Due in September 2009 - waiting for an August baby!

[StealthPolarBear]

Hi everyone Can't believe we could have our first baby in 4ish weeks

That massage sounds wonderful! I didn't try hypnobirthing last time, I went for the full on screaming mooing and swearing vocalising approach. It worked for me, the birth was fairly straightforward, no intervention or stitches. I've got my head in the sand wrt the whole labour thing tbh... I'll just go witht the flow on the day. My only problem will be that I can't lie flat on my back, which I did with dd (any other position was just horrible, possibly due to overuse of G&A ) so I will have to find another position to give birth in and lay off the drugs a bit.

Hope you hear from DH soon StayFrosty. When is he due home?

I share the same hypnobirth teacher as Daffodilli and I can't speak too highly of the light touch massage! The only problem is trying not to fall off the chair with sleepiness!

But we have started the partner's perineal massage . It's quite uncomfortable for me (physically) and for him (emotionally) at the moment. He keeps worrying that he is doing it wrong and I keep tensing up and finding that it hurts. Only tried it twice so far. If it doesn't get any easier in a few days we might pack it in.

Anyone else doing it? Any tips?

Hi all
Found a slight cure for the swelling legs- 20 mins. under cold shower ever few hours-they are much better today. Empathy for piles people, I had them before but not this time when you'd think I would. Just 4 days till DP with me from Germany on Paternity leave for 2 1/2 months yay! I must admit the community midwife's eyebrows went up when I said I was still driving to the hospital and popping in to work!! I measure way way over 40 weeks pregnant now! I am over the 34 week danger period on Thursday when they scan boy for more fluid loss ( in some respects I'm almost hoping that they can come out next week as I am not sleeping more than 2 hours a night and very grumpy). I want the c-section as I am afraid of going in to labour so far away from hospital and having to deliver in the ambulance. The last baby tried to come out in the car on the way there and I had to cross my legs to keep her in!!

Was going to start the perineal massage tonight, DH not really keen, so will be doing it myself. There does seem to be alot of muscles down there, 3 layers I think she said, which to be fair is alot to um, 'stretch'. Did she show you her hand between her thumb and forefinger where she demonstrates to couples how to do the massage? I was a bit clueless as to what I was meant to achieve until that! TBH I do feel a bit about it which is silly I know. The only tip she gave me was to use lots of oil so to reduce soreness. Will see how it goes.

Sorry Neddie am a slow typer! Good luck for Thursday x x and fingers crossed they stay cosy until your DP is there to drive you about and look after you, 2 and a half months will be lovely .

pebble, my friends first labour was 16 hours (so i am quite scared, as my first was 4 hours start to finish!) eek

have never been game for perineal massage - i really should as i had 2nd degree tear last time. i'm just hoping things are stretched being the second birth and all [hopeful emoticon]

Hiya Hope your all well

I had another app with consultant today, bp is still high but its slowly getting lower so they are not so worried, I had another growth scan and the injections have worked the baby is going well again and the blood flow in the cord is much better so it looks like she's not planning on coming early.

I have another app in 2weeks where they'll give me the date of my c-section, which will be at 39 weeks so it'll be in the week starting the 14th of sept, I cant wait only 6weeks to go I have a feeling they will give me the 16th as it's DD2's birthday and they did the same with DD1 she was born on DP's birthday

Because im having a c-sec i had to have a mrsa screening test today, it involved 3 swabs tests, 1 in the nose, 1 in the throat and 1 in the groin area in the creases of the legs, it wasnt the best test to have done lol

Hi everyone
Sorry for not posting for so long
StayFrosty, glad your day was good
Definitely agree wiht not getting stressed about labour, there's no story in "it hurt but was fine" so you don't get to hear about those. I'm definitely having a hospital birth as DH said he would be a nervous wreck with anything else but now worried about when to go in - asked MW today and she said "you'll know when the time is right"
MGC, glad everythign is going well.

yikes MGC - up the nose is NOT pleasant! Still - you'll be able to plan around a definite date soon which is great!

Daffodilli - re perineal massage, I can't reach myself , but I don't blame your DH for not getting, ahem, stuck in. Yes, she has a very slack bit of skin on her hand indeed! I belatedly realised today that the key to it is the word 'massage'. After a back massage I don't feel streeeetched so much as 'smoothed out' and 'loosened'. I think that's the point - to separate all the tight muscle fibres and release any built up tension, like in a knotty neck, so that the flesh is supple and loose. Apparently, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Hoping!

Audrey, yes I think your chances of tearing are much reduced the second time. But my DP is not the father of my first child and this time round I am expecting a much bigger head [gulp]. DP has NEVER found a hat big enough to fit him. EVER. And we have REALLY looked.

Did you hear from MrStayFrosty yet, MrsStayFrosty? Hope the lack of phone signal is not stressing you out too much .

and - quick question. when are we supposed to stop driving?

when the contractions are 3 minutes apart

sorry,answering sensibly, I think I stopped when I was about 39 weeks last time, can't erally remember
Not sure there's any given time you're supposed to stop

dammit - I was hoping to get away with constant taxi services from DP .

Morning all, had my first ante-natal group catch up last night after our classes had finished. But guess what....we were minus one as one of the Mum's had a c-section and had a beautiful baby boy. 8 lbs 14 though so I reckon she was lucky not to deliver naturally. The dad came along for drinks as she was sleeping in hospital to bring us the news and the phtotos. It was a real reality check for us all I must say. I want mine to come now.

Tried perenial massage for the first time yesterday. No idea whether I am doing it right but I can feel there is a lot of muscle and it was quite sore to be honest. Will have another go today. No idea if it is going to help, but DH also has a very big head and can never find hats either. Having said that at all the scans (latest at 31 weeks) head was measuring bang in the middle. But I reckon in the last 10 weeks there will be plenty of room for it grow out of proportion!!!!

Blinder, re driving I had heard you need to have a certain distance between your bump and the steering wheel in case you have to stop suddenly (not a crash but just emergency stop) and also so the airbag can get out if needed.

Neddie, you are amaazing. Can't think how uncomfortable you must be. Having one kicking away inside is quite enough thanks. I am a twin myself and my Mum carried until 36 weeks and then I was 5lbs 4 and my sister 6lbs 3 so pretty good size for twins. The Dad who had the C section said there were some twins who were delivered early at 34 weeks across the ward at Queen Charlotte's and they were only 2lbs each....very small.

Queen Chharlotte is also got a new policy for swine flu too - only one person at the birth (so potentitaly no Doula if you were having one) and no visitors afterwards...Not sure how I am going to break that one to my Mum who is coming all the way from NZ..hopefully they are not too stringent.

Well the perineal massage is not the most pleasant thing I've ever done! Have no idea if I'm doing it right and its very sore! Wont give up at 1st attempt though, keeping the thought of tearing and stitches firmly in my mind...its me with the big head in this house!

Hi girls - defo need to give the perineal massage a go this time I think - had an episiotomy last time and don't fancy having to deal with stitches again!!

re: driving - I drove without a second thought last pg even past my due date - however I'm planning to drive up to stay with my parents (260mile - 4hour drive) when I;ll be 36 weeks and 37 weeks coming back - am I being a bit silly???

If anyone is still needing to buy hypnobirthing CD's I have a voucher code for 25% off if anyone's interested - think it might only be able to used once so could be first come first served?? this is the website and the discount code is NHP25

I drove past my due date last time, but never very far, just to the supermarket or town centre. I'll have to this time round, dd's school is too far away to walk to and there's no-one else to take her.

34+4 today. Saw the MW this morning and she thinks the baby is transverse... bollocks, bugger and arse. I completely understand why any of you would prefer a CS but I could really do without having one myself. I need to be back on my feet and driving (farking school run) asap.

Floor cleaning TigerFeet!!
Hope the baby turns - are we still considered quite early? (I'm 34+4 too!)

Hi Girls!

Moan alert!! I am so uncomfortable today!! Baby kicking me in the ribs, SPD, piles, swollen ankles, so tired but can't sleep because of all the things I just mentioned!!... the list goes on! Poor DD is having to entertain herself pretty much today as I am too tired to run after her!! We are pretending to cook cakes and have a tea party which is keeping her busy!! I'm supposed to be clearing the spare room while she's in bed this afternoon, but think I'll be putting my feet up instead!!

35 +6 today, so not too long to go!! I drove right up until I had DD with no problems. As long as you are not uncomfortable, I don't see there is a problem and I've never been told not to!!

Tigerfeet Hopefully your baby will move before labour! There is still time! I was told second babies move relatively easily to a good position for labour, so not to worry too much! (my baby was pretty much back to back at last appointment, but was told there was plenty of time for it to move!)

Think I'll give the perineal massage a miss!! Can't take any more discomfort unless it involves the baby actually coming out!!

Sorry for the moan, I feel much better now I've got it all out!!!

Thanks audreyraines and at 4 hours, I can understand your concern then - I guess all you can do it be v. prepared, have DP on a very short lead and dial 999 if you get scared at the speed! At the very least they can talk DP or whoever is with you exactly what they need to do - about 18-months ago there was a feature on radio 4 broadcasting the actual conversation between a 999 call centre worker and a DH who was delivering his 3rd baby after his wife's labour progressed v. speedily... it was amazing, had me in floods of tears for ages, DH and call centre worker were sooooooo calm.

Tigerfeet - sorry about baby's position, bouncing on ball is a good plan, plus I've heard that leaning fwd over ball, chair/sofa backs or crawling around on all fours asl much as possible can help too. Fingers crossed baby turns.

I drove til a couple of days before I had DD.... it wasn't very comfortable but it was possible, although I take Babylady's point about distance between bump and air bag - I hadn't thought about it like that and I'll try to avoid it this time round.

Neddie - hope the appt/scan goes well tomorrow and hopefully, all being well, you'll haved the next new arrivals!

MGC - am glad you bp is coming down - it's all getting scarily close.

Must start p. massage this week... my booklet says that it's best to start a couple of times a week from 34wks by yourself, then enlist partner's help everyday from 36wks - that way you get used to how it feels before someone else gets a "go" . Must admit I did it all myself last time as just couldn't get head round DH doing it - am very impressed at those who have, that's some amazing trust you have there.

Second last day at work today and I'm pretty much done all I need to do - so just tidying pens/files and chat now, it feels so good.

Ooh cross post - sorry you feel so rubbish ladyem.... sleep/rest is definitely more important than clearing spare room!

Darn it!! Thanks, Fairysparkles, but I ordered my CDs this morning...

No idea about the official policy on driving, but would suggest that if you are comfortable doing it, then it should be OK. Take lots of breaks (like your bladder won't force you to ). My family were a bit funny about me driving 200 miles to see them on my own when I was 22 weeks, which I thought was a bit extreme, but thinking of taking the trip with DP this weekend. It's nicer to have company, but generally the menfolk are better off saving annual leave until after the birth, I'd have thought, rather than simply playing chauffeur to us.

Hope the baby shifts, Tigerfeet. Ladyem - hope that you feel better soon - I was uncomfortable yesterday (just trapped wind / stitch), but feel loads better today (not being in work probably helps).

Not sure how I'd feel about DP helping with p massage (or helping out in the LG, for that matter). I already feel so totally unsexy that my libido has gone into hibernation, and I think that would make me feel even more self conscious.

I cleaned the sodding floors in the sodding bathroom and the sodding kitchen on my sodding hands and knees on Sunday, for all the sodding good it's done me. FFS . Seemingly all I have achieved, other than clean floors, is backache.

Oh dear, I'm being very me me me atm. Sorry Thanks for all the kind words. I know there's plenty of time and there's lots I can do to turn her so I'm not panicking just yet

Is anyone else being ratty and unreasonable?

here's something ridiculous that i found on another thread Madame Zaritska predicts your birth

I've just had a go audreyraines

I would prefer a smaller baby and a shorter labour tbh. She got the sex wrong so no doubt she's got the rest wrong too!

"The day you deliver, outside will be cold. Your baby will arrive in the middle of the night. After a labor lasting approximately 19 hours, your child, a boy, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 9 pounds, 9 ounces, and will be 17 inches long. This child will have dark blue eyes and barely there auburn hair."