January 2013 part 6: the one where all the babies arrive to join their friends who escaped early!

[BuntysFestiveCollocks]

New thread as the other one is nearly full !

Our next baby should be pmgkt's, but I won't if any little cheeky monkey will sneak in before Thursday?

Thanks all!

spring thankfully I can't go another 3 weeks, am due at hospital on the second which I was going to cancel, but am thinking if things are like this but I've not had a baby, then I should at least be able to have my waters broken and thus have a chance at my vbac. The contractions have to be doing something!

Bunty I wonder how much there is to the theory that your body recognises when you're busy during the day by slowing down the early labour signs and then when you relax overnight ramps them up again? Each contraction must be doing something to soften and efface the cervix even if its just a little bit each time.

I'm a bit jealous really, no real signs of anything much happening. 39+5 today at my antenatal check, MW wrote 'ceph, long, free at brim' in my notes so no engagement here, just bouncing along at the top of my pelvis. She's coming to the house next friday to do a sweep.

Good job on the lists Complicated and Woody Glad someone is looking out for the stats.

I hope you're right, pasha!

Afternoon All,

Apart from the understandable, general fed up ness and wanting baby out, i wanted to ask if anyone else has felt that their hormones have gone totally haywire?

I feel so much worse since i gave up work, i think i've cried literally every day since i gave up two weeks ago, i guess cos i've had more time to think.

DH has been no help at all, partly because he's been ill in bed over Christmas and partly because i just think he's useless - the smoking and drinking as if in the 'last chance' saloon is really getting on my nerves.

I know everyone says enjoy this time, it's the last time you'll get a long rest for ages so make the most of it, but mainly i've just been finding it quite a lonely time... what about everyone else?

Bunty - I am sure that the contracting is preparing your body for labour. It might be getting the baby into a better position or the cervix getting ready to dilate. What are you going in for on the second? Induction or section?

Godzookey. My boyfriend is limited to one beer a night.... Just incase. The sod never gave up smoking though which made it even harder for me. Feel your pain.

Thanks Lora - at the moment, i feel as if i don't even want him to come to the hospital with me when the time comes and will just rely on my doula..(if i can, she txted me last night to say she's now 13 weeks PG so if she feels grotty then she may not even be an option)

God that sounds selfish of me as clearly that wouldn't be her fault and i'm happy for her as i think she'll make a great Mum..i think i'm just now starting to worry about what's in front of me. I guess you don't really have time to think too heavily when up til recently your days are still consumed with managing clients!

godz I am feeling gen quite fed up and lonely now. Dh working long hours so I'm left with the dcs who are on hol and getting s bit restless! No signs of anything happening except some fairly mega bh but had that with the others and all were late! I know the worst thing is being told to rest as it won't happen again for a while but new babies sleep loads and at least you can get comfy after it's born :)

bunty I bet your contractions are doing something even if slowly, my dd was a long slow labour with lots of stop / starts (but I think that is quite normal for a 3rd)

spring how are you coping with all your dcs?

Am just tired and cranky now, dcs go back when I'm 38 weeks and really hoping baby can be shifted then!

Sorry meant to say doll so sorry to hear your news. Look after yourself x

Thanks Apple - it's nice to know i'm not the only one that feels like this ( in the nicest possible way - not that i wish that on anyone, you know what i mean!)

I would have thought that having a baby would have brought us closer together rather than further apart, we are just not getting on at all. I keep playing all these scary - aahh how will i cope , single mum scenarios in my head which probably isn't helping!!

God i wish i were a Kardashian - life would be so much simpler !!

Doll so sorry for your loss, I hope you're bearing up ok x

Best of luck Bunty! And Pascha hope things kick off for you soon too.

Godz sorry you're feeling so shit. Have you talked to your DH about it? I'm feeling v hormonal at the mo too. I was in tears over Xmas lunch over something stupid my brother said to me and felt impatient and ratty the whole day. Normally I love Xmas and spending time with my family and their kids but this year just felt fed up and irritable. Maybe it was the lack of booze!

godz I second talking to dh. I have been completly open with dp about how I feel and although he doesn't always get it he does his best to help however it may help that we've done this before so we both know what's coming

I'm ok Apples. DH has been off work since the 18th and doesn't go back until the 2nd. Dd1 & 2 are away for a few days now too so it's quiet at home. I'm just really uncomfortable in my ribs front and back which makes sitting painful. I'm getting a lot of bh now too - last night every 10-15 minutes. I had a panic that I might actually go into labour and they stopped. I have written my birth plan now though and am going to finish my bags this evening. The contractions have definatly prompted some action. I'm 37 weeks today.

godz sounds like you need a hug! I think the hormones must come in waves. So cry away if you need to. Chocolate and ice cream is always a great healer too :) I'm sure it won't come to this but I ended up a single mum for several years with ds1 and it ain't that bad... somewhat better than being with someone you felt was useless. It's somehow easier to deal with, for example, the kid being sick in the night when it's just you and there's no-one else to feel disgruntled about for not helping!!

bunty am sure you know this already, so sorry if I'm repeating, but the cervix isn't just dilating sideways it's also softening, effacing (thinning) and getting shorter. So when people tell you the contractions 'aren't doing anything', you're not technically dilating, but they are definitely doing something. My midwife explained all of this to me, and wish someone had told me this first time round! Also, for first time mums there's much more work to be done - the cervix has to move further. Article on effacement and dilation.

Hormones up and down here too :( been feeling tired and miserable all day.
DD is on my case, she must sense something is happening.
DH has been on my case too, mainly because I am still going in to work on a daily basis to scavenge some mismanagement crap which does not seem to ever get resolved :(

I am shattered, the work crap is on my mind, if I do not go in to at least make an attempt to sort it, I panic even more, but going in stresses me too. Could not face going in today, just ended up crying most of the afternoon and feeling empty, as I cannot see a way out. DH provides great material support, but totally lacks empathy (diagnosed ASD) - this does not help.

Had my pre-op early afternoon, they took some more bloods (had it done at 36, 38 and now 39 weeks!) and mangled my left arm in the process - apparently I have "muscly arms" not true, no muscle in sight!. Baby's head is still free, but the midwife told me they would not expect a second one to engage at all - even if my first did not engage - because of the weakened tummy muscles? first time I heard about this!
I am due to go in Monday 6.45am for the long wait for my slot - no idea about time yet.

That's it - good luck to all who are waiting for stuff to kick off - I must get on and do my bag (and wash baby clothes, and make up the room etc) - hope your stuff is all ready to go!

Godz i want to give you a big hug in his own way he may be bricking it and not know how to tell you my DH ending up shouting at me because of how much pressure he is under and had done that stupid stiff upper lip thing.

Bunty sending positive vibes and a big hug, raspberry leaf tea is supposed to be good

Went for scan on Thursday the good news is we can deliver naturally the scary news is that the babys head is well engaged 37 +1 today and we are 1cm dilated not holding my breath though its only taken 2 weeks night times are the worst as is the being violently sick

Anyone else

Still here still contracting anywhere between 3 - 10 minutes (!). Thought second labours were meant to be quicker?

16 hours of this so far and counting. I think this may even be longer than my mammoth 36 hour first labour. I ordered a quick easy one this time!

Thank you, boutique :)

sounds like you are doing great bunty!!

Bunty - there was a lovely thread from a poster named Sunny, who had her VBAC after things kicked off a few hours before she was due in for ELCS. Her baby was born this morning.

It could be you tomorrow morning!

I had my baby! She wasn't due until 6th Jan but my waters broke last night, then started with regular contractions before midnight and Lucy was born just before 3am. Am home now and VERY tired and also a bit shocked!

Thanks bealos and marasme. Have cracked open the tens. I love tens. Congrats, ari!

aaah thanks everyone for your nice messages - really cheered me up!

Am keeping everything crossed that things start to speed up for youBunty and many congratulations Ari

xxx

Congrats Ari!

Wow ari that was quick! Congratultions love the name x

bunty sending labour vibes your way, hope when I check in tomorrow you've had bubs x