October Baby Bus - Part 5

[happymummytobe]

Another thread!

Now I feel shit for her doing stretch and sweep ever knew about hormone being released when lungs mature. It wasn't planned but because of all pains she did a quick check to see if anything progressed. Also they said they'd prefer I wast overdue as looks like another large baby. Other 2 came at 38 & 39 weeks and weighed 8lb12 and 8lb14 and this one liked to be bigger. But now I feel so guilty

Thanks to all for the advice on the breast pads - might get a selection if I can and try out.

Pink a few weeks ago my mw felt and thought he was breech and then next day had a scan and he was head down - it might be that they are feeling a bum instead of a head. Keep calm until Thurs. Babies have a habit of surprising everyone (so I hear - don't I sound knowledgable?!).

Had my 38 week app this morning. Due to past growth scans I'm already booked in with consultant (if not popped by then) for scan and check at 40+3. Mw booked appointment/sweep for 40+6 and another for 40+9, just in case. I mentioned that some people thought a sweep hurt and she said it shouldn't but generally only did if it was done too early. She said they liked to think about induction at about 40+10 so there is time before 40+14, in case the hospital is busy and I have to be turned away. I know some people here are quite anti-induction but I've read that the placenta starts to deteriorate so I'd rather get him out by then. Besides that I think I will be more than ready by then!

Spent yesterday defrosting the freezer so I can fill it up with batches of bolognese, chilli etc. Any suggestions on what else will freeze well? Just done a huge tesco delivery and got loads of jars of sauces and easy things to cook.

38+2

Hi all,

I've posted a couple of times but mainly been a lurker, following all these lovely birth posts with avid interest! However, thats me now off on maternity leave so feel like I can finally start to become an active member. Congratulations on all the babies - love all the names! Making me very envious though!

Awen - I wouldn't feel guilty at all. Number one, you didn't know (neither did I but if I was close to 40 weeks with a big baby I think I would do the same thing) There must be pretty much no chance of the baby's lungs not being mature enough at that stage??? Number two, it was Health professionals who offered you the sweep - so blame them if anyone!

Tally bear - what about some casseroles/soup? chicken, lamb, beef, chuck in stock and veg, good to go?

Anyone else absolutely knackered? I just came off as I said and feel like I was so energetic up till then - now I just feel like I want to sleep all the time! Had three hour nap this afternoon (lucky that my husband is off so he could take our son). Feel like I'm all fuzzy headed and not really with it - don't think I'm being a very good mum to ds :(. Thought i would be all about the nesting but so far I'm trying really hard (I want things done!) but not really gettin anywhere.

oops, forgot to say...

38 + 2

Awen dont feel guilty - when you think labour starts prematurely often before 34 weeks when lungs aren't mature enough to cope outside the womb without some help and babies turn out fine. If your baby is not ready to come out then the sweep will have done nothing anyway - lots of people have 2-3 sweeps that have no effect.

Freezable food - lasagne, casseroles, home made curries, soup, etc xxx

DS2 was born a week ago at 36+4 weighing 5lb140z. My waters broke monday afternoon i waited to collect DS1 from school before phining the labour ward and was admitted due to risk of infection. Had a scan tuesday lunchtime and was induced at 4pm. Contractions started at around 8.30 though nothing majour. Went toilet at 10.30ish and paniced as i had been bleeding. Told mw who decided it was a show and examined me i was 3cm dialated and cervix was still prosterior. I went on the monitor for half hour and came of at 11.08pm. As i was feeling so hot i walked down the stairs with rather intense contractions to get some fresh air. Contractions got worse and headed back up to the ward to phone DP and check about them phoning the labour ward. DS2 however had other ideas and arrived at 11.27pm just 19 minutes after i got of the monitor. The midwife told me afterwards that my contractions were still irregular according the readings and they still felt it to me. I had no warning at all that S2 was about to make his grand enterence. we were kept in till thursday afternoon so enusre ds2 was feeding properly and keeping his temperature as he did need some incubation. Also ment his tongue tie could be sorted too. Sooo happy to have my two gorgeous sons with me

Hi supergirl - I know what you mean, I felt utterly knackered when I started ML last week, but it seems to have lifted this week. I think it was just general confusion at the change of pace!

So two midwives reassured me at the hospital that she's still head down after yesterday - seems I was just being overly cautious/neurotic this morning! And the kicks in the usual position could well be because she's just been folded up for so long that she's not stretching out just yet.

pinkpainter, it's horribly frustrating to feel like everything's been going well and then for this to turn up. Is there no chance of getting a scan tomorrow? If the baby has turned at this stage, there's a chance of them turning back again, perhaps? If not, then it's definitely worth trying the ECV. I don't want to be one of those people who suddenly becomes an expert after doing something once, but although it was not comfortable, it's good to have a go. Did they not mention the possibility of a vaginal breech delivery? Is that something you would consider if it were an option?

Checking in...

Had a slow release something inserted at 1030, very mild contractions til 230ish, which then intensified at half 3 enough for me to put TENS on... since 1730 it's been very mild again.

As I'm still contracting, they won't intervene til tomo morn, when they will break my waters.

Have had lunch and dinner here, barely edible but better than nowt! DH is allowed to sleep in the chair next to my bed (our private room is lovely!) So fingers crossed somethin more happens of it's own accord tonight.

Good luck those of you labouring!

Xxx

Congratulations shelleylou. I'm still amazed that every birth I read or hear about it totally different. It just goes to remind you there's no such thing as a "normal" birth. Some are easier, or quicker than others, but none are normal.

Awen Don't feel guilty, a babies lungs are usually mature enough from 37 weeks, and that's when you're classed as term. Plus dates are never 100% accurate. LO will arrive when it is ready whether you've had no sweeps or 3. Plus there are far riskier things you can do when pregnant. Smoking, drinking, or in my case eating cheese and falling of chairs. :o

Tally bear I recommend things you can easily eat 1 handed whilst sat on the sofa. We've bought stuff to make lots of shepherds pies. Last time we made loads of lasagne's & cannelloni's too but DH had to cut them up for me as DD used to have marathon feeding sessions around tea time.

supergirl I'm exhausted too. Try not to fret about your DS. Kids are resilient. He'll not remember you being tired. Just make sure you give him lots of hugs and tell him the baby is making Mummy tired. That's what I'm doing. DD tells LO off. :o
I'm lucky DH is always home too and DD is at school. But if I get up with DD in the morning then I fall asleep at 5:30 for a couple of hours, so don't get to spend time with her.... or I don't see her in the morning, sleep till about 10:30 and then I can usually stay awake in the evening.
I had one week of nesting, I'm far too tired now.

Thinking of you Pink, you never know what might happen before then though.

I watched some you tube videos about bf which a bf lady had put on there (can't remember what the official name for this job is) they were American but that did help me, I will try and find a link and write up birth story but Poppy is being a feeding monster this evening so everytime I try and start it she decides she is still hungry!

here is the link, I think there are others by this lady too

mpops lovely to hear your birth story Do seek specialist help with the bf. It will really be worth it. Bf is so lovely when you get it

Congratulations shelley on DS2. Does he have a name?

Go go go Wobbles!

PA how exciting!! Please check in and let us know how you're getting on.

Great that the ECV worked BabC and that baby hasn't shifted back - fantastic Hope you get the hb you want.

Fingers crossed yours isn't breech pink but if it is, maybe ECV would work...? I can empathise with your shock, I feel down enough about baby being posterior. But you never know, the MWs may have it wrong, especially if you didn't feel the baby turn (I certainly felt mine turn back to back and it felt so wierd).

Awen really don't feel guilty. The baby won't come if it's not ready, sweep or no sweep! (unless you're induced)

Thanks to all for the reassurance over back labour. I haven't even managed to get on my hands and knees today I suppose I could be typing this with my bum in the air. Not the most comfortable of positions I have to say.

Utterly exhausted here and so off to bed - and hoping for sleep, tonight, pleeeeeeease.

Hi all, congrats on new babies and good luck to those in labour.

I've been really irritable today (hormones I think) but had a salesman from some charity at the door today asking me to sponsor a child for 30p per day, I said I'm not able to afford any new expenses ATM (bump on display) to which h replied judging by the house u live in and car in drive I don't think u'd miss it cheeky sod! Wouldn't mind much if I was flush but house is tiny and car is 7yo!
Then checkout lady in tesco scanned all my shopping (I had it all packed) and kept me waiting 5 minutes while she chatted to someone, really rude and didn say 2words to me the whole time!

Sorry rant over!

Think I might be finally going into labour (although could be wishful thinking) but had a lot of pressure type feelings down below and some crampy type pains in bump, feels like LO is having a party in there now though most movement i've felt all week!
Fingers crossed!

Poppy Arabella's Birth Story -

DH came home from work as I said I thought my waters might have broken (and that I had been asking the October Mummies on Mumsnet whether they thought the same).

DH and I left the hospital last Tuesday afternoon after having the mw confirm my waters had broken and the Dr booked an appointment for 10am Wednesday 5th back at the hospital to review the situation as to whether they were going to induce me.

The Dr knew from our conversation this was not what we wanted, as we wanted a home water birth.

DH & I came home, did some serious power walking round the wood with the dog for an hour, I had a few more raspberry leaf tablets than my usual 2, had a few raspberry leaf drinks and spent a while trotting up and down the stairs. Our hope was something would happen over night and we would not then have to have the same conversation about induction on Wednesday morning.

I was woken in the early hours of Wednesday morning with mild crampy period type pains, DH said to try and rest and sleep but they were too distracting to sleep. Left it for a couple of hours but woke DH at 4am to say I can't sleep and that I think things have started :) For the next few hours we stayed in bed and used his I-Phone app to measure the contractions (although we were taught to use the word "surges" in Hypnobirthing). I started to practice my Hypno breathing each time there was a surge.

The surges did not seem to be all of the things we were told they needed to be at the same time - longer, stronger, closer together (there always seemed to be one of these things missing). DH took the dog out at about 7/8am as I said I didn't think I could do a fast walk. I really wanted the mw to come because I wanted to know whether it was happening or whether we were supposed to make the 10am hospital appointment.

We waited a while to try and get a bit more continuity between surges, then DH rang the MW and they came about 10am/11am (I think). By this time I was sat on the bedroom floor, leaning against the bed on pillows and doing my breathing. MW said I was 6cm - I felt soooo pleased, yes, it was happening and I had got to 6cm without mw even being there. It was really good motivation.

MW called the second MW, told DH to start filling the pool and they left me to it as said I was really calm and couldn't even really tell I was having surges until DH pointed out the different breathing techniques.

For the rest of the morning until early afternoon I could hear MW and DH going about their business and coming and checking babies heart rate but I honestly had probably had my eyes closed since the early hours of the morning, it was a bit like dozing - you can hear voices etc but you are a bit off on your own planet! :)

MW had to keep the hospital informed because they were obsessing about my waters having broken earlier, MW said though that as we were progressing we would not be coming in to hospital and they would see how things went.

MW checked again and I was 9.5cm, I think it was maybe around 3pm-ish (guessing here as still had eyes closed). She said there was a bit of cervix in the way but they started to get their bits and bobs out as they thought baby would be here shortly. I decided to get in the pool.

Surges stopped! MW said it happens sometimes and there is the period called "rest and be thankful" just before pushing stage. Unfortunately surges disappeared off to nearly 10 mins apart. I got out of the pool, walked up and down the stairs a few times, ate some chocolate and jelly and sugary drink, threw up. Surges didn't come back and MW said we will need to go to hospital to re-start them because it's been a long time now and also the hospital now wanted me in due to the waters having broken ages ago situation.

Ambulance and response car came, DH got me dressed in to some pj's, DH drove to the hospital and we went with blue lights and sirens to miss the traffic as it was rush hour. I was crying and felt panicked until MW reminded me to do my breathing techniques.

Got to hospital, my MW stayed with me and had 2 other hospital MW's, DH turned up, they had read our birth plan so all lighting was turned down and DH put our Hypno music on. Agreed to have the hormone drip to start surges again and continued with my breathing. Once they were going again I pushed baby out with some serious damn effort - noticed afterwards I had burst blood vessels on my face, neck and back (very attractive), my face seemed puffed up too but it's gone back down now.

Poppy Arabella was born at 21.21hrs on 5th and she was put straight on my chest and mw left the 3 of us alone to bond for 90 mins and have a cup of tea.

Totally emotional, love my baby, not the pool birth I wanted but I am sure I will get over that eventually!

I have put some pics up too of baby Poppy. Sorry it was a long story :)

Congratulations Cheshire she is beautiful!

Although not the birth u wanted sounds like a good labour none the less well done you!

I'm still none the wiser if I'm I'm labour or not but now had a shower and shaved legs etc just incase, still getting tightenings but not v often, DS is still up! Think he senses something so he and DH are watching DVD on the couch in the hope he'll fall asleep.

Think I'll do nails and put a bit of tan on (I looked half dead in all DS's baby pics) just incase I am in labour here's hoping!

39+1 today

Cheshire - Loved reading your birth story - thank you for posting all that!

Thanks to everyone for all the comments and support - feeling much happier about the thought of a possible c section now that I have had time for it to sink in. Got to keep focussed - all that really matters is that the baby comes out safely.

My main concern is the breast feeding establishing afterwards. I've heard it's much harder, and I found it difficult last time even after a natural birth.

I don't think I'll attempt a vaginal birth with a breech baby - I can definitely feel the feet up by my ribs, so the thought of delivering a baby in that position is quite daunting. I had to have an operation after the birth of my DD, due to tearing, and the thought of having to go through that again is not good. Also - would be scared of tearing REALLY badly this time.

BabC - How much did the turning hurt? Great that it worked for you.

Edward, Wobbles and Penguin - Hope all is going well and that your LOs are here very soon!

sassy, thank you for sharing your bf technique. I'll give that a go. And thanks everyone for the suggestions. I gave NCT a call this morning and the person on the phone was lovely and helpful but she told me the exact same things as the midwives: I'm doing everything right but baby is not quite there yet. Which is heartbreaking and frankly weird as surely it's my role to teach her, right? Having said that we had a much better day today. I don't know if it'll last but it made me feel a bit less helpless.

Good luck to those of you on the cusp of labour! Exciting times. x

pinkpainter, I don't know if this will help your state of mind but one of my NCT buddies had a proper vaginal birth of a breach baby and she said it was hard work but totally doable. I understand that's not the case for everyone but I thought I'd tell you.

Hmph, can't sleep, brain is whirring at the thought LO might be here sooner rather than later... that and the heartburn and the coughing and the achey hips.

Cheshire Poppy looks gorgeous. Sorry to hear the birth didn't go exactly as you planned but it sounds like you coped very well... wishing I'd looked into hypnobirthing.
I had my eyes shut for most of my labour with DD too. It was very surreal seeing different people every time I opened my eyes. :o

mpops I don't think it's your role to teach DD to feed. Your role is to do everything right, which is sounds like you are doing, and persevere. It takes some babies a while for things to click. I really would try to get to a BFing clinic though and they can check her out for things like tongue tie.

pinkpainter My brother was delivered breech, and back to back. Mum had an epidural so she says it was odd being told what to do but it was certainly doable. Fingers crossed it's just laid awkwardly though and none of the worry is necessary.

Tallybear I also meant to say that you're right about the placenta deteriorating. DD was only 1 day overdue, in theory, but the midwife who delivered her...well the placenta... suspected the dates were wrong because the placenta was in such a bad state. It looked granulated which is what starts to happen when babies go overdue. It still works, just not as efficiently.

Right going to curl up on the sofa and read in the hope I fall asleep.
Maternity leave for me seems to mean Sharpe... or Sean Bean... with DD it was on the History Channel constantly and I got really into them. Then a few weeks ago I read one of the books and since then I've managed to buy all 20 off ebay for £13, most of which was the postage cost. :)
Falling asleep dreaming of a good Sheffield bloke like Sean Bean isn't the worst thing ever. Even if he does support the wrong football team. :)

Oh I took some bump pictures today finally. Unfortunatly the best ones are on my camera, and the lead for that has fallen behind the TV cabinet so I can't reach it. I have put one on my profile that DD took on her fisherprice camera though, she hasn't quite mastered taking photos of people with heads yet. :o

Oh dear, it seems DH is fretting about me going into labour too, he's just been down to check I'm okay as he can't sleep either.
With DD we got into the bad habit of going to bed late. I went to bed at 2:30am, he came to bed at 4am. I started having contractions at 4:30 and we were in hospital by 5.

anwen i wouldnt worry about the sweep. no one actually knows what starts labour. the lung maturity is just one of a few theories and not one that makes much sense imo. most babies get the sufrucant (sp?) on their lungs by 36 weeks. and have no trouble breathing on their own after this point. hence, like someone said, they are seen as term from 37 weeks. and also if they only come when their lungs are ready, why arent all the overdue induced babies not having breathing problems?

they interfere too much imo but as you get closer to 42 weeks there is more chance of the placenta failing, so thats why they induce.

ive had a sudden shift in feeling. instead of being all excited and happy with all your births, stories and photos, im all fed up and jealous and downright grumpy! umph.

that's not to say i didnt enjoy your story cheshire or that i dont think poppy is adorable- cos i did and i do!

im just thinking the days turned into weeks, the weeks into months and the months into years........quite literally in my case.

sorry for the moan. i think some self indulgence in the form of chocolate icecream may be needed.

:) Sassy I remember someone saying on here that when they said they felt like they would be pregnant for ever their Dr told them there was no record of a women still being pregnant at 10 months! Made me laugh at the time but we are pretty much half way through the month so hang in there, it's got to be turning up soon.

Also do you not think sometimes they get the EDD wrong and really it is a bit of a guessing game, hence I supposed as well why they are happy for babies to turn up 2 weeks either side. Our mw calculated EDD was 12th, we thought it should be 9th and Poppy turned up on 5th so who knows what goes on inside that tum!

I think you need chocolate mint chip personally! Aldi has some which I bought last week and we have been scoffing ever since.

Bilblio how clear is that picture of babies face! Gosh :)

We named DS2 Dominic

cheshire ha. i'll bear that in mind to try and keep me upbeat, but when you've only not been pregnant for 5 months in the last 2 years, it takes a lot to stay upbeat! not keen on mint. i like triple chocolate chunk ice cream. or hazelnut or praline. yum.

got my hospital appointment at 11.40.

bilbilo lovely bump pic and your daughter is adorable.

shelley congrats on dominic. x

Cheshire - My aunt was due in December and she had her baby in February!! - This was 35 years ago though so I guess they didn't have scans then so couldn't tell an exact due date and maybe they didn't do inductions then either....it must have been a nightmare for her, especially as I was born 2 weeks early and my cousin was about 6 weeks late!!

Am going to call my midwife today just for some more reassurance - want to know whether they might try to turn the baby straight away and whether I should take all my bags just in case the turning results in an emergency c section....also whether natural breech birth is even an option - it didn't sound like it was yesterday, and is a scary thought but will still ask the question.

Shelley - Thank you for your birth story too!! Welcome - baby Dominic :)