Charters Anonymous Graduates Volume 2! – No more temping!

[Iwish]

A nice cosy place to accommodate our growing bumps and little wrigglers.

Ahhh stalking Do you remember chart stalking, and here we are now, stalking for baby news

spilt I have no intentions of pipping you to the post don't worry! Am quite happy to let this baby sit it out and put off the newborn sleepless nights and nappy related hell for a little bit longer! It's lovely in it's own chaotic way, but I sure do like the toddler phase better than the baby phase!

Hope you are all keeping well. terrys I can't seem to click on your name to see your MN profile where am I going wrong?

I'm ok. Just a waiting game now isn't it. And fending off people's rude comments about my size Due date exactly one month today for me.

I've had so many comments about my size recently Getdown - mainly along the lines of something 'helpful' like, 'gosh, really, 6 weeks to go? Well, some people are bigger than others, aren't they...' to which I really want to respond with something sarcastic but can never think of anything on the spot!

One of the ladies from my Hypnobirthing group had her baby yesterday - I'm dying to hear her story properly as I've only heard it from her doula so far, but it sounds pretty amazing. She'd planned a hospital birth, was in the bathroom at home doing her relaxing and breathing, husband and doula were there, and suddenly she gave birth! Neither had realised she was anywhere near close to it and apparently they both were really surprised to suddenly see the baby's head!! So it sounds like there wasn't even a midwife there. Anyway, she's well and the baby's fine too so a lovely story really and quite an advert for hypnobirthing, if she was so calm they didn't even realise they needed to phone the hospital!

Wow that sounds amazing pippa - really encouraging!! Am sooo hoping my hypnobirthing will help me have a great birth experience this time. Think it could be really healing mentally / emotionally. Not to mention better for baby and postnatal recovery too.

How are you? The size comments are incredible aren't they? At church this morning I had people say things like "a month to go? But you look ready to pop NOW?" and another lady stroked my bump and said "mark my words, there;s no more than 2 weeks to go there..." Like, err, you are the expert??! Some people eh?

I've started to actually feel a bit self conscious now when out and about

Have you had your refresher (fifth) session yet for hypnobirthing? Ours is this friday.

Me too getdown - am actually quite looking forward to the birth because of the hypnobirthing! Though every time I have a braxton hicks it takes me by surprise (I don't seem to have many - maybe a couple of times a week?) and it takes me so long to remember to breathe while going 'ow, ow, ow!' that it's over! Am guessing it will be different with the real thing though...

I feel a bit self conscious too. Do you notice people staring? I really want a t-shirt that says 'Yep, it's a baby...' It seems to be mostly women and it really freaks me out! The bump stroking/patting/touching drives me nuts too. The lady who told you her 'expert opinion' probably meant well (don't they all?! ) but it's bloody irritating all the same.

We had 5 hypnobirthing sessions in a row - is your final one separate from the rest of the course then? To be honest I felt a bit like she'd run out of stuff to say by the final one - we talked a lot about breastfeeding, and then she said 'this really isn't part of the course, it's just because I used to be a midwife that I'm telling you this...' but it was useful nonetheless. She did give out a really useful 'how often/when to practise' the various techniques which is v handy as it keeps me focused, and helps DH too as he can remind me when we need to practise a deepening exercise etc. Think she made it though rather than it being an approved Mongan 'worksheet' - if you want to have a look I can always post it here.

ok to make it easier - check out my blog post here

exciting

Oooo yes I'd love to see a schedule of what to practise when! That's where we are floundering a little now... we sit down in the evenings to practise and DH says "ok, what shall we do tonight?" and we both look a bit blank Sometimes we do the deepening one (where he drops my arm), sometimes a script, sometimes breathing, sometimes light touch massage, but it's all a bit random.... so your worksheet sounds like a fab idea!!

The fifth session was pitched to us more as a "refresher" and is a couple of weeks after we finished the previous session. Perhaps they all do it a bit differently I don't know. I expect it will just be more of the same though. Good that you got a bit of extra info on bfeeding, sounds like a bonus that your instructor was also a midwife. Our's used to be a social worker She is very nice though.

I know re. the bump staring!! I do feel quite self conscious esp out in public. Almost like people are thinking, what's she doing out, she could drop any moment! (they are probably not thinking that at all, but it's what's in my head that they are thinking!).

Awww lovely terrys

Terrys - AW! Gorgeous

OK, will try and make this a sensible format - don't know if it's possible to attach docs? Probably not.

BREATHING
Sleep breathing - practise 5 mins twice daily; use in between surges in labour and between J breaths

Slow breathing - practise 5 mins twice daily; use during surges in labour

Birth breathing (J breaths) - practise when having a poo; use whilst breathing baby out

VISUALISATION
Opening flower/cervix - practise last few days of pregnancy; use as needed during labour

Blue satin ribbons/waves/uterine muscles - practise last few days of pregnancy; use as needed during labour

Baby's position - display around house and practise daily

RELAXATION
Rainbow relaxation - practise daily; use as needed during labour

Birthing affirmations - practise daily; use as needed during labour

Progressive relaxation - practise daily; use as needed during labour

Deepening script - practise weekly then daily in last few weeks; use as needed during labour

Glove relaxation - practise weekly then daily in last few weeks; use as needed during labour

'Colour', breath, '3,2,1' - practise weekly then daily in last few weeks; use as needed during labour

Light touch massage - practise twice weekly; use as needed during labour combined with relaxation and deepening techniques

Hope that's helpful :) The 'colour' one was brand new in my last session - she'd only just received stuff from the Hypnobirthing Institute on it - and it's really good, but it doesn't have a snappy name!

Sorry, bit of a massive post

Thanks pip that's fab Will copy and paste over to word and print it out. x

terrys that is a GORGEOUS picture! It's amazing what they can see in there isn't it?

GetDown I remember the happy days of chart stalking. Infact I still have a number of charts saved in my bookmarks, not that I've checked them for a while.

Wow pippa an amazing birth story from your friend.

Re the bump comments, yes they are so irritating. Apparently I can't possibly be full term (No I just imagined I'd been pg for 9 months... and my scan 3 weeks ago that said baby was over 7lbs is clearly also a figment of my imagination). I met someone in the street last week who congratulated me on the bump and said "so you must be half way ish now?" Argh! No! I would sob if I was still only half way. I have been pregnant for 14 fecking months now!!! Plus a 5-6 week postnatal bleeding/leaking bit in the middle.

My raspberry patch has suddenly started producing glut style so shall be fruit picking today. Yum

But now I have checked those charts and saw digi got a BFP last week! So hoping for her and crossing things (apart from legs, can't manage those anymore!)

Ah spilt as you know the bump size bears little relation to the size / health of the baby. Probably just means you have fantastic toned stomach muscles. Unlike mine which are shot to pieces and clearly have given up holding anything in Will likely mean you get back into shape much quicker too, so here's a jealous face for you!

Great news about digi really hoping this is the one for her.

I've just gone to get my hair cut, in a bid for pre-baby organisation (less faff with washing / drying etc.) Unfortunately the hairdresser took me quite literally when I said "I'd like quite a bit off please" .... my own fault, but as she was chop, chop, chopping away I started to think eeeeek!

Had to smile because at the end they gave me a "loyaltly card" - if I go 15 times I get £5 off. That will take me approximately 15 years then

Ah Terrys what a beautiful picture! We're having a 4D scan on Saturday, so hoping all goes well.

I saw digi had a bfp (her 5th!) but she's on pretty hard-core private drugs (bean friendly), so fingers crossed.

Getdown have just seen your FB photo - don't worry, you look amazing. V If I looked like you, the consultant would be leaving me alone!

I've just found out that the risk of uterine rupture when attempting a VBAC is 0.34% (per NICE), yet the risk of cord prolapse for any birth is 0.67% (so both fairly rare events in any case), yet a home VBAC is not supported by consultants but cord prolapse, despite being more likely than a rupture is not discussed during assessment for a homebirth.
FFS go figure! I am now avoiding all consultant contact!

You are very kind GetDown. If I have strong stomach muscles it certainly through luck as I'm not known for exercising...!
Your haircut looks gorgeous, very classy
I really ought to have got mine done, it's been about 18 months... and is a straggly mess and far too long.

Getting all twingy here today. Lots more contractions but I suspect they are still BH as no real pattern to them and they can just disappear off for a couple of hours. Baby is all squirmy, far more than usual, it's like having a giant salmon-esque type fish trying to get comfy inside. I'm hoping she's busy engaging herself a bit more.
So I'm convincing myself it's all about to start but on the other hand, this happened Sunday before last, so it may just be wishful thinking.

MrsA those stats are fascinating, it's amazing how selective they are about the risks they panic over.

Gah, no luck. Just reporting that I have Not had a baby overnight
Time to get on hands and knees and scrub the hard floors...

Ah nevermind spilt I'm sure the twingy feelings are signs of gearing up. And she will be here before you know it!

What is the schedule now re. when they offer sweeps? Do you have to be overdue?

Yes I like to think it's a warm up
Sweeps are from 41 weeks here and they induce at 40+14, so ages before anyone tries to interfere. Hopefully it won't be necessary.

Hello ladies! How are you all?

Congratulations Lady, your birth story sounded lovely. I love the name Iris, it's beautiful, I had it on my girls names list.

And congratulations Nix on the birth of your baby boy!

Seth is 12 weeks old now and such a joy. The first 3 weeks were unbelievably hard with physically getting over the c-section, I found breastfeeding really tough, DH and I were like zombies and I was really emotional (and hormonal!) and down about the traumatic labour/birth. But time is a great healer (on MW's advice I made a complaint about the registrar who attended me, and writing it down made me feel much better), since then it's got easier and easier and I love being a mummy. Seth is beautiful, really content and smiley, and doing new things everyday. I never expected to feel so 'connected' to him, it's an amazing experience and I feel so lucky to have him.

I have mixed feelings about the sweep I had. It did kick things off and I went into labour about 5hrs later, but he had moved, so all my contractions were in my back and in 37hrs I never got past 4cm (I spend 90% of that time on all fours or leaning forward onto a bed, ball or chair with open pelvis to help him move down) :0( So I do wonder if I'd let nature take it's course would he have moved into a better position and got labour going himself, I'll never know. I was so impatient!

I planned a home water birth and managed 24hrs at home (with two long sessions in the pool, which did help the pain) but to be frank, I didn't give a flying f*ck where I was, as long as I had DH by my side, gas & air and privacy!! There were a few times I felt like I was losing the plot, but DH just needed to tell me how amazing I was doing and I got it under control again. Transferring into hospital has definitely cured my hospital phobia cos, apart from the registrar, I was so well cared for, I felt happy to be there after the op. and they gave me loads of breastfeeding advice and support.

Split I wish you a fabulous labour and birth any day now! Relax, go with the flow and soon enough you'll have your beautiful little girl in your arms.

I'm thinking about you all xx

newyears lovely to hear from you and how well you are both doing now. You sound like you've taken to motherhood duck to water style now
Such a shame that the first few weeks were made so much tougher by having to deal with the physical recovery from a section and the birth being so utterly different to how you'd planned. You sound like you are doing a great job of working through that though, I hope time continues to heal things for you emotionally.

I can identify with what you say about being in hospital helping with your fear of hospitals. Going in to have Bobbie last year is actually what makes me feel comfortable about going back to hospital this time round. I was really scared before, but was so well looked after and felt very safe and it means I can be ok about planning a hospital birth this time (which is good because that's what the consultant wants me to do).

Well, floors are scrubbed.

Well at least I have nice clean floors anyway

Ooooooh, getdown, I love your new hair! Mine is a bit like that too but requires the use of straighteners to not look like I've been dragged through a hedge so I'm wondering whether I should let it grow a bit as don't think I'll have time for that kind of thing once baby is here!

Lovely to hear from you newyears, glad that things are going well now after the initial difficulties. I can't believe its been 12 weeks already!

spilt, hope you're enjoying your nice clean floors. I am going to try out your brownie recipe as well, sounds delicious. I need to start doing some cooking and freezing but I just never seem to find the time. Only 6.5 weeks left of work, can't wait. Just hoping that baby doesn't get too keen and arrive early!

I have booked on a hypnobirthing course. As I dithered about whether to do it for so long I will be 35 weeks before I start on the course, so quite late. I think (hope) it will be worth it though.

MrsP I am sure it will be worth it - I was sooo sceptical and cynical (and probably a hellish student) at first but I am really a fan now. (Pre birth of course, hah!) (Also on a totally different note, whenever I see posts by you I do a little double take because I'm a Mrs P too and it's what my kids at school call me - I always think, eh, I didn't write that...before I remember you're not me...if that makes sense!?)

newyears 12 weeks have gone so fast! Glad to hear things are looking up now. Are you getting much sleep? (My big fear as someone who could easily sleep 12 hours a night!)

Spilt are your floors staying clean though? I keep cleaning things and then quietly fuming at DH when he does something unreasonable like, oh I don't know, walking on the floor, or putting his hand on a door handle, and having to clean everything again

Do any of you use Graze? I've just started getting their boxes and they're amazing! I don't like the sweet stuff much but the rest of it's amazing. One of my friends recommended them as she says once I've had the baby I'll need easy things to snack on (and I'm greedy ). If anyone wants to try them click this link and you'll get a free box, plus I'll get £1 off a box too-bonus!

www.graze.com/p/FQ3JR2G

Oh! Is that advertising? I don't work for them I swear!

pippa he's having a growth spurt at the mo so it's taken a step backwards, but last night he went to sleep at 7.30pm and I fed him 9.30pm, 1am, 4.30am and up at 7.45am. If he wakes at 6am I'm lucky that DH gets up with him and wakes me up when he needs a feed, and if I feed him before 7am I go back to bed for an hour and DH has daddy time! Before the growth spurt he was managing a long 1st sleep from 7.30pm till 12, then 3am, 6am. Hopefully we'll be back there again soon.