Due in September 2006......nearly there ladies!!

[Coriander73]

New thread...

Cori x

Just seen MW - it was a different one to normal - she was very nice and wrote out my birth plan for me, basically much more forthcoming with information than my usual MW. The head is 3/5 engaged, so she said I could go in to labour now at any time, and he is measuring about the same as DS was at this stage - so could be another one around 8lb 6oz

It's been pouring here as well, and we had the most massive storm last night from 4 am to 6 am... DH and I wide awake, DS slept through it, god knows how. As I'd only managed to get to sleep in the first place at gone 1, feeling a bit tired today. Tempting to go and lie down, but I know that'll just mean it'll take hours to drop off again tonight.

Had quite a lot of period style pains last night and thought it might be time, but nothing.

Hey Appyday, like the pics of your DD in the mirror, and I recognise Noah's Ark in the other one! Looks like you had one of the hot days for it... I couldn't really see yours Mandaz, it was v. small - were you in a maize maze?!

Thanks everyone for being so positive about the c-section. I'm starting to get my head around it although still terrified! TBH, I think it's just that I haven't exerienced needing to recover from childbirth before as last time I was up and about straight away, no stiches no hassle etc. I remember I drove to Milton Keynes to visit friends when DS was 3days old and I was thinking 'I could do it again right now' (This was, of course before sleep deprivation had set in! )
I know an elective will be a calm experience other than my nerves.

One thing, any ideas on how to lift DS into a cot for nap and bedtime during recovery period? DH will be here for the first week but worried about after that. Grateful for any advice, thanks!

Lol Calvemjoe at your doorstep man!

Mandaz, I did the breathing thing at NCT classes and even they said that everyone does it differently on the day. My best piece of advice re breathing/pushing is to try to push as little as possible. I know that sounds crazy but it was the best piece of advice my MW gave me. Try to stay upright (anything but on your back really), swing your hips, sway about and try to use gravity as much as possible. This is especially important when the head is crowning. You will have an overwhelming urge to push so it isn't easy but by panting instead, you allow yourself to stretch. *I have to point out though, that it wont work for every woman and some may need extra help or just be unable to resist the urge. Don't be too disappointed if you can't do it as a healthy outcome for both of you is the important thing.

LC, BH here too! Also lots of the shooting pains. Kind of worrying considering it's his bum that's burrowing!

hmmm, difficult one re. the cot lifting. Do you know anyone with one of those cots where the side goes down that you could borrow for a short time while you're recovering? Or is there a physio attached to the hospital who could advise you on a "safe" way to do it? sorry, not much help really.

homemama - not really any suggestions beyond trying to get a cot with a dropside. We have one for DS and there's achair next to the cot he uses to help him climb in - once the side's up though he can't get out

Just had a call from a hospital - the (head?) antenatal midwife is going to get my notes and come and see me at home next tuesday pm, very nice of her, hope we can have a good chat and I can write a birth plan and feel better. Feel like I've made too big a fuss now - only expected to be given a slot in clinic!

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oh forgot to say that I asked my midwife about hiccups as babe seems to get a case of them almost every day. She said it is definately a sign of a healthy baby. It is when they swallow the amniotic fluid and once they are full it presses the diaphragm up which causes the hiccups.

Liquid, that's great news that the midwife from the hospital is coming to see you. I don't think you've made too big a fuss, I think you've just stood up for what you NEED.

That's an excellent sign, Liquid, and I don't think you need to be bashful about why you need to talk to her: it's not your fault that no-one else in the system is able to give you a clear answer to a perfectly reasonable question.

Having saved up a lot of holiday today is my last day at work, and I have to say, I'm now feeling most peculiar. I don't do well with big lifestyle changes - they always scare me - and I'm going to take a while to adjust to being at home. Ah well, at least I'll have DS with me - we're going to visit grandma and grandad in Yorkshire for a few days tomorrow, so hopefully that will take my mind off things....

Liquid-really feel for you with the migraines, mine just about stop during pg, and they're not too regular anyway.MIL has bought DD a "cool pillow" thing as she hates having a hot head at night, but I fully intend to borrow it for migraines as up to now I have found a bag of frozen peas is my best cure.
Claire-will think of you tonight when I can't get to sleep before 1am. DD woke briefly at 4.30 this am, but that was enough to kill off any chance of me getting back to sleep. Yes it was warm at Noah's Ark, and just after the mirrors pic she ran off straight into a mirror,flat on her back, got up and did the same again. Cruel Mummy couldn't even pick her up for laughing so much.
Liquid-I actually have some black ready to roll icing left over from monster's mouth, can you nearly taste it?
3 weeks and 6 days to go .[and scared]
Finished work today .At last.

Oh appyday - why torment me so! I'd just about managed to forget about my lovely icing...!

When I had DS my mum bought us a huge congratulations cake that we could share with all his visitors - here's hoping she knows how much I appreciated it (have tried to drop hints!)

btw if you like cool packs for migraines the best thing I've found is one of those flexble wine coolers - just slit it so it'll go flat and hey presto - instant relief! I lie with one of those on my forehead and a wheat pack under my neck, I must look a right sight!

You're all right as well, I shouldn't be bashful, I should be an assertive strong woman who knows what's best for her. I'm going to write down all the things I want to dicuss before she gets here so I don't miss stuff out. I had a friend around today who is profoundly deaf and her community midwife and consultant last time promised her a single room so she wouldn't have trouble distinguishing her own baby's cry. When she'd just given birth a midwife had just come on who was a witch basically and as they were transferring her upstairs to the ward she mentioned the own room thing and the midwife actually said she was being far too demanding and she 'might' get a room for one night but after that she'd have to go on the ward. Thankfully the ward staff had a bit more sense and gave her a room straight away and let her keep it for the whole stay. Seems to be totally pot luck which midwife you get and therefore what treatment you get. It's reaffirmed to me just how important it is for my wishes and needs to be in writing before I go in. And not just me but everyone really!

Sorry, just realised how long that was! oops. Hope you're all ok - not long now!

Thanks for the ideas re lifting DS in/out of cot. I think some steps are the way to go. HIs cot doesn't have a drop side and I don't want to have to buy another one as we're getting him a bed after Christmas when baby moves out of crib and into the cot.

Liquid, glad you're being taken seriously. Start writing it all down now and you can add bits as you remember. I'm shocked at the treatment of your friend too.

I am booked to see an acupuncturist in 2wks time. I'll have two sessions a week for two weeks which will take me to 39wks when it looks like my CS will be. In case I didn't mention, they won't try turning baby as he/she is a partial footling breech. i.e there's one foot down with the bum. Apparently this makes it unlikely to be successful and carries more risks. I certainly wouldn't want to risk baby's health just so I could avoid a cs.

We are back from our little break and just had to catch up on all the posts!!!

Well done Hellkat and your little Katie coming home!!! Yeah, i'm sure you're happy having your bubba at home with you!

We have had an eventful week as DD is even clingier than ever! She was terrified of the travel cot and pitch black room and so, never have done but had her in bed with me. First night we had NO sleep apart from at 6:50am-9am!!! I was like a zombie. So the second, third and fourth night. So now she has been unwilling to leave my side and tonight we had tears when she went back into her cot. Screaming at me 'big girl bed'... But she settled after a twenty minute blast of her lungs and me calming her down again.

Also yesterday I had a little bit of a 'show' (sorry if tmi) but about a five pence piece of clear jelly mucus and the this morning I had about a ten pence piece of it too. Also have been having pains nearly every night with my back, period like pains and bh tightenings with stabby bottom and 'what-not' pains. OOOOOHHHH i'm getting excited really now as baby dropped last week and this week lots of pains and some sort of 'show' although with DD had this a whole week before I actually popped. But I won't be 36 weeks until Monday, so ideally would like to make 37 so the bubba isn't called 'prem'. So my legs are crossed!

Also been having weird dreams about Jake Moon from Eastenders. Not that I have been telling DP. Anyone else having weird dreams about other men?!!!

Anyhow glad we're all holding on desipte our pains, aches and walking like old ladies... Quiet often old ladies over take me nowadays.

Pol - nice to have you back! Sounds very exciting and like things might get moving for you soon!

Question for the day: After being induced last time I never experienced my waters breaking naturally - Do I need to carry an extra set of clothes with me or have any arrangements for if they went in a public place and is there anything I can do to relieve embarrassment like wearing a sanitary towel? Sorry if this sounds silly but for some reason it's really bugging me! (I'd be so if they went a work!)

hi Pol, sorry to hear DD has been so clingy this week. I'm convinced they know more about when these babies will come than we do. DS is being clingy too - every time he falls over, rather than just getting up like normal, he has to have a cuddle and a kiss better etc. Rather cute really - normally he's so tough I don't get that many cuddles! But if I leave the room, he winges for me to come back and sometimes tells DH to go away. The next day, he'll be the same with DH and want nothing to do with me. Weird. I wonder if they have some extra sense that tells them the babies are imminent...?

Liquid, I hadn't thought about waters breaking like that in public. Guess a spare pair of trousers and knickers might be useful and some pads in your bag so you can whack them in your knickers if it happens! Mind you, not sure you'd be able to get away with no-one noticing at all, but at least you could get yourself presentable again after!! I keep imagining mine going in Tesco or somewhere, so I can get a year's supply of free nappies (don't know if that's true though!!)

Morning everyone.
Pol26 - wow, things are really happening for you - good luck
LiquidClocks - i think that is a great idea about writing a list of questions to ask, I do that too as I always forget something if I'm nervous. My waters broke in the night last time so I hadn't thought what would happen if it happens in the middle of town - eek!!
Dh and ds are away visiting the inlaws this weekend so I get to rest. I'm meant to packing hospital bag and maybe wash newborn clothes but went for a walk just now and bought some trashy magazines so might just read them instead. Who knows when I'll be on my own again!!

morning ladies!
Hope evryones well.
Pol - wow - a show! Do you have to contact your midwife when you have a show or not, I can't remember.
Liquid - can't give you any advice I'm afraid, my water had to be broken last time. Although it is true if your water break in Boots you get loads of stuff, and I believe the Tesco thing is true as well.
Homemama good luck with the accupuncture - hope it helps.
Well I am just going to make a chocolate cake for my mum's birthday tommmrow, while DS is asleep - it is going to be so hard to resist eating it once I've made it - also will have to hide it from DS! (normally I'd let him help, but it would never make it to tommorow if I did!)

Well, the relaxation class was very good. The Physio went through how to relax (sounds basic but made sense if you see what I mean)and then she did go into breathing a bit but said it's more important to concentrate on breathing out because your body will breath in automatically but when you're stressed you tend to hold your breath and tense your muscles which makes it worse. She made is sound like a really bad case of cramp and said if you can breath through it and keep your muscles relaxed it'll help give you the energy to keep going. Sounds good in theory...will have to wait and see if it helps in practise! Oh, and no one fell asleep

Clairemow - for some reason, I couldn't post the photo on Yahoo because it said it was too big. When I tried to reduce the size it went really small. I'm not a techno-phobe but I hate scanners! I will try to post it again normal size. At least I look quite thin with it being so small

Liquid - I too have been worrying about my waters breaking in public. I have heard of women who camp out in supermarkets etc to get some freebies but I think I'd be far too embarrassed about it happening with strangers wondering around. One of my mws said that they don't always gush like they show on soaps but more often than not just have a constant trickle, in which case I guess some pads and a change of underwear/trousers would be ok. I think I'm going to stay at home over the last couple of weeks! I have invested in some mattress protector sheets from Boots just in case too.

37 weeks on Monday! When I went for the relaxation class we had to wait in the anti-natal clinic whilst they set up and on the other side of the room there was a class about baby massage and there were all these women sat around with little babies. It was like a 'before and after'! Very surreal to think that'll be us in just a matter of weeks.

homemama, yes it's adorable when they snuggle in isn't it? Goes all too quickly!

Loving all the pics on Yahoo! Have added a few of mine just now! Off to tidy while dp has the girls out. Am nesting like a maniac!!

cool Angeliz, going to have a look at you now!! By the way, I forgot to say a few days ago that day you had sounded MAD! No wonder you were tired... We've just been talking about going for a walk this afternoon, and DH said we couldn't even contemplate a 2 1/2 mile one... Oh well, we'll have to park near the playground and ice cream van then. Shame.

Wow, Pol! A show, very exciting!

As for waters breaking. I'm pretty sure my last mw told me it is unusual for them to go before you have any other signs such as a show or mild contractions. She also said it was rare for them to go with one big gush. Most women have a slow but regular/constant trickle. She told me about the 'sniff test'. Apparently many women are worried that they're leaking urine. You should sniff it, if it smells like ammonia then it's wee, if it smells sweet then it's amniotic fluid. So now you know!

Claire - Our DS has been "exessively cute" - Just turning on the charm ... told me twice I'm his "best friend ever" & gushed "oh THANK you mommy, daddy" when came over with big smile to hug each of us over birthday cake yesterday (his real birthday - did party early for my sake). We think he's trying to secure his place with us. As if it were ever in question.

Good to know about "constant trickle" rather than gush ... Dr. broke my water for me last time, so really didn't know what it'd be like. Homemama, LOL at it being pee - then there'd be a real problem!

Re-reading a book called "Active Birth" ... not anything y'all don't already know (with mw's), but good info to have on hand for hospital where many women get epidural, then lie back strapped with monitors through rest of delivery. DH will be reading it too. My Dr. seems willing to be very flexible with me, much like the last one with DS1 ... he did come recommended by a local doula, though. Am relieved he doesn't insist on unnecessary situations ... this is still a very conservative area of the country.

Why would overhead lights need to be on in labor/recovery rooms for "safety reasons"? Sounds like lame excuse as, during the day, with windows, how dark could they get?

Thankfully my only bloody show is still coming from my nose ... sorry TMI. Friends say I'm keeping DS2 in by force & the moment DH goes to get Mom from airport, my contractions will begin. I hope so.

Congrats Pol - Keep us posted!

If they turn on the overhead lights when I'm in labour I'll shoot them. Seriously.

(well, I'd feel like it so will make sure DH is well trained in flicking the off switch )

Just followed the link from the front page and read a bit of the thread about gender selection. It's reminded me how vocal MIL has bee about wanting me to have a daughter - haven't told them it's a boy yet. Hope she gets over it and can be happy with another grandson. I was so happy to find out I was having another boy and totally happy to stop there, no burning desires to have female offspring at all (I never have to worry about miniskirts, bras, explaining aunt flo!).

Angeliz - your DDs are SO cute! In fact all our existing LO's are, aren't we all lucky. Hope it's helping all you first timers get excited!

Having a very frustrating day today and fed up of being so FAT. Would like my waters to break NOW!!!

Btw I'm going to sell my baby bjorn which is tartan and blue for £15 inc postage and my avent bottle warmer for £8 inc postage - any one here want first call? Will be listing on ebay tomorrow pm. Both in good cond but have other stuff I can use this time. Sorry if this was totally innappropriate for an antenatal thread, feel free to slap my wrists.

Aaah, marls, DS sounds lovely!! I've been teaching mine to respond to "love you L" with "love you mummy". He doesn't have a clue what he's saying, but I can feel all mushy!!

Today we had a major achievement - DS pulled HIS OWN PANTS DOWN ON HIS OWN and weed on the potty!!!!!!! How over-enthusiastic was I???!!!

Liquid, surely your MIL will be happy whatever! Anyway, she can't blame you, isn't it the father who determines the sex of the baby? So tell her to take it up with her son!!! I feel exactly the same as you - completely happy having another boy, and glad I'll never have to pay for a wedding... and they can go to rugby matches with Daddy when they're older, leaving me time to go to the hairdressers/out for coffee/to the gym (hmmm..) etc. etc.

Pol, let us know if anything further happens.... Thinking of you, and wishing I was you with the baby definitely showing an interest in coming out...