August 2016 Babies (thread 6) - Ready to Pop!

[FourForYouGlenCoco]

New thread - the one where we stop being pregnant and become new mamas! So close to the end. Exciting!

Thank you for all the good wishes and congrats to pear and sophia and anyone I have missed! BabyDots is snoozing away just now, having fed pretty much constantly from midnight to 5! He is super cute and nowhere near the bruiser we were anxiously awaiting - despite the scans and measuring big, he is a very reasonable 8lb 9oz. It does appear that I am particularly good at growing placenta though, as it was huge and MW felt that my big bump was a large part down to that!

Waiting for my big girls to come in with DH at 0930, they were so excited when I spoke to them yesterday from the hospital (was in from 0600, really slow 1st stage, so much for number 3 whizzing out!) and when I left to go in yesterday morning I spoke to a sleepy DD1 to let her that our next door neighbour was sitting in until grandparents arrived (DD1 is an early riser and might have had a bit of a fright!) and she said 'are you in labour? Good luck mummy!' Which I thought was rather lovely!

Sending lots of safe delivery vibes to those of you due imminently and speedy thoughts to those with a few weeks left. Looking forward to introducing babyDots to the Olympics opening ceremony at midnight tonight - likely to be up and feeding during most of the big events of the next 2 weeks, good timing!

Congratulations, Asthma! Casper is adorable! And that was efficient of you!

Good point re the Olympics & night feeds, lots! Though I'll probably have to get some sleep to cope with DS during the day. How old are your older 2?

Oh wow congratulations on the new babies,

I'm also feeling a bit Mmm about having 2. My 22 month old has been going ballistic if my husband picks up baby, not so bad with me but constantly trying to throw himself into me and baby

I'm dreading hubby going back offshore and being left with 2 for a month. Just wondering about simple things like bedtime etc, it's got me concerned .

Congratulations on all of these gorgeous little bundles!!!! Well done to our hardworking and amazing mummies who have brought these wonders into the world!!! So nice to hear positive birthing stories. I'm quite excited about doing the Hypnobirthing thing this time round!

Totally agree about the moving from 1 to 2 kids, my DS is 5 and is at school. We are currently on holidays - I work in a school too - and he has been very, very clingy and demanding. I think it's the change coming and having me here all the time. He is so excited about the baby but I am expecting some behaviour changes. He is an absolutely wonderful wee boy and is such a pleasure usually but he has never really had to share me or his dad.

So last night I was having regular, not painful, tightening for a couple of hours and I think I had a bit of a show. No blood, just jelly snot. Know this doesn't mean anything is imminent but feels like we are moving in right direction! DH and I also did 'stuff' yesterday (no actual sex as the Lego pieces don't fit comfortably any more 😳😳😳) so wondering if that has had an effect? I'm 39+1 today.

My PIL are in Amsterdam until Monday so I'd rather wait until they were home for baby to arrive! DH has a rare weekend off too so would like to do something as a family of 3 before bubs arrives.

Hope all of our new mummies are loving their new baby time and are getting some sleep lol!! For all of us still waiting, lots of labour vibes to you all.

Congratulations to everyone with their new beautiful babies! &thinking of everyone who is slightly worried about bringing a new addition into the picture. I don't have any other children but as 1of 7 myself I can safely say that you're giving your babies a friend for life! I feel bad that I'm only going to do this once as I don't want her to be lonely so I suppose there are worries both ways! Toddlers or young children are hard to anticipate how they'll act and are obviously going to have their moments when they wish they were the centre of attention but involving them as much as possible, reassuring them that they're loved, showing them how to be a big brother or sister, watching them bond with their little sibling is just a process you have to do. You'll be so glad you gave them a little friend and in a few months think "how were they ever without eachother??"
39+1 here and angry at the world. I'm practically disabled with this head grinding on my pelvic bone I can barely move! Was up at 6AM throwing my guts up and am now in bed with a very sore throat because of it. Will this ever end?? I'm so angry that I had contractions, thought it was happening and then nothing. Have I not suffered enough (major pity party going on here)! Plus if I get one more "where's this baby!" "I want a cuddle!" "I can't wait any longer!" YOU can't wait any longer?? Feel like telling everyone to eff off and to move off the edge of their seats as they're not all rushing round when she is here anyway! I WILL have my relaxing few days at home with me, OH and baby. I don't want our dog dealing with too much goings on, a new baby is enough without stampedes of people in and out.
My dad guessed baby would be born today..and he's always right but I just know this time he's going to be wrong. Others have guessed anywhere up to the 15th! (EDD is 11th). Can anyone reassure me that this pelvic bone pain will instantly go when she's no longer leaning on it? If this requires recovering as well as everything else I'm not quite sure how il cope

Hope your dad is right christine I really feel for you, it's been a lousy pregnancy by the sound of it

Thank you all for reassuring words, it's really helped knowing I'm not going through this alone and I know deep down everything will be okay! I hope you get your weekend with the three of you daytona my husband just off on holiday yesterday and wants me to hold off having the baby for another week so he can get three weeks off work...! Somehow it doesn't work that way and I'm due today! Somehow I don't think I'm going to be one of the 5% of Preggos to go on DD!

Congratulations to all the new arrivals! Sorry for not including names I am using the app so unable to switch over to see who's who!

Christine you poor thing. Late pregnancy can be pretty crappy. People say the daftest things (eg demonstrating their impatience - their impatience is frankly irrelevant) people don't always consider how their own excitement might sound to others. My MIL said to me in hospital that she wished she'd had more notice about DD being born nearly 4wks early I managed not to lose the plot but did point out that we had hoped for more notice too...!

Re pelvic pain - in all likelihood it will be a lot better as soon as your baby is born. I had PGP with both pregnancies, and crutches for this second one - within c10 days I could walk further than I had been able to do in months.

In the meantime, rest, turn your phone off if necessary and do what YOU need to do to stay sane and as comfortable as possible during these last days of pregnancy x

Congratulations to lots, pear and asthma, can't believe all these babies being born! I'm so jealous as I've been having pains but nothing has happened. I'm still only 36+4 today but need to go naturally soon else it will be a repeat section or induced vbac which I don't think I want to do. scan and consultant next Friday where she may decide she wants baby out then.

Fruity sorry you're in pain, my pgp is back with a vengeance and my hips and back are also terrible. I had a session of osteopathy early on in pregnancy and it was amazing. I couldn't manage it this big though but definitely recommend it. I couldn't believe the difference it made.

Lainey those pains that lead nowhere are annoying! Hopefully they will be doing something at least

Im actually quite scared of the whole birth thing now, even though I've done it so many times...I keep wanting it to happen but then feeling scared when I get some pains as I know it's going to hurt! I hate not knowing what will happen though and how the birth will go. At this rate I'll end up with another section. I just want her out safely and my anxiety is rising the longer I go.

Congratulations to lots pear and asthma! Babies arriving everyday now!

Just had my 38 week appointment and was all set for a sweep (offered to first time mum's here, not second but midwife said she would do it) but didn't have it done in the end. In my first pregnancy my cervix was very vascular and I bled after an internal scan at 36 weeks and a sweep at 39+6 (when he was born 3 hours later!). I really didn't want to spend overnight in hospital if I did bleed.. With my ds id had tightenings for a few days and lost my plug but no signs with this one so declined it at the last minute. Different midwife did my appointment as mine in holiday and measured me differently almost diagnoally as baby was laying on my left side -mine never does that even though it's always laid on that side. She said it was about 37cm when she did it that way.. Heart rate was 125 which seems low but she wasn't concerned just came out feeling a bit uneasy about a few things..

Also panicking about having a second baby and how we'll cope. Ds is our world and can't imagine having to share our attention-but late now I know!

Sorry if this is TMI but just looking for thoughts please!

I was just walking to toilets from car park of restaurant as had just drank a bottle of water and got a gush right through to my leggings....but I don't know if it was just my bladder is full cuz I drank so much and walking at the same time on a pavement heavy footed?I don't have any stomach pain it just feels a bit achey down below, the same sort of feeling when you are about to get your period so that could be the answer to that? We DTD earlier. Oh and it's my due date so I'm justifying how slim the chances are? When I've sneezed or coughed before and I've maybe not had full control of my bladder and it was a ten pence size came out but this was about a table spoon worth. It could've been just the water! Maybe incontinence levels are at an all time high..put on a pantyliner

Put a maternity pad on Dileas & see what happens over the next hr or so. I had to do that to gauge whether it was pee or not

Massive congrats to all the mama's of the newly borns! Sending all the love!!

Mrszumba not surprised you're feeling uneasy, that didn't sound like a great appointment.

Dileas it could be waters but it could be due to you dtd earlier on. Waters should keep on leaking or gush. If you're worried then give the hospital a call, they might want to check you over.

Just realised I said I was 36+4 but I'm not, I'm 36+1 today. Managed soft play today with my 2 and 4 year old, some shopping, walk and just got back from the park. Dh is bathing them while I sit down. My scar feels tender and achy, so I'm worrying about that now. I'm such a worrier!

Dileas - that sounds like waters to me as that is what I experienced. You may get another leak soon. I found I leaked again after lying on my left side and getting up.

To those of you worried about the new baby rocking the relationship between you and your dc1. Well I hadn't had time to worry about it but I can now say that DS who is the biggest attention seeker ever and won't play on his own is still getting lots of attention from us and he absolutely adores his little sister. He's been so gentle and asks for cuddles which last 30 seconds Try and focus on what you're giving your dc1 rather then taking away. Even if your dc1 struggles at first, it won't be long before you stand back and see them enjoy each other's company playing together. It will be all worth it and 1000 times over. I think the key is to keep reminding DC1 how clever and wonderful they're and how much the new baby loves them and how importantly special your DC1 is to everyone in your family. My little baby girl gave DS a vtech camera that I grabbed in the sale. It has gone down brilliantly because he's enjoying taking photos of the baby and it gives him a focus to talk about other then the baby. We didn't take the present to the hospital. In the hospital she gave him a kinder egg to keep him busy and then on day 1 at home he got the present which was an extra surprise for him and we made it an extra special fuss.

pear that's the same toy we have ready for DD when baby arrives! Great minds! Thanks for that, it's really helpful to hear how it is in reality and tips on what to do. DD kisses my tummy constantly and cuddles and includes bump in conversations but that's a great idea to have different topic of conversation too so it's not just baby baby baby.

Well embarrassingly I don't think it's waters as there is no more trickles and I think weight on bladder might just be getting to a whole new level but will see what this evening brings. DH face was a picture, I think it's finally hit home what could be round the corner. Will keep posted

Totally with you Christine, I'm 39+4, i don't feel as bad as you but i know what you mean the the comments. I am so sick of 'any sign?' 'Where's that baby' argh!!!!! Leave me the hell alone we'll tell you when baby arrives!!!! And same we're having a few days alone too. hope you feel better and baby arrives soon

Peardrop we are having the opposite my 22 month old is going ballistic if my husband picks up the baby , screaming dadda and either chucking himself on floor or trying to climb on to my husband , he is doing it to me as well but not quite as much as when husband home he favours him over me

I just how he has adjusted before my husband goes away again to work.

It's a shame he is really not happy about the new baby

daytona and others.... As you know I'm only expecting my first so I don't have direct experience of adding a sibling to a family. However, with my work hat on (child
psychologist) I would say to try not to ascribe "older emotions" to toddler actions and reactions. As an adult, it's natural to feel guilty about adding a sibling and to therefore look at the change in your older child's behaviour and to think about experiencing jealousy, being left out, feeling rejected, feeling unhappy and so on. However, (especially for for 1-3 year olds) the majority of the unsettled behaviour will be a reaction to everything being different and them feeling unsettled and having to adjust to "the new normal". Hence sometimes more tantrums, clinginess, being overly attached to one parent, tearful, regression in toileting/sleep. Same as when they start nursery or for any big changes to home life.

Obviously, it's completely natural for the older child to experience some 'negative' emotions in response to a big change such as those that accompany a baby but most of the time they're just reacting on base instincts and it's us -the adults- who add the more complex emotions on top and make ourselves feel terrible by essentially putting our minds in their bodies.

I don't know if I've explained that very well. I suppose I'm saying to be reassured that it's not the baby they dislike, nor their parents.

My three year old niece completely blanked her little brother and parents for about 24 hours after they bought him home from hospital. It was just her way of processing the new changes, but it was very disconcerting whilst she was doing it!

That's hard for you Daytona My experience is based on my son who is 3 years old. I've watched friends have their 2nd/3rd children and their is a difference between a 2 year old and 3 year olds reaction. When they're 3 you're able to prepare them far more then a 2 year old but then a small age gap has plenty of other benefits I hope things calm down for you all very soon and they will

That makes total sense Plimsolls :) My DH is a psychologist, albeit not a child one, and we have had similar conversations...

When I was in hospital for a week, DS was obviously knocked by that and became v v clingy to DH, and even when I got home again DH was still the favoured parent by a country mile. But as we saw it, it wasn't that I was being punished or anything, simply that DH had been consistently present and suddenly I hadn't been. To feel secure, DS was attaching extra strongly to who he felt was consistent. Which wasn't me for a while. And now it's becoming more balanced again - but it's taken a little while. He also used his toys to process mummy being away. That was a bit upsetting to see but also understandable.

The other thing we are trying to remember is that DS is only just 3. Before DD arrived he still seemed young (in an entirely appropriate way!). Now that DD is here he seems more grown up, simply because he isn't a newborn. But actually he hasn't changed - and we are trying to remember not to suddenly have different expectations of him simply because he is a 'big brother'. I hope that makes sense!

Hi everyone! Have not posted in ages!

So exciting to read about all the babies, congratulations to all of you (can't quite remember everyone - I'm better on the FB group, sorry!). I hope you're all enjoying the cuddles and adjusting to the new routines.

FWIW, I was 4 when my sister was born. I remember being LIVID every time
my mum picked her up and raging with jealousy at the attention she was getting. However my Mum fondly remembers how if she'd nipped to the corner shop she would come back and I would be all proud as I would have looked after her, replaced her dummy etc (yep those were the 80s, seemed to be ok to leave small children for a couple of minutes. In fairness my sister was in her cot and at 4 I was very responsible and capable of sitting nicely with a book). Anyway, all this to say that perhaps involving the older DC in helping with the baby would be beneficial for the relationship and hopefully they will adjust soon

I'm due on Tuesday, no news here! I have to wee a million times a day (and night) and I feel pretty stiff in the evening - sore pelvis etc. - but I guess it's to be expected at this stage. We had friends staying last weekend, so I was determined not to go into labour then. I then started maternity leave on Monday, can't believe it's been a whole week already. Although I did do some work from home in my spare time. Anyway I have done everything I had to do - work is sorted, house is clean, freezer is full and I had a haircut and a wax! Operation Baby Out has begun - I ate half a pineapple today!! I'm not desperate but I don't want to wait too much longer - I'm too excited! Come on baby!!

Thank you for the comments everyone. It will be worth it when she's here!
Despite OH not really liking the thought of DTD as she's so low down now (apparently. I still can't feel anything with my short little fingers) it would seem tonight he couldn't control himself and went for it. A very good job he did too might I add! But I have a question that I'm sure I won't really be able to get an answer for but I'll try anyway. It felt ALOT deeper than normal. It wasn't, but it just felt really, I don't know, as if he'd added an extra few inches..you know that feeling when you couldn't take any more length. Now do we think this is A- because everything's moved down and is closer to the opening. B-because somethings opening in there (my cervix?) and it went in there or something (now I say it, it seems unlikely) or C-I've finally lost the plot. Either way, I'm now laying here waiting for spent thing to start, to no doubt fall asleep due to lack of labour. One can hope! On the bright side it seems to have shifted something just slightly and releaved the pressure on my pelvic bone!

Scratch the laying in bed idea..I'm off to McDonald's

Daytona, it's probably healthy that your DS is clearly expressing how unsettled he is by the change. Much worse if he were bottling it up & withdrawing, although obviously it must be so challenging to cope with! He will adjust in time, it's tricky for everyone.

My DS has been apparently smitten by his little sister, but his sleep went to complete pot until I started doing his bath & bed time again a couple nights ago. Means DD has to wait for a feed while DH jigs her about, but DS has settled much better overnight for having the cuddly time with me in the evening. It's finding the balance between the different needs & it'll be tricky for a while, no doubt!

My sympathies to those who are finding late pregnancy really uncomfortable. It's so hard sometimes! May you not have long to wait before sweet newborn chaos is upon you!