We're handholding for the newly graduated viroids and handing out hooyahs to badly behaved miroids. Between womble pains and boobs with veins, some of us are still managing to shag! It's JS Grads 47!

[fruitlovingmonkey]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 47th grads thread... celebrating the success of Just Shagging in getting us viroids upduffed!

For those that don't know, a 'viroid' is from the original JSing thread 1, where someone was trying to type ladies (in reference to all the JSing ladies), but their phone decided to call us all viroids instead!

The name stuck and we've been the JSing viroids ever since.

The 46th grads thread is here

The thread we have graduated from is here in its 60th outing. WARNING: they're all a bit kerazy not to mention randy!

There is also a Just Mumming thread here for once your babies come along, or to keep up with the graduated graduates!

There is also a private facebook group (so it doesn't give the game away in your news feed!)... if you want to join to see photos of new babies etc, just ask in-thread!

Here is the stats list, please update your own spot with any updates.

Name thanks for the link... I've already bought too much newborn stuff though.

One thing I am missing is blankets / baby sleeping bags. I am so confused! I get that the preference now is for sleeping bags but do they make them for newborns? If not, what did you ladies use when your baby was still in the moses basket / crib phase.

I also have no idea what swaddling is about and when you are supposed to do it and with what!

I have lots of experience with kids (especially 2 year olds as a I worked at a nursery as summer job when younger) but realise I am wildly ignorant about small babies

I've got some second hand sleeping bags, they're all 0-6 months, so I'm not entirely sure if they're actually ok to use right from birth - they look enormous at the moment! I've been given loads of blankets too, so I'm just going to see what he seems to like.

Swaddling is basically just wrapping them up in something, either a blanket or a specifically designed cloth thing. It's meant to be comforting for little babies, but I think you're not meant to do it for long periods of time as there's a risk of overheating/restricting limb growth or something.

I have no idea what the GP thinks they need to do Fuzzy. There's a good chance I'll know more about pregnancy than he will, I'm hoping he'll use the appt as a chance to catch up so he's not running late for the others! I shall report back...

There's no way they'd force you into a breech VBAC - they'd just section you if you went into labour and baby is still bottom down. DS was a breech delivery, I was already pushing by the time they realised that, though.

London - we swaddled DD until she was 5m, then went into sleeping bags. She needed the containment! Other babies are content with blankets tucked in around them.

Sounds lovely, Black - good of them to think of your DH too :)

Glad all is going well chat! I expect it's practice policy, my GP surgery said the same but luckily I had saved the number for the midwives from when I was working in general practice, and they were happy to take a self referral.

How pregnant are you now sock? I can't keep up! Hope sweep wasn't too sore. I am such a grumpy cow at the moment, I would probably have let rip at the anti intervention dad. No vagina, no opinion!

Hope all is ok with the growth scan fuzzy. I'm measuring 2cm behind now so won't be surprised if I join you after my next midwife appointment! I think fundal height is such a crude measurement though, chances are everything is fine.

I also just self referred myself to my preferred hospital as well and they have attached midwives.

DD was a summer baby so we need to buy a few more winter things. My understanding is that sleeping bags start from a certain weight (8lb?) and you need to make sure they can't get their head or arms through the holes. I just used a cellular blanket in the early days and DD is a really warm baby (plus our house is always warm) so she mainly sleeps without either sleeping bag or blanket. However, she does sleep in a sleepyhead and I think they hope in her warmth and keep her snug.

Sounds like a good weekend Black.

I'm pretty sure you will know more as well Chat but it is good you are being so well looked after.

I suspect what I was told was more to try to stop me pushing for an ELCS but they were quite insistent that second labours are earlier, much quicker, and there was no chance of having a section if I went into labour before 39 weeks. They told me how experienced they are with vaginal breech births and expressed surprise that my last hospital didn't try to get to give birth naturally last time as I was 9cm by the time DD being in breech was discovered. I spent most of the appointment in tears and have been crying on and off since. I really don't know what is the matter with me but think that in my mind the only part of my pregnancy and labour where I was listened to last time was from the point I was told I was having an EMCS and then everything was fine, so I think I have just lost trust in anyone dealing with me because I wasn't listened to before and that is exactly what seems to be happening now. DD arrived at 38 weeks so I honestly don't believe I will get my ELCS.

Fundal height really is a crude measurement, Canters, you are right. My bump is apparently 2.5cm behind but only 0.5cm more than when it was measured a month ago. Baby keeps having active spells though so I am taking that as reassurance unless told otherwise.

Hope the sweep starts something Sock.

Fuzzy Sorry they're not listening to you - that must be so frustrating and I can understand why you got so upset Is there anyone else you could talk to - PALS or the supervisor of midwives or someone? Sorry I can't remember if you're a doctor (I know quite a few of the JSers are) and if so you'd probably know better than me about who to speak to if you're not feeling listened to and supported.

Name thank you for the support and no, I am not one of the doctors (which I think puts me in the minority on this group). I've already spoken with pals and the matron of the midwives. Not really sure what else I can do. I don't really have the assertiveness in me right now but DH is quite worried about me and has now insisted on coming to my future appointments, so hopefully he can be rational and get my point across for me.

Fuzzy
I'm not a doctor (or medical in any way) so that makes two of us at least! Glad DH will be going to your appointments from now on - I'm sure it will help you to have his support and advocacy.
There is an organisation called "Birth Rights" and they used to offer advice but I don't think they do any more, unfortunately... Their website might be worth a look, though.
x

Thanks Name and I will have a Google. X

Oh fuzzy sorry to hear that. I'm sure your DH will be the advocate you need him to be.

Thanks London. I decided to talk to my midwife today for reassurance. I cried all the way to the surgery, made myself look normal for the appointment and when I saw she had a student midwife in with her said everything was fine, left and cried all the way home. Am such an idiot but I have booked onto a course to deal with fear of labour and am looking into getting a doula, just in case.

Fuzzy you really shouldn't be dealing with this additional stress. This is why NICE guidelines say that women should be allowed elective c-sections.

Take your DH with you next time and really have him push for what you need. It sounds like you are still dealing with some lingering post traumatic stress from your previous birth and your feelings surrounding how you'd like to give birth should be respected.

Good luck!

Oh Fuzzy You really need to tell your GP or midwife how anxious you're feeling about the whole thing. It sounds like you might benefit from some counselling or support from a mental health midwife (they exist, right, I'm not just making that up?)
FWIW I find yoga and mindfulness very helpful when I'm feeling sad or anxious - just a suggestion in case you'd like to try either of them. Obviously you wouldn't be so anxious if they would just bloody agree to the ELCS, but managing your anxiety might help you feel stronger about fighting for what you want.

Canters I'm 40+3 today, nothing has really changed over the weekend. The sweep was uncomfortable but not painful. I bled a bit afterwards and passed some of what I think was mucus plug (sorry if TMI!) but that's settled down now. Just bouncing on the ball, might go to aqua natal later, might finish off assembling our IKEA changing table - DH did all the big bits yesterday, I just need to put the drawers together.

Fuzzy sorry they're being so difficult with you. Definitely take your DH with you if you think he'll help you be more assertive. You have two decent indications for CS - breech and previous CS - as well as the NICE guidelines saying that maternal request alone should be sufficient so no matter how keen they are on vaginal breech births, you shouldn't be pushed into it if you're not happy.

Un-educated first time mother to be here - what is a mucus plug??

Good luck sock

I think its mucus that plugs up your cervix! I can't remember for sure but I think its supposed to help prevent infection :)

I've heard of them and I assume they're as icky as they sound!

Sock hope your mucus plug baby makes an appearance soon

I googled it - images weren't pleasant

Still pregnant. Too hot. Have had a curry (though not very spicy) tonight and been munching fresh pineapple even though I know they're just old wives' tales. Another sweep tomorrow with the mw, gx!

Good luck Sock! Hurry up socklet!

MyBlackCat You Googled it?! You're a braver woman than me!

Thanks everyone. Growth scan today and then I am going to speak to the hospital about a mental health midwife.

Hope your sweep goes well Sock and it isn't long for you. I also hope your hospital has good air con as this heat must be awful for labouring in.

MyBlackCat I bet those images will never leave you now. My plug only came out after my waters broke.

Hope everyone is doing well today.

Waaaah! Different (male!) midwife today instead of my usual one. Ran massively late, and then after discussion we decided not to do the sweep today - basically minimise risk of infection and allow a few more days to see if anything happens naturally. It all makes sense to me, but I'm a bit frustrated not to be moving on at all. At least today is supposed to be the last hot day.

A male midwife?! I suppose men do o+g (although I don't understand that either, but maybe it's the surgery) but, ummmm, yes. I am a total prude.

Sorry you're still pregnant sock. I am so angry at being 30+5 in the heat, i have no idea how you're coping.