March 2016 babies - 2 here already, many more yet to come!!!

[Missikat]

Hi ladies, thanks Indom for the suggestion of me starting a new thread. Seeing as Zach and myself have been knocking about on antenatal since November it will be lovely to have you all joining us shortly in the baby, rather than pregnancy conversations! Bring on the March babies!!!!

Don't worry me, my ds didn't engage until I was in labour and it was still on time and a nice quick one. It doesn't mean anything! And possibly better than constantly feeling like your fanny bones are breaking apart

I've done nothing on my first day of maternity leave, should be lovely but I'm feeling guilty about all the jobs I should be doing!

Oh good Suz that's good to know! And true about there being some benefits - I feel like I need to pee enough already as it is!

Q it is strange how different they are. I wasn't expecting to be offered one today but thought I might next week when I'll be very nearly 40 weeks. Still I've heard so much about how they don't really work unless you're ready anyway so I'm not really too fussed!

I've got to pop to the supermarket later but otherwise having a very lazy day too!

Don't worry me. Mine still isn't engaged at 37+5 but that's what contractions are for . Similarly, my DS was engaged for a good 3/4 weeks before his due date and still went 2 weeks over! My baby is also in the same position as yours. Plenty of time yet

Ah enjoy it suz! You want to get some good relaxation time in before you go into labour. Enjoy what time you have left! Do the jobs little and often.

Q I'm having a sweep at 39+4 and another a week after! They don't usually offer before due date with first babies, but they want to try to avoid me going too far over this time due to the mammoth baby I'm growing. I had 3 sweeps (two at clinic and one when I was induced) with DS and none of them did a thing! Induction here is 40+11! Jealous of your good weather too. It's pretty crappy up here! good excuse for staying in all day though

Scared You sound like you're doing so well! So proud of you for coming through all you have and doing so wonderfully!

Woo hoo Tri last week at last!!! When is your triathlon? In awe of you for even considering that!

Hoping Paper is doing well and maybe even has a little baby by now. Can't believe how quickly babies are arriving ahhh!! Who else do we have being induced here? Beaut do you have a date for yours yet?

Aww Me try not to let it get you down. Definitely get on the ball. I think that helped turned my second baby.

Suz pissed myself at fanny bones!

Haha Rhubarb that was a pretty gross description! Let's hope we get one this time

hayley apparently tomorrow I'll get my induction date, although I've got a horrible feeling that I actually won't. Don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but the consultant didn't even turn up to my last appointment with her!

I'm getting a bit silly now; really really nervous about both birth and baby and almost want to send her back! Does anyone else feel like this? I don't know where my excitement has gone! I felt like this the day before I gave birth last time, but I don't think this baby is arriving tomorrow...!

Paper I hope all is well xxx

Turn*

Beaut I hope she pulls her finger out and gets it sorted tomorrow for you! Do you know whether it's likely to be days or weeks? Have you been induced before? Don't worry about how you feel. I get days when I wonder what I'm doing and think to myself I have it so good with just one and things are going to be so different with two. Your excitement will come back. It's only natural to feel how you do, and you know that once you have that little baby in your arms everything will feel perfect

Aww thank you hayley. That was lovely. I have been induced before and it was horrible (entirely different set of circs though - I didn't even have a partner). But I did vow never to give birth in that hospital again!

The consultant said previously it will be on or around due date. They don't think I should go overdue as the placenta was already starting to mature by 28 weeks. But I'm going to ask if I can be induced a little earlier as I'm terrified of not getting to the hospital on time. I'm sure she'll say no but I may as well ask. The midwives have told me to phone for an ambulance if I go into labour before the induction date which seems a bit mental...

Sorry to hear baby is back to back me. Deffo get on the ball and check out spinning babies website to turn baby. At least you have advance warning... With DD nobody told me she was back to back, and she wasn't engaged. It contributed to me going into hospital far too early and getting sent home twice, which added to stress etc. Wish I'd known she was back to back in advance so I could have done more to turn her, fx you manage to.

Just had 38 week gp appt. She was next to useless. She's lovely but seriously didn't know what she was doing. Measured my bp when I'd just came in and was out of breath as had to go up flight of stairs to get to her room, which I'm pretty sure isn't a good idea. She got me to lie down but was completely flat for measurements - that doesn't seem right to me? And also told me my bump was 30cm so either said the wrong number or just cocked up the measurement as i was 36cm at last appt. She didn't write anything in my notes next to fundal height. And then she freaked me out as she couldn't work out what was head and what was bum, and said she was worried baby was breech! I told her I'd had scan last week and she said if she heard the HB low then baby was probably head down. She did manage to get a strong reading on the heart beat low down so seemed satisfied but now I'm slightly worried. I'm sure she was just clueless right?

marmite I've had all my appointments with the midwives even the ones which the schedule says are "supposed" to be with the GP because the midwives said the GPs don't really know what they're doing!

A few people have recommended the spinning babies website so will definitely take a look at that later. the midwife did say that all the things you've described marmite like labour taking a long time to establish can happen if he doesn't turn so yeah really hope I can get him to move round!

Beautiful I'm the same as you, not really excited at all at the moment, just super nervous!

Oh marmite she sounds like my new, inept midwife! GPs aren't pregnancy experts are they?!

Me glad I'm not the only one. It might be a biological thing. Maybe birth isn't too far away?! I've just had a major panic that the Next 2 Me crib hadn't been built yet (even though we were intentionally leaving it until the new carpet is fitted in our bedroom!). But I couldn't stand it anymore so have rung DH who's agreed to build it tonight. Phew!

Its not only GPs - I've had the third midwife measuring my bump laugh at the obstetric consultant that said she was going to be a ginormobaby... I guess the ultimate answer will be when she comes out if she is a monster or not.. I have no newborn clothes off the back of his comments so lets hope DH isn't having to whizz down to the sainsburys by the hospital.

Although the midwife in the hospital last week also said she was back to back so have been bouncing on a ball a lot.. I've not got tempted to scrub my skirting boards yet though whether it helps or not! I can't help but wake up on my right hand side so not sure that this is helping?

Me and Beaut I am the same, I think that's why i am happy sat at my desk because then I can pretend like nothing is happening? I am sort of looking forward to it but also still seems very remote despite the fact she could appear now? Nice that you're the same Beaut and its not a FTM head in sand thing, somehow more reassuring..

Paper hope all is going well (actually that all has gone well and that you are now getting baby cuddles!)

beautiful (going back a page) interesting about crying watching other births but not when your own babies come out! I'm just so curious about how it all feels. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow - will you be giving birth at a different hospital than with your first baby? Hopefully that will make you feel a bit better about it

me my baby is also back to back :( and I think diagonal as well (oblique) but I'll find out for sure on Friday. Worried about cord prolapse with oblique/transverse babies which can be worse than breech, ack there's always something to worry about. I have been bouncing on a ball since about week 20 and been doing spinning baby stuff but no luck yet. She still has 4+ weeks so fingers crossed for us both!

paper hope all is well!

Sorry to all those with crappy midwives and GPs, sometimes it feels like we know more than them!

vroc if it is a head in the sand type thing then I'm guilty of it too... although I've had all day at home with no other DC so plenty of time to think/freak out!

ffaux no, it's the same hospital :( I will be more assertive this time though!! Thanks for the good luck... scan first to check growth etc, I'm sure that's fine though, belly seems to have grown loads in 2 days!

oh no beaut, well it was a while ago right? So there will be different staff and you have so much more experience now, I have no doubt you will be able to stand up for yourself! Wish I could take you along to mine, haha!

Aww that's sweet ffaux, ha! Yeh it was in 2008 and tbf when I spent most of December at that hospital every midwife I met was lovely so fingers crossed!

ffaux sorry yours is back to back too! Mine is at least definitely head down. I'm sitting on a foot stool now as I type - I will get DH to blow up a gym ball later (if we can find it - I think it's in the loft!) but I figured sitting up straight on a foot stool was better until then than my usual lounging-on-the-sofa position. I'm feeling quite depressed after my appointment earlier, I know it's stupid but I feel like the baby is going to be 2 weeks overdue and I'll end up being induced! My hospital induces at 40+12 so I suppose the worst case scenario is I will be going in 3 weeks from tomorrow.

Another one back to back here, hoping it turns before labour but being really rubbish about actually doing anything about it.

Health visitor called this afternoon to see if I wanted a pre-birth visit, I declined as I don't think I really have any questions or anything. It's the same one I had with ds which I'm pleased about, she was very knowledgeable and was the one who referred him for a tongue tie and suggested he had reflux... so I feel like I'm in good hands.

Afternoon all. I survived another day (well, of work)! (I need to make myself some stickers!)

ffaux, neither of us cried when DS was born. DH can't watch DIY SOS because it makes him well up. I take the piss that some builders make him cry but he was unmoved by his first-born arriving!

Mind you, I seem to well up on a particular stretch of road at the moment. I'm sure it coincides with something on the radio, and it's not the actual road! but marching bands DO make me well up even when not pregnant

Oh no, scary & weird dreams Beaut!

Re getting out of actual bed with a newborn, Sher: I'm trying to build myself a little station that means I don't have to actually get out of bed! I've got nappies & wipes stashed under the crib and in my bedside drawers (and a spare sheet). Got the changing mat down the side. Need to find a nappy bucket from the garage and get some muslins and clothes out to put in my drawers too. We got a clip light from lidl that I've clipped to the crib frame (and directed underneath to dim it a bit).
I am fully prepared for all this to be in vain!

DS is being a shit. He has been difficult since birth, but has been better since turning 4. But he's getting out of control at bedtimes. I'm now sitting in his room ignoring him to get him to stay in his bed and actually go to sleep.

My child is so disgustingly behaved sometimes. I don't know why we're doing it all again. Setting myself up for a lifetime of being ignored, hit, kicked and laughed at when I try to do anything about it. At least he can behave for other people (at the moment).

That's a good plan indom in fact I think I did this with dd2 - she's now 9 so memory's a bit hazy but I roughly remember co-sleeping and keeping nappy supplies in a box by the bed to minimise night disturbances and movements.

Hi all. Finally some progress in getting organised here. We have assembled the cot! Only issue is that DS (a very tall almost-three-year-old) keeps climbing into it!

Has anyone got a section/induction booked for the dates that the doctors strike is taking place? Mine is a week tomorrow, so not a problem, but I imagine some of us will?

Cot - finally got a proper co-sleeper third time around!!!

I'm with you on the 'waiting with my child to get them to to sleep' indom - currently sat next to DDs bed trying to get her to settle down while she plays with her teddies 😑 I wouldn't mind her dicking around only she has to have me/dp with her or she just gets out of bed and calls for us. Fun times.

Still feeling paranoid about baby's position but not much I can do If she's breech and I'll just have to make sure I get position checked early in labour/if I get to midwife appointment at 41 weeks. Dr said to me today she thought I'd go to 41 weeks, based on baby not being engaged at all. Don't know why she said that given its my second and lots if babies don't engage till labour second time round, but now feeling very pessimistic,that baby is going to come anytime soon. 38 weeks today but having to remind myself that my due date is a few days early by my reckoning so I should expect to go over!

Bit late but congrats scared on making it home. You definitely seem more relaxed which is great.

No news from paper, hope she has her baby now and all ok!

ffaux I didn't cry when my DD was born.DP had tears in his eyes when DDs head came out which I always remember and which I'm still touched at now, but when DD was born I didn't feel any rush or love or anything, just shock. I also remember briefly feeling like it wasn't my baby - which afterwards I felt guilty/worried about but I've since read it is common not to feel amazing or loved up straight away if you have a long or traumatic birth. So tbh I think feelings after birth really vary and there is no normal or expected way you should feel. Obviously I fell in love with DD after she was born but I didn't get that instantaneous love that people always talk about.

MrsBen if I'm induced it won't be until March 16th (so maybe a St Patrick's Day baby?!) but my due date is the 4th so I could well be in on or around the 9th which is when they're striking! I would think all inductions and elective c-sections will be put off.

Looking for some advice ladies. Had my MW appt today, she checked my BP which since going onto meds has been around 120/70 - today was 160/100. She immediately picked up the phone to call and send me to hospital to be monitored but after maybe 3 or 4 attempts she didn't get through. She then brought out a spare BP cuff/checker thingy and after about 2/3 mins of trying to get the thing to work she took another reading, this time of 160/88. On this she said that was fine. My consultant has insisted I'm now seen at least weekly yet I left today with no appointment back to her as she can't fit me in next week so is going to call me with an appt for an overflow clinic (I'm still waiting on this same type of call from 2 weeks ago when I ended up calling n making the appt myself). She's left me saying that when i go for my growth scan on Friday I've to just ask them to check my BP then as the overflow clinic won't be until next Friday.

My DP wants me to call outpatients tonight and see what they think but I don't want them to think I'm paranoid. The thing is, I was induced with my 2 previous pregnancies due to high BP/pre eclampsia so I am worried sick.

On top of this, she asked re swelling or any other symptoms. I told her I'd had a couple of instances of white spots in my vision (typical high BP symptom) and also have swelling in my hands and feet most days - yet she wrote on my notes - no other symptoms! I'm actually furious at this, why ask if going to ignore.

What would you do in my situation? I'm 37+3 today.

ffaux (and others) don't assume that there will be this fantastic rush of emotions; I felt pretty matter-of-fact after both births, and it was only as I got to know my babies that I grew to love them more and more strongly. I think there's a dangerous myth that you fall in love straight away with your baby; like anything, it's different for everybody.

I was thinking today, for those of us who have done this birth thing before, is there anything we wish we had known beforehand to tell the newbies? For me, it's don't assume that the mws have read your notes or your birth plan (none of mine ever had). Be assertive and ask for the things you want/ need. With both births I had to remind the mws that I had to have a drip to prevent excessive bleeding (in fact, I had to remind the consultant 2nd and 3rd times round to even get it on my notes in the first place). Keep asking questions too if there's anything you need to know or are unsure about.

indom ds1 has been incredibly difficult in the past (strangers used to suggest he might be autistic when he threw one of his many screaming fits/ tried to gouge out chunks of my flesh/ lay deliberately in a puddle etc; he isn't), but he has come so far since those days. I know he will never make things easy, but I want to assure you that they definitely do improve. At times, I used to remind myself of the mn mantra "this too shall pass"!

Good luck to all those with back to back/ transverse/ otherwise oddly positioned babies. I have a mental picture of you all frantically bouncing away as I type!

me lots of babies don't engage until labour (especially in 2nd/3rd babies) so there's no reason to think this means you will be overdue. I'm 38+6 and mine's still swimming happily around (although thankfully head down), but the mws aren't at all concerned.