"hey Mummy! Ready or not, here I come! ;-)" - July 2014 thread

[ZingWhale]

Some of us has weeks to go, some just days and of course another massive Congratulations to all who have already given birth!

pack your pads, tiaras, nappies & Vaseline -HERE WE GO!!!

Same here ickle. Managed a few bits of sleep here and there but feel zombie like this morning. Contractions were very strong between 4 -6 but now seem to have become mild and less frequent again! Was sick and lost more plug as well. Think I'm going to get up and go for a walk soon. DH staying home just in case.

Wow, it's all go here - congrats casamama Fifi and lemon on your great news.

Its Ickle and Blue, hoping things pick up for you this morning - at least you are getting these contractions out of the way now so your babies are getting closer.

41 weeks today and nothing happening. Got sweep 2 today so at least I'll get an idea of whether I've made any progress this week - really hope so and that this gets things moving.

Congratulations Lemon! 2 hours! Hope it wasn't too much of a shock for your body.

Its, ickle and Blue: hope things are going well for you guys. All the best.

MrsA hope your sweep helps.

Plate that cotbed sounds great! I love the space saving ideas that are out there. Our DD is two and we still use a change table for her. As tall people it really helps not to have to change her on the floor.

Congratulations all! Everything has stopped for me - DH looked rather disgruntled at having to go off to work this morning, I think he was hoping we'd be getting somewhere by now.

I am in bad mummy mode today and gave into requests for Cbeebies and chocolate milk, but at least it's keeping him quiet and happy! Might try and motivate myself to tidy up a bit.

Congratulations Lemon and welcome Lemon Jr

Plate we got two very large changing mats / cloths and use those on any handy surface to change bean. We haven't tried the floor yet but have done sofa when MW were here, our bed and spare room bed. I was only standing for the spare room one. If you've found a cotbed with storage though, you're sorted already I guess. The over bed changers didn't work for us because of the perpendicular angle - we wouldn't be able to access it.

In fact, so far, the change bag I bought has seen very little use. I figured in the absence of a changing table I'd simply travel around the house with bean and change bag luggage but actually I've either carried the things I need or gone upstairs to change her.

Whatever we did Sunday night was not duplicated last night. The magic is temporarily AWOL but as I am stubborn lil' thing, we shall persevere. And sleep whenever. Although it is clear that on just BF, bean is not getting enough - constantly hungry.

Hope things move and KEEP moving for those with twinges and good stuff going on!

Morning all...huge congrats lemon :) and its more plug lost and being sick is all good!

Alas absolutely nothing to report here apart from a good few hours sleep from 3-7.30am :( woke up feeling very very annoyed about everything but have calmed a bit now. DS with the childminder til 5.30pm and DH off to work. I'm going to take myself for a longish walk with a nice pub/cafe half way for a drink and cake. I think (aside from not trusting the signs my body is giving to me) the most irritating thing is that we now have the pool totally set up and ready to go in the living room, no point moving it but it is going to be a source of interest for DS when he gets home which will be interesting!

Thinking of pools we haven't heard from hayley the last couple of days since she was off to get tap adapters...wonder if everything moving along there too?

mrsa2 hope sweep goes well and that they are able to report some progress down below.

safyre sorry things have stopped for you too! If nothing starts again then I will have DS all day Thursday and Friday on my own which I am not particularly looking forward to... Love him so much, just hard work at almost 40 weeks pregnant! Totally sympathise with cbeebies :)

plate if I'd been buying furniture for this nursery (box room in comparison to large room in our flat) I'd definitely have got a cot top changer although as ismarah mentioned we found it easier being alongside baby rather than stood at the business end in the firing line so to speak! bit partly I think that used get used to that position too. We have only recently stopped using our change table for DS when he moved into his new room but DH and I do still miss it! I have come up with a strategy for changing him on the floor without totally killing my back but the table was much more comfortable!

ismarah was only thinking again last night that you are managing so so well! you're only a week post op so try to be kind to yourself as you've clearly not been well this last week either! Don't feel bad for mixed feeding either, the amazing thing is that your bean is still getting breastmilk and that you have been able to persevere with that - so many would've given up by now so well done! And yes to resting and sleeping whenever you get the chance, the first few weeks have a non-routine all of their own as baby settles into life on the outside and you all get used to each other. Try to treasure these first few weeks even though they are tough!

Right, now to hang washing, make dh's packed lunch and then I'm off to walk a baby out of me

blue hope the walk triggers some action (but not before you've got your cake )

Whenever anyone goes quiet I don't know whether to assume best or the worst! Hope all is well for hayley

Thanks for thoughts on over cot changer - the M&P bundle is cheaper than buying cot on its own so no loss if it doesn't work for us. Had been holding out for a neighbour who had been making idle promises of gifting us her old cotbed when she moved house, but as no sign of her moving yet might just bite bullet and spend the cash. We've got a bednest so don't need cot immediately but nesting desire to have a nursery is kicking in!

Hope Hayley and Zing are ok too, I agree I don't like it when anyone goes quiet!

Blue that sounds like a good plan to have a nice walk and a bit of you time - make the most of what could be the last chance in a while. So frustrating for you though.

Had my sweep first thing, different midwife so hard to really compare. Still only 1-2cm but does sound like some progress and baby seems to be more engaged so at least things seem to be heading in the right direction. Have asked for a third sweep on Friday in the hope of avoiding induction which they are going to arrange. Raining at the moment but will hear for a walk once that stops, and keep bouncing on the ball!

Weather lovely so sat outside the cafe with a cold glass of OJ and a magazine enjoying the sunshine waiting for my food! Felt as though bump was going to fall through my pelvic floor when I got here but think it's just that baby so v low now!

blue know what you mean about baby being so low! My walk was around ikea though got a load of baby hangers but not the cushions I wanted for our conservatory- also bought some sunglasses (not from ikea!) as I left mine on the side, went to put them on and they were cracked. ..dh claims to have no idea but don't know how else they could have broken!

Health visitor just been round and think she was concerned I would give birth there and then when I had real pain (can't talk through and heavy breathing needed!) But they aren't very regular still- she suggested getting a bit more sleep so I have energy incase anything happens tonight!

Still thinking of zing and hayley hoping all ok.

How is your pain its?

Sounds promising ickle. Good luck!

Blue hope things start moving again for you.

I went for a shortish walk to the local park and back with DH (stopped for breakfast on way back). Pain much worse when walking, had to stop a few times to rest. Just had a nap and can't feel anything at moment, so maybe I need to start moving again!

Also forgot to say - baby squirming a lot today, especially after/during tightening. Hope that's a good sign!

Just munching post walk chocolate bar, clearly necessary for replenishing energy lost in walking :) well, did a 20min brisk walk there and took long route more like 40min on the way back so hopefully that will help! Going to try and keep busy this afternoon and write addresses on envelopes ready for birth announcement cards (which I can't make til baby here obviously) and then maybe list some more stuff on eBay.

ickle if you can't talk through them I would give triage/MW a call anyway and have a chat with them, they may ask you to pop in to check where you're up to...I've read plenty of stories of them just not getting that regular til towards the v end. All sounding good though!

its you could try walking around or bouncing or just enjoy the rest before they kick in again.

Currently just got period ache sore bump so will just have to keep on waiting!

Definitely seem to come back when I'm moving/upright.

blue think keeping busy definitely a good idea, otherwise we're going to drive ourselves mad analysing every twinge. Might walk down to Mothercare and get a few bits we're still missing later.

Officially booked in for induction on July 19th.

Really hoping for a birth as natural as possible; water birth, unrestricted movement during labour and little medical intervention.

While I know that it's not going to put baby in any danger I am devastated at the thought of my freedom being restricted to a bed (or around a bed!).

Anyone who is on DD2+ have any positive stories related to induction?

Praying baby arrives sooner than the induction date!

collie you've got a good week before 19th so here's hoping little one will make a move before then. Have you had any sweeps? Sorry can't remember. No personal experience of induction I'm afraid. I think if you make it clear from the start that you want to stay as active as possible hopefully the MW will be able to help with that. From what I've read I think the main challenge can be the pain associated with the contractions if they ramp up quickly following drip etc but you could ask for a mobile epidural in that case. Hopefully if they can kick start it just with pessary etc and avoid the drip then it will follow course of normal labour with just a helping hand to get started iyswim.

its that sounds like a plan... And I think when you're moving/uprig gravity has a help in baby pressing down on your cervix which can help keep things going... We've watched quite a few DVDs over the last few days whilst I bounced on the ball as distraction works well otherwise I will go loopy sat around waiting for it all to start again and then overanalysing every twinge am still going quietly loopy as am desperately impatient but hopefully not quite as bad as I could be

I see ickle has gone quiet... Hope things are going well for her!

Thanks blue Still here...still pains but nothing more exciting sadly.... had a lie down but can't sleep! Going to go for a wonder to buy cake

collie hope things start before your induction.

its so hard not to over analyse twinges any advice?

*wander not wonder!

there was me hoping on your behalf that things had ramped up! Cake is definitely the way forward! When I spoke to MW last night about how to get things going again she said, rest well, eat well, drink lots and go for walks :) so a walk to get cake is just perfect :)

And I think overanalysing is perfectly natural and unavoidable unless in total denial of anything happening down there which is rather difficult when the pain hits!

Totally TMI question...when I got out the shower this morning I was a bit sore when drying down below and had a quick look in the mirror, impossible to see otherwise, to see if it looked red or sore and noticed that everything seemed rather, well, loose/open down there. Now I don't spend any time examining down there normally but I had been feeling rather 'open' so to speak. Was chatting to DM earlier and she wondered whether I might have started to dilate just without too many contractions causing it all to open! though obviously the dilated bit isn't visible so not sure if that actually makes any sense?! here is a typical example of over analysis :)

Thank you for the good wishes ladies. I am finally home!

Congratulations on all the new arrivals and thinking of those still waiting their turn... whatever happens it will be ok.

sorry in advance for the long post... much like mixi I was induced using a pessary after being admitted with high bp at consultant appt. After 24 hours I then had gel which increased the intensity of the period like pains. Dr then decided as pain was constant the best thing would be to break my waters which was the worst experience of my life thanks to the Dr with rough hands (hmm). Tried to mobilise after but was like that woman on little Britain that wees all the time with dp following close behind mopping it up (I went through all 5 pairs of pants I'd packed for post labour even with the hospital issue maternity pads!) Then I had a drip so had to stay still for trace for a while but once this was finished mw put clip on babies head so I could move and I was 4cm. Went for a wee soon after which seemed to accelerate something as the contractions then we're coming thick and fast with little break and I could barely stand. Luckily my lovely mw had suggested we speak to the anaesthetist earlier to get an assessment done in case I wanted one later as I don't think I could've told him my name by this time so when she suggested I might want one he came straight away though it was difficult to place as contractions were so close together. Several hours of relative calm followed and then it was time to push. Except baby didn't want to come out so I ended up having forceps which wasn't so bad with the epidural and gas and air!

So not exactly straight forward and dp really struggled every time an alarm went off and various other things. However he was amazing. We laughed, we cried, I shouted a bit but he tried to help every step of the way.

The day after baby was born my chest hurt and I put it down to one of those things after having so many drugs but it turned out to be my haemoglobin levels which were about 60... so I ended up having to have various tests, scans to see what was causing it and two transfusions as the first barely touched it.

I'm breastfeeding and apart from a few wobbles it's going ok but I struggle at night as he never seems to be as asleep as I think he is and wakes up again shortly after I put him back in his crib.

The past few weeks feel like someone else's life but I have a beautiful baby boy who melts my heart every time I look at him.

I never managed to get my tiara :(

auntie so so good to hear from you though so sorry to hear of the post birth transfusion traumas! Wishing you a v v speedy recovery from all that. A massive well done with the breastfeeding in the midst of everything!! Trying to get 'sleeping' baby into crib without waking is no mean feat, I remember it well!! Think at some point I tried laying a top that I'd been wearing underneath DS so that his crib smelt of me which seemed to help. In fact his 'snuggy' as it gets called now is one of my old t-shirts which I have now cut into 2 so I have a spare for washing rotation! I used to have to wear it or at least put under my top after washing but now he's comforted just by the feel of it even if smells of washing powder, he's 25mo now :)

Just heard from DWP and my maternity allowance gas been sorted - whoop, first payment next week!! Such a relief!! Funnily enough bough they've approved it on basis of my last 2 payslips from mat leave with DS when I was still classed as employed rather than self employed. Hmrc still fading around re my NI certificate so glad I haven't has to wait for them!

Having a productive admin afternoon whilst bouncing on my ball...would still rather like baby to get a shifty on and come on out to play though :)

Ps auntie think when we're all safely on the post natal thread we need to have a little tiara party/celebration for surviving pregnancy, childbirth and the first few weeks with a newborn (not to mention all the various other crappy situations people have faced during pregnancy/afterwards)
... Tiaras and bubbly all round I think :)

What a time of it you've had AuntieMaggie! Congratulations, glad you're home.
Congratulations to everyone else whose babies have arrived- sorry losing track!

auntie how great to hear from you - sorry it has been a bit of a rollercoaster but glad you are home now. No tiara - what about the monkey hat?

Had great plans to be good little housewife today and make nice dinner for DH but still waiting for my 3:15 consultant appointment - could be beans on toast at this rate!

Happy to hear you're home auntie!
And I agree with blue, we definitely need a post-delivery tiara party .

I had a bad night's sleep for a change. Got loads I want to cross off my to-do list today but may have to just limit it to one or two things. I'm really struggling with DD now so I'm relieved she's at nursery today. She's turned into a real climber. Every time I turn my back she's clambered up on to something else. Had to ask DH to come home early yesterday to help me as she didn't nap either and was a ball of energy.

Congratulations lemon. (I hope I haven't missed any other new arrivals)

Auntie you must be thrilled at being home - I certainly was after 5 days in and I even had a private en suite room.

I hope things get moving for Blue, ickle and MrsA (are there any more is it / isn't / inductions at the moment?)

Hayley and Zing* wondering why you have gone so quiet! Hope all is ok.

I have had an email to say that the chassis for my new pushchair has gone missing en route so they are sending another. I have already received the cushions and fabrics but they are useless without the wheels!

Our equivalent to health visitors came today. DD has only put on 80g in a week, but it is with different scales so not necessarily that accurate. She needs to put on some more weight this week, although not a great worry since she looks ok and is feeding. She's not back up to birth weight yet though after 12 days. (Good excuse to carry on being lazy at home BFing all day and eating cake guilt free)