Due SEPTEMBER thread 12 - the big countdown ...

[franch]

Here we go

i think i'll give it another half hour or so and see what happens. have everyone on standby though just in case. god, i feel quite nervous now.

Bubbles - I would call the midwife and tell her what's going on. In the meantime, make sure you're hospital bag is packed !!!

Welcome to Alliejane...

Had my MW appointment yesterday, and all is fine. Asked her to do my Group B strep private test, but she got the consultant to do it. He was really sweet, but kept apologising that taking the swabs was embarrassing for me (think he was more embarrassed than me!). I was laughing and telling him that I was sure that labour would be far more exposing than getting swabs done. Very sweet, but not sure that he's in the right specialty if he finds doing things like that embarrassing!!

Am a bit confused about my SMP, as may have nearly made a fatal mistake - my understanding is that you get paid it regardless of whether you're returning to work or not (this is how I interpreted the info on the official website), so I told my manager that I wouldn't be returning. However, the payroll guy just came around with my payslip for this month (YAY - it's payday AND Friday - a great combination !), and when I asked him about my P45 he said that you don't actually resign until after your 26 weeks of SMP are up. Just checked the website again, and I'm still interpreting it the same as I was before. Furthermore, it says you still get paid SMP if you move abroad, however I'm keeping that little gem of information under my hat - officially we're going back to NZ for Christmas... Anyone able to shed any light on this?

Bubbles, I also have been getting pains with Braxton Hicks, none today but yesterday they were particuarly bad. I would check with the midwife anyway and take it easy. I found having a bath eased the aches and relaxed me. You just have to keep it in your mind that the Braxton Hicks and pain are all in preperation for the birth, the earlier you have them the more prepared your body is for labour. Ooooh how exciting you may be in labour.

Lady Lazurus, I have experienced the clicking thing you are describing. Its most bizarre. I was told it could be hiccups or the baby trying to reach their thumb by shaking their head. It does feel really weird though.

Bubbles are you ok?

LL - I havn't had any clicking - though I believe you can get popping sounds before waters go?? Having said that it's not your back is it - I think mine is clonking with the weight!!

complete sympathy to those feeling exhusted and tearful - it's much harder than I remember with ds - but having a child does make it extra tiring and heightens your emotions thinking about how they will react / if we will cope (we definately will)

Glad for the rain - it might as well rain until September!

i'm ok, pains still coming though. have got my nephew and niece but they're being collected in 10 mins so am going to have a bath and see how i feel. don't want to look stupid if it's a false alarm. i know it sounds daft.

Good news - another of my friends has had her baby - 9lb 6oz William was born last night naturally (ouch!) - but that means I'm next!!!!!!!!!

Thinking of you Bubbles

Good luck Bubbles .... I must admit I'm really looking forward to the excitement of going into labour spontaneously this time - I know I'll be terrified but having been induced last time I'd really like to experience that first unexpected contraction/waters breaking - probably sounds a bit perverse to those of you who've experienced it but I'm really hoping I have a proper, normal, natural labour this time from beginning to end, and the first indication that baby's on its way must be so exciting. My imagination's working overtime, giving me little false alarms ...

Pooka - I'm the same way. I'd love the baby to come around 38 weeks to relieve some of my discomfort and pain but don't wish to impose the end of school year birth-date on my little one. I desperately wanted my children 2 school years apart but had 2 miscarriages inbetween. Now faced with the choice of 3 school years and a September baby or 2 school years and an August baby I am torn. Silly really, as it's not like I even have a choice in the matter

Besides - my nephew is a late July baby and started school last September at 4y 1m without a hitch.

Bubbles - my midwife told me I should have a soak in the bath if I had contractions that I thought could be the real thing. She said they'd stop after the bath if I wasn't really in labour. Sounds like that is what you're going to try.

Sorry to hear you're feeling low today.

The midwife came round this morning to go through my birth plan. I am so happy to be delivering in this hospital now that we have moved house and area. The overall philosophy is so different to where I had my dd 3 years ago.

They said that if I have a waterbirth, they'll let the water out afterward sand then fill it up again so baby and I can have a bath. Sound slovely.

Since my established labour was only 5 hours last time round she joked that there might not be time to fill the pool this time so I will prepare myself for a landbirth too.

The baby's head is 2/5 engaged. I'm not sure that means anything. I'm pretty sure it's been there a long time already. Position of the baby is currently anterior - let's hope it stays that way. It's spine is on my left hand side and its bottom is on my mid right hand side. Seems like it could be a long baby!

BP is still good - 120/64.

Glad things are going well for you beatie. What's the DOB cut-off for the school year? End of Aug?

franch - Believe end of academic year cut of is those born upto & including 31st August will be in the year earlier - than babies born on 1st September.

Bubbles - how are you??

beatie - re: having a bath if you think you're in labour - I did that with ds2 and was told afterwards it probably accelerated things! Still, it felt very nice, and I will run a bath as soon as I feel a contraction this time as well.

I was born 13 Sept and was put into the year above (ie was youngest in year), which suited me fine. Is being the oldest generally considered an advantage then? I can't really get my head round it tbh

I think using a bath/birthing pool affects the speed of labour/strength of contractions depending on when you get in - it can accelerate things once you're in established labour but earlier on I think it tends to slow things down. That's probably what beatie's mw was getting at - if the contractions ease off, you're not really in proper labour yet.

Think that is why they don't let you in the birthing pool until you're at least 5cm dilated, as if you get in before that it can slow down (or even stop) labour.

Back from nursing bra shopping. Not successful. Wanted an Elle Macpherson one but not in my size - 34ff or 32G !!! Now thinking of buying bravado one online, but looks horrific in that size! Anyone had similar probs?
On a lighter note, we took the kids to see Herbie - it was great!! Brought back memories of my old beetle.....

Good luck Bubbles - how exciting!!!

Hi all.

FIL has been given all clear from CT results btu that just means we are back to square one (not knowing what is wrong with him). They are keeping him to run further tests though so at least MIL will get a break from his bizzare behaviour.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to include in my birthplan (can't remember what I put in the last one). I was asked about it at my antenatal this morning.

Gosh - haven't even thought about birth plan yet!

Still feeling rather under the weather - quite queasy and v. tired. Still, dh home now, so have time tojust be on my own which is restfulish.

My bra lady came round earlier and have bought 4 nursing bras and 2 nursing sleep bras. Hideously expensive, but felt needed as many as possible as wth leaks and stuff, ended up wearing several a day last time.

Re: academic year - there is always the option to play it by ear and start child late - defer for a year. And some schools do two entrances per year, one in April and one in September. So not the end of the world.

Thanks for sympathies. It's just rather comforting to hear others have equally mixed emotions and are, basically, knackered too

After posting a seperate thread for advice have come up with the following:-

Pain relief - Gas and air and Epidural. No pethedine please.

Would like to remain mobile for as long as possible please encourage me as much as possible as I am a wimp. I would rather not deliver on my back as I suffer from back problems.

The only people I want in the room are medical staff and my husband. I am happy to have a student in the room during my labour.

I am happy to have a managed third stage just don?t let me see the needle as I am not good with them.

I am happy for my baby to receive Vitamin K.

I would prefer baby to be cleaned up first rather than delivered straight onto me.

I would like to be told the sex of the baby by my Husband.

Will have an episiotomy if it is felt to be absolutely necessary.

If possible could my husband cut the cord please?

Comments/improvements welcome

Finally badgered and got to see a MW today. Baby is now in a head down (easy birth) 2/5 engaged position - thank god. So all the worry for nothing! MW said for a second pregnancy he was suprised at how enagaged it was for the amount of weeks I am. So girls, guess it could come at any point from now on.
Re birth plans - theres a really good one on a site called earthmamaangelbaby.com it gives you loads of ideas (its a bit american for us british ladies!) which you can delete and add to. I had forgotten what I wrote in my first one and have done it as a matter of course this time round.
Bubbles - hope all is well?? Any news?

Ooh any news on Bubbles? Perhaps no news is good news! all very exciting!

Mummyhill - your birthplan sounds ok to me (not sure about the 'wimp' bit! Think positive!!) Something I have done is put 'headings' like Pain Relief and After The Birth so that it is easier for the staff to read it.

sorry to keep you all hanging on. after my bath, the pains slowed down, just been having a rest and am still getting a few pains. i will keep you all posted.