August- number 4!

[jellybrain]

Thought I'd start a new thread as No 3 is pretty long now! If anyone knows how to link between the 2 threads can you put one in - I'm not called Jellybrain by accident you know .

Had a job interview yesterday but, haven't heard anything back yet . I don't think my preparation was all that good and was pretty busy over the weekend with birthday party preparations and was consequently shattered.

Fabwife-welcome! I too am 37wks due 7th aug.

Leahbump-how exciting to have home birth kit! must make it seem really iminant now!

Miaou-great you are feeling better and make the most of the sleep!

Well...... just seen consultant obstetrition and low and behold baby isn't breech!!!! !
I now think it was a major cockup last week as again there is no way this baby has turned in the last week, I would have known about it! Am really happy now, but very at stress we been put through over passed week.
He has put 4/5 on my notes under the rel. to brim column. Can't remember if that means he can feel 4/5ths above brim (so 1/5 engaged) or 4/5ths engaged?? He didn't comment on it at all, just noticed it when I looked. SPD has been really bad today so that could explain why!

DS1 is fine thanks, but I was so excited at baby not being breech I forgot to ask him about slapped cheek risk to baby.

SIL's baby is doing so well that he may be allowed home tomorrow! so loads of good news in our family today

KMS - that's fabulous news! Very pleased for you. I remember with dd1 when she was breech (and she was), it took three midwives, a consultant, a lot of prodding and finally a scan to decide that she was indeed head up! She had a very hard bottom!!!!

Re the engaged - 4/5 means they can feel 4/5 of the baby's head - in other words, you are 1/5 engaged.

Hello fatbird, don't worry about being a late joiner, you are more than welcome to post and get to know us all! Apart from anything else we will be all moving across to the postnatal thread once our bubs make an appearance, so plenty of time to chat and swap tips etc!

Big welcome to Fabwife and congrats on your pg -not long to go now ! Am of everyone else on here at the min as I'm one of the last due - 31st Aug and only just 34 weeks which feel like miles behind. Look fwd to chatting to you.

Eulalia, I'm sure I'll find you - am on CAT if you want. I'll be in my Mat dungerees as am washing jeans etc to go away with for saturday, so should be easy to spot - we're just have to both look for the other lady with a bump !

KMS - what a great lot of good news, so glad you've not got the stress of needing to try and have bubs turned etc. Hope your ds is doing ok. Lovely news about your nephew.

Leahbump - when is it ok to start on the rasberry leaf tea, thought I'd give it a go, not sure if it works or not but anything's worth a go?!

Right better go and eat my tea, lol to everyone x

KMS- great news!!!

Fabwife- welcome!!

Twiga- the box reckons from 35 weeks but as I have had such an irritable uterus I was told to avoid it till baby would be classed as term (37 weeks). I think you could probably start at 35 weeks with a cup a day, then 2 cups at 36 weeks then three at 37.....the one from holland and barret really doesn't taste bad at all!! Also teat is more effective than tablets as most of us will have totally stuffed indigestive systems right now (tablets will not be ingested as effectively as liquid tea!!).

HTH

can't wait to feel less puffy all over! and to get rid of this spd!! feel like i've trapped a nerve this evening!

Thanks Leahbump! Ditto with the spd - don't think mine is as bad as some folk on here but starting to make me feel a bit miserable - pelvis crunches when I turn over in bed and lifting my legs one higher than the other/weight through one leg at a time is making things like stairs really difficult/sore. Am hoping my physio referal comes through very soon - mw said 2/3 weeks - has been 2 now so hopefully soon. Sorry to keep asking questions but do you know how having spd effects using things like birthing balls when in labour - is there anything should avoid doing when in labour?

thanks guys.
Miaou- I though it would only be 1/5th engaged! (was kinda hoping 4/5ths!!)
DS2 and DD both bobbed in and out so sure that will happen too.

Fabwife-You need to stay here and keep us company, because people are starting to drop off since they have their babies, and I'm like Twiga, not due till the 31st. The more the merrier.

Finally got in to see the dr. today. She said she can't believe that my BP is 110/70, and especially in this heat that I have no swelling anywhere. I am thrilled, because I'm actually measuring small, and with DS I always measured at least 2 cm larger than what week I was, so maybe I won't have a giant baby. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather today. It ended up being 109 yesterday, and is only supposed to be 104 today.

fabwife, I have just realised that I called you fatbird (another poster). You must have wondered what planet I was from.... sorry

(Planet pregnant, I hear you all reply )

Twiga, don't get too despondant - colinsmommy isn't due until 31st August either

ooooh look at that! I just have to think about colinsmommy and up she pops!!

Hello everyone .... hope you're all well .. just been scaning the posts really ... very-sleep-deprived brain

Love looking at Charlotte though. She still looks tiny even though she has gained her birth weight and has grown a whole centimeter in length ....

can't wait to see how's next to pop!! Good luck with your labours and hope it all goes well ...xxx

Aw, hi blossom, was thinking about you earlier today, I daresay it's a bit quiet on the August postnatal thread at the moment.

Glad all is going well with Charlotte. How is dd1 handling being a big sister?

Cheers Miaou! Am rolling along nicely really just can't wait to meet my wee one but am enjoying being pg too.

I wander if it's poss to get any bigger than I am - I still thnk I'm neat enough, all weight gone onto bump rest of me normal but bump stating to feel massive. Not helped by very friendly/well meant comments by folk on tills around town today, sympathising with me in the heat and then looking horrified when I tell them I've still got 6 weeks to go - "you're really quite big, are you sure it's not twins?" being one of the standards

Colinsmommy, glad to here you're keeping so well in that heat!

Blossom2, sounds like you're having a lovely time with wee Charlotte, she sounds gorgeous

Twiga, up until last week I would have called my bump "neat" too - I've got a bit of fluid retention around my face and ankles, but not put on any weight as such anywhere else. However I've certainly got bigger (and heavier) in the last week - very noticeable when I stand up (my muscles under my bump complain), turn over in bed (one hand either side of bump and HEAVE ), and go swimming - oh the relief of being weightless! (well almost!)

I am working on the principle that I have done very well to get this far without finding it hard work to get around, but although I enjoy being pregnant I will be relieved to get my body back (soon!)

as far as I know- and have been advised...I am ok for waterbirth with spd and have been encouraged to use a birth ball etc I have however been warned to know how far i can open my legs without pain and to tell the midwives/doctors when in labour...also to put on my birth plan 'pelvic pain/spd' in big red letters!! stirrups (is that right or am i being preggy brain too!!) and the like are not good for an spd sufferer...and so your doctor midwife (whoever it may be!) should not force you to open your legs too far....

any chance you can labour in water twiga..the weightless ness helps you remain more active and you can wiggle without pelvis cruching!! (ouch ouch)??

I would also ask, beg, borrow....(if bub comes at the w/e I'll post you mine!!) a slip sheet for turning over in bed....bit sweaty but really really has helped me!

Miaou, I'm totally with you on the hanging onto bump while turning over thing - it's funny how you imagine you must be the only one doing these semi daft/odd things . Swimming's great!

Leahbump, that's good to know, I'll have to find out about the whole birth ball thng. Not sure about labouring in water, think it would be lovely but don't know if I can be bothered with the pfaff of getting wet then having to get out - apparently they prefer you to actually deliver out of the water (might have that wrong?). Would galdly borrow your slip sheet if you don't need it after the wkend, if not where is a good place to get one? Have been warned about stirrups and spd is marked down on my notes but good tip about marking it on birth plan - should mean it doesn't get missed.

I would also suggest telling everyone that deals with you in labour as well!! They don't always look at you notes and birthplan!! Get DP/DH on that one as you may not be in a fit state. Make sure he is aware of what is ok and what is not so he can check with your carer if you are a little out of it! You can deliver in water if the M/W is experienced. (that is what I hope to do 4th time lucky!!)
I was on the ward for 3 days after the birth of DD and it took the ward sister 2 days to ask me why I was walking so badly as i had had a normal delivery!

Saw midwife yesterday and am going for a growth scan tomorrow. Baby only measuring 35cm (I am 38.5 weeks) otherwise heart beat fine. I am sure its just a precaution but its not going to be a big baba thats for sure.

On top of all this ds has somehow hurt his foot at the swimming pool yesterday and insists he can't walk. He is hopping around and asking me to carry him (he's just turned 6!) and if you remember has autism so appeals to reason such as "I am heavily pregnant" don't exactly work. Am supposed to be going out today with him and dd. Thank god dh is off work tomorrow for a week.

Good luck to those who are imminent. I am not in a hurry for baby to come - it can wait till as near as 16th Aug as possible (when ds goes back to school).

twiga- tyhe slip sheet i got was ordered via physio at the hospital- but it's hard to get them out of the hossie (like gold dust I've heard!)...perhaps ask your midwife...or anyone who works in a local care home !!

If you CAT me your addy I'll get a SAE ready....bubs seems to have dropped even more and my bum's sore so think he might be head butting my pelvis (ouch) hopefully he will appear asap.

Delivery in water depends on your trust! ours has only just started doing water birth...and now even allow delivery of the placenta in water also (although I am getting out for that as i want the drugs to help it along).

Hi everyone, many thanks for warm welcome!
Fatbird actually better nickname right now as grumpywife would be more appropriate and I look like a little cartoon lady.......or even worse, like one of those primitive goddess thingys.....huuge bump.
Am grateful for the raspberry leaf tips and am swigging like a good'un although no effect so far.
For everyone with spd- do not let them make you labout too long on your back or stay strapped to monitor- that's what happened to me in 1st labour and I wound up in stirrups with failed ventouse, then forceps, one distressed baby and a totally wrecked back - I had 6 weeks of intensive physio after for my sins.
Best tip I have is a support strap after the baby arrives- you wear them across your hips and they help keep everything stable so you can manage stairs and walk more comfortably. I needed mine for about 6 months after last delivery (pretty much while I breastfed).(that sounds awful but you can hide them under clothes)
You should get one via physio as you have to be measured and they ought to be adjustable.

last day of school tomorrow and am wondering what the point of sending the children at all, they have games and films all day ......lady whose been helping me out by picking children up for me (she lives next door and has daughter in same class), can't do tomorrow, so I have to drag over my MIL just to collect...hm;do I feel sickness descending?
Allyou soon to be mummiesmust enjoy all time before school as school is hard work for mummies!
usedto love it as a kid but as a sahm hate it!

Morning all, heading off to Stirling for the day so thought I'd check in before I go. Had a great time at my first ante-natal class last night - the tour of the Matty was really encouraging. Labour ward didn't seem too "medical" and they try to avoid things like using stirrups and episiotimies where possible. The chat was all very positive and there would seem to be a lot of support. Asked about the birthing pool and here in Aberdeen they let you deliver in the water - just have to get out to deliver the placenta, so am now really thinking about this as an option as seems a lot less pfaff than I origenally thought. Watched a very funny video on pain relief which was filmed back in the 80's and had a great array of dodgy hair dos and outfits - whole class was in stitches!

Eulalia, have emailed you - was great to meet up yesterday, really enjoyed meeting you and the kids! Thinking of you today as you go for your scan.

Fabwife, hope you're not to sore with spd this time round.

Hope that everyone else is keeping well, have a good day

How nice - a "Due in August" meet-up has happened. Glad the tour went well Twiga, and have a nice time in Stirling. As you are aware, yet more disruption in London - still, only one more week at work. Not much else to report at the moment, other than the loss adjuster approved our insurance claim and the decorators can go ahead with decorating the nursery, at last. Must get around to ordering some curtains.

morning all!

glad the meet up was good- thinking of you E- hope scan is ok.

mw has just been here and I'm 3/5ths engaged.....hope baby comes soon...sooon sooooon.

was also up last night with pain etc. Hoping the reflexologist can trigger labour now..seeing her later on!!

I've been in hospital again I went in yesterday or monitoring as the baby had been a lot quieter than normal and I mentioned in passing that I felt some pain in my ribs and my hips when the baby stretched out, well this seemed to send everyone into a tizzy and the midwife in the day unit was convinced i was having contractions, I wasn't, I just thought it was the baby stretching. Anyway as I was so sore and tender over my bump they sent me up the ward and after being told by the doctor I could go home, he came back 10 minutes later and told me I had to stay and have a scan this morning to measure the blood flow to the baby and be monitored. I was so uncomfortable on the monitor I'm sure that it made it worse. Anyway, it turns out that the baby is fine and the blood flow is fine and that the pain is because the baby's head is low down and it's making my SPD worse, in fact the sonographer couldn't even measure the baby's head as it was so low, so hopefully thing will get going soon. I still hope that I can go into labour myself before my consultant appointment and avoid an induction. DH and I have decided that we will ask for a sweep at the appointment next week and then if nothing happens ask for an induction on the following Monday when I will be just over my due date, as if things haven't got going by then they probably won't and I'd end up being induced anyway. The MW on the ward seems to think that an induction would be successful as it's my second baby, but I'm still crossing my fingers that it goes on its own.
I cried on the registrar this morning as I was so tired and fed up and she looked mortified, I do wonder how some of these people choose their specialisms, surely crying women are all part of obstetrics?

Anyway enogh about me, what a ramble that was!! Welcome fabwife, not long to go for you now.

Glad that you enjoyed your meet up twiga and eulalia.

Azure not long to go now, just one more week to get through and then lots of putting your feet up.

Leahbunp, glas that things are looking up, or should I say down for you!! When are you going to clear out the play balls or is this some new alternative pain relief that you're trialling

Aw kate, poor you! I'm also getting the pain under the ribs when the baby stretches, and sometimes my bump feels very sore and tender - to me that just goes with the territory of being that far on! We are due on the same day I think (next Sunday?).

i wish I could say something more constructive than "ah well, not long to go now" - sorry not terribly helpful really. Have a cyberhug (((((((((()))))))))))) .

Thanks Miaou, once I'd had the trace in the day unit, I knew that the baby was fine, All the other stuff was I think them being very cautious and it really upset me as all I wanted to do was go home to DH and DS. At least I got to see my baby on the scan this morning which was lovely. It was interesting to see her estimate of the weight as being about 7 lbs 8 ozs and then to watch the registrar try to plot that on 'growth'chart without making it look like the baby had shrunk Off for a shower now, DH forget to bring my wash bag to the hospital