Due July 2008 - the thread where we all (hopefully) have our babies!!

[sweetkitty]

Here we go ladies

New thread I've tidied up, theres raspberry leaf tea on the go, all our bags are packed, come on babies..............

Disneystar - on the A38 - no way!
Are you booked in to GRH then??
Must go to bed as have been up since 5.30 this am - don't actually feel that tired though!!

Gosh, this thread is really filling up fast! It's still another week before we actually hit July...

Libralady - Congratulations!!! All that pre-labour stuff was to good effect after all.

(I reckon this means it ought to be my turn next, though I admit according to Disney, Minkus has the prior claim!)

Welcome to JacobsPrincess.

CilC - you poor thing, that all sounds like a horrible experience.

DonutMum - sympathies to your poor DS, I know from long experience how horrid tonsilitis can be. I hope he feels better very soon.

I can't remember who asked now, but my DH is only a musician in his increasingly rare spare-time, but in my opinion (and I admit I may be biased ) he is very talented. He has written me a couple of songs, and wrote two lullabies for DS1. Sadly between being busy with the wedding song, plus just everything else as a lot has fallen to him to take care of at home with me being so unwell, he hasn't had a chance to write anything for this new LO yet, but I'm sure DS won't mind sharing 'his' songs.

On bump-measuring, I had the cold metal tape-measure experience too - pointlessly, as I then realised it was only marked in inches - so I dug out a cloth one, and bump is 114cm round widest bit. I am 38+5 now, and bump has definitely dropped noticeably, but I don't know whether this makes a difference either smaller or bigger. I don't feel very big at all for this stage, mainly because I was absolutely massive with DS1 (for instance I once met up with an old friend who happened to be a midwife, who guessed I had 6 weeks to go when it was actually 10 weeks!) I think this has partly been why I haven't really been feeling ready to give birth - though I pretty much have got to that point right now! There's nothing like bad SPD pain etc for overcoming ambivalent feelings!

I'm still up and haven't slept at all yet.

Thanks for all the good wishes. I'll try and upload some photos in a bit, but here is my birth story........

DH eventually arrived home on Saturday night at 10.20pm. Too knackered to try and get things moving along.

Sunday am he woke up with a stinking cold (he is so run down with all the travelling/extra hours/worry he has been dealing with). Wanted him to go back to bed and rest ready for this next week in London, but instead he got out in the garden and did a bit of weeding and then helped me clean my car and install baby car seat.

Decided to make a concerted effort to get things moving so DH massaged my back with lavender and clary sage and I did the same with my bump and boobs.
When it was time to go to bed, I knew I could face a night with DH as he was so bunged up and sniffing etc, I thought he'd keep me awake and I'd probably disturb him with my frequent trips to the loo/cramps and graons when turning over so I decided to sleep downstairs on the sofa.
Woke at 1am for the first trip to the loo.

Settled back down and was just dozing when I thought 'that doesn't feel right' so rolled off sofa onto hands and knees on floor and my waters went. Got to the loo and another gush came out. Came back into longe, logged onto MN whilst bouncing on birthing ball, stood up to get a drink and more came out (luckily had a bath sheet wrapped around me).

Went and woke DH and said 'I don't think you are going to London today' and told him to go back to sleep, but he insisted he got up to be with me, even though I wasn't having any pains so to speak.

Phoned hospital who insisted I went in straight away so they could monitor/swab/check for meconium and infection before sending me back home to await labour. I wanted to wait until a more civilised hour but they wouldn't hear of it. Called my Mum who luckily lives around the corner and she came and sat DS1

Had a couple of twinges on the way. They checked my waters had broken and confirmed that although blood stained, there was no infection/meconium.

Had a few more intermittant pains and they offered that I could go home, or go to the waiting room of the birthing unit to see what developed. They had booked me in for an induction at 8am Tuesday if nothing had significantly started but the MW was in no doubt I'd go soon so didn't really want me going home.

After 20 minutes she called me back to the delivery suite and checked me out as I'd had a few more stronger contractions and I measure 3cm. Got on the birthing ball and swayed from side to side when having a contraction and eventually they increased with intensity and frequency. Eventually at 6.30 I requested G&A.

The shift changed at 7.30 and the MW who had been looking after me was on her final shift at our hospital before moving to another part of the country. She examined me just before handing over and I was 8cm and she could feel the baby coming down. Handover complete 7.45 but she stayed and she wanted one final baby and knew it was close. By this point I had the urge to push. Insisted DH made sure I was listening to MWs this time (didn't with DS1 and had 3rd degree tear). Luke came out in 3 pushes, and unfortunatly did tear, but not as babdly as last time even though he didn't come out all at once like DS1 did.

He had the cord wrapped around his neck twice (just like DS1) but fortunately the cord was very long (just like DS1).
Placed straight onto tummy and DH cut the cord this time. Confirmed he was a boy and boy was I relieved (sorry no pun intended).

Had a cuddle and was then stitched, had some coffee and toast, a shower and was then allowed to leave just 3 hours after he was born.

We are all extremely happy especially as DH hasn't had to go back to London this week. DH is so proud. He went to the pub tonight to wet Luke's head with his brothers, mates and half the cricket club. I think it has done him the world of good.

I stayed home and my BF (godmother to Luke) came around and kept me company and played taxi driver for her DH, my DH and my Dad.

God I am wittering now aren't I?

Luke is chuntering away to himself and I can't get to sleep. Think the adrenaline is still flowing or something.

Might try a cup of Ovaltine..................

Lovely story Libralady and sounds like everything worked out so well for you, your two DS's and your DH.

Take care and I hope by now you have managed to get some sleep...though it is amazing what we can manage on adrenaline!

purplejennyrose i live on the new kingsway estate on A38 quedegely
and yes im booked in at GRH
im going there monday for a scan and check up
are you booked in there to then?

Aw, that's a lovely story libralady. Hope you get some sleep soon!

We had a drama yesterday - had a terrible braxton hicks whenever I stood up - ten minutes and it didn't go off, even after a trip to the loo for a clear out (sorry tmi). Then starting shivering, really cold. Called midwife who came out and, when lying down, found the contractions stopped. Thank God. need DH to come home from Bahrain and for Jimbo to stop being ill first! So, am staying parked on my big fat arse or in bed for the next few days if i can help it. Even though i thought i was ready - yesterday made me think no, not really, stay in for a wee while longer boyo!

So, will be on later, after the deliveries turn up - ordered a new laptop and ikea delivering today, along with my new nursing bras too.

DS1 (Jimbo) much better today - hasn't vommed since 1am and is very bright this morning. Have promised to go out and buy him a new book this afternoon though, so don't know how I'll square that away with staying in bed. Bad mummy!

Hope you all have good days.

Libralady - what a great story. I like that the MW stayed with you all night and that you got to come home right away. Your must have been relieved to have you both home safe and sound. You all deserve some much earned sleep at this point!

All these babies, and it's not even July yet! Almost everyone in my antenatal class popped at once over the last three days. There's only two of us left and we're due on the 12th and 15th of July. Eeek!

I'm taking my itchy hands to the midwife today. I was scratching in my sleep.

Libralady so great to read your story, especially after a sleepless night of SPD, can't wait to have this LO in my arms and not my pelvis!! Sounds like Polyxene is in the same boat?
Pigley Glad you got your tour done, I guess it helps knowing your surroundings. If the PD gets worse I may well use the birthing pool at the mothers suite so will check it out when I go for physio.
Disney I second the vote for Bravissimo but would certainly go to be fitted somewhere, preferably by someone WITHOUT a tape measure! I got fitted in Debenhams (I could park outside) and was amazed that she did it by sight as all good corsetieres can, I was expecting the tape, which leaves me in an ill fitting bra from past experience! I'm an awkward 30G pre pregnancy and have invested in 34G and H nursing bras and have a few 32's on the way for later months.
CilC thanks for the cushion tip, I have a wedge that I use in the car, maybe I can stuff a bottle of wine down there for DH tonight!
I'm off to get my stretch marks in the sun today, my neighbours have left me the keys so I can sit in the garden, how thoughtful! Have a lovely day everyone!

Libralady - thanks for posting your story How's Luke? My DH told me to tell you it was an excellent name!

Disney - Bravissimo are good but if they don't go up to a 44, you could try Figleaves? They don't do larger busts specifically, but they do have a fair range and I've occasionally found sizes there that Bravissimo haven't had in stock.

Random plug but does anyone else use Quidco? It's some website that gives you money back from shopping online. I read about in a magazine, signed up to it at the weekend and have already made £20.31 just from buying a bra (from Bravissimo) and my oven and dryer (from Boots).

Donutmum - glad to hear your DS is feeling better. From your scare yesterday, maybe you'll be next?

Lovely story Libralady, it sounds like it was a fairly chilled out birth- did it feel that way at the time?

Donut- glad Jimbo is better, it's so sad when they are really sick isn't it? How old is he? (And bless the comment about Logan not being able to come out yet in case he gets puked on, one to write down for 18th bday I think ) When is your dh due home from Bahrain?

Pigley giggled at your research on best methods of absorbing those pesky prostglandins- maybe I'm just a cruel wirfe as I told my dh and then we laughed because he knows that it's just not gonna happen!

Disney hope that you managed to use you rare hour of me time wisely last night.

Nothing babified happening here today. LO gone a bit quiet (wriggles occasionally but is def slow now)- no other niggles/gripes/twinges or ANYTHING. Grrrrrr! I'm going to go 2 weeks overdue and end up being induced aren't I? NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Morning all.

Heffa- my DH uses Quidco. Hes very money savvy and hes had about £1400 back from them this year. great site

Libra- Thats a lovely story. Glad everything worked out so well for you all. What a lovely midwife too

Donut- Hope that means that your DS is on the mend

Well another lazy day planned for me. Forgot a new bits in this weeks shopping so might pop to the supermarket but thats about it. Might sit in the sun with my knitting.

Pigley - £1400! Wow! My DH will be thrilled, he's very money savvy too (I'm not, normally but trying to get better).

I told my DH about the prostaglandin thing and he got very confused about biology and thought that it was advocating an entirely different method (and one even less welcome to both of us..) He looked so shocked and appalled! I did eventually manage to explain how things actually get into the gut and he's less shocked now. Apparently he was confused because of the physical location of the gut. He's normally the clever one with science stuff so I think he must be suffering from pregnancy-brain too

Lol Heffa!

Libra,
Congrads on the birth of Luke, what a little cutie.. Your birth story is so calming god please make mine be like that!! Hope you and Luke are resting up now...

So much to catch up on...

Gone into cleaning mad again!! Curtains are getting it now.. Whole house is being pulled apart!! Its mad how much cleaning i can make of the bathroom these days!!

DP has apt for EEG test and so releived we have a date. He stayed home this morning till 9 to let me sleep in bless him..

Hospital apt today and cant wait to see what they say.. I so want this little lady now...

Hope you all are keeping well

Argh so much to catch up on!

LibraLady - great story and must have been so nice to have that continuity of care. Luke is a lovely name and you are much more easy going (nice person) than me letting your DH go to the pub the same night!

By the way there is a hilarious thread on the front page called what they don't tell you about childbirth, which had me laughing.

Hi Minnie, been wondering about how your dh is getting on- does he feel well in himself now?

Thanks for posting your birth story Libralady; that all sounds really rather nice and positive. I had a 3rd degree tear last time too, so am in same boat re. wanting to avoid it again - want to try to 'breathe' baby out but don't know if I'll be able to.

Gilly - "can't wait to have this LO in my arms and not my pelvis" - excellent description! Though having said that, overnight I developed a horrid streaming cold and am now feeling rotten, so I'm now hoping baby stays put for another couple of days at least to give me a bit of recovery time. Seconding the rec for a good cushion in the wheelchair, esp for long outings, was a godsend during the day out on Saturday.

Heffa and Pigley - thanks for the recs for Quidco, that sounds well worth checking out!

Donut - glad your DS is feeling better; hope you do manage to get a good rest and feel better yourself soon. Does your DH come back soon? I can't imagine looking after young children alone this late in pregnancy!

Afternoon all
Lovely story libralady - nice of the MW to stay.

I'm feeling a bit gobsmacked this morning - I went to bed at 11.30ish last night and didn't get up to the loo till 7am!!!!! Unheard of - it's normally about 3 times - and with the SPD making it agony to turn - it normally takes ages to go back off to sleep. I'm wondering if it's because I took my cocodamol at 11.30 as I went to bed -so was in less pain and therefore a deeper sleep when I normally would have been disturbed by my bladder ...definitely going to try it again tonight anyway.

Libra1975- Ive been reading that thread too...Very funny but also abit and

Aggie- Glad you had a good nights sleep!

Received an email from a friend today who recently moved to spain. She had been asking about my bump so i sent her some pics.. her reply was "My god you look painfully pregnant, massive bump but lucky you, youve not put it on anywhere else"... Never heard of being painfully pregnant before but shes not far wrong!!!

Just returned from Sainburys.... bought myself a lovely bowl of fresh strawberries, mango and pineapple. Very yummy indeed! Now just washing it down with a nice thick strawberry milkshake.

Again i seem to scare men in supermarkets. def get some odd looks.
Sparked a big conversation when the checkout lady asked how long i had left. The 2 ladies behind me in the queue joined in and i had lots of comments about how neat my bump is and how its a nice size ect.

Anyway hope everyones having a good day.

hello to jacobsprincess, congrats to libralady and Luke. What a lovely birth story. I really like that name too but dp's brother (I suppose my bil now) is called Luca so we can't really use it without it looking like our ds is named after him (which I wouldn't want).

Pigley that comment about the prostaglandins is absolutely true. I do remember someone posted here in shock, after a friend's midwife had suggested 'swallowing' to her as a way of starting labour. Cue lots of interesting responses, in a typical mumsnet way...

CilC so sorry to hear about your experience. We have been to Kingston hospital more times than I would like, for various reasons, and have had such mixed experiences. Some of the staff are wonderful and others can make the whole experience really frustrating.

Kaz your friend sounds lovely, but I can understand your misgivings about going to stay with her and her family. I really hope, whatever you choose to do, that it works out for you. hugs

Right I'm going to have a rest before my midwife comes over.

Disney and Purplejennyrose I live in Cam (near Dursley), so am actually booked in for GRH but definately want to transfer to Stroud afterwards. Want to discuss with my MW possibility of delivery at Stroud too as am thinking of changing my booking! But I change my mind on a daily basis, my mum had a bit of a traumatic time with me and although I know that is no indication for how things will go for me, I sometimes feel that maybe starting at GRH is better than having to be rushed there by ambulance!

Kaz re: shop in Keynsham I have heard good things about them too, but it's finding the time to get over there!!!

I'm back! Was just checking for disneystar where I bought my nursing bras from as I got some good deals on EBay. I bought one from BUZZWAMS LINGERIE (seller id bra38dd) and another one from Le Reve (seller id vanilla.angels) which is a shop in Cambridge and you can e-mail them on [email protected]

Neither has a size 44 band nursing bra at the moment but they both stock larger sizes so it might be worth contacting them to see if they can get hold of one for you?

Also I've had fair success by going down a band size and up a cup size when hunting for bras (but if they only go up to 40 that's not much help for you).

Feeling ridiculously sick and restless. Got a hideous headache which keeps coming and going. Thought I was feeling better after I had been sick earlier but it's all just come back on again suddenly. It's a really odd feeling, finding any noise really irritating. Might have to have a lie down and ring the doctors. Hoping it's not PG related.

Disney - there are two nursing bras on Figleaves in a 44G. They are £30, but you may be able to find them cheaper somewhere? I think there are often free vouchers for Figleaves around as well.

Libralady what a lovely birth story thank you. Hope you get some sleep soon.
I still meet up with my antenatal group from first time, and 3 of us are all expecting second - well, now 2 as one friend had hers last week! Saw him this am - he is soooo chilled and she is doing so well -her dd seems to be adjusting well too. So that was encouraging.
Disney - I'm offically booked into Stroud / home / and chelt!! If the 'turning' fails this week it'll be Chelt for section as it's the consultant there who will try and turn her. If she does turn I can stay put...
Bebejones - I did transfer Stroud to GRH with dd1 as had an incredibly long second stage - they tried ventouse but it was natural delivery in the end. The MWs at Stroud play it very safe, and the ambulance ride was the worst bit but honestly wasn't that bad. I actually think if I'd been in GRH already it could have been more complicated....I was so relaxed at Stroud. Wherever I have this one I'll transfer back if poss.