Due Sept 08 - the Final Waddle - part one

[blimey]

we ran out of space! feels just like my womb!

Hullo all - particularly those trying to figure out if it's more BH or pre-labour or some bonafide 'going into labour' contractions. It's not simple is it!

This is my first proper day of maternity leave, i.e. when I would normally be in work. What joy. But I'm exhausted already. Took dd1 to school, then walked the 25 minutes up to dd2's childminder, and back again via the shops, all of which took about an hour and 45 minutes of either walking or standing. Then leapt into action making tiramisu for dp's birthday supper (highly illegal as it's full of raw egg, but I am going to scoff it anyway, and the builders are in all day every day, so it was my only pud idea that didn't involve the oven!). Then made a start sorting out baby clothes - and am utterly daunted by the scale of the task. I haven't even looked at the bags full of real nappies yet. And now I've got to dash off to dd2's nursery where she will start after October half term. What happened to the life of leisure I was looking forward to before the baby arrives!?

Gah, I hate looking at the countdown list! I know I should consider 'term' to be 42 weeks, not 40 weeks, especially for first baby, but why does every other bloody person get to give birth at 39-41 weeks, and here I am at 41+1 by my original dates with nothing happening at all. I really feel like my body has let me down, and is not going to go into labour naturally. Lollipop was so much more patient than me, I am feeling bitter and hard done by.

I need consoling!

Pidge your mistakes were:
a) not buying tiramisu from waitrose instead of making it
b) not getting your DP to sort the baby clothes
c) trying to actually do things in any way on top of nursery/school/CM runs

Gah, I hate looking at the countdown list! I know I should consider 'term' to be 42 weeks, not 40 weeks, especially for first baby, but why does every other bloody person get to give birth at 39-41 weeks, and here I am at 41+1 by my original dates with nothing happening at all. I really feel like my body has let me down, and is not going to go into labour naturally. Lollipop was so much more patient than me, I am feeling bitter and hard done by.

I need consoling!

Pidge your mistakes were:
a) not buying tiramisu from waitrose instead of making it
b) not getting your DP to sort the baby clothes
c) trying to actually do things in any way on top of nursery/school/CM runs

afternoon!
glad to know i'm not the only one thats felt this interesting inner thigh soreness. hopefully funny you should suggest not to take big strides or doing splits ...
i had a nasty fall when leaving the house earlier today!

i was heading over to a mates house for a playdate with the kiddies. its been misty rain all night and morning so everythings nice and wet. locked the door, turned around, took a step onto the porch and WHAM! legs slipped out from under me!! and with all this body weight, i landed flat on my bum and back! and to make it feel even better, my head smacked against a large terra cotta plant pot on the way down! i think i've cracked the pot!

i'm ok, just a massive welt on my head and my bum and back are sore. that will pass. i thought, for sure, i'd be in labour now, because of the jolt against the concrete.

but i'm still here, took a couple paracetemol and i'm still getting movement from the boy inside so i didn't feel the need to make a fuss.

i'm thinking a nap and my big-o duvet will help.

leonie i agree with the rest of the gals with regards to your planned c/s. like hopefully suggested, start planning now, while you have the week left, make a nice mixed CD, try to keep control and create the best environment for yourself!

Hello all!

Poor you munkimum hope you've had a rest and are feeling better, it's a shock though to fall when you're pg, hope you can take care of yourself a bit extra today!

I think things are starting to happen with me. Got up at 3 am for hot chocolate and to put together my tens machine and read the instructions... I really thought it might be full on today. Back a bit sore and feeling v emotional.

Today I went for a fab massage, my masseur said she thinks it's starting, says she can see the 'hormones' coming in on my face (she does spec in natal women) so who knows?

Congrats notcitrus!!!! Not up todate with thread as usual but hope to be later when I done my bloody chores!

hopefully - yes but my tiramisu has way more brandy in it than anything waitrose could supply . And wasn't it you who was indulging in a baking obsession too? I am just gearing up to these amazing triple choc cookies which I baked when I was about 9 months pregnant with my dd2, and were the perfect "I'm overdue and a bit bored" distraction.

Anyway, I am off to do some more on the baby clothes - then have promised myself half an hour of knitting before school pickup!

munkimum - poor you - hope the nap does the trick.

Oooh hopefully is your relative Billie Piper??

I've just had my bloody show (i think - looked like clay and mucous - sorry)- does this mean my body DOES know this whole pregnancy thing is supposed to end in labour? Had been seriously doubting its capacity...

yay! back from MW and baby is finally engaged (if only 4/5ths palpable) Thought it was never going to decide to start looking for the exit! Cue lots of bouncing on my ball i think

was +for something in my wee (cant remember) and they asked if i had had anything sugary. i confessed to a cheescake but do you think i should have confessed to actually having 2?

munkimom take it easy! that sounded really nasty (you'd better not say if you do go into labour as a result or everyone will be squirting fairy liquid over the floor in an attempt to do the same!)

MW said everyone she saw today seemed to also be 38wks, i said 'dont tell me that there'll be no beds' she said 'oh i know!' no no no dont agree with me!!!!!!!

charity hopefully I was wondering if it was charlotte church! (although she is the only celeb I can think of thats pregnant)

I did say minor celeb!

is it the weather girl on... i forget which channel?

Do weather girls actually do anything apart from get pregnant and have expensive hair? I always wondered if they actually know what they're talking about.

Glad your baby's beginning to engage plusone Pidge I understand the need for truly alcoholic tiramisu! And yes, it is me baking constantly, so I am in no position to criticise. My mother suggested I'm feeding the baby too well, so it wants to stay where it is...

Munkimom glad you cracked the pot rather than your head, but still sounds v painful. hope you are resting up.

pidge - nesting, much?

A finally sleeping lying down for once - on pillow on my lap. currently trying various beds and chairs for feeding - computer chair best so far as put pillows on lap held in place by desk. and have some entertainment. mrnc sleeping in lounge as have builders in, got them to do lots while we were in hosp.

now have to figure out how to sleep myself...

I have now covered our bed in reusable nappies which I'm supposed to be sorting - but I've run out of energy! So my nesting is enthusiastic but disorganised. I'm going to stick the whole lot back into a box and tackle them again tomorrow.

Didn't even get round to any knitting. Bah. And now school run looms. Where did the day go?

Hopefully - I reckon my dd2's love of chocolate has a very obvious explanation given my baking tendencies for the 3 weeks maternity leave I took before her arrival!

hopefully don't know if it's still the case but a few years ago the BBC ones were all meteorologists (that's what I always wanted to be but decided not to because it's very hard to get into and I didn't want to end up living as far south as Bracknell where the Met Office is based (that bit didn't work as I live further south than Bracknell now!)) but the ITV, channel 4 and 5 ones are just presenters. Don't know about Sky news ones.

There's a very pregnant one on BBC, always seems to do the 10.30pm weather, I wonder why she doesn't get a nice easy afternoon shift.

Well there's a thing Debi. Didn't know that. Poor pregnant BBC woman - maybe she is like many people there and on a freelance contract, so harder to get flexible working...

Pidge in that case it looks like I'm going to give birth to a muffin addict!

notcitrus glad at least one of you is sleeping - I'm sure you'll get more as time goes by!

Hi guys
Back from swimming and lunch lovely. Please dont think I am super fit . I love just hanging in the water with a woddle. Just catching up with you guys, was expecting an announcement or two .
I thought you had to be good with numbers to be a weather girl
I am getting lots of sharp period type pains today and especially the last couple of hours. Its not contractions though as bump remains soft.
This labour thing certainly isnt as clear cut as you think. Actually is blardy complicated.

pidge im jealsous of all your sorting you've to do. I wish i still had to do mine but was so convinced this one would come early like last 2 i did it weeks ago, cursed myself as now 40+1. Sorting baby things would be a lovely way to keep my mind off when will labour begin thoughts. Tempted to sort it all again but the weather so miserable can't get anything dried. Currently got a washing on line dripping with rain water, been there 3 days... Serious lack of motivation

munkimom my cousin fell a cracker in early labour rushing to supermarket for last minute bits and pieces and had horredous skint knees. She said the worst bit was being on her own and feeling really embarrassed at falling over. Good bit is that by the time she got round to getting to hospital her wee boy was born within an hour!
Maybe its a sign!

I still feel like i'm sitting on a melon which is so agony, had show for over a week now and i'm beginning to wonder if this baby has got its head in a funny position or if its just plain stubborn. Depressing either way!! I suppose you can't have it good all the time and the first 2 were so straight forward and eager to arrive.. so much for third time lucky!!

Sending labour vibes to all who are waiting.

Hi mamamufin i completely agree, its so frustrating. I've had so many days/nights now thinking 'is this it??'.. honestly i've come to the conclusion that first pregnancies are best. No expectations and nothing to compare. Last 2 times my waters broke then it all started so was clear cut. This time ive had period type cramp, backache, show, strong and painful BH, i also have the bizarre purple line.... But no sign of actual labour.

Come on babies!!

No wonder this one doesn't want to came out the weather is so miserable!

Hope your cramp leads to something.

I think people expect you to know when your in labour when its your second. But each labour is different so as you say its "not clear cut"
What makes it more complicated is the what to do with the other DC. I dont want to get my folks to drive 2 hours to pick up ds for a false alarm. But I know they will be annoyed if I drop him off at a friends as they want to look after him. However, I dont want him to see me in pain as it will scare him. He is in nursery know so will pick him up soon feed, bath and put him to bed (fingers crossed he will sleep). Then hopefully I can last the night at home. Not sure if its just cramps though.

Anyone seeking distraction by baking - these are the most amazing cookies on earth (courtesy of soupdragon on mumsnet many moons ago). I baked 2 batches right before my dd2 was born back in 2005, and got addicted. I always leave out the nuts (am allergic to walnuts and pecans, and I tend to add LOTS of white chocolate and milk chocolate pieces though as she says you don't need the full amount listed). Due to the vast amounts of chocolate they are not cheap, but gosh are they delicious. The key thing is don't overcook them - as soupdragon says - they should be soft when they emerge from the oven, they'll harden as they cool.

I am off to fit in a bit of knitting whilst dd2 watches cbeebies! Before we head off to pick up dd1 and then hopefully dp will be back for his 40th birthday family celebrations. Dd2 and I have been putting up balloons and piling up some presents and cards.

minkersmum - I only wish I'd been so organised! Though I'm fully expecting to go over my due date (first two arrived at 41 weeks), it would be nice to have the baby kit slightly less chaotic.

Pidge funny you should post that - I've literally just this minute put a batch of cookies in the oven! Made them using the hairy bakers recipe for cherry and chocolate cookies, but used dried cranberries and only dark choc, as white choc is the spawn of satan in this household.

Distraction by baking? moi?

Am planning a batch of quiches or pies or something (have little individual tins) if I'm still pregnant on the weekend, so we actually have some savoury food, as DP and I have started to work our way through the post-birth food kindly donated by family members and made by me a couple of weeks ago!

MMm cookies sound lovely. Wish i had the energy to make some...would love a fairy god mother to appear with a few and a nice cuppa........

munkimom i have childcare issue too. My two are 4 and 22 mnths and altho planning a homebirth need to know someone else is available to care for them if they are awake (altho 4 year old desperate to be at birth)
We live 4 hours from any family so have had in laws staying nearby in Caravan and now in holiday cottage awaiting arrival of this baby. I'm sure it becoming as frustrating for them as it is for me. We all thought baby would be a couple of weeks old by now given my history!! Bet this baby having a right laugh!!

Mamamufin - I know exactly what you mean. This is my 4th and I have 6 days to go to my due date. But since noon, I've had awful tummy ache and nausea, in fact, sorry if tmi, but had diarrhea a few hours ago . No contractions, just a stitch feeling that comes and goes. I don't remember this with my other pregnancies, my youngest is 8!!!! So it's been a while.

Does anyone think nausea and tummy ache are the beginnings of something happening?

i think nausea and tummy ache can def be a sign of labour starting and will x fingers for you.

(on the down side we've all just had a tummy bug that seems to be doing its rounds. Main symptom cramp and loose stools.)

Obviously if everyone else in household well (unlike here where we are fast running out of loo roll)then its more likely to be labour related. Good luck