November 2011. Bumps, kicks and less feeling sick.

[Missyraines]

Thought I'd take the plunge and go for it.

juststarting I'm not sure you should use the phrase "out the window" in the context of water births and sieves! DH has just read this over my shoulder and shuddered, so there'll be no convincing him now...

I guess I'm on the fat girl list as well - BMI was 35 (but then I did have a seriously full bladder - at the scan the MW had to tell me to go 'empty a little bit out' - twice!) and I've been referred to the consultant. My mum has adult onset diabetes though so I'll do the GTT as I know it's relevant to me personally. I'm in the West Midlands so it's Birmingham Women's Hospital for me, and frankly the MW-led unit is across the corridor from the consultants and I'm hoping to ask if I can start off with the MWs and move on over if I need to. FX!

For anybody else in this neck of the woods - going to the Baby Show at the NEC this weekend? It's on again in Manchester in September but I'm figuring I won't want to move by that stage.

BuffyFan I'm going to the Babyshow on Sunday! (managed to get free tickets through a friend yay)

My only reason for wanting to give birth at home is the control factor.
My dear friend was left alone through most of her birth (I was her birth partner) with her 3rd child.
When the MW came in to check on her, my friend told the MW she was ready to push - the mw shrugged and said "Oh no, not yet, you're not even 3 cms....[here the mw looked under the little blanket, drew a sharp breath and pooped back out]... Ok, let's start pushing!"
I'd rather have a home birth where I have -one- mw in place, the whole time.
And I can have the pool in my living room, surrounded by my books and yarn and have a shower in my shower. And being able to go upstairs to -our- bed with Sprout afterwards.

morning.

blue and buffy i went to the babyshow in London when i was pg with ds was really good, very very busy, lots of pushchairs so mind your ankles. Check out the babyshow website there's a tab with special offers have a look before you go incase there's something you want thats reduced. They also had offers of "if you visit our store get a free....". (or at least there was last time.) be aware round some off the big stalls (i think it was bounty but can't remember) who handed out bags of free stuff.

Buffy I am going to the Baby Show tomorrow! I live in Surrey but my mum and sister live in Birmingham and my sister is coming with me. What day are you going? There is a facebook / twitter meet up at the central cafe at 2.30 which I will be at!

Interesting stuff on pain management. I got to 7cms before needing gas and air, and I have to say that was down to the pool (although in hindsight I got in too soon at 5cm) and some cocodamol tablets. But the thing that really helped me was a book called Birth Skills, it gives you a whole massive range of techniques from visualisation, vocalisation (I loved mooing) and movements to try to distract yoruself from the pain of labour - and unlike other lentil weavery books I could mention it calls a spade a spade and doesn't call bloody buggering agonising contractions 'opening sensations'. It really is brilliant. Also pace yourself, I held back and back and a back with the g&a so i didn't need anything stronger later. Well until I had a spinal for an emcs This time I'm going for a TENS, hopefully the pool again and gas and air.... unless it all goes tits up and I have another section. I've learned first hand you can only plan so far.

Hi all, sorry it always ages in betwee my posts.

poppet so sorry to hear about your friend, how is she? My mums work colleage has just been through the same thing. Expecting twins but at a scan around 28 weeks found out one of them had died. They were able to leave the two of them in there, whilst the living twin continued to grow. She was induced this week at 35/36 weeks (can't remeber which) and gave birth to a heathly little girl. Obviousuly carrying the other twin for so long was very hard for her, but it was the only way to give the living twin its best chance. I think infection is possible, which i assume is why they monitor so closely. If she does have to give birth though, the surviving twin still has a good chance at 28 weeks. Let us know how your friend goes on.

busyboy and all others who had natural births i am very impressed. I have to confess i really haven't thought about it. This is my first and a mixture of a long standing fear of birth and additional fear of thngs going wrong after a mc in my last pg has meant i really have't allowed myself to think that far ahead. But, i think i really need to start thinking about it.....i just find it all so scary. I have a friend who is very pro-natural birth so now she knows i am sure i'll get a detailed low-down of my options!

Had my 12 week (13+3) scan yesterday. All was good, although baby was being very uncooperative and just wanted to roll over and sleep!! Finally took the plunge and told close friends, so now its offically real!!

Very [envy} of people going to the baby show tomorrow. Have fun!

love hearing all your birth stories! As a first timer I don't have a clue what to do, except I don't want an epidural!

Just been out for a lunch time walk! Starting this challenge at work where I have to walk 10000 steps a day! Did it last year which was a challenge on days when work was busy or travelling lots, gonna be even tougher this year as it goes on till september!

love hearing all your birth stories! As a first timer I don't have a clue what to do, except I don't want an epidural!

Just been out for a lunch time walk! Starting this challenge at work where I have to walk 10000 steps a day! Did it last year which was a challenge on days when work was busy or travelling lots, gonna be even tougher this year as it goes on till september!

Just back from midwife appointment and heard heartbeat for first time. Amazing!

Folic How many weeks are you? I'm getting more and more confused about the -huge- variety in ante-natal care we're getting across the NHS!

I've got my 16 week appointment (1 week late) on Monday :D If she doesn't let me listen in I'll probably get stroppy until she gets that doppler out!

Had my 16 week appt and she felt my tummy and listened to heartbeat but recorded in my notes that it was maternal request even though she asked me and I o vously said yes!

Oh folic that is fab! I heard the heartbeat for the 1st time last Saturday when I had my nuchal scan. With DD the mw found it at 14 weeks. I'm seeing mw on Monday and I'll be 14+1, so I'm hoping she'll find it. I never tire of hearing it.

I am craving marmite atm (and watermelon and mango - not all at once thank god). The watermelon was the same last pg but marmite is a new one. All I can think about is marmite on toast, marmite on a cracker, marmite cheese......
We're having soup for tea and I'm having marmite on a bun with it!

Just been for a swim for the first time in ages without DD, so am amazed i managed 16 lengths! I have convinced my boss my mw has recommended I swim regularly (which she did, just not 'officially'), so I get 40mins once a week!

And sorry if anyone was a bit put off by my rant yesterday. I'm not a scary person, honestly! I just get a bit passionate!

bumpand you actually made a really good point and made me think a bit - now I've got the consultant kind of on my side (well, not totally refusing to listen to me!), i need to focus on getting a good relationship going with my mw. I get the impression if the consultant was OKish with a homebirth, she would be too.
My acupuncturist has been fab too - she's mentioned me in her 'acupuncturist in pregnancy and labour' group set up by Zita West and got lots of info on doulas for me.

Overall, feeling good today.

Ooh and I had an epidural in my first labour and if you ignore the outcome which was specific to me, it really did take the pain away completely.

You have to weigh it up though as there is no pain and the increased risk of intervention/labour slowing down or lots of pain and a more natural birth hopefully.

I had an epidural for reasons other than juts pain relief (won't bore you with it) and when i was managing on gas & air, i used visualisation techniques from my natal hypnotherapy cd, which really helped (and I hope it does this time).

hi all, have kind of been lurking for a while since my CVS nonsense but still reading everything. Just wanted to share a story from one of the other boards as it's just made me cry....lady completely scared of CVS, 1:60 odds, left the hospital at first attempt as she wasnt convinced and the hospital could see how scared she was. Came on here and myself and a few others talked her through it. She ended up using my patented 'close eyes, grip hand as tightly as possible' method and todays results have been all clear. So now not only do I feel amazing that i got a great result but also that I helped someone in the same situation. And am now going to take my soppiness off for a suitable reward....

Actually, on that note, is anyone else crying at completely daft things?! My top 'thing i shouldnt cry at' is Gok Wans 'How to look good naked'. I mean seriously, do I need to get a grip?!

HUGE congrats on good scans people, so nice to have nice news ..

Staceroo i've got to do that too but only in June - at least it might fend off the ever increasing fat!

And you're all scaring me with birth stories, my birth plan is as follows: 'go to hospital, imbibe as many drugs as possible, get baby girl out of me'. I'm almost serious. Given my gynae history I think its probably best that whilst I'm educated, that the specialists do what they think is right. I am however, employing my best friend as birthing partner to make sure that any decisions are logical and she and i have had lots of conversations, but since I know I'm probably heading for a CS anyway (and will know more at 20 weeks), its kind of freeing ......

Anyway, off to pull silly poses, have good nights all

I have to say, having gone down the all-natural-no-pain-relief birth route, I dont for one second think its the best way. I think if I had had a better grip on myself emotionally on not just been feeling scared and out of control, it would have been better, and if drugs had helped me to do that, then I think that would have been better than no drugs. I didnt do it out of a lovely earth mothery kind of committment though, i did it because I am a coward about drugs and hospitals and was more scared of the drugs than the pain. My friend who had pethedine was really quite jolly about her whole birth experience and up and shopping the next day. Although I think if I had had an epidural, I wouldnt have got the child out unassisted. I needed to feel the contractions. It WAS good being at home with all my home comforts immediately afterwards though, and what the midwives didnt just bundle up and take away with them, my dad cleaned up in half an hour. Though I never did see the state of the pool before he put it away.....
Well my scan yesterday went well, but I got a bit freaked out. My 12 week scan with my son lasted all of about five minutes, but they were at it about 40! Didnt help that the pesky baby was wriggling and hiccuping throughout I guess, but they seemed to take a lot more measurements and double check things than with my son. Can so much have changed in 2 years? Or is it the product of having moved to a whole new NHS trust? Or did they see something that worried them?
I also realised we have a wonderful cultural anomoly, in which modesty is really the only socially acceptable response in so many situations, but when someone complements my child, I invariably agree whole heartedly that he IS infact the cutest baby in the world and I have made a damn good child!

For those of you who already have LOs, I am having a bad Mummy day :( started ok and took DS to his swimming lesson at 9:30 then we all went to playgroup. Got home, cooked them pasta for lunch then hit a wall of tiredness - it reminds me of jet lag and I don't remember feeling like this with last 2 PG. And this the day after I was off work and slept all morning! So I took them out to ay in the sandpit in the backgarden for a bit but got too hot so I parked them in front of Peppa for an hour while I dozed then gave them sandwiches on the sofa for tea. So now I'm all worried and guilty about how I'm going to be a good Mummy for them when firstly I'm massively pregnant and secondly when I have a newborn. I'm so cross that I just don't seem to be able to find any reserves to draw on. Was almost hoping something would come up in urine y'day so at least I'd have a reason. At 15+4 I really shouldn't be like this.

Had horrible night at a and e last night as pain was getting worse. Was really worried about the baby and was in cubicle next to lady who was miscarrying. Poor dh tramutised. Did a scan and baby ok. Not sure what is causing pain and sickness so have to take pain killer and rest. Really want to be enjoying pregnancy but have bit sick and no energy for so long it is getting me down.

Ali cat I don't have kids already bur just to say give yourself a break. Peppa pig and sarniea for dinner so not a crap mum make.

I'm 15 +3 for folk that wanted to know. Heartbeat fore me more moving than the scan without a doubt. Yay.

lk that was a nice story, thanks for sharing...so glad you were able to do something positive despite having been through a horrible situation.

Oh and I too am crying at almost anything (though not managed "how to look good naked" but then I haven't watched it for a while!!

ali your previous 2pg you didn't have other LOs to run around after... each pg is different and you sound as if you are doing a lot with your LOs. Give yourself time to relax; there will be days when your energy is low so don't feel guilty. Your LOs will adapt to the new circumstances as will you. My advice would be to do things you need to everyday and on days you have more energy do the extras then on the days you have less energy you can relax without feeling your LOs are missing out.

I have applied this recently as energy and mood has been very low on occaissions - if I am having a good day I will do everything I can with DS to have fun together, if I am having an ok day I do what I can and when I am having a bad day I hand over to DP when I can or curl up with a dvd and DS for cuddles. As DS is 6 I can explain to him that I am having a bad day and I will do more on a good day which he seems to accept. I was feeling guilty (still do at times) at not being able to do more all of the time which has then lead to more bad days :(

And don't worry about when baby arrives, you will find ways to manage.

For the first time today I told one of my patients that I was expecting :) I wasn't sure whether to or not but she is a really lovely lady and she kept asking if I was feeling better after being off (nice to know patient's notice when you're not there). She congratulated me and then asked when I would be going on Mat leave as she loves it when I visit. It felt really odd telling my patient (especially as the surgery don't know - even though my colleagues do) but it felt good to.

Ali- Im exactly the same, I have 3 dds at home and feel much more worn out this time. I'm living by myself at the minute as well as my boy friend isn't moving in to September so I'm finding it more difficult then when I was pregnant with number 3 and ex dh was in the house. I regularly plonk them in front of the tv so I can get my feet up . Have every thing crossed I start to feel a bit less tired now Im 14 weeks though.

My worst birth was the one where I had an epidural (my 3rd). The first 2 I had gas and air and a shot of pethadine, too early with dd1 so it had worn off and too late with dd2 so it kicked in after wards. Both were straight forward, wish I'd been more prepared with dd 1 as I was very frightened and I think this made things worse. DD2 was an absolute doddle.

DD3 I was induced due to waters going and decided to have an epi due to being worried about pain, ended up with babies heart beat jumping about a bit when it was time to push and much to my surprise because Id done it twice before found that I couldn't push when numb! Ended up in theatre with a ventouse, not as bad as they'd told me (said forceps then c section) but was still traumatic at the time. Admittedly being able to sleep when 8 cms dilated and not having any pain at all was wonderful :)

This time I'm hoping to stay at home as long as poss then into hospital for some gas and air and maybe a bit of pethadine. If that doesn't happen then fair enough as you need to have all possibilities in mind.

Hi All

Hope everyone is well. cookie - sorry to hear about A&E trip - glad to hear scan was ok though. How you feel better very soon

Just a quick one from me. Am 13wks today, still feeling sick but not being as sick so fingers crossed it stays that way. I have my scan on Monday - it's seemed like an age since it's come around - having known from not even 4wks its worse than waiting for santa to come!! Am also going on holiday a week on Sat so can't wait for that either - Sun, sea and sangria (very small amount!)

Sorry if this is repeated as am on this and Nov thread so easy to be lazy and write same one!

IK I'm gettin emotional and upset for no reason! Yesterday I stubbed my toe on a suitcase sticking out from under my bed! So threw another suitcase off the bed, then 2 minutes later I was in the kitchen with dh crying my eyes out saying how much I loved him etc! Talk about one extreme to the other!
Ooooh Daiso! Big error... we are the November thread! haha! We'll let you off this time, but don't do it again!

Blue and Terrys - I'll be there on Sunday with a friend (DH has an exam to revise for, so he's off the hook). Terrys hope you enjoy it tomorrow - leave us some of the freebies for Sunday! Blue we should wear a red carnation or something so we spot each other

It seems like everybody's pregnant! Since announcing on FB this week, there's been two others tell me they're also due in November, and then DH's cousin as well.... and apparently a couple of people at my work who haven't gone public yet. I'm starting to wonder if I actually know all you ladies in RL.

We booked our NCT antenatal classes last night. Feels early but I hear they fill up really quickly. Then found out the course ends with a 5 hour session on our wedding anniversary. But then I dare say by the end of October neither of us will be feeling particularly romantic!

LKtoday definitely you're not the only one with random weepiness. Two Greedy Italians set me off the other night...

I'm a first timer so no helpful tips for those of you with LOs already other than to say in my limited experience kids are adaptable - they will get used to the new way of things and you may even find they're lovely about it :)

Hi all

Haven't posted for ages but have been keeping up with the news.

Alicat I'm 15+4 today and some days feel ok and other days feel very tired and don't want to do alot. Luckily I am blessed with a DD who still has 2 naps a day and easily entertained. I sometimes feel bad that I'm not playing with her more but at the moment this is the best I can do.

I had my 16 week appointment on Monday and heard heartbeat - v exciting . I also got my nuchal results which was 1 in 17,000. DD was 1 in 2100

Birth I went to NCT classes and I came away with two important bits of info 1) breathing - dont forget to breath. The exercise we did was to blow bubbles to demo how long it should be. 2) The best birth experiences are when the mother is relaxed (helps produce oxytocin).

I decided that for me to be at ease and relaxed I wanted to go to mw unit which is in top floor of hospital. I knew I was 2 floors away from drugs if I needed it. I knew I didn't want an epidural but was open to suggestions from midwife as they had more experience than me as a first time mother.

In the end, I arrived at mw unit, had TENS (rubbish for me), gas and air (rubbish for me!) and water pool. After 14 hours found baby was back to back and contractions dying away. Tried breaking my waters and didn't work so suggested Syntocin drip which meant I had to move down 2 levels. I was so tired by this point, at 7cms and still had pushing stage to go that I requested an epidural. I could still feel contractions but no pain, and also the urge to push. After another 6 hours I was fully dilated, and pushed baby out in 38mins. Downside to an epi is that you have monitors so you have to lay down. This was going to happen anyway because of the syntocin drip (they monitor yours and baby's heartbeat).

This time, my birth plan is going to be exactly the same, to give birth to a healthy baby.

Sorry, that was a bit of an epic post after nothing for a while! Hope you are all having a good evening.