November 2014 Thread 8 - Bottoms up, we're heading for the big push!

[TwigletFiend]

Afternoon, ladies. Hop, flop or otherwise clamber aboard!

Hopefully the scan will show you some good news, weeonion. Keep that bum up in the air!

I had MW appointment yesterday. Got flu jabbed booked for next Tuesday. Happy birthday to me, just what I wanted to be doing... Contrary to expectation, Bean has not only popped back up but has now flipped around to being breech. I'm not surprised - my flipping ribs are in agony with a head wedged under them!

I didn't think it was cause to worry at this stage (33+5 today). But I saw a MW I haven't seen before (the fourth one now) and she was very 'well, NICE guidelines advise section for breech birth, have you thought about a version, or even a section' blah blah blah. When I pointed out that I didn't think I needed to worry until 36 weeks, she looked a bit taken aback and sort of went, 'Well yes, of course not, but you should really be prepared.' She looked downright horrified when I queried the protocol at my chosen hospital for allowing attempted vaginal deliveries of breech babies!

I felt very assured and reasonable yesterday, but a bit wobblier this morning. I was right in thinking that Bean still has plenty of time to spin around and that 90%+ of babies do, right?!

Hope everything works out for you, weeonion.

Wee onion, really keeping fingers crossed for you.

Twiglet, there is plenty time left for the baby to turn. Keep an eye on posture, such as don't slouch on a chair, use a birthing ball etc. that should encourage the baby to go and stay in the right position.

I also have labour on my mind more now. I went to the maternity ward for an information evening about water births, which made it all so real. I'm very nervous, mainly about something going wrong. I hate being in the hospital too, but still prefer to give birth there with all the medical help around.

If you all want a giggle read the funniest moments in childbirth thread on MN classics. Sooooo funny and think WeeOnion is on it talking about DC1.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/263007-funniest-bit-of-childbirth

I'm using natal hypnotherapy.

I almost invariably fall asleep during the first three minutes of deep breathing. I believe there is a bit towards the end where you visualise a wonderful birth, but it's kind of passed me by. The fact that it is sending me to sleep would suggest that it also leaves me very relaxed .

I all seriousness I used the VBAC version in the run up to the arrival of DC2. After a fairly miserable experience having DC1 I needed something positive and natal hypnotherapy did help. With DC2's labour and delivery it was the opposite end of the spectrum. Quite short, no drugs, I was very calm and quiet to the point where the MW didn't realise the baby was crowning because I wasn't making enough noise! It still hurt but it was a level of pain that I felt ok with. I'm not a very woo person and I would have asked for drugs had I wanted them.

I have mentioned it on here before and the book for a bit of criticism from other posters, but I found reading Ina May Gaskin's 'Guide to Childbirth' really complemented the hypnotherapy and got me rethinking my attitude to childbirth. What you say about muscles being relaxed ties in with what she calls 'sphincter law'. It's an amusing read if only as an insight into 1970's hippy culture.

I have Marie Mongan's Hypnobirthing cd (only two tracks?) and a playlist of relaxation music. Sends me to sleep every time I use it but often I struggle to drop off so that's good.
I second Ina May Gaskin, it is a bit out there but useful, and some of the birth stories are really positive. Also Juju Sundin's Birth Skills for some practical coping tips.

I have Marie Mongan and JuJu's birth skills. I should really read the book and listen to the cd more #denial

I used the mongan book and cd for ds - it didn't result in a drug and pain free birth, but it did help with a very relaxed first stage and got rid of the nervousness before hand. I need to find time to get the cd out again for this one, but I do practice a similar version for fear of flying fairly regularly, so I feel like I sort of remember...

Met some October due mums at our local nct bumps and babies today, which was nice. It's been hard getting in the mind set with ds tearing about and work still not abating so an hour or so chatting was lovely. (And some cute squishy 6 week olds!)

It's official, I'm a sucker for peer pressure and so have ordered my Star Wrap today. So excited. Sad but true.

Bump feels v uncomfortable now. 2 days left at work, Thursday and Friday. Can't wait to finish now. Two toddlers and bump are making me just want to sleep.

weeonion hope you're doing ok.

Thanks everyone. Not been on for a few days (it was my birthday)

Been getting more and more pains. Think baby has got more engaged but not sure as DS wasn't engaged until I was in labour so its all new to me.

Think I'll be on cloud 9 if I can make it to 36 weeks

Hope your all ok and ill try to catch up on your posts tonight on the laptop

Winterlover is it very wrong of me to envy you getting it over and done with early? I'm sure my baby is a 6 pounder already....the thought of having to wait another 4 weeks! Or even going overdue!!

I have no bloody clue what position it is in at the mo. It all feels roundy, so Lord knows whats bum and whats head and whats knee/elbow etc. Last night at 1am baby decided to roll around like mad - I thought about filming my belly rippling and shuddering like mad but decided against it. Too graphic by far! Very tired this morning from all its hijinks though.

Some good news about my BLOODY FORRINERS. One of my sisters has decided to fling herself recklessly on the bomb for me. She's invited them to stay with her for the duration, as her house is waaaaay on the other side of the city and they'll never pass by my house (unlike when they were staying in the hotel in the next street).

So whilst they'll be demanding to see the baby, it'll at least most likely be by appt now. We hope!

Is it just me, or has anyone else got a load more clumsy during pregnancy? I seem to be constantly dropping food or spilling drinks down me - have just managed to slop coffee down a clean top and have biscuit crumbs everywhere.....

haven'tgotaclue - I have but I'm wondering if it's because of the bump - I think I'm having to have food further away to start off with, and when sitting down I tend to lay back more, and so the angles for eating and drinking are different to normal, so sometimes I just... miss...

Have bought the paint for the nursery today, and DH is off the start of next week so we can get it done then, in time for collecting the furniture on Saturday.

weeonion - hope baby turns round.

Hope everyone else is okay.

Bought some raspberry leaf capsules today from Holland and Barrett, nearly £10 for 30 capsules , bought 2 boxes. Explained to DH what they were for and he picked up the box, spun it round and showed me where it said 'do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding' DH said it sounds like witchcraft! What does everyone think? I didn't take them last time and don't want to if there's a risk, bit shocked the sales assistant sold them to me...

I read somewhere that due to a change in our centre of gravity you are more likely to stumble, misstep, trip etc
But it didn't say anything about biscuit crumbs! :-)
I've had an epic waste of day today, didn't wake up until after 10, came down and had a leisurely morning with DH and dogs, then came over all tired at about 2. Went for a lie down and woke up at 4.30!! Feel likely I've totally wasted the day but I suppose my body needed it.
Hope everyone is well

I seem to be constantly covered in crumbs at the minute. Ate a pot noodle at work the other day and ended up covered in it!

I've bought raspberry leaf tea too Petal, and was expecting the sales assistant to ask me how many weeks I was, but she didn't say anything. Mine said not to take in early pregnancy on the box. I think I'll start taking them next week, though, as I'm only 34 +1 today. I'm sure I took them from 35 weeks last time, and I gave birth at 41 weeks exactly, but did have a fairly quick birth, so I do think they're worth taking.

Yes to clumsiness / food spillage. The bump's definitely to blame.

Also, I finished work today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Husband definitely jealous but also getting excited about what's to come next which is nice. Feel so relaxed now I don't need to worry about work though. Aaaaaaaah.

Thanks pink, am 35 weeks tomorrow so was thinking of starting soon. Had such a long labour last time I'm up for trying anything that might help reduce it this time around! DH has suddenly become a bit'dictatory' protective, he is watching my every move, so isn't keen after reading the box.

Another one here interested in RLT, but I have no idea how to take it. Didn't someone say the holland and Barrett capsules aren't very good? I had a very long labour last time too, don't want that again!

Morning all.

34 weeks today. Starting raspberry leaf tea, perineal massage and acupuncture next week! I'm willing to try anything everything that might help!

Feeling a bit gloomy and a bit scared this morning. It's hard to admit but I'm not sure DP is going to be the birth partner I need. Just tried to discuss what I want with him and he grumped, said his input wasn't necessary and has gone to take a shower. I want to cry - feel like I'm going to basically have to be my own advocate in the delivery room, which is doable obviously but quite a daunting thought.

Sorry to be a downer so early in the morning. Hope everyone is having a nice restful weekend! Very autumnal here this morning.

Try not to worry too much just yet, Twiglet, my DH was like that when I was pregnant with DS, wasn't really bothered about discussing birth plans etc, as it was "you giving birth, not me, I'll just do what you want!" but when it came to the actual birth he was spot on, knew exactly what I wanted and wasn't afraid to tell the midwives when I wasn't in a position to do it myself. I'm tearing up now remembering it actually! I think we tend to see it as getting them 'involved,' but they focus more on the physical aspect of it not being 'their' birth, so don't see it as 'their' decisions to make, IYSWIM?

hedgehog I heard anecdotally the H&B ones aren't as good, but that could be bollocks, tbh. Anyway, my other healthfood shop only do the tea so I trotted up to H&B and got theirs anyway!

Have been taking them for a week now (am Wk 36 tomorrow) and so far.....have felt exactly no different. No increased BH, nothing. So maybe it'll help, maybe it won't. Makes me feel proactive anyway!

Twiglet find out why his reaction was like that. Why does he think his input isn't neccessary? What do you think he wants his role to be? Does he feel sidelined or would he prefer to be sidelined?

My conversations with DH have been mainly jokey, and often when he's had a glass or two of wine. "Your primary job is to NOT tell the midwife to fuck off!" "Your secondary job is to have snacks secreted somewhere about your person and give them to me when midwifes back is turned, ninja style!"

So we start laughing about it, but he knows I'm serious underneath it all. And then I add "And no bloody pethidine, OK?"

So over time he's become pretty clear even though I don't bang on about it much. So maybe next time you approach it choose the jokes + wine approach. Can't hurt.