Due May 2008 - the floodgates have opened!!!

[thefortbuilder]

Pleased to be able to start the new thread with our birth announcement!

Samuel arrived at 1923 on thursday 20th March, weighing in at 4lb 10oz! After a fraught day of trying to find a hospital with a NNU with a cot (our hospital NNU was closed just as we were about to go to theatre), we finally ended up at Epsom General!

Sam is still in NNU but should be coming off his last little bit of oxygen this evening, is off CPAP, and having a go at bf'ing whenever he can (he's being fed by a tube).

I'm home and feeling a whole lot better than I did last time around, although very sore - TAKE THE PAINKILLERS THEY OFFER!!!!!

Jacob not sure about the new arrival although is smitten with his new scooter

will catch up with posts later but thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and good wishes over the last few days

xxx

pinacolada82 - I have similar baby movements too. Yes, apparently babies can engage and dis-engage. Apparently this can happen even after babies have been turned by docs because they are breech. I feel like my wee one has settled on a position (and at these times I can feel with my hands what I am sure are head and shoulders at my hair line - TMI) and then after a load more shifting, the mass feels like it's lying left to right. My placenta is low and I'm wondering if it keeps bouncing the baby's head out of my pelvis!! Thanks for the info on the raspberry leaf tablets, I think I'll make a start soon. I can always stop if any cramping starts. Excellent slipper choice!!

Azaduhi - I think the main benefit of raspberry leaf products is that they strengthen the cervix and make contractions much more effective. I used it last time and had a good labour - 6 hours.

Casserole - what a freaky clunk!! Did the MW confirm what you thought about the baby being engaged? Hope so.

I'm just listening to a conversation coming from the next room between my DH and DD. She is telling him that she kissed a boy at school today (she's four and a half) and that she plans to marry him. DH's voice is getting more and more freaked out!! He's just told her that he needs to meet this boy, if she's going to marry him. She is not so keen!!

Agh, bollocks bollocks bollocks. I knew I'd jinx myself.

After reporting earlier that I thought LO had engaged, MW this afternoon said she thought the head was up top and the bottom was in fact down low.

She did also say though that if baby had dropped significantly, it could be shoulders she was feeling down low rather than bum.

So I'm off for a scan to reveal the answer once and for all, hopefully Wednesday. I'm still hopeful that I was right and baby has dropped. something's definitely dropped, anyway, cos I can barely walk or put my legs together! (no jokes please ladies).

Or, and a trace of glucose in my urine, so I am now meant to be cutting down on sugar. However I surely deserve a bowl of Haagen Daaz to get me over the disappointment, so the cutting down might have to start tomorrow.

Bah and double bah.

mocat- feel the same and hands are at hairline aswell
i will start soon on the raspberry tea, unfortunatly i cannot swallow tablets theirfore will be drinking the tea (will be 34 weeks on friday)
last time my labour lasted 8 hours but unbearable without painrelief (pethidine)
this time i cant have pethidine as this hospital doesn't offer it therefore looking for good natural alternatives and hope to avoid an epidural.

your DD makes me laught, my DD is 4 1/2 too and says she will never ever get married, stay with us forever, and she will never be a grown up. she gets quiet upset if you mention marriage. lol she also doesn't wanna be a mum only a big sister nothing else, trust me she is serious.

aawww so sorry casserole, fingers crossed and good luck for your scan appointment

Casserole - here's hoping that the MW was feeling shoulders. Definitely start the low-sugar diet tomorrow, sure the day is nearly done anyway!!!

Azaduhi - I'll be 34 weeks on Fri too! Your DD sounds like she has her head screwed on right.

Evening all and CONGRATULATIONS Macaco! I'm starting to get quite nervous about an early arrival. DP not back in the UK til 5 days before I'm due, keeping my fingers (and legs) tightly crossed! Mocat, very jealous you're only 8 minutes to hospital, I'm 2 and a half hours... Also the midwives have told me that I shouldn't go until my contractions are 10 minutes apart?! I do not want to give birth in a lay-by! Any thoughts?

GCG - Thanks for the 'strategic advice', will certainly bear that in mind!

Azaduhi I have no advice on water births as this is my first but I'm really keen to try it. I love being in the water so I think it could really suit me. However there's only one pool at my hospital so if someone's in it already it's too bad!

Gingerwench When I get back to Edinburgh I'll be smiling at all the mums in the Meadows in case it's you, do you have ginger hair?!

Thanks for all the kind words about my flat. I was a little overexcited and didn't read the small print til the next morning... It's still first come first served so I could be living in my dream flat or have to start flathunting. Hmm. Waiting for an e-mail any day now, I can't bear the suspense!

Quick raspberry leaf question, does anyone know if it is likely to make this LO come early? I want to start taking it soon (I'm nearly 35 wks) but really don't want this baby to arrive before the due date. If he/she does it won't be the end of the world but if I thought that I might have encouraged it and caused DP to miss the birth of our child I would be so upset!

Lots of hugs to all the big May bumps and Mums

Evening all!!

Baiyu YES YES YES....I beleive RLT can bring on early labour, that is apparently why you are not meant to take it before 36 weeks, that is what I have been advised anyway. It strengthens contractions apparently and also helps prevent tears as someone said.
I cannot believe you are 2.5 hrs from Hospital, do you live in outer Mongolia??!! Blimey, that's a long way. I would defintily be inclined to go sooner rather than later if I were you, cos trust me, you don't want a 2 hr car journey with regular contractions. We were 5 mins from hospital and that was bad enough. (sorry, don't wanna worry you, but you asked what we thought!!)

macaco Thanks for the positive vines for all the first timers, I agree, my first time wasn't too bad at all. Nice to hear a good experience. Well done you. Hope Nicolas is fine .

casserole crack open the Haagen Dazs???....hell yeah!!!

mocat ah, bless, I did smile about your DD/DH chat about boys. My DH is besotted with DD and has already said she's not allowed out til she's 30 yrs old!!!! .

pinacolada I'm not a MW (obviously) but I would have thought that at 34/35 weeks the baby doesn't have much room to do a full 180 degree turn within the tiny womb???? (not that our wombs feel very tiney right now!!)

sweetbean and adazuhi, I' afraid ladies, it sounds as if you have been suffering from SPD, pain in the pubic bone. It doesn't neccesarily mean the head is engaged, it's just the extra weight putting pressure on your pelvis, especially at the front, the pubic bone (that is exactly what it's called btw...well done!!). Not a lot you can do at this stage I'm afraid, other than pelvic floor exercises to strengthen that bit of your pelvis, and rest as much as you can, preferably on your side with pillow between knees. Sorry girls, I know I am always harping on about pubic symphasis problems, but it's cos I suffered with myself, and have treated several people with it (physio). I feel very strongly that people shoudl be given correct info. I have also seen some poor women in a right old state cos they didn't know what it was and just tried to carry on thinking it was normal.
Depending on how much longer you have left, you could also invest in a pelvis support belt. JBR was gonna google them.

Azaduhi I got my TENS machine from work today, to borrow. As far as makes,I don't think it really matters, they all do the same thing. I found mine useful. I would just make sure you have a practice beforehand, on say, your lower back. Let me know if you need anymore TENS advice or pubic bone tips .

I feel loads better today, for having taken it easy over the weekend, feel much more my normal self. Minimal aches and pains, nowhere near as tired, in fact I feel pretty great for nearly 36 weeks!!! Hope it lasts!!
I had to pop into work and everyone said I looked really well.....ah, the benefit of make up!!!!!

Bye for now.

GCG xxx

macoco positive vibes, not vines. I really must learn to read it thru before posting .

gcg- thanks just googled SPD and i think your right...looks like thats what is bothering me
"found a good link www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/pelvicpain/"

going to see my consultant on thursday and will definetly mention this.

thanks once more as i really thought it is normal

Hi everyone

Hope everyone's feeling good today. I'm having a 'positive thinking' moment so I'll share the vibe with y'all...

1 - the clocks have gone forward so it's light till 7 which is just fantastic

2 - DH has finished redecorating our bedroom and is cracking straight in with the nursery. What a star!

3 - Hot water bottle relaxing my back a bit while putting fweet up on sofa and saying hi to everyone on MN for a bit

x Pazza

GCG - I do the make-up trick too! Even if I am staying at home, I feel better when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, if I look better than I feel

... I've never been a make-up kinda girl but it's helping me perk up at the moment.

baiyu 2.5 hours! Smile politely at the MW and thank her for the advice but leave for hosp whenever you feel the need. Any good B&Bs near the hosp? I don't think there is definitive evidence about Raspberry Leaf bringing labour on but they don't like you to take it before 32 weeks. Sage is supposed to bring on labour so it's to be avoided. I think the effect of RL is accumulative rather than instantaneous.

DH just coming home and he's going to catch me on MN again!!! Night all!

Morning all

How are we all toady? I'm feeling very chipper at the moment so am just enjoying the morning

TMI ALERT TMI ALERT persons of a delicate nature please look away NOW

OK so this is so gross but i have vaginal Piles AHHHHHHHHHH im sure im the only one but its ssoooooooooo horrible

GCG Thanks for the info on SPD will this affect me at the Birth ???? ive got 8 weeks to go untill im due!!

Mocat So Sweet your DH and DD

Well better go and get on with the day but will be back on later im sure xx Sorry about the TMI

Baiyu - I don't know why they tell you that thing about going in when the contractions are every 10 minutes. That's fine if they start off further apart than that but for example when I had dd contractions were 5 mins apart right from the start and within 2 - 3 hours were every 2.5 mins apart. I went to the hospital 2 hours after labour started and was 4-5 cm dilated but was another 8 hours til I gave birth so still had loads of time if you see what i mean. However I only live 10 mins from hospital and I wouldn't fancy a long journey so I wouldn't wait too long, it's a tricky one as sometimes contractions start and then stop again and you wouldn't want to get there and then have to go all the way home again!

Baiyu I second what everyone is saying about journey to hospital, hopefully they wouldn't keep sending you home if you are 2.5 hrs away...surely?!!

sweetbean at vaginal piles??? Didn't know you could get them?? Can you get them treated.
Re SPD affecting birth, I would suggest putting something in your birth plan or mentioning to your MW, as you want to avoid positions where your legs are very wide apart, or turned outwards (easier said than done when trying to give birth...LOL!!). Saying that, I had awful SPD with DD but amazingly it didn't affect me at all in labour, even though I had to have my legs turned out and wide cos I was only allowed to be in sitting position cos of not being able to hear her heartbeat on monitor. I still had aches for about 6 weeks after giving birth, this is normal too.
tbh, I know it's very painful, but the fact that you haven't developed it til now (fairly late in your pregnancy) means it's actually not too severe, it's relatively normal to get pubic pain in the last 6 weeks or so. Some people get it from as early as 12 weeks, that's more of a problem. I had it from about 8 weeks this time, but it's actually improved with time (in this case it's more hormone related than physical weight).

Hope that helps.

sweetbean - I didn't know either that there was such a thing. You trendsetter! Won't ask how you discovered those . Are you in much pain?

Wow - Congratulations to IndieChick and Macaco on your LO's arrivals - so happy to hear everything went well despite the surprise they gave you! My DD weighed in at 6lb 6oz when she was born at 39 weeks!

Catering at the camp went well - Bobsmum - you're right, they do all appreciate the cook so it didn't seem like it was much effort at all.

Saw the MW this morning - my blood pressure is up a bit but nothing too much to worry about. Baby has got himself into a funny position, so they're sending me for a scan just to check on his size and position. If it's all OK, I'll be on for a home birth (although, I've been told to pack a hospital bag ASAP, and with all these early babies on MN, it's probably a good idea to get myself a bit more organised!).

I've got quite a bit of pain low down in my pelvis area and having probs putting my legs together - am getting really grumpy and fed up at being so cumbersome. People at work are horrified that I still have 2 weeks to go before maternity leave - I'm really making them nervous! The bed is left ready for me to have a lie-down on in the medical room if I need it - I get more rest time here than being at home with DD for the other half of the week! DH is really annoying me - he verbally acknowledges that I can't do as much as I normally do and that I'm achey/knackered/need more help about the house, but he's not actually physically doing anything to improve my lot. Had a big rant at him this morning for still sleeping in bed whilst I was up, trying to sort out DD (whose staying at my mum's house tonight - yippee!), get her breakfast, go to MW appt and then go straight into work afterwards. The icing on the cake was when I heard him muttering to DD "Don't worry about mummy, she's just in a stressy mood" - No - you've put me in a stressy mood by not getting off your bum . He's a very loving DH - don't get me wrong - he's just one of those who never thinks of how things affect other people. Grrrrr. Am having a very hormonal day (not like me at all, so I can be forgiven for having a 'bad day'?) - will try and buck up very soon.

Sweetbean - I also had awful SPD with DD from 16/17 weeks, but it got much better the more her head engaged, and it didn't affect me for the birth at all.

I need cake.....

GCG Thanks for the info i had a really active labour with my dd i was unable to sit down when i was having a contraction and spent the last 4 hrs passing up and down i also had to give birth standing as found it totally horrible being in any other position! so im really hoping that i will be able to be as active this time around!
I know about the piles but thankfully for me they sound a lot worse than they actually are i have no pain at all with then and TBH the only reason i realised was when i has a shower and felt the lumps(2) but some days they are worse and some days they seen to hardly be there at all MOST ODD and very shocking when i first found them as thought my fanjo was falling out

Baiyu I have to say that the hospital where i was kept putting me off and telling me i would be ages and to stay at home so that what i did until my water broke in my kitchen and i had the most unbelievable urge to PUSH so i ended up pushing in the car on the way to the hospital (only 15mins away) and when i got there they had a look and said
"OH your about to have a baby" apparently according to DH i turned round and said well that's what ive bloody well trying to tell you but you wouldn't fecking LISENNNNN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So my advise is get to the hospital when YOU feel you need to, don't listen to the hospital because any later for me and i would have had her in the car or at the very lest the hospital car park !!!

Blobsmummy Hope your OK its so nice to come on here and vent isn't it.I hope you feel better very soon please give you DH a kick up the bum from me! x

Mocat xxxx

Thank you Sweetbean - I will try and lift my leg as high as it will go at this stage of pregnancy! Not guaranteeing I'll reach his bum, but a swift kick on his shins may be possible!

Baiyu - I would echo Sweetbean - go into hospital when you want to. My contractions never become reuglar until about 9cm - they were very hit and miss before then. I went into hospital only cos I really felt that I needed some reassurance (the hospital tried to put me off) to find out that I was 7cm dilated. At the end of the day, you're the only person having this baby, so do what you feel is right (within reason!)

Same here blobsmummy, I was having contractions from about 3am but they were manageable and really irregular until about 6am when they got going more and then my waters broke big time and the whole thing turned up a notch, I think cos I lost so much fluid it speeded the whole process up. But until about 6am I wasn't even sure if it was estabilished labour, although looking back that was just wishful thinking as I just could not believe it could be as I had 4 weeks left.
Nico has put on weight and has now gained over his birth weight, which I'm really pleased about. I'm having a lovely time and despite my super fast rollercoaster birth I'm already thinking I'd like another one! Even an episiostomy and a second degree tear haven't put me off!

wow macaco.. thanks quick to thin about another one, my thought after i had dd was NEVER AGAIN!!! .

i had again a very painful morning when getting out of bed couldn't walk for about 2 hours due to SPD then went to my antenatal check and everything is fine nothing to worry about. when they felt my tummy i noisyly asked what position the baby is in and my reply was " don't worry about it at this stage as the baby can still turn and due somersaults etc. (i'm almost 34weeks)
as soon as i left the practice i looked what they've written in my notes and YIEPPY baby is in head down position.
hopefully he will stay like that.
after that i did some little shopping so spend two and a half hours outside, walking no buses or anything (so proud of myself)
SPD pains have eased now and feel much better than this morning but probably will still need a nap later on.
catch up later

Yes baiyu - I'm definitely ginger!

Owch sweetbean!!! that sounds painful, please feel free to tell me to b*gger off but does that hurt like normal piles?

Pina - am relieved to hear that its not just me getting the "bag of snakes" baby treatment however (and i'll whisper this) baby seems to have dropped down and has sort of engaged (according to MW)

can we take rasberry leaf tea before 36 weeks? MW has said that I will not be allowed to go over 40 weeks cos of diabeties so i need to take it but i thought i couldnt until 36 weeks... also I have heard that evening primrose oil also helps with the womb-toning thingybob...

antinatal class tonight on birth (which we missed last time cos OH has to go away with work last minute and I was scared to go on my own) should be interesting as OH claims he's not squemish... hehehehe

Baiyu - im about 20 mins away from our hospital and will probably be there at the first twinge... do what you feel like...

blobsmummy - know how you feel - OH made pointed comment yesterday lunch as I didnt get out of my PJs (despited that fact that on a weekend he doesnt get up before 1pm) and when i pointed out that i was tired and pregnancy - not exactly a walk in the park started to sing the grumpy song at me... which makes me laugh so i couldnt be mad...

Sweetbean!! Can I join your fanjo piles club?! This is my third baby so you'd think I'd be a bit more clued up by now but a couple of weeks ago I felt a slight swelling down there..........and did the worst thing ever by squatting over a mirror in the bathroom last thing at night. Well I almost fainted, it was like a scene from a horror film or a road traffic accident. I even started a thread on here to ask if I was "normal" (we are apparently ). At least they don't hurt hey, but hardly attractive. Good job these babies are worth it

Hello to everyone and congrats on the births so far. I check in every so often but can never keep up with all the news so feel bad posting and running. (Typical it's taken vaginal piles to get me posting again, ahem )