so here it is, a new home for us newly updiffed ladies or still seeking that golden egg after a mc part 3

Sorry forgot you there for a minute < waves> at kool how are you my lovely?

Morning Ladies (and Jack if you are stuck to mummy)
wombat When I had DD I laboured and got fully dilated yet DD's head never decended into the pelvis at all, forceps or vontouse wasn't possible as she was too far up. So emcs followed. DS I tried for a virginal birth again, got to 8 cm dilated and DS was so high up they couldn't even feel his head! They could only feel the bulging waters but weren't able to break them due to the danger of cord coming down first, so another CS. After the birth when I asked why it would happen twice they came to the conclusion they were both back to back and my pelvis must be a shape which encourages this. Thanks for the breastfeeding advise again keep it all coming you may be able to save us all pain later............

Hi sparkly dare I ask if anything happening or are you already fed up of that

Would sitting on something very cold ease the swelling at all? Peas on pussy?

Right here is what doctor google said..... high waters not could be a sign of gestational diebeties (but pee stick fine) or in 1% of cases a sign of abnormalities, or nothing at all.
The high resistence placenta seems to be more of a worry if I was less far on, as it restricts the good stuff that gets to the baby and causes very slow growth. Looking at the measurements babies growth has slowed but is still just above the 50th centile down from the 90th which it was at 28 weeks.
I will be asking for the test to be done again as my movements are still slower than normal. Early birth bu cs is the usual end to this condition, but the sonographer was very keen to stress the test is just what is happening at that particular second and may have been fine done a few days later. Will report back after appointment.

Aw thanks yellow.

Here's another tip for you lovely ladies that I actually worked out myself. When breaking their latch (and I had to do this a lot and stlll do when he's not on right) suck your little finger first - makes it much easier to wriggle it into his mouth than a dry finger, oh and cut your nails too!

Evening alll

Poor you worm I'm glad toast helped the little one into action. I've got no idea about fluids and placenta Doppler stuff but I am glad that you are seeing the consultant tomorrow for further checks. Will be thinking of you, please keep us updated.

wombat excellent work on the one handed typing and of course we still like you. You are the trail blazer and source of much wisdom, we've missed you!

Thought I'd post in 2 parts as it's v slow going typing with 1 hand and I may have lost it if I lost my posts!

One thing I have surprised myself with is the amount of knowledge I have gathered via mn over these months. I'm no Gina ford, but I'm amazed by how much some of the other mums in my antenatal group here dont know about birth, feeding etc. I thought I wasn't that prepared but in actual fact I was and i'd say that 90% of what I've learned has come from the pg, childbirth and feeding threads here on mn so If you or your ohs think you are spending too much time here, you're not. Forewarned is forearmed IMHO.

Re- reading this, I sound like a big know it all - hope you will still like me....

Lordy - what dramas fo you both. Yellow - as you say, good for gp to be thorough but I really don't think they could have diagnosed it without doing a swab.... Anyway, so glad to read it's not that and hope the cream works ok.

Worm - will be thinking of you with consultant today but naughty miniworm- not surprised you were in bits. Forgive my baby brain, but can you remind me why you are elcs? Also, I know low levels of fluid aren't good, is too much also a bad thing?

Happy due date to our dear sparkly! Can we tempt monts out with these special cranberry crumble mince pies?

What a super piece of advice kool. I shall remember that dr google wisdom for future.

worm you poor thing, what a dreadful worry. I'm glad that the healing powers of toast did the trick. I'm a terrible one for consulting Dr Google but try to be cautious as the best thing will be from the consultant as they'll be looking at your baby, rather than a random baby on the www. Thinking of you tomorrow xx

I have been to the assessment unit today as baby didn't move for 12 hours. Was very stressful but during the 1 hour and 20 minutes ! journey to the hospital it woke up . I really did think it was the end though, was a wailing mess.
Was on the monitor for an hour and baby was still really quiet until they gave me some toast then it started going its usual nutty self.
They were very thorough and also sent me for a scan. All looks of with the baby re growth heart etc, but there was a high level of fluid. She also did a doppler reading on the placenta which was too high then another 2 which was medium to high and a third just above average.
They want me to see the consultant tomorrow which I was doing anyway to book in for my ELCS so he will be able to explain to me what the readings mean. MW said she suspected he will want a repeat scan.

Great to hear from you wombat you look so well on those photos you put on facebook, and yes many thanks for the BF advise.

I'm very about them carting you off with suspected herpes yellow what a drama, make sure you tear a strip off the GP when you next see them!

So due date today sparkly and good to hear you are still your upbeat self. I will read your post again when I am in a more cheerful mood.

I'm off to google about high water levels and whatever the doppler readings mean.

xxx

Afternoon all

Wow wombat thanks for the update and all the detail......i was in tears for reading most of it. Sounds so amazing, great b/f tips too. And yes, you've had your break from MN now and need to be back to posting regularly before the next arrival
How is the pile sparkly I thought I had one a few weeks ago but then it just seemed to disappear.....i was bracing myself to go to the chemist and get some stuff but then it'd gone....any news today? Is that going to get annoying asking you all the time? so exciting that it could be any moment now....will you do us nickel type updates?
worm try not to stress, easier said than done I know....hopefully you'll get lots of lovely reassurance from the m/w tomorrow
mrsb33 glad you're feeling hungry now, you must have a lot to catch up with after all the sickness. I am v hungry too but that is not new for me. I love this time of year of pies and erm more pies and puddings with custard and lots of other greedy things...no place for salad at this time of year!

well I've been having a drama this week.....my sore bits were getting sorer so I went to the GP........she had a look and diagnosed.....HERPES! I was very surprised indeed but then she started going on about how I had to take this medicine 5 times a day and may not be able to have a vaginal delivery cos of passing it onto the baby etc.......so you can imagine I was a bit freaked out. Then she said I'd have to go to the STI clinic the next day to confirm.....so I turned up there the next day, much to their suprise. It was the men only drop in so they were quite confused to see a pg lady........anyway, the service there was excellent and it is not herpes at all just a little irritation due to pressue/extra moistness etc and they just gave me some cream to calm it down and all is good..........but I tell you, I could have done without the drama. I was so stressed out......I guess it's good for GPs to be thorough but still.

And breathe......

Please enjoy this selection of mini choc rolls and cornflake cakes......and a tin of quality street. Wouldn't be Xmas without them!

Aw sparkly - you know how to draw me out don't you? Lots of lovely compliments like that and an alluring thread! - perhaps more appealing to mrsb and worm though

Hope Manjula isn't too sickly - not what you need right now.... due date tomorrow -eek! Will be thinking of you lots.

Agh- Jack has just woken up again - must go and do attentive mum bit (although may be back to check out that thread!!)

Just about to post when eyes got distracted by the 'scared to try anal with dh' post in Most Active and had to have a peek - seems to be a hoax, not only is it 4.20pm on a Tuesday but the Op has just said dh is '9 inches, big and thick' - made me roar with laughter, someone has suggested they get back to their homework.
Anyway, I digress, Wombat helloo! Bowt time with the crumpets, I'm wasting away here! Aw, you sound so happy and contented and pretty much in control (edited Word doc? ) I love love love your take on catheterisation, as an excuse to lie in bed for 24 hours happily pissing yourself! Brilliant, it very much appeals to my lazy side, so I shall now certainly bear it in mind as a plus if I go down the cs route.
Not much in the way of signage here, bump is tight and midwife says Monts is nice and low, he's still giving me heartburn but I don't feel he'll make an appearence on his due date (tomorrow!) - got to take Manjula to the vets by way of marking the day, I think she might have cystisis. She's not right anyway and she was a sickly kitten so I worry about her unduly, I am going to be a terrible fretful mum. Honestly, my heart almost stops if I think the cats are properly unwell. Am very sentimental at the moment though, and just burst into tears because I spilt water all over my slippers, what a catastrophy!
I'll re-read your excellent post when I'm in a less up and down mood Wombat, and absorb the wisdom therein (the paragraph on what you love about Jack made me cry, though not as much as my wet slippers did ). Good to have you back, you seem to be the glue on this thread and have been missed. We are expecting you to be far more attentive from now on!

Well hello from the other side ladies! So sorry not to have been on earlier- I cannot believe that looking after a wee one takes so much time. I?ll fill you in on all the deets soon, but first off sparkly - how are you doing? Getting a wee bit nervous or just super excited? I am soooo excited for you ? more so than I think for Jack?s arrival! Are you getting birthing ball practice in the bath?!

And yellow - yes to swollen bits ? not uncomfortable for me, but definitely ?engorged? shall we say. I too was quite freaked out by stuff coming from boobs and had to keep reminding myself it was for a good cause.

mrsb - awesome to hear from you and glad that your appetite is back and that you have a pink one brewing. Keep well and keep us posted too.

worm - not long for you now m?dear. How are you feeling about the ELCS? Hopefully the info below might help a bit. What is this nickel thread you and sparkly mention ?could be a good thing to get me through the night feeds!

And kool and wellie - how are you both getting on? Hope all is well at your various stages of the journey.

Soooo?. Where to start? Perhaps the birth! I didn?t sleep at all well the night before but was surprisingly relaxed going into hosp and into theatre ? lovely anesthetist who I chatted to almost the whole way through the op. It was very business like, but the staff were lovely and relaxed which helped enormously. The epidural starts acting dead quick from the toes up, but it wears off from the chest down which was kind of weird, but glad I was told about it. The epidural made me feel a bit sick, but apparently that?s normal. When they started the op, it was fine but as they got into it, it was a very strange feeling - no pain, but could really feel the tugging. DH couldn?t see the area itself, but could see my ob/gyn and her assistant?s shoulders and couldn?t believe the strength they had to use ? he said it was like a rugby scrum . Jack came out hollering at 08.36 and they showed him to me quickly before getting DH to cut the cord (he hadn?t particularly wanted to but it was assumed he would) which he said was like cutting a bike tyre ? pretty tough! He was weighed etc (8lb 8oz!!) and then handed back to me in a towel. I got a bit panicky at that point as they had started with the syntocin (sp?) drip to help with the uterus contractions which I felt really high up towards my chest and really felt I was struggling breathing and something was very wrong as I could feel them so strongly, added to which they put Jack on my chest above my boobs which didn?t help with the feeling I couldn?t breathe. Lovely anesthetist gave me a shot of pethadine which really helped and put me in a lovely floaty feeling! Got wheeled through to recovery for a while (looking back I have no idea how long) before going through to one of the maternity rooms and get this ? none of the ?normal? rooms were available so we got to go to the presidential suite!! Hilarious! Think gold sofas, a separate sitting room, huge spare double bedroom, pantry and wet room! Unfortunately we were turfed out of there at around 8pm into a ?normal? private room but still a lovely big size with a sofa bed for DH. We stayed in 3 nights in the end ? could have stayed 4 but we were keen to get home. Pediatrician was happy with Jack and ob/gyn happy with me, other than keeping telling me to take it easy. It was odd as I really wasn?t in any pain with the wound at the time and for about 5 days after but it must have been the pain relief as after that, it was quite sore ? not the wound itself, just my insides ? like I?d done loads of sit-ups. It?s still a bit tender now, 2 weeks later, but I think that it partly my fault for trying to do too much. One of the big plus sides that I hadn?t thought about was the catheter ? I thought I?d hate it, but after months of going to the loo countless times in 1 day, it was a delight to just lie in bed for 24 hours and not worry about it! First time out of bed I was a bit shaky and had a nurse help me in the shower, but otherwise ok. The bleeding wasn?t half as bad as I?d expected and I?ve been on just liners for about the last 5 days. I think they suction some of the blood out during the op. Not sure I?ve covered everything here, so any questions, do ask.

Now, onto the star performer ? young Jack?. What a gorgeous bundle he is! We have renamed him guzzleguts as he feeds so much (well, it seems like that to me, but after reading some threads on mn, he?s perhaps not that bad. Sometimes goes 4 hours without a feed, at other times, barely an hour. The midwife weighed him here at home after 9 days and he was back past birthweight and it will be interesting to see how he is on thurs this week when she comes again. It?s still quite hard to believe that he?s in our lives ? a couple of times, I have forgotten about him and just remembered when I see a piece of baby stuff lying around ?does this make me a bad mum?! I got 3 separate nurses giving me advice on b/feeding in hosp, none of which was particularly helpful and they do seem to just shove the boob in his face ? not entirely their fault as they don?t necessarily have the time to spend with you. So, I got a lactation consultant to come and see me at home and it was the best money ever spent. She had over an hour with us and just some small changes made a big difference. I think you guys have La Leche, b/feeding cafes etc. over there which I would really encourage you to use. The other thing she said was that some women give up b/fing because of the loneliness and I can really see what she meant ? at times, I have felt manacled to the feeding chair in the nursery at night and feeling resentful that DH can?t do anything so I?ve made sure that whenever he is around, we feed with him, not by ourselves and that?s really helped. I?ve also made sure that the ipad is close to hand for night feeds, I?ve been reading lots on mumsnet ? only one hand required! ? and it really does help me feel as if I?m not alone.

So, this is all the ?hard? stuff! The great stuff is watching Jack grow and change, even in the short space of 2 weeks. I love the way he pants like a marathon runner after he?s had a big feed, his ever-changing facial expressions ? from Mr Magoo to an almost smile to shock to curiosity to contentment. I love the way he waggles his face from side to side when he?s approaching the boob and the way that I am his entire world. I love the way DH looks after him and talks to him and to spend the time wondering with DH what Jack is thinking and how he?s going to turn out. He feels so brand new and at the same time as if he?s been with us forever.

Top tips from me so far ?

• sleep when they do (hard, as you want to get on with all the other bits and pieces of every day life, but it?s so essential)
• Keep going with b/feeding ? it?s a skill to be learned by you both and it doesn?t come overnight. I haven't got it cracked quite yet, but everyone tells me it gets better from around 6 weeks.
• Try and do only 1 thing a day i.e. one trip out, one lot of visitors, update facebook etc.
• Enjoy the snuggles ? you?re not just there as a feeding and changing machine!

I?m sure there are more, but I think I should post this now before you all drop off from boredom. I have written this in word to copy and paste into mn as I?m sure I?d lose it all!

I do think of you guys often and again, sorry not to have posted before. Hopefully I can do one handed short posts now that I have posted this epic one! Lots of love and heaps of buttered crumpets to you all xx

Hmmm whats wrong with my breakfast hey....... hey???? [offended emocion]
Glad to see you are both well.
My privates have felt like that at times yellow and the mw said it's because of all the extra blood you are carry around and the veins growing and to watch out for varicous veins in there how exactly?? I am more whiffey down below too.
I havn't had any leakage at all this time, I didn't have with DS either but did with DD.
The nickel thread had me riveted too sparkly , I had to cave in a go to bed at half 10, then ended up dreaming about it. Piles .............hope they have popped back in by now god pg is so un glamorous.
I have been getting braxton hicks every night at 9pm for about a week now, and the movements become really strong and actually quite painful. I have my 36 week consultant app on thurs and can't wait! I am stressing over everything, todays paranoia is "how do I know there is enough fluid". I will get my date for the ELCS hopefully, so then can plan the arrangements for the DC's to be looked after. If you go 2 weeks late won't that take you up to christmas time? eeekk!

Mmmm, buttery fruity loaf!

Sorry ladies, too busy lurking on the Nickel thread to post! It's really riveting, can't quite believe that will be me soon (apart from dh playing the piano)
No news here, no signs and now think Monts will be late, no-one on mn seems to be early or on time! Keep forgetting the raspberry leaf tea, only tried the massage once, goodness I am rubbish! Getting the odd tightening sensation, and had a nice doze yesterday where I 'spoke' to him to invite him out as we had thoroughly cleaned the house and were now ready but he seems to be happy to stay put for now.
Put the tree up today, I think it looks lovely but the room is quite dark so not sure - my fairy lights are quite dim, and we removed all the overhead lights so can't see a bloody thing! Been a lovely weekend though, very relaxed, and dh has made some more scrumptious mince pies. He's been a sweetheart, taking care of me and saying how excited he is to meet his little boy
Got the midwife tomorrow (routine appt) so will be pleased to check the heartbeat as always, and hopefully she will actually give me some info on this giving birth malarky and what to do if I go past Wednesday.
Yellow, not sure about the hot bits, I think mine are more swollen than usual but not hot as such - have you changed underwear, or washing powder? When are you seeing the midwife again? Sorry not to have more advice, it does sound like another joyous symptom. Speaking of which, I think I have piles, It feels like something has 'popped out' back there - doesn't hurt at all and not sure what a cream can do so maybe it's not piles (or a pile, singular??), will do some research. Lord we are sexy!
Worm, see you are lurking on the Nickel thread too, I'm going back to it, there's probably about 10 more pages now! I hope you are enjoying ml a bit more - I love it as I am very lazy, but feel quite cut off and not quite rooted in reality, probably why I also haven't posted even though I've spent hours tooling around on here - to post is to make it real, and it's still very surreal.
How'ya doing Wombat? Cuddles for little Jack!

Hmmm looks like there wasn't much interest in the full english........how about this lightly toasted and buttered fruit loaf, I know that was a success before........

Come on sparkly what's the update?

I have nipple news! I've started leaking the milky stuff.......noticed stains in my bra and then investigated nipple and it does indeed produce stuff when squeezed.....freaked me out a bit!

Hurrah mrsb33 a pink one!

I've also got a tmi situation.........all my external lady parts are sore and swollen. I've got more discharge than usual but it's been like that for months and this swelling and soreness and it feels really hot has only been a few days. I've asked dr google and he seems to think this is a 'normal' part of pg and the dr wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. So should I go through the hassle of trying to get an appt/time off work/queue up for hours to be told to use an ice pack or do you think there is some magic cream?

Sorry you are feeling 100 years old worm, you're on the home stretch now. Are you settling into ML a bit more now? I've got 4 more weeks of work not counting the 'working from home' between Xmas and new year.

Come out ladies wherever you are......what are your updates?

Hi Ladies
God it's quiet around here, can I tempt anyone out with a full english breakfast??
sparkly any twinges or anything yet? my first sign was loads of (TMI) discharge down below how exciting that the time is nearly here! or may have already happened !!
yellow no idea about the achey hip, could be just the weight of the baby concentrated on one area? I feel about 100 years old when I wake up, every bone in my body aches!
wombat We are ready for all the deets whenever you are anyone would think you were too busy looking after a new baby to come and talk to us
Mrs B had her scan and it's pink :)
Not much planned for me this weekend, just the last of the present wrapping and the tree decorating to supervise. Hope to hear you are all well x

Morning ladies

Glad you are feeling better worm there is no need to apologise, if you can't moan here, where can you moan? I think laying around doing nothing during ML is what you are meant to be doing...resting! You're gonna have lots to do soon so for now you should not feel guilty at all about doing stuff but just lay about being fed grapes and chocolate items.

We saw two 'private' rooms but you can't book/pay for them because they are for special circumstances...I know I just need to not obsesses about it but I just think that the time spent in there is gonna feel very long indeed. And it was so hot and dry and.......well just not nice really. Anyway.....let's hope for the best and that I won't have to stay long....

Mmmm after 8 mcflurry, I have really been liking ice cream/milkshakes like never before!

sparkly you're right about DP being 'practical' he can't cope with emotional meltdowns and I think he's more scared than he'll let on. I just felt quite frightened for the first time and wanted some reassurance but ended up with a row instead....I am def going to try to stay at home as long as possible, at least until the head is nearly out

what naughty little cats you have, do you think that there will be some jealousy issues?

Wow, next week for your baby......that is exciting. And remember we need to know right from the first twinge.....you can update us between contractions!

I'm starting to wake early in the mornings due to having an achy hip from sleeping on my side. Any ideas?

Cor what a down in the dumps moan that post was. sorry girls, I'm all good now....... The new after eight mcflurry sorted me out :)

Naughty naughty puss cats!!
Another thread baby makes me feel all warm and fuzzy sparkly how are you feeling about ML? I am absolutley bored stupid, I was so looking forward to being off too, but find I can't motivate myself to do anything and just end up wasting the days watching telly and reading MN.

yellow I won't lie to you, the post-natal wards are not nice places to be, I am dreading it, as my stay there will be at the very least 2 nights, I was 4 nights with DD. I am definately going to try and get a private room, although you can't book them here as they are (rightly so) allocated to ladies who have babies in SCBU ect, but if they are avaliable on the day you may be able to get one. I must remember to get some ear plugs this time

You guys will breeze through it. Both my s in l's were out within 6 hours and spent their first nights at home. You have been reading all the books and everything!

Great to hear from you wombat and thanks for sharing the photos with us. He truelly is a gorgeous baby. Did your DM end up staying there in the end? How is DH coping? Is Jack in with you guys? I am avidely awaiting hearing all about it.

Waves to everyone, think I may go back to bed, hopefully I will wake up in a better mood!

Just had another little look and a metaphorical squidge at Jack. Such beyootiful eyes. Monts is going to look like Oz Clarke, I know it!
Oui Yellow, 14th December; this seems to mean I am having a baby next week, zut alors!
Sorry you didn't enjoy your hospital visit Can you show DP what Ina May has to say in terms of being comfortable in your environment, he probably doesn't get how fundamental it will be to your ability to relax and push out le petit-tomato. Sorry, I'll stop with the French now! I don't know about 'luxurious' but you need to feel it's comfortable, as well as professional and efficient. Can you arrange up-front to pay for a private room? Might also mean DP can stay with you a bit longer but yes, they do kick the blokes out at night; that'll be weird but you will be on a high I bet and probably staring at bubs all night, and if DP is anything like DH he will annoy the hell out of you by falling into a deep, oblivious slumber!

Keep talking, voice your fears rationally (he will be in 'practical' mode, but is probably a little freaked out by the reality too, the visit does bring home the fact that a birth is imminent) and work out how to make the best of it. My hospital likes to kick people out after 2 hours if all goes well so you never know, you might be spending very little time in there anyway.
I'm going to treat myself to a furry throw for when I get home, the thought of which will keep me going if I'm in for a night or longer - consider a similar essential, restorative purchase!
Right, going to surf tens hire, and a felliway refill thing for the cats; Juju was caught napping in the cot yesterday, Oaty in the moses basket, so am now washing all the bedding again! Weather miserable here so trying to stay positive, at least it's snoozy.
Mince pies and double cream for all x

Ahhhhhhhh what a cutie........so good to hear from you wombat......4 hours sleep in one go, impressive! How are you recovering from the c-section? Glad b/f is now going well.

We went on the hospital tour/MLU tour yesterday and I found it quite depressing. It was much more 'hospital' like than I was expecting. I was thinking it would be a bit more luxurious, those website photos are misleading. And the post natal ward is horrid, nosiy and small and everything. I really don't think I'm going to like it there at all! So I was quite upset, esp as they said you can only stay in your room for about 30 mins after giving birth and then you get moved to the 4 person room and if it's the night your DP has to go home so I was upset about that too. And DP was most unsympathatic and we had a massive row and haven't spoken since.....

I got some leggings kool and they are not baggy round the knees as such as baggy throughout but that is due to my v short legs.

I'm still not having the flu jab, I thought the dr would mention it to me but she didn't. I'm just glaring at people who cough on the tube!

I think sparkly's due date is 14th December, non? And worm that really has come fast......I'm double the time you have.....so plenty of time!

Wombat! Aw, what a little cutie! DH has just said he wants one like that, he's genuinely adorable and dh thinks he looks 'tranquil' - all compliments to you for that state, bet it doesn't feel like that sometimes! Glad you're all home and well, rest up and look after yourself, will be back tomorrow to check for more cuteness and news if you are up to it - we have all been lurking waiting for you, it's been the quietest week here ever! xxx

Ladies, ladies, ladies! You are the best - I have just got to logging on and am so touched by your messages - thank you soooooo much! and for all your amazing support on this journey - couldn't have done it without you and

Needless to say it's been an absolute whirlwind - I have been dying to get on to update you with all the details and I will do this as soon as I can.

In the mean time, a quick update. We only had 3 night in hosp in the end and we're doing v well. Couple of b/feeding issues which I think have now been sorted with an hour's visit from a lactation consultant yesterday - BEST money ever spent - do not hesitate. Jack is adorable and seems to be pretty good so far - only cries when he needs to and even slept 4 hours straight last night

Have uploaded some photos onto my profile at last so have a ganders and I'll be back soon I hope.

Hope you are all doing well at your various stages -do keep posting!

from Jack xx

Hi ladies how are we all?
Sparkly you still havn't told us you due date !
Wombat are you out of hospital yet?
How's everything going ?
Yellow, yes time to buy all the glamorous stuff now, breast pads, san towels, cotton wool, nappies, ...........
hi kool I too have had the flu jab, it was the scary threads what made me.

My bag is all packed and ready to go 30 days to elcs [shitting ones-self emocion]