October 2013: Newborn snuggles and waddles to the finish line

[FeministInTraining]

Stats sheet here

New arrivals here

Key:
SC - still cooking (pre EDD)
SFW - still f*ing waiting (post EDD)
OWT - on way to theatre (CS)
IP - induction in progress
SWIL - somewhere in labour
LIT - lost in transition

Fingers crossed they make room for you today Sanji. How many people are ahead of you in the queue now?

Phew to the MLU being ok, hopefully there will be room at the inn when my time comes. Whenever that may be!

Have just managed to catch up after 2 days of manic feeding from Isla, am exhausted and have had a fair few breakdowns and a very sore left nipple but have midwife today and desperately hoping her weight will reflect the constant feeding or I may cry

sanji so sorry to hear your still waiting. how many weeks are you now? Really hope the women of Cambridge stop going into labour long enough for you to get a room. you must be exhausted already!

neenie Good Luck today! Hope its all kicking off for you.

Any news after the sweep ready? I was told if it was going to work it would in 48 hrs so theres still time. Hope BP is down today x

Glad to hear your feeling better and DS is dream baby nat

Sending sympathy and hugs to all those with breastfeeding troubles.

and Good luck and labour vibes to all SFW or IP.

Just wanted to ask a quick question about stitches, Im day 13 today and still so sore, is anyone else having troubles? I had them checked on Sunday and they were ok, dont think theyre infected its more just a swollen constant ache, and am still struggling to poo dont know if this is normal or worth mentioning to midwife again today??

sorry to anyone ive missed. x

thank you for remembering me rox xx

I'm still here wallowing in self-pity at 40+3 today I want to be mature about it and think that I'm lucky to be pregnant and, really, there is nothing wrong and it's all around the corner one way or another... but failing miserably... especially during sleepless nights when I think too much and get all emotional and depressed. I worry I'm wearing myself to the ground before the labour and before the demanding newborn is even here... so stupid. No signs here despite an epic walk yesterday and five birds eye chillis in my curry last night... yesterday was DS's dad's birthday - perhaps the baby was just respectfully waiting for it to be over?

thanks again for remembering us, the remaining SFW - we really need your support now too, on emotional more than practical level these days xx

sanji I feel so sorry for you... can only imagine how frustrating it must be. I guess it's just impossible for them to manage this baby boom and predict who goes into labour every day... fingers crossed. And glad you have another positive drip and no epidural story from soup. Really can be done. And yes, pethidine is amazing but it won't put you to sleep if you are on the drip, don't worry. It will take the edge off though

sorry for everyone struggling with demanding newborn routine. (or rather lack of...)

flyer hope A is better today and you are feeling better this morning?

ready hope the sweep works for you and you will be on your way soon! yes, higher BP made me feel sick too - I had terrible nausea and felt really agitated and edgy too.

nat thanks for this positive story about your friend!

Right what havoc shall we attempt at the back of this bus Clapham? mooning out the window got help unfortunate passers by! that might get us kicked off! 40+6 here, feel like I've got a stinking cold (or allergies) and had a few feeling sorry for myself tears yesterday, was actually relieved to not have baby last night I want him/her to meet a happy mum not a snivelling mess! Seeing mw tomorrow and as I'll be the magic 41wks she will attempt sweep if I want, not sure whether to or not at the mo xx

pink definitley mention to the midwife, but I seem to recall my stiches being quite painful after a couple of weeks with ds - they got very tight and dry, but it was just before it all started feeling normal again, so fx for you. I am day 19 with no stiches, and pooing is still a bit unpleasant - damn piles!

clapham and all those still waiting, much love to you, I was exactly the same, stressed and pissed off while trying to focus on the positives and failing. I had no signs of labour at all, and baby was completely free at 40 week appointment, and went into labour at 40 + 5, so hope the same happens for all you guys sfw. I literally had no inkling at all that anything was going to kick off, and was convinced I would end up with induction at 2 weeks over, so there is hope xxx

Ooh thanks Bowlfull, that gives me some hope. Currently 40 + 2 and fed up with getting headbutted in the bits.

thanks bowlfull!! this makes me feel so much better. there is still time I know...

blondie's I'm happy to do pretty much anything now, legal or illegal. Did you go over with your first two by the way? or just this one?

Yes thanks for the reassurance that things can kick off with no warnings bowlful

Clapham DD1 was 3 weeks early, waters went at 5am contractions started naturally born midnight (I got to choose which dob!) DD2 came on due date, had bh's in the weeks b4, things were clearly happening around tea time, born 11.45pm! So this overdue thing is all new to me

Well back off the bleeding day assessment unit for me because of bp. So annoying but doctor insisted and called them while I was there so there's no escape! No protein so kind of think they're being a bit ott but as they keep saying better safe than sorry. It's very frustrating when your preg has been so normal, I haven't gained much wt apart from baby, have stayed fit and active blah blah blah and still theses tedious issues arise! Just strong bh again so not sure sweep ha done much but as you've said...there's still time.
Nice to have some mischief at the back of the bus, I'm up for anything to keep us entertained! Lets try to stay calm and positive even though we may be slowly unravelling and losing our minds.
Good luck again sanjifar.
Hope your bp is steady Clapham and you're not feeling too rough. X

it goes to show blondies... every baby is so different... perhaps ours will be very laid back and calm, considering they don't seem impatient to come out...

ready what exactly was your BP reading?

Do you know I think the French system of counting pregnancy as 41 weeks is actually pretty good, I'm 40+5 but feel fine about it as I don't really feel as if I'm overdue yet.

and a to all my backseat buddies to keep us going!

we had mw this morning.

Lucinda is 8lbs 1 oz now, so gaining, but much slower than my other babies have, so am a little concerned. Although we are getting wet and dirty nappies and she is a happy and contented little thing, and is gaining something at least, so trying not to worry too much.

She is still jaundiced, and we have been referred to a Yellow alert clinic on Monday at the hospital, where they will test her urine and take some blood

really not looking forward to that she screamed her head off for the heel prick

Sanjifair am appalled at the way you have been treated!! and as for saying gas and air is unavailable on the ward, thats crap!! how come mw's can bring it to home births then?!

Clapham hang on in there...... this time next week, you may very well miss being pg!!

Good Luck to all of those SC/SFW, and hello and Congrats to all the new mums and babies xxxx

Hello Ladies,
sanji sending you whatever might take the edge off your frustration.

Be careful what you get up to at the back of the bus, girls, you don't want a police escort to the hospital! At least your bubs will be well fed and a good size when they come out walking Should make for bigger tums and better chance of them sleeping well from early on (or so my Gran always told me)

Thea impressed the mw this morning- Day 5 and she's just edged passed her birth weight. My milk coming in yesterday must have helped. Mind you she still seems weeny- she's 3.06kg. Her cord dropped off during the visit and she did an impressive yellow poo so MW v happy.

DS is doing well now- he went to his Halloween Disco yesterday and was apparantly braggging that he has his very own baby now. [phew!!]

Sending you all labour-ward-clearing wishes xxxx

Hello everyone

Well after a night of fever, sweats and chills I have joined the mastitis club and have just started antibiotics. Strangely the pain in my breast has totally settled, so I'm wondering if I would be ok without antibiotics, but my skin is red and can't face another night like last night.

Sanji it sounds like you are being incredibly patient. I hope you manage to get through to labour ward today. Was your in labour neighbour raging at her DP when she woke up and realised he said to let someone else go through in front of her?

Clapham, Blondies, Ready Smitten and Imp and everyone else who is SFW - hope you are feeling ok and not getting too fed up. The end is in sight, there can't be long to go now - come on babies!

Caz sorry Lucinda is still jaundiced. How old is she now? Hopefully she'll feed well over the weekend and will look much better by Monday and not need a blood test.

hello all. sanj sorry you're still waiting, what a nightmare! caz hope he jaundice goes soon.

we had a bad night here, baby H kept waking up, bad wind I think. he's got oral thrush too which is making him winge. managed to get a prescription for it on the phone to gp so that's good, will go pick it up later. he's sleeping like an angel now so hopefully last night was a one off!!

sanj I hope you move up the queue soon.

Best wishes to everyone at the back of the bus. Sending labour inducing thoughts your way.

Joshua is well but he HATES the caboo carrier. I don't know if I'm putting it on wrong (trying to follow instructions exactly). I'm annoyed and frustrated because we still haven't gone outside since he was born on Saturday, except for the hospital the first night. I was hoping this carrier would've easier than the pram.

Ok I figured out the problem. Basically he was going on a milk frenzy when put to my chest. I just needed to wait a minute and he calmed down. I hope that little tip helps someone here who tries a sling.

Feeling very proud today, housework is done, and have braved soft play with ds (forgot it was half term) which involves 2 bus rides. Have promised ds he can stay up late and have a pizza and film with mummy and daddy tonight, he has been such a good boy this week.

Those on number 2 or more, how much telly are your older ones watching? I am getting him out of the house for at least a few hours everyday, but when we are in he is pretty much in front of the telly. I hate it, but its the only way I can get any peace to see to baby, go to loo etc. Please reassure me I'm not stunting his development!

Telly, iPad....
I use the iPad when I have a shower, he sits on the bathroom floor and plays games.

I am crippled today, I obviously did too much yesterday and my back is seized up, I am basically bent double when I walk. It's agony :(

moon she's 2 weeks today

and now off for her hearing test!

I am in absolute awe of those of you with more than one child. This last week has pretty much convinced me that G will be an only. I'm finding it ridiculously hard and can't even imagine coping with another child at the same time.

to those of you still on the bus, it must be so frustrating for you all.

Baby G has put on 50g in the last 48 hours, so close to the 60g the midwife was looking for so she'll be weighed again on Sunday but, hopefully, that's a sign that persevering with breastfeeding is finally paying off.

I have also had the violent shivers, hot sweats and flu symptoms but not mastitis - apparently its quite common and related to the hormones rebalancing. Scary though.

Bowlful our tv is on most of the time and My two seem to be doing ok. I still not getting out much, living at top of a hill 2 miles from town is great until you can't drive or push a double buggy or wheelchair any distance. 3 more weeks of relying on others then Jelly will be leaving the building

Time for a quick ish catch up... I just can't name check everyone though.... Sorry. Also winding two babies as I type, so please excuse typos...

Clapham (and all other SICK of waiting) - first, get a bloody move on babies . Clapham, if poss, how about making this (I am guessing its your DS's last day of school pre half term?) a real you day. Nap, bath, fave food for lunch, coffee with a magazine... A sort of last supper of a day...

Sanji - nightmare! Poor you! There was a whiff of this before my CS. Two emergencies came in before me and I was made very aware (in a nice, your babies are v happy and your body has amazingly gone to term sort of way) that I was bottom of the list and there was no hurry... If it continues, do push re Harlow. I had DD there and it was FAB and they said then (three years ago) that they're rarely full because they're in the hinterland between London and Camb and not many people realise what a fab reputation it has for obs. Honestly though, hugs (((())))

Tarlia (I think... Sorry) - thanks for posting your birth story. Do be aware of the shock and trauma of it and don't be surprised by strange emotions or flash backs.... I think we take a long time to process real fear. Re your feelings towards DS (is this right? So sorry if it was someone else... Could have been Pseudo...), I really think this is normal. I also am slightly mourning the lack of baby moon....

Roofio - I also think your thoughts at the beginning re H are normal! I very much felt, in week one only though tbh, "I didn't ask for this..." (Unplanned preg and very surprise twins!)....

Jelly - my CS scar is much smaller, but they really were in no rich whatsoever! Mind you, at one stage there were three pairs of hands in there! One consultant to hold twin 2 and ensure her placenta stayed intact, one consultant to get twin 1 out and, because he was so wedged in, a registra to help tug him out!!

Ok have to go, more to follow....

Hi ladies, quick update, contractions tailed off last night so am on antenatal ward trying desperately to get things going after having pessary. They have given me till 6, then j think they will break waters. Pains are stronger but are still erratic. Apparently they were really busy here last night and are expecting sane tonight with thus crazy baby boom.
Really hope you have gotten somewhere sanj and loving the antics at the back of bus.
Imp, I will get round to pming you for fb, cheers for the beers.