Late December - Early January Thread 2!

[Bella1985]

Hi! We're on to our 2nd thread for babies due at the end of December/Early January. 3rd trimester is in sight...!

hello. Good to hear everyone's news. I'm still here. It's been a busy week. My kitchen reno is done (except painting the walls) and we've "moved" back into our kitchen.

However all the reno work probably drove my BP up as I have developed mild gestational hypertension. Was at the DAU all day yesterday while they monitored my BP, checked my urine and gave me a blood test which helps predict pre-eclampsia. Good news is all the markers for pre-e are normal and i'm very unlikely to develop pre-e. However, my mild hypertension means I have to go into the DAU every week from now until birth to monitor BP, have a urine test and monitor baby if necessary.
I also had my last growth scan yesterday. Baby is 6lb7! To me that sounds very big because DD was 5lb5 at birth and didn't get to 6lb7 until she was 3weeks+. I'll be putting away those early baby clothes I've packed in the hospital bag. Baby is back to back and I've heard some horror long and painful labour stories with back to back babies. Apparently getting on all 4s and rocking and the "spinning babies" method will help baby turn. I will be watching tv on all 4s until birth!

Great news on the kitchen Lucy. Hopefully there's still plenty of time for baby to turn.

I had my scan today & baby is very low. To scan the head the sonographer was not scanning my tummy.... . Estimated weight of 6lb 4 which (like you says Lucy) sounds massive as DS was only 5lbs. Talked me through what I should look out for with signs of labour. My BP is really high for me but keep being told its normal. Baby's is in a good birth position & lying down my right hand side with feet over to my left. Hands over its face at the scan. That's why it feels like the baby is trying to scratch it's way out!!

I tried to do some shopping in the supermarket but I was getting such strong painful cramps that I gave up & came home. Now lying on the sofa & they have subsided. No idea what it was but made me feel so sick. Feel more relaxed now but hate not knowing when this one will arrive! No at all patient!!!

Gosh emz sounds like you are not far away!

lucy glad you are ok, take it easy. The kitchen stuff sounds crazy!

I just had an antenatal appointment and had a quick scan on the small machine in the doctors office. Baby is not engaged at all yet which explains the searing rib pain. Doctor said I can go and have an anaesthetic injection into my ribs if I really can't bear the pain anymore so that's good to know.

Proper growth scan next week to check size and then we can discuss what I want to do birth wise - c section is pencilled in for the 22nd but I don't have to decide whether I want to use that slot until that morning, which is great.

I have told the doctor that either way I do not want to go overdue so I have put a firm end point on all of this anyway!

Waw stealth you have an end date! That's very exciting, and great you can choose on the day about the c-section. Good to hear you have an option for pain relief with your ribs too. Can't even begin to imagine how painful it must be for you if the baby is that high up.

I'm closer to emz on the baby front, head is so low down I keep getting the famous 'fanny daggers' and needing to stop in my tracks to see them out/decide if I need to dash to the loo or if its too late I keep expecting my waters to break the pressure feels so high but they never do, I guess this will be it now until eviction day.

My hips are super sore every night, I can't lie on my side for more than an hour before I need to turn over and they still ache for an hour or two after getting up. Anyone found anything good to help with this? I have a blanket underneath me in bed but its not enough, I think I need a water bed! 34 nights max (they induce at 40+12 here) to suffer this before a whole new host of things post birth come to keep me awake!!

Good luck with the hypertension lucy and the watching tv on all fours!

I keep thinking things have started. My poor DH! I woke up at 1.30am with hip pain, a cough attack & then heartburn. I had DHs pillow precariously balanced over my head. Apparently my snoring was so bad he was using it for sound insulation!!!! [ I can't help feeling guilty but I do have to put up with his snoring when he drinks. (Now firmly on a drinking ban).

Fanny daggers! That's exactly it. Takes your breath away. Was having such bad cramps this morning & had a really bad stomach. Baby is kicking just above my belly button so must be low. I don't feel Iv got long but that could just be me hoping!

Glad you have a plan in place, Stealth & that they can sort your rib pain. Sounds like baby is very comfy, unlike your poor ribs! My DSs swimming lesson has helped the cramps. I don't know his you have put up with this pressure for so long Bella.

Fanny daggers! Haha! I thought I had some before but I think it was the little fellow punching downwards onto my cervix. He must be having a ball!

bella do you have a pregnancy pillow thing? (The long thin bolster type ones.) I've found that if you can put them between your legs in a U shape so that one end is under your chin and the other end behind your head that can help - you can then roll gently forward and back so you're not stuck in one position bearing down on your hip. Sympathies though, it sounds awful.

Omg yes to the fanny daggers. I've been getting them for a while but had it so bad a few nights ago that I actually screamed. I think poor DH thought I'd gone in to labour
There is literally no room for this baby to move around now. Feels like he's just pushing hard up against things (mainly my vital organs!).

My worst fanny dagger happened in the street, I had to stop walking and just do some panting/breathing through it. I must have looked like I was in labour!! Luckily they don't last very long tries not to think about labour

37 weeks today - can't believe I am now classed as full term!

It's my last day at work today. I feel a bit sad as I moved teams earlier this year and I've enjoyed my new role. The time I've been in the role feels a little short. And it's nice to feel like I've most things under control - a nice routine of PU/DO and time with DD over the weekend. It's going to be all change when baby arrives, I'm excited but more scared to be honest!

No signs of impending labour. We're rather prepared (relative to last time) for baby's birth now that I think baby's going to frustrate me and be overdue. I'll be sitting at home for 5 weeks with baby paraphernalia up, clothes washed, bags packed but baby still cosy inside..... stealth I'm a bit jealous you have a hard end date to all this pregnancy malarkey.

Hi ladies, I was due today but baby Romy arrived Saturday morning.
She's our 5th baby, just wanted to give you all a bit of encouragement by letting you know that before my labour kicked off the only signs I had was a few days of niggly period pains, there was no mucus plug or bloody show, no waters breaking, just woke with a horrible pain in the centre of my back that then moved around to the front. I'll keep an eye on this thread (I'm on the December thread too) as it's lovely to see all the babies arriving. Good luck everyone x
Here's baby Romy.

Bigfam I saw your gorgeous girl on the other thread - huge congratulations she is absolutely beautiful. And thanks for sharing your experience. I have been getting the period pain feeling more and more often these days so I'll be alert to the possibilities...

Everyone else I hope you are all doing well! I have just about been following everything but unable to get my head straight to comment. Thank you to whoever commented asking how my mums move went! It happened last week and now she's with us while lots of work is getting done on the house. However I think lucy has the edge having the kitchen done, I hope it's all gone well.

I am still feeling extremely fortunate to have so far had a smooth ride, the only time I occasionally struggle is last thing at night trying to watch TV on the sofa, there is literally no good position to do this in so I spend the time squirming and annoying everyone. I really hope those of you with aches and pains are managing ok.

Happy 37 weeks to my due date buddies!

Forgot to say - Lucy and all you others who are still working or have just recently finished - I don't know how you've done it. Perhaps that's why I'm having such an easy time of it having been off for 4 weeks now!

Also- fanny daggers!!! I hadn't heard this one and YES oh yes.

Aww bigfam she looks so cute! Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience. it happens so differently for everyone, I can't wait to see how mine will start and how DH and I will cope with the whole labour. And of course, meeting baby Bella at the end of it

Glad to hear the move went well col and have a lovely last day lucy. I was sad to finish but I've been off a week now and I've loved it. Christmas makes it so much more enjoyable, lots of films, music, people to see, gifts to buy, lovely food to eat...love it!

Good luck on your last day Lucy. I'm also really scared! I thought number 2 would be less scary but actually I feel more scared. Not sure if it's because I know what's coming/I'm settled in a routine with DS & this will change everything or just generally scared! Lovely to have encouragement Bigfam. Number 5! I'm in awe. Congratulations on your gorgeous baby Romy. DH has already said he can't imagine doing this all again. Although I can't quite shake the feeling that this isn't my last baby. Iv had period pains & a bad stomach for a couple of days now. Woken up this morning with terrible lower back ache. Will see if anything develops. Feel like such a drama queen!

Col, I can't sit comfortably either. DH suggested I go on the ball lastnight (I was obviously irritating him by squirming around!) and it was far more comfy. My posture was also much better as I wasn't slouching. Don't know if you have one or find it comfortable. Almost out the premature possibility zone. Happy 37 weeks to some. (I think I'm 37 weeks today but NHS have it as Monday, almost there!)

Sorry stealth I forgot to thank you for the advice on the sore hips. I have a pillow but it's a bit rubbish as it's straight and doesn't stay bent when I fold it around my body. I had a couple of hours sleep at a time last night which was nice, but it was because I'd rolled onto my back! DH is in the spare bedroom now so I have space to move without waking him up...I could get used to having a double bed to myself

Keep us posted emz...

Bella, that sounds like heaven! Although I sleep even worse when DH isn't there. I'm
So uncomfortable, been sitting on my ball as its the only place that doesn't hurt. Going out for a curry tonight with my old work colleagues. Luckily I don't eat hot curries. So excited for our arrivals.

So had barely any sleep lastnight. Didn't get home until late, got to sleep about midnight. Was up at 3 to the loo & at 5 the cramps started. They were in waves that got stronger & stronger & evetually stopped. Not having them again, also had bad stomach & been really sick. Is this just the curry? I guess if it's the baby it'll become more obvious with time.

Last night was a particularly bad night sleep for me too, DH let me sleep in this morning. I seem to settle to sleep just when it's time I should be getting up. I don't have cramps but I did have a dodgy stomach last night which made me wonder if it was a sign. In hindsight it was probably the 3 course meal I had on Thursday night that was a bit rich. It must be very frustrating to be having the cramps with it too. Symptom watch is so annoying!

Do you want it to be the baby coming or would you prefer baby to stay in a little longer emz?

It really is annoying, feel like I'm making myself paranoid! I think it would probably be better for the baby to stay in as long as possible. It would be pretty good if baby chose this weekend as we have no plans & it's far enough away from Christmas. Probably just the curry! I have no appetite but should try & eat. How's everyone else feeling? Waters going are such an easy sign but apparently only happens in a small number of births. Just got to wait & see. Baby is very active.

I also had an appalling night's sleep. Really only started to sleep at 6am - DH left me to sleep til 1030. No cramps but bump is hard as a rock and my, erm, bowel movements seem to be much more plentiful than normal. Goodness knows what's going on. Now I know baby hasn't engaged yet I'm not paying too much attention to symptoms, just trying to pace myself knowing I've probably got weeks left of this to go!

bella I bought one of those Theraline pillows which is really bendy. Probably too late now but I highly recommend!

Just came back from an aqua aerobics class. Good to be in the water but my goodness I am slowing down. Can't wait to have my body back to being my own!

This is probably Mother Nature getting us ready for broken sleep with a baby. The cramping is now a sort of dull ache that gets worse & then calms. Doing some jobs round the house today especially as it's rainy & dark outside.

Water is lovely but you do feel it when you get out. The body does feel like it's giving up. Trying not to symptom spot. This baby will probably keep me waiting until the last minute in January!

I've pretty much totally avoided pelvic and back pain emz, so the water is an unmitigated win for me - no pain on getting out. It's just my rib cage that appears to be crumbling!

Shaking my fist at Mother Nature. The 6am sleepiness is a real problem - I've still got another week of work to go and I can't sleep in the morning during the week yet!

Really hoping we don't have to wait too long for our babies

You're very lucky to be avoiding the back pain stealth. We've just been shopping and I have to sit down between every shop to give my back a break - it's so frustrating! I feel so jealous of people walking at a normal pace! I've been lucky though, it only really started with me around 34 weeks ish so haven't endured it for too long.

Had my birth plan appt today. Went well. I now need to book my 38 week apt in the surgery and then because clinic falls on a thursday and I'm due on a friday I'm going to skip the 40 week appointment and mw called her colleague to book my sweep for the 4th jan! So 1 'normal' appointment left before I hit the overdue ones! Eek!

Good morning! We are finally getting our Christmas Tree today - we've put it off for various reasons but today is THE day 🎄

Has anyone else become very hungry all the time? I've even started to think about getting up to eat in the middle of the night when I'm adjusting positions in bed...

Morning! I thought things were gearing up yesterday as cramps & Braxton hicks increased but they eventually calmed down. Woken up with another headache (last 3 days) and no movements at all. Just hearing up to ring hospital. Feel like I'm making a fuss but Id rather get checked out.

Great news on the tree Bella. I have been really hungry but yesterday & today I have no appetite & just been sick. Trying to eat. Sounds like it's all getting real Bella. No ones mentioned a birth plan to me at all. I don't know if that's becausethis is no 2 or if it's just slipped through the net between seeing the consultant & MW. Hope your last week goes quickly Stealth.