Due May 2014 the Maybies are IN THE DROPZONE!!

[ClearlyMoo]

All welcome if you baby is due to make an appearance in and around May 2014! We've had a few already! Congrats to all. Hang on tight everyone the next few weeks are going to roll...

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If you're new do not fear come along and introduce yourselves!

I love taking Celyn out took her to Tescos and the checkout woman was cooing over her. Gives me warm fuzzies

Does anyone know how long it takes for milk to dry up? So sore and fed up of having to wear breast pads constantly. I seem to be making loads and it's making me want to give breastfeeding another shot or at least expressing, but I know chances of getting it established are practically zero, and she's used to formula now, and it makes me feel so bad.

On the bright side, our neighbour has just knocked on the door with a present for Celyn and invited me round for coffee tomorrow! I have no mummy friends so its lovely!

Hi All (another moomin here sorry to confuse things!!) - I was just wondering if your due dates are all based on you giving birth at 40 weeks? That is how you do it isnt it? Im a first timer and starting to get quite scared at the propsect of having a baby to care for, i feel like I know absolutely nothing! 34+6 here so behind all you lovely ladies

Hello moomin35 you're not behind me! I'm 34+6 too! Due dates are based on weeks gestation I believe yes, as even though we know I'm being induced sometime from 19th May, consultant still refers to EDD (estimated date of delivery) as 31st May. So we stick with that! Keeps us on track with how many weeks we are too I s'pose.
I've got weekly clinic appts on Wednesdays now, last one's the 14th and I'm having a scan and a stretch'n'sweep! Not looking forward to the discomfort of the sweep but JESUS I WANT THIS BABY OUT NOW.
I mean I can't sit down today because it feels like I have a marble bust upside down wedged inside my pelvis. Ridiculous.

Hi MrsFooCough yep I remember you saying you were bring induced slightly earlier, I bet you cant wait! Tell me about it, I have really bad SPD and feel permanently knackered - I have no excuse either - no other children to run around after and been on maternity leave forever! Scared to have a baby so soon and so looking forward to having him out all in equal measure!!

chip It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. It didn't hurt at all, but it was very uncomfortable. You know the electric shock fanjo feeling you get when the baby headbutts your cervix? Well it's that, combined with pressure from the hand that's sweeping you. I've had worse smear tests, and it's definitely no where near as bad as getting the coil fitted.

Mind you, apparently if they try to sweep you and you aren't "favourable" with a soft cervix, it can hurt.

I'm thinking that the sweep I had didn't work. I've just had BH, but no solid labour pains. Probably just as well, I'm knackered today and need a good night sleep!

Thanks dobe i have done some reasurch and might ask what are they going to do if its not soft i dont really want them forcing there way in that sounds painfull
I also read it could take 36 hours to take affect and do lots of walking afterwood to try help things along so you dont need another one
oh well deep breath no point me stressing about it thanks for your advice dobe

ahhhh im in such a bad mood even i dont want to be with me
do u think if i kill DH they will let me off on the grounds that im pregnent and full of unreasnoble hormones?

the thought of internal exams and sweeps and stuff terrifies me I ended up in the day assessment unit late one night and was examined by a male doctor who just grunted at me, I'd never had an internal before and it was just hideous- he didn't tell me what he was going to do or anything. The next day i burst into tears at the midwife- how am I going to cope with several exams in labour etc??

just realised that was a bit self wallowing, sorry all

Gosh polly, that's awful - they should never do anything without explaining what they're going to do and asking your permission. Could you put something on your birth plan to say minimal internals, or no examinations without discussion first or something like that?

I bought a pineapple! I chopped out the stalk and blended it with orange juice for maximum bromelin, now I have the worlds most outrageous heart burn. No BH or anything so far. Except the usual 9pm womb disco!

I'm pretty concerned about the internal exams to come. I was a virgin til we married (less than a year ago), and have never had anything else "up there" not even a tampon and never had a smear... So umm all this stretch and sweep business is a bit !

Sorry! I know I must sound like something out of a Victorian novel! The good thing is though, our bodies are DESIGNED to get these 10cm diameter heads out though right?!

I also wussed out of experimenting with perineal massage even though I bought the special oil for it! Partly due to sciatic nerve and SPD issues wasn't sure I could comfortably gain access!

37+6

The nurse mentioned that the doctor was going to do an internal, and I said I'd never had one before thinking one of them might explain what was going to happen but nothing. It kinda said it all that she looked really uncomfortable throughout too! The midwife I originally spoke to at my local unit had already mentioned that they might do an internal, but no one's ever been 'down there' other than my dh. I guess I'll just have to suck it up for labour, surely they only do necessary examinations?

polly you don't have to suck it up at all, that's dreadful treatment! You can certainly request minimal internals/examinations, and you aren't obliged to have a stretch and sweep either clearly. In your plan state that you want to be told exactly why each intervention (whatever it may be) is needed, and what it entails before giving consent. You can also request female doctor/nurse wherever possible too.

Ooh hate that shit, on your behalf.

vikks I didn't know your story before. I love happy endings!

Aww chip you are allowed bad days. You might want to keep your DH around a bit longer for pooey nappies though

My DH thinks we're having a girl, I think boy. He tried to make a bet with me that if we have a boy, he will change ALL nappies for the first 3 months but I said no because a) he won't always be around b) he needs to change nappies for more than 3 months and mostly c) I am not willing to make the same bet for a girl lol!

These stretch & sweep things sound scary to me too. I'm not sure if they do them here. My first meeting with my new OB, she did an internal pelvic exam and that was the most uncomfortable thing I've ever had go on down there.

And are these electric shock fanjo feelings supposed to make you jump off the chair?? Well, if I could still move that fast. Crikey

polly that's outrageous. I would just not let anyone near there without knowing what they're going to do first and why, and make sure your OH has the same instructions for labour in case you're off in the zone.

samba the fanny daggers are shockers! Every time I get caught out.

Polly I was petrified of being examined during labour, after an unexpected examination from the consultant which made me cry and the midwife winced, so I can sympathize!

midwives were much gentler and warned me what they were doing. I had a few extra examinations because of being induced but they were completely fine, having the pessary and prostin in didn't hurt anywhere near like I expected, having my waters broken didn't hurt at all and I didn't even realise she'd put the hook in. once my waters were broken, they said they'd only examine once every four hours but apparently its less if you go naturally. as it was the drip worked so quickly I was only examined once during labour, and then once before going home to check stitches. the midwives were brilliant and so gentle each time. let the midwives know you're nervous and have had bad experience with examinations.

my legs are still bruised from the steroid injections and my hands are bruised from the cannulas! I wasn't scared of injections before pregnancy but I think I may be now

Oh polly that sounds horrible poor you
clearly if you worried put in your notes
i know i had an internal exam to check it was still closed so i am hoping it will be similar to that even though the first doctor had to try twice and turned out he was new only done the job for 3 weeks second doctor in out done worked there 6 years so if your worried might be worth asking i know i will

sam i had forgoten that i will keep him around a bit longer he has also feed me so feel a bit happyer now

moomin sorry to hear your still bruised that does not sound nice poor you

Morning!

Eeek - 37 weeks today! I am in the drop zone! My bump appears to have taken that literally, as I swear it has got lower overnight. I have that wonderful kicked-in-the-bits feeling....

Last shift today. It feels really, really strange. Me and DH met at work and have worked side by side for the last ten years. The only times we've not gone to work together have been when one of us has been poorly, or when one of us was on a business trip.

I am really looking forward to being a SAHM, but it is also very scary. In a way, I hope the monster (who is currently going crazy as I just had coco pops and apple juice) stays put till her due date, as that gives me a few weeks to adjust a bit to not being at work.

Enough rambling! I'm going to try to sleep a bit more before getting up to make cakes to take to work today.

Morning all, freaking out a bit here - 38+2 today and woke up to rock hard bump and slight period like pain. Went for obligatory first pee of the day, back to bed then felt damp down below. Looks like it's my show, or a bit of it, clear mucus with some pink mixed in? Been having some slight cramps since then but nothing regular. Does this mean labour will be soon? Was supposed to be going shopping today but bit worried as would be on my own so might just stay here and symptom spot ...

Ooh wm sounds exciting - hopefully someone who knows more about labour will be along soon!

Wm sounds like labour, however if this is your first it could be a while yet. Where were you going shopping supermarket? Could dh or friend (possibly mum) go with you? You really shouldn't be driving either insane waters go or contractions suddenly get worse

Sounds possible wm.

I have my first NCT class starting in half an hour. Not quite sure what to expect...

hi wm I had a mucusy show on Sunday and through to Monday, with period type cramps and twinges ever since, and I'm still waiting for something big to happen despite 'operation eviction' last night (pineapple, nipple tweaking, spicy food and and bobbing on my birth ball) which just resulted in no sleep and half the night on the toilet dragging dh shopping today and round ikea- come on Baby!!

Thank you for all your advice re internal exams, definitely going to put something in my birth plan about minimal examinations

randdom hope you enjoy it - I've got mine next Saturday!

Polly hope shopping does the trick! How is the crocheting coming along?