Due June 08: S**t, it IS June, and I still haven't packed my hospital bag...

[LauraT]

well it will be June on Sunday anyway! thought I should go ahead and start this as there were several votes for this name...

AH, the increased risk of further intervention is the main thing putting me off asking for an induction - we looked at the 'cascade of intervention' in NCT classes and the risk of epidural, c-section, etc, once you've been induced.

This is all a bit academic for me at the mo cos I am only 37 weeks, it's just when I went to hospital on Friday and the GP mentioned induction part of me thought "ohmigod, I'm nowhere near ready!" and part of me thought "thank god for that, the pain will end!"

Think just feeling a bit sorry for myself today cos my feet/ankles are so swollen and the skin is tight and sore. Coupled with the pelvic pain (which is now making sitting for any length of time a lesson in endurance), I just don't know whether I can cope much longer.

God, I'm a whingy old bag today! Think I will go and have a shower and get dressed and see if that cheers me up a little!

Oh, thanks for all your birthday best wishes btw, they are much appreciated!

Happy birthday sponge! Have a fab day and enjoy.

I was induced at 40+8 with my DD (they wanted me to go longer but I begged) - ended up having a forceps delivery. My experience really wasn't that bad - worst bid was actually having the epidural. Whole labour took 8 hours so not too long. I think this time I would like to go into labour spontaneously but am sure this one will be late too.

Can thoroughly sympathise with the swollen feet and ankles - very uncomfortable. Even my hands are uncomfortable today. Am 37 weeks on Wednesday so am almost at the same point as you.

Feeling quite down today and that's after a reasonable nights sleep (first in a week I might add).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPONGEBRAINBIGPANTS - sorry you are getting presents for the baby for your Birthday. However uncomfortable, you want to hold out until tomorrow otherwise you'll always share a Birthday and you may get overlooked from now on with presents!!

I've had a reasonable nights sleep, I was up at 2, 4, and 6 for the loo, but last night I actually managed to get back to sleep amazingly.

Beautiful day here today, off up the mountain(in the car) to a restaurant for lunch.

Hi all
Happy birthday spongebrain! My sister always says that as soon as you have a baby, no-one ever buys you anything for yourself anymore, and anytime anyone visits it's to see the baby, not you!

I was another one who didn't sleep well last night. I wasn't even that uncomfortable, have no idea what keeps me awake. At least I had a lie-in this morning to compensate.

A couple of weeks ago I was convinced this lo would be early, now I'm not so sure. The thought of continuing until July is awful!

Hi everyone. Happy Birthday Spongebrain!

I'm having a faffing day today - supposed to be packing my bag - well, bags - have laid everything out on the bed so far. It looks like a lot of stuff! And that's even with planning to leave another bag at home in case I have to stay in hospital for more than a couple of days.

Sending sympathy to those of you with aches and pains. I was woken up the other night with nasty nasty bump pain - not quite sure how to describe it, not like period or stomach pain. Lasted a few minutes - does that sound like a practice contraction to anyone who's been through this before? Have to admit I almost started whimpering and began to think if this is what labour will be like, sod the water birth and bring on the epidural.

Can't say I'm in any hurry to get the monster out though - might feel differently in another 3 weeks time of course - but right now, I'm sort of pretending it's just not happening!!

The clouds haven't cleared so lazy Sunday at home I think! I'm absolutely shattered!!!

I know what you mean about the thought of continuing till July allnew I think I'd be begging for an induction before then.

AH - you are right, they should give us that date to focus on instead. For me it will be a maximum of 5 weeks time, which seems a lot!

Spongebrain - Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy your day.

Debs - that sounds like a lovely place to go for lunch, have fun.

I got woken up last night at about 4am by some morons revving a car up outside the house for ages, then that was it, I was awake. Tried not to disturb DH too much as he was getting up at 6am (to go mountain biking of course). Seems like we were all awake last night!

Miserable weather here so will probably just potter round the house, got some new estate agents coming this week to take some photos so need to do some cleaning, not really in the mood!

Hi Spongebrain, sorry I missed that it was your birthday. Enjoy your BBQ - I hope your DH is doing the cooking and you can be waited on hand and foot!

Debs, enjoy your lunch out. It sounds gorgeous.

Ktpie, sorry about the morons with the car. Will you be able to have a nap today?

Whinegums, that sounds like a BH to me!

DQ, I have someone coming to stay with my tonight after last night's debacle. I can't believe how wimpy I am - both Josey and Aberdeen had their DHs in the middle of the North Sea, while Ernest and her DH were LIVING in different countries far later than 37 weeks!

Sybil, I'll be with you in July. Cancerians are pretty nice though.

All the rooms are clean, I have 2 huge baskets of ironing that I am working up the entusiasm for.

UDC - I reckon a nap at some time will be in order. Once DH gets back from biking he normally falls asleep in front of the TV so I might just join him this afternoon!

When does your DH get back from Vienna? At least you will be able to relax a bit then.

Upsidedowncake - yeah but my DH was back by week 36...

I bought into the cascade of interventions the NCT talks about too for my first birth, but I have to say that the best thing about DS's birth was the epidural! And I went into labour on my own that time... However with induction my concern is when there's complete failure to progress and you end up never really getting into labour and 3 days later have a c-section. I think that's not as common though once you're past your due date.

Morning ladies.

Well, I guess I am having a baby on this thread because...

MY WATERS HAVE BROKEN!!!

Woke up feeling pretty achy but thought it was all the gardening yesterday (guess I was right about the ultranesting). Was washing up at about half 11 when I thought I felt a trickle but wasn't sure. Since then it's got more noticeable and have called both sets of parents and best friend to warn them. Made the mistake of laughing when on phone to BF and had a bit of a 'yikes the furniture' moment. Haha!

Going into hospital in an hour to get checked out due to the whole breech palaver. Feel basically ok. Quite periody, but able to talk and function, if not think v straight (that's probably adrenaline or something).

Was thinking of going for a short walk first (15 mins) to help things move on but not sure - have been leaking A LOT.

Currently rocking on the birthing ball and listening to rufus wainwright as I type - v comforting. But I really want a hot water bottle and there's no where on the way really so DH may have to go and find one later.

ah I guess you were right about the gardening (udc it is the new house)... I woudn't worry about LO's head - presumably your body will find it easier the second time around?

sponge Happy birthday! I wonder if my LO will be born on your bady?

So, if I'm not on for a few days you'll know why!

Take care guys

xxx

OMG - good luck greenfairy! If it wasn't now chucking it down with rain I might be tempted to go do some gardening .

UDC - we can be wimps together! DH will only be in the UK and away overnight but I'm completely panicky about it.

Re: cascade of intervention chat... I'm not sure if I buy into it all completely. I know people who've been induced and gone on to have 'natural' birth or had an epidural and still had a vaginal birth. I wonder if the reason someone is induced/has epidural is more of a factor in leading to further intervention than the actual act of induction/epidural. If that makes sense?

Not feeling as tired as I did earlier so might summon up the energy for shower and getting dressed in time for a late lunch. Weather miserable though, so might venture out for some dvd's later. DH says I've to take it easy today so who am I to argue?

WOW - good luck greenfairy. I'm envious! Keep us posted.

I might have to try some gardening....

I'll be having a July baby too if I end up going over and being induced. I must say, this time I have had that in my head and when people ask how long I have got left I say between 3 and 5 weeks (here's hoping it's nearer 3).

OOOOH, GOOD LUCK GREEN FAIRY!!!!! If you get bored, keep posting and we'll post back. xx

Just had an hour's nap and feeling much more human.

Ladies, I had an induction and a cascade of intervention last time, ending up in grizzly vaginal birth.

Frankly I would have preferred a C section, given how long it took me to recover. My mistake was to be completely uninformed and to just let them DO the next thing to do me.

But I'm fine now. And I still ended up with my gorgeous DS.

hi girls

lovely to read of new babies!

good luck greenfairy!

today baby is jumping on my pelvic floor (well with his head if that makes sense!). it's really uncomfy and i feels so low and tight. oh well, could still be weeks!

bag's finally (mostly) packed.

talk more later
xx

Hi everyone

Found the new thread, gosh I've missed loads!! Can't wait til Friday as then I'm done with work and on maternity leave Then maybe I'll be able to keep up with you all .

Congrats to all those who've had their lo's.

greenfairy - wow, all the best!!!!

Wish I had time to catch up but if you saw the state of our house atm, you'd know why I have to shoot again.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend xx

Oooh, v. v. exciting greenfairy, can't wait to hear!! And great that baby will hopefully get the benefits of labour as you wanted.

I am also thinking in terms of a 'due month' rather than a 'due day', so won't consider myself overdue till 42 weeks. The mw said on Friday 'they'll let you go 12 days over' - er, no, they'll 'let' me go as long as I choose, on the basis of informed discussion ... what are 'they' going to do, hold me down and stick a pessary up me?? Some of the CMWs are v. understanding of why I don't want another induction, others just follow the protocols ... I do feel better informed this time though and know what the stats and the other options are, so I know I can't be pushed into something I don't want.

I have heard both types of induction story, the v. fast easy ones and the 'cascade' ones. Mine was the latter, though we (only) just avoided a section, and the epidural was actually the best bit! I think it depends a lot on how ready your cervix is and other factors like baby's position, first or subsequent baby etc. So if I did have one this time it might be v. different; but I just feel with my last one having progressed really slowly I'd rather avoid that unless there's a real reason for concern about the baby, beyond just dates. Which are only scan dates anyway so possibly up to a week out.

Unfortunately no-one in my friends and family really understands the 'due month' concept, so the phone calls 'just to check' started yesterday ... Have to be grown-up and tell myself it's only because they care! (and switch off phone when I get really sick of it ).

Managed to negotiate a 9.30 pm everything-cleared-up deadline with dp's boxes of crap which miraculously he stuck to! Only because I'm this pregnant, wouldn't have happened any other time. V. glad to hear I'm not alone in dealing with this!!

SA quite right not to be pushed into something that's not right for you. Loving your 'due month' concept and dreading the 'just checking' phone calls that will no doubt start for me in three weeks time... It's bad enough already - I dont think my parents and other family members have ever called so much. I wouldn't mind, but when people are calling every few days they tend not to have much new to say!

Looneytune - hope your last week at work goes quickly!

Have managed to achieve NOTHING today and am now a bit bored. Have long list of things to do but cant be bothered doing any of them...

Thank you for all for your reassurance that I will have some idea of what to do when LO arrives! After all the panic yesterday, your messages did help calm me down. So much so, forgot to buy baby sized teddy today to practise changing nappies on...

Happy Birthday Sponge - Hope you're having a great BBQ and get lots of presents for you, not LO...!

at Greenfairy - but delighted you're hopefully going to get the birth you want. Hope all goes well and can't wait to hear about your little one and see photos. So, we're all off to do our gardens then...? (And not lady gardens this time!).

Done a bit more baby shopping today (steriliser and monitor). And cot and changing table finally up. I seem to have this ludicrous idea that once we're 100% ready, baby will arrive, which of course I want! Better finish reading my baby books then.

I'm not even 37 weeks yet and had my first 'just checking' phone call last night - from my grandmother. I took the precaution of being a bit vague about due date with most people ("end of June, beginning of July" when it's actually the 24th) but I bet it won't stop them. It's nice they care but I can see it making me testy, especially if I'm still here with my SPD/hip pain etc in a few weeks.
Good luck greenfairy!
Sponge, happy birthday and also happy full-term day - I'll be 37 weeks on Tue and it is a real milestone isn't it? Will be happy to get there - planning to celebrate with an actual glass of actual wine...

OOh, GreenFairy - how exciting, good luck, I hope you get the birth you want after all this heartache. Looking forward to hearing the news.

I have a very sore spot on top of my bump, and am having a few BH contractions, hope it will be me next(after Greenfairy)

Had a lovely lunch, which Mil paid for and she painted my toenails for me before we went - isn't she a star