July 2011 - the final push!

[buttonmoon78]

I'm not going to do the stats as it took up so much of every page! Welcome, everyone!

Just been told I'm here for as long as I'm in pain! I think that means until the baby comes tbh. Need to call Sure Start tomorrow and beg for help as OH could do without losing so much time from work.

Hope you get somewhere soon. Will they not consider bringing baby on early then? Or is it still that your pain is lesser than the risk to her?

My pain in the grand scheme isn't important. They won't induce because of the risk of rupture so the only option would be a section. Whilst baby is happy they wont.

I'm in the cafe at the moment, brave moment going for a walk with the girls! Will be glad to get back to bed this is hard work.

You and your poor DH confuddled - bet you don't know whether you're coming or going! Is it painful braxton hicks or SPD type pain? Hope it's all sorted soon for you anyway.

I had a baby shower yesterday which I actually really enjoyed even though I didn't think I would. It wasn't particularly traditional in that DP was there, as was my dad and his dad - it was the first time our families had met! They seemed to get on ok and my friend from uni did loads of baby-related games to break the ice. My sister made me some gorgeous cakes to match the nursery as well - I just keep looking at pictures of it! I've uploaded a pic here - blurry but you get the idea!

I've got this week off work so I'm going to wash some baby clothes and finish packing my hospital bag/the baby's bag. Now we've finished the nursery everything is ready so we can just relax for the next 6 weeks :)

Ooo I love that cake!

My friend is organising mine and was surprised that was one was even being arranged! but no idea what to expect as I'm worried that people think its just a ploy to get gifts. Really I just want to see all my girly mates for a Giggle!

If having one of these...what involvement did you have? And was it at your house? I hate the idea of people feeling they have to buy and also we don't know the sex so the gift question is hard, I've said not to worry much o the absolute disgust of the organiser...can't win....spanner... Do u know what you are having?

Ooo con fuddled. Talk of dilation...scary stuff. I hope you are bearing up ok :)

It's proper tightenings, beyond the Braxton Hicks stage. They're just not enough to do anything yet. My back's actually doing well but co-dydramol every 4 hours and lots of rest in a good bed probably help!

I've just put three days on the tv lol I'm stuck here!

I was the same Jimmy - really didn't want presents as we have so much stuff already, and I genuinely just wanted to catch up with people! It was at my house and we had sandwiches/cakes (which I made because DP has food allergies so it was easier!) then played party games - one of them was pass the parcel but between each layer there was a baby sock with a chocolate and a piece of paper inside saying what that person had to do when the baby is here, eg. take Spanner and the baby out for a coffee or go food shopping with Spanner and the baby. My MIL got "go swimming with Spanner and the baby" to her horror - she's a size 24 and hasn't been swimming for over 20yrs!

I know I'm having a boy, and I got a few presents of (blue) baby clothes and some really cute booties but just little token things which was nice. I hadn't seen my uni friends since I was 20 weeks pregnant so they were really excited to see how much the bump had changed - I'm the first one to have a baby.

Hi ladies,
Confuddled I hope you're ok? Sending virtual support :)
I had my babyshower a couple of weekends ago and it was lovely. My lovely friend organised it for me as she's American and wanted to do something 'traditionally American' for me. We all met in a (whiskey) bar in Central London which initially I thought was a bit weird but it had a private room and was in a great location for everyone (due to our geographical spread someone's house was ruled out). We had some nibbles and played some fun games and everyone had a good time. I had been really worried that it would seem all about presents but it wasn't. The games were quite fun - there was one where people had to take a length from a ball of wool and guess how close it would be to the circumference of my bump; also she had bought some plain White babygros and some fabric pens and everyone decorated one for the baby (I'm quite crafty so this was apt) and one where there was a list of characteristics e.g eyes, ears, height etc with some funny ones thrown in like 'drinking legs' and I had to state who I thought the baby would take after (me or dh) and then everyone had to guess and the closest match got a prize. I didn't think any of it was particularly gender specific and It was great fun! X

Been to MW this morning - all well. Blood pressure back down to normal which is good.

Got gp this afternoon to get something else for heartburn. Then consultant tomorrow afternoon to talk about meds and possibly discuss dates.

Thankfully my mum's coming to stay today for the week so I only had to take ds earlier - I can do the rest on my own which is better!

Confuddled hope you're not too ground down by all of this!

Hi all!
confuddled I hope things get more comfortable for you one way or the other .
Sex is def off at the moment, even if I wanted it (which I don't ) I couldn't handle it right now.
Birth pool idea is out, we estimated how much it might cost to fill it and I decided we can't do it. If I end up in hospital I'll ask for the room with a birth pool in it otherwise I might try the bath for the birth stage - which is all I really wanted anyway.
More exciting news though, I'm going to have my colour patch test tomorrow ready for Saturday when I have my long-awaited cut 'n' colour yeheee I'm soooo excited about that.
I will also get a couple of nursing bras as well. (not so exciting but hey ho)

I can't cope with (mainly DS1) the LO's so my mum is coming to stay tonight and is taking DS2 & 3 with her tomorrow, and DH's dad is coming to get DS1 a& DD tomorrow (although that is a keeping up with the Joneses thing not out of the goodness of their heart sort of thing). So hopefully I'll be child free until Sunday.

Just bumped into my consultant in the canteen. She said they're happy for me to go home if I want but we're worried and she can knows it too, judging by her reaction, that I will yo-yo if I go home and I risk ignoring real labour because I'll write it off as normal.

Having the baby within the next week I'd be kept in between a week and until 36 weeks which is two weeks yesterday. If I hold out til 36 weeks I'd go straight home, but that's a big if! So really I've not got much more than a fortnight until I take her home. Staying isn't going to be for long, really.

Come on, there are some 36 weekers here! Someone has to beat me!

Hi everyone, MW app this morning and everything still fine. Have almost finished buying what I need for my hospital bag as well (although have yet to find an actual bag and pack it :)) and have my first antenatal class tomorrow. Starting to feel a little more prepared, now we just need to finish the utility room and sort out the nursery!

confuddled glad you're not going to be stuck in hospital too long.

Hi everyone. confuddled hope all goes ok for you.
Had my 2nd growth scan and all looks good - head is still down. My only concern now is that both the sonographer and the consultant commented on how much he/she had grown!! The measurements were taken twice bcoz she couldn't believe the change in just 6 weeks. I'm only 5' 3 and so really don't want a big baby!

Also been given Iron tablets as my levels were a little low - just need to take one a day to keep me topped up.

Hope all is ok with everyone - not long now!

What's everyone packing in their hospital bag? Got baby bag sorted pretty much but not my own...

Hi everyone, long time no speak (again!) as seem to have spent most of this pregnancy trying to move house. Lost one last week that we could have been in before the birth, which was heartbreaking but on the plus side means I can just spend the last few weeks of this pregnancy focusing on being pregnant (and doing little things like starting to choose names...) as this is supposed to be our last pregnancy so want to try and savour it, in between moaning about how big and uncomfortable I am! DS2 is also 2 tomorrow so really looking forward to having a family day together.

Glad to see that I haven't missed any births yet. Can't believe we are nearly at the point of some of our babies starting to arrive!

I think I saw somebody mention that there is another private group somewhere. Am I allowed to join? If so, can someone point me in the right direction?

Confuddled sorry to hear that you are in pain. I can't imagine how you are coping. I think at this stage having the baby might be better for you?

This weekend was spent doing baby shopping. I did a mammoth shop on Saturday and bought everything missing. DH remained at home with his head in his books as he has exams next week. He really wanted to join me but I think it was better he didn't as I was so slow walking around.

I had major contractions in Ikea on Sunday. I went on my own and ended up sitting down on a sofa for half an hour. It doesn't help that it roughly 30C everyday. With my higher blood pressure I am finding the heat harder to live with. I have had period like pains since Monday but will see the doctor tomorrow. While it would be nice for baby to stay put until after DH has his exams it wouldn't be the worst thing to have the baby before the humidity strikes.

As of tomorrow, we can all say we are due next month! Perhaps I need to finally pull my head out of the sand? [sticks head back in sand]

I had ds1 at 36 weeks which is next week this time if that helps you any confuddled. As long as I get my hair done all is fine.
I felt awful walking around Ikea when we went too, but do take it easy.
I have been getting period pains of an evening at times and baby feels loooooow. I also think I might have had a bit of a show but not sure as I have never had it before lol. All I seem to do at the moment is nap (or want to nap to be more accurate) but not able to sleep for too long 'cos it hurts. Am restless (uncomfortable) and can't eat and don't feel like eating but am thirsty.
DH reckons BabyTwit will be here in the next couple of weeks (duh am 35 weeks now so....). I kinda hope sooner than later (after my haircut obv) but that means nothing at the end of the day. Although reading back it does all sound a bit familiar.
We have no names either. \something to go with Nathan would be good if you can help at all.

Well I have read the thread and then gone to do other things so now I come to post I remember very little and of the things I do remember I can't remember who posted them but will do my best!!

So, who was asking about sex?! I think we're quite like mr and mrs confuddled here, I'd like it but dp very much put off by knowing how much it hurts me! And I have threatened (jokingly. ish... ) to go get it somewhere else but I think he doubts my pulling capacity at present, he may have a point . We have tried doing things, ahem, other ways but I have really strong, painful BHs after which puts both of us off a bit TBH! Although given the strength of the BH if I go overdue then we will be trying it as a means of getting things started whether he likes it or not.

Confuddled - Sorry things are dragging on so much for you, I hope it resolves one way or another asap. I am 36 weeks on Thurs and I promise if there was any way at all I could get this baby out now I would!!

Who was it linked to the pic of the Hungry Caterpillar cakes from their baby shower? The cakes are amazing! And did you say they matched your nursery? I'm very of people being able to decorate a dedicated nursery. We have redecorated the boy's room but it also has to suit a 7yo and a 4yo so is boring just red and blue.

And thats all I remember!

Had mw this morning, all fine. Baby still measuring 2 weeks bigger than what I am, she wrote in my notes that I am measuring persistently (or was it consistently? Summat like that anyway ) LFD which I assume can only be Large For Dates, but they're not doing anything about it. Next appt in 2 weeks when I will be 38 weeks

Can't remember the last time I posted, we did get our car back on Friday if I've not said that already. Very pleased, we drove it down to West Bay Friday evening for fish and chips which was very nice

And tomorrow I am having a visit from another MNer who I know from my due in April '07 AN and PN threads! Haven't actually seen her for nearly 2 years now (I think!!) so will be nice to catch up with her and her boys and have a day out somewhere. And now off to google for ideas of what we can do tomorrow as my pg brain is really letting me down and I can't think of anything!!

Pesha it was my sister that made the cakes - she's amazing at it, I keep trying to persuade her to give up nursing and do it full time!

We've just moved house from a 2 bed flat to a 3 bed house so room for a nursery is a big novelty - I keep going in and staring at everything! It's quite plain and white but we've got some hungry caterpillar stickers for the walls which have brightened it up, then if we get bored we can get some new stickers!

I've been put off sex by braxton hicks as well, and I just feel like a whale and not sexy at all!

Scarthy you'll be fine. Mum's genes prevent the baby from getting to big for her to deliver :) Make sure you get yourself some lactulose to go with the iron. I just got some sorted today, four days of co-dydramol every four hours - oops! I hadn't even noticed it had affected me!

Can you believe I don't have a bag packed? I've been relying on OH to bring me clothes in. Mum's been complaining I need to buy baby clothes but I couldn't bring myself to buy EB at least they have clothes here for the tiny ones.

Mad it's a Facebook group. I've been saying to PM me for the link but as I'm mobile I can't get in the group to link it. Anyone want to be a mod to help out while I'm here? I'll try and promote someone.

Supermum, it will stop the pain but the pain isn't a problem as far as hospital is concerned. Baby is happy and not trying to leave so they're not bothered.

Twit, sounds like you're my competition

Pesha, I could probably find some willing friends, I was offered natural induction last week (ie prostaglandins) and I think he'd actually do it if I asked (which of course I didn't take him up on!)

No updates here, have scan in the morning and hoping OH brings some clean clothes in for me! They went to buy fish this afternoon to surprise me when I get back (I just know there's fish obviously not seen them yet). It's my sister's birthday tomorrow so they're meeting Mum to get a present and some cards. I've asked her to consider having her meal around the corner so I can go. Will be nice to get out abd it might help things along!

I've just asked to go on the monitor. Been at about 3 minutes and quite strong for awhile and was being woken in the night. Trying not to get my hopes up!

Yay Fudster. Sounds promising. Fingers crossed for you.

Morning all, sorry to hear that there are lots of people uncomfortable now and not really enjoying the last bit. I am roughly the size of a house but am still managing to sleep very heavily, getting up in the mornings is a struggle, can't wait for mat leave to plan in an afternoon nap.

Have been trying to keep up with this thread a bit better, but annoying people keep giving me work to do, which is cutting into my MN'ing!

Am very to say I am not keeping up with you ladies in the sex stakes, poor DH has been on very short servings lately, have absolutely no interest whatsoever so have been trying to be a little selfless and take one for the team so to speak. I have never felt less sexy, well maybe when I was breast feeding DD, but either way, I am not keen!

Have had a manic weekend, finishing off the last of the renovations upstairs, so now we have a room that we can move DD into in a little while when she is ready for her big bed to free up the cot for the bump. Have started to pull out baby grows etc and got the nursing chair ready to go and the crib, is all starting to feel pretty real. Is nice not to have to really buy anything this time, especially if we have another girl, we are good to go clothes wise. Am hoping to make a better go a breast feeding this time round, managed 5 months mixed feeding last time with DD mainly due to sore nips that never got any better despite advice from NCT and La Leche, so hoping it will be different this time round, or at least my expectations are not as high and a little more realistic. Anyone else have problems feeding last time are going to try again this time round?

We are now onto building the garage and hopefully by the time I pop in 6 weeks that will be done, then we can focus on getting the garden sorted as it is like a derelict wasteland at the moment and I have lots of sitting in the garden planned for August/September weather permitting.

I can't believe I am 34 weeks today - this pregnancy has gone so quickly probably because we have been so busy with the house and DD. Only 8 more days left at work though, thank goodness!

Thinking of you confuddled, hope you are doing ok!

Been on the monitor for two hours! Second time this morning. Dr came on rounds and saw I was in pain so examined me and said I'm effacing. The monitor is rubbish but midwife has been feeling my tightening on and off so they're definitely regular and strong. Waiting to see what happens now.