Nov 2011 - almost time to push!

[TerrysNo2]

Last thread was full so thought I would just start this one off - hope you don't mind as I know I've not been a regular but god forbid you guys having nowhere to chat ;)

Right, caz what's happening, I am stalking you all over the shop and need more news :)

Quick tired update:

It's wind - and my nipples so big for her to latch on (I'm now not fitting into my 40KK bras), so she keeps swallowing air instead of milk.
I've got a MW to come out today -we'll see what happens.
We're trying Infacol, but I flaked yesterday and we co-slept with her in bed as it seemed to be the only way to actually get any shut-eye in.
Poor DP is so upset that there's nothing we can do when she gets the pain :(

thinking of you twojacks, hope everything is going ok.

cali At least now you know what it is you can try different things to help, like massage and rotating legs etc. Hope the mw is able to help.

Cali I know breastfeeding experts will probably say this is total nonsense but anecdotally, most of the very large breasted women I know have struggled to breastfeed. My eldest sister put herself through hell trying (and developed severe PND, which she believes was partially related to her struggles), and she said exactly the same thing as you are finding, that she was just so big that it was a struggle to fit herself into the baby's mouth, and she said that when she did, her breast was squashed so far into her baby's face that was terrified the wee one couldn't breathe. I'm not saying this to you to put you off trying, because I also know of some extremely large breasted women who have managed just fine, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Ladies......can I have some hand holding? I'm terrified. I had an antenatal appt this morning and was sent home to pack my bag and report back to hospital this evening for induction. After about eight weeks of being worried that my baby is apparently large for dates, he/she has hardly grown at all for about three weeks, and there is not enough amniotic fluid, and now they are worried that baby is not thriving and needs to be delivered as soon as possible. The consultant said that their biggest fear with my combination of the complications (which are too long to list here) is stillbirth, which had me nearly hysterical. And even though I know it is only a remote possibility, it still has me terrified. I wish he hadn't said the words, although I know that he had to, but I have just cried and cried. Also terrified of induction, due to previous complications, but he assured me it would be different this time, and I really would like to avoid a C-section if at all possible. Anyway, scared, scared, scared.

Oh snoozle how scary. Try to stay calm and focus on feeling your baby's kicks and mentally preparing yourself for labour. Eat little and often all day and bring some snacks in with you (eating during labour should not be the big no no they tell you it is, you need food to survive it).
Estimating amniotic fluid and growth is not an exact science so it may not be such a panic as you have been told but obviously, if induction is what has been agreed to then you should go in. If it was a real emergency, they would have advised you stay in and have an emergency section there and then.
Just think. you'll meet your baby within the next few days!

Cali keep at it - you and she are still learning to feed and she will get better at it. Co-sleeping is not a huge no no and if it works, do it. You really will not be making a rod for your own back at this stage.
Can you express a bit off before she feeds to enable her to latch on properly? With enornmous boobs (!), feeding lying down may be the easiest way for you and her.
If the mw is no help, i really recommend getting to a bf cafe asap or calling La leche league today www.laleche.org.uk/pages/about/helpline.htm

Hang on in there. :)

Snoozle, like MrsA says please try to stay calm. I should imagine this is precautionary and it is the best thing if it is neccesary. Big Hugs. xx

Bah - daft me posted personnal info on family!!!

Cali - I hope you get help soon.

Snozzle, it sounds like they are just taking every precaution as Voodoo says. good luck, i hope it's a smooth induction. Medics have a habit of scaring the shit out you without realising.

Snoozle holding your hand from afar. As others have said stay as calm as you can, it will help your baba.

Cali ask the mw about breast feeding clinics and different holds given your ample boobage. I attended a La Leche workshop and asked about big buzzoomers and they said to try lots of different positions. One will work.

oh snoozle i can so understand how scary this afternoon must be - like the others say, calmness: big deep breaths & visualise that beautiful healthy baby - i agree with the inexact science comment MrsA makes - so TRY to think of this as simply a new & different way to meet your new baby. I don't know your precise combination of complications, but you're going to be in the best place, doing the best thing. take all our PMA for as long as you need it; there's a bunch of ladies here all rooting for you & your little one. good luck!! x

Snoozle, Cali and two jacks just to say thinking of you all and sending you all pma and good vibes xx
Having so many ridiculous problems with house move I don't even have strength to post properly. Just had hysterical, screaming, crying hissy fit at estate agent as this is supposed to be property managed by them. Honestly not what I need

thanks so much ladies! I must say, even the consultant (who was so so lovely) did say to me that the scans, particularly at this late stage, are an inexact science, but that they were the best they have to go on, and I think that is fair enough. I actually think I might possibly have been leaking a wee bit of fluid recently, as (TMI warning, look away now!) I had been feeling very wet, but it didn't seem like the usual, erm, discharge. I just didn't put the two things together in my mind until they did the scan this morning.....but the same thing happened me around this stage when I was pregnant with DD, so its possible.

Told DD I'd be going into hospital this evening and it would just be her and dad in the house, expecting her to be upset, but not a bit of it, she was delighted, because it means she will be a big sister soon. I think I'll keep myself going by visualising everything going normally, me being out of hospital by the weekend, and then sitting down on Saturday night to a glass of something chilled and bubbly!! I can but hope......

There was me posting the other day that I'd be the only one left on the November thread who actually makes it to November, but it looks like you can strike me off that list! Oh, and now I'm not going to have time to get booked in for a wax, so if an emergency arises, it'll be the blunt NHS razor again. Grrr

Snoozle good luck with the induction, I am sure everything is fine and they are being over cautious but if any doubts then it sounds like its a good idea. The NHS don't mess about with this stuff and IME they err on the very cautious side.

Good luck and keep us updated!

This thread is all go! Snoozle I really hope you are feeling better about the induction.
Anyone heard from two jacks?
I wonder if when things do happen if I'll be up to updating!
Day off and mw tomorrow. I'd best get some sleep or I may launch myself at her throat in rage at the way she carried on about the growth scan and the home birth. I hope I have the opportunity to offer feedback!
How's everyone else?

Snoozle, I admire you're ability to still think about other people's stuff with this going on for you, I can imagine you are very, very scared. But also, this is very very routine. Not for you. But for them. As scarey as it is for you, its a procedure to follow for them. I hope it all goes smoothly and you're home by Saturday night as imagined. I am imagining it too (which, by the way, of course means you suddenly live in my house), and maybe imagining it will help it happen.
I wondered whether my big boobs (they are hardly KK, but they were plenty big enough, I used to joke about how they were bigger that DS's whole head, and the whole thing seemed a bit unbalanced) didnt help. I ended up using the football hold for almost all of our breastfeeds - which made it hard out and about, but made it possible on the sofa and in bed. I just lay him on a cusion next to me, slightly propped up by my knee (crossed legs) and then I could lower the boob into his mouth and still keep from smothering him. It was a completely rubbish posture according to all the books, but it revolutionised our feeding.
Right. Dinner is served.

cali hope you've had a better day. no advice to offer, i'll leave that to the more experienced ladies but know you're doing really well and it will get easier.
snoozle good luck for induction. I'm sure its just precautionary and they do have to voice all concerns no matter how small. Sure all will be fine and you'll be home with a new bundle and a glass of fizz by sat....positive thoughts coming your way.
hope alls gone well for twojacks...anyone heard anything?

oh my!! you've got me thinking about possible leakage now - i just thought a gradual increase of these things was what one might expect at 39 weeks (38 weeks, if i count last week..) my MW does keep referring to my bump being "all baby," perhaps there's no fluid around her??!!! ... but i suppose they'd register something amiss with the heart rate of Bumpalicious if i was losing amniotic fluid & she was suffering.... i'm so determined not to be one of those first time mamas all the MWs I've seen go on & on about: who call at every twinge, don't realise the body gears up for ages & that being able to go about one's usual life probably means labour hasn't started!! but then, if my waters had broken in a very undramatic way, labour would be actually be making itself felt, wouldn't it? (uncertain moment alert!! - anyone else feel like it doesn't matter how many degrees we've got, how companies we run, how much intelligent multi-tasking we do; impending motherhood means the caring profession turns us into unsure, jibbering wrecks without a clue??? )

(ooops, posted in middle of sentence, was trying to say..)

... i'm so determined not to think i'm in labour too early that perhaps i'm missing things & i could be nearer to things than i thought. but first babies are "always" late, aren't they? (deliberate quote there,) yes, i have a short period cycle & as such that can have a bearing on the length of gestation, but not by much & i'm not due until a week today, & haven't suffered any complications, or well, anything really so i'm not going to be early...... right? or wrong?

Nothing to report on my phone so needs to be short. Induction drugs not working so waiting for a bed in the labour suite but keep getting bumped down the queue three days here and counting argh! Not read thread so hope everyone else is ok and maybe be actually in labour before the weekend!

It's all gone a bit Q on the thread. I blame Folic, cep and pamsco the chatterboxes.
mama you sound a bit like you are going into melt down, its hard but try and chill. Call the midwife if you are worried about anything. That's what they are there for. I work in public service and you can't imagine what I have to deal with. So its no bother to them.
twojacks pma on its way to you. It must be frustrating but they say that babies arrive when they want. The little sods.

Come on beanie don't be too comfortable in there your mummy doesn't want to be in hospital all week! Hope you aren't too bored or lonely 2jacks.

Ok all - thanks for all the messages for the card for chip - I now have the card so will send it on Friday morning just to give anyone a chance to PM me a message.

TwoJacks sending lots of good labour vibes your way, sorry it is taking so long! Hope you will be enjoying lots of cuddles very soon.

I can't believe how many October babies we have on this November thread! I'm absolutely certain I'm going into November and being due on 18th, probably quite well into (although hopefully not into December, I don't think I could wait that long!)

I finish work on Friday and although I thought 37 weeks was a bit early to start mat leave, I am definitely ready for it now. This week I have started to feel tired, a bit grouchy and generally achy in the fanjo region. I suppose baby is burrowing down to get ready for making an entrance, although I am still getting quite big movements in the ribs region. I wonder if the baby doesn't like the fact that my (large!) boobs rest on the top of my bump so is trying to prize them off as someone said earlier, I feel like I'm getting a nice round bottom pressing out from my bump!

Welcome to newcomers, at least that means there might be some of use left next week to take the thread into November! We're all ready now pretty much I think. Have washed baby clothes and blankets and got everything I need for my hospital bag. We have our birth centre assessment tomorrow evening. I am really, really hoping to be able to use the BC rather than have to go to the labour ward, so fingers crossed it goes well for us!

Has anyone actually started mat leave without a baby on here? Am wondering how I will keep myself occupied, especially as the 3 weeks up to my due date are annual leave so I'd really like the baby to stay put for most of that so my mat leave doesn't kick in early (starts on my due date). We're moving house shortly after the baby arrives so I will have packing and things to do, but I am a bit worried I'll get bored with 3 whole weeks off on my own. I need to think of some non-tiring but interesting things to do!

2Jack good luck! I hope everything kicks off soon for you
Snoozle how frustrating, but I hope you feel better now and that induction is going well for you.
Truffkin good luck for this evening. I have been off work now in my 4th week. I was worried about being bored senseless, but there is so much to be done in the household chores, then I try to swim every day, I go to work with DH and then take the bus home to give me some exercise at least. I also have a nap around lunchtime and then prepare dinner. By the time I realise he is already home from work.
However, I also managed to be sick twice, so lost about 1.5 weeks in total to that. And I have another 4 weeks to due date

snoozle i hope everything is going ok.

twojacks hope things start moving soon.

mama i had ds at 5.55 on the day he was due, so they're not alway late. [hwink] but don't worry when it starts you'll know.

truff hope you get the result you wanted from the visit. So far i spent wk 1 of my leave visiting, wk 2 batch cooking and wk 3 (this wk) cleaning. Next wk i plan on piling up the dvds and not moving apart from to drop ds off at nursery.

cali i hope mw visit was a success.

i'm ok, but ds seems to be starting a cold, so friday's op now seems in doubt which i am gutted about.

Goodluck to all those in hospital having inductions... A little bit of me is quite jealous!

truff I think I was the first to finish work due to my annual leave running from Sep to Sep so had loads I had to take before ML after the 7th Sep I've been in work for 2 days... Really have no clue how long I've been off but have been a busy bee, had loads to do and have only had the odd rest day.

Woke up this morning and my bump seems to have disappeared I feel like I can almost see my toes now...

Truffkin on mat leave, enjoy just being able to stroll around the shops, go to the cinema in the afternoon (god i miss the cinema!) and generally pamper yourself.

Hope everyone being induced is doing OK.
I had a scare last night and am now knackered. Very glad to be working from home and am off for an Indian head massage in a bit.
I posted this morning on the childbirth thread. At 3am this morning, I genuinely debated phoning the mw and remember feeling disappointed that DP and I won't get our last night together next Fri when DD stays at her nana's overnight! But things now seem to have settled down.
I am 37 weeks today, so now full-term! But I'd quite like to last until around 39/40 weeks so i can enjoy a bit of mat leave!
My thread here - very quiet this morning! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/1329072-Early-labour-or-upset-stomach?msgid=28126488#28126488