Due March 2010 - "Hello Baby... Goodbye Pelvic Floor"

[Arcadie]

Welcome to the March Preggos. Here's hoping we see nearly 1000 posts before anyone pops!

afternoon ladies
Good luck for tomorrow p&p.
Sorry this is going to be a me post.
I have to confess that I thought there was going to be action last night with baby Smac but no! I've had backache for 2 days now, increased discharge, strange crampy feelings. I had a really restless night and every time I got up to pee I thought I might get a big gush of waters (tis what happened with DD - dunno if it'll be the same this time round).
Anyway no further signs of baby Smac.
I had consultant appointment today. It was at 9.30am and I left the hospital at 12.20 - poor wee DD was superstar, she really was.
We discussed the hospital's VBAC policy. I've agreed to the monitoring, they have agreed to give me early epidural. The consultant feels I have a very good chance of natural delivery this time as I did get fully dilated last time so fingers crossed! I did ask about what happens if I go over and their policy is to induce at 6 days over (rather than 10 days if no previous CS) and I would be given 2 very low doses of gel and if cervix favourable then they might try and doing ARM but if no action or unfavourable cervix straight to theatre. Also if labour is slow then no syntocin drip - off to theatre.
BP fine, urine fine, slightly swollen fingers and I've taken my wedding and engagement rings off as I would hate to have them cut off. Still getting shooting pain up my right hand thumb but that's it.
Heartburn driving me wild but DH is off to pick up yet another mega bottle of Gaviscon.
Still measuring big so consultant sent me for growth scan. Thought it would be nice to see baby wiggling around in there but my goodness it was torture. The room was overheated. I felt faint after about 2 minutes lying on my back, had to be propped up much further, student radiographer couldn't get a decent measurement so after asking to sit up twice, asking for a glass of water as I thought I was going to keel over off the plinth the senior radiographer took over and got some measurements. Apparently today at 38w baby is measuring 7lb 5oz so on the 75th percentile. So a big baby but not enough to worry the consultant. I know I keep reading that tape measures and scans can be wildly inaccurate but I feel I'm carrying a big baby and the pressure on my pubic area is immense.
Interestly enough the consultant has recorded the baby as ceph 5/5. Now 4 weeks ago I was 4/5th and 2 weeks ago I was 3/5th so it seems that baby has disengaged itself but to me it feels very, very low.
Must lever myself off the sofa and onto the birthing ball! Best done when DD is asleep though as she is quite taken with the ball and either likes to roll it around the house herself, climb up on top of me when I'm on it or asks to be bounced herself!
Right enough waffling from me full I've given you all my full update.
I think I gave my full tuppence worth on parents and inlaws visiting/staying the last time it came up - personally I can't wait til my Mum gets here - she is a superstar and will help with DD, dog and all domestic stuff. MIL has booked a short break to France just before EDD so who knows if she will even be in the country. She will be welcome at the hospital if she is here though.
I think we all feel differently after birth some like to show off the new baby, others like to retreat and have some space. I know I like company and it very much depends on your family dynamics.
Right must stop waffling

oh yes just one more thing for the Group B strep ladies. Consultant stressed that as soon as waters break OR contractions start I'm to go to the hospital - no fannying around having a bath and bouncing on my ball with paracetemol or Tens machine ! I have to say that suits me just fine. I definitley don't want a home birth! (no disrespect at all to the ladies who have signed up for homebirth it's just not for me)

oh pixie how frustrating. From my ebay selling experience RM allow 15 working days before they consider an item as 'lost' which really isn't much help at all. Really don't understand why they can't send out a duplicate.
Take some deep breaths and make another cup of tea.

just had antenatal check - apparently my 36wk bump is measuring 39 weeks. no wonder I'm so bloody uncomfortable. Hope that doesn't mean I have a 12 pounder in there. My bump feels so so tender and bruised.

He (yes a male midwife) said the baby wasn't enaged but wrote on my notes 3/5.

Meita you certainly have a way with words - I remeebr your beautiful post when you mc'd. Congratulations and good luck!

Hey everyone, prompted by this thread I'm signing in to say hello - I'm due March 20th. DS1 was breech so DS2 might be - having a scan tomorrow so I'm intrigued to find out the position. Can't wait to see him and it feels like quite a turning point to work out whether it will be an ElCS at 38 weeks or a natural VBAC. There's pros and cons to either but I think I'd prefer to do it naturally. Go on 'maternity leave' today - yay! Very odd clearing my desk and looking forward to spending more time with DS1.

hello to lurkers/oldies and agree meita that was such a lovely thing to post and best of luck with your baby

pixie - how annoying - hopefully the letter will arrive tomorrow?

smac - good you got everything sorted and you know where you stand now - your DD is an angel sitting through all that!

P&P - had completely forgotten it was TOMORROW!!! Good luck and look forward to hearing your good news

Re preparing older DC I feel I haven't been very conscientious this time, although DD and DS were playing 'mummies' last night - DD had her doll down her pants and DS had his doll down his nappy, both head down and ready for action!!! Hmmm wonder if I tell them TOO MUCH

Thought I was in labour last night - had about an hour and a half of proper regular contractions (well obviously not really proper or else I would have a baby by now...) but so strong I had to stop and breathe through them. We were all ready to phone our friend to come and look after the DC when they suddenly stopped so don't know what was going on but reckon labour can't be too far away...

Also been thinking about EmLou and hope all is well

P&P Best of luck tomorrow, Congratulations in advance - sure all will be fine!!!

Shroomer - happily meet up in newcastle or some other such nice coffee shop depending on which par tof Nland you live in. You said to send a CAM message - scuse my ignorance - what is one of those??!!!! It's my last day in teh office tomorrow and got one day training on Tuesday but lady of leisure after that!!! xx

Thanks everyone- off out to supper with DH shortly then hospital first thing (assuming they have room. Have to call at 7am and find out.......) I shall do my best to keep you posted and naturally will be posting a very favourable birth story as written by Arcadie.

Gulp!

Deep breath.

have butterflies and VERY nervous now about how I'll cope with two kids.......but should focus on birth first right. Keeep your fingers crossed it doesn't take as long as last time.....

hey everyone just wanted to wish pand p all the best for tomorrow, xxxx

waves to everyone else as i dont really have much to add!!!!lol

p&p all the very best for tomorrow! It'll be great and I'm sure you'll cope brilliantly! We're all behind you girl!

meita don't know if you're still keeping an eye on here but thanks so much for the well-wishes and it's great to know your happy news. My DD was an August baby so I think it's an ace month to give birth! Enjoy your newborn in the sunshine!

hello to the newbies and the returners - it's great to hear from you. Grizzer we're due on the same day, which makes us 37 weeks tomorrow - yikes!

Not much new to report here - still getting some fierce BH and lots of heartburn. And now I'm almost at the T minus 3 weeks mark I'm reeeaaallly starting to think seriously about packing a hospital bag....

ditto sarah have been reading and following and agree with much of what's been said!
PandP best of luck over the next couple of days, we will all be thinking of you!!
oh, and pacific bless DS3 and the slippers, just proves you are right, alienese or not he clearly understands a lot!! DD gabbles between babbling and semi sentences, can be interesting....
right we had fish and chips for tea and i was swigging gaviscon even before i ate, so it could be an interesting night....greed is a terrible thing ladies, a terrible thing

Hello - I'm another one who saw Pixie's post on the pregnancy board. Things have been very busy with trying to finish my thesis and training before I go on mat leave - it's been tricky to keep up with the thread as it seems to grow so quickly! Just another week of work and then a wee rest before my final exam (the week before my due date!).

I hope everyone is doing well

1. Mumbot 18 February DS2 c-section booked

1. DrSkidaddle 22nd February #3 Boy

1. Smac 25 February #2 Surprise

1. pureeandpearls 26 February #2 Girl induction 12 February

1. mawbroon 27th February #2 Boy

1. Potpourri 1 March #4

1. Tigresswoods 2 March #1 Boy

1. Caitni 2 March #1 Surprise

1. angfirsttimer 2 March #1 Boy

10. Twofalls 2 March #2 Girl

11. Scarysarah&co 3 March #3 Boy

12. BlueyDragon 3 March #2 Boy

13. TakeLovingChances 5 March #1 Surprise

14. hecklephone 5 March #2 Girl

15. BusyMissIzzy 5 March #1

16. EmLouT 5 March #2 Boy

17. Grizzer 5 March #1 Surprise

18. Dalrymps 6 March #2 Boy

19. Scooby26 6 March #1 Boy

20. Iwonka 6 March #1 Girl

21. Evitas 6 March #1 Boy

22. MandaHugNKiss 7 March #3 Boy

23. itwascertainlyasurprise 8 March #1 Boy

24. Ilovegreenbeans 9 March #2 Surprise

25. Sariska 9 March #2 Girl

26. rebeccacad 9 March #1 Girl

27. JasHook 10 March #1 Boy

28. Lisbapalea 10 March #1 Surprise

29. mumofsevenplusfour 10 or 13 March #8

30. Summmer2010 10 March #1 Boy

31. PacificDogwood 11 March #4 Boy

32. BulletProofMum 11 March #3 Surprise

33. Siamesecatwoman 11 March #1 Girl

34. Minicooper 11 March #2 Surprise

35. Swingsofglory 12 March #2 Girl

36. Walnut8 13 March #1 Girl

37. Annamama 15 March #2 Girl

38. Retromum 15 March #2

39. Shroomer 15 March #1

40. BelgianMummy 16 March #2 Boy

41. Scootergrrrl 17 March #3 Surprise

42. mumof2point5 17 March #2 Girl

43. PixieOnaLeaf 18 March #4&5 Girls

44. MummyElk 18 March #2 Surprise

45. designerbaby 19 March #2 Girl

46. MrsJamin 20 March #2 Boy

47. PennyScotia 20 March #1 Surprise

48. Rindercella 24 March #2 Girl

49. Arcadie 26 March #3 Surprise

50. Afribaby 26 March #1

51. 74slackbladder 26 March #2 Surprise

52. Henrietta 29 March #4

53. Fleximum 2 April #3

who's watching 'Leaving home at 8'? Im in floods! PG hormones!!

Well, I wasn't watching it, siamese - I had turned Grey's Anatomy on (after dozing on and off since about 6pm)... but now I have it on +1, and will watch Grey's after on +1.

I know I've missed commenting on many posts but dear Puree, we're all with you in spirit. Truly wishing everything will go as smoothly as is possible tomorrow and as much as the denial is strong in this one yet (although finally ordered a cot bed/mattress and carseat today - goodbye £500, never mind pelvic floor) I have to admit I'm a touch jealous you get to sniff that newborn head and breath in the amazing work you've been doing these past 30 odd+ weeks.

Hey Puree&Pearls remember the birth annoucement and you'll be fine! Every blessing for tomorrow's big day!

siamese, gawd no, couldn't bear to watch that program! Too upsetting...

Hi, all, out interweb was broken, imagine my distress - all better now thanks to DH's superior technical knowledge on were to stick various cables that DS3 had pulled out unbeknownst to me, darling child ...

Anyhoo, hello to all lurkers, returners and new 'recruits' to the March thread. May we all have the deliveries we are hoping for .

Very very best of luck to PandP, fingers crossed for tomorrow - cannot wait to read the announcement.

meita, I forgot to say after your first (return)posting how very very pleased I am for you new pregnancy - it was lovely to hear and thanks for letting us know. An August baby is fab, good luck to you .

No sausagefingers here yet, but a warning to everybody who is not puffy: I only developed water retention after DSs1 and 3's deliveries (not after CS, bizarrely). I have rather not-so-lovely photos of bringing baby home on day 2 featuring me with fetching moon face, even more chins than usual and my rings on a necklace around my neck...

I did a bit too much walking today (to DSs school, barber with DS3 - were he sat like a statue on my lap whilst the clippers did their thang -, to the shops and home). By the time I got home, DS3 was alseep in the buggy which has not happened in more than 6 months, and my whole pelvis felt like it was going to fall apart any minute. I have pulled myself together again since then, literally ! Sitting on my backside at work all afternoon did actually help...
Only 1 more week to go, yeah! I am so ready for mat leave.

We are away for the weekend - half term in our parts . I will try and catch up again, but the speed this thread moves at...

And DrSkid OooOOOoooooh exciting that your body's revving up for labour! Keep us posted so we can vicariously live through you wish you luck!

SIAMESE - I have it on my hard drive. I couldn't quite bring myself to watch having been sent away when I was 9.

I will still argue with my mum about it in my drunken moments (Pixie - by 16 I was old enoguh to make the decision for myslef as to whether I wanted to baord - I had a great time).

I had a dreadful ngith last night - strong painful BH and just couldn't sleep. Awake from 2-5

Work will be fun today!

Agree with Pixie, a very exciting day! P&P best of luck again - looking forward to hearing how it goes

Pixie meant to say I went away for the last two years of secondary school...all the way to the States! And I loved it. Yes I was homesick at times (was the days before cheap air travel so I didn't come home to Ireland for my entire first year) but I was mostly just thrilled and excited at all the new experiences and wonderful friends I made. In fact, I met my husband there (although we only got together 6 years ago).

Pacific have a nice weekend away!

Right, off to have a quick nap before yoga.

PS DrSkid sounds like your body is gearing up - exciting! Hope you don't have much longer to wait [exciting]

PPS Am also now worried for EmLou - am sure you're just busy but please come back and let us know how you are!

PPPS Meita, you really do have a way with words btw. I remember your post about when you lost your first little one - I hope you save it as it really was such an emotional but beautiful thing to read. Again, all the best with this pregnancy

Very exciting - good luck PandP!