August 2015 Part 4

[Dani240]

New thread for all of us August ladies!

Stats here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e5Gsaz5GkI6o2FYxLVvBi29zs83njdtn6giWBNAkGJM/edit?usp=sharing

I've got the purple stretch marks on ONE boob, and one one side of the underside of my bump - I had to use a mirror to find those ones. Obviously they look even better when wildly lopsided!

Well better to have them on one rather than both . I'm going to have to get a mirror out to check under bump I think

It's a private group, if you add alex Barlow as a friend she can add you to the group x

Or pm me your email address and I can add u Lulabelle

Well had midwife appt and she decided to send me up to day unit for tracing and monitor bp. All was good in the end and bp came down too after an hour. She also told me I now have an anterior placenta so that's why I maybe don't feel much movement. I'd had a scan on Friday just gone for original having a low lying placenta so it would have been nice for the sonographer to have told me that at the time. Anyway it was nice to have a trace done and get reassurance that all was good. Midwife said to make sure I come in anytime I have reduced movements but I find that hard to do because really I get hardly any movements every day so I'd been in there all the time. I'm just gonna stay relaxed like I have been doing every day and hope all stays good.

Dozy- glad all went well with trace and bp etc.

Stretch marks here seem to appear by the day too! They are purple but only very thin so hopefully will fade well- just round belly button too for now!

Can't remember what else people have said on the previous page and on phone so can't look back! Haha! Eek to whoever it was said hey had a scare with contractions!!

Excellent news here- baby IS head down!!! I knew it!! I'm so happy it's like a massive weight has lifted, I knew I was right!! MW appointment was 40 minutes late- annoying- and when I went in she asked if I'd felt any significant movements like he's moved round which I said I hadn't but hadn't before last week either which is why I thought he was head down then- she said- well maybe he is. When she checked she pretty much immediately said 'well that's definately a head' whilst feeling at the bottom near pelvis!! Yay!! Felt like a massive weight lifted!

After that went straight to our new home tour which was unbelievable it's beautiful I can't wait for next Friday now!! All in all a fabulous day I'm so happy! Happy Wednesday everyone!!

Just a reminder that One Born is on the tellybox tonight ladies!!!

I'm so glad it all went ok today lily. Yippee for a head down baby and lovely house! You must be over the moon!

Thanks for the link pinkie. I'm definitely putting some dates on my shopping list. I love a salad with dates, pear, walnuts and Stilton. Shame we can't have Stilton.
How did you get on with the dextrose tablets? Did they make baby jiggle. I keep reading that they're good for keeping energy levels up in labour so might get some for my bag.

I hope you don't have too long on watch and wait mzzf. I'm sure the dogs are just happy to have you around. And extra sniffing time is probably a dream come true for them.
Thank you for the swelling advice. Mine's not bad at all really. And definitely not pitting. My face looks like a huge, freckley moon.

Your baby shower sounds lovely siani.
I've not had anything they I would describe as contractions, but have had a few bouts of period type pains in the past few days. Yours sound promising. How many weeks are you?

Thanks for the welcome back into the shit sleep club fanby! I had another couple of hours between 6-8 but was tossing and turning the whole time. Dh was in the spare room, so at least I didn't disturb him. I'm shattered today, so hopefully tonight will be better.
I'm glad now that I've taken my rings off. I love my engagement ring so much and would be gutted if I had to cut it off. Have you tried plunging your hand in icy water as long as you can stand and then using oil or Vaseline around the ring? I worked in a jewellers for a bit in my teens and that was the go to method for customers who got in a pickle.

I hope the little cat is ok dozy. Our big fat cat always lost weight in the summer as the heat put him off his food. Hopefully that's all it is for yours as well.
I do the exact same thing with looking at my phone before squeezing out a last wee. Dh went in the spare room as my toilet trips seem to disturb him more than me. After I spent most of last night awake, I think he'll stay there again tonight. I'm a bit sad about it, but it's for the best as he's a right grump if he's tired.
Glad everything was ok when you were monitored. I have an anterior placenta and don't feel quite as much movement as I'd like. It's so worrying and confusing isn't it. I'll be glad when he's out and I can see what he's up to.

All the stretch mark talk is interesting. I don't have any so far, but my skin feels like it's bursting at the seems now, so think it won't be long before I earn my stripes. The top of my belly button really hurts so I'm sure I'll get on there.

I hope everyone's had a good day? My sore throat last night wasn't heartburn and I'm now full of cold. I can't tell you how much I'd love a sudafed right about now. At least I only have tomorrow left at work.

Who's brave enough for obem tonight then? Dh is very keen

Congratulations on beautiful Ivy! She's gorgeous.

Glad you are head down right enough, Lily.

Am reading the Ina May Guide to Childbirth and it's brilliant. It's really having quite a profound impact on me. I'm in the process of writing my birth plan and it's really clarifying for me what I want and what I want if I can't have what I want (iyswim!) which is actually the most important part of a birth plan. I only planned a "perfect" birth last time whereas I should have thought about all the possibilities and how I wanted them dealt with. Last time was not good and the book is helping me to see why I feel so terrible about it all. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's quite anti intervention and a bit American so not all of it is spot on but I'm getting a lot from it. I'm feeling much more confident about my ability to do this. I got my copy from the library but I'll be buying it for all future pregnant pals.

Oh Dozy - that must have been a bit of a scary moment but also how lovely to be reassured that everything is ok. At least it helps explain the lack of movements you're feeling, or rather not feeling! Glad everything is ok though.

Lily - woohooo for head down! YES! And how lovely to have had a great house walk round too. I love it when a plan comes together!!

Ah frolic - how shit to have a cold right now. At least work is finishing at the right time and you can sofa surf with a mansize box of tissues and lemon and honey drinks. I had a stinking cold at the beginning of pregnancy and literally drank lemon and honey all day and night - it does help!!

Joskar - you sound so on it. Even your post comes across as calm and cool as a cucumber, love it!

So was anyone brave enough to watch One Born? I did and it freaked me out a little that it'll be happening for real soon!!! Arrrrggghhh!!!

Oh no frolic hope the cold passes soon. What a way to end your last week at work!

Lily yey for baby being head down. Bet you're relieved now.

Mzzf any twinges yet?

Joskar glad you're enjoying the book and getting into a positive frame of mind about everything.

I've been up and awake so having cuddles with my little cat and bump whilst watching obem and balling my eyes out at that sweet couple. Just managed to wipe the tears away before dp came downstairs to see haha.

Thanks Frolic, Dozy and Joksar!! I've had a shit sleep again but still so happy from yesterday I'm not even bothered!!

Frolic- that salad sounds ace- aside from the Stilton! Might have to whip one up myself- got a thing for fresh veg at the mo- DHhad Burger King for tea the other night after a crappy day at work and I ended up getting some chicken strips and having them with broccoli, mangetout, a whole pepper cut up and some cucumber!! Wtf!! Sorry about your cold- I had one 2 weeks ago and it's rubbish especially not being able to take anything! It went pretty quickly though thankfully so fingers crossed! You might be lucky on the stretch marks front- I really think it is genetic I know loads of people who haven't had a single one despite getting pretty damn big! Plus the bit on my bump that gets really painful and stretched feeling is the bit I haven't got any on- makes no sense!! Where they have appeared the skin is actually less right, it's weird!

Joksar- Ina May sounds good, glad you're feeling good about your birth plan!

So OBEM thoughts- yeh mzzf I did get a little freaked but not too bad- mainly the 'money shot' of the one lady who had her baby natural! I'm not one of these who does NOT want to see or 'touch baby's head' whilst they are on their way out and am asking for baby to be wiped off before giving him me as I'm pretty squeamish so that was far too much for me!! Sounds awful that doesn't it but I just don't want my first reaction to him to be 'eeeeewww what's on his face' haha! DH made out he didn't want to watch it but then was so cute- he got well excited and even shed a couple of as the babies arrived- admitted he's gonna be a crier- no surprise as I actually laughed at him on our wedding day as he was trying so hard to hold more tears in his nostrils flared!! Hehehe!! It's lovely because he is not an emotional type at all usually so it shows what the big things mean to him!

The lady who had the CS and had to have GA terrified me- literally my worst nightmare and DH was all 'if that has to happen it has to happen, it's about what's best for you and baby'- it was really good to watch with him as he showed how good he's gonna be on the day- even told me the one using gas and air was doing it wrong and repeated a big chunk of what MW at labour and birth workshop had said!! Insane, I'd forgotten myself! Bless him!

Have a good day everyone! Got to take poochy for his post op check later- I'm sure all is fine, he still doesn't seem to have even noticed he's missing his danglys and has noticibly chilled out already! Work first so I better get up and get ready!

Dozy your little cat is gorgeous!

No niggles, or anything from my end. In fact I woke up with a sore throat again - really hope I'm not getting something, that would be crap, trying to deliver with a cold!

Awwww when is it going to happen?! Sorry for being a bit moany but I'm ready for it now.

Plugs gone plugs gone plugs gone!!!!

Major TMI coming up......

Just went to the loo thinking I needed a poo......felt something rather large drop out fanjo- looked down loo to see something rather large and with slightly dark bits disappearing down u bend- panicking slightly I did a spot of loo fishing with a spoon and it can only have been some or all of mucus plug- easily bigger than the spoon, broke up a bit on touching it but Defo not just normal discharge!! Holy hell!! Now I remember reading plug going doesn't mean anything significant right? Right?!!

Dozy glad everything was okay with the trace etc.

Lily that all sounds exciting. Sounds like it must be your plug. Eek. But yes, I think it can go a couple of weeks or so before anything happens. Are you packed for the big move?

Joskar I completely agree about needin to consider a 'less than perfect' birth, and you certainly sound on it. I was like you last time. I had the perfect birth planned, and got lots of assurances that it was possible, so when my ideal birth didn't happen it was pretty traumatic (although in the grand scheme if things, it really wasn't).

I've just checked NICE guidelines and they say that it is fine to eat Stilton because it's a hard cheese. I can understand if people want to avoid it, but it seems to be okay to try if you fancy it.

No exciting news here. I had the dreaded HV visit yesterday. In reality she was only here for ten minutes. She didn't want to look around and was really only making sure I was planning to BF and that I knew about safe sleeping practices. At least I have a clean house now

Will check in later and catch up with everyone but felt the need to tell you frolic, you CAN have stilton! :D NHS website says so!

Lily head down, great house visit, AND you lost your plug!! Sounds like it's all systems go for you! I think the plug can be lost days/even weeks before due date but it must be a good sign that things are happening, keep us updated!
OBEM I found a little samey, always women being monitored and flat on their backs. Or c-sections. I know it's because of the fixed camera, but still getting a bit bored of it now! The woman who could feel the cutting of the c section freaked me out though!

Dozy bless your cat on your bump! My boy cat is 5 too, he's such a worry as tends to get beaten up by neighbourhood cats! Is he still eating and looking skinny? Or not eating at all? Glad you got everything checked out and you and baby are fine. Anterior placenta is so annoying, I'm with you there! I only ever feel movements at the side of my bump, not the front at all.

Fanby my shower is next weekend, can't wait! Any luck with the rings yet? I hear the ice water thing is good too. Or holding your hand up in the air for ages so swelling goes down may help?

joskar your book sounds really good. In my head I'm only planning for what happens if it all goes ok. Not really sure how to plan if things take a turn, like what do you say about a c-section/forceps etc? If they are deemed necessary, is there a lot I can plan about that? I feel so uneducated! We haven't covered that in antenatal class yet, I think it's the next one (oh wait, that's tonight)!

equimum I have my HV visit on 10th August, thanks for putting my mind at ease though. Doesn't sound as intimidating as I was expecting it to be!

frolic sorry you have a crappy cold, but like mzzzf said at least work is finished now right? How was your last day?

He is eating but not as much as usual. Buy he's still going outside to have a play about so maybe it was just because of the heat. We've changed his food up to see if he was maybe getting bored of it. He does love his cuddles though bless him.

Dp admitted last night exactly how terrified he is about how our lives are about to change forever. He always a huge joker and spent the whole time joking around about how he wasn't looking forward to it and counting down the weeks of freedom he had left rather than counting down till her arrival. I always thought he was just joking and that deep down he was excited but actually he really isn't. He explained that I've always always wanted a baby so for me it's completely different but he hadn't really ever been sure if he even wanted children so he's just purely terrified by it all. It's kind of upset me becausewe went into this together so why he's suddenly revealed this now I don't know. However he does realise that once she arrives he's likely to feel completely different because it will be his daughter etc but what if it doesn't? I've seen him around his nieces and my friends children and he's amazing with them so I'm pretty sure he will be ok.

Sorry I'm sure everything will be just fine but just needed to let that out! It's hard to fully explain everything but he definitely made me panic over everything last night.

Dozy your little cat looks just like my little cat! Love that wee black nose. Mine goes off her food a bit in the heat, too - and she's just been shedding spectacularly and had a bit of trouble with hairballs.

My other half had a similar pissed up meltdown about how it was all different for me because it was me who wanted the baby a couple of months back. Threw me into a proper panic, tbh. He did, however, recant the next day, and admit that it had been extremely unfair of him and that he has always wanted kids in a vague sort of way, and me having been the one to declare that it was time NOW was basically just me pushing our lives forward and organising stuff actually happening the same way I do with everything because he's a dithery bastard. He said he was just feeling really scared and awful because he had been trying to be brave around me, and therefore not asking questions about stuff that worried him, which was clearly fucking stupid. He's perked up a lot about it since, especially since he's realised that I am ALSO terrified. I'm trying to force discussion about stuff I think might be scary for him a bit more often, too, just so it doesn't end up bottled up.

frolic 37+3 now for me. I'm desperately hoping for a late baby. I'm hideously uncomfortable all the time , but I really want to get this house purchase done and get moved before baby is here!

lily panic stations! sounds promising for you!

Lily - OMFG!!!! How many weeks along are you? Either way it's exciting!! I know it doesn't mean that labour is imminent but it's a sign that things are progressing. I've not had any hint of a plug or show yet...makes me think little miss is hibernating in there and that the likelihood of induction is increasing! Love the image of you fishing it out with a spoon! Hahaha!!!

Equimum - my HV was very similar, thankfully I was too lazy/knackered to clean. She only wanted to talk to me about BF and what they do once the baby is here. It's super pointless in my position as we're moving soon anyway, so I'll probably not see her ever again. She was quiet enthusiastic about BF, which I totally understand but it did make me realise that no-one so far has told me the right way or how to make up a bottle properly... hmmm maybe I need to do some research as I have no idea!

Pinkie - I know what you mean about OBEM, I'm not loving this Liverpool hospital as much as the previous places. Plus it feel last night was a bit more about the personal stories rather lots of info about what happens in the birthing room. Totes agree about the lady who felt her CS incision - argh!

Dozy - I would have had a cry too! That's a bit of a last minute bombshell to confess too. I mean it's good he felt able to be honest about it, but c'mon it's a bit late in the day!!! Unless he's maybe just freaking out that it's all going to happen soon, rather than in the distant future. But like Siani said it's probably best to forge some open discussions now as to what to expect. You don't want to be (literally) left holding the baby on your own doing it all whilst he fannies about.

As for me, bloody nothing!! I have my sweep booked in for tomorrow. Which means I'll have to have a tidy up down there in the shower tomorrow morning!! DH is going to come with me, although he does get a bit squeamish so it could be interesting! We'll see what happens post-sweep but if not we've got a huge curry planned for the weekend, in the meantime I'll trying to get my cankles to come down a bit as I'm resigned to flip flops now.

The book sounds fab jockstar. I will definitely download it when I've finished my current read - birth skills by juju something. I'm really enjoying this one. It's all about techniques like breathing during birth.

Sorry you're feeling frustrated mzzf. I'll totally be the same. And sorry you feel like you're getting a cold. Mine is much better today. Like you said unthread, plenty of lemon and honey drinks really do work. Make sure you get plenty of rest as well, just in case labour sneaks up on you.

Your little cat is beautiful dozy. I'm so pleased she is eating a bit for you and wanting to go out. I'm sure she's just s bit hot / bored of her food and will be fine.
Dh has had a couple of freak out's as well during my pregnancy. We totally took this decision together, but every now and again he gets a bit stressed / anxious and the worries come flowing out, then he calms down. Hopefully your partner just needed a bit of a whinge and will feel better for getting it out. I do think we forget how freaky it must be for them to even try and imagine life with a child for the first time. At least we have the bump to help make all the changes feel a bit more real.

OMG lily!! Shit's getting real!!!!! I'm laughing at you fishing it out with a spoon - had to be done. I'm not clued up enough about these things, but surely it must mean something's moving in the right direction? How exciting! All those happy hormones from yesterday must have done the trick. Take it easy now.

Fingers crossed your baby stays put for a bit longer siani, so you can get the house and move sorted.

So, my last day at work is done!! It feels really, really strange that I won't be going back for 10 months. I had a lovely lunch with some colleagues and some nice flowers and gifts. I managed to leave without getting emotional, but sobbed all the way home.

Talking of sobbing, I was a proper wreck watching obem last night. And dh looked like he was going to cry as well. I still don't really believe we're having a baby most of the time. But watching them with their new bundles bought it just that little bit closer to reality.

Almost forgot THANK YOU all for telling me I can eat Stilton
I bloody love you for it!!

No idea how I missed that! I've been quite lax about a lot of the 'rules', but for some reason I've deprived myself of the best cheese. Idiot!

Guess what we'll be having for dinner?

Frolic- yay for finishing work! Get your feet up! After googling all day plug can mean labour imminent or anywhere up to another couple of weeks away but yes Defo means moving in he right direction! At least fingers crossed it should mean I don't go overdue! Love the idea of the happy hormones yesterday taking effect! Can't take it easy just yet I'm off for the weekend now but still got Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in work!!

Mzzf- sorry your still waiting, I'm 37+1 today but like I say nothing might happen for another few weeks- I'm hoping that's the case as like Siani I want to get house move done first- we exchanged today and complete a week tommorrow so hopefully he'll hang on!

Pinkie- I agree OBEM is always them on their backs/ CS and I'm always saying to the TV- get UP move around!!!! Next weeks looks better than yesterday's I think.

Dozy- sorry about your DP I'm sure it's just getting real and scary and he'll come through. My DH had a meltdown a month before we conceived after we'd been trying for 8 months- I say he had a meltdown it was more like I did in reaction to him turning round after all that time trying and saying 'I don't want kids'- I was devastated but when we talked it out it turned out he was scared he had a problem and couldn't have kids as it was taking a while and so he wouldn't feel inadequate said he didn't want them- or didn't yet- when I pointed out our age and future career plans that made the time now perfect he took a few days but then realised it was perfect and now he is probably more excited than me- I shit myself every so often about having a baby!!

Equimum- yep we're pretty much packed only the stuff we need like like essential kitchen things etc to go!! Eeeeek!!

Those of you who have had sweeps what do they do? I'm 40 weeks mon and one booked in for wed.

I'll let you know later August as I have one booked for this morning! Argh, I'm nervous!!