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Thanks for setting this up foobio. Loving the chats going on this side of motherhood but also hoping this will be our last thread here. Come on babies!
Bluebell - I'm not surprised you're having a wobble today! You've been amazingly positive up to now. I'd feel (and may well still feel) like you. Even though I'm telling myself I'm open minded I think I'm actually quite attached to the water birth plan! As you say though, as long and you and the baby are ok that is the main thing. Also, the number of babies that make an appearance just before the booked induction date is amazing! Your little boy is just building anticipation ahead of his arrival! Sending 'come on baby' vibes your way x
Hope everyone is good today, I'm going out for lunch with my mum, will pop in to see my grandparents then getting my cut & colour done later - badly needs done!
Dats - such good advice all round, thank you. So true that the anxiety about something that is yet to happen is so much greater than the actual event. Good to be reminded. x
Haven't posted in a while but so lovely to see all the babies have started arriving congratulations all!
I've got 4 days until due date and can't wait for it all to just be over. Had a growth scan earlier this week that revealed my not so little bean is almost 9lb already so looks like I'll be having a whopper I'm almost begging for an early induction but they won't give one to me as it needs to be bigger. If I go overdue I may have an 11lber on my hands . I've been ball bouncing, DTD lots eating pineapples and spicy food, taking raspberry leaf tablets, cleaning like a fiend (literally everything!) but apart from a couple of Braxton hicks not a darn thing has happened
Beautician - holy mackerel you've had your baby! Congrats! Is now the wrong time to ask for updated stats?! Claudia Helene 8lbs7oz on 6th July.
Bluebell - listen to dats, she speaks the truth. Every moment now feels like a lifetime but it will be over soon. I didn't realise you're intending to adopt too, what a fantastic thing you Superparents you!
Congrats due date Buddy (*Beautician*) on your new little man. Hope all went well and you are now home .
Bluebell - So sorry that you are feeling down today. The reason that its more likely for a women to have an epidural if you are induced is that: a) The oxytocin drip they give you to bring on contractions doesn't produce endorphins (natural pain killing chemicals) like the Oxytocin that your body would produce if you go into labour naturally. b)Because the Oxytocin drip can produce much strong contractions/ more quickly there is a chance it could start to stress the baby out and they need to alter things. So you have to be monitored continuously (I think, if not most of the time. Which means you can move around as much and likely to be confined to a bed - Being on your bottom reduces the space in your pelvis by 30% and sitting on your bum can make it more painful (So i have read). I am not sure but may be you can be monitored standing up / on a birthing ball??
Saying this my 2 friends who were induced never had epidurals, 1) Gas and air only 2) Di-morphine and Gas and Air.
Di-morphine - is also an option for pain relief . It only lasts 4 hours and is a great pain reliever. So might help you conserve your energy and rest a bit in the early/mid stages, but then have worn off before you give birth (so it doesn't affect the baby)
Do some of your own research but you still have some options / choices even if you do have to be induced. Prehaps making an alternative birth plan might make you feel more in control? Hope thats helpful my lovely
As for me.... due today but nothing happening as yet. Off for my daily walk!
Huge congratulations beautician. Glad you made it into the water.
allthegood sounds like you've got a little chunk on your hands. At least you know you'll have a good weight baby. I read somewhere that bigger babies are easier/potentially less painful to give birth to as there's more to push against.
Diamorphine is often an alternative to pethidine but not all hospitals/units are able to offer it. If you are looking into it then it might be worth asking your local hospital/MLU/community midwife.
foobio I love our IKEA changing mat. Foam, inflatable sides plus they also do a pack of two towelling covers - still going strong after two years. And pack of white facecloth things which we use for all sorts!
. I've been ball bouncing, DTD lots eating pineapples and spicy food, taking raspberry leaf tablets, cleaning like a fiend (literally everything!) but apart from a couple of Braxton hicks not a darn thing has happened 
.