May 2010: Final call for May babies - please exit the waiting lounge & head for the arrivals desk!

[cupcakefairy]

New thread to welcome some more new babies! Let's have a flurry this weekend please!

Hi Ladies,

Another scorcher today. I envisage much ice cream being consumed!

I had a C-section 11 years ago. I was nearly two weeks overdue (perhaps they got my dates wrong?) I was ENORMOUS - 52inches of bump. It was the classic tale of a scared first time mum, too much early intervention and a hugely rude unsympathetic overworked midwife that encouraged me to get an epidural very early when I probably didn't need one. All went downhill after that until he was in distress and had to have emergency c section with morphine (was the best thing about it - seriously girls, if you ever get the chance...). It wasn't that bad. I stayed in 5 days as was the norm then and really benefitted from all the midwife help with BF and general newborn care. He was and is the most chilled boy on the planet and is so laid back he's horizontal - I understand this is common with Csection babies, so there is one huge advantage!

DS2 I had VBAC - had to really fight for it though! I'd say only about 50% of the midwives I met before or during the birth (I had 4 changes of midwife that night) were supportive. I wrote that I didn't want pethadine or to be offered it on my birth plan and one particularly objectionable midwife whispered 'have some pethadine' in my ear 12 hours into labour at 8cm dilated - I took it and instantly regretted it. My lovely DH got me up out of my comatose slump and moving and Jacob was born not long after. It's so so bloody unhelpful having unsupportive staff there - it's hard enough physically and pychologically to have a successful VBAC without a professional telling you you will fail. I went into labour 3 days early with DS2.

So this time - no birth plan, no continuous monitoring (they'll love that but I'm adamant, I want to be mobile) and a swift request for a change of midwife I DH deems them to be unsupportive. He's really confident this time and is feeling very assertive - I feel like I can just concentrate on the the job of labouring and leave him to the communications! I want to go into labour naturally and i'm prepared to wait. This wasn't a planned pregnancy and I have no idea when I got pregnant (on holiday in portugal I think) and I've had 3 different due dates ranging over 2 weeks since my early scans so I'm being very open minded. I'm planning on refusing a sweep or an induction but I might change my mind depending how desperate I get.

There is no allowance for a pregnancy after a successful VBAC - they treat you just like your last birth was a section even if you had a simple virginal birth before. I can undestand but it's a barrier psychologically and has made me feel on my less confident days like my body might not be able to do it again. I can understand why women choose an elective after an emergency section - it cuts out a lot of aggro!

Anyhoo, sorry for the life story! Best of luck to all you duey's and labouring ladies! Looking forward to seeing who has had the next one!

I'm off for a walk along the beach and an icecream.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana I just told DH you are doing a DIY sweep and told him what you said about picking your nose.

His response was 'god, if I could get someone to pick my nose for me I'd be really happy'.

There you have the difference between men and women! They are aliens.

Best of luck!

Bleurgh! men are 'orrible!

Good luck with your 2nd vbac, ali. I have a deep mistrust of midwives (wish I didn't but to be truthful, I have) I know there are good uns out there and overall the NHS do a blinding job, but it seems that for the most part the maternity staff are concerned with adhering to policies even when they do not benefit the patient, and making things easier for themselves. I don't know how many threads I've read on here about the crap birth experiences women have had because they were forced to labour lying on their backs with fetal monitors attached, for no other reason apart from that it's easier for the midwife to see what's going on.

OOh, new thread!
I am feeling a bit daunted at all the catching up I've had to do! Can't believe I haven't been on here for a week and have missed out on so much chat.

First, a massive Congratulations to ithappened, tomlin, pigley, Slipperthief, wibbela, Pamelat, morph2, Squirt, Minniemummy, kat, Sweetpea, Sassles Kaffa and Rachel on the arrival of your babies in the last week. What a lovely collection of names, and a fantastic array of different birth stories.

Schipo - I agree with what you say - it goes to show that you can't really predict what type of birth you'll get, and that once you're holding your baby in your arms, it doesn't matter at all what the birth was like anyway!

I can't possibly hope to comment on everything from the last few days of the previous thread. I have read it, but am having to draw the line and start afresh with this one, otherwise I'll be here all day!

James - lol at sweep being like getting someone to pick your nose for you, and at your DH's reaction to it alimouse! rachel - 11lb2oz !!! And a natural birth too, you are truly superwoman! So pleased you got to use the birth pool, and escaped with 'just' a second degree tear. Huge congratulations.

wibbela - a beautiful name and a wonderfully uplifting story to go with it! It sounds like you are blessed to have such supportive friends around too. Hope it's all going well with Refaella (one of our alternative options to Felix's name was Raphael).

It's really good to read the discussion about what everyone's LOs are wearing. We were unsure what to dress Felix in yesterday in the warm weather, and he seemed a bit restless all day (very similar to your experience Pamelat) - constantly grazing on boob and not sleeping much. In retrospect I think he was a bit too warm. Will try him in just a vest today I think. He slept really well last night though. Fed for half an hour at 11.30 then slept until 3.30 when he woke up for a nappy change and DH gave him a bottle of expressed milk (first time for that!), then he slept again until 7.30. He fed on both sides and then went back to sleep. He looks like he might be waking up now though!

Fortunately he has been feeding really well. When we went to the midwife on Friday, he had gone from a birthweight of 5lb15oz up to 6lb5oz in the space of 9 days. The midwife was really pleased with him, and has signed us off! We celebrated by going out for lunch, where he attracted lots of attention!

Felix has woken up and is lying in his basket smacking his lips - a sure sign that he wants a feed!

Looking forward to some more birth announcements. Am going to try to check in more regularly now that I'm back up to date, can't bear to get so behind again!

Hope everyone has a lovely day.

ROFL Ali Men have a great view of the world!

James - I'm booked in for a sweep next Sunday if this one hasn't put in an appearance yet. I just want to meet the baby, and I think I'd rather someone 'pick my nose' () than be jabbed and poked with more needles and hooked up to monitors.

Been distracting myself this week keeping out and about. Went for mega walk round the river yesterday to try and steam the baby out and went for curry last night (last night out in a while probably...)

I think I got my first BH last night while we were out - never noticed my tummy go hard all over like that before... Today I'm getting twinges - like something between period pain and (tmi) diarrhea cramp. Is that promising? Happened about four times since 9am. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I suddenly realised, talking to DH about them, that I have absolutely NO IDEA what early contractions are supposed to feel like . Am I reading too much into it? Is it too much to hope that this might happen on the day???

Congrats to all the new arrivals. Good to see the lists getting more even! Some fabulous names too! Can't wait to see who's next!

PS Rachel - 11lb with little pain relief? I'm slightly in love with you

PPS James - I've always been curious to have a feel up there too, but I'm too squeamish not brave enough. Am slightly in love with you too

mfb - the pains you're describing sound very much like the pains I was getting that turned out to be contractions! Mine started out at about 4 per hour too, but escalated quite quickly. Keeping fingers crossed for you!

MDM we had a night very similar to yours after our difficult afternoon. Fed him 1030pm, he slept until 230 am (brilliant!!), fed him, he woke at 330am and I thought "here we go", fed for 15 mins and slept until 630am! Then back to sleep until 8am after another feed.

I seriously do not remember my DD ever sleeping like that until about 3 months old. I am so excited about the prospect of a good sleeper but am quite anxious about colic as DD was terrible with it and know we are a week or so away from knowing about it.

Still, we'll cope ....

James a bit late to reply to your message the other day, but I can say that the sweep on Thursday was pretty unpleasant, but it seemed to have an instant effect. I was in pain afterwards and it just kept getting worse.

The sweep was at 1pm, by 3.30pm I had started timing contractions as it felt like things were kicking off. They were fairly erratic but still coming every 3-6 mins so DH took me in to the MLU that I wanted to use. Unfortunately the MW there told me I was only 2-3cms (no progress from when the sweep was done) and that she thought the pain was more the cervix complaining about the sweep. She told me to have a warm bath, get a hot water bottle and lie down as the pain would go if I was lying.

Went home demoralised as I had been so hopeful things were kicking off. Had bath, went to bed about 9.30 hoping for nice restful night but each time a pain came I was on all fours howling - so much for the pain going when lying down! As MW had told me that it wasn't labour, I got myself quite worked up about how I was going to cope when real labour kicked in and by the time DH came to bed we decided to call the labour ward at the hospital to see if there was anything else I could take to ease the pain. They told me to come in, though sent me to the MLU at the hospital whilst I was howling about an epidural; when examined though I was told I was already 7-8cms so the pains I had been having really had been contractions and I wasn't going mad (very relieved to hear that!!). It did mean I was too late for an epi but having arrived at hospital at midnight, DD2 was born just over 2 hours later. She was doing the superman impression with one arm by her head so I had a tear. Had immediate skin to skin which was lovely as I missed out on that with DD1.

However the placenta wouldn't deliver and whilst the MWs were trying to get it out I'd hear regular sploshes as more blood would come out. They took me downstairs to the labour ward to get a doctor to try and get it out and when that failed, they had to take me to theatre. As I'd lost too much blood at that stage they had to give me a general anaesthetic and transfuse blood. I was on the high dependency unit for a few hours afterwards whilst they monitored me as apparently my BP crashed spectacularly due to lack of blood but finally convinced them to let me out yesterday.

Now at home and feel a bit faint but am not doing anything apart from trying to feed DD2. She's suckling lots (particularly in the night...) so hopefully milk will come in soon though nipples are already v sore so will need MW to check latch tomorrow.

Congrats to everyone else and sending good labour vibes to those still waiting....

can I just add my little arrival

Although not so little! Jessica was born on the 7 may and weighed 9 lb 12.5 oz. I had an elective section and we are both doing ok.

Congrats to everyone else and good luck to those still waiting

Wow, think we need a mammoth list update don't we! I am off to do the honours...

Hope I got everyone right!

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
07 May sheepgomeep, GIRL, JESSICA, 9lbs 12.5oz
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, 5lbs 15oz
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
15 May slipperthief, BOY, DANIEL HENRY, 7.28pm, 8lbs 4oz
16 May Wibblela, GIRL, REFAELLA, 12.22am, 8lbs 4oz
17 May pamelat, BOY, ALEXANDER, 12.14pm, 7lbs 8oz
17 May Morph2, BOY, JACOB ANTHONY, 7.50pm, 6lbs 11ozs
18 May squirtsmum, GIRL, REBECCA LOUISE, 1.37am, 9lbs 14.5oz
18 May MinnieMummy, GIRL, 8.31am, 10lbs 11oz
18 May KatnKankles, GIRL, AVA ROSE, 8lbs 14oz
19 May Sweetpeasmum, GIRL, SOPHIE ELIZABETH, 6.38am
20 May Sassles, BOY, SAMUEL?, 9lbs 4oz
20 May KaffaCakes, BOY, ALBERT STANLEY, 1.09am, 7lbs 8.5oz
21 May Carikube, GIRL, ALICE JANE, 2.17am, 8lbs 5oz
21 May Gils, GIRL, MELISSA ANNE, 3.38am, 8lbs 10oz
21 May Rachelfruitloop, BOY, ERIC DAVID, 3.48am, 11lbs 2oz

THE WAITING LOUNGE

06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, 35, #2, GIRL, Edinburgh
08 May - Asparagusaddict, ? , #1
10 May - Sophie2008, 28 #2 & #3 (TWINS!) BOY & GIRL
12 May - Haribolicious 36, #2, BOY
12 May - LivsHannah 27, #2, BOY
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - TinyVeins, 29, #1
13 May - Mummymunchkins, 40, #3, BOY
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
17 May - first1, 22, #1, GIRL, Surrey
17 May - newmomma, 31, #2 GIRL Reading, Berks
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1, BOY
20 May - Aim, ?, #2, BOY
21 May - Suey2, 39, no2, GIRL
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
31 May - ande, #4

Huge congrats to Gils, kaffa, slipper, sheep, carikube and anyone else I missed fab to see you all moving to the arrivals list and some great names (particularly love Albert kaffa - fantastic!)

james and ali to the nose picking thing; that cracked me up.
Ali I told your story to dh too and said he has to be assertive about midwives!I have a deep distrust of medical professionals (for various reasons including my mc experience last year) and am so worried about being bullied/not listened to in the birth. Hoping dh will stand up for me! to that mw who tempted you to have pethidine! Hope you get your vbac.

james I sympathise and I'm only 40+4..it feels like it will never happen doesn't it! I just lay on our bed moaning this morning that I wanted to have a baby. I don't think dh quite knows what to do with me Hoping it will be really soon for you.
Re refusing induction, I want to too. I have a friend who got to 40+14, refused induction & they made her go into the hospital every day to scan and check placenta was still functioning ok. She went naturally a few days later so stand firm! Though I obviously hope you won't get to that stage!

MDM great to hear from you and well done Felix on the weight gain

wibbela fab story about your dd. I'm a Christian too sounds like your little one is a real miracle and how fab that your church are really helping you out. Beautiful name btw.

Still no change here. Bit of backache, a few tightenings under bump but nothing at all significant so bored now.

Just a quick check in to say congrats to all the new mummies and welcome to all the new babies!

I'm 40+6 today Feeling soo sorry for myself. Got induction booked for Friday but like James I really dont want it. I've tried the raspberry leaf, pineapple, orange juice, walking, reflexology, 2 failed sweeps, cant get DH to dtd though! Guess she's just made her mind up she wants to stay put.

Have had a wee show today - cue lots of excitement. Funny how for ages blood would be a disaster and now in small quantities it feels like a victory. Few braxton hicks this evening. About to get stuck into a BBQ with dh, ds and dd. Parents visiting later. Half tidied dd's room today - will do more later if I can move after the food.

Oh I so cannot keep up with this thread, am now typing one handed too, to be honest we are finding Jacob hard work just now, he has 3 modes, crying, sleeping or eating in that order. So he wakes, he has a feed from one side, nappy change, feed from the other then he unlatches and cries. And cries. Nothing comforts him even walking being held, yesterday was hard he woke up at 3pm and was awake crying until 9.30pm. Doesn't like his pram, moses basket or swing. Likes the car and will sleep if he falls off the boob and on me but you can imagine how practical that is with 3 others. I know it's only a short phase and it will pass but cannot remember the girls being as tough as this. Anyway thats my rant over with.

Right who have I not congratulated???

wibblela - beautiful name with a lovely meaning

carikube - congrats on the birth of Alice, what a horrid time you had with the blood loss etc so glad you are on the mend

Angel - aww your bound to go soon, better in a few days once it's cooler those hospitals far too hot

Gils - congrat on the birth of Melissa, she's probably sucking so much to bring your milk in, won't be long

BRB - yes would be up for that, I couldn't get on with my coorie sling am now thinking about something like a Mei Tai or Kari Me or Moby as it's got to be better than lugging that car seat everywhere and gives me more hands for DD3

Alimouse - well done on one VBAC and hopefully another and well done standing up for yourself. I did find the MW who delivered me was very mindful of my birth plan even though I changed my mind and begged her to examine me and break my waters. I have foubd a good MW makes all the difference.

MDM - so glad Felix is gaining weight and doing well

sheepgomeep - congtats to you too

first1/james anyone else who is suffering the living hell of being overdue you have my complete sympathy

Congratulations to all the new mums - rachel you are some kind of hero!
Finn was born on 21st at 2.47am weighing 7lb 12oz, a fast and furious labour, the details of which i will post later, when i can catch up.
Have been finding breastfeeding agonizing, which has been really demoralising and upsetting, but hopefully things will improve, fingers crossed x

Goodness! So much to catch up on after my weekend away.

We have spent the weekend at my parents house. Saturday night we went to the second half of our friends wedding. The evening reception party as they were only allowed limited numbers at the ceremony. Lucy had her first party at 7 days old and got just as much attention as the bride and groom!
I took the girls home after a few hours and DH stayed on as he was the best man. Thankfully my parents live within walking distance so DH strolled home at midnight carrying a helium balloon bouquet in his suit The things you do for kids!
Today went to the Inlaws for dinner and enjoyed playing in the garden.

Hobnob- Lucy has just been in a little short sleeved, short legged romper suit too.

Slipper- Congrats on the birth of Daniel... Him and Lucy share a birthday

Wibblela- How lovely that you have so much support from your friends Lovely name with a beauitful meaning

Carikube- Congratulations on the birth of Alice. Hows your little DD finding the new arrival?

Gills- Congratulations on the birth of Melissa

Hollyoaks- Yay on the payhouse Im sure DD will love it. The day we planned to put it up was the day Lucy arrived!

James- at the idea of a DIY sweep!

MDM- Glad that felix is doing well.

Sheepgomeep- Congrats on the birth of Jessica

Peaky- Congrats on the birth of Finn Looking forward to reading your birth plan.

Hope everyone waiting isnt too uncomfortable in this heat! Sympathy to all those overdue. Looking forward to some more announcements soon

Lucy is doing well.. Such a good sleeper. Last night was feed at 10 then 12 then 4.30 then 8 and she goes straight back off between feeds.
The weather hasnt seemed to bother her too much today... She spent most of the day asleep!

SK- Sorry you are finding it hard going at the mo. Maybe its a boy thing...My friend insisted her 2 boys were much harder work than her girl.

sorry my posts seem so short and sweet these days..life is hectic!

apologies so any new mums I havent congratulated.its had to keep up now!..carikube..the retained placenta sounds scary..take things easy ...

Olivia was weighed on friday and is now 8lb 9

SK...DS2 used to do the same as Jacob..it seemed he had colic..any chance that could be it?

p.s congrats sheepgomeep..good sized baby girl!

Slipper..Daniel is a fab name..my DS1 is called Daniel

Wibbela..the name youve chosen is beautiful..so pleased that youve defied the doctors

Mollybob, first1, myfirstbump,Angel,Hollyoaks et al..heres hoping that you dont have to wait much longer

Many many congratulations to gils, slipperthief ,wibbela, Sheepgomeep, kaffa, carikube and any one else I have missed out.

Good luck with your show Molly - last time I had a show and went into labour next day.

It?s blimmin hot isn?t it? I?ve been so bad tempered today. slightly dreading a terrible hot night?s sleep. Hope everyone still preg manages to sleep, and that the newborns aren?t too disturbed - looks like it?s going to be a hot night!

SK meant to say I found DS's nappies hard to contain but we thought Tesco own brand or Huggies better and keeping it in, his used to shoot right up the back of it and onto his vest and his wet used to go up the front of the vest (even after positioning his wotsit facing downwards)

Sorry I missed peaky - congratulations on arrival of Finn!

Ooh molly, last time I had a bloody show and ds was here 11 hours later, best of luck!

myfirstbump, how are you getting on? did they turn out to be real contractions?

Carikube thanks for giving us your birth story, glad the sweep worked for you even if it wasn't pleasant.

Congrats to peaky and sheepgomeep on your new arrivals, they're coming thick and fast now aren't they? It's lovely hearing about all the newborns, hopefully I'll join you in all the postnatal stuff soon!

Am sat here contracting painfully away, been off and on all bloody day, as soon as I start to think "is this it?" they stop. Fucking braxton hicks.

By the way, I'm not really going to do a diy sweep, I just looked at if they were possible. Apparently they are, if you can reach! I can't, and it's probably for the best. I am going in for monitoring tomorrow and they may offer me a sweep then so I've said if things look favourable I will go for it. eek!

Well the show WAS a sign. Niggles from 5 and got worse so went in and despite 30s to 45s every 3 mins only 2cm...
Wanted me to go home but contractions were awful - bit demoralising. Then more show, waters went and suddenly I was 4cm and allowed the gas and air. She was back to back but despite this we progressed and she was born at 2.24am weighing 8lb 3oz. Named Molly Letitia Rose and she's so like DS! Managed to vomit all over DH the bed,myself and the floor at transition. No surprise really - all I've done since September is vomit but she's been so worth it. Will be back with more personals later x

Oh another thing - how do I name change as "mollybob" was a combo of names chosen for babe if girl/boy.