October Baby Bus - Part 6 - The last bus for the ladies...

[BB3]

Hello all

New antenatal thread for us until the last of us pops xxx

Congratulations Awen I am so pleased (and relieved) for you!

I am still here 39+3 so I'll be here for a while yet! Had no signs whatsoever (didn't have any with DS either though so not expecting anything).

My Mum is arriving tomorrow - I am so glad! She is great at tidying/cleaning/looking after DS and generally making herself useful. Will take the pressure of me and DH (who is working the next 2 nights).

Congrats to all the new babies and good luck to everyone still on the bus.

Max is a week old already and my mum and dad get here tomorrow from the UK - very excited, and know I'm going to burst into tears as soon as I see my mum!

Has taken me an age to catch up and am going to move over to the PN thread.

Still here too - 39+5 - and there's no sign of anything happening yet, so it looks like I'm going to be on the bus for a wee while still!

Spent yesterday strolling around with DH in Brixton, eating Chinese dumplings and browsing for ages in a secondhand bookshop. I was so relaxed and absorbed that for a while, I forgot all about being up the duff, so when I remembered that wee yin could turn up at any time, it had an air of unreality about it! (Insomnia, indigestion and aching hips have made it all seem pretty real again, though!) Off to yoga later - I remember starting that class when I was only 16 weeks in and thinking that the women over 35 weeks looked huge...

Congratulations to all the new mums - Awen, so glad it finally happened for you!

I'm here too! I haven't posted much, but have been a bit of a lurker. Its my due date today...no signs though :(

My phone has been ringing non-stop today and I have chosen to ignore it as people are driving me mad. Feel really irritable! It feels like everyone is disappointed in me for not getting this baby out.

It is my first, so as well as being pretty keen to get this baby out I am also really really nervous about what's coming up. Scared of the pain, and of being in hospital, and being out of control. And then that I'm going to have a baby! And I don't really know what I'm doing!

It is really exciting to read about all the new babies on here. Well done everyone!

Hi all! my d-day today too quilty and tally! Wouldn't it be lovely if they were on time! Went for tea with one of my friends last night (incidentally the very friend who I went for tea with the night I went into labour with ds1). Then came home and went to the toilet and had lots (sorry) of greenish mucus (uck) followed by quite a bit of fresh red blood . Phoned hosp, they didn't seem too concerned (?) Anyway, was then having contractions for the rest of the night - so painful that I couldn't sleep but not as painful as i know they should be for going to hosp. They were every three minutes though, lasting for about 40 seconds, so naturally I thought, this is it! Would you believe after 7 hours of this and me being very close to phoning the hospital, they all went away? What is that about? Had a very large "show" this morning ( I think) but thats all that's come from all that blooming contracting. So now I'm just shattered and wondering if it will all start off again tonight - why is it always worse at night? Surely I can't be far away now?

Quilty - know exactly what you mean. Made an effort yesterday and did my hair, makeup, tried to find something decent to wear etc, then was met by lots of "oh, you're looking really well" comments followed by "think you've got at least a week left in you yet!" I just know that if I hadn't bothered and turned up unwashed and gross, everybody would have been clucking and telling me that surely I couldn't have long to go. It's amazing what a bit of blusher can do for your birth predictions!

I'm still on the bus..I'm not much of a poster but read up on everyone! I'm 40+5 with baby no3. DD1 came at 40+11 and DD2 came on her due date (following a very thorough stretch and sweep!).

I have been having strong braxton hicks for the last 3 weeks - quite strong and every 10 mins in the evenings with very mild period pains but they never really come to anything. DD2 came in an hour so I'm know once this labour starts off it probably won't be long either! Due to the constant tightenings I feel I'm constantly on the cusp of labour. I have to be out and about with DD's in the daytime - they are 4 and 2. I'm a bit nervous about heading too far afield incase this baby shoots out! The other day we went for a lovely woodland walk on our own and half an hour into it I thought - 'Am I mad - it's 30 mins back to the car!!!'

Congratulations to the recent new mummies! So pleased that you finally got there Awen.

I have done my birth story and unfortunately it is rather long..............

It all started last Sunday when I decided to go for quite a long walk, determined to set something off. I also ate a massive dinner and DH commented on how quickly I ate it. I also just felt generally out of sorts and went to bed with my fingers crossed that this was it!

I had a few mild contractions during the night but not enough for me to ask DH not to go to work. However at 11am on Monday my waters broke. I rang DH to let him know and we agreed that he would still stay at work but then half an hour later I had a show. As it would take DH two and a half hours to get home I decided that actually I did want him there so he set off.

My contractions continued to get stronger all day long and I couldn?t eat much dinner. By about 9pm DH decided he was going to ring the birthing centre, partly just to let them know about my waters breaking which then meant they wanted us to go in. They confirmed that my waters had gone and therefore they would like the baby to be out within 96 hours, and that they would book an induction for me on Wednesday morning. As I was doing hypnobirthing this was something I would prefer to avoid but I stayed calm using my breathing techniques and we went home at about 2am. By 5.30am things were getting intense so we went back to the birthing centre but not before I had shut myself in the toilet saying that I couldn?t do another car journey! I eventually pulled myself together and got in the car and off we went, with me muttering about pain relief ? I didn?t care about hypnobirthing anymore!

However, once we arrived and found them running the pool for me, my relaxation kicked back in. DH put on my relaxing music and lights and I was given Lucozade as my wee showed my body was breaking down too much energy (or something like that) and I carried on with breathing through all my contractions. After 4 hours the MW wanted to get me out of the pool as she was concerned that despite all I had drunk I couldn?t do a wee plus she wanted to do an examination to see how I was doing. I had to have a catheter and oh my word what a relief!!!!! It also turned out I was fully dilated and she could feel the head so it was time to push.

I got back in the pool and was there for a good couple of hours before we decided it just wasn?t working. My contractions were too far apart which meant the baby kept going back up every time I pushed her down. So we decided to try pushing on the toilet (!) as the birthing stool wasn?t available. Contractions came much faster and harder and I made a little bit of progress here before moving into the ?flat out on the bed? position which did the trick, and after a total of 3 hours of pushing, Abigail entered the world and immediately started crying.

I also had a second degree tear which was stitched up and is healing very nicely.

Overall it was the birth that I was hoping for and I am so happy and proud and also proud of my DH as I couldn?t have done it without him.

Wow, that really was mammoth, sorry.

Well done MrsP - really glad you got the birth you wanted. Hope you are enjoying your LO now.

Not at all Mrs P - lovely to hear a lovely birth story. Well done you!

Ahh - Mrs P - what a lovely birth story!! :)

Reesie - You're brave going anywhere! - Are you planning on a home birth? Sounds like this one could be incredibly quick.

Great to know that there are still quite a few of us on the bus - and some even further on than me. Been for a long walk/waddle today as I needed to get out - was quite upset and frustrated again last night and think the fresh air really did me some good today.

Then out of the blue a friend called, she didn't even know when I was due and I haven't spoken to her for months but coincidentally I saw her the day before her DS was born and also the day before my DD was born, even though we live hundreds of miles apart, so am hoping it's a good omen for this baby coming soon!! Fingers crossed.....and also for the others with imminent arrivals waiting on the bus with me.

Supergirl - I don't want to worry you but my waters were green when they broke, baby had done its first poo and I was ordered straight in as this can cause a lot of problems. Can you call again and get a second opinion? If you haven't already, pop a maternity pad on and make sure you show it to midwife so they can see the green for themselves. Take care.

Lovely birth story MrsP :) Glad you managed to get back in to the hypno vibe too :)

Hi all,

I need to catch up with everyone but congratulations to everyone who gave birth so far.
Here is my birth story:

I ve been thursday morning with my birth partner to my normal induction on Thursday morning. Also the same morning I've been noticing loads of movements from my baby to be.
I was supposed to be induced as an outpatient.
I've been following the usual monitoring: urine test, blood pressure and baby's heart bit.
After few minutes midwife had to call another midwife, then the other midwife told me that they had to call the doctor because baby's heart beat was faster then normal.
The doctor after inserting a very big needle on my hand sent me to the labour ward.
Once there the doctor told me that my baby was doing tachycardia and they had to run few test. If baby's heart beats did not go down I would have to go to the teatre for C-section.
The tachycardia finaly settled down so no C-section Oufff....
I've been induced with the gel and spent the next 6 hours between the antenatal ward and the hospital stairs to help start the labour.
At about 6pm after food I've been monitored contraction where coming regularily. Doctor made a sweep I was at this point 1.5 cm dilated.
Then, baby was starting tachycardia again. Doctor came back and decided to break my water. So I went back to labour ward, G&A and my water were broken ouch!!!
Then started a long night of very regular contrations (6 every 10 mins): they were short and very strong.
Then the pain started to reach its pick, midwife was worried by the strength and thought I might be dilating quickly so she checked my cervix I was only 2cm dilated at midnight. She reacted quickly and got the anaesthesist to come for epidural.
When we realized that the epidural did not work the anaesthesist was busy at the theatre and I had to be in strong pain for about 1.30 more.
When he came back he gave me a stronger dosage and until 3am the midwife was injecting top up of epidural every 30 to 40 mins maximum.
At 3am I was dilated only 3.5cm then they decided to put me on drip.
Until 7.15 I've been injected top up of epidural every 40 to 60 mins. Then I was 8cm at this time.
11.30: fully dilated, 12:40 pushing until 1.30 my baby was delivered by suction.
Dune was in my arms at 1.51pm on the 21/10/2011 ;-))
Now my love is sleeping and farting next to me in her moses basket. I love her so much she is my pretty little treasure. I am adding few pictures to my profile.
PS: I wanna do it again despite the pain was the moment of my life.
Good luck to everyone !!!

Ah mrsp and mimatchin you've inspired me to finally try and write my birth story.
A week ago last Friday (@ 40+5) you may remember me posting that I was in a vile mood, went to bed with DP, I then started having ctx just after midnight Saturday morning. Left DP sleeping and tried to rest. At approx 2.30am my waters broke. DP woke up at this point and we then tried to rest but ctx got much stronger and closer together. Had bath and around 7am when ctx averaged about 5 mins apart DP rang labour ward. Told to hang fire until 3-4 minutes apart so had another bath and tried tens machine but ctx seemed to be fairly irregular but increasing in intensity. At 9.30 I was in too much pain so DP rang and they begrudgingly said we could come in but warned we may be sent home (we live 1 hr away from hospital!)
Drive was horrendous as ctx really painful and some were coming one straight after the other with no break, then others 3 or 5 minutes apart. At hospital triage mw was very unsympathetic when I said it hurt but then found I was 4cm dilated so I was sent down to labour ward. Had G&A for two hrs then about 1pm they gave me some diamorphine. After 4 hrs they checked me to see how dilated I was and had only got 1cm more dilated. Baby had turned op and my ctx although strong weren't regular. They suggested oxytocin drip and epidural which I had really hoped to avoid but I was so tired I knew I'd never last through another 5cm at1/4 cm an hour and then be able to push, so went for epidural at 4.30pm. They couldn't get ctx to regulate even on drip and we waited with constant monitoring until 11.45pm when mw found I was finally fully dilated () so then started to push and DS came out at 00:45 am Sunday morning. Had 1 stitch but otherwise all fine and we ended up home by 5pm Sunday evening.
Can't believe it's been a week already and Elijah is just amazing.
Good luck to all of you still waiting and I have to say I agree with mimatchin I'd do it all again tomorrow as it was amazing and DP and I are so in awe of the whole experience and our amazing little person.

Sar in bed bfing dd1 with ds2 snoring next to me. Peaceful enough for birth story!

Jessica Emily Humphreys was born at 11.12pm on 22nd October 2011 a healthy 9lb3oz. She's beautiful :)

I woke around 2am on 22nd with strong ctx and they kept going every 5 - 10 min. They came closer together till they were 3-5. Went in hospital and was disappointed at only 2cm dilated posterior cervix with length. Returned home at 11.30am. Pains came all day and increased intensity and frequency. Managed to help get my ds2 to bed and sister and bil arrived. Back in hosp around 8. In lots of pain and needing g&a. Checked and still same cervix. In tears as pain so intense. Told couldn't have g&a till in labour and I wasn't. Told could have temazepan or pethidine. I didn't want either as stay in system. Had to go to another ward. This was all around 8.30. In huge pain and accepted pethidine at 9ish. Did nothing except make me feel sick. Had no idea how I could carry on and was very scared. We were left on our own. Midwife checked me at 10.45 as I was quite loud. I was already 9cm and on all fours on bed. Wheeled round to delivery still no pain relief and they couldn't work g&a. I was begging for epidural! No time obviously. Finally got g&a at 11.03, at same time I was fully dilated and urge to bear down (so primal and powerful) and it eased pain to do so. Waters went on first push and I thought that was it! Lol but needed to deliver baby. Within 9 minutes Jessica delivered and then placenta 5 min later. I was kneeling/all fours for whole lot. All on a little g&a for pushing. Had small 2nd degree tear no stitches. Left hospital within 2 hours of delivery. Jessica already pro at bfing and is amazing :) I'm sore, after pains strong and lost large clot. Hoping all ok down there but to be reviewed Tuesday or sooner if I pass more. Never had injection to deliver placenta either. All very very quick and intense. Can't believe I went from 2cm posterior with length to 9 cm in 2 hours 15 min and to have baby in total of 2 1/2 hours! :D

So Jessica Emily arrived on her due date and no induction yay

Also, (sorry missed this as tought I typed it). Jessica had cord around her neck and was distressed when she came out but with oxygen she was fine within 3 minutes. Thru never told me what sex she was so we could find out ourselves. I was willy hunting and it took a second for penny to drop that she was a she lol. I'm besotted

Awen wow that was quick, but also long iyswim. Poor you with no pain relief I'm in awe I couldn't have done it without. Glad Jessica is doing fine now x

Well done ladies - your birth stories are fab! I have to say reliving labour through you all had bought back some painful lovely memories of ds' birth although I never thought I'd say it in quite glad I had cs with girls not sure I could go through that pain again!

Awen how does it feel to have a dd after two boys?

Think I'm going to go along same lines as awen, had consistent contractions all night every 10 mins then tailed off this morning
really need to get this baby out asap, I have a christening to go to on Sunday DH is godfather and already have outfits organised for DS and LO (if she ever comes!)

Really starting to think she's gonna come out in a school uniform at this rate!

Edward ((hug)) I know how tiring that is physically and mentally. I don't know whether me finally knowing plan helped, sex (fun ), evening primrose or stretch and sweep helped. Or wether it was gonna blow anyway. One thing that was said was all the ctx was my body getting ready which is why it was so quick in the end. Really hope your time soon xxx

Bb3 - really expected another boy and didn't think it made a jot of difference either way but she is completely incredible and I'm in love, also nice I have my big boy, my little boy and baby girl. I'd have been over moon regardless. I'm in love pics on Facebook x

Thanks so much for the birth stories - enjoyed them whilst eating my lunch! I love the fact that despite all the pain and trauma some of you have been through you are so happy and in love now that your babies are here!! :)

I can't believe the baby felt so near to arriving on Saturday morning and now it just feels like the same as last week again - constant pains and twinges but no contractions....

The 'have you had the baby yet?' texts have stopped, only to be replaced with 'when will you be induced?' ones - grrrrr!! Just got my phone bill through too and it is double the usual this month, probably from replying to all the 'daily checking' texts!! My DH says I shouldn't complain and should be pleased that people are showing an interest - I do appreciate all the lovely friends I have around me, I just wish I had news to tell them, not the same 'no - nothing yet' replies.

40+4

40+2 here. What contractions?

Haven't posted much on here either but it's good to know I'm not alone in my extended journey and anti-climax at reaching my due date. Come on my little boy. I ran out of energy for my 2 year old ages ago and now I'm done with body sharing.

Texted an NCT friend this morning to suggest meeting for lunch and she replied to say she'd had her baby last night. Happy for her but now feeling crappy - no baby and no lunch out! Just done the washing up from last night and eaten half a pack of jammy dodgers. Trying to get up the energy/motivation to make a batch of chicken pies for the freezer. Need cheering up!!
Sorry for depressing post... .