Due November 09 - 10 days left, who will be next?

[longwayaway]

Last chance for a Scorpio, after this weekend they'll all be Sagittarians!

raggie that's exactly what my noughty monkey's done!

laugs that's a good question. I've deliberately not read much on labour not to over-prepare. I suppose what Ina May has done for me is diminish the fear more than anything else. I like to think everything will go well, feel very relaxed about the birth and hope that she's right in saying that this attitude helps things. Obviously, I have no idea what will really happen and what my reaction will be if it does not look like I imagine. I'm hoping that by having no goals and plans as such (my birth plan pretty much matches yours) I'm not setting myself for a feeling of failure. I'm just happy with the lack of anxiety at the moment - years ago the thought of labour would make me go green.

wook I just hope DH will be so in awe of me after I give birth to his progeny, he'll happily overlook the more attractive aftermath...

Laugs..that is what we're all here for..we'll try and support each other..One thing I learned is that none of those books have it right. It's not easy and you have great days and some not so good days and nights. I had to accept that my baby was/is not a dream baby and once I did that it was all a bit easier. I gave/give myself a hard time if things don't pan out the way I thought and blame myself if baby is unhappy etc..trick is to avoid that....

As for labour..its a distant memory once you're up at 2.30am winding a baby..
good luck

Hello everyone

No news from katster yet??

No news here, no new symptoms other than feeling lots of pressure in my pelvis, I think this baby is almost fully engaged now. Not at the midwife again until next Wednesday so if I get that far, I hope she doesn't tell me otherwise!!

Re the labour, I think I'm taking the same approach as most of you, trying not to think about it too much. I have been pretty relaxed about the whole thing all the way through, I figure that's what the female body is designed for and if it was that bad, the human race would have died off a long time ago. Anyone think I'm in for a huge shock?? (If you do, just keep it to yourself for now )

Saying that, the past couple of days I have caught myself clenching my jaw or grinding my teeth, obviously a sign of tension. I think this is because I've had a few early labour symptoms in the past couple of days and I'm now very aware of every little niggle or unusual feeling. Trying to relax and forget about it, I could still be pregnant in a couple of weeks after all. Can't spend a fortnight in limbo.

I wonder how many will be left on our expecting list on Monday...

My best advice for those bad times: IT DOES NOT LAST FOREVER. That's what I tell myself when I am carrying a cranky baby around at 7pm in the evening. But when I am carrying an angel baby around who is looking at me adoringly because I am his mummy, I think 'awww, it is so sad that it doesn't last forever'.

well now that I have loooooots of birth experience, I agree with you not to think too much about it or to plan it into detail. And the female body is definitely designed for giving birth and will guide you through it anyway.
I knew about a zillion of good positions, had even a special oil for getting a massage,... and didn't really need any of those. I couldn't really think of all that during birth.
I was very much into a very natural and active birth but I have to admit that there was a moment where I thought maybe an epidural would be a good idea and that Paula should be a single child. But when I hold her in my arms I thought immediately that it wasn't THAT bad and there will be some siblings to follow. It is actually not that bad because every contractions brings you a bit closer to your baby. That's important to keep in mind.
skorpion, DH will be in awe, I'm sure!
Mine was actually watching everything closely and kept saying: It's soo cool, wow, it's great, and he was commenting on how much of the head he could already see... AND he is telling EVERYBODY the whole birth in detail (he is not very sensitive if everybody should know those details, I remember one very pale friend of him )
Laugs, I think it is a good idea to read about it, knowing that you won't find your truth in those books, but feeling prepared is a key thing. And if you then decide that you need pain relief it is fine too. That's what it's for.

Hi all,

Phew! Quick update: I've been in labour since very early yesterday morning... Not even got near the hospital yet as the contractions have only got to 8 mins apart and then tailed off. Thats 36 hours of contractions I think the battery on this tens machine is going to run out!

Have spoken to lovely midwife 3 times today and she told me this is very common for first timers, not to worry and get as much rest as possible but as you may be able to imagine, it's a little frustrating! They just get to a really painful stage and then seem to tail off. Have tried everything - walks, birth ball etc but this flipping baby keeps changing his mind and retreating!

Didn't want to scare anyone - its not as bad as it sounds really as I'm not in a great deal of pain, just quietly going crazy! But I hope to have some good news soon and am wishing all those still waiting a better time than this

Oh good luck shoesies!! Hope you manage to get some sleep or rest at least and have an update for us soon x

shoesies, my early labour stage was quite long too, not as long as yours though but I think I know how you feel so I am happy to tell you what my STUPID husband told me when I was really frustrated: Don't be silly, you know it will come out in the end! (That reminds me I still have to hit him for that!)
good luck anyway

shoesies all the very best. Send DH/DP out for more batteries and hang in there.

ursi your husband sounds like he would get on well with mine. Although I'm not sure he'll be watching at the business end...

So...

I went to see the midwife for appt. She measured me at only 36wks, and was a bit esp as i said movements been a bit slow/sluggish, although meeting the 10 a day.

She arranged for day assessment to do a trace - measure movements/heartbeat. All fine, he kicked like a madman!

Offered a sweep after checking head was engaged fully, the midwife at day assessment showed me by getting me to press my hands in my pelvis and breathing in and out, I got to feel baby's head! I ummed and arred about sweep. She said, likely measurements did not add up as I am having a small baby rather than any problems and the head being engaged means it is hard to tell.

I agreed a sweep.

I am 4cm dilated already . They were amazed I was not/am not having contractions. The two midwives I was talking to said that the cervix is thin, head is very very low down (and pressing on bladder!). And to expect to have this baby within the next 24 hours!!! I was allowed to go home because I am not having contractions, but if i were, they would be keeping me in. I have been given strict instructions that once contractions start, do not leave it very long to go in as it is likely to speed up quickly given that I am so far dilated already.

Also told, if i go as far as Monday, I will not need drugs for induction, they will just break my waters and that will be enough but really feel it is likely to happen quicker and I will not get to Monday without having the baby.

DD is with friend for the night, also advised to keep her there, as it could be any time.

How exciting

Oh and they also said

'if your DH asks for sex, tell him no way, curry is all he is getting, as he won't be able to fit his willy in - the head is so far down' I told DH, he shook his head! I laughed my ass off!

shoesies how are you doing? I hope some progress is made very soon (if not already!)

No word from the katster? I do hope she is happy with her lovely baby!

pavlov! What great news. I stumbled on your impatient threads in Childbirth just today and was thinking about you.

Looking forward to the anouncement. Good luck, xx.

I like the idea of fast. They were really rather surprised I have not been experiencing any contractions at all. The monitor machine highlighted one, but i did not feel a thing, so she said it was obviously a BH tightening. But that was it!

pav Laughing at your mw's comments about no sex as he wouldn't fit his willy in! Brilliant!

Excellent news that things are progressing so well for you, hope we'll have a baby announcement from you shortly.

Great news pavlov! Very excited for you

Fab newsPav cant say I'm not though

How exciting Pavlov and Shoesies! Two more babies by the weekend I think!

I do hope I can get to 4cm dilated without feeling a thing...

Skorpion If that book has made you not feel anxious about childbirth, then that's got to be a good thing. I'm sure the fear of pain makes actual pain so much worse.

great news pav! 'twas I who ordered the hotmilk bras from brandalley. My bra arrived today but my pants got cancelled and the refund was less than the cost so won't be using that website again. But it's the lease of your worries now...

chins up gals

hobnob i thought it might have been you, twas either you or Ninja! I am mightily pee'd off though, i was sadly excited by their arrival at bargain prices .

Thanks for all the good lucks!

I have pressure on my backside now, just as I did when DD was coming. But still no pain, apart from pain in ribs as normal.

I have just a jalfrezi, saag bhaji (spicey spinach), bombay aloo, chapatti, rice, poppadum, pickles! Mmmmmm.

I am now undecided as to what to do next. Options are 1) sleep. 2)tidy up. 3) have a shower so I am clean in case I sleep then wake to full blown labour pains! 4) put some washing on, the dry it quickly so I have clean clothes to go to hosp in (is that really priority? ).

Ooh pav keeping it all crossed for you, sounds like baby will just drop out

Scarlotti oh that would be nice...although we have floorboards in the front room, so not a good idea, being in a flat and all ...and the bedroom carpet is minging and DH would not be impressed with baby being born on new carpet .

A little notice would be good, just an hour or 2, enough time to get to hosp, get into room and get music set up .

Going to sign off now - pavlov all the best.

Night xxx

I am off to have a bath, then see if I can get some sleep.

Not sure if baby is annoyed about the sweep or what, but i am definitely more uncomfortable now, constant hard, slightly painful tummy, had a show, and some blood (told to expect that after a sweep), and general feeling that it will be soon...but still no contractions