April 2012 - The FINAL Countdown - Chat and Stats

[JambalayaCodfishPie]

1st April aprilfoolsbaby 1 DD,3.4
2nd April LaTristesse (36) Kent, DS - 22 mo, brewing a girl
4th April Flisspaps (29) DD,2
4th April vintagenancy (32) USA, surprise in making
5th April BeyondLimits (25), DS 10m, Newport
7th April ladyfoucault
8th April spannermary (34) S Yorkshire
11th April HollyPockett
15th April Tinwe DD - 10 mo
16th April digitalgirl DS,3
16th April bushymcbush DD,3
17th April balkanscot
17th April Bunsoutheoven (36) dd- 5yrs, ds - 3yrs, boy cooking
19th April CubTrouble
22nd April JambalayaCodfishPie (27) DD,7
24th April notso DD 11, DS 7, DS 13mo &surprise
27th April Thaleia Boy in making
30th April Nordicmom (36) London, DS - 6,5 yrs

oooh bananna that sounds bad! Glad you weren't underneath!

bear Yay for having a date! Does it all seem v real and close now?

Has anyone had weird pains in their bump? I had some odd stabbing pains last night and I don't know whether to be worried or not...

I'm glad I wasn't underneath -I keep imagining if I'd tumbled down the stairs and it not being very good for the baby :-(

Diffed No, not had stabbing pains, but they do say we'll start to get all pains and twinges from now on. But if it's still happening, I'd phone the MW just to check it's normal.

We've got our first antenatal class today - this is my husband's first baby, so he has every right to be there - as it's my 4th, I feel a bit of a fraud! But because it's over 8 years since my last baby, I get treated as a first time mum and am invited to go. So I shouldn't I know, but just feels a bit strange. Saying that, I have forgotten it all so it will be good to be reminded!

Boomerwang: I've done that leany-backy thing too! Made me chuckle when I realised what a cliche I'd become! I also started inadvertently rubbing my bump in public as it was a bit achy. My sis said, "Do you realise what you're doing?" I didn't! It was very soothing though... :)

This afternoon I am having my first visit from a Health Visitor. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but his letter says one of the reasons for the visit is to 'explain his role', as well as to give me a little red book or something. How Maoist! I have to admit I'm entirely clueless: Is he medical or social? Will he be more interested in breast feeding or child benefit? No idea!

Needless to say, I'm entirely confident in the state of the house and haven't spent the morning vacuuming, tidying and washing the kitchen floor like a mad woman. No, no not me!

*please note several parts of the previous paragraph may be a complete lie!

He's arriving at 2pm and I've set myself the target of making carrot and coriander soup to freeze, and write my birth plan before he gets here. Although I may just watch the Orange housewives of California county and eat toast instead!

Hope you're all well. :)

Im feeling much better today, slept well and only and manage to get up once in the night for a wee, and went back to sleep at 430. Baby seems to like waking me up at this time moving and kicking.

The aches stopped about 11pm last night, So i guess it must of been BH? i sat on my ball for a couple of hours and that seemed to help.

Riamary i dont think youll be long now, a week- 2 weeks. be so Interessing to see who is first?
i kind of hoping my baby is a march one, april seems to long away! getting a bit fed up now!!!!!!!!

Early this morning I had a mega itch in both of my lower legs. I drew blood with the scratching. I thought about putting cream on them but I couldn't bloody reach and didn't fancy waking up my bf. It's gone now but it was really bad at the time!

Sorry if this is TMI but for the past couple of weeks my urine has been really dark and strong smelling. I guzzle water in the day so it can't be my intake. When I took a sample to the MW yesterday it was the ONLY time it was very pale and cloudy and she said there was nothing wrong, just some mucous had gone into the pee.

My MW also helpfully said she'd fill out a templated birth plan with me, as I haven't a clue what I want to happen. I was just going to let all the medical staff decide on my behalf.

Hello all, popped on for a bit of tea and sympathy.
Been to MW this morning and BP is up again and have had more flashing lights, also Pedwar is still breech and she has said that given current unstable BP and past history if the baby is still breech at 36 weeks then CS will be the suggested route.
I am really scared of a CS, and want to have a nice birth for this last baby

How are you riamay any news?

Bananna ceiling experience sounds scary, glad you are ok. I don't envy you going through the loft conversion we started ours this time last year, and although we are sleeping in it now the knock on effect of everyone moving rooms has mean't we are still decorating now.

Boomerwang If you have anymore persistant itching then you should tell your MW, GP or consultant if you have one. I don't wish to alarm you but it can be a sign of OC which is a pregnancy liver condition, and the dark wee you mention could also be a marker. That said itching in pregnancy is very common due to hormones.

spannermary I have never come across a male HV before. HV's vary in worthwhileness IME&O, the first one I had was rubbish, my babies knew more about babies than her. The one I have now is brilliant. Just remember there word isn't law and baby clinic is easily avoidable if you don't agree with them.

Bear Congratulations on the date, how very final.

Diffed I have had a lot of odd bump pains over my pregnancies, I put most down to stretching or the baby, I am convinced they can scratch your insides with their needle sharp finger nails. Anything persistant, really painful or you are just not happy with see someone, if in doubt - get checked out is my PG motto.

Still in hospital after my 34 week check. Waiting for a CTG after I mentioned baby wasn't as active as last week.
Also am measuring 36 weeks so have been referred for a scan to check size of baby/fluid levels. Think consultant is just being over cautious given my history. I don't mind, tbh, I'd rather they be over cautious than the other way round.

He also seems to think this one is likely to come early! Especially after i mentioned braxton hicks were quite crampy. Eek!

bananna hope you've recovered from the shock of your ruined carpets. Thank goodness you weren't hurt!

notso have you tried scrubbing the floors to get the baby to turn? It must be difficult being told you'll need a cs - but a planned cs is very different from an emergency one so at least it'll be more relaxed.

dachs nothing stabby, but baby has been known to stretch out into a very uncomfortable position and keep their heel/fist dug right in.

oooh digi Sounds promising! Let us know what they say xxx

notso Sorry you're having a bad time with your BP. Hope the baby turns for you. If you need a CS though, it's not the end of the world and prob better to have a planned one than an emergency one. I'm prob having a CS, so I'm hoping they're not that bad!

The bump pains have settled down and baby has decided to have a mega wriggling session after a nice warm bath, so I'm not concerned for now. It was quite freaky at the time though!

Hey ladies,

Just been to the toilet and wiped and noticed when i wiped some snot like substance on my loo roll. Is this my plug?? i had a lot of pressure too. also my bump is sore today i feel like im getting mild period pains.

ooo come on baby make your mind up!!!
x

Just thought i would put my last post in as i am posting and i think i am getting on peoples nerves.
I do try to call my midwife who is always on annual leave and my hospital has currently closed its doors due to being 'full'
i only come on mumsnet for advice as i dont get any help from anywhere else.
So im not going to post anymore. just going to read. I will post however when baby is born.

Ria, now youre just being childish.

Aaaargh X-posts with the other thread - everyones going to wonder whats going on!

riamay that is what MN is here FOR!

Snotty discharge is normal and not necessarily your plug, although with your history, who knows?!

Jambalaya now I see what that's about having been 'over there'!

riamay I took Jambalaya's point as it was meant (not in a mean way!) - of course you're going to be looking at every little thing thinking 'is this it' but the thing about posting on MN is not everyone is going to be aware of your previous labour and so might not understand the urgency or possible significance of these things at 35w, and so might give advice which might be better for someone who isn't so much at risk of a second premature labour, whereas those of us on the April thread are aware.

Don't stop posting, but like Jambalaya says the MW is the best place for you to get advice, even if they are crap at answering the phone or not opening the doors to anyone else. If you phone the Maternity Unit and they're unhelpful, ask to speak to the Supervisor of Midwives - there should be one on call at all times.

What other thread?

CTG all fine (phew) - got the growth scan tomorrow, which I'm going to by myself as DH is away.

ria not sure why you don't want to post anymore (did I miss something?) but if you're feeling anxious we're here for you. In my last pregnancy my waters went first, then my plug went a few hours into my contractions - and it was bloody - so there was no mistaking it (I was about 3cm dilated at the time though). I've heard though that the plug can go a few days before labour starts up, so looks like you might get to meet your baby before the end of the week.

When I mentioned my crampy braxton hicks to the consultant today he did say to call the labour ward if they were every 20 minutes. So if your period pains are beginning to get regular then do call them.

So the health visitor was 30 minutes late and pretty dull really. Not sure how I feel about him being a he. It seems weird, but I felt quite uncomfortable when he said he would help me with breastfeeding: I'm sure he meant leaflets but it sounded strange!

Just my own hang ups, I'm sure: I'm fine with male medical professionals in general, so not sure why this is different.

Riamay - keep us informed. It's a difficult time now, and we're all here for you! I saw Jambalaya's comments on the other thread, and your response and think that you are right, that hormones may be creating a misunderstanding. To me, Jambalaya's comments showed concern for you more than anything. Don't forget we're all in this together!

If you are still worried, have you thought about calling NHS direct? Not sure if that would help?

All the best - and don't stop posting!

spannermary Had I had a male HV before DD I think I'd have been a bit about the thought of him 'helping' with BF - however it turned out that I didn't want any help from the female MWs or HV, and thinking back, I think I might have been a bit less reticent had the assistance come from a man. I don't know why. The help he offers could be practical (ie it might help if you hold the baby like this, or like this) or leaflets, or directing you to BF cafes or counsellors.

What I find unusual is that the HV has come to visit before your baby has been born, we don't see one until we've been signed off from the MW at 28 days PP, and we get given the red book when the baby is actually born rather than before too.

I found one of the HVs we had for DD nice, and reasonably useful at telling me what I'd already learned on MN, and the other one when we changed to different Health Centre absolutely useless, telling me that I could now offer finger foods to DD at 6mo even though I had told her we were doing BLW and had been doing so for a few weeks.

I'll not bother my arse with them once they finish the home visits this time round.

Hey ladies

boomer a friend of mine suffered from pregnancy itching, swore by e45 kept in the fridge, copiously plastered on.

digi glad all was well after your hospital visit.

Riamay don't stop posting, that's what mn is for posting thoughts/questions that we don't always feel able to ask people in rl.

Re hv - my experience of them has not been great. They seem to have very poor knowledge of breastfeeding IMO. Where I live I only met the hv after baby was born, after day 10 when mw passed over responsibility. They are ALWAYS late. With dc2 after she'd done the hearing test I told her I didn't need visits & that I'd go to the clinic if I needed advice/ weighing.

So I am having another growth scan at 36 weeks but cannot see the consultant again until 37 weeks to discuss my request for elcs. Now I am panicking that he will say it's too late to arrange it then. Am I being silly or should I try & book to see him again before 36 wk scan ie nxt wk?

I don't see why 37w would be too late to arrange your ELCS :) It might be that he wants the measurements of the scan in order to decide when to do the ELCS so seeing him before might be a pointless exercise. Nothing lost by calling and asking though I suppose.

Hmm - I didn't know it was unusual for them to visit pre-birth. Interesting. I wonder if it's because I'm a first timer?

He didn't bring the red book in the end - although it said he would in the letter. He says next time I'll see him will be 10-14 days after the birth: so I've got that long to master the BF basics with MW help if necessary...

I don't get the impression I'll see him that often and I'm not sure there's a lot he'll be able to do for me - he seemed to lack the depth of knowledge my MW has, and seemed very fond of just saying 'Oh, good, everything's fine. I'm sure everything will be fine.' Oh, alright then! He's only been working in our town for a few weeks, though, so maybe he's still settling in.

Still, if they can provide me with information on potentially useful links/services then that's all good. :)

boomer* I get the most evil itchiness on my shins. Nothing helps except for Sisley's Comfort Exteme. However, it's about £70 a tube (I used to work there and got it free) but if you can get to a Sisley counter in a dept store they should give you a sample..

I get this when not pregnant too, I think it's because my legs get really hot after being really cold - I don't get it in the summer

But, my brother in laws sister (!) also had itching all over when pregnant and it was a sign of salt in the blood. I don't know what the other symptoms were but might be worth checking in case the strong wee is something else too?

boomer I had itchy legs when pg with DD and scratched them with a hairbrush until they bled Blessed relief! Nothing else worked that I can remember. Moisturising helped a bit, but only birth stopped it for me. I've heard things about E45 causing skin to thin so I'm wary of it, but Aveeno is meant to be very good.

Uncomfortable night here. Woke up at 3.30 with pain in one side of my back and bump and lots of BH - at 36w my first reaction was 'shit!' and then I had to go settle DD so sat on her bed in the dark rocking until she dropped off. Headed back to bed, pain eased off enough for me to sleep but she woke again. DH went in, I woke up again and the pain came back Bloody ouch. Anyway, nothing came of it but am still a bit achy this morning with the occasional stabbing pain if I move too quickly. An expecting a few weeks of this joyous development. Oh hooray. Have MW appt this pm anyway, will see how I feel then. Have pointed out to the baby that 36w is not good for me as homebirth is really off the cards until the weekend when we're nearer 37w thank you very much!

How are we all today?

Sorry to hear you had a tough night, Fliss. I woke a couple of times for the obligatory wee, but the final time lay in bed unable to drop off for a couple of hours after. Finally fell asleep about ten minutes before the alarm and am now somewhat resembling the living dead! I just couldn't get comfy - even rolling onto my back is uncomfortable now.

Oh the final month is going to be a treat, isn't it, girls!?

Still, off to town today for some final purchases - oh the excitement of breast pads and nursing bras! And then cinema and dinner out this evening (thanks, Groupon!) So it's not all bad!

Morning all. Thanks Digital and diffed.
I was up all night worrying about the CS, this isn't like me at all.
I am usually very much 'what will be will be', but I just can't get it out of my mind.
I think it's because I was looking forward to going in to labour and the whole 'natural' birth again I enjoyed DC3's birth, I didn't think I would get the chance after DC3 as DC4 was a suprise.
I am the only one in my group of five close friends who has had vaginal deliveries, so they have all been telling me that CS is ok and there are plus points eg definate date which will mean I can go to best friends wedding!

Glad your CTG was ok, digital hope the growth scan is too.

ria don't stop posting. Haven't seen your other thread but it is rotten being unsure about what is happening to you. I had this for weeks with DC2 and 3, and it is draining.

spanner when the HV first visits depends on your area.
Here it is after MW handover, the MW can delay handover if you need more help. I saw them for over a month after DS1 as had problems with feeding and previous PND.
Providing everything is going ok you can take them or leave them. The only official appointments are the heel prick, sometimes hearing test though here they do that on post-natal ward, immunisations although again here they are at GP now not clinic, then developmental checks which also vary we have one at around 6-8 weeks, one at 8 months then thats it until just before school age.
Clinic is handy for weighing or general advice, I have been when I haven't been able to see GP quickly, and my new HV was great when I was feeling low after DS2 was born.
Hope you enjoy your film and dinner.

Buns don't think 37 weeks is too late to arrange your CS. When I had my growth scans I went to the ward or clinic straight afterwards for a consultant review so maybe you will see someone at 36 weeks anyway.

Fliss hope the baby is obedient for you!

Exciting reading these posts - everyone seems to be having so much activity, there must be a baby born soon! And Notso, although not what you would have chosen, at least as others said, you can plan the date of the birth etc and with other children, am sure that will be handy!

Another bad night here too - can't get back to sleep after the loo trips, then woke very early with the worst headache ever, which still hasn't gone. Don't want to take paracetamol, but would any of you?

DH and I both enjoyed our antenatal class yesterday - a big group of solely first time mothers, so felt a bit self-conscious to say this was my fourth ( what IS she doing here, I could hear them thinking!). But it really helped my husband connect with what is actually going to happen in a few weeks, so all good! And I was expecting to be the oldest by far, far, far and wasn't, which made me happy! Hopefully it will lead to some friendships as most of my close friends have finished having babies!

I never found HV very good - always thought they were overpaid and wondered what they actually did - doesn't sound like they've improved over the years then!

Hope everyone has a good day, itching, tiredness and pains allowing!

Oh, and do keep posting Riamay, we want to know how it's going.