November ladies are having there babies. One by one here they come. But here we'll let the candle burn. Until we've all had our turn

[Ninjacat]

Come on over....

Laugs Didn't give reason. The reason that I'm being induced is that my Gyno will be on leave when it is my due date. I don't know the other gyno and I love my gyno so I want him to be there.

TOK Good luck, keeping fingers crossed for you

Hi every1, sorry to barge in on the thread but I need some advice. I am due today with second child. Had a show last night around 6 pm (I think was a show didn't have 1 with first daughter) although it didn't contain any blood at that point, just jelly like mucus, and been having terrible period pain cramps all night. Had to come and get hot water bottle at 1 am this morning and tried sleeping on the couch because I could not get comfortable.

Had slight amount of blood when I wiped this morning and I still have mild period pain but not alot else (other than feeling absolutely exhausted). Any1 think baby could be coming soon????? First daughter arrived on her due date so the thought of going any lnger is kiling me x

I just spoke to local solicitors for some verbal advice re professional witnesses in my court case. He asked for name of builder and then said there was conflict of interest - i asked if this meant they were representing him and he said that they had involvement in a case in 2006 regarding a building dispute. Obviously he could go no further into details, but means we most certainly have a rogue builder on our hands, and might actually have to employ a solicitor to represent us fully Grr. More expense.

bluemaiden oh wel that most certainly sounds like the start of things to me. Sounds like a show to me! and period pains are very normal i think! IMO if you need a hot water bottle, its the start! Oh how exciting! Have you spoken to your MW, or labour ward? Might be worth giving them a call.

Hope it all goes smoothly! When is your official due date?

Also, to everyone sorry for going off topic re my builder. I am so annoyed.

PavlovtheForgetfulCat Official due date today!!! Thanks for the advice. I think I might give mw a ring this morning and see what she says. Ooooh fingers crossed it could be 2day. Kept saying if this one came on due date as well would be a miracle. Sure I read somewhere that only 3% of people have babies on their due date. Thanks again x

That would be great, to give birth for the second time on your due date!!! oh let us know!

Good morning. Goodness, it's so hard these days to keep up with this thread!

Congratulations on all the new arrivals. Love this brimful of happiness and joy all the little'uns are bringing.

Thinking of all in imminent labour, maybe - maybe not labour, impatient for labour to start, etc.

claired I'm still firmly in your camp, too. Got shouted at by a friend for not having by bag packed the other day, didn't bother replying that I haven't got all the stuff I need to pack yet... Still two weeks to my due date, no feeling about anything starting any time soon. I'm thinking I'm probably sending my baby bad mum vibes, as in 'you stay put, I'm not ready for you yet'.

broodzilla you made me cry, too. Even though I'm not organised, I do look forward to that feeling - I cannot predict what it'll feel like but I know I wouldn't be able to describe it as beautifully as you have. Thanks.

A year ago... blissfully unaware, not planning anything. We had just come back from Edinburgh celebrating our 11th anniversary with booze and fags and general merriment (yeah, great parent material, too, laugs ). No place for kids in our lives yet. Then we met a couple of friends in December, she was just over three months pg, and on our way home decided that well, we do want kids eventually so why wait any longer, now is as good a time as ever. Conceived in March. I think we're still ever so slightly shocked...

Skorpion I remember feeling fairly shocked when pregnancy test was positive - like, wow - does my body actually know what to do????? Am hoping it also knows what to do when it comes down to giving birth... Am not convinced it will!!

beepbeep that's not good at all. I'm really sorry. I thought big babies are only a concern when there's GD as well.

Laugs That's a really kind thought although I know it would be completely impractical for you! I've decided to bury my head in the sand (just for a change) until Tuesday when I've had my second sweep and if nothing happens then, ring my sister, despite DH's protests to arrange for her to come up. We do have a neighbour who has offered to help but she's on holiday until Sunday so I'll speak to her then too as a back up.

So lovely to hear from you Fruitpastel and Scarlotti. Glad things are going well for you both.

Pav Sorry to hear about the nocturnals with DH and your blocked ear. Maybe it's his time of the month... I'm convinced DH gets a surge of grumpy hormones every now and again.

Comma Big hugs and huge congratulations!! I'm so glad everything went well for you (and especially that you've called her Esme - gorgeous name, pleased you stuck to your guns!)

Ninja Hee hee, if I was wearing a hat, I would take it off to you - your poem is fab!! I've saved it so I can show DH later!! I think we've found our nominee to write Becky's poem when her baby arrives. Have a knitted boob for your effort

TOK Hooray for leaking bits!! Let's hope things get moving for you now x

Kyte Your birth announcement is beautiful! It sounds like it was everything you wanted from the CS.

Barnowl and Curiosity Congratulations on your new arrivals!

Broodzilla It's great to hear from you and your post has given me a big lump in my throat too!

Erika I love the "hairy poo" tale!! Enjoy getting to know Bryn xx

Southern What a nightmare you're having with that hospital! I really hope this is the last time you're messed about...

So let me tell you about my day yesterday. So much for my nap, as soon as I'd finally got myself comfortable, some bloody workmen started digging up the pavement opposite my bedroom, vibrating the entire house. I took it as a sign that I should really make the effort to go into town for the arcade opening. I arrived just as Joanna Lumley did, looking amazing (Joanna, that is, not me!!) I took the most amazing photo on my phone... and then pressed the wrong button and deleted it . Stupid hormones.

Anyway, I started having the usual niggles, so wandered round for nearly 3 hours to tick the long walk box before giving up and going home to eat a spicy curry I'd found in M&S. When I got there, DH was home from a meeting really early, so we ended up indulging in some afternoon nookie to try to give the baby the hint - it was hilarious! I had to keep telling him to focus as we were both laughing so much at how bloody awkward it was! He went off to have his hair cut and pick up DD and I decided to chill out with a book.

Not 15 minutes after he'd left at 4pm, I got a painful contraction. This went on all evening, and when they were getting pretty painful and 5 minutes apart, I rang my other birth partner to come round. By 11pm, they were still 5 mins apart and although getting pretty painful, I didn't want to go to hospital since I was coping with the pain. Eventually I sent BP home and promised to pick her up on the way to the hospital. I was exhausted, since I'd been walking around and on my exercise ball for about 7 hours by then so went to bed. The contractions continued until, just as I was about to wake DH and tell him I could do with some gas and air at 2am, they stopped. No reason, just vanished.

I was gobsmacked - I honestly thought it was the real thing. I didn't get much sleep and DD woke us up at 5.15am so I was feeling very low this morning. I started having contractions again just after 8am but sent DH to work since I'm so sceptical after last night. They're coming every 9 minutes and are pretty painful but I just don't believe anything is going to come of it. So I'm propped up in bed typing away, breathing through pains when necessary, and timing contractions with the fantastic Contraction Master that someone posted a link for. I should probably be keeping active but tbh, that did nothing last night and I'm so exhausted that I don't want to tire myself out any more.

I'm so fed up with all these false starts. I don't believe for a second that this is it, because the contractions aren't getting any stronger or closer together but I could honestly do without the pain so I can try and catch up on sleep. What is this baby doing to me? Just wish I could have a simple labour like they have on TV, ie, get some pains, they get worse, mum knows this is it, and lo and behold after a few pushes in hospital, out comes the baby...

katster oh, it will. That's what you are made to do. Your body grew a baby without being told how to do it - how amazing is that? When the time comes it will know what to do.

Skorpion - I really don't see that it's an issue & don't really understand how they cameup with their decision. DS was 10.1lb and was born naturally (easy birth) with no tearing and I cannot see why this one wouldn't be the same. DS wasn't big boned, he was just fat!! But Chippy won't (understandably) go against consultants. I think if it was earlier in the pregnancy I might have battled against it, but with now 10 days til DD I really haven't the energy!! Enjoy Chippy, they are absolutely great and I would recommend them to anyone, they have been really supportive in me going there right the way through and now just disapointed I won't be going!! DH is disapointed because he won't get the gallons of tea during the labour from the HUGE teapot!

Sorry, X-posted...

Beepbeep Sorry to hear about the change of plans at this late stage.

Bluemaiden I agree with Pav, it sounds like things are starting. Make the call, just for reassurance and good luck!

Wizzy - xposts -fingers crossed for you x

Booo, and I was looking forward to knitted boobs dropped into conversations like red carnations between spies...

wizzy I hope the LO makes his mind up pronto.

I know - gutted!!

BEepBeep that seems utterly ridiculous, that baby 'seems' a bit big... Isn't the MW-led unit right by the hospital anyway? And I thought ease of birth was much more a Q of position than size of baby?? How bloody annoying. Could you starve yourself for afew days and get baby to use some of its fat stores up (that's a joke, btw)...

Wizzy I really feel for you. Not that I have had that, but I have been woken up the past three nights with painful contractions, period pain, feeling really sick, got all excited and then ABRUPT STOP. It happened again last night. I don't know what to do either, but it is possibly the most annoying thing in the world. Esp when people say 'oh, he'll come when he's ready'

Katster - unfortunately the MW led unit is quite a way from any hospital (about 20miles), would be a matter of waiting for an ambulance then transfering. Apparently if shoulders ge stuck they have 4 mins to get baby out before there wouldbe brain damage, I understand if they knew I was having a big baby or if I had had previous problems, but hey. So long as it comes out healthy then that's what I have to focus on, other people have a lot more than this to deal with!

You're right though, beepbeep - we all just want our babies here and in one piece... I am a bit scared to be honest, that I will end up having an emcs - if I can avoid that, then I will be happy! Well, actually, if we are both OK and not too traumatised I will be happy!

I think baby has seen the weather and has decided to stay put...

Morning all, lucky me had a lie in today and now lovely and filled up from a big 'breakfast'.

"Broodzilla's" post put into words such an amazing feeling and made me almost cry too. From what the rest of you ar saying sounds like she hit the nail on the head. I can't wait for my turn.

beepbeep Sorry to hear your frustrating news. Does it mean you'll be at the JR then? Perhaps we can have some knitted boob conversations instead, although I know you'll probably be there much quicker than me. If you are going there is there no way you can go to the MLU there? It's just 2 floors above the delivery ward - surely that's close enough?

katster - know what you mean about that 'Does my body kw how to do this?' moment. I remember when we discovered I was pregnant thinking about how this huge thing was now set in motion (by us!) and there was no way of stopping or controlling it now... Can you tell why I am a teacher (control-freak!) And by the way, December in schools? It ALWAYS makes me doubt my career choice, or at least my school choice. My old () school was crazily demanding.

Also lovely to hear some of you were in my lovely home-city of Edinburgh this time a year ago. I was preparing to go too, for a friends wedding between Xmas and Hogmanay, about to come off the pill and 'see what happened...'!

Feeling so weird with the baby's head engaged. Bump is definitely so much lower, almost a right angle sticking out at the bottom and SO much more breathing space. Aaaaah!

Beepbeep I feel for you. I'm surprised Chippy aren't willing to take you. My DS1 was nearly 10lbs and I had DS2 at Chippy (although turns out if we'd set off to the JR he'd have been born on the ring road). But perhaps it is for the best and perhaps you can go to Chippy straight away afterwards? I did that with DS1 because I went to the JR for an induction but insisted on getting transferred to Chippy for breast feeding help and general pampering. In the end the JR wouldn't let me out until I had done a poo as I'd had a third-degree tear (took 5 days!!!) then I went to Chippy for 3 more days (the longest hospital stay ever probably).

pavlov so with you on the snoring front, its soo irritating when u need to sleep, get on you 'F' side and stay there' was one of my more polite comments!! bought some ear plugs today....

wizzy Where do you live? I noticed you said about Joanna Lumley and I'm sure I heard something on the local news about her being in the region yesterday. I'm from Durham.

My DP doesn't snore, but he's a rugby player and 6'3 -whenever he changes position in bed the whole bed moves. I can see us buying 2 single beds shortly. For the newly engaged couple!

Also, he takes up well more than half the bed. I was rudely awakened last night by a pillow being whipped from under my head!! He had rolled over into my half and mustve been on the edge of my pillows so was pulling it closer. Funny now, but the air was blue!

skorpion I'm SO relieved you're not organised either. I too feel a long way from baby's arrival but people's questions and comments about our lack of organisation were starting to stress me out. I have my shopping list ready so just need to stop off at boots & primark and I'll be organised. By Sunday, honest!

raggie are you not due on the 30th? Baby is engaged already? I'm due on 29th and baby is head down but nowhere near engaged. In fact, when I wake up every morning his bum is so high up it's like I have an extra boob growing directly under my right boob. Like so ...

Anything I can do (other than sitting on ex ball, sleeping on LHS and sitting on a chair the wrong way round) to give the baby a push in the right direction?