September 2014 - Babies are starting to make an appearance!

[lilone1234]

A few babies have already arrived, with more due to make their entrance soon, and it's not even September yet!

eponine - what day are you having your section? keep smiling. I don't know for certain but I think braxton hicks are a bit like period cramp but I may be wrong.

the last few days my baby has been wriggling up a storm when I relax. I think it just shows that when I was at work I was much less good at paying attention o movements. or cos I was rushing around I was sending it to sleep!!!

at hairdressers at moment. would it be terrible if I had a little snooze?!

team that sounds like Braxton hicks to me - mine don't hurt, just feels like baby wants to burst out (especially at the top), it sort of goes tense all over. Was having them regularly yesterday, but pretty quiet today other than painful moves from baby - think I may take a long walk tonight (when DS is in bed & DH is home) to shake him down a bit!

Hi ladies, hope everyone's okay x
Been off radar for a bit, 38 + 6 & had another scan and consultant appointment today, we're being induced on Friday eeeeeek

Yeah, BH are painless (sometimes uncomfortable, but not painful) contractions where your tummy will go rock solid and then relax. Sometimes baby moving can trigger them. I have had plenty of experience of them this time around!

Been having painful contractions since 7am and now nothing again. I'm going insane. It's official!

Im 39 weeks tomorrow and the 'any news' phonecalls have started. It's driving me crazy! Please can this baby be born now? To add to this we are in the process of selling/buying and found out today that a previous issue which a solicitor had promised had been sorted has been royally messed up. Feeling stressed which isn't going to encourage labour.

Im 39 weeks tomorrow and the 'any news' phonecalls have started. It's driving me crazy! Please can this baby be born now? To add to this we are in the process of selling/buying and found out today that a previous issue which a solicitor had promised had been sorted has been royally messed up. Feeling stressed which isn't going to encourage labour.

Hope you don't mind if I jump on this thread? I'm 38+6 and already sick of people asking if there's "any news?" and strangers saying I am "so huge" I "must be overdue!"

I've had period-like cramps and BH on and off but nothing today really :( so sick of waiting! Anyone tried anything to kick start labour? Xxx

Ps. We are moving house in 2 weeks polka so I know the stress you must be under! Good luck

Best news ever followed by the worst news ever, landlord has messaged OH giving us 8 weeks to move out of our house :(

My memory is very bad and no time to go back review, sorry - somebody suggested using sling to me; I want to order one, just feel the soft structured ones (like bbjorn original) are safer and more comfortable for mums than the ones only from soft fabrics... Can I have your opinions ladies... I need to order one ...

P.S. i am copying this in the postnatal thread too, as don't remember where this was discussed before... Sorry for duplicating

Hello mumtobe I don't take stress very well lol! I want to lock myself away from everyone.

I'm really sorry your landlord has done that missbrightside thats is incredibly stressful.

I will be watching for replies to your question with interest nazly as I don't know which one to get either.

Hi nazly - my best advice is see if there is a sling library nearby where you can go and try before you buy - my local one charges £3 a week to hire. If you like soft structured carriers a "mei tai" suitable for newborns might be good to try (e.g. Babyhawk). I personally would avoid baby bjorn, babasling and similar high street carriers as they do not put baby's hips into the best position (they are known as 'crotch danglers') and can be bad for your back - I did a serious injury to my back wearing a b bjorn (and DS never felt safe in a babasling), but have been fine with wraps, mei tais and other soft structured carriers. Hope this helps :)

Nazly, I've got a closer caboo and it's fab. Really safe and comfy and can be used in a number of positions. Would definitely recommend. It's got rings so you don't have to tie it from scratch everytime and grows with baby. Very supportive.

I'm doing a shop tomorrow morning then I'm not leaving the house until baby arrives. Considering closing my fb account and turning my phone off too. Dramatic much?! I just cannot stand people asking (to my face sometimes- do I look like I'm holding a new baby?!) if there's any news.

Gah!!! Could so do with a glass of wine.

Showme - just to give you some hope, with dc4 the me tried to do a sweep but my cervix was closed and she couldn't do it. Baby was born the next day, although that was at 41+6.
Never got that far this time as my little girl was born on 29th august - I was trying to hold on until September, but she didn't want to. Still, I got my water birth and it was fairly quick, so not too bad in the end.

Thank you neddle that's what I like to hear. This pregnancy has just made me miserable I'm afraid to say. Baby wanted so much but I've been so ill and in so much pain. I've had so much illness these last 9 months it's ridiculous and the lack of sleep with a 2 year old to look after all day is taking it's toll.

xxxmissbrightsidexxx have PM'd you!

Another one waiting for a sweep here, I've been booked in for one on Friday (due date!) so keeping everything crossed for a baby by the end of the weekend... This last stretch really is awful!

CoolCat - thanks! I think I need to stop reading about recovery from sections. Logically I know that people are far more likely to report bad experiences than good experiences, but some people's experiences have freaked me out a bit

holls - at the moment I'm booked in for next Tuesday. So by this time next week I should be having baby snuggles

Oh, I wonder if I have been having BH!!! I thought that they would be tight all over the bump, and mine only feel tight across the top.

missbright - that's such horrid news, and even worse timing.

One good thing about the elcs being planned is that I seem to be avoiding those annoying phone calls and messages! I was slightly looking forward to delivering a few sarcastic responses

Can I ask how people are/will be organising visitors over the first couple of weeks? I'm struggling a bit at the moment with how to deal with it all, as I know that my family will be wanting to visit a fair amount, but DH wants a total ban on visitors initially. In many ways I agree with him, but it's going to be difficult telling my family, and although I'm fine with the ban for wider family, for some reason I think I will want my mum to pop by, even if it is just once or twice. The difficulty with my family is they tend to come as one big package deal, which is great normally, but will probably be overwhelming with a new baby and having just had a section. I hate dealing with family politics!

Team: my C-Section experience for you (and anybodybelse interested)
I had an early emergency one as you may remember and I was totally unprepared...planned one could be better

First the operation itself was almost pain free- even for spinal they first do local anaesthetic and another and then spinal... I was aware sth was happening but no pain - the operation itself has no pain at all, although you may feel a little pressure on your tummy as they move things around- it is short and you will be done in an hour- and you may meet ur baby in 20 min! Ask them to be given the baby asap after delivery and they'll make sure that's done

Warning: the theatre can be very overwhelming; don't be phased ... There are going to be a lot of people in there and in the beginning they were all very serious going through a robust procedure... Try to keep relaxed and remember these teams do this operation at least 2-3 times a day for a long time in their career and for them it is every day routine ... Once initial setup was done they turned music on in my theatre and started joking and asking each other who can sing a long!!

Recovery: to be honest I was shocked after the operation, I thought I can move almost immediately but moving was a challenge for me even after 24 hours (apart from your upper body of course... You'll be fine to hug the LO but walking is hard) coughing and laughing Is going to be v painful for a couple of days... You will start to walk and do things in 24 hrs max even if you are as fussy as me - and you will be able to do almost everything yourself in a few days (mine took around 5) - that's not too bad at all imo given even in V-delivery it will take time to recover... Second week you'll be yourself; but don't overdo it as I did and ended up with one open stitches and infection...

I would go for your DH suggestion of no visitor if he is going to be with you two all the time; remember you need to recover too and may need help for little things. If he may not cope helping you and caring for baby both, then perhaps mum or sis, anybody you have who can stay and help a couple of days would be helpful

Good luck and remember: you are going to forget about the operation in a couple of days after it is done and baby thoughts will take over everything... It will be soon history...

team I've found it fine looking after Sophie after my section. The first night I just rang buzzer when I needed help like having her nappy changed, and they were brilliant. Once I was up and showered the next day I then did her nappy myself, just took it really easy with moving about and made sure I kept up with pain relief. I've found it fine to do everything for her, it's looking after the older 3 I've struggled with, but DH is off and has been brilliant doing school run, dinner etc. So if you've just got your baby you'll be fine

nazly I've used the baby bjorn active with my older 3 and found it fine when they were little but that its not great for back when they get heavier. Have a look at the ergo if you want a structured one, they have great reviews and are really popular here, meant to be good for back and hold baby in good position too. There is another similar one, which I think is called manduca, but can't remember exactly at mo, sorry!

nazly you have taken my c section fear away. Thank you so much.

at the moment I can't believe that all being well I will be a mummy a week tomorrow. does anyone else feel like this or is it just me being odd?

holls, if I scared you I apologise.

Yes its been tough and I've struggled with things.

If it does make you feel better, yes it did make me feel pretty shit and had to take it easy, but at the same time considering its major surgery I've been up and about quick.

I had DS on the Monday and was discharged Wed afternoon (though it was evening before they got their act together with the paperwork). With pain relief its been bearable - just keep on top of it.

I've been out and about every day since Thursday. Not far, but we have left the house and done stuff.

I echo Nazly in saying that after a week I have been able to do most things - including a few I was finding difficult when I was still pregnant.

Hi all, sorry just a flash visit from me. Feeling crap, in pain, etc. In desperation I decided last night that I would go on for a really long walk, really push myself in the hopes it might start some contractions and get labour going. I walk every day but this was much longer than usual and I also made sure to go up and down hills, around rough farm fields etc. I just wanted to say that it was absolutely a waste of time and the pain I was in afterwards was almost unbearable - if you have PGP, SPD, varicose veins, or any other condition that makes movement difficult/painful then I'd just advise you not to waste your time on this - I thought testing it out would be worthwhile even if I didn't succeed but no, better not to be in pain!

Good morning all and congratulations on the new babies.
Had a cry reading back through thread (hormones!) and it's all feeling very real and close now September thread!

Team I initially liked the idea of a ban on visitors, but actually, I think I'd quite like my closest family to visit - and I'm close enough to be myself with them and tell them if they're annoying me. I've told family no visitors on day 3 after birth as I've been told that is baby blues day where breasts sore, milk comes in and most mums cry all day.

Well I woke up in the night, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I can take a really deep breath! Feels amazing. Bump hasn't moved down much, but enough to make this difference. Don't think he is fully engaged, but I'm hoping he might be a bit. I'm 38+4. And ribs are not burning like they have been for months. :) Very happy indeed!!
I'm thinking about booking in nice things like pregnancy massage for after due date, so that I have something to look forward to if baby hasn't arrived. Can always cancel.
Bit bored, got loads to do, but generally not feeling like doing much. Trying to do/plan something every day and work through a 'todo' list.

I've still got to get hospital bag ready - I've started, but it looks like I'm going to need a suitcase!! Is that ridiculous?! What did/are you ladies doing for music during labour? Any recommendations?

missbright sending you hugs and good luck with the housing situation.

Sorry to hear about the landlord news Missbrightside - That really is awful timing. Hugs. xxx

Good luck to everyone with C-sections / inductions etc coming up. xxx

Well my full moon, walking and curry plan was completely unsuccessful. To top it all my first irritating 'has the baby arrived yet' message arrived first thing this morning. Annoyingly I was still in bed after another crap nights sleep (inbetween needing to pee every hour and DH snoring half the bloody night I'm knackered), and so not impressed to be disturbed by a text message.

I could technically go back to bed but I'm going to make myself go to local NCT 'bumps and babies' group this morning (it's for pregnant women and babies up to a year old). I'm quite scared about this as I don't know anyone and am worried it's going to be really cliquey, and parking around the centre is a nightmare so that's stressing me too, but I also know I can't be off work for a year and not see anyone / get out of the house regularly without going bonkers so I'm going to try and force myself to get into a routine of going to a couple of baby groups, so I thought I may start by going to this one since it's for 'bumps' as well as babies and see how it goes. Wish me luck! Is anyone else trying to do any groups or anything? xxx