Where's that bloomin' Carol Vorderman when you need her as the August '07 Countdown begins....

[tokentotty]

Whaddyathink ???

Was just thinking the same about wash - do hope that this is it!
do you remember them days about 12 weeks ago when we were all ooooing and arring about feeling the baby hiccup, well now its so low down its bloody driving me insane! I wont miss that feeling

Hi all! Haven't had internet connection for the past week and I've had serious MN withdrawal symptoms . Have missed you all!! I'm thinking of getting that Orange broadband connection plus laptop that you mentioned earlier Conkertree.

Well done Jem! Congratulations. Look forward to hearing all your news when you get a moment

Hope all's going ok for Washy too...

Not much news from me - have enjoyed my first week of ML and finished Hypnobirthing yesterday. LO is head down and still very wriggly. Started to get some strong period-like cramps last night which had DH slightly concerned!! I think the ligaments must be starting to stretch... must get hospital bags packed. A bit like you TT, I keep putting that bit off

Kitey - I wouldn't say I've 'perfected' my Hypno technique but I do seem to be able to relax a lot faster than I did before! We need to sit down and write our Birth Plan now though - I'm still banking on having another few weeks to go...

PinkRanger - I've just emailed you my details for the text buddy thing - if it's still ok?! Thanks for organising it all

Hi muffins, glad to hear you're ok. I keep getting braxton hicks which come to nothing too. I feel like crap tonight for some reason, I have a headache and a stomachache, just feel generally lousy so I hope I'm not coming down with anything. I don't need to be poorly right now!

I have some great news on the mil front by the way, dp finally phoned her to let her know that visiting this saturday might not be such a good idea as baby wasn't likely to be here by then, and after a minute she asked to speak to me, whereupon she said "Yes, it'd be a better plan perhaps to come down the saturday after, you don't want me under your feet beforehand anyway! And if I come afterwards I can help out a bit and of course, I'm looking forward to meeting baby!"

I was like "yes! yes, that would be lovely!" lol So it turns out dp is the daft one, making arrangements which don't suit anyone, she doesn't want to come down before baby is here either!

Men, eh??? I might accidentally use salt instead of sugar in his tea next time I brew up. Damn those crazy forgetful pregnancy hormones...

Hi banana. Thought I was the only one on tonight - which would be typical on the only night I get access to DH's laptop and wireless internet Glad you're here too!

Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit yuck. Maybe it's a sign??!! Apparently the surge of hormones at this stage can wreak havoc on your digestive system - which either causes constipation or an upset stomach.

LOL at your DP making you panic about MIL arriving. Glad to hear it seems to have sorted itself out - that sounds like a better plan, having a week or so on your own before all the IL's descend

I feel like I can relax now, the pressure timewise is off and I can just get on with it and let him come when he wants to. I mean I was even thinking of asking for an early sweep to move things along, which completely goes against my original plans! So yeah, result.

Doubt my tummyache is a sign of anything (not going off all the parpy noises coming from my tummy anyway lol TMI!)

So you're getting all your bags packed and birth plan written then? When are you due again? (can never find stats thread) mind you, dates mean nothing at this stage, I think Jem was about 36 weeks when she popped!

Yes think I should pack my bags tomorrow - I'm 36 + 6 tomorrow. Jem has given me a bit of a fright

Going to head to bed now. Will have to sort out internet connection tomorrow I think Can't miss any more live birth announcements!!

Hello,

Congratulations Jem - looking forward to hearing details.

Good luck Wash!

Am also having computer issues - our home computer has died and having to also use DH laptop (he thinks this gives him a right to read over my shoulder - and ask lots of annoying questions!).

First day of child free ML tomorrow - got a huge list of things to do (DH calls it the 'my name is earl list'). Going to start with the hospital bag and baby stuff as everyone starting to pop is worrying me.

Morning everyone. Isn't it exciting that Washer might have her baby by now!!

Had a bit of a shock yesteray as went for a scan to check my low lying placenta had moved, hadn't really been worrying about it as apparently 9 out of 10 cases it does and I just expected to be one of the nine. Anyway it has moved a bit but not enough so they have booked me in for another scan in two weeks and if it still hasn't moved they will book me in for a c-section at 39 weeks.

But according to baby's measurements they estimate it is currently 7 1/2 to 8 lbs!!! and I've still got 4 weeks to go. They seem quite concerned about this because I'm only small - 5ft 1. They don't expect the baby to stay in until full term and if it does they wouldn't let me go over 40 weeks.

If do go into labour in the next 2 weeks I have to go into hospital straight away to check where the placenta is and if it hasn't moved would have to have c-section then.

Like I say bit of a shock yesterday and the thought of c-section scares me a bit - I know lots of women have them these days. Is anyone else on here having to have one?

Sorry mammoth post for first thing in the morning. Hope everyone is well today. Going to finish packing my hospital bag now, just in case...

Morning, Saturn. Sorry to hear about your low-lying placenta and possible c-section. I completely understand where you're coming from about it feeling like a shock - it was originally what was suggested to me when they found my baby was breech. I reckon it's best to be prepared all-round, so do some reading up on your options.

Re c-sections - you can either search the threads here (think there's currently an active one under childbirth - or there's a good chapter about them in the MN book on pregnancy. In general, people seem to have good experiences these days, but it will mean a stay in hospital of around 3 days or longer and it is major surgery.

Also, if you're not that keen on the idea, then check out whether you can be supported to have a natural birth with a low lying placenta. Remember that scans aren't an especially accurate way of predicting birth weight either - they are guesstimates. My friend was told she might have a 9-10lb whopper and her baby was a perfectly normal 8lber. I've decided to challenge the view of a c-section being the way forward for a breech and have done tumps of research which I feel supports me in this view. I'm going in this pm to talk over my plans with a senior midwife and find out how they can support me.

Either way, I find reading other women's experiences invaluable.

Ooh, wonder if Washy has her baby...

..

Any news??

Where's Mr Washy when we need him for an update hey?

Just going for a bath....

Thanks Annie, will take your advice and read up on others experiences with this. Not sure DH will support a natural birth if the consultant recommends otherwise though.

Like I said it was just a bit of a shock as I just expected everything to be fine - probably a bit naive really.

Good luck with the midwife this afternoon, hope she will support you with the natural birth.

Saturn, I v much doubt you'll get support from your doctors/midwives for a natural birth with a low lying placenta. It would be a big risk to the safety of your baby - not really worth it for the sake of avoiding a scar IMHO. Do look into your options for a CS birth plan though and ask about your hospitals policies re immediate skin to skin contact, allowing you to feed in recovery etc. Don't worry though, my Mum had 2 CSs and can't quite understand why I would consider anything else! And my MIL had 4 natural births and agrees with my mum!!!

Ooooh still no news from Wash. She clearly didn't come ack from hospital.
Everything crossed!

Saturn - your situation sounds just like mine!
I went for my check up at 36 weeks expecting them to say it had sorted itself out (no bleeding or any other symptoms) and was really shocked to find out placenta was still low.
AND... they also predicted a big baby (he measured in at 7.6 then) , not totally unexpected as DH was a 10 lber but I'm not very tall either (5'3") so was hoping for a nice small one!
Went back at 38 weeks but as head hadn't engaged they didn't bother to scan as they said it was unlikely placenta had moved.
Now head has engaged and have another scan booked this Thursday so hoping to know more then.
Midwife told me that if placenta looks ok they are likely to induce asap 'to prevent you having a 12 lber' - I know she was only joking about the weight but that is not what I want to hear!!!
My consultant said that c-section was a possibility but they would like me to have a natural labour if at all possible , I guess it depends what the next scan shows up.
Will let you know how I get on & hope it works out ok for you.

Saturn - forgot to say... lots of placenta praevia literature mentions c-section under general anesthetic due to high risk of blood loss. My consultant said that that is now outdated and they do a 'standard' c-section with epidural/spinal block. Was a great relief when I found that out as I really didn't want to be under GA when my baby was born.

Best of luck for both of you two - you never know, your placentas might make a last ditch wriggle upwards!

Morning everyone, I've just posted on the Stats Thread so it will be a bit nearer the top in case anybody wants a look.

Am SO over Wash. Hope she is holding her LO right now and that everything is fine.

Itchy, no signs of it coming yet I'm afraid.

As I had DS 2 weeks early I really didn't think I would go to full term this time. Am seeing the MW this afternoon and am going to ask for a sweep. Like Banana, this goes against all my plans but I am so uncomfortable, I just want it out!

Saturn, I'm 5'1" and they guessed the baby was 7lb2oz when I had about 5 weeks to go. The Consultant did the scan herself and she never mentioned anything about not letting me go full term. They are a guestimate after all. It was a bit of a shock, as at the beginning the estimated full term weight of LO was 7lb5oz but loads of people say that bigger babies can be easier to deliver. One of my friends is 5'2" and gave birth to a 9lb9oz in the birth pool with just the water and gas&air for pain relief with no stitches, so it can be done!

Hope you do get the birth you want.

Sorry about the long post, DH is off this week and has just taken DS out for the morning so I'm free

Oh no, I've killed the thread.......

Mum2goerge - I was thinking about you earlier and Conketree (who has been v quiet) - I'm booked for a sweep on weds next week (BLURGH) - the problem is my appt is at 4.15pm -so i will have to go straight to nursery to pick up DS, then its thursday so no nursery for DS....... so you can guarantee that if we get that far.... I'll start labouring in the early hours of thursday!!

I've just had a lovely lavendar bath, and my mum rang (all cheerful, so maybe I'm not evil daughter after all). I'm trying to do as much physical stuff as I can - to erm, encourage waters to break!!

I had absolutely NO SIGNS b4 DS was born -untill my waters broke, and then WHAM i was in labour... so there is hope yet!

I am now down to single figures on the trousers/ shorts I can wear..... bloody baby better arrive soon, or i'll be naked!!

Hi Sweety - I'm not really bothered about the scar, I think it's the not being able to do anything for 6 weeks after that worries me. DH will be off for four weeks after, but after that there isn't anyone round here who could just pop in when I'm on my own with the baby. And I think it's the thought of having surgery that scares me abit as well!! oh and having to stay in hospital for longer - was hoping to get out of there asap! Thanks for the reassurance, will ask consultant re skin to skin - just assumed they would do it immediately as they have done on these maternity programmes they show on TV!

Nice to know someone else is in the same situation Augustbride - when is your due date? The consutant said something similar to me yesterday about inducing asap depending on the measurements at the next scan. She did seem to be more leaning towards the c-section route rather than natural labour though. Let me know how you get on Thursday, hope it goes ok.

Morning mum2george. good luck with the MW this afternoon. I had read that birth size was related to how big the parents were at birth and I was just under 8lb and DH was 7 1/2 so expected ours to be about that at birth, beginning to think this is just an old wives tale Have now packed my hospital bag, just in case - but as not due until end of August still don't feel ready just yet for baby to arrive.

Wonder if anyone else has had their babies yet, quite a few regular posters seem to be missing.....

LOL growing bagpuss re being naked if baby doesn't arrive soon - I've had hardly anything fit for the past couple of weeks and refuse to buy anything. Wearing DH's shirts for round the house!!!

Growing, the bath sounds like a fab idea. Must get off MN and find my lavendar oil.

Saturn, they do individual birth weight prediction charts at our hospital. They weighed and measured me and had the weight of DS who was 6lb 8oz, and I think they worked it out on that, can't remember if they took DH's weight and height but don't think they did.

This baby is well over the line on the chart but the consultant said not to worry as it is an individual chart and still normal. Have never heard of the babies weight being worked out on the parents birth weight before.

I know how you feel - I'm down to a single pair of respectable trousers that I save for leaving the house, and wear yoga pants with my bump hanging out the rest of the time...

wonder how Washy's doing...

Not sure what DH weighed at birth - but he's a broad tall bugger now -I was a petite 7lber...... and produced a 9lb 4 oz first baby - so sadly I think we just get what nature feels like on that day!

Morning all, nothing happening here, I have just been uncharacteristically lurking this morning since I've had a bit of a posting frenzy the past few days/weeks!

Before I forget, I think there's a 900 post limit on these threads, and then you can't add any more. We're on 850 as I type and it's filling up fast, so perhaps time to start a spangly new august thread? It's july 31st, that's close enough! Is TT about or should I start one myself? We still need a postnatal thread too for jem and washy!

Feeling mega relaxed today, my brother just got himself a great new job (he's been in dire straits, has almost lost his house to the mortgage company, been very worried about him) and my mother-in-law has eased the pressure off me, and the sun is shining so I'm feeling pretty close to awesome.

Sorry to hear about peoples worries regarding c sections. From everything I've read on the subject, planned c sections are very safe, and you can do your best to make it a birth experience rather than a medical procedure, by writing a caesarean birth plan. As you said, asking for things like skin on skin, feeding in the recovery room, time to bond with baby before him being whisked away and cleaned up/dressed etc

You can have your choice of music playing, and your dp will be with you the whole time. From what people have written on here, most planned sections are calm and the staff are reassuring and chatty. It's hardly anyone's first choice, but you couldn't be in better hands for it, it's the most commonly performed procedure in the world.

And you won't end up with bits like a wizard's sleeve, like we will! (Sorry, had to go there) lol

Can't wait to hear washy's birth announcement, do we know what flavour she was expecting?