The Brookers are ready for a 2014 sneeze-birth fest. Come and join us if you think you're hard enough...

[SantaMaybe]

Here we go brookers. At least three of us will be sneezing on this one

Oh, Musical, how scary! Thank goodness Iz was ok. Did she open the door herself? Poor you - have a large cup of tea and a cuddle.

I can't see Maybe's update! Tell, tell!

Pen, show sounds promising...hope it all kicks off for you soon!

I got most of my tidying done. Have made hips flare up again despite hoovering sitting down, though. Ouch!

musical how the heck did I miss that..

I'm sure that was scary. Glad she was found safe and quick. It's crazy how quick they can just go for it when they get out.

Scary stuff musical!! How old is dd? I found out DS can open our garden gate the other day. I was putting his pushchair in the car, turned round, and he was walking down the street toward me. Luckily the car was close to the house etc, as we live on quite a busy road - not fast, but lots of throughput. Our next door neighbour is a childminder and she has a chain for the gate which she got out for me. Feel much safer now, even if it's a pain to do/undo.

Too how do you do the hoovering sitting down??

I've pretty much decided my back ache is hip related now. I've learnt to deal with it and what not to do, but still pretty much in constant pain. Hopefully it doesn't get any worse though. Tonight we're off out for a date, part of our 12 dates for valentines :) Pizza Hut and home for bed at 10!

Maybe's update is on FB Too. :)

Pen, ooh, getting close! How come they're so willing to give you sweeps before your EDD - I thought that most areas now tried not to do that until after 40 weeks?

It was so, so scary. Yes Too, she opened the door on her own. She's been able to do it for a while, which is why I normally automatically lock it. She's only ever opened it and closed it again though, never stepped outside alone. Stacks she's 22 months old. That must have been scary with DS - the chain must give you extra peace of mind. Pen, yes, scary how quickly she got so far. It still makes me go cold thinking about it...

musical I think it's because they have been concerned about growth. Also I'm in way too much pain this time and the thought of 2 weeks over due will kill me.
This is why I'm trying my best to get it going quickly. I'll not be leaving Friday without a decent induction date.

Although I would love natural labour at this point I just want the pain away so I can walk and spend time with my ds. I feel so neglectful as I can't even take him outside for a walk.

Fecking clocks changing. M is refusing to go to bed because her body clock thinks it's only 6.30. She is lying in bed howling. Damn that daylight saving whatsit!

Pen, ouch, I hope things get going soon. [Sad] for you feeling neglectful - you aren't! It's not your fault at all.

I can't see Maybe's update. I must not be FB friends with her after all - thought I was. Anyone care to summarise?

None of us could up this am due to the clocks too! All bleary eyed at my desk now. Have Skype interviews all am so need to wake up!

We survived the party! It went really well, it was sunny, the entertainers were awesome and dd1 had a blast. Two mums from her school left their girls there on their own though which shocked me. I worried about them the whole time - was not expecting that at four!

Brooking for baby to arrive soon penguin.

How did telling everyone go musical?

T is still not 100%, so out clock change went ok. He was up at 6:30, kind of accidentally, though it is his normal get up time, in bed and asleep by 7. He had a fairly good day, off his food though, and a temp at dinner time sorted with calpol. He even slept in this morning till 8:15, then down for a nap 11:30-13:30. There are some benefits to ill babies :)
Unfortunately DH was up in the night being sick, so I've got him home ill today. I'm not great with sympathy, as I think he'd expect me to carry on regardless, however as he was last sick 14 years ago I'll allow a bit of melodrama :) just hope he doesn't infect me!!!

C'mon Maybe, lets here your birth story

Hello everyone, sorry for the lack of posting, I'm just a bit love drunk

Here is my birth story. I'm sorry for the me me me post, but hope everyone is doing ok, and in so chuffed for you Musical!

So, Wednesday night I had a bloody show, hadn't had anything else, so just thought it may be the start of everything but will probably still be days before she arrives. Contractions started shortly after, lasting a minute, every 4 mins. Loads and loads of show by this point. I'm not entirely sure where it all comes from! Unit wanted to check me over as they weren't sure whether it was my waters or my show as there was so much of it. Went in at 4am Thursday morning and I was 3 cms. Went home again to be more comfy, using tens and hypnobirthing.

Went back in at 9am, waters burst in car park. was 5cms so they let me in the pool. Just used my hypnobirthing and the water and Amalie Alice was born at 1.09pm weighing 8lb 9oz. MrM delivered her on to my chest and we had delayed cord clamping and a natural third stage. No tears or grazes and she is absolutely perfect. I loved my birth, and I love my girl so very much. I'm going to stop being emotional now . Will post a pic on the FB page.

Love to all xxx

amazing birth maybe!! can't wait for more pictures congratulations again. how's feeding etc going? x

Thanks Keep. My milk has been in for about 36 hours, so engorgement and cluster feeding are our current issue . But we are getting there x

Oh Maybe it sounds beautiful blissful!

Maybe, your story sounds perfect! Congratulations again :) It sounds exactly how I wanted my birth with DD to go, but then got rather annoyed when there was no pool available, which slowed everything down!

Hope you're getting through the engorgement and cluster feeding ok :) Make sure you're prepared at the beginning of a cluster feeding session (books, food, remotes, phone, laptop/tablet, whatever!) to ensure you get through and don't go mad - especially if they continue, like DD's did :)

Telling everyone went well thanks Pomme! We've only told a few people - parents (although DH still hasn't told his father, grr!), a couple of close friends, and I have a close friend here to tell tomorrow too. Other than that we'll let the gossip mill do its work I think!

Hope all the brooking babies (and toddlers!) have adjusted ok to the clocks. We kept DD up all Sunday (with no nap), including lots of walks, playing in the garden and general exhaustion, so she was shattered by bedtime and went to sleep quite quickly . Was very glad as DH was away, and had she taken too long I'd have fallen asleep in her room and missed out on an evening's worth of work..

Anything much happening Pen? :)

How wonderful Maybe, sounds blissful, well done

well done maybe, you made it sound dead easy no tears either, brilliant. shes a cutie and love her name.
any news pen?
N seems to be sleeping an extra hour since the clocks changed fingers crossed it continues. I've just recently started using grobags but I don't really like them. I cant put it on him with out waking him and I have to bunch the bag up at the bottom or he doesn't fit in his Moses basket perhaps they're best left until he moves in to his cot.

what do you mean trix? put him in it before feed and keep him in it all night!

maybe its me being daft but I thought he'd be really warm next to me and wearing it and be a bit cold when I put him down. won't feel the benefit if you see what I mean.

not sure what you mean. they are great as he'll keep his temp

like if you were wearing your coat indoors and then went out in the cold you would feel the extra warmth from having the coat on as youd all ready been wearing it. not sure I'm explaining it properly. its just my mum always says you won't feel the benefit if you don't take your coat off.

I get what you mean Trix, but I wouldn't worry. Sleeping bags really are a good way of feeding and resettling baby without disturbing them

I'm not mad then little haha. I won't worry anymore then and pop hom straight in the sleeping bag.

What a beautiful birth! I will order one of those this time!

music does DD know? Have you had any "I knew it" responses?
trix I would just have baby outside any duvets etc if you are worried about hot but a gro bag should be fine. With the length can you just put it up the side of the Moses rather than bunching?

stacks how are things now?

pomme glad the party went well! DD wants a party this year, but I am hoping we will go away instead as it is bank hol weekend and I don't think I am ready for a full on party yet!