April 2011–Half in! Half out! On the grumpy couch...do the hokeycokey, breathe the baby out, that’s what it’s all about

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

New thread here ladies.

Again, many thanks to Frakk for the inspired title

Do you think this thread will be the last ante-natal one for the April 11 crew? Or will I be the last one standing and having to start a new thread and talking to myself?!

Still at home did get contractions down to every 5 mins but weren't all that painful, phoned MW who at that time informed me they have no beds left (only a 4 bedded unit) so said as long as I was comfortable to stay at home, which I was happy with. Then had 20 minute break in contractions. Started up again now and more painful this time still roughly hitting the 5 minute mark but now worried about not getting pool etc if I want to go in soon and also the fact that what feels painful to me may actually not really be much and getting sent home again cus I'm only 2cm dilated or something!! This is soo stressful!

Arch Have tried to stay on my feet or leant over my ball where poss as anything else just increases the pain tenfold.

Hope you're doin ok Lis

x-post kitty can't really help on the pile question but the night you've had kind of sums up my Friday night, twinges on and off (me thinking it was constipation) and not sleeping well at all. Maybe the start for you too soon :)

Thanks mrsw ur doing very well. Hope u get the pool. It's aconfusing time eh. Thinking of you.

MrsW looking v likely you might get a crazy combination of DD delivery and a gorgeous easter bunny, good luck, thinking of you.
And you poor Kitty must be awful, and Lis good luck to you today too.

I think I'm still going to be a while......

Happy Easter!! [bugrin]

Congratulations on your arrivals Lucie and Chips, can't wait to hear your birth story Chips

Good luck to MrsW and Lis, I hope things are progressing for both of you.

Lots more cervical pains and lower bump tightenings going on here, but that's it. I did wonder if waters were trickling earlier, but I think it's just mucus - delightful!

Oh well, we're off to my parents for a BBQ and lots of chocolate. Laters ladies

Happy easter all, hope the Easter bunny has visited and congratulations on new arrivals :)

I realised yesterday that M wanting hugs and to be carried, but carrying her in arms made it a bit tricky to do little things around the house ( I'm currently one handed typing whilst feeding. We have a carrier which claims to be from birth but felt that M was too small for it when we tested it yesterday, I also wonder if it'll be suitable for me as I'm not all that tall. I thought a sling might be more useful and wondered what you've got or might recommend - I'm tempted by the BabaSling, any thoughts?

Pains tailed off last night again, so got some sleep. Got up this morning and nothing again. I'm so fed up with this. I don't think I'm ever going to have this baby. I've just fallen out with my mum too after her, "you should go for a walk to get things going" comment. :(

Chilli I got a moby wrap because of the heigh difference between me and DH. I think it will work fine, but i haven't been able to tie it on me yet because of my bump.

MrsWajs sounds like you're going to beat me to motherhood!! Hang in there! And when you're done, send the stork my way please :)

Happy Easter :)

MrsW hope all is well with you.

Chilli I've got a red Close Baby Wrap which both myself and husband thought really useful with our first:

www.greenjellyshop.co.uk/Baby-Slings-and-Carriers/Stretchy-baby-wraps/Close-Baby-Carrier/prod_114.html

From wht I can tell it's very similar to the Moby in that is variable. The Babasling looks so lovely and looks similar in design to the Maya Wrap I've got in that they come in sizes.

www.mayawrap.com/

You could get a more upright Moby/Close Baby wrap which will give you ability to use it more in the begining days and long terms gives your back a variation in where the weight falls for longer walks.

Lis I can echo your feelings almost exactly just now. I was getting soreness early which came to nothing at all..again. I keep wondering if I'm really going to stay this way till the first week of May. The very idea has me with tears in my eyes as I can hardly get through the night with this SPD without a lot of soreness (accompanied with some swearing, not like me at all) and MW has not given me painkillers, her attitude to me wanting to avoid epidural and intervention and stay at home with a birth pool made me not want to push it (plus I'm allergic to some more convential ones), so I'm trying to just get to the end of this. I look at myself in the mirror and wonder when I'm going to get my body back. I want to be able to walk again.

My little baby brother is moving to Slovenia on Friday and that is setting me off too (when my mum died I sort mothered him so we're very close).

I honestly honestly did not think I would get to this date. My poor DH tried to rub my feet and I just burst into angry tears. His week off is nearing and end and I have not produced a child. I'm trying to convince myself that it's a bonus to have these extra days of pregnancy somehow but I'm stumped as to actual reasons why that might be the case. Any ideas?

This is the hardest bit isn't it Arch. Waiting waiting waiting, without any idea when it's going to happen other than the clock ticking down to induction day. I've not had any painkillers since Friday, as I've not felt the absolute need for them. I think with the head being so far down in my pelvis it's stablised it a bit. Still can't walk any distance, but the constant pain has abaited at least. I just want my body back too.

To add to that I've run out of Ranitidine. GP said he'd prescribed enough to see me through, he obviously didn't anticipate me going a week over. I only realised yesterday as I thought there was another strip in the box, too late to get anything until Tuesday. I'm mainlining Gaviscon, yuk, and have drunk about 4 pints of milk today already.

DH can't do anything right either. I forget he's waiting too and is anxious about what I will have to go through at the birth. He feels helpless already, and I'm not making it any easier by stropping at him.

Sympathies to those still waiting it's awful I know and nothing much helps tbh, esp if you're in pain. It will end that's all I can say.

Arch- really wanted to say thanks to you for your inspirational comments (during labour & just after) you are a fab 'coach' :)

My laptop on strike not happy with having had a few days off lol.

Bottom area so much better already so encouragement for anyone who gets stitches, 4 days later and I feel pretty good. M a feeding monster esp at night :)

JKS so glad to hear from you and that you're healing nicely. Glad I can do something to help and that you think I'm good at something (cue tears...again.....Gawd)

I thought I'd put on some music and try to have a bit of a bellydance on my own to encourage to cheer myself up, relax and get gravity working in my favour but really no really it's not happening far to toe curling. (Cue more tears...damn it).

Lis there's nothing for it....join me in raiding the Thornton's website, there's a sale? Chocolate-baby race anyone else?

www.thorntons.co.uk/c/Easter_Eggs.html?viewall=true&sortby=&sortorder=ascending

well after been in slow labour for 5 days finally had my little boy on the 22nd april, at a massive 8ib 14.5oz a whole 2ib 30z bigger than my 2yr old was. congratulations to those whose had there babys too, and those who havnt hang in ther :)

Congrats beckie

Many congratulations on your little boy Beckie, do you have a name?

Lis & arch - I think one of the ways I get through late pregnancy is by acceptance. I accept that I have no way of making this baby come, whatever pill I pop or potion I take, it will not change a thing. The baby will come when it decides it is the right time and nothing I do will change that. I have also measured my pregnancies in 42 weeks, not 37 or 40. I like to think that's not because I see the glass half empty, but because it's realistic! You also sound like you're blaming yourselves for not having the baby yet, you're putting far too much pressure on yourselves to perform.

Lis - instead of micro analysing every ache and pain, use this time to do all of the little things you enjoying doing with dh which wont be possible when the baby comes. Long lunches or lazy evening meals at a local pub. One thing I did when expecting ds1 was to look in my diary and buy presents for birthdays I had coming up in the two months following his birth - all internet shopping of course! I also got the cards and wrapping paper so I knew I wouldn't have any last minute present buying while I was still getting to grips with being a mum.

Arch - I'm trying to cherish the last remaining weeks with just ds and I. Not always easy as I am knackered. But there have been times when it's just us and I get a bit teary thinking how the relationship may change, so I give him an extra big squeeze and enjoy the moment.

I hope I don't sound patronising as I don't want to be, I'm trying to help, so I thought I'd let you know how I cope with it. I also appreciate that both of you are in pain with the SPD .

{{{HUGS}}} to all xxx

Arch that website is dangerous!! There's an Thorntons outlet near me and I have to distract myself when I go near it to avoid the temptation!!!

ILTMIMI You are right, I just cook my babies longer than some, self pity never did anyone any good! I've been sucked into the fug and need to get myself out of it. Things are happening with my body, I just need to leave it to take it's own time. Baby will have to come eventually he can't stay there forever. I am very very lucky to even be in this position. This time last year we were told there was little chance of us conceiving naturally. I honestly didn't think I'd ever be here. I have many blessings and I need to remember them. Thank you, [busmile]

Lis just seen you said you have run out of ranitidine. If you are desperate you can actually buy it otc. They also have it on most supermarket shelves as generic or branded Zantac, often next to the gaviscon. You wont be able to get a large packet only about 12 per pack but enough to last until you can get another prescription.

Congratulations to Chips, Beckie and Lucie.

Any news from MrsWajs?

Ah, ladies its lovely to hear all the bubbas are coming thick and fast, congrats to you all!!!!
feeling extremly sorry for myself as i had a sweep thursday, was only 3/5ths engaged but cervix couldnt even be reached : (. had another attempt on saturday and was no where near cervix and was somehow only 1/5th engaged. So getting pretty frustrated and tearful as MW doesnt feel that i would benifit from any sweeps/ attempted sweeps until friday and has already booked me in for induction on sunday!

I hope all you overdue ladies gety going soon , waiting is painful

So EDD today, nowt happening.

ILTMM I too have just drawn some inspiration from your post. Had another crying episode last night at being a) fed up b) desperate to meet my baby c) scared to death that something will happen to baby if it stays in too long. I'm a stat obsessive and so the news the other week about still births sent me in to a mild tailspin TBH.

Lis & Arch I feel your pain ;-)

Just thought I'd try and cheer people up. I think my body has some sort of supernatural ability to convert about 2mls of fluid in to 100mls of week. How the feck does it do it? Went to the loo 6 times last night and each time a substantional amount of wee came out. UN-BELIEVABLE.

x

Hey Milla me too, EDD and nothing, and the same with the wee amounts, regardless of fuid intake! How can it be?

I'm nervous as hell today, even though I realise it probably won't happen today, feel not ready and teary and a crazy bit still in denial...

Have a lovely BH all

Morning girls!!
Well after 27 hellish hours in labour baby Robyn elizabeth rose has finally made her entrance into the world at 00.23 this morning weighing 7lbs 2ozs.
Am totally knackered but we're both fine.
Will post more later.x

Congratulations MrsW! Robyn is a brilliant name, I love it! xx

Congratulations, Mrs W!! 27 hours - yikes! And does that mean she just missed her due date by 23 minutes?!

Still nothing doing here. 40+6 today. Yesterday I went for a long walk up a hill (well, a mile and a half, which is long to me these days), ate pineapple, bounced on my yoda ball, had sex, did some supplementary nipple-twiddling later that evening, and took 6 RLT capsules. Nada.

Currently trying to decide whether I should go ahead with planned induction at 40+1 on Wednesday (the day after tomorrow - aargh). I am feeling very conflicted about it - hope nobody minds me 'brain dumping' here. Very self-indulgent but need to get my thoughts in order on it.

On the pro-induction side:

• My mum never went into labour naturally - I was induced a week early due to uncontrolled pregnancy-induced hypertension, my sister was induced 4 WEEKS LATE (I have never had so much sympathy and admiration for my mum as I do right now... 4 weeks!!!!). If I'm not going to go into labour naturally they may as well start the process sooner rather than later, then I can get on with being a mum
• I'm really conscious of my ML ticking away. Hopefully I've got a year, but I gave up work at 36+ weeks and I feel like now I've wasted that time - over a month already and I'm still not looking after my baby. I feel like I'll rue these days at the other end of the year when I'm dreading going back.
• I have pregnancy-induced hypertension. It's been very well controlled by medication for 5 weeks and no sign it's going to turn into pre-eclampsia. However, when booking me in for induction the consultant said something about not wanting me to be on the blood pressure medication longer than necessary. I can see that.
• I'm BORED, and I'm dying to meet my baby!
• It will shut people up asking if I've had it yet.

On the anti-induction side:

• Some people take blood-pressure medication their whole life - I can't see why it's such a big deal for me to take it for a few more days and let babba come in his/her own time? Nobody's ever said there's any risk to the baby from this medication; in fact it's commonly used for PIH.
• I am scared it will hurt more if I'm induced!
• It's already unclear whether I'll be allowed a water birth, which I really really want. It's probable but not definite that they won't let me in the MLU because of the PIH, but they have portable pools they can in theory use in the labour ward - but it seems to be very much up to whoever's on duty on the day, staffing levels, whether they think it's hippy claptrap etc. It's very much touch and go - I'm sure if I'm induced that'll just be the nail in the coffin for my hopes of a water birth. Sounds silly, but I really* am worried about staying on a hospital ward overnight, which is more likely if induced (they aim for 6-hour discharge on 'normal' births, not clear whether this still applies if induced and, anyway, may have to stay in the night before if it doesn't work straight away). My snoring is absolutely EPIC according to my boyfriend, he is marvelling at it. That will be awful for all the poor other people on the ward with me, and I will be too self-conscious to fall asleep and stressing about it the whole time. Sounds superficial, but it's really stressing me out.
• The baby will come when it's ready (or will it?!)

Still don't know what to do for the best. Hmmm.

MrsW wonderful news well done and I can't wait for you to tell us how it went for you!

ILTMIMI you are an angel, your words of encouragement were very very much appreciated :)

ecuse we're all facing similar issues with "being overdue" and the induction question but if you like I'll reflect back to you on your pros and cons.

PROs
-Your mum's experience is your mum's experience not yours (I've learnt this at such an emotional cost) ..different person, shape, time frame, baby, body, character you get the idea. You cannot stay pregnant forever...none of us will stay pregnant forever.
-ML a day a week or so will not make much of a dint into your ML when you put it in perspective.
-You are right some folk are on the pills for their lives and it's under control.
-Boredom and people bugging you are slight factors but in the whole scheme of things not important when it comes to health and happiness long term.

Cons
-It is likely to hurt more yes, also likely to need epidural (so absolutely no pool and definitely in the OB/GYN ward for the duration with continuous fetal monitoring possibly slowing things down and all that includes).
-Given the last point in mind you are right you will more likely need to stay at least a night.

Some women come out of inductions just fine and they tend to be the ones with high Bishops scores ie they would have gone into labour soon anyway.

I'm only going to talk about induction at 42 weeks then I'm going to make a decision based on baby, placenta and cord health monitoring unless something indicates otherwise I'll try to be patient. Even then if I do have to have an induction there are different strengths and types of induction intervention. As with the first point each woman and birth situation is different and we must all just weigh up the pros and cons individually and what is massively important to one person is insignificant to the next plus induction drugs can have vastly differently results for different people.

As you can see I'm constantly doing that mental balance thing about induction on a daily basis too.

MrsWajs Congratulations! Robyn is a beautiful name. I hope you get the time to rest up and are home with your lovely little daughter soon. See you on the other side matey [busmile]!!

ecuse you have more or less listed my apprehensions on induction, if you swap PIH with SPD, and without the snoring(as far as I am aware anyway). I was meant to be booked for 40+10 but they couldn't fit me in until 40+12, which I thought was better anyway to let me go myself. I know I still don't have to be induced at 40+12, and I really am playing by ear. When my consultant was putting me off induction before she listed all the scary things that could happen in my notes, I'm at no less risk of these things at 40+12 as I would have been at 39wks.

What I am doing is just getting on with it now after my pep talk yesterday from ILTMIMI. I can't do anything to make the baby come sooner, he will come when he is ready or when the doctors decide. I have to trust them to assess the risks and advise me and DH if he's better out than in.