March 2011 - We've started popping amd there's no way were stopping!

[GeekLove]

pdating the list!

ARRIVALS:
09/10/2010 (due 25/02) Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby girl Bobbie, born sleeping at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
15/02/2011 (due 27/02) Muser pg#1 - baby girl
15/02/2011 (due 04/03) Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months) - baby girl
19/02/2011 (due 02/03) AfterIVF - baby girl Isabel
21/02/2011 (due 27/02) Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1) - baby girl
24/02/2011 (due 24/02) Sam26oscar - baby girl Cassie Cherry at 10.47am 6lb 10oz
01/03/2011 (due 03/03) irishqueen - baby girl Maeve 7lb

DUE:
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!!
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 Carriebadshaw pg#2
04/03 Superpenguin pg#1 - baby boy
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 GeekLove pg#2 (DS1 Nov 08)
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 ckny1 pg#1 expecting a boy
12/03 Medee pg#1
12/03 Highlandbird 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

Here is a shiny new March 2011 thread as requested. Hope I haven't missed anyone.

PS Don't try doing this on an Iphone.

erm petty ...maybe you should phone DH and get him to turn around now??

They sound like proper contractions to me, I never felt them over the top of my bump in the way I had felt the BH, just painful aches around the bottom, really did feel like intense period pains. I managed a walk round the block, stopping every 5 minutes to breathe through one, got home, had a warm bath, which did help. Got dressed, made lunch, then suddenly realised I couldnt keep a straight face or keep still during them as the pain was too much so it dawned on me to phone hospital. DD was born 4 very LONG hours later.

Sooooo.... phone DH!

Congrats to the new arrivals and lots and lots and lots of labour vibes to those playing the endless waiting game.

petty perhaps you should phone DH??

catherine wow at being 8cm on arrival at hospital!!

niamh - just regular salt - MW told me to buy the really big bags of table salt and put in a mugful each time with enough water to cover up to hips when you are sitting in it. Then she said (and sorry if TMI) to try and open legs as much as you can in bath and cup hands with the water and try and swoosh it into your bits (without touching). I can really recommend and have felt much better since taking the salt baths. Have got through 1.5kg so far and need to buy some more.

My bleeding is a bit weird though [seeks advice from those less clueless than herself]. It has slowed down lots and lots, but periodically gets heavier again and seems to be quite 'fresh' IYSWIM. Not soaking through pads quickly or anything so suspect just message from body to slow down.

Have also had terrible wind since the birth, though thankfully not constipated.

Anyway quick birth story as first time on a proper 'pooter' and not on phone since birth.

Tue 22 - woke at 6.30 by waters breaking (or did briefly wonder if I was wetting myself. Told DH, all v calm as we sorted out DS for nursery and final bits for hospital bag. Phoned delivery from nursery at about 8.30 who said come in to get monitored (history etc). Contractions are every 8 mins. Get to hosp, have 2 fetal traces as MW not sure with first if there are decelerations or not. They decide that not, but after examining me say only 2cm so admit me to the antenatal ward just about lunchtime. Contractions get more intense all afternoon and DH and I walk endless laps of the corridor on the ward as less painful that way. I seem to have low pain threshold. At 4pm I tell MW that I want some pethidine, she examines me and now 4cm so can't have it on antenatal ward, but can go to delivery suite. Get down there at 5pm ish, have pethidine and then things start to hot up. At 7.15 ish I feel huge urge to push so I do. I had to stop pushing for a bit (incredibly hard to do) as there was a lip of cervix in the way. Eventually baby Emilia born at 7.59pm. Apparently she was in a bit of distress at the end (I was not aware, but DH was dipping heart rate as I think her head was in a bit of a sideways position) and her head (big) got stuck half out between contractions - so so so painful - 9lb 4 - not to be recommended. I ended up with 2nd degree tear and after she was out had sense of humour failure about even being examined and insist on going to theatre to have repair under a spinal - v glad I did as apparently it was millimetres from being 3rd degree. Total active recorded labour only 3hour 35mins which I was happy with.

She is lovely (although grisly this am) and sleeping/feeding well. We are mixed feeding - EBM and bottles. Had such a scare with DS and weight loss/NICU unit that BF and not knowing if they are eating is just too much of a worry for me. The up side is that we feed her at 11pm and again at 3am and she sleeps in between so I feel very refreshed. I am very much in love inspite of needing to do the 'john wayne' when walking and feeling like all of my downstairs may fall out at any minute.

DS is very good with her and very loving which is very cute. He is of course v pleased that she managed to buy him a toy submarine for the bath!!!

Jx

ARRIVALS:
09/10/2010 (due 25/02) Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby girl Bobbie, born sleeping at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
15/02/2011 (due 27/02) Muser pg#1 - baby girl
15/02/2011 (due 04/03) Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months) - baby girl Leila Hope
19/02/2011 (due 02/03) AfterIVF - baby girl Isabel
21/02/2011 (due 27/02) Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1) - baby girl
24/02/2011 (due 24/02) Sam26oscar - baby girl Cassie Cherry at 10.47am 6lb 10oz
01/03/2011 (due 03/03) irishqueen - baby girl Maeve 7lb
02/03/2011 (due 18/03) Jenchandler- baby girl Isobel Seren at 7.11pm 6lb 12oz
03/03/2011 (due 10/03) Spaceal - baby girl 5lbs 11oz
04/03/2011 (due 04/03) CarrieBadshaw - baby BOY 10lbs.
04/03/2011 (due 04/03) Bluebeach -baby girl Hester 7lbs
04/03/2011 (due 12/03) am988 - baby boy at 02.26am 7lb 7oz
06/03/2011 (due 05/03) Hattie05 - baby Boy at 4:30am 8lb 9oz
07/03/2011 (due 17/03) Niknan pg#3 (DS3,1MC) - baby girl Charlotte Louise at 4.16am - 6lb 2oz.
08/03/2011 (due 04/03) Larty74 pg#1 - baby boy Blake at 12:36pm 7lb 14oz
08/03/2011 (due 05/03) NowPanicAndFreakOut pg#1 - baby girl
08/03/2011 (due 09/03) Pushmepullyou BABY BOY 8lb 4oz
09/03/2011 (due 11/03) ckny1 pg#1 - baby boy Franz Zaven
10/03/2011 (due 27/02) StrangewaysHereICome pg#3 (DD 5yrs DD 4yrs - baby boy at 7.45pm
10/03/2011 (due 03/03) cherub59 pg#3 (DS 3 & DD 20months) baby boy Oliver
11/03/2011 (due 10/03) Evianbaby pg#2 (DS1 Oct 08) baby girl 8lb 1oz
13/03/2011 (due 18/03) Purplefan pg#2 (DD 4.5) baby girl at 2am - 5lb 3oz
13/03/2011 (due 03/03) TooImmature2BMum pg#1, Baby girl Thea Joanne born sleeping at 9.42am, 6lb 15.5 oz
14/03/2011 (due 09/03) Sittinghippo pg#2 (DD3) Baby girl Bethany
14/03/2011 (due 13/03) Doubleshotlatte pg#2 (DD 2.5) baby boy 8.2 lbs
15/03/2011 (due 22/03) jammiedodger2 pg#3 (DD9 DS6) baby boy Benjamin Luke 7lb 8oz
15/03/2011 (due 10/03) Coraltoes pg#1 baby girl
15/03/2011 (due 11/03) Sarahscot pg#2 (DS aged 3) BABY GIRL - Millie born at 9pm 8lbs
18/03/2011 (due 18/03) Rockchick1984 pg1 baby boy Alfie at 9:55am, 8lb 6oz
18/03/2011 (due 23/03) Me23 pg#2(DD 5)Baby boy Ethan born at 10pm 6lb 10oz
19/03/2011 (due 13/03) gemma4d Baby Millie born at 2:50, 9lbs!
19/03/2011 (due 10/03) GeekLove pg#2 (DS1 Nov 08) Micheal Charles George born at 23.41 3.8kg (~8lb 6oz)
17/03/2011 (due 12/03) Highlandbird pg#1 baby boy 8lb 7oz
18/03/2011 (due 19/03) angelbabe1982 pg2 (ds 2.9) baby girl Emily Elizabeth
18/03/2011 (due 04/03) Superpenguin pg#1 - baby boy Thomas 8lb 13oz
19/03/2001 (due 09/03) gem3225 pg#1 - baby boy Harris 8lbs 8oz
19/03/2011 (due 07/03) Mixedmama pg#3 (DS1 4.5 and DS2 2.5) London baby boy Emir 8lb 7oz.
20/03/2011 (due 17/03) edeluna pg#1 baby girl Sabine 7lb
21/03/2011 (due 18/03) EvaLongoria pg#2 (DD 3) baby girl Zara 8lb 14 3/4 oz
22/03/2011 (due 21/03) Jupiter118 Pg#2 (DS 3.5) baby girl Emilia 9lb 4oz.
23/03/2011 (due 20/03) 1Catherine1 pg#1 - baby girl Anya born at 1:54am weighing 6lb 12oz
23/03/2011 (due 28/03) Chickiewoo pg#2 (DS 4) baby girl Imogen Cecilia 7lb 9oz
25/03/2011 (due 22/03) Niamh29, DD1 4, DD2 1.5, baby girl Mya Grace 7lb 3.5oz
26/03/2011 (due 10/03) LovelyKatie pg#1 baby girl Lucy 8lb 2oz
27/03/2011 (due29/03/)emma31177pg#7 (boy 15yrs girl 2yrs 4 angles Baby) Tobi Daivd born 11.51am weighing 9lbs 4oz
27/03/2011 (due 20/03) Kagey pg#2 (DD Sept 08) baby girl at 3.03pm and weighing 9lbs 5oz

ARRIVALS TO BE CONFIRMED:
28/02/2011 (due 01/03) BunderTheBonnet pg#2 (DD3) - baby girl 7lb 1oz
03/03/2011 (due 20/03) nancydrewrocked - baby girl
07/03/2011 (due 07/03) Lauzifer - baby girl
??? (37 weeks) (due 13/03) HeadingHome - baby girl, 5lb 4oz

DUE:
28/02 BramblyHedge pg#3, (DS1 4, DS2 2)
01/03 Snapdragon3 pg#9 (MMC, DD 3, DS 2, 5 MC)
01/03 MummyGeorgie pg#1
01/03 rfata Expecting TWINS!!
03/03 Celia76 pg#3 (DS1 5 & DS2 almost 3)
05/03 Bollandbear (ds1)
07/03 Toota pg#?
08/03 Clucky31 pg#1
08/03 Polkadottytotty pg#3 (DS1 5.5 and DS2 3.5)
09/03 Penguindreams #1 & 2!
09/03 DramaMama pg#3 (BABY GIRL) DS now 4 + 1 angel baby.
10/03 Sevenbubbles pg#2 (DD1 23.5 months)
11/03 Rayeraye pg#4 (DD aged 3, two angels)
12/03 Medee pg#1
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 Coco29 pg#1 (1MC) Its a BOY!
18/03 Oceanbreeze pg#1
18/03 JeelyPiece pg#3(2MC)
19/03 castlegirl pg#1
20/03 Haloflo pg#1 surprise
22/03 NoSleepTonight pg#3 (DS1 5.8, DS2 15months)
23/03 Lozario pg#2 (surprise) (DS1 22 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 mama2plusbump pg#3 (DD2, DD1)
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
29/03 PipPipPip pg#1
30/03 pettyprudence pg#1
30/03 JoJoB77 pg#1

Hello all

Well I was hoping for something to wake up me up during the night apart from DH's snoring but sure enough I woke up this morning ache free! Typical! I decided I had to get out of the house so I've been walking around the shops hoping to get things moving. I'm back now and all it's done it knacker me out. I'm doing a spicy hot curry tonight, but I bet all that will do is give me the runs.

I've got midwife tomorrow afternoon so be interesting to see what she says.

Good luck to fellow due date buddy Petty - hope things are progressing well, although sounds like they very much are!

Expecting news from Petty soon!

Congratulations to mama2b, who only just made it to hospital in time... I caught the drama on your thread in Childbirth just after your announcement.

Well I am in a grump, induction was started off this morning with prostin and sent home for it to kick in but nothing has bloody well happened, still just getting very irregular tightening pains like I was before. Not even a show. My cervix is immune it seems.

Next step is to go back in tomorrow morning for another hormone that will mean being an impatient inpatient (I thought the next step was the syntocinon drip but she mentioned a pessary I think ) while we wait for them to be able to break my waters.

I honestly think that I am never going to have this baby. 13 days over tomorrow.

Oooh happy due date Petty and JoJo - how are we at the 30th already?!

JeelyPiece I was back to the hossie this morning too for my second sweep, my mucus plug seems to have gone/be going now so that's something. I'm going in for induction on Saturday. I know how you feel, I'm SO grumpy!!!

And DS is currently refusing to go to bed, DH is trying to settle him but god knows what is going on up there. V stressful, don't need this now!!!

well turns out i was in labour after all - bit of a shock to me and midwife as she couldnt belive how calm i was (well that is until she told me how far along i was and i realised DH wouldn't be back in time!)

Arthur Dafydd arrived at 3.22pm today, 7.7lb, at home with 3 surprised midwives and my BFF. DH finally got here 2 hours later but the important thing is we are all snuggled up on the sofa together now. Can't believe he arrived on his due date!

Off now to eat!

Belated announcement, but Baby Elizabeth arrived on 26/3/11, 6'14.

Congratulations Petty and Medee

Well done Petty, congratulations on your home birth. I expect your DH is secretly relieved to have missed out the 'gory' bits

Hi all, apologies for the delayed announcement, baby Dylan was born on 23 March, exactly one week late in a ridiculously quick 3 hr labour, 8lb 5 oz, 36 hours last time so I wasn't quite expecting it! I am typing on phone while BF so could someone pls update stats for me, ta, delete the bit about 'was campervanfan'. See you on the other side ladies!

Congratulations on all these new babies! honeymoonmummy speedy delivery! I hope you're feeling well after it.

Yippee more babies!! Congrats to LovelyKatie, Emma, Superpenguin, Haloflo, Mama2, Petty, Medee and Honeymoon.

Spilt I hope all is ok with you and bump!

Slow recovery here, my vbac ended up in another section, but along with afterpains added into the mix, I am feeling quite sore and miserable. Breastfeeding is going ok, not perfect, but I am trying my hardest to keep going. My milk has come in and I am applying lanisoh when I can - DD2 is a total milk grazer. Oh and nearly forgot to say, she is called Elise Jessica.

Best of luck to all the ladies in waiting - labour vibes to you all x

A few stitches Split but totally worth it!

To any ladies who are overdue, you have my utmost sympathy! A 3 mile walk did it for me in the end!! Nearly killed me, I had to spend the afternoon in bed afterwards but labour started that night!

Hi all, quick birth story for anyone wishing to know the details! Planned c-section on Weds 23rd - all very relaxed and calm, walked down to theatre at 10.45 a.m. with DH in his scrubs, met all the team who had gathered together (8 of them!), radio on (lasting memory of Adele singing when baby born), had spinal. At 11.12 a.m. Imogen Cecilia born weighing 7lb 3.5 oz, crying as soon as she arrived, I was stitched back up and moved to recovery - total time in theatre a whole 25 mins! First breastfeed at 12.00 and back on ward shortly after. 48 hours in hospital - bf went really well, Imogen such a good latcher and no probs.

On Monday I was a little poorly and developed an infection and mastitis (nipples still not healed - ouch!), so Imogen is now on formula and feeding 4oz every 4 hours and sleeping well in between. I wasn't planning on bf'ing for that long anyway, but am really pleased with my efforts that I was able to bf for the 4 or 5 days that I managed it (wasn't that successful with DS as he was early and tiny).

Today, I'm feeling pretty good (have make up on and have stripped the beds!) - the antibiotics are in my system, my scar is healing and the boobs are feeling less tender. Am totally overwhelmed with love for my little princess - such a shock to have a girl as I was convinced it was another boy, who was going to be Henry.

Love to all, congratulations to all the new arrivals, hang on in there for all those still waiting xxxx

Hi ladies, fantastic to read the birth announcements! Congrats to all!

I'm two days overdue and still feel completely normal. Gosh, isn't this waiting the strangest thing!? It must be one of the strangest weeks of my life. But I'm quite happy, nonetheless.

Good luck to those waiting, those recovering, those adjusting and those celebrating x x

Hi all. Just posting my birth story!
Lucy is fine absolutely amazing.

had 2 pessarys on my induction night then got put in my own snazzy room got my drip in and my waters got broken for me. they came out in a dribble first but then as my dp made me laugh it was gushing out all the time and he kept changing my pad! bless!

then my contractions were getting stronger so had gas an air for a while then they were becoming too much so i the pethedine injection as advised and wished i never as i become so woozy anyway she checked me and i was 4cm then after about half an hour i had a massive urge to push to i kept saying in between breaths I NEED TO PUSH an she kept telling me not to. by this point contractions were 90 seconds apart. my dp got very worried so asked for me to be checked again after 20 mins and I was 9CM!!

so then I got told to push it was very hard and exhausting and then the changeover of midwives arrived so my new midwife checked me and said there was a problem with the baby and she was lying on her side. so in came all these men and all talking to me expecting me to take it in which i wasnt really, saying Id have to go to theatre and have forceps to get her out and if it didnt work then emergency c section. I was absolutely crapping myself out of this world because of injection and screaming in pain because of contractions!

so anyway I made him repeat it all to me and signed consent forms then was whisked off to theatre leaving my dp to get changed and my mum in tears lol.

anyway they numbed me (kept telling me to sit still :| ) and i was in so much pain and the midwife supporting me had the worst breath ever but I didnt have the heart to say anything so i had the injection and got put in stirrups and i was screaming for dp who eventually came in and they told me to push and i was like HOW! I CANT FEEL ANYTHING! but I mustve managed it and she popped out at 9.54pm. they placed her on my chest but I couldnt see her an then they cleaned her and I had to wait to hold her while they stitched me up etc. she had a few marks on her forehead but they had gone by the morning. shes absolutely perfect.

a bit of an erratic eater but its getting better. so I was having a good labour until the complications set in. just a bit sore now but I have 2 piles!!!! i was given anusol to put on but I hate touching them and the cream looks like poo itself!

I cant believe it, thats the worst thing in all of this. 2 piles at 21 :(

sorry for the long story and delay in relaying it back but this is the first time iv had to myself!

hope all is well with you all and congratulations to the many newborns of late.

xx

Hi ladies

Just back from the midwife and she thinks it won't be any time soon. Baby's head is still just in the brim of the pelvis, no further down than it was last week. I'm booked in for a sweep next Wednesday and then if that doesn't work, induction at 40+10.

I felt a bit crappy this morning, but strangely feel better now knowing that it's not imminent and I'm thinking every twinge 'is this it'. Baby will come when ready so i'm going to be patient and enjoy these last few days

Glad you are feeling well Pip and congrats to all the new mummies, can't wait to be where you are!

chickiewoo I am suffering with mastitis as well. just got on antibiotics today. am only feeding on one side as other was so damaged, but my "good" side is not in great shape anyway so supplementing with formula and LO is so much more settled and sleeps great. am hoping to heal soon, but am really starting to wonder what is best for us both.

Congratulations on all the new arrivals!

Quick birth story, as you already know I wasnt convinced that I was in labour - I was in a lot of "pain" but assumed I was just being a big wuss. I hadn't had ANY pre-labour signs! I finally called out the midwife at 11.30am and she arrived at 12pm. DH had already called 3 times by this point to see if he should turn round and come back but i was expecting the midwife to tell me i was 1cm and to have some paracetamol so kept telling him to crack on with his day and not to worry! Anyhow turns out i was 6-7cm dilated and then I couldn't get hold of DH! Managed to get my BFF out to me about an hour or so before baby arrived.

Until the gas and air arrived I was on the verge of being transferred to the hospital as my blood pressure was high but my midwife had rightly put this down to labouring on my own without drugs so waited for the gas to arrive and then my blood pressure went right back down. Arthur arrived after about 20mins of "pushing" (midwife doesn't think I was pushing, but I beg to differ!). I came out of the birth perfectly intact, not even a graze (but does that mean I have a huge fanjo? ). Midwives said it was a textbook birth . It was so nice to have a shower and curl up in my own bed afterwards.

We are trying to get the hang of breastfeeding now - I never thought trying to get the latch right would be so hard - he's had a lot of feeds so you'd think we might have got it right once even by accident! My nips are feeling v bruised and sore but I had the breast feeding adviser out today so with some more help we will hopefully have some better feeds ahead of us. His suction is so freaking strong!!!!!

For those of you still waiting, a bath during labour was very very very nice!

Quick update from me - Lara Jean was born this morning at 5.15am - nearly in the hospital lift!! I held her head between my legs as I fell on a midwife! She's lovely, hoping to go home this eve :-)

Hello all!

No time to read back through the weeks I have missed, but massive congrats to all the new mums and welcome to the new arrivals! We've been through the hell of moving and having a new baby and have managed not to get a divorce, so all's well that ends well here! New house in Devon is wonderful, huge garden and v friendly neighbours. DD1 getting the hang of the animal names (yelling Horsie! at the cows in front of the farmer on the first day out was a highlight!) and we watched a lamb being born from our back garden the other day. Sheep was remarkably stoical.

Leila is growing soo fast and getting fat and losing her hair. I am getting less and less sleep as she wants to party at night, but am totally falling in love with her more and more each day. Will go back and read through all I have missed when I get a chance but have visitors for a while so might be AWOL again for a bit.

Hoping everyone is well and happy!
J xx

Nice to read all your birth stories - although Lozario's is most impressive and I'm slightly envious!

Hope those of you waiting don't have to wait too long - you never know Jojo, LO might make a surprise appearance before induction day :)

I'm fighting sleep again as Anya keeps me up when I try to sleep and when she sleeps is the only time I get to eat, wash, dress or do anything else. Time to get something to eat before she needs another feed - have had a good telling off from the MW who explained that if I don't eat well then my breast milk will be watery and Anya will not eat well either. Now to convince the OH to get off his backside and cook something for me!! He feeds me, I feed his daughter - seems like a fair swap to me! :)

Larty74 I feel your pain. To be honest I had already made up my mind that I wasn't going to be 'bullied' by the breastfeeding police (!) and that even if I only managed one bf that would be better than nothing. It was great for the 3 days I was in hospital as all I had to do was press my buzzer and a nurse would appear in seconds and assist with the latch back on. In reality back at home at 3 am with no help and bleeding nipples its a different story. At 5 am when I finally got into bed (when the bloody birds were singing!), I was lying there dreading the next feed. My advice is to be proud of what you have achieved and just do what suits you best. Imogen, at a week old is absolutely fine on formula, takes 4oz every 4 hours (almost to the minute!) and sleeps like a dream in between. Its also nice that DH gets to feed her and even DS(5) likes to help too. My antibiotics are doing the trick, boobs are still sore though, and nipple scabs are nearly ready to drop off!

Love to all - must dash - can smell a dirty nappy a mile off - funny the things you forget from the first time around!

Thanks Chickiewoo - you couldn't have said it better. Having gone through everything you just described as of this morning we are DONE! My antibiotics have kicked in, I've had a shower and I feel like a new woman. I do feel proud of what we've done thus far, and I just realised that time was slipping away and I wasn't able to enjoy it as best I could and that is the most important thing. Nearly 4 weeks on, I almost wish I'd done it sooner! Nevermind. Still a little sore as well, but all i want to do is hold LO close for the first time in awhile!

Here's to a speedy healing to both of us! Love to everyone else and congrats to all the newest arrivals!

Well this is not how it was supposed to happen. Day 4 of induction process, big gush of blood so emergency dash to break waters and check for bleeding in uterus. Luckily blood seems to coming from elsewhere so hormone drip is imminent to speed things up. Just want baby here safely now, all plans for lovely birth experience out the window.