Easter is approaching, and the PESH are laying all over the place!

[maamalady]

Antenatal fred fun for BESH graduates

CRESH

Faith - pinky faithlet arrived 14th April 2013
Pinkr - suitably pinky one arrived 25th August 2013
Jethro - blue one arrived 23rd September 2013
Noks - pink one arrived 12th January 2014

PESH

Frankel - EDD 4th March ANY TIME NOW
Sinky - EDD 18th March
Merks - EDD 21st March
Driz - EDD 7th June
Draf - EDD 19th June
Kat - EDD 20th June
Winks - EDD 26th June
Dor - EDD 18th August
Ginger - 20th August
Euro - 28th August

PESH-in-hiding
Bugs - EDD approx 21st October

Sinks if you think you might be leaking waters put a maternity pad in your pants. Then if you do end up with them asking to see you on the ward to check, you will have something to show them. And if you are just pissing yourself then it will be just like a tena lady. The glamorous side of pregnancy, eh?!

Great minds! Had a pad on overnight/this morning. Nada. So pretty certain not waters. And was only a little gush (Mmmm), although have been reading about hindwaters etc and fretting. I suspect it was just wee - don't think I'd rocked enough/changed position to let my bladder empty (self diagnosis - I'm a master!)

I suspect this is all wishful thinking after seeing franks gorgeous bundle. But how do I know? I've never done this before!

And Frank was so stoical - "I might be in early labour" = baby ?6 hours later... She's my new hero.

twonks I used to love her fidgeting, hiccuping and generally sodding about in me. Now I have to share her with the world, but back then, I didn't. Just enjoy the fact that you can eat cake and have second breakfasts like a hobbit and not give it a second thought. I fucking loved stuffing my face when I was diffed. Sorry the hips/ribs are playing you up though.

sinks I am to please my love. I also had a waters/wee mix-up. I was convinced some of my waters had leaked out but, in hindsight, it was just a small bit of wee. I always wondered if I would actually know when my waters broke.....having a nurse elbow deep in your fanjarama breaking your waters, I now realise that there is no mistaking that happening. Keep bouncing on that bloody ball !

bugs Twonky is right about the chances of it being fine. But. But. But. It will never stop The Fear. I really hope that it's your time. I took it day by day, no more, and as each one of them passed-by, I would let myself believe just a bit more that it would work. X

faif Faiflet sounds adorable. She looks adorable too. Proper cuddles must be delicious.

Honestly it's awesome. She puts her head on my shoulder and says 'Mmmmm' (because that's what I do!), sucks her thumb and strokes my hair with her other hand. She's also started giving kisses. Such a scrumptious age! :)

Oooo sinks. Eggciting!

bugs I did the same. I was planning the timing of my next IVF.

I can't wait to feel movement. I need the reassurance. I'm finding the 8 week wait between scans (after having 5 between 6 and 12 weeks) loooooooooong. I have a mw appt next week and am hoping to hear the heartbeat.

The ESHlets sound really adorable. :)

Sinks, I'm no hero, just clueless I thought that what I was experiencing were tightenings not contractions It was only when they examined me and said I was 4cm that I believed it was happening.

As far as waters go I can't help. Mine didn't go until I was pretty much fully dilated in the pool and the sensation made me vomit quite explosively

Elizabeth is currently asleep on my chest making little snuffly noises and farting like a trooper Breastfeeding is going ok so far though madam has a tendency to latch, suck 4 or 5 times then detach She's getting quite agitated about losing her milk supply and is certainly very vocal about it! The midwives are being very supportive though and have told me I've got the right technique, we just need to get E on board!

congrats Frank... sounds just lovely! ! I find that the first days are sort of a hazy memory now... Probably due to the excessive amount of drugs I was on, .
noks. I love your description of how is all going! I'm getting me some wine on thurs and very excited about it. simple things

Frank great to hear you're both doing well. I suspect I will be the exact opposite and screaming down the hospital for drugs

What made you ring up/go in frank? Was it the pain, or timings or something else?

I seem to be getting tightenings every 5 min I think. But not unbearable. I've managed to eat a sandwich. You can't bear eating in labour, right?

We know its a boy bugs, no points for that!!! 8lb 4oz at 2pm tomorrow :)

Sinks, ring the midwife. They will tell you what to do. and please don't lay yet as that makes me next
Keep us posted

Oh god, dont start betting on me. It'll probably turn out I'm imaginging everything and will still be hanging on in 3 weeks time...

I phoned because the "tightenings" were getting closer together and gradually stronger. Of course when I called they told me the unit was shut and that they'd call other local hospitals to see who had room for me. That turned out to be a 50 minute drive away, so we agreed to leave right away as we didn't want to leave it too late. Good decision as it turns out!

Frank it sounds like she is trying to get your supply going, all her noises and stimulation will get your hormones doing their job. But do check for tongue tie if you are concerned.

Good luck to all the layers, I was blonderedhead before in case any of you remember me. Very happy to see so many on the not-list.

My DS is 16mo and bloody amazing. Can confirm Faith's assessment of baby/toddlerhood. Kisses and cuddles galore. Climbing on everything and squealing at dogs and buses. Joyful.

Oh my Little Mister is 15 months old and currently snuggled up in bed with me. He's snoring and I just adore him. He has learnt to cuddle, blow kisses, high five and quack like a duck. Amazing!!!

The unit was shut?!?!

You never know, sinks! It could all be happening...

We've just been visiting more friends, and have come back with another giant heap of baby clothes and assorted extra items. It must be real, then?

Sinks...?

Sorry Draf did I not mention that before? I'm forgetting who I've told what to! Yes The Rosie at Addenbrookes was shut to new arrivals on Sunday as they were short staffed. All those luffly birthing rooms lying unused I ended up at Hinchingbrook in Huntingdon. The midwives here said it's happening pretty regularly now as Addenbrookes seem to be permanently understaffed, there were at least 4 other ladies here that had been transferred from Addenbrookes.

We've had an ok night here, though not much sleep. Elizabeth has been very grouchy and the midwives said she probably has tummy ache and wind from not pooing since birth. The only thing that'll get things shifting is more food, but the poor little mite is finding feeding positions very uncomfortable. She did manage one good 20 min feed at 1am but then an hour later was screaming the place down, so the midwives took her to the nurses station to settle her and give me a chance to nap for an hour or so. When she came back she'd only sleep on my chest so I've not had a great deal of sleep - welcome to my new life!

She's down at the SCBU at the moment having her intravenous antibiotics and being checked over, so I'm MN-ing and eating some cornflakes. I did start writing a sort of birth story yesterday afternoon when I couldn't sleep so I'll see if I can finish it off so that I don't forget any more details!

Hope everything is well with you Sinks

Ta Noks for the early morning giggles you've produced. I am experiencing my breakfast again, so can do with some cheering up! The descriptions of motherhood sound wonderful and messy.

How are things, sink? Merk don't even think about laying til early April... Don't need to be top of the list for a while!

Hang in there bugs! We had the first scan at 7+6 this time. I was convinced it would not be there. And couldn't see the screen thru my tears. One day at a time.

Sounds you are doing very well, frank! Enjoy newborn cuddles!

Oh, that's interesting to know, Frank, you'd think of the two that Addenbrooke's would have the greater number of staff! Clearly we really do need to make midwifery a more attractive prospect. HOTB and I had better learn the way to Hinchingbrooke maternity unit too... My friend had both her babies there and had a good time with both, so at least it's not an entirely unknown quantity. I hope Elizabeth cheers up soon - it can't be long before her digestive system gets going and then she'll be more comfortable, I'd hope :)

Incidentally, top tip from friends of mine - the best thing to get rid of poo stains is apparently a good scrub with imperial leather before you stick clothes in the washing machine.

I forgot to say last night, noks, great to hear from you, and your posts are entertaining as ever

Howdy. I'm still hanging in here. A warm bath and paracetamol got me loads more comfy.. To the extent that all stopped!

Frank, good to hear from you! I think the latch but poor feed is really common - poor tired babies. But you'll both get there. Shame you're so far from home though. X

It sounds like many of you are within esh meet distance from me. My parents live near Huntingdon. Cambridge esh meet would be ace, once frank is out and about again!

Innit luffly reading all your posts. Frank your baby girl is a beauty & I love her name.