April 2015 Thread 10: full of chatterboxes, only 2 months to go...

[Hidingthefear]

the other thread was almost full already! Any newbies welcome to join : )

Copied this from Boo from the last fred, sorry if it's changed since then, wasnt sure where to find it.

Unknown/Surprise
Misty414, 30, #1 edd 25th March
Fingerscrossed, 33, #2 EDD 1st April
ChickenMe, 38, EDD 4th April
LadyStinky, 35, #1 EDD 5th April
Rustyzilla, 34, #1, EDD 7th April
Floppypotato, #1, EDD 7th April
BrixtonBunny, 26, #1 edd 8th April - Surprise (but more likely to be girl according to sonographer)
Nerdsgirl, EDD 9th April
Chiliplant, ?, #1, EDD 11th April -
Wineandchoccy, 33, #1, EDD 14th April
AnniaFausta, 32, #1, EDD 15th April
AbiBanbury, 38, #1 EDD 18th April (but ovulate early so likely to be more like 14th) -
BitchPeas #2 EDD 19th April
Kismac, 29 #1, EDD 19th April
NinnynoodleNoo, 37, #6, EDD 19th April
SquattingNeville, 24, #2, EDD 20th April
CherryLips1980, 34, #2, EDD 21st April
Chococroc, 31, #1, EDD 22nd April, (but will likely be a couple of weeks earlier due to health condition) -
Lauren82000, 30 #2 EDD 22nd April
Ivegotacavetroll, 30 #1 EDD 23rd April
Mswibble - 29, #1, EDD 24th April
HippoPottyMouth, 38, #3, EDD 25th April
OneDay, 27, no DC, MMC June 2014, EDD 26th April
Squidge14,#1, EDD 27th April
JaneyTea, 34, #1. EDD 29th April
catsofa 35, #1, EDD 30th April

Boy
RiverRocks, 30, #1, EDD 26th March
houghtonk76, 38, #1, EDD 1st April
Lindalove, 38, EDD 2nd April
Lila35, 35, #1, EDD 3rd April
Cinnamongreyhound, 33, #3 edd 6th April
berberana, 34 #2 edd 11th April
Hidingthefear, 25, #1 EDD 13Th April
daholster, 32, #2, EDD 14th April
BonjourMinou, 32, #2, EDD 19th April
BananaToast, 26, #1, EDD 20th April
smogsville, 33, #2, EDD 22nd April, csection booked for 16th April
LadyNovember, 24, #1, EDD 23rd April
StuntNun, 38, #4, EDD 27th April
Mel0drama 36, dc #2, edd 29th April

Girl
Roastpots 35, #2 EDD 1st April
Babiecakes11, 23, 4th pregnancy, 2nd baby EDD April 1st
minipie, 34, #2, EDD 4th April
Skyra13, 26, #1 EDD 6th April
londonlivvy, 39, DC#2, EDD 8 April
upduffedsecret, EDD 8th April - Girl?
TinyTear, 41, DD2 EDD 11th April
TheBooMonster, 25, DD2, EDD 11th April
Mamabear0315, 24, #2, EDD 12th April
MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet, 36, #2 EDD 23rd April
FreedomHuntress, 40, #2, EDD 27th April
Siarie, 26, #1, EDD 27th April

Talking of birth plans, has anyone written theirs yet? I'd be interested to see the sorts of things people include. Mine is currently a list on the "notes" app on my phone...

Thanks Hiding that book sounds good. You know men though-sometimes they seem like they cant be told things. We start classes soon so hopefully that will help. My OH is lovely so not complaining. I just like to research things and be forewarned. Cos I feel he will be in for a shock if he hasn't acquainted himself with what might happen. Ostrich.

Lauren I was given about an hr before I was encouraged to have a bath or shower, whichever I preferred... I had a lovely long shower by myself and it was lovely.

I looked forward to labour too last time. I trusted that my body was built for it and felt it would be the biggest and most satisfying challenge I could have as a woman, its what I was designed for and really in the grand scheme of evolution the thing I was meant to do. It felt like my job I was privileged to do and wanted to do my best at it and deliver our baby into the world. I thought I could endure anything for dh and our dc. Apart from a couple of paracetmol and some gas and air, I did. I warn you there is a point they call "transition" where your body moves from preparing and opening the cervix to being ready to push... From about 8cm or something. That pain was horrible, made me want retch, happened so fast one after another I started to doubt myself and my resolve was great! I felt panicky and cried a bit and said to dh I wasn't sure I could do it without pethidine or something after all. Then I started feeling the need to push about 40 mins later and that really eased things.

This transition bit is renowned for making women feel they can't manage and it's when women start shouting about needing epidurals after all, getting it out now, not wanting to do it, can't do it... It's normal, it's horrible, but if you recognise it tell yourself its normal, it will end soon... And soon you'll be pushing for your little one! Or ask for some more pain relief

I am looking forward to it differently this time. I'm not looking forward to the challenge of the pain because I've done it... Know I can do it... But remember enough to know it wasn't all plain sailing. But I want to do it well and I want to deliver ds into the world healthy and meet that little face I saw blinking on my scan a couple of weeks ago

I am hopefully going to labour in the water, and with any luck will deliver there too if I'm allowed. If not, maybe I'll consider standing, so long as he isn't back to back, which screwed that up last time because it was faaaaaar too painful! Its best to have ideas about what you want but accept it might all change on the day for various reasons - and in fact you might see that bed and think it looks very inviting! So long as your dc arrives safely and well then nothing else matters.

Sounds all a bit preachy - it's meant to be helpful not telling you what to do, honest!!!

Oh, and dh was not well at all at the end of the labour. He suddenly got the worst headache he has ever had, hardly knew what to do with himself, felt sick... A combination of high levels of stress and only 1 drink in about 8 hours, in a hot room, no food, and a sudden drop in adrenaline when it was all over I think. I sent him away for a walk when dd was about 40 mins old for air, a drink and to find some painkillers (the midwife gave him some kindly, he looked awful). I think this time I'll be pushing him to look after himself a bit more, staying hydrated, eating, and taking a little time out of the room if he needs it. Look after those dps!!!

Penguin do mention the itching to me there is this thing called obstetric cholostasis which has itching as a symptom. Not to worry you but forewarned is forearmed and all that.

Siarie you're such a petrol head! Brilliant.

I think with first timers it might be useful to read a book just so you feel you have some knowledge even if you don't end up following it at all. Gives you a rubric to start with and then inevitably you'll find your own rhythm (or baby will).

I'm with you Squatting - they're either keen sleepers or not. DD is and was excellent so I bet her brother will be a beastie and we won't know what's hit us.

my eldest STILL can't sleep through on his own (does fine if he's in with me).

The youngest can mostly unless he's unwell

I love reading birth stories, I think its bloody amazing so thanks for sharing holster and Squatting. I'm kind of looking forward to it as well in a weird way. I've a good chance of an ELCS cos of the cervical fibroid so I don't know yet if I'll ever get the chance for a V birth though. That's life. I'm at the mindset now of Ill do almost anything to get DC out safely. I will refuse an ECV and pethidine though.
Good tips re DHs. Will take supplies and painkillers. Mine always gets headaches.

I started writing a birth plan but i'm only 30+2 so not really bothering about it much just yet, and i'm still considering a home birth so things might change.
this is kind of what I wrote so far just to have a starting point, and tried to make it clear so it's easier for MW and DH, to understand.
I've also made a short list of contact numbers so that should we have any problems with our mobile phones we can still ring the important people to let them know when he's arrived.
wrote a short list of things to go into hospital bags (one for me/DH one for baby) although not packing yet. I'm going to let DH pack the bags so that he can find things easily as it's likely to be him routing for stuff when we need it.
I've probably not thought of everything yet but don't want to be trudging to hospital with more stuff than I need. going to leave a bag at home should I need to stay for any reason DH can nip home for the extra bag so we don't have to take it with us.

Chicken just in case you do have to have a planned section, I loved mine. There isn't much of a story. We checked in at 7am, waited until 10ish, I went into theatre and DD came out v quickly and went straight to DH while I came round from GA. My mum tried to grab her but DH said no, I had to be next. The only bad bits were coming round from GA (apparently I looked like a cold turkey heroin addict for a few mins!) and 24 hrs of a catheter.

I am wildly impressed by the birth stories.

Thanks for the birth stories so far, really enjoying reading them. I'm also strangely looking forward to labour!

Thanks for the new thread also, particularly since it says I'm 24 and I'm actually 26 cry 30 is creeping up haha!

I'm feeling a bit rough today, nurse said yesterday that would be normal after WC vaccine but I didn't actually think it would happen!

Are you having another ELCS smog? I don't mind having one. Have an internal scan next week for the roid and low lying placenta so may have more of an idea then. Am a planner so would like to know.

Chicken - yes I am. All booked in. I too am a planner so it suits my temperament to know what's happening when as far as possible.

Obviously baby could come early in which case I have the number of the local cab company who will take women in labour and a local friend who is a SAHM will have DD if DH at work and can't get back home quickly enough. Must pack a DD bag spare clothes pjs etc just in case come to think of it.

Other eventuality is that I get bumped bc of emergency/ crash sections taking priority but apparently it's 90pc likely to go ahead on the day so just got to keep fingers crossed.

I'm going for elcs as well.
Had induction, failure to progress and emcs last time...

Hi all, just checking into the new thread (10 already! ) hope everyone is ok.

I am also a FTM and keep having panicky moments thinking I won't know how to look after my baby! I would hate to think of having to ask everyone what should I do, why are they doing that etc. I'm much better equipped to look after puppies and foals, I could do that no problem

I'm so glad I'm not the only one excited for labour! I keep thinking of it and watching one born every minute (desperately wanting the new series to start soon!) and I'm dreaming of it a lot now, I can't wait for the excitement knowing you're baby is on their way out to meet you and telling my OH 'my waters have gone!' obviously in my labour fantasy everything is just perfect and goes wonderfully...really hope the reality isn't too bad, I'm not really nervous of labour but I am nervous for all the things that could go wrong, so trying not to think about them!

I've packed my hospital bag now (bit early but I know I will re-pack it again further down the line!) it was so exciting, I wanted to take it all out and re-do it

Thank you to everyone for sharing their birth stories and birth plans, I honestly have no idea what to put on the birth plan hoping the midwife will go through this with me, will have to get myself to the local NHS antenatal clubs next week for some advice!

Had a growth scan on Monday as I was measuring 25 wks at 28, I only went in to see the consultant to discuss an abdominal scar I have and she sent me for a scan, luckily they saw me within 30 minutes and all looked normal, baby size and weight is normal as is the fluid, they were buried head down deep in my pelvis though which the sonographer said may be why bump is measuring small, was nice to see them again! The baby has been in the same position for my 20 week scan, 4D scan at 24 wks and 28wks, is that normal? I get loads of movement all over so guess they just like it there?

Also, I'm really surprised to see on the stats thread how many of us don't know the sex! I'm glad I kept it a surprise but finding it hard to buy all unisex!

Squatting that's what mines going to look like especially the bit about NO Pethadine. It really is evil stuff. (It's why I was so docile and just went along with what I was told to do instead if questioning it)

As much as I think I'd like a water birth I reckon I'm going on that bed again! Maybe this time I'll try it on all fours. A bit of gravity might be just what I need. I'm still convinced it was a man who came up with the idea you had to push a baby out on your back with your legs in the air!

All DH says about labour is remind me to bring a jumper. He was freezing and drank enough coffee to sink a battleship. I was just on another planet and was unconscious between contractions. He was really jealous of my blanket and contemplated nicking it off me seen as though I wouldn't of even known it was gone!

squidge I wanted to do the "my waters have gone!" thing too but it never happened for me last time, eventually the midwife did it when dd had been stuck at the exit for a while in a big bulgy bag dh said it was gross!!! When she popped them dd was out in 2 pushes (and covered in thick meconium so methinks the mw maybe should have done it sooner... No harm done though, just panic about the paeds reg coming in case she was sick when she arrived so he was fast bleeped, and thankfully dd screamed her head off pretty quickly so he only had to quickly check her over and she was straight back on my chest [happy] )

Maybe they will go this time? I'd like it if they did.

Whoever just said they need to pack a bag for dd - thanks, what a brilliant and necessary idea that I hadn't even considered!!! Dh suggested we start packing the bags this weekend so that we can start getting the things we are missing.

daholster I keep telling myself labour most likely won't go the way I imagine it although it would be nice for it to be text book! I always imagine being somewhere, doing something and them going and I can tell my OH it's happening...think I've been watching too many films

That sounds lovely and organised smog. Hopefully it will be a calm experience.
Squige I've found that not finding out has stopped me going crazy for purchases. Like if it was a girl there is soo much beautiful clothing for girls out there I would've gone wild. But with unisex you're just buying "for now" until you find out. Also it has stopped relatives from getting too carried away because trust me it would be "my girl/boy" all the way and they would've named it (are already trying to name it anyway).
Did you tell people your name choices? We haven't. Some family were a bit sniffy and tried to get it out of us but not budging. They haven't guessed at all. They keep suggesting awful names. Lol.

I still need to buy a bag to pack the kids' stuff into! and still haven't packed my hospital bag... should get on with that, really.

Btw when I said earlier "my resolve was great" I meant despite my resolve being very strong I still struggled at transition. Not, effectively, "I was great, go me!"

Hi all,

Absolutely exhausted today. DD is wearing me out , combined with mega stressed DH from being in the middle of decorating mishaps and a house no way near ready for baby!!

I'm not going to lie- I'm not looking forward to labour at all. Such a shame but it's all based on my experience with DD. Induced for 3 days, drip ending in haemorrhage and forcep delivery with episiotomy. Was very traumatic and unpleasant experience - especially as the cord got stuck round her neck and the dr couldn't get it off meaning she went bright blue and wasn't breathing.
I didn't do a birth plan with her as I was of the opinion what will be will be, and didn't want to plan for something too much incase I was disappointed I couldn't have it. Just as well really.

I know that degree of trauma is unlikely again but it has made me very anxious , which is v v unlike me. They couldn't even do an emcs as she was too far down the birth canal so I'm just hoping all isn't as bad again ( which I'm sure it won't. ) I just won't let myself be too optimistic about a laid back, easy birth as you can never predict it. I was low risk and it still happened so in just a bit more realistic this time.

Don't want to scare those first timers at all as you can never tell what will happen. Just advise I would give is- don't be too hard stuck on sometime thing and be prepared to acknowledge that you may have to change your wishes.
What's actually most important is the safe arrival and that's what they are trained to do I guess.

I don't think I'm going to have a specific birth plan, I'm willing to consider all options depending how I feel at the time - and as cisforcat said I don't want to be too disappointed if it wasn't what I planned. As long as baby and me are both ok! I do need to think a bit about afterwards though, like I want skin to skin ASAP and need to ask DH if he wants to cut the cord and whatnot!

Midwife wasn't concerned about itching as it isn't affecting my hands or feet. Measuring 31cm and baby is still head down - mw doesn't think it will move position now so fingers crossed!
Awaiting the HV's arrival....