April 2011 - towards motherhood boucing on yoda balls, eating coc pops and riding frozen surfboards we are

[SnapFrakkleAndPop]

Raspberry leaf and all round.

Continuation from here. No Mofo C bombs yet been dropped in the delivery room although our first 2 babies have arrived. Congrats to gormers and Jo, we hope your little ones are still doing great.

(Is it me, or do I seem to get more than my fair share of 'top-of-a-new-page' posts? I'm not doing it on purpose, honestly!)

Morning all, and what a beautiful one it is! I am full of the joys of spring.

Well I'm excited because I've just negotiated an earlier finish date with work so only 2 more days (after today!) to go until ML. Woo!

Blood pressure was still up when I went to the fetal monitoring clinic yesterday but bloods still OK and no protein in urine or other clinical symptoms, so they're ruling out pre-eclampsia for now and have diagnosed Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (was it Petalouda who predicted this...ever thought about midwifery?!)

They have given me medication to bring my BP down and need to go see whether it's working on Friday morning and have a chat with the registrar. The clinician yesterday wouldn't give me a straight answer, but I got the impression that if it successfully controls the BP then we'll proceed much as normal, and if it doesn't then they'll probably want to induce sooner rather than later. Eeek. I AM NOT READY TO HAVE A BABY YET! Either way, though, I got the impression they probably won't want me to go much beyond EDD. Think I'll know more on Friday. But it seemed a good enough reason to stop work as soon as possible. I want a clear two weeks at home to prepare, dammit! Will be 36+3 on Friday when I stop, so hopefully that should give me plenty of time.

Morning ecuse, well done on your negotiation skills!

Not me on the hypertension thing, I'm afraid - that'd be someone much wiser and less grumpy!

Hope the medication works and you have a nice relaxing few weeks off!

PIH was me ecuse I did think about midwifery but it's a 5 year course in France!!! Yay for 2 days left before ML! I'm in the same position and it feels like we're so nearly there.

Don't know about wiser, and definitely not less grumpy petal I'm hiding on MN because DH is straight out ignoring me and not even 'working from home' like he's supposed to be!

oooh aprilmeadow Silverstone sounds fantastic - have fun.

And excuse my ignorance all but what is Rastamouse?!?!

Rastamouse

(nope, I haven't got anything to do today other than hang around watching tv and browsing mn!)

Rastamouse is a rather fabulous children's programme about a Rastafarian mouse and his 'Easy Crew'. They solve mysteries and play reggae.

Back from my walk, cute baby was cuddled, mum met him too and then... I fell over again!

This time I took the advice from A&E last time saying to not stop myself but to try and fall onto my knees. Managed to twist and landed knees down on soft (wet) soil. I was fine but mate with me nearly had a heart attack. I won't tell her that once I came back I climbed up into the loft to fetch down more things for washing.

Ooh, baby rolling again.

Ok, here goes, get ready for TMI...

Anyone else having serious discharge? Have been in hefty panty liners for most of the pregnancy but the last few days it's just been getting silly. Feels like I've had a wee leak. It doesn't smell different, there are no gushing feelings, anyone else had this in the late stages?

I have. Didn't want to come right out and say it earlier.

And with every single... drip (sorry), I think "Ooh, is that a show?!" and of course it's not.

Rastamouse - my 3 year old adores it and expresses her approval of anything by saying "yea mon, dat's cooool" in a sort of convincing Jamaican accent. Has me in stitches.
Give it a year and every one if you will have the CBeebies schedule memorised.

I have a general increase and then sporadic rushes of even more. I sometimes think ooh could it be a show? But i don't want it to be yet anyway.

Thought of more things for To Do list:

• bed mats under sheet
• download app for contraction master to iphone (the website version is also good, google 'contraction master')
• presents from baby to siblings (have got a new Mr Matey bubble bath i got at Christmas time which will do for DS1 i think, DS2 is pretty oblivious so it might even be a shared gift)

Had my haircut so that's another job done today, the cat looked less than impressed at being kicked off the bed to do the mats

OOOO discharge. I think i may have developed mild incontinence in addition to discharge returning. I also have a hard bump most of the time.

cycle hope you are ok? Sounds it. people keep telling me not to do stuff, i dont appear to be able to listen.

petal are you nervous yet?

Thanks JKS have added the contraction master app

Ooh not been on this thread for ages! I'm now 36+2 so some would say not long to go but 7 days over with DS1 and 16 over with DS2 leads me to believe otherwise...

I have loads to do I think:
I've bought the BJCM and the carrycot and the maxi-cosi carseat and it's all in the cupboard under the stairs
The cot is down from the loft and now under our bed but needs a wash and a new mattress and bedding
Clothes, need to wash old stuff I have belonging to other DS's and buy new stuff
No bags packed, no toiletries sorted and no special cooking and freezing done. Must buy maternity bras too and sort out practical outfits to breastfeed in. So yes, loads to do!

Had to go on antibiotics last week for a chest infection. A couple of days into taking the pills I got thrush. Would have happily made a garlic tampon but made do with Caneston pessary kindly bought by my OH. Never used one before and was expecting something like a cod-liver oil pill. It was a big tablet instead which then made big chalky-goo patches on my knickers as it dissolved and did its work. Bleugh.

My driving instructor has helpfully given me a cd with the theory questions on that can be put on OH's ipod so I can be quizzed whilst in labour. Thanks!

And I've got a haircut booked for friday and an eye test appoinment booked for 39+3!
It's my 2 year anniversary of being with my OH tomorrow and I've arranged a child-free weekend for us. Think we will be spending it going to a NCT sale and painting eldest DS's bedroom. Thrills!

Yesterday's MW appointment was less than great. Apart from saying (no apology at all) that they had made an admin error which had meant that I had been put through tests that I didn't need to have and had been counselled that there was high risk that actually they don't think is present they are now saying that they aren't sure if baby is breech. I was told not to worry about it and that at 38 weeks if I'm still the same then they'll just book me in for a c-section. I'm keen to avoid this. I must admit that I'm really losing confidence in them. I decided just this morning to ask an independant midwife to see what they think in terms of presentation, so saturday I'll go to that. It can't do any harm to get a second opinion, but if they think we're head down it will give me relief, if they think breech I'll be trying all the options under the sun to give the baby best chance of being head down while I still have time. At 28wks and 34wks they said they were certain baby was head down...only yesterday they weren't completely certain. I'll just have to do what I can and accept what I can't change.

Oh Arch, no wonder you're losing confidence in them. I'd throw a proper wobbler if it was me. How can try not be sure about baby's position? That's ridiculous given the impact it has on your birthing options. Good for you for booking to seeing the independent mw, I really hope she can put your mind at rest. Xx

I'm fine after the fall Kitty, just embarrassed. Am less embarrassed about the discharge though now that I know it's not just me! Also I'm always being told I 'shouldn't' do things at this stage, IMO it's rubbish. My midwives have all said I should remain active for as long as I feel able.

Yet another load of baby things washed, but now I have to summon the energy to hang it out. Sigh. Must resist the urge to eat newly bought labour bag snacks...

Re: discharge, I've had loads from the minute I found out I was pregnant!! So much so, that I won't be bothering with paper pants after the main event just using my own and then chucking them!! Can't say I've noticed an increase recently but I still have 4 and a half weeks til due date, no BHs here either apart from the 'one' I had after we had sex the other day.

Is anyone else having bowel issues?? I think mine must be totally squished cus when I need to go, I need to go there and then and if I don't go immediately I get really cramp pains - rather inconvenient if I'm out and about! Actually hopefully naively thought maybe they were labour pains this morning but a trip to the loo proved otherwise!

Have MW appt this evening to get bump re-measured and to do birth plan. Really hope it has sprouted a couple of cm's at least!! My mum got her tape measure out yesterday and guestimated it at 38cms! Will be slightly concerned if thats the case as it was only 32cm last week!! Would probably be just my luck tho! Baby is still hell bent on kicking her way out of my right hand side at present, don't think she's loving all the coughing and sniffling! I actually panicked a bit earlier thinking she was lying transverse, but then realised it was all my tummy muscles tensed up (probably due to coughing so much) that were imitating a head and a bum at either side of my belly!! Fool!!

I'm another one who doesn't get the 'not being allowed to do things' sentiment that many people seem to have Cycle. DP seems to think I have suddenly been rendered incapable over the last week or so! He wasn't keen for me to go swimming with him and DSS incase I slipped on the pool edge and fell in and drowned! And 2 weeks ago a few friends of ours were going out for drinks and he didn't want us to go incase any drunk people bumped into me in the pub!! I can kind of understand that a pub isn't the best place for a heavily pregnant laydee but seriously, I didn't think popping in for half an hour would do me any harm!!

It just makes me all the more stubborn so I'm with you on climbing into the loft and doing other things he would frown upon!! hehe

The pub thing I can sympathise with. My sisters are so cute if we're out and about, they guard me and give looks of death at anyone who comes too close.

The, ahem, poo thing is weird. Dunno if it depends on where the baby is but I too get the 'urge' sometimes even though I don't have the runs or anything. It's often after I've been for a long walk. BHs make me want to wee as well. God I feel sexy.

Hmm maybe just me then! Although I noticed the other day that when I passed wind, I leaked a little bit of wee too!! Not cool! It is very sexy this pregnancy malarkey!

Kitty - nervous? I'm living in a world of ignorant bliss right now! I've got b*llock all to do on mat leave (what with living in the sticks, without a car, not wanting to spend money & unsuitable hobbies that I haven't been able to do for months!) so I can't wait for this little dude to arrive.

Although I've found getting into MN arguments to be quite entertaining!

MrsW - no bowel issues like you describe, but I've had the complete opposite to constipation all the way through. Which is gross! And as lots of people mention 'loose bowels' as a precursor to labour, I don't think I'll spot that one either.

My belly's turned into perma-BH again this avo, can't find any comfortable position. It's constantly rock hard. If I do try to bend or do anything, LO gives me a whopping kick, or I can feel him shaking his fists at me!

Arch I hope you have better luck with your private midwife. It's a shame you've had to do it, but hopefully they will be reassuring. I'm amazed they haven't been able to tell how the baby's lying (although I've read of it happening, or people getting it wrong). My wonderful gaskin-a-like MW seems to be able to tell by putting her head on one side and saying "hmm". Come here and see her, she's wonderful!

Arch - i'm getting on your behalf here!! Firstly they can get it wrong & it's better if they tell you they are unsure BUT....demand a presentation scan rather than just book in for c-s, that's outrageous for them to suggest otherwise, a c-s is major surgery not a walk in the park, and shouldn't be undertaken so lightly.
I think that my baby is head down and the MWs think so too, but, after missing DS2's breech the whole through until mid-labour they understand that i don't have much faith in them! So i'll be having a scan next week just to confirm that baby is head down.
This is not a waste of NHS resources or anything like that, after all i could be demanding another c-s which is a damned sight more ££ than a quick scan.
Grrrrr!!!!

My MIL is always telling me not to do things when pg, goes as far as to tell me i'm being ridiculous which makes me mad & it's not like i'm rock-climbing all of a sudden, just walking up a perfectly safe loft ladder or something.

Just woke up from my first afternoon nap of ML - tired as it took a couple of hours to get back to sleep last night after 4am wee, then ended up walking home from tea and cake at my friends place this morning. It's only 1/2 a mile or so but it kills my shins now :( Having just woken up I now have feet sticking out of my right hand side.

Welcome, chilli, to the wonderful world of afternoon naps! (and feet sticking out of your right side!).

I got into the habit during half term, which meant my last 2 weeks of work were a nightmare! But nearly 2 weeks into mat leave now and the 3pm sleep is set in stone!

But what if my baby won't nap at the right time?!

I was surprised not to have had a nap until now - in my non-pregnant state I'm not adverse to a weekend afternoon nap, usually whilst listening to the football.
I think bump must have dropped in the last week or so as the feet seem to be sticking out lower down, previously it felt like I had extra boobs when I woke up with feet on the right and bum sticking out on the left.
Hopefully babies will follow Mums nap times.