Oh lordy are things starting to happen??

[StrangewaysHereICome]

Just need to share as I am driving myself nuts!! I am 37 weeks today and woke up at 2.30am which a very sharp pain to the side of my bump which I had to breathe through. It coincided with a BH contraction. I lay there thinking oh goodness I am not ready for this!! Then I started timing things as I couldn't get back to sleep because the tightenings and period type pains were coming every 5 mins and lasting 30 secs. Not painful as such, but uncomfortable.

After an hour I needed the loo and lets say I cleared my bowels out . I was awake for a further 2 hours before finally dropping off. I woke up at 7 still with the tightenings, just the same as before, which are still going now. I haven't had a show but have, er, done more bowel clearing.

Any ideas? This is my third so I should know really, but both my previous labours started with my waters breaking and then nothing for 12 hours before labour started in earnest.

I need to go to Tesco - dare I venture out?? DH doesn't believe things might be starting and we have a decorator coming tomorrow. I am planning a homebirth and all DH can say is wait until after the room has been painted !!

Sorry this is so long, I am feeling a bit edgy!

News even duck!

Hi Paula - not even overdue yet! I have 6 days to go, but my DD was born 6 days early, and I was just kinda hoping. Plus, all these rogue BHs that settle into a nice regular pattern and everything.

I cooked loads today and convinced myself it was some sort of psychic nesting instinct [desperate saddo emoticon]

Strangeways, your day with your DCs sounds lovely!

Well, I didn't make it to the cinema as fell asleep at 5pm and DH decided not to wake me. Got up 20 mins ago and had a shower and a bloody show, so although I've not had any pain or twinges whatsoever today, just a wriggly baby, at least I know things ate moving along. Realise it could still be a week though!

Having missed the cinema we're off out for a HOT curry and I think I'll have a glass of later after all it is Highlandgirl's birthday!

Have a comfortable night ladies. Well, either comfortable or a labourious one!

Morning Peeps...any little one's arrived over night?

Due date today..phwee made it, now it's time for things to get going. Slept so badly last night..grrr.

Had a lovely birthday with lots of cards, pressies, flowers and 2 whole yummy glasses of champagne. My phone didn't stop ringing...me thinks most people who called were checking in re: Has the baby arrived yet...

I just wanted to check what you guys think about my 40 weeks check up appointment which happened on Tuesday?? Given it some thought..and not sure how to proceed
I've got too much fluid and quite a big baby..which hasn't yet engaged. The constants would like me to return to the clinic next Tuesday and hasn't given me any further information. Like a wally I didn't push it. Clearly she's happy for me to go a week over even with the events of last weekend and losing my plug etc etc.
However she mentioned that with all the fluid the baby might not be able get down in order to engaged.
I'm no doctor, but surely this is odd? I mean leaving me an extra week, isn't going to change my fluid levels nor the size of the baby. I was told my waters could break but don't I need the baby to be engaged to do this....
Also yesterday I found out a NCT friend who's not due until next week is also not engaged, and she's being sent to see a specialist..nothing like this has been mentioned to me as we're at the same Hospital.

Not quite sure how to proceed, have called my GP (who's lovely and very supportive) this morning to chat it over. She's going to call me later.

Any advice...??

Good sorry that was long...!!

Happy birthday for yesterday highland - Mmmm champagne!!! hope your GP can provide some answers for you if not can your midwife refer you back to hospital. I have increased fluid and baby measuring at 95th percentile - went for a scan this morning where bizarrely they didn't take measurements as last scan less than 2 weeks ago, but they have booked me in for another one in a couple of weeks time to check growth etc. MW has also said she happy to 'sweep' at 38 weeks especially given large baby predictions.

Explained my discomfort constant cramping BHs back pain shooting 'foo' and bumpkins to doctor along with lost plug. She said it will happen when it happens - great! Last night pains particularly bad, but have eased now. Is sunny today though so walking round the shops lots!!!!

Can't remember who it was mentioned nhs admin staff - they are just joyous in my hospital - not. And they are so so so inefficient - they really let the medical staff down.

Hope the sunshine brings arrivals :-)

Morning all.

Bugger all going on here. More show this morning, but nothing else.

Highlandgirl, my MW told me that it's irrelevant whether or not the baby's engaged as labour can start regardless, and the baby then engages during the first stage. I don't know about the fluid- sorry. Hope your GP is helpful. I always work on the premise that if the MWs/obstetricians think your situation is potentially dangerous they take immediate action, so I would try not to worry if I were you.

Ps - the sunshine seems to have brought out the nutters - lots of very random and odd dressing particularly hats!! The joy of mat leave sitting in Starbucks nursing one coffee for ages!

Think I'll go for a Starbucks walk this afternoon and check out the sunshine fashions. It's still a bit overcast here.

Oh great...this isn't what I wanted to hear.. haven't heard back from my GP.

Need to get out of the house..it's a lovely day!

Any call yet?

The whole thing is so blooming confusing. I thought I'd lost my plug last week (no blood, but green blob) and MW said it sounded like I had. Now having the blood-tinged show, and am beginning to worry as it's now been 18 odd hours of pinky mucus. Baby is moving but no other signs...

My Mum tells me that her waters didn't break with either me or my sister so who knows whether mine will? My book says only 15% of the time waters break before labour is noticeable. I would rather just have the big gush and know for sure!!

Hope you're feeling better Highlandgirl.

Sounds promising I'd say cocoa

Can anyone enlighten me on diff between raspberry leaf tea and capsules? I have both?

Have walked miles round town and it has again given me quite bad cramping etc - knackered now though - crap tv calls!

Still here , walking round tesco seemed to trigger some great "owch hold onto the trolly and get weird looks moments", bouncing on ball next. DH keeps poking bump telling it to behave...not helping but kind of funny!!

Don't mind the wait just would love the pain tightenings and stop starting to resolve!!!

Sounds like everyone is as frustrated!! Sunny here too so maybe more walking.

Highland head does not need to be engaged before waters go but only 1 in 20 peoples water goes to mark the start of labour. Hope you get some more answers soon.

Going to bounce and eat chocolate!!

cocoa ...i too had the green blob but that was ages ago although some more this am. Madwife yesterday said baby on brim so not engaged but this is my third so prob wont engage till labour.
I am about to bathe in clary sage (boke) and made dp dtd yesterday.
christ i have no patience.
i get loads of BH but never painful. I have been a lazy moo thi time so bath and heading into primark for extra big sexy pantage and that may do the trick
good luck ladies

Still here too, getting mighty fed up with being soooo uncomfortable. DH is being a pain in the bum when all I want is a hug - oh well should be used to it by now .

Had a terrible night of rib pain on both sides so had to sleep virtually sitting up, so not much sleep between the rib pain and BH's. Thank Crunchie it's Friday, while I love my girls I really need a break. They have been very good but are starting to niggle now and mummy is a bit grumpy too. I took them for a day out yesterday which was nice but tiring. It's frustrating to keep saying sorry, mummy is too tired to all the things you want to do.

I have been crying most mornings too, but hey ho this can't go on forever can it??! I feel too exhausted for labour now anyway

Hi everyone.

Well, the show seems to have finished and now nothing going on!

I don't know how you're managing with the girls Strangeways! I'm knackered and it's just DH and me.

Nesting mode has continued. I tipped out all if our bedroom drawers etc. and refolded all the clothes which were already folded.

I have booked cinema tickets for this evening in the hope that having shelled out for them, labour may commence- ha ha, if only it was that easy...

40+3 tomorrow. Both my sister and I were three days late so this is my next ray of hope!

Afternoon all..

Come on babies..your mama's want you OUT! I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you all. Time for hot curry and hot sex

Well DH and I spent a stunning 4 hours in Kingston Hospital this morning...I had to have my BP check. All fine. However my pee needs to be sent off for test, this is nothing new for me, but still I was told I needed to see a doctor. Hence the long wait. I'm embarrassed to say I made a bit of a fuss about the total lack of information I've been given..MW was surprised that no one has spoken to me about my birth options esp since I had an appointment on Tuesday.

WHOOHOOOO I'm am engaged..and I've had a sweep too, currently about 1-2 cm, so a bit to go yet and clearly it's been happening very slowly..The doctor was like 'I can feel your baby's head, oh and there's a hand' Odd to think that someone has already touched our baby! But holy cow the sweep was fucking painful. Real grit you teeth, eyes watering. I'm a chicken and will be asking for every drug going once things get cracking. So delighted that maybe just maybe over the weekend or next week, we might have a wee baby.

Doctor was lovely and very smiley, I think it help that she was pregnant too, so felt sorry for me given all the drama over the last week.

I really hope things start moving for everyone, god it's such a bore..at this stage. Wishing everyone a relaxed Friday afternoon, with shhhh children Mummy's needs quite!

Hello strangeways poor poor you cant believe you are still 'gripping on'. Maybe this weekend? Big hugs to all you ladies on here can't wait to hear your baby news xxx

HG - I'll be waiting with baited breath!!

Strangways we should all do a baby voodoo dance for you...

Doctor told me to have curry and sex tonight...I know it's doctors order, but blimey my fanny hurts after that sweep..

Good luck Highlandgirl fingers crossed Strangeways I am being induced on Sunday!!
A little unexpected but there we go, now real and packing lots of books for a long wait!!

Hello again, sorry for the miserable post this morning, I always find the mornings the worst!! I got out and had a good gas bag with friends this afternoon and the girls had a good play so feeling much better. Some more cramps too . The mw is coming tomorrow for a visit .. two weeks ago she was sure this baby was coming early! DH is chirpier too - he's never been much good at dealing with me when I'm hormonal, poor chap .

How are you gripping? Not too tired I hope! Have you made a name decision yet [wink}?

wow highland 1-2 cm and engaged - hope it all kicks off for you soon!

Cocoa tomorrow could be the day?? Here's hoping there is a rush of baby news over the weekend.

Duckmum best of luck for Sunday, I hope the wait isn't too long before you are holding your little one - oooh exciting .

This is the weekend for babies I can feel it in my water xx

Hi Strangeways! (and others too of course!)

well from the time of my posting you can see i've been up with strange things afoot. Terrible cramps forcing me to go to the loo for (sorry) number 2's three times in a row. Now nothing. Decided a cup of tea and a bit of mnetting might help as i cant get back to sleep.
Due on 6th so not long!

Sounds like things are moving for some of you though, fingers crossed for lots of weekend babies!!

Morning all...

Saturday morning equals..yup you guessed it..still no baby!!! Curry and a bit of how's your father and still nothing..

However I've been trumping for SW London..christ alive what's that all about.

Sending happy, positive thoughts to everyone...

Oooh how are you now Coral? Not to put a dampner on it but I have had lots of bowel clearing at random times, but no action yet. I hope it means more for you and you got some more sleep.

I had a restless night too with more uncomfortable cramps lasting for over a minute each, but not regular or painful enough to mean anything . Baby has been very active too, not sure if that means anything either. Not much sleep had from 3am!

Fingers crossed for you highland, I have the windy pops too!

Midwife should be visiting soon so best get dressed .

I've also been up since 3am. Cramping coming every 20-30 mins, for about a minute each time. Feels like trapped wind. Seems not to be getting more regular or intense so I'm guessing it's a combination of BH and last night's Chinese...