Due May '09 - wave your bum in the air, like you just don't care !

[Tummum]

Here we go !

Ah...Sainsburys delivered bang on time...just have to put it all away now!

looby - what you've got in your baby hosp bag sound right to me!

Jael - what a worrying and uncertain time for you Babe. From what I've read on here 37 weeks is deemed full term, so maybe you'll get the chance to be induced then. Surely the stress of everything could be triggering these attacks, and if so you'd imagine the medical specialists would be doing all to minimise it safely for you. Take it as easy as you can. GREAT BIG HUG TO YOU XX

llareggub - oh lucky you!!! 28th April... not too long now!! And it could be sooner!!! Wow!

sophietom That's great news about the position. Perhaps we'll meet next week at aquanatal. Not been for a few weeks.

After speaking to my mw last week she wanted me to be seen by the clinic at the hospital because of my history of PE and my neck problems. I was seen by one of the Registrars and BP was on the highish side (???/80) but lower than it has been, I have plenty of swelling of the lower legs and face, but no protein in my urine. She again said to return in 'a few weeks' at which point I had to explain... that my mw was amazed the clinic didn't want to keep a more regular eye on me considering my PE history, occassional high BP this time too & oedema, and more importantly the fact that the consultant anaesthetist wants me to have a controlled labour because of the complications of my neck condition - time to ensure an epidural is working properly should I need an ecs. So she finally 'permitted' me to come back next week to discuss with my consultant about the possibility of an induction around 37 or 38 weeks. - does she not know I'll be 37 weeks next week??? Duh???

I was going to start taking my raspberry leaf tea tablets, but my mum is away to Scotland until next Wed and am kinda anxious that labour will start and she wont be available to look after ds and to be the voice of reason and help! I do have other people on stand by to help.. but when you've a gem of a mum there's no substitution is there?

Saying that - i too am getting well past the stage where I want this all over and done with.

Well if it's going to happen sooner I'd really need to get my accounts done and VAT return in! So that is my incentive to get it started.. now!

I have just put all my shopping away and eaten a choc chip muffin and strawberry triffle . I was a little embarrassed at how much chocolate I ordered but glad as well .

I felt so sicky this morning and I think it was from being hungry. I also can't eat lots at a time so little and often is the way forward for me I think.

Right then...I've just booked an appointment for a stretch and sweep on 23rd April! I wonder if it will work!

Alapala - no I don't regret the name Gabriel for DS at all - I love it and it so suits him, just minor niggles when other people can't get their head around it.

looby I am so excited for you - I think we are all getting to that stage of - get it over with - I want to meet this LO now!

Hello

Feel a bit glum today.

Had 36 weeks appt at hospital, didn't go well!

Waited 1 hour 30 mins for appt, then appt lasted LESS than 10 mins. This is likely to be my last appt with the hosp before I give birth (they've booked me in for another one at 41.5 weeks so it's doubtful I'll have gone into labour then) so I expected them to be abit more thorough really.

All the mw did was check my BP (but she's forgotten to write it on my notes), measure me, check urine, have a feel around (I had to ask her what position the baby was in, she wasn't going to bother telling me) and give me my Anti-D injection.

No blood test (anyone know if that's normal - I was supsrised). No mini-scan (my sister had one at her 36 week appt at same hospital), no discussion of my birth plan AT ALL either, which I forgot about until I'd left. I felt like I was being really rushed.

Flet really deflated after. Am considering calling to complain, but then maybe I should have been more pushy? Or maybe I'm just being hormonal and over senstive!

Tummum where are you exactly (I know you're a midlander) I had thunder at the same time as you, but it was faraway and no lightening. Maybe it was your thunderstorm I could hear.

I've had another rubbish night. I tried my natal hypnotherapy CD, but baby was wriggling big time and so that distracted me from the relaxation (momino, I've got to concentrate on relaxing too) and in the end I just turned it off. Then I needed the toilet at 1, 2, 4, 5 and finally woke at 7 . I hope that after tomorrow I'll finally get some better sleep. In a way I don't care anymore which way the baby is lying, as long as I know. I hate the insecurity. It's driving me mad.

jennster I've got those marks too. I was wondering what they are, so now I know. They're mostly on my chest too.

emmab you're entitled to change your mind as to where you're having your baby up to the last minute. Let your mw know a.s.a.p. though, so she can bring the hb pack to your house. You only need a birthing pool if you want to have a pool birth. I had been considering having one, but dh was not too keen on it, as it would be his job to fill it and everything. We've also got a fairly deep and big bath, so I think I might sit in there for a bit. The only thing my mw asked me to provide are a torch and a waterproof sheet of some sorts. I have my old double waterproof sheet that made me sweat too much (my new hippychick one is brilliant btw ) and I also bought an asda smart price shower curtain that was ridiculously cheap, something like 96p! You're less likely to need an epis at home, but they do have the equipment if they needed to do one.

I've witnessed a water hypnobirth when I was a student and it was absolutely wonderful and was the event that sparked my interest in the whole relaxation and hypnotherapy thing as I was dubious myself up until then. It was a fairly young girl on her 2nd baby. 1st baby she'd had an epidural, ventouse, the lot. It had been a bad experience and after a lot of thinking she'd decided that her own attitude had been partly to blame for her previous experience because she had been scared, panicky and out of control, so she had decided to stay calm and in control this time. So during her labour she barely touched the gas and air this time. Before she went in the pool, she just sat there quietly breathing not saying much at all. It was barely noticebly when she had a contraction. Her labour was average length I'd say and the baby was born a couple of hours after she went into the pool. So yes, hypnobirthing works. I think the main thing it teaches women is techiques to stay calm and relaxed so the pain remains at a level you can cope with, IYKWIM.

frazz I also thought of you when I heard the news about h/b on the radio this morning. Lets hope your dh has heard it too

sausage Oh that sounds so promissing for me, you know that you're having movements down below, but that lo is definitely head down. Gives me hope

sophietom great news about lo and your placenta's position. Now you can hopefully have a normal delivery

looby I've found an unused Avent insulated bottle bag amongst my old baby stuff. It takes 2 bottles. If you want it, let me know. Hope you'll get better at hand expressing, but don't worry too much. Spangle's story should give you some courage!

Spangle Baby H is doing excellent. You've got the b/f sorted I'd say. It's so nice for all 1st time mums on here to have such a positive birth and bf story to listen to

febes congrats on your sister's news. My dd was due on xmas day! I managed to hold on until the 27th though, I didn't want to have a newborn or be in labour on xmas day. I wanted to join the family for the lovely xmas day pub meal!

lazzer at 36 weeks you wouldn't have any bloods due, scans are only given for a good reason, so if your pregnancy has been normal and no probs with growth/position of placenta/BP/etc... then they wouldn't have scanned you. I'm afraid your appt sounds about right. Birth plans are usually not discussed in the hospital, but are something the mw comes to your house to discuss and it takes a long time and there's not the time in hospital for that type of discussions. Your 41.5 week appointment is pretty much standard too. That would be an appointment to give you a sweep and a date for induction if you go too much past your due date.

blotted we're all fed up, but I don't think asking for an IOL just because you're fed up is a good idea. Induced labours are more painful than natural ones and they come with the risk of all sorts of intervention. I'm extremely uncomfortable and fed up too, but I'd rather wait for everything to kick of naturally.

Blimey. Can't follow belgian's mammoth post! But am just back from the MW. She had a feel of my tummy and says the head is engaged! She also said it may mean nothing as they can move again, but still... it would explain the heavy feeling between my legs and the sharp pains I have every now and again. BP all fine which was my main concern.

Time to put my feet up and watch an American FBI based programme and think about cooking dinner. Just thinking about it mind, not doing it yet!!

Thanks Belgian that makes me feel better!

And yes everything has been normal so I should just take that as a positive I guess.

I did ask about the position of the placenta, as I was unsure how they could check it - and the mw asked why I was so worried and said it's probably fine - but I spose if it was okay at my 20 week scan then it shouldn't have moved into a bad place since then.

hi all.
back from MW and baby is head down but not engaged. Mw also said lots of fluid so doesn't expect as huge a baby as bump indicate. though I'm measuring a normal 38cm for my nearly 38 weeks - just looks huge for me! my gut feeling is a girl and, honestly, the thought of having three girls sounds sweet to me. i actually think I'm beginning to like pink .

lazzer, sounds like a rubbish appointment to me. will you see your community mw before the next hosp one? and the antiD... are we supposed to get another one? I had one at 28 weeks and thought that was it until the birth.

Belgian, amazing story about the hypnobirth. I'm going to do my best to try to concentrate on it but it's so difficult to find the time until bedtime at which i just want to sleep!

those of you with dogs - i've decided not to take george out this afternoon as i'm so tired. have him running round the house and back yard. girls will give him a good play when they get home. I feel guilty but I'm just too tired to do another walk today. Are any of your dogs getting one walk less some days? poor puppy [guilty dog owner feeling emoticon].

Lazzer - glad Belgian's reassured you. If you're a first timer like me (sorry can't remember) then it's a matter of not knowing what to expect.

Looby - have you packed your bag yet?! I've made a start on mine this afternoon.

We've got our 4th NCT class tonight.

lazzer You're right. The position of your placenta is checked at your 20 scan. If at that stage it's close to the cervix, you're usually asked to come back around 34 weeks for another scan to check if it's still low. If it wasn't low at 20 then it wont be low now

ladyhelen That was a mammoth post wasn't it? I tried to reply to everyone AND tell my hypnobirth story

I had my SIL's 2 dcs as well as mine today, so I'm absolutely knackered. Think it'll be pizza for us tonight, I can't face cooking tonight.

Momino - we have 2 cocker spaniels and there is a good walk just round the corner from us around a field. It is on a slope though and really takes it out of me. If necessary, I just take them on a shorter walk down the road and make sure they get to run around in the garden. What sort of dog is George? Don't feel bad!

belgian Thanks so much for the HB info! I have seriously been thinking about it alot today. I am the type of person where I get an idea and it consumes me I am seeing my MW tomorrow so will discuss it with her. I mentioned it to my DH and asked his thoughts. He said 'no' in a nut shell...I asked him why and he was all 'I don't know...' So I told him to think about it and give me real reasons why and then I can give him my reasons. Really, I want to say it is my pregnancy and my birth so you have no say...but I don't want to be like that either. So how do I get him on board?? And although he has been supportive during pregnancy he is not the book reading, researching type of guy so he is pretty clueless about...well everything pregnancy/birth related that I don't tell him.

Lazzer Sorry to hear you were rushed in and out like some number. That is not right. I am also in for 36 week check tomorrow and expecting bloods...suprised they didn't do them for you. Also, nobody has mentioned my birthplan either but would have expected that tomorrow...so again, shocked they did not even look at yours! I would call for sure and ask to be seen again to be honest. I am in again though at 38wks, 40 and again at 41...so why are you not in again until 41? I would call, but that is just me! Hope you have some luck

Promise to catch up later!

Lazzer Sorry listen to belgian lol I am seeing my MW not going to hospital, so missed that bit of info, and I am going by my notes which say I am to have bloods tomorrow...which I hate so hopefully that is wrong lol Glad you feel better though!

Ses, he's a border collie, straight from a farm and young so does need 'stimulation'. i've just been playing football with him as i tidy up the kitchen but think I'll just have DH take him out later esp since it stays light later now.

jennster I'll be at aqua natal next week so we should get a chance to meet
belgian the water hypnobirth story is amazing, I wish I'd got a hypnobirth cd now!
lazzer and divedaisy sorry to hear about your unsatisfactory appointments- lazzer you will be seeing your cmw before the birth won't you? You can download template birthplans from the Boots website or from the NHS pregnancy desktop. Maybe you'll feel better if you do this and keep it with your notes- that's what I'm planning to do. divedaisy, I hope your appointment next week is better- sounds like you could be meeting your LO very soon if they induce you!

anti d There are 2 ways of giving anti D. The newest guidelines advice 1 bigger injection at 28 week, but the old ones used to advice 2 smaller injections 6 weeks apart. Generally at 28 and 24 weeks. So that will explain why some of you will have had 2 and others 1 injection. My own trust only just changed to giving 1 injection at 28 weeks this year, so it is very new.

Belgian I am in Northampton so probably not the same thunderstorm, or maybe it was between us because it was quite quiet and no lightening from my end too

Thanks also for everyone's thoughts on hypnobirthing. I am definately going to give it a go, after all being relaxed can only help. I just don't want to give up my gas and air fabulous stuff !

Emmabsmom my DH isn't particularly a fan of the HB, not because of the risks but because it puts more pressure on him having to get stuff ready (I want a water birth as I had one last time). I just focused on the things you don't have to worry about at a HB.... like childcare, getting to hospital in the middle of labour, cash for parking, being sent home if you aren't ready, having 2 midwives to yourself, no being sent home and needing to be collected etc etc.

Jael hope your appointment went OK today and you got your CS moved.

The birthing pool stuff turned up today so tonight I am going to have a go (with DH) at blowing it up and seeing how it all works. Scary stuff !

There was a proper thunderstorm in my little part of the midlands!

I'm surprised that some of you are expecting bloods at 36 weeks. Usually it's booking and 28, sometimes 34 too for a hb check. 36 weeks would be a bit too late really to rectify a low hb, because by the time you've got your result back and then get treated you might have had your baby!

birthplans I think me and a few of us on here are lucky enough to live in an area where they are taken quite seriously and so our cmw comes around to discuss it at 36weeks. Not everyone is so lucky. Our cmw usually takes good 30-45min at least to discuss it all. As you can imagine that would be impossible in a hospital setting where they might have 45 women to see in a morning clinic. I'm not excusing the fact you've been treated as a number, that's wrong, but it does explain why it wont have been discussed with you in hospital. I think hospital mws expect it to be something that will be discussed in the community really. What you can do is make your own, like sophietom suggested and keep it with your notes so you can give it to the mw that's looking after you in labour. Mws do tend to read them and will try their best to fulfill your wishes.

llare Aha, that must have been the thunderstorm we've heard then

tummum Ooh exciting, your birthing pool has arrived. Part of me wishes I'd got a birthing pool and feels , part of me thinks it's just as well as it would have been a waste of money if this baby is breech

Oh and you don't have to give up gas and air if you're going to use hypnobirthing. You can combine, that's my plan anyway I love gas and air too much to give it up!