April 2011 - nearly there, all set for dropping Mofo C bombs in the delivery room

[SnapFrakkleAndPop]

Executive decision that at 987 posts we're moving over!

New challenge - can we fill up 1000 posts before the first babies arrive, given that we managed to keep our legs crossed all through the last one?!

First babies are due, officially, next month but are there any in such a hurry to see the world that they can beat our chatting?

Am back from mw visit. Am feeling a little smug as he was exactly where I thought he was and the various body parts correspond with what I thought had been poking out!

She did also say though that he's a big un and that his head was so far down she couldn't feel any of it above my pelvis Again, I thought that was the case as he feels very low but it's weird to hear it confirmed.

She reckons with my pelvic history and his size they'll probably go with the cs, but I'll find out on Thursday I guess. Can't believe the big event is nearly here, feels like yesterday that I was shouting 'F*!' in shock at my BFP

Afternoon!

Cycle they couldn't feel any of the head above your pelvis! That's proper engaged! I was 3/5 again this morning.

And no word on Stuffed's driving test yet?

I'm amazed that people are thinking of the next baby - I've put more thought & effort into researching which type of coil I'm going to get!

Glad Eva's making good progress gormers! Keep us updated!

I had a proper uncomfortable 5 minutes at work today. Didn't feel like BH or anything, but suddenly most of me started to hurt. It went away after a few minutes, and hasn't happened again since. Very strange!

And had new trainee midwife do my appointment this morning (well, she helped out!). It seemed like mine was the first real belly she'd felt. And she was spot on! And then found hb first time! I was quite proud of her! She's only around till the end of the month, so hopefully she'll get to attend my birth. (unless I freak out and tell her to 'do one'!)

Fully engaged?!

No wonder she pulled a face as she said it!

But I'm only 36 weeks today! Eek!

Ok, am calm, she said I measured exactly 36 so maybe he's just sitting low...

Hurrah for the trainee, I didn't have a student today, normally I do. Bless them, they always seem worried tat they'll break the baby.

Hellllooooo!

Just finished my reflexology! Wow!!! I really didn't think it would make any difference, but I have had no painkillers today and couldn't walk up the stairs before the treatment, now I feel like I could go for a jog walk. She could even tell I have problems with my shoulder. How can someone do that by squeezing your feet!! I am now following her strict instructions to relax for the rest of the day!!

Stuffed Is it a happy pizza tonight or not??

Cycle I suppose the 'engagement' could be to do with your... unusual (trying to think of a polite way to refer to it) pelvis?

My trainee did apologise profusely for everything, and then went on to thank me profusely afterwards!

Not sure about imminent birth - but my LO seems to be trying to kick his way out of my side this evening!

Hadn't thought of that Petal!

Maybe my weird pelvis means baby's shifted into a weird position... He's mooning again tonight, his bottom just keeps appearing and disappearing like a whale's back appearing above the waves.

Still can't believe I'll get to meet him soon, how exciting!

Muffin Glad to see you again, I wondered where you were thought it was going to be another shocking announcement. This thread is very exciting, I don't watch any soaps but I can now understand how people become so involved with them How are you doing anyway, it's been a while, how's your bump? x

Beetle lol, I don't know how I'm going to keep a straight face i I go into the freezer section even DH has laughed at the thought of the butternut squash ha ha. I know the pain isn't funny but your methods are good although your vegetable choice is really unique lol x

Gorers Great news things are going from strength to strength, fingers crossed time flies and you'll all be home in a flash x

Kits Sorry your back in NHS heaven Hopefully not for too long and baby stays put for a few more weeks, I think you should come on here and moan every hour if it helps, you deserve moan credits for the rubbish your going through, wish we could help more nearly there!! x

Stuffed How did your driving test go, out for a drive already I hope x

Cycle DD1 was fully engaged at 36 weeks she was born at 41 weeks so you never know however, it's a big reminder that it really could be any day now so make sure your ready and rest as much as you can x How exciting you could be next!

Well back to physio again today and now my new additions to the family are crutches for outside and another walking stick for around the house. Next step is a tens machine and after that wheelchair, lets hope these last weeks fly by and the crutches work I can't believe how totally opposite this pregnancy is to my DD's.

Hello April ladies!

I've finally got around to getting my laptop from work so I'm back online and trying to catch up with everyone. Hope things are going ok Kits. I do hope you get to go home, I found being in hospital when I was still pregnant worse than after I'd had Conor. It's so hot and you can't breathe or sleep properly. Fingers crossed that you get released soon! You're not in Kingston by any chance are you? I think you said you were London based... if so, I am in there daily at the moment, seeing Conor, so can easily drop by to say hello!

Progress is still good with my little one and I love getting to spend time with him. He's got more and more character every day. He's feeding reasonably well from a bottle now and we've given breastfeeding a go, though he is yet to grasp the concept of opening his mouth for food, so it's more a case of me shoving a boob in when he yawns. I had a bit of a wrestle with a nurse and my nipples last night, which was rather surreal. I have never been manhandled quite like that before!

I'm with you Petal on shock at next baby chat. I'm sticking firmly in the I AM NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN camp at the moment. This is rather a shame as I wanted two children but I think I need the memory of the last few weeks to fade quite drastically before I will consider it. Annoyingly the chance of getting pre-eclampsia again are quite high and I'm not sure I can do a repeat of this.

Hope everyone is well and the anticipation isn't too dreadful yet. I do feel like rather a cheat for skipping the final weeks of pregnancy. I feel back to normal already aside from a bit of discomfort around the scar. It's quite amazing how your body recovers.

Loads of luck everyone and I'll keep you posted on Conor.

xx

Good to know Conor is getting stronger Jo, it's wonderful that you're able to attempt feeding.

Good luck and hugs x

Evening Ladies & welcome Chips :)

Gormers & JoEW, so pleased to hear that your bubbas are doing well.

Congratulations to those on ML already.

I had a presentation/growth scan on Friday morning as the MW on Weds couldnt work out which way up baby was. I hadnt realised that you got a consultant appt after so we ended up spending 2 hours at the hospital [yawn]. Good news is that at 36+1 (friday) he was head down and 3/5 engaged. I was very pleased and surprised as it is quite unusual for a 4th to engage so early. Was shocked when she said that baby was approx. 6lbs 7oz!! I was hoping for a 6-7.5lber this time :) 7lbs15.5 is my biggest and that how i would like it to stay!! I have put myself on a salad and fruit diet for the next 3 wks . Am hoping that their estimation is a good 1lb out and that he really is only 5lbs :)

Chest infection is still lingering and asthma not shifting any which is quite frustrating.

Love the Yoda ball!! I have located mine and will be inflating it this week.

Great to hear such good updates from jo and gormers

You can be fully engaged for weeks cycle so don't panic!! Alternatively some babies never fully engage - go figure!

Good news from me, the baby is head down - hurrah. I'm now thinking that the baby turning had something to do with the contractions I had on Friday night.

I hope the test went well stuffed - fingers crossed.

Sorry to hear about the crutches SP, that must be quite a shock. Although I was talking to a friend who had SPD with her dd2 and she said getting crutches was a real help.

Great news from Jo & Gormers, hope those little fighters keep up the good work and get home soon.

I could have done with a stick at least on Thurs after seeing Les Mis and sitting still for far too long. Am much better today but have to remember not to sit still for very long at all.

My yoda ball helps :)

Got a docs appt tomorrow re the piles, though DS2 needs an xray from 9am so may end up having to cancel my appt. fun.

Fab news Jo, great to hear Conor is doing so well

So, the growth scan? DD2 is fine, she weighs approx 6lb 9oz at 35+3, so is on target to be a healthy 8lb 9oz at term (DD1 was 8lb 5oz, so I was expecting a biggun). I however, have polyhydramnios ? which is basically lots and lots of amniotic fluid. I managed to get an emergency appt with the midwife after the scan and she referred me to the obstetrician to ?talk about birthing options?.

She was v tight lipped about what the consequences could be and just told us not to worry. Of course, DH and I worried ourselves sick then came home and Googled. From what I can gather, after reading lots of threads on MN, the major risk is that the baby may not engage properly and this may lead to a prolapsed cord ? meaning I have to get to hospital asap if my waters break and they may suggest induction/CS. Active or at least, water birth, is definitely out, as they?ll need to monitor DD2 and I closely during labour. It also explains the strong BH and why I?ve been feeling so lousy the last few weeks.

I am really trying not to worry too much or to feel too disheartened. We saw DD2 wee, which means it?s probably not due to anything wrong with her ability to process water. We also got a lovely close up of her face - she looked just like a ?real? baby and just like DD1! DH and I both felt such a huge surge of love when we saw her, it really brought home how much I?d like to have her out and safely in my arms now.

Glad to hear from other members of Potty Trainers Utd

DS has also been fine with the wees but had another poo in the pants today. He just has trouble making it to the loo in time. I'm going to send him to preschool in his big boy pants for the first time tomorrow so will see how much washing I have to collect at pick up time.

Notanother Poo goes to pooland is indeed a remarkable piece of literature

Jo & Gormers I'm glad to hear that both Conor and Eva are doing so well.

NotAnother I hope the polyhydamnios doesn't prove troublesome. At least you've found out in advance and can be prepared. It's amazing that your baby looked like DD1 though, for some reason seeing that on a scan has really boggled my mind!

Salted I'm glad I can bring some humour to the torture that is supermarket shopping! I'd like to claim that I picked the squash for the comedy value but it actually says a lot more about the pitiful contents of my freezer

Cycle I love the mooning baby description, I've got one that does that too. We usually just starting calling it 'Lumpy Baby' when it sticks it's bum out!

Had a MW appt today but combined with a look at the MLU at the hospital. Have to say I feel so reassured having had a look at the place where (hopefully) it's all going to happen. The MWs were lovely and there was such a calmness to the whole unit. Here's hoping there's space on the day!

My bump is measuring 34 still but the MW said that my Little Insect has it's head is far down in my pelvis now it probably skewing the measurements so nothing to worry about. I also showed signs of a UTI (oh joy) in my urine so that's gone for testing and I'll probably have antibiotics waiting for me at the GP's by Friday. (And I was doing so well avoiding a UTI despite usually being prone to them!).

In haste - Beetle, was that the Spires? Glad to hear it was so reassuring - DP and I are going this Saturday. :>)

I'm sure I've had friends with excess fluid Notanother, hopefully now that they're on top of it baby will be catered for.

Am so jealous of people getting to see their babies! Does anyone have experience of a 'mode of delivery' appointment? I don't really know what to expect. Should I wear easily removable clothing for bump poking or what?

Am secretly hoping they'll want to gauge size accurately and I'll get to see baby...

Iliketomoveit Crutches are really helping thank you.

Whoever said about silky pj's your a star, thanks!!

Short rant/feeling sorry for myself moment coming
I feel like my legs are a wishbone and they are constantly being pulled apart, like being ripped in two between the legs It's hard to know what to do for the best! If I walk I have to stop after 10 minutes as it's too painful, if I sit I can sit for an hour before I hurt s much I have to walk. If I sit for more than 20 minutes in a comfy position I feel like I'm tearing when I move which is magnified if I stay still for too long I suppose I had two easy textbook pregnancies, so I just have to get on with it.

Life is a bag of funny bones.
This time 3 years ago, I was throwing myself off mountains, climbing, horse riding, abseiling, then I had the accident, 2 years later I was finding out I was pregnant with No3. Back to weekly instead of monthly physio, set myself back 6 months on my four year recovery plan and now I'm back on crutches. Maybe I can market this for next years activities diary, after all they have extreme ironing why not challenging pregnancy! lol

Sorry small moan but some days I can't laugh it off so easily as normal x If I wasn't pregnant, today would be a pub lunch with some friends and a tab lol

Beetle I have been on antibiotics for a sinus infection, however the antibiotics kill off good bacteria as well as the bad so you are more prone to thrush, I've just had two weeks of antibiotics as the first lot didn't cut it and I didn't realise I had thrush until overnight my 'bits' became so swollen. Pessary and cream are ok no oral tablets though. If I were you, I'd keep an eye out for any signs! Oh the delights!

Sorry gals, was consoling myself with pizza....failed again :( Only got 4 faults total it's just that one was a serious. Happened about a minute before I got back to the test centre aswell just had a brain melt and forgot to look in the right place....at least it was definitely my fault this time so I don't feel as annoyed as last time. Had some really tricky things to deal with including running into school pick up time, and baby doing his very best to distract me with the kicking and the stretching and the rolling along with a fair few BHs, in the end it was something so simple, I did feel a bit stupid but hey that's life. Definitely not doing any more driving now until after baby is here, not about to give up trying though

Had no sleep last night and am really grumpy but have my sister visiting later who I haven't seen since shortly after the MC last year, will be nice to have happier circumstances. Might need a nap first though lol.

Oh poor you Stuffed it took me two attempts not preggers, three for the bloody theory test. Can't imagine doing it with a wriggling baby distracting!

Salted Ouch and again, poor you.

Jo lovely to get updates on your little man so glad he's doing so well. Whenever you post I remember that the whole poiont of this is that we're getting actual babies, Actual. Babies.

I don't have anything to update except for having a small bird flying about my bedroom last night! My DP is a notorious weakling about bugs/birds/anything so I spent a while lumbering about the house trying to flap it out of the window whilst it pooped all over my bed.....not what you need.

Cycle I'm intrigued about your pelvis, what's weird about it?

Hi all

Just back from my 32 week MW appt. Kitten measuring 34 and head down. Hurrah.

salted ouch!!!

Jo great to hear Conor is doing so well.

JKS how did you get on at the docs?

Notanother Hugs. Hope it all works out well in the end.

Stuffed sorry to hear about your test.

Aw so sorry to hear that stuffed.

salted :( wish I knew what to say or something that would help. It sounds utterly miserable...

notanother any chance they might rescan before you deliver to see if it's still an issue? Fluid levels can fluctuate throughout after all.

Sarah I have a very amusing mental picture now - your DH doesn't come off very well!

Fab news from you, Jo! So glad both the April family earlybirds are doing well. Do keep us up to date :) any news on when he might come home?

Missed kitty out! Sorry

Hurrah indeed for head down, now fingers crossed kitten stays that way.

ADVICE NEEDED ladies. Sorry for the incessant moaning/posting. I think I may have just lost a bit of my mucus plug - brown blood jellyish clot about the size of a 50p piece, although some other 'stringier' (sorry!) bits were coming out earlier. I dismissed those as weird discharge coupled with residual old blood from my bleed on Wednesday.

I'm at home, having discharged myself from hospital. I don't really want to ring them as it will just entail more monitoring, etc. so I thought I'd hang at home and see what happens next. Probably nothing. Am I right in thinking you can lose your mucus plugs weeks before you actually go into labour? Having never gone into labour before or lost my mucus plug I've no idea. I was expecting some bright red jelly thing rather than the brown, snot-like substance that actually came out.

What do you reckon? Does it sound like the plug? What would you do. Leave it and see. That's my instinct. I've been having lots of braxton hicks but they're irregular and quite mild so I don't think are cause for concern. Maybe if anything else comes out I should call my consultant?

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow. I think I'm deliberately ignoring things so that I can reach that milestone.

Funny - I really want to get to 40 weeks but the thought of four more weeks of this is just exhausting!