a good incubator he doesn't want to come out... <searches for silver lining>

Yet again last night was getting some good BHs and feeling positive... But today, nada. So am going to spend the day cleaning and scrubbing and then at least Baby Whip will have a nice house

How is everyone else?

Got my sweep this afternoon. With the on and off crampy twinges I've been having all week I'm hoping it will set me off this weekend! We're planning on going on a long walk tomorrow as well to help things along.

I'm already bored of cleaning and cooking and being at home on my own and this is only my second week of maternity! I'm going to be a nightmare if I hold on another 2 weeks!

No baby here . . . Due date Sunday. Was convinced I would be early since DS was but this one is not for budging.

Getting pissed off now, esp at night time when I feel crampy, BH etc then wake up following morning with nothing. . And don't even get me started on people -Mother in law- phoning up 3 times a day to ask if there is any sign of baby yet!!

I feel your rage at toenails Milky, I had house perfect, just way I wanted it, DH has just had 2 days off work & thank God he is going back to work today before I seriously whack him over the head with his muddy boots that he insists on walking over my clean kitchen floor in!

Is it really sad that the highlight of my day today us gonna be at 7.30pm when DS is in bed, DH is at work & I can nest & clean, clean , clean to my hearts content??! ----I officially have lost the plot-

Here's hoping for a baby today ladies!

Good luck with the sweep Oohshiny, hope it speeds things along!

Baby still firmly inside. Went for 5 wees in the night and had one painful contraction after each time - not sure what that means? But then had normal uncomfortable BH during night - normal for me since 20 weeks ago! It's my due date today so I am not expecting anything, I'll join you whip in being pregnant for as long as an elephant (its what I feel like!).

shiny I am also completely bored of cleaning and baking now. I was feeling positive on Wednesday and baked some biscuits for the midwives but they've all been eaten now! Let us know how the sweep goes, hopefully you'll not be needing that long walk! I have one on Monday, not sure what to expect - my mum had one with my older brother and she said within 24 hours she was underway, however that was a 26 hour labour!!! My mood is horrendous, I've already emailed 2 complaints this morning and I'm still in my PJs!

Glad I'm not the only one up & down like a yo yo to the toilet during the night.

Would it be really bad to buy Tena lady pants or borrow my DS pull ups & just stay in bed???

I would love to do that chipmonk!

I'm starting to struggle with lack of sleep already. I could cope with the getting up for a wee, been doing that for at least half this pregnancy a few times a night, but past few weeks I've really started snoring which my poor DH can't sleep through and i wake him up constantly, so he has to wake me to get me to turn over and stop and nearly every time he does I then need a wee! and also now I'm continually getting cramp in my legs from sleeping on my sides even with the pillow between my legs so I'm now waking/being woken up between 5-10 times a night.

I'm counting down the days when I can stop snoring, sleep back on my stomach and starfish to my hearts content!

I know you are all still pregnant and pissed off but want to stay in touch. Today first day alone with the two of them and so far the toddler has nearly sliced his head open on the fireplace, had an epic tantrum and run around the sitting room with a poo covered arse refusing to let me clean him. Oh and nobody slept, the house is bomb site and my milk has come in so my boobs are hugemongus and knacking help!

Ah dirty it'll get better I'm sure. I have visions of that happening with mine! The bomb site house doesn't matter, mine seems to be getting like that again and I've not even had baby yet! I will be relying on Diney Pixar and CBeebies when DH goes back to work. How is it going with toddler's acceptance of the new baby? Are you just sort of 'ignoring' baby and paying lots of attention to older one? Oooh to the milky boobs, I can just feel the aching as I type! x

OMG Oooh, I could've written that post about snoring! My snoring is do bad I can hear myself as I'm starting to drift off and so wake myself up before I've even fallen asleep!! DH has slept on the couch a few nights coz I've been that bad!!

Dirty I'm sure it will get better, remember its early days so don't be too hard on yourself. YY to Cbeebies and cartoons for the toddler! Had forgotten about the huge painful boobs when milk comes in

Sweep went well. she was bloody vigorous though! She did warn me she did proper sweeps! got a bishops score of 6 which I think means if I was to be induced now everythings favourable for it to work. 1-2 cm dialated as well and been very crampy since she did it and baby moving quite a bit so not sure if she enjoyed it!

Good luck Shiny!

Had some 'interesting' sensations yesterday and today - felt like baby trying to push his way out without benefit of labour - loads of stretchy feelings and bulges at the - er - exit. But now nothing. Bah!

Ooooh fingers crossed shiny! Oh yes bulgey feelings a plenty too zuleika and I can feel baby's head pushing on my bits! I'm starting to become very jealous and feeling left behind now. Later on when I'm in established labour I'll be wanting to go back to today, quite comfortably pain free!

Good luck Shiny, sounds good! We expect to hear your labour story tomorrow

I did a ridiculous amount of cleaning this morning so hoping that's my pre labour nesting....

Dirtymistress hope you manage to get some rest soon! Please do keep coming and talking to us

Fingers crossed Shiny!

Hate the 'bulging' feeling, was in town yesterday & felt as if I was walking with a bowling ball between my legs!

Feet have swollen up to epic proportions now :/ and some very very unsightly stretchmarks have appeared down my sides. He best hurry up! Hope some more babies are born tonight xx

Oh Szeli I share your pain. My fingers are like sausages and all of me feels inflated like a bouncy castle!

I wonder how Shiny is getting on....

Fingers crossed for weekend babies!

Well I'm getting odd stomach pains and feel absolutely drained..... Maybe labour is on its way....? <hopeful>

Surely one of us will have a baby this weekend??!!!

My D day is tomorrow & no imminent signs. Took DS to his swimming lesson this morning in the hope it may get things moving but all the bobbing about in the water has done is give me a sore back. . .grrrrrrr!

I wouldn't be so annoyed if my DS hadn't been early & I hadn't set myself up for this one to be early too

Got the house to myself this afternoon so am parking myself on the sofa with chocolate & a DVD, can't face any more pineapple, raspberry tea or sitting on that bloody birthing ball!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend x

chipmonk my ds was also early and just assumed this one would be the same. I am officially overdue now and it made me cry today. I have sat on the sofa feeling sorry for myself eating chocolate biscuits!

Hello!
Can I join? I am 37+1, due on 5th april. This is baby number three for me, number one was born at 39+2, number two at 38+3, so I have really got it in my head this one would be before 38+3 and am now panicking that it won't and I've set myself up for big disapointment!
On Weds after dtd I had about five hours of pains every 5-10 mins. And then they stopped. Since then I've had some ight periodyish type pains and backache but nothing else!

37+1

Hi Num3 - fingers crossed for you that your DC3 will be nice and early.

I am 39 wks today and still no sign other than the usual niggles. Stomach pains have gone as well. Taking DD swimming in a minute but as she's only 2 there's not a lot of actual swimming to be done!

Come on labour weekend!

Well 40+2 and no baby yet! Been for a 2 hour walk this morning so now I'm knackered!

Had bad period pain since my sweep yesterday which tailed off finally when I went to sleep. Bit twingy and cramps today still but not as bad and think I lost some of my plug this morning which I know doesn't mean much, especially since the midwife prob disturbed it yesterday!

Fingers crossed for some weekend babies as long as its mine!

Boo due date today; no signs. OH and best friends have decided wine is the best way to get him out... Not sure i want pissed birth partners :/ like their thinking tho. May join them for a glass haha

Ok due date disco commencing :D we'll dance him out with the 90s tunes.

I've not drunk since I found out I was preggers but the shopkeeper just gave us a due date bottle(!) how much is acceptable? Could I push it to two glasses?

I love my friends, this is actually the best way to spend my due date; no stress just bad 90s tunes and giggles xx

Hehehe Szeli - have fun! I'm sure you'll be fine with one large glass of wine

Might try a bit of Wii Zumba tonight, see if that jiggles the boy out!

OohShiny, that does sound quite positive - that's how I was after my sweep, and DD was born early the next morning.... Fingers crossed for you!

Ultimate morale booster ladies... Trying to wiggle baby out to "boom shake the room womb" and "push it"

Def got some pains but he's probably teasing, I'll get some more dancehall on xx

Lol at trying to dance baby out! I just about had the energy to tidy my kitchen!

Hey ladies. Have been reading your thread and just want to say totally feel your pain! Am due on tues 19th so 39+4 and have also had ENOUGH . Second pregnancy, ds1 was born at 42 weeks after a 3 day induced labour so I'm totally expecting this one to be late too. Can't help hoping he won't be though and am DESPERATE not to be induced again. Can't wait to hear if dancing the baby out works! Sounds like loads more fun than pineapple and raspberry leaf . Good luck all!

Hi Pardon! Were you on that thread yesterday about saying 'what' vs 'pardon'?

Yes, these last few weeks are the worst, aren't they? I was 10 days late with DD but just hoping against hope that the old 'second labour is quicker and earlier' holds true.... 39+1 today!

Anyone go in to labour last night?

Still frigging prenant. 39+1 also. I really thought things were kicking off last night, but no, of course bloody not. I fear they are going to have to remove bubba from me in 3 weeks time, it seems to have no plans to go without a fight

Hey Whip - I've just read yesterday's thread and my eyes have been opened! Turns out I'm a lower class pleb and have been obliviously flaunting it all over MN . "Don't say what say pardon" is something I think I heard a hundred times a day from my mum when I was a kid and when I started hearing myself say it to my then 2yo DS it brought it all back to me. Who knew we/he were actually "right"?! What a load of old tosh!

Anyway, no baby over night for me. Hope the rest of you have had more luck!

Morning everyone! 40+3 and no baby yet for me. Still twinges on and off and last night all I could think was "I can't go into labour tonight cause I need to hang the washing out tomorrow and tidy the kitchen!" So I think my tidying throughout the day is a good thing as it helps me sleep,knowing we can just leave and not have my DH come back to a tip!

Having a mainly lazy day today I think after our walk yesterday. Just going to enjoy our possible last Sunday just the two of us.

Going to re-sort my hospital bag today as well. Everything's just in one big bag at the min but I'm going to separate it all into 3 plastic bags then into my big one for baby, labour and after.

Keeping my fingers crossed for Sunday babies everywhere!

Come on ladies, I gave you a Sunday baby a whole week ago! You're falling behind! How about some star jumps to get things going or that sideways walking up the stairs thing? Dirtybaby is doing just fine

Sorry Dirty, we're letting the side down.... Hoping for a mass exodus of babies today!

Any more tips??

Glad Dirtybaby is doing well. Are you getting some sleep?

Today I feel like I'm months away from having this baby...!

Yes, I feel like this bump is just a permanent addition now. 39+3 and no sign of anything happening at all.

Sleep is not tremendously forthcoming. Two is hard work! I wanted four but am rapidly changing my mind

Don't worry - when you're properly sleep-deprived you don't actually form the memories of feeling godawful, which I can only assume is the reason people go on to have four, five or nine.

Hi ladies
37+1 .... Bloody hell it hurts

Bad siatica, no sleep.. Look like rubbish :/

What ever happened to the pregnancy glow ????

I've never had a pregnancy 'glow' in any of three pregnancies. It just doesn't work for me! Feel and look rubbish. I've been living in pjs for weeks and don't even know where my hairbrush is! I neeeeeeed my body back!
Been feeling some pressure behind pubic bone today but nothing else, lots of movement from baby. She seems to have very quiet and very active days at the moment.
Trying to keep on top of housework and got some bits to pick up from the shops but that's it for me today!

37+2

I don't think my body can accommodate anymore of this baby. I am so uncomfortable! Sweep tomorrow when I'll be 40+3 and I'm really looking forward to it!

Still pregnant; baby b must not be a salt n pepa fan x

I'm still upduffed too! Went for a curry last night which was not at all spicy even though menu gave it a 3 chilli rating.....we are forecast snow this week and if that happens then my money is on baby arriving then as both DH and I were born on snow days!

Still a week til my due date too : (

I'm giving serious consideration to setting about my foof with the sink plunger.

Hey Ladies! Im feeling the pain im 37+5 and totally fed up! Tried clary sage in bath last night but all it did was made me have cramps all night and NO sleep, the yoga ball is out and im loving the raspberry leaf tea!!! This is my first time round and think it will be my last!! Im not very patient and also really bad with pain! (cried about a paper cut this morning!!)

Is anyone else getting a little scared? Cause its my first I just keep feeling really unprepared, especially this weekend as I know labour is imminent and it's starting to get a little real I think.

Also cause I don't know when it's going to start I feel like I have no control.

oohshiny it's my first too but at the moment I'm more excited than anything! But yes about the not being in control part, it doesn't help that DH works all over the country so could be anywhere when I go into labour!

Zuleika, let us know how that goes....

Talking of labour fears, I've got a strange one... I gave birth to DD kneeling up on the bed. What if it's the same this time round and I.... I.... end up pooing on his head??! I mean, it could happen right?

Ha ha - sorry Whip but that really
made me laugh . Isn't it funny the things we worry about? Remember that by the time you get to that point you will not give a flying hoo-har what else is coming out of you so long as the baby gets the hell out! Plus I think by that point you'll be pretty much empty, if my past experience is anything to go by .

Don't worry OohShiny and MrsB - gas and air is what you need - it doesn't take away the pain but it takes away the fear of the pain. Which of course is one of the things that makes the pain worse. I will remember forever my first whoof on the Entonox with DC1 - suddenly I felt more in control and as though I could really do this. It gives you a tool to work with your own body and makes previously unmanageable contractions do-able.

I'm hoping for a water birth but if I feel the need I will be getting out and having an epidural, I'm going into it all with an open mind!

I'm 37 weeks exactly.
I've been getting period type cramps for two weeks off and on and now I'm 4/5 engaged - anyone have experiences of this at this stage? Does it mean baby's arrival is imminent? My lungs are so squashed I get stars whilst sitting down - there is no more room in there surely.

Baby has been VERY active this past hour and a half.

Got a bit of lower back pain and some quite strong but not really painful twinges but don't know if its the start of the real thing yet or not as I can't tell if they're proper twinges or related to how strongly she's moving about. Going to browse on here for a bit then hopefully try and sleep and see how it goes if I can!

If I am in labour I'll never hear the end of it. Me and DH dtd for the first time in a few weeks this afternoon. It only took us 2 weeks to conceive this baba what with his 'super sperm' and all his words, obviously. And now if that's what's set me off he will be well chuffed with himself!

Whole bloody day of horrid period pain. No baby. No contractions. It will all have stopped by morning. I officially hate my body!

Hi ladies can I join? I'm 38+ 2
I thought I was on my own!! It's so re assuring hearing that I'm not the only one thats fed up!! This is my second I have an almost 5 year gap and cannot remember a thing. I cling onto any twinge thinking its time but nothing!! How fustratrating I really feel for the ladies that have gone over due date and hope its soon for u I really do. As u can prob guess I'm up at ridiculous oclock because of SPD pains and heartburn and BH- all the usual sorry to rant but feels soooo good to let it all out. It's nice to also here of the lovely arrivals it makes it all sound worth it CONGRATULATIONS ladies

I'm 39 weeks today! Started with some pains yday but of course, they stopped! So ready for baby now. Never thought I'd say this but I'm bored on mat leave. Running out of things to do!

Hope some more babies arrive this week

sundae poor you, I felt like that - I know we should be grateful that we can get pregnant and have lovely babies but I bloody hate feeling like this.

On another note (sorry!) I'm having contractions every 10 minutes, only lasting for 20 seconds, I've had some paracetamol. DH has gone to work - I did warn him I'd had a few strong tightenings in the night. DS is still in bed, dreading when he wakes up as I've got to get him sorted for the day. I had a similar start of labour with DS, 10 minutes apart for about 2 hours then 5 minutes, then back to back! Wondering when to phone the midwives to give them a heads up re clinic rearranging as I'm having a homebirth hopefully! Also means I won't be having that sweep booked in for later!

Go milkybaby!

I was just popping in to say that clearly all these babies want to be Aries not Pisces, but it looks like you might get in under the wire!

How exciting milkyjo! Fingers crossed you'll see your baby soon

Pass some of those labour vibes over

Ooh Milky good luck, keep us informed! I've woken up this morning to nothing but very slight period pain so I'm cheering myself up by baking today!

I also hate my body. I had such high hopes last night and was getting quite excited. Oh to be a man the lucky bastards!.

Me too Shiny with the cramps and the hopeful signs last night....

Am grumpy and moody and taking it out on various threads on here. Must step away from MN.....

I just want my baby out! So I can have several large glasses of wine

Go Milky!!!!

Two nights now of contraction ish feelings every 5/10 minutes lasting 30 seconds or so but will not get stronger and have eased off a bit now. I know I'm gonna end up quite advanced and at home because of all this 'little boy who cried wolf" business. Went on for hours last night, crying thru some of them. Then BAM nothing

Off to the midwife shortly who can at least tell me if he's engaged. She won't do internals tho.

Good luck milky hope this is it for you now xx

Szeli I was like that for a week in my last pregnancy, it did eventually develop into full labour!
Had period pains last night but they turned into nothing and apart from feeling like I was being stabbed in the bits while on school run I've had nothing else.
Trying to crack on with the nursery today however just got abit emotional over being too weak to screw together the Moses stand! Damn hormones!

37+3

My Moses basket nightmare was me throwing a tantrum, having a panic attack and then ringing my mother and declaring that if I couldn't even put together a Moses basket and bouncy chair then how the hell could I cope with a baby.

They drove 150 miles to come and fix it for me. (I must have sounded awful) love em.

Been to the midwife, persuaded her to do a sweep a day early so Friday it will be; otherwise she wasn't going to see me again! Freaks me out a bit her doing it at my house :/ hopefully il have him before then tho. Runs for 2 days now and 4/5 palpable (that's 1/5 engaged isn't it?).

Hurry up child! xx

Lol szeli, is this your first? I've had two children already but no sweeps, never even been mentioned to me so I dunno if my mw does them! I have heard if its not first baby they aren't allowed before 41 wks! So hopefully I won't get there. Ds 1 was born at 39 and ds2 at 38. But since this one is a girl I have a feeling she may Suprise us! Stabby pains in bits as I potter about the house though!

37+3

I think I want dirtybaby to go back in! Second day without DP, and have another 3 to contend with this week. Just getting the three of us out the house was a bloody nightmare, they both need me for different things at the same time. Two under 18 months is not double the work, it's like being in the midst of a tornado why did I think this was a good idea?!

To clarify - Moses baskets are the work of the devil <gavel>. They are impossible to put up. Took me all bloody morning on Friday just to put all the newly washed covers on correctly.... Then trying to get the hood thing on and screwing it in.... Still not sure it's right. And don't even get me started on the rocking stand!

I feel your Moses pain, ladies.

Oh Dirtymistress Have a . I think getting two under 18 month olds out the house is a fricking miracle for TWO parents let alone one. How very DARE your DP leave you alone??!! (Kidding.... Sort of...)

Don't beat yourself up if you can't do it. Personally I'm fully expecting the first few weeks of Baby Whip's life to be filled with CBeebies for DD and nowt much else than the sofa!

Don't try and do too much lovey (although I know you must long to get out of the house!)

Sending supportive vibes

Argh just come back from midwife appointment. Tightenings aren't getting any stronger but still painful and still every ten minutes. She examined me but couldn't get to my cervix so obviously nothing productive going on there! She's booked me for another sweep on Friday then she mentioned the dreaded 'I' word! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Fingers crossed for you milky
I woke up today with no twinges at all so iv decided that baby isn't making appearance till after due date that way I'm not let down its so frustrating! szeli do you know if they always do a sweep at ur home? I didn't get to have mine with ds1 as he luckily came day before I was due to have it.

Oh dear milky how disappinting!

Not sure if they always do sweeps at home; mine does tho as the clinics in a primary school.

Yep it's my first and I was also told they couldn't do a sweep before 41 weeks but as that puts me at Saturday she's gonna do one for me at 40+6 (Friday).

Aw dirty two under 18 months? Crazy, I want at least 4 years haha xx

When ds 2 was born ds 1 was 16 months. I for some reason found them much easier when they were so little than when they got to 2 + 3 yrs! That was hard lol. Now nearly 4 and 5 they are very close and usually not much trouble!

I just ate half a pineapple.....

<Bleah>

So sorry to hear that Milky, hope it goes well for your sweep.

DD was just coming up for 18m when DS was born, and the first few months were incredibly tough (just stopping her poking his eyes out/ generally killing him was a fulltime job) but now she's coming up for 4 and he's 2.5 they get on like a house on fire and really play well together. But I completely agree about the difficulty of getting out of the house - we didn't, really, for about 12 weeks!

Where are all the babies????

I want mine now. I've been bouncing on that damn ball, eating pineapple, twiddling my nipples in clary sage bath and NOTHING.

I am actually an elephant

Would like mine out too now Coolwhip. I'm an emotional elephant. One minute really angry for no reason and the next minute crying like a baby. All i want to do is sleep and eat. Ive tried all the things they suggest to bring it on and nothing. Guessing that baby is more content than me!

Love the pregnancy pages that say you should only put on a little weight with pregnancy. Well this is 2nd pregnancy and ive just just as much weight on this time as last time. Last time i ate like a pig, this time ive stuck to 3 small meals a day and ive put on just as much weight!

Come on baby!!!

I've found I've struggle to eat this pregnancy, especially during third trimester. Anyone else?

Unfortunately it's the other way round for me I eat too much and then I'm sick, or just feel sick. No trouble eating just trouble digesting!

Sick of bouncing on this ball. Seeing mw again tomorrow and am going to demand she goes in and pulls baby out!!

Stop bouncing on those bloody balls ladies (unless they belong to your other halves). Seriously, never sat on my luminous green davina mcall gym ball once this pregnancy (never got the opportunity with dirtytoddler boinging the effing thing round the sitting room) and dirtybaby was early!

Going to cross my fingers extra hard tonight and hope some babies make an appearance!

Dirty mistress that's the exact same one I have - yucky green colour with Davina's stupid signature on it.

It's not working damnit!

I'm so bored tonight! Feel really restless but have nothing to do.

I'm sick of waiting already. I'm getting disheartened that nothing's happening yet, and even when it starts it could be hours and hours and hours before I get my baby.

Oh OohShiny I agree. The waiting is awful! Hopefully it won't be too long for you now.

DH has spent the evening in the loo. Not sure if its something he ate or a bug but I am officially the worst wife in the world by not being particularly sympathetic, and telling him to make sure he anti-bacs everything Also (TMI) the whole downstairs of the house now stinks.

I have retreated upstairs and he is on the sofa. God knows what we'll do if the baby arrives tonight!

Ive tried to make an appointment for everyday this week to take my mind off of being heavily pregers! Some one told me that baby will come if your busy (ive tried everything else so thought id try this instead of watching back to back JK)

I keep checking in daily to see if any new babies. Hope you're all bearing up ok ladies! Here things are good though I was literally up for most of the night and my nipples are red raw. Ouch!

Seeding you all positive labour vibes!

Well we are now 3/5 engaged which mw was Suprised at as this is dc 3.
Lots of stabby cervix pains while walking back from doctors.

37+4

Ssh num ssh you'll make me cry haha xx

Who else has gone over now too? I've lost track.

I'm now 40+3. Runs and pains but nothing contraction esque so could be here for the long haul.

(Only joking too num hope s/he's out soon)

xx

In my mind baby has been due by now lol silly me

Ds1 was 5 days early
Ds2 was 11 days early
So in my mind this one was 17 days early - today

How wrong was I!

Mw has booked Me in for a sweep at 40+4 I'm not sure if she knows something I don't.......

With regards to the stabby cervix pains, anyone know if moving move so you get them more might encourage things?

So sod all sleep last night, if i wasnt peeing, my hips, back and pelvis were just hurting and couldnt get comfortable at all. Cant remember having this much trouble the first time round with sleeping. But then as the other half reminds me i am 5 years older than i was then!!

Any ideas on how i can get more sleep ladies??
Ive got a billion pillows supporting every part of me.

Morning ladies.. 37+3

God I can't handle it anymore... This baby gotta come out soon.

Managed to walk to town today, was only out for about 30 minutes if that. Absolutely shattered now and feel sick and tired

Sorry, I don't mean to be the moaning mummy

My baby shawl arrived today, all lovely and white with a pink ribbon excited .... Now I just need to get this baby out

Due today, and though kept awake for ages last night with BHs, not a sniff of a proper contraction, and wretched MW wouldn't give me a sweep this morning . Bah!

Due Sat, nothing yet except tight wind-like pain and incredible grumpiness

Seeing mw this evening - she said last week she thought it would be a week..... Well it's been a week! I shall be having words.....,

I think anyone thay says baby is going to be early curses you forever! Due Saturday also, had tiny bit of pink tinged mucous yesterday, tiny bit today but nothing doing. Very very sore and tired but that is all SPD and doing too much. I am fully prepared to go to 41 weeks!!

Well mw has totally depressed me No further forward from a week ago. Cervix closed (although she could poke a finger in....). Almost fully effaced. Nothing imminent though

I'm going to have wine tonight....

I'm 37+2 and can't complain about being uncomfortable - feel less pregnant now than I did at 20 odd weeks to be honest!

I'm just bored out of my mind on maternity leave! We don't have any family or friends around as live on a forces base miles from home and I've tried to keep as busy as possible but am really running out of ideas now!

Have gone along to a few bumps and babes groups to try and meet people but to be honest I just really miss having familiar people around.

Have tried to prepare myself for going overdue but can't imagine another 5-6 weeks of this!

Hi everyone. . Can't believe no one has had babies yet!

Well I'm now 40+2 however am very relieved baby decided to stay put!

DS age 3 had terrible asthma flare up on Sat, he was admitted to hospital on Sun (my due date) & on top of asthma had rotavirus bug (sickness & diarrhoea) . I did the day shift at the hospital & hubby did the nightshift. Had everyone on standby in case I went into labour myself during the night when I was here alone but thankfully not. DS got out today & is much better but if I'd gone into labour or had a newborn baby it would've been a total nightmare! Baby must have known to stay put!

Anyway, have midwife tomorrow morning for another sweep so now that the hospital drama is over I'm quite happy for baby to come now!

Went a long walk this afternoon & all it's given me is a sore back! Am sitting on my birthing ball drinking raspberry tea but about to swap it for wine!

Here's to another uncomfortable night!! Cheers!!

Can I join ? 38 + 2 with first baby, I dont think I can do this anymore!! I had to sit on someone's wall on the way back from the shops today, was going stir crazy at home so decided a 20 minute walk there and back might help spur things on... No joy! Got the nursery ready, pram ready, washed all the baby clothes , bags packed... Just need our bubby!! Doesn't help that I'm up at least 12 times a night to go to the toilet... Anyone else ?! I have a midwife appointment tomorrow, do you think there is any chance she'd give me a sweep at 38 weeks to speed things up? If I get any bigger ill explode.

jeebers mcfucking christ. I didn't think my sleep could get any worse can you labour without sleeping for days on end? Please little baby do your worst, labour can't be as bad as waiting for labour, surely???

So pleased your DS is alright chubbychip. That sounds really stressful. Sounds like bump is being considerate to me

Can I join too? 37/5 with second baby, luckily first one is at school. Bored of maternity leave now although glad of the rest, everyone keeps saying Ill be early but I'm not keeping my hopes up. So many electric shock type pains in cervix and was 4/5ths engaged last week. Feeling crap as the weather is awful and trying to save money by not going anywhere so bored stiff! Look forward to the updates z

So I had a baby! Turns out I did dilate extremely quickly! Put Ds to bed and started making a curry from scratch. Managed to finish it and eat it. Phoned mW as contractions were 3-5 minutes apart. She said try a bath she'll phone back in an hour. I thought OK, she can check me when she gets here and hopefully get in the pool if I'm dilating. Anyway to cut this long rambling story short, she phoned back and spoke to dh - I suddenly needed to push! MW told dh to phone 999 and hung up. Paramedics arrived as baby crowning and baby born 5 minutes later! MW arrived 20 minutes later! Baby girl fine, I have a small tear that needed stitches. All happened on Monday night!

Well done Milky!!! horrah!!

Congratulations milky!! Hope you're all well and enjoying your little bundle! Xx

Congrats Milky!!

Congratulations how exciting ! Well done!

Congrats milky wonderful newsx

Congratulations Milky! Glad all is well - must have been a bit scary on your own!

Ha scary for dh as he was told to put some towels on the radiator and wash his hands! He said he was so relieved when the crew arrived. I was in my own world.

Big congrats Milky. At least it didnt drag for you. x

Ah congratulations

Well done milky and welcome milkybaby!

yay another baby, well done! can we have some more please!!!

Right come on babies we need some more to make an appearance. I'm sending labour inducing hormones to you all!

Well done milky!

Had my second sweep today, am 40+6. Hoping it will get things moving as that was my last appointment now until my induction date next Wednesday, and i really don't want to be induced as I want a water birth and hopefully no epidural.

Ooh exciting! Glad all is well. Think I've lost all my plug now (epic amounts last night) and the OH has convinced himself on tomorrow (something to do with numerology :/) so iv been sorti g the bedrooms all day in case. Really don't want an induction! x

Had second sweep today also Ooh & now trying to work out whether or not I'm having mild contractions or just very crampy?!

Going to put DS to bed then have a bath & see if it eases off or gets stronger. . . Fingers crossed!!

LOL Milky definitely send some my way I have period pain again, which is so annoying cos I know it is nothing and related to my SPD but is quite waring!

Lovely news on the baby front but scary how quickly it happened! Send some magic fairy hormones our ways and hopefully babies will start appearing soon! Had a lovely bath this evening but find I have to practically shuffle myself forward to walk and I,m not even that huge compared to how I was with ds but the feeling in pelvis is unbearable. MW fri so we shall see if she is any more engaged!

Any updates on the babies front?

I'm officially fed up and it's not even my due date!

Hope you're all doing ok

Congrats on your baby milky

37+5 here.. So tired. Think the babys moved hoping she's moved into the right place and hasn't turned breech or anything.

Pregnancy seems to have gone so fast but still seems to be dragging along so slow also

Come on baby! Hurry hurry

Got my sweep tomorrow; I'm scarrrred. Never had anyone ferreting 'down there' before (found out I was pregnant on my 25th so never even had a smear).

How does it tend to go and where will they tend to do it? (Room wise obvs) manically sorting/tidying/cleaning my house not knowing where the midwife may tread lol.

Been very 'loose' all week tho, lost what must have been the last of my plug (there was loads) 2 nights ago and had 2 nights of no sleep, last night irregular contractions so I hope he gets a move on today then I don't need the sweep! xx

Don't be scared Szeli, you'll be fine. Honestly, sweeps aren't that bad.

I expect your mw will either get you to lie on your sofa or your bed. You'll probably have a towel or something underneath you. You'll have to take your bottom clothes off including underwear. She'll get you to lie straight back with your legs open (very dignified!) and she'll put some lubricant on her fingers (should be wearing gloves) and ease in. I know everyone's different but I found it merely uncomfortable, not painful. You might get spotting and cramps afterwards which is normal, and it might feel a bit tender.

For me, it totally worked with my first and I was in established labour about 5 hours after the sweep. Fingers crossed for you!

I'm greatful of the lubricant! Haha terrified and a stranger in rubber gloves would not allow for easy access!

5 hours; that would be amazing! Least with the manic cleaning the house will be ready for his arrival 40+5 now; OH is convinced now the pregnancy is an elaborate joke at his expense hehe xx

I am currently 37+3 and she is engaged. However, this doesn't mean she'll come anytime soon. They said it could be weeks or hours, you just don't know. Next week I am starting on the pineapples though and raspberry tea to loosen my cervix a bit - at 38 weeks they said this was perfectly safe to do.

But who knows when she'll decide to come. I have bad backs, cramps in my tummy, terrible heartburn and need to wee and poo all the time. When I walk I get a sharp pain in my vagina every minute or so which is very strange feeling, but otherwise I function just fine.

I hope everyone else is doing well anyway and it wont be long. Think about how far you have already came!

Hi everyone! Can I join! 39 + 5... Lost mucous plug, lots of BHs over last few weeks yet still NOTHING! I really felt like she was going to come early last week but now I feel like she thought about it and decided, nah..I think I'll stay here where it's nice and warm. However I want her OUT! my bladder is the size of a thimble and there is no sleeping position that's comfortable. I think I will engage the law of sod and book lots of appointments which wld be really inconvenient to rearrange.....that should do it

No baby here yet either!! I'm 39+3 so trying not to get too worked up about lack of baby's appearance. Hoping my sweep which is booked for Tuesday is successful! Come on babies! !

Morning all, how is everyone doing? Congrats to those who have had their bundles of joy!

I'm 39+5 and still no baby, was out for a meal for MiL bday last night and and I think I had a few contractions but as this is my first baby it's hard to tell whether they were or not but they were fairly painful. I told hubby quietly after the first one (so as not to send the rest of the table into a frenzy) and he said 'if you get another one poke me in the leg' which I did and he looked at me with a vacant look in his eyes and said loudly 'what did you do that for??' Grrrr! Anyway they resulted in nothing so I'm still waiting!

I'd kind of like to wait until after the weekend now as I've got a nice lunch planned today with my mum, it's my 30th bday tomorrow and hubby and I are going out for a meal then Sunday (due date) I'm meeting up with my family! Plus I woke up yesterday with an awful cold so I want it to disappear too!

Let's hope your baby gets here soon mrsb

I woke up last night, really uncomfortable and sore throat and runny nose, expected a cold but feeling slightly better this morning.

Lots of stabby pelvic bone pains down there, very achey.. Let's hope she's trying to get out had indian last night, gonna finish it off for this mornings brekkie as well as the honey loops I had

Also going to wash the swing chair, moses basket bedding and playmat.. Why I've not already done this is beyond me

40+3 now... convinced this baby is NEVER coming!

40+6 for me and they couldn't do the sweep because my cervix is too closed soft and effacing at least but this is taking the Michael! xx

41+1. I'm beating you all with keeping this baby in! I'm going for the record I think!

Still no signs, although its started to snow here and my DH car is having something done to the gear box on his car today so knowing my luck she'll decide to come out in a rush!

Nothing from SayCool or chubbychipmonk so maybe they're busy swearing at a midwife even as we speak!

Afternoon all! Oh Zuleika I wish that was the case! Maybe chubby or sundaesundae are on their way though....

Resorted to DTD last night but nothing has resulted. <sigh> Will have to try again tonight! Am sick of curry and pineapple!

Due date tomorrow so fingers crossed. Lots of niggly feelings but had these for the past few weeks so who knows?

Really feeling for all of you overduers - hope something happens soon for you.

Szeli don't be too disheartened - from what I've read, the effacing is the hard bit; dilation can get going quickly once you're effaced.

Nowt here, had pains from 4am till 7am and then nothing. We're obviously just excellent incubators. SOON ladies, soon! x

Well ive had 2 whole pineapples in past 2 days, raspberry leaf tea (lots) and bouncing on yoga ball as well as clary sage bath, but still no joy. Fed up today and the pissing rain doesnt help either!!!

Due date today. Fingers crossed that somehow magically I'll go in to labour and he'll be the first member of my family to be on time for anything!

<Sighs>

It's not likely is it....

Hope everyone else is feeling ok. Shitty weather, no? No snow this far south though. Anyone else got a white spring?

Yes, snow in Oxford today. Though was immeasurably heartened this morning by being able to reach my cervix for the first time and it's all squishy, so at least there's some awareness that there's 7lbs of baby on the other side needing an exit!

Covered in snow here! Im currently in bed though with what I think is a sick bug?? Due on monday so who knows! Can't wait to feel normal again!

Snow here!

Had some promising pains last night, so much so I took my tens machine up just in case but she was just teasing me.

Think I've had my bloody show in the unbelievable amount of mucous I seem to be producing. There was a streak of red in it last night so I was getting my hopes up that things were moving but nada this morning. I'm hoping it means my cervix might have opened a bit more though.

Was 1-2 but it could be stretched to 3cm on Tuesday so I'm hoping if I end up getting to my induction date (Wednesday) that they will have no probs getting in to break my waters and hopefully that will start me off.

Lets hope for some weekend snow babies ladies! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you cool.

Hello all, can I join? I'm 38 weeks today with DC2 and thoroughly fed up. Reading the whole of this thread over the last two days has helped keep me sane though!

Have been getting what I think are BHs for a few weeks, been taking RLT at the max recommended dose and been bouncing on my ball now and again. Feel like shit today. Just desperately tired, got campy pains in my lower back. Baby feels really low down - was 3/5 engaged a week a week ago but feels lower now. Feels like the head is grinding against my pelvic bones and it's agony to turn over in bed now

Have also been getting sharp pains a bit like an electric shock a bit further up my back. Anyone else had this. I'm pretty sure baby isn't back to back. I'm sure I can feel bum at the front of my bump but these pains are starting to worry me. I'm aiming for a VBAC and baby is measuring big so am pretty apprehensive about the whole thing.How's everyone else feeling today?

Oh yeah and we've got thick thick snow and severe weather warnings here too. I am really torn between desperately wanting this baby out and worrying that our childcare for DS is my Mum who will have to drive 150 miles in horrendous conditions to get here!

Ooh Zuleika I could touch mine this morning as well (think that's what it was... Very soft and squishy) and having lots of mucous (sorry tmi).

That's scary about the snow Pontouf - have you got any backup childcare like neighbours or friends?

Fingers crossed OohShiny - you must be about to explode!

We've got quite a few options friends wise who could step in if necessary, but DS doesn't know them that well and he spends a lot of time with my mum. She is a crazy woman and does the journey most weeks and stays over at our house to help out with childcare. She is amazing and we are hugely grateful to her but to be honest you couldn't stop her doing it, she absolutely loves it. She and DS have a fab relationship so DH was the obvious choice to help us out. it means things would stay fairly normal for him and we want the arrival of his siing to be as calm and untraunatic as possible or him. However with this fucking awful weather we may just have to go with the flow a bit if things do kick off over the next few days.

We have got about 5 inches of snow now and it is still coming

Must preview message! Siing = sibling. Untraunatic = untraumatic.

38 weeks today .. So tired.

Really admiring you ladies at 40+ weeks, I really don't think I can make it that long the ideas actually starting to scare me just keep myself happy with the idea the babys maybe doing the last of her growing and still needs to be in there

Been washing and folding/putting away clothes today absolutely love the smell of washing powder and the baby fabric softner gotta be one of my absolute favourite smells yay for new babies!!

Hope everyones well and keeping warm and safe

XxX

Hello ladies! We have a baby!! Baby Chipmonk was born @ 10.26pm on 21/03/13 weighing 7lbs 5oz after a mammoth (& very traumatic) 26 hour labour. . Could not have been more different from DS1! So much for my 'natural' waterbirth!

He's just beautiful & worth every minute of labour. His big brother is so in love with him it just makes my heart melt!

Will provide the labour details if you want but don't want to fill anyone with dread as I'm sure you will all have straightforward births like my first DS was!

Sending you all positive labour vibes & I hope we have more a babies on here soon!!

Congratulations Chipmonk, great news

I'm all for you sharing but better wait till other people turn up in case there's a lack of consensus! I love a birth story of any kind when it ends in a lovely healthy baby and Mum. Hope you're not feeling too beaten up.

Scare us silly haha congrats! xx

Congratulations Chipmonk! Yes please do share your story - but only if you want to!

How are the newborn snuggles??

Well done chipmonk. Please share your story!!!

Congratulations Chip, hope you are having lovely snuggles Please do share xx

(no due date baby here and no sign of imminence, unless sudden crushing tiredness and a very active bump is a sign!).

Just had my show, im excited now!! But i know it could still be ages! I have got lower back ache but no contractions yet!!!

Congrats to those who have had their babies

Where can I buy rasberry leaf tea? And how many weeks can you have it from?? Its not dangerous at all is it??

Sorry silly questions

Marshkat, hope it comes to something, had half of one a week ago and nothing doing here, so hopeful yours will produce!

RLT is not dangerous, tones uterus or something? Think healthfood shops or similar, I think they say after 37 weeks? I haven't bothered, wish I had now, it might have helped!

Congratulations chubbychip go on, tell all, mines already out two weeks old as of sunday! Come on the rest of you!

Well waters have broken, just been sent home from hospital with an induction booked for Monday morn. Woo we have movement xx

So is the induction in case things don't happen by themselves between now and then? Labours are so completely different. My waters go and I know I am at the end as both boys appeared within 15 minutes of me hearing that 'pop'.

Yeah although they're expecting me back today sometime apparently around 80% of women will have baby within 24 hours but they''ve booked an induction in case I'm in the 20%.

Still not started dilating so we'll see what gives xx

Oh good luck!! Fingers crossed things start happening soon. Try and get some rest

I'm flipping between terrified and excited but am in so much pain that I know will only get worse aargh x

Good luck Szeli!
No sign of anything happening here - one painful contraction yesterday evening and then nada!

Good luck Szeli! Obviously your top priority will be keeping us posted

Hope you have a swift and pain free labour.

Dirtymistress I can't believe yours is 2 weeks old already! Wow.

Good luck Szeli! Hurrah for another baby soon x

Good luck Szeli. . Will save my labour story till you are snuggling up with your baby!

Good luck szeli hope baby is here soon

Its official! Less than 2 weeks to go!! or 4 weeks if she decides not to come out getting some rasberry leaf tea tommorow come on baby

good luck to those having signs! wish I was joining you lol

38+2

Aw come on chubbychip! Spill

Well done Chip we need the horror stories as well as the good! And Szeli, pain free thoughts for an easy labour being sent your way!

Still nothing for me. I am very of everyone who has had/having their new babies. 40+10 now so she's only got 2 days left to decide she's coming on her own rather than me having to be induced on Wed.

I'm tired of getting excited at every twinge so I will prob ignore all signs of labour if it starts and end up having her at home or in the car!

Waters went green at home so I'm now 6 hours into the induction. Hurts like merry hell! xx

Good luck Szel. . Thinking of you!Mind over matter, you can do it!!! You'll be cuddling your baby before you know it!!

Think I've started! It really bloody hurts. Don't think I'm going to be able to cope.

Getting intense period pain/feeling like i need to poo even though i dont (tmi sorry!) under my bump in a wave that's lasting up to a min. Started off about 15 mins apart around half past midnight and are now every 10 mins. Had a bit of blood when I wiped so phoned labour ward and they said its most likely from my mucous plug and not to worry but keep an eye on it.

I've had some paracetamol which have done nothing! And am just in the bath to see if I can cope in there but it really hurts and I don't like it!

Starting to feel sick as well which isn't helping. Once I can't cope in the bath any longer I'm going to try my tens machine and hope that helps me to cope.

Hope your doing ok Szeli and you have a snugly newborn by now.

You can do it shiny try to have a little faith in yourself. It is going to hurt like hell, but it won't kill you, and all the pain will get you closer and closer to holding that baby. Labour is hard going, but there is a purpose to it. Grit your teeth and be strong. Thinking of you. X

Good luck Shiny! You can do it, just think what a wonderful prize you get at the end!

I'm lying here struggling to sleep - had some pains but they've gone. Think I'll be pregnant forever!

Wow, Shiny and Szeli! Good luck! Joint labours.... I wonder which one will pop out first?

I am now feeling like my baby is NEVER going to come. All those stories about second babies coming early.... What a load of tosh!

Rooting for you Shiny - it's all 'purposeful' pain - hope your bub comes soon!

You can do it Shiny, it will all be wort it in the end! I've been having braxton hicks strongly all weekend which hurt like mad but just getting on with school run for the next three days then won't have to drag myself out every morning! Dreading half term and not being able to do much with ds(5) and its his birthday on Easter sun! Lets hope things get moving soon! Big snuggles to all the new mummies and babies x

Good luck Shiny and Szeli! Am very jealous. Absolutely nothing happening here. Had some crampy back pains and strong BHs yesterday but now zilch. Started with the EPO yesterday as a pessary. Not pleasant at all once it all comes out again, but I'll try anything at the moment!

I just want this sodding baby out!

40+2 now. Never thought I would be this far gone.

Apparently Romaine lettuce is supposed to have some sort of labour inducing quality? I'm going to give it a shot....

40+5 here... But I was always anticipating going late because the last two did and I know this one's back to back too. Doesn't make it any easier to be patient!

I think the hardest thing to get your head around is that there's nothing you can do. If you're hungry, you eat, if you've got a headache you take a paracetamol. But there nothing to be done to get a fully cooked baby OUT any quicker than he wants to come. (Barring medical intervention, of course. I have a certain amount of jealousy about the ELCSers!)

Yep me too! It's also the lack of control - I just need to know when it's happening <control freak>

I can't stand the not-knowing. I'd be ok with being late if I knew 100% WHEN the baby would come. But it's the 'any day now' feeling of being in limbo.

And then I think I should at least do something useful like go for a really long walk but just the thought of it makes me even more knackered!

God I'm a whingey pants today.

Well hopefully baby news from Szeli and Shiny soon

I am joining the whingers. Whip, every time I see your name on here I think you have dropped and I feel grrr my little due date buddy!

Nothing doing here, I am preparing myself for being induced and producing a humungous baby.

Haha Sundae, methinks we'll be the last 2 on this thread.... Grimly hanging on.... I don't think I'll be dropping any time soon. I shall graciously allow you to go first....

My DH keeps saying things like 'Well you're obviously a nice comfy incubator' etc. which doesn't help. AIBU to want to make my womb inhospitable?!

Hi girls - here's me joining in at the last minute!

Am 40+2 today with DC2 (a boy) who has conveniently avoided both a dual bday with DD and interrupting DD's bday party 2 Saturdays ago. Have been so totally ready to not be pregnant any more since about 37wks, bub engaged since 36wks ... it's made a huge difference to my state of mind to read through this thread and know that it's not just me having to 'just deal with it'. It's definitely the lack of control that I'm finding most difficult to cope with.

More raspberry leaf tea, anyone?

Hello ladies!! Well today is my due date (its finally here!!) but no sign of the little one!! Fingers crossed there are some babies born over next few days

Hello ladies I'm a little behind some of you at 38+2, have been drinking my rasberry leaf tea and just started on the EPO, may get the birthing ball out today and do some bouncing. Just waiting for the nesting instinct to kick in but am still in lazy mode...Good luck to those in/about to go into labour!

josie, even if you don't use the birthing ball for bouncing, you'll find it so much easier to get up from than the sofa!!

Getting up and walking around has been a huge problem today! I feel like there is so much pressure on my pubic bone and getting up and down to do things for ds is a nightmare! May actually resort to hot curry at the weekend!

Hi ladies, I was directed here from another thread. I'm currently 41w (or is it 40+7) and had my 2nd sweep today. Midwife says I'm already 5cm dilated but not in active labour yet. Been in slow labour for over a week but not progressing due to baby's awkward positioning.

Induction booked for Sunday if nothing happens but midwife is confident I'll be in full labour tonight or tomorrow. I'm not sure I share her certainty!

Wow Turtle - 5cm and you're still walking around??! Blimey! At that stage with DD I was begging for gas and air.

Hope you progress quickly! Good luck

That's the thing, it doesn't feel like I'm that dilated if you know what I mean. This is DC2 and when I was 5cm with DD1 I was also on the gas and air but at the moment it just isn't nowhere near as painful, it's just uncomfortable.

Quite nice to have got to 5cm painlessly though!

I wish I was 5cm!

Everytime I sit down especiallly on the toilet I feel as though baby is pressing down. Anyone else? She was 3/5 a week ago

38+3

Wow Turtle, how exciting, you must keep us up to date!!

DC2, 39 plus 2 and Nothing! Not a bloody thing. Yes an uncomfortable tight tum due to baby sticking its bum right out, but that is it! I know the weather is freezing cold and horrible out here but come on baby...............

Good luck Turtle, you lucky devil x

Wow Turtle, 5cm & a week's worth of slow labour?

I had a sweep done last Friday for 40wks & midwife said I was c. 2cm then. Had an afternoon & evening of strong-but-not-painful contractions yesterday, but they came to nought . Fingers crossed things click into gear properly soon!

38+2

Went to baby group today no baby group for a week or two cos of the holidays ;) hopefully next time I go back my baby will be here

Had some raspberry leaf tea at a friends then went to the shop specifically for it, then forgot to buy was too busy running around the reduced section buying various cakes

Must make sure I get some tommorow

Is anyone getting their dh and other dc's a present from the baby? Know it sounds silly, I'd have just given birth they should be getting me pressies but ill be getting them both a little pressie

DH & I have a couple of small things for the baby to 'give' our DD. I hadn't really thought about a gift for DH ... A healthy, happy baby & me?

Hi everyone! Mini bumpity arrived on Saturday at 2.30pm after 14 hrs of labour and 20 mins of pushing . I got my epidural and everything seemed to go textbook style with just one small stitch to show for it.... That is until I developed pre eclampsia in final stage of labour and then had an allergic reaction to the anti-emetic drip... Which meant me and the wee one spent our first night in the high dependency unit of the the hospital wired to various machines, which wasn't very fun (and wasn't in my birth plan... ) However all has ended well and these two factors are extremely rare so none of you should worry....and we're back to normal now and couldn't be happier! Hopefully we get to take all 6lbs15 of her home tomorrow morning. Neither me or her dad can take our eyes off her- I know I'm biased but she is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Hopefully it won't be long now for the rest of you- will keep my fingers crossed for you all! Xxx

So I had the longest labour my midwife has ever seen!

Waters went 1230am Sunday; I was classed as fully in labour from 2.30am Monday (after being induced at 6.30pm Sunday)

By 2.30am I was 1cm
4am 2cm
10am still 2cm
Then 3cm
Then jumped to 6cm
Then at 8pm I was still only 8cm after 4 bags of the inducing drip so they decided to give me a c section as I'd had broken waters for 44 hours and had been in active labour for 18 hours.

That bit after I'd been prepped only took 5 mins! I know what I want to do next time!

I know have a lovely little man called Byron George, 9lb7oz and I love him to bits xx

Huge congratulations to bumpity and szeli. So pleased your gorgeous babies are here after what don't sound like particularly joyous labours totally worth it though. Can you tell I'm up half the night with dirtybaby

Congratulations to you both! Just the sort of happy news (although your labours sound like rather hard work ) I needed to read after being awake since 3.30am & unable to get back to sleep.

40+3 today and feel like I've been (and possibly will be) pregnant forever with this baby! DD arrived at 38+6, so I had it in my head from reasonably early on that this DC would be on the early side too. More fool me .

Anyway, I realised in the early hours of this morning that my MIL arrives from Aus a fortnight tomorrow for the longest house call ever 3.5wks. I know I should be grateful for the assistance (and I am), but unless this baby gets a wriggle on I don't know if my hospital will book me for an induction before 41+5 ... which would be Thursday next week! That would give us less than a week of family bonding & adjustment time before MIL arrives ...

I've a 41wk appt with the midwife booked for Thursday morning where I'd get a 2nd stretch & sweep done ... could I ask her to break my waters as well? Or would that be breach of protocol?

I don't know if she'd be allowed to break your waters under those conditions, but you can ask.

Congratulations Szeli and Bumpity thanks for sharing your stories - hope you recover quickly from your labours.

Beanz I'm not sure your mw would break your waters..... It's something that I think would have to be booked in and conducted under certain hospital conditions. Hopefully another sweep will do the trick!

40+3 here as well and hoping mw will do a nice good sweep for me today.

Congratulations to those with their babies

Thanks SayCool & Zuleika - kinda what I thought ... If I ask the worst the me can say is no

Good luck with your sweep today SayCool - will keep fingers x'd for you

Congrats to the new arrivals!

Lots of stabby cervix pains plus on off period like cramps and back ache here but still feel like ill be pregnant forever

38+4

Oh my God I feel violated

'twas a 'good' sweep - she said I'm 1 - 2cm dilated and she got in and had a good rummage. Sorry for tmi by the way.... When her hand came out there was quite a bit of blood - she said this was good as it looked quite mucousy, so very like a show.

I'm so sorry for the graphic details! I needed to share.....

Fingers crossed.

Incidentally she said that 40+5 is the likeliest date for second babies. Don't know where she got this from but thought it might give some of us overduers some hope!

I had a sweep this morning too - 3cm dilated and squishy cervix but still quite posterior so a low Bishop's score. But she had to book me in for induction next Tuesday which I really, really don't want.

Bloody sweep is a good sweep! Far more likely to be effective! Good luck xx

Ah Zuleika, hopefully you won't need the induction, and the booking of it is just routine. You know what they say - if you book it, they will come!

Fingers crossed the sweep works for you

Likewise! Mine also said that a bloody sweep is a good sweep!

Hope everyone is ok and babies come out soon

I've been having a few stabby down there pains and braxton hicks.. Did a bit of walking today and got some rasberry leaf tea need a curry

Well I missed my MW appointment yesterday, so have no sweeps, inductions or anything else booked. Making me very twitchy. My SPD is so bad I can't walk at all today, so feeling quite crap.

PLEASE get me some babies so you can cheer me up

we have a baby!

dd arrived on 25th march at 7.59am weighing 6lbs 15 1/2oz. (so much for my massive predicted baby no clothes fit!)

labour was very quick. woken by first pain 12.30am monday morning followed by a second 15mins later. waters popped at 5am by which time contractions were 5 mins apart, got to hospital at 6am and dd was born naturally at 7.59am (no time for anything but gas and air ufortunatey) so very very quick. will update more when back at home as dont want to scare with the details until i can use my ipad as the hospital tv internet is pants!

Aw Sundae Have some

How come you missed your MW appt? Can you ring and book one? Hope your SPD eases off soon.

Nothing much happening here - this much time post-sweep with DD I was in labour. Not this time!

Curry for me too I think!

Whoops, massive x post there!

Congrats OohShiny! Sounds like a 'good' birth iyswim

Newborn cuddles!

Congrats to all the arrivals. May i join? I am 38 weeks today and a huge emotional mess. Desperately wanting this baby's arrival. My first btw. What do you all think of castor oil?

Castor oil will just give you awful diarrhoea without producing anything! Plus it's v nasty stuff.

Congratulations Shiny!

Really zuleika? I have read about it lots and people seem to think it works. A friend also swore by it. I am thinking of trying it tommorow.

Congrats Shiny!!!

My MW is on annual leave, I missed appointment because she wrote down Tuesday not mOnday and the stand in wouldn't see me. Next available appt is 8th April, when I will be 42+2! So someone is apparently calling me tomorrow to sort something out..

No, it's an old wives tale! You won't find any MWs recommending it!

YY to what Zuleika says - also it can be dangerous for your baby. Castor oil can make the baby poo which is dangerous. Personally I wouldn't risk it....

Congratulations shiny!

Well done to the new mummies and newborns.
Ive been having on and off contractions for 2 days now really fed up and tiered! Back and legs hurting aswell just want to meet my baby! xx

Castor oil was something I wanted to try with dd1 but was warned against it. If nothing by Sunday night ill resort to curry and dtd on Monday!

Well, doesn't seem to be any effect after my sweep Am soooo disappointed and fed up with being pregnant.

Grump grump grump.

And if ONE more person texts or calls to ask if I've had the baby yet.....

I hear ya Whip. DH has taken to emailing both families every morning to tell them 'no news' so they don't contact me.

Haven't been on this thread for a while, good to see lots of babies have arrived and for those of you still waiting I totally feel for you. Am 40 + 8 now and feel like I will be pregnant forever. Quick question for you all. What is everyone's view on going over 42 weeks? I'm desperate not to be induced, having gone thru it with DS. I know the hospital will want to induce before 42 weeks (mine's policy is 40+12) but I also know its ultimately up to me. Just wondering if anyone has talked to their doc or mw about it or knows anyone who has gone over 42 weeks? I've got a 41 week appt this afternoon so will ask my mw then as well.

I'm also Not In Labour (and also desperate not to be induced!). Bit of bloody show this morning but that doesn't really mean anything. Sigh. Got six days...

Another Not In Labour here .. GRrrr!
Seems this bub is either excessively chilled out or just plain comfy. On the up side I was so knackered last night that I did manage to have a decent night's sleep.

Whip, you never know about the sweep - when I had my (1st) last Friday the MW said it could take up to 48hrs to have an effect ... I had my show on the Sunday, and an afternoon & evening of strong BH. But then nothing more except for more BH on and off since ...

I'm just hoping that when I have my (slightly early) 41wk appt tomorrow morning (I'll be 40+5) that I have another sweep, my Bishop's score is higher than 5 (which it was on Friday) and that I'm booked for an induction which I then don't need!! Not too much to ask, surely??

I did have some bloody show earlier so hoping that means something.... Very loose bowels (sorry) and feeling sick so maybe something's going on.... Or I've got bloody norovirus!

Don'tSayWhat, no one can force you to have an induction. If you are adamantly against it I guess they'll just ask you to come in daily for monitoring to ensure the placenta is still functioning as it should.... (Not an expert at all, just what I've picked up from reading! Others may have better advice ) Hopefully you will go into labour before that though!

I have no idea whether it's a good or a terrible idea but every time I get a BH I do a bit of gentle pushing. Just to encourage my cervix to get the right idea! Frustrating thing is I can feel that making things stretch a bit but then it all goes away!

Zuleika I've been doing the same thing! My theory being it certainly can't hurt. Never know, it may make things faster in the end?

I've been feeling really stiff and achy in my pubic bone area. I think it must be the pressure from the bub's head ... I'm not sure which is worse: aching between my legs being upright or the ache of a hip from lying on it too long.

You're all very quiet..... Is there a labour boom??!

Nothing happening here. The odd BH, very emotional but nowt else.

Poor DH had to take over DD as soon as he got home, put her to bed, cooked dinner AND went to the shops for chocolate and wine. He is clearly amazing. And sure to leave me soon!

Am feeling soooo disheartened and fed up and low

Hope some more labour vibes are happening out there!

Ive been to maternity unit this evening. (NO not because all this pain im is could be labour) but coz i had a massive nose bleed, whilst there found out that baby is back to back (no one thought to tell me before) so im slightly gutted as that explains all the pain ive been in and head is only 2/5 engaged. boohoo.

No, no labour news from me. Just more achiness (is that even a word?) and painful BH. So off to MW tomorrow for me it seems ... yay!!! (another sweep? how fabulous! Said no pregnant woman ever)

A friend has recommended Clary Sage oil (for inhaling from a vapouriser/ bowl of boiling water/ a few drops in a hot bath) to help get things going. Something I've not tried yet ... may swing by & pick some up on the way to see the MW and then ask her advice on it as well.

Am watching One Born ATM. Not sure if its a good thing ... perhaps a previously unknown masochistic streak?

I just watched OBEM too beanz.... I had been warned but weirdly wanted to watch anyway. It has kind of made me appreciate how lucky we are to have healthy babies, and maybe we shouldn't begrudge them a few more days in our cosy wombs...

Wrt clary sage, I've been bathing in and sniffing that stuff for weeks and its done nothing! However maybe it's because my body is so used to it that it has no effect..... It is very relaxing - a nice clary sage bath before bed might help a good sleep at least.

Sorry I'm rambling!

And laughed out loud at the sweep comment.

My mother asked me what I was doing for Easter. I said, 'I have a mw appointment so probably having a sweep! Yay!' She looked at me a bit strangely....

LOL Whip, I am hoping to have a sweep Easter Saturday, not how I planned my easter weekend.

I have also been on the clary sage for aaaaggggggeeeeessssss, does nowt.

Very achey today, ha.

I really hope something works for you ladies! I'm still in hospital following Ronnie Gs birth and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!

Let them stay snug, anything before their time may very well not be very pleasant!

Hopefully we 'll all be holding our babies soon xx

Oh Szeli, hope you feel better soon.

You're so right - in the scheme of things, what's a few more days?

It's almost more to do with the pressure from other people - I know they don't mean to, but every time someone says 'have you had that baby yet?' I feel like I've failed at something. Like I should be doing something more than I'm doing. And it's so silly because I'm doing the best thing - giving my baby a few more days in his lovely warm home.

Sorry - sleepy and hormonal today. DD has had a terrible cold and is all snuffly and floppy - lots of cuddles on the sofa which is lovely

How is everyone feeling today?

Morning everyone. Well another shit night's sleep here. I think it'd be easier to cope with if you didn't know you're unlikely to get a good eight hours for many months to come!

Know what you mean about pressure from others SayCool (love the name by the way, I love Stewie). I have had five texts in the last few days fom people who have barely contacted me throughout the pregnancy asking me if I've had the baby! It's starting to really get on my nerves.my best mate texted me at 11.30 last night to ask if there was any news and woke me up. Bastard. Was very tempted to reply to him at 4.30 this morning when I got up for my 5th wee of the night.

Sooooo, I've got a midwife appointment this morning. I've been having lots of crampy back pain and was generally just very uncomfortable yesterday. I'm desperate to know if all this discomfort is actually doing anything, so what do you think the chances are of the midwife checking out my cervix today (I'm 38+5)? I think if she doesn't volunteer I may have to just force her hand up my foof to see if anything's happening up there. Or would that be impolite? I've tried having a bit of a rummage myself but I can't reach my cervix. Don't know if that is a bad sign and it is still really high or if it's just because I've got short arms and a MASSIVE bump! It's amazing the stuff you'll share with strangers on the Internet isn't it....?

Im a bit gutted today as was hoping that lumpy would be here by today (39+4) tried alsorts!!! Both my step kids that live with us full time break up for Easter hols today. I kindda wanted to bond a bit with just me and baby whilst they were still at school (selfish of me i know!) Never mind when i walked to school like a penguin this morning i thought at least by the time they go back to school we should have a baby!!!

No babies here, I can reach my cervix, but it isn't favourable and is still high and posterior, it felt lower yesterday, but seems to have retreated!

I have to go to MW drop in on Saturday at my local hospital as I haven't been seen since 38 weeks and they can't see me till 42+3, I will be requesting (demanding) a 40+10 induction due to SPD and the fact that it seems fair enough to me

Szeli hope you feel better ASAP and can take your beautiful bub home
.
Pontouf I can't see any harm in asking for an internal. The worst answer you can get is 'no, not yet'

marshkat and sundae I can so totally relate. I managed a decent night's sleep, but think I must have basically not moved for about 6hrs straight as I could barely stand up, let alone walk the 10 steps to the loo at 4.30am. I feel like I'm walking like a bow-legged cowboy who's been in the saddle 2wks straight.

I'm seeing the MW a bit later this morning - will be demanding an ASAP induction date, even though I think my hospital's policy is at 41+5 (although am hoping that a sweep will get things moving of their own accord). I've been feeling odd this morning - breathless just standing still and a lump in my throat as if I need to puke, but not actually feeling sick or nauseous

I honestly don't think my body can cope with carrying around this heffalump much longer. And I'm really struggling emotionally with not being able to cuddle & play with my DD as I would like to.

When did you have that baby szeli?! What happened?

Bollocks bollocks bollocks! Had my appointment. Midwife said it was too early to do an internal. Baby is only 3/5 palpable and the biggest shitter is - it's back to back! Am royally pissed off. Had to have an ELCS with DS because he was breech and now this baby is the right way up but the wrong way round. Am going to spend the afternoon lolling forwards over my beanbag and feeling grumpy. Hope everyone else is feeling ok.

Sundae good luck with getting the induction. Seems perfectly reasonable to me to. Can't believe they were planning to leave you fr a month between appointments at this stage of pregnancy. Both my next appointments are booked for when I'm post dates. Consultant at 40+2 and MW at 40+5. Am hoping I won't need either of them.

Pontouf try not to worry about the back to back thing. DS1 was and still came in 7 hours with just gas and air. And honestly, DS2's 3 hour right way round birth was worse.

Thanks Dirty. I just feel like everything is out of my control. I'm having a VBAC and just wanted everything to be straight forward this time. Hope you're enjoying your new little bundle

oh, bad luck Pontouf! At least there's time for the baby to turn around. And much more likely to do that than flip from breach to head down!

MW at my appointment was super lovely - same MW that I saw last week & did my 1st sweep. I, on the other hand, was a total basket case. She was super sympathetic & did another internal & sweep (besides actually pushing the baby out I think having a sweep must be one of the more uncomfortable experiences I've had).

Good news is my Bishop's score is up from 5 to 7 (can only really go much higher when you're in active labour, so she said). Cervix is very forward, very soft, 2cm dilated & only 2cm long. Baby's head is so far down that on the external palpations she could only feel it's shoulders. So that would be why my pelvis has been so damned uncomfortable!! (basically the only way he can be further down is if he's out & in my arms). She actually said that she would have been happy to break my waters today, only they don't keep amno hooks in the antenatal clinic. Damn it! had I known I would have taken my crochet hook & a bottle of vodka to sterilise it Why don't human babies have the equivalent of an egg tooth?

And there was no way she was able to book me an induction prior to 41+5 (very strict hospital policy, apparently). Her advice was that if nothing happens as a result of today, and if in a few days time I feel I really can't cope to call the labour ward & ask to speak to a senior midwife or one of the OBs.

So generally things are poised and ready to go. Any time now. Hopefully before 4pm on April 4!

That all sounds excellent, beanz! Very positive news about your cervix!

Don't worry, pontouf - there is still time for him to turn. Have a look at the Spinning Babies website. My MW recommended I try the exercises because this one's been engaged back to back since 30 weeks. It hasn't worked for me but then I think back to back is just the way I carry (this is the third). Worth a go!

I'm feeling a bit less panicky about the induction thing because I've found out there's a midwife drop-in at the hospital every day this weekend so I'm going to keep going for sweeps until his lordship emerges!

Crappy - posted a long post and it disappeared into the ether.....

Pontouf, don't be too disheartened. As the others have said, turning from back to back is easier than turning from breach. Hopefully gym ball and different positions will help. Sorry your mw wouldn't examine you - mine was all gung-ho about getting in there from 37 weeks onwards! They're all so different with their rules and regulations etc.

Sundae I still can't believe you have such a gap in your mw appts There must be something wrong with that. Hope they manage to give you a sweep or something at your walk-in appointment. Not that mine has done ANY good

Had a complete meltdown last night and this morning, just couldn't stop crying, absolutely fed up and stressed. (It's my own fault - am doing a degree and got 6 assignments to do PLUS a dissertation proposal that should have been in today and my brain is just complete mush). I feel like a complete failure that I haven't gone in to labour yet. Arrgh. Do you think it WBU to ring my midwife and BEG for another sweep today?? (Kidding! Kind of.....!)

Beanz that sounds good - fingers crossed things happen for you soon. Maybe your waters will go by themselves today or tomorrow - get bouncing!

Oh pontouf im in same situation as you with back to back, im just about to look and this spinning babies thing that zuleiak recomends!!

Wow, saycool, no wonder you're feeling a bit overwhelmed! Goodness, and here's me with a to-do list that's relatively miniscule & feeling sorry for myself!

I hope you've got an understanding and very empathetic academic supervisor? Have you been able to postpone the dissertation submission date & relieve some of the pressure?

Hahaha - my personal tutor told me off in the middle of a lecture a few weeks ago because the baby was kicking and I was rubbing my bump! He told me 'everyone knows you're pregnant, no need to disrupt the whole class....' I was . So no, not particularly empathetic All year I've been treated like some teenage accidental pregnancy rather than a married 30 year old. Grrr.

Sorry, having a rant. Ignore me!

what an idiot! almost as if he wanted to make an example of you to make sure no-one else asked for special treatment.

Your rant is totally ok. I'd be fuming (almost quite literally with steam out of my ears) if I had to deal with that sort of attitude on a regular basis.

Sounds like you need to treat yourself - or ?

Tempted by the wine....

Here, some for you too Beanz

Right come on ladies, lets pop us out some Easter babies. Have been bouncing on gym ball all afternoon.

I want my baby!

Urgh I want mine too, think I'm in false labour

Have pains but mainly when sitting or lying down so I know its not the real deal

Boring

38+6

SayCool

I literally want to roundhouse kick your tutor in the face

Thanks LuckyOwl. I wanted to too but baby brain prevented any snippy comeback.

Hang in there Num3. I hope time goes quickly for you. False/latent labour is the worst!

Beanz hooray for your cervix! (not a sentence I can imagine saying in real life!)

Oh saycool what a knobber! How exactly does rubbing your bump disrupt the whole class? Idiot. Some blokes in particular can be pilliocks when it comes to pregnancy i've found. When i was suffering from HG with my first, one of the doctors where i work told me he didn't really believe in morning sickness as there was no evolutionary reason for it. He reckoned it was one of those "psychosomatic illnesses like fibromyalgia or ME". Disregarding how incredibly insulting that is to people with those problems and how worrying it is to hear that from a doctor, it's fucking rude to say itto someone who has dragged themslves into work despite struggling to keep fluids down. I have to admit I had a little smirk to myself when I later found out that his wife was pregnant with twins. I felt sorry for her but more fool her for marrying the odious little creep.

Anyway, I can't imagine having to do academic work while feeling like this. One of my best mates is doing something similar, she's working full time as a social worker, looking after a two year old and doing a full time MA. She's not pregnant but is quite quite nuts.

ZuleikaD thanks for the link. I've tried a couple of the techniques this afternoon. Given myself a headache, but will persevere! Am just sitting on my ball having a little bounce now. Have been a bit lax about using the ball so will step it up now. How did you find labour with an OP baby? I'm terrified it will be agony in my back. I've got a tens machine to help with the early bit though so hopefully that might help at the start <wibble>

Pontouf I am at that doctor!

Yeah he's not well liked. Likes to laud it over us nurses for being just nurses whereas he is a consultant dermatologist. Big whoop.

I'm a bit concerned that my baby has moved again as previously I could feel kicks up into my ribs whereas since yesterday they feel to the left hand side, slightly below belly button.

I've been head down just about 60% of the time at midwife appointments, and was told I'm 1/5 engaged on Tues and to come back in a fortnight (unless baby arrives before then of course), but I'm tempted to book in with the midwife Tuesday coming just to be reassured.

I would hate to get to the midwife -led labour ward ready for my lovely waterbirth to be told I'll need to be transferred to a different hospital 30 mins away with a breech baby.

Girls, if I didn't have you lot to chat to, I would be finding this so much harder to deal with.

Once DD is in bed, will definitely indulge in a wee tipple of red . Being an emotional basket case is exhausting in all the wrong ways, with none of the endorphin high!

LuckyOwl, it could be punches rather than kicks? Hopefully it is - I'm pretty sure it's unusual for a baby to turn breech once it's been engaged.... Not that I'm an expert!

Beanz it's definitely good to chat! Thanks all. It's totally helped me. I'm an emotional wreck today.

Just ordered a hot curry. I don't care if its a myth - SOMETHING's got to work!

And yes - putting DD to bed now and then will be having a little too

I hope it is punches!

Yesterday I had rasberry leaf tea, a whole pineapple and spicy chilli for tea... seemed to counteract the pains and twinges I'd been having for 24 hours! Doh!

Maybe it'll have a delayed effect

Just had a Madras which has made the baby go a bit crazy!

Ive lost all pain and even the feeling of being preggers!!! Although it might mean sleep tonight it could also mean that NO Easter baby for me. Best get on the ball again and bring back some uncomfy pain.

Oh Marsh Calm before the storm maybe?

Hope you get a good nights sleep at least.

Thank you Whip for the positive thinking!

Pontouf I'm glad that doctor's a dermatologist not a gynaecologist. The idea that evolution has a 'reason' for everything is making me roll my eyes so hard they hurt!

I've had two back labours and I think a TENS machine would really have helped, so I think you're on the right track there. I get all the pain in my coccyx - counter-pressure works quite well (got DH to roll a tennis ball hard over my coccyx the first time) but the better thing is gas-and-air! It gives you a way of coping with the contractions that still lets you feel what's going on. I delivered both of them without interventions and with DS had an 11 minute pushing stage, so once you're there it's not too bad. You do need to be on all fours, though - being on your back is intolerable.

Oh thanks so much ZuleikaD, you've made me feel a lot more confident. I have been absolutely adamant all the way through the planning for this VBAC that I will not be labouring on my back and that if the monitoring that the drs wanted to do meant that I would have to then I would just go straight for an elective CS. Luckily my hospital has mobile monitoring and is very pro active mobile labour so am hoping his will be ok. All fours or leaning over something always seemed instinctively the way I would want to go anyway so that's good.

I will definitely try the tennis ball thing too. And the G&A obviously! Thanks for the advice. Have felt really low since my appointment yesterday and this has made me feel better.

Marshkat - I know exactly what you mean, seems like all my symptoms have gone and I'm suddenly sleeping better again! 39 weeks today and desperate not to go over as it'll then clash with having the in-laws over from abroad!