Martians 2014 Thread 15: D-Day is on the horizon

[AndieDisestablishment]

Shiny new fred.

I come to check in and thread 14 was full so did the honours. Roll up.

Aww Dita I miss spooning too! I tried to spoon up behind DH last night and couldn't get even vaguely close. Bump then proceded to kick the crap out of me from the inside at about 11pm (but at least DH could feel what I have to put up with). Having heard on the grapevine of at least 2 more 'March' babies being born, I feel tonight is the night to pack the hospital bag. Having a relaxing day off today but bracing myself for tomorrow's commute by bus (bloody tube strikes) - I wonder if I'll get a seat? Any other Londoners braving public transport tomorrow/Thursday?

Pain my hospital list includes ridiculous items like electric tealights, enough food for a week, birthing ball, blankets, pillows, thermos with ice cubes etc. Planning to get it packed this weekend. Maybe even a suitcase won't do it and I'll have to bring a trailer.

Imeg I'm plannning to hire one from the NCT. I suppose I should get on and do it - the thought of Martians arriving already has got me jittery.

Thanks Glitter - eating earlier does make sense, so we're trying that as often as possible! DH works later than I do, but he'll just have to cope with it . Also, who said on here that chocolate makes reflux worse!? Well I was horrified, but dammitall if it isn't true Haven't had anything chocolate-based for a few days, and it certainly helps at night. Stupid baby, he's got a lot to make up for!
Imeg I've actually bought one from eBay... you can use them afterwards for things like achy shoulders from the first couple of weeks of BF, etc. Got a good-quality one (retails new at £40-50) for £21. Most sellers will pop in a couple of fresh pads and a battery, for a quick resale.

BWP too right! I'm waiting for an appt with the consultant to discuss/arrange induction because my pelvis is now so bad. I can't wait to be able to jump up off the settee again and walk the boys to school!!!

Second Martian baby born last night to Dabarai! Latecomers won't know who she is but she's one of the original Martians

Btw, well said BWP.

More babies I started packing my hospital bag yesterday. One tip I was given is to pack 2 bags. One smaller one with the essentials and a larger one with any extras that you can leave in the boot of your car until it's needed.

Boots and Mothercare both do TENS machine hire if you'd rather not buy. I'm going to hire one from my antenatal class.

Oohh another baby already!! Really better pack my bag. Saw mw today, she thinks the head is well engaged!! I don't think this baby will wait another 4 weeks.

Hi all, just been catching up on the last couple of weeks

Re the second hand breast pump, what do they expect parents to do who keep their breastpump from their first born? Mine was second hand for DD and worked a treat so will be using it again, It’s the Avent natural manual one, and I loved that it was so quiet so I could express before going to work without waking up the house.

Welcome Em and Glitter and Fender

I’m going VBAC, glitter, I have booked in for Elective CS if I hot 42 weeks, because I refuse to go through being induced again.

I finish for work on the 20th Feb as I have a week and a few days to use, but I officially start my Mat leave on the 3rd March, I’m due on the 23rd so I hope that gives me time to rest and catch up on sleep

The snow drops are freaking me out a little, I saw my first walking back from the MW appointment last week. I kept telling myself it’s a spring baby so not to panic in Jan and Feb, but snowdrops mean spring is here, and my baby is almost due!!!

I saw daffodils in the hospital garden at the weekend - now THAT really freaked me out!!

MTB were you induced last time for a Vbac or was that for baby no 1?
I am supposed to be having a sweep and then waters broken with possible a v small amount of pitocin - but thats it, no drip. If it doesn't set things off then it will be a CS (which is already booked in). I am not holding out much hope to be honest that will work, but thought I'd give it a go as its a second baby.

Avoid that drip like the plague. It's not a pleasant experience.

Glitter DD was baby#1 and went very overdue, so I was induced, number of stretch and sweeps, attempted water breaking (cervix was still very thick) and eventually booked me in to go on the drip. I was on that for over 24 hours and didn't even get to 5cm and DD was starting to show signs of distress so I was rushed in for an emergency CS.

I'm honestly not sure if anything is going to happen, but I'd like to give it a chance to if possible, I had a few "Issues" after DD was delivered, feeling like a failure at the one thing we're supposedly designed to do, so I'm hoping to avoid these again by at least giving nature the best possible shot to do what is supposed to do

Agree fully with Lyra that drip was the worst part of my entire birthing experience

Just back from MW - LO is breech still (she thinks, although can't be 100% certain, the "head" could still be a "bum".

If not head down by my next appointment which I'll be 36+5 then it's off to be scanned and scary things like ECV/ELCS are being banded around.

TURN baby! I'm really excited about giving birth but TERRIFIED of needing surgery.

Does anyone know if you've had an ECV does that automatically make you high risk i.e no MLU? Cos I saw the delivery rooms in the CLU at the weekend and they are horrible - really don't want that :(

mrsmugoo there are things you can try yourself to turn a breech baby. We were talking about it at my antenatal class last night and one lady said her friend got her baby to turn by doing handstands in the swimming pool! Someone said there is a website called "spinning babies" that offers advice on how to try and encourage a breech baby to turn, though obviously you might want to wait and confirm if your baby is actually breech first!

In my yoga class, she encourages people to do downward dogs to give the baby more room to turn...

I am on the case with spinning babies - been doing lots of all fours positions and inversions.

I've just booked in for Moxibustion as well - prior to pregnancy I was seeing an acupuncturist for some digestive issues and he does this procedure so going to try that.

Really going to try everything I can to avoid medical stuff kicking in.

Well, it's bloody hard to catch up with you lot, even if I am at home in my PJs all day. cough

Welcome newbies, I presume you're all defectors from lesser forums and have now learnt your lesson? Lol.

WRT breech babies: You're very much within your rights to have a vaginal breech birth. It's something I'm definite about even though I know there's no way they'd let me birth a breech baby at home I'd rather be consultant led and try a vaginal birth than have a c-section. But hey, that's just me.

It's definitely something to think seriously about - but I think I would be so nervous that all my lovely hypnobirthing would fly out of the window. Especially in those hospitally type rooms with doctors in the room too. I'm just not sure.

Hoping and praying for baby to turn spontaneously in the next 2 weeks!

MTB, same story here. On the drip for 12 hours and barely dilated at all and DS was showing signs of distress so they whipped him out by CS. I remember going on the hospital tour and only giving the operating theatre a cursory glance, thinking "I won't be needing that". Little did I know. Ds2 was also born in theatre by ventouse, which was a last ditch attempt to get him out before another CS. He did come out but he was grey and floppy and spent several hours in scbu.

MTB I was more thinking after the first cesarean 'how the hell is birth possible for some many women?', but then also remembered the rate of deaths before medical interventions there used to be.

Lyra yes I was on the drip for first baby after non dilation, I can not believe women actually do that without an epidural - the contractions were so hardcore (I actually was admitted to hospital a day after being at home due to the bruising they caused of my whole torso). I won't have that this time thank god.

That description is exactly why I never, ever want to be induced. Threat of induction would definitely get me signing up for a c-section straight away, that's sheer the majority of inductions end up anyway.

*where, not sheer

Hi everyone, some of the original Martians may remember me. I stopped posting but always tried to read and keep up as much as possible

I can't believe coolhand and dabarai have had their babies! My due date is the 1st but probably cs week before and feel no where near prepared and not sure how I am actually going to be responsible for a little person... Bricking it

If anyone has any advice on what and how much I might need for my hospital bag if I'm having a cs or any essentials I need for at home it would be gratefully received as I really do feel clueless

Hello to all the new faces. I can sympathise with acid reflux, legs cramps, back pain and insomnia! I have just started talking omprazole as the acid reflux was constant and causing referred ear and head pain and I have to say it has made an amazing difference! Shame I can't find something that can tAke away the back pain and make it easier to walk!

Welcome back TotalShock, I remember you.

Re: hospital bag. Are you in need of a list of general stuff? If so Jolleigh sent me one that is very comprehensive - I could email it if you want. Or are you asking for CS specific things?

I had a CS with DS. I'm struggling a little to think what you might want specifically for CS. Pants with a waistband that won't sit on the scar (massive granny pants basically). Cheapie ones from primark or supermarket. Also maybe yoga pants or similar that wont sit on the scar (my pjs do and they are annoying). The hospital should sort out dressings for the scar but I did end up getting a few extra sterile dressings from the chemist.

When you get home you might have more mobility probs, so perhaps plan for that - ie not driving for the first few weeks (6 weeks is actually a myth but you shouldn't drive until you can do an emergency stop comfortably and you need your insurance company to ok it). Plus going up/down stairs can be harder.

Not sure if that is helpful really. Most of what you will need/want is the same for CS or vaginal birth (maternity pads etc).