Due Aug 08 - And the Signs of Labor ARE....

[TwilightSurfer]

This is it!! Some of us have already started the descent into new BABYDOM. Best to arm ourselves with the facts. Here you will find the Signs of Labor. Just don't panic. Remember women around the world have been giving birth for ages. You are not alone nor will you be alone throughout this entire process. We are all here for each other no matter what. So let us go forward with heads high and bellies low.

This little quiz might also be helpful. Remember we are in this TOGETHER!!

DUE AUGUST 2008 STATS
[TSupdate04JUL08]

GROUP TOTAL: 57

DELIVERIES [BOYS (0) vs. GIRLS (0)]
sample23JUL via VB SOMEBODY delivered Jenny Sue, 8lbs 3oz & 55cm [EDD 08AUG]
sample24JUL via CS SOMEBODYELSE delivered Timmy, 6lbs & 43cm [EDD 31JUL]

WAITING ROOM [BOYS (12) vs. GIRLS (15)]
21JUL IlanaK is 35 and lives in Central London. She has 2DSs, 6y & 3y. Expecting DC#3 via CSec (EDD was 24JUL), a BOY to be named Saul.
23JUL Voodoococonut is 29 and lives in Manchester but moving to West Midlands asap. She has a DD, 19M. Expecting DC#2, a SURPRISE.
24JUL Alittlebitshy is 28 and lives in East London/Essex. She has a DD, 5y. Expecting DC#2 via CSec (EDD was 03AUG), a SURPRISE.
29JUL Miamla is 32 and lives in North London. Expecting DC#1, a BOY to maybe be named Theodore.
29JUL Bigboydiditandranaway is 36 and lives in Midlands. She has a DS, 26m. Expecting DC#2.
30JUL Dizzydixies is 32 and lives in Fife. She has 2DDs, 4y & 2y. Expecting DC#3 via VBac or CSec, guesses it's a girl.
31JUL SassyLou is 33 and lives in Cheshire. She has 2DDs, 7y & 5y. Expecting DC#3.
01AUG PhilB is 31 and lives in SE London. Expecting DC#1, a SURPRISE.
01AUG Pertelote is 30 and lives in East London. Expecting DC#1, a SURPRISE.
02AUG Vintagegardenia is 35 and lives in Ireland. She has a DS, 9y. Expecting DC#2, a SURPRISE.
02AUG Mum2b1 is expecting DC#1.
02AUG Shazza2002 is 27 and lives in West London. She has a DD, 5y. Expecting DC#2, a SURPRISE.
04AUG SKYTVADDICT is 40 and lives in Lincolnshire. She has a DS, 13m, and 2DDs, 8y & 12y. Expecting DC#4 via CSec (EDD was 08AUG), a SURPRISE.
05AUG ChaCha is 32 and lives in Oxford. She has 2DCs, 2y & 10m, Expecting DC#3 via CSEC, guesses it's a boy.
07AUG BraveNewWorld is 31 and lives in London. Expecting DC#1, a GIRL.
08AUG LadyOfWaffle is 22 and lives in Berkshire. She has a DS, 2y. Expecting DC#2, a SURPRISE.
08AUG Mummypud is 28 and lives in Wiltshire. She has a DD, 2y. Expecting DC#2, a GIRL.
08AUG Bealcain is 21 and lives in Kent, She has 2DSs 2y & 1y. Expecting DC#3, a GIRL to be named Delilah.
09AUG BirthdayBaby is expecting DC#1.
10AUG Lcy is 30 and lives in Wales. Expecting DC#1, guesses it's a boy.
11AUG Sarahnh is 32 and lives in West Midlands. She has a DD, 2y. Expecting DC#2, a GIRL to maybe be named Tess Alexandra.
11AUG Foghornleghorn is 23 and lives in Northampton. She has 2DDs, 3y & 1y. Expecting DC#3, guesses it's a girl.
11AUG Sibh has 2DCs, DS 5y & DD 2y. She is expecting DC#3.
12AUG Buckets is 31 and lives in Southampton. She has a DD, 4y, & a DS, 3. Expecting DC#3 via CSec (01-07AUG?), a BOY to maybe be named Kurt.
14AUG Hardygirl is 36 and lives in SW London. Expecting DC#1, a SURPRISE.
14AUG HazieDazieandBaby is 26 and lives in Aberdeen. Expecting DC#1, a GIRL to be named Gabriella.
14AUG Gigglegirl is 32 and lives in Stockport. She has a DD, 4y, and 2DSs, 2y & 1y. Expecting DC#4, a GIRL to be named Imogen.
16AUG Longwayfromhome is 29 and lives in Argentina. Expecting DC#1, a BOY to named Tomas.
16AUG Pregnancy1 is 31 and lives in London. Expecting DC#1, a GIRL.
17AUG CaptainCaveman is 35 and lives in Nottingham. She has a DS, 3.11y. Expecting DC#2 via VBac, a BOY.
17AUG Iliketosleep is 24 and lives in Wolverhampton. She has 2DDs, 7y & 6y and a DS, 4y. Expecting DC#4.
17AUG Poppysocks is 30 and lives in St Andrews. She has a DD, 2.4y. Expecting DC#2 via CSec or maybe VBAC, a GIRL.
17AUG Warthog has a DD, 2y. Expecting DC#2, a GIRL.
17AUG Jennylee is 30 and lives in West Lothian. She has a DS, 9y. Expecting DC#2, a GIRL.
18AUG Kezza7779 is expecting DC#1, guesses it's a boy.
18AUG Expectant is 32 and lives in Singapore. Expecting DC#1, a SURPRISE.
18AUG Cheerfulvicky is 24 and lives in Cornwall. Expecting DC#1, a BOY.
19AUG SazzlesA is 35 and lives in Cheltenham. She has a DD, 18m. Expecting DC#2 via VBAC or CSec, a GIRL to maybe be named Emma.
19AUG Karney is 39 and lives in Glasgow.
19AUG TwilightSurfer is 37 and lives in Tennessee, USA. She has a DD, 4y. Expecting DC#2 via VB, a GIRL to maybe be named Maggie Ethelyn.
19AUG Daisy26 is expecting DC#1, a GIRL.
20AUG Ejesmum is 38 and lives in Exeter. She has a DS, 4y. Expecting DC#2.
20AUG Stillhere is 36 and lives in Yorkshire. She has a DS, 2.5y. Expecting DC#2, a SURPRISE.
21AUG Pinchypants is 34 and lives in Guildford. She has a DD, 20m. Expecting DC#2.
21AUG Musm2go is 35 and lives in B'ham Solihull. She has a DD, 6y. Expecting DC#2, a BOY.
23AUG Stickybean is 27 and lives in North London. Expecting DC#1, guesses it's a girl.
24AUG Libbyssister is 34 and lives in Oxfordshire. She has a DS, 2.11y. Expecting DC#2, a BOY.
24AUG Cyteen is 32 and lives in Leicester. Expecting DC#1, a BOY.
24AUG SausageAndMash is 37 and lives in London. She has a DD, 3y. Expecting DC#2.
25AUG Petitfilou is 36 and lives in S Oxfordshire. She has a DS, 4.4y, & a DD, 2.10y. Expecting DC#3, a BOY.
25AUG Oopsacoconut is 32 and lives in Wiltshire. Expecting DC#1, a GIRL to be named Poppaea Anna.
26AUG Ellasmum1 is 30 and lives in North Staffs-Newcastle under Lyme. She has a DD, 5y. Expecting DC#2, a BOY.
26AUG Dancerandprancer is 31 and lives in Devon. She has a DD, 28m. Expecting DC#2, a BOY.
26AUG No1putsbabyinthecorner is 30 and lives in South Yorkshire. She as a DD, 1y. Expecting DC#2.
28AUG Ataraxis formerly Readyforbed has 2 DSs, 5y & 3y, and is expecting DC#3, a GIRL.
29AUG Waytoomuchchocolate is expecting DC#1, guesses it's a girl.
30AUG AnnVan lives in Kent and is expecting DC#1, guesses it's a boy.

Hi guys, not sure if any of you remember me or not but I had to leave this lovely thread in January due to a mm/c, I have lurked every so often since then to see how your all getting on and I just wanted to wish you all short and painless labours as the time is approaching fast

eeeeekkk how exciting as well as scary but don't panic!! I had some amniotic fluid that 'leaked' with DD1 but my waters didn't actually break - not sure how that worked but after a few hours in hospital and a steroid injection I was sent home and she was in there another 6 weeks! Good Luck!

need motivation to work......... somebody give me some please!

ok panic over. lovely m/w came out to house, as was advised not to drive just in case and got no1 to have dc. my fore waters have gone...baby is fine until my hind waters go could still be a while. will need to go in every 48hours for monitoring just to make sure there's no infection, but should all be fine.

thanks though ladies, where did my cool. calm and collected self go??

gigglegirl - you don't need motivation, you're on ml soon, who cares if you do any work or sit on mn all day

just thinking about my DC and their funny ways and questions about this baby. DS2 (nearly two) knows there is a baby in mummys tummy and wants to buy it a potato! DS2 (aged 3) is the inquisitive one - how do you know if it is a girl or a boy? how does it get out? how does it get in? will it be able to talk? what will it eat? where will it poo? why can't daddy give it milk (I have breastfed all of mine) All these questions are usually asked on the way to school in a very loud voice. He is OBSESSED with willies and we regularly have conversations like does Paul have a willy, does Bob have a willy, Sarah doesn't have a willy does she etc... etc... the word willy is ALWAYS saud very loudly and the people in question range from his mates to friends parents to teachers and swimming instructors! I can just imagine him at nursery saying to his teacher "yes mummy told me you didn't have a willy but that my swimming teacher did!" DD1 (nearly 5) asks the odd question but is usually satisfied with quite a simple answer and is more into the fact that she will actually be the primary carer for the baby!

I made myself a promise not to lie to my kids when they ask reasonable questions but it does get hard espec with DS1 as he is like a dog with a bone - have managed to satisfy the how the baby gets out question (a whole opens between mummys legs and it comes out that way) but don't think he is totally happy with the how baby gets in one! (daddy plants a seed and the baby grows from that!)

ahh the joys of kids!

Oh, I bet that's a relief bealcain. Good Luck!

Giggle, I agree, you're on ML soon, so does it really matter? Mind you, if there's a lot of stuff you have to clear before you can go off, just think of that as motivation to clear the work so you can leave

sadly I should care as it is our own business so if I don't work two things happen - no money! and grumpy DH and Dad (we work with my mum and dad!)

Finishing unofficially on 16th so that they can all phone me 100s of times a day and ask questions but officially finishing on 4th Aug although baby may be here by then!

glad all ok with you - midwife sounds lovely!

Hospital just phoned with my emergency physio date - 16th July! Good job I borrowed crutches or I would be housebound and prob bed bound or in total agony!

Hi Mollie how thoughtful of you to come on here and wish us luck! I hope you were able to deal with the grief of your miscarriage, and that you'll be blessed again with another baby. Thank you for your wishes.

bealcain you are the scariest member of this thread! I am more keen on following your progress at the moment than my own! Do the waters come in two parts, I didn't know that. When you say could still be a while do you mean a while days or a while weeks?

Re. changing station thing I was just going to put a changing mat on top of the chest of drawers I have set aside for the baby, it's an ok height (well for me anyway, DP is quite tall). I have drooled over those piney units with shelves and whatnot, but won't be indulging self. Don't have space, anyway.

Expectant sorry they are still being piggish at work not much longer to go for you. Then the world will revolve around your baby and you, and they will recede into a distant memory.

God I can't believe how close this is all getting, with waters breaking and end of work and babies dropping and and and and and I still haven't mucked out my office and junk room the nursery.

Moolie - How lovely to see you post here again What a lovely message for everyone, i hope you are well - think we may be getting close by the look of some! Hurray.

Bealcain - That LO of yours really wants to meet you all huh Glad m/w popped over and that you are not out and about driving with kiddies and doing too much. Feet up!
As for sling, for the first month or so i would like it for use in the house more than anything else, while doing things, playing with kids etc.. but then as baby grows going out and using it for b/f etc would be v.useful.

Never bothered with changing tables/nursery equipment etc.. so will not be doing anything different this time. Baby bath/topntailbowl/changing mat never got used - fortuantely the big baby box is still sat in bathroom holiding all their toiletries and bits - something got some use!

Going to try and nap now - tis thundering here and i love stormy weather....more...more!!!

Giggle - Lol, sounds like a lot of fun! I know a lady who's 2yo DD is obsessed with willies as well. More worrying, she thinks she has a willy, and swears blind that she is a boy I think there might be some awkward conversations when she gets older. Mind you she's a very butch girl, about the size of a 4yo boy, so if she ever does decide to pass as a boy, she shouldn't have any trouble!

Ack, feel as though I need to glug a whole bottle of gaviscon!

Right help please what do I get my friend for her second boy, just born. Am completely out of ideas..... links if you are bored (only serious ones )

Bealcain - glad you are ok, at least you have had plenty of forewarning!

Hi Mollie. Thanks for popping in and wishing us luck. Hope all is well with you now. Hi as well to all those new to the thread.

Been away for a few days as everytime I have a spare minute I fall asleep. I had 3 naps yesterday! All of that on top of good sleep at nights (sorry to all of you struggling - that's usually me so know how you're feeling) and some spectacular post-9am lie-ins granted to us by DD over the weekend.

How exciting Bealcain. Sounds like your LO wants to be first on the TS's births list!

We (well DH) managed to get loads of those little jobs done arond the house over the weekend and managed a trip to the humungous Tesco to stock up on some baby stuff. Amongst other things I am now the lucky owner of 2 packs of enormous pants for those elegant post-section days. Oh how much closer the joy and indignity of it all is becoming.

DH just been making me laugh at another tale of DS1 exploits. They were in the garden digging and found a worm - all were very excited DS1 asked to pick it up and they were discussing how good worms were for the garden and how they help plants go. DS2 then decides to run off with trowel as weapon to attack the evil potatoes we have growing! so DH follows and chastises him and when he returns to digging sees that DS1 has chopped lovely Mr Worm clean in two with a spade! DH flabbergasted and says what have you done! DS1 replies "he was lonely, I thought it would be nice for him to have a friend!"

PF - get her a sling!! lol

chacha- i would recommend either a wrap or a close baby carrier. if you want to use it past 6months i'd recommend a woven or cotton wrap such as a calin bleu or gypsy mama. the material looks daunting to begin with but you soon get the hang of it.

a whilse could mean weeks, or months still as both ds were 2weeks over and i'm 35+3 today so in theory i could still have 8weeks left......

I don't know Bealcain, sounds like this one really wants out.
Now I'm on number 1 and I'm only due end of next month, so I could easily have 10 weeks to go still
Bumpy seems to be rather shy o the outside world as well, the mw had a nice time chasing it round my bump with a monitor the other day trying to get the heart beat. It olny wanted to hide!
TO the ladies who have children already - is it worth it?? Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed and just think, I don't want to be a mum, what have I done?

yes it is def worth it - I will have had four in five years and although it can be really really tough it is also lovely. I personally think that the first years are the hardest and that when they are not so physically dependent and can play a little on their own you get to enjoy them more. In saying that I really enjoyed the baby days with my first and am looking forward to it with this one as I know it will be my last. I think people prefer different stages! I think that what can make it tough is a) the amount of juggling we now have to do with work, home and kids b) the high expectation society has for woman to have perfect house, perfect job, perfect kids and c) the pressure we out on ourselves.

If ever you feel you aren't enjoying it talk to someone either in RL or on MN - I would be really shocked if someone else hadn't done or thought the same thing, talking def helps!

I have days were I know I am the worst mother with the worst kids and the worst relationship but then they tell me they love me or make me laugh or someone compliments me on their behaviour and I feel 10ft tall.

Thanks Giggle. I never planned on having kids. Accidently got pg last year and just got used to idea of having a baby when I mc'd. got pg again really quickly after that haven't fully got used to the idea of me as a mum yet. DP takes everything in his stride and is totally calm all the time. Sometimes I really look forward to it, other times I just feel full of dread like my life is over! Thanks again!

Vintage ChaCha and Poppysocks Thanks I am well, had a BFP last week, will be 5 wks tomorrow Fingers crossed all will go well this time.
Good luck all of you x

ok ladies thinking hats on please!

DS2 is 2 on Sunday and I really really really don't want more "stuff" everyone (friends and family) is asking what to get him, friends are willing to club together or I could ask for vouchers (which I kind of hate because kids don't get it and is not personal) but I can't think of a thing to ask for. DD is 5,5 days later and she is easy, tap shoes, violin, rainbow uniform, trip out somewhere etc... but he is too young for that - what to do?? MIL will purchase all sorts of crap with the justification that "it didn't cost much" Not the F'in point my house is not the dump much as it looks like it!

MollieMooma congratulations! And thanks for your good luck wishes - you can bet we'll all be crossing our fingers for you too...

Bealcain what an exciting day! Glad you got the midwife out and they're not rushing you into anything.

Petitfilou I really like Not On The High Street for presents - baby things here - a good way of supporting smaller businesses with lovely different products when you don't live near/can't get round interesting little shops!

I had a scan and check-up this a.m., apart from taking three and a half hours(!) it was all good - baby is head down and placenta has shifted up, so I'm officially 'low risk' and can carry on planning to deliver in the midwife-led unit. Yay!

Pertelote, Great News from your check today!!

MollieMooma, CONGRATULATIONS on your BFP!!

Bealcain, hindwaters/forewaters??? I thought that it was all one thing. Will google later to educate self.

AnnVan, DCs are work but incredibly fulfilling. There is no way to imagine how your life will be with them but once you have them you can't imagine your life without them. It's a very cosmic thing. {{twilight gets a little out there with that response}}

Giggle, DS1 is correct!! He did make another friend for the worm, if it was an earthworm. Nature made them to break apart and live. Crazy but True. Your LO is a genius well beyond his years.

My news in just one moment....

Okay DOC said all is well with me. Baby is head down and low. Heartbeat is 150s when still and 160s when moving (a very excellent thing by the way...shows good heart developement). I only measured 33 weeks but he said that's because the baby's already dropping. He granted me a cervix check.... {{drum roll please}}}
I am 1/10%/-2.
For all the first-timers (and old-timers like me who need a refresher) this is how to decipher that:
Dilation/Effacement/Station

DILATION
Totally Closed Cervix: 0cm
Early Labor: 0-4cm
Active Labor: 4-8cm
Transition: 8-10cm
Fully Dilated Cervix: 10cm

EFFACEMENT
Thick Hard Cervix: 0%
Very Very Soft Thin Cervix: 100% (otherwise GONE!)

STATION
All numbers here are measurements from the top of the baby's head in relation to the ISCHIAL SPINES of the PELVIS (the narrowest part of the pelvis) as it descends.
Farthest Away: -3
Closer: -2
Close: -1
At the Ischial Spines: 0
Just beyond: 1
Even closer to Exit: 2
At the Exit: 3
Above 3 the baby's head is CROWING

A good websource for a more indepth description (and excellent non-graphic pictures) of the above can be found here.

Bottom line: I'm perfect and starting the down hill run.

He did explain that at this point there's no stopping it. And that if it happened yesterday, today, next week that as long as the baby's weight was good and she was feeding normally there would be no NICU time, she'd get to come straight home. YEAH!! {{twilight fights back tears}}

Now about that cervix check....it hurt, I'm crampy now, and considering sitting in a cold sitz bath or on a bag of frozen peas because he said I was swollen (due to the dropping i assume).

Glad you explained that TS coz it's all dutch to me!

Congrats molliemooma on your bfp , and thanks for your kind thoughts too!

bealcain it really does sound like your lo is keen to make it's grand entrance sooner rather than later.

Ds enjoyed Kung Fu panda - somehow me, ds and bump all managed to wedge into one seat. Followed by McDonalds then the mad docs - dr reckons I am fine and should stop the clomipramine 1 week before d-day (assuming it is a cs), then recommence drugs post-natally. Sounds ok to me.

Anyone else had sharp pains around their belly button? Had it on and off all day - put it down to s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g skin struggling to cope!

TS great news, sounds like all is progressing normally within. Most reassuring. I have never seen those stats / percentages / progression rates etc so will be sure to keep a copy of your post to hand should my own doc ever attempt a rummage (I don't think I will be encouraging him!).

Mollie wonderful news! So you will be due in Feb or March, I am rubbish at calculations. You'll be starting the new year with a nice round bump. Fingers crossed for you that all goes smoothly.

I noticed that everyone shyly ignored miamla's query about perineal massage. Well. I have tried it, because it's meant to be a good guard against perineal trauma during labour, obviously. It's not great. It's also quite hard to do, and I read you are meant to try for a sort of stinging sensation that means you are stretching. Well I did, and it gave me the creeps and I thought I was going to damage myself so I put the oil away and pretended it had never happened. I have stayed in denial till I read miamla's post, now is time to face facts. Gotta do it! But self or DP? Aaargh. Really don't relish thought of either.

Also - essential fatty acids in your diet - meant to maximise elasticity of area.