December 2013 - the one where we really just talk about kittens and deny the inevitable

[LadyMedea]

Sorted

Oh yeah, I did stom, thanks. I haven't been on the computer to do try it yet - can't work out how to do it on my phone!

Well, I went to the MLU last night as I'd been struggling to feel bumps movements all day and BH we're feeling stronger/different. I got hooked up to the machine and by sitting in the quiet and concentrating for an hour i managed to feel enough for them to be happy that bumps is ok.
The interesting thing was the BH as it turned out they were pretty full on and coming regularly every 10mins. So cool seeing the monitor sky rocket up to 130! They don't hurt but make me feel really light headed and totally forget what I'm thinking or talking about, haha.
MW did an internal to check it wasn't actual labour but disappointingly my cervix is still very much high up and closed for business. Had more contractions through the night and they've just started again this afternoon but are quite sporadic.
I did get my hopes up when they thought it could be labour but I reckon the reality is that I'm going to be one of those women who's body does a lot of practicing before the real thing.

Congratulations Alyssa, so glad that labour is all over for you now and you can enjoy baby. Another lovely unusual name, very impressed with everyone's choices!

Hope you're ok whisper, google the nearest hospital to where you're going and get their phone number. Might make you feel at ease a little.

PJ day today as I'm knackered from being woken up all night. Will try to catch up properly but I've missed loads!

Thank you everyone and meandbumpy for liking my name choice, I knew I'd get dp to agree in the end lol.

mum labour from first contraction to holding baby was over 51 hours long

Ooh I am never doing this again lol

alyssa your body had it he wrong way round with labours getting longer! Like you say you don't have to do it again anyway-lol! However mine turns out I know it's the last time too!

Finally got furniture in the nursery, curtains up and bay clothes in the wash (they're so tiny and so cute!) and DH has gone to France on a 2 day training course. I've told him he has Max 3 hours (maybe less) to get back if my waters break! D'you think they'd put him on the next flight in those circumstances??

'Baby' not bay clothes

Alyssa congrats what a beautiful name!

Whisper hope you get home in time!

Iv been up since 6am moving my nursery furniture switched rooms with my brother so now I can actually walk! Put the xmas tree up with him so feeling really festive:)

sorry for the delay in updating. Got let out yesterday but haven't had a second. it's a different experience with a toddler demandIng attention.
so he was born at 3.40an weighing decent 8lb 2oz (especially considering he was only 39 weeks). Had a stop start labour since my sweep on Wednesday and then contractions ramped up in intensity on Friday. went in to be assessed at around 3pm but was told wasn't in active labour yet so told to walk around hospital for a while to see if it progressed. it didn't do sent home very frustrated and annoyed. however the contractions picked up again properly later on Friday night so went back in about 1.30am. ds born in a birthing pool at about 3.40 after a really short pushing stage in the pool which I would highly recommend if you can use one.
Good luck everyone.

Chilli I want a birthing pool can I ask why you recomend?

Congratulations loki, chilli and Alyssa. Even though I'm only 37 weeks today, I'm so bored of being pregnant. I've probably had the easiest pregnancy of all time which I am really grateful for, but being pregnant with a ridiculously energetic toddler is really getting me down. And DH is working 16 shifts in a row and is only 4 days in, so fed up doesn't cover it right now.

Nom thank you so much for the advice. I've been avoiding thinking about what comes after the birth too much and need to get my arse in gear. I had really bad PND after DS was born, and I suppose I'm scared of getting too excited in case I get it again and end up feeling like a failure. I can't even read the December 2011 postnatal thread, it's too painful to think about that time.

wow - I should just stay on the thread! Congrats alyssa and love the name - so unusual

sorelip - I'm worried about PND too as I'm at risk. let you MW know and support can be put in place

chelsea I have requested a pool as I feel better in water and when I've done my knee(s) in, water does soothe the pain. I would spend all day in the bath if I could. Apparently it can speed up labour as you more relaxed.

I'm probably being stupid but can baby move through BH? Everytime I think I am getting BH, little one starts kicking out, pushing back and grinding his head down. It's painful enough to make me lose my breath for about twenty seconds but I have no idea what's going on in there.

Those of you who've lost or are losing your mucus plugs do they start out greeny (sorry tmi!) before having tinges of pink/red? So far I've had some green goop but nothing else!....

mum I'm glad you asked that, I'm getting the greeny stuff as well, but I'm not sure if it might be DH's, ahem, leavings.

Bohemian I'll be having regular health visitor visits and I've been seen by Mappim, so the support is there if I need it, which I'm really grateful for. I just have to make sure that my usual grumpy bastard demeanor doesn't mask PND if it shows up again. I know I'm OK at the moment, because I still have a sense of humour, proven by the fact that I was on the floor laughing when DS decided to climb into his cot, remove his nappy and wee alllllll over the mattress. Thank Christ the mattress cover was on!

Yes Bohemian the baby is trying to get into a good position for birth,try leaning forward/hugging a birth ball or getting on all fours,so the heaviest part of the baby (back/bum) can 'swing' to the front of you.
Using bouts of BH like this is a really good way of getting them into the right place.

I think Green discharge is a sign of infection...

Oh and if the baby is grinding his head down,he's using the BH to push further into your pelvis sounds like a very helpful baby you've got in there

Chelsea the pool was great because I laboured a lot on all fours and my thighs were starting to shake with exhaustion. as soon as I got in the pool it wasn't as issue as I felt weightless and could just lean over the side. also the warmth of the water was great for pain relief.

Re mucous, I had brown but never green. maybe ask to get checked out.

I used (and loved) the birthing pool in my first labour but wasn't progressing so had to get out . It all went a bit pear-shaped from there. I'm definitely hoping to use it again this time as I found it very comforting and like Chilli says it makes it easier to stay upright. Went on labour ward tour today and there is only one pool so will depend if someone is already in it.

Green mucus normally means infection, I overheard the MW telling someone over the phone when I was in hospital last. Apparently if it looks like snot get it checked.

Chilli I thought about the warmth helping with the pain. Im used to using a hot water bottle when I used to suffer with bad period pains (not saying I think labour will feel like that).

Oh poo, GP appointment it is.

I had greenish but it was definitely the plug because it came out in jelly like clumps the size of my palm! The MW did swab for infection but if they found anything they never mentioned it.

I'm stressing about the results of my GBS test. Positive means IV ABs in labour and that means a drip and I really, really do not want a drip because that will make me panic :(

Nom when do you get the results?

Tuesday :( Lovely MW is going to call me with it and consult my OBGYN if necessary. I'm prepared to argue a slow injection of clindamycin as an alternative to a drip but I'd really rather not have that discussion having argued them down from a continuous drip to heparin lock venflon already (which apparently they'll have to order specially and my OBGYN has to sign off on FFS). I managed to negotiate no needles with DS but this hospital are much less flexible. Mind you previous hospital managed to talk me out of CS under GA so they were possibly more prepared to be nice!

Nom you dont have to have IV anti B's,you can opt not to have them,and stay in for observation-so they can treat the baby if there are any signs right away.

I know green can be a sign of infection but I'm pretty sure it was green last time- I guess I'll keep an eye on it and see.
nom have you been positive for GBS before? I have to send my swabs back tomorrow- must do it tonight! Hope they deliver the results quick in case I go into labour soon!..