due may 2009.. half baked to fully cooked we're not all ready yet!

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Using Fi's suggestion......

I just realised that I never posted my birth story here!

Ah well. We were told to arrive on the ward at 8am to start the induction process, so of course we arrived at 9.30am on the dot and the midwives weren't expecting us. My consultant was sitting at the midwives station and didn't so much as crack a light when the midwives started making noises about me not being expected so she was straight out of my good books. That was the first and last time I saw her during my stay.

Got into my room, put onto the monitors, examined and told I was barely 1cm but still having contractions (8 days by this point!). Got the first dose of prostin gel applied and told I'd be re-evaluated in 6 hours. Hooray thought I, I'll well be in labour by then...

...except, I wasn't. By Saturday afternoon I'd had three doses of prostin gel, my cervix had moved so far back that only the Sister midwife was able to reach it, a very petite midwife with the smallest hands in the world had managed to bruise my labia so much that I couldn't bear to have anyone touch me and I was having regular contractions (2-3 in 10 mins) which weren't going anywhere. I was clucking exhausted.

Saturday evening the contractions stopped dead. Hubby left at 8pm to go home, I felt sorry for myself and went to sleep waking at 5.30am on Sunday feeling refreshed but frustrated at the lack of progress. Had breakfast, checked in with the midwives and they said they were now waiting for a consultant to review me but to expect a discharge home. Very deflated, I headed back to my room and watched some TV that Bob had downloaded before napping on a beanbag.

12 on the dot and the consultant came back in with the Sister midwife to do a review. He asked if he could examine me and I consented, he took off his smart jacket and snapped on the gloves - I warned him about the bruised labia and he said he'd be gentle (he was!), he popped a finger in and said, "Oh you're 2cm dilated" just as my waters broke. I'm glad I missed soaking his jacket because I spent the next 10 minutes telling him that I loved him.

Spent the next 10 minutes on the monitor and shifting positions because my waters were POURING out of me (think I updated here during this point too) before pottering about and my contractions came back. The rest of the day seemed to pass extremely quickly but the midwife mentioned several times that although my contractions weren't that regular (2 in 10 minutes at a push) they were lasting for around two minutes and were absolute belters. By around 5ish I was pretty reliant on the gas and air which was making me come out with some spectacular stuff (I told DH I could hold my breath longer than a rhinoceros which is LOOOOONG. I also told him I thought I was sitting in a birdbox with Winnie the Pooh). Every time I had a contraction I kept telling the student midwife that I wanted her to ignore my explicit directives and get me an epidural, to which DH replied, "Just ignore her, she won't want it after this contraction". I then threatened to drag his testicles out of his body via his throat and everyone laughed at me

Whilst all of this was happening it was playing on my mind that I hadn't seen my kids since Thursday night and this was now Sunday teatime. I had cancelled visiting twice because I didn't want to risk them making the long journey through only to then not be able to see me. I think I was psychologically trying to push my body to go quicker and when I hit transition I started panicking and quietly pushing when I thought nobody was watching or listening. Anyway, the Sister midwife asked if I wanted to go in the pool and I said yes and stood up (I was sitting on a birthing ball in between contractions and squatting with my head on the raised-to-boob-level bed during contractions) only to decide that actually I really was getting close to pushing and screamed at the student midwife to get the sister back whilst simultaneously climbing onto the bed and sook my gas and air.

I then managed to text my Dad (this was 7.25pm) despite being absolutely away with the fairies to tell him I was close to pushing and to wait in the car park as he was due to arrive at 7.30pm with the DCs. I started screaming at the midwives that I needed to push only to be told there was still cervix visible around the baby's head so I panted through the next couple of contractions. Next big one I couldn't hold back anymore, midwife told me to listen to my body and I gave one almighty push - her head was out! I could feel her turning her head and with the next contraction I pushed again and she was delivered. So, a second stage lasting a matter of seconds!

We had a physiological third stage but it was still only about 20 minutes for my placenta to come away and that was that!

There was a bit of drama post-birth with the ward manager refusing to let my Dad and the kids come in for a minute to see me and the baby which subsequently meant DH had to head home less than 45 minutes after his daughter was born but other than that I felt it all went pretty well. 7.5 hours from waters breaking to delivery and we did it all with gas and air only so I feel like a proper warrior!

pulapula I think we'd have to be a bit weird not to be nervous before.. there's a good chance they might do me first as my bloods etc were all done on tuesday am. everyone else will get them done when they arrive in the am. they normally do all that stuff the weekend before for all elective cs being done mon to thursday. on fri they have to get cs ladies in half an hour earlier as the weekend before is too early to do the tests.. good for me that everyone else will have to wait for their results

dandy that lady sounds a right dense cow person! and your current belly sounds just like mine with ds. I'm hoping after this one to get back into my pre ds clothes.. as even after 2yrs they were too small

wow blotted what a great bs .. love the rhinoceros and bird box winnie the pooh lol

right off to bed for me. see you on the post natal thread very soon!

dandy, and at that woman's comments. that's ridiculous.
blotted, what a birth story, and good on you for doing just only the g&a.

about the belly: mine sounds like Pula's description. was quite big for the first week then has really gone down to a beer belly. very wobbly but not as burst-balloon feeling like the previous 2 pregnancies.

i'm not helping matters by scoffing donuts, biscuits and cake .

congrats frazzled!

fi, not sure you're still on here but good luck today an look forward to hearing your news.

well girls in car and off to the hospital.. fingers crossed they do me first

Good luck Fi!

FI you're prob in hospital now but good luck am thinking of you

Back later for a proper post
Xx

Ooh! I just had a wee lookie on the Boots website because I need to go get a breastpump today - they're doing 1/3 off their Avent pumps just now so if you need a pump check them out!

Blotted thanks for posting you bs - you did so well with only gas and air!

Fi I know you are on your way to hospital now but sending good luck vibes your way and hope you get done first.

I have a consultant appointment this morning to discuss an appointment for my CS next week. Can't believe it is happening so soon - still in denial a bit i think.

Fi - all the best. You're nearly there, sorry you didn't get your vbac.

Hello ladies, I'm a friend of MiniMenace...

I had a text from Mini Menace yesterday... She gave birth to a lovely son Isaac Michel, born at 12.55pm by emergency c-section on the 21st of May and weighing in at 7lb 3oz. Everyone doing well

on phone.. got to hospital at 7.15 this morning still waiting in day assessment unit. there are 3 of us waiting for elective cs but due to some emergencies we're stuck waiting. got my loverrly surgical stockings on and we don't know who'll be first. getting really thirsty now and feeling sick as had nil by mouth since 6am. oh well.. hopefully won't be much longer now.

congrats to minim too

Good luck, Fi. Hope you don't have much longer to wait.

Lisa, thanks for the update on MiniM.

A million congratulations to Mini; pleased everyone is well in spite of the c-section. Another fab name as well.

Where is my baby???!!

congrats frazz and minimenace!

managed to get to mum & baby group, changed M after she exorcist vomited, didn't have time to change myself so just dried the vomit on my jeans with hairdryer and went! luckily she managed to mostly miss me.

BF at group with a little advice from one of the nursery nurses when M was being fussy.

M was not too well yesterday, lots of trapped wind and very fussy, not sleeping etc. Haven't had a dirty nappy for about 37hrs either just wet ones - do you think I should ring the HV? nursery nurse said that sometimes that happens for no reason but M has always given me 5/6 dirty nappies a day so am finding this odd.

looby- glad you made it out to the group. Baby poos can be unpredictable, especially with FF i think. All i can say is expect a bad one when it does arrive! It may mean M is absorbing more of the milk- I'm not an expert so if it helps, give your HV a call or maybe start a thread on the feeding or childrens health topics?

Congrats to minimenace and frazzled

Well done for getting to the group Looby- it is almost always best to 'feel the fear and do it anyway' (cheesy but true!)
If I was you I'd def phone HV if you are worried about M being poorly

Re post birth bellies- I love my bump and am sure I will miss it, I expect it may take me some time to stop talking to my stomach- call me selfish but I like the fact that whilst baby is inside there I don't have to share him with anyone. Obv it will be amazing when DP gets to cuddle him but I may feel a little bit jealous!
And if my belly looks terrible after the birth- well my summer wardrobe will be all kaftans and maxi dresses to hide it and I can waft around earth mother stylee!!!

Just got dressed after shower and was amazed when my lovely under bump black trousers had half my arse hanging out the back of them- I wore them yesterday, surely my rear end couldn't have grown that much overnight wasn't until I was examining myself in the mirror in utter disbelief that I realised I had put my trousers on back to front- where is my mind? oh dear, think I'd better go for a lie down...

congrats sausage!!

sophietom loving the earth mother stylee!!lol
do maxi dresses work when your only 5'1"??

I've got 4 months to get into my cossie!!

Ooooo M just went to latch on and spewed on my boob! YUK!

saus yay, hope Martha is ok breathing-wise and doesn't stay in SCBU for too long, dandy pass on my love if you get the chance (and tell 'stomach-gate' woman at your DD's school I said I'm watching her, tactless moo!).

sophietom I had my knickers on back-to-front and inside-out the other day

Loobs So glad to went to the group, bet it did your confidence some good. Spew on boobs ewwwwww!! And Nicole Ritchie wears maxi-dresses and she's tiny like you, maybe 5'2 (I can say that 'cos I'm over half a foot taller than you )

Blotted liked the birth story, I knew you'd been in ages but it's so tedious innit?

Still pregnant here, still no impending signs, still smiling in fixed manner at 'haven't you had it yet' 'you're taking your time' 'aren't you supposed to have had that baby by now' comments, whilst committing mass-murder in my head.

Right, cheese sarnie time and cuppa tea.

Congrats sausagenmash and minimenace

So far :
17 BOYS
17 GIRLS

BORN

1 APRIL 2009: SpangleMaker, BOY - Harvey, 9:55, 5lb 12oz, 35+3 (first child)
23 APRIL 2009: LoobyLou36, GIRL - Matilda Rose, 5.53am, 8lb 3oz, 38+4 (first child)
23 APRIL 2009, Reggiee, BOY, Ben, 7lb 8, 39 weeks (DD age 22 mo)
24 APRIL 2009: EmmalinaC, GIRL, Niamh Elizabeth, 9.56am, 6lb 2oz, unplanned vbac! 38+5wks (DD aged 2.4)
29 APRIL 2009: llareggub, BOY, George, 8am, 7lb 9oz, VBAC (DS1 2.5)
29 APRIL 2009: gert2a, GIRL, Edith Ann Elaine, 10.14am, 7lb 10oz, ELCS (first child)
30 APRIL 2009: Jael, BOY, Jacob, ELCS (DD aged nearly 3)
1 MAY 2009: 1stMrsF, TWIN GIRLS, Amelia Carys (7lb 6.5oz) and Georgiana Bronwen (6lb 12oz), c-section 14.06 and 14.07
2 MAY 2009: Divedaisy, GIRL, Sofiah Rose, 00:47am (DS age 6)
2 MAY 2009: Momino, GIRL, 04.05am Harper Grace, 8lb 1oz.(DD age 3 and DD age 1.5)
2 MAY 2009: Tummum, BOY, Gethin Thomas, 9pm, 9lb 1oz (2 DDs)
2 MAY 2009: LadyHelen, BOY, Rufus, 2.15am (DS 3.7)
6 MAY 2009: Aquababe, BOY, Ethan, 4:51am, 8lb 6
6 MAY 2009: YawningMonster, GIRL, Clare, 9lb 5 (DS already)
8 MAY 2009: bekkaboo, GIRL, Evie Mae, 7lbs (DS age 2)
9 MAY 2009: Daizydoo, BOY, Jasper, 2:08am, 8lbs (DS age 2)
9 MAY 2009: Ses, BOY, Owen Edward, 10:17am, 8lb 9oz, born by section
11 MAY 2009: Belgianchocolates, GIRL, Claire, 4.49am, 9lb 10oz (DS 7, DD 5)
11 MAY 2009: Dandylioness, BOY, Hector Frank, 6lb 9oz, 1:25, emcs (DD age 4)
11 MAY 2009: Flippineck, GIRL, Angharad, 11:15am, 8lb 3oz (DD1 2yr1m)
12 May 2009: Pulapula, BOY, Samuel James, 4:16pm, 8lb 3oz (DD 4.5, DS1 1.11)
14 MAY 2009: Jennster, GIRL, Rachel Mary, 8lb 7oz (DD1 3y 4m DS 22m)
15 MAY 2009: Detsy, BOY, Archie, 8lb 5oz
15 MAY 2009: Emmabemmasmom, GIRL, Sara Addison, 9.45pm, 6lb 5 (DD1 aged 2)
17 MAY 2009: Blottedcopybook, GIRL, Greer Valery Charlotte, 7lb 11oz, 7.35pm (DS1 7y11m, DS2 3y2m & DD1 2)
17 MAY 2009: Febes, BOY, Rueben Cornelius, 7.52 pm, 6lbs 15 (DD aged 1)
17 MAY 2009: Cloveofhislife, GIRL, 00.39am, 2 DDs already
17 MAY 2009: htheh, BOY, Monty, 4.59am, 9lb 12.5 oz
18 MAY 2009: yawningprincess/rubysmom, GIRL, Darcy Victoria, 6.40pm
20 MAY 2009: cotedazur, BOY, ??? , 9.15am
20 MAY 2009: frazzledoldbag, BOY, Hugo, 2.40p[m, 8lb 15oz, (DD1 age 7, DD2 age 2)
21 MAY 2009: SausagenMash, GIRL, Martha Rose, 2318
21 MAY 2009: MiniMenace, BOY, Isaac Michel, 12.55pm emcs, 7lb 3oz

COMING SOON:

fikelly- elcs today
bantam?

..............................

OVER-COOKED:

DUE 1ST MAY: bantam73, (DD1 17yrs+ DD2 3ys 6m) surprise
DUE 13TH MAY: ReeBee, (first child), BOY!
DUE 14TH MAY: Lazzer SURPRISE!!
DUE 15TH MAY: FiKelly 38yrs, (DS 2y9m in May) GIRL!!
DUE 15th MAY: Nauseous, (first baby), SURPRISE!.
DUE 16TH MAY: Sarahken, (DS age 3) SURPRISE!!
DUE 16TH MAY: Hypatia, (first child) - surprise
DUE 20TH MAY: Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa,(DD age 11, DD age 4) SURPRISE!!

READY TO COME OUT OF THE OVEN:

DUE 22ND MAY: chocolatebunnies, (dd age 2)

HALF-BAKED:

DUE 23RD MAY: Runningmonkey ,(first child), maybe a girl!
DUE 25TH MAY: Alapala , (DS 2) BOY!
DUE 25TH MAY: Sophietom (first baby) BOY!
DUE 25TH MAY: lehowell
DUE 26TH MAY: rosielady,(DS age 3)
DUE 29TH MAY: MsG, (First child) SURPRISE!!
DUE 30TH MAY: euromum, (DD age 18m), BOY!
DUE 31ST MAY: MatthewAndBumpsMummy, (DS age 3yrs 11mths), BOY!!