December 2013 - waddling slowly onwards

[LadyMedea]

Our new thread!

It made sense Stom ;p

I think I am a bit of an odd ball, but despite having two stays in hospital so far, being signed of at 29 weeks, not being able to have my lovely hippy home birth, I am actually still enjoying being pregnant and looking forward to the whole experience of labour, as long as it happens no earlier than four weeks from now, or on the festive days (for the baby's sake)

Hi Dusty, fellow EDDier; you are the first person I have (virtually) met due boxing day :)

Oh I'm still really looking forward to giving birth and actually feel quite excited about it and up for the challenge. I just also know I've never experienced anything like proper pain before (never broken anything or had anything worse than a stomach bug) so want to prepare myself as best as possible to not totally freak out when reality hits. I suppose my general attitude is it's going to be hard work, challenging and unlike anything I've ever experienced so it's probably best I get myself clued up as much as possible. I'm also prone to anxiety so having as much knowledge as possible will help me feel more in control.

I think I had a lucky experience at the labour ward as it was a really quite period so it all felt lovely and calm and peaceful. It was also great to know they keep the temperature nice and toasty too

I think it is too easy for us to overthink things and get all worked up over the unknown. We will all cope in our own ways and be rewarded with first prize :)

Thats a lovely way to put it pink I'm trying my hardest to stay relaxed and positive about it all!

Natal hypnotherapy, people, natal hypnotherapy. It really helps with relaxation and demystifying the whole process.

You can't predict what kind of birth you have but of the mums I've worked with those who coped best whatever happened were those who made sensible birth plans and really considered the 'if X, then Y' scenarios. It gives you a sense of control to think 'I have thought about this happening and I know what my preferences are'. Those who've not really coped were those with a very fixed idea of birth and motherhood, whatever those ideas were. One mother had the kind of labour many people aspire to but was completely knocked for six because she didn't get the epidural she wanted. So no matter what you want it's definitely worth mentally preparing for everything.

Couldn't agree more! At the moment I'm really nervous about giving birth, but it's purely because I don't know what to expect. I think I'll feel a lot more relaxed about it all once I've been to my antenatal classes and started my pregnancy yoga though. Can't wait to learn all the breathing and relaxation techniques ready to put into practice on the big day!

DP and I are both happy to go down the 'whatever happens, happens' route so I'm hoping that being open minded about the whole thing will make things a bit less stressful on the day...

It was just such a shock to the system going into the labour ward while everything was in full swing last night! I wasn't all that nervous until being surrounded by all the sights and sounds and smells of the hospital...!

Yeah it was seeing the labour ward that set it off for me!

I'm very open minded.. I would love a water birth but I realise that if they are all busy then I can't... I want to try and do it on only gas and air but if I can't I can't.. I really don't want an epidural or forceps...

Also has anyone thought about music during labour? I'd like some relaxing music playing but I'm not sure What x

Chelsea thats the same due date as me and itsliz :) and im not bothered at all by being in hospital on xmas im more worried I'll be there on my birthday (8th Jan) as i really dont want to share my birthday.
also itsliz this is getting freaky same due date and you have the same birthday as my DP

Stom Ive said i dont want music but i really like the idea of audiobooks as that would distract me more than music :)
I really want to do a tour of the labour ward etc but no idea how to go about it, i must ask the mw next time i see her.

I really want a water birth, but with two hospital stays due to bleeds, that idea has gone out of the window. I just hope I can use the pool for some of the pain relief, but tbh, i think I will have to make do with my bath at home before I head to the hospital.

I will be discussing my options with my mw and consultants and will keep my options open - what will be, will be. But I will ask for what I want first :)

kchapper my tour was part of my water birth ante-natal class. Which was good... Though brought it home that it's not far away!

I was surprised at how quiet the birth centre was...

There was only 3 people on the ward and the labour ward had 2 people and I don't think anyone was in the birth centre... It was so calm...

I want a water birth but I'm scared off pools/ deep water so that did freak me out abit but as the water will be warm and it'll be more. Like a big bath I'm hoping I'll be ok.... Also I forgot to ask if dp could get in with me. As I'd quite like that not for all of it but maybe for part of it.

The birth pool room was really nice.. They had mood lights and a lamp. It was cosy and relaxing.

I hope you get what you want pink

Thanks lady I've just looked SPD up in the NHS site and looks like you're right!! Don't know whether to wait till my MW next Thursday and mention it or give my GP a call tomorrow

Haha, that is weird kchapper5! I hope your DP gets his birthday presents under the tree like I do
It'll be interesting to see if those of us with the same EDDs do end up giving birth on the same day or not... Ahh I just can't wait for us to all start having our babies, haha!

Has anyone started writing their birth plans yet? I think I'm going to wait until I've had my antenatal classes so I can make a more informed decision (although as I said, it's not the end of the world if things don't go to plan!) I just don't really know what to write!

My Mw told me to start writing mine but I don't know what to write lol.

She said put any concerns on there.. What you'd like or wouldn't like etc

Hi guys - I haven't posted in ages but thought I would pop in to also really really really recommend hypnobirthing / natal hypnotherapy. I was smiling at the end of my labour with DD - it was powerful, yes, painful, but I was so 'in the zone' I was quite enjoying it, in a weird way. Before going into labour I didn't really know how it would work, but I listened throughout to music that had been on in the background to the relaxation CD I'd used, and it kept me pretty calm and focused. Who knows what this time will bring, but DD's birth was the opposite of what I'd wanted (had planned a home birth, ended up in hospital being induced) but it was a really positive experience.
I think it's natural to be nervous, but please take courage that it may well be an amazingly empowering experience... Good luck everyone!

The nhs has a quetionnaire you can complete online which pulls together your birth plan. I looked at it early in the pg but it seemed a bit far away :)

I am going to have another look at it and see if it more hassle than need be!

I kunda know what I want mine to say : let's see how far we can get with the minimum and if I need more or intervention, we'll go with the best option. I would like to avoid epidural if possible and would prefer to have a natural delivery, but if a section is destined, I will go with it. I want to be able to say "mum and baby are doing well" after the big event :)

itsliz oh no, there is to be no sign of christmas in our house until the 17th he used to refuse to even acknowledge christmas until his birthday is done. over the years I have got him to at least start to buy presents earlier and write cards.
pink ooo thanks for that, ill go have a look for the questionnaire and see what its like

I have a 6 page birth plan, with a 1 page cliff notes version and I'll be getting or signed off by my consultant and the SoM and the psychologist attached to the maternity unit. They're that suspicious of my hippy tendencies.

It does have half a page on 'what natal hypnotherapy is' because it's not very known here, and about the page on pain relief starts I don't want an epidural because I really, really, REALLY hate needles so I will try a, b, c, d, e - all nicely bullet pointed. In the UK though you could get away with saying you prefer natural methods over drugs, whereas here I actually need to specify what they are because it's not part of their normal repetoire. Also I don't want a managed third stage, which also means no cord traction or uterine massage or anything so that is explained in painstaking detail too.

My just-in-case-I-give-birth-in-the-UK one is much shorter!

Doing my birth plan is on the very long list of things to do

It's my last day at work today, got a lovely gift hamper from my teammates yesterday with loads of goodies for me and baby! So looking forward to being able to sleep over the next week!
Still got DD in full time nursery, DP has been maybe going for another job at the other end of the country, so while we're waiting to find out we haven't asked to drop her hours at all, suits me - I'll be a lady of leisure while I can

Bit of a weird day for me today, today was my original due date with pregnancy no. 1 and trying very hard not to dwell on what might have been and focus on little man.

Morning all

Mrs I bet it is a weird day for you. Big hugs if you are feeling sad.

Nothing much to report here. Bump also seems to have changed shape again. Gone harder and lower and kicks gone 'deep' again if that makes sense? Don't know what he's doing in there lol. Lots of twitches and flutters down above my pubic bone, the odd boot in my fanjo or up my bum, and a surprise kick in the left hand side occasionally just to let me know he can still get that bit. But breathing is a bit better and don't feel as 'snatchy' for breath now so I do think he's dropped a bit.

Looked on my sheet that has the percentile growth thing on it. If he is tracking the one he was at 28 weeks (which is bang in the middle) he will be almost 4lb now! DD was only 5lb 12oz at term so no wonder I'm knackered already lol.

My EDD is 20/12 according to scan, and 24/12 according to LMP. I'm just hoping (for his sake later on) he avoids the main dates. But I do have a cousin and a nephew born on NYE and NYD so a history of being born on special days. Its DP's b'day on the 18/12 so he'd quite like him then. And so would I lol. Gives me 2 and a bit weeks to get sorted out with baby whist DP is off work and DD is off school. I can't think of anything nicer than him being here in time for christmas. New born cuddles in front of the christmas tree whilst DD opens her christmas pressies sounds bloody lovely.

Bet the little bugger ends up coming after christmas though. And causes maximum disruption when he does arrive!

MrsS- hope you're doing ok today. I clearly remember my EDD coming along following MC a few years back. My strategy was to keep really busy..

Also re the possible SPD- I'd seek help sooner rather than later. I really struggled to get referred to physio ( ancient GP poo-poo'd the idea!!). Finally got referred by drop in MW clinic and saw physio within a week.

Finally saw physio this Monday which was brilliant. She examined me, said my pelvis was rotated on one side. She did a manipulation and I instantly felt better. Limped in, walked out!

In short, go sooner rather than later! Walking and moving about is much much easier for me now.

Thanks frouby & mildred had a bit of a wobble earlier but baby shrubs has not stopped kicking me since so I think he's trying to reassure me

Thanks for the SPD advice too mildred I'll give the MW a call and see what she can do rather than the GP or waiting till next week. Glad you're feeling better!!

Just handed in my sick note, I'm OFFICIALLY off work til May now! GP was more than happy to write one out and said I'd done well to last this long. Also found out today that I have an interview for a senior post next week (eek!) which I'm not sure I should go for, and that I have to attend court to give evidence early next year against a patient who thought I wouldn't mind if he took out his frustration by punching me in the face. He's actually pleading not guilty despite there being 3 witnesses!

A lot to deal with and process, so I'm sitting in a coffee shop eating cake.

Big hugs MrsShrubs

Enjoy the time off frouby coffee and cake sounds well deserved! Hope the interview goes well...

I'm on such a downer today.. Not sure if it's cos I'm tired even though I've been sleeping. Sort of.. Apparently I had a night terror last night do had to wake me up as he got quite worried...

Today I'm just exhausted I haven't even done alot the last couple days.. I've got to do the house work today as it's my birthday tomorrow and really don't want to do it then.... Plus I'm not even excited about my birthday and it's the first anniversary of my grandads death the day after...

Just feel like poo today..
Did get a couple of cute outfits for bubs though!! :)