April 2013 Part 8: Welcoming our Easter Chicks & as Alex & Evan hopefully go home!

[toobreathless]

Over here Ladies!

I hope you don't mind me starting this thread too.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1689714-April-2013-Part-7-As-our-miracle-Alex-continues-to-grow-the-one-that-sees-us-reach-TERM

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

Wonderful news for today as we welcome babycandy and little Charlotte and hoping that this thread sees little Alex and Evan home very soon.

How many more babies will this thread see?

too Hope the move goes well. I am also due on Friday. Trying not to get too excited as I know he could be much later than that but I really am ready and impatient now!

Trish Thanks for posting all those pics on fb. He's gorgeous. Hope you get to take him home soon.

39+4

Congrats Trish sounds like you are doing really well and your little man is gorgeous with all that dark hair!

Well its April now and it still hasn't sunk in that we are really going to have a baby! Is this normal??

Feeling v tired (not helped by feeling crappy with a cold) so I have real admiration for all of you who are moving house / doing masses of housework etc. My DH keeps telling me off for not resting but its not like me to sit still and do nothing so generally end up feeling very restless.

Midwife tonight and its the strep B test (they test routinely here) so have got to look forward to suppose I have to get used to people wanting to look at my bits. Am interested to see if the baby is further engaged as I feel like the bump is definitely bigger and lower! Nothing much else to report though apart from some period style back ache (back to the symptom watching of the first trimester!).

Good luck with the move too.

trish, Hunter is gorgeous hope you're getting lots of cuddles in. I remember you said you'd felt less movement. Did you go in for monitoring and they decided to do a section? I don't mean to be nosy but find labour stories really interesting as a first timer.

photo I'm also still trying to get my head around the fact that baby is coming this month. Sometimes it seems totally unreal.

A quick question on nappies, how many should I have in stock before baby arrives? I know it's not worth having a huge stock pile as we don't know which size will be needed or which brand will suit us best. I've got about 4 packs of newborn nappies, is it worth getting more before baby is here?

Had consultant appointment today. BP fine so I don't need to go back again. She did a sweep, which was unpleasant but not painful. She said I was only 1cm so I'm not hopeful but at least I feel I've made the effort!

39+3

Tea yep I went in for reduced movement and after being monitored for ages he still wasn't moving AND his heart rate was constantly in the 170's so they just said he's not happy, they didn't know why but we needed an EMCS straight away. Within 90 mins of getting into labour ward and being monitored he was delivered!!! Sobering thought was one of the midwives doing checks said of could have been a completely different story if I had left it and not gone in for monitoring

Wow Trish thats a scary thought and just goes to show you shouldnt chance anything

Well done you.... I had emcs and have actually found the recovery ok... in a way ithelped that I was in ward too as when my bf had to go home I just had to get up and deal with it.

How are you feeling due date buddy? Xxx

Just had my midwife appointment. Baby has an 'ectopic' (ie 'irregular') heartbeat. Apparently this is fairly common and the midwife said the wasn't worried at all. However, I went into panic mode so they have booked me in for ecg later this afternoon.

He is also apparently 'fully engaged' but has been wriggling a LOT this morning.

Also, I have been booked in for a 'sweep' on 9th April. This will only be 4 days past my due date. I thought they waited longer than that. Not that I'm complaining. I am beginning to feel that he is better out than in now!!!

I'm feeling ok xxx just sad Hunter isn't with me and sad that BF didn't start well xx he's having cow and gate nutri prem to get his blood sugars stabilised and he's on a glucose drip xx

ctg not ecg. Getting all my terminology mixed up!

Hang in there Trish. It must be hard but you seem to be doing really well with bf.

Haven't posted for ages but have been trying to keep up with everyones updates. Can't believe the rate at which babies are being born now!!! Am booked in for my ELCS on Monday due to breech and previous EMCS so know what to expect but still nervous.
Trishstar - was interested to read your story and congratulations. Can i ask how much reduced movement you felt? I have definitely felt less. Still squirming but not as often. Never know if i should be worried or just not a lot of room now? I really hope you get the BF sorted. I had the same probs with DS1 post EMCS and blood sugars etc but once i was home after 5 days managed to get the BF established once my milk was in. Good luck

Yes I'd like to know too trish! Am a bit concerned/confused - definitely a change in movement - still squirming/kicking but less vigorous than it has been. I rang the ante-natal assessment unit on Sunday who said it might be because baby has become engaged so movements will feel different. I think if I'm still worried when DH gets home from work I'll ask to go in to be on the safe side....
37 weeks today!

Thank you for all the well wishes for the move, we are half way there- moved out but our stuff doesn't arrive until tomorrow so we are staying in a furnished 'contact house' the forces provide tonight. DH is at the new house fitting a cat flap & I am at the contact house with DD who is napping.

WRT movement it is normal for movements to change but not
'slow down' that is a myth. So still looking for 10+ a day and the same pattern - mine rarely moves before midday and is then increasingly active all afternoon/evening. But they can be more 'squirms' and 'fidgets' than great big kicks. But always worth getting checked out if worried, as shown by trish

Trish how is Hunter doing today? Any idea how long he needs to stay in SCBU? Hoping you are getting lots of cuddles! Glad you're not too sore, keep taking the painkillers but make sure you don't get bunged up!

Empress I really hope your baby arrives before mine, I am really not ready yet!

I popped into the GP to register today having made a MW appt for 40 weeks on Thursday, I booked the appt 6 weeks ago and explained it needed to be a double really as it is 'booking in' for notes/bloods at new hospital and a 40 week appt. but no it's a 15 minute appt and the first of the day. I shudder to think how late the MW is going to end up running!

39 + 4

Hmm. Don't think the sweep worked! Nothing going on down there apart from some lovely brown mucus (think its from the irritation rather than a show).

It really wasn't too bad though, so I may ask my MW to do one on Saturday at my 40+0 appointment. I know they are supposed to wait until 41 weeks but I'm hoping as I've had one already she may say yes!

Sounds like the move is going well too when I booked in to new area my first appointment they just gave me new notes to fill in myself then took my bloods and it was my next appt that was long and proper booking in.

Had some weird jelly discharge and that's a tiny bit bloody, bit scared at the idea it might be starting. My book says can be ages even if it is a proper show so trying to relax. Had bad period pain but that was 30 mins ago and no more since. Feels exactly how pregnancy started, constantly thinking I'm about to come on my period!

Congratulations to all of you who have had your little ones recently and those who have been able to take your babies home. Even though I have been on maternity leave I have found it hard to keep up!!

Woke up this morning with period pains and have been spotting all day... Am hoping something will happen soon!! I kind of had it in my head I would need inducing, but hopefully baby wants to make her own way into the world. We'll see!! Am kind of confussed though, is the 'bloody show' and loosing the mucus plug the same thing?!? Not sure which one I have had or if it's the same thing!

Good luck to those who are moving house soon... This will be me at some stage this year (quite happy to stay at Mum and Dads for now to save a bit more money for our house deposit and benefit from all the extra support

Had my midwife appointment today (39+5), little one is now 3/5ths engaged. Was starting to worry a little as my partners mum could not deliver naturally as he was so big! Babys head has been 'free' until now so I think I should be getting back on the birthing ball, I have to say the thought isn't very appealing though

Will try to catch up now on last weeks posts... and maybe eat some more easter chocolate

jo1984, I hope it's the start of things for you.

trish it sounds like it happened very quickly. Hope you get lots of lovely new born snuggles and the bf gets easier soon.

user I will be 40 weeks on friday so they will have to do it all in on go, I also have a house to unpack & toddler DD so there is no way I'm going back for an extra appt ahead of 41 weeks because they weren't organised enough when I said it needed to be a double! I also really need my bloods doing ASAP as I had a large bleed after DDs birth and need the hospital to be aware of my blood group etc in case it happens again. Oh dear I sound all ranty....

On the upside the local Sainsburys is lovely Huge, new, loads of baby clothes and a lovely cafe.

jo1984 did you tell the MW you were spotting?

Shows can be quite 'bloody' sort of mixed with mucus. But I would always give maternity assessment/triage a ring if it's just blood IYSWIM.

faith let me know if you fancy a coffee? I am free Friday if that suits you at all? I'll PM you.

On the movement front it went from being his usual 10+ movements all thru the day and half of Saturday then nothing from Saturday afternoon, I had lots of cold/sugary drinks etc and got one kick late on Saturday night but still wasn't happy when I woke Sunday so we went at 2pm on Sunday after I called in. Never ever risk it, better to go and be checked and feel like you've wasted their time xx I think the scariest part is that Hunter's story could easily have had a different ending :-(

I've been making sure I keep up the painkillers. Had the dressing removed today and my bloods done and general checks. My BP is still high and so is my pulse :-(

No real idea when he will be out of SCBU. The drip is keeping his sugars up but he will need 48 hours of consistent sugars (from feeding alone) to be allowed home. Xxx

sneezy is this DC1 for you? I was told for DD that they wouldn't offer a sweep till 41 weeks but this pregnancy they would offer at 40 week appointment. Can't work out if it's different areas or because it's number 2 for me.

Hang on in there trish you have given Hunter the best start recognising less movement and going in. BF will come, don't worry about the formula just spend every second you can snuggling that baby and doing skin to skin & try him to breast when the nurses suggest. Love the fb pictures he has the most perfect little face, unlike DD who was frankly butt ugly when born (very squished plus forcep mark!) but she is now the most beautiful toddler :)

too it's DC2 for me. In my A/N notes it says sweep at 40 weeks for pg1 and 41 weeks for pg2 so it must be different in every area.

My MW appointments are all at my home but I imagine she could do one with me lying on the bed?!

TooB you made me lol!!! He has got a handsome face I must agree xxx it's his hair that surprised me! When they were pulling him out hubby was like "he has a full head of jet black hair!" Everyone on SCBU knew who his Dad was as he was going to visit! Lol!

I think I'm just beating myself up about the Bf, I know it still can happen. Will do as much skin to skin as possible xxx

jojo2509 kitkat & fluffeh mumoftwocats & monkey thanks for asking the questions about ELCS, I'm booked to have mine on 17th April, so just 15 days to go!

I'm feeling nervous about the spinal and cannula (previous bad experiences with cannulas being put in my med students!) and whether i'll feel sick and shaky in theatre - hope not!

BonaDea & bunnygirl thanks for your stories on your sections and on feeding. I'd read about possibly needing to cup feed/top up so have a couple of cartons in the bag, but oping not to need them. Bought a non-spill medicine feeding spoon from JoJo's in case our hospital doesn't provide feeding cups. www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+spilly-spoon-non-spill-medicine-spoon+B1361?tyah=y

Edin i know what you mean feeling a bit lost on first week of mat leave - i'm in the swing of it now and have just met a neighbour who had a baby in Jan who I've never met before, so we're going to hook up, which is nice. Onto my batch cooking this week and next before the ELCS!

Easter weekend was busy with family visits and a crazy energy spurt that I used to clean and treat the garden furniture with DH - we called is 'extreme nesting'!

Sleep is elusive as the heartburn gets even worse and I'm tossing and turning all night. Just pigged a bag of mini eggs and now regretting it.....totally my own fault. Off to get a soothing glass of milk.

37 weeks today!

sneezy and too I have been booked in for a sweep at 40+4 and it's my first child. So maybe different areas take a different approach.

Had my CTG. All fine. Picked up contractions I am having though I can't feel them much. Strange.

Regarding reduced movements I asked my midwife - she said you should still get the same number you usually get and in the pattern but they will be more squirms and wriggles now.

Had all the normal checks today including the strep-b swab and then it was announced I had to be weighed. If I had known I would have at least had a wee! I've put on 22kg!! The shame! That's over 3 stone .

Ok, I wasn't tiny to start (5"11' and a size 14) but where have I put 3 stone?? Ive only gone up to size 16 trousers, am still in some tops I was wearing before and everybody says how well I look! Hope it comes off as easy as it's gone on!

Sorry me me me, but I was really surprised!