Due August 2013 - Part 5 - The Final Stretch - We're nearly there duebies!!

[FoofFighter]

Welcome to the thread in which we will meet our babies - woooooooooop!!

Previous thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1709005-August-2013-Part-4-Half-way-there-already?msgid=39205443

Thanks Brie

The pains are irregular in timing and are currently more uncomfortable then painful and been going on since the weekend now so I think that's why they didn't say to go in. Being my first time though I don't know whats normal and whats not - anxious times!

Mine were anything from 8 mins to 25 apart and about a minute long once I bothered to time them. And I totally downplayed the pain until I realised (at 5cm) that they had been contractions then I really let myself feel it! Anyway I did and do trust the professionals but the consultant did ask why I hadn't gone in sooner which made me a bit grrrrr.
I was 37+ though, but first time or not I think it's always anxious! Good luck.

hinky sounds like things are moving along but could be quite slow to get to actual labour. The discharge u described sounds like a show, which can happen immediately before or weeks before labour starts. Your pains & being uncomfortable could be baby dropping into the pelvis, but again it could be weeks before anything major happens, especially with this being your first. Having said all that, if u are worried or things just don't feel right, then call in.

We are doing ok. Margot has finally psssed birth weight and is now a whopping 5.29 lbs! Still in pain from c section and hv tring to get me to reduce pain killers.

It is weird , though I wouldn't change margot. I am still jealous as I should still be pregnant!

congratulations again to Stiggley and Brie!
I went in for my ECV this afternoon - and it worked! I wouldn't say it was a pleasant experience, but I am so happy that baby is now head down.
Booked in for induction on 31st July, so not long to go now.

Hoping someone in the know replies to missHinky as if that was me I'd think it was start of labour, but as 1st timer I am not qualified!

What is all this about being given a number (1 to 5) depending on how engaged the head is? I'm 37 weeks and had a MW appointment yday with no such info. In fact they were next to useless and said they didn't want to see me again for 2 weeks (they - there were 2, seemingly because one was male and so not hands-on - were annoyed that I'd seen my GP the day before as the appointments had all got clustered up, but I specifically kept the MW appointment as last time she said we would do my birth plan then (and i saw the GP as i needed a perscription!) In the event, different midwife altogether who just dismissed birth plan - only contribution really was to book my 41 week sweep date!). Anyway, all v annoying as on weds the GP said the head was v far down but on thurs the MW said it was down but free and moving. MW also claimed to have no idea what the shooting pains around my cervix are, while I know from GP, MN and friends that is the head being low (patronising male MW said it could be pressure on my bladder, but after 7 or more months of that, I kinda know the difference!). Anyway, is it normal to not be told this number thing at this stage? I'm in London btw

Hinky sounds like your body is starting to get ready. The thing is it can take weeks to warm up to something productive. However, like with Brie, it can come to something quite quickly. Be vigilant and time things. Also, do ring your assessment unit to check if you are unsure. That's what they are there for.

Twocats they give you a number once the head is engaging. Up thread (I think it was Foof) posted the definitions. Many babies are "free" til the end. It does sound like you had a pants appointment though. In your notes there will be a number for the supervisor of midwives. Give them a ring and ask to see someone to have a proper discussion. Fx.

38 + 1 here. Elcs within the week!

I'm starting to get jealous reading about all your niggles! EDD is 30 August so I'm at the tail end of this group! Only 34+0 with my first so got a good few weeks to go yet - getting impatient to meet LO :).

However today is my last day at work! Feeling quite emotional, they've looked after me so well during pregnancy! damn hormones

Hope you are all doing well, those of you getting newborn cuddles and those of you impatiently waiting!

Twocats - Do you have a 'green book' or whatever colour your regional pregnancy notes are?
Under the section for antenatal visits where your MW writes her notes, you should have details of blood pressure , gestation, presentation etc. Your engagament number would be recorded here i.e. at my 37 week appt my engagement is recorded as 2/5 palpable meaning that she could feel two finger widths of baby's head above the pelvis.

No niggles here either, baby seems perfectly happy to stay put for now. Am 37+4 so happy to keep the mayhem at bay for a bit longer.

Hurray for having a date and a july baby ditsy. I was thinking earlier how weird it would be to go to bed KNOWING that your baby was coming the following day, last night of peace etc. very exciting!
38+0 and very uneventful trip to midwife, all well and 3/5 engaged (4/5 at 36 weeks and 5/5 at 34 weeks- this is heading in the right direction, right?- aware that some places numbers go up but I think round here they go down). They will offer me a sweep at my next appointment which is at 40+0 which sounds exciting....

Thanks, Brie, PurpleDana, Twocats, Mrsd77,

Things have remained the same today, no better, no worse, still niggling crampy pains and a lot of tummy tightening ... Doing anything is becoming such an effort - especially in this heat!!

5/5 is head down but floating above
1/5 is engaged and ready to go.

You don't always get measured by mw. They will look at other signs too.

I'm joining gerty with the jealousy on all the niggles everyone is having! My EDD is the 20th of Aug so I also have a fair bit to go but I'm so excited to read everyone's experiences!

LilPeas - Mines the 23rd Aug but can't help but think it'll be early!

Thank you all on the "stations" issue. I had a closer look at my notes (I don't normally look at them after an appointment as I'm invariably on crowded public transport home). Turns out they have been scribbling a number in. So 5/5 a few appointments back, then 3 or 4/5 from the GP on weds and 4/5 from the MW on thurs. so looks like 4/5 is the consensus!
Guess that means a while more to go, but at least moving in the right direction.
What I want to know now is whether she is back to back or not (so i can try and do something about it if she is) but the MW always say its too early to tell (after giving me their usual 'crazy woman asking crazy questions') look. Has anyone here been told which way their baby is facing?

Mine still say free but am convinced she is wriggling in and out cos the pain down there comes and gows. Have to say the gym ball is my new best friend!

Where are you guys keeping your hospital bags? Mine is finally packed and I'm wondering whether I should just put it in the car or keep it inside. We have a huuuge boot so can easily fit in the stuff I'll need for hospital as well as anything else we need to cart about in the coming weeks.

34+2 here

I still haven't thought about mine yet! But will prob keep it at home although am thinking of fitting the car seat shortly as am 36 weeks tomorrow

Haven't done my hospital bag yet BabyH so glad I'm not alone (35+1) - bit silly of me really with the pains I've been having - planning to get some bags together this weekend so I feel a bit more organised :)

I only packed my bags this week, the night before I went in for my ECV (37 + 2 at that point!). I am keeping them in the house, but right by the back door.
Hope you are all surviving this heat - I sent DH out to buy me a fan, but everywhere has sold out! Shouldn't complain about the nice weather, but I may start doing a rain-dance if it continues for much longer!
37 + 4

misshinky I am in same position, been in agony for a week, bump is rock hard, uncomfortable and the pressure down there is awful esp when I try to bend to sit, stand again, pick up after the dog etc. My mw at 34 weeks said baby felt engaged but wrote free in my notes so she obv changed her mind lol. Am just ready to evict her now! Not being seen again til 37 grrr. Will think about it this week maybe

My bags are packed and I keep them in the nursery. Thought about putting them in the car but then thought what if I need to go in when hubby at work, so they are staying in the house!
36 wks today and so uncomfortable - heavy, tired, acid indigestion & twinges / pains.

Trip to Kiddicare today - some really good bargains. I had to resist buying toys etc that he'll be too young to use for months. Bought formula and some more bottles after finally deciding this week on FF. Also got some of those ready made bottles for my hospital bag. Made it seem very real doing a load of bottles in the steriliser!

We also went mooching around baby shops in St Albans and found some nice nautical wall stickers in JoJo Maman Bebè. So we now have a nursery covered in boats, seagulls, fish and lighthouses. I really hope he likes the seaside.

Niggles have continued all day, with some properly painful contractions tonight. Think we scared relatives we met for lunch with all my panting and shuffling DP and I have a bet involving a Mulberry handbag that I won't give birth this weekend. Maybe the collective wishes of mumsnetters can push me into labour? I would REALLY like a DelRay!

38 exactly