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.

Ooh cbear - that sounds promising. Great if the mw can just confirm you have started anyway.

Ssmile - hope you got back to sleep - its so frustrating when you can t and you need it. Hope dd1 enjoys school.

Got a lie in this morning which was lovely. And sold three Isabella Oliver things on ebay last night, so I can now buy the slightly extravagant change bag that I really fancy. And ds1 starts nursery, and mil is coming to look after ds2 for a bit while I do some kilts, so its all good today. Hope others are too.

Ooh ssmile I should have checked on here last night and kept you company! Hope you managed the 8.15 start ok and get some sleep.

Cbear - sounds like we're in similar places! Hope midwife has good news.
Conker - I'm guessing you're in Scotland so hope you're not being blown away!! Winds bad here and we're north Wales. Enjoy your kilt time!!

Well contractions started again last night - every 15 / 20 mins this time. More in my back but then got more spread out. Except fell back asleep 5.30 - 7.00 and realised they'd stopped again. Got really upset at thought this could go on like this for ages, and it's the thought things are finally moving ... And then nada. Have also lost more of the plug this morning (thought i'd also lost it in one hit sat night but guess it's more of the cervix coming away). Phoned labour ward who said all quite normal and contractions should start up again - hopefully today - and keep going. I asked when do I phone back and her reply was when you're hanging off the door frames!! Think they must be busy!! She was lovely - hope she's on when I do FINALLY go in! She told me to go back to bed and get some sleep in prep for work later!! DP staying at home to work so glad about that.

So hope she's right and things start again today. Stop / starting really getting to me and why is it always between 1 and 5 in morning you get contractions??

Hope you all have a good Monday... Will keep checking for updates if everyone!!

Another 2 today? So glad to hear howling at the moon appears to have worked twice at least! Thinking of you both and sending 'come on now, this is serious' labour vibes that have you hanging off door frame very soon!

So windy here today - I shall be blown up the road to see the midwife for 38 week check. Time passing relatively fast still, approaching 39 weeks on Friday, not that this guarantees any action. DH thinks it'll all kick off on Fri as he finished the house yesterday after 4 years of work, and this weekend would be the first 'off' in that many years!

Hoping for happy news later on today,meantime good luck all!

Went for my sweep and they can't tell where her head is. They decided to try the Doppler to give them a clue and put it low on my bump ad there was just silence, my heart nearly stopped! She moved it to the top of my bump and got a super loud heartbeat. They're now convinced she's breech so I'm on my way to hospital for an urgent scan because I've lost my plug and I'm having contractions.

Wish me luck ladies, I'm terrified of needles so a section is my nightmare scenario

Oh crikey cbear, you poor thing, what a shock. Try to stay calm, your baby is fine and your carers are just trying to establish the safest delivery for you both. If you had longer to get your head around it, you would have done - you'll be just fine! If a section is the best thing for your baby, you'll be well looked after and I'm sure you'll be able to take a deep breath and do what you have to do... Really hope your DP is there with you - remember to take your camera for those first pictures of your precious newborn!

Sending much support and positive energy - you will get through this and everything will be easier if you can keep your eye on the prize :)

Hey, you also get a glass of wine once you're baby is out in the world!

She's well and strong - just maybe upside-down. You can tell her off when she's in her twenties :o

Good luck...

Good luck CBear, really hope it is all ok for you, what a little monkey you've got in there!

Huge congrats to Annie and Jimmijam, how lovely that you've both met your little bundles at last. Gosh what an eventful weekend!

Think I must have been the only relaxed and happy camper in our herd yesterday, by the sounds of it. I had a lovely day at home with DH and DD and some friends popped in to see new house (bringing cake most importantly) mid afternoon. Superb.

Apparently it was not just a full moon, but the poetically named Harvest Moon last night, so am hoping that helps us all to 'bear our fruit' efficiently this week

Glad you had a lovely day loomer and hoping there is leftover cake in the house. I have just eaten a cadburys caramel having promised myself I would eat a kiwi fruit instead. Sigh.

Poor you cbear - must be a shock to the system but as others say - its the end goal to keep in mind, and its good that they have spotted it at this stage in labour, so they can prepare if a cs is needed, rather than it be an emergency one half way through.

Have opened a cadburys fingers box. Was very stupid. I will need to find somewhere to hide them soon, or I will eat them all.

Right need to get on with some work while I have the chance.

Sending virtual hugs and support Cbear think TP said it all (and very wisely put too) and agree with her... Keep your eye on the prize. Hope all goes well and you'll soon be cuddling her. I'm sure you'll be surprised at yourself and what you can overcome for her, even a needle.

Nothing to report here, all quiet. Just hoping contractions start again soon. I was actually enjoying them last night in a weird way, as it meant things underway. So, one consolation in being overdue is you just want labour to get going, whereas before I was nervous about it.

Feeling very tired but can't sleep as mind on overload but staying quiet. Very jealous of those with chocolate treats!! Now why didn't I ask DP to get some yesterday???

Thanks for the advice and pep talk everyone :)

It's all gone a bit squiffy. She's definitely breech, her bum is in my pelvis and her head is at the top but I'm potentially a candidate for an ECV (EVC?). I'm booked Wednesday morning for an in-depth HD scan where they're going to check everything and if the MW sonographer is happy with it all they'll try and turn her. They discussed all options and said it was preferable to try turn the baby as it's lower risk than a section although it would obviously be a section if it fails or if it's not possible in the first place. I was a bit because one of the risks (less than 1%) is the need for an emergency section of baby gets distressed but the hospital MW told me that only one person does all of their ECVs and that in 13 years she's only had 3 result in an emergency section. I like those odds and if it's successful I can still have the pool, etc and if it doesn't work then at least I gave it a shot, you know?

But, I'm also really bloody angry at the community MW. She thought a few weeks ago that baby was breech but didn't send me for a scan and a few days later they decided she was head down and fully engaged. The hospital want a growth scan before they try and turn her because they have a suspicion she's around 10lb and their policy is to section any baby over 5kg. They asked why my MW didn't refer me when my fundal measurements leapt ahead from being spot on for the weeks to being 3cm and more ahead. I was wondering the same thing. The hospital MW did a cats bum face and is apparently going to contact then about it.

So angry at the community MW for seemingly dropping the ball, optimistic about the ECV, and resigned to the section (if it comes to that). Positives of it are that I'm guaranteed to have my little girl by the end of this week and she's worth it (and from the looks of it is big enough to beat me up if I don't agree!)

Oh! If I go into labour properly in the meantime I have to go straight to hospital and it'll be a section there and then so please send me no-labour vibes!

I'm going to rearrange my bag this afternoon. Can anyone give me any tips for what I should pack in case of a section? Do I need anything different? I'll be in three days minimum according to their policy too so need to add some more sleepsuits, etc.

Sorry Cbear not sure on what extra to pack but I wouldn't have thought it would be much different. As long as you're covered for first day you can always send out DP or family/friends for extra supplies.

Just wanted to say that hope your EVC works, and yes those are good odds in turning her! But you sound very calm and resolved in that whatever happens it sounds you have a good hospital team who'll make sure she is delivered safe and sound. And yes you're on the home stretch now and will soon be having baby girl cuddles!!

So keeping back the labour vibes (please everyone send them my way if you could!!!) but sending you support, patience and best wishes :)

Oh and yes it's axshame community midwife didn't pick up on things but dont focus on that now- let the hospital staff chase that up. You just rest up x

Redirecting labour vibes from cbear to sebs...

Am advised that big granny apple catcher pants are good to take in case of a section - to go well over the scar. Buy several sizes too big.

Best of luck for the EVC and well done at remaining so calm and resolved about this turn of events - as you say, you'll have your little girl by the end of the week!

Just returned from mw visit, which was pretty quick - nothing to report expect baby is well engaged. Booked in for next visit at 3 days after EDD - hoping to duck out of that for obvious reasons, but if there is one thing this pregnancy journey has taught me - it's expect the unexpected!

AARROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Cbear, what a shock! I really hope you're both OK. Seconding the massive pants, I'm sure I saw special ones in Boots the other day with a kind of pack that you can put down the front to ease the swelling and pain perhaps? BFing's not easy after a CS AFAIK so maybe a decent feeding cushion if you're planning to BF?

Hopefully it won't come to that and you'll be fine for your lovely pool birth.

Hi cbear I've had 2sections first an emergency second with this babe was planned. Much nicer the planned one the staff are excellent. If you want to know anything in particular just ask. I had never been to hospital before I had DD1 let alone had an op (I wasn't even born in one!) I was vscared but survived and had another! I found doing yoga relaxation breathing most helpful when they put the spinal in and I played calming music on my ipod in one ear as lay n the table and my DH held my hand through out. The drugs can make you feel bit sick but if you tell them straight away they will give you anti sick meds. The recovery is bit longer but it u take it easy its ok. I had short walk 1wk post sec and I'm now 17d post and just did 2walks to school and back today. For hospital have extra snacks &drinks to hand as you can't get out of bed for upto 24hrs. I wouldn't bother will special pants waste of money just buy those 5 for £5 cotton supermarket ones, granny big pants size bigger can be helpful.

Gd luck what ever happens just need to focus on safe babe at the end.

Thanks for all the advice :) I'm staying positive, it's all about the attitude and DH reckons I've got plenty :o

I've googled breech and I'm now trying a few home remedies. I'm typing this from my sofa where I am lying with my head/back on the seat and my hips/feet up on the armrest. Gravity is my friend and I'm willing my stomach muscles to go slack. No idea if it'll work but it couldn't hurt and DS is having a fun time kissing my forehead and brushing my hair for me.

Cbear. Hope things work out ok for u and ecv works and you don't start labouring before then. Sorry your comm mw has done such a crap job.

Only quick from my phone. Things are going really well. She's feeding great. I'm trying to rest when she sleeps just at the moment till we've got a better idea of when she feeds as nights are a bit here and there. But she has only had 3 nights and needs milk so it's all fine. I'm just banking sleep in the day ready for waking at night :)

Catch up soon :)

That's great news 100 years - well done
Cbear - I am having my third csection on Wednesday and can assure you it's not too bad. The needle bit isn't any worse than a natural delivery really as you don't see the epidural and it's just a one needle canular that they put once in the back of the hand and then they use this to put any drugs in.
Nct have a website that sell special pants great for sections they look like granny pants made out of fishnets which help you heal quickly. After the op it's a good idea to bathe the wound in a salt bath as it encourages healing. Arnica tablets also help to heal you quicker. The good thing about a planned section is you feel no pain when the baby is born or for several hours after so you really enjoy those first few hours. Also babies look great as they haven't got squashed during the birth process - so there are advantages. I would also second the comments re drinks and snacks as you can't get out of bed for 24 hours. Hope that helps - good luck

Good Luck Cbear!

Sebs - still no action here am in similar position to you as will be 41 weeks tomorrow and I am 41 yo. I am guessing the MW will do a sweep on Weds if nothing has happened by then. Not looking forward to that. Hoping the baby will play ball and arrive tomorrow. Can see my hopes of using the lovely birth centre going out the window at this rate

Louplet - these babies are quite complicated are they not ! Hope you get your birth centre experience. I will be 40yo next summer - glad to have some company my age on this thread as I do feel a bit ancient when I have gone to my antenatal appointments - I have quite literally been old enough to be a grandma to some of the babies ! I didn't have dc1 until I turned 30 and I seem to have dragged my heels since then with my other two !
Hoping your okay cbear. My contracting has been bad tonight and very sore. - was just thinking that I may only have this baby wriggling inside for another 36 of so hours and as this is the last time for me I should be enjoying the experience while I can but I am just too darn sore and impatient now and I haven't managed a good night sleep for months. Oh well, not long to go now - good luck ladies with whatever stage you are at !

Thanks Minky!

I was a late bloomer . I had DS1 when I was 37 (nearly 38) and DS2 at 40. Think DC3 will be our last as well though DH keeps talking about having just one more!

Thanks for the vibes TP and glad to see you're taking the howling seriously!!
Cbear hope you're gravity friendly poses help. Do you have a birthing ball to bounce on?
100years sounds like you're having a wonderful time with Edith
minky and louplet good to have a couple of old ones for company!! I spent my 40th back in April watching my friends all clinking their champagne glasses but they all promised to repeat it for my 41st and I'll join in this time! Im only on my first ...
And louplet yes sounds like we're in same boat - got 2nd sweep tmw. Had a couple of pains tonight but that's it. Shan't say contractions as get my hopes up! Hoping I get some sleep as shattered.
Have a good night all... Either cuddling LO or bump!!

That's I'm on my first baby ... Not glass of champers by the way

Raising a toast (lemonade) to the oldies club - I will turn 40 in the spring next year - was 34 when I had DD1, and never imagined that it would take so long to fall with a second one... but can totally relate to feeling like a granny at antenatal appointments!

Are you sleeping upside down tonight CBear? It's supposed to be good for the brain huh, as well as tricking the baby. Have a great mental image of you on the sofa with your hairdresser in attendance!