Jan 09 labour thread... or is it?

[fourlittlefeet]

right, new thread, crap title but it was about to go!

gtdahb- Its bad enough people you like ringing you up and hassling you to see if there's been any action...it's massively irritating when its people you don't even want to speak to.

My dog has eaten something dodgy and is seeping in a most vile way... I'll swap him for a pacing dog that doesn't smell so bad.

The course was fab. It focused on the process of childbirth and how your body is designed to cope with it naturally. She basically looked at ways to stimulate and enhance the release of natural hormones like oxytoxin etc.
A lot of what she said made sense to me, that it was natural to want a quiet and dimly lit place to give birth, which I really wanted last time, I found the glare of hospital strip lights really bothered me.
It looked at diiferent positions to give birth and labour in, how to use gravity to its full potential etc. Also a bit about essential oils, homeopathy and all that sorta thing.
her whole message was pretty much go with what your body is telling you and don't be afraid, which made a lot of sense to me. I feel so much better informed this time and far more relaxed.

spink and Periwink - Congrats, I am sooo jealous!!!

moose, you were talking about chocolate biscuits and now I have an insatiable craving. Mostly becuase chocolate biscuits don't exist here in US, so there is no way for me to even attempt it, but oh how I could murder a milk chocolate hobnob, mmmmm!! The yanks do know their cookies but have no concept of the chocolate biscuit.

Had to go to the office today, was like venturing into a foreign world. Had to wear normal clothes after weeks in jeans and comfy trackie bottoms. Have no motivation right now, hoping I go into labour tonight as I spent the afternoon procrasting the result being I am hours behind on what I should have got done today and will have to work super hard tomorrow. Grrrrr, when is this baby coming sos I can sit on the sofa for a few weeks and cuddle her?

Sorry you ladies can't sleep, I was like that last night. MIL called and really was taking the p*ss....so I can empathise gtdab!!! Families!! Hope we manage to build some functional nice ones ourselves!!

Fab. I remember the lights too, and day light, and people talking. Kept telling everyone to shut up. Also insisted on having windows wide open at 2am in Oct. Brrr!!

I rmember miwife saying she would have to put some light on to se her gloves etc, think I was mardy about that too.

When thought I was labouring last night I got really excited and jumpy abouty, bet the adrenaline killed off my rather feable oxcytocin surge. Also got really nervous about ringing delivery suite which won't have helped. Did ring eventually but it felt wierd.

Hey Shanster. You are amazing being able to even have meaningful conversations at this late stage. I can't believe you have to work so late.

Come on you oxytocin (not toxin as I keep calling it)!

Its strange how we all feel so nervous about ringing the delivery suite/ midwives. I guess its doubly strange for you as they are your colleagues/friends... I've been really lucky, Whenever I do ring up with a question or problem I have had completely understanding and fab midwives, oh and one bonkers one too!

It's just odd ringing ins't it? They started asking me the usual questions like 'when did the pains start' no idea 'how long they lasting' a bit 'have you had a loss of fluid' maybe 'are yoo wearing a pad' eh?
Standard stuff but I had no idea! I just thought I might be going into labour and was letting them know, totally couldn't be bothered thinking about the hows and why's etc.

got the old insomnia again!!!Is this my body telling me i'm going to have a nocturnal child?

Feel back aches coming and going, and quite a few (totally painless i have to admit) BH this evening. Beginnning to think far too cosy in there for her to ever want to arrive!

It's a really long night isn't it. Wonder how moose got on/is getting on.

Awake again, this time a little more promising though.... Although i think i maybe joining the false alarm club.

Have had funny tummy AKA Clear out, and now getting much stronger tightenings than i've had before. Thing is though, they aren't WHOLE bump, Its only going Rock solid to just above belly button. Haven't really timed how long for, or how close together as been trying to sleep through them, but not really happening. Not Painful Painful, like a real Tightening sensation and a bit periody cramp ish.....

..Anyone awake? Am i getting my hopes up... is this something, or just a funny tummy?

Bugger... nobody else awake!

hkz pmsl at the seive. these boys are unbelievable!

gtab, sorry at your annoying rellos. I find all rellos relatively annoying

Tree, that article is really fascinating - going to continue reading it all shortly. Am thinking I should change profession! Are you still about? Did you go in after calling labour ward?

Right, contractions started at midnight last night and haven't really let up. some a bit painful, some not. All really long and strong. No I haven't timed or measured them as just seeing that site now winds me up!

Had a cervical grope and think I'm 1cm so maybe on the way, but no show or anything like that. Bump really, really low (making my pants roll down!) and very uncomfortable. Also during one of the contractions, when I was kneeling on the bed arranging the pillows, I think a pile popped out! EEEwww and TMI, sorry! I now too have a little friend. Feels nasty, but hope I don't get anymore.

Morning

Still here - again. Carried on with pains every 8 minutes for a few hours and decided bed would be a good idea at 9 if I wanted to make it through labour. Went to bed, pains stopped.

Woken at 1.10am with an almighty contraction that really hurt plus a killer headache, another one 18 mins later so got up and left DH sleeping. Off to toilet, (TMI) loads more show and another contraction, starting to feel hopeful again had a drink of water, went back to lounge and watched Eastenders on the replay (couldn't find anything else to watch) 1 more contraction then all stopped again.

Went back to bed at 3.30 taking 2 paracetamol on the way. Took ages to get back to sleep, mainly due to headache, then overslept this morning!

Still got killer headache and feel really sick - think its all the gunky sinus stuff left over from cold. DH has his appraisal scheduled again this morning and to be honest I didn't help by sobbing that I didn't want him to go to work! He assured me he is only 15 mins away and will keep his phone on during his appraisal. He has decided to book the rest of the week as leave as have monitoring tomorrow at 9.00 and induction Thursday and it will give him a chance to take the dogs to the kennels and get organised.

OK. Really sick of this now, last night was really quite painful and I know the show means there is some positive progress but I just want it over with.

Right am going to try and get some more sleep until shopping is due between 11 and 1.00. I know I should try and stay mobile but am just too exhausted. Mum is coming back at 11 to help me put the shopping away, thank goodness, don't think I could manage it on my own.

good luck rray and mm

flf- I'm with you on the pants things and bump! I have one pair of maternity trousers that are sooo comfy, but I can't wear them as they don't keep my knickers up!
Walking around Selfridges hoicking up your knickers isn't a good look!

moose- sounds like its really close now, but hope the headaches is better- my sinuses were terrible last time with DD, I know how painful it is, and bump means its hard to get into a position to drain them

rrayray- no news is good news right?

dog- families? Gah! and here we all are perpetuating the torment?

My parents don't even know I'm pg....

Shanster- just looked at your profile- lovely bump! I am a pm too... what area are you in?

FLF- You still contracting? Hope your little pile goes away...they are a bugger... I started a thread on them the other day and got some good advice from MN.. here Probably far too much info about the state of my bottom!

Moose- I hope it all starts up again for you soon. Sinus pain sucks, its up there with migraine and toothache.

Tree, rrray- hope you both got some rest after burning the midnight oil...

As for maternity clothes, I have given up, I am sick to death of wearing the same three outfits every day, so have just started wearing my good ol' jeans again, with the flies undone and a homemade bump band thing around the waiste... I want my normal clothes! I want to be able to see below my stomach again!

Right, need to get ready to take DD swimming...hope there's some babies when I get back

Moose... Sounds like that's it for you.. majorly happening... but has been going on for days and days like this hasn't it? I have periody pains, feeling sick and tight bump on and off all day. How do i know when it's a contraction and need to call midwife? I'm heading for a HB, but realised last night I don't really know when I should call anyone, apart from if my waters break.

Any guidance helpful

thanks hkz - off to have a peek.

yes, still contracting strongly. when on the ball, I feel like I'm being cleaved in half! have cancelled haircut as it would have been too uncomfortable sitting in a chair for that long.

instead have made biscuits (well, started baking them; my recipe makes around 100 so they take a while to bake). have made hummous. have made syrup for limoncello (DP needs to bring the vodka home tonight.. the bottle I thought I had has gone )

I've also book acupuncture for thursday morning and have a consultant appt today, not sure whether they'll offer me a sweep, or take a look at my expanding cervix and order me in! Hoping to go into active labour before 1 so I don't have to make that choice! Right, can I fit the biscuits in before I want my labour to start? And maybe a little show, just to convince my DP this is really it and get him home. Methinks this is quite demanding.

Each Peach and Shanster, I too am a PM, pity we can't manage pregnancy in microsoft project... then again, I do have a spreadsheet with graphs . mumble, mumble, computer geek here!

tree, moosey, lg&t.... yoohoo????

OOh, some promising posts! Rray, MM are you out there contracting?! FLF wish I could have some of your biscuits.

So last night I too became convinced that I was about to go. Very crampy periody pains, and kept thinking my waters were leaking, but I kept thinking I must go back to sleep and try to relax, because if it was the real thing, I would need as much rest as possible. Anyway, obviously a false alarm. Boo.

Shanster I just looked at your profile too, great bump! Looks super 'neat'. I caught sight of myself naked in the full length mirror last night and was really quite shocked to see how huge my bump has got in the last month - I had convinced myself it hadn't really grown!

Have broadband finally in the cottage, since yesterday, so am feeling much more in touch with the world.

Well, will check back soon for news news news xxx

Hello, I'm here. Up till just before rrray posted, then took flf approach and went to sleep delaring intent never to labour. Postman just woke me [he's quite a cutie] so bit portified at what he just saaw, tens lead trailing out of pants etc etc.
Got horible period pain and the feeling of impending shits excuse tmi.

Busy day people - where is ray?
I really hope this is it Moose, you have been more than patient! Flf you are far too active making me feel most inadequate! Beg for a sweep might tip you into established labour!

just finished biscuits. was thinking maybe I should get my bag ready in case something happens en route. Really have the feeling it will be born tomorrow... got knows why. It's another family birthday too. heigh ho. Now have 75 (actually 73, just ate two) biscuits. Recommend making them as they are really easy if you have a food processor and are those american style chewy choc nut chip big flat ones... yummy! Anyway, got enough stashed away for two weeks and defy bub to stay in there that long! Think midwives may appreciate a biscuit or two with their tea.

Morning,

That is a very neat bump Shanster

Moose i know how you feel about thinking is this it? Your having more action than me though, i am just waiting to go in on Thursday because i don't think it is gonna happen before. What time are you due to go in on Thursday for induction?