Due April 2009: Episode 15 - Barbarellys Babies Break free & BB waits paitiently (LOL not!!)

[SmuttyNuttyTaff]

Sorry BB Love you really xxxx

Lauren smears are utterly grim. Sympathies. I'm supposed to have them every six months. Bleeeurgh.

Springhy is right though, labour builds up more gradually and as it's a more 'natural' sensation than having a speculum thrust up you it is more bearable. Plus every contraction is finally bringing baby closer to you, which is very exciting!

Springydingydoo

Your body (and you) have been through a massive amount of stress this weekend so you are more than entitled to have a good cry and strop about it all!

The chances are little George could make his way out no
problem - completely naturally (although note after mine!) whenever your body is ready - please don't let that crappy hospital stress you out (and PLEASE go and see about the other unit or somewhere else to have it!)

Fingers crossed, things will calm down and when your body picks up strength again you will be able to do more - I really hope your mw tomorrow is more help!

Re uni - it is frustrating but your health is the most important thing and at the end of the day your student loan counts against nothing (although it is annoying having it come out of your salary) but it doesn't stop you getting a mortgage or anything else - it technically doesn't even count as debt in the financial world so what is a few more years payment if you are happy and healthy now...

Try not to think about all that too much and just see how you feel in a couple of days and if finishing now is the best option then go for that...

Oh yes, Maths - were you going to give us a lesson on perineal massage? I cannot for the life of me remember how it's supposed to be done.

Ok then you have to be relaxed and comfyish, easiest to do it sitting on the loo at this stage. Have a poke about (gently) quite far up, and you should find a sort of little doughnut shaped structure. When not pregnant, it is quite hard like the tip of your nose. Atm, it should be a bit softer, like puckered lips. (It eventually gets a bit like the inside of your cheek). You might be able to feel the baby's head if you push up a little. Oh and just to let you know - be very careful about doing this if your mucus plug or waters have gone (ie infection) and best to wash hands first.

You can get a reasonable feel for how dilated you are because atm you might be able to get one or no fingertips in, and eventually it will open up more and more.

Does that just about cover it?

Oh and re: cucumbers/willies breaking your waters THEY USE A HOOK YOU KNOW! it has to be extremely pointy!!

Lauren - on the speculum thing they always hurt me immensely and find them very very uncomfortable but like the others say there is no relationship between that and labour (I hope as I am planning a drug free birth)

I have to say, the toddler next door is going through the terrible twos and has not stopped screaming all day... I will find that more bearable when it is mine yeah???!!!! [hopeful emoticon]

Don't ask me about perineal massage, I'm no expert there!

You can say what you like about Jade Goody, her past escapades and the way she's handling herself at the moment (don't get me wrong, I don't disapprove, but have heard people being quite nasty about her), no-one has done more to raise the profile of cervical cancer and the need for regular smears than she has in the last few weeks, unintentionaly or not. It would be interesting to see how the screening rates change over the next year.

Also, those with a strong disposition and a filthy mind may wish to hunt out the threads on grotty dads and grotty mumsnetters . If there was a N+V smiley, I'd put it in here, but it's another ROFL one in places!

Am I to assume the silence means you have all gone to have a rummage!?

hahaMM I was tempted...

But more importantly - Nutty thread!!!

right gotta go have a bath.

can someone sort out a new thread please only 20 posts to go !!!!! xxx

oh ok what title did you want??

Thank goodness, just read Maths' post and thought THAT was perineal massage! 'What doughnut?' I cried. 'Ring shaped or more like a jam-filled one?'. After wondering if I was anatomically abnormal for a while, pleased to realise you were talking about examining your cervix! Phew.

is it safe to stcik your fingers up n feel for head MM ?? do you start dilating before labour at all? wud i feel anything at 33 week? i sound like a proper doofus 8-) x

Will try the cervix thing later, out of curiosity. Shan't prod too much at the moment, though - it really is the only thing keeping him in & we're all agreed that 34 weeks isn't the best time. Sadly.

& yes, I've heard that about the hook - like a crochet hook! Sounds delightful

& BB, I doubt it's more bearable per se, but again you get a build up - you won't just be thrown into the deep end of toddler tantrums. Besides, you're more than capable

with regards the perineal massage, I did it from about 35 weeks with DS2. was advised to do it as I have a condition called lichen sclerosis which can cause narrowing of the entrance to vagina. In fact a vaginal birth wasn't recommended for me but I was adament!

Used olive oil and basically massaged it into perineum and then with two fingers inside vagina, kind of pull down on perineum and sweep fingers round (image from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock). That's how I was told to do it anyway, and I had no stitches or tears Oh and the childbirth cured the narrowing of entrance to vagina as an added bonus

Mathsmummy, I think I'm too scared to feel around that high incase I feel babies head!!

It is safe provided you are gentle and don't do it all day and like I said, watch out for infection, so wash hands. Some people (me atm) walk around a few cm dilated for weeks, others don't start to dilate until full-blown labour.

Are you okay, Nutty, love?

& surprisenumber3, did it hurt? I know I should do the massage, but don't want to hurt my vajayjay

Oooh 15 posts to go... we are making some serious strides now!!

Banging has stopped, but haven't seen anyone yet... was looking forward ti taking a pic of my plumber for you all to perve over...

image imagine trying to type quick as DH home in a minute and I always seem to be on here when he comes in

Why are you scared to feel head? I can

Come on girls we need a thread title!

MM ring or jam?

Oh dear - what thread title were we going for?

BB - your own toddler can get to you as well. On bad days when DD doesn't sleep and is then tired and squealing all day and I'm knackered too and trying to get stuff done I do really struggle. But then other days I love her so intensely and we have a brilliant time together and it all balances out.

(Today has been a pretty good day - I do love her!)

no springy, it didn't hurt at all, I got DH to do it the first few times and that DID hurt!!

can you really mathsmummy? Wow and wow!

is head engaged then, at 33 week ?? is that why im gettin all the pains? they werent very informative at hospital..x