March 2016 Babies #9 - we're on the final countdown!!

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Thread 9!!

Not even going to try to type a proper post on my crappy phone, just came on quickly to say -

Congratulations to scared. Beautiful baby girl and well done on carrying on through such a long early labour.

So sorry to hear that Zachs back in hospital missi. I hope he has a speedy recovery and is back at home soon.

Will be back to post properly when I can wrestle my tablet back off dh!

Yay scared I'm so so pleased for you and your beautiful baby girl, you are a complete star and so is she.

Sorry to hear about Zach missi , my ds ended up back in hospital when he was a few days old with a really low temp and generally being lethargic, he had 24 hours of antibiotics which perked him up and dr's declared 'babies get ill sometimes'.

Mat leave starts at the end of the week for me, still really busy but come Friday my out of office will be on and whatever isn't finished is tough!

Thanks for the welcome everyone
Huge congratulations to scared, looking forward to hearing what name you've chosen for your lovely baby girl!
I'm the same as you MrsElls, I finish on Friday and really counting down the hours days now.
Especially since I think I've lost my mucus plug over the past couple of days (sorry if that's TMI!). I'd had some bleeding over the weekend so got seen and monitored by the midwives at the hospital but luckily everything was fine. Lost a little bit more yesterday but when I rang for advice, the midwife asked in detail what was going on and said it sounded like my plug. She wants me to rest as much as possible and 'not have intercourse as we don't want to stir things up down there!' . So now am really hoping things don't start moving yet- am 36 weeks on Thursday and my DD arrived at 37 weeks, so I was expecting this one might be early- just not this early!

charley don't worry about the tmi's with us, from the beginning we have discussed many a toilet habit (or lack of) piles, lumps bumps and more, I'm sure the ladies here know more of each others tmi's than our partners do at the moment!
2nd official day of mat leave involved building our new bed and sorting the kItchen. After this week I think I'll be bored, am 37 weeks almost so hopefully baby will show it's face soon before the credit card takes a hit!

missi so sorry to hear Zach is back in hospital. I hope he makes a swift recovery and your stay is short.

Interesting about the driving. I'm a rubbish/not at all confident driver and am wondering if I'll get to a stage where I'm too preggers to drive. I'm finding the pedals a bit tricky already due to the bump. But I have no idea how I'd get DD home from the childminders without the car!

ff in the night I had low down hiccups too and it really felt like the baby had moved, but this morning I could feel the head resolutely back in my tummy and that's where he's stayed all day :(

OK, I'm back!

TheMShip Sorry to hear you have to go for yet another growth scan. I forget (we seem to constantly be having scans in this group!) but how many weeks ahead were you measuring before?

Indom I've actually been quietly in awe of how busy youve been while your dh has been away - I'm not surprised you're worn out now!
I've now settled fully I into CBA mode, although we did manage a trip to The Donkey Sanctuary this morning then lunch and a walk in Sidmouth, which we're slightly regretting now we're stuck with an over excited, over tired toddler who is still refusing to sleep. Never missed the this much!

I'm another one in the end-of-the-month club ffaux. I'm hoping to give birth within a few days either side of my due date, but knowing my luck I'll probably go way over now I've said that!

Well done on the parenting MrsBen! I love the alternating parenting days with days of benign neglect idea - that's definitely my approach at the moment. I've been having the same internal conflict Suz but I think it probably will help a little bit to get them used to entertaining themselves for some of the time.

I didn't realise that health visitors still did the pre birth visit for second (or third!) babies either. It does seem like a ridiculous waste of time and resources when the service is already so stretched. I haven't heard anything from the HV team so far though and I'm almost 35 weeks, so maybe they don't bother in my area. I remember the visit I had in my last pregnancy was a bit of an interrogation - she whizzed through all the questions and the bfing advice was reeled off so quickly it went straight over my head. She asked things like whether we took recreational drugs (how many would say yes to that anyway??), what our parents' approach to raising kids was like and whether we would be following their advice, whether we had any experience of babies, etc. I also remember being purposely very vague about how dh was disciplined because I was a bit worried that the truth - 'beaten with a belt' - might raise some concerns .

Ooh relieved that I won't necessarily be alone at the end of the month - thanks indom trinpy magpie, hopefully we won't have to wait too long. And thanks paper for promising not to leave us!!

oh no crispy I can't believe they still switch so often, crossing everything that all our babies turn.

charley hope little one stays in a bit longer - rest lots!

mrsben amazing cookies, you've definitely earned a lazy day - I'm so in awe how most of you guys are doing this pregnancy thing with other kids to look after

Hope you and Zach are doing okay missi

So after today's excitement I'll almost be disappointed tomorrow if I wake up and there has not been another baby! Who's next - did someone say they were having an induction on Monday?

Hi everyone. So pleased for you Scared - happy story for the whole group. I'm sorry I don't get chance to read and reply to all the posts but it's lovely that lots of people manage to offer support and advice. Anyway...
I'm 35 weeks now and starting to think about the birth a bit more. It's my second and I really want to make sure the experience is completely different to my first. So I've been looking into birthing positions and ways to minimise tearing etc. I tried talking to DH about it tonight but he just doesn't want to know. Either disinterested or just won't discuss it. Now I'm thinking maybe I'd be better without a birth partner than have him there. He just doesn't listen or seem to care about what happens to me, I wonder if I'd get on better just going for it on my own. I'm very independent and when I'm ill, his presence usually makes it worse. He's constantly complaining about having to put up with me being slower/fatter/lazier etc with this pregnancy. I don't really want that as I'm doing one of the hardest things possible. But... I don't want it to be a big drama either where he's being 'punished', it's not about him it's about what will make it more bearable for me. Does anyone else have thought like this or is it just me?

Pshht! Ah, stop, Trinpy . I've mainly been blithering on here so can't have done much! I just feel the need to have every little thing noted and validated! (Donkey sanctuary sounds good, a friend went the other day too!)

Sounds like a toughie, Mond. I think I know what you mean. I know I'm terrible when DH is ill (really irrationally and unreasonably unsympathetic), no idea why, so can't offer any ideas. I get what you mean about not wanting to have to worry about someone else's needs at that time. How was he with your first?

Oh dear that does sound tough mond and your DH doesnt sound very sympathetic if hes complaining about your pregnancy and you getting bigger/slower/less able to do things . Perhaps you could ask him if he actually wants to be at the birth this time and try to use it as a conversational opener - something like 'its fine if you don't want to be at the birth so I just want to check what you want as you don't seem very interested'. And then perhaps lead into 'maybe it would be best if you werent as I need to be able to focus on myself during the birth'. It is hard though because on the one hand you don't want to cause offence but on the other, your needs clearly trump his feelings (IMO). With my first birth for a lot of it I didn't want my DP near me so he had to sort of just sit there watching me pace around-was only later on I was clinging onto him! My DP really wants to be at the birth but I'm not sure -even second time round- that he'll know what to do. I asked him if he'd thought about it and he said 'not really because it kind of depends on what happens and what kind of birth you'll have which we don't know until the time'. Which sounded suspiciously like 'I'm going to wing it' which I told him quite sternly and I said I'd probably try to get him to read some advice I've book marked... He's quite open to things just the birth is not quite a reality for him yet I think

Keeping my fingers crossed that your LO doesn't make an appearance yet Charley!

Sorry to hear about Zach missi, hope your hospital stay is a short one.

Up at 5.45 today - a definite improvement on the past few days! Had really bad tummy ache last night - these iron tablets I'm on are really not agreeing with me .

Morning all! I was up early too but did sleep well until that point. My bump feels so tight this morning though! And my spd has been getting worse the last few days

Sympathies marmite about the iron. I had more blood tests last week to see how my levels are getting on and the doctor called me yesterday to say that although my HB level has risen very slightly, my iron stores (ferritin I think?) are very low and that's a concern for the birth he is switching me from ferrous sulphate tablets to ferrous fumarate which he said should be a bit more gentle on my stomach - I'll let you know how I get on with them and if they are an improvement maybe you can ask your dr about them too! Apparently I'll need to stay on them for at least 6 weeks after the birth and maybe longer if I'm breastfeeding.

3 more days of work to go ... this week is crawling by! I do have a nice goodbye lunch out with my team to look forward to today though!

Haven't fully caught up yet (this thread is moving fast again!) but wanted to say the HV visit was fine. She was lovely (I knew she was alright as soon as she said "I have to ask you some questions, some of which are quite personal so feel free to lie!" ). It was basically a chat with some questions thrown in, some tips about breastfeeding (without ramming it down my throat), and exercise after birth (we're both runners).

Missi hope Zach has had a good night and is getting his temp up this morning, must be such a worry.

Will catch up with the rest of the last 2 pages when I get back from work - last day today, Yay!!!!!!!!!!

I'm already on ferrous fumerate me they haven't said anything about keeping me on them after birth so hopefully once the packet is finished I won't take a repeat prescription. I've got my 38 week GP appt next Tuesday so I'll probably ask about it then. Sorry to hear your SPD has been playing up. Not long to go now!

My birth pool for home birth is getting delivered today, exciting. Don't have any other plans for today other than tidying and finishing packing my hospital bag. Need to clean DDs room as all her toys are in the front room and we need the space for the pool. Other than that going to sit on my arse watching box sets. Might go for a walk or have a go on my exercise bike. It feels very strange having a whole day with nothing scheduled in it!

Iron sympathies here too, they're horrible aren't they? Are you getting your levels retested soon marmite? They said I'd get mine done at the 38 week check so next week, fingers crossed I'm better enough to come off them. They said if not I might have to have an iron transfusion, which sounds unpleasant.

That sucks mondino. My dh was mostly pretty good but did complain that I was drinking too much water and that I wasn't brave enough being stitched up (with no pain relief I think I did ok!). This time he will be told exactly what I want and do not want to hear from him.

If it were me I'd probably approach it as 'this is my birth plan, this is what I want and what i do not want, and this is what I need from you and what i do not need to hear. Is that something you can do or would you rather wait outside?'

Had a bit of a fright this morning as fell down the stairs and landed on my back/bum. Assuming baby is fine as movements are normal but it really upset me

((Hugs)) Maybe hope you're okay lovey x

trnipy we're going to have to plan a trip to see the donkeys now! Haven't been there for years but it was a family favouriate since my grandma first visited (as long as you ignore my dad's scouling). Dd's been excitedly looking at the website and planning for granddad to take her when he has his day off!

mond I have similar feelings but towards my mum, who is lovely and I'm very close to, as she very keen to make sure she's avaliable to be my back up birth partner. Only problem is it's one of my worst nightmare situations as her prefrence for me would be a second elective section and she's more worried than open to what my prefrences would be before that. If I needed a back up personally it would be my dad as he's done lots of research on the risks vbac at varrious stages and is much more laid back.

Dh is very keen to be at the birth after not being sure with dd, but knows to let me do my own thing and is pretty certain he won't be able to do anything right and has promised not to take that fact personally. But it's an unknown for the both of us and he was fantastic when I had elcs. It did take a bit of time but he knows what my veiws on things are and has learnt what the vbac birth plan the midwife has written means. He used to be terriable when I was ill but has learnt to back off for the most part and just be in the background until he can do something.

missi I hope zach makes a speedy recovery and you're whole household is healthier on your return.

Maybe hope your ok, and your bum is not too sore!

Missi hope Zach had a good night and is feeling a bit better today.

Mond thats a tough one I think that just go with whatever feels best for you, maybe he doesnt want to be there but doesn't want to upset you - a few of the second timer dads at our NCT class are far saying they are far more apprehensive this time than they were the first time... Not sure how my DH is going to be, possibly terrible I don't know why I get that feeling but he wants to be there so hopefully I wont have to banish him to the corridor!

I've had two nights out this week, one for NCT and one work related and I am knackered! I am planning on being out the office at 17:31 and on my sofa alllll evening this evening!!

Jealous of all of you of to see the donks, I send them money at Christmas instead of sending cards to people I havent spoken to in years but hopefully will get down there at some point!

Hi everyone,

I posted on this thread at the start but haven't been able to keep up with all you chatty lot so have just been popping in and out to read how you have been getting on...... Although now I think I'm going down the same route as scared

Had my 34 week app last Thurs at 34+4 and my BP was raised, high side of normal but high for me and midwife thought I looked puffy. My urine was fine though but the midwife had dealt with my sister 3 months ago who had pre eclampsia at 38 weeks so she was looking out for signs in me. She booked me to go to the Day Assessment Unit for monitoring of the baby and get my bloods checked....... Then she measured me and baby had dropped below the 10th centile. It's never been massive, usually about 15% but the drop isn't good, so she also booked me in for a growth scan too.

Baby's heart rate, my urine and BP were ok. It was confirmed baby's growth had dropped so they booked me for a Doppler scan the following day to check the cord was working. My bloods also had raised uric acid showing my body isn't coping but it wasn't at a worrying level. The Doppler showed the cord is working fine so that is a relief. They have a plan for me to have FHR monitoring twice a week, a Doppler scan one week and then a growth scan the following week to check progress.

On Saturday I started to get a gastric pain and measured my BP at home and it was high so rang up and they told me to come in. They got 4 high readings and decided to admit me so they could put me on BP meds and monitor me and baby every 4 hours. They also took new bloods. I was released as the meds had BP under control and bloods weren't worrying.

Had my routine check on Monday, my urine had ++ protein, BP was ok but am on the meds but my bloods had rises in the kidney and liver functions which they were worried about...... So I was admitted again. Stayed in over night and had my bloods done again. As my bloods were stable from the previous reading and the meds are keeping my BP under control they let me go home again. They did say there is no way they will let me go to 38 weeks but I have my consultant app next week at 36+5 after my growth scan so I suspect they will decide to induce me then. Just got to hope my BP and bloods behave themselves.

How was that for an update after months of nothing????

I was expecting I'd get preeclampsia as my mom had it with me (her first) and my sister with her first 3 months ago. My husbands sister also had 5 months ago with her first. Great genes!

It's been lovely reading all your stories, I'll try and keep you updated with how it all goes x

Welcome back Mrs d and good luck with the possibly pending induction
scared hope you and baby are well
missi how's zach doing ? Must be very stressful for all of you !
I wonder who's next on the birthing front now

Growth scan #3 report! Still on the 80th centile, estimated weight 7lb 2oz at 37+4, so I'm definitely on track for a 9lb+ baby if I get to 40 weeks. Normal fluid volume. We'll have to see what the midwife thinks, but I'm guessing it's probably not a case for early induction or planned section.

Good luck MrsD I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Mship that all sounds positive- am I right? Apologies, am playing catch up with how people are!
Back from an interesting midwife app- all going smoothly until we started talking about birth plan. I mentioned I'd love the birth centre- so she stuck a big sticker on my notes to say this. She asked if I had any fears- I said I was worried about tearing again as I'd had a 3rd degree tear last time as it was a speedy delivery. Midwife mentions there are things you can do to help and you'll have seen the consultant about it...cue from me. Slight panicked look crossed her face as she realised I have no idea what she's talking about. It transpires I should have had an appointment with a consultant weeks ago to discuss my previous birth, the healing and they go through my notes and only the consultant can say whether I can go to the birth centre or not. I had mentioned about what had happened lots of time so it should have been picked up right at the start! Cue the midwife ripping the birth centre sticker off my notes and making a phone call to fit me in for an emergency consultant appointment next Monday...they offered an appointment in two weeks but she said it wasn't good enough as I may have delivered by then!

MShip Estimated weight at my 35+4 was 7lb 3oz and they said it was no reason for an early induction or c section. They said they will do sweeps at 39 and 40 weeks to try and get things started, and that they would monitor baby as soon as labour started to see if the head was too big for my pelvis (apparently they can't tell this until contractions start properly), and if it is then they will do a c section. Could be a similar situation for you?

Missi I hope Zach is recovering nicely

Thread is moving so fast nowadays! Am still here reading but not getting much time to post.

Hope Pug is ok, and that Scared is doing well!

Welcome back MrsD, and welcome everyone else!

Has anyone had any updates from MrsBen?

hi mrsD, that sounds a bit stressful, you poor thing. Good that you are being monitored to closely. Sounds like baby is doing well so hope you get to keep her/him (do you know?) in for as long as possible!

mond that sounds tough, I'm sorry your DH isn't more empathetic. As a FTM I don't really have anything helpful to add sorry - do you have someone else in mind you can ask to be a back-up? I have no idea what my DH is going to be like or how I'm going to react to him, but we're abroad with no family so I'm hoping he won't be terrible!

mship glad to hear you weren't off the scale! Hopefully they'll stop stressing you out about growth now as 80th centile is still very much in normal range, no?

maybe hope you're okay! did you call the midwife? I've heard sometimes they like to check you over after a fall just in case of any internal damage. Not wanting to worry you of course as I'm sure everything's fine, but might be worth thinking about

marmite how exciting! Stuck at work and v jealous of your day!

MrsD for you, fx everything goes well.

Pissed off. Have been having uti symptoms so at last antenatal appointment I made them send my urine off for testing even though they said they didn't need to as was fine when they dipped it. Lo and behold I got an email with the results today and it said to see my GP as I have an infection. Call gp and can't get an appointment for 2 weeks. Ask if I can have an emergency one in the morning and they say no, if it's an emergency I need to see my midwife. So I called the antenatal unit and got told they wouldn't see me and I need to see my GP. I mentioned I had also had a fall and that baby was a bit less active this afternoon (I think - I'm a bit paranoid about movement though) and she was totally dismissive and said as long as I got some movements she wasn't concerned. In loads of pain due to uti and no one will help me.