October 2011 Baby Bus... PART 4

[happymummytobe]

A new thread for the bus!

Opps my second post as I keep missing this thread!

Is anyone else finding the school run a nightmare who has to do one?!

Hi all,

I was on the bus further up, possibly even on the last thread now! My due date is 14th October with dd3, and I was booked in for my 3rd section on the 10th. However, I mentioned at my consultant appointment 2 weeks ago when I went to get my section date that I wasn't happy with the baby's movements as I don't get 10 a day and those that I do get aren't very powerful. They scanned me and agreed she didn't move much so called me back 2 days later for a CTG and another check up yesterday.

Well at this appointment they scanned me and said she hadn't grown and my amniotic fluid was down from the last scan. Then another consultant scanned me and agreed and finally I was sent for a 3rd scan with a different consultant. Together, they made the decision to deliver the baby tomorrow. So I am having a September baby, 4 weeks early.

I had a steroid injection yesterday to mature her lungs and my pre op, and I am back in this morning for another lot of steroids and another CTG to monitor her heartbeat. The concern is now that my placenta is failing so we need her out sooner rather than later to keep her safe .

It was bizarre as I was still working as a teacher and had only popped out for the routine appointment. After the first scan I said to my consultant that I'd better ring work and tell them I'd be late back, and he smiled and said I wouldn't be going back to work, that was pretty bizarre! Work were great about it, but I still feel bad for not going and saying goodbye to everyone, trying up loose ends and explaining to my class about having a baby. (Most of them don't know, as they are only 6 years old and I don't really have a bump yet.)

I think what has concerned me, is that I last saw my MW at 28 weeks and she wasn't concerned about movements. When I went to consultant to get my section date at 33 weeks, they didn't even measure my bump until I mentioned almost as walking out the door about the reduced movements, and then it was all systems go. I'm not booked to see my midwife agin until 36+4 (which I will obviously cancel now as little lady will already be here!), so that could have been 8 weeks between appointments without being measured when I had a failing placenta and I'd mentioned reduced movements. I can't help thinking how it could be a different story... Thank God the consultants have been so good.

I didn't get a wink of sleep last night (well, manged 2 broken hours, good practice, hey? ) and nearly ended up ringing the labour ward as I had a chronic headache, pains in my back and tightenings, but I talked myself out of it, and am glad now as everything seems to have settled down this morning.

Sorry for the me, me, me post. I hope you are all well and gearing up for D day too! I will pop back on and lurk as I have been, to see when the other babies come along . Best of wishes to you all for quick deliveries and healthy babies.

Morning all,

cupofteaplease wow that is a quick development and good job they picked things up - it just tells you how important it is to monitor the movements! I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow, try not to worry and best of luck. Let us know when the baby is here (first one - how exciting!!) :)

BB3 & Scheherzade thanks for the reassurance re growth scan. I called yesterday to book an appointment for next week with the same midwife to measure me as advised by hospital and they have let me book the appointment but have said that they cannot guarantee that it will be the same mw!! Isn't that what's caused the problems in the first place - two different people having measurements all over the place...

I didn't sleep very well, I feel really stressed out by all of this, baby seems to have picked up on this and has been really quiet, still moving and pushing but having longer quiet periods.. I don't really want to be panicked and go for monitoring as the baby is moving, but these medical professionals have really scared me now I feel such a mess!!

monkeybubbles - read your blog - wow I am glad you are out now and at home so you can relax!

Hope everyone else is feeling ok today!

Morning all, I have been crippled with pelvic pain last night and so far today mine seems to be right at my tailbone and pubic bone and shooting pains down my right leg! it's even sore to sit down!

Think I'll have to send DS to his gran's today.

Sorry to hear about your failing placenta! (on iPhone so can't reply directly) at least they have now noticed it and doing something about it, best of luck for your section and hope DD arrives safely!

I'm now sick of being pg and in pain and neglecting DS so how can I try to induce labour? And would it be safe? 35+3 today

Penelope yeah when I saw mw on tue, she said if I want baby here before due date in two weeks, I must get on the ball, swim and walk as much as I can to open up my pelvis. As she isn't quite engaged yet, she said I need to try all I can to get her to move down or I'll be looking at going over due date. Think all in, I was prob walking around for a few hrs, just in and out shops, up 3 flights of stairs (lift was broke ) and then I washed the car! Madness lol. Normally quite active through the day with my job as a nanny but this is my 2nd week of mat leave so just trying to keep busy. Fingers crossed!!

cupoftea oh my goodness, how very scary but also very exciting that your little girl will be here 2mrw!! Must have been a very nervous wait at the hospital. First baby of the bus

I had a much better sleep last night. Didn't wake once . Having a day in the house, got ton of housework to get through so that should keep me busy, then I'll be back on that ball for more bouncing and rocking .

Will check back later!!

Yaaaaaay cupoftes official first baby of the bus!!! Well unless someone pips you today! Good luck. Hope DD3 arrives safely and do keep us posted.

Edward id say it's a tiny bit early - maybe try and keep LO in for another week although so far my labour inducing (bouncing on trampoline, hot curry, pineapple, hot baths etc) is producing no effects.

Penelope I couldn't managed 2x30 mins a day not of solid walking - I try an keep active (do a bit of housework each day, potter around) but even that requires significant rest afterwards so not that exercise level here anyway!

bubalie must be so, so frustrating. Hope someone can put your mind at rest soon.

penguin thanks - a lot of people in our family haven't spoken until late and some of my most vocal friends didn't speak until well into their 3rd or 4th year. But as you said I'm worried about making it worse by trying to pigeon hole him now. If he needs speech therapy I'll het it for him. I'll pay private to make sure it happens quickly but there is so much more to him i dont want the focus to be all about talking!

I'm with you all on pelvic pain my right hip is completely shot to pieces!!!!

I have finally read to the end after trailing behind for at least a week! Yay! Every time I log on there are three more pages

cupoftea goodness that sounds scary. Thank goodness the consultants swung into action. Best of luck for tomorrow. I must say that I agree the MW-led care can seem very hands-off, especially if this isn't a first pg. The 6-week gap between 28w and 34w seemed very long and every time I do feel a little rushed in-and-out.

Do hop back on the bus and let us know how it goes! We will have to start a baby stats list!

Edward I tried everything, and I mean absolutely everything, to shift DD when she was overdue. I walked for hours, scrambled over rocks on the beach, ate spicy food, drank cumin tea and ate raw basil (read that on the net ), we were shagging like rabbits and in a position designed to deposit semen right on my cervix (DH loved it - me not so much), and I was shoving oil of evening primrose capsules up my fanjo every night. Oh yes and I even took castor oil when she was 10 days over, as I was getting worried that I wouldn't be allowed my HB. Nothing worked. She came when she was ready - 2 weeks over exactly

BB3 my brother didn't speak until he was 3 years old, mum was very worried but he's fine now He had two older sisters and just used to point and we'd get whatever it was he wanted. Also my cousin's DS wasn't really speaking at 2.5 but he's 3 now and speaks fine. So (I know it's almost impossible) do try not to worry too much.

I'm with you all on the not sleeping, and can't see how I'll cope with a newborn after another 5 weeks of this lack of sleep Was in tears yesterday afternoon thinking about it. Thankfully DD had a much better last night last night and so did I - only 3 wee breaks, woo hoo!

34+5 (but saying 35 to make myself feel better)

cupofteaplease wow! that sounds like quite the shock! you sound incredibly calm, considering everything. i'm so excited for you, i'll be thinking good thoughts for you tomorrow :)

Bubalie I hope that you get to see the same midwife next week, i feel the same about getting conflicting information from different midwives and doctors. It just makes it all so much more stressful!

EdwardorEricCantDecide that pain sounds horrible, hope you can have a restful day and that it helps.

BB3 I'm a nursery school teacher, and we've had plenty of children that don't speak when they start with us. I certainly wouldn't be concerned about your DS, but if you think they're pressuring him then maybe you should try to make an appointment to chat with him. You're absolutely right that pushing him and focusing on it will only make it worse.

i had more contractions, from about 5pm until this morning. i managed to sleep through them, but woke up with quite a sore back and feeling tight and crampy. i can't stop googling 'difference between braxton hicks and contractions' and trying to determine what's going on. they're definitely not regular intervals, but they are sometimes painful / uncomfortable so I'm just not sure.

36 weeks today, does that mean I'll have these contractions for at least another week?

cupoftea Good luck for tomorrow. Scary and exciting! Glad everything was picked up on though.

BB3 Apologies in advance for epic post, but communication is my specialist subject. I'm a speech therapy assistant, it's with adults with learning disabilities though so don't know a huge amount about kids, however I've worked with an elective mute, and I have/had a painfully shy DD.
Your attitude is spot on. Concentrate on all the other things about DS and don't make a big issue of his speech or it will put pressure on him. Ask school to do the same too, gentle encouragement is good, but don't try to force him. If he does end up needing speech therapy they won't put pressure on him either.

Another technique which may seem like a drastic idea at first, but might help, is signing.... or just using your body language and natural gesture more. It's what I did with the elective mute, and by giving her a different communication method she doesn't have the pressure now to speak and it's massively improved her confidence.
If you want to go down the formal signing route Mr Tumble is a good place to start, he does Makaton, which is also what most of the Baby Signing is that they do in a lot of nurseries now, but gestures and body language are just as good (and in a lot of cases the same as Makaton anyway.)

As for DD when she started nursery last September she was just 3, she would happily skip across the road, but when it came to being left she would cry... for 6 weeks! For 6 months DH had to find a teacher to hold hands with her before she would let go of his.
We had a settling in meeting when she'd been there 6 weeks and we asked about her speech because she has the usual problems that many young children do (can't say K or G... plus loads more) The teachers told us that she very rarely spoke because she was so shy... to the extent it was written in her record book on the odd days she did speak. Even at the 6 month parents evening they still said they had to encourage her lots to speak.
But we knew she was happy there (once the first 10 minutes were over) because she'd rabbit on at home about what she'd done.

She's in reception this year, and it's a small school so she has the same teachers as last year. They can't get over how much she's changed in a year... particularly the last 6 months. We've even had comments about how confident she is now!!!

She still gets shy occasionally but she'll actually speak to people in shops now and she's fine with her Grandparents, Aunts, Uncle etc (except my brother but he's 6' 2", bearded and has a loud booming voice.... most people are scared of him :o )

Cocoflower The school run for me is a case of crossing the road walk up the car park and cross the playground. Some days though the walk up the car park feels like I'm climbing Everest. :o

I don't ache as much today... but it's going to be a quiet day as I've lost my voice. Now off to have a shower, pack hospital bags, and clear a corner of our bedroom for the carrycot.

Afternoon all.

cupoftea good luck for tomorrow. They do seem to be on the ball (consultants that is). I hope you're all prepared - but then, is anyone?! (please don't answer that!) Wow, this is really real?! We're having babies!

I keep finding things to add to my list of things to get. Someone mentioned nappy bins... Need to order the pram and car seat today. Someone mentioned they were having problems with the Boots 20% off deal - I'm having the same so need to call them in a minute.

Having a much needed day off as I have loads of flexi time I want to use up before I go. Struggling to concentrate at work due to sleeping problems, like everyone else it seems! Now my right lower back (or upper bum) is really giving me problems. Painful to walk on sometimes, esp when I get up. Feel like an old woman!

We had our fluid scan yesterday (not sure if I mentioned but at our second growth scan (bump too small) they discovered the fluid was low). Fluid has gone up, still not to normal levels but saw the consultant for the first time and she was not concerned and asked us to go back in three weeks, rather than next week. Then they will then re-assess and let us know if we can have LO in birthing centre or need to come into hospital. Happy either way, as long as baby OK. Trying to be as open minded as possible as I don't want to get fixated on having a specific birth and then it doesn't happen.

Who was asking about NCT? (Can't find the post now). We finished ours last week. Everyone was very friendly. Can't help but think I'll have forgotten some of the technical stuff by the time I need it though. Also did the 2 hour NHS class last night. Was impressed at how much info they stuffed in to such a short session.

34+4 today. 6 days left at work! (Baby's just kicked his approval at that!)

penelope exercise? ha. i can barely walk and get up and down the stairs. i exercised a lot before i got pregnant with twins last year (more than 6 times a week) and i was hoping to continue throughout- but never stood a chance. if i walked too fast, i would be in agony with ligament pain. going to have to make up for it when im finally not pregnant!

im with scones well maybe not with the sex bit! but i think you can try whatever you want, they still come when they want

bubalie so sorry you are feeling that way. i know its no use telling you not to worry- people tell me all the time, but it makes no difference and even annoys me! but i hope someone is able to put you at ease asap. x

cupoftea sorry its not under better circumstances- but yay! to having your baby girl tomorrow. i bet you are getting excited- if a little nervous. i hope you can tell us all about it, as we will all be waiting in anticipation. good luck. x

bb3 its such a shame for lo's sometimes. i dont know anything about speech therapy- bilblio sounds very clued up for you- but i did study child psychology (though still no expert) and when they are upset/confused/anxious etc and have no way of expressing it, either cos they dont yet speak that well or they just dont know how to articulate their feelings they do pour out their emotions in other ways- ie, anger, aggression, not speaking, not eating etc.
hopefully when the babies are born he will enjoy having them and may feel less threatened/confused or whatever it is he is feeling.
my dd1 was nearly 10 when her siblings arrived and she felt very left out . she wrote it all in a letter to me......bless.

Thanks everyone for nice messages, I think I have calmed myself down now and the baby has been active stretching loads today so feel much better now :), but it is so nice when there are people here that understand all the anxieties and frustrations of being told and advised different things by different mw and doctors etc..

TallyBear it was me that Boots 20% off Parenting Club Voucher didn't work. I e-mailed them and asked them and they said to place an order and once the order has been delivered they will refund the 20%. So last week I ordered a buggy and the car seat - it all came up to £440 which i paid. I got delivery 2 days later and I've called them on Monday with the reference number they gave me on e-mail and they are refunding £88 to my card. Hope you can do the same!

I also loved our NCT classes, we had them on Friday and Saturday and then 2 hours on Tuesday on breastfeeding. I really found them beneficial and think we will make some good friends with people from the class. We are all due in October, so we are planning a reunion (with the teacher) once all the babies are here which i think is really nice. I would definitely recommend.

cupoftea- It's good that they've decided to get your little one out, otherwise could have jeopardized her in the long run. Good luck for your c-section tomorrow :)

Edward I've had pelvic pain for ages now and I'm not sleeping because of it so its definitely one of the reasons I want the baby out! But Im 37+2 and have only today started the labour inducing stuff! I would wait until your 36 to start! Raspberry leaf tea, fresh pineapple, pineapple juice, hot food and going for drives over speed humps are all good for starting labour.

I had a scan today to check babies position as the baby was breech and also to check my fluid levels as they are high..Baby is head down, but fluid levels are still very high..and the movement is slightly reduced so they are going to induce me at 40 weeks on the 4th of October yay!!! They say if I go into labour before that I have to go into hospital because of the increased level of fluids! Baby is now 7lb 13oz at 37+2 ! Im in for a big baby!

Afternoon all!

cupoftea - exciting news, good luck for tomorrow! Can't believe first one will be here soon. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Bubalie - glad you are feeling more positive. Worrying seems to be a compulsory part of pregnancy especially when medical staff don't explain things. I am having a worrying day today, but I'm sure it is just because I have nothing to do with ds at nursery, and being up to date with shopping and chores. Well, all the interesting shopping and chores! Looked over my notes and saw that my urine sample last week was positive for protein and leucocytes - no one mentioned it to me so had to ring up today to find out if anything was wrong. Apparently it's fine, but did have a panic. That combined with the fact that my bump doesn't seem to have grown in a month is on my mind.

BB3 - sounds like you are getting lots of good advice about your ds's speech. I'm sure in a few months it will be one of those things that you barely think about. From experience with our nursery for ds, the more you go in and chat to the staff the better - like schools they seem to make more of an effort for the parents who get more involved. My ds varies massively from day to day whether he is excited to be left or clings to my leg, and he has been there and settled in for two years!! I don't worry though as whenever I look through the window 30 seconds after leaving he is running around having fun with no signs of the sobs that seemed so awful when I left.

It is worrying having an older one and wondering if we'll be able to worry about them as much when the baby/ies come isn't it? Just found out my ds is likely to need glasses, and a few months ago I'd have spent ages looking up all kinds of things and looking for extra things to help, but as it is I'm so shattered, I haven't given it much thought. When they said come back in 6 weeks, I was thinking 'hmm, that will be fun with a newborn!'.

V jealous of those of you who have NCT groups - we missed ours last time round as ds was so early, and this time round thought it would be strange when I'm having a CS and have given birth before. Everyone I know who did them though has ended up with firm friends with children the same age which is lovely. Except for one group that my friend exited sharpish when they all got into competitive parenting and boasting. Before they were even 1.

Edward and groovy - am also keen for this little one to make its entrance, but daren't do anything to encourage it as I don't want to have to go into hospital in labour and beg for the CS that I need!

37+5 - two weeks to go....

Good luck for tomorrow cupoftea :)

We inflated the pool last night just to test it, even though its only mini I can sit in it and my feet only just touch the other side. I reckon DH could fit in in too, not sure we will take things THAT far though Hope I do get to use it and have a water baby, fingers crossed for chilled out births for us all!

Annoyances for today are being asked if we are getting rid of our dog because of Porgey and the look of shock/horror when I said we hoped to have a home water birth "what with your first, you're not really though are you?" then some muttering disapproving noises. I don't think we are being irresponsible in either of those 2 things, the dog is part of our family and the mw is happy with the home birth situation because I have asked them a few times when people have said "oh your brave etc.

On a separate issue I tried to tidy my bikini line with the assistance of a mirror, haven't seen it for a while and it doesn't look like it used to, sob :(

cupoftea, best of luck for tomorrow! Lots of good wishes coming your and little one's way. x

Hello ladies

Thanks for all the supportive posts regarding DS - they've been a real comfort to read. I'm sorry I can't catch up properly now but it's DS's bedtime so I'll come on asap but I have a question. For the past couple of days whenever I've needed to go for a wee I get a pain in my lady bits and cervix area which goes as soon as I've gone. However tonight I got up to go and was in such excruciating pain I didn't know if I could walk to the bathroom (thankfully we have one downstairs). Every step hurt beyond belief. Also getting a lot of pain today when babies move. (although lower twin quite quiet today). Do you think it's a uti or just too much pressure in that area and it's all a bit tender?

Sorry again to run in with me question!!

BBx

itis apain just when weeing or more a positional thing

is it a pain...

Doesn't hurt at all when actually peeing, it's when I need to wee or when I try and walk needing to go. Feels like my cervix is falling out.

BB3 It sounds like it's more to do with pressure. If it was a UTI it would hurt/burn when weeing. I'd take a sample into the doctors tomorrow though anyway just in case.

I've had/have a lot of UTIs (though not when pg) and agree with bilblio, sounds more like SPD related mojo

cupoftea best of luck for tomorrow. Agree the system relies on people having the confidence to go and get themselves checked out (something I personally struggle with)

Thanks penguin and bilblio I'll take one in tomorrow after DS has been to nursery. On the one hand I'm glad but on the other I'm hoping i dont have 11 more days of that pain!

cupoftea good luck x very excited for you!!

Right DS has only just gone off so am going to pop him to bed, shower and then catch up!