Moral support

[OdaBear]

So this is just a whingey, moany thread while I sit here as my husband watches re-runs of This Old House, and my mum has taken 19-month-old son out for a walk.

I'm just about to be 39 weeks pregnant, and am having a shocker. Feels like I've been brewing labour for a couple of weeks - relentless contractions upon most exertion and pelvic girdle pain. My son has been climbing the walls, while all I can do is sit on the floor and read books with him or play Duplo.

Been having so many 'signs' that labour is imminent (pieces of plug everyday, frequent BMs after months of constipation, numerous (NUMEROUS!!) BHs/contractions..... Sigh... Just properly fed up with being pregnant and not being a proper mum to my lovely little man.

Anywho, anyone else in a similar negative frame of mind feel free to offload! Or just tell me to shut up and get on with it (that's what I keep telling myself!).

That's lovely to hear Slugs - very jealous, but I know that it will be happening for me soon. (Still nothing actually happening now - bitterly disappointed). We did make a trip to the hosp last night to have a listen to baby's heart, just for my peace of mind, and ended up sniggering a little at some of the ladies we heard being very dramatic on the labour ward. There was a very panicked lady begging for an epidural, but the midwives weren't sure she was even in labour yet. (I know - very cruel, but I have an awful, awful sense of humour, and will probably get my karma soon). (Although, I was not one bit dramatic with our first child, and I think last night was a reminder to my husband that he had a very easy wife to deal with the first time round!).

I digress. Slugs - so happy for you and your lovely little family. Hope all is going swimmingly xx

I did yell this time round, although supposed to be hypnobirthing and very zen, once my waters went it was pretty intense. It really did help being at home though, I probably would have been begging for an epidural if I'd has to endure those non-stop contractions in the car!! I don't know what a hospital birth is like as both mine were born at home but I wish you the very best of luck and I'm sure you'll cope wonderfully when the time comes... Hopefully very soon. We had a good night - about 3 wake ups but I did sleep unlike last night so actually feeling quite rested!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with yelling, screaming and doing whatever you like during childbirth! It is a very primal thing for a person (woman) to go through. Still, listening to it last night did make us snigger a little (awful, awful sense of humour).

I gave birth in hospital last time after failed homebirth (meconium), and it was lovely labouring at home, in comfort, in our environment. And I can see how it is easy to lose control if you lose focus on breathing through those contractions.

Well Slugs, you've done it - well done to you my dear. Sleep will be a sporadic thing over the next few months, but enjoy that lovely little newborn. I look at my son and still can't believe he is the big toddler he is already. It goes so fast!

Will keep posted if anything happens here. More gloopy stuff fell out of me this morning, and that's about it. Pleasant!

Xxx

Just in case anyone is watching this thread still - I delivered earlier this morning. 8lb 12oz baby boy, in the pool, and no stitches! We're all doing rather well, and I'm rather relieved. I have to say, delivering his head was the single hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Congratulations! Well done on your not so little ds

Yay!!!!! Congratulations Odabear!!! Brilliant news and I'm so pleased for you.

Thank you ladies! We're absolutely delighted with him. I predicted 9lb, so wasn't far off. Wishing you all the best also!! Family done - now where to book hubby in for the snip so I never have to squeeze something so huge through my flange ever again!!!

I can't wait to be done . Dh also going for the snip ASAP.

Congratulations on never having to do pregnancy again

Congratulations! So glad you got the birth you wanted! Now all we have to do is raise them . My milk has just come in - two rocks in my bra... Oh the glamour never ends. But still so glad I'm not pregnant any more!!

Cupcake - very soon!!

And Slugs - thank you! That's great milk has come in, not so great that you're rock hard. Glamorous indeed.

Little man has been very disinterested in boobs, so I've been expressing away. We're still stuck in hospital unfortunately, which is really annoying. Really want to get back to my eldest and make him feel a bit special (even though he tried to hit his new brother yesterday!).

Sorry to hear that Odabear! I had similar issues with my first... It was a big surprise seeing what a milk monster this one is as we had to force feed no 1 with a teaspoon for two days, was totally awful so I really feel for you - he'll wake up soon and no doubt make up for lost time x

So someone has found their appetite - although he really needs to be convinced to wake up!! Milk is coming in on day 2 (so quick compared to last time). He's peeing and pooing fine, so he must be getting milk, and the fact that he isn't constantly begging for milk is probably a sign that he's feeding well. (Hope I'm not jinxing things!).

How's things Slugs?
Cupcake, any news?

Good thanks... God my boobs are sore. I always get nipple trauma in the first 2 weeks, no amount of bf support has stopped it!! But this time I'm much less stressed about it and apart from the latch (ee-ouch!) it's not actually painful to feed. Really glad your LO is back on track, hope you are home now...

Yup, we're home now, arrived back yesterday afternoon. What a relief!

I sympathise with the sore boobs. Mine were ok the last time, but this time they are verging on sore. I know it is because his latch sometimes isn't perfect. Nipples haven't fallen off yet, so that's ok. Unbelievably thirsty work though!! I'd forgotten about that!!

How old is your other child? I'm struggling to figure out how I'm gonna cope without my husband here with our 19-month old. He's a menace! He's become fixated with baby's umbilical peg (wants to pull it off), and is generally massively boisterous. I'm giving him loads of extra attention, have given him treats, and he's had loads of pressies. I'm giving him kisses and cuddles at every opportunity, and encouraging him to love his brother (he does, but is equally as rough as he is loving). A bit concerned about the next few weeks... ???

He's 2.5... Going ok at the moment but DH is home and grannies have visited nearly everyday to take him to the park etc. he does go to playschool 3 mornings a week which means I'll be able to rest a bit. Am planning on only doing food that can be reheated at meals rather than cooked fresh and we are going to stay with my mum in 2 weeks time for a couple of weeks so I can get some rest... After that I don't know! I heard that positive reinforcement works better than telling off but I think the reality is it's a bit of a slog!

Sounds like a really good support system Slugs. I have a similar support system, but a 1st floor flat, which immediately puts a spanner in the works for getting out when hubby has returned to work. (I'm sure there are millions of people with much trickier situations to negotiate, so we will manage!).

As for the positive reinforcement - that's my game. But hubby's game is telling off, so poor boy doesn't know whether he's coming or going. I'm very reluctant to tell him off this week with the new arrival, as my mum said he was really missing me while I was in hospital. So need to make it up to him.

Boobs are rocks this morning btw. Little man is producing lots in his nappies, so he's definitely getting some food from me!

Yes I'm really lucky... Not above calling in the favours though! I am planning on having baby in the sling most of the time while he's tiny so I'll be more mobile with toddler but really sympathise with first floor flat issue! My boobs are settling down now. Midwife suggested geranium leaves furry side towards the skin to relieve soreness and really does work!! Still working on the latch the night feeds are the worst because I'm less motivated to reposition if not perfect... But we will get there! Enjoy your family, things will settle down to a new normal really quickly x