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

Thanks westie I know i shouldn't get my knickers in a twist about it all but I was in for over an hour trying to be persuaded into agreeing to an epidural. Luckily I don't cave easily but it does put you on egde.

Even more maddening is that 7 yrs ago with DS1 I was about the same size and was told I couldn't of had an epidural even if I requested it because they didn't like to give them if you were too big then!! Swings and roundabouts

sneezy did they tell you an approximate weight at your last scan and how far along were you ?

Just came back from a water birth class - was excellent. Hoping will be able to use the pool.

novia I plan to use aromatherapy. Have bought lavender, chamomile, jasmine, neroli, frankincense and sandalwood. Clary Sage is also recommended but not before labour I think. Going to make a massage oil but also use with a diffuser as I can't use an electric burner. Some aromatherapy websites sell pre mixed oils for labour / pregnancy - I can find you a link if you are interested.

I had such a nice day today, pottering around and getting housework done, watching tv and basically feeling ok but must have overdone it a bit as now in bed with silly backache!

Glad to see more good news from mama!

Jacqueline - it's really weird, I had anesetist appt due to back surgery as a teenager and while there they were quite negative about epidural with bmi of 30.

33+3

Be careful with clary sage not before 37 weeks and I probably wouldn't use it before labour. I also would warn the staff attending you in labour as there are concerns it can induce Miscarriage. Bearing in mind you will be looked after by members of staff who may not know they are pregnant I personally wouldn't use it.

Lovely day here, took DD to soft play this morning she is at that age when she is not quite safe to be left clambering over stuff by herself so I have to follow her around. Managed to go through a one way obstacle course thing and got stuck one side of a giant roller you are supposed to go through. Had to be let out the emergency exit out of the ball pool

Bext ignore that friend of yours and carry on being excited! Yes parent hood is hard work but nothing worth doing is easy! If it was that bad no one would ever have a second. Being a mother has brought me so much joy & I have met some of closest friends through DD. There is something really special about the last few weeks of pregnancy with your first, you never get that time again so enjoy it.

Kellestar hope you are taking it easy? Clearly not easy with a toddler as I know!

OB appointent today...told her that I had thought I had started to lose my plug, and had been having sore very sore Braxton Hicks over the last few days...she checked my cervix...looked up and said "Girl you are good to go", I am 4cm dilated, and she reckons baby is on his way within the next 48 hours.

I am still a bit stunned, and hope that he stays put for just a wee while longer!

34+6 (with legs firmly crossed!).

rosie! eeeek!!! Was ob concerned about it bring early? Or is it just full steam ahead?

I'm getting a load of braxton hicks- but they're not painful- just annoying- I get one every time I go for a wee!

We have our growth scan tomorrow morning- fx the news will all be good and we'll be back on track for low risk water birth! My gestational diabetes test came back negative, so hopefully the amount of amniotic fluid I have will have decreased too.

I'm rebooked to have my placenta position checked at 36 weeks (as it was still in the way at 32 weeks). Do you think if I ask they'll have a quick look during the scan tomorrow? Would be very relieved to know if its moved!!

34+2- only 14 days of work left- but I'm exhausted! Wish I'd have finished at half term now, but I guess 6 weeks off seemed like too much time off! Very jealous of you all on mat leave - most of my Nct class are already finished and meeting up for coffee- I feel like I'm missing out!! X

Jaq last scan was at 30+ 1 and estimated weight was over 4lb and 95th centile. I've been eating normally and gained very little weight myself, so I'm hoping its a case of the camera adding pounds!

wishful we had another growth can on Wednesday and our AFI had gone from 44cm down to 38cm - which was a naive deal for me :) baby estimated at 6lb1oz mind ha! Which I'm a little worried about! I'm sure all will be grand - have been warned about possible early labour though and they'll still NG baby to check no blockage in oesophagus but so much better news wise than last month or so.

Lovig seeing everyone's nurseries on Facebook and pleased to hear everyone doing well - including our special man Alex!

34 weeks today :) x

Morning cannot wait to see ds1 later :) hope everyone has a good day! X

Good luck Rosie!!

Rosie good luck thinking of you and hope everything goes well!!!

Had first of two antenatal classes at the hospital last night. Was really enjoyable. Think it was good for DH to hear the midwife talking about labour now he knows I'm not making it all up! MW gave out a list of things to bring to hospital, when I get a min I'll put it up on here so people can check that they haven't missed anything out or over packed...
out of the 9 couples in the group 5 of us are hoping for a water birth in the midwife unit, we're all due within a few days of each other and the MW said they have lots of baths that you can use during labour but only one birthing pool that you can stay in to deliver the baby,hope we don't all turn up at the same time

34+2

Birdbrain I am also hoping for a water birth but there is only 1 pool at the hospital we are going to so I am praying it will be available! Apparently it is under used so fingers crossed : ) Good luck Rosie it must have been a bit of a shock being told you were 4cms already.

I am mad busy at work and have tons to finish before I finish! I am ready to stay at home now and chill out so will have to try and get it done asap. I am 35 weeks tomorrow and am hoping to finish work in 2 weeks all being well. Just hoping the little guy does not make an early appearance as I would like a couple of weeks to just chill before the onslought

Good luck Rosie.

Back from growth scan. Baby is weighing 6lb at 34 weeks so the consultant said to expect him to be on the large side at term!

On the plus side, BP has been excellent since finishing work so I don't have to see the consultant again until 39+3 (and I'm secretly hoping he'll have made an appearance before then)!

Hello All! Sorry if I cannot reply to everybody...just checking in quickly.

Rosie: Thinking of you!!

Mama: You are a trooper, enjoy your lunch today with your mum!

Lyndaloo: It looks like I'll have to have ELCS due to placenta previa. More scan for me this Friday to confirm. I've started feeling very anxious about it but she will have to come out safely. I hope I'll have a date soon as I am sitting in a limbo. May I ask why are you having ELCS and at what gestation? Sorry, I probably missed it in your post. The 22nd sounds like a lovely date!

Sneezy: Let us know how your scan went today!

Wishful: Ask them to check your placenta, they'll do it for you. They'll see it anyway. On my 4D scan the sonographer saw straight away that my placenta is low.

I had my 31 weeks GP appointment yesterday. I'm measuring a week and a half ahead so it is very likely my baby inherited my DH's lovely Irish forehead:)

Good luck Rosie keep us updated if you can...I do love a live birth thread Just to reassure you incase you are worried DS was born at 34 weeks and was lovely and healthy. He had a slight jaundice and so was in SCBU for a few days but other than that was fighting fit and is now a strapping 7yr old!

Sneezy I was measuring 4.7lb at 32 weeks and my consultant wasn't bothered by that at all. I'm due another scan at 36 weeks and they are expecting 7lb+ at that point. I am going to ask questions about early induction due to size etc but would prefer to start of naturally if possible.

Mama hope you have a lovely day during your escape

Good day for me so far...It looks as though DD2 may finally have a school place we should no for definite next week so all keep your fingers crossed please!!

and

My settlement from the accident in November has finally been agreed at £1800 I should get a cheque in the next 45 days.

I know it doesn't sound like much but we are living hand to mouth at the moment as I get no maternity pay, no access to my student bursary and no statutory maternity pay for the whole year or access to benefits, so this money is like a windfall to us.

Hope everyone else is having good days.

Gosh there's so much going on!

Rosie good luck! Hope the birth goes ok and all are well and healthy.

jacq take it all with a pinch of salt. You've done so well during this pregnancy with your weight management. It definitely seems different rules apply in different trusts. They can't make you do anything you don't want to do. I'm glad to hear your compensation is coming through, in sure that's a weight off your mind!

Mama the longest I've spent in hospital is 9 days and I remember how bizarre it seemed to taste freedom, I can't imagine what it's like for you?! Enjoy your day out today. Well done to you and Alex breast feeding and him loving the cuddles! :)

I've been having loads of Braxton hicks over the last couple of weeks and the last few days basically struggling to walk. I've also had a burning sensation in my cervix (well I think my cervix?!) which apparently can be an indication of dilation! It all eases when I rest but as a nurse on the ward resting doesn't come often. Anyway I saw my GP today and a urine dip suggested I have a UTI so I'm on antibiotics and taking the rest of the week off work. My sickness record is horrendous but I'm 32 weeks and need to rest! Otherwise I'm pretty certain this baby is going to pop out sooner rather than later!

32+0 :)

Ooh! Good luck rosie! Will this be the first birth on this thread?! Fx all goes well and baby is fully fit and ready to make an appearance! Wonder how many more of us there'll be?

Good luck rosie!

mama it's fantastic that you're able to get out, I can only imagine how wonderful that must feel. Hope you have a lovely day.

birdbrain and itsaruddygame, I'd also like a water birth though our hospital only has two so it's pot luck whether they're available. Fingers crossed we call get the births we'd like.

I really shouldn't be MNing as I have sooo much work to do before I go off and only 3 weeks to get it all done but need a 5 min escape so checking in quickly. I was thinking of carrying on for longer at work as I've been feeling pretty well but now I wish it would just all go away. 18 days left at work and counting...

Good luck Rosie! We will all be thinking of you!

Good luck Rosie thinking of you xxx

Good luck Rosie!

Oh girls- I'm definitely pregnant now! Sounds silly but apart from tiredness I've not had any ill effects from pregnancy at all- until today! This pm to be exact! I live about 10 mins walk from work but my legs by lunchtime were so sore! It took me 40 mins to walk home as legs and feet just so painful! Am sure it's nothing to worry about- just overdid it, I'll take the car in future. Am currently wallowing in hot bath (don't tell dh I use the ipad in the bath!) then am going to have tea and straight to bed!

Growth scan in the morning- if baby is still small or hasn't grown much does anyone know what will happen? It's moving a lot, so will they just keep monitoring? is there a chance that dr will sign me off? Does bed rest mean baby will grow better?

X xx 34+2 xxx

mama - hope you enjoyed lunch!
rosie- what news?
jac- great news on the compensation
katy- what's AFI and NG? (I'm sure I should know!)
everyone talking about water births - I'm hoping for one too! Apparently our hospital has 1 fitted pool but enough inflatable pools for everyone, just have to tell them on the phone when you're coming in and they'll start blowing it up!!

Xx

Great news mama if only the weather was sunnier, eh!

Rosie - FX the birth goes smoothly and your LO is ok.

Lyndaloo & kitkat I'm having an ELCS due to issues following surgery in 2011. Planned for 39 weeks. Feeling ok about having it in principle (risks etc), but nervous about specific bits, like having the spinal, possibly being sick in there, getting skin to skin asap in recovery to help breastfeeding and (silly i know) having a massive delay and being starving hungry for 24hrs. I'm going to try EFT/tapping to calm my nerves as it gets closer and on the day, I have friends who swear by it.

Working from home today and tomorrow, thankfully, as 3 hours commuting a day is really taking it's toll now. And i've actually lost a couple of pounds, which surprised me, but is probably due to the horrendous heartburn that i've had since 20weeks that means i'm avoiding fatty foods and just can't manange big meals. WIll talk to mw about it tomorrow to make sure it's not a problem (I wasn't skinny before pregnancy so i doubt it is). Really looking forward to being able to eat a curry or choc mousse again when baby has arrived.

32 weeks today!

rosiesmartypants wow! Good luck for the birth, I hope all goes smoothly. I'll be thinking of you and sending you good vibes :)

I must admit hearing about babies coming already makes me slightly nervous! I'm 2 days off 34 weeks. I can't have a baby now! We're still 3 weeks off moving into our new house. The new house has no bathroom yet and not one room is ready to move furniture into.

Our current flat is a sea of boxes and piles of stuff to be sorted (trying to have a good cull of stuff before we move).

I've got nowhere to put a baby!

I've just seen a graph about when babies actually arrive relative to their due date - on this page (scroll to the bottom to see it).

Apparently 70% of babies are already born by 40 weeks!

I think I may have to accept I'm burying my head in the sand a bit about the due date. I have been planning as if DD will turn up on her due date and not before. (DS came exactly on time).

In reality, I know that's unrealistic, but I've still been planning as if that's what's going to happen.

I need to do some stuff asap I think:

• get the cot out of storage, clean it
• get a new mattress for the cot
• get a new mattress for the moses basket
• get a buggy! (I do have a sling and car seat though so not totally without means of transport)
• check we have enough newborn stuff (think we probably do).
• buy newborn nappies
• buy nighties for hospital
• pack hospital bag.

Eek!

Is anyone else as unprepared?!