Due SEPTEMBER thread 12 - the big countdown ...

[franch]

Here we go

i was scanned and measurement taken they gave me 2 options elective section or external manipulation I politely refused the later!! My due date was the 4th september they said they do sections in the 39th week. I to had a previous vaginal delivery so am quite anxious but have been kidding everyone on im to posh to push!!!!!

rz & jessysmummy - seemed an extreme idea but where I am intervention is the thing and I have to fend it off with a big stick. I've had a vbac plus my cs scar was normal thickness on ultrasound so should be same risk more or less than everyone who hasn't had a cs before. Docs just try to cover themselves on every angle. I'll see her in 2 weeks & will say that I will refuse this and am happy to sign anything saying this if she's worried about the implications later. Last time my labour was too quick for any intervention apart from one dose of antibiotics for group strep b - hopefully this time as well.

That's very exciting diane. Are you thinking of trying any alternative therapies to persuade the baby to turn before then? In any case we'll definitely all be thinking of you on the 29th!

Seems like we're all getting very impatient! I'm trying not to, but the mws aren't helping with all their hints that this one might come early ... Part of me wants it now, the other part is definitely not ready yet.

My SIL (DH's brother's wife this time) has just gone into Tommy's - waters have broken at 32 weeks. They're trying to keep the baby in as long as poss. That sobered me up a bit. DH is a surgeon who checks all the preemies at Tommy's so has paid her a visit and reckons it will all be ok. Fingers crossed. She's well into her forties and this is her 6th child - it's been a v difficult pregnancy all round.

Plus only pain relief on offer is an epidural - which I hope to avoid as this just puts me in the front line for intervention. Would love to try gas & air - you lucky people who can!!!

I was just lucky with the first, I tried the tens machine and that just annoyed the hell out of me, then the midwife suggested Water Birth (I was sceptical as not a natural earth mother type), suprisingly this worked for me, along with the Gas and Air. Do not want any type of intervention to try and turn the baby as do not want to stress him or me out. Am very nervous this time around as the due date gets nearer, no reason why I should be as I had such a great birth the first time. Have just convinced myself that I cannot do it this time around. Part of me is secretly hoping for a C-section....am I bad??

franch, hope your sil and baby is ok, will be thinking of them.
milward, gas and air knocked me sick last time, so i won't be going anywhere near it this time.
diane, am soooooo jealous of you, i wish i had a date in mind, am desperate to get baby out now, went walking rund manchester yesterday all day, followed by a hot bath and a full fresh pineapple. nothing happened though, i was gutted.i really expected a miracle to happen. LOL
mummyhill, sorry about your fil, hope he's ok.
so glad we got the wireless router, have just come upstairs as dd and dp are really doing my head in, i've had 4 kids all day that didn'tproduce as much noise as these 2. have told them i don't want to see or hear from them for at least half hour. anyone elses dp/h wind up the kids and then shout at them for being too giddy or is it just mine? feel like i'm about to commit murder. FFS

All the best diane77 - I had a section with ds - certainly would do so again - only advise is to make sure they explain everything to you and give you baby as its born. 'the doctors' can take over and you can feel distanced from the expereince - so do make sure they remember to involve you!

Warning - warning - just about to make a potentially contentious statement - Having been to my appointment to see if I needed to book a c-section earlier this week (so far not necessary) - me and dh decided if a section was needed that we would ask for an early September date, this was mainly due to the fact that dh and my brother were youngest in their school years (late aug birthdays) and really struggled -they eventually excelled as late developers but both have bad memories, my poor brother spent many years in remedial class (it was then called - he's an engineer now) I understand this is particular for boys. Obviously babies are born when they are ready - but I think planned c-sections are a little different. Your baby is due earlier than me - so september may not be possible -

Please feel free to tell be to stop medling and trying to manage mother nature!! It makes me uncomfortable to - but is was important to dh.

Just updated the stats thread to include an ARRIVALS section at the end. Moschops I don't know little Lemmy's birthweight? Sorry if I missed it somewhere. We can eventually convert this section into a stats thread on the postnatal board - doesn't that seem a long way off?!

have noticed stm has disappeared off the stats list

well spotted bubbles - don't know how that happens if people just cut & paste. Sorted now, anyway

Hope you're ok mummyhill xxx
Diane77 I had a cs for my 2nd due to footling breech. I tried to see if dd would turn with help from doc but it was an awful experience. For some mums it's fine but not for me. I was so stressed in case an emergency cs would be needed. CS was fine. DD had to be taken for some checks & oxygen & I didn't know what was happening. DH was with her. Eventually the anaesthist went to check what was going on. I was just beside myself with worry. Agree you should ask to be told every step of the way what's happening.

I'm torn between wanting this babe to arrive NOW, because am fed up and tired (like I'm going to feel any better afterwards ) and wanting it to arrive on time, purely because of the academic year thing.
My brothers and I were all 2 weeks early and I remember last time being convinced from 2 weeks to go that dd would be same. In the end she arrived on her due date. This time, though, I think that my due date may be slightly off as I had quite long menstrual cycles (34 days instead of 28 days) and so really I should be expecting a later arrival. Oh well - not much that I can really do about it, but think I will go crazy if it does drag on by an extra week.
Sorry to hear about your FIL Mummyhill.

Welcome AllieJane - As others have said maternity leave is a personal choice. With DS I planned on 3 weeks off (same as you), although I was tired and ended up only working 4 day weeks in the last month (had to take unpaid leave for the 5th day a week, but it saved my sanity). I finished a very stressful week on the Thursday, waters broke on the Saturday night and baby was born on at 330am Sunday morning. So only had 2 days off instead of 3 weeks! But was glad it happened that way around, as I had extra time to spend with DS afterwards.

PC I keep laughing at your "hope baby won't be born on my birthday". We told DS very sternly while in my tummy that the only day he could not be born was our wedding anniversary. I thought it was a big joke, because that was 3 weeks before my due date and thought it would never happen! Guess what?? Quite right, he was born on our anniversary (which we've decided simply to shift to the day after/before his birthday each year). That also turned out to be Easter Sunday when everyone in the maternity ward seemed to be on leave and so staff shortages galore made things a bit of a nightmare for the birth. So for number 2, we've not "ruled out" any dates.

ZoeZebra - "so over being pregnant" - boy do I know what you mean! I loved being pg with DS, but this pg has been a bit of a nightmare. I now have a bad cold & ear infection & "night" sickness (so no sleep at night), plus roadworks in my usually quiet road, and a neighbour who has been busy with the chainsaw (so no sleep during the day). I might as well get it over with and have bubs now, as I'm not getting any rest anyway!

ZoeZebra - probably hormones getting to you (and looking after a toddler while pg). You are not bad for wishing for a c/s! I'm sure all will go well, though.

For mums with toddlers, I'm keen to find out what you did (or do) intend to get your toddler from "baby" (if anything). Rather than hijack this thread, I've started a new one here - I don't know what to get DS (2.3yo), and any suggestions would be very welcome (due date only just over three weeks away!)

Feeling really low this morning. Had a pretty restless night and then woke up to driving rain, prospect of entertaining dd all day inside (I know I know I know I was complaining yesterday about it being too hot, but humour me!), and just suddenly hit me that this is supposed to be the easy part. If I'm exhausted and overwhelmed now, how on earth am I going to cope when I have a newborn and dd?
She's lovely, but for some unexplained reason has been a bit tearful for the last couple of days and I feel so sad that she "feels a little sad" (her words - couldn't say why) and I'm so worried about how the new baby is going to have a massive impact on her life as well.
Ended up sobbing as I was getting dressed, practically begging dh to have a day off so I can have a break, but then feeling guilty for wanting a "day off" from my lovely girl, and for putting pressure on dh when he really needs to get work in hand in order to be off for longer when the baby is born.
Sorry for the long whine. Feels better to get it off my chest.
Kiwikate - get the pushchair. And if you manage to find one in slightly more butch colours than day-glo pink, tell me, because I'll get one too. dd's makes my eyes hurt - got it from Argos, where the catalogue says colours may vary, but both so far have been offensively pink.

P - Sorry to hear you are feeling low today, we all get these days. I have been feeling all the feelings you have too. You feel guilty for not wanting to spend time with your little one cos you're so knackered but also then want some you time before the baby comes. This is completely normal. Last week I was practically begging my DH to take days off every day. Just kept waking up really depressed and unable to cope with anoter day of entertaining and cooking for a toddler.
KK - Gift from baby....I have become addicted to ebaby,and managed to pick up a little tikes dolls house and contents for £25. They don't make them any more so are a bit of a collectors item. Other suggestions, hope she will love it. We bought the Little Tikes gourmet. light and sounds kitchen (okay if you have room as its quite large, however we are in a flat and still managed to fit it in). This has been my life saver whilst nursery holidays are here. She has played with it constantly for 4 weeks! Baby Annabell and any accessories are also generally another hit and can get them used to having a new baby around. The noise that the horrid doll makes is enough to put you off forever though.
Re - the pushchair colours, do they come in any other colour than pink??? Did manage to find a yellow and blue cheap version for £5 in the local toy shop (London, SW11).

Meant to say ebay, spelling not so good at the moment!!

Welcome Zoezebra and AliieJane.

Thankful that its a bit cooler today. Saw Gp yesterday and have a UTI so on antibiotics Have to say i hadnt noticed ant symptoms myself except going to the loo a lot. BP going up a bit but doc not worried so I will try not be either.

Agree with you Redhelen and Pooka on academic year thing. I am impatient to get this baby out but also have been told that being the youngest in the year can be difficult. Friends who are teachers passed this gem on. I must say though I know quite a few men who were the youngest in their class and they didnt have a problem. I think physical size may play a factor too.

Hello everyone, big HELLO to the new names on here I might not be around so much over the next few days as my mum is staying til Tuesday. Will try my best to catch up here and there when I can!

RedHelen - I think I do agree with you about the boys being born in August thing.

Not sure if this is a bit weird, but I keep on hearing a sort of 'clicking' coming from my bump every now and again (at the same time as a movement from baby). Def not waters or anything, as hear it about 4 times a week, and no 'leaking' or anything. Does anyone else have this? What the hell is it?!!

Pooka, hope you are feeling better. It's so different isn't it when you have a toddler already. I keep having the most down moments about why are we changing this lovely life we have and what if the new baby isn't as easy going as DS and what if DS turns into evil devil child.....it goes on and on but too late now!!!!

Ladylazurus - how bizarre - are you sure it's a baby in there??!! Maybe he/she's clicking his fingers in impatience to get out. Or could be tutting!! Or has a full set of teeth already and chomping at the bit literally?

Gosh you lot can chat!!! It's taken me so long to catch up that I hardly have the energy to post!!
On the 'youngest in the year thing' - as a primary school teacher, I agree that it's not ideal, but my ds2 is the oldest in the year (birthday 3rd Sept) which isn't great either!!! The expectations of him seem to be a lot higher, and he found starting school full-time right from the word go really hard - he has always been a clingy child which I think is more common in 2nd children. A lot of his friends had August birthdays and were therefore at school a whole year before him which he also found hard. IME those with August bdays catch up by the time they're 7 ish and can be a lot more laid back about the whole school thing. This is just my rationale for persuading this baby to come early!!
Dh off today - such a relief not to have to waddle around the park with the dog and 2 kids in the rain!! Off into town to get nursing bra fitted - how glamorous!! Not sure if I'm doing it a bit early (36 wks) but can't do it with boys in tow!!!
Welcome to all the newies. Zoezebra, don't think you're mad wanting a c-section - I am also tempted and am not convinced this baby is head down - if it is, it keeps doing star jumps!! Just worry about the recovery as far as school run and dog walking is concerned!

Hi all, welcome zoezebra & allie jane.
Dianne77 - that's dead exciting you have a baby date!
STM - good to hear from you, glad your ok.
Mummyhill - sorry about your FIL. x
My DH & FIL are doing final things to nursery today, they are using electric saws and banging skirting boards onto walls, it's starting to drive me mad! Once this final work is done though we can get carpet fitted and get baby stuff into room, that's the bit I'm looking forward to. Don't envy any of you that have builders in just now.
I slept much better last night, didnt get up til 7.30am this morning which is really late for me. Think it was because I met the girls from work yesterday and stuffed my face with Italian food! They had got me more baby stuff which was great too. Anyway, better go and get the kettle on to keep the workers happy.

i know this sounds silly but i've been getting pains all morning that are coming and going and i don't know what to do. don't know if they're the real thing or not. i knew instinctively with dd but can't actually remember now. argghh

Give the m/w a call bubbles - tell them whats happening & they'll put it in context. Best wishes. I went into labour 2 wks early with dd3 & didn't believe it even when at the hospital & was told - so call to be on the sure side xxx