Right, someone convince me it's not long now...please!

[MidnightinMoscow]

I am 38+3 with DC2. Hoping for a VBAC after an EMCS for DC1 with who I got to 9cm's with.

I have had period cramps for over a week, two lots of plug coming away and last night lots of tight feelings high in my bump. The period like cramps are really painful and often are alongside sharp pains down below.

I have a week to go into labour, otherwise I am booked for a CS. I am so fed up of symptom spotting and being in this 'is it- is it not?' place. I went into labour at 38+4 with DC1.

So someone come along and tell me lie to me that todays the day.

That's good to know about Boots, I'll pop in tomorrow as I'm clearly not giving birth. My midwife said a way to tell if baby is back to back (all 3 of mine now have been, I'm clearly just wonky) is that if you lie on your back and your tummy kind of dips in the middle where your belly button is. I'm not that bothered by this one being back to back really, I've done it before so I hope I'll manage it again. All I'd say is to keep upright and active and the chances are they'll turn in labour if not before.
The community team are getting a call from me first thing. I'll be +3 then so surely one of them will take pity. I read in my Ina May book that a glass of wine is perfect in early labour. I don't need telling twice.

Threaten to take your kecks off in the middle of the street until one of them sweeps you, fuckity!

midnight. yes . It IS the answer.

Actually fuckity I think not only will you have had your baby in 9 days time, but you'll be both home, feeding established and the baby will be sleeping through from 10pm-6am.

I have a hunch about these things....

Midnight, you are the oracle and I choose to believe you I've never ha da problem feeding before, but I leaked like a tap through both other pregnancies I've had nothing this time but am hoping I'll not have problems. I'm throwing in the towel tonight. Dp may or may not be forced to do his duty. Truth be told, I just can't be bothered. With anything. Childfree day tomorrow when I should be doing lots of things but I will in fact probably be working on making the bum shaped dent in my sofa that little bit more permanent, and relieving my freezer of the significant burden caused by stockpiles of Ben and Jerrys.

That's the spirit. Honestly, I have spent the last few weeks stressing about sexing, pineapple, curry, walking down stairs...what for.

Relax and have a lovely day tomorrow.

S'like I shaid. None of those induction thingies work. Jus' have another glass of wine and forgerrar bout it. hic.

midnight can my baby sleep through from 6 weeks too please?

I like your style Fuckity can I come over too please?!

me too!

Kenobi

Hi there, 40+8 today, and just catching up on posts since yesterday. I have a sweep booked for Wed, was assuming I would just drive myself to the hospital and home again, I feel very stupid now, should I get someone to come with me / drive me? Also please educate me about Bishops scores! Clearly clueless on what info I need to gather about my cervix, help required!!!

Spent today wandering around zoo, was great for taking my mind off lack of baby's appearance. Child-free day tomorrow... plan to do absolutely nothing useful whatsoever.

Hi ceebie. I had a sweep today and drove myself to and from appointment and popped to the shops afterwards with no issues. Ye it was slightly uncomfortable but I didn't find it required anything special afterwards. Good luck.

Ooh marvellous, thanks!

PS Hope it results in some positive activity for you!

yup sweep no biggie for me either - unpleasant and painful during, pain stops the moment they're over and I get on with my day. I think it depends how short/dilated you are - the more dilated the more painful afterwards as far as I can tell.

Been awake since 1am, with bad cramps...that will amount to nothing I am sure.

Laying on the sofa watching an old episode of Grand Designs, some wanky couple spending £££££ on building some eco-house. Even the bloody wife on this had a baby during the project.

God, I am such a grump.

Oood luck Midnight hopefully you are contracting away right nos?

I can't sleep, had to go to hospital last night for monitoring as yet again the baby thought it wouod be funny to lie still all day. Baby is moving as I type but I'm getting pretty fed up of the worry! I'll have my very own chair at the MAU soon!

God I'm fed up. Baby so low yesterday felt like pubic bone splitting in 2. But sweet FA happening, no cramps, now show, nothing. Baby is massive. Awake again at 4.30. MW told me 4 F**cking weeks ago that labour was imminent and dc1 was 3 weeks early so had high hopes. Now full term and fully fed up.grump grump grump.

Midnight how bloody exciting I really hope, in the nicest possible way, that you are in proper pain right now and those contractions are for real! Lots of luck to you.
Have woken up feeling deflated this morning. Why doesn't my body seem to know how to go into labour? If I go 2 weeks over, it only gives DH 2 weeks with us before he has to go abroad with work for a week, and I know he's anxious about that. I really really want the baby here this week but I just can't see myself going into spontaneous labour. Stupid body.

No, I am not doing anything that is birth-like at all.

In fact am sitting here like a slob, drinking tea whilst DS watches CBeebies, and contemplating why my PJ top is covered in dried milk, I have been leaking loads.

Dolly, Do you have anyone else that will be able to help you the week DH is away? It's horrible to have something looming though that makes the delay so much worse.

I can't believe we have had no action here.

Right, what can we do to cheer ourselves up?

Urggh you must feel shattered Midnight

I have lots and lots of family support I am so very lucky, so I am not worried about DH going away for myself, but I know he is anxious about it and wants to at least get his full 2 weeks paternity leave before he has to go. And I know he and DD will miss each other terribly so that's playing on my mind as well. But you're right, it's like a deadline. Am thinking I'd have to give into induction if it's not here by the weekend.

Good about the family support, that is one relief.

Can he get some time off once he is back, even if it's just a day or two where he and DD can do something special? Or maybe have something planned the first weekend he is back for them both to enjoy?

Yes that's a good idea, I'll suggest it to him. I guess I feel like I'm failing them all by not producing this baby yet!

Oh Dolly you are not.

But I can let you into a secret if you like. A big part of my need for a VBAC is for DH and I to experience it together. When I watch things like OBEM, you see so much love in the Dad's eyes and this magical moment between them. We never had that with DS.

I feel that I need to see that level of love from my DH. Don't get me wrong, he is a great DH and Dad etc and is excited about the baby, but something in me feels like I am going to miss out on an intimate level of love, even if it's just captured in a moment.

God, that was a bit heavy. Hope you don't all think I am totally bonkers!

Hi everyone can i join? 39+3 today. Had show last night bad cramps backache which wore off trying to bank some sleep - first baby! Baby constantly wiggling down there striking cervix Sharp pains!