April 2012-ers, THE TIME IS NOW!

[JambalayaCodfishPie]

The First Trimester

The Second Trimester

The Third Trimester

Final Countdown.....

POSTNATAL!!

April Babies

11th March BushyMcBush - Baby Girl, Martha, 3lb4oz
14th March RiaMay2011 - Baby Girl, 6lb1oz
20th March Boomerwang - Baby Girl, Anya, 4lb13oz
21st March LaTristesse - Baby Girl, Lilou, 7lb1oz
25th March UglyMush - Baby Boy, 6lb7.5oz
31st March Pitmountainpony - Baby Girl
4th April aprilfoolsbaby - Baby Boy, 8lb5oz
4th April newmummyvicky - Baby Girl, Lyra Lilly, 6lb5oz.
4th April El32 - Baby Boy
5th April bearcrumble - Baby Girl, Marianne, 6lb.
9th April digitalgirl - Baby Boy, Franco, 8lb12oz
10th April mummylivmade - Baby Girl, Emilia Sophie, 7lb14oz

4th Flisspaps (29) DC2 ?, DD(2yo)
4th Cutelittlecatlover DS, 2
4th vintagenancy (32) USA, surprise in making
5th BeyondLimits (25),Newport,DS 10m(nearly 17m now),DS2 cooking
5th Sandychick (31), DS 4yrs
6th El32 (33),Wimbledon, cooking a boy
7th ladyfoucault
8th Emsgale, surprise bump, DD - 2 years
8th Spannermary (34) expecting DS1
11th HollyPockett
13th Scoobysue expecting DS
13th dreamc (31) 1st munchkin
15th Tinwe DD - 10 mo
17th balkanscot
17th Bunsoutheoven (36) dd- 5yrs, ds - 3yrs, boy cooking
18th Marshmallowpies (35), expecting DD
18th LaPampa
19th CubTrouble
21st Bananna1 (42) DD16, DD14, DD11, expecting a surprise
22nd JambalayaCodfishPie (27) DD,7
22nd gimmegimmegimme (33) DS1-4yrs, DS2-2yrs expecting boy no3
22nd Thepuddingchef ds 6yrs dd 4 yrs expecting a boy
23rd Nordicmom (36) London, DS - 6,5 yrs
23rd Twittle - DS (19mo)
24th notso DD 11, DS 7, DS 13mo &surprise
24th WhenDoISleep DS - 3yrs, expecting DS2.
25th confuzed90 (21)-DS 2and a half, expecting DS2
25th lizmarshall (28) Glasgow having a surprise!
27th Thaleia Boy in making
28th Justhayley (27) Ds1
28th Lorrainbow (28) Cooking our first boy
29th JackieJay (29) Suprise!
29th Elizabethtailored (28) expecting DS1, London
30th Diffedagaindachs Expecting a girl.

Hiya absolutely nothing to report just pulling up a chair on the new thread

Congrats dream and buns!! :)

Still nothing here... Had an awful migraine all night last night, was a little worried it could be BP related so my mum came round to check and my BP is lowest of everyones Its much better now though, although not completely gone yet.
Am starting to think about induction now. Its done at 12days over as standard here, but I think I'm going to ask for 14days instead. If my original dates were correct, that allows for a few days over (was moved forward 10 days at my dating scan) on those dates. My nether regions are messed up enough from assistance that I'm not convinced was entirely essential with DS, I dont want to chance the cascade of intervention and my problems being made worse!! Can't believe how desperate I am to have this baby and not be pregnant anymore, yet I'm putting off the one thing that would guarantee he comes out sooner!!

I'm back on the pineapple - worth a try!
Sweep tomorrow...

As usual a night full of BHs turned to nothing. I did get a bit excited as they were pretty regular and strong at one point. Had a show as well that was brown blood streaked.

I guess something is happening but it's taking its time!!

Had the sweep. Figured it would do no harm. 2-3cm, DC is very well engaged and MW could feel head and membranes/forewaters. Feel reasonably positive! At least the aches and BH have been doing something. DC is also off to one side and almost OP.

Anyway, declined induction and am going to have another antenatal appointment at 41+6 (there's no clinic on the day that I turn 42w) - I know the consultant will be there, but we'll discuss 'how far' I'll be prepared to go over (as long as it takes unless there's a problem) and I can let the SoM know that I still expected to be supported by the CMW team for a homebirth over 42 weeks. If I get into the pool and then call them to request support it's highly unlikely that they will send the 'appropriate assistance' in the form of an ambulance to cart me off to the CLU

There's no increased risk that I know of for giving birth at home at that time, the risk comes from DC staying in rather than where it actually appears.

Beyond Back on the pineapple? Sounds like you're doing it wrong to me - no wonder your baby doesn't want to come out

Congrats to the new arrivals.....trying to keep up with this thread
I am seriously fed up, but at least I know I am not alone which helps. Feel like such a moaner but am not coping with this last bit very well.
Had midwife app last week and she measured me slightly sitting upright, so measured 38 weeks, having been over 5/6 cm bigger throughout the whole pregnancy, measured myself today and I am sure its 43cm! Am petrified of having a 10/11 Lb baby . I am so huge people just stare at me. Think I might just hibernate from now on. I have tried all the usual old wives tales, I can't even manage sex any more in any position and the Clary sage does nothing but smell nice.
Will try to keep up more with the thread as I keep missing the birth announcements!

hello
love the new shiny thread!!!!!
well im 40+4 have the midwife friday and she said I could have a sweep so fingers crossed that will help or show some progress.
im so achey twingy trapped wind spd sciatica blah blah blah!!!!!

Announcing the arrival of Baby Frankie 8lb 7oz last Tuesday by elcs. He's truly yummy and I'm enjoying snuggling up to him and taking it easy. Sorry not to have posted before. C section late in the day followed by an infection, inability to wee and baby with tongue tie who was not gaining as the nhs wished him to meant that i didn't get out till saturday night and I've been a bit wiped out since. I practically had to discharge myself as they wanted me in till he was gaining. But another night on the postnatal ward really would've driven me over the edge. And indeed a large glass of fizz and my own bed and he gained 40g overnight.

Only skimmed the thread, can't believe how much has happened in a week. Huge congratulations to aprilfoolsbaby, newmummyvicky, buns, el32, bearcrumble, dreamc1, digitalgirl (what a big boy, and love the name), buns and mummylivmade. Welcome to those newly joined.

Good luck to all who are waiting, may your labours/c-sections be short and uncomplicated. I'm off to bathe in lansinoh. See you on the postnatal thread.

Holy moly the Diva is living up to her nickname tonight. Loads of fidgeting, a big bum in the air and shooting pains in the fanjo. If this isn't the start of something I'm not going to be impressed :)

Congrats Unipsychle!!!

Staying at my mums tonight as dh is back on nights for tonight only. So ds is in with her and I get a whole single bed to myself ALL NIGHT!
Very twingey again but still no sign... Grr...

Congratulations UniPsychle and welcome Frankie! Glad you're home, Post Natal wards are quite possibly one of the closest things to hell on earth you will find!

Congratulations Unipsychle!

41+1 today and I've given up on this baby ever coming out. I'm pissed off with everything and everyone and randomly crying every 2 minutes at the thought of staying pregnant forever! I'm off to softplay with ds in light blue jeans and white knickers and I'm not taking any pads with me. If my waters don't break today they never will!

I hope everyone else is ok and someone has a baby today!

cutelittlecatlover 41+1 too.

Bloody Groundhog Day

More clear mucus, bump is sore but no BH or ctx. Feels like baby is lower but nothing else. CTG on Sunday, which is a bonus as I went to 42w with DD and didn't get extra monitoring.

Am hoping baby turns up Sat afternoon...DH is a red Scouser and it's the Liverpool v Everton FA cup semi final AND the Grand National at Aintree on then, it's going to be like Scouse Sports Day. He'll want to watch both so that means he won't even contemplate trying to suggest I change my mind and have a CLU birth unless it's a dire emergency

Oh, and having got our car back on Monday, we lose it again today as it's going in for MoT, so today could be inconvenient

Wonderful news Uni, congratulations on little Frankie, ahhhh.

Sorry to hear people are now 41+, must be so draining, just waiting and wondering every day. I'm 38+5 today and really thought baby was on its way last night - mild period pains coming and going - and baby has got much quieter. Is this normal? Still getting 10 movements a day but nothing like it was - also they seem less violent, just little gentle prods. Not sure if this means anything or not, but would love baby to stay in a little while longer so hopefully none of it is a sign of anything!

Bananna1 It's a myth that babies quieten down just before birth, so if you have any concerns about movement, ring your MW. It might just be that baby has moved a bit and is kicking and punching towards your back rather than outwards (which will cushion the movement) but don't worry about calling and getting checked out.

38+5...ah, the good old days

40+4 and itching like a bastard! Have some slightly better cream though, and rash seems to be progressing, rather than just increasing IYKWIM so trying to stay positive.

Mum & Dad head home after a week's holiday here tomorrow so hopefully that'll kick start something!

Talking about foetal movements, the ob/gym at hospital told me I needed 10 good movements a day. For a split second I misheard him and thought he said faecal movements! It made my eyes water, I can tell you! But yes, any concerns get checked out...

While we're here...can someone tell me about sweeps and how much more 'in depth' they are than vaginal exams? May have one tomorrow if anything has progressed... And I hate exams. (I know I can refuse but I also know I only hate them coz I'm a wimp; not for a sensible reason)

Hi all, haven't posted for a while and I'm not on the list, but wanted to announce the arrival of baby William on wednesday 4th April, a week and a bit before his due date (which was today!). He's really very lovely. Thinking of all of you yet to pop. Lots of luck xxxx

spannermary my understanding of what happens during a sweep is that the MW tries (if favourable) to insert a finger into the cervix and then 'sweeps' it around to try to separate the membranes from the cervix. During a VE in labour, the MW is more measuring how far the cervix is opened. Both different from, say a smear exam.

sympathies to everyone who is 41w+ - no doubt I will be equally as tee'd off with the waiting game in 3 weeks time (38w+2 here).

DS1 has been somewhat of a nightmare behaviour wise the last couple of days - it is so hard at this stage to be patient with him, as obviously a lot is down to insecurity about the upcoming changes.

In other news, DS1 go out of bed this morning and demanded pants rather than a nappy. We did have a go at training him last Autumn (was showing all the signs of readiness), but he got very distressed by it so we have been leaving it until he asked basically. Glad he has, but the timing really couldn't be worse. We have already had two sucesses this morning, but I do need to go out this afternoon, so that will be a big test. I know the advice is generally to stay in for a couple of days but I really can't today (or tomorrow for that matter). Hope this really is it with the potty training and he cracks it quickly.

LateToTheAprilParty congrats on the birth of William.......fab name by the way, I have a ds called William

Congratulations UniPsychle and LateToTheAprilParty!!!

April Babies

11th March BushyMcBush - Baby Girl, Martha, 3lb4oz
14th March RiaMay2011 - Baby Girl, 6lb1oz
20th March Boomerwang - Baby Girl, Anya, 4lb13oz
21st March LaTristesse - Baby Girl, Lilou, 7lb1oz
25th March UglyMush - Baby Boy, 6lb7.5oz
31st March Pitmountainpony - Baby Girl
3rd April UniPsychle - Baby Boy, Frankie, 8lb7oz
4th April aprilfoolsbaby - Baby Boy, 8lb5oz
4th April newmummyvicky - Baby Girl, Lyra Lilly, 6lb5oz.
4th April El32 - Baby Boy
4th April LateToTheAprilParty - Baby Boy, William
5th April bearcrumble - Baby Girl, Marianne, 6lb.
9th April digitalgirl - Baby Boy, Franco, 8lb12oz
9th April dreamc1 - Baby Boy, Harry Alexander, 6lb
10th April mummylivmade - Baby Girl, Emilia Sophie, 7lb14oz
10th April Bunsouttheoven - Baby Boy, 8lb3oz

4th Flisspaps (29) DC2 ?, DD(2yo)
4th Cutelittlecatlover DS, 2
4th vintagenancy (32) USA, surprise in making
5th BeyondLimits (25),Newport,DS 10m(nearly 17m now),DS2 cooking
5th Sandychick (31), DS 4yrs
6th El32 (33),Wimbledon, cooking a boy
7th ladyfoucault
8th Emsgale, surprise bump, DD - 2 years
8th Spannermary (34) expecting DS1
11th HollyPockett
13th Scoobysue expecting DS
15th Tinwe DD - 10 mo
17th balkanscot
18th Marshmallowpies (35), expecting DD
18th LaPampa
19th CubTrouble
21st Bananna1 (42) DD16, DD14, DD11, expecting a surprise
22nd JambalayaCodfishPie (27) DD,7
22nd gimmegimmegimme (33) DS1-4yrs, DS2-2yrs expecting boy no3
22nd Thepuddingchef ds 6yrs dd 4 yrs expecting a boy
23rd Nordicmom (36) London, DS - 6,5 yrs
23rd Twittle - DS (19mo)
24th notso DD 11, DS 7, DS 13mo &surprise
24th WhenDoISleep DS - 3yrs, expecting DS2.
25th confuzed90 (21)-DS 2and a half, expecting DS2
25th lizmarshall (28) Glasgow having a surprise!
27th Thaleia Boy in making
28th Justhayley (27) Ds1
28th Lorrainbow (28) Cooking our first boy
29th JackieJay (29) Suprise!
29th Elizabethtailored (28) expecting DS1, London
30th Diffedagaindachs Expecting a girl.

spanner a mum in my NCT group said the sweep lasted about same length of time as a smear, and was not really any worse than one: just felt like 'more pressure'.

DH and I have been doing perenial massage on & off (more off than on though!) & it definitely felt less uncomfortable the last time we did it, so that's a sign it's working, I hope. Just is an effort to do it last thing at night when we both want to go to bed!

Welcome William

spanner sweep yesterday wasn't even remotely uncomfortable for me - MW inserts two fingers, and if she can get into the cervix stretches it gently to see how many cm you can get then inserts a finger up to the top of the cervix and sweeps around to separate the membranes from the cervix. This hopefully releases prostaglandin and encourages labour.

If she can't get into the cervix she may 'mess' with it as this can also work.

Some women find them painful, others not at all. Take 2 paracetamol before you go, and a pad just in case!

Welcome, William: great name. :)

Thanks for the info on sweeps - sounds like a good idea to have one if possible. If only so I can practice relaxing through potentially uncomfortable situations. This is my biggest downfall! I'm also a big believer in 'forewarned is forearmed' so if I know what's going on I'm less likely to get so tense. And if there's a chance it could help bring things forward, then it has to be worth it!

I'll pack a spare pad and a couple of paracetamol just in case. Of course, if my cervix hasn't changed since Tuesday, it may well be irrelevant anyway. BP still hovering at 150/100 but has been pretty constant over the last week, and doesn't appear to be going so I guess that's something...

Right, off to watch more CSI.