July 2016 (10) - the final thread for bumps!

[foobio]

New thread for the rapidly diminishing number of July bumps!

Link to postnatal thread for when we graduate... July 2016 Postnatal

Link to a copy of Beaut's stats list which I think I've made editable... Editable Stats

We have a Facebook group, "MN 07/16" - this is set to secret, so just post on here if you'd like to join.

[Cookiesandcoffee]

really struggling to post but congrats beaut and indians so scrummy!!! Sorry things weren't to plan and hope you're getting lots of rest. Beaut I hope you have enough childcare to recover without being swung back into action too quickly. Nursery runs and normality today on day 4 and tomorrow I have all 3 for the day on my own, including a birthday party and MW check up at the clinic!

bluebell I really hope he comes very soon for you. I think there are a lot of horror stories attached to inductions. And yes the statistics are what they are but I know many a positive story. And now as I hold him it makes no difference to me how he came into this world. Be kind to yourself. Very soon you will be holding him

photographer best of luck at your sweep tomorrow. Hope baby comes very soon.

anna have been thinking of you

[Bluebell20]

Indians huge congratulations, little Hallie is absolutely gorgeous! LOVE the little hat! Sounds like you have seriously been through the mill. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Beaut mega congrats heading your way too! Your little boy is also gorgeous. Sounds like you had quite a time of it - I hope that you've managed to get some sleep today. Did DH like the special babygro?! I would also love to hear the full birth story. Love a birth story.

dats, I can't thank you enough for what you posted this morning. I couldn't reply at the time because I was far too weepy and would have dripped all over the keyboard, but it really did buoy me up. Everything you said was so lovely and true and helpful. Thank you, thank you. xx And you are right, I have issues with anxiety, especially around health, so I should probably cut myself a bit more slack as I have got through my more recent medical episodes much, much more calmly than I would have done pre-pregnancy! Maybe I am growing up....??? (Nahhh...)

Cheery thanks for the vibes; they are much appreciated!

allthegood crikey, I hope your not-so-little-one evacuates soon rather than lingering like mine has... That is an impressive weight!

Elliz yeah we've always said we would have one, adopt one, if possible. How are you feeling? Fantastic news that you've been discharged - I hope you're enjoying nice snuggly home time.

bird thank you so much for all that very clear information on induction, which I found really helpful. Your advice about writing an alternative birth plan is really good, and I will be doing that tomorrow. You're absolutely right - it will make me feel more in control.

gnat thanks for the hugs. :)

photographer sounds like the best thing you can do is talk everything through with your midwife and see what she thinks your best option is. Six days is a long time - you may well not even need an induction! I think it's less likely with a second baby, isn't it? I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Hopes thank you for saying that you found your induced births positive experiences - it makes me feel much better and gives me hope.

Cookies thank you also. I need to focus on the fact that he will be arriving soon, not how he will be arriving!

After I cried all over DH this morning, I stopped crying long enough to manically clean the bathroom, and had just got everywhere squeaky clean and was in the process of tipping the dirty loo-brush-holder water down the toilet, when I lost my grip on the holder and threw it all over the floor instead. God, I didn't half sob over that. No point crying over spilt milk, but I felt there was quite a lot of point in crying over spilt loo-brush-holder water. DH grabbed a mop and bleach and told me to sit down because I was driving him mental! He ended up ringing his mum and asking her to come and spend the afternoon / evening up here to distract me. It was such a good move. She brought her two dogs, and we went for a walk - no rams! But I climbed stiles and gates and everything, which I felt was quite accomplished given my gestational state. I rewarded myself with cake and cream.

Aaand this evening I had quite a big bloody show. While that is no doubt just what got disturbed by the sweep yesterday, I can't tell you how nice it felt to have some physical evidence that my body is DOING SOMETHING towards getting this baby out. It's actually made me feel more okay about the prospect of induction, because at least I feel that my body has started the process.

41 + 3

[mascaraisamust]

A good sign Bluebell (I may have to take a leaf from your book and do more walking)! Hope things get rolling soon.

[julfin]

Bird you need to make fb friends with Becky Scase.

Dats thanks so much for all the info re crowning/pushing etc - extremely helpful to know, and not something I'd been told at my various antenatal classes.

Congratulations to the new mummies! What lovely babies we're producing! Very happy for you that you've got your squishes.

And thanks to the graduates for continuing to return to this thread during this crossover period between antenatal and postnatal. Please do keep the detailed birth stories coming - it's helpful for us to know about the different eventualities.

Bluebell sorry things are tough for you. It will happen! Great that you've had your show. I confess I did laugh out loud at your line about "no point crying over spilt milk but..."!

No particular news from me. DH still freaking out about the whole thing, which is totally exhausting and makes me just want to rip the metaphorical band-aid off as soon as possible. Other than that I'm fine, just pottering about, doing admin and yoga, and enjoying the ability to have naps.

[julfin]

Ps Becks your MW's language was astonishing! I know people might say "a bit mental" in everyday chat, eg to describe a busy situation, but to use it in that context is v odd as you say.

38+4

[Ellizardo]

Mrsrolly - it's so lovely to be back in own bed, though managing different sleep patterns will take getting used to! I may even have a snifter of champagne today! Dads Guinness cake was yum. Still some in fridge with my name on it.

Julfin - is DH having general 'fear of the Unknown' panic or specific? You'll be so pleased when he rises to the occasion. In my case, my love and respect for OH went thru roof when Ted was born as he was a natural incredible father. I realise that's not the case for everyone but it's certainly made me a better mother and our family stronger whilst, at the risk of sounding cheesy, he has found a real calling too.

As for birth - as ELCS rep on this thread (shortly to hand over baton to Anna!) all I will say is if you have to have a section, be prepared for some discomfort and pain from the op to the aftermath. Don't want to worry people but I always thought folk have rose tinted idea that a CS was somehow easy and pain free. It's not. For more details feel free to IM me.

Here's pic of Claudia contemplating life during Federer match yesterday. Good luck weekend babies!

[Ellizardo]

PS dats - it's EH-LEHN which should trip off the tongue with a certain Gallic je ne sais quoi due to accents! My Ma is French/Dutch and there've been four generations of Helenes so a real pleasure to keep it going

[Ellizardo]

Pps Bluebell - did you watch Withnail in the end? I imagine it being a great distraction! I hope you're feeling better. I had a silent weep for much of the night before last in hospital, just overwhelmed with enormity of everything and unable to ignore the pain. It's such a unique time in all our lives, our emotions must run the gamut. It would be odd if they didn't! Sending you love and hopes for a Game of Thrones style bloody show!

[Gx91]

Hey ladies !

Massive congradulations to our recent arrivals and new mummies !
Ellizardo Indians and beaut!! Thanks for the photos what gorgeous little babbas!! X

All have u have done so well love reading ur delivery stories ! X

Sounds like we have another baby boom on our hands , it's going to be even harder to try and keep up X
Really is such an amazing time and such a lovely thought that this thread has brought so many woman together from far and wide X ( think I'm getting a touch emosh looking at all your little angels!) lol X

Not much happening here , had my last midwife app yesterday , baby boy is in great position for VBAC , so if I go into labour by myself before c section date (19th) I may give it another shot so nervous and waiting for any signs , just so excited it's madness ! X
To be fair the times flown by second time round , really hope we r ready for this !! Eeeek !
Good luck all and much love xxx

[Liz09]

Gorgeous babies all around! Ellizardo Love that serious thinking face.

Nothing happening here still. The last thing I want to do is get off my bum and go for walks. It's cold and miserable here, and I feel like an elephant. I'm at the point where if I sit down, I'm not getting up again. I've really mastered the art of scooting around on my office chair at work.

[Cheery1]

Aw gnat that's lovely and very true! This thread has been amazing throughout, what an amazing bunch of women! Great news about VBAC - really hope all goes well for you. X

bluebell - sounds promising! Think I need to get walking! Good luck lovely lady!

I've been so tired last few days I've not done much - after swimming at least twice a week and doing yoga. Think it's the antibiotics - upset stomach and periody pains - think also antibiotics. Due date today and no sign of an arrival. He's clearly run out of space but staying put!

Lovely to hear all the new mummies are doing well - thanks so much for checking in on us still yet to birth!

40+0 eeeek!!

[Cheery1]

liz sounds like we're in a similar state!

[Cheery1]

Sorry gnat and g got you mixed up! X

[Cheery1]

julfin - I think sometimes guys can feel a bit helpless and useless around all the female amazingness of pregnancy and birth translating into toddler behaviour. Hang in there. Think you're being very patient and you just get on with whatever you need to do right now. Sending hugs x

[Cheery1]

eliz hope you're doing ok - I know a couple of my NCT ladies had C sections and the recovery can be tough. X

[GoingLoopyQuickly]

I hit 37 weeks yesterday and the baby is already 2/5 engaged. She has turned so we are now all set up for the home birth. I am still at work until wednesday but i am really feeling achey and tired so could welcome her arrival soon. I do have tea and cakes at work on Tuesday and would like to get to the end of work but tbh I am not sure I have that much energy.

My darling 2.5year old toddler ran off from me yesterday and I caught him just before he ran out into a road. I have never felt so scared and angry at the same time. It doesn't help that he os choosing now to be develop his self assertiveness. I am just resorting to too much tv time!

[Cheery1]

Aw give yourself a break about TV time goingloopy - you need to rest while you can! Great that baby engaged - our LO is taking his sweet time making his way into the world. Wasn't engaged at 38 weeks but midwife said not to worry. Ah well, just have to be patient I guess!

[AnnaT45]

eliz thank you for posting about how you felt the other day. DD is so full on I'm slightly worried about recovery but DH gets two weeks off so hopefully by then I'll feel better. If not Paw Patrol and Peppa are entertaining!
How many nights were you in for? Love that pic! DD had that spotty baby grow! I've got it washed as decided it's unisex!

g that's good news! They've said I can try VBAC if I go into labour naturally but whilst baby head is down its not engaged and is bloody back to back. It's the exact same situation as DD so i doubt I'll be going into labour on my own! I've said I'm happy to do whatever I just can't have a repeat of last time as I was so unwell for weeks and that's not an option with a toddler!

going all mums with little ones and newborns say TV is crucial in the first few months. I really wouldn't worry. I bet you were scared when he ran out! Glad he was ok.

juflin he will be fine when baby is here. At least the concern shows he cares and wants to take it serious. Try ignore it if that's possible.

Happy due date cheery!!!

Thanks cookies my mum is now mainly asleep and only wakes occasionally. When she does she's very confused so we are making sure one of us is with her 24/7. The hospice is fab and has a bed for you to sleep in the room with her. It's pretty hard emotionally but I don't want this going on for too long. It's not living in my eyes. I'm actually with her now just sat holding her hand. All the staff are lovely and look upset when I say how close I am to having baby but I guess it's just one of those things.

Feet are getting swollen and I'm getting tired now so trying to rest but I'm not very good at sitting down!

X

[BeauticianNotMagician81]

BIRTH STORY
Its quite a nice one. But some people would rather read nothing about birth so I'm warning you. Hey can't be that bad I've done it 4 times.

So contractions started at 6pm on 7th. I didn't take too much notice as they were the same as Saturday's so I thought possibly another false start. At 9pm I went to the loo and had a very bloody show. I even called DH to see . By 10.30pm contractions were getting to every 4 minutes apart. We are 40 minutes from the hospital so we called them and they said to go in. Then we called childminder and she bought her overnight bag to our house.

Arrives at hospital at 12.15am. Contractions were very strong and regular. Unfortunately due to reduced movement I had to be monitored for an hour. At 1.15am I was checked on and only 3cm. The midwife was surprised as obviously the monitor was showing how strong contractions were. She advised us to walk around the hospital or pace in the room so we went for a walk. At 2am they let me go into a water birthing room. Lights low and I just had to walk around or bounce on the ball. 3am I was examined still 3cm and contractions slowing but still strong. They decided to break my waters to try and speed things up. I'm not going to lie it wasn't pleasant as my cervix was very posterior. I finally reached 6cms at 7am despite thinking this labour just wasn't going to happen. They let me in the pool at this stage. The water was an amazing relief so much so I was worried contractions would slow again as I felt so relaxed. Still nothing much happened pain wise the contractions were strong but manageable so I started on the gas and air. By 8am contractions were suddenly on top of each other. Usually I cry at this stage but I just sucked away on that gas and air. I don't find it much pain relief but it helps focus my breathing which I think is really important. At 9am I was shouting for an epidural. I think that happens just before you are about to push as obviously the pains change. At 9.55am Monty-Beau was born. The midwife got me to turn around just before I pushed out his head as I had been leaning against the side of the pool so DH could stoke my head and back. I felt baby turn as he came out and him looking up me through the water was amazing. We sat in the water for about 5 minutes. I wanted the injection for the placenta so DH took baby and I was helped out of pool by two midwifes. I took off my tankini top and had skin to skin while waiting for the placenta to come out. Unfortunately it took a while to come out which resulted in quite a lot of blood loss although not enough to need a transfusion. They wanted me to stay in and when I mentioned breast feeding they decided to transfer me to the birthing centre. I can stay here until Wednesday but I'm going to leave tomorrow I think. It's gorgeous. The food is amazing and only two of us on the ward. Monty is feeding well and is so content. Apparently a lot of this is due to the fact he's a water birth baby. I don't know that. I loved the water birth and would highly recommend it. We were pretty much left alone until the pushing stage and despite a stressful start to labour the whole birth pool experience was so relaxing.

[Cheery1]

Anna - you've got so much going on, I don't know how you're doing it. Hope you're resting when you can. Sending love and thinking of you xxx
beaut what a lovely birth story! I really would love a water birth if poss - so great to know how positive you found the whole experience. I love the name Monty too - lovely. Thanks so much for sharing x

[Cheery1]

P.s. Just seen the picture of Monty - what a cutie!!

[Cheery1]

Anna - this may sound odd but it is such a special time that you're having with your mum. I had a similar time with mine (a long time ago now) and although it's unbearably sad, and I miss her more than ever at the moment, I am always grateful that we got to say goodbye properly - that we got the chance to say the important things to one another. I feel lucky for that. There isn't anything that makes losing your mum better but it sounds like you are making the most of the time you have. Xx

[Bluebell20]

mascara I would definitely recommend the walking (slash waddling). If nothing else it gets you out and about in the fresh air, which has got to be good!

julfin sorry that your DH is still having a freak out - not exactly what you need! Does he have any friends who are dads who you can ask to have a chat with him? Or any new dads from antenatal classes who might be able to reassure him? I think it can be a bit tricky for nervous dads - us mums are put in contact with so many people who can support us, and the partners are left to flounder a bit! I know my DH has really noticed the occasions when he has been 'left out' of conversations in hospital - when the staff have directed all their remarks at me. I can see how that would lead to other halves feeling like something of a spare part.

Ellizardo oh my gosh, that serious little face is so adorable! Hope you get your champers today. We have a bottle in the fridge which I am looking forward to having a wee bit of at some point. I didn't watch Withnail in the end because my lovely MIL stayed late and kept me entertained till nearly 11pm! It's on the cards for today, though... And yes, I am feeling quite a bit better, thank you.

Gx I completely agree, this thread has been one of my main supports for the whole pregnancy and I don't think I would have coped so well without all of you guys!

Liz I've found that I've gone through phases of extreme knackeredness, followed by days of fizzy energy. Hopefully you've got an energy burst coming! How long till your maternity leave? I'm sure that will help.

Cheery I had my last swim at 39 and a bit weeks! Decided to let myself off after that point! I've packed my swimming costume in my hospital bag, because if there is any chance of me getting a water birth despite the induction, I am going to hack off the bottom bit and just wear it as a top in the pool. It was only £14 and it's not like anyone's going to want a used maternity costume, so I figure I may as well try and get the most out of it!

GoingLoopy yikes, can't imagine chasing a toddler at this point - well done for catching him. Your heart must have been going like the clappers. Hope he chills out for you a bit!

Anna it sounds like your family is doing the most beautiful job of taking care of your mum. I am thinking about you all. x

I have pretty much accepted that I'm going to be induced tomorrow. I lost a load more of my mucus plug this morning - honestly, I can't believe how excited I got over something so truly disgusting! I'm going to go through all my hospital bags again today (I have extra ones for different eventualities; it's a bit ridiculous) and just make sure I'm totally prepared. When we rushed to hospital for the reduced movements on Thursday morning, both DH and I forgot to take our wallets with us, so at least if I am induced we can move more calmly and there is less likelihood of us being total dipshits.

In other news, my dad has actually really understood that I need to have the pressure taken off me and has said he won't contact me until Monday morning (he normally rings at least once a day, if not twice, and then wants to talk for 45 minutes). My younger brother, who is a bit of a star, has also orchestrated a post-birth visit for this coming Friday, both him and my dad together, just coming for lunch (which my brother has offered to cook) and then leaving again for their respective airports (my dad lives abroad; my brother works all over the world). Assuming all has gone well and that baby and I are out of hospital by that point, of course.

My brother is a freaking legend, as I was a bit worried that my dad would want to come and visit every day for days on end! I'm so glad that I made my feelings clear, because as it turns out nobody has been offended by me, and I'm going to get exactly what my slightly panicky, antisocial heart desireth in terms of time to myself, my DH and my baby.

Off to do a final clean and tidy of the house now, before hopefully getting a good night's sleep and getting things moving tomorrow!

41 + 4

[Bluebell20]

Beaut thank you so much for sharing your birth story! Monty-Beau is looking beautiful!

[AnnaT45]

Thank you cheery. I'm so sorry you lost your mum too. I agree it's lovely to say goodbye. She likes to have her hand on my bump when she wakes up so that's lovely. I hope you use this group to get lots of support as I know it will be tough for you without your mum.

beaut Monty is gorgeous!!!! The place you're in now sounds fab! Maybe stay in longer if you need to? How is feeding going?

blue sounds like you're on your way and the induction may just kick start it. I only needed the gel to get contracting and you sound much closer than I was. I reckon you'll be on your way quickly. Your brother sounds like a diamond! Get them to run the Hoover round and do a load of washing when they are there!

X