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...

Our Stats Page Is Here!

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

Fingers crossed dobe, mrsfoo and anyone else having signs.

Right now I love the idea of a Holo! I saw them earlier on in my pregnancy and thoughy they were a genius idea but as I've never been a front-sleeper I didn't think one would be any use to me. Now it feels like that could be just the thing! Would be tempting Sod's Law to order one now though wouldn't it?

Plumbing issue has been sorted. Phew!

Loopy glad your plumbing sorted

dobe very that you have started and get to meet baby soon
and hope mw you get to meet little one soon
its all very excited

baby does not seem to know today is the day you are ment to GET OUT oh well

hope everyone having good day

Glad to hear plumbing is fixed loopy!

to rebecca sounds horrid and hope you're not in pain for next 3.5wks

Wm and moas... exciting times! can't wait to hear your news in the not-to-distant future!!

dobe - good luck for tomorrow!!! glad you're feeling v.chilled about it!

kally have had similar feelings all week... keep being assured that it's all very positive, but still no baby!!

Happy due date ditsy and chip and welcome to the dropzone rigby and random!!

ditsy dtd 3x a day?!!! eek! we've managed a couple of times this week... but I'm not sure either of us could cope with that kind of exertion at the moment... hats off to you guys if you manage it!!!!!! (though think I may mention the advice to DH even if just to see his face!

hez sorry the massage was a bit pants, especially if it was a pressie, dissapointing... spireal am super jealous of your weekly massages from DH - no such luck here!!

choppa ...we'll keep on waiting and walking together!!!

catch you all later!

Good luck guys with your imminent labours. I'm so envious.

I had my mw appointment today. Baby is head down and she did a scan to double check which was reassuring. She offered a sweep next week but the thoughts of having lying on those bloody examination tables and having someone rooting around made me decline. I'd only be 40 weeks then. I'll consider it at 41 weeks.

My hips are crocked after lying on the table this morning and I've developed sciatica in my left leg which is nearly worse than the PGP.

Moan over for today.

It's mothers day on Sunday here. Convinced DH to bake the cake for me tomorrow instead, just in case Wouldn't want to miss out on any cake.

I believe "the clear out" is happening (LOTS of bad tummy). Contractions now like a band all around the lower half of my bump and round my back. YEOWCH.
Not timeable yet tho so hanging fire on excitement...

master enjoy your cake! Mmmm.... Cake..... I want cake.

mrsfoo sounds promising! Exciting!

I've tidied the house, repacked my hospital bag, sorted childcare arrangements, and I'm ready to go for tomorrow! I think our parents are more on edge than we are though!

Hope I can get some sleep tonight!

Good luck MrsFoo sounds promising!

Dobe Wow so excited for you! Cuddles coming your way soon….

WM & Moas Hope everything is moving along nicely…..I’m sure we’ll all be checking in for your updates.

Labour vibes to the rest of us waiting!

Thanks for all your well wishes. I’m out of hospital and still PG! The bp mediation seems to have done the trick for now and they are happy for me to be home for the weekend. I've got to go for monitoring on Monday and have a consultants appointment on Wednesday to ‘discuss’ induction, my nurse today seemed to think they might try and break my waters then!
I’m not sure how I feel about that, I was really hoping to avoid another induction this time. I don’t think I coped well in my last labour, my contractions were 2 minutes to 30 seconds apart from the very beginning and after 7 hours I was begging for the epidural. 23 hours later I was whisked to theatre for episiotomy and forceps delivery. So this time DP and I have been on a hypnobirthing course for 5 weeks and we've been practicing every night together. I can feel the birth I always wanted slipping away and it scaring me. I know in the end I just want Olivia safely in my arms, maybe I’m over thinking everything now it’s getting very real. Would I be silly to turn down an induction if my bp is under control? My doctor today also hinted that because we've have fertility treatment they would want to move things along more quickly….I’m not sure what difference that makes at this late stage. Lots of questions for Wednesday……sorry rambling!
I did have a sweep today and now I’m ball bouncing, just hoping to avoid any more medication. I would love to go into labour naturally.

Oh wow the holo looks amazing!! Bit late now though I reckon!!! I wish I'd seen that before! Spirael - weekly back massages on a holo - bliss.

3 times a day, wow, no chance of that in our house ditsy!

Mrs foo and dobe - good luck! Keep us posted...

Just been out for a rowdy dinner with some friends, was fun but ouchy sitting on v uncomfy chair in the restaurant! Glad to be home now in bed whilst dh has gone round to the neighbours for a nightcap as it is 'maybe his last Friday night'...! I did get a foot rub before he left though :-) Bless him, my best friend was asking him if he was prepared earlier, and he reeled off all the things he's learned that will help me during the birth, it was so sweet. He is going to be brilliant.

Cross post with vikks!! Glad you're home and bp under control. I really really hope the sweep kicks things off for you before weds then you won't have to make the decision and Olivia will be here! No idea why fertility treatment would affect an induction?

Just had a lovely visit from an old friend. She's over from overseas to have her baby in 7 weeks time. It was spontaneous as I'd told her I wasn't able to plan anything now.

When I stood up to say bye had this incredible cramp in my cervix (?) area. I couldn't not cry out. She got all excited and as she left I had another. Stabby and painful. Still now lying in bed (on my mat and waterproof sheet) and everything had eased off.

Due date tomorrow! Eeeeeek!

Positive thoughts to WM and Moas and Dobe!

Wow, so much going on, think I've just about caught up!! Congrats on new arrivals!

Good luck to the 3 or 4 of you with imminent sounding arrivals.

Ditsy we have the same induction date although hoping not to make it that far too!

Can't sleep as was woken at about 4am by dh throwing up!! I would be sympathetic if he'd not been out drinking with his work mates. He also tried to tell me he 'not had that much to drink'

Happy Saturday people!

Hi vikks. It seems you have worked so hard to plan the birth that you want after a previous difficult one. I'm not sure why having had fertility treatment should affect if and when they induce you?! I understand the concern with the bp but if it is under control and you are regularly monitored then it seems a little premature for them to be breaking waters. With your previous difficult induction I can completely understand why you would want to strive for a different experience this time.

When is due date for you? Another week or so? Maybe see if they will let you get to 40 weeks before doing anything. In the meantime it might happen naturally (or bp might not stay stable) and things will take another course anyway.

I'm not one for earth mother/ hippy stuff but I believe so much that if you are in a good, relaxed state of mind and are in control you are far more likely to have a more positive birth experience. Xxx

Happy due date clearlymoo! There are a few of us hitting d day over the next few days!

Hope it all continues well for you mrsfoo...very exciting!

Ate far too much last night ( amazing chicken dinner) and ended up feeling so uncomfortable. Felt like period pain so I had a bath and of course the pains disappeared! Hips better ish last night but the broken sleep continues to get to me. Another week of it and I'm really not sure I'll be able to give birth!! Knackered!!

Just want to get on with this now and feeling pretty emo about it this morning. Maybe that's a sign. I'm still predicting Wednesday 15th and 9lb 2oz for this little monkey.

On a brighter note, looks like DH has landed a new job :) more money and a new challenge having been in the same role for 8 years it will be good for him. And finally after 10 years together he'll be earning more than me!! Still not enough to be a kept woman though but never mind :)

Happy weekend to all xx

Good luck wm, moas & dobe!! I think there was another induction happening today too? Sorry I'm not able to keep up.

While Sofia is drunk on milk, thought I'd finally share my birth story. Starting on Friday afternoon 38+5 when I had no symptoms whatsoever and decided to write a letter to our LO. DH and I got dressed up & went out for dinner, conscious that we might not have many more opportunities left.

Saturday I woke around 5am with strong cramp in my lower back. I was able to sleep in between but I realised they kept coming, around each 20mins. During the day they were a bit sporadic, and by evening they were each 10mins and I took a bath to calm myself down and went to sleep.

Then Sunday went like this!

3am woke with pains closer together still all in my back, bloody show
3.30 ctx each 4mins, midwife called
4am examined at 4-5cm dilated. Had hot shower (bliss!). I also really recommend a hot water bottle if you have ctx pains in your back.
6am went for a lie down to rest, despite pains being worse in this position
9.30 put on TENS, ctx starting to get harder to manage
Midday waters break in the bath
12.30 leave for hospital, car ride was agony!
1pm in shower at hospital, pain spread to my hips, begging for pain relief. Start having uncontrollable tummy spasms a bit like heaving.
2pm Tear myself away from toilet (thought I needed a number 2!) to be examined, 9cm dilated. Get in bath with DH, still begging for pain relief even though I know it's really too late.
3pm Sofia born in the bath after about 30-40mins pushing. Small tear. Cue lots of tears of happiness :)

It was very very tough without any pain relief but I feel so lucky that the whole labour & birth was uncomplicated, and even more lucky to have achieved this in Brazil. I still cannot believe I am a mummy!!

Wishing all of you safe, smooth deliveries. Can't wait to hear about more babies arriving!

Hi all am now 40+4! this is my second, doc has booked me in for another appt on Wednesday but after a quick examination yesterday is confident I will go before then, who knows though lol hope everyone Is feeling well :)

Ooo lots of people look like they might be having babies this weekend!

I had a baby shower thrown for me last night! It was lovely and low key. We played guess the babies weight, gender and birthday. Guess the baby food ingredient using Ella's kitchen pouches and then they all made a picture to go in the nursery. Was lovely!!

Just a quick update.. Still pregnant! Thanks for all the wellwishes! I feel like I have a whole team behind me!

Lovely story Samba!
Good luck dobe and anyone else!

I am so so keen to get going.
Felt very funny all day yesterday but contractions have not become regular. Thought it would happen overnight but nope, only period pain this morning.

Vikks I really feel for you! So happy that bp went down with medicine. Mine was OK yesterday. I am crossing fingers and toes that things will start off naturally for you! I totally identify with the emotions you're going through. I'm still hoping for a VBAC. Our plan is now to break the waters on Thursday. The thought of going into hospital without even proper contractions and being hooked up to machines does not fill me with joy. But it is probably the last chance in my life to experience giving birth so I've decided to take it (as opposed to ELCS) as I would always wondered what had happened otherwise. I reckon it's about 50/50 chance it'll be EMCS but at least I will feel I have done all I can. The hard work both you and I have put in with hypnobirthing will surely have a positive impact, at least in terms of acceptance if things turn out differently than we wished for.

Off to a house-warming this afternoon, will take my mind off things!

Happy DD Moo! Anymore pains?

ChoppaI’m 39+1. I think I’m building it up in my head- which I know won’t help. If they do induce me it might not follow the same course as last time and I might still be able to use my hypnobirthing techniques and still possibly a water birth (if I’m not hooked up to machines). I think I need a really good reason to consent to the induction (if bp is fine). I said yes to the sweep because it’s a non-drug way of helping things along, I might ask for another instead and try that first. The midwife said my cervix was soft and slightly open so hopefully things might happen soon on their own.
Great news on your DH’s job. Hope you manage to get some better rest before things kick off.

Samba Thanks for sharing your birth story, sounds like you coped brilliantly. I’m hoping water will work well for me too for pain relief/distraction.

Chemas Good luck! Sheet on bed?

Randdom That sounds lovely. My family have all got their bets in too (date & weight), there’s £70 riding on it so far.

X-Post. Thanks Moas natural labour vibes to you too! I guess in the end whatever happens we’ll have our beautiful newborns and will probably forget the details of the birth pretty quick. I think I need to be more ready for changes in my birth plan and my hypnobirthing will help me relax and cope with all the twists and turns that might come. I don't think all the homework will be wasted. x

We'll all get there in the end! And I just want to add I've nothing against ELCS and that it is the perfect option for some!

Lovely story samba, so pleased you got the natural water birth you wanted! Hope the same is true for vikks, moas and everyone else. I agree the hypnobirthing won't have been in vain whatever happens - one of the reasons it appealed to me was that the techniques to reduce fear etc would be just as useful in any kind of labour/delivery situation. I don't get why having fertility treatment would make any difference either vikks. Fingers crossed your bp stays stable and you're able to go naturally.

Sending positive labour vibes to all those on their way to the other side!

Morning all! No news here. Contemplating trying to convince DH we should go out for a nice due date lunch... Would require me going outside in the rain to find him to request this! Had a bad night but rectified by 3 hr nap after DH got out of bed!

Just had a look at Gina Ford's crazy routines... Any thoughts anyone?!

Congratulated most of you all on Facebook, but good luck for the pending and congrats on the arrivals!!! The photos are beyond gorgeous!

Samba thank you so much for the labour story. I find these so helpful and interesting to read up on.

Thinking of you vikks I hope things work out for you the way you want. Its tough and frustrating to read what you're going through. Big good luck vibes coming your way.

My hands are better today after I raised them and iced them for most of the day yesterday. A few twinges as well. 38 + 4. xx

Hi all

Just popping in during a precious nap moment to say good luck to all imminent labourers!

Samba that's a brilliant birth story, so great that it went so well.

Vikks totally understand where you're coming from. I wasn't induced last time but was two weeks over and had a hideous, almost identical experience to you, which I was determined to avoid this time. A it was my labour was the polar opposite, through nothing I did differently, DS was back to back DD was in a perfect position and I was able to handle everything. There is no comparison to the pain level for each and I felt in control the whole time. I'm hoping you get your birth too, I was expecting a similar experience, even though rationally I knew that was silly. I just wanted to give you some hope!

All going well here, DD is adorable, DS is doing his best but its such a massive change to his little life and his behaviour is, we 'challenging' he's super cute with the baby though, we'll get there.

Best wishes to all

X

I just felt a very strong, gripping abdominal pain! So painful I stopped what I was doing (walking) and made a face! It faded after maybe 10 seconds at most and I was just thinking it may have been a rather out of the blue contraction when I farted how very embarrassing! At least I was on my own lol! Just thought I'd share for giggles and I hope expect most of you have done similar with the OTT symptom spotting?!? just me then

Great birth story Samba!

Good luck everyone giving birth right now!

Labour vibes to all xx