August 2015 Part 4

[Dani240]

New thread for all of us August ladies!

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

Congratulations Lily. Try tea tree oil in the bath once you get home - I found it really helped when I has stitches last time (as well as slightly frozen maternity pads).

Happy due date August. I hope your LO doesn't keep you waiting too long.

Joskar, sorry your LO isn't letting you get much rest. It's tough second time round, isn't it. I hope you get a sleeper this time (it's what we're also really praying for after the monkey we have).

mzzzf I hope the sweep hurries things along.

Ruby enjoy this first part of maternity leave.

I was planning to keep active and do some really nice outings with DS this week, while DH is working abroad. Unfortunately, DS has come down with chicken pox!!!!!! GP doesn't think there's much risk to baby, but if it comes soon it may get chicken pox itself. Can I join the 'baby, please stay put' posse please?

Sorry to hear that your DS has chicken pox Equimum. Hope he has a speedy recovery and your little one stays put for you!

Thanks Claire. Yes, sitting is a real struggle for me too. I keep lying on the sofa and then really regretting it when I need to get up. I'm particularly struggling to sit in the car. I'm dreading that being really uncomfortable when I need to go to labour ward.

Congrats lily!

I have a sweep wed so hopefully that may shift him a bit :)

I'm really struggling with sitting, too Claire. I'm under 5' tall, and it's both too low and too high - I can't breathe if I sit normally at my desk, and it's pushed right up into the wheel when I drive. I shouldn't really be driving as it's WAY too close to the airbag to be safe, but I've only got a few more days of work to go, and all my driving is in town so I think the risk from it is quite small. Literally the only comfortable positions are standing up and lying down!

I've been out in the car this afternoon but as a passenger, I don't think I could attempt driving at the moment in case I get sharp stabbing pains. Where I live the lanes are full of pot holes and sure enough baby moved positions and I had several stabbing pains so I think she was head butting me! I have half an hour journey to reach the labour ward so really not looking forward to that!

Thanks claire, I've been much more comfortable the past few days. I think he was protesting at the 3 hours in a cramped theatre seat.
How are your braxton hicks doing? I was getting loads, but the seem to have slowed down loads now. Period type pains must also be good. I hope you're not too sore.
I'm trying to remember to drink some raspberry leaf tea every day and take the capsules. I'm actually getting to quite like the tea.
I was complaining to dh last night that I'm finding it hard to stay sitting up. But then when I slide down, I Really struggle to get up. Grunting loudly seems to help

fanby, sounds like you've been keeping nice and busy. Ouch to the tampon feeling ! But that's got to be a good sign. I hope you're hospital appt was ok and that your neighbours builders are quiet by now.

How are the moving plans coming along siani? All in the right direction I hope? I'm only 36+3, so you can totally have some of my extra days if you want!

Happy edd august!! Fingers crossed you won't have to wait to long now.

Enjoy your first day of maternity leave ruby.

I'm also convinced I'll go over dozy. I do like the idea of 39 weeks as well. Maybe we could put our orders in at the same time?!

When are you 37 weeks iwsh? I won't be until Friday. These last few weeks are going to drag so slowly I think.

Sorry you're still pregnant mzzf. Sending you lots of go into labour quickly vibes. How long now until the big move?

I hope you're ok jockstar. It sounds like it might be time to really get sorting the stuff out.

I hope your ds makes a speedy recovery equimum.

I'm feeling a bit fed up today. Everything was perfect at the midwife appt. but he's not engaged, despite all the heavy feelings I'm having down below. And I'm back up over the 90th percentile for growth. I just feel like he's going to be very late and very big - and I don't really fancy either of those options.
And dh's family are holidaying near by and getting on my every last nerve. We met them for lunch today. Sil and mil are so different to me. And so full of 'helpful' advice that I'm dreading seeing them again later this week.

Glad you've felt more comfortable Frolic. I'm still having loads of braxton Hicks, they seem to happen more at night. I can be stood up or sat (slouched!) down when they happen. Feeling very sore tonight so I'm going to try the birthing ball to see if that helps.

Glad everything was well at your midwife appointment. I was told that the head can pop in and out of the pelvic area. My baby was 3/5 engaged last week but was told it doesn't mean anything! It did to me. I was really excited. It will be interesting to see if her head is engaged this week.

Oh I can sympathise with you over your in laws! Funny how they are full of 'helpful' advice! I see mine once a week!

I'm on my ball now claire! Trying to get him to move down. I know it doesn't really mean anything, but I was so convinced he'd moved down. And I'm so over being pregnant. I've started being sick quite a bit again, which is probably why I feel so fed up today.

My in-law's are mostly ok - just so different to me. And super excited about the baby. It can be a bit overwhelming at times. They were planning today when would be a good time for me to have him around their work / summer holiday schedules - I found myself passively aggressively telling them not to worry to much about rushing to see him since we'll probably have him around for about 18 years! Hopefully they'll realise I was just grumpy. Maybe it would be better if he stays in a bit longer so they're all back at work / school etc.
I hope you're ok tonight. I'm trying to persuade myself to take the dog out, but it's pissing it down and my raincoat won't close.

Frolic, I thought once the head was engaged it would stay that way! I had no idea it could pop back in and out.

I had a go with the ball. It did seem to help.

I normally get on with my in laws but like you I find I'm being grouchy when plans are being made already. I know they mean well but it irritates me when they say things like they will sit in the hospital cafe when I'm in labour and DH can pop back and forth to keep them posted! I just want to spend some time with my baby and DH when she arrives without the visitors flooding in!

It's actually dry tonight here so no muddy paws! Yesterday was a different story though. It's funny how my dog hates having a bath but is more than happy to roll around in muddy puddles!

Ah Frolic sorry you're having a crappola time of it, it sucks doesn't it! I'm the same way with rain jackets for dog walking, I am now resigned to being a fair weather walker as nothing fits!!
And yes Claire - why will they willingly march through all manner of wet crap out on a walk but clean water at home, no way!! Little gits.

I agree with the idea that once the head was engaged it stayed that way, especially with first time mothers but maybe it's the degree of engagement so maybe the 2/5, 4/5 type number changes. At my last appt they thought she was 1/5 engaged only, God I hope she's wiggled down a bit!

And for those not yet at due date - be glad! Once you get to the official due date you get lots of lovely daily calls, texts and emails asking if you've given birth yet - ARRRGGHHH!!!! I'm the same with some of my family, in that they are so different to me so I can't just day 'bugger off' without them having a meltdown. I'm finding managing everyone else's expectations annoying but very slowly my 'give-a-fuck-o-meter' is heading towards zero!

So far I've done curry, orgasms, long walks, bouncing and circling on the gym ball and praying haha! Nothing is occurring. It's true what they say that they'll come when they are ready and not before and that all these 'old wives' concoctions only really gee up something that's already happening.

Next internal and sweep attempt is booked in for Wednesday afternoon, wonder if I'll need it!!

Claire I know exactly what you mean about plans being made and everything. I've had to be EXTREMELY firm with family about wanting a couple of weeks to find our feet and get a new routine before they come to stay and meet the baby. Nearly fell out with my Dad about it as he just couldn't see how I wouldn't want people staying with me to help!

I just want to feel like I've got the hang of things at least a little bit, and to have time to feel like the three of us are a family !

Oh my god claire, are they really planning to sit in the cafe while you labour? That really is a step to far.
We don't really see the in-law's much. But they are super excited about the new arrival and I think we'll be seeing them a whole lot more when he arrives. I feel like I've made lots of effort with them over the years and pisses me off a bit that I'm suddenly good enough now I'm pregnant.

I'm impressed with your eviction efforts mzzf! I do hope you go into labour soon, but if not, keep having fun trying . I bet the 'any news' texts and calls are maddening.

I managed to drag myself out with dh and frolicdog. The rain stopped so I didn't really have an excuse. Frolicdog is an old lady now and prefers not to go out in the rain. i'm taking her to the vets tomorrow to get a lump checked. She's so terrified that she usually has to sit on my lap in the waiting room. No idea how that will work with my 95th percentile bump!

Oh poor frolicdog, hopefully it's just an age related fatty lump. One of my girlies has one too. I'm so emotionally invested in the doggies it makes me think what the hell it will be like with my own children rather than my furry ones!

Claire - I didn't clock that bit about the cafe!! Surely they are joking?!

I know what you mean about how bearing children has elevated my status somewhat, although I know it's not about me, but with it comes some benefit in that we now hold some of the power! Mwahahahah cue evil taking over the world laughter

Thanks mzzf. She had loads of fatty lumps removed last year. This is more of a wart type thing and is bothering her a bit because I keep catching her licking it. She had a cancerous lump out a few years back as well. I'm dreading the vets because it's almost exactly a year since we had her sister put to sleep. I really don't know how I'll cope if it's serious. But I can't keep putting it off and will be extra brave for her tomorrow.
I like your thoughts on using the childbearing to gain power! Do you have a suitably evil plan? Please share if you do.

How is it that I've been tired and grumpy all day, but now I've been in bed for an hour I feel totally awake?

Good morning! Hope you all managed to sleep well.

Mzzzf, I've already started getting those calls ever since I was 36 weeks! My SIL said yesterday she is feeling rather impatient now and can't wait for the arrival! Not the best time to tell me that when I was feeling sore and uncomfortable.

Sounds like your trying everything you can to move things along. Fingers crossed for you. I guess babies really do arrive when they are ready.

Siani, I might feel differently once baby is here and be glad of all the help. I feel so protective of her already. I can't quite imagine what it will be like to have her here so ideally like you I would like to find my feet first.

Frolic and Mzzf, I really hope they were joking! What worries me is if I do stay in hospital they only allow two visitors at a time. Family will just have to take it in turns but I know some members won't be happy with that and expect to stay for the whole time.

DH had a word with his parents and they have promised not to be a nuisance. Then my MIL says now she has retired she will have more time to help bring up the baby!

I hope Frolicdog is okay and it's good news at the vets. Frolic I hope you managed to sleep in the end.

Hi ladies!

frolic sorry you're feeling crap! If it helps, I'm right with you. Exactly 1 week behind you, head not engaged, measuring big, and bump is still super high. I reckon I'll have a late and large baby too!! My mum and my sister both were induced with first baby, my sister was 3 WEEKS late before she was induced, 2 weeks for mum. And they said that babies heads NEVER engaged until labour. So I'm not holding out much hope there!

claire I can't believe the in-laws are talking about camping out in the canteen while you're in labour, that's like my worst nightmare, talk about feeling under pressure!

mzzzf keep trying to make that baby come out, I'm excited! It really can't be long now surely!

siani I am beginning to think I would like the first two weeks of just me and DH without visitors. At first I thought that was so unreasonable but now I know how hard it can be the first two weeks (establishing BFing etc, and with DH only having 2 weeks paternity) I'm thinking more and more about it. But I think my family would be so upset! I just don't know how to broach it at all. When my sister had her baby she didn't have a partner around so was happy to have me and my mum there a lot. But I'm not sure myself! Argh, so difficult!

Anyway, it's my last week at work!! Feels like a milestone! I think I am so focused on finishing work that the actual fact of having a baby soon hasn't quite sunk in. In fact I don't think it will until I have him in my arms. Currently planning how to spend my maternity leave productively, although I know in reality I probably won't end up doing a lot at all...

Pinkie enjoy your last week at work! Ii personally don't think it's unreasonable to want to wait until visitors start arriving. My mum is being fantastic and remembers all too well what it was like. She has offered to do the cleaning, cooking etc while DH and I spend time with our baby. That kind of help I don't mind! Think I have visions of people turning up as soon as we leave the hospital! I've told my mum I'm going to need her advice and help with the baby and instead of pressuring me she said she is there for me anytime!

I hope Frolicdog gets on okay at the vet and the lump is nothing serious.

Pinkie, I hope your last week at work flies by. Remember to plan in plenty of rest and 'me time' when thinking about how to use the first bit of maternity leave.

Aaargh, ILs and baby arrivals!!! Last time, we were adamant that we want space after the baby arrived. My ILs booked two weeks at a local hotel and rocked up at 11am the day after we got home. We practically kicked them out at 6pm, having fed and watered both them and SIL/BIL who turned up just behind them!!! Meanwhile, my mum visited just as we got discharged from hospital and ended up coming home with us. She held DS while I made cups of tea and DH cooked dinner. She then ushered me off to the bedroom when DS needed feeding! The moral of the story is to stay strong to what you want.

What I really liked last time round was the fact that nobody knew I was in labour. We only called my mum a few hours after DS arrived. For me, childbirth was a really private thing an I am really uncomfortable with the fact we are going to need to call my mum as soon a I go into labour this time (due to needing her to look after DS). I really don't don't like the idea if her being around for some reason.

Oh equimum that's a bit intense! In an ideal world I'd like to shut the doors until I'm ready to see people but my Dad is over in the UK at the moment and so logic dictates we should let him visit as otherwise we're talking 5hr flights. And my Mum (separated from Dad) will be our on call dog sitter so she'll know it's happening too. I then have to manage those two coming to visit, at seperate times all whilst we prep for our house move. What the hell am I doing?! Our removal men are booked for one weeks time and DH and I will be travelling up to the new house in 8 days time - FUCK! She better come soon...

My other course of action is to look at booking into a hospital up there in case I really really go overdue and just prey that I keep my legs crossed on the 7hr journey! Haha!

Thanks everyone.
I feel much better today. It took me ages to fall asleep, but i slept well after. And I'm just going to think positive about the vets.

Sorry you are also expecting a big, late baby pinkie. But thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only one. I can't believe your sister was 3 weeks late!! Poor woman! I'll be camping outside the hospital, begging for an induction before my due date at this rate!
Enjoy your last week at work.

I know what you mean equimum about not wanting to tell anyone when you go into labour. We have to get someone, probably my parents, to take the dog, so that spoils any ideas of sloping off to hospital quietly.

Maybe you should ring the new local hospital mzzf. If you get it all sorted, you might evoke Sod's law in that she'll arrive and you won't need the back up plan?

I hope everyone has a good day. I'm trying to be useful and get some paperwork stuff sorted before going to the vets later on. Boring!

mzzzf I can't imagine the stress that an impending long distance move must be causing right now. Can your midwife not prompt a link between your current community service and the one you will be moving to? We moved postnatally last time and all the referrals were made for us. It was surprising seemless and effortless from my POV. Remember you can also present at any hospital if in labour.

Sorry for my prolific posting today. Can you tell that I'm bored rigid?

I'm bored rigid too equimum! DH is off work at the moment and insisting I sofa surf as my feet are bloody huge, plus I think he wants to feel like he's doing something too. He's a good egg.

I'm going to bring up the transfer of info/services thing tomorrow at my MW appt, as even if she pops out with the induction on the weekend I'll only have a couple of days before we haul arse up to Glasgow.

Do you think there are any sure fire ways that work to bring on labour?! ;-) I'm guessing not as otherwise we'd have all been told to avoid them during pregnancy. I'm willing to try most things though!! It would be wonderful if she decided to make an appearance today at some point

Frolic - good luck at the vets!

And I know this sounds stupid but when you go into labour do you really really know about it when it happens, or just when it's more established? I'm kinda worried I won't recognise early signs and then need a mad dash to the hospital. It probably doesn't help that I've not had any BH, or other niggles to compare stuff too.

ARRRGGHHH come on baby!! I'm 40 + 2 today

The vet doesn't think the lump is anything to worry about. Phew!

I've had a productive day so far, so time for a little nap I think.

You must be so frustrated mzzf. It would be so great if there was something you could do. Enjoy your sofa time. You are going to have a busy few weeks between one thing or another, so keep those feet up while you can.

Mzzf I'm 40+1 today so feel your frustration! However I'm not moving so not wuite so urgent for me! Hopefully have sweep tomorrow.