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....

katser I'm +13 now, baby was due on Nov 1st! He's now feeling pretty darn big.

wizzy I just read the NICE guidelines you linked to. Really interesting, ta muchly!

Ds has just been picked up by his Dad. Now I just have the panic about them driving cross country through this storm.

Went to mw today. I'm 39wks on sunday but bump is now 46cm . Have consultant appointment on Tuesday and mw said she thinks they will want baby out asap. Still free floating and back to back.

Will catch up on all your posts now.

ninja glad your ds's dad came to collect him. Now breathe!!

wizzy I read your message re 'climbing aboard' to my other half, his face lit up. He said to let you know he is delighted with your suggestion. Hmmmph.

Looking forward to lots of baby announcements this weekend!

I cross posted with a few of you!

Pavlov and Beepbeep your little darlings sound adorable! Soon you'll have more!

Katster My labour story is now up. It's loooooong, but that's because it's slightly unusual (well, that and the fact that I can't ever keep things brief...) I think it most certainly falls in the "your body knows what it's doing" category. Please trust it!

Venus and everyone else in for some induction-nookie... you're reminding me of the times when everyone on the TTC boards would report on babydancing...

Right, my top 3 things I didn't know are:

1. Do not freak out when you have a wash for the first time after labour. Or the second, or the third... for some reason, everything, and I mean everything downstairs swells. This is one good reason for taking the arnica pillules which also work internally, and investing in some arnica spray rather than the gel. You don't want to be rubbing anything anywhere. You won't recognise your own body (especially not coupled with a deflated belly and enormous boobs) but whatever you do, don't look down. It'll all return to normal in a few weeks.

2. We all expect to bleed afterwards (that's why we pack the maternity pads... pack more than you think you need...) but I for one was never told to expect the passing of clots. I had a few very small ones while in hospital. Then I came home. Sat on the couch talking to my mom and coughed. As I coughed, something inside me somewhere hurt so badly I yelped. Didn't think much of it until a couple of hours later when I suddenly felt like I needed the loo. As I sat down, I had a flashback to giving birth. I passed a clot the size of an egg. I had a massive freak-out. Called the MW only to be told it's perfectly normal (the pain I felt earlier was probably the clot passing the cervix).

3. On or around day 3 after birth your milk will come in. Not only will this make your boobs inflate to comedy proportions, it will also send you into a hormonal spin that will make you weep for no reason. Uncontrollably. For hours. Phone a friend. Preferably one that has recently been through it so she will be understanding and not think you're mental. The day after you'll be right as rain again.

(Unofficial no 4) Now make sure your DH/DP/MIL/SOMEONE agrees to clean the house before you come home. Seriously. You think all that nesting before you gave birth was all a bit silly and hormonal? I came home, strapped Lukas into his BabyBjorn (which was way too big for him), and cleaned the whole house from top to bottom (including cleaning the cooker and scrubbing the bathroom). I hoovered and mopped the floors for good measure. I just had to do it. Then I discovered I'd torn the stitches I had in the bits I didn't know you could need to have stitched...

Over and out. I've MNed my eyes square today!

Broodzilla - your list totally reminded me of the things that shocked me first time round!! Especially the size of some of those clots - had actually forgotten about them (or maybe blocked them out!!). I also remember, both times, sat at the kitchen table sobbing, no reason - you just have to do it!
Hope all's going ok x

I second what Brood has said. I waddled to get the midwife in a panic at the hospital when I passed one easily the size of my mobile phone in length, only to be patted on the shoulder and informed it was "a small one"

Will read and catch up now

Sorry I meant to type at the end of last nights post ? only sharing the labour story to say that it is still okay when things don?t go exactly to plan, especially to those first timers still to pop.

Trikken I hope you?re feeling better, or at least starting to.

Pavlov I hope you gave him a right shove for that!! Big hugs. Hope your ear clears up soon too. I do sympathise with how your DH is acting ? I?ve certainly had my fair share of lashing out because of my own mental state ? but it doesn?t make it easier to deal with. I really hope he feels better soon.

Tasja will keep my fingers crossed that things get moving for you

TOK ohhh how exciting!!!

Southern I hope they help you out at some point, or that things start to happen of their own accord.

BeepBeep sorry to hear about the birthing centre. Its such a shame The scans are totally unreliable, as are measuring by tape measure! Do stay positive though.

Bluemaiden sounds like things are starting up

Wizzy how annoying for you!!

Venus fingers crossed for you

Ninja 46cm?! Maybe you just have a LOT of fluid..? As for back to back ? Bryn turned right towards the end, so I hope yours does too.

This time last year? Hmmm? I was at college studying Archaeology, was going out with a pianist in London, and had just swapped numbers with DP How crazy?

Broodzilla brilliant!

What an awful night? Anyone fancy giving birth on a night like tonight?

Oh Pavlov, your daughter sounds so cute! Love the boobies story! DH and I were just talking tonight about how he's going to react to baby being bf.

Well, it was definitely my waters this monring, which is good news. Have been having tightenings and pains quite low down in tummy but nothing regular yet.

Went out for a meal with dh tonight, which was lovely and will prob be the last time we do that for a while!

Ds has been mage clingy today, you would swear he knew something was happening. He started saying "I've got a sore tummy mummy. Get the baby out" which is strange because we haven't spoken in front of him about tummy pains and such.

Really hope things start soon for you Venus. Thanks for all the kind thoughts everyone! I'll keep you posted. Heading in to albour ward tomorrow to be monitored again (providing nothing happens tonight) and mw said if they are not busy they'll keep me in and induce me early .

Aww, TOK, so nice that you went out for a meal tonight! Such a lovely idea. Amazing that your DS has picked up that something is happening. V.v. good luck for tomorrow. Had a long walk with DH earlier and had major tightenings and some crampy pains so going to walk around the house to try and see if it leads anywhere. And drink my own weight in Rasp leaf tea.. Looks like we'll both have our LOs by Sunday! How amazing...

Broodzilla thanks for the list! Esp the clots one, that would def freak me if you hadn't mentioned it in advance. Going to go and read your story on the PN thread now.

Lots of posts, even with all these babies popping out everywhere you are all still a bunch of gas bags!

TOK - great you had a meal, i really hope things move for you now you have had the final supper!

brood I had no clots and little bleeding at all after dd. Everyone talked about needing lots of pads and I did not. It took me quite a while to realise that was because the placenta was removed manually, and thus everything else inside me that needn't have been there was removed too! I had a clear out by the surgeon! This time, I have made sure I bought lots of pads, but now worried as I did not buy maternity ones, but heavy duty night time normal ones....bad idea?

DH has been lovely to me today. He told me he did not think I was nasty, he was just upset as he woke and was disoriented. He went to the shops and bought me pork pies, and chips and dip. He told me he loved me, and that he thinks I am a great mother, and that I did an amazing job of popping DD out and this time we will both be great again (minus our 'doula' aka bestest friend who is a nurse!). He then told me we can get through anything if we stay strong and together. I think he has been feeling pretty bad. Good .

Can't remember who asked - DD is 3.3. A gem of a girl.

I feel odd tonight. A bit spaced. Not sure if its the blocked ear, but feel, yes, odd. I can't explain it any differently. And a bit jumpy? and a bit scared of labour!

Sorry i have not responded to many specifics, but i have read them all and I will tomorrow. I have probably overdosed on reading (Steig Larrson, The Girl wit the Dragon Tattoo - great book, read half of it since yesterday).

Night all, hugs to everyone, and positive vibes to mothers to be a babies on their way tonight!

doesn't look like this baby fancies being born as predicted on friday the 13th which i must say i don't blame her! also sounding abit windy out there and as if our roof it going to blow away..rubber dingy to hospital maybe..

DS has arrived in Welshpool. BBL would you mind ust keeping an eye over the boarder for me Hope the weather calms for his journey back on Sunday.

Glad DP saw sense still there are no excuses

Sorry that should be Pav
Glad DP saw sense smile still there are no excuses

Morning everyone!

Had a reasonable night's sleep - yipee! But still a bit coldy, have a headache (have done for couple of days now) and yesterday afternoon (despite not having been anywhee all day or doing much) my ankles were quite swollen, woken up this morning, left one is pretty much back to normal, but my right ankle is still quite swollen. My hands are a bit tingly last night & this morning, but not swollen (just felt like they should be!) Anyone else had similar? not sure if i should give MW a quick bell - seems like nothing though.

Sorry for being such a lurker...congrats to all the new babies and mummies!

I've had a steady show for two days with loads of braxton hicks. Was very ready for baby to show up last night until we had a plumbing disaster involving two plumbers being here rpping up floorboards and making noise til 1130 and coming back to finish this morning. DS was up til 11 from the noise...I have slept 30 whole minutes all night and my parents are staying for the next two days so I CANNOT have this baby now...luckily everything seems to have calmed...

Ninja I will keep an eye out for him

My waters have broken, I think, the last two times they broke in the middle of labour and with a big gush and pop. This time, more of a steady trickle but very clear liquid so I guess it is my waters. Just a bit of pain so far, not enough to stop me munching my toast. Ah well. Watch this space

Good luck BBL! My hospital in Harlow have a spare bed in the Antenatal ward so I'm off to be induced just as soon as DH is out of the shower. All the best to everyone else today!

OOh, how exciting BBL - fingers crossed this is it for you!

V fed up here - baby is now a week late, despite everyone, including midwife, telling me I would never go to 40 weeks! She tried a sweep on thursday, which was horrendous, much worse than the two I had with DD1 - apparently cx is v posterior but baby's head is extremely low, and kind of past the exit - no idea how to get her out! Have another one booked for tuesday and if still no moveement then have induction book for next friday . Not ideal but if it does get that far then they should start with the gel rather than the drip so I guess it doesn;t necessarily mean loads of intervention. And because we live so close to teh hospital they might let us home to go into labour rather than be stuck there all day. Hmm.

So am busy taking homeopathic remedy recommended by midwife to get things shifted - caulophyllum? - anybody had any success with this? please? and doing lots of tramping up and down stars to try and get this girl out. Hope I see some action soon! - speaking of which, might have to commandeer DH for some sex tonight as although really can't be bothered, am getting v desperate now

Popping in to say hi! Charlotte was born at 8 pm yesterday at 8.3lbs . We're all well and birth was good. Am very very tired! Hope you're all well! For those of you being induced, take entertainment. We had music and movies, lots of fun. Will post soon x

wizzy Shopping in Durham ok. I wouldn't say it was fantastic but not bad.

Just an update. Had period pain cramps all day yesterday. Rang midwife and ended up being put through 2 labour ward who were not very helpful at all! Said thinks maybe start, just wait 4 pains. I suppose they must get lots of calls but still, could of been a bit nicer.

Thought something might start in the night so went 2 bed (with fingers and toes crossed) but unfortunately nothing. Woke up this morning and just feel really sore in lower abdomen. Hope I don't have 2 wait 2 much longer x

BBL YAAAAAAAY!!!

Sleepless somehow I missed your post - congratulations!!! What a lovely name! Charlotte was on my girls list too. I hope you're both well.

It sounds like Saturday 14th is going to be an exciting day all round. Good luck BBL and TOK and possibly a few achy others...!

Huge congratulations Sleepless and welcome to the world baby Charlotte.

ninja Just remember all that chat about big babies just popping out!

bluemaiden I live in Gateshead. Are you in Durham City?

broodzilla Thanks for the tips, even though I've done it before I'd forgotten most of that. You reminded me of clotting - I too passed what I thought was an enormous clot, rang the hospital and the midwife said "Is it bigger than the palm of your hand?" "Er, no." "Well that's nothing then".

DD has yet another bad cold. She's been up coughing for hours and hours in the night. Even though she was in our bed, DH slept through most of it . Is is fair to be annoyed with him, since he was actually asleep? I was lying there thinking how our family of 3 in a bed would soon be a family of 4 and how hard it must be when you can no longer devote yourself to the needs of one person.

Oops meant to say 'Break A Leg!' to Venus too