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

[longwayaway]

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

sass and grace i think i thought about bf'ing as my body was ready to produce the hormones i needed to start labour as it was not intentional thought, rather, my mind wandered, it was very surreal though! The bf'ing feeling though, it is a tingling that gets you in the belly...if that helps!

Laugs - you asked (a week ago), 'Stormfly was that a birth announcement by stealth, or has my sieve-like memory got the better of me?'

It wasn't meant to be announcement by stealth! I did another message but it looks like it didn't appear. Got to go - husband quite rightly ordering me to bed to get some sleep and it is v slow typing with one hand. Beautiful baby boy asleep on other arm! And so lovely not to be pregnant any more. V excited for you ladies nearly there - you have lovely things to look forward to. Babies are unbelievable!

Right time's up. Out you come November babies!

Ethan isn't breastfeeding well as he is full of mucus and has no appetite. I've been hand expressing and he is taking my milk through a syringe. Tonight I've been awake for about 2hrs now expressing & feeding and trying him on the breast and guess what, he eventually fed for a full 15 minutes!!! I'm so pleased. This must definitely be the babymoon stage, can't imagine any other circumstance where I'd be happy on such little sleep.

So we're still in hospital and will be at least til Wed to make sure he is feeding well. Have to say the staff have been fabulous and grace it's a real shame this hospital is closing! Almost suggests I'd go through childbirth again, doesn't it?

Congratulations Stormfly! It sounds like motherhood is suiting you very well

Claire well done on your 15 min feed!! Hopefully this is the start of it and he'll take to the breast more easily today. Has your milk come in yet?

I can't believe it is December! I'm looking on the bright side and think this is a good thing for us as DD's birthday is in November, so now each child can have their own month.

She has nursery this morning so I'm off to Newcastle with my book and the paper for breakfast at a posh cafe . I need to give birth soon as I'm running out of money for all these little treats!

Congratulations stormfly well done!

Claire well done to your little boy too on feeding for 15 mins! These first few days are very tough with the feeding aren't they? This little boy of mine is a piglet and wants to be permanently attached, or else he does this most pitiful little cry that just breaks my heart, so soft and helpless guess it is is meant to be for that very reason!

I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we have some announcements very soon, and the waiting is not too long now. On the positive - it is a full moon tomorrow, so we might see some things happenening!

Ethan fed again at 6am so things are definitely improving. About to try again but thought I'd check in here first... All quiet? Maybe the babies heard my announcement this morning!

My milk hasn't come in yet and it is difficult spending so much time expressing then trying him on the breast but so worthwhile when it works. I'm really hoping today will be a turning point for him and he'll suck rather than freezing with my boob in his mouth and an expression which says "hmm... now what?".

PS Hope nobody minds if I hang around until we all move to postnatal. I'd so resigned myself to being the last baby on this thread that it would feel odd to leave now!

Yes, please stay Claire!! Although you may be here a while! Glad to hear of your positive experience at queen mums and that's great news that ethan's feeding is improving - well done!! You sound so happy which is lovely!!

So i had what i thought were some twinges last night - but heh turns out it was probably just some indigestion after the ridiculous amount of chinese food i ate

Laugs - i'm running out of money too but can't bear to stay in the house 'waiting'. Think i will walk into town and get a facial or something.

Morning.

I wish I had even one false twinge to report... It's so quiet in there. She doesn't move as much (apart from a mega-kicking I got late last night) but I daren't think that it's the quiet before the storm.

DH asked what a contraction felt like. I don't bloody know, do I? Just hoping I surely will when the time comes

claire so very nice to hear that it's going well. You certainly sound very happy. And please stay around. I can't believe how quiet it's gone.

Planning a library trip later today. Need some books to distract me.

stormfly congratulations as well!

Hello! It is now December so come on, last babies, get a move on!!!!!

The DSs are getting all Christmassy now and I had to play Rudolf the Red Nosed Raindeer this morning to chivvy them along to go to school and nursery.

Skorpion I laughed at your DH asking what a contraction feels like. He'll never find out

Toby is asleep right now. He sleeps so well in the morning and lunchtime but crap in the afternoon. Yesterday I had to make the DSs tea one-handed - curry and rice. Now that was an achievement!

Feeling very that it is now December and this baby is refusing to turn up naturally.

9 days over now. I don't want another induction. Did anyone else go from an unripe cervix to labour quite quickly?

Still all the cuter for christmas eh?

Oh Ninja I really hope your baby comes soon xxx

Ninja sorry you're so fed up. I hope something happens soon for you. When do they induce there? Would you refuse it if offered?

BBL We're getting Christmassy here too. Just been to the library to get myself some more books and DD and I are now singing along to a Christmas CD I got too. Feeling all warm inside . You sound like you have mastered the art of being a mum of 3, by the way. I am very impressed!

Claire I remember that look well from DD. A bit like this positioned in front of nipple, asking 'what?'. If babies are born knowing how to feed, no-one told her.

Had to feed Ethan through a syringe again today. He was doing so well last night but sod's law, I think more sleepy during the day. Gets himself latched on then falls fast asleep. They will weigh him tmrw at 72hrs so I'm going to express express express today and hope he hasn't lost much.

By the way, I keep rethinking the birth and can't get over how emotional my DP was, he was actually sobbing watching Ethan being born. Hardest job I've ever done but a truly amazing experience so make sure you all send DP down the business end!! I'm someone's mum now AND someone's hero.

Hope you are all keeping sane xxx

Laugs that made me laugh. Ethan opens his eyes wide as if thinking "is it working? Has anyone noticed? No, didn't think so".

laugs art of being mum to 3 not mastered... I wish!!! typing one handed.

claire

pavlov, enjoy the pitiful little cry (I might be a really bad mother but I found that cry just toooo cute), it will soon change to a angry big one. Paula is even able to spit my nipple out and start crying angrily almost in the same second!
claire, I agree with you on the husband watching closely. Mine hadn't planned it I think but he really "enjoyed" it. And obviously it has been nice to be someones hero... not that it lasted toooo long.

For all those still waiting: It can't be too long anymore... I promise and we are all thinking of you.

Claire Keeping fingers crossed that Ethan hasn't lost too much weight and that he soon gets the hang of b/f.

BBL I'm so with you on not getting the hang of being a mum of 3! Henry has no routine, we get to school just in time, the house is a mess, and I have the biggest ironing pile ever!! Not to mention that I am so tired. (I really wish I'd got ready for Christmas before Henry arrived) But... I wouldn't change a thing, I'm so in love with my boys.

Thinking of the 6 of you still left

Ninja Here's some consolation: I went from 0-60 in about ten seconds- nothing happening whatsoever, then bam, contractions 5, then rapidly 2, mins apart. I did gardening, sure that's what made it happen but the day before my cervix was clamped shut and not a peep, I thought it would never be.
Make the most of having two arms until it happens, you don't know what a luxury that is!
PS MOBY SLING- the best thing I have ever bought, I now have two hands and a sleepy baby!

Just wanted to hop on quickly and say HURRY UP remaining babies!! I am thinking of you. Sorry I haven't been on much, I am unable to stop gazing at Sam That, and the fact that I can't construct sentences because I am so bloody tired!

Raggie I had backache all day the day I went into labour. Is it getting worse?

Ninja I have my fingers crossed that you don't have to be induced.

Laugs Grrrrr for you. Hurry up baby.

I have full sympathies for all those struggling with feeding. Sam is liking to feed every hour, but it is a major effort getting him latched on, and often ends up with us both really frustrated. It is so much harder than I expected. Plus, he really only seems to like the right boob, which means I end up with a giant left one because sometimes it is just easier to let him V naughty of me, I know.

Anyway, I have everything crossed for some 1 Dec arrivals.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, ladies.

I feel like I should be doing something energetic to help things along, but all I can think of is taking a book to bed.

ninjacat I hope you're not feeling too blue.

Thanks for the tip wook. I have been looking at slings but there are sooo many to choose from. I am overwhelmed by it. How is DS getting on?

becky and tigger I'm sure you're doing brilliantly. And you'll have a lovely, busy, slightly chaotic family Christmas - just the way it should be

claire that's it exactly! Two wide round eyes, one wide round mouth, blank expression...

katster Thanks I'm drifting between being totally fed up and wanting to hang on to my time just with DD a bit longer. Today we are making Christmas cards and drinking hot chocolate. It could be worse!
Feeding is hard to start with, for most people I think. It's a bit of a con how nobody official tells you that! It does get easier though. And I think most babies prefer one boob. Even months down the line I found it easier to feed on one side than the other (but both were fine).

wook any tips for starting out with the moby? I have one but I'm a bit intimidated by it We have to actually leave the house tomorrow, with the baby, for the first time and we have no pram. (Just walking down the street, fortunately.) And it's cold outside!

katster, again, Paula was the same, she completely refused my right side for a couple of days. I was really worried. And then, without any particular change, it worked. Don't get frustrated, it is normal that the beginning is hard. And don't forget, they have a tiny stomach! All those rules about how long and how often apply only after a couple of weeks I think.
Maybe you could try a different position? I didn't do that at the beginning but Paula still has sometimes problems to latch on (out of the blue, usually it works fine) and acts like crazy. When I turn her and let her lie on the side of me, it suddenly works. Don't ask me why, though

claire hope the feeding is going ok. We used a little cup to top Ioan up so that might be an option? They lap it from the cup and it's an easy way to get it into them.

Sending lots of labour vibes to everyone waiting!