Due March 2010 - I'm a baby get me out of here!

[annamama]

New ante-natal thread... the post-natal thread is here

Evening, all!

Hate to tell all you impatient mummies-to-be: first babies v likely to be overdue, also if you've been overdue before, you are more likely to go beyond 40 weeks again. All depends on your definition of 'overdue' of course: are you over at 40+1 or at 42+1?? I am not sure what the official opinion on that is, personally I'd rather go with 42+ - as far as I am concerned (almost) anything rather than CS.

Which brings me neatly if not particularly sensitively to mumofseven: sorry to hear about your uncooperative babe . There is still a chance it could turn, non? 'Spinning babies' website has been mentioned a few times on this thread.
Vaginal breech delivery would only tempt me if I was confident MWs/DRs were experienced in dealing with bum-first babies.
I do hope everything will turn out alright for you. And awww at your LO with the flowers .

AfriBaby, welcome to Europe ! I hope you have a fine selection of maternity Long Johns .

Saw little boy born at 32 weeks, now aged 5 weeks today at the toddler group I go to: Soooo cute, but soo alarmingly small still and so terribly reminded me of what DS2 looked like when he came home . I do not actually buy into the theory that you forget about the pain of childbirth (I think you just kind of get over it until the next time - usually), but I had really really gone into denial about how small a preemie can be... To think that DS4 is now already 7 weeks more 'cooked' than DS2 was ...

Anyhoo, going all maudlin, sorry, nothing else to report really. Bump is kicking me a lot from the inside, DS3 is hitting/kicking/pulling hair a lot from the outside - gah!!

I think I need chocolate ...

BusyMissIzzy thanks for your VEET feedback - if I don't do something soon, baby will need mini-machete to hack its way out of the jungle that used to be a bikini line.
MummyElk - oh yeah, i remember the Tufted Eagle...lets see what exciting shapes I can create. My vision seems fine, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that pregnancy does weird things to your eyeballs...can that be right?
Pacific Thanks for the welcome to Europe, I am indeed rocking a very fetching pair of bump-longjohns. Soooo comfy. And I for one am happy that most first-timers go 'overdue' - I do not feel ready yet! At all! Ordered hypnobirthing CD, hoping it will help calm me down...

Right, off to bed now, hoping I can sleep through the night...goodnight everyone!

tried the spinning baby website to no avail yet . even tried a handstand in swimming pool which came close to getting me a lifetime ban from said pool never mind strange looks from other swiimmers as beached whale impersonator went belly up . havent given up on her turning but at the moment the most effort she seems to want to put in is a slight tilt of the head from left to central. have a weird feeling she may turn on the night pre section just to keep us guessing.
agree about not happy with risks of vaginal delivery of breech rather a healthy baby and some discomfort/inconvenience than a damaged lo and swanning out of hospital 6 hrs later.

I know people who've had their first babies at 38 and 39 weeks, so it's not a cert that all newbies will hang on in there and be overdue.

I'm holding out for that too.... Although at this stage I'm starting to realise that my due date is NEXT WEEK! Argh, the excitement is immense!

It makes me giggle to read everyone's tales about bikini waxes. I couldn't even bear the idea of going to the beauty salon and exposing my big belly when getting my bits waxed at this stage. I'm afraid that I plan to leave my dignity at the door to the maternity ward, and that includes my hairy bits.

I WANT MY BABY TO STOP BIFFING ME............. It hurrrrrrrrrrts.....

Just been to my last yoga session and that combined with the waxing discussion on here has cheered me up enormously. Agree on the more ingrowing hairs than usual but at least hopefully BabyDragon won't need a machete to get out . It's always nice to know I'm not alone, whether it's in relation to waxing or mood swings!

My SIL was early with both hers so lateness is not guaranteed. And we seem to have form on this thread already for earliness (is that a word?).

Have just posted message on old thread but have now realised everyone's moved! I'm a lot slower than I used to be.....
I'm pasting it again so excuse the repeat.
Congratulations to all the new mums!
Advice needed please, I'm due Friday week but had appointment with consultant today & induction was mentioned due to my high blood pressure and baby has a small heart problem . I've been trying natal hypnotherapy and so am really not keen on being induced. Would anyone recommend trying acupuncture as a more 'natural' method of induction? Does it really work?

Morning Grizzer, didn't want your post to go unanswered (won't be for long on here anyway i don't spect!!)
I'd try acupuncture, have heard good things and indifferent things. I don't expect it can harm??
when did they suggest inducing you? if it was mentioned in passing, then they prob aren't too worried yet. If they started talking dates, then you need to work out exactly what they are saying, it can be a bit suggestive and left to you to decide?! I was induced slightly early with DD, it didn't take as long as puree's attempts (which were much earlier) so at least you are heading towards your due date....
If you are induced you can still use the natal hypnotherapy as a method for remaining calm, breathing through the surges, etc, so all is NOT lost. and you COULD still have an active birth, you're just a bit more wired up than is ideal.

Morning all!
MummyElk am intrigued by that CD now if it encourages you to eat healthily. I am All. About. Chocolate at the moment. It's really not good. I mean, I eat enough good stuff to get nutrients etc, but I just can't seem to stop snacking on rubbish too.

Mumof7+4 I hope LO turns in time; I've heard it can happen, so fingers crossed for you.

I swear I thought I was going to go into labour last night; should qualify this by mentioning that I'm a naiive first-timer and reading far too much into every little twinge. Anyway, baby was going crazy yesterday evening and felt really low down on my bladder and pelvis. I just felt very uncomfortable and heavy, slightly crampy, and like I needed to wee constantly (ahem, sounds like normal late pregnancy when I read it back now ). Slept v. fitfully and did have at least one painful abdominal tightening feeling; waited for another but fell asleep in the meantime. I can tell I'm going to start getting impatient now, and this baby is probably going to wait till 41w+ just to annoy me

Hi everyone

Grizzer, I've heard reflexology can be very effective?

I'm hoping not to be too early but not overdue either. My mum was early with all of her three pregnancies by a few days so I'm hoping I experience similar. Having said that everyone that I know in RL who has had their first babies recently has gone over by at least a week.

I need to do something about bikini line, not sure what. Don't think I'm brave enough to actually go to a salon (and also can imagine that I might have terrible difficulty just getting up on the waxing table!). Thinking I might just give it a trim with my bikini trimmer and use microwave wax on inner thigh area. I have sens skin anyway but can't imagine using VEET right now. Ow.

Also need to start planning some meals I can do in batches and freeze. Seems to be difficult to find freezer-suitable meals when you hate mince like me!

Everything else going well at the moment, nausea seems to be settling. Am having horrible hot spells from time to time which is annoying though. Also terrible preggo brain. Wandered around Robert Dyas for a good twenty five minutes yesterday trying to remember why I was there. In the end I had to call DH for a reminder ... DH also found a head of lettuce in with the recycling last night. Hmm.

Morning ladies

Grizzer my hospital in London thinks enough of acupuncture to offer free sessions on the NHS to induce labour naturally - I've got a second session tomorrow (am 39 weeks exactly today) but the acupuncturist explained she'll "ramp it up" so to speak as I get closer to EDD/go overdue. My midwife even told me she'd had to pick up women who'd started contracting during the acupuncture when it had actually started labour. You're very close to your due date, so it may help speed things up, but I've no idea if it would actually induce you. Should make an induction easier though, as your cervix would be readier. And as Mummyelk says you can still use your hypnotherapy techniques to help you cope and stay active.

Mumof7 I really hope baby turns. With a vaginal breech delivery I'd need to know that there were experienced midwives in attendance, with experienced obstetricians and paedeatricians (sp?) available at the same time. For me, this is because I have an idea (not sure where I read it) that the c-section is actually the safer way to deliver a breech baby (your doctor should be able to tell you the proper risks involved though). Though I can see how difficult the recovery could be for you with 7 other DC to look after.

Off to eat an ice cream bounty. My current mid morning snack of choice...

Waxing - I used to have brazilian waxes pre-pregnancy, then started having slightly less drastic waxes in early preg. Now it is a jungle down there, as the last wax left me with such painful ingrown hairs that I decided there is no way I can bear the thought of itchy painful bits together with the post childbirth pain down there. (sorry if TMI)

Walnut - I am trying reflexology - the woman who does it has a good record of getting people into labour on time so fingers crossed - 1 week today!!!
Also casseroles are brilliant for freezing. I just made a yummy one with chicken thighs, mushrooms, cider and a bit of mustard.

Caitni - I agree about the lottery that is due dates. I was reading an article about indcution and your right to refuse (see my post about 'am I allowed' earlier) and I was quite amazed how unscientific it all is, especially when you consider how adament the medical profession is to not let you go beyond a certain date.

I wont tell you all how late my younger brother was but he was born totally healthy and a normal weight. My mum was under a leading teaching hospital and they were happy to leave her. This was in the early 80's.

Symapthies to all the non-sleepers and to those trying to stay healthy but feeling an inexplicable draw to the biscuit tin. I have baked at least one cake a week since I finished work with the intention of freezing them, however only 4 slices have so far made it to the freezer

Oh and we had out first NCT baby yesterday, made me feel all emotional!

Yum Ang, am going to have to try that!

Ang fully agree on how unscientific it all seems - was quite really! A friend in France was given an EDD of 41+3 for her baby, which is apparently the norm there, and it makes a lot of sense to me now as it seems a more realistic timescale for your baby to arrive "on time"...

sorry so spoiling any other first timers hopes about not going overdue! Totally not my intention, and as Evitas shows us babies arrive when they're ready and TLC is right that even first timers can and do have their babies before 40 weeks...it's just that most first timers do go over 40 weeks, and this just wasn't really explained to us in our otherwise v comprehsive NCT class (and most of my NCT friends, bar one, have gone overdue so far - two up to 42 weeks).

Walnut agree that hating mince reduces meal options! I currently have bologonese, shep's pie and lasagne in the freezer...but I love coconut chicken curry and dal and both freeze well (so servings of them complete my freezer meals!). You can buy frozen chapatis and parathas and samosas and things in Tesco, which means it's really easy to get a take away/restaurant vibe to a home cooked meal.

Pacific it must have been quite shocking to remember how tiny your DS2 was...especially as you see him now as a happy and healthy boy. Getting emotional about it, even when not pregnant again, is normal and valid, as it was a massive experience for you and your husband. But it's great that this little one is still cooking away (as he's not going to arrive anytime soon, since he knows his mum wants some maternity leave before he does!).

So ended up with 2 ice cream bounties and am now thinking about a creme egg and a glass of milk...I have the eating habits of a small child at the moment!

PS am amazed by all the lady garden tending going on . I'm not really into it myself - too lazy - but since i can't see it at the moment it could have turned into dreds for all I know or care! I figure my blazing red stretch marks across my lower tum are so bad they'd distract any HCP from noticing my lady garden...

Just popping on to your thread to say I think your 'I'M A BABY GET ME OUT OF HERE' title is surely the best I have ever seen. Well done, whoever thought of it and best wishes to all of you.

Walnut - the recipe is from www.womanandhome.com

Granny23. Shroomer came up with that, if memory serves.

Re: gestation, I worked with an Israeli couple who had a baby about 3 weeks ago, and they were surprised when they found out that doctors here allow pg women to get as far as 42w. Sounded like it was standard practise in Israel to induce as soon as you hit 40w, which I found as a) dates could be wrong and b) babies don't all take exactly 40w surely? Interesting though how it differs from country to country.

Caitni the mw I saw at my Whittington Birth Centre assessment mentioned the acupuncture. Thought it sounded interesting; how was it?

Granny23

BusyMissIzzy tis very nice. It's on the maternity day unit, and I found it very relaxing. And it's nice to have "things to do" while on maternity leave as well. I'm looking foward to my second session tomorrow . So you're all ready for the birth centre? Good news, as it's nice to be "officially" told it's an option for you (I felt like I'd passed a test after my 36 week check confirmed my home birth plans were fine!).

hello hello,

Mumof7, the woman who taught the hypnobirthing course I took was successful in helping her friend turn her breech baby around through visualization and other techniques, she ended up having a completely natural birth. If you like I can provide her contact details. Might be worth a try.

I am also in denial of what's 'down there'. My DH has offered to 'help me out' and do some trimming tonight.

I am also eagerly awaiting baby, although I've been sick for the past few days and hoping she would at least let me recover before making an entrance.

Going to make some yummy meals, which I hope to freeze this time

iwonka if you did have her contact details i would be delighted as desperate to try anything to avoid a section . feeling upset as i think was frog marched . id been at hospital from 11 am to 3pm nothing to eat or drink suddenly told weve booked you for a section on 5th march and then she walked off no time to ask questions etc. into a decision with no information .one minute ecv an option next definitely out of the question
phoned ward today and explained that i really needed/wanted to speak to consultant tto answer all my questions and they were vvery nice about . not made to feel like a recalcitrant school child which was how i was treated yesterday
spent this morning hanging down the stairs as per spinning baby website followed by cold peas applied to bump to encourage madam tto turn . so far to no avail she apears to be a trainee artic explorer. dh thinks ive completely lost it and the dcs will be in hysterics when they see my new gymnastic skills.seriously thinking of changing her name to martha monkey.
everything now seems a big issue playgroup put me on rota for 9th march even though id let them know baby due on 10th even though its not an insurmountable problem and i will be able to swap or dh can do it.it was the final straw and i just burst into tears partly because if i was having a normal delivery helping wouldnt be aan issue while making me more aware of how resricted ill be post cs
thanks for all your words of support and encouragement .
dc4 was 3 weeks late 12 years ago i refused to be induced had regular cord blood flow tests and he arrived at 7lbs 14oz definitely not overcooked and hes still the last to get out of the house in the morning
funny he was a march baby as was dd1 also a section . march babies obviously have a mind of their own aagh ! i say that as a march maybe myself so no offense intended

Has anyone tried Moxibustion for trying to turn a baby? I second the hypnotherapy suggestion as well.

Aww, Pixie Are they definitely just BH?

Caitni yes, I have my sticker on my yellow notes to say I am officially Birth Centre Approved. And IKWYM, at the assessment I almost felt like I was in a job interview or something!

Grizzer just wanted to add my recommendation for acupuncture. I had some last time round - didn't work in terms of inducing labour but on the plus side it made me feel great in the days leading up to being induced, so it's a bit of a win win if you can afford it or get offered it free.

Just a thought for the future for all of you with jungles where there used to be ladygardens - LASER. I got my bikini line done years ago and it hurt - a lot - but it's still all neat and tidy now. Or at least I think it is, as I can't actually see...