Lemon top 1st to pop then ensued impatient Brood. Who'll be next? Come place your bets and join us on our November thread!

[Ninjacat]

Because you chat sooooo much!!!

ursigurke dd 31st Oct, 37+2
VenusInfers dd 1st Nov, 37+1
Tamlin dd 5th Nov, 36+4
Scarlotti dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Fubble dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Kyte dd 6th Nov, 35+0 (CS)
Helips dd 9th Nov, 36+0
Sleepless dd 9th Nov 36+0
Southernbelle77 dd 14th Nov, 35+2
Tigger dd 14th Nov; 35+ 2
Pavlovtheforgetfulcat dd 18th Nov; 34+5?
Ninjacat edd End Nov (a little secret, as Lissy)
LissyGlitter dd 22 Nov 34+1
longwayaway dd 23 Nov 34+0
Laugs dd 26th Nov; 33+4
skorpion dd 29th Nov; 33+1
raggie dd 30th Nov; 33+0

Good luck erika and maman this is getting seriously exciting! I hope when I log on tomorrow there will be an announcement of some quick easy labours!

Oh, and my tip for labour is to make lots of noise! I was refused anything apart from water and gas and air, and in the debrief she said it was because I seemed to be coping so well without! I am someone who moans endlessly about minor pains, but if I am in strong pain or scared, I kind of go into myself. I was ever so polite during labour, which isn't like me at all!

Bookmarking.. I'll be back!

katster each of the midwives I've seen have been surprised I'm working up to 36 weeks and I think if I indicated I didn't want to then they'd be quick to sign me off.

Midwife today though - the loveliest lady ever - said that most of it was down to attitude and if I felt well enough and I was expecting to work until 36 weeks then that was fine. I'm also using annual leave for these last few weeks so I'm doing 2x2days with a break inbetween to get a rest day.

The biggest thing at the moment is getting up in the mornings so I expect that I'll be getting into work a bit later than normal over the next few weeks, but I'm usually one of the first in so that's not a problem.

How are you feeling? Do you think you'll make it to 7 Nov?

I agree with Lissy, swimming is just fantastic. If you haven't been I urge you to try it!! It is amazing how good it feels to be weightless. (Oh, breast stroke is not so good though if you have any pelvic problems)

maman Maybe you will be this week's Wednesday birth, if contractions haven't started yet? I hope all's going well

I can't believe we are getting towards 4 births and it's still early October - that is scaring me! In my mind at least, this baby is a loooong way off.

katster DH did not say anything to the woman as he didn't want to make a fuss
Ooh I would love to interview for my own job. I'm sure none of the candidates will live up to you

, Laugs - yes, how could they possibly live up to me?! I love interviewing, v excited, and all the more so that they have to do my job afterwards!! Also, I totally agree about being scared by potentially 4 babies in early Oct Our flat is nowhere near ready. In fact, I don't know what we would do if he made an early appearance! I expect we would cope, but I would like to atleast be vaguely tidy for his arrival... And the cat has only had 1 night practising NOT sleeping on our bed. He was not happy - miaowed and scratched bedroom door until I got up at 6am this morning... Still, good practice I suppose (although I am hoping for a baby that doesn't miaow or scratch too often).

FairyBex I am not sure I will make it to 7 Nov, we will see. I do have a week off in 2 weeks for half term (I am a teacher) but then am hoping to go back for a week after. It kind of depends on when my replacement can start, although that shouldn't really come into the equation.

Wonder how the labouring ladies are doing?!

katster - I was going to do a week after half term too but my (very nice!) MIL made me think twice and now I think she was right - I am SO tired at work and I don't even have a class full time - I don't know how you're doing it with 30 y1s in Autumn term! Even the Y2 classes I've been teaching have taken SO long to settle after the holidays. Are you a teacher too fairybex?

Mind you, I am feeling totally in limbo, with DH being in Oxford now and me BH-ing away in London so I think that is helping me lose my lust for school life. On the other hand, I will actually be leaving, leaving so that's rather sad. They've replaced my phase leader position with my colleague but no one has applied for my literacy coordinator position... Wonder why...?!!! Oh, yes, because it is a bloody nightmare hard job - they saw 'mug' on my face when they offered it to me

katster funnily enough I was lying, wide awake in bed last night and surveying the room around me, thinking if I go into labour tonight DH is going to have to come home and do a LOT of cleaning before I can bring a baby in here. It was quite a nice thought . My nesting instinct is well and truly dormant. It's a tip here and I can't bring myself to sort it out.

fairybex sorry to hear that your home birth looks like it is off. Perhaps you could think of the reasons you wanted it at home and try and transfer those qualities to a hospital? It won't be the same, but I know my (big, city centre) hospital has all those things like birthing balls, beanbags, yoga mats, birthing pools, dim lighting etc. You can still try and make the experience your own.

Hope erika and maman are doing well.

Boy, this thread moves quickly! So exciting that 2 of group are about to meet their LOs.

Katser37 I love the idea of your midwife suggesting you'll get bored at home for just the few weeks before your baby is born! The woman must be a workaholic. Or have no social life or friends. Mind you, judging by how busy my MW is that may well be true for most of them!

I finished at 35 weeks, and that was late enough for me as I do a very physical job with weird hours (theatre technical manager). Mind you I could only do that as I had 3 weeks of untaken holiday on the books. Oh, the joy of the last day!!

Be very interested in hearing about people's experiences of going back to work, esp after baby 1. Pitfalls, positives etc....

oh my goodnes-what a difference a day makes-im going to have to start my leave now to keep up-been reading for hours!! Forgotten who i need to reply to!!
Thank you for the nice comments about my Casper name!! And the recommendations of sleepsuits!! I would've had a look but i've ran out of time!!!
Cant beleive there are 2 people in labour-best of luck to both!! Cant wait to see what has happened tomo!!
Sorry to hear of those who are in pain-I woke myself up crying out in pain last night as I had shooting pains in my bump-about 4 times? Maybe it was because I needed a wee?!! Still got 5 weeks!! Roll on!! Got to work till bitter end as we are self employed and some customers have you runing all over the place for them!! Cant beleive how selfish-we closed at 5.30 the other day and the resident shop stalker waltzed in at 5.25 and tried on about 1000 things-left a right mess and didn't leave till 7pm!! Even though I had a stinking cold/cough and fell asleep at the chair-she came over and woke me up to tell me about he new boots!!! She comes nearly every night and now I spend the last 3 hours of the day making up reasons in my head why i need to go home-but it doesn't matter what you tell her!! And to top it off she brings in presents-just to make me feel like a real bitch!! Anyone else's job getting really difficult?
Goodnight-dont write too much-cant keep up!!

Koumak dd 28th Oct, 37+5
Ursigurke dd 31st Oct, 37+2
VenusInfers dd 1st Nov, 37+1
Maman2tom dd ? 36+5
Tamlin dd 5th Nov, 36+4
Scarlotti dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Fubble dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Trikken dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Hobnob57 dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Kyte dd 6th Nov, 35+0 (CS)
Helips dd 9th Nov, 36+0
Sleepless dd 9th Nov 36+0
PootleTheFlump dd 10th Nov 35+6
Weston dd 13th Nov 34+4
Southernbelle77 dd 14th Nov, 35+2
Becky dd 14th Nov, 35+2
Tigger dd 14th Nov; 35+ 2
Pavlovtheforgetfulcat dd 18th Nov; 34+5?
Katster37 dd 21 Nov 34+2
LissyGlitter dd 22 Nov 34+1
Longwayaway dd 23 Nov 34+0
Laugs dd 26th Nov; 33+4
Skorpion dd 29th Nov; 33+1
Raggie dd 30th Nov; 33+0
Ldeeanna dd 19th Nov;35+5

Maman hope you're doing better than me... grumbles

So after being told I was most certainly in labour, was then told that it was just Braxton Hicks and that the machine wasn't picking up traces Hmm... Well, firstly, BHs aren't actually supposed to hurt. Secondly, I've been having them since 12pm, lasting five minutes, three minutes apart. And thirdly, you told me yourself that your machine is broken!!! So am back home with no reason for the hours of pains, regardless of the fact I'm still getting them, with a pat on the head of "Yes dear, well it is your first..." Ugh. Obviously, don't mind that I'm NOT in labour, but surely if you KNOW your monitor is broken you can't actually trust it 100%?!? So will just have to wait to see how it goes over night. Midwife is due to come tomorrow afternoon anyway.

Oh, and of course, mum's foot has got so bad we all had to go up there, and my brother spent the entire journey home (Dad took him out for dinner while we were actually in the hospital) complaining about me making a fuss over nothing / saying that it had been obvious I wasn't in labour as I hadn't been crying / and that I was a "f*cking inconvince" for wasting his afternoon.

All in all a bit of a shite day really.

Thank you for all your kind wishes and support though, you really are such a lovely bunch x

Aw, erika, sounds awful. Oh well, hope things get moving soon for you!

Ideeanna I had similar pains a week or so ago. My mum, who is a retired midwife, said it was probably the baby settling down lower in the uterus and putting a bit of pressure on bits down there, which can cause a couple of contractions etc. I saw my offical MW a day later the baby had indeed moved lower in the pelvis and become 'fixed' in position.

Your shop stalker sounds horrible. Does she actually buy stuff or just waste your time? So hard, when all you want to do is go home and have a well earned rest.

Sorry that was a total rant, wasn't it? Am just very over whelemed, and my poor pregnant and ME inflicted brain can't deal with conflicting statements!!! Sorry

Will read everything now...

erika sorry to hear about your hospital experience. Are they still hurting? FWIW I had braxtons every 10 minutes for at least a week before I was finally induced last time, so they can be regular. You may just be in latent labour. I hope your MW works it all out for you tomorrow and that you get some rest and sleep tonight. Ignore the others, just think of Bryn. Keep hydrated and rested. He may just be in an awkward position and setting things off.

venusinfers I've just stopped work at 36 weeks and am so glad of the chance to rest, even though I wasn't teaching but was very busy with admin and running round after people. It's more the brain space that I'm enjoying - time to think and organise other, more important things.

As far as going back to work after #1 goes, it's really hard. I took 6 months off and since DD was so late, she was 5 months old at the time, still BF and refusing the bottle. That was really stressful. I found the next year very difficult for many reasons, but I think the main sources of stress were my baby brain and the relentlessness of the time management involved. My short term memory disappeared and made work far more dificult than it need have been. I also stopped caring so much about work which has ultimately been very good for me (actually achieving a work/life balance) but it took a lot of guilt and feelings of inadequacy to get over first, as I know I don't do as good a job as I used to. Several things just had to 'go'. And having to keep going through those long terms and evening after evening of marking and preparation, fitted in after tea, bath, bed routine and squeezing in the odd half hour for a shower or a catch up with DH here and there - it takes its toll. However, I went back 4 days pw and in my second year I found things much more manageable and I have made my peace with the emotions and guilt, which is a big help.

Koumak dd 28th Oct, 37+5
Ursigurke dd 31st Oct, 37+2
Wook as Ursigurke!
VenusInfers dd 1st Nov, 37+1
Maman2tom dd ? 36+5
Tamlin dd 5th Nov, 36+4
Scarlotti dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Fubble dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Trikken dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Hobnob57 dd 6th Nov, 36+3
Kyte dd 6th Nov, 35+0 (CS)
Helips dd 9th Nov, 36+0
Sleepless dd 9th Nov 36+0
PootleTheFlump dd 10th Nov 35+6
Weston dd 13th Nov 34+4
Southernbelle77 dd 14th Nov, 35+2
Becky dd 14th Nov, 35+2
Tigger dd 14th Nov; 35+ 2
Pavlovtheforgetfulcat dd 18th Nov; 34+5?
Katster37 dd 21 Nov 34+2
LissyGlitter dd 22 Nov 34+1
Longwayaway dd 23 Nov 34+0
Laugs dd 26th Nov; 33+4
Skorpion dd 29th Nov; 33+1
Raggie dd 30th Nov; 33+0
Ldeeanna dd 19th Nov;35+5

Just checking in to say hi, really pooped as whole family woke up at 4 am today aaargh!

Went up to aquanatal anyway once had ds safely at school but aquanatal teacher ill so did 20 lengths instead, it was gorgeous as you say Laugs but had to do nearly all backstroke as my breathing in crawl was a bit scary after a couple of lengths- to say the least! Breaststroke has been out of the question for months since I am quite sure my pubic bone would actually sever in two if I dared to try it!
Then got in panic that baby would turn back to back if I did too much breastroke so got out!

Pavlov was it you saying (about a million posts ago) about looking ashen and deathly by end of day? I look that way too, 24/7! Have dark circles that go round my entire eyes, like specs!

Beep Beep was it you asking about Floradix? I am sure the ingredients on mine say nothing about alcohol, it's all plant extracts and fruit juice. My sister had Ferrous Glucomate or something? She got it from doc and said it put her bang to rights! I am besotted with Floradix as it has really perked me up but the downside is that after the explosive black poos on the iron tablets I now find I am having sort of the opposite problem!! I am finding it's very easy to confuse constipation with contractions !!

The GP says that red meat is what you need for iron but I barely eat it at all. I made a beef casserole today, trying hard to be a domestic goddess now I am a SAHM for a bit, but forgot to seal the meat first so it was basically edible but we all sat and chewed each piece of meat for a long time!! Yuk! On the other hand, made toffee apple muffins at the weekend and they were brill

Erika what a bummer to have to go to the hosp and have it end in confusion and disappointment. Don't worry, next time you'll come home with Bryn!

Lots of nice names being suggested by everyone- some lovely boys names around. I was a fan of Will or Wilf for if we had a boy, but it's not to be!

Nesting Does nesting involve things like realising for the first time in months that the oven is dirty and the floorboards could have a wash? Can you nest by proxy- ie instructing asking dh to clean the oven and wash the floorboards? If so I think I may be on my way!

Anyone else loving Doctors now they are on maternity leave? It is possibly the highlight of my day. (I am sad!)

Oh dear, ended up a long post after all that.
Sorry!
Night all x Hope I get to sleep till 7 tonight!

PS any last-minute tips as to what to ask this Head MW tomorrow re. nice VBAC?

Hobnob I had some similar feelings about work when I went back after ds. I was lucky to have a build up- 2 days for a while, then 3, then 4, then full time. 2 days was bliss as I left the house feeling so light, only having to think of myself, no toys or nappies to remember etc. But I was still bfing and have grim memories of sitting with my breats pump in the school medical room every lunchtime!
Once I went back up to 4 days when ds was 2 I felt a bit more focussed back on 'career' but still had a lovely day every week with ds.
Full time was the killer as I lost 'mummy mondays' and dh had them instead. I was knackered all the time and lost a bit of perspective on what mattered most. Felt not good enough in any role- teacher, wife, mother. However, the year I was full time was also the year I went back in Sept having miscarried in Aug, miscarried (chem preg) again in Nov and then was pg from Feb so perhaps I just had an especially horrendous year
Now I am off I can't believe how hard we were both (dh and I) having to work last year to keep it all together. I would walk from school to nursery at 5 to get ds, walk home (40 mins), get in, get tea on, read story, get downstairs at about 9, start marking... wake up in bad mood and start all over again.
But no choice- pay mortgage or lose house and we need two wages.
A lot of friends found that the baby turned their (working) lives upside down: lots of them dropped out of career altogether- others were essentially constructively dismissed. I think I had it easy, but definitely my whole perspective and priorities have changed completely from before ds (when I thought the best thing in the world would be to be a head teacher by the age of 40- Mad!!)

I just can't shut up tonight! Sorry! Bed now.

hobnob yep still hurting Might try and have a bath in a bit.

Hobnob good luck with the midwife, whatever you ask I hope she has helpful answers for you.

Hello. One needs to take notes when catching up with this thread. I am not so organised unfortunately so will have to take a broader brush to my response.
Hope Step Dads are on the mend, chicken pox are easing, coughs, sniffles, colds, tiredness and irritations are not getting any one too down. Hope contractions stop/start/are recognised as required. Hope inspiration strikes with desired names (Alfred here, family name). Hope babies turn, flip, summersault into correct position and generally just hope everyone is getting what they need at this moment.

Thank you all for the kind words about court today. It went surprisingly well despite ds being ill and his dad not turning up.
The old order has been got rid of. Ds told cafcass he did not wish to have an order in place that told him when he had to visit his dad and that his mum had always supported him to see his dad. The judge ruled ds could make up his own mind as to when he wanted contact so now there is no order in place!
Cafcass said ds was bright, articulate and insightful and they would not support any action that forced de into contact. A pretty good result I feel. Such a different experience to last time

Just want ds to get well now.

Laid down 3.5 litters of Sloe Gin tonight. Will be giving it as christmas presies with Nigellas christmas cake cupcakes. Let the nesting commence...

Can you tell a great weight has been lifted from our shoulders

erika try having some co-codomol. Apparently we are allowed it now. I am really restricting myself, trying to only have a dose if the pain gets really bad, but it has got me from crying in pain back to slightly aching a couple of times. I hate taking medicine when pregnant, but it won't do the baby any good if I don't sleep or eat or do anything apart from sit still sipping water on mn to distract me!

I cant sleep . Mix between baby continually figiting and worrying about whether to paint or varnish skirting in loft , also worried about more serious things such as the huge lobby in loft which we do not want to keep but cannot afford to move, and money as it has now all seemingly evaporated. But, mainly, thoughts dominated by skirting issues .

I hate this wakefulness this time of night. i tend to dwell when i can least do anything about it. I guess i could go and start painting...hehe!

ninja so pleased for you re court outcome, you and ds must be so pleased, and not a great look for your ex-p not arriving, glad they did not adjourn.

erica how frustrating for you, to be in pain and not in labour. Agree it might be latent labour which means it is not progressing yet but can still bloody hurt. hope you managed to get some rest.

lissy 2cm ? wow, another one on the way! Any ideas about how long you might have to wait for it all to 'begin' in ernest? Hope not too long.

I had a minor panic earlier, hence my q about babies moving...I had a couple of very contraction like pains, reminded me of labour with DD, along with period type pains in lower back and legs, 3 lots in half hour sittings. I was very but not convinced it was anything more than prep. And then it all stopped, luckily, so think it was probably this baby moving into position malarky! And bump definitely feels lower in my pelvis now although DH insists he cannot see a difference of course not, he is a man afterall (apologies to those with perceptive DPs ).

Anyone else have a cat who will not leave them alone? My female tortoiseshell has been a pain through much of this pg, nuzzling, kneading, dribbling on me, smelling me breath at night, but she had eased off. However right now she is here, not leaving me alone. I have pushed her away about 8 times and she comes back like she is on some kind of cord, fussing me . I just keep feeling her whiskers seeking me out and her purring like she is a motorbike, its really annoying actually ! Methinks tomorrow will be the start of the cats out of the room.

Oh and swimming - fab, but, Do Not bob about using a noodl/float of some kind if you are suffering from acid indegestion! Its not a great feeling to have to waddle out of the water and to to loo to avoid throwing up in the pool! I did that a couple of weeks ago! But found that resting on a float was wonderful as did all the relaxing and stretching without any hard work, and second what lissy said, for those with children, means I was able to pick DD up and play a little with her.

Oh dear a long post sent out into the ether. Wonder if any of you ladies are up to read it? doubt it!

...the bit about swimming should have read 'do not bob about on your back if you have acid indegestion', sorry missed the back bit out...

Pav hope you got some sleep or at least the skirting painted

Ds up since 6am all snotty, sore throat and hot. Not like a nearly teenager to be awake without the use of a cattle prod so must be feeling pretty rough.