June 2013 - Thread 7 - Getting closer!

[Sarah2506]

We got full! Hope everyone manages to find their way back here:-)

:) pinkapples - everything seems to take on a life of its own at the moment! perhaps the lady bits are just preparing us for what's to come.... we'll look back on this and think actually that wasn't so bad, I'll take the wonky, swollen don't quite understand it bit back.

As baby pushes down it does all sorts of odd things down below. This may cheer some of you up that although I had a 2nd degree tear and stitches I can't actually remember any of the pain at all. Admittedly I had more important things to worry about but I found myself more exhausted and stiff like you would be after a marathon than exceptionally sore down below.

I should mention sex was painful longer than it should have been and had I had more time I would probably have got a second opinion - my GP told me that it was just one of those things. During a smear after DD it was seen to be a bit of a hatchet job but all is now well.

I've got my v painful boobs back, had this before when they grow and think about milk making, anyone else ahem leaking colostrum? pinkapples I'm also lying here trying to get my kick count up, after last check they said I may well be EMCS if there is another spell of low movement.

Just a quick one... How do they decide they need to get baby out with low movement?

SunnyL we have a similar pic of DH wearing baby carrier with teddy before DS1 was born .

Agree no need to worry about lady bits. Even though mine are hideous there's nothing that can be done to help!!

Another lovely sunny day here. New summer dress finally got an outing!

pinkapples I've history of a baby born with complications. But going on the other week they monitor my baby for longer than the 20min and make a decision. My first pg ended with no movement, hospital made a bad judgement call and induced me which led to DD being brain damaged through birth trauma - she was in a poor state (hence no moving) and an EMCS would have prevented the severity of the brain injury. That means this time round they are very twitchy about movements and have already said there will come a point where baby may be better off early on the outside than risk another baby. I'm 38weeks tomorrow so I suspect they now would have no doubts about moving quickly.

One of the key indicators a baby is in trouble inside is reduced movements, hence why we are told by MWs to count the movements particularly in later pregnancy.

Oh no red sorry to hear that bout your other dc I have felt her today so not to concerned but will mention to mw on Tuesday when I go

I'm off to bed now as absolutely ahattered and as I haven't been sleeping it won't hurt to go to bed now

Thanks pinkapples

Never hurts to be aware of the very small minority of complications - last time I remember being asked about movements at MW appointments but I didn't know why they were so important.

Last night babycamper managed to gain the 10g required to escape! We finally got home this evening The house is a tip and there are tons of baby stuff everywhere, but it's lovely to be home.

Waves to everyone and goes to get some sleep.

So glad you've made it home cycle

Oh well done cycle and babycamper!

Tray of flapjacks and banana bread being sent your way!

Yay cycle & babycycle!

Eugh.
Woke at 4am for a wee. Been awake ever since. Was starving hungry so when DD apeared at 6.20am she thought all her Christmas's had come at once when I was the one to suggest breakfast. Usually DH and I try to keep her occupied until at least half seven at a weekend!

Also I now have back ache and boobs so sore I could cry. It feels as bad as mastitis did. Sob.

At least its sunny!

Morning all!

That's great news cycle! So pleased for you all!

Only now managing to catch up but just wanted to say that I totally agree with yesterday mornings post mrsbri- I was reading about the tmi and the 'first timers' but I kind of feel that we're all 'first timers' in a way as none of us have carried or given birth to this baby before. Yes I suppose I do have some prior knowledge/experience as this is dc2 but as every baby is different I'm thinking that there's a lot I'm going to find out along the way! And I'm all for the tmi posts- any extra knowledge is gratefully received!

I actually managed to partly pack hospital bags yesterday! And have put mattress protector on the bed! Big progress for possibly the most disorganised member of the thread

Quick question- have you put a towel in for baby too? And what clothes did you decide on for coming home? Am living in leggings at the moment and cant think if they'll be too tight down below. We've also just gone for new baby size 2 nappies as DS was 7lb15 and I'm huge this time so can't see dc2 being less than 6lb lower limit on size 2- what do you think?

And one more- what's baby wearing home? I was thinking Sleepsuit with something over then d mil said yesterday- oo you'll have to dress her up to come home. Not really sure what's the norm/manageable!

It seems I'm trying to make up for not posting yesterday with an essay today!

Right I'm off to sort through a bag of baby clothes- there's no stopping me now!

X post redwelly. I hope your day improves! Makes my 5.45 seem like a lie in

AmI, I can't remember what I've packed for baby now, so I need to check in my bag! Bit of fail there, but as my friend gave us some lovely clothes I want to do some swapping round anyway!

We have either a Hungry Caterpillar sleep suit with matching hat like an apple or a short leg suit, a bit like dungarees, thing from Boots with a cow on the front for going home in. It depends on the weather!

I had to get up at 4 for a wee. Very disappointing. But at least I slept better last night as the last 3 mornings I've woken really early and not been able to get back to sleep. I was exhausted yesterday so ended up having a long nap in the afternoon. Only my 3rd nap of the pregnancy!

Must crack on with the cross stitch today else I won't have it finished before baby comes. It's meant to rain later anyway.

What's everybody else up to for the bank holiday?

Oh, have also decided to make use of our unlimited Internet and get the 30 days free Love Film and catch up with loads of stuff I haven't watched before. May as well do that now as I'll never have the chance again!

Yay, cycle, that's such good news :-) It must be such a relief.

Pink, I was talking to my friend about low movement. If a baby is in trouble it will conserve energy by not moving much / at all.

This is why you would be monitored to check heart rate and see if baby is moving or not.

If there are concerns they will get you into theatre ASAP. Some ladies end up in theatre with baby within 45 minutes of the trace.

Congrats on making it home cycle & baby cycle!

And boo for the early morning redwelly. Hate those. The birds are starting singing at 5.30 in the mornings now so ds tends to wake up then. Mind you I'm finding I seem to wake up at 4.30 now every morning regardless of what time I went to bed the night before.

Well done on the packing AmI. Sorry can't help with any of those questions really. I'm wearing skirt to come home in as comfy and stretchy. But I can be reasonably confident here it will be warm enough. Packed a short sleeved baby gro plus sleepsuit for dd to come home in, plus a blanket. I'm not going for any kind of 'outfit' as it's just to get from hospital home. I'm not planning on stopping anywhere or seeing anyone.

Totally exhausted today, even though didn't do much. I think still recovering from over-exerting yesterday. Came back from church picnic (holiday weekend here) and slept for over 2 hours while ds napped!! And then have felt tired ever since I woke up, so back to bed now. Think my body is telling me to take it easy. Or something.

Hope everyone has a good day today and the sun keeps shining

Morning.
AmI if we go to hospital baby will be coming home in vest, sleep suit, hat and tucked into carseat with a blanket. Am sure leggings will be great for you.
Meant to be sunny all day here so we're planning a trip to a NT place - hope it won't be too exhausting!

We were warned against leggings as maybe being too tight around the crotch! Mine aren't really super tight, so should probably be ok, and the maternity pad will offer some protection too, I imagine.

I doubt I'll have much that will fit, so options are quite limited!

Same here! Thanks ladies- leggings for me and Sleepsuit it is for little one! Not sure mil will be happy with that but start as we mean to go on with smiling happily at advice but only taking it if it seems like best option for us!

Also- sorry if a bit intrusive but... knickers! Just can't find any comfy ones at the moment. I hate the under bump ones so those are out. I tend to wear the shorts ones but have been going up the sizes to accommodate bump which results in majorly baggy bum. They've just started cutting into bump again but I might take off if I buy bigger for the bum area! Any suggestions?!

Ooh, AmI...I'm having knicker issues too. I also normally wear the shorts type.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

That's the best thing to do with advice, AmI, from wherever it come from! :-)

What works for one won't work for another, so just do what you feel is best for you.

I have to say that I feel more mentally prepared for labour now I've talked it through with my friend. We discussed everything, including complications etc, which has really helped. They have a really low c section rate (2nd bittom in the country on the latest figures) where she works, so has really good delivery experience.

I'm still in my original knickers! They're m&s with a stretchy band if lace at the front - so that bit pushes down under bump!

AmI I bought some from m and s which are enormous but comfy.

Re baby home from hospital, they will be in vest, hat, sleepsuit, cardigan and blanket. The maternity wards (at least ours) get stupidly hot during the summer so quite likely baby will be in a vest or just sleepsuit indoors. Muslins make great coverings and sun shades as well (I bought some aden anais as a treat for DD last year as alternative to sheets) so I jave many sozes of those.

Just gone back to bed after getting DH up, went to wash our new duvet set and found it was marked all over. Now got to take it back and get another - so so annoying.

Also in other fab news I think bump has dropped, 38weeks today, exactly the same day DD engaged fully, and oh boy iys nice to breathe again but I seem to have a melon between my legs!

Home.from hospital will be baggy yoga pants with tunic top, but thats to go over a CS scar so bit different. I wore linen trousers two hours afterwards last time.

Last night saw me googling "are braxton hicks worse with each pregnancy?" Yes. Yes they are.

Poor DH was worrying about me standing up swaying and puffing! I'm now starting to panic about having a too quick labour with all this practice! First eight hours, second four (at most - didn't really count but I know we were watching the 9pm film and decided it started during that, DS born 0130)... A two hour labour would be cutting it fine with childcare and MWs being based at least thirty minutes away.

Still, I guess there will always be something to worry about!!

Redwelly I"m wondering if my bump has dropped a bit. I don't look any different but I haven't needed to get up in the night to swig Gaviscon for about 3 nights now.

On the subject of being mentally prepared for labour - I really think I was until I was told baby had turned back to back. Now I'm doing all the exercises I can to try and shift it round but it has got me rather nervous now - will I cope with the pain, will it be excessively long labour, will they need forceps etc. I think I was rather laid back before because baby had behaving itself so well in the lead up.

Oh and with regards to the tmi stuff. Can I just say I have found this group so so so helpful for me. I do have friends and family in RL who have had babies but this forum has been so useful for discussing even the tiniest details which others might tell me not to bother about. Oh and it has also been highly entertaining. My favourite comment so far has to be the one weeks ago about 'pant snot'!