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?

Aw Stuffed :( So frustrating, but don't give up!

Salted I feel your pain, although you sound so much worse than I am. I can still get about unaided. Moan away here, there will always be a sympathetic ear here.

I've just written my birth plan under duress! DH has to bring it to his Daddy Class tonight and we've got consultant appointment this afternoon so I suppose I had to do it anyway. Been putting it off because it makes it all so real! I'm sure I've missed something out of it but hey ho! It's probably all fantasy anyway! A girl can but dream!!

Still feeling the positive effects of the reflexology today! I really am amazed!

Oh and my daughters, with their innate sense of timing, are being very, very demanding - endless requests and questions and squabbles. Probably because they can sense I'm rather distracted. I've been a hopeless mother recently.

Oh and finally, finally, stuffed I'm really sorry about your test. So frustrating, but as LisaMcA says don't give up. You can drive so it will happen.

Sounds like your mucus plug kits or at least part of it. Someone lost part of there's the other week here. Petal maybe? I have been told that you can lose your plug weeks before anything else happens. Maybe keep an eye out for anything else and give your midwife a ring if you are worried.

Did they find out what caused the bleeding?

I think it was Ali who lost part of the mucus plug. Does sound like it though.

All that means is your cervix is starting to efface - that can go on for weeks. Even if the BHs could be early latent labour you probably have a fair way to go.

Of course having now optimistically said that it'll shoot out in now time

Thanks Lisa & Snap that's reassuring. I think I'll just sit tight and see what happens.

They never found out what caused the bleeding. I don't have a low lying placenta and there are no indicators of abruption or a bleed behind the placenta (abdominal pain/tenderness). My consultant says it is unexplained and could well be an indicator of the fact that I'm going to have the baby early.

Hope things settle down for you Kits - it's good they can't see any worrying cause for the bleeding.

Gormers and Jo pleased to hear your little ones are coming along well.

Stuffed sorry to hear about the driving test. I only passed on my 3rd attempt and when not pregnant. Very impressed that you are even having stressful tests in late pregnancy. You will get there soon.

I had a growth scan and position check this week. Baby currently 6 1/5 lbs (at 36+4 weeks), but still stubbornly breech. Been booked for ECV later this week so hopefully he'll get the idea of what position he should be in after that. If not I'll be booked for a c-section at 39 weeks so it'll be another March baby!

Sorry to hear about your test stuffed, what a shitter.

Sounds very much like a mucus plug to me kits. Some people lose theirs weeks before the baby is born, so it doesn't necessarily mean you'll go into labour soon, fingers crossed you don't. Maybe just keep an eye on movements and if you feel anything isn't quite right, then contact the hospital.

Your bleeds didn't occur after sex did they? Did you have any internal checks? A friend of mine had bleeds late on in her pregnancy and it was to do with a cervical erosion (which in her case were harmless).

I hope the ECV goes well Poodle, let us know how you get on.

Don't worry about moaning SP, everyone needs to let off steam from time to time. You have every right to feel pissed off and fed up.

Oh, and happy Shrove Tuesday everyone. My batter is made and ready for dh to cook and flip when he gets in - I can't be arsed

Just think, this time next year our ACTUAL babies will be holding onto pancakes in their pudgy little fists and shoving them into their mouths

kits It sounds like the mucus plug to me. Last time mine looked like I had a piece of melted chocolate down my knickers - if that's not TMI! DD1 was born within 24hrs. In your position, I would probably call the consultant - sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear. If this is the start of labour, then you need to rest. Do you have someone who can come and help you with the girls?

Stuffed Sorry about your test but good on you for trying this late in pg. I haven't driven since I was about 4 mths as my brain just cannot cope with it right now.

Salted - Ouch, ouch, ouch No wonder you're so fed up!(hugs)

Thanks everyone for your hugs and well wishes. I am determined to be positive hope the fluid settles itself and I can have a normal birth. Have one Q for the obs on Friday: If DD2 drinks the water and then pees it out in my uterus, then how can any of it ever come out?

Afternoon All,

I'm well and truly in the "Pathetic" club today - got to work, lasted about an hour before getting DH to pick me up and take me home. Just a complete emotional wreck (yes, Again!).

Although, in my defence, I've had BH from 3am today. They don't normally start up (with this much vengance) till after 12:00. So I think a lot of it was/is tiredness.

So it wasn't me with the mucus plug, Lis, but Kit it does sound like yours! (Not that I have any idea what to look for!)

I think the other mucus plug might've been Beckie90 - haven't seen her around for ages. Anyone know anything?

Stuffed, bad luck on your test. But to echo a lot of people, I took 3 attempts to pass mine without being pregnant! And I was failed for really pathetic reasons. But that was in the old days when tests were much easier. The current driving test is really hard. You'll ace it when you've had your baby.

I've had a bit of sleep today, but still feeling tired & crappy. Still BHing. I'm bored of being pregnant now, can I have this baby and get back to normal, please.

Wow, I'm off MN a few days and there's loads to catch up on...I was anticipating a new BA with every new page! Feels like the next one is imminent.

cycle your bellybutton sounds like mine, scarred around the old piercing hole and very odd looking.

Someone told me that if your baby is in a good position for birthing then your belly button will pop out. Mine didn't pop with DS and he was back-to-back so if mine pops out this time round then it will be for a good cause...or so I'm telling myself anyway!

On the toilet training - sorry to bore those of you who care not for potty training talk - thank you to whoever recommended the Potty Training Boys book (sorry can't remember which of you lovely ladies it was ) First chapter says do not begin potty training if you are about to have a baby or move house. Check. Check. So I happily closed the book and now don't feel guilty about leaving it, which was my gut instinct anyway. Nice to have it confirmed in writing though!

JoEW glad Conor is doing well. You were due the same day as me so I find it odd thinking of you out the other side and with a baby! Good that you're feeling like you're getting back to normal too.

I had my 34wk appt yesterday and midwife cheerily said I was 0/5ths engaged...why do they bother telling you this . Like I have some choice in the matter! I quickly snapped that I thought it was normal in second and subsequent pregnancies not to be engaged at this stage to which she grumbled yes. Felt a bit like a stroppy cow but don't judge me on my baby's engagement!

kits I hope everything is ok and you make your 36wk milestone!

notanother apparently you can reabsorb excess fluid into your bloodstream via the amniotic membrane....

It peaks at around 34 weeks and then reduces so if you haven't delivered by 40 they're quite often worried about waters drying out, therefore it must go somewhere!

SarahJ lol "Actual babies" don't know why but when I read that it had the voice of the woman on the opening credits to OBEM you know 'I've just had a baby'!

Stuffed Next time it'll happen for you, if you can this close with all the distractions and a baby inside trying to break out, next time will be a doddle x

Thanks Frakk I was just feeling sorry for myself, I'm perky again now as I've just remembered it's PANCAKE DAY!!!! Having mine with flaked toasted almonds baked in for added calcium and tossing them as close to the ceiling as possible just because..

Have to ask this rather controversial question however, I'm having a naming ceremony for LO just basically to get the family together in one place for a day. I'm not in any way religious, each to there own. The older end in the family despite last stepping foot into a church for their own weddings appear to not like the notion of not being baptised. Am I missing something or is it just... if you believe and something goes wrong it's an insurance policy into heaven kind of deal. I mean does it REALLY matter nowadays?

Thanks for clearing that up Frakk!

SP The only time I could think it might matter is when it comes to applying for schools...

Notanother Hadn't thought of that DD's were both christened, but only because it was expected, even in 15 years things have changed so much.

I was C of E and went to Catholic Schools, so who I'm at a loss lol! I think this requires investigation as I'm friends with a primary school teacher

SP we're going down the "baby party" route rather than Christening, too. The part that people like is a big friends and family get together to see the baby. Surely nobody except the most devout give a toss about the actual religious ceremony part for someone else's child? And if they are going to be pissy about it they can whistle!

Had my 34 week appointment today and seem to be back on track growth-wise: head down, all looking good. Midwife looked mildly surprised when I said I hadn't packed my bag yet, so I'll take that as a hint to get on the case. I have a list, I just haven't put any of the stuff in a bag yet.

Also I'm gloomy because someone (who I don't know) commented in Spanish on a facebook picture of me & my DP which a friend posted saying "wow, those two are fat". Shouldn't be taking it so personally, but I am. Presumably she thought we wouldn't speak Spanish. Which I don't, but any chump can run a phrase through Babel Fish. Rude woman . Actually I do just look immensely fat in that picture rather than pregnant and a bit fat as I am in real life. Am ashamed to say I googled the Spanish for "f* you" and put it to good use

Get on, ecuse! Chuck some other choice phrases through there!

Yay for Pancake Day!! Though I have found that being pregnant is preventing me from eating my usual amount of pancakes (yes I am usually just greedy!).

Stuffed I'm sorry about the test. I never even got to the point I could take a test. After 10 lessons my instructor said (very kindly) "I think you will be safer if you try an automatic"...

SP we've had the same conversation with (older) family members too. Once we pointed out that no one in the family is religious, we didn't get married in a church so would be rather hypocritical to have the baby christened and that it seems only fair for the baby to choose it's only religion if any there were less grumbles. Those grumbles stopped once we pointed out that we will probably be going to a pub where we can hire a large room!

Oh and thanks for the info about antibiotics and thrush. I never knew that but it does explain a couple of my pre-pregnancy bouts of thrush!

Caramello I think sometimes people in professional capacities feel like that have to say something professional sounding, even when all that is needed is 'Yup, all good'. And anyway, it's always good to have a bit of a stop, MWs work with pregnant ladies all the time so must be used to it!

Petal I hope you're starting to feel better, it sounds like more naps are in order for the rest of the afternoon!

Oh and Daisy yes it was the Spires.

Go you ecuse

I know how you feel petal - I feel pathetic as well today.

We're pretty religious so going for a Christening but tbh I couldn't care less what anyone else does. If you want to have a Baby Naming party go for it!

I'm sick and tired and fed up with this whole pregnancy thing. I've had contractions all flipping afternoon (not real ones) which is ironic because this morning the doctor wrote me a fit note saying I could continue working for 2 more weeks. A fit note I'm supposed to be emailing to HR but the bloody scanner scans it in about 7 pieces...

And I can't find pictures of weather forecasts like I want for my lesson tomorrow, they're all heinously complicated or look like a 5 year old drew them. Plus I have a shedload of marking to do, plus answer sheets to create for 3 listening comprehensions for which we seem to have LOST the text, plus it's student activities week next week which completely buggers up my timetable AND half my students don't seem to have a presentation date but they need to be done in the next 2 weeks (I think I'll not be teaching much and doing a lot of assessing) and it will obviously be MY fault if they don't turn up to do them.

Add to that an OU tutorial starting tomorrow during which I'm supposed to have some inspired thought for a research project I can carry out whilst on maternity leave from work (slightly difficult for an MEd which sort of implies something educational...), not knowing where the hell we're going to be next year because we don't know if DH even has an interview for transfer to the branch he wants, a close friend who's leaving the island on Thursday to go back to France to work because her relationship with another closer friend has probably completely broken down and the fact that DH has just walked through the door (at 20h30), got straight on the phone to his grandmother (who admittedly has just come out of intensive care following an op for cancer) and ignored the fact that I really need a hug...I might cry :(

lol ecuse I am so glad you did that - Do not be ashamed good for you! I cannot believe the utter rude/nastiness of some people!

But don't feel gloomy now... it's not nice, but she's clearly an utter bitch so don't lose sleep over it!!!!

stuffed sorry to hear about driving test.. took me 3 attempts too and like many others I wasn't even pregnant. I'm impressed that you're even trying to do it now.. my brain is embarassingly on strike at the moment.

In good news from lucieloo DP (who was made redundant in November) has had several calls about potential jobs today so applied for three. Three seperate agencies called him about 1 of them so surely that must be a good sign he's well suited to it. Fingers, toes and everything else crossed because I think we would both really like him to get another job soon!

Oh, a big hug for 'Frakk'. May not be as good as the one I'm sure you'll get from DP soon but it's the best I've got :) You sound like you have a lot on your plate at the moment. Are you finishing work in two weeks? Is it a case of just getting through it all now until you're off?

Frakk will a MN hug do instead ((HUG)), it looks like we are all hitting the emotional wall just now.
I am so glad to have all you guys [soppy emoticon] because sometimes it's nice that we don't all know each other but this huge thing in common. I certianly would be discussing my fanjo with someone I might meet down the local pub anyway.
The April Sisterhood has been my rock!

SP Thats how I say it to myself I say 'Sarah remember that your great big belly and the reason for all the trumping is an Actual.Baby. and it is coming to live in your Actual. House. Forever. it's like a mantra

So.

Petal I think you're doing amazingly well considering edd, when do you finish? Seriously, I have four more weeks left at work and am already struggling to drag sorry ass out of bed at 6am after nights of weeing and aching and stay awake/concentrate/not rip off peoples heads/go home early etc etc, you can't have long left now....