Come hither upduffed viroids here we will hold your hand through scans, rejoice at your hairy shins and of course share your lust over Ian McShane. It's JS Grads 48!

[Lalalalalaa]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 48th grads thread... celebrating the success of Just Shagging in getting us viroids upduffed!

For those that don't know, a 'viroid' is from the original JSing thread 1, where someone was trying to type ladies (in reference to all the JSing ladies), but their phone decided to call us all viroids instead!

The name stuck and we've been the JSing viroids ever since.

The 47th grads thread is here

The thread we have graduated from is here in its 61st outing. WARNING: they're all a bit kerazy not to mention randy!

There is also a Just Mumming thread <a class="break-all" href="//onwww.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/2588689-we-re-still-teething-trying-to-wean-and-our-babies-just-won-t-go-to-sleep-when-we-re-trying-to-js-for-another-one-it-s-just-mumming-no-11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here for once your babies come along, or to keep up with the graduated graduates!

There is also a private facebook group (so it doesn't give the game away in your news feed!)... if you want to join to see photos of new babies etc, just ask in-thread!

Here is the stats list, please update your own spot with any updates.

How is everyone getting on? Can't believe that DD is six weeks old today. Other than my back, which still hurts, I feel fully recovered and enjoying lots of newborn snuggles.

I'm good. Mini C is just gorgeous. He's regained back all his lost birth weight so I am made up! Last night was the first night he didnt cluster feed and he went down at 10.30 (instead of 1.30) so praying it continues! We've managed a couple of little trips out, for coffee and a walk, which has been lovely. DH back at work on Monday which sucks.

Fuzzy how long did it take your tummy to go back to normal after c section? I am back at pre preg weight and back into jeans etc but have a little bit of mum tum and some swollen areas.....wondering how long it may take to go?

Hope Monday goes is well Canters. I was back to prepregancy weight within three weeks and no swelling. Whilst I somehow don't look mum tum in the sense of loose skin, I do have a tiny overhang when the scar is. I know I had this with DD1 and it did go, although I can't remember when (can't have been that long though, as I was pregnant again eight months later) and I am somewhat naively assuming the same will happen this time.

Is it a year you are supposed to wait between pregnancies if you have a CS or is that just a myth?

Oh wow, I just found everyone! Congrats on all the births😀

I'm 28+2 tonight and really starting to feel uncomfortable! Look forward to hearing the new birth stories, good or bad. I figure even the bad ones help you prepare fmentallyfor what might happen!

Hi London. Hope you start to feel a bit more comfortable soon.

I still need to write my birth story - guess I could now whilst LO is feeding

I'd been on a hypnobirthing course all day, got home and had left over curry from night before, started getting some cramps. Didn't think much of it as was only 36 weeks and it couldn't be labour! They became fairly consistent, when I started timing they were six mins apart, still though it wasn't real and was maybe false labour that you hear about.

At 8pm I decided I better pack a hospital bag, I was trying to tempt fate believing that if I packed one I wouldn't need it, things slowly got more intense, at 9pm I decided to ring hospital, I'm still not convinced I'm in labour they advise to have a bath and call back in an hour. Bath eased things a bit, no longer were the cramps so intense but the moment I came out things ramped up a bit. I rang hospital back who advised me that I could come in to be monitored. I was adamant that I didn't want to go in to be sent home again, so said I would stay at home and see how I went. It's gone 10pm now, I decide to try and go to bed but not before I put a water proof mattress on the bed in case waters broke - we had a brand new mattress I didn't want to ruin! Still don't think I'm in labour. With every contraction I feel like I'm wetting myself - this was the beginning of my waters going, I'm now going from bed to toilet and back, cramps/contractions getting more intense. Around 11pm I tell DH that we should go to hospital. They say you know when to go and that definetley rand true for me.

It took about 30 mins to get me to car, DH was doing practical stuff like leaving food for cat, sign for car that we were in labour, towel on seat etc I was just trying to get through each contraction. Got to hospital just before midnight, my waters have totally gone now, in car I timed contractions to be every three mins. Taken to be assessed, I lost my shit with DH at this point, I think it's what they call transition! Next thing I'm taken to delivery room and I'm ready to push. I'm still struggling to believe this is real! The next 90 mins are a bit of a blur, I'm pushing, DH is giving me water to sip between pushes, at one point they wanted to help him out with a suction thingy on his head, I didn't want this and asked all sorts of questions to try and delay. The best I can describe pushing is like trying to have a huge poo, once I got over the fact that I wasn't going to shit myself I was able to fully commit to the pushes.

I could feel the head and at this point they say they want to cut me, I'm pretty exhausted now and went with it, a few more pushes and he was here and put straight to my chest. I had injection for placenta as they wanted to get me stitched up and delivered that a few mins later.

Only afterwards did I realise that I didn't get any drugs - was quite disappointed not to have tried gas and air. It was all so quick, 90 mins after arriving at hospital fully dilated he was born.

He weighed 6lb 1 which for 4 weeks early was good. Had 5 days in hospital which really helped me bond and get to know what to do! I'll forever be grateful for this time.

He's now two weeks old and I'm totally in love, it's tough and I'm knackered but he's worth it

Amazing birth story! You've putthe fear in me though- I now feel I've got to get everything sorted by 36 weeks just in case.

I'm sat in hospital for my glucose test at the moment. Another two hours of just sitting around but the worst bit is over now. I have no risk factors but they seem to have everyone do them here. I also have a growth scan tonight

Great story MyBlack. I don't think I have ever seen anyone with labour signs on their car, but it's a sensible idea.

Get packing London and I hope tonight's scan goes well.

fuzzy - nct lady recommended it, so if need be we could dump the car and we wouldn't get a ticket. As it was midnight it didn't really matter as there were plenty of spaces outside delivery suite, DH didn't even move the car to a car park, he went home about 5am completely in shock I think and got cover for his work sorted whilst I was taken to ward.

Wow black fantastic birth story! And to think you were worried about the stats re percentage of deliveries just on gas and air....bloody hard core doing it with no pain relief!

London I would definitely get bag ready from about 35 weeks. I had lots of hospital admissions after this mainly for hyperemesis but also bp went a bit crazy so it was reassuring to know I had everything to hand at home if they suddenly decided he needed delivering.

Fuzzy not sure on official stance re pregnancy after c section, no one has said anything to me. Would be interested to know- I definitely want another baby and a smallish age gap (!!!!), I've completely forgotten the traumas of pregnancy now!

I don't have much of a birth story to share, really. Had an ELCS for tokophobia booked at 39+2. Brief wobble the night before when it suddenly dawned on me I was having major surgery, but woke up calm and in control on the day. I was third on the list, so bit of waiting around. The anaesthetist came 30 mins before to do my cannula, much mirth when he asked what I did for work! First experience of grey cannula with local anaesthetic, much more pleasant then mat triage where they bang in greys without.

Taken down to theatre and introduced to all the theatre staff. Anaesthetist did spinal, which was the bit I was most worried about, but I barely felt a thing. Felt hideously sick and began retching as BP dropped but it passed fairly quickly. Once I was numb they did the catheter and then draped me up then DH came in.

Less then 10 mins later baby was out. It was odd because I knew by sensation exactly what they were doing so felt the pushing to deliver him and knew his arrival was imminent. He cried straight away and was taken to be weighed and cleaned up then brought over. I was offered skin to skin but couldn't hold him properly due to arms shaking so dh had cuddles. The rest of the surgery passed in a blur and we were in recovery before I knew it. Had lovely skin to skin there but he didn't feed for a few hours until we were on the ward.

Skin to skin all afternoon, I finally put on a nightie at about 6pm! Catheter came out at 8, slower then expected as was quite dehydrated, then I was encouraged to get up and had a shower which was wonderful. Stayed in 2 nights as felt I deserved a bit of looking after and bf support, and it's been plain sailing since we came home!

ELCS was a fab experience and so pleased I went down this route. Delighted with recovery too, two weeks later I feel totally back to normal.

Canters that's good to hear! I am having growth scans because my DH was really large (11lbs) and did a lot of damage to his mother (multiple surgeries to repair and eventually a hysterectomy etc). If the baby continues to measure large at the 32 weeks scan (particularly the head measurement) I am going to opt in for the ELCS as its safer than ending up with an emergency section with better recovery to boot.

On the other hand, I was only 7lbs and my mother's labor last 4 hours and she managed it with zero pain medication so I am also totally open to the idea of a natural birth providing the risks balance out in favor of that!

My plan is to get the last bits and pieces I need in the after Christmas sale (NHS recommends 3 nighties, which seems a lot) at which point I'll be about 33 weeks and pack my bag.

Is there anything you'd add to this list from the NHS:

*something loose and comfortable to wear during labour that doesn't restrict you from moving around or make you too hot – you may need about three changes of clothes

*two or three comfortable and supportive bras, including nursing bras if you're planning to breastfeed – remember, your breasts will be much larger than usual

*about 24 super-absorbent sanitary pads

*your washbag with toothbrush, hairbrush, flannel, soap and other toiletries

*towels

*things to help you pass the time and relax – for example, books, magazines or music

*a sponge or water spray to cool you down

*front-opening or loose-fitting nighties or tops if you're going to breastfeed

*dressing gown and slippers

*five or six pairs of pants

*a loose, comfortable outfit to wear after you have given birth, and to come home in

*clothes (including a hat) and nappies for the baby
a shawl or blanket to wrap the baby in

Thanks for sharing your birth stories, really interesting to read them.

My mum told me to pack my hospital bag early because she had me at 35 weeks and my sister at 33 weeks!

I'm only 27 weeks so I still have time... Although I realised that yesterday it was exactly 3 months until my due date, yikes!

I'm feeling exhausted because I've been sleeping really badly (must be body's way of training me for a newborn but still v annoying) and we had an intense weekend of shopping for the big ticket baby items! But we got everything we wanted, and saved quite a bit of money on Black Friday / Cyber Monday weekend deals, so it was worth it.

I'm really struggling with motivation at work at the moment. I don't have much to do, certainly nothing particularly urgent or important, and I have no desire to work whatsoever

Lovely stories MyBlackCat and Canters - glad you both had good experiences! Shame you missed out on the gas & air Black (I luffs it!) but excellent work going without anything.

We're doing fine, Socklet has been a bit of a grouch the last few days so I'm wondering if we're in leap 2, but he still sleeps pretty well and seems to be feeding ok so I'm not worrying too much. Several of my NCT buddies are now signing up to things like buggy fit, running with baby etc, which makes me feel like I ought to be doing more activity as I'd like to get fitter than I was pre-pregnancy.

London, that list looks pretty good. I would say, where they say 5-6 pairs of pants, don't take your normal knickers - get massive black granny pants that come up to your waist. Good for holding in giant maternity towels (do use the big padded ones not just normal sanitary towels) and if you have a section they will not rub on your scar. You may want to take some snacks in - I couldn't eat in labour (was allowed but it made me sick; if you have an epidural or are otherwise "high risk" you may not be allowed to eat) but was starving afterwards, and they're good for middle-of-the-night feeding nibbles. I took a couple of bottles of Lucozade Sport, and had sips of those, alternating with water, between contractions, which helped keep my energy levels up even though I couldn't eat.

Also make sure you or DP/H has some cash, for things like car parking and more snacks/coffees if needed - mothers got free minging hot drinks on the PN ward but dads had to pay. And phone/camera chargers, you don't want to run out of battery at a crucial moment!

Instead of sanitary towels I used the throw away pants, meant I didn't have to worry about leakage. Always were better than tena, I went through two packs before moving onto towels - still bleeding a couple of weeks on but much much less.

Snacks - the hospital food was ok but portions were childlike, I was in for 5 days though. I found it so nice to have a shower each day and change from pj's into normal clothes for day time before pj's again at night.

With the rush of labour, I didn't get to change, bottom half was taken off when in delivery room then I took my top off at some point so I gave birth in just my bra. You lose any dignity you ever had during birth

Black I got the impression, modesty and dignity were out the door for labor! So are throw away pants just basically adult diapers? I've never heard of them before so this is a genuine question!

Yes london - adult nappies is a good description

Yes to massive granny pants, I bought some from asda that were great. I did use the disposable knickers for a day or two but my bleeding wasn't particularly heavy after the first 12 hours, and the midwives largely dealt with it during that time as I was immobile all dignity lost

London really can't recommend ELCS enough! We were having growth scans as was measuring v small, was predicted a 6 and half pound baby and had a 7lb 13 behemoth!

I just got back from my growth scan and all the measurements were on track except abdominal girth which fell from circa 90th percentile to 50th. It might just be a previous measurement error as the difference between 50th and 90th when they are really tiny is miniscule. Still, I have to go back for another scan in two weeks to make sure her growth doesn't tail off any further. I'm glad to hear you were able to get lots of skin on skin contact.

I'm still not sure what I'll do.

Canters the doctor said it was fine to start trying again as soon as I wanted!

London I would add a remote charger for your mobile phone in case you can't get to or aren't allowed access to a plug. I have had two emcs and both times my recovery had been great.

Sounds like you need to get packing Name. As someone who has only ever finished off packing their hospital bags after waters have gone, I really recommend being ready!

Some of my NCT group suggested buggy fit Sock. I laughed!

Lovely birth stories - glad all went well :)

Definitely get some good granny pants. Do not tell your DHs that you're still wearing them months or years down the line

"Something to pass the time during labour" did make me chuckle. Two babies in and I'm still to chalk up an hour of hospital time pre-delivery! List sounds pretty good otherwise. Definitely don't forget your camera and chargers.

Detail scan went well here - measuring pretty normal (short legs and a pot belly, just like its big sister), and no evidence of fetal bleeding at the moment. I'm being seen every fortnight from now on, so never far from a scan.

London and Chat Glad your scans went well London, hope the abdominal girth measurement is as expected in 2 weeks. Chat, how many weeks are you now?

Chat mine has got long legs but that's to be expected as DH is 6 foot 3 and I'm 5 foot 9 :)

Glad your scans went well London and Chat.

So glad both scans ok, lovely news!

I am stuck in cluster feeding hell. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz exhausted.

Eeep-- I really want to like breastfeeding and I am going to try really hard to do it but everything I hear about it sounds so hard. I guess that why your body releases the oxy or no one would stick with it!