December 2008 Once you pop you can't stop

[Veggiemummy]

surely most of us will go on this one

Hi y'all! Feeling very cheery tonight so thought I'd come on and share some happiness. Sincere sympathies of course though to those of you having a tough time atm

Well we had a lovely time at my dad's yesterday, and my sister and niece were besotted with my bump! Mind you - my belly does rival Buddhas so it's not surprising they wanted to rub it all the time The trip was not too long (it only took us 1hr 45 each way) and I drove the whole way down myself, DH drove back. We were hoping some of the bumps along the way might get things going too... I've been having more regular Braxton Hicks and I can sort of feel them now too.

Today is DHs & my 6yr wedding anniversary! We looked up what the 'traditional' wedding gifts were a few days ago, and even though we don't really give presents to each other, my DH bought me a tin of Milo (kind of like ovaltine) because it has "iron" in it Then we went to dinner tonight at the most lovely restaurant and had a wonderful meal and a very romantic time with just the 2 of us (plus bump). I'm so glad we had the opportunity to do that together one last time before everything changes forever.

We've only been home for an hour or so now, and I've just been to the loo (sorry if TMI warning) and I've had a show! It was so exciting, I just had to call my mum and tell her. I so hope it is a sign that things might be progressing - although I know it might not necessarily mean things will happen straight away. But at least things are happening. So watch this space!

Ooooh bisou I think you will have this baby today or tomorrow! I am so excited for you. The very best of luck (and happy anniversary!)

Invisisble Hand had her baby boy yesterday!!! No name but she got her VBAC. Well done and congrats to her!!

Can I be next please? Would love to have this baby tonight - otherwise my 2 night stay in hospital will clash with Christmas [dafttrying to get babies to time birth conveniently emoticon]...after that need to wait til Christmas night!

And to catch up...

Verso I'm so sorry I missed your mid-of-the-night plea for 'everything will be alright' assurance! I do feel a bit unqualified to give advice, so just sending you a big HUG to help you get through the tough time of these first few weeks. People do say they are the hardest, but probably not what you want to hear right now. Hope you're feeling better soon, you can do it! XXX

kayz I must add my to the conduct of your MW - she sounds like a right old bossy boots. I also think a second/third opinion on the BF issue is in order, but hopefully it sounds like things are going ok regardless. Makes me wonder if she's anti BF for not being more encoraging/supportive? And I secretly hope your mum IS there when she comes again so she can tell her off, on behalf of all of us

veggie do you have a middle name yet? I can't wait to hear it! We have a tradition of handing down parent/grandparent names for the middle name in our family, but we might just be naughty and break with this rule as my other brothers/sisters have already used them for their DCs... that's my excuse anyway!

zj I'm so so sorry you're still having a worrying time, now being told you've got low fluid levels . It's really frustrating I know to be stressing about the safety of your bub, but I'm sure that your body is doing a great job and it's good to be aware of movements/loss of fluid anyway. Doesn't the body continually replenish the amniotic fluid? I thought I read something about that somewhere in one of my pregnancy books? Might be something you can look up if it will give you some reassurance. I started to worry myself the other day about the possibility of cord prolapse after speaking to the MW at my last appt, as I'm 41+2 and still not engaged. But my DM has now told me what to do if my waters break (how to check for it) so that has put my mind at rest a little bit. But still, sometimes I think perhaps it would have been easier in the 'old' days when women were just blissfully ignorant about things that could go wrong. But as others have said - it's better that we know about this and are aware, just try not to worry too much. It's hard though, I know. xx

lal hope you're doing ok with the feeding issue, sounds like you've had some good advice on your other thread.

Congrats to abbymeg with her little wild thing! Lovely name And also to arti and that was one amazing birth story. So fantastic to read, thank you so much for taking the time to write it

Turnip sorry to dissapoint by not being in labour yet but jam there's still a few days to Chrissy eve so your prediction could still be right? We've had a tipping competition amongst our friends/family for some time, and most people are now out. I picked the 24th too, so we'll have to wait & see! At least I know it's not going to be longer than boxing day, as that's when I'll be induced.

JJ that's more than a bit rubbish of your neighbours. I've had to do the same on a couple of occasions (at different addresses), and I find if I'm exceedingly polite and looking quite tired/haggard in my PJs they always feel terribly guilty and never do it again. Here's hoping yours will be the same.

reban I really like that name. But maybe have a standby just in case it doesn't suit your bub. I don't think any seasonal/religious connections matter much in this day and age though - as others have said he'll so rarely be telling people his birthday, and family/friends won't care or notice. And anyway, you might have a girl and not have to worry!

Righto, must go update our arrivals list! Thanks for letting me know about missing the 'HB' off kayz' entry veggie, I thought I'd put that on but must not have. Do all let me know if you notice anything amiss won't you - I am so nervous about getting something wrong and upsetting a new mummy unintentionally!

Hallooooo!!!

Only just realised this thread existed,

Am due Boxing Day...& going MENTAL with impatience!!!! I think I must be turning into a masochist: keep feverishly hoping my stomach cramps will turn into actual pain so that I know something's finally happening!!

Anyone else got their hearts set on baby being out in time for Christmas???

xx

bisou - can you add that Sarah was 7lb 3 oz - sounds like a tiddler compared to lots of the bonny bouncers people are producing but if felt like quite enough to me

and happy anniversary, congratulations you and mrBisou! sounds like a lovely night out

hello Boymeetsworld, welcome to the thread! plenty on people here who are still waiting for theirs so you're in good company. is this your first?

Yay for InvisibleHand - and she was early too!

Where is majormoo?? She had accupuncture on the 17th so perhaps that got things going for her?? Arti also had some done the day before she popped too. Perhaps it's worth a try Turnip?

no probs jump, consider it done!

Welcome Boymeetsworld . This is a lovely thread to be a part of.. it makes the waiting easier! Is this your first, or do you have other DCs?

thanks everyone. thing is i DO know it gets better - i have a beautiful, healthy, happy 3.5 year old to prove it - but god these early weeks are a slog!! just was feeling very self-pitying and desperate last night. as everyone says, it will pass...

Arti ? that is a great birth story, thanks for sharing it and well done delivering a 10lber with just a small tear (and also, could you please share Graham ? he sounds like a star and the perfect midwife). Sorry to hear you?re struggling a bit with sleeping and with DD1, I hope last night was better for you.

Congratulations to invisiblehand ? well done on the VBAC and the arrival of your son.

Reban ? I like your boys name, and have never associated it with Christmas. Several of my friends have been amusing themselves recently by suggesting suitable Christmassy names for us to use, and no one has come up with that one, so I?d suggest that it?s not a problem at all.

Bisou ? what a lovely lovely day you had (happy anniversary), and what an exciting end to it with the show. Keeping everything crossed for you. And thanks for your kind words ? my Mum keeps telling me that we know too much and I think would be more relaxed this weekend without all this info! Having spoken to my Mum I don?t think she had much fluid either, so maybe its normal for our family (if pregnancy can be hereditary), and I?m 99.9% sure I haven?t lost any fluid, so I hope baby is managing just fine in the amount it?s got. And maybe it?s taking after his dad, who doesn?t swim, and so just doesn?t want to be a water baby

Welcome to boymeetsworld, sending hurry up labour vibes to you for the next couple of days! And those vibes to Indith too.

Verso ? hope you?re feeling better now than you did in the middle of the night? You are already having good days mixed in with the bad ones, from reading your posts, so I really hope they start to outnumber the bad ones soon.

Turnip ? were you cross about the strictly result last night? I was disappointed that Lisa didn?t get more support, after her perfect score. My favourite thing was the past champions dance ? they were all such amazing dancers and equally as good as the pros, I recorded it so will be watching that bit over and over again [sad geek emoticon, who is already missing strictly and sequins]

And did someone mention compiling some stats on birth weights etc when we?ve all popped? I?m a statistician and my calculator is getting a little rusty now I?m on ML, so I?d be (too) happy to work out averages and so on for us all ... [sad geek emoticon again ? it?s getting overused today!]

Have a good afternoon everyone xx

zoejeanne as you are a statistician, here are some very good stats for you with a study about low amniotic fluid: amniotic fluid article 1 amniotic fluid article 2

Quick mission for everyone - we're popping to a friend's NYE party (NOT the whole night alas, last time we took dd to meet more than a couple of people at a time she got over tired and couldn't sleep) and the theme is Superheroes - we've been exempted dressing up, but thought we really must get dd dressed up somehow - not sure if just putting a big red S on the front of her babygro would cut the mustard...

So I open it to the floor - any suggestions? she's got a small amount of dark hair, if that makes any difference...

oh Reban to go back a bit, I know dd is a girl and not so close to Christmas but we chose Kirstin for a middle name because it's the Scottish version of Christina which is the girl's version of Christian. So I say go for it!

zj glad you're feeling a bit more positive about the amniotic fluid. It was me suggesting stats just beacuse the average size of a baby is meant to be something like 7lbs 7 (that's a total guess by the way! ) and there have been lots of big babies on the thread so I was wondering if we're upping the average...

jj none of these are probably suitable for a DD, but they're funny all the same!

ho ho ho

You could always put a pair of red coloured small pants over a blue babygro in the style of supergirl/wonderwoman too. And here's me trying to claim that I'm not a comic nerd (it's DH... really! )

Wow - I have link mania tonight... this baby needs to come soon so I have other things to keep me busy

WOO HOO!!

DS2 has put on 5oz in 48 hours!!! MW said they will come and weigh him on Tuesday and then we should be able to withdraw formula competely!!

Thought it was time to right my birth story up for you, but everytime I try to tell anyone realise I haven't got a clue what was going on half the time - not sure whether it was the cocktail of drugs that the lovely male midwife was pedelling, or the fact I was just in a different zone to try and get through it all.

My overwhelming feelings are that DH is an absolute star and ther is no way I could have done it with out MrOrange being there.

Anyway, here goes...

Think I had the longest latent stage known to man, which went from about 11am on Monday to about 7.30pm on Tuesday. After being sent home from the hospital at 1am on Tuesday I was really reluctant to have another wasted trip there so was desperately trying to make it until my MW appt at 3pm, however by about 12, DH was seriously worried we were leaving it too late as contractions strong and every 3 or 4 mins. Receptionist was great (must be a first??!) and managed to squeeze me in to the start of the antenatal clinic - quite amusing to see the faces of all the other pg ladies in the waiting room when I walked in contracting away (I did try not to be overly dramatic )

MW had a look and said I was 2-3cm (at last!) and she advised I should try another 2 hours at home before going to the hospital bearing in mind nearly an hour away and would be getting near rush hour. Went home, tried having a bath but hated it and got out pretty quickly, and instead tried to eat to take my mind off it.

Left for the hospital about 3 and didn't get there til 4.10 - spent most of the time with my eyes shut trying to focus on getting through each contraction so I couldn't see how far we were away.

Taken straight to my own room on the labour ward - had an en suite and have to say my experience couldn't have been more different from the previous night - all the staff were lovely, although I didn't get any G&A for over an hour, and once I did realised how ineffective paracetamol really are!

By about 7pm still only 3cm and MW suggested I have some Pethadine - I got the impression he thought I was in there for the long haul and was already feeling pretty exhausted after no sleep since Sunday night so took his recommendation. From this point on things do get really hazy for me. I felt really detached from the situation and everything was a bit in slow motion which I am asuming was the Pethadine, but I still don't think this was a bad thing and think it did really help me get through the next bit.

DH has had to fill in the gaps for me now. The contractions kept on at every couple of minutes until about 8.15 and then apparently there was a break and then I had two almightly contractions which he said seemed to last about 5 mins each . I'm assuming this was the transission phase?

MW had a look and had suddenly achieved 8cm - finally I was officially in labour!!!

I later found out that it was during this examination that my waters went and soaked poor MW, but then his shift changed at 8.30 so don't feel too bad for him, although would have liked some memory of this event

Then I assume I was just busy contracting away over the bed head on all fours and I suddenly got the urge to start pushing. It is so weird that you have this instinct? Anyway, babyOrange was back to back and my position wasn't really helping, so the new MW suggested I try the birthing stool - by this point couldn't have cared less where or how I gave birth as long as it didn't take much longer as the Peth was wearing off and just wanted to get it over with. DH had never seen one before (he should have come on the labour ward tour with me then...?!) and made me laugh describing it as a metal bucket with a toilet seat on it. It worked anyway and as DH supported me from behind (safeset place to be in his opinion) I grunted and apparently growled my way through about an hour of pushing. Think DH was getting worried by this point and they took the G&A off me to help me "use the pain" hahaha. Not sure how many actual pushes it took - felt like a lot, but remember it being really difficult to get the effort to go that last little bit IUKWIM.

Have been warned that the next time ( might not want to leave getting to the hospital too late as my 1st stage was so quick and unlikely a 2nd timer would have as long a latent period - joy!

Managed to escape with a small 2nd deg tear, which has been sore, but I think is healing nicely and no longer walk like john wayne. I think I actually founf the stitching up more painful because I was fully compus mentus again, and had to have a few more good sucks on the G&A!

Apart from being taken for a chainsaw masacre bath and then abandonned to fend for myself (- I could have drowned?!!) the staff couldn't have been better or more supportive. I was especially grateful to have a completely MW led birth despite being in the high risk category on a consultant led ward.

Theoretically should have been able to stay in the room till I was ready for discharge, but a bit of a rush on new arrivals and a bit of reluctance on babyOrange's part to suck properly meant we were transferred to a postnatal ward and wasn't allowed home til Thursday lunchtime. Later found out they were threatening to close the labour ward because just too many babies so timed it all just right!

So all in all, not as terrifying as I thought it would be although I'm not saying I'd like to do it all again tomorrow. Feels like an amazing achievement.

Good luck to all you still to pop and hope you also have such a positive experience.
x

Well done Orange it is an amazing achievement good work.

Hi all, not been on for a few days though have been lurking a bit. Congratulations to Orange great birth story!!
Congrats to everyone else too who has popped, got to go out in a minute so no time to check everyone since my last post, and if I don't i will rudely miss someone! hopefully will have time to do a proper catch up later.

Have been getting a bit grumpy about being overdue as the midwife came on Friday and I was still only 2-3 fifths engaged, and I'm sure she only said the extra "to 3" part to cheer me up. I think she thought that there was no way anything would happen soon. But she said she would come round today and do a sweep if I wanted, so I said yes (They don't usually do them so early as I am only 3 days over, but they are uber busy over christmas so I think they were happy to) and today I am fully engaged, and my cervix is soft, and a teeny bit dilated. She couldn't get right in there to do the sweep but it is promising for baby coming in the next few days!!! I was getting depressed as I had a feeling I would make it to the New Year, and now I am thinking it will happen before then (probably xmas day!)

Been for a long lovely walk to try and get things moving as well!! Such a nice day so was nice. Anyway gotta go out now, but hopefully will do a proper catch up post later!

Well done orange.

Bit of a me me me moan. I have got the most god awful cold even my hair aches. Also it would appear my mini munch has managed to totally massacre my nips they are now bleeding had a bit of a panic when he spat up earlier and it was all bloody. Saw the midwife again today and she is a bit of a grit your teeth and get on with it type of person. See another tom hopefully she might be a bit different otherwise I think I will be heading up to London to see a BFC. Oh and poor little lachie has got jaundice and really looks like I have been at him with the st trop in fact we saw Jordan being interviewed at horse of the yr earlier and the resemblance was astonishing. So am popping him on my boob every couple of hours to try help it go and he has spent most of today sunbathing. Oh and poor DS1 fell over a a chrimbo party we went to yesterday and we couldnt really see much damage last night but this morning managed to have a really good look in his mouth and one of his teeth is really bashed. so it will be off to the docs and prob dentist tom with him.

Sorry for the moan.

Kayz congrats on the weight gain although I have to say I dont really understand why they are weighing him so much DS2 has not been weighed since he was born.

Verso sorry things are tough at the mo I agree you really do forget how difficult the first few wks are.

Boymeetsworld lovely to meet you come join the madness.

Bisou woohoo on the show hope it gets you somewhere and what a lovely night out it sounds like you had. Oh also Bisou you have Lachlan down as being born on 16th he actually managed to sneak out just after 12 so its the 17th Dec.

Hello everyone,

I'm afraid I'm posting asking for some advice, I haven't even managed to catch up with the thread yet. Sorry!

DD is not eating enough. I can't breastfeed because of medication I have to take so she is on formula. She was five days old yesterday and after her weigh in with the midwife was deemed to have lost just over 10% of her birthweight (6 lb 13 to 6lb 2). She refered us to the pediatric ward so our first trip out of the house since coming home was to go back to the hospital . They checked her over and said she was fine but that she needs to eat more.

The problem is she doesn't really want to eat. We've tried waking her up and offering bottles but she's not that fussed about eating. She plays around with the teat in her mouth for a bit, might suck for a while and then gives in. We bought a different brand of bottle today but that hasn't really made a difference. Has anyone got any ideas of what we can do? Different bottles, formula brands????

She was slightly jaundiced which made her sleepy and not keen to feed but the consultant thinks it has nearly cleared up.

Obviously I feel terrible about it and cried buckets yesterday. I'm desperate for some advice. I'm going to post this on the feeding bit of the board too.

I hope everyone is OK and I promise to catch up on everyone's needs asap.

Catch up on everyone's news even.

SL - pls tell me what you've been doing the last coupls of days to get the head engaged, mine was free at my 40w check and only 1/5 at my 40W+10days. Think I might be spending too much time on the sofa, really need to do something to bring things on now as only a few days left till my home birth clock runs out.

Just a quick note though for those who who have 40w+10days appointments booked, I went in thinking I didn't want to have an induction booked. Most of the other women just nodded at everything the midwife said and didn't quiestion anything. One woman was told since she had had a CS last time and was 10 days over she should have a CS and when she said she hadn't had breakfast the midwife told her the operating theatre would be ready in 10mins!! I put my point across about thinking from my LMP dates that I was not as overdue as they thought and would therefore prefer to just have monitoring and the same midwife was happy to book that in for me.

Jam: hope the jaundice is sorted soon, sounds like you're doing all the right things

Kayz: woohooo on the weight gain! Well done to you and Dylan!

Congrats to TheInvisibleHand and hoping things get moving for you Bisou - it's getting a bit lonely at the end of the list! If I am the last the pop I will be most annoyed, but no signs at all yet [grump]. DH is stressing about what will happen if I go into labour on one of the 2 days our CM is out of London (she's our emergency childcare) as he's convinced something awful will happen if he isn;t arond to keep an eye on things - I'm just hoping we'll have enough warning to rope in family to get here in time.

Off to watch telly - DH has acquired the complete set of Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes from Amazon for a bargainous price and we're working our way through them

Oh and it's our 10th wedding anniversary next weekend - I think it's tin . Spesh brew it is then

just heard from mentalist MIL that she is fully expecting to be summoned from north wales the minute i give birth in order to arrive at the hospital 4.5 hours later. all i can think is a massively pannicked NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

i was under the impression we would give birth, and stay in hospital as long as necessary (with no visitors), come home and around day 4-5 they would come down for a v quick visit (they aren't staying with us thank our lucky stars). they have a family wedding to go to on the 26/27th, so i was hoping the little sod might make an appearance on the 24/25th, and then they'd have to stay up north for the wedding, but apparently, NO, THEY ARE THINKING OF NOT GOING TO THE WEDDING IF WE PRODUCE SPROGLET THEN. again, all i can say is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

am i being a bitch? please tell me what you did with PIL/ parents and their expectations. i don't think my dad has any expectations and would be happy to be summoned whenever, but MIL is another kettle of fish entirely and i think feels competition with my dad because he lives so much closer. aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

we are in London, PIL live 4.5 hours away in north wales, my dad lives 1.5 hours away in suffolk - just so there is some context.

now feeling stressed by this - arse arse arse

hi waiting girl, would your dh not speak to mil and say you all want a few days alone with baby before either sets of parents visit .. so there wont be any competition then?

thanks for opinions on my boys coice of name .. ive had lots of positive feedback on my thread so feeling reassured!

Hello fabulous girls

A relative quickie from me as I have got to glaze some turnips, decorate the tree and tidy our bedroom before DP gets back.

Huge congrats to Abby, Invis if I haven't already said so, Pingu and Arti! Arti, those anti-induction vibes we all sent were clearly v strong! Sorry the elective cs was grotty, Abby. Seriously, don't spare us if you find you do want to write about it, by the way. I think it's important to hear about the good and bad bits and I wouldn't like anyone to think they couldn't say stuff if they wanted to. Enjoyed reading Orange and Arti's accounts, you both did so well. Arti, I am glad you stuck with the name Nina, because you wanted it, and Nina Rose is just lovely. I hope you have managed to get a little more sleep...

Reban, the name you have for your son is really nice imo so don't doubt yourself.

Bisou, you are probably in labour now! Bon chance! When you are back on your feet, little O's birthweight is wrong - she was 6lb 12oz not 6lb 9 oz! Now there is talk of ZJ doing the stats I feel I have to be correct though I suspect it will be the last thing on your mind for a bit!

Jolly, I am using Aptamil powder, but I find if I ever use the ready made cartons, although it's a lot more expensive DD seems to enjoy it more and go for it more enthusiastically, so try that? Also, you can buy quicker flowing teats so that might be another thing to try. Good luck and please try not to worry so much, it will all be ok I will rack my brains to think of other things you can try. Chin up, lovey.

To all those waiting - Indith, WG...thinking of you...and WG, if your MiL haring down stresses you out, you have to be strict and say how you feel. Better still, speak to your DH and get HIM to be strict. You have a right to put your own wants first at this time. You really, really do.

Ok, so being at Mum's was lovely and the Ivy last night was pretty good too. I even got chatted up, and even though I think it was extremely crass of the person involved and he must have been exceedingly desperate and/or drunk and I am obviously very happy with DP, it was nice to feel, you know, like a contender. Is that allowed? We drove back to the country at midnight and all had gone well with the babysitter, so that has given me great confidence. Lots of the people at the do kept telling me I was very brave for leaving her (is that code for heartless??) and I got a bit ratty with the twelfth person who made such a remark. When they asked me where the baby was I said I'd left her home alone in a circle of stale bread. Unfortunately this was the head of DP's chambers whom I hadn't really recognised, so a bit too flippant a remark to make to such an august personage Oh dear. Hopefully he won't remember.