We will have a serene, pain free, uneventful pregnancy and birth and will BROOK NO ARGUMENT on that.

[scarletfingernail]

New thread.

My Dd was late, so I was induced (wrongfully!) and Dd was distressed so had horrible, constant monitoring and I had to lie on my left hand side through all of it. Is the reason I am not sure about strep B. I haven't spoken to my MW about it I just remember last time it was an opt in. I guess I need to discuss with them.

It is all getting a bit close! I was 34 weeks on Fri and I am nesting! Done a monster shop with 48 tins of cat food, 11 boxes of cereal... You get the idea lol! I am wanting the baby to come in about 4 weeks really end of Feb would be great, I have tutorial on 26th which I want to attend so hopefully this will trigger labour.

Scarlet I was going to say before, I bet Ds had a great vitamin boost from your orchid. :o

Pomme I find the baby keeps dipping in and out of my pelvis, it is just what I think is happening.

Dream I did have swabs recently, but don't think they checked for strep B. They didn't say anything about it, and they were 'high vaginal swabs' and Strep B is supposed to be low Vag according to DR google.

I found this website when I was scouring the net for bags I am finding a lot of bags are having new colours. etc Mid Feb which is making me twitchy as I want a large bag I love now! I don't recommend the Lin and Leo bags, too boxy and heavy or the pink lining bags as these get grubby and can't be washed. I love Ju Ju Be bags as they are light weight, lots of storage and can go in the washing machine! I want a be prepared, but they are expensive and I am not really liking the colours... Apart from a discontinued one, although they are having more patterns out 14th Feb.

purple when you say you were wrongfully induced do you mean you think they had your dates wrong? So they induced you too early?

So what Is strep b, and how does that come from your induction / awful labour. Sorry of I'm being thick. I've just never heard of it before and am wondering if it's something I should know more about

Incidentally it sounds horrible to have to lie on your side all the way through. I had to like on my back to be monitored and I think that made it worse (although I don't think I realised this at the time). Can I ask as well why they had you lay on your side rather than on your back? I'm just wondering whether that is better / worse / an alternative to lying on my back of I have to be monitored again (which I guess I would be if it's before 37 weeks). Although I also found out the other week at pg yoga that our hospital does mobile monitoring so if I need it, I might see if I can get one of the mobile sets.

I should apologise - it's like I'm interrogating everyone this morning! Sorry

FIRST TIMERS DON'T READ!

I just want as natural a labour as possible and if I have Strep I will immediately not be able to have that. I was induced as I was post dates, however my waters had broken (although we weren't 100% sure until two of them spent ages trying to break my waters and then they said 'oh you must have been right!'), I was 3cms and they induced me anyway. I should have been left 24 hrs to see if I would labour in my own!
Anyway, Dd got very distressed because of the induction and her heart rate kept dropping, so I had to be constantly monitored around my bump and had the internal heart rate monitor on her head. I had to be on my left hand side to try and help Dd and all the while I was at risk of a crash section!
In many ways I was lucky I was able to have her as a VB but I found the whole thing very traumatic and horribly, horribly frightening.
I also only had gas and air, I was contracting solidly for ten minutes at a time and dilated from 3-9cms in an hour and delivered very quickly. A couple of things helped me like syntocin I refused and I am so glad, as I am sure I would have had a CS as just the pessary really distressed Dd and in the hour they left me to get on with it once I told them to buggar off, I dilated like crazy!

Ah I see, thank you.

My waters broke at 36+5 and they kept me in over night and similarly they said I would have to be induced if nothing had happened within 24 hours - fortunately I did start contractions over night - I think I'm very glad I didn't have to be induced! But then I was still monitored as a precaution because we were still technically prem.

So what would they do the birth if you did have strep B? Would you have to just be monitored etc or would they induce you?

I'm wondering how I've never heard of this strep b thing before?

hi all.

glad you're feeling a bit better purple. I'm worried about being persuaded towards an early cs this time. my dating scan put me about 6 days earlier than what I'd have thought by when i ov'd...

i went into labour spontaneously last time and most of my waters went. after quite a long time i was recommended to have epidural and go on drip as things weren't progressing. i had to turn on my left side too as DS's heartrate went a bit funny. ended up with emcs apparently as he was at a funny angle and wasn't pushing on the cervix right iyswim.

it wasn't too distressing (maybe for DH as he didn't have lots of drugs) but i felt totally out of control and didn't like lying down all the time.

thanks for coming back to update us little, glad you and DH getting on ok.

dream i was flaked out just taking DS round the shops by myself yesterday...zoo sounds a challenge!

scarlet glad DS ok after leaf munching!

grr run out of room on phone.

Re strep B. Biscuits we don't get tested for it in our area. I was really worried about it last time as it was when Dr Chris on This Morning was doing a campaign to make it routine so I seemed to be hearing about it all the time.

I think IIRC that strep B is a bacteria that millions of people carry all the time completely unaware of it. There's a chance that during labour it can be transferred to the baby and that if the baby does get it, it can, but not always, be very dangerous. You can pay to have a swab privately, but I'm told it's completely pointless having a swab until labour starts (more or less) as it's something that can be developed at any given time. Hence why our trust doesn't offer it. So, you could have a swab at 39 weeks which is clear, go into labour at 40 weeks and then find you do have Strep B.

I think also that to get an accurate result it's a swab from front and back bottom which in areas where the NHS do take a swab they only take from the front, so again Strep B often gets missed.

It's a worry and a risk I think. If you are found to be a carrier of Strep B you will be hooked up to an anti-biotic drip during labour. While obviously it's good you can then stop worrying about the baby catching Strep B, there is some research that shows the anti-biotics can be harmful to the baby's lungs. So again, another risk and decision to make.

All of the above is from memory from over 3 years ago, so it's possible that things have changed or my memory's been jumbled up since then. If you're worried there's loads of info online. I ignored it all in the end and took the risk. It seemed so complicated and hard to get a proper diagnosis I got fed up stressing out about it. I might mention it again to my MW when I see her tomorrow and find out if guidelines or information has changed.

Ah that's very interesting - thank you Scarlet - would be interested to see what your mw says about it now?

I trust DS is still fine and dandy after eating his greens?

Right, after that epic Strep B lesson time for a catch up.

jen I'm so delighted for you that you are finally feeling some movement. It must feel so lovely as you've waited so long. I'm sure the baby will make itself well and truly known now over the next few weeks.

Musical Good luck with the house hunting. I'm sending you lots of positive vibes while your DH is away, you will be absolutely fine. Take it easy and use the preggo card on the tube. That's an order.

Thanks all for asking about DS. I'm so relieved we managed to get through that incident unscathed. I'm still really surprised at him doing it though, I honestly didn't think that he was the type of child to do something like that. He has been complaining all morning of a "poor ear", so we're onto the next ailment already. He's never complained before of having a poor anything so I'm treating it as a real concern. I've booked him an appointment with the GP for this afternoon and given him Calpol. He said he wanted to go to nursery and he hasn't got a temperature so he's gone as normal. He ran straight in telling anyone who'd listen that he's got a poor ear and made me feel like a terrible mother for dumping him on them. They said they'd ring me if he seems unwell (which he doesn't).

got to get on with some ironing now

Scarlet thanks for the strep B lesson! I've had a poke around online and it all seems quite confusing! I'm not sure whether or not I want to personally take any action, but I think it's well worth raising as a question to my mw, so thanks to you and Purple for flagging the issue!

It's so exciting that we've got due dates popping up left right and centre soon!!! I can't wait! In a month or so there'll be enough No Brooking babies for a fully fledged post-natal thread! With Hawthers leading the way! Good luck to everyone getting through their last few weeks.

Biscuits 32 weeks might seem like ages away to you, but to me it sounds positively heavenly! I've only just reached third trimester (27 weeks) and with the prospect of crutches from Wed my due date feels very far away indeed! I went a little stir-crazy last night and attempted to storm off to the corner shop (less than 5 mins walk from my house). Luckily DH followed me and was able to help me back when I got about a block away from our house and literally couldn't move any further forward. I don't know what I was thinking. He half carried me home, and that was my ten minute Sunday adventure! Sigh.

Pomme sorry to hear you didn't get on with your pacapod napier! I've just spent stupid amounts of money on a pacapod portland (gave up waiting for a magical deal to pop up and make it less than £100) so I'm a little apprehensive that I won't actually like it when it arrives! Dream this is the largest pacapod and is the one recommended for twins so I'll let you know what I think of it when it gets here!

The primary goal of the weekend of crazy expenditure has been to get my hospital bag sorted, so once my next few deliveries arrive I'm really hoping my bag will be mostly complete! Just need a few random items like granny pants!

Sorry to hear about the moon boots as well Pomme, those sound annoying! I'm glad they're taking good care of you though, and with all the No Brooking going on for your birth I'm sure the boots won't get in your way!

Expecting my nursery curtains to be delivered in the next half hour, and then I get to spend the rest of my day figuring out how to attach a blackout lining (designed for tape top curtains) to curtains with a tab top! Such an exciting life I lead!

Oh Scream you're right, I really shouldn't moan about being bored should I . I'm sorry that was a very undiplomatic thing to say, apologies. I'm so sorry that your so immobile. I do hope that the crutches help. When is your next physio appt? Are they helping at all? Did you get the NHS physio sorted out yet, after the other one said she wasn't qualified for pg?

your so immobile. That would be you're of course

Biscuits - Yes, I'd be at a much higher risk of a DVT than a 'normal' person. The moon boots are attached to the bed so I have to lie flat on my back in bed once I have them on. I do have a photo of me in labour with dd where the amount of things I'm attached to is INSANE. It's about as far from an active water birth as you can possibly get!

scream - I'm sure the bigger ones will be fine as I think they close over the top. The pod idea is really good and useful.

Oh ok Pomme so the moon boots sort of make your feet move while you're lying down. And being induced potentially. Well since you are a brooker you know that it's going to be a breeze. I'll not accept anything less. Fact.

p.s. Dream I haven't actually bought the Cosatto Hogarth cotbed yet (when DH finally got around to making the purchase the Amazon price had shot up from £196 to £225 and I'm still trying to decide where we should buy it from now). However I'm coming across a worrying number of reviews that say they've ordered the cotbed and been really unhappy with the product's finish? They mention poor build quality, shoddy paintwork, visible lumps and smears of glue, etc etc. It's made me a little nervous when the whole reason we're going for the Cosatto over the 3 bears cot which I loved is simply because I thought Cosatto had a GOOD reputation for quality! What's your experience been with them? Have your cotbeds arrived yet?

Oops lots of x-posts! Biscuits please don't think I was objecting to you having a legitimate moan about your due date feeling far away! I'm sorry it's entirely my fault for my poorly phrased post. I guess I was trying to say that 32 weeks could be considered good in some ways, even though that doesn't change the fact that you feel like it's still a long way to go! In my own bizarre way I was trying to make it feel a little shorter for you, I didn't mean to come across as "you're worrying about nothing!" Forgive me?

The physio is helping a bit, but mostly I just have to learn to live within much tighter parameters than before. I'm fine so long as I take it easy and don't stray too far. As soon as I try to do anything normal (like pop upstairs to grab something while DH is out) I instantly regret it!

I would also like to second Biscuits' statement about pomme's moon boots being a breeze this time around. Fact.

Oh you don't need forgiving Scream my lovely because you haven't done anything wrong. You did exactly what you said - make me realise that we are all getting there day by day. And the time is ticking by. But I still shouldn't be moaning when you are having your parameters restricted so much.

I've been incredibly fortunate to have such an easy (boring?) pregnancy. I actually wish I could take perhaps a day a week of your SPD Scream so you could have a day off from it.

But, you are 27 weeks did you say? That ain't that far behind me - and hopefully once you have your crutches that will give you a bit more freedom so perhaps you can get around a bit more easily. I guess stairs would still be tricky but even if you could get out for a bit of fresh air?

Oooooo! The home physio had a cancellation and so she popped by just now instead of on Wed. I now have crutches! It's surprisingly exciting! She says not to push myself too hard just because I now have more support, and to make sure I keep up my exercises to try to get my core muscles taking as much of the weight as possible, but ultimately these should make it much easier for me to walk for more than a few steps!

Can't wait to try them outside! I might actually make it to the corner shop next time! It won't help with stairs unfortunately, but getting outside every now and again might save my sanity!

Biscuits it's v sweet of you to say you would take the SPD for a day, I wouldn't wish that on anyone though and least of all my lovely No Brookers! I appreciate you all listening to my constant whinging though, it really helps! I need to focus on the fact that my baby is healthy (so far, touch wood) and I'm very lucky that work have been so supportive. Besides we all have our own challenges, after your birth experience last time round you fully deserve an easy pregnancy and birth this time Biscuits! All of the No Brookers have their own stresses and strains. We'll get through it though, we're tough and we Brook No Argument!

Hello,

will wait to hear about your changing bag with interest scream, though over £100 is a huge amount of money for a nappy bag now I'm not earning!!! I just think mine's usually quite full now, and I've even stopped carrying spare clothes for DD (I'll really, really regret that soon I know...) so no idea how I'll fit nappies for two babies, plus triple the snacks, extra layers etc in once they're a bit older!! Yes, I could try going with just one set of clothes for the two boys etc, but I did use my spares a lot when DD was little for leaky nappies, baby soaked in vomit etc etc. Hmm.

I don't think I'll get swabbed for strep B if it has to be the day you go into labour- I bet it wouldn't happen in our trust anyway (maybe one of the reasons for its high infant mortality and red alert?!).

purple, I waited 30 hours before I let them induce me after my waters broke (which initially they kept saying they hadn't, and only after a positive test fro amniotic fluid, then a second scan confirming only 2 small pockets of fluid left, greatly reduced from the day before, did they believe that hind waters or not, waters broken it was!), then I insisted on pessary first which made me contract every 5 minutes but didn't do anything to 'ripen' or dilate my cervix, then had the syntocinon drip up which was grim, grim grim. 16 hours not even 1cm of dilation grim. pomme, you're so brave being so relaxed about your induction. I'm in awe. This is why I won't be induced again, I'd rather go straight to section (I knwo that would be a disaster for you with your blood clotting problems probably pomme, but I'm still impressed you're so accepting!). I thought the moon boots were strangely relaxing when I had them on after my op after DD's birth... (if you do mean flowtron boots) the rhythm part of it I think, but maybe that was just relief it was all over!

scream, my cotbeds haven't arrived yet, but my changing unit has and I think I said, it was missing one hinge which I rang them about and had it within 3 days. Good customer service I thought. I like it, and there's no problem with that. My step sister has the cotbed- she got it 6 1/2 years ago mind, but it has lasted 4 children so far and still going strong! I think she had an issue with the mattress sliding of the base a bit in bed mode, but the only cotbeds that had a little 'lip' to stop mattress slide are obviously the ones without a drop side so I didn't consider them. Plus her boys are pretty boisterous, don't know if it was umping on it that caused it, didn't ask. I haven't seen any bad reviews so far, where did you find them?! Cheapest was bambino direct, and prices did go up in January. they were £185 from them when I ordered, £200 today. I'm expecting them mid feb. We've nowhere to put them til we get rid of our old spare double bed, so I'm not fussed about that!

I must get some stuff for me and the boys hospital bags....

and biscuits, i feel like this pg has gone on for 18 months already..... chop chop!!! 10 weeks to go for me! (well, 9.5 maybe)

Thanks for the update Dream! I've had a poke around on the Which reviews and I think I'm going to go for the Toys R Us Henley cotbed instead, but the Cosatto one is still lovely! Or maybe we should go back to the 3 Bears one! Argh - I'm so indecisive!

My lovely GAP yoga pants have arrived today though, and they're all soft and comfy! I can pull together my hospital bag now!

My god I look like a proper pregnant waddler today! Never mind if the baby is head down, or breech or even across, I reckon today it's pointing from my back to my front, parallel to the floor! I practically need a trolley to push my bump on.

Do you think it would be bad to not clean my kitchen but instead conserve the emery for yoga and the walk there and back tonight?

(nb, I am aware that having to conserve energy to walk to the END OF MY ROAD is a bit sad )

Not emery, energy.

I don't clean my kitchen with emery boards or anything

Conserve your energy! Your DH won't even notice the floor (but he'll notice his pretty, energetic and smiling wife!)

Sorry, I thought you said 'kitchen floor', my comment still stands tho!