March 2009: Beware of TMI . . . we're getting ready to give birth and there's nothing we won't share.

[MKG]

Ok so I'll start it off.

Has anyone else had a huge increase in discharge? It's gone from clear and not too much to thick and white, and copious amounts.

I don't think so laumiere, I rarely felt DD1 having hiccups until the week before she was born (I went 5 days overdue). It depends on if the head is engaged, what way s/he's facing, how strong the hiccups are, where the placenta is etc. I read somewhere that too many instances of hiccups were dangerous so I don't think there's anything to worry about not feeling them! NB I checked with midwife about "too many hiccups" and she said it was rubbish

I've just had my 36wk checkup and have go for a scan next week as the baby is in a 'unstable lay' as in back to back tranverse with all it's limbs around my belly button. I'm also measuring 39cm, but i'm not that bothered as both dd's were over 9lb's anyway.

I knew the limbs where all at the front because of the horrible scratching i've been having.

Crossed posts with you earlier wheely glad everything went as well as it could today

Thanks Aunty - that situation is something I mull over from time to time. I think its something I'll consider at the time. Its not the be all and end all if I have one in as they're not actually doing anything, I just think it might be a bit limiting although you get used to them quite quickly. Also, when DH was in hospital recently because he was a big baby bit squemish, they covered his with an elastic bandage which I guess would mean it would contain it more and I wouldn't be so worried about knocking it.

All that said, when I was being induced with dd, I actually kept asking if I should have xyz done in case I needed a c-sec as I wanted to avoid a general but was told there was plenty of time to prep me. However, dd actually never got distressed - it was more they ran out of options for getting her out.

Tricky one but something to think about - thanks.

thanks twocute.

Lizzie - hopefully it might have turned by then ? I don't know much about transverse lay in terms of liklihood of turning ?

Goodness everything seems to be moving so fast. I have several ops and have therfore spent quite a bit of time in hospital with a cannula in - my only advice is, if you have the choice I'd hve it in my hand rather than my arm. It got to be a pain when it was in my arm, but the vein in my hand wasn't good enough at the time. Never really noticed in my hand when it has been in for a while and you can wheel a drip round with it in your hand without it being to much of pain (if you needed to of course).

Titchy I hope it all goes OK for you, although it does seem like the hospital have you in for lots attention, which may be a little annoying but probably better than the alterntives.

Wheely

Basically the baby is laying across left to right. It should turn because it was head down for weeks until i saw the midwife at 33wks. Apparantly i have no very relaxed stomach muscle because of having 2 large babies already.

Also have to say I am a little worried about Baby the iron transfusion was Wed pm, surely she would have been back on by now (although possibly unlike me, she has better things to do with her life than chat randomly on mumsnet). Unless of course it did bring on labour and we now have another 'March 09' baby? Or am I just worrying unnecessarily?

Lizzie, have you had a look at spinningbabies? It's got some suggestions for a traverse lay. My LO is a real explorer, we've have left anterior, posterior, right anterior and traverse in one day before now!

Thanks auntyspan, I love this thread . I've got the placenta at the front this time, so maybe that's affecting it.

Haven?t logged on in a week as was in London for second straight week of training my maternity cover. Far less tired this time round ? amazing what difference a nicer hotel without huge hikes through the ice and snow to the tube station makes!

Got lots of comments, so I?ll probably split them up into a few posts?

So much seems to be happening. I have my fingers crossed for babyinbelly and much sympathy for those who just want to be done with it all ? though I?m nowhere near that stage yet. I figure it?s a lot easier now with him inside than it will be with him outside!

I know people have been counting down to their maternity leaves ? but is anyone else like me and feeling conflicted about leaving work? I was genuinely sad leaving our offices yesterday (NOT that I?m going on leave now ? I?ve still got another month to go, but that?s the last time I?ll see my colleagues as I work from home in Brussels). Kind of a mix of not wanting to abandon my colleagues at arms, not wanting to be rendered obsolete by my replacement and not wanting to give up at least semi-regular access to great curry.

flannelcat - late to the party with my comments, but well done on breastfeeding a preemie! Can?t imagine how much more complicated that makes what already seems like a fraught affair.

spookymadmummy - hear hear for active babies and bony bits! I spend ages every day with my hands on my bump just feeling Cletus moving about.

Thanks to everyone who?s posted their birth plans ? they?ve been a huge help. That said, I don?t think they?re a very Belgian thing, so I?m not holding my breath that anyone will look at mine?

boobz, The Baby Whisperer has me stressed out, too. Terrified of being too regimented, not regimented enough, whatever!

laumiere, howling with laughter at the idea of hula-hooping at this stage. And can I ask what ?spinningbabies? is? Cletus has been transverse for ages, and as I?m coming up on 35wks Monday, I?m starting to get a little concerned.

rubyring - lord, the varicose veins sound awful! I know what you mean about dreading giving birth with existing complications in the nether regions.

slickbird, I?m the one who started having horrible, horrible problems with piles a few months ago. As far as how that?s going now, let?s just say the human body has an amazing capacity to adapt to pain that seems unbearable initially. The worst bit, though, is that the stuff I SHOULD be doing to help prepare for the birth (regular exercises and pelvic floor exercises) just exacerbate the problem ? so I?m feeling out of shape and unprepared and terrified of what?s going to happen when I have to push during labour. Is it too much to hope for that if I just keep standing around, gravity will take over and Cletus will just sort of fall out?

I have just purchased tickets to a concert on the night of my due date. Am I mad? Thing is, it?s a singer I ADORE (Lyle Lovett), and I just have a feeling I?m going to go late. If I don?t, no worries, we?ve got friends to take the tickets.

corgi yes I felt very odd and sad about starting maternity leave, today was my last day at work. I feel relieved to have proper rest now, excited as it means the baby is nearly here, but sad that I won't see people and also sad to leave my boss. I am a PA, we've worked very closely for 18 months and he is in total denial about me leaving and it has made it quite hard! They have got a temp coming and I feel quite protective about 'my office'!!

lizziemun mine was transverse lie til last week (33 wks), it is pretty uncomfortable. I hope your little one decides head down is more comfy - for both of you - I had an antenatal massage and spent a lot of time leaning over a birthing ball while she did my back and the baby started to turn the next day.

Ladies - what are we all looking forward to once we've had our LO's? Top of my list are:

1: A large margherita

2: Proper sex
3: Sleeping on my tummy

Not necessarily in that order!

Ooh, auntyspan: easy!!!

1. a double brandy
2. a rare steak
3. being able to do my own bikini line again
4. being able to have sex in a different position
5. being able to eat my own choc mousse! (made with raw egg)

corgi: spinningbabies.simplwebsite.com/

Anyone else get a very tight belly when they walk around? I´m 37 weeks, and it´s almost like having contractions (but isn´t). My belly is permanently stretched tight as a drum. Lying on my left side is best therapy.

Also had tiny smear of (bright red) blood on loo paper this am, then panicked that baby wasn´t moving, but when called mw, said not to worry, it´s just a bit of the plug. Any other 37-weekers or so had this?

Corgikelly birth plans have only just started being accepted here in Spain - big difference since I had ds 2.5 years ago - so the more people in Belgium like you who use one, the more they´ll get used to them, and they´ll become the norm for mums of the future - you´re doing them a favour!

corgi It was my last day today, and actually I was really sad to leave. The idea of not having anything to do (apart from look after the baby of course!) for the next nine months scares me a little bit. I love work, and a few of the kids (I work mostly with 4-7 year olds, some with special needs) have found the idea of me being pregnant and going away really confusing - so I felt a bit rubbish about that.

I'm 35weeks +1 now. Anybody else not had any BH at this stage?

Ohh, looking forward to:

1. Sleeping on my tummy/back/however the hell I want to
2. Not having a foot constantly jammed under my ribs
3. Stop vomiting because of indigestion whenever I lie down
4. Eating brie and soft boiled eggs without DP glaring at me.

Oh my God, so many posts! By the time I get to the end of them, the ones I was going to respond to or comment on, I've forgotten who everyone was and what they said!!

I'm a bit bummed out as I called the 'Dynamo' yesterday for my blood results from last week and my iron levels are down again and so are my platelets. I don't mind taking iron tabs (which I now have) but the platelets is a concern as they wanted to send me to the Haemotology dept for a consultation incase they fall any lower. Altho aparently there are no appts next week anyway, so the Dynamo is coming here on Monday to check my levels again. The weird thing is even tho they have dropped, I'm still within the boundaries I have been in the last two pregnancies so I don't know why all of a sudden she's decided to have me see someone about it. Anyway, it's a bit of a worry that I could do without.

Corgi I was very very glum the week after I finished work but am ok now. Well, am just glum for different reasons now - need this baby out as my f*nny can't take any more pain!!

Meep I missed your picture too - post again please!

I reckon BIB has gone into labour. I think she would have probably posted by now if not. Unless she's feeling really crap after the procedure. Either way - we hope your ok BIB!

My DH is in Wales now til Sunday so I am desperately trying NOT to go into labour until he is back! I was in tears at the airport last night because I am a hormonal heavily pregnant woman that needs her man HERE! I felt such an arse as he's only away for 3-4 days!

laumiere

I have a look at the spinningbabies site tomorrow when i'm awake.

fififlores i had a show at 35 weeks, but it wasnt bloody it was just very snot like (TMI Sorry) the tightenings sound like BHs i am having them loads!! they seem to set off all the time!! even the baby moving around !! last night i was mopping the dinning room and kitchen floors and that set them off (DH had to finish the job LOL )

Lizzie DD2 was breech and back to back (OP??) at 36 weeks MW sent me for a scan at 37 weeks and she had turned head down OP and was the the right way round ect at 38 week, it's funny cos DD2 never actually engaged, i had an app with MW the day before she was born and she still free of brim and she was born less than 24 hours later...........bless her!! she is 4 now and still a very lively!! to say the least.

corgi i think the gig tickets are an excellent plan!! it will defo help as a distraction if you havent delivered by then or you may well have tempted fate and have a due date baby .

Things i am looking forwards to:-

1. wine, wine and more wine!!!
2. sleeping on my tummy
3. no more SPD
4. reversing the car without winding myself
5. a big wee
6. breast feeding
7. seeing DDs little faces when they meet their little brother

slickbird what would low platelets mean? ive never heard of this?

and why does everyone seem to be having more bloods done? i havent had anymore blood taken since 28 weeks, is this right?

slickbird, my hubby is away from Mon to Fri every week, so I sympathise. I´m getting a doula so I don´t have to do it on my own...

2CD guess they must be BH, but don´t remember anything like this towards end of first pg. ds came 19 days early, which would have been today for this one, so fingers crossed she comes soon, but at a weekend when dh is around, so I can have him AND doula there

I can´t wait for:

1. a glass (or four) of chilled dry white wine
2. goat´s cheese
3. sushi (You can take the girl out of London...)
4. being able to pick things up off the floor without assuming a sumo wrestling position
5. no more belly/rib/back pain