April 2013 Part 7: As our miracle Alex continues to grow & the one that sees us reach TERM

[toobreathless]

Over here Ladies!

As the title suggests our fore runners will almost certainly hit 37 weeks this thread.

And the wonderful little Alex will hopefully continue to go from strength to strength and edge closer to the door home with Mama

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1658011-April-2013-part-six-what-does-the-third-trimester-have-in-store

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1560543-April-2013-stats-thread

Candy I got a gyn ball from sainsburys in my last pregnancy, saw it and just popped it in my trolley. Was less than a tenner as I recall.

tattoed I told you so well done for getting so far, you have done remarkably well considering you have two babies in there! Can't wait to hear news of the boys arrival!

Right off to do more packing will be back later!

Good luck to all the ladies in hospital. This thread is giving the March thread a run for its money!! Will be thinking of you all. Exciting times!!!!

35 + 5

Wow, I've been away for a few days and missing all the action!

Amazing to see another new arrival on FB.

tattoed, it sounds like your babies will be here soon. Hope it goes very smoothly.
trish it sounds as though things could be moving along for you, good luck.
Amazing to hear how well Alex is doing mama, I hope you are both home soon and enjoying snuggles on your new sofa.

All good here, I've just hit 35 weeks and have five more days left at work. I'm hoping this little bun stays in the oven a while longer as I need more time to prepare and would like some time between finishing work and LO arriving.

essex and empress I know what you mean about boredom/lack of productivity while on ML. I'm looking forward to my mat leave but know I can get bored and lazy when at home for too long. I'm planning to set myself practical tasks every day, namely getting final bits and bobs, cleaning and batch cooking, as well enjoying some of the things I won't be able to when LO is here.

I am so looking forward to LO arriving but also cannot believe that in five weeks I'll have a baby to look after! Really you would have thought the penny would have dropped by now.

Hope everyone is good and sorry to those I haven't name checked, on phone but will catch up properly with laptop tomorrow.

I have just got home and must say it is lovely to be home as I felt something like a spare part sitting around waiting for something to happen but also knowing it was for the best if nothing happened. I did get a snapshot of other women going through the angst and pain of labour though - that is the part you forget about even when you have done this twice before!

However, I also got a preview of life on the maternity unit where all the midwives and doctors are lovely, as are the ancillary staff (probably a proper name for them but I mean the cleaners, the people who bring the meals etc) and the place was really warm and clean. They even have disposable bath mats in the shower rooms for avoiding standing on the floor- although everything was spotless!

I spent most of yesterday in a day ward which had three beds in. We had a window bay so could watch the snow but it was very warm as the heating was on... also had an impromptu visit from my MW and then in the evening our ante natal group came round for their visit (which we had ummed and aahed about attending - the irony!)

They managed to stop the contractions yesterday so it was all very odd - previous attempts with DD1 and DD2 failed so we thought it would all be over by lunchtime but obviously different drugs and the extra stuff I am taking anyway mean my body responded differently and baby is holding on. Is all a bit uncomfortable really - head is really low and still leaking fluid - but I know it is better for the baby if we can keep it in. Also have ABs to take for the next 9 days (or until the baby arrives) to avoid infection and have to go back to hospital every 2 days and have to see the consultant every 4 days - being on 'bed rest' is going to be quite exhausting

Sorry for the mememe post - hope everyone else is doing well. Hope others whose waters have gone are okay and those getting close to ML are feeling not-too-exhausted.

dysgu glad baby is staying put, sounds like you have had trial run!

Trish and tattooed good luck to you both.

Teapig Ive got 6 weeks and no, still not quite real even though I have just spent the last hour sorting the nursery and all the washing I have been doing!

Scan tomorrow to check the position of placenta - super excited about seeing baby but hoping it's moved up!

33+6

Wow everything seems to be really moving at speed now can't believe how many of you have gone into labour or even have beautiful new arrivals already. Good luck and congrats everyone!

I've still got 4.5 weeks at work and a building site with no kitchen at home, not washed any baby stuff, no washing machine and dust everywhere... going little bean hangs in there until due date although doubtless I'll be pacing the floor by then 34+2

Wow there is a lot happening!

Glad you are back home Dysgu and good luck Trish and tattooed!

I am now on day 3 of being a mummy and despite mega sleep deprivation I am still too excited to sleep much : ) baby Harry is doing really well - he is a bit jaundiced so is in an incubator under lights but is managing to feed without a tube. He has had a go at the breast a few times now and is top up feeding from a bottle with donor breast milk whilst we try and establish my supply. I am pumping after each feed and get a bit more each time! It was with great envy I read of mamas plentiful supply as the most I have managed to pump so I far is 20 ml : 0 it is coming tho!

The hospital staff here are amazing and I am.lucky in that they have a transitional care unit where Harry is able to stay with me even in his incubator. They also are really supportive of me trying to establish breast feeding and are helping me hugely with that.

Looking forward to hearing how you are all doing over the coming weeks.

Nothing happening here but feeling lots of pressure down there. Xx

trish nothing happening again here now apart from being wide awake in a hospital... lucky you for being at home

dyscu its weird bring in limbo isn't it? great news for being home, jealous!

if i was 3cm can it go back if cramps have gone?? anyone??

dreading 2nd steroid jab- biggest needle I've ever seen :,(

Hiya. Just checking in as I can't sleep.

All those in limbo, just in case things kick off today I thought I'd let you know what a great day today is to be born (it's my birthday ). When I was little I was always very proud that I shared my birthday with Einstein, so any of you hoping for a genius take note (equally, those hoping for an old man in wellies might want to note that the man who played Compo in last of the summer wine was also born today)!?!

I am 36 weeks today, and really struggling to get my head around the fact that within 6 weeks I will have a baby to look after (and will be awake at 4am for a whole other reason!). I can't believe that for all the physical preparation our bodies do to make a baby they can still let our minds be basically in denial about the reality that soon we'll have newborns. I am also in total denial about having to give birth; watched OBEM last night without really registering that that will be me soon. I like to kid on that's my hypnobirthing 'protecting me from negative stories about birth' but I suspect it's just plain old denial!

Sending very best wishes to trish dygsu tattooed and anyone I've forgotten who might meet their babies soon, and to mama ruddy and everyone else who is getting to know their new best friend.

Morning all hope everyone managed to get some sleep

Dysgu- glad you are home, rest up as much as you can. I've just started sense and sensibility with Alex!

Photochick- I hope your scan goes well and the placenta has moved.

Ruddy- yay great to hear about you and Harry, sounds like he's doing great. Aw don't be jealous it took weeks of me pumping every two hours and getting bugger all to kick start my supply, don't worry you'll get there so pleased you are feeling well supported. Sure they've mentioned it but make sure you drink some water when expressing but not yet producing loads- tbh not sure why but twice now I've been told that.

Trish- good luck!

Tattooed- yeah the needles truly evil but I hope it is a pain free as possible, just focus on the good steroids do. Thinking of you.

Alex has already taken two feeds from the breast his morning I'm heading back down in a bit to feed again and cuddle

Oh and Edin- happy birthday and

Another arrival announced on FB this morning - they really are coming thick and fast now! Good luck to everyone showing labour signs.

Ruddy I expressed for 8 weeks with DS1 and barely got anything out at first, particularly within the first few days. Keep it up, and keep Harry at the breast as much as you are able.

Tattooed I was 2cm dilated at 29 weeks and my cervix closed and lengthened again, so it is possible to go back. Whether the docs will want you to is another matter - when I had my DS I got to 3cm, labour slowed (didn't stop) and they augmented it due to risk of infection, etc.

I have seen the community midwife this morning who has recommended I push for an induction date at my consultant appt on Monday. I am concerned that I am starting to show signs of depression from the constant uncertainty and lack of focus. Pretty much every week I've thought I'm going to deliver and then nothing happens and I am now well into the third month of it. I'm just sitting at home, increasingly immobile, with no motivation to do anything.

The midwife is concerned that although delivering will be a relief and the end of the uncertainty, that if I get too far down I won't be able to get myself back up again mentally and I will develop PND. I have a previous episode of depression which had to be treated with ADs (though no PND with DS1) so it's not a one off. She (and I) are concerned that the risks to my mental health are becoming greater than those to either mine or the baby's physical health from a slightly early delivery. I'm going to ask to be induced at 39 weeks and then negotiate from there.

Otherwise all seems to be OK, baby fully engaged, heartbeat fine, measuring correctly for dates.

Another Facebook baby! All the pictures are making me quite broody, which feels weird to be so broody and pregnant!

I watched obem again last night, every week I get more scared when watching it. But midwife is finally visiting tomorrow so I hope I feel better when booked in and knowing more about the hospital here.

Good luck for those in limbo! I can't believe people are reaching term now, feels like only yesterday I was waiting around for my scan convinced I wasn't really pregnant.

I think (hope) I have managed to put a photo of Alex on the fb page

Can't see anything yet mama xx

Wow, another arrival!

user, I know what you mean about OBEM. I used to be able to watch it quite happily and then in the last few weeks it's begun to sink in that that's what's coming [takes a deep breath and sticks head deeper in sand]

Congratulations itsaruddygame on three days of being a mummy. Good to hear that Harry is feeding, I hope your milk kicks in more soon.

DD is napping :) :) :)

So I have cleaned both toilets, kitchen floor, put some washing on and am now knitting with my feet up. Packing is going ok for the move on April 2nd, trying to set myself realistic targets of 3 boxes or one room (max) a night.

Hope everyone snuggling their babies is doing well. Don't put them down! These early days are so precious and you never get them back.

Mama thrilled to hear Alex is doing so well. Can't see a picture on fb yet.

floss not surprised you are feeling fed up, think your plan is very sensible.

I am in NO way ready for this baby not just due to the move but emotionally too. I am expecting another late arrival. I have never paid much attention to due dates & just told myself 'this baby will be born in April.'

I spent 6 hours today at hospital having ctg, ultrasound, seeing the midwife and consultant again. The good news is that the amniotic fluid seems to have increased to just within normal levels, so they aren't rushing me into the operating room just yet. Then they checked my blood pressure and combined with traces of protein in my wee I had to go back for blood pressure checks as well as more urine and blood tests. The midwives upstairs were highly amused at seeing me again so soon (one of them bless her found DH some sandwiches as he hadn't eaten anything all day). All negative in the end for pre eclampsia, thank goodness.

I have to admit to being soooo over all this though. I'm fed up of not ever feeling comfortable and having heartburn and weeing every twenty minutes and making 'omf' noises when getting out of the bed or a chair and hating pelvic girdle pain etc etc......

But loving hearing everyone's news and wondering who will be next to go into labour, and looking at scrumptious little faces on fb. I know I've got 14 days maximum before I'm going to get newborn snuggles. I'm thinking of making my cousin a quilt for her June arrival just to keep me occupied!

wow so great to read so many positive updates

Just got back from mw check up. Baby was being really naughty, she wanted to check it's position as last time it was already very low. She managed to confirm it's still head down but couldn't tell if it was more engaged or not as it wouldn't stay still for her but apart from that everything is fine. So excited for sunday when I'll finally be term and then I can start hoping for it to be born. I'm desperate to meet it already but don't want it to be born early....
36+4

Hi all-
Put me out of my misery- I'm not on Facebook and have seen rumours of at least 2 arrivals that I don't know anything about!! I realise the mums have far more important things to do than update here- so someone please spill the beans!!

Xxx

36+4

birdbrain - am very excited about Sunday- full term!!!

X

Today's scan was so amazing! We finally had confirmation of 100% certainty that she is a girl. It was almost impossible to measure her head circumference tho as she is so far down, the sonographer got it in the end though. The baby spent the whole ten minutes chewing her feet. She had hold if them and just kept dragging them to her mouth :).
We also have a date for the ELCS too. It's April 22nd. So she'll officially be 6 days early. I'm excited but scared now too as its all so real eek!

Mama I just checked, you did put a super cute (cries with broodiness again) pic on Facebook but only on your profile! I believe if you go to the Facebook group you should find another upload option that is group specific, then lil Alex will be on the groups wall rather than just your own!

I am drinking so much dr pepper... Bump is going crazy, I like to think it was a genuine craving not greed making me do it!

Wishful, I'm not sure who the last announced is! Have a suspicion but would hate to say here then it turned out I was wrong! Am sure someone will be along soon who can confirm though.

I think itsaruddygame was most recent to have her baby..and jessieessex based on what I can read (on my phone!).

I'm glad the scan was good fluff! Now you have your EDD! Are you happy about having the c-section?

Woo hoo I have tomorrow off and only 6 shifts to go! :)