Feb 2016 babies: Welcome to the 3rd trimester - the final stretch! (in more ways than one)

[haquoi123]

New thread! Stats in next post

jelly I have to say that whilst I'm prudish, I'd take a smear test over a pedicure any day. They're really not that bad and the benefits far far far outweigh the unpleasantness . In Scotland we get them from 21, so I guess I've gotten used to them.

madsaz my DH is absolutely not a fan of blood so he has been well warned to stay at the head end too. I remember I cut off a bit of my thumb by accident (it needed 9 stitches, oops!) and he said he was feeling too faint to drive me to minor injuries. I told him he better sort it out as I couldn't very well drive myself with my thumb hanging off!

I've read some funny stories on the childbirth forum about water births in particular looking like the shower scene from Psycho. I think I need to pass them on to DH to prepare him for the reality.

I'm from the west of Scotland. Perineal massage is never happening

Ahahaha

clara I'm Irish so I hear you.

Re the whole being prudish etc, I have found that I've been so keen to get on with getting the baby OUT that I have allowed any (of my usual) prudery to be set aside during the labour process. When I say set aside I mean completely jettisoned. Suffice to say I haven't, to date, given a effing Jeff who sees my bits etc. while in the throes (or what condition said bits are in). It's good practice for spending the next several months popping your boobs in and out in public, IME.

Also a prude and steering clear of perineal - thought I could maybe do it myself but no chance of reaching.

Feeling quite proud that I've managed to brain wash my OH into thinking that pooing in labour is really good as it shows you are pushing right and is good for baby. So now when I shit myself I'll get a well done rather than him just being totally grossed out

Clarabellski I'm west of Scotland too and I also won't be partaking in any massage that is not my back or feet!

To be honest I haven't shaved my legs in a long time so reaching anywhere under my bump is definitely not possible!

How do I get a second opinion from a consultant on having a c-section? I had a scan today at nearly 36 weeks to check my placenta and no longer have placenta previa so have been cleared for a natural consultant led birth - all good, happy about that. But they found a blood vessel 1.8 cm from the os and said it would have to be monitored with another scan in 2 weeks. I've now googled vasa previa and have scared the shit out of myself and really want to talk to another consultant

Well if we make it to another thread (which it looks like we will...talkative bunch!) its going to need to have 'perineal massage' somewhere in the title methinks!

Midnight if you don't mind sharing, where are you giving birth? I'm RAH. May bump into you in labour suite! I promise I won't comment on your legs (incidentally, I've booked a leg and eyebrow wax for 3 days before my due date, to get my pain threshold up and all that...).

Our midwife says perineal massage is overrated with no real evidence for effectiveness, and in order to actually stretch your 'downstairs' you'd have to do it every day for three months. So I've given that the swerve.

Oh, and I had a ctg trace today to monitor these cramps- all fine, I am indeed having contractions but they're not regular, growing etc so apparently could well continue like that for several weeks!

Clarabell I'm a little more rural :p crosshouse is my nearest maternity unit.. And even that is 40mins away!
Oh I would book a leg wax, maybe even get my toes painted but knowing my luck I'd book it then go in to labour early anyway! Iv made it very clear to DH I want him at my head at all times during labour so hopefully he won't notice my unpainted nails, hairy legs or the unavoidable bowel movements I just know are going to happen to me

Isn't pregnancy so attractive!

Weirdly enough my leg hair hasn't really grown at all since I've been pregnant. I plan to epilate it one of these days and then it should be ok until the end of the month but sure I plan to do a lot of things so we'll see.

Ladygarden area, haven't a clue what's going on there and don't really want to know either!

I've managed to keep my legs shaved but my fanjo is a jungle. I told dp he might need to tidy it up before I go to hospital haha!

I don't know what I'll do if I'm offered a sweep or internal exam. I was bad enough with the dildo camera at my 6 week scan and they didn't look at anything then. I'm sure when it comes to being in labour I won't give a toss though!

I didn't get time to shave my legs or anything like that! Ah well, you don't care when it comes down to it!

I spoke to a doctor about getting out on Friday - it will depend on how my wound is healing but otherwise he didn't see any reason why not. DH brought DS1 in for a little while this evening - he was fine except when the baby started crying which upset him. And he kept looking for daddy then which upset me (he's such a mammy's boy but it might take me a while to be forgiven for disappearing on him in the middle of the night). The good thing about being in here is I can concentrate on DS2 and getting feeding established which would be hard at home. I'm still waiting for my milk but I think it'll be here by morning - a day later than the first time around but I have a less ravenous baby this time!

in all honesty fanjo hair not an issue for anyone. I can still reach but have just trimmed length down so it doesn't irritate me - no desire to vajazzle!

I think reduced leg hair growth is a recognised thing - a few people have mentioned it and I have shaved my legs 3 times in last 4 or 5 months I think

Mawsy - hope you get out asap - much nicer to get home and settled.

Just for fun- has anyone seen this already?
www.justmommies.com/quizzes/labor_prediction_quiz.php
Apparently mine will be early and about 7lb!

I've just got back from a 2hr breast feeding class and the the midwife gave me a tour of the labou ward too. Feel much more clued up now and as though I might actually be able to have and feed a baby. 35 weeks tomorrow so not long npw😬

Had my growth scan today, measuring a week behind. Approx now 5lbs 13 on today's scan result. Dr is happy that he can stay in, expects a 7lb baby. Again told fully engaged. Bump has definitely dropped, I've been having random period like cramps a couple of times a day since Monday. My underwear smells like semen but no noticeable leakage. Been having really painful fanny daggers all evening tonight. Really random I smell weird, I can smell a period like blood smell in my sweat and I don't mean down there, it is all over. I asked my mum to smell my top and she can't smell anything but I'm finding it really horrible. I just can't see how he is going to stay in there for another 4 weeks.

Pic from my scan today

rufus lovely pic. Certainly looks to be smiling

I smell more but not of anything special - think I am just fat and sweaty!

Suspect bubs doing splits as a few simultaneous cervix and spleen kicks & head still palpable around my liver. See midwife tomorrow and will see what they say - but if really in such an odd position not too hopeful for a spin ...

Huge congratulations Mawsy, what a great weight too! Mine were that at term.

Good news on the scan Rufus , lovely picture.

I was measuring 2 weeks behind at midwife on Mon but she said baby was curled into such a tight ball she couldn't even tell what was what. I have scan next week anyway for the placenta/cord flow but tbh even if I didn't I wouldn't be too worried after my fundal height not getting past 28 with my ds.

I'm just annoyed I've lost my comeback of "Actually I'm measuring right" when people tell me bump is tiny (it's not, I'm just a small person and it's all baby rather than me putting on loads of fat too)

I've read through all the posts and promptly forgotten what I've read so sorry, but hope you're all ok anyway.

What do you think? 34 weeks

Troika my bump looks very similar to yours in terms of size and I'm measuring 90th percentile apparently! It's all a load of guesswork as far as I'm concerned!

Rufus that baby has one contented look on his face, it doesn't look like he's going anywhere soon!

lol Swimming, not sure how accurate that predictor is, but I'll take the odds they're giving! We predict your baby will be born 3-7 days before your due date. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 8.0 pounds and that your labor will be about 14 hours long

madsaz my little toerag is a star jump champion too! Jabs felt everywhere all at the same time We were sitting staring at it last night thinking 'what the hell are you doing in there?!?!?' I kept having the dark thought 'they'd have picked up twins by now surely?'

p.s. Midnight hope you've test driven the route! 40 minutes! Eek! Although I guess if I needed to get to hospital during rush hour it could take 40 minutes for me too (its normally 20).

Aww rufus, adorable!!

troika, that bump looks lovely! There are all sorts of size bump in my antenatal class and I'm one of the biggest (I've got no end of people going, you're huge! Yay...) Some women don't even look pregnant, but we're all due at the same time.

I think I did my legs once at 16 weeks when I was in London, it was unexpectedly hot and I felt shamed by all the trendiness going on. That's it. Fanjo wise, DH has had to go down there with scissors a couple of times, it was getting full on ringlets. I don't mind public hair, but it was getting in the way iyswim.

Had midwife appointment yesterday - bubs is still 2cm above 90th percentile line, making his own little curve. Mw says he's not engaged at all though and doesn't feel like a big baby - just spreading himself out! Lots of fanny daggers yesterday as well.

zebra, can you contact your consultant again and ask for another mweting/second opinion? Or poss get in touch with your midwife supervisor, they're great when you have concerns.

My answers (bearing in mind I have less labour symptoms that most of you put together at this moment!)

Get your bags packed early just in case you need them. Make sure your partner has a phone available when he's away because this baby just might come early. We predict your baby will come 2-3 weeks early. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 5.5 pounds and that your labor will be about 7 hours long

Troika don't worry about bump measurements, they are hugely inaccurate. My bump is smaller than that abd I'm 35 weeks yet baby was bang on track on my last scan. You look great.

Troika, your bump looks bigger than mine- I'm 34 weeks today and measuring on dates apparently. There's a variety of bump sizes at my NCT too- ignore the comments!

My results- I know you were hoping we weren't going to say this, but don't expect this baby to come early. Your baby is nice and comfy tucked away in your womb and has no interest in joining the rest of the world. We predict your baby will be born after its due date. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 8.5 pounds and that your labor will be about 12 hours long.