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!

Congratulations Peartart! - had you thought of a homebirth before? It sounds like it went well for you so that's great.

amber - sorry to hear you hard a tough time with the birth. Well done for getting through it, Luke is so cute in the picture. There seem to be so many struggling with bf - I have this all to come no doubt, but it has led me to think that maybe too rosy a picture is painted of it, rather than the reality that it can be really tricky. At the hospital yesterday the walls were plastered with pictures of happy mums bf, and that alone would make me feel like a failure if I can't do it..........

looney love the pics, you look so relaxed in the pool!

No news from me......another day of daytime tv, books and eating (scoffed a whole packet of choc digestives after my disappointment with the sweep yesterday!!)

Peartart - well done - you star - very impressive. the full moon fandango obviously worked for you. does this mean you'll now change your name to peachtart?

still nothing from me, so will be in hospital tomorrow being seen to. please cross your fingers.

congrats peartart - allnew will be with you on sofa as no real signs of movement except fact hugely swollen feet and still very sore hips/top of legs.

loads of luckmellymel Josey glad to hear about olivia and that you're getting into the feeding - hope she keeps progressing so you can give her a bath tomorrow

Morning all, congrats peartart - so glad that your unexpected home delivery went well. I think I've kept up with all the congratulations, but if I did miss any - congratulations!!!!

Josey glad you are able to take over a bit of Olivia's care, that must be really special for you.

Just wanted to have a little moan if that's ok? I've been to see my mw this morning and burst into tears when I came out. She's not that bad, I know it's just hormonal, but she really p'd me off today.

10 minutes after my appt time the mw strolls into the surgery - clearly just arriving for work. 10 minutes later she calls me in - not a single apology for being late. She asks me how I am in the corridor, but doesn't ask again during the entire appt (yes, I'm really going to discuss how I'm feeling in the corridor).

She doesn't take the time to read my notes at the start of appointment, so we then go over the same old stuff. Yes my hands are puffy (they have been for weeks as per my notes) yes my ankles are puffy, (they have been for months as per my notes)... I then get the same stories about her own pregnancy that I get at every appointment, she blames my headaches on the weather, and encourages me to eat lots of chocolate (ok, that I have no problem with, but hardly the advice of a sensible medical professional) and then proceeds to tell me (for the Xth time), about how much she likes chocolate...). She doesn't at any time ask if I've written a birth plan, ask if I've got any questions, ask how I'm feeling about everything or discuss what happens from here on in. I'm supposed to have a sweep next week, but no appointments left!!!!

I know its just a bit of a personality clash, but I'm starting to get really fed up with her! She's the only midwife who does a clinic at my surgery so it's way too much hassle (and a bit late) to try and change her.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest everyone - I know I'm just being moany, but for some reason her general uselessness has really upset me today. Everyone I know has sweeps, inductions etc booked and I'm just left here in limbo with no end in sight.

dramaqueen - sympathise on the mw visit. This is how I feel every time I see mine. She isn't rude, but just never seems that interested, as if she's just going through the motions as quickly as she can. The mw's at the hospital on the other hand are always really friendly, wish I had one of these as my community midwife. You're not being moany - the mw visits are a big thing for us, and I too have left more than one appointment in tears.

Sorry no talk of sweeps/inductions for you, but tbh my sweep was a waste of time as I'm not ready (this has made me more impatient!)

Bdq at your mw - I'm not surprised you're fed up and I don't think its hormonal.

the late thing makes me -it seems to be a matter of routine in our GPs too to be late (except for one of the lovely nurses). its just so rude.. if I did that to my clients, I'd be lynched. Ok things happen but you can at least apologise.

And as for not reading your notes or discussing next options given where you are in your pregnancy ,thats a bit off. I assume that you get so hacked off with her that it makes you less inclined to be assertive -what you want is help not having to prompt her to do her job.

Morning all-sitting here surrounded by boxes as the house is slowly emptied by the movers. BFing is taking on a new less private dimension!

Congrats to all new mums- Debs, peatart, sponge, looney Amber and others I may have missed. So very proud of you all!

Just wanted to give moral spport to all those attempting BF as it is bloody hard, thoroughly demoralising and very lonely. I did everthing wrong according to counsellor- bottles dummies expressing and was ready to quit at least a dozen times. But I made it through the pain guilt and distress, and if I can do it, anyone can. Having said that, if you can't, you absolutely should not beat yourself up about it. In order to do the best for your baby you have to do what is best for you, and if that is bottle feeding, so what? Babies just want their mummies, and a sane mummy gives better cuddles! Don't know if that helps at all, probably sounds patronising. Just wanted to ease your emotional pain, and send hugs for physical pain

Congratulations pEARTART!!!!!

Today is dd1's 7th birthday and Harvey is one month today. Both dd's have a friend each over after school today and the house is a mess! I also have to get the food ready for dd1's party on sunday - I really can't be bothered with it all.

Thanks allnew and poppy . It's just as well I've done my own research into things, and have MN etc. If I was a first timer completely reliant on my MW then I wouldn't have a clue!!! She's just so dizzy and hasn't got a bloody clue what I'm looking for in an appointment.

Please please please let this baby come soon so I dont have to go for another appt. DH has been warned that she is definitely NOT to be offered as much as a cup of tea when she visits after the birth

Oh, and DH was with me today, so her lateness meant that he set off for work 20-30 minutes later than he should.

Congratulations PearTart . What a lovely birth story, and well done for having her at home. Sounds as though it was the right place for you. What are you calling her?

DQ - your midwife sounds like a pain, I'm not surprised you're pissed off.

Good luck Mellymel

Hi All - Just dropping in to give you an update, haven't caught up on recent posts, so congratulations to anyone who has hatched (hopefully you Looney) and still thinking of you Josey.

Me: 8pm Tuesday & 4am Wednesday = show. 6am yesterday = waters break. Contractions began immediately every five mins or so slowing getting more intense. Went for a bath and sat around until about 11.30am, then called hospital just to let them know that I hoped to be in later that day. They called me in. By the time we got to hosp, contractions much slower, about every 10 - 15 mins although more painful.

I was examined after about 30mins and cervix not immediately visible so to avoid risk of infection, stopped exam (ie: not dilated). Monitored baby's heart rate and my contractions for 30mins and then sent me home telling me to check temp every 4hrs and if nothing more happens, they will induce me on Sunday. I have been having on and off contractions ever since, but they have definitely dropped off (they woke me up 45min - 60min throughout the night). They are also not agony - haven't even broken out the TENS machine yet.

I am SO disappointed and frustrated. I know it sounds silly but I have been expecting to give birth imminently ever since I was 37 weeks. It is now more than 4 weeks later and each day is getting harder.

I am so happy for those of you that have popped but am so too. Hope to join you by COB Monday with news of a baby penguin.

Sorry for the rant - just soooo fed up.

pregnantpenguin - that most be so disappointing after it looking so promising with the show/waters breaking! Hope something happens for you before Sunday

Sorry you're feeling so fed up PP. Fingers crossed something happens before Sunday.

BDQ your MW sounds a lot like mine. She's always late and doesn't apologise, I have to profer information about how I'm feeling as she never asks, and if I didn't say anything she would probably never even think to enquire. at least she doesn't bore me with stories about herself though! I also have had no offer of a sweep or even an internal exam so have no idea about the state of my cervix and my next appointment is at the hospital at 40+4...

Josey sounds like you had a good day yesterday and well done you for changing her NG tube - I know lots of docs who would be reluctant to change a new baby's tube so you are doing fabulously!

PP hope everything restarts before Sunday, but if not, at least there's an end in sight now!

Mellymell good luck for tomorrow

Peartart and Amber congratulations both of you, sounds like you had rather different experiences to each other!

poppy BDQ and allnew shift up on the sofa and pass a chocolate digestive will you? homes under the hammer is finished, but pretty sure we can get through another episode of Diagnosis Murder or 3 today. which of you was it who's working their way through 24? I watched all the series last year (mainly on nightshift in the hospital when there was nothing happening - don't worry, no patient neglect!) and wish I still had some to go, certainly passes the time!

makecakes hope all goes well with the move and CJ likes her new house!

Laura it's me with the 24 addiction. Every time we buy a new series, I have DH copy it to his media player in case I go into labour and can watch it in hospital. Looks like I'll be finished series 4 this weekend though!

Congratulations Peartart!!
Good thinking to ask for a home birth when the hospital was full, not sure it would have occured to me.

DQ - lots of sympathy about your midwife, she sounds terrible. They should make more of an effort to try and see you even if there aren't any appointments left. Is there someone in charge of midwives in your area you could speak to? You shouldn't be messed around like this at this stage.

PP - how disappointing for you. Hope things get properly going soon.

I've been busy this morning, been to the shops and done some baking so now I think it is time for a nap!

Afternoon all

Thanks to a brilliant book DH and I had a proper night's sleep with only one feed at 4am and Storm fed brilliantly all day yesterday. Highly recommend it...

josey I reckon the hotsling is worth a go. I'm 5ft10 with broad shoulders and it's only a fraction too small for me. If it doesn't fit you please just pass it on to someone else when you have a mo(haha). That's BRILLIANT news re Oliva anyway. So please she is making such fantastic progress and glad your infection is clearing. Bung me your address to roseedotbrownatgmailfotcom and I'll post it to you, along with instructions DVD.

amber it sounds like FF is right for you and Luke so please don't beat yourself up. Oh, and I LOVED my community MW. Seriously wanted her to be my friend and look after me forever - I know exactly what you mean.

peartart clever you to ask for HB - sounds like you had a great experience - well done!

looney fab pix! You all look so happy

dq sorry to hear re your MW -she sounds terrible...

pp sorry to hear of your frustrations. Do hope things will pick up soon.

Righto. About to finish lunch before Storm wakes up for food.

Afternoon all - thanks for kind words re: the midwife. She just rang me with an appointment for next Friday - she called me 'honey' on the phone!!! I nearly hung up

Fingers crossed I go into labour before next Friday!

Now having to put up with the slightly unhinged bloke accross the road who every single afternoon this week has had music blaring out of his front door. All of my windows are closed and I can hear it over the tv and in every room at the front of the house. Grrrr. If it keeps up once the baby is here I'll be calling the community police officer.

Ooh, I could just eat a pack of choc digestives Laura - may have to make do with the big packet of revels in the cupboard instead though! I've just been watching a classic episode of ER - where Dr Green works his last shift. Sob. Finished the first season of 24 last weekend, DH is going to purchase the second one I think. We're also working our way through the West Wing for the umpteenth time. Love it though, will start on series 4 this weekend.

makecakes good luck with the move.

We're doing the West Wing, having consumed all of 24, for the first time, but DH won't let me watch it without him so have to wait until after the football every night! we're up to season 5 and loving it!

meant to buy chocolate digestives while out this afternoon and clean forgot. it was the excitement of getting my hair cut I think! had to make do with several M&S ring doughnuts instead

There's nothing worse than a noise you can't get rid of is there? We have been plagued all week by a repetitive banging noise from 8am to 5pm that pervades every room in the house and appeared to be coming from the very substance of the earth... it took my uncle to work out yesterday that it's coming from the athletic stadium 3 streets away where they are doing major building work - think it's a pile driver that's being used to build the new stand. I think this may be a problem for a while longer, so much sympathy with your neighbours music!

I got an exciting delivery this morning of a large box of reuseable nappies - they are so cute and fluffy! need to wash them all now though...

was going to try and update the list but the pressure was too much. Ktpie you're the substitute sophie I nominate you to do it!

pedilia meant to say welcome back earlier, good luck with trying to catch up, we fill about a thread a week! not suprised you've been busy though, with 3 DC already!

I wonder where upsidedowncake and Josie57 are? we haven't heard from them for a while...

and Whinegums happy due date to you, happy due date to you, happy due date dear Whinegums, happy due date to you...

Hi there

Just had a bit of a catch-up - congratulations Looney, Essie, Peartart, Sponge and everyone else I've not got to yet.

As my due date grows nearer (22 June), I've been getting more and more nervous - in fact, stark staring bonkers would be a better way of putting it. (BP 180 / 95 at last MW appointment, dropping to 120 / 80 after a sweep.) So have been rather avoiding birth stories.

I'll be back on when LO finally arrives and I'm calm again. Thinking of you all. xxxx

X-post Laura! Thank you though. xx

LauraT - I've had a go of updating the list, it taxed my poor pregnant brain far too much! Someone else can have a go!

Chocolate digestives sound good, probably a good thing we haven't got any, can imagine eating a whole packet in one go!

Upsidedowncake - I was wondering where you were as well, we are due on the same day. Got to admit I feel like I am on the edge of the unknown at the moment (does that make sense), just want to get it out of the way!

Hello all Junebugs.

Laura, you've brought a tear to my eye!!!! Yes, due date - apparently. Doesn't feel like it though - nothing happening. Had a bath with clary sage and jasmine last night, and then had some pretty bad cramps afterwards whilst watching Heroes, but nothing else. There is a pineapple in the fruit bowl with my name on it, and DP might be getting a seeing to later on....

I'm also watching the West Wing, only up to series 2 though.

Peartart, congratulations, what a lovely lovely birth story, well done you.

Greenfairy - you sound a little more chipper today - that book must be good!

DQ - your mw is a pain in the chuff. Make sure your DP does offer her a cup of tea when she does come round, but perhaps with something special to go with it - ex-lax choccie biccie on the side p'raps??

Congratulations to Looney too, I can't believe you're actually giving birth in those pics, you look so chilled out! Lovely!

PP - sending you a hug - it will be over soon.

Mellymel - good luck!

Josey - thinking of you and Olivia, and hope things continue to improve for you all.

Amber - you're doing a fantastic job, as someone else said, being a mum is about more than breast feeding. And I also agree that a rosy picture is painted of it - without MN, you lot, and reading, my view of pregnancy, birth and motherhood would be rather different and a lot less realistic.

Ucake - know what you mean about birth stories, I went one better and looked at birth videos on YouTube, what on earth was I thinking??? It's like rubbernecking an accident.