Due in Feb 07. It's January its all getting a bit close now

[peachygirl]

Hi new year, new thread!

I borrowed mine from the PE cupboard

Regarding winter clothing... just beware of too many synthetic layers. I had to keep DS on the cooler side in that weather as he would often get heat type rashes and break out his eczema. So he usually was wearing about the same as me and where possible things were cotton or wool. Also watch out for when you come indoors and your little one is sleeping. So things that you can unfasten, loosen, remove without waking them are good. Blankets are always handy to carry anyway for an extra layer, to lay out on a floor to lie baby on, to shade baby from the sun etc.

Good luck to all the breech baby mummys... I really feel that this little one is breech. Everything is just so different kicks wise to how it was with DS - all kicks are low and only little shuffles and bobs high up. But my mw has said that she's head down. I'm seeing her again tomorrow so i'll see what she says. But I'm not entirely trusting her!

Evening all - my friends held a 'baby shower' for me last night - we had a lovely girly gossip - covered loads of different topics, including the inevitable birth stories! I got loads of presents as well, including a nappy cake - it is a fab {thing! See this link - nappycake

Got mw appt tomorrow - my day off work and then back in work for half a day on friday - then off for a year! Not quite sure what I will do with the time, but it will pass quickly!!

Good attitude Peachy. No one gets a special badge for natural childbirth! Whatever suits you and is safe is the best way to do it. Everyone is marvellous however they manage it be it in a theatre with a team, hospital gown and complete spinal block, or on a hillside with wild flowers and the sound of the pan pipes . (I'll prob. go for somewhere in the middle!)

Sallyallyally - are you the lady who's the mw or am I wrong? If you are, please could you advise. If baby is occipital posterior, and everything I've read says labour is likely to be longer, more painful,and I'm more likely to go overdue, is there an option for an elective cs? Or do they like to put you through hell for 20 odd hours before they give up and cut you open?

Alocin - I'm not a mw but DS was OP when I went into labour with him. It was his due date so not late. And he turned at some point as he came out the right way! I believe that many babies who are OP turn in labour. I did have more of a back labour than a front one I think - but I've nothing to compare it to lol. I believe that keeping active in labour and adopting positions like being on all fours during labour help them turn.

Perhaps I'm being pessimistic, but my nightmare scenario would be 19 odd hours of pain and exhaustion followed by emergency cs, would rather opt for cs from beginning but dont know if its an option. Feeling a bit down about it really.

Alocin...yes, was a midwife for a long time! (getting old for second baby!) Suzi is quite right, the babe often turns during labour, and yes, staying mobile in labour definately helps. Some...please read word 'some' OP labours can be a nightmare of backache, exhaustion and a forceps or c/s, BUT that is a risk with any labour...some are straightforward normal deliveries and fairly rapid!. My DD started labour in the OP position and although the backache was quite intense, she turned and it was bearable with swearing for pain relief! Try to stay off the slouching in the couch position in the run up, lots of time on all fours(glamourous!) or bouncing on one of those gym balls!! I know a c/s sounds attractive but OP position not really an indication, especially as odds are it will all be fine and make it's positional adjustments as labour starts. Best of luck..you'll be just fine and dandy.

Thanks Sallyallyally - was really hoping for a natural active birth anyway (dont like needles so the thought of an epidural gives me the willies), but am worried about being so exhausted and in pain. They wont make me suffer will they?!

Aghh just lost my post.

Briefly, Alocin, yes posterior can mean a longer more painful labour - i had that with DS, but it was the first so I had nothing to compare it to plus you go into a weird kind of zone when in labour so have no real idea of the amount of time that passes. But also true that babies turn in labour so hopefully yours will too if you haven't managed to get it round beforehand.

sallyallyally, sounds like you have the same leg thing as me, really peculiar isn't it!

on clothing etc, I found DS was always warmer than I expected so don't necessarily need to go overboard. Finger down the back of the neck check is a good one. Agree that artificial fabrics like fleece can cause overheating - I have always avoided fleece babygros etc, but do have an outer thing like the cocoon which was great. Wool is lovely but only if machine washable. My mum knitted some lovely cardis for DS but they take days to dry after hand washing so got very little wear.

Alocin our threads crossed - just thought I'd add that I was determined to do it as naturally as poss and the hospital respected that so the interventions only came very slowly. I could easily have had more drugs sooner had I wanted, so the length and pain was pretty much in my control. They won't leave you if you're really struggling!

Alocin my DD1 was OP and this was one is on and off too. She came 2 weeks late, I was induced, the labour was 26 hours and ended in epidural, ventouse annd large episiotomy. This time I'm trying very hard to get the LO to turn and am hoping that it will sort itself out during labour too. I don't mean to frighten you but you need to put the effort in now. It might turn by itself but if it doesn't and you haven't tried you might be kicking yourself!

On the bright side, although I was in a lot of pain on the day and had nasty bruising for a week or so I was up and about a lot quicker than if I'd had a c/s. I agree that it sounds horrendous to do all that and still maybe end up having a section, for a while I wished I'd had one but in the long run I think it was better this way. Sorry for the essay, it's something I feel quite strongly about!!

Oh, ours crossed too Babydriver. I had similar in the hospital, they did let me do what I wanted, the only thing I did wrong was when I was induced. They put the pessary in and told me to lie down for 1 hour, but I lay too reclined and she flipped back to OP (I'd had her facing my back for a few days and was really pleased with myself) and stayed there. It's very tempting to have a lie down while in labour but this time I shall be very strict with myself!

Alocin - time wise you really do lose track... I would certainly never contemplate the pain of a CS over an OP birth. Although I know what you mean about having a long miserable labour only to have a CS. My friend went through about 2 days of induction, 30 hours of labour only to end up with a CS! Her baby was anterior BTW but just didn't get going right. However, she doesn't regret anything. She says that she's glad she tried and wouldn't opt for an elective CS next time.

Thanks Moosma, Suzi2 and Babydrivertoo for all your advice and support.

Have already started campaign: have been sitting on ball, leaning forward on beanbag, and will do yoga dvd everyday from now on. Any ideas whether that moxibustion lark is any good for this, or just breech?

Just want to get in very quickly, Alocin please do not do moxa for a head down baby, you have a good chance of it ending up breech. The moxa just causes a downwards uterine movement and stimulates baby to move slightly more therefore encouraging it to turn. I always check positioning prior to using moxa and if in any doubt hold off till it is confirmed by a scan.

Peachy, a few things to try at home for a breech baby:

Homeopathy (pulsatilla) have a chat with a homeopath first as you will need the 200c and this is not normally available in the shops.

Hot and cold packs, cold pack on baby's head and heat at top of pubic bone, babies will often move away from the cold to the heat.

Shining a torch from the head round to the top of the pubic bone, follow the direction of the legs not the back of baby.

Playing music to baby's head and gently moving it to the pubic bone, same direction as the light.

Knee chest position, kneeling on floor with chest pressed as close to the floor as possible and knees up to chest (I know very uncomforatble when this far pregnant!).

I know I keep saying it but moxa is good, if you can't find a practitioner for the moxa you could try an alternative method of heat to the bladder 67 point. I have been taught to use freshloy ground root ginger on a plaster placed on the bladder 67 point (it's on the outside nail edge of the little toe but do google it just to make sure my vague explanation makes sense to you!. Aply for 15-20 mins twice a day for up to 10 days. If you think baby has moved stop and get the position checked as it can move a head first baby to breech same as moxa!

Peachy also meant to say that you must choose what is right for you and not give a flying fig what others think. I am prob the on a hill with pan pipes person round hear and most think my birth choices are mad but I was sorely let down by both Obs and midwives with my first preg and am currently making a very hard decision about following up my coomplaint with a unit that I often work closely with. My experience has shaped the decisions I made foe my second pregnancy and the ones I am making for my third. Even if you had the most wonderful vaginal brrech birth it would mean nothing if you had spent the whole time worrying about the outcome, this is when we need to look at everyone as an individual and stop the conveyor belt care that the NHS all to frequently gives out.

hello all,

on the breech issue, my DS was in breech and eventually I plumped for an elective CS.

although there are risks and discomfort involved with a CS (although I only had one day of real pain, and was given plenty of effective painkillers in hospital) as well as the time spent recovering from surgery, we had a great, calm birth experience.

Now this baby is also in breech - and for various other medical and psychological reasons (I've had a very tough year with miscarriage and bereavement and didn't want to take any risk of long VBAC followed by emergency CS - just wanted a bit of calm) and we are happy to have our CS now planned.

IME, once the baby is born, the birth story quickly fades from memory (although there were some very upsetting aspects of my post-natal care, which I did have to complain about to work through... and I know people who had traumatic vaginal and cs births, both of whom needed to work through that with counselling...) The main thing is to get the baby out safely, the rest can just be dealt with. But I know there are strong feelings on this - I felt under a lot of pressure to do VBAC. But ultimately, only you and your baby's safety are what are important, and your sense of autonomy and feeling ok with the decision you make...

wishing all a good day X I have DS good friends with mummies coming over for lunch, have been having bad nights with a horrendous cold (worse because you can't take any nightnurse etc!) so looking forward to company

Morning,

Good luck with all the baby turning and decisions about CS- how many of us do you think have our bums in the air at the same time?

I wonder if Becs has had her baby. I reckon she must have done or she'd have been back on. How exciting. Is anyone going to ask their DP to post on here to let everyone know or just wait til you're ready?

I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and only seeing MW every two weeks (can't remember who was asking). Saying that, I got a phone call from my health visitor yesterday asking if she can come and visit on Friday just to say hi. Has anyone else had that? I'm wondering if it is normal or because I've moved so many times they just want to check things out?

I'm meeting a friend for lunch in town today. Had quite a busy week but next week stretches out with nothing planned. I think I need to make some arrangements or I'll be sitting twiddling my thumbs (or tweaking nipples!!! ) waiting for something to start.

Smudgemum - I saw the health visitor this week. Apparently they like to have made contact before the baby is born so that they can give you the Red Book and the Birth to Five magazine / book and also so when they turn up at your house when you are recently home with a new baby they will be someone familiar. A few girls in my NCT group have also seen a health visitor - sometimes they have visited their homes, other times (like me) you go the the surgery.

This week has been busy for me too - at least something on every day - and next week has nothing planned. There is lots I can be getting on with at home, but I do think I have mentally put the week aside to have the baby!

Good luck with turning breech babies!

xxx

Smudgemum - my HV has been round too. And I already know her so not sure what the purpose of the visit was. It was the same with DS in my last house. I'm convinced they just like a nosey at your living room lol.

Snugglebum I agree about the conveyor belt care. Peachy, go with what you want and what feels right and don't be pressurised into any decisions if you're not totally sure. I know that if this little one is breech I will be considering a natural birth (no doubt with a huge fight!) and also a CS. But I know that if it was my first I wouldn't even be contemplating the natural birth! It's a very personal choice but don't feel that you don't have a choice.

time4tea - I agree about the birth not being the important bit. Mind you, DSs birth has certainly shaped the ideas and thoughts about what I want from this birth a great deal. His birth was, on the whole, a very positive experience. But one that I'd like to improve on. The biggest thing that sticks in my mind about it was the post natal care! That's where things were awful and I felt quite let down.

Did a whole load of internet ordering of odds and ends the night before last. And was very pleased to see that 2 out of the 4 orders were delivered this morning. However, both orders (different companies!) have problems. One is missing an item, one has sent the wrong item. Total pain it the backside having to chase things up and I'm going to have to get a lift to the post office one day to post back the wrong item. Reckon my pg hormones are working overdrive because they don't usually work so daft!

Oooh - homebirth kits just arrived from the hospital. Was told by the mw that it was next week... think she's got my dates all confused again. Now, dare I take a peek in any of the 2 big boxes and one bag???

Getting quite excited that in the next week or two the announcements are going to start flooding in. And all the piccies. And then I'll get all gooey and decide I jsut want my baby RIGHT NOW

Morning girls, saw my consultant yesterday and she explained that there is a small chance that baby may need a small operation on its kidneys because of the fluid around them, but hopefully they will be o.k when lo is born. Also they are quite concerened about the reduced growth, she had a good feel of my tummy and sais the baby does seem small but i'm only 4ft 11 so not expecting me to have a big baby. I have to go into hospital tomorrow and monday to be monitered and then back to see the consultant on wed. i'm quite worried and didn't really sleep last night, i'm just glad that they are keeping there eye on it.

titchy i hope everything is ok. for you and for baby. did they say what was up with the kidneys or is it still just waitand c?

xxx hugs

hi all had a beautiful little boy yesterday morning at 7.12 he weighed 7lbs 1.5ozs
had a few niggles but hes coming along great now and we are being discharged today hopefully will post full birth story on the birth announcement thread later hope your all doing ok cant believe my little ones here all ready thought i would go overdue.

Thanks to everyone for being so supportive.. I am gong to try several things spent and hour leaning over the birth ball last nigt and I think baby did move just not enough- enough to make my bump feel flabby. and DH has been going 'down there' and talking to it and commanding it to move. I'm going to go to aqua natal again later- lots of breast stroke and try the music as I know baby does like a bit of music.
I would like a natural birth and would be up for water, TENS and G and A. but my real nightmare would be the experience of Moosma friend with the long extended labour and then an emergency.
Can I change the subject completely and ask another question about wamth and babies. I have bought bottom sheets and blankets for my moses basket and for the (nonexsistant) cot bed do I need to buy a top sheet?? or perhaps a different cotton blanket as I have two fleecy ones. I am hoping to swaddle baby in a wrap and then move onto a sleeping bag when it's big enough.. advice please