December 2012, 'Christmas rush' has a different meaning for us this year!

[StaceymReadyForNumber3]

Thought we should have a shiny new thread.

Also, when people ask when I'm finishing work (36 weeks) other women love saying "oh, I worked up to 38/39 weeks!" I'm waiting for someone to say they gave birth at work and then carried on working! why the competition ?

Well nothing more happening here. Really would like it to start when DH isn't at work so this weekend or next ideally!! Might get bouncing! Then again I'm having a chill day today so a day reading/mning might be nicer than labour.
Pidg That's what we did. I fed and DH winded DS. We hardly ever changed nappies at night as he rarely pooed at night. Yes it meant we were both awake but it meant I kept going with breastfeeding as could feed then doze and DH could doze then wind. Of course I sometimes did it all but I think a day with a baby can be equally as hard as a day at work. I wouldn't 'do it all' just cause I breastfed, I think there's an expectation that you will- some of DHs colleagues thought he'd be getting lots of sleep as I was feeding- wrong!!

Alison I've no idea why some women tell horror stories. My 1st labour was fine. I ignored those who were negative and pictured the positive tales I'd heard instead- I can still remember the snippets I mentally stored and who said them:-

Colleague 'I loved giving birth, we moved the mattress to the floor and I had her on my hands and knees- I'd do it tomorrow'
Colleague 'if you've ever had really bad period pains you'll be fine. My daughter was- she just stood up as long as possible'
Friend- it's like period pains, then really bad period pains'
Mum- 'by my 3rd I'd got the hang of the breathing and felt in control. I was determined that I'd manage the pain'

I'll add my own for you-
'it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. I rated the pain as a 3 or 4 put of 10 (relating to how sore i expected it to be) Walked up the stairs to the labour ward (got out lift on wrong floor!!) to be told I was 10cm. I was much calmer than I thought I'd be.

spotty that sounds awful - you are perfectly entitled to moan away! Hope it gets better soon.

alison - ugh, how dreadful of that woman. Some people just want everything to be about themselves. Someone mentioned their mother getting cross when other women do that - my mum is similar as she Is always saying that it's not like the births you see on tv dramas where a woman spends hours screaming the house down in pain. Plus you do get a baby at the end of it!

pidj sounds like your husband is being wonderful.

emily I find "oh what a shame you didn't get more time to rest at home before the baby comes" is a good way to cut off women who make you feel bad about working to the bitter end. I stopped at 36 weeks as I knew I was having an induction at around 38, and i had originally planned to go on till 38 until i found out about the GD, but i was full-term size at 36 weeks so couldn't imagine continuing even half a day longer. Even with lifts from the station etc and working in a desk job so i was hardly on my feet all day, I found I ached all the way to the tips of my fingers so sometimes I couldn't even face typing! My head remained completely focused, but my body was very much saying "enough is enough!".

cashmere I love all those things you've noted that other women have said. Another one that I'm finding it helpful to focus on, especially when I get my inevitable catheter and drip, is something another friend said which is: "remember that each contraction is bringing you one closer to meeting your baby".

Loving all the positive birth stories

Ahhh

Up all night bad wind pains

Puking all morning

Carpet fitters just arrived.

Dh made me a nest in extension with everytjing in reach inc tens in between running round with power drill n hammer flattening nails.

Think im gonna puke again

Thinking if you loads spotty.

Women like that can be shit ellie.

Yup - that was one crap pizza last night! Havent been sick whole pregnancy - its the pizza, its the pizza its the pizza...

Ds1 woke up at 1150, moaning about being poorly, but nothing much I could tell. Woke again an hour later, but I had been catching up on here so hadn't slept. Then got back into bed, no very quietly and turned on tv as I was wide awake. Dh woke up and went to the spare room. I didn't feel too guilty as he never gets out to him as he is on medication which makes him sleep so doesn't hear til its too late. Anyway 10 min later ds1 up again. Sweating, red checks, moaning, holding his tummy. Calpol given. He cried as soon as I went to leave, so I thought he's going to keep me up anyway so I may as well be warm in bed. I have never co slept, even the idea of sleeping with a snuffily, moving proding child puts me off, but thought sod it. He came up and took over an hour to go to sleep but when he was he was soo cute. He was giving me big hugs like he does his teddy bears, he was lying on my tummy with the baby kicking him, it was just lovely. However we have a very high bed so I didn't sleep a wink making sure he wasn't too hot, too cold, breathing properly and stopping him falling out. As a one off it was lovely and when he woke up he gave me the biggest cutest smile. I handed him over at 6 and have just woken up now. One for the memories.

Umm Clarella it's not the pizza.... How are your contractions wind pains?

I have read all the posts so thanks for the kind words. Hope everyone is ok

I've reached the conclusion of 'if it cries stick a boob in it'

Morning

Ooh clarella, could be the pizza yes but more likely things could be starting.

Hope you're ok spotty

I'm on my phone so can't see pidjchick so will look later, sounds like you are doing really well pidj!

Can't remember who mentioned the popping sounds from belly, but i get them too, i was told its the amniotic fluid moving around when baby moves.

Well we were going to go into the town to the medieval fayre and christmas tree light switch on but DH has had to work probably not such a bad thing now though as heavy rain is on its way.

Ah well, chinese takeaway tonight, easily pleased me

I am still worrying about lack of movement, even though I know everything was OK last night. Hmmm. :(

I do like that philosophy honey! Its really lovely reading your and pidg's updates :) shows us what we're aiming for!

Really stupid question but you know how bh make your stomach hard, are real contractions also hard? If so Its definately digestion issues as tummy quite soft, slight occasional cramps at top if uterus but could v much be tummy too. I think it wiuld hurt a lot more and be longer lasting [head in sand emoticon]

Good news is carpets should ve done by midday!

FoD, if you are concerned ring up and speak to your midwife, she may well reassure you enough but if it means going in for another check then so be it. It doesnt matter if you are checked loads of times, if you feel something isn't right you need to do what is best for you & baby.

FWIW movements here are more of the defined stretching type, and there are lots of quiet times. But you know what is normal for you

Yes clarella contractions make your tummy hard too.

Hope you feel better soon.

How many weeks are you FOD? which way was he lying? Engaged etc? Ive been pretty surprised and how little movement there can be esp when tummy gets solid some days, BUT i fully believe instinct should be followed - eg honey's experiences etc. Nothing to stop you going back if comcerned. Try a sweet coffee maybe? Or a bath?

I am 37 weeks now. The thing is I am sure he is fine. I just feel like a paranoid mess.

I am drinking coffee now to see if he wakes up and I will go to yoga and see if he protests at that.

I just need an occasional tickle from him to stop me worrying!

Sounds like a good plan FOD. movement has changed again here even in last 2 days - i think hes both dropped more n possibly turned a little to front as i get little wiggly tickles just above pubic bone but less of the big feet pushes at top left. Its hard to track movement when it seems to evolve week by week!

FOD I have felt hardly anything for last few days and what I have felt is very different to the last few weeks. I'm fairly sure my baby has just moved position though and is getting himself all tucked up for birth. I'm 36 w today

Ugh cant keep even water down.

Dh asked carpet fitters for advice bless! They said pizza!

You need some dioralyte clarella I hope you feel better

Good idea spotty didnt think. How are you doing? Is dd coming to visit?

clarella try flat lemonade

Yeah I'm ok thanks. They're here but just about to leave as she's starting to be a pickle! I'm looking forward to having a shower!

Ooh clarella is it the pre-labour evacuation? Can you get some glucose tablets?

Poor you Clarella hopefully it will pass soon.

I'm off to the sobbing sofa for the first time in weeks. DP has today off, he works every Saturday 7-12 and then plays football 12-6. Both are off today. I mentioned doing something together and he just laughed and ignored me . Today he's asked if I'd mind if he spent the afternoon watching the match with a friend (read in the pub). Fair dos you may say, couple of hours in the pub, but he's already out with the lads tonight, so he would be from 3pm til whatever time in the morning.

I'm not even that pissed off that he wants to go out, but he wouldn't even consider going anywhere with me. I'm going to clean up and just go out on my own. Might try to give birth tonight just to teach him a lesson