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...!

When I fancy food, I can eat a lot. Had a lovely meal lastnight, shame it didn't stay down. Still getting vague cramps but seems to have calmed down. DH is bring very good. He just said that it's better for the baby the longer it stays in, that's all fine when he's snoring away & im pacing the bedroom at 4am!!

Stealth, that doesn't sound good & I hope they can sort it for you. Your poor ribs.

Baby was going nuts this morning & felt like it was trying to burrow out. The pressure on my cervix was unreal. Sorry your little one has caused you worry Col. It's scary when they don't move as much. The anxiety these ones are causing already. Glad everything's ok now.

Congrats on the new house stealth! How exciting!

colonol I am eating much more. I've also started having cravings - I'm loving xmas cake. I don't like raisins or fruit cake or marzipan...

So glad your little one is ok col. I'm also massively hungry.

Just got home from a really nice dinner. Had to run to the loo twice to vomit throughout it. The second time I couldn't breathe properly as I was vomiting and ended up puking everything out through my nose. Literally the most disgusting thing that's ever happened to me!

PS Clive Owen was in the restaurant and happened to be coming out of the loos as I was going in. I basically head butted him out of the way to get in there to puke - he looked very alarmed!

Oh Stealth, that's a story that will stay with you. A headbutt is better than puking on his shoes . I slept so well lastnight but did wake again at 2 with my belly tightening painfully. Think Iv just accepted that this is going to be constant until baby arrives. Trying not to feel frustrated. I was sick with such ferocity it also shot out my nose. It's the worst as its all you can smell for ages which doesn't help the queasiness. Hope it settles down for you Stealth & congratulations on the new house. Sounds like you will be very busy on your mat leave.

Stealth fantastic!

Emz and stealth though have you both got bugs or is it pregnancy related? I really feel for you both that must be totally crap. Are you able to take any anti sickness tablets? I'm sure you are but are you keeping a check on dehydration?

That's a cool story for your baby stealth!

Sorry to hear the vomiting is so bad with you both.

I only vommed once. I was having these horrible contractions so assumed it was pre labour. I haven't been sick again so I think it was probably just my system reacting. My DS & DH haven't been sick at all. Will keep an eye out just in case. I have got some anti sickness tablets ready if it gets bad. I am trying to keep an eye on the dehydration as it makes the fake contractions worse.

Mine is definitely pregnancy related. I'm already on anti emetic medication (have been the whole way through pregnancy) so there's not much more to be done.

emz yep I had a weird smell of caramel ice cream mixed with bile for ages. Not good!

I just saw the doctor and had a growth scan. Baby is still measuring big but not quite as alarmingly as last time - current estimated weight is just over 8lb. So doctor said birth weight would probably be between 8.5 and 9lb - around the 4kg mark. I feel like I could be ok with that so have cancelled my section on the 22nd. But have rescheduled one in for just before new year as my rib pain is so bad I don't think I'm going to last more than 2 more weeks so want the option on my due date. Hopefully this boy turns up before then!

I don't know why but that sounds like a lovely weight stealth! I really hope mine manages to come out round and squishy.

Hopefully the sickness was just a one off for you both. I suppose it's to be expected what with the digestive system fighting for room in there.

I had an update from one of the websites that send me baby updates saying nausea and sickness can return/increase in 3rd trimester as our hormones increase in the preparation for birth. I'm trying to hold on to that when the nausea hits as it's comforting to think that my body is getting ready!

Had my chiropractor appt this morning and the receptionist said she was surprised to see me as 'they all thought I'd go before today's appointment' - don't know what state I was in last week for them to come to that decision!! My fundal height was 39 on saturday and I feel like its even bigger by today though...a check-out lady exclaimed "gosh when are you due?" this morning and it was quite nice being able to say 2 weeks! Although I'm quite tempted to say March just to see what they say

8-9lb is going to be a gorgeously squishy baby with lovely chubby little arms! How cute! I was wondering this morning how big my little one must be by now...all my friends think it will be 8lb+ I can't wait to find out now!!

At least you have made a decision & have your back up plan Stealth. I'm trying to stay positive & not get frustrated with my body. It's doing a pretty amazing job.

Thank you for making me feel normal Bella. I had wondered if it was hormones to blame. I do feel a bit ropey in the morning & it then wears off. A lot more manageable than it was in the first 24 weeks. I'm so painfully tired all the time. I feel sorry for DS as I try to keep up & keep things fun. He had some friends over this morning which was good as he got to play & I could sit down & chat with friends.

This may be TMI but the discharge has increased even more. Not enough for it to be waters though, as far as I can tell. So glamorous, but thinking of those squishy babies is a nice thought. My DS was a scrawny premmie so hoping I'll get a nice chubby squish this time.

I'm having a lot of discharge too, I keep making sure it's clear and not coloured in anyway (it would be if it was the plug right?).

Bella I can't imagine what people would say if I told them I was due in march - absolutely hilarious idea! If you do it please let us know what the reaction is

Yup I'm having loads of discharge too. I also had a moment over the weekend when I was swimming and thought "what if my waters break when I'm in the pool? How would I KNOW?!"

Yes I'd heard that about the nausea in third tri too bella. It's not bothering me that much as I've been sick the whole way through so it's just more of the same. How depressing is that?!

Stealth you have my deepest sympathies. I had it the entire time with DS. Thankfully I was luckier this time & it's only lasted until 24 weeks. It makes it all so much harder. All I would say is make sure your Midwives are aware how sick you have been. I was sick my entire labour & they left me vomitting for hours before they gave me the medication. It stopped immediately but had already dehydrated me beyond where I was much use. I'm sure it won't happen to you (I hadn't packed my hospital bag so didn't have my tablets with me).

I think it's more mucusy if it's plug, which is think mine is. Although I could just be hoping & seeing things!!

Oh emz do you think you're on the cusp of something?! How exciting!

Can't believe you've been sick throughout stealth, that must be so hard. And you've only had a couple months rest from it too emz

I felt like I was starting to lose my plug today (I've read col that it's thicker and can have blood streaks in it) but when I went to the loo to excitedly check, it wasn't. Just normal, albeit heavier, discharge... If we're all getting it though, it must be part of the final stages!

DM has declared that she'd like me to pop the baby out before Xmas...erm...thanks for the info mother...now how exactly do I go about arranging that...

Evening ladies. Sorry to hear some of you haven't been well. Have been having the odd bout of nausea/queasiness too but other than that I've been ravenous and literally can't stop eating!
Ha Bella I'm constantly being asked when I'm due by randoms. I'm going to have to bite my lip to stop myself saying March!
Had a scan yesterday and all is well. Baby is currently estimated at just over 7lb which seems a lot as they said he was 5lb 8oz just 2 weeks ago. Saw the consultant this morning (our actual named consultant for the very first time!) who said she saw no reason at all to induce early (this was mentioned a few weeks back) and asked what I wanted to do. I said I wasnt keen on early induction and am happy to wait until at least my due date and see how things stand. She then examined my cervix and gave me a sweep (wasn't expecting that one!). Baby is about 2/5 engaged and cervix 1cm dilated. Am booked in for another sweep next week. Been having mild cramps since but I also had some last night so I don't think it's related to the sweep. Don't know how I'd feel if things kick off now as I'm not finishing work until tomorrow and then we're away on the weekend. I'd rather have a bit of time to get myself sorted!
Hope everyone is doing ok. I can't believe how real this has all become

Crikey happy it is getting real, I didn't realise you could be dilated before starting labour?!

How did you find the sweep?

Mine is definitely more mucusy. Lovely! Was woken up quite a bit lastnight with more painful contractions. Need to stop getting excited as they just died down after a while. Nausea is getting worse in the mornings too. Grim.

Bella that did make me smile. I'm already getting various texts asking if there's any news. Plus iv been informed by family members they would like a cuddle with the baby at Christmas. My reply was that I'd like to be able to eat my Christmas dinner in comfort with a glass of bubbly!

I'm intrigued by how the sweep was. I didn't have them last time & im hoping not to this time but was it painful? Hope you have a good last day Happy and baby lets you have a bit of rest before arriving.

Wow happy that must have been unexpected to have a sweep! It's nice to know you're 1cm down, only another 8 to go before baby arrives!! Hope it stays put until after the weekend for you.

I'm going to have a spicy curry tonight. I've decided that I'm ready. Baby feels higher today than 2 days ago so even if the curry doesn't bring on labour, I'm hoping it will encourage baby to get back down into the pelvis! Am also going to clean the house and sit on my birthing ball as much as possible. I really don't want another 4 weeks of this! I've also told DH off for being too prepared. We have everything in place (except for a tens machine) so I feel like sods law will punish us for this. Maybe if I hold off on collecting the tens machine from SIL I will go into spontaneous labour and have to live through the pain without it...

Have a good last day happy and enjoy your weekend away!!

Thanks ladies. I lost my mucous plug earlier (well at least some of it, I'm not sure how much there's meant to be?!). Having a debate now about whether or not to go away this weekend. I'm well aware that things may not start happening for days/weeks yet. On the other hand I don't feel 100% ready for baby and could do with giving the house a good clean/sort out. Also, although we have almost everything for baby, it isn't all unpacked/set up yet. We also don't have the TENS machine yet as it's being provided by my Doula who hasn't yet dropped it off.
What would you do? I'm starting to regret agreeing to the sweep now, feel like I was put on the spot a bit! I've only been on maternity leave a few hours!
Emz the sweep was uncomfortable but not excruciating. I'm meant to be having another next Wednesday but I may change my mind on that one as I'd rather baby not arrive on Christmas Day. That's assuming he doesn't show up before of course!

I guess it depends on how far you're going and for how long happylass...I would probably go if I've booked a hotel or committed to seeing family/friends who I'm unlikely to see for a while. If it was people I can see again, or a hotel I could get a refund on I'd reconsider. But I'm a bit of a worrier and would probably let everything get to me and I wouldn't enjoy the weekend because of it. If you can forget about the things you need to do and enjoy yourself, then why not?! I wish I was more like that! Also, Emz lost her plug a while ago (didn't she?) and has been having on and off cramps/contractions for days and there's no sign of the baby yet, so maybe you'll be the same! (Correct me if I'm wrong emz!)

You are unfortunately correct Bella. I think I lost a bit of plug weeks ago & am shedding more bits every day. Contractions do seem to be ramping up. So excited to meet baby now. Am having a mega hungry day today. I can't stop eating!!! I was like this the day before DS was born so hoping it's a good sign. You have to be comfortable with the decision Happy but you can in theory walk into any local hospital to have a baby so you could always research good local options if you do want to go. Id go if I had the opportunity now but that's because it's not so easy once you have children but it's difficult. Good luck deciding!

If it helps at all, we hadn't got the nursery furniture for DS when he was born & didn't sort it until he was 6 mths & ready to go in. They don't need much for the first few months. But if you will not enjoy it & stress then it might not be worth it.

Good luck with the curry Bella. I'm having spicy pizza. Yum.

We are in Warwick tomorrow night then Brum on Sunday, so will be about 2 hours drive away. Not visiting anyone, just some us time. Hotels aren't cancellable at this stage but that doesn't worry me too much. I think I've decided to play it by ear. If nothing else happens by the morning we'll at least go to Warwick then decide whether to go on to Birmingham or come home Sunday instead of Monday. Will take notes and bags just in case though I can't see DH allowing me to give birth in England. He'll be dragging me back over the border regardless of the state I'm in!