Due Jan '07 part 6: Santa baby, slip a baby under the tree for me (and save me the agony of labour!)

[2Happy]

Well it's one better than coal...

UD - had my MW appointment this morning and I am 4/5ths engaged too - apparently it means only 1/5 of the baby's head is in the pelvis and the rest is sticking out.

xxxx

Long time no post - sorry for the silence but trying to finish at work was manic (and they're still calling/emailing/texting me). They were lovely though and gave me pampering stuff and nice cards and lots of JL vouchers, which I have just blued in the non-existent online sale.

Clearly I've missed loads! Congrats to all those whose babies have arrived/ those who got engaged. And I hope everyone else had a good Christmas. My best pressie - a remote control blue dragon (which also came with a card giving me 2 months of a cleaning service when bub is born - what a star!)

Top three irritating things to say to a pregnant woman:
3) Enjoy your holiday (As she's going on maternity leave) .
2) Take it easy/put your feet up (yes, when someone else does the jobs that otherwise won't get done)
AND at No 1

1. Try and nap in your lunch break (WHAT LUNCH BREAK? WHERE DO I NAP IN AN OPEN PLAN OFFICE? AGGGHHHHH!)

UD - Mine definitely go away when I'm laid down, only to reappear when I'm up and about or sat up in bed....I've looked it up on the net and this is apparently a clear sign that they are only BH and not the real thing, but it also says you shouldn't get more than 4 in an hour and that with any contractions of 5 mins or less before 37 weeks you should go straight in???? My midwife doesn't seem too concerned but I might ring back tonight and see if they will check me over - just for peace of mind if nothing else. I can't sit here just relaxing 24/7 for the next 3/4 weeks!! Not only that, because I'm having so many, my bump feels sore now, and when baby moves it feels different somehow?? I don't know, you'd think with this being my 3rd I'd know what's what......but I feel like a complete novice

Loubie xx

Hello Ladies ... Guess what ...

Baby Will arrived quite unexpectedly on Friday afternoon weighing in at 3.2Kg at 36+3 weeks and he's doing OK.

The last week has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster as I arrived at hospital at 11 am but told I had to be transferred to the city as mw led unit can only deal with births after 37 weeks. Made a bit of a fuss and insisted DH took me in 2 seater sports car as this would be faster rather than the ambulance but this was overruled by everyone !!! Dont think I was in a good mental frame of mind att that time !!!

Little Will arrived 20 minutes after arriving at the 2nd hospital. Very quick, 3 pushes and he was out which left him with wet lungs which wouldnt happen if he was squeezed for longer apparantely . Unfortunately due to this, combined with immature lungs he had to go special care but hopefully he'll be out very soon as he's improving every day.

Must go, got an appointmwnt with the breast pump now (much more painful than giving birth IMO.)

Good luck to everyone else xx

Had aMW appt today, had to take the Ds's with me and almost left in tears because they were so badly behaved. I'm ashamed of them TBH. Not so much Ds3, he;s only 3 so a bit of waywardness from him is to be expected but the other 2. Well...I couldn't even look at them when we got home I was so mad.

MW at 36wks said I'm having abig baby, measuring big. MW today said I'm carrying a lot of water and smallish baby.
FFS...I just fucked off with it all now.
She called the hospital to get a consulatnet appt, asked for one ASAP this week and the earliest thay had was next tuesday. A week before my due date.... Whats the fucking point of that?? God forbid if there is anything wired going on in there.

God< I really am soooo fed up with it all now. I'm so jealous of all you lucky ladies who have your babies.
I think I might bow out of this thread now TBH. I'm really fed up, really jealous and feeling really down (and abit scared if you want the truth)the only things I'm going to post is miserable self-pitying moans.
I know you're all thats waat MN is here for but I'm also fed up with "hearing" myself moan about it all.

Good luck everyone, I hope it all goes well for all of you.

Congrats Coffebaubles I'll have to work on that updated list!!

LTH Don't go we all have days like yours hate taking dd to midwife as she always tries to squeeze all the jelly out of the tube for the doppler! Just remember it really isnt long now, can your midwife do home antenatel appts I think they offer them after 36weeks where I am and the midwidfe comes to you on her morning rounds?

Hd my consultant appt today meant to be at 1 he arrived at 2.20! Had another small bleed this morning so he wanted to keep me in but we compromised any more bleeding I'll go in and have section within 24hours. He tried to bring forward my section from the 5th to the 2nd (only do them planned on tues and fri) but fully booked for the 2nd so will be having baby friday 5th january in the morning (unless any bleeding then it'll be that ay, just got to try not to bleed New Years Eve as noone around to have dd!)

Hope everyone else is okay x

Congratulations Coffeebauble - what a lovely xmas surprise (you lucky so and so )

LTH - don't go, it's nice to hear from others too who are just as fed up as what I feel, I'm like you now, sick to the back teeth of all this. I'm so envious of those who love being pg and glow throughout - this is my 3rd (and definitely my last despite what DH thinks) and each time it's been 9 months of aches, pains, worry and misery. Like I say, it's nice to know it's not just me who feels like this - if truth be told we're probably all fed now (and scared too, I know I am!) Big hugs xx

EPM - good luck for the big day, hope it all goes well x

Loubie xx
36+4

Congratulations Saltcod on the best Xmas present and to Coffeebaubles - I hope you get to take him home soon! Good luck to all the other ladies who are in and out of hospital and due for c-sections soon.

Made it through Christmas - thank god dh and I stayed home alone. Horrendous at points - cried loads, but also lovely to talk loads about our beautiful son and look at old photos and video clips.

LTH - don't bow out - I love to hear your swearing rants and someone who says f**k as much as I do! You can get pay back from the kids for their nightmare behaviour once bubba is out - start scheming now!

I'm also getting in a bit of flap - I'm so huge now that it's difficult to do most things - I just lumber about feeling like I've been kicked in the groin. All the talk of another growth scan, induction etc is not helping. Please LO - come a little bit early!

Galmum
35+4 weeks

Coffeebeanz - congratulations!! What a whirlwind, hope Will is out soon.
EPM - hope there's no more bleeding, keep us posted!
Loubie - I've never had them as regularly as that - maybe take it as a good sign that things are happening, though personally got sick of people bleating on about every BH being a good practice last time!!
BlueyDragon - PMSL at your list, especially the "enjoy your holiday" one
LTH - it does seem to drag enormously at this stage, and I'm also locked in feelings of "get it over now" but at the same time am so scared that I don't mind if it hangs on. Not just scared of labour, but scared of how the baby will be, how will I cope with it, how will ds cope with it. Coping with all of this but with 3 other kids as well...well I think I'd want to poke the eyes out of every person who'd had a baby before me too!
Galmum - guess there's no option but to keep going, but you do sound exceptionally strong, fingers crossed for an early one for you, too.

I'm home alone with ds now, left dh at his parents house. I went under the premise that ds needed a nap and his cousin was in the cot, but frankly was reaching for the carving knife for mil. Get on better with her the longer it is since the wedding, but she always flaps when catering for lots of people and today was fil's 60th so a right houseful, and mil was shtting budgies. Added to that and her insistence on feeding ds teeth rotting juice, crisps, chocolate and whole grapes (I know, the whole of MN sucked in their collective breath at that one!) while saying "your mummy doesn't let you have these does she".... I'm* in the feckin room too!! I can hear and see what you're doing and I'm the one that's going to have to put the sugar-rushed over excited child to bed, and cope with his tantrums tomorrow when chocolate is suddenly off the menu again. And please could someone tell my childless bil that getting the most irritatingly noisy toy IN THE WORLD as a gift for ds is NOT appreciated
Thank you so much for allowing me to get that off my chest

Hello, this is Oonagh's husband - I'm not long back from the hospital. Oonagh asked me to log on and let you all know that, at 10:29 this morning, she gave birth by caesarian to a beautiful little girl called Lucy.

It all went very smoothly; she came out big flipper feet first and gave a little surprised squawk to the obstetrician. She weighed 7lb 2oz and is 51cm long.

Oonagh is tired, sore, and itchy all over (the morphine, apparently), but in very good form! She's my hero

Hopefully, they are now both fast asleep!

Congratulations to Oonagh and Coffee, cant wait for my turn.

LTH - moan your head off, thats what we are here for right?
My rant of the day is:
Cant eat anything but bread
Cant drink anything but water
Cant sleep
Have heartburn constantly
Am knackered
Cant walk more than 10 metres
Am sore everywhere
Baby feels huge and seems to be beating me up from the inside

I HATE BEING PREGNANT

• your go.

I have MW this afternoon, and am hoping she will surprise me and say something like, oh actually the reason you are so uncomfortable is that you are 5cm dilated, quick get to the hospital, your baby is coming....here's hoping anyway!

DP asked me the other day, was I:
A: more worried about actually giving birth
or
B: Just looking forward to getting my appetite back and being able to sleep properly again. (rather than lying down and instantly feeling like I am about to chunder!)

The worst thing of all is, I cant go sale shopping for clothes. Its not worth buying anymore maternity clothes at 38+4 weeks, but I dont know what size I will be after the baby is born. Its all pants.

Lulu - All maternity bras start in a 32" back. The brand Royce, are slightly tighter than others so you should be ok with that. Has your back not expanded at all? Mine has gone from 30" to 36". Try John Lewis or Bentalls in Kingston, if no luck, get yourself over to Ealing, to Bravissimo. Remember - make sure your hand can easily fit down the side, as your boobs will probably get bigger when your milk comes in. So it doesnt matter if the cups are a little bit baggy now.

good luck!

BTW - what are people most looking forward to after having their babies?

I am dreaming of a decent night out with shed loads of cockatils, an ice cold pint of Stella (classy!) and a really good curry.
This is the only thing keeping me going at the moment! Indeed, if this baby comes out a girl, I may even call it Stella!

Thanks - my back has gone up to 34 but I assumed it would go straight back down again once there was no baby to kick me in the ribs. John Lewis here I come.

I am also looking forward to a cold beer (a whole one, not just half a small glass). More likely to be a bottle from the Oddbins opposite the hospital - not sure I can wait long enough for a pint.

That, and being able to sleep on my back again. Aaahhh.

And smelly cheese.

Someone told me (and this maybe an urban myth) that you can drink during your labour....am thinking this is a good idea! A nice ice cold guinness would go down a treat when you are pushing out a baby!

Am presuming my back will go back to normal soon after the birth too. Remember though: Up in the back down in the cup = down in the back up in the cup.

Eg. a 34 G = 32 GG

So depending on what cup size your are now, this will change when your back size changes...
(...is this making sense? I have been up since 5 am and I'm feeling a bit dopey!)

ps - I used to work in Oddbins opposite Kingston Hospital! Lots of blokes used to pop in to buy champagne!

Hi girls - glad to find someone else on here this morning.

LTH - don't you dare bow out now. We're all here to witter and moan at this point which I really don't think is unreasonable.

Congratulations Oonagh! So jealous but so very happy for you.

I had a shit night's sleep (surprise), my bumo feels SO achey and just gnerally bruised, was having LOADS of BH's. Loubie - I too keep wondering 'is this it?' but think it is just wishful thinking. Have taken the day off work sick because I can't face having to go and sit in my hard uncomfy chair all day with sweet FA to do all day. I finish tomorrow anyway! Whoo!!!

I cannot wait to be able to sleep on my front again. I am so sick of being pregnant - morning sickness is back with venegeance so spend every morning until about 11.30am wondering if I will chunder, my back aches, I can't wear my beautiful wedding and engagement rings that I have only had since July cos my fingers are so fat, I have bright purple stretchmarks at the tops of my thighs (WTF??? Of all places!!) - having said that, my beautiful son or daughter will be worth it all and no doubt I will be back on here in a few years time in the same position!!!!

'bumo' (!!??) should be 'bump'

ok, have spent most of the morning putting together a CD of all my favourite tracks to take into hospital with me. Thus raising my oxycotin levels during labour and making for an easier birth....so said the midwife!

Whatdoyathink? (any suggestions?)
Birdhouse in your soul They might be giants
Happy birthday Stevie Wonder
I don?t feel like dancin? The Scissor Sisters
Its like that Run DMC
A million ways OK Go
Here it goes again OK Go
Happiness The Pointer Sisters
Lady Marmalade Moulin Rouge
Children of the revolution Moulin Rouge
Ring of Fire Johnny Cash
Star Wars theme tune John Williams
Love it when you call The Feeling
Strange The Feeling
Fill my little world The Feeling
Never be lonely The Feeling
Rehab Amy Winehouse
Harmour love Syreeta
Gravel pit Wu Tan Clan
Justified & ancient KLF
Last train to transcentral KLF
Sukiyaki Kyu Sakamoto
Goodbye yellow brick road Elton John
Tiny dancer Elton John
Pinball wizard The Who
Forever in blue jeans Neil Diamond
Rhinestone cowboy Glen Campbell
Hooked on a feeling Neil Diamond

Congratulations to Oonagh - love the name! Glad all went so well. Hope you're not still scratching like crazy!

Your dh sounds lovely - You're his hero! It made me feel all warm inside.

PS Starting visualisation to try and persuade baby the the world is ready for him/her! Okay it sounds like a crock of sh*t, but I'm prepared to try anything. Drinking of raspberry leaf tea and maybe taking some evening primrose oil starts on Sat when I hit 36 weeks.

PPS will be trying to increase sexual activity as that is meant to help...it's not glam..I almost need a crane to get into position. Lovely !!

Lizzz - little concerned about the end of that list - Neil Diamond???? Heh heh

Sounds good to me though - have loaded all of my fave tunes onto my I-Pod Shuffle and removed all of DH's favetunes (ugh - Oasis - imagine having to visualise the monkey that is Liam Gallagher through contractions. No thanks)

Have just sorted out one of my kitchen cupboards and am now going to start writing up my calendar for next year's birthdays - my life is quite simply non stop excitement!!!

Still getting BHs but not painful - c'mon LO - I WANT YOU OUT!!!!!

xx

Congratulations oonagh And thanks to your dh for keeping us updated.

Lucy is a lovely name, my dd (not called Lucy btw) is refusing to answer to any other name at the moment!

Galmum - how much raspberry leaf are you supposed to drink? My box just says 36wks onwards but no indication of how many per day.

Ooh I like that list. I am just copying the KLF Chill Out onto my ipod and thinking about uplifting non electronic things to balance it out.