Due June 08: A few eggs have hatched, we wish the rest would GET CRACKING!!!

[systemsaddict]

Let's hope the rest of the eggs get cracking very soon!

Oh Josey what a tough time you are having, It has me in floods of tears reading about what your going through. She sounds like a real fighter, good on her. My thoughts remain with you and your family. Your doing an amazing job. Thanks for taking the time to let us know how its all going.
I have been having low back ache the last 2 evenings, then in the middle of the night last night had periody feeling low down at the front of abdomen. Nothing occurring now Im up and about.....Could it be build up signs??
Going to a street party today, the tricky bit may be trying to keep DP away from too much beer as its Fathers Day And a party?? Dont want to be a killjoy/nag, but dont want him getting drunk then me going into labour.

Josey, thanks for letting us know how Olivia is doing. She sounds like she's made of stern stuff and going to battle, like her mum. I've been thinking of you both constantly, and wish you both, and your dh and other dcs all the strength you need to help Olivia fight her battle.

God bless xx

Josey - you are one strong woman and so is your little girl. Thank you so much for keeping us updated. Leaving the hospital must have been a hard decision, how far away are you?
Sounds like Olivia is a real fighter, we all think about you so much and are sending you positive vibes to get you all through this.

Josey - you are an amazing person, the strength and courage that you are showing is aweinspiring. I am so glad that Olivia is fighting and I am so glad that you have the support of your family and friends, each little step is a significant stride and long may the little steps continue.

cheering for Olivia over here!

Josey
I was on the original thread when it first started some months ago. I felt compelled to write have been checking this thread every day to see how your daughter is doing. I think you are incredible and I really hope Oliva makes some improvement. Sending you lots of supportive vibes. Take Carex

Didn't get chance to come on yesterday so just a quick catch up with your news.

Emotionalwreck - Congratulations on the birth of Sophie Louie!

Dylansmum - Congratulations on the birth of Anwyn!

Josey - Olivia sounds like a real fighter, and it sounds like she is making progress. We are all thinking about you.

DM many congratulations on the birth of Anwyn, was it a complete shock having a girl or were you teasing us.

Well thats it last breakfast for 2 weeks which I have to cook, DH can do the weekend ones when we reopen, just washing and ironing tomorrow and then I will enjoy my 2 days ML before go into hospital on Thursday.

wanted to say josey you really are the kind of woman i think we all aspire to be more like, i am amazed by your incredible positivity and just know that with a mum like you Olivia will have an amazing life no matter what physical challenges she faces. she definitely seems to have your spirit!! xx

it was a complete shock that Anwyn had girl bits! the only time i've been that shocked before was when Dylan had boy bits - so both pregnancies have been a huge surprise.

not to go into too much detail now but she was born at home in the water despite my begging to go to hospital a few times! hypnobirthing worked great in the beginning but not for long!! just had g&a though which ran out before final stage. i was so annoyed but i think it made it faster just breathing normal air. my contractions had stopped in the am and then picked up around 1pm, rang midwife at 2pm, they arrived at 3pm and she was born at 7.16pm!

by the way, any welsh people know how to pronounce Anwyn (Anwen) properly? I've been saying on-wen (like Bronwen without the Br) but read it should be AN-wen which I don't like as much. not sure if it's too cruel to make her correct everyone's pronounciation to the wrong one her whole life just because it's how i like it!!!

Hello! Haven't been on the thread for a long time but noticed the list had been updated so thought I'd better pop in and share the details!

Went for a sweep on the 6th June as we had gone past the EDD and I was getting frustrated and miserable. I could feel myself verging on depressed so thought it better to do something about it, rather than waiting and waiting...

The sweep took place and by that afternoon, I was experiencing mild cramping pains in my back. Nothing too excting, but was convinced it wouldn't be too much longer. This went on until Sunday evening, when I started to get strong BH. By now I had convinced myself labour was imminent so stupidly got my hopes up that the birth was just around the corner.

This continued until the early hours of Tuesday morning but I wasn't too bothered by now as I was booked for induction at 8:30 am. The contractions really started at 4:30 Tuesday morning so I started timing them and phoned the labour ward to find out what I should do; whether I should go to the maternity ward as planned for the induction or because labour had started on its own, whether to go to the labour suite. Was told to go to the labour suite.

Once there, I was monitored for what felt like hours. Eventually had an examination and was only 3cm. They decided to break my waters around 3:00pm I think (it's a bit of a blur tbh) and from then the contractions came thick and fast. A further examination showed I was 7 cm. And that is where I stayed, for nigh on 10 hours...

The baby was not engaged, I had stopped dilating but the contractions were getting worse. Eventually, through tiredness, I started crying hysterically. I had been using gas and air for hours and didn't feel like it was having much effect. I begged them for an epidural, by now not caring how they got the baby out, just as long as they did and soon. Seven attempts later and the epidural was in, but unfortunately it didn't work. I was left for another few hours writhing about in agony, barely able to breathe for the pain.

Once fully dilated, the midwife came back into the room and told me I was to start pushing. I had been having the urge to push but at each examination, the baby was not engaged. When she told me to push, I did as best I could, bearing in mind I could only half feel what I was doing. I think I pushed for about 2 hours with no results. The midwife fell asleep during this time, sprawled across the end of my bed, muttering half hearted 'well done's' to me.

Eventually, I begged them to help me get him out and hinted at a CS. I couldn't believe I was asking for it, but I really couldn't take anymore. I was tired, delirious and finally fully dilated. The anaesthetist (sp) came in and said that in order for them to help me, they would have to re site the epidural but there were no garuntees it would work. Then they changed their minds and said the only way they could do it would be to attempt a forceps or ventouse delivery in theatre but I would need to have a spinal block as the epidural wasn't working and time was getting on. Byn ow it was the middle of the night, around 3 or 4 in the morning. I had to sign the consent form and was then whipped to theatre.

Once in there, I was given the block which gave wonderful, welcome relief. I was monitored for a while and then eventually, was told to push. As I was laying on the table looking up, I could see the doctor delivering my son's head in the light overhead and then watched as they pulled his body from me. It was the weirdest but nicest (under the circumstances) experience I have ever had, watching my son born like that.

He was placed on my belly and all I could do was stare at him, hardly believing that after 25 hours of labour, he was finally here.

So, Daniel Simon was born at 5:35am on Wednesday 11th June by forceps delivery, weighing 9lbs 4. I was initially told that he wouldn't be a big baby . He was 12 past EDD.

He is the morst gorgeous thing I have ever seen and is almost identical in looks to DD on the day she was born. I feel very lucky to have two beautiful children.

He is feeding reasonably well, although is demanding feeding every 2 - 2.5 hours. Winding is a bit of a problem with him though at the moment. He doesn't seem to like parting with it but then tends to be a bit miserable as a result. His feeds have been doubled already, as he was demanding 4 bottles in the space of 2 hours.

Congratulations to all of you who have your babies now, like I said, I haven't really followed the threads too well, they tend to go too quickly for me .

Wow Sophie - a whole 2 days ML - enjoy it!!!We still have guests but they go on Thursday - our d day, and then we have 3 weeks with only family visiting - no paying guests.

DLM - I know you had got used to the idea of a 2nd boy but you wanted a girl didn't you, you must be so excited. Had you bought any new blue stuff? I can't believe that it wasn't picked up at the 3d scan? Can't help you with the pronunciation at all - sorry.

Lazylou - what a labour, but so worth it in the end eh? Glad all is well

Nothing happening here, just made toad in the hole, mash, veg and gravy and celebrated the fact it was Sunday and surely baby will be here soon with half a glass of wine! I'm hoping it will be my last English dinner for a while before I go to hospital - wishful thinking.

Dh has been on the trampoline with the boys this morning and twisted his back - great timing, hope he gets himself sorted before I go into labour or he'll be no use!!!

Hi all

a quick one from me while SJ is sleeping.

First congrats to all of those who graduated last week. It looks like the 11th was the day to have babies!!

Josey so glad Olivia is fighting hard, thoughts and prayers are still with you all.

DQ if I had been there I would have noticed your absence, you are (were) my due date buddy!

Right quick attempt at a birth story for me. I had contractions from 4.30 am to 14.00 pm. They were kind of regular and getting nearer but really bearable so I wasn't sure whether I was in established labour or just latent labour for a long time. I watched LK today, then ran through a few hypnobirthing script with DH. the pain was more in my back so DH did loads of massages, then we had some lunch at about 11.oo and went for a little walk by the lake nearby. When we came back things seem to move a bit faster so I suggested he calls the midwife for her to come a bit earlier than our scheduled appointment at 14.00. When she got here I could tell she thought I had hours still to go and to be honest I was thinking the same as contractions were bearable and I wansn't sick and my waters still hadn't ruptured. Thinks were spicing up though so I put some clary sage on a cloth and was breathing throught that when I had contractions. At about 3.00 I was sick once and thought that perhaps things were properly starting and it started to really really hurt. MW suggested I went for a bath. I was worried everything would stop and it did for about 10mn and then the pain got even worse. We went back downstairs at about 3.30 and I was starting to really really be in a lot of pain. I kind of hated myself because I was convinced I had hours to go and was a wimp. At 3.50 I was crying my head off saying I couldn't take it anymore. My DH and MW debated whether I should go in the pool or not. I didn't because I only had one liner and was convinced I had hours to go still because I still wasn't sick and my waters hadn't broken. In the end I went in the pool and the next two contractions were really long and painful. My MW asked me whether I was pushing but I wasn't sure. Next contraction I felt a pop and my waters had gone. My MW said "are you pushing? can you try holding on the pushing" I think everybody was taken by surprise that I was pushing. The next contraction it felt like my DH and the MW were very far so I shouted "it's coming" and pop out came the head. Another two contractions and SJ was born at 16.30.

That is when I realised that maybe I wasn't a wimp after all! Because when it was really bad I must have been close to full dilatation or in transition. Good job they convinced me to go in the pool too otherwise I wouldn't have used it at all! I was so worried not to go in too early to avoid things coming to a halt that I nearly didn't make it.

I think the hypnobirthing worked to a great extent and kind of fooled both my MW and myself into thinking I had hours to go when really I was close to the end.

RLT and clary sage definitely helped although I did put too much clary sage on the cloth and felt a little sick afterward (would recommend trying only one drop at a time)

Homeopathy definitely helped with back pain and other things too.

Pool was wonderful because I was clinging on those handles like there was no tomorrow and I ended up with no tear.

Basically a very good experience which I think would have been even more positive if I had had a little more faith in myself and if I had realised I was making fast progress.

SJ is a wonderful baby (aren't they all?) he is very contented and sweet. I am very tired though as I can't sleep at night. My mind seems to be racing, my heart ponding and I am struggling to rest but hopefully this will improve in the next few days.

I am amazed though at how different I felt after the birth of DD and birth of DS. I am so much better physically. If it weren't for the tiredness I would be absolutely fine. After DS was born I went out and about in the house, up and down the stairs etc which I could hardly manage 10 days after DD.

Once I have had a few more days to rest I will try to pop round more often.

Good luck for those with inductions to come.

Sorry for the long post

Josey, you are so strong and such an inspiration. You daughter is lucky to have you all as her family.

Congratulations to the new mums, and thanks to Needahand and Lazylou for their birth stories. Needahand, yours is like mine! Glad we both had positive experiences and Lazylou, you did incredibly well.

I am still engorged and Jamie is finding it hard to cope with the twin bowling balls that have appeared on my chest. He has trashed my nipples overnight struggling to latch on so it was long and difficult for both of us but hopefully it won't last for too much longer. Please tell me they won't be this big and full for too much longer - even if you have to lie!

Sybil - the bowling ball stage shouldn't last much longer once supply and demand have balanced out! I dreamt my milk had come in and I had the bowling ball boobs and when I woke up I quite expected them to feel like that - but no!!

Hi all

Firstly josey you continue to amaze me with your strength and courage. I can see where Olivia gets her fighting strength from. DH and I constantly think of you and your family and send you our love and prayers.

Congratulations to all the new arrivals and thanks for the great birth stories. I can't believe I have been a mum for two whole weeks! Each day seems to last forever, but the fortnight has also gone in a flash, and Storm has outgrown her first clothes!!!

Have had some real struggles with BF off and on, and ended up on the phone to a La Leche counsellor at 3am this morning... Basically I have too much milk and Storm is struggling to latch on without being overwhelmed by it. It got to the point last night where she seemed frightened to, while being obviously hungry at the same time abd was getting really frsutrated, and I was WEEPING. The counsellor was brilliant and told me to express some first to ease the gush, lie back to stop gravity making the flow stronger, and let Storm find her latch herself. It worked! The third time we tried it this afternoon it went like a dream. It does mean I can't just bung her on while I'm watching Trisha but at least we finally worked out how to solve it. I was feeling totally desperate. Let's hope this is a long term fix!

Oh, and Amber, there were nesting pigeons on the window sill outside my delivery room, including one nest with a teeny brown baby pidg. Maybe it's a SIGN.

sybil just read your message re bowling balls - see my last post for some la leche advice - it really worked and I have the same problem.

for the graduates - should we start a 'sister' thread or carry on posting on here?

And a Q - mine doesn't seem to be gaining much weight despite feeding a lot.

Also, she seems now tly since Imo either sleep or cry. if we put her down she either stays asleep or she cries - been held constantly since coming out of hospital. hmmm can't remember what to do?

josey -thinking of you all and really glad olivia is fighting so hard.

lazylou congrats on birth of daniel altough sounds like you have a tough time of it.

deb there is a moral in your dh not going on the trampoline somewhere.

If we do start another thread for graduates are there going to be enough of us non graduates around to keep it going? Am slowly coming round to fact that I could be here sometime and its not going to be any easier if stuck here alone

I doubt that anyone was expecting me to post today! I am meant to be in the hospital being induced, however we have been allowed to come home for a few hours before going back in overnight. Currently feeling like an escaped prisoner complete with hospital wrist band attached to me!

Rather a tedious day. Arrived at hospital at 9am and sat around. Eventually put on fetal monitor at 10.15. Apparently they were very busy in the delivery ward this morning so didn't want to set me off too. Allowed out from 12.30 - 2pm for a sandwich. Came back at 2. Nothing happened till 3.30 when they gave me a pessary. More fetal monitoring for an hour. Asked if we could come home for a bit as its just a waiting game really and we live about a mile away from the hospital. MW looked dubious but the hospital are running a trial of sending people home once they have been given the pessary, so she asked the registrar who was fine with it. Allowed to stay here till 9pm: woo-hoo, but have to go back overnight. Having set me off late in the day at 3.30pm they need to do more fetal monitoring at 12 hour intervals, so that will be 3.30am - can't wait!! Currently feeling fine, not really getting a sense that the pessary is having an effect!

Enough about me though...

Josey Olivia sounds as though she has real grit and determination. You must be so proud of her.

Good luck Alipalli

Alipalli- hope you enjoy your last few hours of freedom, must be strange knowing this is it!

Needahand- that's a very inspiring birth story. Well Done

Lazylou- congrats on birth of Daniel

Sophie- hope you are getting the most out of your 2 days ML!! Has your rat gone away now?

DLM- many congrats on the birth of Anwyn and for hanging in there at home. Would you recommend HB/WB again?

Josey- sorry to hear about your results, but great news that Olivia was able to hold your hand. I hope your boobs stop aching soon and you feel better phyically. Sounds like you have good friends and family support.

I'm still locked up in my low back and struggling to get around/ keep up with DD1. DH has been great this w.end. Will try to see an osteo tomorrow.

I have been getting more frequent BH's and aching/ heavy feeling fanjo. I'm clinging onto these things as a sign that I don't have to wait 2 more weeks. (ever hopefull) I've even had my first "has the baby arrived yet" phone call and text!

Good luck to all those on the brink of meeting their babies!

Josey Olivia sounds as if she has a great fighting spirit! Good on her for holding your finger!

DLM Congratulations! What a lovely suprise to have a girl, your initial instincts were right! I have to be honest and say I would pronounce Anwyn as An - wyn, why not change the spelling?

Hi everyone. Seems like lots of new arrivals keep coming. Loved the home birth story and fingers crossed that will be me soon if all goes well.

Good luck to those who are about to be induced or showing signs of baby nearly being here.

I'm due a week tomorrow and keep getting asked if he's arrived yet etc. I sooooo can't wait for it to be over now! Finally found a boy's name we're happy with so think that's sorted

JOSEY - I've been totally touched by your posts, you sound like an amazing strong person and you seem to have a fighter there!! My sister was born 30+ years ago with the cord around her neck and problems after. My brother was fine but she had problems unfortunately (twins). I emailed my mum to ask for a bit of history from the early days as I knew she was very very poorly but now she's a mum with 2 children and totally fine This is what my mum wrote back:

'X was born with her cord around her neck and wasn't breathing at birth. As they didn't know how long she hadn't been breathing for they said she would have suffered some brain damage but they didn't really expect her to survive the night and wanted a vicar called in to baptise her.

She was in an incubator for 6 weeks and had been drip fed through her nose. She was black and blue all over (I think from the Forceps delivery) and she was constantly having twitching spasms.

Once out of the incubator and giving her a bottle used to take ages as she didn't know how to suck properly.

After 6 weeks we were allowed to bring her home for the weekend to see if we could cope with her. Well, it was very hard work but it beat having to go visiting her in hospital every day.

Anyway, that weekend turned out permanent as they were happy for us to keep her at home but were still saying she would have suffered brain damage and would need constant assessing.

Once she had passed the age of when babies normally sit up it was decided she would need physiotherapy which she hated but had it for about a year or so!

She was a little fighter and proved all the doctors wrong :-)

Is there anything else you need to know?'

I hope this was ok to post? I just wanted to share this as my sister is absolutely fine now and tbh, all I ever remember about any problems with her is that she was a tad clumsy as a child (I'm 18 months older).

Anyway, hope Olivia continues to fight and look forward to hearing her progress. Thinking of you and your family xxx

Allipalli - I know you won't be able to read this now but I hope that things start moving for you now and you don't have the 3.30 wake up to monitor baby!!

As far as I'm aware when I go in to be induced - that's it, I'll stay there until baby arrives and more!