July 2016 Babies (9) - let the babies commence!

[Ellizardo]

Nearly there folks.

Oh and I also meant to say for those of you who might need one that the sweep really was fine - nowhere near as uncomfortable as a smear test, which I personally don't think is all that bad either. I just did a bit of deep, slow breathing to stay relaxed.

Good to know that the sweep isn't hideously awful, Bluebell. Here's hoping everything gets going properly for you now!

pulpi im stupidly in a city over 2 hours away this weekend for a family birthday party at 39 weeks!!! I will be taking hospital bags and notes etc... sods law ill bloody have it this weekend after 2 unsuccessful sweeps

cheery i have used nil on my skin this pregnancy and dont have a single stretch mark - its all genetics im 100% sure!

Bluebell - how many weeks are you? My Midwife says its local policy not to do a sweep until 41 weeks.... although she did say i could have an unofficial one next week if i wanted.

bird I'm 40+2. On the NHS pregnancy pages they say that with your first baby you will be offered a sweep at 40 weeks and then at 41 weeks; if it's your second or more, you'll only be offered a sweep at 41.

It clearly varies from place to place though - where I am, the intervention policy is different depending on which of three hospitals you choose to go to! I now won't be offered another sweep at all, and I won't be seeing my midwife again until after the baby is born. My hospital will have me in for monitoring at 40 + 10, and then induce at 40 + 12.

Take the unofficial sweep!

congrats to all the new mummies! becks love the name he is a cutie!

Anna so sorry to hear the news about your mum, thinking of you and your family.

Thom I'm sorry you're having a tough time at the moment but glad to hear you and OH had the chat with your midwife.how are you and how are you feeling now?

speak glad to hear you're home now, always feels better when you're back at home

primary thanks we really love the name too. In other less glamorous news diarrhoea was a sign for me that baby was coming soon!

Beautician hope you are feeling a bit better since your last post? He weighed 7.9 so not far off 8 pounds. Makes me wonder if I had him on due date he would've been huge!!

cookies how are you feeling?

Eliz great news baby has turned! Mat 5 was an experience! Thankfully next day we managed to get a private room It's all thanks to you as if you hadn't mentioned it was available we wouldn't have know so thank you!x

Quick question for the new mummies who are breastfeeding or those who have breastfed-how long did it take for your milk to come through? It's day 5 for me and fustratingly I'm still only producing colostrum. Any tips on how to get milk flowing?!

Oh

Oh anna I am so deeply sorry to hear about your mum; I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through. Try not to over do things where physically possible though. Sending lots of love your way

Good luck bluebell. I think it depends a lot on area/hospital, I managed to get one at 38 weeks (not that it worked) but it does differ. Very jealous of your bed wallowing. I have been so exhausted these past few days, and sleep quality has declined at a rapid rate. Best of luck with your non-sooty sweep!

cheery nooo to the stretch marks. I think they can't be stopped, personally, and very genetic. I got mine last time right at the end. And the ones on my legs were post birth!! (From going down too quickly I think). In time they will be much harder to notice, especially with a tan in my experience

pulpi don't change your name!!

I'm too tired to face re writing every post i wrote when they wouldn't send - ladies I'm so sorry! The app over the last few days has been horrendous . I have still been reading and trying to post.

The levels of tiredness are ridiculous - I keep crying because I'm tired, going to bed, then not sleeping. It's making me so miserable. Lots and lots of strong stabby-vag pains but no contraction-like ones.

39+3

jem - a pleasure! so pleased the mythical private rooms are actually there and available occasionally. i am keeping fingers crossed that we get one next wed after the cs.

cookies - man i feel your pain re: tiredness and emotion. OH went out last night for last gasps and i clearly kept one ear open for him to return which was around 11pm (late for me). mind kept racing, going over and over I'm not sure what. am so exhausted i burst into tears when my mum casually asked if i was ok today. i basically just want to lie down for the next 5 days until she comes and wish away the now-constant John Wayne aching. Moan moan.

on the plus side, had a really lovely, civilised meal with my parents yesterday. felt like the old days! any of you londoners wanting something interesting without being too pretentious then i'd recommend Dabbous in Fitzrovia.

i deliberately didn't listen to the news today. walked for ages in the park with ted instead. it's done wonders for my mood!

pulpi - screw the current climate and keep your name! unless it's Boris, Jeremy or Theresa.

oh and bluebell - glad the sweep went ok. nice to get an update on what's going on down there. i will never forget my midwife saying after 4 days of induction that my cervix was still 'as tight as a packet of polos' so i'm pleased you're showing signs of progress! can you face a shag right now? lie back and think of sooty!

Just don't lie back and think of Matthew Corbett

Also: a packet of polos?! WTAF?

Lots to say but I gots the tireds. Night kids x

Ha ha Elliz the pack of polos made me laugh!

Loving the Sooty and Sweep chat too!

Bluebell, hope all's better again after the argument.

Thom, yes I think you're right, I guess it's hard for them to start adjusting to something that doesn't yet really exist for them in the way that it already very much exists for us - we have a 9-month head start in getting used to the idea.

Sorry to hear about the stretch marks, Cheery

Best of luck to all those who are having sweeps and nearing the end. Sorry to hear that do many people are feeling so frustrated and uncomfortable. Cookies, hope you feel better soon.

Anna - thinking of you x

Due July 21, but predict I will either be very close to the due date, or overdue by the time he/she finally comes. First child and first grandchild on both sides, so it's very exciting.

Congrats to all the other mummas-to-be.

Congrats to you too, Liz!

Welcome liz!

Anna I'm so sorry, there are no words

Good grief, where did the last two weeks go?! Have to laugh at past-me skipping out of work thinking I'd be gently pottering around and having time to post on here regularly... ...nope, have been crazy list woman!! Not sure if this is hormones (although did have meltdown because I didn't do one thing on goddamn list the other day) or nesting or just being a bit scared of doing nothing (anyone else get this?)

Nearly 39 weeks, so getting walking every day to make sure baby keeps heading in the right direction. Midwife started talking about sweeps at last apt, but am keen to avoid. Will never be able to have this conversation again without giggling and imagining a small blue puppet Anyone ever refused a sweep?

Oh, and the comments from other people, completely get that. If one more person tells me 'you should be resting' or 'don't move' or 'you shouldn't be doing that'... Feel like putting a sign on my head that says 'am an adult, can make my own decisions, moving is good for me'.
Irrational much, me?

On a less ranty note, all these baby photos are definitely making me feel like I'm ready to meet my bubba, congratulations to you all who are there already, they're all beautiful and am sure you're all doing an amazing job.

Right, off for lunch with a (male) friend who will hopefully want to put the world to rights about the almighty mess that our country is in rather than give out pregnancy 'tips'. Now there's a thought, maybe we should all get a picture of Boris or Nigel to throw things at when we're feeling grouchy?

Might be back before another two weeks, not promising x

1st of July!!! In Theory this should sound the influx of birth announcements for our group!!

Anna - So sorry to hear your news. The worst time to be getting such news too.... Thinking of you.

Beautician Its hard to keep up with when everyone is due. Glad you are feeling better!

Liz Welcome!!

Bluebell I shall be taking the unofficial sweep! Good to know that its not that bad too. I don't think I should go overdue (MW has been concerned since 35 weeks that I might have my baby early) but its good to know from your post that my knowledge of when induction takes place is correct.

I am a bit happier to today! Not sure if i have said by my bump is so low that its hung / folds over and Ive gone from having no stretch marks to having really deep ones in the last few weeks. This has resulted in a very sore and itchy bump despite 2-3x daily application of various -expensive- creams. However I applied some cheap cocoa Butter last night and the relief has been amazing! Simple things make the difference!

Bluebell how are you ? Any twinges yet? I hope the sweep has got things going for you.

Dats how have the eye treatments worked out? Pleased?

Thom you will have more I'm sure. Dare I say so far I find my three quite easy. It's all about routine. Plus I have a big age gap 11,10 and 3. So it's really only the 3 year old that needs heaps of attention. Not sure if it's just because they are boys or their age but the older two just get on with it. The only time I have to tell them off is for silly bickering.

Jem I've not breast fed successfully I usually just do the first 10 days so this will be the first time but my milk has always come in quick. I've heard of things like hot flannels over your breasts or standing under the warm shower helping things get flowing. Also the more often you try to feed the more your supply is stimulated so if baby isn't feeding too often I would try expressing in between.

Cookies I have the same annoying stabby pains in my foof but no contractions or even braxton Hicks for a few days. I hope all goes well on Sunday and your labour gets going quickly.

Eliz I think a little wee just came out laughing at your comment. Tight as a packet of polos

Liz hi and congratulations. Hope baby doesn't keep you waiting too long.

Ruby I hear you on all the helpful comments from people. Yesterday I had "ooh you shouldn't still be driving" and "why aren't you at home with your feet up eating chocolate". Erm because I have 3 children that need taking to various activities/school trips etc and a house to run.

Bird agreed we should have lots of babies arriving soon. Come on July babies.

So I've booked a Hollywood wax for this afternoon. I was hoping that it would provoke the law of sod and that I might go into labour. But nothing happening here. Although I never have signs that I'm going into labour I just suddenly start with the mild period pains. I plan to do not a lot this weekend as I don't want a weekend baby childcare is too difficult. I do really want him to arrive now though. I hope I don't go really over.

39+0 yippee

Anna just wanted to wish you the best of luck with the move. I'm terribly sad to hear about your mum. I was in a similar situation when pregnant with DD1. My DP's Dad passed away a couple weeks before my due date and I ended up being 4 days overdue at his funeral. All made worse by the fact I lost my dad exactly 11 months before out of the blue. Things sound so tough for you at the moment but I can assure you the birth of your little one will be a little ray of sunshine to get you through the bad times.

Sorry I haven't quite caught up with the rest of the thread, first week of maternity leave has been so busy! Hope everyone is doing ok through these last few shitty weeks. Congratulations to all the new mums and babies! Can't believe they are all starting to arrive now!!

Take care everyone xx

Agree bird come on babies it's time!! really sorry to hear about the stretch marks. I've only used coco butter stretch mark cream this time, mostly for smell/ soothing properties, I really like it. Hope you aren't too itchy. I've found e45 itch relief cream a real help in previous pregnancies.

beautician um 'enjoy' your wax I'm the same I get period pains and then they become stronger. So so so similar to the wind pains I've been getting which is really annoying. Also, interesting what you said about the skin still- I've got some at the very bottom of my bump still.. So either I could still drop more or I was Infact bigger before?

elliz agree with beaut about laughing and escaped wee so funny. I will definitely now be thinking of polos at the hospital!

Welcome liz !!

Hoping the lack of chat from bluebell is because she is in labour, post sweep. Sounds promising. I'm so glad you didn't find it painful- you're going to own this labour! I'm not sure if the doctor was just very 'thorough' this time but my goodness it hurt! (Unless I've just turned into a baby!)

jem sometimes it does take longer! Other than lots of skin to skin, putting baby to breast wherever possible, I would say maybe warm flannels/massaging or a warm shower? It will come I always found making sure I was drinking lots of water helped my milk in general

primary keep those legs crossed this weekend! Glad you've got all your bits packed just incase.

I'm off to repack the car boot again and look for some crumbs to hoover...

39+4

ruby ignore all those who say to calm down, I've been active with both of mine lifting my 15 kg toddler regularly didn't do any harm. Both pregnancies ended at 37 weeks + 4/5 days. I walked a lot and didn't really change anything to get things moving or take it easy so do anything you want as long as not crazy dangerous obv

Ellizardo I think I might have wept had the midwife said anything as unencouraging as that to me!

dats cheers for that, I am terribly suggestible will now no doubt have Matthew Corbett popping into my head at inopportune moments!!!

julfin yeah all is fine; I am getting more and more short-tempered though as I get less and less mobile so I guess there might be some more arguments to come! Length of temper directly proportional to degree of mobility, at the moment...

Welcome liz!

Beautician not really had any twinges. Thought I might have the mildest suggestion of period type aches earlier, but it's gone away again so not sure. You are so brave with your Hollywood wax! I really truly couldn't face that at the best of times, let alone in the latest stages of pregnancy!

Cookies afraid I am still not in labour! Lack of chat was due to my complete lack of arsedness to turn on my computer today! I've been alternating between scrabbling around on the floor pinning and cutting fabric for a patchwork quilt (thought being on my hands and knees might make the baby get a move on), and flopping on the sofa watching box sets. I wonder if my sweep didn't hurt so much because the cervix was already softening? I haven't had any spotting either so that suggests I maybe had an easy ride!

Feeling a little bit fed up now on and off. I can't even stand still any more; it's just too uncomfortable! I feel like I am mostly baby with an adult human attached! Trying to do fun things, e.g. sew and knit, but I have to take lots of breaks.

My dad is here this weekend, despite me sort of trying to put him off. He's not staying with us, bless him, because he knows full well I couldn't cope with that at this point, so he's booked a hotel. But I am a bit worried about feeling obliged to entertain him etc when actually I just want to be selfish and watch the crap DVDs I want to watch, and nap when I want to nap, and not have to worry about feeding anyone other than myself!!! It's nice to see him, of course, and very sweet of him to travel all this way, but I am not feeling terribly hospitable at the moment! It would be really helpful if I went into labour quite soon!

God sorry, exclamation mark city in that last post.

!