Due October 2006 - part 4

[nowanearlyNicemum]

there we go - I did it.
just need for you all to find it now...

p.s. I was talking about braxton hicks by the way

I have a (probably very) stupid question for those of you in the know. What EXACTLY is a sweep? I'm trying to find the terminology in French and I'm fairly sure it's not artificial water breaking... or am I wrong?

I'm also trying to book reflexology and acupuncture sessions - don't seem to be many options round these parts though. Still, bound to find SOMEONE!!!

Hi Everyone.

JCM - very sorry to hear your sad new only good thing is at least your OH will have the excitment of a new baby to help him through this tough time. If you are a spiritual person maybe you believe that FIL will be able to 'see' your new LO?

Braxton Hicks - I wasn't sure I was experiencing them either - for a long time I just thought it was baby moving around, however, now I recognise them - tummy goes very hard all over for a wee while and they tend to come in groups! I always get them much more in the evening for some reason.

I am looking forward to being able to treat myself to some new clothes soon too. I packed all my clothes away (in the loft)as we were supposed to be moving this year - however - have had to delay moving plans for a year, so have virtually nothing! I bought a lot of non-maternity stuff to see me through though - cheap vest tops from Primark, stretchy tops and wrap dresses. To be honest I didn't really show until I was about 6 months and have only just got colossal in the last 2.5-3 months so most of my earlier pregnancy clothes are still okay. This is good news as I am going to pysche myself up to try for another little one summer 2007! I figure I may as well try and pop them out quickly as I am getting on a bit and also may as well stay in shitty nappies for a while. I feel truly awful when pgnt too so may as well feel awful for a couple of years!

oh and for those of you without Braxton Hicks - I didn't get any first time round at all. This pregnancy has been a veritable Braxton Hick fest from around the 6th month They'd better be doing something useful is all I can say!!

Good afternoon ladies. Yes I am definately getting fed up with maternity clothes. Wearing the same thing over and over again. Luckily my sil lent me 3 pairs of maternity jeans which I borrowed alst time too (shes worn them inbetween for her dd). They are a God send especialy now the weather gas cooled down.
Im realy noticing my Braxton Hicks this time round. My tummy has been getting so hard lately and feels quite stretched. Was told by my neighbour today that baby has dropped lower. Hopefuly next time he drops it will be out!!
Cant help you on the sweep front Im afraid. Dont like to boast but all my labours started naturaly
Well ym boys are down for the weekend again. Going swimming tomm and to my aunts on Sunday so should be a good weekend.
Take care all xxx

A sweep is a bit like an internal examination, but the mw sort of swirls around your cervix. I found it extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant last time [although no worse than what came later during the birth!] but it did seem to help and I went into labour within 12 hours so it might be worth considering if you want to speed things up!

I agree that braxton hicks can easily be confused with movement from the baby, but are more like a hardening feeling rather than kicking [if that makes sense!]

Message withdrawn

jmc - really sorry to hear your sad news. My thoughts are with you.

Congratulations Bensmum!

Millee - you've asked a question along the same lines as my next question!!

With regard to finances - how soon are most of you going back to work (if you are) Our finances are dia at the moment and looks like I'll be leaving my new baby at about 3 months old - it absolutely kills me and am trying not to think about it (head in sand I think) by we were talking last night about it, and dh quite bluntly reminded me that I will be going back before my mat money finishes. Really really hurts.

Millee - with regard to coping with your hubby's money - I have always been financially independent - it was very wierd to begin with - but we have a joint account so I didn't really see it as taking his money - also all the work I do at home, bringing up dd etc, I don't feel like I'm not earning the cash!!!

(although - given our current situation - I'm thinking about trading him in for a richer model!!!!!!!!!!)

... that is a joke in case he logs in and sees this!!!!

A sweep = MW/Dr inserts one/two fingers inside the cervix and separates membrane covering around the baby from the cervix. It releases prostaglandins which may kick start labour. Even if it doesn't start labour it often causes cramping/period type pain. Takes a couple of minutes to do. May get a bit of bloody discharge/show afterwards.
Actual procedure is uncomfortable to painful, think a lot depends on how relaxed you are and how vigorous they are (bit like a smear).

Re finances - ours are shaky - no long term job security at the minute. I have a job till next August, but have to apply for another one for after that. I am going back to work in Feb, no choice about it. Will hurt like hell to leave a tiny baby for so long in daycare and I am not thinking about it. Stayed off for a year after DD but didn't do my long term career prospects any good, hopefully this is more a short term discomfort for longer term security and flexibility, so by the time kids school age am aiming to be part time.

Everyone gets BH, not everyone aware of them.

oh and Milliee - I felt ridiculously guilty about spending 'DH's' money when off work with DD. It is hard to get used to when you're used to having your own money, even if its all going into the same pot.
I don't feel like that this time, and I'm not sure why - maybe cos I know how much it costs to pay someone to look after kids

Hello ladies- havent' been here for a long time.Is anyone due very soon?
I'm due on the 16th but read today that a pregnancy on average lasts 40 days +3, so that would be half term (good, no school run)
My mother in law will come over next Thursday, I'm getting really tired by now/strong Braxton Hicks/lower backache.
Thought I was going to spoil myself yesterday with a pregnancy massage, but had to lie on my back and started to feel so faint that I asked to go home, paid half price (50 pounds) but was really a bit annoyed as the girl didn't stop chatting and was a bit hyper, and had asked her straight away if I could lie more on my side...in the leaflet it was written it was a special message for pregnant women so they shoudl know better then to lie you flat on your back for two hours !

Hi everyone.
Congratulations bensmum hope you and lo are doing well.
Really sorry to hear your news jmc that must be awful for you and your family.
Had 38week antenatal check today and apparently the baby is 4/5ths engaged-does this mean that things are away to happen, the midwufe never said. Also my unit advises membrane sweeps at 38, 39 and 40 weeks is anyone else having this? Midwife also said to have sex and eat fresh pineapple to ripen the cervix! Told DH so he went out to Morrison's and bought me a pineapple so i think that means 'rumpy pumpy' is not going to happen!!

babies can engage weeks before you actually go into labour so its not really an indication that anything will happen soon (sorry!!)

I dont have my next appointment till next week when I will be 39+2 - dont know if I will be offered a sweep or not. The last time I didnt get offered one until I was overdue - then I had 2 and neither worked!!

Re: pineapple - apparently you need to eat about 7 for it to have any effect - and that would probably be caused by having the runs!!

This Babycentre link has other ways of trying to bring on labour although baby will arrive when its ready and not before: Natural ways to bring on labour

Re: sex - its been a while for us too as the last time we did anything both of us ended up with thrush (not nice for either of us)

What a shame about your massage - I had a clarins one in earlier PG and it was LOVELY - you don't have to lie down for most of it - you lean forward onto the couch while they do your back, then lie back semi reclined and slightly on your side with feet up while they do legs/face/tummy/arms
Girl doing mine spent ages making sure I was really comfy and it was just soooo nice and relaxing.

My unit don't do sweeps until 41 weeks. Despite me virtually begging the MW to do something, anything to speed things along...

I had the clarins massage a few months ago and can also definately reccommend it. TBH I am thinking of booking another one for after the birth as a treat

Have many people had success after a sweep?

I'll be around 32/33 weeks next week, might ask my mw to do one on me!!!!!

Have many people had success after a sweep?

I'll be around 32/33 weeks next week, might ask my mw to do one on me!!!!!

Not only did I post it twice, but I put the wrong thing down!!!

I'll be 37/38 weeks next week!!!

Crickey I'm losing it!

Not only did I post it twice, but I put the wrong thing down!!!

I'll be 37/38 weeks next week!!!

Crickey I'm losing it!

Not only did I post it twice, but I put the wrong thing down!!!

I'll be 37/38 weeks next week!!!

Crickey I'm losing it!

Obviously sweep didn't do me any good as yet oh well I'll carry on being patient.................

I'm posting late today-OH came home from work early and so took over the computer for most of the afternoon. Just tried an evening out at pub (maybe for last time before birth?!) At 39+3 weeks-too much. I did try half a lager see if baby will come! Left OH in there drinking merrily-lets hope he doesn't get drunk and I go into labour.

As for work situation-I am pretty much the bread winner (OH does work full time though) I work for NHS and have been for 10 years so get 8 weeks full pay + 18 weeks half (+statutory) Pretty lucky in that respect but it is a worry because I would like a year off but know I have to go back. All the worry of paying for child care etc. The nursery attached to my work is £32/day. Need to apply for government help as they do subsidise for help with child care (depending on income.) For mothers with children that are going to be born after April 07 I believe they'll be entitled to 9 months maternity pay.

Hope everyone sleeps well.

hi rianna, you haven't been on here for ages, good to hear your ok despite crummy massage. you could write them a letter saying you're upset? seems utterly gormless to suggest a heavily pg woman lie on her back-what qualification did they have? obviously know nothing about pg!
went out for lovely dinner for dh's birthday. enough was def enough by 10 though, v. ready for sleep.
have just had horrible dream about having baby and then dh whisking it away to go and celebrate with about 50 people in another room. the nursing staff being really stroppy and saying all the women who'd just had their babies had to be in one room sitting on orange plastic chairs because there was no where else for us and all the while cant find dh or baby.
woke dh up in a fright saying it's not going to be like that is it and he being still asleep said in confident voice yes it is, yes it is yes it is.
the irony of sitting here trying to wake myself up rather than risk going back to sleep and having another one of those dreams-after all this lack of sleep!

Message withdrawn

mornin every1, hope ur all ok.
congratulations bensmum!
jmcmugwump- so sorry 2hear ur news.
Thanks 2 every1 4all the breastfeedin advice, really helpfull! Still feel a bit lost by it all but I'll just have 2 wait & c i supose. I have also ordered that book that catgirl mentioned, looks good.
I had my baby shower last night, it was really nice, got so many lovely presents!!!

Still feeling fat & fed up but not that long left 2 go now! We are goin 4 a tour of the hospital 2mora, the delivery rooms & all that so cant wait 4 that, it'll really seem real then! Ooh I'm getting quite scared now!

anyway hope every1s having a good weekend!

Morning ladies do glad I checked this thread today and found Im not the only one who had a wierd dream last night. I dreamt I went into labour and my MuM and aunt were with me. I kept shouting at the mw to get the pool filled up cause I wouldnt be long. Mum told me to have a sleep which I did. Woke up and the pool still had no water in it but my contractions were too strong to worry about it. Then as I stood up the babys head appeared so I reached down and took him out. He was tiny and so cute but..... he had masses of clack curly hair which looked like dolls nylon hair and a ginger goaty beard!! AAAAgh whats that all about? Anyway got to get ready for swimming now. Been up since 6.30 because a big thunder clap woke us up so ds3 decided it was time to get up and play. Dont think Ill be doing much actual swimming.xxx