January 2015 Thread #9 - Crossing legs and fingers for the final stretch!

[KateTheHuman]

Welcome to the third trimester ladies!

Stats here

Only just found this thread- hello! I'm 35 wks as of today so due date 4th jan.

In terms of a growth spurt like pp says, at 32 wks baby was a week behind but at 34 wks he was 2 wks ahead! I do feel a lot bigger last week or so but hope baby isn't too big. Hoping for Vbac this time but even looking at my friends 7 lb 7 newborn made me cross my legs and think eek ouch!

cheshire sorry to hear your last day wasn't as good as you were hoping. I had exactly the same when I went off to have Ds and I have to admit I felt a little disappointed. Like others have said at least you are now off
Welcome little. My original due date (and the date I worked it out to be so an still going with is 4th jan) so we are due date twins
I have given up worrying about size. I had so many growth scans last time as Ds was off the charts in terms of being large last time according to all scans and measurements etc. they were very concerned and worried the hell out of me. I was having panic attacks and everything! He was born at 39+5 and was 7lb 12! Hardly off the charts. The labor was not exactly text book but he was back to back and had a very short cord so couldn't turn, despite trying. Had nothing to do with size though! As much as I am petrified sometimes this time, most of the time I just think that until you are at that point, no one knows what will happen and when it is you just kind of get on with if anyway! Fingers crossed we will all have lovely birth experiences. Even after the experience I had, I truly believe that calm and relaxing birthing can happen and that if it is 'textbook' then it doesn't have to be a painful and scary experience.

dec2013 I had a b2b labour with dd too. It was 43 hrs and ended on emcs. She was born at 42 wks and was 7lb 13. I'm doing everything I can to avoid this one being b2b again. He was breech at 32 wks but last week he'd turned. I felt him turn in the middle of the night, he was very very active in the middle of the night and woke me up. I was imagining Ecv's, moxibustion, elcs and alsorts so hopefully he stays head down now. He's still free as of last week but I hear that's common with 2nd + babies until labour so we'll see.

Yes same due date! I really really don't want to go over this time. 14 days with dd was just too much! Consultant will let me go 10 days over then it would be elcs if I don't go spontaneously but I'm hoping it won't get to that. She said I can have sweeps from 39 wks. As you say no one knows what's going to happen but it is very possible to have a lovely and calm experience second time around after a difficult first experience.

little I'm so glad to hear of someone else who believes it can be different second time. I'm spending everyday trying to convince myself all will be fine! I didn't know about the dropping into pelvis late second time, thanks for the info. I didn't know I was btb until 6cm last time and thought I was being a total whimp and 'failing'. What was the recovery like from a cs if you don't mind me asking?
I will have everything crossed for you thy you don't go over! I am feeling the same. Have been having strong bh for a few weeks and been cramping a lot the last few days, do another 7 weeks of this would not be so fun! It's hard having a little one to look after too isn't it?!

Have given up lying in the dark with my eyes closed after 2 hrs, though I know looking at my phone isn't going to help much. Thought I would pop in here and then download a pregnancy relaxation/ guided meditation mp3 and try for sleep again in a bit.
I think I am almost in denial about this labour. With dd I did lots of reading and felt really confident and prepared and although it went a bit hectic at the end and she was ultimately delivered by forceps I came out of it feeling amazing and empowered. This time I have done no prep, barely thought about it infact, maybe there will be a positive birthing track on my guided meditation mp3!
Scans so far have just shown lo is on the small side, placenta seems to be functioning fine and he is really active so they just want to keep an eye with additional scans. After each one I talk myself round and am all calm and rational about it but in the run up to the next one the anxiety starts gearing up again.
Better apply myself to this sleeping thing again as im staring down the barrel of a full day with a 14mnth old with a stinking cold and 4 molars coming through all at once. Yikes! Can I go back to work please!

It's December! Very likely some of us will start having babies this month!

31d until due date! eeek!
How exciting?!
I keep getting period pain type cramps that happen in the evening. makes me wonder if baby is getting ready to come and say hello!
Diabetes clinic today to check my readings. fx they are Ok... They look similar to me so fx! growth scan on Thurs as well.
Looking forward to my first day of mat leave today. Going to write Christmas cards I think!
35+4

ReadyforDinner I'm exactly the same! I read books & made notes with dc1 but haven't even opened the books so far with this little chap.

I seem to have a mental block when it comes to it.

Not good!

Hi LittlePink!

Feeling much more organised after the weekend! We finally got the last few bits and pieces bought...the pram (went for the Silver Cross Pioneer in Damson), extra large muslins to use as a bfeeding cover, baby book, plus stuff to wear in hospital. Almost all of my Christmas presents are bought, plus wrapping paper and Christmas cards. Phew!

Note to self though - dont ever brave the Manchester Christmas markets on a Saturday at 31 weeks pregnant .

Really loving the antenatal and NCT classes which we started a couple of weeks ago, we've had a really nice set of people in both groups.

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm jealous of everyone who is already on mat leave!

31+5

Welcome little

cheshire I get these contractions too! I just assume they were just a variant of my braxton hicks, except that this time they feel a little tight? There's so much going on down there, and baby seems to be doing it all at night! Eg I woke up at 3 as something was putting even more pressure on my pelvis than usual: I thought it was her head?

Emma I wouldn't brave any Christmas market at the weekend, even if I were back to my fit pre pregnancy self

Out of curiosity ladies, what do you have in your hospital bag? My main question us about what to wear during labour and birth: I HATE sweating and being hot so it needs to be loose. But also it needs to open for immediate skin to skin? And what about after on the ward? I imagine you're allowed a shower... But what to wear? I already have my going home outfit: pregnancy leggings, uggs and tunic top!

Bilbo I bought a cheap lightweight nightie for birth which has skin access buttons which open to a few inches above belly button. Plus i've got a bikini top and vest top in case I go in a birthing pool.

With regards to afterwards i've got 3 pairs of big knickers (called 'full briefs' on the packet ), a lightweight dressing gown, dark pj bottoms, a vest top with buttons for boob access and another nightie in case I stay in and need a catheter. Probably an open waterfall type cardigan too.

I've also got flip flops for in the shower.

Otherwise the other going home clothes will be the same as you..leggings and loose layers!

dec2013 the CS recovery was ok. Ive heard the elcs recovery is easier but as I had an emcs it was a bit of a shock to the system afterwards. I was on painkillers for 3 weeks but I recovered well and was up and out when DH went back to work after 3 weeks. He was only supposed to have 2 weeks paternity but I begged him to take an extra weeks annual leave but after that I was ready to face the world.

ready ive wimped out of today and called my in laws to take DD out. Had a really bad nights sleep coughing and baby pressing up into my ribs. They've taken her to a garden centre with a soft play so I can get some rest. I should be sleeping really to make the most of it but im already thinking about the washing that's piling up and the cleaning that hasn't been done!

emma we did NCT when I was pregnant with DD 2.5 yrs ago and we are all still close now. There was 8 in our group and we've managed to still stay in touch. There are one or two I see more than the others but we all tend to have nights out every now and then and im meeting a few of them for a saturday coffee morning, child free, in a couple of weeks. It was worth doing for me as I made some nice friends.

Bilbo I went to primark and bought two very cheap nighties that opened at the front that I could throw away afterwards to labour in. On the postnatal ward i had some thin, loose pyjamas and take some slippers. Its very very hot on the ward so dont wear anything that will make you feel even hotter. To go home in I've bought some cheap jogging bottoms as it will be cold and I don't want anything tight as you feel a bit yuck with the big maternity pads and the bleeding so personally I want something loose and comfy and not restricted.

Thanks emma and little I'll go to primark today I think. I've just realised last week how close we actually were from our EDD. A girl from my NCT group gave birth last week 4 weeks early and didn't have her bag ready. In the grand scheme of things, I'm sure she didn't really care that much but it gives me the illusion of being in control!

Also, ice packs... Have you ever used any? The kind that's kept in a plastic pouch that you have to stomp on. They have it at my school and it was a life saver during my hot flushes episode. I was thinking of getting some to keep me cool. I overheat very easily!

madrigals we have the same due date! Im 35+1 today too.

Yay Emma we went for the exact same pram! Mine finally arrived on Friday! It's so gorgeous! :)

Argh, I can't believe people are packing their bags already! I've been putting it off for ages but maybe I should start thinking about it... I'm a first timer, too
I swear this baby is a little beast! It's been lying with its bum jutting out of my belly just above my belly button, with a pair of feet digging in under my sternum. I can't lean forward at all!
I just can't wait til I'm off work now. Utterly fed up with the whole thing. Only 9 days to go...
34+0

Glad to hear it Kate! Ours wont arrive for another week or two yet. My husband wanted the green but I put my foot down! It was the damson or the black.

I've not packed my bag yet chiruri. Although I have started putting things in piles inside the cot out of the way as I think about them. I am a notoriously bad packer (I always over-pack) so I might try to take a few things off the pile before I put it in the bags. I'm taking one weekend sized bag for me and a separate slightly smaller bag for the baby stuff.

Been to primark and got plenty of cheap stuff for hospital bag it's getting real now!!!

It seems everyone uses the fb group now, can someone tell me how to add it? Thanks x

There is a Facebook group?

There is a fb group and admin will pop on to explain what to do...

However, the rule is that some of us have to stay here as well! I'm on both!

Hello ladies...for those wanting to join the FB group, if you search for "Jan Babies" and friend request, also sending a message with your MN username in it so I know it's a genuine request, I will add you to the group. If you don't get added please PM me on here because I will get a notification whereas I don't spend a lot of time logged on to FB as Jan Babies so don't always know if someone has sent a friend request or a message!

Hope everyone's OK and looking forward to Maternity Leave (or enjoying it now it's started!) :D

I'm probably a bit thick but my Facebook search comes up with several Jan Babies groups How many members are there in the group?nit may help me decide which one is the right one.

Happyday and Bags74 you're both added to the FB group now. I've tagged you in a post. I have 3 outstanding friend requests but no accompanying messages so if you've friend requested Jan Babies and not been confirmed please can you send an inbox message to Jan Babies on FB and I'll add you. Thank you!