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!

libra good luck! Don't forget it's ok to sleep -you need your energy.

looney great birth story! What fab MWs you have

sponge am so sorry you had such a hard time. You did brilliantly to birth naturally in such extreme circumstances - how awful the hosp made it a 'blue light' situation - you're right - it didn't have to feel like that.
I was determined to have a natural birth but if LO hadn't stuck one foot out, putting paid to any hope of vaginal delivery and I hadn't been whisked off for a section when I was almost fully dilated am not sure I wouldn't have asked for an epidural - the pain was unbelievable - the G&A didn't do much for me, and the hypnobirthing stuff stopped working after a while. I was almost relieved to be told I needed a section and the wait from then to go into theatre - all the time experiencing contractions I knew wouldn't get my baby out, was the hardest bit of all. Well done you for getting through it.

mr austria glad to hear debs is on the way home. we're missing our 5am posts!

ok - off to snuggle up with DH and Storm. Ahhhh.

Morning all!
Commiserations to those of you who didn't get much sleep. I had a rubbish night as well - woke at 2am with my usual cramps and couldn't get back to sleep until 7.30. So just let myself lie in after that. Really wish this lo would come out - I know I'd not get any more sleep, but at least there would be a good reason!

Fingers crossed for you libra, hopefully you won't have too much longer to wait

Fingers crossed libra - try and get some sleep though, you might need your energy later!

No signs here at all...

hi all - libra hope things get moving again

had good nights sleep but woke up with period type pain, then got dh to apply various techniques to me ... including nipple stimulation which resulted in about an hour of bad contractions.

Pain/contractions now eased off although stomach very tight and

Also feel really knackered although no reason to so not sure what this means -prob nothing...

for those of you who are still waiting did find this..virtual birthing game

link

poppy

My bump is extremely tight with the period like pains down under. They are really niggling, but not really enough to take any painkillers.

Been for a walk and still getting them.

Right off to do some housework and some ironing.

Catch you all later.

Thanks for the good wishes.

allnew, I'm really sorry I scared you - that wasn't my intention . Don't forget that induced labour can be much more intense because you have no opportunity to get used to the contractions. I was very unlucky.

libra, good luck

peartart, loving the name!

Hello everyone - my sister-in-law Idristhedragon stole my thunder by letting you know that we had Eva Judith at 2:15pm on the 18th! I have posted a photo. Haven't left the house since and am over the moon with her.

To those interested in slings, Eva is currently trying out her new Huggababy sling and so far seems to like it...

Many congratulations to everyone who has given birth recently - think that's alipalli, Debs, Amberc, Looney, Essie, and thank you to everyone posting their birth stories - you are all truely inspirational. Josey - so glad that you and Olivia are making small steps forward and thinking of you.

Here's my birth story:

Small shows started coming on Monday, and a bit of backache.

In retrospect, I must have been having two or three small contractions on Tuesday evening / night - was able to sleep between them.

Woken up at 4:30am on Weds morning by contractions 5 mins apart - bloody hurt and didn't go back to sleep. Put on TENS. A wonderful invention! Did a lot of breathing and shouting through each one. Rang hospital. They said to ring back when contractions 4 mins apart. Couple of hours later, they were. Being 1st time mum, thought baby was probably immiment (!). Hospital said to ring back when they were 3 mins apart.

Finally rang hospital at about 10:45am, as contractions had been 3 mins for about 2 hours, and they said we could come in. Suddenly contractions seemed to be continuous and didn't know how I'd be able to get downstairs, let alone in the car. Then there was a pause in contractions, so rushed downstairs, managed to get in car and set off.

Got to hospital and was 6cm dilated! Got straight on all fours and had a go on the gas and air (keeping the TENS on). Wasn't sure if it was making a difference but didn't want to risk not having it in case it was. Pushing stage seemed to go on for ever and was agonising but reading others' experiences it was all apparently completely normal...Did A LOT of shouting at the top of my voice which actually really helped (expected various parts to be sore the next day, but didn't expect a sore throat!). Eva a bit reluctant to finally crown but when she did she slithered out all in one go.

Hospital let us go home six hours after she was born, which was wonderful.

So all in all, both the most excrutiating / worst day of my life, and the best.

Although I don't often post, I've found this thread really really useful and supportive - it's great to hear about other people's experiences, so thank you everyone for sharing them.

Good luck to all the other new mums and to all the bumps - welcome to the world very soon I hope.

sponge - that's ok, I'm a wimp anyway and your story was good for warning me that I'm one of those likely to need good pain relief early on! Earth mother I am not.........

sebastian born thursday 19th 8lb 4oz
mother and son both fine
mr sophiewd

hi

Baby Layla came a week early and was born at 3am this morning, she came so quickly that I had to have her with only DH to help
Bit scary but we are all fine

x

I'M BACK!!!!!

It is sooo nice to be home, 4 days in hospital and even worse 4 nights was way too long for me, but Ethan and I are where we should be now. I'm just going to read what "Mr Austria" has posted in my absence and catch up with other people's news.

How's Josey doing?

deb glad you're back..mr austria has been doing a fine job -think josey was on yesterday with news about olivia (she has been helping her feed by changing her tubes)

Congrats to sophiewd and pedilia - look forward to hearing more esp about your birth drama pedilia

wigeon good to hear from you - and congrats on eva.

Congrats to sophiewd, Debs and pedilia

Just got back from my afternoon out and the pains haven't got any better or worse.

Am just so shattered I feel I could sleep for a week.

Just getting DS his tea then it will be bath and bed so I can have a rest. DH thinks he'll be home later on tonight and no work tomorrow. Might try and get some shut eye till he's home, and then put him to good use to see if we can get things moving along as he's back off to London first thing Monday. He really doesn't want to go and if I've had the baby he's got his excuse.

Evening all, not much to say just popping on to catch up. Congrats sophie, wigeon and deb.

Am going to make an attempt to update the list with some recent arrivals, but I might need some help...

29/05/08 - neenz, esther and theo
18/05/08 - makecakes, Cecily jean Olivia
20/05/08 - Goingfor3 Harvey
24/05/08 - Katyjo Mia Joanne
29/05/08 - pyjamrama William James Frederick
30/05/08 - Paromapu, Fleur
01/06/08 - greenfairy - Storm Josephine Frances
04/06/08 - Josey - Oilivia Margaret
05/06/08 - ernest - Adele
05/05/08 - tassisssss - Rebecca Grace
07/06/08 - Aberdeen Hiker - Fraser
08/06/08 - Lorrettah - Harry
11/06/08 - Sybilvimes - James Dominic
11/06/08 - Kif - boy
11/06/08 - Lazylou - boy
11/06/08 - systemaddict - Cailin Rose
11/06/08 - Needahand - SJ
11/06/08 - Emotionalwreck - Sophie Louie
12/06/08 - Basilbrush - Rose Madeline
14/06/08 - Dymansluckymum - Anwyn Crystal Anne
15/06/08 - Rolf - Girl
15/06/08 - spongebrainbigpants - Alexander
15/06/08 - Amberc - Luke Joseph
16/06/08 - Essie - boy
17/06/08 - Debinaustria - Ethan
17/06/08 - Alipalli - Peter
18/06/08 - wigeon - Eva Judith
19/06/08 - Looneytune - Joshua James
19/06/08 - Peartart - Girl
21/06/08 - Sophiewd - Sebastian
21/06/08 - Pedilia - Layla

Still waiting:
06/06/08 - nettiehay -(first baby)
07/06/08 - mellymel -(DS 14 months)
12/06/08 - Pregnant Penguin -(1st baby) BOY
15/06/08 - Jules43 -(1st baby)
16/06/08 - xxgemmalou22xx (first Baby
17/06/08 - fungle - (2nd baby)girl(got DD4)
18/06/08 - Josie57 -(ds1 13 months, mc sep 07)
18/06/08 - hedgehog1979 -(first baby)
20/06/08 - poppy34 -(2 m/c, one ds lost at 21 weeks) (GIRL)
20/06/08 - whinegums - (first baby) BOY
21/06/08 - HeyBaby07 -(First Baby)
21/06/08 - Hoggle -(First Baby)
22/06/08 - Upsidedowncake -(1DS 27 m, ep Aug 07) GIRL
22/06/08 - bitofadramaqueen -(first baby)
22/06/08 - ktpie -(first baby)
24/06/08 - puddock -(first baby)
24/06/08 - allnew - (first baby)
25/06/08 - Bun2 (DD 5 yrs) Girl
26/06/08 - LauraT (first baby)
26/06/08 - Claphamkitten -(first baby)

Ok, posted list above with announcements from last couple of pages and using the last updated list. Sorry if I've missed anyone, or got any info wrong.

Have we definitely not heard from mellymel or nettiehay - they both about 2 weeks overdue now?

Have just spent the last couple of hours reading the 'no-cry sleep solution' book. I've got a bit of a pathological fear of being unable to cope with a screaming baby at night (the thought of it makes me feel quite physically sick) and it seemed to have quite a few practical tips for dealing with sleeping problems which makes me feel a bit better (whether they'll work I'm still to find out!).

DQ - good work on the update!

Re the No Cry book, don't forget you may not get a crier - don't assume the worst! Storm almost never cries and is now very easy to settle - you may get lucky. Of course she does also go through days of feeding hourly .

Try not to worry about it and enjoy the free time you have now!

None of the books I bought have been of any use at all to me I'm afraid. Luke is a crier - not always but sometimes he cries for absolutely no reason and is inconsolable which is awful as it's usually when I'm on duty in the middle of the night. I have hardly been having any sleep at all as I can't seem to switch off - even when DP has him downstairs with the doors closed to give me time off. Keep feeling like I will be a prime candidate for PND - I do hope not. It doesn't help when DP tells me to get some sleep rather sternly as I just can't do it - what's wrong with me? I should be clapped out at every chance but adreniline and fear are keeping me awake.

Congrats to all new hatchlets and hope you have quiet crying free babes!

Hiya all
I am still here just finding time to post on here is difficult!!!

Congratulations to all those who have given birth recently.
Just a couple of responses to some peoples posts:

Ernest - Fleur also slept loads the first two weeks and we hardly saw her awake but its all changed now!!! hehe

Essie- know how you feel about being to tired to breastfeed, sometimes i just think OMG im really tired but cant lay down as will have to wake in 1hr to feed again and i need more than 1 hr sleep!!!! Also bout prelabour days i too was in pre labour (2 1/2 days) longer than actual labour (19mins)

Bun - I bought that book and have found it very useful

Josey - full of admiration for you being so strong and lots of best wishes to you and Olivia

Pear tart - saw that you are from cambridge im from there originally, all family from there too in Sawston/Abington/ Babraham area

We are fine here Fleur has now woken from her newborn days!!! She is 3 weeks now and is into a 3hr routine but has found her lungs and if she doesnt get fed straight away she screams!!! She is BF very well and i had a struggle last few days when she fed loads and i didnt seem to have enough milk
Re BF and FF im ignoring everyones [point of view and doing what i want and what FLeur likes, Ie people kept telling me to breast feed on demand, no formula feeding etc. Fleur likes 3hr feed and routine, also Dp gives her FF bottle at 10pm which allows me to rest after 8pm feed and sleep til 1pm feed later.

The only problem we are having and dont know if anyone can help, Fleur sometimes has terrible wind, her stomach goes hard and swollen and she grunts and strains as if trying to poo, Once she does or she farts (sorry!!!!) she is much better and happier. I really struggle to wind her after BF as she doesnt seem to burp. I rub her tummy and lay her on her front but it doesnt always seem to work. Any suggestions?

I do hate the fact that no midwives here, that come round to house to help, I see MW every 15 days which isnt enough really.

Well off to offer Mr Paro support in game tonight Holland and on a draw at mo and he is on edge of chair!!!!

hiya para.. good to hear from you and glad things are going to hear things are going ok now fleur is getting to be a big girl (she feels like that as one of the first to hatch ).

Re the wind issue, my friend had same problem with her dd and found a yoga technique was useful that involved lieing the lo on her back and then gently bending her legs into her stomach which seemed to have effect of making her break wind but stopping the crying. Trying to find a link as she showed me but prob not explaining very well - am sure books on baby massage/yoga would have it or maybe one of the old hands on here has some tips.

Hello all

Having a weepy day today for no apparent reason, think my hormons and body are catching up with me!!

Olivia had her 1st bath today yep the smelling little tinker has nearly made 3 weeks without a wash lol!!bless her she pratically slept through her bath...she did have a blissfully content look on her face and opened her eyes in disgust at being removed.

Her temp is still a bit wavery but they are managing with blankets and a heater....they have also managed to reduce the o2 flow again praying that she will get off that tomorrow....if she gets off that and we stay in the unit for 48hours next week I might have my baby home this time next week.

I have to say Im really starting to struggle with her sedation, Im desprate to hear her cry,see her with her eyes properly open and make some proper response....I've been getting a bit upset about feeding as well...Im still expressing but with going back a fore to hospital and having the other kids Im not able to do it as often. How long do I give myself realistically??Im scared that if I give up Im giving up on the small chance of her ever feeding normally. Plus I dont think I can keep up...50mls 2 hourly is what she is on just now.

Those of you that are ona bout your MWs mine has become a very good friend of mine and is continuing care and friendship I have been so lucky to have her and I will be nominating her for MW of the year.

hijosey - you've been so strong that I"m amazed you're only having a weepy day.

Glad to hear olivia enjoyed her bath.

can see how feeding is draining - has mw got any suggestions about ways to manage this as doesnt sound a very easy option going forward.

Fingers crossed that she keeps progressing so you can take her home soon.

hey josey, sorry you're having a tough day and glad that you've got a lot of support from your MW. You've been so strong, you're allowed to have a weepy day.

amberc sorry to hear that Luke is a crier and that you are worried about PND. Not really able to give any advice but hope that things get better!

Thanks for thought that the LO may not be a crier greenfairy - let's hope so! Glad that you are finding Storm easy to settle.

Right off to bed for me. Hope no-one on here in the middle of the night because they cant sleep!

I felt thoroughly ashamed about my lack of sleep propblems when I read your post Josey. It sounds like Olivia is really going great guns and so amazing you might be able to have her home to a semblence of normality next week. Good Luck!

Paro more of a pharmaceutical answer to wind is infacol which a lot of people swear by (including me). My LO has terrible wind and one burp doesn't seem to cut it. I am going to look up the baby yoga/farting position. If anyhone else knows pls post!