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?

What's everyone doing to keep
themselves from going mad while waiting for baby? Got a bit more cooking to do (to freeze for later), laundry is done and house is relatively tidy. I've been doing a bit of sewing/knitting but could do with some inspiration!

hi Ladies,
Thank you so much for all your reassuring words re the sweep, i feel much better now and am going to stop beating myself about how 'wimpy' i felt yesterday.

Bealos -thanks v much for hynotherapy info, just had a listen now - wish i had started something like this a lot earlier but think if i listen to it once a day then it should help me focus a lot more on trying to be relaxed than i have been.

Congrats to Meringue and Pip

Silver - good question - i got a kindle for Christmas and have spent a fortune on books/films etc in a bid to keep myself entertained, plus doing lots of washing. Other than that, the excitement of my day tends to revolve around a quick spin or two around the block - oh the thrill of it all!!

i should add to the last point, it takes me sooo long to get dressed now, prior to going for aforementioned walk, that can even killl up to an hour and a half

I'm having a meltdown now. Midwife came again today, still nothing happening. Now a week overdue. To make it worse my consultant has gone on holiday and I was supposed to see him tomorrow. They want to book me in for an induction and I dont want one as they almost always end up with forceps of which I am terrified. I just want a c section but I can't see anyone important enough to schedule one.
Midwife says I am so stressed now that labour won't start on its own.

Sorry you are having all this stress Octane, although am a bit at the MW saying labour won't start!

I understand your worries re induction as I have the same thing hanging over me (it is booked for 40+3 so no pressure!!). Is there any reason for the need for induction at this point, or are they just wanting to get it booked in for later? Not all inductions end up with further interventions but I can't say I am relishing the prospect myself.

I am having an acupuncture session this afternoon - I'm not sure if something similar may help you? At the very least, it's a chance to have someone sympathetic focus on your wellbeing for a period of time, and it is also nice to feel you are doing something positive to help with the process of getting the baby out.

Honestly! Some midwives.... So full of their own opinion.

Please ignore her octane and ask for another midwife if you are unhappy. You don't have to do anything. Nobody can force you to be induced and if you aren't getting the right answers, ask to speak to the Supervisor of Midwives. It's their job to make sure you are getting the support, treatment and access to the right people that you need. They should be on your side.

And yes, oxytocin (e.g. the happy hormones) production supports labour but I also know of many people who have gone into labour spontaneously who were hideously stressed too.

octane sorry to hear about your nan and that you're having a stressful time. Your baby will arrive when ready, nothing you do or don't do will alter that so ignore what she said.

I did think you could request a c-section though so if that's what you want then surely theres someone else you can ask?

Got my overdue appointment letter through today but they'd scheduled it for 45+3. Eating a bowl of pineapple now in case they know something I don't..

Ps congrats newbie,pips and hormonal! Lovely names again

octane you are having a rotten time. I am sending best wishes.

I am getting fed up too. Due next week and keep hoping each twinge is bump getting started.

Thanks all...though I know that high levels of cortisol can play havoc with the other hormones - so there probably is a vein of truth in what she says about stress delaying labour. She suggested induction on Sat as I'll be 10 days over by then but I don't want to do that. She managed to get me an appointment tomorrow morning with the registrar so I shall see what they say. I haven't had ANY signs, no aches, twinges, shows, literally nothing, so I really don't think anything is going to happen in the next few days. I would love to be proved wrong of course.

katolla

Sweet FA happening here. Just crampy niggles and the odd bump hardening. That started two weeks before last time so I am not getting my hopes up. Each niggle takes us nearer though! My due date, according to scan, was Monday just gone although I think it is nearer Friday.

Have midwife appointment tomorrow and know will be offered sweep that will refuse. At this point I have no intention to book induction. If I get to 42 weeks then I would rather monitor the situation than be induced. I trust that my baby will wait until she is ready to be born!

octane you have my sympathies. I was induced at 42 weeks with ds1 and had him 42+2, with no previous signs of anything labour like. Was quite demoralising. Some women just take longer to gestate, I think. Plus, there's all sorts of emotional factors (I believe part of the reason I didn't go into labour naturally was because I didn't feel supported by my partner).

I wonder if you refuse induction if they'll let you have a C-section? As I said, speak to the Registrar of Midwives if you're not feeling like you're getting the help or answers you need.

In other news >> I've been getting some very funny feelings in my bump. Like tightenings, almost, warm, spreading up and very slightly at the top of my thighs. Is this contractions? I am still at work!!

I think, perhaps, it's not contractions, cos they've hurt right? But braxton hicks ramping up to a whole new level. Well, as long as they are doing something, that pleases me...

Octane sorry your having such a hard time, silly mw what an unhelpful thing to say! i an convinced it was the stress of xmas hols that sent me into labour 3 weeks early (although i wouldn't recommend such a high level of drama)

Sending you lots of hugs Octane xxxx

I also haven't really had any twinges, no show etc etc, feels weird that we're not and kinda frustrating as there's no way of knowing WHY we're not experiencing these symptoms yet

chutes - am soo with you, forget the sweep, clearly i am totally biased but i am totally with you now, don't force anything, babies will arrive when they're ready.

and what is it with these totally unhelpful midwives??!!

i always thought they'd be these 'Mother Earth' / Mary Poppins type of women, nurturing and sympathetic not these hard nosed, straight talking types.

I'm all for the no bull sh*t approach but sometimes a girl just needs to be reassured and sympathised with - HONESTLY!!!

She is very sweet, just tells it like it is really. She was trying to help and calling everyone under the sun to try and get me seen tomorrow and finally persuaded the registrar. She gave me a hug too! Agree godzookey, why aren't things moving for us? As for letting nature take its course...Nature isn't failsafe by any stretch.... :(

Haven't posted since a few threads ago, but have been reading regularly- delurking with news! Alexander Samuel was born 11th Jan, 6 pounds 4 ozs. Didn't for one minute think he would be born 3 wks early or that from waters breaking to delivery would only take 12 hrs!

We spent 4 nites in hospital after Alex was taken to neonatal for grunting after birth. After x rays, antibiotics and blood tests they were happy that it was nothing more than a bit of fluid on the lungs after birth! So glad to be home and beginning family life together- will post birth story later. It is all so very surreal

Congrats DiscoDomina

Silver I'm watching Aussie Open tennis, reading for work and pleasure, and making sure that there is plenty of food for DH and DS should I end up in hospital for a few days or more. Last week I learnt how to knit woolly socks and am on to pair #3

Really feel pelvic pain when I walk, she is down low, the midwife could only feel the base of her head upon examination. Thought my waters may have broken yesterday, but no such luck. Really looking forward to the LO arriving! Sending good vibes to you all!

Congratulations DiscoDomina!

Tugs - can I ask which spinning babies techniques you're doing? There's so much on the site, that I find it a bit confusing to work out what to do!

From what I can figure out from their belly mapping, I think my lo is posterior as well, either ROT or ROP (bump is much fuller on my right, and get lots of little pokes below my belly button!) and I'm terrified of going through a long, painful back labour

I've been doing inversions, pelvic tilts on all fours, and the 'hip openers' which are listed in their 'daily activities' section. Is there anything else you'd recommend?

Congrats, disco! Alexander is an excellent name - am biased, my DS is Alexander ;) enjoy your little man.

Congrats DiscoDomina!

Strawberry I'm doing the same exercises as you, plus sitting on the birth ball a lot, kneeling on the floor with arms/elbows resting on the birth ball (when watching telly etc) and doing lots of hip circles when on the ball. What I'm finding though is that I spend a lot of the day doing these exercises only to undo it all when I'm asleep in bed, as I invariably end up on my back . Friends of mine have had OP babies that have turned through doing these exercises in labour so there's always time.

My acupuncturist can't see me 'til next Tuesday which is a real bummer, although acupuncture inductions tend to be better post-dates so might not be a bad thing. Have been doing acupressure points on myself on the points I can reach - this website is a good guide but not to be done pre-38 weeks. Had some pretty strong BH after doing the hand points. Am going to yoga this afternoon as well in an attempt to get things going.

Brilliant, thanks tugs. I'll try doing a bit some circles on the birth ball too - I've got one, but haven't used it much so far. It's all worth trying, isn't it! Good luck with the acupuncture.

I recommend sitting on the ball as much as poss instead of on the sofa as forces you to sit upright :)