Due in October 2012 Part 7 - towards the finish line, going for Gold!

[Planktonette]

On your marks...
Get set...

GO!

Quick message for Angelico - it's worth your DH sneaking a camera into the theatre and asking the surgeon for permission to take photos, and also for permission to have some skin to skin contact before they whisk bean away. Our NCT lady, who is also a doula, says that midwives can be very officious and say no to things but if you ignore that and ask the surgeon, they often say yes!

Good luck to you and CWest, hope the day goes as smoothly as possible xxx

Squid, happy 40 weeks! Fingers crossed for things happening with a vengeance soon - you are awesome and I would not be at all surprised if you deliver on your due date!

Thinking of lisbeth and velo, hoping all well with you both.

Huge Good Luck to CWest, Angelico and Elpis, so exciting to meet your babies, hope you can hold on through the last starving/stresses and so soon it'll be over and you'll be mummies! Woo-hoo!!

Spine still being rather rotten (typing this draped over chair in attempt to stop spasms) so trying to get osteo appt. Had intended to start cleaning properly today, might need to do little bits interspersed with stetches.

Thanks so much for all the helpful thoughts about slings/baby-carriers and monitors, v useful and welcomed. You ladies are fab.

squid big hugs, happy due day, try not to pressure yourself love - and big kudos for the sex! My poor DH is totally neglected on that front... Hope plug helps to reassure you things are happening, at your body's own pace.

Hugs to everyone, x

I swear this bean knows she's coming out today - she's like a frog in there! :o Hopping about madly. Thanks for good wishes, going to get the hairy legs etc tamed then throw last few things in bag. Already thirsty, probably sugars high because of the toast fest this morning, I daren't look... Will be thinking about you all - may get DH to pop on with an update :)

(And don't worry Yomping I fully intend to have DH sneak camera in as I completely agree with your NCT lady - I find sometimes it's the MW's and junior docs who are scared to say yes to anything, the consultants are like "Yeah, whatever!" Consultant told me before I could have skin to skin in theatre, it was MW and junior doc yesterday who seemed a bit - they probably are afraid of sounding like they are trying to dictate stuff - the nightmare of hierarchy and diplomacy!)

Good luck!

Angelico in the spirit of ongoing support I shall have a drink and another piece of toast for you.

Ooooooh who's going to get online first to announce a BABY??? It's so exciting! Real squeaky snuffly brand new babies!

Clue - it won't be me... Braxton Hicksing like nobody's business, still occasionally with period achiness, but otherwise still in one (very large) piece. I have embarked on a pineapple mission (there are worse things hey) with that in mind and am in love with this. I totally owned a delicious juicy ripe pineapple in seconds this morning, and am now snaffling it. Yummy yum. If you get one, just make sure you use it with the pineapple in a bowl so you catch all the delicious juice. Lost all mine today

This is it ladies... off we go! :o

ps: Midget and Crazy I will have my revenge for all your talk of toast and drinks and pineapples - my mouth is as dry as Moses's sandal as they like to say in these parts...

Love to you all, especially those who are about to pop!!! xo

Angelico good luck!! Can't wait to hear your news

Sorry Angelico [shamefaced emoticon] Thought you'd gone

GOOD LUCK!!!

Squid I'm just humongously in awe of the sex you're having!!! Not only do I think we wouldn't physically manage it, I feel massively ugly really and can't actually recall the last time we did it which makes me quite

But happy due day & at the mucus plug!!

Hope you're ok, liege x

Mamas and Papas are crap! Here's why...
Ordered our car seat 6 months ago and paid the deposit you need to secure it. When we ordered it, the date we requested it for was yesterday. I called them yesterday and apparently it's out of stock! So even though we paid for it, they didn't keep one aside and just sold them anyway! And they didn't even bother to call me and tell me that! I had to call them! We have to wait til next week, and they still can't give us a specific day. Fortunately we gave them an early date- I'm only 35 + 4 so it's not urgent. But isn't that pretty shit service? I did explain to them that the reason most people give a specific date that they want their item is probably because... um... oh yes, they're having a baby, which isn't really something that you delay if necessary.
What a pile of crap. Not the first time I've been unimpressed with their service.

Due date blues, a song by squid, sung on a banjo by an old man with a voice like gravel

Due date blues,
5 mile walk in the rain,
Midwife later,
But no baby

due date bluuuuuuues.....
no baby, no baby
due date bluuueesss...

(harmonica)

LondonMrsS that is rubbish. I feel for you. Especially as we have been v.badly organised and I finally badgered DF into ordering a car seat on Friday night and it turned up at his office yesterday much to both of our surprise. You should be rewarded for advance planning not penalised. Pesky M&P. Rubbish.

Squid BRAVO for yet another long walk. and DOUBLE BRAVO re shag. You are truly determined and dynamic. I am very impressed. BOO re non arrival. Perhaps take yourself to the cinema to distract yourself? I have also been told (anecdotally) that acupuncture is v.effective. I am planning on giving it a try if I get to 40 weeks with no arrival. If nothing else, researching which one, getting a recommendation, making an appointment, etc, then going, should occupy some time?

MrsConfusion I hope you get osteo appt soon. I know that desperate feeling of OWOWOOWOW I need to see someone now.

Oh and I am a BAD person. I had lunch with a 22 yr old guy on our team and he asked lots of questions about pregnancy and birth and I'm sorry to say that I answered a little too honestly. I think he's in shock. He had no idea about tears or about pooing in labour. Poor chap. I think I've got too used to the frank conversations we have on here and at ante-natal and forgot that normal folk either don't know or don't want to...

crazy floods up here again so my school is closed for the day! I am stressing though about how the hell I am supposed to finish all the work I am doing and clear my desk by the end of work tomorrow :-( I was so happy to be finishing work tomorrow but now I am going to end up doing loads of work in my own time without getting paid. Argh!

My Mum was meant to be looking after DS today but hasn't come down since I am off. He is great company but bloody exhausting! And my DH won't be in until 11 tonight and tomorrow night so I feel lonely, tired, uncomfortable and stressed. Would have a little blub but don't think DS will let me stop playing long enough...

Right...enough self pity there I think! Will cheer myself up imagining all the babies appearing today... So exciting!

Well, have just given myself the fright of my life. Decided to embrace the world of perineal massage - have ummed and ahhed about it for a while and then thought it's got to be better than tearing.

Anyway, lying on the bed trying to get sorted, found it uncomfortable but not painful (sorry if tmi), after 5 mins felt like an idiot and got up to wash my hands. Have got fresh blood on my hands - not a lot, but enough to give me a bit of a pinkish discharge. Have cleaned up and there's nothing else "fresh" appearing.

In my sensible head I know it's probably that I've been overly vigourous and made my perineum bleed, but trying to convince myself it's nothing to worry about.
Bean has given me a kick so happy that he is ok. I'm not getting any pains or cramps or anything.

Have put a panty liner on and will check back later - if there is any heavy bleeding then I'll phone midwife, but if it stays as a bit of pinkish discharge I'll be happy that it's nothing serious. Really don't want to have to be checked over - weather is horrendous and a lot of roads up here are shut due to flooding. Buses are running but no timetable as such, and DH is at work an hours drive away (with several road closures between him and me).

Either way, will not be retrying the perineal massage again any time soon!

32, 35+2, #1

kyria that must have given you a fright! Glad you are not panicking-I think you are right not to worry too much-just keep an eye on it.

londonmrs that is rubbish! You are quite right to be really cross with them! As you say-the whole point of stating a delivery date is so that you have it for your baby!

mrsC huge sympathy! Sounds horrid-hope you get seen soon!

squid I know it is hard to be patient, but the fact that you are anywhere close to being able to walk, never mind have wild sex suggests you are doing much better than the majority of people at 40 weeks, so don't give yourself such a hard time! Now that you have had your show, you def can't go that much longer. Can't you ask your midwife for a sweep if you are really demented? I remember feeling totally gutted when my due date came and went last time, so am not gearing up for any one date, just a period of a few weeks. (I say this now but know it is easier said that done!) hang in there, pet!

kyrria don't panic I had exactly the same experience last week. Terrified me but the bleeding seemed just from massage nothing else, so hope same for you.

Got osteo appt, but not til Monday - they've promised to call if any cancellations but am rather panicked at thought of 6 more nights. Might try sleeping in chair tonight as it really only goes unbearable at night. Feeling really whacked out today, and full of snot. This is no time to get a cold! Might go for 10 mins fresh air then try to drink orange juice for vit C. Bean quiet today too, keep poking bump to try to get some wriggles to stop myself worrying.

bella try not to panic about work. You really will reach the point where it doesn't matter anymore, and yo can only do what's possible.

bella & mrs confusion - nothing else so far so happy to think it was just from massaging!! phew

Still have no bastard Internet connection at the new house - how can it take so long? We moved in on 30 August?! Anyway am posting from my phone so sorry if I get in a muddle and don't reply to everyone individually. Someone asked the other day about nausea/sickness and in my delirious preg-head I read tiredness and started yabbering on about that, so sorry to whoever that was. I am rubbish.

Well I get the Nobber Award for yesterday. Went out wearing Birkenstocks and baggy gym trousers and as I was crossing the high street my toe got stuck in my trouser leg and I fell flat on my face. Well my knee broke my fall and is a bit of a mess but at least bump didn't take full impact. Have felt the baby move since though so I'm pretty sure no harm done (except to my pride).

Went round to a new friends house afterwards - lovely American girl who has lent me loads of stuff like a bumbo seat, swinging chair, playmat and loads of other bits and pieces. I'm totally blown away by how generous people are. She has a very cute 8m oldl but was very open about how hard it was at first. Feeling so nervous about life changing so completely, becoming a parent, having someone else so reliant on me when I can't even cross a road properly

In other news I went to a very swanky party on Saturday night and stayed up till 2am [proud face].

I am 37 weeks today, so full term, but also have no idea about what to expect from labour so am going for a private lesson with a British midwife out here on Friday with dh. And still listening to the hypnobollocks when I can stay awake... 3,2,1,relax.

Much sympathy to everyone with hip pain - mine seem to go into spasm in the night. It is excruciating. Thinking of everyone who is expecting their little ones yesterday/ today.

Smorgs, 32, 37 weeks today, dc1

A very quick post!! Baby Max was born last Thursday making a fast entry into the world. He was born at 38 weeks but weighed only 2.35 kg making him very small. Luckily, his 'easy' delivery, good apgar score etc meant that we managed to avoid intensive care. We just got home today which means that I am finally back to an internet connection. More to come later but just wanted to let you know that everything is OK!

oh my gosh velo wow!! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! Soooooooooo happy for you! max is the first baby on our thread! What a special little chap! Can't wait to hear more about it! Hope you are OK and coping so far. Ah...you have made my night! Well done you. Much love to your new little family xx

kyrria all sounds v reasonable but any concerns at all get someone to have a look just to check. Hope you're ok.
Hope all went well for everyone having babies today!
smorgs your new friend sounds lovely and sounds like lots of handy baby stuff. Although having dd1 was harder than I could have imagined and utterly changed my life it was also more wonderful than I could ever have imagined and she is the absolute centre of my life. So don't worry - its a massive change but the best change ever!
bella sending big hugs, hope you can get ds to bed at a reasonable time and then curl up with some comforting telly or a book or whatever and feel a bit better, and remember, you are totally allowed to take it all out on dh when he gets in regardless of whether or not he can do anything about it - tongue slightly (but only slightly!) in cheek....
mrsconfusion hoping that appt materialises ASAP, sounds horrid. Hope you can sleep a bit better tonight, have you had some paracetamol? Sending cold-curing vibes in your direction!
livvy have had a little evil chuckle at the thought of that guys face....
squid serious respect for the walk and sympathy on the waiting. Dd was born at 39+5 so I never even got to due date but was still massively impatient and frustrated because part of me had started counting from 37 weeks being term.... Hope you can do some nice things over the next days and remember, it can't be long now! Plus your body is clearly getting itself prepared Which has to be a good thing.
Two mornings at work left for me, ready to stop now. Slipped on some wet leaves today and had a legs going in different directions moment as I tried to avoid falling over / completely doing the splits. Avoiding falling over so bump safe and sound at least but the muscles / ligaments / whatever over my pubic bone are now absolute agony every time I move my legs apart even a tiny bit I.e. walk at all! Hoping thwt will have settled down by the morning, it was hurting a bit before but not at all impressed by this!

velo massive massive congratulations, so exciting! Thank you for posting too, sure you must be v busy but am so pleased to read that all is well. Good choice of name too.
If you get a chance and would like to please feel free to post more details...l maybe on our postnatal thread which can now be put to good use!

Many many congratulations velo, all sounds dramatic so v relieved all are well. Well done you! Take it as gently as you can over these first few days and weeks. Such lovely news, and a fab name :)

Just running in to say to Velo and welcome to baby max. DC1 was that tiny and caught up in no time. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Congratulations, you have done an amazing thing.