Due May 2010...the final thread??....unless the thread bursts before we all do!!!!

[AnAngelWithin]

Hope you don't mind ladies, the last thread kept jamming up on me!!! We are a chatty bunch!!!

THE NEW ARRIVALS

11 April LuckyC, GIRL MATILDA, 14.47, weight?, first baby
15 April ForcesSweetheart, GIRL, MOLLY, 10.27, 7lbs 6ozs, 2nd DD
16 April Littleowls, BOY JOEL, 14.40, 4lb 8oz, first baby
16 April Memorylapse, GIRL, OLIVIA GRACE, 6.17pm, 6lbs 11.5ozs
27 April Brightredballoon, GIRL, ?, 10am, 7lb 12oz

THE WAITING LOUNGE

27 April (just brought forward a week)- Pagen, 36 #1 (unknown), G&A & water birth (I hope) Bulford, Wiltshire
03 May - hormonalmum, 33,#3
03 May - Lizzie9442, 23, #4 GIRL
04 May - Squirtsmum, 27 #1, Belfast NI
05 May - Sweetkitty, 34, #4 3DDs, BOY, Lanarkshire (nr Glasgow)
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, 35, #2, GIRL, Edinburgh
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 38, #2 GIRL, Wye Valley/Forest of Dean
08 May - Sassles, 31, #1, BOY, Nr Glasgow
08 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2, GIRL, planned CS, central London
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
12 May - slipperthief 34, #2, BOY, Cambs
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 - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL Reading, Berks
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
22 May - Mollybob, 37 #3, Gender unknown, Bangor, Northern Ireland
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

Wow MDM and Tomlin your labors are giving me case of de ja vu. With my first kept phoning hospital and they said "early stages, have bath, paracetemol" also couldn't get of toilet then felt babies head start to come and DH literally chucked me in the car.

I know its last thing you are thinking of but next time round you need to make sure they realise how quick you were this time. Midwives have been insisting I head in as soon as I feel I need to and have been lovely.

All my pains never came to anything. After virtually crawling about house for hour and having bath I insisted we try and get some sleep incase it was another false alarm as DH was going to work. Had to get helped into bed but after an hour in bed all disappeared again. Both woke up this morning bit fed up.

If I was already 4cm dilated I imagine I am more now. This happened with DD but back pain a lot more severe this time, they also think baby is back to back so could explain it.

DSis and friend bday today. Waiting on someone picking me up to go to DM for day. No longer feel confident driving.

Pamelat Good luck!!!!

I am on this so much just now looking to see who else has had baby. Get very but when its someone due after me. 40 + 6 today

not sure where to begin with the congratulations:
lizzie, kateyjane, pigley (jealous of your early arrival ), april, 30ish, tomlin & mdm (thanks for details of your labours )
Is that everyone? hope i haven't missed anyone!

moggmum - happy due date! rachel - yours too! And vicky204 if you're still around? (Rachel - very sorry re your grandpa btw.) Moggmum, I was even up with you at 5am this morning, but too sleepy to type. I did get back to sleep though (unlike yesterday). Hope you did too.

Absolutely nothing to report here I'm sorry to say. Saw midwife yesterday, and thankfully baby still head down and engaged, but still with back to right hand side. She confirmed that my waters hadn't broken and will come back on tuesday to give me a sweep if nothings happened by then. We also discussed an induction further ahead if the sweep makes no difference. I am a bit anxious that nothing will happen, my mum and her sister's births were all about 2 weeks late - so I fear babies take long to cook in our family. I will be doing what I can re marching and scrubbing floors though just in case. I'm also feeling overwhelmed with it all. DH and I spent all day bickering yesterday, I'm v touchy and tearful. I think there's loads of tension and anxiety about the whole thing that mounts up and spills over once and a while. I don't blame the baby at all for not putting in an appearance yesterday.

Hope progress is swift and good for you all too - and for everyone else still waiting.

pamelat- glad dh is up and well again - good luck for today!

hollyoaks - congrats on starting maternity leave - fingers crossed here for the next 5 years too. I sometimes wonder what sort of schools our babies will be able to go to. Any government would be making some severe cuts soon from what I understand, but can't help but agree this government isn't likely be be making the nicest of choices. That combined with the baby boom makes me wonder what sorts of schools there'll be in four years time for our babies to go to!?

Am hearing some very positive and speedy birth stories here - hoping that it will be the same for me this time!

Still nothing going on round here and I'm not even getting as many twinges as I was so I think this one is tucked up for the long haul. Someone asked me this morning when I was due and as soon as I said 'last Friday' she looked a bit embarrassed and shut up - I obviously don't look that happy about being overdue now

Hello Ladies,

CONGRATULATIONS to Pigley, 30ish, Tomlin and ItsHappened!!! WELL DONE!! Hope I haven't missed anyone!

Kaffa can't wait to hear about your LO! Squirtsmum hope that all goes well if it doesn't kick off before tomorrow! Good luck Pamelat, looking forward to your birth announcement as well!!!

Gils shouldn't be long now!!

I am loving the birth stories, thanks for sharing MDM, really glad to hear that you and baby are well. I know what you mean about the stitches, I had lots with my DS. Hope you have a chance to soak in the tub with some tea tree and lavender oil, that seems to really help! Five meant to say before that I'm so glad that you and Florence came out of it ok after your scary birth experience!

Got an update from my mum on my grandpa, they've taken him off the breathing assistance and he's doing ok so far. The doctor told my uncle that he thinks grandpa might make it. Thanks to all for your good thoughts and well wishes. Not out of the woods yet, but at least things seem ok for the moment.

Happy due date Schipo and MoggMum! As you said Schipo, today is my (dating scan) due date as well and I don't really feel that anything is imminent. Getting the usual twinges and increased discharge, so perhaps this week. VERY moody and emotional as well. My LMP due date was 21st so if I go past Friday then I'll consider myself overdue. For now just trying to sit tight. Not easy now, went out to the market yesterday and people look frightened when they see me approach and give me a very wide berth! Absolutely everyone asks when I'm due!

Hollyoaks I hope you get some quality time to relax now that your maternity leave is starting!

First1 sorry the MW scared you with her talk of you needing an elective CS! Maybe it's because I've had a big baby already, but my philosophy is that pushing any size baby out isn't easy, and I think the head circumference is what makes a difference from what I've been told, the weight just follows. There have been a few big babies born here in the last few days, it's encouraging! Our bodies are amazing things! We can do it!!! [cheerleader emoticon]

Hobnob LOL at your mum's birth story!

Carikube I don't envy you having to deal with the teething at the moment!

MoggMum so sorry about the baby's position! How annoying! Hope it gets into a good position very soon!

Hi SweetPeasMum it's nice to hear from you! I also wear a uniform to work and my DS has had to adjust to me being at home. He wants me to do absolutely everything for him all the time now, DH and MIL and I are now trying to get him used to having them do things for him. Very good question about the LOs reactions to your labour - I hadn't really thought about it much!

Cupcake my DH is waiting to be called on to DTD, but I told him I wanted to leave it a few more days as not only is it awkward with this huge bump, but now his mum is sleeping (or rather not, she stays up until about 2 am every night!) downstairs right below our bedroom! I tend to be a bit of a prude anyway, so the idea of it is just ! Having a sweep on Thurs so might call on him then just for a double-whammy! I know what you mean - I get those comments about the bump size each time I see a new MW, too! I think there are quite a few of us left who will be having big ones!! SK thank you for mentioning the babies well over 10 lbs born vaginally, it gives me hope!

Sassles I hope something has happened for you and if not feel free to have a moan, I know how frustrating it is to go overdue after being 2 weeks late last time!

Pigley those popping/sloshing noises you were hearing when baby moved are so strange aren't they?! I only hear it once in a while with mine now as I know he's well and truly run out of room for big motions!

BooBoo glad you got a chance for some pampering and relaxation on Friday!

BRB glad you're driving and getting around a bit better now! You need those extra calories for BF, don't be too strict with yourself!

Gils how's your sciatica? I'm still getting a numb leg if I stand or walk longer than 5 minutes!

ML and SK I had a 3rd degree bum tear and nasty piles after DS and it was not nice, felt weird for a few weeks! Don't think we DTD for about 12 weeks! DH has miraculously volunteered for the big V after this one, I am really pleased! SK how annoying with your MW visit yesterday! Hope the health visitor will be decent! I'm praying I get the same one I had last time as she was really nice! Some of them are a bit !

Lizzie it's great to hear that you delivered a big baby so quickly and that you got to go home fast as well! I bet she's so cuddly and cute! Well done!!!!

Hi April80! Congratulations!!!!!

ML it's such a good thing that you and Olivia made it through in great condition! It's so silly that the MW don't trust your instincts, it's not as if you're naive! Thanks for the hugs about my grandpa, I appreciate it!

Ali I hope your cold goes away soon and you're not feeling too miserable!

Alle that is brilliant that the mums BF support is helping and that it's going much better. I remember what a relief it was for me when my DS and I finally got the hang of it!

I'm looking forward to more birth announcements and more stories about how the newborns are doing! Take care everyone!

Latest list update :

THE NEW ARRIVALS

11 April LuckyC, GIRL MATILDA, 14.47
15 April ForcesSweetheart, GIRL, MOLLY, 10.27, 7lbs 6ozs
16 April Littleowls, BOY JOEL, 14.40, 4lb 8oz
16 April Memorylapse, GIRL, OLIVIA GRACE, 6.17pm, 6lbs 11.5ozs
27 April Brightredballoon, GIRL, ?, 10am, 7lb 12oz
27 April Pagen, BOY, JACK JOHN, 7.30am, 9lbs 2ozs
29 April littleonemum, GIRL, LUX EMILIE, 9.40pm, 7lbs 7 ozs
04 May fiveisanawfullybignumber, GIRL, FLORENCE MARGARET GRACE, 6.14pm,
04 May hormonalmum, GIRL
05 May sweetkitty, BOY, JACOB DAVID JOHN, 4.52am, 8lbs 5ozs
05 May Mustbemadno3 GIRL, LILLIA VICTORIA SOFIA, 05.05am 6lbs 8ozs
06 May Alle, BOY, OSCAR, 12.20pm 6lbs 8ozs
06 May alexw, GIRL, JULIA MAUD, 7lbs2oz
07 May TwentiethCenturyHeffa, BOY, CORIN, 7lbs1oz
08 May Lizzie9442, GIRL, LOUISE, 9.01pm, 10lbs
10 May Hobnobfanatic, GIRL
11 May, 30ish, BOY, Oliver James, 10:05am, 9lbs 7oz.
12 May kateyjane, BOY, THOMAS EDWARD, 11.29am, 7lbs 12ozs
13 May MarquiseDeMerteuil, BOY, FELIX BENJAMIN, 5lbs15oz
14 May itshappenedagain, GIRL,Florence eleanor, 5.22am, 8lb 6oz
14 May TomlinTowers, GIRL, SOPHIE MAE, 8.43am, 9lbs 7oz
15 May pigleychez, GIRL, LUCY OLIVIA, 9.30am 7lbs 12oz

THE WAITING LOUNGE

04 May - Squirtsmum, 27 #1, Belfast NI
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, 35, #2, GIRL, Edinburgh
08 May - Sassles, 31, #1, BOY, Nr Glasgow
08 May - Asparagusaddict, ? , #1
10 May - Sophie2008, 28 #2 & #3 (TWINS!) BOY & GIRL
10 May - Gils, 28, #2, ?, Falkirk (Central Scotland)
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2 BOY Nottinghamshire
12 May - Katnkittens 30, #4, GIRL
12 May - Haribolicious 36, #2, BOY
12 May - LivsHannah 27, #2, BOY
12 May - slipperthief 34, #2, BOY, Cambs
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 - Carikube, 36 #2 ?, Southampton
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2 GIRL
14 May - CornishSAMum, 33, #1, ?, Cornwall
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 - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL Reading, Berks
17 May - Morph2 36 #1
17 May - KaffaCakes, ? , #1
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
22 May - Mollybob, 37 #3, Gender unknown, Bangor, Northern Ireland
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 - AliMouse, 40, #3 BOY
26 May - Glastocchick, 34, #1
31 May - Hollyoaks, 28, #2

Congratulations Kateyjane, 30ish, pigley, tomlin and itshappened. Lovely names, of all those with fast and early births. All the fb pics are gorgeous.

Rachel - sorry your grandpa is unwell, hope he continues to improve.

Gils/Pamelat - hopefully not much longer

Sorry for no more personals, my head feels like it's full of cotton wool and there is so much to catch up on. DD woke this morning and threw up all over dh, she's currently on the settee asleep feeling very sorry for herself. She and dh have had a nasty chesty cough for over a week now and I am just starting to feel like I'm getting it. Had an hour on the settee this morning and woke up feeling terrible but still can't stop eating. Lots of bh contractions now, especially at night when I also get a lot of pressure and pain low down but it doesn't amount to anything. LO has also switched back with it's back on my left hand side, not sure if that's significant or not?

Hope I manage to get to my hair appointment tomorrow, already missed it once as dd was sick and again as I forgot about it.

Hope the waiting lounge starts to empty though I could do with staying in it for a fw more days.

Moggmum Thank you for thinking of me. Nope still nothing happening here. That's 48 hours after sweep, so guess hasn't worked. DH stepped up yesterday and we DTD! He's so proud of himself and doesn't realise why he was bothered before. May get to try that again . Hope you don't have too long to wait. Boxing doesn't sound fun!

alle01 I think my cats will be scared of baby when it comes too. Imagine they will be pretty pissed off.

MDM & Tomlin Congratulations!! Well done to both of you. Anyone else noticing a recurring theme in labour stories of hospital staff telling people not to come in or to go home only for babies to shoot out in the next hour? That's scary. Well done on the DH's getting us to the hospital in time!

James It is so frustrating isn't it? On the whole, people haven't been too bad in phoning/texting but as there are so many well wishers (which is really nice) it does still mean that I get at least three texts a day from different people who have waited a week since the last time they asked. Trying to keep pleasant. Not really any one person who is phoning constantly or they prob would get a bit of a blast! Hope things happen soon. on the tight knickers!

squirtsmum Good luck for your induction tonight! Sounds good that you had a show after the sweep. Maybe things will happen before you go in tonight. I'm booked in for Wed afternoon and like you, not relishing the thought of not being with DH. That's good that he can come back in quite quickly. I'm a bit worried that DH goes to sleep (which I want him to do as this induction thing could take a while and don't want him knackered too), but he sleeps very deeply and I have a vision of us trying to call him and sleeping through the birth of his first child . Glad you persuaded your mum on the insurance!

Pamelat That's so exciting! Not long till you are holding new baby in your arms!! Hopefully will be quick for you are things sound like they have progressed nicely.

gils that sounds very frustrating. I think it is probably worse thinking things are starting only to trail off than being like me and having absolutely nothing going on. Hope things happen soon. I'm 41 + 1.

schipo Hope the sweep takes. I have family history of late babies too (2 weeks) and looks like I'm following the same pattern. It's quite frustrating. At least if we have another (hoping that this one does eventually arrive) we will know what to expect.

Carikube There are a few of us all keeping company now in the late gang. Hope you are not too fed up. Fingers crossed things happen soon!

Rachel that's great that your Grampa is doing a bit better. I hope that he gets to meet new baby! Looking positive though!

about MIL downstairs awake till 2am. Maybe she could go for a long walk with DS? Happy due date!

Hollyoaks Can't be fun seeing your name on the bottom of the list, but looks like quite a few of us are going to 2 weeks overdue and you may be early. Sounds like things are happening for you. We will stay with you, so don't worry about being here on your own. Hope you make your hair appointment!

Five - sorry you've not been able to fully enjoy your new arrival. Glad to hear your on the mend though - sounds very stressful.

Pigley - hope your BP settles down. I have been getting those popping noises too - very weird!! No one has been around to hear them to though and think i'm making it up!!!

Hollyoaks - congrats on finishing work - now you can put your feet up? ;)

First1 - sorry scan gave you a scare. Hopefully you'll not have too long before LO arrives

Pamelat - goodluck!!

Sassles - at consultant but glad you eventually got it all checked out and LO is the right way Good luck for wed

Kateyjane - congratulations and welcome to thomas!!!

Lizzie - congratulations and wow at 10lbs!!

April - Congratulations!!! Isla May is a ovely name

30ish - welcome to little Oliver

Tomlin - Congratulations

Rachel - hope your grandad continues to progress - good news

I had a call from hospital on fri, they've had a cancellation so i am going in for my section on friday 21st instead of monday 24th!!! Called MW out yesterday as have had a constant headache for a week, BP and urine fine, so just having to put my feet up. Finding it veyr hard to sleep at night.

sending speedy labour vibes to all the frustrated waiting ladies

April - sorry missed you off the list of congratulations , so congratulations, that must of put your edd near the end of the month so very . Can't believe are babies are arriving, it really doesn't seem two minutes since we were on the ttc threads.

Den - wohoo, a few less days to wait for lo

Sassles - I'm hoping that things will kick off early and I can stay with the majority of people on here, I know you won't all leave me behind, but hope I'm not going to have a June baby . Hope things kick of for you soon.

Waiting impatiently for more birth announcements at dd still asleep and dh has popped to Tesco for more junk food.

Very quick post..

Just home from hospital with Lucy Olivia. Thanks for all your congratultions
Will catch up properly later when I get 5 minutes with my birth story but glad to say alls going well.

Congrats to everyone else with new arrivals

Hello, having mild but regular contractions and backache, been on the loo several times this evening so it looks like something could be happening, but equally it may all turn out to be nothing/be here for days, yet.

Pigley - glad to hear your home

James - good luck

Well unfortunately I'm up in the middle of the night with a horrendous head cold

Oh and according to fb Squirtsmum is on labour ward having contractions.

Well I've been up since 5am which is what happened the day that I went in to labour with DD (normally have no problems sleeping...) so hopefully this means that something will happen today, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Hope it all goes well for Squirtsmum and look forward to hearing from more of you soon!

Congratulations all new mummies! Thread is moving very fast now! Good luck to all those in labour atm, and hope all the rest don't have too long to go.

Had forgotten how tiring it is to have a newborn! Corin tends to sleep beautifully during the day and awake more at night Is very cute though and still feeding well although my nipples are in a state. I've ordered a pair of silverettes to see if they help.

Hope all post-natal mums are recovering OK and not feeling too rough. Will try and keep up more!

Blimey girlies - I literally can't keep up.

HUGE CONGRATS to all the new mummies and it's so exciting to hear of all of you who are having contractions and still managing to post. Keep it up!

No news from me - due date finally here today.

Loving reading all the updates every day though!

Congrats to KateyJane, Lizzie, April, 30ish, Tomlin.- Soo many new babies

Rachel- sad news about your grandpa

Pamlet- how exciting

My birth story....

Woke at 3.30 sat morning, with my waters breaking. No mistaking what it was. I was sooo scared of going overdue again this time so very pleased but also expecting for things not kick off properly for a while going by past experience. DH and I lay there all excited.
Contractions then started about 5am, which started coming very quickly and getting worse with every one. Got up and dressed and called my mum at 6 who jumped in the car for the hours drive. By 6.30 my contractions were extremerly painful and right on top of each other so we called on our neghbour to come whilst mum was on her way. We were in desperate need of going then as the hospital is 25/30 mins drive away.
DH drove like a looney whilst I was struggling to sit down on the seat, screaming my head off. Got to the hospital with me shouting at DH that it was coming out!
Got out of the car and struggling across the car park literally hanging onto DH in immense pain. Thankfully a couple of Nurses were just going into work and ran and grabbed a wheel chair for me and rushed me up to the delivery suite.
The MW's faces were a picture when I came in. They were having a very busy day and struggled to find me a room.
Anyway they examined me whilst I had a few puffs on the gas and air. Already 10 cms!!
With DD it took me 27 hours to get that far!!
They took the gas and air away and told me to push. Tried various different positions and pushed with all my might. After a while they realised she wasnt coming and that she had turned back to back! Ended up with Vonto use delivery at 9.30 but she came out easily with that help. Just ended up with a small tear and was complimented on my very large, chunky and healthy placenta. It was huge and weighed a ton!
MW reckons that if she hadnt turned back to back that she would prob have been born in the carpark!

Anyway, Lucy is fab. Im managing to BF her which didnt work out with DD so its all abit new to me and will prob be bugging you all with questions soon.
Feeling very sore downstairs and have a bruised bum from pushing so hard.

DD is being very good with Lucy and keeps wanting to give her a kiss. She is currently doing laps round the house with her new baby and buggy that Lucy bought her

Anyway, hope to hear of some more announcements soon. Its been a busy weekend for babies

Fantastic birth story pigley!!!

I can't believe how quick it was - here's hoping we all have such a fast delivery.

My LO's back to back so glad to hear that it doesn't always result in a c/s.

Hope your bum feels better soon!

x

Gosh Pigley! How fast?!?!?!?!? Glad it all went well and you're settling in at home with Lucy.

Fingers crossed for Squirstmum and James! Hopefully news of more babies soon!

I can't keep up with replies but I'm checking twice a day for updates! Only got to wait until Sunday now... eeeeep!

Went to Mum & Dad's last night for bro's birthday party. Everyone thinks Baby will come on Friday... Fingers crossed eh? Getting v excited now.

Can't get enough of sugary foods, which can't be good for me. And still getting period pains - more often as well. No other signs though, so I'll just be patient.

Can't wait for more news!

PS Alle - forgot to say, love your name choice. It's top of our list if we have a boy! x

Morning all

great to hear from mothers of new babies

Pamelat / Squirts - hope all is well!
Hollyoak - sorry re your headcold - typical as soon as you stop work ime
PIgley - thanks for writing up your birth story - interesting to see that people don't always have the same length labours.

TMI alerts for this:

Yesterday I had another episode of what happened last week - ie. increased discharge/waters leaking. That was then followed by the appearance of a clear thick mucus and then more episodes of watery leakage. Because it was happening again and again I assumed it was waters leaking - but because it was clear and the baby was still moving I didn't panic. Also i was getting the occasional twinge that I hoped was the beginning of contractions. Went to bed hoping to be woken by more severe pains but instead woke up at 6.30 worried that I hadn't felt the baby move for a while.

To cut long story short went into labour ward to get checked out and was very happy to hear a heart beat. I also learnt that I am having mild contractions every five minutes or so that I'm completely unaware of. Cervix is also 1cm dilated but waters are intact apparently. It could have been the hind waters leaking apparently.

Anyway, after a couple of hours of monitoring the babies heart beat we were allowed to go home. We're only 5 minutes from hospital in a taxi anyway and if baby goes very quiet again we can go back in. Still sort of hoping we get to use the birthing pool in basement here though - all the hanging about is much more pleasant at home.

In the end I don't feel any the wiser really. Not sure if I'm in the beginnings of labour or not. I do hope so though! Midwife is coming for a sweep tomorrow though so hopefully I'll know more by then.

Interested to know at what stage everyone else starts feeling contractions? How can you time them if you don't feel them? Can I assume that if I get more dilated the contractions will be more noticeable?

Anyone else out there in the middle of it?

Pigley your birth story got me welling up for some reason! Well done you, it could have been scary but you sound like you took it in your stride, I'm in awe!

Still getting contractions, had them off and on all night but managed to sleep through the majority of them. They aren't any more painful, just period pain and tightenings really so it's either braxtons or early/slow/false labour! I had this for a few days before ds arrived so if it follows the same pattern I might be a while yet. I suppose I'll just wait for worsening pain or a show or something.

schipo: "Interested to know at what stage everyone else starts feeling contractions? How can you time them if you don't feel them? Can I assume that if I get more dilated the contractions will be more noticeable?"

I'm sure you'll start to feel the contractions soon, I don't know enough about this stuff to know why you aren't feeling them right now but I'm sure they're doing some work on dilating the cervix, and should start getting gradually more painful as time goes on and you dilate more. Do you feel your stomach hardening at all from time to time?

I wouldn't worry about trying to time them if you can't feel them. Unless you're one of these incredibly rare and fortunate women who feel no labour pain at all, you'll start feeling something once it's all a bit more established and then you can time then if you need to. contractionmaster.com can be helpful for timing them but I can never get the hang of timing them.

James- We used a contraction timer thingy to time mine when they started and we were laying in bed. DH had his phone and found an Ap that timed them.. We now have a joke about "theres an Ap for that"

Pigley - congratulations again, your birth story has given me hope for a speedy second delivery. DD only took 14 hours which I don't think is bad but not quick enough.

James - hopefully it will all kick off soon, I'm sure I keep saying this to you, so sorry if its getting annoying.

Schipo - it's typical, I finish work and get a cold the next day. I was hoping to get some tidying done this weekend but in the end couldn't be bothered. DD is still burning up with her chesty cold and dh has rung to say he is throwing up at work . I hate to say it but this baby can stay in for a few more days till we've all pulled ourselves round. Oh, an on contractions, when you need to start timing them you will know about it.

Afternoon all and congratulations on all the new arrivals! The waiting room is getting smaller. Thank you for sharing your birth stories too, and so soon!

Hope baby can hang on for a bit longer Hollyoaks so that you can all be well for the birth.

Pigleychez I've also downloaded an app for timing contractions. There really is an app for everything!

Hope your instincts are right Carikube!

I think I might be in a similar stage to Shipo and James. No show or waters leaking but spent all of yesterday with BHs every 15-60 minutes, some of them really strong. I kept hoping that it meant that things were on the way but judging from the birth stories and descriptions of genuine contractions they are just BH. Please tell me that they are doing something useful as we're now 4 days overdue with a sweep booked for Thursday and the waiting and no knowing is driving DH and I up the wall! Not helped by all of the well-meant enquiries about whether there is a baby yet. We'd tell you if there was!!! [frustrated emoticon]