Due August 2011, the waiting is nearly over, who will be the first to pop?!?!?

[KLou111]

On the final stretch ladies, the waiting is nearly over for the arrival of our beautiful bundles of joy :)

Huge congrats to klou ohanotherone and bebemoo

Wow bebemoo what a story! Certainly one to tell the grandkids ;) and what a beautiful name for your daughter.
Well done Klou, glad that you finally have your bubba. And a boy - how lovely, let us know his name when you've chosen.

Wooohoooo!! Congrats Klou, ohanotherone and bebemoo ! Love the birth stories!!

I never told you mine so I will now if you don't mind... I'm expressing and have nothing better to do!

Went to bed on 19th July as usual - had been out to the theatre with friends, lovely evening. Woke up at 2:30am thinking that I needed a wee and when I started to sit up there was a bit of a leakage 'down there'. I was a bit as it didn't feel normal but got up and went to the loo anyway. Returned to bed and attempted to wake DH as I was pretty sure my waters had broken. Eventually managed to stir him enough to tell him and to check that he agreed that I should call the hospital. Rang antenatal assessment centre who said that it was prob just me wetting myself (!!!!) and to keep an eye on it and call back in a couple of hours if I'd lost much more. Lay in bed for the next two hours not daring to move but gradually more and more fluid was appearing. Got up for the loo again at 4:30 and had a proper gushing event (sorry if TMI). Woke DH more assertively this time and told him it was deffo my waters and then rang the hosp again who said to come in - but to take my time, have a shower etc! Had said shower, packed the car and off we went to hospital, got there about 5:30am. Was hooked up to fetal heart monitor - always a nightmare with twins as they can never find two - which was a complete non-success. Doctor eventually checked me over at about 8am and confirmed that my waters had broken but said that she couldn't make the decision about whether I would deliver that day or just be given antibiotics, we had to wait for the consultant who started at 9am. At 9:05am I was told the decision was to deliver the babies and I was whisked up to labour ward at 9:15am. There was then an absolute whirlwind of people talking to me, taking blood, putting consent papers under my nose to sign, gowning up, quick photos and then I was in the operating theatre by 9:50am. Lots of people introducing themselves (can't remember any of them now!!), foxy TED stockings hauled on, tried again to find both heartbeats (couldn't find one of them for aaaaaaggges, proper heart-in-mouth moment) then before I knew it the anaestheatist was jabbing the needle in my spine and I lost all feeling. Once I was opened up I could feel all sorts of tugging and yanking - all very weird sensations - and it was about 10 minutes before Madeleine was born. I will never forget seeing her emerge from the other side of the drapes or forget her first cry. I burst into tears immediately - it was the best sound I'd ever heard. The stupid anaetheatist took my glasses off me straight away and wiped my eyes and I shouted at her because I actually missed my first sighting of Madeleine because she was just a blur. I was totally engrossed in what was happening with her and then all of a sudden a tiny Sophia arrived from behind the drapes but she wasn't making any noise. Then she coughed up some kind of gunk (nice!) and started bawling!! My instant reaction to Sophia was that she was too tiny and would never survive. How wrong I was, she is a feisty one!!

So that was that really. I carried on being stitched up whilst the girls were weighed and checked over, then they were whisked off to special care with DH and I was left all on my own in theatre thinking 'this is all very surreal' as I wasn't due to have the babies for another 2 weeks! Then I spent 5 loooooooooong hours in recovery without my babies which was hideous but they were well worth the wait!

I've just noticed the mish mash of my story!! Not sure what's gone on there!
Still bloody in hosp, peeved, was quiet last night but busy today so the peado couldn't get round us all, and went home leaving some of us not checked so couldn't go home. Ward quiet at the mo so hope can get some sleep.
Really wanted to go home, never been in hosp before. Dh was in bits leaving us which was really upsetting.
Mum and dad been though for a.couple of hours and are besotted!

MrsS that's a lovely story, bet it seems an age ago now!!

awwww lovely stories! might aswel right mine up too in a min, waiting for dh to come home from inlaws and all kids are asleep

klou that is a shame you had to stay in just because of the dr being too busy to do the baby checks! hopefully they will do straight away in the morning so your free to go

okay here is my birth story

Went in on the friday morning to be induced, was really empty when we went in and they did the first prostin gel almost straight away so i was thinking 'wow they are efficient in here' (had a LOT of waiting around when induced for ds1) and I thought probably would not be too long then til ds was born. I was 1cm then as I had been since I had sweep on the monday. After the few hours that they give to see if any progress happened, still nothing really had started so they came back to put another gel and still wasnt able to break waters, still 1cm, so had to keep waiting again. The whole day went pretty much like that just waiting around. When it got in the evening they wanted to see if they would be able to break the waters and move me over to labour ward. One midwife tried but she was not able to reach cos the cervix was very far back? so she decided to do an 'agressive sweep' which reallyyy hurt more than contractions and more than ds coming out!! Seriously she was not joking about the aggressive part! But i think it did have some effect as contractions started to become stronger after that, as previously only had them very mild and bearable. So they sent me through to the labour ward, and unfortunately I did have to go on the monitors for constant fetal monitoring and also have a canula in just for some hydration fluids (seemed a bit pointless to me?) so was not able to stay active at all, but just stuck on the bed. which was what i really hadn't wanted, but i was quite tired by then as it was coming up to midnight, so i just thought oh well whatever, didnt want to be walking around and active at this time of night anyway..
They tried again to break the waters but again she wasnt able to cos of the cervix being far back so hard to reach and was really hurting me, even though I had gas and air for the midwife doing it, they were finding it really hard to manage, so they offered me did I want to have an epidural. As I was still only 2-3cm and by that time starting to be in more pain i decided to go for it. I was feeling quite disheartened only 2cm after all that time so I was thinking to myself this is gonna be really long and difficult just like ds1 :( but atleast i had my gas and air while waiting for the epidural guy to come, i really love the gas and air i was thinking ill try and get some sleep once epidural is in, but not really easy to sleep in labour and also with back to back babies it does not seem to block the back pain out properly for me, same as with ds1 but it did make a big improvement so was a relief to have it in. dh appeared to be sleeping quite a bit but i thought best leave him to it otherwise he would be too tired the next day and didnt want him sleeping in instead of getting in to visiting hours on time. so just continued through the night in labour but the midwife i had did not seem great at multi tasking and one time she was trying to concentrate more on the baby monitoring, i reminded her couple of times to top up the epidural but she forgot and it totally wore off! which was horrible as i was still stuck on the bed so not able to move around or anything and the pain was strong by that point, so had to quickly grab the gas and air back and another one came on to cover for that midwife who seemed bit more efficient and also gave me higher doses of the epidural which was better
I didnt have to go on the syntocinon drip as things seemed to be getting on okay without it, by early morning i was 9cm, then the midwives changed over staff from the night into the day staff and they had hardly been in the room long when i was feeling a lot of downwards pressure from the baby, i was thinking might need to push soon. One of the midwifes was trying to get his heartbeat on the monitor but said its hard because he is really really low down, then i said yes he does feel really low, and all of a sudden his head just popped out!!!
He really took me by suprise because I did not even have to push him he just pushed himself out, and they put down second stage as 0 minutes.
The midwife took him as he was just coming out and lifted him up to me and I just felt so overwhelmed and amazed, he was really tiny and beautiful, and i was so relieved because he made the last part so easy even though the earlier bit of labour was not so great. Was really emotional. Then we were given ages to have skin to skin, feed him and just spend time with him before having to weigh him or do the vitamin k and all that.

Thinking about it, I already wana do it all over again! lol. Missing having a bump already too, cos it seems weird to have noone in there, although obviously its nicer really to have him out here were I can snuggle him ,

Thanks for sharing your stories ladies! I can't quite believe I'm going to have to do that though!! Hasn't quite sunk in yet...

After spending the last week wondering when baby will come out I'm now trying to mentally will her to stay in - I woke up yesterday with an absolutely stinking cold, it's not that easy to breathe as my nose is blocked etc, also keep missing things DH says because my ears are blocked. Really don't want to go into labour until things improve in that department! Chances are I probably won't anyway but it's still in the back of my mind after the weird period pain-y night I had the other night.

Congrats on all new babies.Klou if the only reason they're keeping you in is for paed checks you could always discharge yourself and get your GP to do them.

I'm 39 + 1 now and really uncomfortable. Hips really hurt in bed so am sleeping on sofa. Having to use tens machine most days for backache. Not helped by the fact that I bent down to talk to DS yesterday and he pusahed me over in a temper so landed in a bump on my ar*e! Ouch ouch :(

Congratulations ladies and thanks for sharing your stories. Amazing! I was in floods of tears by the last! DH didn't know what to do with himself.

Can I ask something...I'm now 39+1 and today has been a really bad day! I've had full on nausea all day long and unable to eat (which is v unlike me!) with some diarrehea (TMI sorry) this morning. Struggled to get out of bed. I then got back ache low down and have had pains all over throughout the day. Nothing regularly in one area apart from the back ache. The baby has been moving so much too that it's now really uncomfortable.

I called the mw at the delivery suite this afternoon to ask their opinion and she didn't seem to think it meant anything. Hence then I read all your stories and burst out crying, feeling thoroughly fed up. Why go through all this for nothing!? I don't understand why I feel so bad. Spent the day on the sofa!

So sorry for the moan but really hoping someone may have experience of this?

Hi girls,
Just popping on quickly to say I gave birth to a baby boy on Friday at 2:02pm, weighing 6lb 14oz. We have called him Joshua James and he's just scrumptious! Birth very quick in the end, will give you the details when I have a minute. We came home yesterday and seem to be doing ok, though he seems to get very bad wind. We can't get him to sleep anywhere other than on us due to it - any top tips?? I'm breastfeeding him if that makes a difference?
I haven't had chance to catch up on all the news so congrats to everyone who has had babies and good luck to those still waiting xxx

Huge congrats Betty - wonderful news! Lovely name too x

congrats Bettyboo xx

Bettyboo - HUGE congratulations! Well done and I LOVE the name. Joshua and James are two of my fave boys names.

Rugbywidow - I'm no expert but it sounds suspiciously like you're heading towards labour to me... you seem to have a lot of the warning signs! Any 'show' yet? Sorry you're feeling so rubbish though, I sincerely hope it isn't for long. Keep us posted and moan away if you need to x x

Congratulations bettyboo lovely name x
rugbywidow im also 39+1 and im feeling very similar to you yesterday and today, my back is really achy ive had really strong BH that go on for hours then wear off and a really heavy achy feeling really low down, my hips are killing and turning in bed is agony! im also absoloutly knackered and constantly crying!!! ive been 11 days and 14 days overdue with my other 2 so im sure ill go over again ive been wondering/hoping they could be early signs? hope you feel a bit better tomorrow x

Congrats to Betty and bebemoo and klou (and sorry if I've forgotten anyone! It's been a busy week for these births! Very jealous)
Rugby - I think that sounds like something starting for you love... The body naturally clears itself out for labour (diarrhoea) and the pains and backache just need to settle into something. Bet you you've got your baby in a couple if days :)
Utterly still nothing occurring here, goddamn it! 39+5 now. Am sending myself mad analysing every twinge, and just cannot see what I'm going to do to amuse myself this week - the house couldn't be any cleaner, I've rearranged the baby's stuff too many times now, read all my books... Someone give me an idea?!
Thing is, I need her to get the he'll out as my SPD has ramped itself up to insane levels this week, and if she's not here by Wed I can't go to my brother's wedding on the 27th. And if that happens I'm going to cry, a lot :(
Hope all's going well for everyone else, sending lots of labour vibes to all x

Congratulations betty! Babies are often a bit 'mucusy' in the first few days of life hence the problem with wind. I've found that it helps to raise the head end of their mattress and to cuddle upright on your chest after feeds. Try to keep his back as straight as possible when winding him too. He probably loves the comfort of being on your chest too, I really wouldn't worry about that at this early stage.

Thanks MrsStevo, Never and Jennifer. You've made me realise that at least we're going in the right direction! I think I was just feeling a bit emotional when I spoke to the mw who said it was nothing. Urgh.

Never it sounds like we have the same symptoms so hopefully it won't be long for you either! Really hope neither of us goes overdue if we feel like this now!!

I feel a bit better today. Back is killing but the nausea isn't as bad as yesterday and managed some cornflakes this morning. General aching everywhere is a bit weird and I just keep thinking that if I carry on like this I won't have the energy to give birth! DH has gone to work today so Mum is coming down which I'm v grateful of. Hope she'll be able to take my mind off it a bit.

Hope everyone else who's waiting is coping ok. x

congratulations all, well done on those who have their bundles.

39 w here, and this baby has no intention of moving. any tips to evict him would be greatfully received, DS was spontaneous & early.

Not sure if something is happening for me or whether I have those signs that labour is a couple of weeks away...I'm having period type of pains, quite thick discharge (clear) that could be the plug ?? I'm ridiculously hormonal and have that "due on" feeling, sharp pains really low down, a weighty feeling 'down there' (although doesn't feel like the bowling ball I've been described) and am just exhausted...maybe this could all be ongoing signs and I could be a week or 2 away though?? (oh and my cat now runs up to me whenever I am home and this morning was actually sleeping in my room which is so wierd! I keep saying "what do you know, eh?")

I'm only 38+1 so probably not there yet

Oh and how can I forget the most delightful 'symptom' of the last few days-the hot flushes! Jeez I am not looking forward to menopause!! Anyone else get that 'literally dripping' thing before labour???? MW said it's just hormones but they seem like new hormones to me!!!

Annie hadn't thought about the hot flushes really but now that you mention it, the last couple of nights in bed I have been BOILING hot, even though it's not as hot as it was a couple of weeks ago. It's not very nice and does affect sleep. Glad it's not just me then.

im having a health and hygeine nightmare, a few days ago we discovered the dogs had fleas because me and only me has been bitten around 25 times then i saw one on one of the dogs legs, immediatly went into panic mode have treated the dogs, washed everything possible, sprayed all rooms etc but i still feel like there here as i have 4 new bites this morn on my stomach, the 1 dog who does go upstairs has not been allowed for days, the dogs are not itching and thier treatment should of worked instantly, maybe im just paranoid but the last thing i want to bring my baby home to is a flea pit! no one else has been bitten tho?

Then to top it all off ds has had a bit of a sore bottom since sat, then took hin to nursery this morn and he needed a poo as soon as we got there so i took him and there were threadworms in it!!!!!! uurgh so ive now spent all morning, disinfecting every surface and door handle possible washing all the bedding towels and cushions again, hoovering mopping etc etc when all i want to do is rest! now on way to chemist to get the tablets for everyone but i cant have them, luckily i have no symptoms so im hoping weve found them in time.

i dont even want to bring the baby here i feel like its all horrible, i wish someone would just come and take the dogs all they do is make a mess, smell and bring me problems that i really dont need.

sorry for the moan moan moan x

Hi everyone, well still waiting, now 40+9!!!
Had an attempted sweep on Saturday but my cervix was too posterior so could not do sweep. Induction booked for Tuesday at 2.30pm to start pessary gel, so was hoping something might kick off before then. Me and hubby DTD on Saturday after attempted sweep, and yesterday thought I had a bit of a show. Rand MW as she said she would come and do a sweep at home today if I wanted, thought it would be worth trying one more as desperate not be induced. Well, it was a success! have gone from cervix being posterior to now being fully effaced and was shocked to find I am 2cm dilated. I have had no BH or contractions whatsoever so was very pleased
Still advised to go in tomorrow where they will examine me and if things have progressed may avoid being induced, so fingers crossed things progress today.

Hope everyone else with and without babies are coping okay x

Good Luck jspark
Rugby looking back I had all those symptoms before this labour so good luck too.
Congrats betty. I often end up with ds3-good god I cannot believe I have three sons-on me but am just going with it while he is tiny and feeding all the time.

Fingers crossed jspark!

Rugby, with DS I cleared myself out before the birth. I'd suffered horrific constipation all pregnancy, so it was quite strange for me to suddenly go the other way. DS was born a few days later.

I've also been getting night sweats. I thought they only appeared after the birth (just to make you feel even leakier) so I've been a bit pissed off about it.
If I had to describe the 6-8 weeks post partum in one word, it would be leaky. Mad sweating, lochia, leaky nipples, dribbling in my sleep, crying. It's all there.

Amazing birth stories on here, I feel quite tearful reading them all. Congratulations to everyone. Good luck for everyone still waiting. Will try to do a birth story but Amber needs feeding now...