September 2011 - a month or so to go, come here to share the joys and woes of the final stretch.

[100years]

Now I know the threads we were in weren't finished, but there were 3 threads for the September due dates, and I thought it would be nice to get everyone together and share their experiences.

Stats thread is here If you aren't on there, then get adding yourself.

Hopefully we can all get through the last stint together :)

I'm due 1st Sept, so one month to go, if the LO is punctual.

Guess it gives you an extra shot to get last minute things ready jimmijam. I had the on off labour thing for about two weeks or so before ds2 as well. I would think I was in very early labour (as in with a week or so to go) going by last time too, if I wasnt not quite 37 weeks, and went 6 and 9 days over the last twice, so have been told to expect to go over this time. Both times I was 1cm dilated on my due date, but still went over by a fair few days.

Have mw this afternoon - first time for my new ones since moving house so will be nice to make contact with them. Would love to know if anything is happening too - having so many BH, some a bit painful but mostly not, but I remember from last time, consantly wondering if this was it, and then not being in any doubt when it actually did, so just need to keep reminding myself of that.

Wouldnt mind if it meant fastish labours, but both have been about 17 hours, so its not as if it gets loads of the work done in the weeks leading up.

Anyway, not ready for this one yet - still not bought a bed. Thinking of an amby nest. Anyone got one or tried one?

Sorry a bit of a long me post. Hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend.

Not heard of an amby nestoses basket on rocking stand (if mothercare everget their arses into gear and send out the missing screws!) im afraid. We're just sticking to mc
Phone playing up again will post from computer later

Hi conker, thanks for the congrats; I'm an English teacher so my dept really feel the pressure at exam time, being a core subject.

On the subject of hammock beds, we haven't got an Amby but we have got a Miyo hammock which are a bit cheaper and take up less space as you don't have to have the frame. DS loved it when he was wee. Without the frame it hangs from hooks in the beams or a special hook that goes in a door frame which is handy as we can bundle it up and take it anywhere. It also takes up much less space than a cot, although DS did outgrow it by the time he was 6 mo.

I also woke up with wicked pains in my ribs which have gone now with a bit of stretching and deep breathing. I'm assuming it's just muscle pain from sleeping in an awkward position but still no fun at all. I also seem to have a cold

How is everything today jimmi? I got ever so excited when I read your post last night!

Never heard of an amby nest before conker but just googled it. Looks kinda cool but must be quite big if it holds them until 12 months. Not sure we have the space for that - plain old moses basket for us.

I wonder how ssmile is getting on. Jimmi hope everything is either settling down or hotting up. I feel the rib pain feral - when I bend forwards it feels like i catch her heels underneath mine.

Waiting in for birth pool to be delivered today - funny how on days when you can go out you don't want to and today I'm just getting so frustrated at having to stay in! Midwife brought round home birth box of supplies last night - all getting a bit real now - very excited!!

Just come back from a cup of hot choc and chin wag with friend, whose life I currently live vicariously - she is off to Barca this eve to a hen weekend, 4 weddings before Christmas, no time to chill out etc - I have slunk back to the house for a bounce on my ball to consider 'those days' and wonder what on earth we have to come! Feeling a bit of a panic setting in - first time mum syndrome perhaps?

Anyway, I am very excited to hear about symptoms and also wondering about ssmile... 36 weeks today and another scan on Tues to discover whether pesky placenta has moved out of the way to let the baby's head move down. I think it has already - from how it feels - but it will be good to just know what is going on; though I have no super-exciting symptoms to report, I do feel more period-achy and baby movements are different than they were a couple of weeks ago.

Have happy days all - and bring on the weekend!

Feeling so excited for Ssmile. Most of us would probably have popped this time next month. Had a dream this morning that I was in advanced labour and DH was still trying to inflate the birthing pool. I was yelling and him and wondering at the same time why he was using the hoover to suck the air out instead of inflating it. He's going to inflate it this evening as he thinks I'm starting to get anxious, bless. Hope all is well with everyone. Did I say my LO is 3/5ths engaged now? I feel like I need to poo all the time. Is that normal? Wonder how much longer I'll have to wait. Still, I'd prefer to hold it in until September for the school year. Been reading Ina May Gaskin's books and apparently, a shot of vodka will keep the baby in. Not sure if I'm that determined though. Having a curry tonight, even though I don't want baby out just yet. Not sure if it actually works. I mean, if curries bring on labour, does that mean that women in India never go past their due dates?

Bumpy - not sure anyone of the old wive's tales actually work, so you should be safe with your curry!! Think it's just fun trying some of them :)

Jimmijam - hope you ok today then... I'm getting BH's that seem to stay pretty constant for ages now too... but she's not even engaged yet?!?

TP - hope your scan on Tuesday goes well then, and the pesky placenta has moved... guess we can all lament the carefree days but then the rewards will be much greater :)

sebs, the only drawback is it is a built in fridge freezer so it has to be a certain size to fit in the cupboard, it's not a stand alone one, never mind. Means I will get out of the house every day until the new one arrives. Sorry to hear you had a rough day yesterday, don't be bad for getting down, it's a big thing and is totally understandable.

feral, sickness sucks :(

Jimmi - damn the slowing down, got all excited about the prospect of 2 babies today.

Misty, have you spoke to midwife or anyone?

TP fingers crossed for the scan, are you going to DAU for it?

Re curries etc, this baby has been grown on curries, so I'm probably immune to the whole have a curry thing. Went out for one last night, and am making one tonight though! We just love a good curry.

Nada seems to be happening here so far. Feel very low down at the front and a bit of pressure on my symphysis pubis but I think that's normal.

Does anyone else find standing up from lying down hard work? I find I'm having to ease myself slowly into a standing position, like my bump is that 'heavy' it needs all my effort to stand up straight when I get up from bed, given I get up at least 5 times a night it's a bit

Getting slightly and I mean only slightly impatient now, I would really like to meet the LO. I am not fed up, I just want to have her in my arms now. And to have got the labour thing over and done with!

bumpy i read that the curry thing came about cuz some ppl get the runs (sort of) as they're going into labour. eating curry can have a similar effect on your pooh so ppl think that by starting that effect you can start labour. apparently (and didnt for us with dd either) it doesnt work the other way around- making yourself go to the loo doesnt trigger labour. hope that makes sense?
good luck with scan tiddleypom
hope ssmile is doing well! can't wait 2 hear the news!
loads of small contractions or big bh here, but no sign of things getting serious yet :-( tho last night i was thinking about how much i'd forgotten about the pain :-(
know wot u mean about wanting 2 meet LO 100years
having a good ol clear up today as last night was worrying about the state of the house (which to be fair wasnt bad, but i wanted it 2 b better). found new homes for things, tidied around and mopped kitchen floor so far today, next up dusting and vacuum the whiole house b4 our rather expensive sainsburys shop arrives, praying it'll all fit in the freezer and cupboards!!

what i meant to say in my earlier msg-we'll start off using moses basket with rocking stand, may get crib out from loft in a few weeks tho.
rocking stand we brought from mothercare a few months ago had some screws missing, which i discovered a few weeks back. e-mailed them, they said i'd recieve the screws within 10 days, over 2 weeks laster still nothing. waiting 2 hear back from them again, said they are waiting 2 hear back from supplier as to wether they were actually posted-not v. happy as babs could b here any day!!

hi there

sorry to hear it slowed down jimmijam - sounds like you might not be far off though?

Rang mw about the pain and ended up having to go into MAU for monitoring - which was actually done in the L&D ward as they were short staffed . CTG was perfect and he's moving loads, they reckon it's a pulled muscle. I thought as much but better to get checked out :) Also had an internal (urgh) and cervix is posterior and closed - although doc said head was low and cervix was short (whatever that means?) so things could be happening... Also having lots of BHs here.

Now having a rest before I tackle the housework as have friends coming round in a couple hours and the place is a tip!

who'll be next....? :)

oh, and conker - I've read good things about Amby nests but not had one. We've bought a 2nd hand bednest, hoping it'll be worth the expense but really wanted it for ease of nighttime BFing. Also have family heirloom crib on a stand and the carrycot from the pushchair, so no shortage of places for him to sleep!

ah misty the crib wee have was brought for my brother 18years ago, and has also done our 5yr old dd and almost 4yr old ds and I'm sure will be kept for years to come, 1 of those things worth keeping if u can :-)

100years - thanks for your comment. Was glad to get the day over with to be honest... Did think LO might make an appearence yesterday, just because of the significance of the date... but nothing, so now I think I'll be a few days past the due date...
Hope you get the fridge/freezer sorted soon then. What a pain. And, yes, I find getting up from lying down really difficult now. I use the headboard to hurl myself up, then take a while to settle before standing. Then seem to stumble round the room whilst I head to the loo!! The hips/nerve thing stop the legs working properly to start with so it's a definite stagger to the loo in the night! Oh the joys... And, yes, getting slightly impatient too, but equally, nervous about the birth part so can wait a little longer :) but can't wait to hold her in my arms too... how exciting will that be????

All this talk of curry... think we'll have to venture out tonight - if these BH's calm down that is. When I'm having a BH (which is pretty frequent and they last for ages) I just feel soooooo full. But, definitely want to go out and eat tonight... whilst we still can for a while!!!

Misty - glad everything checked out ok...

This is all TOO exciting! Don't be dispirited jimmi it sounds like things will start to progress pretty soon - maybe LO just waiting for Sainsbury's delivery?!

I am ultimately very concerned that you'll all be abandoning me for a brand new baby thread anytime now and I shall be left bouncing on my own, however I am sure I can sustain myself if given plenty of positive birth stories - spread the love and describe small feet and noses in much detail please!

I raise a toast to y'all - may the BH sod off and turn into something more meaningful very soon and may MC sort out the bloody screws for jimmi's basket stand...

Sounds like there is plenty of Braxton Hixting going on across the country.

Mw was very nice but spent ages trying to work out which way the baby was lying. Eventually decided it was still head down, so thats good, but not engaged at all. Mind you, everyting I've read said that in subsequent pgs, the baby often doesnt engage till right before labour starts, or during labour.

I do find myself getting a little jealous of child free friends from time to time (especially this month when the Edinburgh Festivals are on and they can just go to anything without really thinking about it), but those feelings dont last long, and I wouldnt swap where we are now for anything. Just a few child free hours (which werent used for kilting) very soon would be very nice.

Think most of the old wives tales are nonsense but they give us all something to concentrate on for the next few weeks. Maybe sex has got a bit of science behind it, but agin, seem to be only if the baby is ready to come itself.

Tiddleypompom - is not nice being at the end of the month. I was like that last time, but everyone decided to stay on the same thread instead of moving straight to antenatal, which was very nice.

Don't worry TP we'll stay on this thread until we're all done!!! Will be so nice reading everyone's stories ...

Love your last post TP, heres to you too (decaff of course)!

I did read something very interesting earlier on the childbirth section about Evening Primrose Oil, apparently it is supposed to make the cervix softer, can be taken orally from 37 weeks (i think) and inserted internally -urgh- and its supposed to help! Now I dont normally go in for the "get labour going" theories, but I swear by EPO as I used it pre-pregnancy to regulate my periods and sort out my skin as it has a profound effect on my hormones, am so tempted to start taking it orally from monday or tuesday, mw coming for sweep on thurs and then will consider internally if I get desperate after that, would ideally love LO to appear anytime from 1st to 5th sept, so I can be at home when my DS1 starts back at school on 6th sept! x

Ah, the middle of the night zombie shuffle. I know it well, Sebs :) I don't have a headboard at the minute so I gve to grab whatever is handy, usually DH (sorry, DH), or I do a roll over whilst flailing my feet and hope they connect with the floor (again, sorry DH).

Things are starting to sound promising then Jimmijam! Fingers crossed you're on your way soon :)

Misty, I think a short cervix means it's on it's way to starting effacement? I might be wrong there but I'm sure I read somewhere that it shortens before it effaces. Either way glad to hear baby is okay and the pain wasn't anything serious, not that a pulled muscle is fun.

Conker, DS was my first and didn't engage until I was 6cm, he came on his due date. SIL's baby was engaged for four weeks and she went a week over her due date. I think some babies just like to stay free :)

TP, I second your toast and will also stay on the thread until every last baby has popped.

Been having loads of BHs today and also have lots of discharge (sorry, TMI) which I'm hoping is the preamble to a show of some sort but not holding my breath. On the subject of TMI, is anyone leaking a little bit of colostrum (or pre-colostrum, if there is such a thing)? Hoping this may also be another good sign.

I've been trying a few old wives' tales, just for giggles, but haven't tried EPO yet. Do you just get it from the health food shop MrsSawyer?

That's interesting MrsS, reckon I might start on the EPO next Thurs once we're into the new school year to see if it gets things moving a bit as I getting really tired of the awkwardness of late pregnancy and just not being able to get around properly.

Misty, we've got a bednest as well, they're brilliant for co-sleeping I reckon. DS was a shocking sleeper so I spent silly money on anything and everything that claimed to make babies sleep better (hence us owning a hammock, a bednest and a cot) but I think the bednest was the best buy.

Once the new DC has outgrown the hammock I'm planning to take a side off our basic cot and lash it to the bed so it works as a sidecar arrangement. I was really tempted to spend £200 on one of the lovely co-sleeper cots on the NCT site but decided I'd try re-jigging our old cot first to see if that works the same.

I had a bit of boob leakage the other day cbear but I think I'd been lying funny and squished myself whilst asleep. I never had much leakage when I was BFing DS - and none at all when I was pg first time - so I was quite surprised.

Hi baby girl 8lb14oz arrived safe well, we confined to bed as post c-sec till tom. vsleepy baby barely opened her eyes. Difficult to update in bed will do tom.x

I had loads of leakage pre ds1 and all the way through feeding him, but practically none with ds2, which surprised me. And none so far this time.

Thats interesting about being 6cm when the baby engaged Cbear -did you feel it?

Wrt old wives tales - not to bring on labour, but about gender predicting, I tried the peeing on baking powder this week after reading about it on mn. But then wasn't sure what the results were supposed to mean as it frothed a bit but didnt fizz!

Might give the EPO a try too next week. Finding it harder to breathe today after thinking the baby had dropped a bit.

Yay ssmile. Congratulations. Good size too. Hope you are feeling ok and enjoying lots of cuddles.

Congratulations Ssmile! What lovely news, and a very impressive weight. Hope that you aren't feeling too bad - and that you're resting up all you can.

On phone so possibly going to miss out things.

Hope you have better luck with MC than I did :(

Misty glad you went to get checked.

Sebs thanks. The new info is that it's possibly Tuesday for fridge day.

Tp of course we will still post in here. Won't leave you on your own :)

I've taken some raspberry leaf capsules this evening, probably way to late to start at 39+1 but hey ho. Also had another walk and am posting this from my ball!

Cbear I've had shed loads of leakage and have had breast pads in for weeks now! Not that I'm leaving in the day that much but I don't want wet patches on my tops if I were to leak. Bit get anywhere near squeezing my nipples and loads comes out! But the produced milk pre pregnancy too so I'm not surprised. Noticed the wet patch in bed before 30 weeks

Ssmile huge congratulations :) lovely weight and hope all is ok for a peaceful first night.