June is approaching, the end is in sight, time to sort our lady gardens so the midwives don't get a fright - Due June 2010

[ConservativesShouldWinSurely]

30/05 GoodName, 31, #1 BOY
31/05 RnB, 31, #3
31/05 dinosaurinmybelly (DIMB), 37, #3 GIRL
31/05 - mampam, 30 #3
31/05 - minimoonumbertwo, 33, #2, BOY
1st - Appu, #1 Girl
1st - ELM, 29, #2
1st - whenwillisleepagain, 42 #2
1st - PogueMahone, 36, #3 SURPRISE
1st - madamefreckle, 34,#2 GIRL
2nd - meggymegmegs, 31, #1 SURPRISE
2nd - Justbeme , 41 #3
2nd - AlwaysHopeful, 35, #2 SURPRISE
2nd - roundabout1, no 2,
3rd - nickytwotimes, 35, #2
3rd - Jenba, ?, #3
3rd - Flossysmum, #4
3rd - marmiteaddict, 31, #1 SURPRISE
7th - MrsC09, 29 #1 SURPRISE
7th - perkster, no 1, SURPRISE
7th - Zeel, #1
8th - LittleRobbo, 35, #3 GIRL
8th - Saucepanman, 31, #4
8th - MrsAlwaysRight 31, #2
9th - greensnail, 28, #2 SURPRISE
9th - Boobz, 30, #2 SURPRISE
9th - Petitfilou, ?, 1
11th - shipsladyg GIRL
11th - woofie, 33, # 2 BOY
12th - Georgee, 38, #1 GIRL
12th - Elena67, 43 #1
13th - sobloodystupid, 34, #3
13th - WaiteH, no 1
14th - Fillybuster, 36, #3 - NOT TELLING!
15th - Ponymum, 41, # 2
15th - Millymollymoo, ?, #4 BOY
16th - NizzyNoodles, 35, #3 BOY
16th - Flossie69, 40,#2
17th - Bluesnowfalcon 28 #1 BOY
17th - Summerhols, 31, #1
17th - Barbeasty, 31, #1 GIRL
17th - chestnut100,30 #1 GIRL
17th - LateforWork,#1, SURPRISE
17th - Plum100, #3, SURPRISE
18th - Virgo1979, SURPRISE
18th - theperfectbaguette 34 #1
21st - Gizmo, 40, #3 GIRL
21st - Bubs1,?,SURPRISE
21st - Sunworshipper, 36, #1
22nd - gaelicsheep, 33, #2 - NOT TELLING
23rd - Bobolana, 29 #1 GIRL
24th - GibberingGinger 34 #2+3 BOYS
24th - lifeinthesun #2 BOY
25th - Ilovemyterrier, 38 #1 BOY
26th - herewegrow 31 #2 GIRL
26th - imkeepingmum, #1, SURPRISE
27th - muchchocolate, #2
28th - Wheredidmyfeetgo 32 #3
29th - CantSleepWontSleep, 36, #3, SURPRISE
29th - MrsDmamee #3
29th - playftseforme, 36, #2+3 BOYS
30th - MonkeyMargot, 36, #2+3 SURPRISE
30th - LaTrucha, 36, #2 BOY
30th - NotGrownUpEnough, 29, # 1, SURPRISE
30th - EssieM, 37, #1, SURPRISE
30th - Monthlymayhem, No.2, BOY

RnB, please try not to worry about things ending in a csection. I had a section this time, and although planned sections probably differ quite a bit from emergency sections (mine was semi planned - wasn't the booked date but wasn't in labour despite waters breaking) and it was brill. so much easier than the "natural" birth I had first time round. And think positive its as likely to be a 2 paracetamol and a quick push, as it is to be a section. Labour is so unpredictable.

Little Robbo, sorry to hear that you had a rough time with the hospital being overfull. Sadly its more common than you would expect. Like CSWS says, what can the staff do if there is no space. Its an NHS problem, and unfortunately doesn't look like the current goverment can afford to do anything about it.

Congratulations on the arrival of baby magnus

Was trying to read thread and respond but kept getting waylaid so will just do selfish quick update instead and try again tomorrow!

Today's new fun complication is that Gabriel and I have thrush He has been a bit unsettled the last 2 days but is so good and doing really well. I feel v sorry for him when he has to have the nasty tasting drops though . My boobs are killing, after me being all smug at doc's yesterday and concurring that I didn't have it- safe to say today I definitely have. Other than that we are fine but not looking forward to MW visit mon to weigh Gabes and no doubt try and refer us to hospital for weight/jaundice issues. I need my fighting shoes on!

Brilliant story Pogue and congratulations to Family Mahone

Good luck tomorrow RnB - I was induced with DS and whilst not a particularly fun experience, it did end in a completely fine (ok, ventouse!, but he was enormous and stuck!) vaginal birth

For all those running late, I thought it worth mentioning that in France 'term' (iirc) is counted at 42 weeks, so perhaps that explains some of those late closed cervixes? I know that DS really wasn't ready to budge at 40+12 and retrospectively I wonder if I shouldn't have pushed to be left to go longer...although (as above!) he was big, and did get stuck, so perhaps that wouldn't have been the best idea

I'm delighted to report that DH's surprise birthday tea party went off without a hitch this afternoon, and without a sudden rush to hospital in the middle ! Although at one point we had so many doctors in our garden we would have been fine...although not obs/gynaes, but quite a few paeds Also quite a few other pg friends who would have run a mile Anyway, DH loved his presents and got quite emotional when after his lie in, breakfast in bed, presents and stuff I said "oh, and there's something else..." and explained that I hadn't actually been madly nesting when baking like a loon all week but that all our friends were coming for tea We had a lovely afternoon, everyone showed up, the kids all had a lot of fun, the sun shone, we all ate far too much and it was generally lovely. Enormously sore back now though, and shattered, so going to head off to bed...!

Sending good vibes to all the bumps

Glad your DH's bday bash went so well filly. Sounds like a lot of fun, and I'm impressed you found the energy to organise all of it covertly - good work!

I can't sleep a wink. Not particularly discomfort tonight, just can't stop my mind from racing. Just had a (disgustingly) sweet hot milky chocolate and am playing online Scrabble for a bit. If DH notices I'm not in bed I just know he's going to panic I'm in labour. But no signs of any baby action here. sleep well all.

Hi, I've been lurking all week but not had time to post. Congratulations to everyone with new babies this week. I'm afraid I have lost track now...

My birth story is short and sweet and possibly offers a lesson to be learned for and second timers out there. I woke up on Monday morning about 7.30 feeling completely normal. Started feeling some period pains at about 8 and then noticed a bit of a show at around 8.30 when I went to the loo. Said to myself "have had a sweep, so the little bit of pink doesn't mean anything necessarily and I've been having period pains on and off for weeks - so don't get excited!". By 9, though, I did think I'd started with mind contractions. Fortunately DH had booked the day off work and we decided to take DD to the park for a bit to kill some time and distract me from clock watching. Only managed half an hour on the park before I was in too much pain to be comfortable in public and got in the bath with my two paracetamol when I got home. WARM BATHS WORK FOR PAIN RELIEF AT HOME!! The pain was much easier and I kept pressing the on/off button for the contraction timer app on my phone without looking at it. DH was downstairs with DD calling his parents to come and pick her up and getting some food for us to take to hospital. All of a sudden at 11, I had an "I need to get to hospital" moment of clarity. DH looked at the contraction timings and went a bit pale.... So DH got me out of the bath and dressed, FIL arrived, we phoned the delivery suite and set off, passing MIL on the driveway. She says it was 11.20 when we left. Closed my eyes and directed the air con into my face and just breathed through it all until we got to the hospital. Asked DH to drop me at the door as I couldn't be sure to be able to walk. Didn't get to the front door before my waters broke and my whole body started pushing baby out! Then I screamed! There was no way I was having my baby on the concrete front step of the maternity unit! Fortunately, some midwives from the antenatal unit heard my screams and fetched me a wheelchair and wheeled me up to delivery, putting their rubber gloves on as they walked....

Baby's head was crowning before my pants were off and midwife shouted "meconium!" as soon as she could see what was going on. I was now very scared and in an immense amount of pain and still standing up. Once I got on the bed I was much calmer and able to push productively. Two contractions with gas and air and little George was out!!! Timed at 11.52.

Took me over 2 hours to push out DD, just 2 pushes this time

Gearge is now 6 days old and perfect. I am fine and the few stitches I had are healing well. I am a very loved up mummy!

Congrats Poguemahone

Fab story AlwaysHopeful glad it worked out alright! I'd second the warm bath at home for pain relief too!

Hi All, haven;t been on much as have been busy with work and then generally feeling too exhausted to even read so have just treated myself to a 2.5 hour catch up.

Congratulations to all our new mums, i'm so pleased that everything seems to be going so well for you all. I'm so ready for this baby to come too now even though i still have 2 weeks to go.

earlyonemorning I'm still breech too although i'm having ECV on tuesday, was a bit aprehensive about it although i started a thread in the pregnancy section and have had quite a few positive stories so have decided to definitely go ahead with it as terrified at thought of cs. Is this not an option for you rather than going straight for the elcs?

The other thing I've learned is that ARNICA WORKS TOO! I had never heard of it before CSWS mentioned it on this thread and my god, it works! My undercarriage was far more bruised and swolen and sore last time. The deliveries were different, so the end results would also have been different, but I'm sure that the arnica has helped making things less shocking this time round.

Thanks for the postings about co-sleeping too. I'd never have considered it as option, but little George had refused to sleep in his own crib all week and I'd have not slept at all if I hadn't brought him in bed with us. We have borrowed a moses basket from a friend and George slept very well in it last night. So, it looks like the crib my mum kept from my baby-hood will be packed back up into the loft for the next generation, or my brother.

Finally for now, thanks for all the breastfeeding advice this past week too. Even though I haven't been posting, you've still answered a lot of my questions between you all. George's latch isn't as good as it should be all the time - sometimes it's textbook perfect, but sometimes very painful. On the whole, though, we're both doing far better than I did in 3 months of feeding DD.

Congratulations AlwaysHopeful - what a story!!! And welcome George, another lovely name.

I can confirm that I have never witnessed NHS staff calling in sick for World Cup etc and I've worked in the NHS (clinically) since 2003, including obstetrics. Anyway it seems to be less of an event this year north of the border, can't think why...

Congratulations AlwaysHopeful! Your birth story gives us second timers something to think about. It could all happen very quickly.

I think I've started off quite slowly though - back pains started this morn about 8:30/9ish and have been continuing every half hour or so. Took a couple of paracetamol which doesn't seem to be cutting it. Why do they suggest it when it doesn't work? It didn't do anything last time either. Anyway my mother is on call to take Boy GB as and when needed.

Have sent Mr GB and Boy GB out for a bit so Boy GB can have a bit of a run around which he wasn't able to do yesterday as we stayed in. And also they can pop into M&S to stock up the freezer. Does it count as nesting if you get ready meals from M&S and get your cleaner to make sure your flat is in a relatively tidy state?!

Hope I didn't offend anyone by saying that Mr GB was worried about hospital staff taking a sickie because of the football. We don't actually think that it was said in jest.

fillybuster glad your DH enjoyed his birthday surprises.

AlwaysHopeful great birth story!

Not sure if things have started here. Had some clear mucus at about 10am and have had contractions since about 10.30am every 15 mins or so. They aren't lasting very long but are quite uncomfortable in a period pain/dodgy stomach kind of way. Took some paracetamol at 12.30.

DD has gone to my mums for the afternoon and have sent her off with an overnight bag just in case this is it. Felt very emotional saying goodbye to her - she wasn't phased and just gave me a big kiss and said that will make you feel better and happy mummy!

Will keep you posted!

Good Luck Goodbits

OOhh good luck MrsAlwaysRight & ItsNotOnlyTheGoodBits

I hope this is it for you both

Wonderful story alwayshopeful. Many congratulations. I too am a big advocate of arnica. I also like to put a few lavender drops into my bath and I'm in the routine of having a bath every evening since Zoe was born which I think is helping me mentally as well as physically - I don't lurk for long, but even those 10mins make me feel refreshed and ready for the night shift, so to speak.

I didn't co-sleep with DS1 and I did co-sleep with DS2. DS1 is the one who has trouble sleeping in his own bed at night and has been coming into me each night this week, so there is a little bit of evidence right there that you don't automatically make a rod for your own back if you co-sleep in the beginning. I am co-sleeping with Zoe and have to take her out and put her in her cot when DS1 comes in. I really feel it helps with bonding, and definately with BFing, so I hope to do it for a while. I've managed to master BFing lying down on the bed for the first time in 3 experiences of BFing and it is fantastic.

How lovely to log on and read such a lot of positive posts (except for yours saucepan - hope that the thrush clears up quickly for you both).

Good luck to MrsAlways and GoodBits for imminent and easy births.

Good luck for your ECV on Tues too NGUE.

Hope you've managed to have a nice quiet easy day today filly, after all the excitement of yesterday.

Thanks CSWS

Hi everyone, I too have been lurking this week, mainly because only have time to read while holding the baby and that makes typing tricky. Also partly too exhausted to type anything.
Congrats ginger on getting home, do not know how you are managing with two tiny babies as I find the one quite demanding enough.
Congrats to all the new babies and mothers, especially to alwayshopeful on an amazing sounding birth. DIMB congrats on mastering feeding lying down, I have not managed to master this yet and when I try I get sore nipples. Also how and when did you go from co-sleeping to getting them in own beds, I am very happy with it just now but do not want it to be long term. I am currently trying to get him to sleep during the day for longer than 40 minutes in his crib or moses basket. He will sleep in our arms or in car seat for up to 4 hours but not in his bed.
filly amazed well done on catering for what sounds like a pretty big birthday tea at that stage in pregnancy.
Hope all the twinges turn into full blown and fast labours asap.
I am still feeling quite overwhelmed with the whole experience of motherhood. I think it is amazing but such an exhausting and incredible responsibility. Fergus had a stomach bug on friday and vomited up all his feeds quite violently so was very worried and we both had fretful nights sleep that night and the thursday. He was much better on the sat but wanted to sleep all day, so was too awake and unsettled last night. Woke up at 7 this morning and I just wanted to hide under the pillow but you have no choice but to get up and get on and feed feed feed the baby. Its scary having no choice. Anyway just needed to get that out. Hopefully we will all have a better sleep tonight as DH back at work 2mo and we are both dreading that a bit.
Oh on the earlier subject of windy babies (which Fergus most definately is), I did some research and the newest solution is probiotic drops for babies, in studies they apparently reduce crying quite significantly in 95% of colicy babies. Also just generally good for you I guess unlike giving medicine. Just thought I would pass that on in case it is useful to anyone. I have ordered some so will let you know if they work

Oh and lovely photos of summer dawn, she is such a cutie

Hi All,
Sorry I really have been rubbish at keeping up to date lately.

Just thought I'd let you know that Rufus Jack arrived as scheduled on the 7th June! The labour was pretty speedy... I was already 10cm by the time I got to hospital so my desperate cries for an epidural were ignored. So a few puffs of gas & air later Rufus popped into the world! He is such a lovely boy and seems to be behaving himself so far.

Congratulations to the rest of you who have your babies & best of luck to those of you still due.

goodname - I found having dd (my first) quite overwhelming too, and she spent most of the day and night crying, which never helps! Do you have plenty of support around you? Do talk on MN about it if you need to.

MrsC09 - I nearly posted to ask if you were lurking earlier today! Congratulations on the speedy and very punctual arrival of Rufus!

Congratulations pogue with Magnus and MrsC09 with Rufus!

Alwayshopeful - What an excellent story!

I'm loving these stories of speedy labours and WISHING that somehow I manage to get mine out before Tuesday but time is running out! If baby hasn't arrived by then, should I try to delay induction another few days??? Is it not worth the risk? I don't think the baby is going to be too massive but obviously don't want to risk anything but quite fearful of induction so I'm really torn as to what to do!

filly - You astound me.

Good luck MrsAlwaysRight and Goodbits! HOpe it goes smoothly for you.

wow congratulations AlwaysHopeful! What a fantastic story.

Well I'm back from hospital after my 'induction'. Have posted on my other thread which I have copied below:

Well I am home after having my Bishop's Score assessed as only 3 as I had feared (under 5 means induction is v likely to fail).

We agreed with the doctor to give it some more time. I'm having a scan tomorrow to check on fluid around the baby and the state of the placenta and am booked in to the hospital again for possible induction on Wednesday.

The doctor made it quite clear that ELCS wasn't an option and that I would basically have to go through the whole induction process before having a EMCS if necessary.

Am hoping and praying that I go into labour naturally somehow! I had my 4th membrane sweep before I left, cervix still massively posterior.

good luck mrsalwaysright and goodbits and anyone elsewho things are kicking off for.

RnB have fingers crossed for you that this latest sweep will have some effect!

Congrats for all the new arrivals

I'm feeling so exhausted this evening, despite getting a couple of hours nap this afternoon. Am struggling a bit with keeping DD1 entertained, she seems to have suddenly outgrown all her toys so think I will need to think of some new things to keep her occupied - anyone got any good suggestions for a 17 month old? She's great when we're in the garden but is getting bored easily when we're inside which is making her want to feed all the time!

We're getting a bit behind with stats now that our most regular updaters have had their babies! Hopefully I have managed to pick up all the details that have been given - missing a couple of weights though...

ARRIVALS!
27/04 (due 23/06) - SunshineDay - Faye - 3lbs 2oz
16/05 (due 02/06) - Meggymegmegs - James (Jimmy) David, 7lb 1oz
19/05 (due 01/06) - whenwillisleepagain - Alice Emily, 8lb 7oz
21/05 (due 21/06) - Gizmo - Hester Rose - 6lbs
23/05 (due 9/06) - greensnail, Alice Elizabeth, 7lb 2oz
24/05 (due 8/06) - Saucepanman, Gabriel, 8lb 4oz
26/05 (due 24/06) - GibberingGinger James Alexander, 5lb 13oz, & Douglas John, 5lb 15oz
28/05 (due 30/05) - GoodName, Fergus, 8lb
28/05 (due 31/05) - mampam, Tilly May, 9lb 11oz
28/05 (due 4/06) - jo807bump - Hannah May, 5lb 7.5oz
5/06 (due 31/05) - dinosaurinmybelly - Zoe Leila - 6lb 9oz
07/06 (due 02/06 ) - AlwaysHopeful - George, 7lb 13oz
07/06 (due 07/06) - MrsC09 - Rufus Jack
08/06 (due 01/06) - PogueMahone - Magnus Gabriel, 8lb 14.5oz
08/06 - (due 11/06) - woofie - Laurence Elliot (Laurie) - 7lb 11oz
09/06 - (due 08/06) - LittleRobbo - Summer Dawn

Waiting Room

31/05 RnB, 31, #3
31/05 - minimoonumbertwo, 33, #2, BOY
1st - Appu, #1 Girl
1st - ELM, 29, #2
1st - madamefreckle, 34,#2 GIRL
2nd - Justbeme , 41 #3
2nd - roundabout1, no 2,
3rd - nickytwotimes, 35, #2
3rd - Jenba, ?, #3
3rd - Flossysmum, #4
3rd - marmiteaddict, 31, #1 SURPRISE
4th - suzy1975, 34, BOY
4th - Bettylou42, ?, #1
7th - perkster, no 1, SURPRISE
7th - Zeel, #1
8th - MrsAlwaysRight 31, #2
9th - Boobz, 30, #2 SURPRISE
9th - Petitfilou, ?, 1
11th - shipsladyg GIRL
12th - Georgee, 38, #1 GIRL
12th - Elena67, 43 #1
13th - sobloodystupid, 34, #3
13th - WaiteH, no 1
14th - Fillybuster, 36, #3 - NOT TELLING!
15th - Ponymum, 41, # 2
15th - Millymollymoo, ?, #4 BOY
16th - NizzyNoodles, 35, #3 BOY
16th - Flossie69, 40,#2
16th - It'snotonlythegoodbits, #2
16th - JoKettle, ?, #1
17th - Bluesnowfalcon 28 #1 BOY
17th - Summerhols, 31, #1
17th - Barbeasty, 31, #1 GIRL
17th - chestnut100,30 #1 GIRL
17th - LateforWork,#1, SURPRISE
17th - Plum100, #3, SURPRISE
18th - Virgo1979, SURPRISE
18th - theperfectbaguette 34 #1
19th - myhandslooksoold, ?, #3
21st - Bubs1,37,SURPRISE
21st - Sunworshipper, 36, #1
22nd - gaelicsheep, 33, #2 - NOT TELLING
23rd - Bobolana, 29 #1 GIRL
23rd - Ladyemmalou83, 26 #1 GIRL
23rd - earlyonemorning, #4
24th - lifeinthesun #2 BOY
25th - Ilovemyterrier, 38 #1 BOY
26th - herewegrow 31 #2 GIRL
26th - imkeepingmum, #1, SURPRISE
26th - RubyReins SURPRISE
27th - muchchocolate, #2
28th - Wheredidmyfeetgo 32 #3
29th - CantSleepWontSleep, 36, #3, SURPRISE
29th - MrsDmamee #3
29th - playftseforme, 36, #2+3 BOYS
30th - MonkeyMargot, 36, #2+3 SURPRISE
30th - LaTrucha, 36, #2 BOY
30th - NotGrownUpEnough, 29, # 1, SURPRISE
30th - EssieM, 37, #1, SURPRISE
30th - Monthlymayhem, No.2, BOY

Does she have a toy kitchen already greensnail? Always found them good entertainment. Failing that, CBeebies should be good at that age!