Due May 2010 - not long now ladies, is this the thread we get to have our first baby?

[sweetkitty]

Here you go ladies, waddle on over and get comfy

27 April (just brought forward a week)- Pagen, 36 #1 (unknown), G&A & water birth (I hope) Bulford, Wiltshire
29 April - Littleowls, 31 #1 ??? Carlisle,Cumbria
01 May - Brightredballoon, 32. #3
03 May - hormonalmum, 33,#3
03 May - Lizzie9442, 23, #4 GIRL
04 May - ForcesSweetheart, 36, #2, GIRL (CS 22/4/10) Bulford, Wiltshire
04 May - Memorylapse,37 #5 GIRL Chester
04 May - Squirtsmum, 27 #1, Belfast NI
05 May - Sweetkitty, 34, #4 3DDs, BOY, Lanarkshire (nr Glasgow)
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, 35, #2, GIRL, Edinburgh
06 May - LuckyC, 35, #1, GIRL
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 38, #2 GIRL, Wye Valley/Forest of Dean
08 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2, GIRL, planned CS, central London
08 May - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL
08 May - Asparagusaddict, ? , #1
09 May - alexw, 37, #2
10 May - Sophie2008, 28 #2 & #3 (TWINS!) BOY & GIRL
10 May - Gils, 28, #2, ?, Falkirk (Central Scotland)
11 May - Itshappenedagain, 26, #2 GIRL liverpool
11 May - MarquiseDeMerteuil, 33, #1, South London
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2 BOY Nottinghamshire
12 May - Katnkittens 30, #4, GIRL
12 May - Haribolicious 36, #2, BOY
12 May - Mustbemadno3 35, #3
12 May - LivsHannah 27, #2, BOY
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - Wibblela, 36, #1, GIRL?, Huddersfield
13 May - TinyVeins, 29, #1
13 May - Mummymunchkins, 40, #3, BOY
14 May - MinnieMummy, 37, #3, ??
14 May - Fiveisanawfullybignumber, 37 #5 GIRL
14 May - Carikube, 36 #2 ?, Southampton
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2 GIRL
14 May - CornishSAMum, 33, #1, ?, Cornwall
14 May - TomlinTowers, 31 #2, GIRL, York
15 May - LuckyMiller, 33, #1
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - schipo 40, #1, BOY
16 May - Vicky204, 34, #1
16 May - Rachelfruitloop 35, #2 BOY, Chilterns Bucks (NW London area)
17 May - TwentiethCenturyHeffa, 26, #2 Devon
17 May - Morph2 36 #1
17 May - KaffaCakes, ? , #1
18 May - 30ish, 31, #2 BOY, cs booked 11th May, Bolton
19 May - Pigleychez, 28, #2 West Sussex
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1, BOY
20 May - Aim, ?, #2, BOY
21 May - Suey2, 39, no2, GIRL
21 May - Sweetpeasmum, 38, #2
21 May - Mumofeag, 34, #3 BOY
23 May - Mollybob, 37 #3
23 May - RacquelWelsh, 38,#1 BOY
23 May - Nimk, 30, #1
23 May - myfirstbump, 26, #1, Shrewsbury
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
24 May - Yorky, 31, #3
24 May - peakyispreggers, 27, #1 BOY
25 May - Den26, 26, #1 BOY Inverness, Scottish Highlands
26 May - booboomonster, 35, #2 GIRL, SW London
26 May - kateyjane, 32, #4, Halifax, West Yorkshire
26 May - AliMouse, 40, #3 BOY
26 May - Glastocchick, 34, #1
31 May - Hollyoaks, 28, #2

Joy of joys - constipation has been replaced with diarrhoea! Apparently, I have to eat little and often and drink loads. Ordinarily, I'd starve myself for 24 hours, so as not to feed the bug, but baby needs nutrition!

Happily, I had a lovely surprise baby shower on Mon. Loads of cake and pressies and a trip down memory lane as we all went through our first baby pics. It made me sooooo broody - I really needed reminding why I've gotten pregnant again and endured all the sickness and pain!

I love the French method - sounds fab to me! Far more civilised than the non-epidural, stiff upper lip English way!

Talking of which, I cried, as ever, last night at OBEM. Wish it went on forever!

Littleowls - I intend to breastfeeed but have bought a pump (Medela swing electric). I bf till LO was 2.5 years plus last time, but because everyone told me not to introduce a bottle, as it would affect bfing, I didn't. When she went to nursery a couple of mornings a week at 9 months, she wouldn't take a bottle at all - she would only have the boob! In fact, she never accepted bottles and went straight from boob (very late!) to cup! THis time round, I'm going to start expressing earlier and getting the baby used to teats as well as boobs!

I've finally started packing my hospital bag. Do I need to pack a towel for baby? I seem to remember they do a bath demo before you leave?

Well I jinxed things round here by bragging about my good night the night before last, because last night was another disaster (heartburn, headache and gunky eyes!) so am back to feeling rubbish.

Littleowls there shouldn't be any way that your MW knows the sex; I think as someone said it's just that they don't want to say 'it' all the time. DH and I keep referring to this one as a she but I think it's just because we already have a DD

Pigley DD had positional talipes as well when she was born - I'd never heard of it before but there was no disguising the fact that one of her legs was definitely turned in after she ran out of space in the womb. We got shown the exercises to do and by her 8 week check she was fine. The GP doing the check said that in years gone by they would have operated very early on and it's only recently that they've found that exercises/massage are just as effective (and obviously a lot less risky!) at getting the problem sorted.

Getting a bit peeved now - bought a double pushchair on ebay on Friday that I need to go and collect and trying to pin this b*&%$ woman down to arrange the collection is doing my head in. Surely if you sell something on ebay you check your emails from time to time?! It took her 3 days to acknowledge my original email and now it's been another 2 days since I gave her days/dates that I can go and collect and still nothing back. Am I being impatient or is this all taking a bit long?

Tomlin - Thank you for that tidbit about the babies position. I've been naturally sleeping on my left for months now...feel too uncomfertable any ohter way and from what you've said it sounds like my babs is in the right position now to be turned correctly when he/she finally drops down...*Phew! One less thing to worry about

Nothing much to report (Which is good isn't it as it means nothing to complain about for a change!). Had my 36wk appt and all is well, MW told me I could start as early as next week...or not.

Nursery is finished and all is unpacked and stored away, just have a few last bits to get when my mum comes down to visit for a week tommorow. Hospital bag good to go too.

Still umming and ahhing about when to get the breast pump, have seen the one I want on Ebay, loads of them, going cheap so not worried about getting one if i leave it a while longer...just think I'll wait and see if I can actually express first...then Chris can order me one sharpish. Ideally I'd like to express so Chris can help with the nighttime feeds ASAP, and get the babe used to the bottle ...is 4weeks OK to start?

Love to all XXX

afternoon ladies.

pagen glad you are well. You sound sorted! Not sure about the expressing, I was wondering the same too.

Carikube hope you get the buggy soon

hobnob, baby shower sounds great.

pigley, fingers crossed its not your dds bug.

MDM woohoo about your furniture!!

tomlin hope you are better soon.

littleowls, hope tha scan goes ok today

Well in the end i fell asleep yesterday Then had a mad half hour tidying up, did the school run and then hoovered and polished the house top to bottom. Needless to say I had a bit of bleeding last night which has stopped now. DH wanted me to ring the midwife but I know she will only tell me off. It's stopped now and baby is moving lots. Just been and got dd from nursery which just about finished me off!! Sat here with a chicken sandwhich and a cup of tea now. Struggling to keep my eyes open Still got loads to do.

Hello ladies!

Good info about the baby's position MDM and Tomlin. My DS was lying on the right, late in my pregnancy with him if I'd try to lie on my left side he'd kick the crap out of me so I gave up! What with his head being so big and the turning that needed to be done, I think that's why he got stuck and I needed forceps assistance, so I'm trying to avoid it with this one, though I suspect he's also lying on the right. I'm anxious to see what position he's in when I have a growth scan in a week.

Baby showers are so fun! I was wondering if any first-timers were going to have one, it seems quite an American thing. My friends gave me a surprise one when I was about to have DS and it was so lovely! Hope those of you having one really enjoy/enjoyed it!

Tomlin, Carikube Hobnob and Angel I hope you feel better soon, try not to overdo it!!!! Tomlin, I am very impressed by your long walk!!

Carikube I'd be really irritated if it was taking so long to arrange the pick up for the push chair from eBay seller, too! Definitely would give lower stars in the feedback ratings section for communication!

Pagen impressed by how organised you are! The MW had me start expressing in hospital so that it would encourage my milk production, but I think a couple of years ago the "experts" said not to introduce a bottle before six weeks or something because of nipple confusion. IMHO, it depends on you and your baby, I think if you have breast feeding well established then it's probably fine to have your DP give a bottle. My DH used to give our DS a bottle in the evening, but not until he was about 12 weeks as that was when we really hit our stride with breastfeeding and expressing.

MDM Hooray for your nursery furniture coming! How exciting! I've been having my consultant appointments at the hospital in High Wycombe so I'm becoming quite accustomed to the bus route, it is very near to Chesham, a few direct buses from here to there. I love shopping at the Eden centre, have you been shopping there?

Memory hope your scan goes well today and that you're feeling better after the iron infusion!

Hollyoaks the potty training issue is a tricky one. I think most guidance says not to start around the time of a major upheaval in the child's life, like a new baby. In my experience it is quite a lot of hard work (especially carrying around the changes of clothes, toilet seat, etc.) We started potty training DS1 about 5 months ago when he was 2.5, and he is doing very well, but still has accidents quite frequently. Though saying that, we've had 8 days in a row with no accidents, so maybe we've cracked it?! We started out with a reward chart, it had 12 squares and he got a sticker each time he told us he needed the toilet and one when he went in the toilet (we went straight to the toilet with a little seat on as he's quite big and didn't fit on the potty). When the chart was full he'd get a treat, usually a Kinder Surprise egg. Did that for about the first 3 months, kept increasing the number of squares on the chart and then only gave a sticker for going on the toilet. He eventually got bored with that, so as he began to have some days without accidents, we did a chart with 10 squares on which he earns a toy that he wants by filling in a square for each day with no accidents. At the moment he's about to earn a set of Handy Manny figures and is looking forward to that. It has taken a lot of patience and positive reinforcement and attention to get this far, and also diligence to not slip a bit and just put a Pull-Up on him to make life easier for me when we're out and about. Knowing what I know now, I think I'd wait until a couple of months after the baby arrives to start just so that you all can be well into the new routine and can enter into it without having the new baby to get used to as well. I hope hearing about my experience helps! Anyway, sorry for those reading all the details who might not be interested!

Den that's great you got your pram! My Braxton Hicks just feel like a sudden tightening of my whole belly, usually not painful, but once in a while accompanied by a little twinge.

I hope that all of you are feeling well/better. As of tomorrow most of us can say that the baby is coming NEXT MONTH! JOY!!!

Went to see the GP yesterday and I have a sinus infection, so was put on amoxicillin. She also said my iron levels were looking low in my last blood test and put me on ferrous fumarate tablets. I am praying this doesn't wreak havoc on my bowels, I suffered so badly from constipation in late pregnancy with DS1! I'm very pleased as the GP has also signed me off work for the weekend and I'll get to spend Easter at home with my men for the first time in a few years!

I'm sad that OBEM is finished, I really enjoyed it as well!

Hobnob I was wondering about a towel for the baby as well... I need help deciding what to pack in my hospital bag, does anyone have a handy list bookmarked? Was it ML or SK that had posted one a while back? My memory is so rubbish!

Sorry this post is so rambling! Hope you are all getting rest and doing well!

hobnob, I have packed a towel for the baby anyway. Even if they dont have a bath its somewhere warmer to change their nappies on.

Well poor DH has jsut text me. Looks like the lazy arse waste of space he works with (who happens to be a dirty old man as well...grabbed me and tried to kiss me!) has got promoted, meaning my DH will end up working under him. He is a horrible man. Takes all DHs ideas and passes them off as his own and when DH has been working his butt off all day doing stuff, this other bloke takes the credit when he has just stood smoking and drinking tea all day Poor, poor DH. I told him to start looking for another job if he wants because I know working under him will make him beyond miserable. Shame cos DH loves the work and the place, but that bloke makes things unbearable.

well Im sorry this is a me post but Im so very upset..if I could afford to go private I swear I would

went for the scan today and baby's growth has tailed off so now on the 90th centile as opposed to 98th..cord doppler is on the 5th centile line which the sonographer said is fine yet I dont see how it can be

went to clinic and saw my usual diabetic midwife but a different registrar this time..my blood sugars are still out of range and Ive even had a few hypos (which the MW told me today can indicate placental failure)..yet this particular registrar ignored my comments about previous shoulder dystocia, placental abruption and said I WILL NOT be induced at 37/38 weeks and I will be left to go to term..I feel they are playing bloody russian roulette with my babies life...the MW actually said..oh I cant understand why your sugars arent controlled..then just ramped up my insulin again..DH was furious..as my consultants senior registrar had specifically said that I would be induced no later than 38 weeks...this registrar said.."when we see you at 38 weeks, we will see how you are getting on" despite the fact that babies left past 38 weeks are higher risk of being still born

my midwife said..oh by the way if you keep getting hypos..you need to let us know as it can mean the placenta is failing..yet she looked at the hypos in my book and did nothing....Ive actually said to DH that I can see no point in going back to clinic next week..just to have my insulin turned up and sent away...Im beside myself and so is DH..

Memorylapse so sorry you're having such a hard time. I'm not going to pretend that I know anything about this but it is hard to believe that you can get such contrasting views from professionals in the same field. Very for you and I hope that you manage to talk to someone who can actually do things right/set your mind at rest.

Sorry ML, no real advice to give but I echo Carikube that it must be frustrating to be given different advice from one week to the next.

On a much less serious note but entirely selfish note, I had to miss my 34 week appointment. I had tooth ache yesterday which was manageable, last night it got worse, this morning I went to work and ended up in tears as so painful. Was due my 34 week check up but had to cancel it to see emergency dentist.

She removed a filling, anaesthetic helped with the tooth ache but its on its way back already , she said I probably need a root filling but that they cant xray me and would rather do the filling after the baby is born. Maybe the filling was the problem but I suspect the problem is the nerve and that I am now in for 8 weeks of pain ..... ? Feel very sorry for myself.

The only bonus was that I didnt go back in to work so had 2 hours to myself at home in bed and DH collected DD for me. I slept for an hour. Anaesthetic seemed to make me really drowsy.

Anyway we were having friends round for tea but had to cancel and instead we are having a take away, all soft food ....

Hi everyone

ML you poor thing, no wonder you are frantic about this. Is there anyway you can get to speak to the original senior consultant to confirm what they said about inducing at 38 wks? It's not far off so I am sure they could give you a date.

pamelat sorry about your toothache, ouch. Hope it gets better soon. I am not sure if you can take it in pregnancy but I love anaesbol, it has a local anaesthetic in it and really stops the pain.

DS has started having night terrors, I was up with him about 3 times in the night and feel so tired today. I really need to discipline myself into getting to bed earlier but those with children already will relate to the quiet evening peace when you can tidy toys away without them getting taken out in less than 10 mins and wipe up and tidy the kitchen before the next round of snack/lunch etc.

AnAngel hope things improve for your DH, nothing worse than working under someone like his boss.

I didn't realise it is Easter this weekend, I thought it was the following week as I presumed it would be the middle weekend of the two week break the schools are taking.

Evening all DP engrossed in the football and I have made a start on blanket number 2 for the baby (only got 5 weeks to finish it now).

Don't know who mentioned babies positions but all 4 of mine have been in the same position, head down, back over towards my right hand side, bum under my right ribs and feet over towards the left. All 3 have come out head down and the last one shot out will never forget that feeling, I was on my side with the G&A and felt her move down (TMI but it feels like a giant poo) turned onto my back told the MWs I needed to push and she said "push away" and there was a head followed by a body very shortly after, I swear I dind't push her out she was expelled. Of course this boy could be the exception. DD2 never engaged or moved herself into the correct position until 10 mins before she was born, as I have said before she was 9lbs 3ozs with a 99th centile head and was the easiest birth on my nether regions so don't fear too much.

OBEM was good last night but I wish they would have shown a few straightforward births as well, ouch to the forceps. I said to DP I feel very lucky to have went upstairs and had a baby wuth about 40 mins of contractions.

Speaking of which have been on the raspberry leaves for the past week 6 a day!

pigley - personally I think it's mad to start potty training just now sorry. DD1 was just under 2 and DD2 2.8years. DD1 was a nightmare regular accidents, DD2 did it in 3 days. I think the later you leave it the easier it is. Their verbal skills are so much better. Even is she gets it in the house you either have to use pull ups when out which I disagree with as we did that with DD1 and I think it confuses them sometimes it's OK to go in your nappy sometimes it's not or you get into the anywhere you go you are either taking a potty or asking every 10 mins if they need to go and of course you can be out for a walk and you get the "I need a pee pee" and when they need they NEED. Cue mad dash for the toilet. Last thing you need with a baby. Plus it's always the way you sit down to feed the baby and "I need a pee pee" I am not even thinking about it until DD3 is 2.6yo. Too much else going on, remember her world is about to be rocked as it is. Sorry just my experiences.

ML - don't know what to say but I know how annoying MWs/HPs can be. I would go to the head one and ask what the state of play is, get definite answers then stick to that everytime you see someone else.

pamelat - ouch can they not do a temp filling or something rather than leave you in pain for 8 weeks, seems a bit harsh. You can take paracetamol and codeine when pregnant if things get too much.

angel - about your DHs job

Rachel - ouch for you as well sinus infections are horrible, plenty of fruit and veg and water for you as well

Pagen - I think 4 weeks would be fine to start expressing. There's kind of like a window too early and it can interfere with BFing too late and they might refuse it. In saying that though every baby is so different it is hard to say. I have had one whom I expressed for from the beginning as she wouldn't latch so she had boob and bottle from the beginning, one who would have drank it out anything and one who would only take a bottle from someone else never me. I have tried to always give 2-3 bottles a week at least to keep them in the swing of things as you never know when you might need them to take one.

Carikube - about your pram, I have been v lucky I jokingly asked a Mum at nursery if she was selling hers and she said she would so I have got a Vibe in excellent condition with all the extras for a absolute bargain. Am going to buy a new Isofix car seat now and pimp the pram up with matching blue and pink buggysnuggles

Hobnob - on the baby shower. Oh on the subject of towels I thought of another tip. This is TMI as well but it's a good tip, when you have your post birth shower or bath you will erm still bleed onto a towel when you dry yourself IYSWIM, black or navy towels are better than white ones. For my HB last time I bought a load of Smart Price towels with the intention of throwing them out but my lovely friend washed them all for me I am going to pack a few this time as they are quite thin so don't take up a load of room like my big white fluffy ones. As for a towel for the baby, it depends how long you are in for but it you can squeeze in a wee hooded towel do it.

MDM - yey on the nursery furniture arriving.

Right think I have gassed enough

SK - Hello, they have put temporary filling on, its just not really solved the problem underneath. Oh well, will keep up with the paracetamol and bonjela

I just wanted to say that I also did not push DD out, she just "appeared". I had an epidural when fully dilated. She was back to back and was told it would be hours yet, the midwife left the room to make a cup of tea and I was watching TV with DH and said "Oh have really odd sensation, have overwheming desire to push" and a student doctor lifted up my blanket (was just lying flat on my back relaxed) and she was out!!!

No forcing, no stitching, nothing ... just a bit swollen afterwards. I know I had had an epidural only shortly before (after 28 hours of nasty labour pains mind you) but seriously I did not feel a thing at the push stage, she did it all

Consequently am very scared of having to push this time. I dont really understand how DD just appeared.

ML sounds like a frustrating and completely dispiriting appointment. Like Carikube I find it astonishing that you can be given such contradictory advice / information by different 'caregivers'. I hope your next appointment is more satisfying, helpful and productive.

Have just been reading the thread about what contractions feel like. Felt all irrationally proud of our little May birth group when I saw Hollyoaks LuckyC and Newmomma on there ! I'm feeling quite excited about labour, I'm really interested to see how I cope with it, and intrigued to see what it actually feels like. Is that completely weird? Reading all the labour experiences on the thread I bizarrely found myself subconsciously going into the breathing exercises from my yoga class. Hope that happens when it's my turn.

Littleowls - I haven't felt any feet or hands poking out either, maybe because my placenta is anterior.

Had my 34 week antenatal check up with the GP today. Baby is on my left, head down, and the head is 1/5 engaged. First thing she said before measuring the bump was "ooh, I bet everyone keeps telling you how small your bump looks" ( - yes, even the jehovah's witnesses who came to my door last weekend!!). My bump measured 30cm, which the GP seemed happy enough with, but that sounds quite small to me. My maternity record book doesn't have a graph in it, does anyone with a graph know if this is within the expected scale?

Happenedagain - it will be funny if we actually end up giving birth on the same day, I wonder what the chances are? Thanks for the tips on how long to exercise for, I'm planning to continue for as long as possible. Is it wrong to think of labour as some kind of fitness challenge that I can somehow prepare for?

Rachel have never been to the Eden centre, but have been to the big John Lewis lots of times! So fantastic that you get to spend the weekend with your family.

Pigley - hope the early morning sickness didn't materialise into anything during the day.

Pamelat - terrible about your tooth and trip to dentist. Hope the takeaway was comforting. Fingers crossed the pain eases soon.

Angel - v. furious on behalf of your husband. One of my pet hates is people who take the credit for other people's hard work.

SK - brilliant news on the bargain Vibe, and love the idea of pimping it up! There is a good website of a lady who custom-makes buggy liners, foot-muffs and even hoods. You can select pretty much any fabric you want and she'll get it for you and turn it into buggy accessories! It was recommended by a friend of mine. custom-made buggy stuff website

Oh dear, once again an unintentionally lengthy post from me. Sorry girls!

MDM - your furniture finally arriving, and thank you for the clear description of baby position for labour - even if very scary!

Pigley - hope sickness doesn't mount to anything

Tomlin - sorry you are feeling poorly

Pagen - impressed at your organisation!

Angel - & for your DH

ML - for you, can you ask to see the previous registrar again?

Pamelat - toothache is the worst, really feel for you

Carikube - hope the woman gets her ass in gear and lets you know soon.

Not much to report here. Think what i'm feeling are braxton hicks and also some very sharp pains from kicks low down, very uncomfortable Looking forward to antenatal class starting tomorrow (and finising work early for them )

oh - can anyone recommend a good hypno birth/relaxation CD?

Just a quick one tonight..

Hobnob- I will pack a towel. Although hoping not to be in too long,Plus its handy for changing them on your bed with.

Angel- Poor DH, that must be so annoying.

ML- for you. Could you ask to see someone else for a second opinion?

Pamlet- Hope the tooth doesnt hurt too much

SK- Thanks for the thoughts on Potty training. Thats what i thought, but was just thinking if DH was off he could see to her. Hopefully we will get a nice summer and she can run about nappyless in the garden to save the accidents!

Den- Enjoy the classes tomorrow

Dragged myself into town this morning despite feeling rough and got DD's new shoes and a new raincoat so spent a fortune!
Really struggled on the way back to the car. Had to keep stopping to sit down or lean over the buggy handle for a few minutes.
Felt really achy everywhere all day,lots of pressure in my bum and my tummy has been like a rock all day. Babys movements have really really hurt me
Not been sick again but feel terrible. DH came in and got Pizza hut for dinner to save me cooking and did bedtime whilst i had a soak in the bath. Sitting here now with big red rosey cheeks but shaking like a leaf
Hope I feel better in the morning.

MDM - I am already no stranger to that website

It's so hard to describe labour to someone, everyone's is so different it depends on so much, your pain tolerance levels (me 0), the position of the baby, how quickly you are dilating, some women have a slow build up and can get to about 6cms without it hurting and needing pain relief, others (I am in this group of course) are fast and furious, no let up or break in the pain. I so wasn't prepared for that first time round. There's no pain quite like it, if I were to describe mine it's like when you have food poisoning stomach cramps really low down. When you get the go ahead to push it's great as you think "push as hard as you can and the pain will go" I won't lie it hurts like hell (well for me it does) but the minute you see that baby it all goes and there is really nothing like it in the world. I'm welling up thinking about it (hormones).

One thing that did shock me was the pushing, I never expected it to be so anal, you really do have to push like you are having a poo, I wasn't doing it right the first time!

Pamelat - that sounds fab think I will have one of those births then

pigley - poor you, take it easy, get to bed early, your body is telling you you are doing too much.

I know your DH will be off to see to her but only for 3 weeks and she is still quite young so it will probably take more than 3 weeks. The last thing you want to be doing is cleaning up pee and poo whilst dealing with a new baby.

MDM - I think they say it's a cm per week as a rough guide. For my 34 week clinic, I was 34 cm - spot on. But it's such an inexact measurement they do and should ideally be done by the same person each time. If they are worried about a baby's size, they'll recommend a growth scan, so it sounds as if you're fine.

Contractions - yes, difficult to describe. I do remember my description of the whole thing after giving birth to DD, but I won't repeat it here for fear of upsetting first-timers! I was feeling very dramatic and emotional at the time!

I echo what Sweetkitty said about everyone being different. I was in agony at 1cm and was desperate for the entonox - but then I had very strong, fast contractions and went from 1 to 10cm in under 3 hours. This time round, the mw says I'm probably already 1cm as your cervix doesn't close fully after your first child, apparently.

Piglez - take it easy! Sounds like you're overdoing it.

PAmelat - I love that pushing story! Because I had a spinal last time, for the ventouse (They were going to do a CS, but I was at full dilation by the time they got me to theatre), I couldn't feel anything for the pushing stage, and it's this bit that I'm fearing most with this baby...

Memory - I don't know anything about the subject, but maybe there's a patient-advocate service at your GP practice? Perhaps they could help you to get the service you need? Hope so - you don't need this stress and upset./

thanks everyone...I dont really know what to do..I cant beleive they are happy to leave me until 40 weeks..especially with my history..

I posted about it on another forum in on..and only got two replies..yet threads about really pathetic things have pages of replies..so Ive deleted myself off there..it was immature anyway..you had girls posting things like..Im 30 weeks pregnant how can I make my baby come quicker as I want my figure back..and it had...whispers...tickers

Hi All

I HAVE FINISHED WORK!!! Am so relieved - today has been a mental day, so glad have no more commuting, phone calls, urgent files - just rest and relax.....my first morning off I'm taking DS1 to soft play with two friends, not what I'd call relaxing!!

pigley - I agree with SK on the potty training. We have trained DS1, and it took him about 2 weeks (at 2.5 years) to get the hang of even sitting on the potty. He still won't do poos but has finally moved on to the toilet so we don't have to carry the potty around with us. Potties and changing bag for newborn and pram - you don't have enough hands!!

Memory - I'm sorry, but if I were you, I would complain in writing and ask for a second opinion from the head consultant. If you just sit back then you will be worried for the next two weeks, which won't be good for the LO or for you. A patient -advocate sounds like a good idea as a first step to making the complaint.

SK - I do remember the pushing with DS1 - I was trying to push, and the MW said "You aren't pushing at all, push like you're constipated!" I was amazed it was so much at the back and not at the front at all.

MDM - size sounds fine especially if you have good stomach muscles to hold everything in place - not the case here I'm afraid!

am now definitely going to concentrate on getting ready for this LO's arrival - am going to get nursery set up and hospital bag packed when DH off the week after Easter! Must stop putting it off!!

Hope everyone else is well - must go now as need to go to lie down!

Hi everyone

Sounds like most people are going through a really rough time at the moment. Hope everyone is getting enough rest.

ML - feel really frustrated for you. Can you demand a second opinion? I really hope you manage to get some better news soon.

Pigley - Hope you get a good nights sleep and feel much better tomorrow.

Pamelat - about your tooth, hope the pain killers are helping.

Angel - for your DH, what a horrible situation. How come it is always the idiots who get promoted. Here's hoping he will get found out in the new role.

Forces - Hope you are recovering after your awful experience

Sorry to anyone I've missed, but have managed to get behind yet again.

Have had a similarish experience to forces this week. I went to my weekly consultant appointment last Friday and was finally allowed home last night. In my opinion I am no better or worse than I have been for the last few weeks, but they seemed to think I looked far worse and my HB levels had dipped again post infusion (although it takes up to 2 weeks to work, it shouldn't dip ) Anyway to cut a long story short they became convinced that I had a blood clot on my lung, despite all my breathing issues being positional. So after lots of tests, leg ultrasounds and a VQ scan - frustrating as it means injecting radioactive liquid directly into your vains, everything came back negative and they decided it was a combination of the anaemia, baby's position and exhaustion from the cholestasis - all of which I could have told them in the first place. Then they made me stay for some bed rest anyway, and inspite of myself I do feel better for it

One lovely experience was spending the night with a lovely woman before her c-section with twins. (She was induced at 35 weeks as twin 1 was beginning to have cord problems) I got to see her when she came back up to the post-natal ward (next door) and they were so beautiful! They didn't need any help at all and were 5lb4 and 4lb8, they looked so contented sharing the same crib, one head below the other. Made me feel really emotional, can't wait to meet my lo now

Hope everyone is feeling better soon

Morning all...

Have had an awful night - think I must have some kind of sinus infection. It literally feels like someone's bashed me in the eye socket with a baseball bat.

I've hardly slept a wink - and DH HAD to go into work today (month end ) so I now have to cope with my 14mo DS on my own, keep him awake WAY past his naptime, so he'll be grizzly, hope he's not HORRID at the doctors and then come away from the doctors having had them tell me its a virus and they can't give me anything.

Sorry - self indulgent self pitying moan over.

Hope you all had a better night than me!

Oh... and Marquise try not to read too much into some of the comments on the 'what does a contraction feel like' thread. Its honestly not as bad as some of those people have been making out. At least not IME. I know that mother nature makes you forget but it takes a few months for the memories to fade and I felt this way immediately after. I think some people seem to relish being drama queens and scaring first time mums needlessly. Its the 'I'm having a wisdom tooth removed...' scenario.

Tomlin- wooh hoo enjoy your time off.

Katey- glad the tests came back ok.

Newmomma- your feeling bad. Hope DS behaves himself.

I too had a bad night, tossing and turning with backache and uncomfortable tummy. Still feeling rough and already been sick 3 times this morning. The being sick is really hurting my tummy too. Looks like I may have caught DD's bug after all.
DH has gone to work and said If im still feeling rough then he will try to get the afternoon off or something. Poor DD (20mths) is being abit neglected this morning. Shes only just had breakfast.

Just wanna curl up in bed

Morning all.

Thanks tomlin and MDM for the info. I knew the baby needed to be on the left but I didn't know why.

pigley - Sorry you are still feeling rough. You go back to bed, put a DVD on for DD and have a duvet day together!

very of the baby showers! They sound great, especially looking at old baby photos.

memory - How awful! It is so infuriating because of all the different answers you get, from all the different doctors

angel - you are still dashing around like awonder woman! No wonder you are shattered.

rachel - sorry to hear you have a sinus infection. The best thing to do is get some rest.

SK and pamelat - enjoyed your birth stories. I like a good 'easy' birth story !

den - I got one off the NCT website, natal hypnotherapy. It's quite good, but it does make me go to sleep quickly! That's probably a good thing if you are having a restless night.

tomlin - yay on finishing work!

katy - What a nightmare! I know what its like to be trapped in hospital. How lovely about the twins, there were twins born at the weekend when I was in hospital. They got put into special care but were fine!

newmomma - It's awful when they tell you it's just a virus!

My trip the the DAU yesterday was as eventful as ever! The scan shows the baby hasn't grown at all in 2 weeks! , so its only 4 1/2 lb or so. Then the doppler flow was too high. The top doc seen me yesterday to check the doppler flow again and she was quite happy that it was probably measured on a bit of cord that was getting squashed. Also the fact that LO gave such an enormous kick during the scan it actually hurt a little bit Another registrar came round and took me off the methyldopa saying that she didn't think it was a suitable choice and that she didn't like it. I agreed as it has made me feel like a zombie. I was prodded and poked by a student doctor who felt for the baby, she told the MW that lo felt 2/5 engaged. MW looked surprised, had a feel and said yes 2-3/5 engaged! Not sure if this means lo is coming soon but it sounds good . The registrar did tell me that they would interfere (her words) in around 2 weeks time. So back on friday for more monitoring. I just feel now like I want lo here so I can see it's ok and healthy and can start growing properly. I was so exhausted yesterday that all I could do last night was cry . I think its just everything that's happened catching up with me, and when I've written it down, it doesn't sound so bad.

Sorry for the moan.

Littleowls please feel free to moan away - it sounds as though you have good reason to. I keep feeling guilty when I do have a moan about feeling a bit rubbish as there are so many of you who are having a really rough time of it.

DH nearly had a fit when I pointed out that LO will be here next month - I think it's helped focus his mind a bit and understand why I've been saying that I want to get things sorted out (hospital bag, baby clothes etc) this weekend when he's got 4 days off.

Also just been to get DD's 12 month injections done only to turn up and be told that the nurse is on holiday and so I have to go back next week which is a bit annoying - they didn't tell me that when I arranged to go in today and to top it off ebay woman still hasn't got in touch regarding me collecting the pushchair; I sent her another email last night but I think next step is trying to get my money back through Paypal...grrr....