The relaxed grads.

[lostindubai]

Joining from the relaxed TTC-ers. Hoping to see everyone here soon

My stats:
Age 36
DS 29 months old, still bf once a day at bedtime.
Currently 7 weeks pregnant.
History: had a mc at 9 weeks prior to DS - also had bleeding while pg with him but all was well.

Been feeling constantly ill for a week now! Last time I ate to feel better but it doesn't make any difference this time. Only actually been sick twice though. Had to fess up to the parents/PILs already as so off colour. Started taking spatone sachets today to try and increase my energy levels. Looking forward to speaking with a midwife to see what else I can do, if anything.

Great update Rocksie so glad to hear you and your little boy are well.. Sounds like you had positive experience in special care but am sure it is a relief to be home. Sounds like your DH is smitten with your boy. Take lots of photos they grow so quickly and aren't newborns for long!

Are you on mat leave yet infrance ? Hope you can enjoy some rest before the big day and that your relatives can help with your DD to enable this to happen! Am trying to balance doing productive things like cooking things for freezer /getting baby stuff ready ...with resting and going for the odd swim/ film/ seeing friend for lunch to make the most of these precious last few days before world turns again

Any signs or twinges yet Lost? Think your due date is a couple of days away...mine is the 14th so a week later. Had some dull period type pain but no Braxton hicks yet...hope scan went well and on track for your MLU.

Sally your nursery sounds fab. With our DD we also didn't want pink and like rocksie went with a forest theme. But it's quite a soft green and calming when you are in her room.

Our NCT group have also just started to have their babies too, so very exciting times!

Hey everyone!
Rocksie so glad all turned out well and you're home now! He sounds like he's built of strong stuff. Special times indeed!

Sally I know it's impossible 100% the first time, but try not to be scared. You're likely statistically to not have anything dreadful happen, and while I think most people find labour very painful, it's generally like pain from lots of very hard physical work- your uterus is just an enormous muscle that has very strong cramps after all. It's not usually like "bad" pain from being burned or something. Thinking positively about it can make a big difference on how you cope, and there's always a safety net of many forms of pain relief when you need it.

Everyone's colours and decorations in the nurseries sound lovely. We aren't really going to use the space that way; judging by last time, I'll have the baby in to bedshare with me from the start (much easier for night feeds and also totally safe if you do it following guidelines). So the 2nd bedroom will still be DDs playroom.

I'm struggling to really get my head around it being genuinely imminent- I think not having a job, and therefore no defined maternity leave date, yet a lot of work still to do makes it feel unreal. Having a hard time focusing on getting things finished though, keep distracting myself on facebook wrap groups as it satisfies the nesting urge, as well as dreaming about new car . I sort of feel like I'm wasting this 'calm before the storm' time before baby arrives . But I HAVE nearly finished knitting the blanket!

Physically I'm weirdly not bad today, generally baby feels huge and very "elbowey", lots of big movements still, it gets worse in the evenings. Most annoying symptom is very sensitive bellybutton, it was very deep and now there's nothing left as its all poking out, very sore skin!

Not had those stabby pains very much this time Dubai, I don't think baby's engaged properly yet. Sometimes brief sciatica-like pain in groin/inner thigh, I think when her head presses on a nerve maybe. LOTS of Braxton Hicks going on, but that happened last time too for final few weeks. Last time I think the plug went a few days before my waters, so I'm looking out for that every time in the toilet (TMI!) Still hope I'll make it to my UK due date (15th) at the least.

Thinking of everyone lots and sending good wishes especially to Dubai who surely will be next!!
xxx

Congrats to blue and rocksie! Great news! Hope you are both well and both babies are well too.

Sorry to be absent. Pregnancy has definitely not been straight forward. Had a third hospital admission at 35 weeks but now I'm almost 37 weeks on Friday!! Been on bed rest which is hard with dd but at this point I just want baby out! Sick of daily contractions. Also having a hyperemesis flare up.

How's everyone getting on?

Gah, Reebok just dropping in again to send big hugs and your way, this has been such a tough (horrible? awful?!) experience for you. I'm so glad you're nearly at the finishing post, you deserve the easiest most blissed out labour after all this. I know you know this too, but once you have the tiny newborn in your arms, you will really be able to move on and it won't matter so much.

xx

Thank you infrance. Your words really do mean a lot. Here's hoping I go into labour soon. But honestly after this baby arrives I'm done. My body clearly just can't deal with pregnancy. I feel sad that I haven't been able to enjoy a single day of it. It's literally been hell.

Sorry to hear it's been so crap to the end Reebok, hopefully the baby will decide to arrive sooner rather than later.

Great that you're back home and it's all going well Rocksie!

We're still in hospital but our little man is doing well. He's been treated for jaundice and is healthy but he hasn't got the hang of breastfeeding yet so they're not letting us go home :( hopefully it won't be too much longer, but I suppose you can't rush these things. Now that we're approaching the 2 week mark in hospital I do feel like my sanity might start drifting away soon though!

Looking forward to hearing more birth announcements soon :)

Hi all. Still hanging on here! I have one very active baby who still likes to regularly headbutt my nerves down below (ouch!) but no signs of imminent labour yet. My other half is cooking a curry for dinner this evening and my next midwife appointment is Wednesday when we'll talk about sweeps, if I get that far. Last time I went into labour spontaneously when my waters went two days late. Ds was born a day later on the third day. Unless I have a very quick labour today, this baby will officially be later than the first! I actually don't mind. I mean, my legs and feet are killing me with the extra weight, but I don't have huge amounts to do now.

For my birthday treat I had a mum-to-be pamper package at our local leisure centre. Involves a lovely back neck and shoulder massage (sitting up), followed by a 'bump facial' lots of conditioning treatments on the bump, accompanied by foot and hand massage. It was lovely (had one last time too!)

Sally how did your assessment go on Thursday? Hope you're feeling more positive now. I absolutely love the sound of your nursery colour scheme! Wish I was more alternative hehe! I went for a woodland theme with my eldest (similar to Apple and Rocksie by the sound of it, with calming greens and browns). This time we're going with a garden theme, so green and blue and lots of cute characters like ladybirds, bees and butterflies.

Rocksie it's lovely to read your update. Glad you're settling in at home with BabyRocksie, he sounds fab.

InFrance you're knitting a blanket for your baby, how sweet! What a fab thing to do. She will treasure it always How are you feeling? I managed to alleviate the belly button pain by wearing a huge tubigrip on my bump, given to me by the physio. Are your wraps helping at all? I'm also getting plenty of BH but same as you that's nothing unusual really.

Reebok my heart goes out to you it really does. You're on the home stretch now. Come on BabyReebok, mummy needs a break!

Oh Blue, lovely to hear from you. I hope little one catches on to breastfeeding asap so you can get home. How are you feeling? Hope you're being looked after just as well as he is.

Haven't heard from Decca for a while, I hope she's OK.

Hugs to all of you! X

Hi Grads,

Blue sorry to hear you're still in hospital and baby is struggling with feeding. Have you considered calling a BF helpline? If you try La Leche League, they are fully accredited counsellors, number is 0845 120 2918. They may well have some ideas or tips beyond those hospital staff have. I spoke to someone in UK when I had last baby here in France because of problems, it was incredibly helpful just to go through it with someone who knew their stuff.

Dubai, I saw some interesting birth stats that basically suggest we should all talk about "due fortnights", as the peak for starting labour falls in between 40-42w, and all this tradition of "due date" bang on 40w does is stress people out IMHO. I won't even be considered for a sweep here until 41w.
Hope the spicy curry and anything else you're trying helps, as I'm sure you're still super uncomfortable, despite lovely sounding pamper package!

About the blanket... well I actually started it for DC1 but never finished before the birth, so was determined this time!

Yes can't wait for more babies, hoping to hear good news from Sally as she's not posted for a week! And yes, let's cheer Reebok's little one to come out soon!

I'm SO uncomfortable most of the time now, been whinging about various ailments on an active "Full Term Club" thread in the Pregnancy section (said hi to Reebok there too!). The wraps do help, and I've also got a tube thing I sleep in. Had a bad dream the other day that the baby was all folded up inside and uncomfortable, she had a little crying face, it wasn't nice. think I'm getting to the sick-of-it stage, not even nervous about the labour now.

I'm up for sharing an anonymous photo of the little one when she arrives, would love to see pics from the other babies already here and still to come, even the back of a little head or a hand will be very cheering to see we are all doing ok. xx

Hey everyone hope you are all doing ok

Sorry I haven't posted in a while been really busy trying to do all the last minute things and squeezing in seeing friends before baby is here. Can't believe I have just 3 weeks to go it's gone so fast!

I had my assessment at the birthing centre and it went really well my iron levels are all ok again now and everything else checked out unfortunately they couldn't say wether I could deffo give birth there or not until I have had this scan on Friday at the hospital to check out the excess amniotic fluid levels from my last scan. It's really annoying as I'm trying to prepare for labour but am in a kind of limbo as I'm not sure where I will be really hope it's not a hospital but if it is at least me and bubba will be looked after. Will update on Friday and let you all know what happens.

Dubai was wondering whether you had had baby yet will keep an eye out for a birth announcement any day now lol. That pamper day sounds like bliss glad you enjoyed it

Rocksie thank you for the update so glad everything is going well and you are settling in at home enjoy your gorgeous new son x

Blue sorry to hear you are still in hospital I hope he starts feeding properly soon so you can go home ASAP x like everyone else I hope you are ok and being looked after as well

reebok lovely to hear from you sorry that this pregnancy has been so hard and miserable for you not long left now like everyone else I will Chant and hope baby reebok makes an appearance soon so you can finally feel normal again

Infrance making a blanket is such a beautiful idea I'm not very creative so I just have a scrapbook which I have been a bit lax in filling in tbh although will probably finish it now that I've got my hospital bag packed and everything ready. Will give me something to do while I wait for baby arrival.

I cannot believe how close evryone is to meeting they're little ones I still remember being on the Relaxed TTC board when it was a dream of mine to be a mum but my OH kept changing his mind and I wasn't sure if he meant it and now we are here it's been a crazy journey and I have loved talking to you all.

I'm up for sharing a photo when she arrives if people would like I wondered what people's feelings were about that myself.

Hi all

I'm 41 weeks today! Saw midwife yesterday who is happy to let me go to 42, however I am booked in for a sweep tomorrow morning, and possibly another on Sunday as I really don't want to be induced. I agree with those stats InFrance, I think the due date should be more of a window than a specific date. I am happy to wait for baby, it allows me more time to practice hypnobirthing.

Having said that, last night I ate lots of pineapple in an effort to shift things along naturally, and I've been going for some short walks too as the weather's been lovely. It's only my feet which are a problem now, rather than my pelvis, which is only niggling me when I get up at night now really. I'm making plans on a day by day basis now and luckily I have flexible friends who are still willing to visit!

The midwife yesterday was new to me and after having a feel she estimated baby's around the 8lb mark I'm usually very petite and struggled with 7lb12 ds, but I assume baby's putting weight on around the body rather than the head so I'm not unduly worried.

Anyway baby is happy and still has some wriggle room left so I'm quite satisfied all is well. In fact I'm up now because he/she is being active!!

What a horrible dream you had InFrance I bet that freaked you out. Must admit I did a quick Google the other day as I thought I might have hurt baby by bending over too far. Seems they're incredibly well protected in there, but it doesn't stop us worrying, does it!

Yay about iron levels Sally! Just hope tomorrow's scan goes well, look forward to hearing about that. You reminded me that I need to get a record book for the new baby! I do find them a hassle but I think it's a nice thing to do. Still have some work to do on ds' one actually

Aww I know, looking back at the TTC board it doesn't seem so long ago, although so much has happened in between! Nice to look back on one day if MN keeps them online.

I'm also up for adding a pic when the time comes, and would love to see others too. So exciting!

Xx

Hi All,

Hope your sweep goes well tomorrow Lost and it brings the baby on..in an attempt to move things on spicy curry and sex tomorrow I think as have been hitting the dates, raspberry leaf tea and pineapple already lol!

Been reading your updates Reebok and Infrance on the full term thread. Hoping that your promising signs & symptoms develop into labour and you are meeting your babies v soon.

Been on an emotional roller coaster this week from being totally fed up of pregnancy and feeling impatient to now coming to terms with it going past my due date ( today). Think my hormones are all over the place.

Wishing you all the best for the imminent arrivals & would be up for sharing a little pic x

Hey everyone just a quick update I had my scan today and they found that I did have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) but scan showed baby looked fine. After the scan I spoke to the doctor because there is no reason that they can see for it I'm being induced TOMORROW!!(technically today as its after midnight) [shocked] I'm really scared now and birth plan is totally out the window I had a good cry and panic but she will be here in 3 days at the most which is really exciting so trying to stay positive will update again when she is here

I wish everyone luck on their new arrivals I hope it all goes smoothly for you all and I look forward to seeing the birth announcements

Dammit I meant emoticon fail lol

oh Sally , I'm sorry you've had this sudden change forced upon you, but try not to worry, many many inductions go well. I'm here crossing my fingers for you and SO excited that your daughter will be the next thread baby!!
Good luck and hope to hear update soon.

Apple sorry you've been stressed out by the due date going past. It's really normal to go beyond 40 weeks though Good luck with getting things moving!

I'm a bit the opposite, am happy to go to 41 as I can get more work finished!

Dubai hope your sweep went ok, and you've been quiet maybe because it worked I admit I'm frightened of having sweeps, it sounds grim and painful. Will try and avoid if I can.

I'm full of boring complaints about minor pain and being uncomfortable all the time, but at least parents and here and DH is at home too, so DC1 is being very well looked after while I carry on working from home.
It's still not feeling real though!!!

Well I'm up at this time in the night because I'm feeding my little baby daughter! Had the sweep on Friday morning and my waters broke on Saturday just after 2am, contractions started immediately and were very intense and frequent. Got to the hospital just in time to use the pool and she was born after only three hours labour I can't believe I was that lucky. She's beautiful, I will post a pic when I get myself together. We spent most of yesterday in our delivery room in the MLU waiting to be discharged as I had a fainting episode afterwards in the shower (iron reserves dropped, surprise surprise!) and I think they were short staffed as baby's checks weren't done till late. Anyway we got ds to visit so he could meet his baby sister and he thought she was very cute but very loud! Rich, coming from him

Anyway she's feeding like a trouper and was 8lb 7oz so doesn't fit into most of the clothes I'd prepared for her!

We didn't have time to set up most of the hypnobirthing stuff, but I did use the breathing techniques and visualisations, and we had the music playing. The gas and air certainly helped! I had some stitches afterwards but it was still a much much better experience for me than last time which I will always be grateful for.

InFrance the sweep wasn't too unpleasant - not much worse than a smear test (depends what your opinion of smear tests is though!!)

Apple, mine was 9 days late in the end but it did pass quickly. I hope you can find lots to do to fill it.

Sally, wow things have certainly happened for you! I wonder if your little one has arrived yet, or if you're in the process of meeting her right now? Can't wait to hear your news when it comes x

Oh forgot to mention we did a physiological delivery of the placenta (which I stayed in the pool for) and it was really lovely and only took about 15 minutes. No clamping the cord till it had arrived. Placentas are pretty amazing things when you have a proper look at them

congratulations Lost wonderful news to wake up to! was wondering how you were getting on. What a positive birth story to hear, glad it all went so well for you. Lovley healthy weight and hope feeding is going smoothly too ... Enjoy the newborn bubble

Hope you can relax Infrance doesn't sound fun having to work at this stage , hope you are getting lots of support.

Probably having a sweep on Monday as still no real signs

Congratulations Lost ! I'm really glad to hear the birth went pretty smoothly and you your DS approves of his little sister :)

Sally I hope yours has gone / goes well too, it's a bit of a shock having your birth plan changed for you but I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm still a little bit in shock about how much mine changed but I think I'm getting over it!

We left hospital a few days ago after spending just over 2 weeks in transitional care. DS still has a tube in his nose but rarely needs it as he's doing much better at breastfeeding. Thank you for the breastfeeding support contact details by the way, I'll definitely get in touch with them. We're still pretty housebound as we've been told to try and avoid other people for a couple of weeks as prem babies are more vulnerable to infection. I had pictured lots of trips to coffee shops and cafes but we'll get there eventually.

I'm finding the newborn stage a bit stressful as he's so tiny and skinny and I feel bad for wishing away his first couple of months, but I can't wait for a bit more time to pass so he's chunkier and less fragile. Maybe I'd feel like that anyway even if he'd gone full term though! We're being visited by neonatal nurses twice a week and the one that came a couple of days ago weighed him. He hadn't put on quite as much weight as they'd like, which I felt awful about but I'm not sure why as I've been feeding as much as possible so I shouldn't really blame myself. He's being weighed again in 2 days and I'm already starting to feel nervous that he's still not putting on enough weight :(

I hope everyone's doing well, looking forward to hearing more updates!

Hi all, nothing much to report here. Still having daily contractions. Yesterday they went from 10 to 5..back to 10 apart...this was from 11am to 2am this morning so as you can imagine I'm shattered. Also vomiting has gotten worse and I'm bunged up with a cold. I honestly can't wait to no longer be pregnant ever again.

So happy to hear your news lost! Congrats!! Enjoy baby cuddles. How is ds getting on with having a sibling? Any advice concerning a toddler and a newborn will be welcome!

France, hope baby doesn't leave you waiting too long. And you too Apple.

Sally thinking of you. Hope the induction goes well.

Blue please don't feel guilty about weight gain. Baby will be fine.

Here's hoping I have some baby news soon on my next update. X

Yay, congratulations Dubai!! Wonderful you had a straightforward positive labour and managed to use the pool too.
I wanted to see the placenta too last time but they misunderstood me (probably garbled French) and whipped it away. This time I feel differently about it and just crossing my fingers it stays intact/doesn't otherwise cause trouble.

Blue the newborn phase is highly stressful whatever happens, you're sleep deprived, still full of hormones and emotions, and you have added worries on top. Reebok is right, don't let the weight thing get on top of you, if you are BF every time he asks for it (look out for all the signals - mouth opening, tongue out, touching face with hand) then you are building your supply the best way, and as long as no other issues he will put on weight at his own pace. May always be small, my DD is too, she was average at birth size but has never got very big and mostly between 10-20% percentile.
Do talk to the LLL as soon as you can, they will most likely put your mind at rest, and also give you contacts for someone properly qualified to come out and check he is feeding optimally too.

Sally hope induction went ok for you and you are busy with newborn sunggles right now!

Reebok as always sending (peppermint or whatever doesn't make you feel sick!). Can't wait to hear your news when it comes.

I'm feeling sorry for myself despite good news, had my final ob-gyn check, placenta has moved away a bit from cervix, now nearly 4cm so that's pretty safe. Still only 1cm dliated and cervix is long, so probably be a few days yet. Got another check on Saturday (41w) where they'll offer sweep, might take it as they are a bit keen in induction otherwise.
But SUPER stressed by work (I have a small short-term contract) , they're suddenly telling me have to finish it all in next 2 weeks, so no chance for even a short baby-moon , which means trying to do a lot of laptop work when highly uncomfortable and tired. Feeling like I'm neglecting baby already somehow. Had bad dreams again too, it's all getting on top of me.

Hey everyone just got a chance to get online and update. My gorgeous baby girl is here! Me daddy and nanny and grandad are totally smitten she was born at 6.57am yesterday . I had quite a difficult labour and ended up on the hormone drip and they put it all the way up to 60! but really proud because I managed it with just gas and air and pethidine. It's amazing what we women can do!

Congratulations Dubai! 3 hours wow so glad to hear you had a straightforward positive labour experience x

Will read the thread throughly and respond in turn in a second post soon good luck to everyone with babies still waiting to enter this world and to all who have their beautiful new additions I hope things are going well X

Can't wait to see the birth announcements coming through will post a pic probably sometime tomorrow take care everyone x

congratulations Sally on safe arrival of your little girl.

Our DS arrived yesterday born at home after 4 hour labour, was very relaxed and calm. Daddy also very delighted with his son. Introducing our DD to her new baby brother today very excited.

sending all positive thoughts to Reebok and infrance for your deliveries x

Wonderful news apple, so glad you got the homebirth you wanted! Eek so many thread babies now!

Have reached a funny place emotionally, it doesn't feel real still, am consumed by work worries (and financial), and am getting stressed about possibly having to be induced next week, so we DTD to try and get cervix in a more favourable state at least for a sweep on saturday (if i'm brave enough). This second time round business is not fun. AND I noticed yesterday that epic stretchmarks have appeared on bump suddenly, it has been stinging a lot I guess.
Feel silly as I'm so lucky to even be in this position of having a baby (memories of MC in June), right now just want to be able to spoil myself a bit but it's not possible.
Sorry for depressing post, just struggling a lot now (40 + 6 today).

Actually going in for monitoring and possibly sweep today, unexpectedly changed appointment. Been having painful braxton hicks/ actual contractions today (feeling like period pains, which is what it was like last time), so who knows what might happen. Nervous!