March 2011 - The final countdown!!

[1Catherine1]

I hope you all find this thread easily enough. This is the latest list we had on the thread. Keep it updated people - looking forward to seeing due dates turn into birthdays! :)

24/02 Sam26Oscar DC2
25/02 Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby Bobbie, a girl, born sleeping on 09/10/2010 at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
27/02 Muser pg#1
27/02 Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1)
27/02 StrangewaysHereICome pg#3 (DD 5yrs DD 4yrs) Worcester SURPRISE
28/02 BramblyHedge pg#3, (DS1 4, DS2 2)
01/03 BunderTheBonnet pg#2 (DD3) Kent.
01/03 Snapdragon3 pg#9 (MMC, DD 3, DS 2, 5 MC)
01/03 MummyGeorgie pg#1
01.03 rfata Expecting TWINS!!
02/03 AfterIVF pg#1
03/03 Celia76 pg#3 (DS1 5 & DS2 almost 3)
03/03 cherub59 pg#3 (DS 3 & DD 20months) expecting a boy
03/03 TooImmature2BMum pg#1, BABY GIRL
04/03 Larty74 BABY BOY
04/03 Bluebeach pg#1
04/03 Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months)
04/03 Carriebadshaw pg#2
04/03 Superpenguin pg#1
05/03 Hattie05 pg5 (DD1 7, DD2 3, no. 3 mc, DD3 7mths) Baby boy on the way
05/03 NowPanicAndFreakOut pg#1
05/03 Bollandbear (ds1)
07/03 Toota pg#?
07/03 Mixedmama pg#3 (DS1 4.5 and DS2 2.5) London. BOY
07/03 Lauzifer pg#1 expecting a girl
08/03 Clucky31 pg#1
08/03 Polkadottytotty pg#3 (DS1 5.5 and DS2 3.5)
09/03 Sittinghippo pg#2 (DD3) BABY on the way
09/03 Penguindreams #1 & 2!
09/03 Pushmepullyou pg#4 3MC, DD20 mo BABY BOY
09/03 gem3225 pg#1
09/03 DramaMama pg#3 (BABY GIRL) DS now 4 + 1 angel baby.
10/03 EvianBaby pg#2 (DS1 Oct 08)
10/03 Coraltoes pg#1
10/03 Sevenbubbles pg#2 (DD1 23.5 months)
10/03 Mama2LeahandAisha pg#3 (DD2, DD1)
10/03 LovelyKatie pg#1
10/03 spaceal expecting first- baby girl
11/03 Rayeraye pg#4 (DD aged 3, two angels)
11/03 am988 pg#1
11/03 Sarahscot pg#2 (DS aged 3) BABY GIRL
11/03 chny1 pg#1 expecting a boy
12/03 Medee pg#1
13/03 Gemmasetters pg#2 (DD 2.5)
13/03 Doubleshotlatte pg#2 (DD 2.5)
13/03 HeadingHome
13/03 katster37 pg#2 (DS 10mo)
13/03 MJM86 pg#1
14/03 ZafNoodles
16/03 Honeymoonmummy (was Campervanfan) pg#2 (DD born Nov 08)
16/03 Sharu Expecting a baby girl
17/03 KateandEmsMum pg#5 (DD 3, DD 10 Months)
17/03 MrsMullen pg#1
17/03 looblee pg#1
17/03 edeluna pg#1 It's a girl!
17/03 Niknan pg#3 (DS3,1MC)
17/03 Coco29 pg#1 (1MC) Its a BOY!
18/03 EvaLongoria pg#2 (DD 3 on Thursday)
18/03 Oceanbreeze pg#1
18/03 JeelyPiece pg#3(2MC)
18/03 Jenchandler Expecting baby #1
18/03 Purplefan pg#2 (DD 4.5) Baby girl on way
18/03 Rockchick1984 pg1 baby boy
19/03 castlegirl pg#1
19/03 angelbabe1982 pg2 (ds 2.9)
20/03 Kagey pg#2 (DD Sept 08) SURPRISE!
20/03 Haloflo pg#1 surprise
20/03 nancydrewrocked
20/03 1Catherine1 pg#1 expecting a baby girl
21/03 Jupiter118 Pg#2 (DS 3.5)
22/03 NoSleepTonight pg#3 (DS1 5.8, DS2 15months)
22/03 jammiedodger2 pg#3 (DD9 DS6)
22/03 Niamh29, DD1 4, DD2 1.5, DD3 on the way
23/03 Me23 pg#2(DD 5)Baby boy on the way!
23/03 Lozario pg#2 (DS 15 mo)
23/03 Katystar pg#2 (DS 4)
23/03 Lia66 PG#10, (dd 15, ds 13, ds 7, dd 5, dd 3 (4 angels)) BABY GIRL
23/03 sac55
24/03 Snotdroolanddirtybums pg#4 (5, 3 and 2)
25/03 Darnsarfupnorf pg#1 (DD on the way)
27/03 KPidgeon pg#1 (changed by 1 day)
27/03 FuzzyWuzzwuzz pg#1
28/03 Chickiewoo pg#2 (DS 4)
29/03 Emma31177 pg#7 (Ds 14, DD 19 months +4 baby angles) Baby BOY on his way
29/03 PipPipPip pg#1
30/03 pettyprudence pg#1
30/03 JoJoB77 pg#1

copy latest list, paste, edit, post

1Catherine1 how do you manage to fit in so much food - I feel like I am going to explode and get horrible heart burn after a really small meal so feel like am permanently grazing! would love to eat a Chinese meal!!!!

Exciting news spaceal and chickiewoo. I wonder who will be first to pop on this thread?

I am still here, still with tightenings but not regular or painful anymore. I managed a decent night's sleep last night but still feel exhausted and very uncomfortable. The mw was meant to be coming today but has phoned to cancel as they are short staffed adn I am low risk. She'll be coming on Saturday instead. I would have liked to have seen her today but nevermind.

DD1 is still really unwell with a high temp and aches. There was a case of swine flu at her school and another child is in hospital with pneumonia so all a bit worrying. At least I have had the jab but I don't have the time or energy for a baby atm!! Off to the docs tomorrow - hope she perks up soon and her sister doesn't get it.

Sorry for the me me me post.

It's very exciting to see who is going to go first! I'm fairly sure it's not going to be me, I feel absolutely normal.

Maternity leave is brilliant. I feel so much calmer now I don't have to try and get to work every day and get through work. This time next week I may be complaining of being bored though. Trying to make sure I do more than just sit on the sofa all day long. Hard when everyone you know works though!

Wow so chatty.

Pleased to see all the chat abotu breastpumps and notice there have been a few second hand ones - there is a second hand used once medela electric pump for sale for £30 locally but DH thinks second hand is a no no for something like this, but presumably with sterilising the important bits it isnt really an issue. Will think some more.

Inductions - I was induced with DS2 and my only real advice is to consider the implications of monitoring. With DS1 I had been able to move around freely and walk about but I spent a lot of my time being strapped to a monitor with DS2 and I hated it as I was so uncomfortable staying in one position for more than about 3 mins. In my birth plan this time I am going to put that if induced i want minimal montioring and more freedom. The plus side was that it was 5-6 hours from first contraction until birth, but the contractions were intense from the outset and there was no build up like with DS1.

Pethidine - I had diamorphine with DS1 and pethidine with DS2. The first time the labour just seemed to drag on for so long and the diamorphine just let me go to sleep for a bit which was welcome repsite, but I still felt every single contraction etc and the idea of not feeling completely when to push etc with an epidural just wasnt appealing to me. With DS2 the MWs didnt believe me when I told them I was ready to push and administered at what they said was 3 cms and then I pushed DS2 out and pretty much had a snooze whilst DH had a cuddle. Given the choice I would chose it again (I would prefer the gas and air and maybe water) over an epidural but more because epi is unknown territory and I wonder how I would keep still for them to administer.

Had my growth scan yesterday and baby was 3.4kg/7.4lbs (36 weeks eek) although it did say 25% +/- so I dont knwo how accurate it actually is. Not sure what my MW might suggest but think the topic of induction may come up and not sure how I feel about that.

Consultant appointment today to talk about iron levels. Not sure what to expect really.

Have just given out invites to DS1 5th bday party in the playground. His party will be when I am 38 weeks.... not sure if I am being incredibly naive to think I can do it. Have invtied 6 boys plus my own 2 to ours.

Quick question to teachers - I got observed this morning period 1, does that mean I'm now safe from further observations or might I get observed more than once? I could do without any more so I can actually sleep tonight rather than stay up all night typing up lesson plans.

Lots of words to read from everyone, will do it later - teaching now :)

Catherine - probably safe - did they take any of your notes/plans away with them? if so, they may come back to ask a few questions about them. fingers crossed for you! good luck

Loving the mat leave - went back to bed after DH and DS left the house this am - height of laziness - wonderful. Might have to have a shower shortly as need to go to supermarket - no food and need loo roll - we seem to be going through it at some rate - probably cos I need a wee so often.

chickiewoo - I had an induction first time and it was ok. First pessary - did nothing and after initial bit on monitor was encouraged to move around - sort of shuffled and it didn't do much. Second pessary after the monitoring walked at pace up and down a corridor which quite quickly got things going - waters broke and contractions started. No experience of them building up over time, but they did seem to just kick in by being quite strong (hence the need for pethidine). All in all it was fine - second pessary 8.30pm, waters broke c.10pm, DS born 2.30am so only about 6 hours in total. Also have friends that say planned C is in a bizarre kind of way quite relaxed and everything taken at a nice pace and music playing etc. Obviously the recovery is worse though.

strangeways think you are entitled to 'me me me' post. Hope DD1 picks up - awful when they are poorly. Keep going with the calpol/nurofen (or both).

catherine hope you are not observed again!!

mixed hope iron levels are ok.

MW tomorrow - hoping that BP will be behaving itself as appt not until pm and don't want to get sent to the hospital again for more monitoring.

Right - more washing to do, but found the moses basket bedding - hurrah! And need some lunch.

I had done 1hr 30 mins of cleaning before 10am this morning! this is not like me at all think nesting has begun

Is anyone on here doing natal hypnotherapy? I ordered the preparing for homebirth cd and relaxing birth music it arrived yesterday so had my first listen today it was great so relaxing, I would reccommend them, they have different ones eg, homebirth, hospital, vbac. Obviously I don't know if they will work for me in labour but they have relaxed me so much today and thats good prep for labour.

mixed hope your appt goes well.

Just a quickie-

I got my blood test results back from the doctor (finally!) and it's "normal" so no high glucose in my blood/no risk of gestational diabetes. Just in the urine which was my body expelling it from the cake I had the day before ( I think !) . Phew- can have a piece of chocolate again now after all that worry!

Not sleeping at all! Heartburn and general anxiety is waking me up for a couple of hours every night so I'm totally running on empty. Mentally I'm so ready to go on leave now!

Yay Kpidgeon! Excellent news. That must be a relief for you.

me23 I'd like my nesting to kick in now, house is ok but its the 'nursery' that I cant face going into as its become a dumping ground, but is probably the one room that I most need to sort out!

Am 36 weeks today, had consultant appointment this afternoon, and all is on target for my VBAC. He said I wont go over my due date by more than a day or two before they book me for csect so that means one way or another baby will definitely be here by 11th March. It suddenly seems so real and exciting. I came out of the hospital grinning!!
Am also relieved that there wont be the possibility of the 2 week wondering after due date.

mixedmama I am a bit concerned about the monitoring. I know I will be under constant monitoring and am worried about being restricted movement wise. I think if I am adamant they will agree to hourly monitoring but I am unsure as to what would be the best thing to do. Surely they monitor constantly for a reason? ie my and my babys' safety?

me23 I've been doin the natal hypnotherapy for hospital birth, it's so relaxing isn't it? Like you said, not sure if it'll work for labour, but I was terrified about the birth before I started listening to it and now I'm not so scared! I've been told by someone on my antenatal class to burn an essential oil like lavender or anything calming while listening to it, then same at the birth coz of the association with it, so am giving that a try.

I'm definately nesting now, but think I'm doing far too much, I keep blitzing things (eg emptied out my wardrobe and put it all back in coz I thought it looked messy) but then ending up shattered with awful backache! Really need to slow down a bit!

My bump seems to have dropped again - midwife told me at 32 weeks that babies head had engaged but didn't say how far, is there different levels it can be engaged in? I'm now about 35 weeks. I can now breathe and eat loads again, but he's pressing on my bladder so badly!

My personal experience was that it just seemed for routines sake, as they were doing it before they even gave me the pessary. However, obviously there are cases where it is more important.

Consultant appointment was ok, slight protein in urine and slightly low blood pressure so tomorrow have to go to day assessment unit after dropping off DS1 at school to see what the results are - he mentioned that these are signs of pre-eclampsia although he thinks unlikely as I have no other symptoms and both things are only very slight. Had to send DS2 home with my mum and dad and he just called crying saying he wants to come home to be with us as DS1 didnt go too because of school, so feel really crap.

Sorry for moaning.

oh but he did say that baby is 1/5 engaged... I think that once you get to 5/5 then you are fully engaged.

There are different levels of engaged, and two different ways of recording it. My midwife does it the opposite way, so when she says 4/5 engaged she means 1/5 of the baby's head is in. Nice and confusing!

re engagement 3/5 would be considered engaged, that means the mw can only feel 2/5 of the babies head. most women would only get to 5/5 engaged in labour as that would mean babies head is vitually comiing out!

Also with 2nd or subsequnet babies they often do not engage until labour begins they can also pop in and out so engaged one week and not the next.

1/5 engaged is the same as 4/5 palpable it isn't really properly engaged just means the top of the babies head is beginning to enter the brim of the pelvis.

Muser your mw is writing it down wrong she should write 4/5ths palpable if she means 1/5 engaged.

hi ladies, haven't posted for a while as DH is home on leave. well my sister bought the moses basket over and baby monitors etc last weekend so feel much better now knowing that if LO comes early its got somewhere to sleep!!

I have m/w appt tomorrow (37 weeks)
so will see how that goes!! I have terrible cankles at the moment, well since the weekend really!! Can't tell where calves start and toes end!!! Am keeping an eye on hands and face incase of PE, although last appt 2 weeks ago blood pressure was 92/50 so not PE!!

Maternity leave started at 6pm tonight yay!!!!

Kids got me some beautiful flowers which was lovely bless 'em!!

spaceal have been following Southseas journey too!! Should be some news by the morning from her!!!

Does anyone else feel like they can't shut their legs properly??? DS was breech so didn't get the whole head down feeling!!

2 weeks + 1 day to go

That is how she writes it me, just not how she says it. I know other midwives who do the same thing, so it's always worth checking what they mean as otherwise they will confuse you. Half my NCT class were told 4/5 engaged at their last check up, half 1/5 engaged. Midwives are confusing!

Had this thread open all evening trying to catch up but only just managed it. Slept for 3 hours this evening - I must have needed it.

You all have such exciting news. Lots of good news and a shame about all those being very uncomfortable and not sleeping properly. I have started needing more toilet visits during the day and have even had to leave my class a couple of times, don't suppose that means baby is starting to engage? I don't have my 34 week appointment with my MW until I'm 35+5 due to her being totally booked up so I'll just have to be patient to find out. My belly still feels quite high though and I find it difficult to breath when sat up on the sofa.

Lost all interest in the OFSTED visit, realized last night how insignificant it was in comparison to my LO when I realized that due to the stress I'd been under I'd not felt her move all night. I panicked myself and was ready to drag my OH up to the hospital at 2am until LO woke up and started kicking away at me :) I guess you were all right when you said I would immediately stop worrying about my kids once LO arrives since I'm starting to re-prioritise already.

Still awaiting news of the first arrival... I was really quite convinced we'd be getting an announcement any day this week and its Wednesday already so maybe I'm getting ahead of it. My mum has apparently been dreaming of LOs arrival and is sure my LO will arrive soon - she is convinced that I will have an early baby because me and my siblings were all early.

Hello!
no news here really other than the odd tiny twinge (probably looking out too intently for them now). I am peeing every 2 hours at night annoyingly - probably down to drinking WAY too much water before bed. I'm a fool really.

I;ve been bouncing on the birthing ball, drinking raspberry leaf tea, doing the stairs sideways (good for wiggling baby down into pelvis) and eating pineapple to get her thinking about coming out. I'm impatient.

Rockchick engagement is measured in 5ths. They either say how many fifths of the head is engaged or how many fifths are still palpable above the rim of the pelvis- does that make sense? I've been told i'm 3/5ths engaged, so that means only 2/5ths left of the head can be felt. My bump has dropped a bit too, hence the lack of bladder capacity. When is your next MW appt? She should tell you then how engaged babychick is. :)

So exciting to see how close we're getting!

Hi All,

I haven't been on for ages, sorry! But I have some news, saw the consultant yesterday and am scheduled in for my CS on Wednesday 23rd Feb. So unless it decides to make an early appearance that is going to be the birthday!!

I have a feeling it might make an early appearance though, I keep getting all these twinges! But they can go on for weeks I think can't they?! Am finishing work tomorrow - hooray and then need to pack my bag and get ready for the arrival.

Hello ladies,

Yay for kpidgeon so pleased your test was okay

sitting our "nursery" is a dumping ground too atm! Bin liners full of clothes I haven't sorted yet (all pink so wondering if I'll have to yet , and all the baby stuff I haven't got any drawers to put in yet! It will get sorted ....

Exciting talk of babies being engaged feels like everyone is getting ready for the off! My LO isn't engaged at all which I don't think is unusual for a third. I do get shocks and much bladder urgency and it does feel much lower now, so we'll see what the mw says on Saturday. Maybe it's popping in and out

sam yay for ML - hope you get to enjoy some rest.

Catherine it's strange how your priorities suddenly change, take care and try not to get stressed. Glad the LO started moving on cue!

coral I am still very twingey, had more cramps last night, but as soon as morning comes it all stops. Getting impatient now, all this am I or aren't I is starting to do my head in!! DH is not listening to me anymore

Ooooh mendip how exciting - will you be the first??

Well I am going to try for a nap now after my bad night, dd1 seems on the mend but I need to persuade her to nap too - wish me luck!

Good luck Strangeways!

Mendip, wow - a definite date! And you might even be earlier than that.

I have an idea LO will be early too, but nothing actually concrete to base it on - I think I'm just impatient. She easily might not be. Have been bouncing on the ball too in an attempt to make her turn around (she was back to back on Tuesday, according to MW), but I can't tell if I've succeeded. It is such a lovely day that when I was walking the dog I pulled my jumper up and faced the sun and basked for a bit in the hope she would turn towards it like a flower [demented emoticon]. Disclaimer: was in the middle of a deserted field and no one could see me!

I've started having trouble sleeping because my hips really ache - my pelvis was sore with SPD and the physio said to stop sleeping in the recovery position, and to start sleeping with a pillow between knees and ankles, on my side, plus a pillow beneath my bump. I did, and my pelvis isn't sore any more but my hips are agony and waking me up pretty much every hour to roll over. Can't win! Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks Strange and Hippo. I very much enjoyed some lindt chocs yesterday- sure they did me good psychologically as well.

Tooimmature I don't have it as bad as you (don't think mine is SPD) but my hips ache in the night. I end up with my legs stuffed around a duvet and that helps (we have two duvets because we both hog them)- I get so hot in the night that I don't mind being uncovered..

Have you got a triangular pillow? I sit upright for a bit as well, to give my hips a break and sometimes drift a bit to sleep- or sort of turn on my side and sleep half sitting up.. not ideal but with this much bulk I don't know how you're supposed to get a great night's sleep!

I do basically roll over every hour or so- I'm not getting decent sleep at the moment but am resigned to it.

Hope it's better tonight for you.

TooImmature2BMum no advice just sympathy from a fellow sufferer. Have terrible SPD but it's my hips that hurt most at night and I can't find a position that feels ok enough to let me sleep through. Can't change position either as I wake DH up with me whimpering in pain and using him as anchorage! Finding the sofa more comfortable and having been getting an afternoon nap that way - think it's because my back is supported by the back of the sofa when I lie on my side with pillows under head and bump and between knees!

I've just arranged to reduce my hours for my last two weeks at work (from next week) so I don't have to get out to work two days in a row. SPD has had me off sick since Tuesday but I don't want to get signed off as my mat leave would be triggered next Friday at 36 weeks.

I can't believe we've not had any early births! Would be lovely to see one in the next week, you 37-weekers

I must say I am getting so uncomfortable now that it is good to have an actual end date in sight, not surer I could bear the thought of going 2 weeks overdue at the moment!

Sleeping is definitely a challenge at the moment...mind you that's not going to change with a newborn is it?!