Anyone due December/January?

[joolee]

Hi just joined Mumsnet and couldn't find a thread for Dec/Jan babies. Anyone due around this time?

Thanks, Marsup. Good luck Rhubarb!! I haven't seen you post in a while- I'm assuming all is well with you.

Hello everyone,
Do you mind if I add my name to the list. I'm due 25th Dec, 1st baby.
Have been following talk pages for a while but only just recently finished for maternity leave so more time now.
Re: Stretch marks and linea nigrea. I can't see any stretch marks yet but a friend of mine only developed them in the last two weeks so I am still religiously rubbing in the baby oil daily in the hope that I will avoid them. Also as far as I can see linea nigrea goes from belly button upwards which I thought was a bit weird until I read this thread. (My book says it should go downwards).
Have started drinking raspberry leaf tea, but because I have come down with the most hideous cold and its the only thing I feel like drinking. Should be okay though as I'm 37 wks due now.
Don't think I've experienced any BH. Although belly sometimes feels extremely uncomfortable - I am putting this down to babys movements and trying in vain to get comfortable in there! Can anyone explain what BH might feel like?

Thanks for the link re largest baby and the birth day list Marsup. I am sure it's a one-off event

Rhubarb, hope it goes well. Karenanne, at least you know when it's going to happen!

Had a wonderful nights sleep last night - basically made myself a cocoon of pillows supporting me on all sides...bliss

Hi Joolee
Glad you got a good nights sleep. I took the advice from the 'discomfort in hips' thread, and propped a pillow between my knees last night. Unfortunately it wasn't long before the pillow was thrown out of bed - turning over whilst negotiating my bump and a pillow between the legs proved quite difficult! Oh well at least I tried!

Welcome to the thread, Deeno. Braxton Hicks feels (for me, anyway) like a sort of clenching, and my whole tummy goes rock-hard. It doesn't hurt except when junior has stuck his bottom out as far as possible just at that moment, but they are getting stronger and they take my breath away now. Lots of women don't have them, and some get them just at the end.

I nearly 36 weeks now but haven't dared take my raspberry leaf capsules yet in case that + the B Hicks make things go too fast.

Re pillows and turning over at night - I had heart burn until two weeks ago and they say to sleep propped up on pillows for that, so at one point I had three pillows under my head/shoulders and one between legs/under bump. Turning over was not easy! (the heart burn has stopped now)

My bh are the same as Marsup describes - the rock hard belly seems to be the common feeling. What are raspberry leaf capsules for? I also saw some reference to raspberry tea?? I am still not done with Christmas shopping even though I am ordering a lot on-line. In a bit of a panic. Is anyone able to sleep on their back? I can only sleep on my side with pillows, but then baby seems to kick a lot when I'm on my side. Not sleeping very well atm.

Hi all, I have been reading for a while but this is my first posting!! I was due 01/12 and am now pretty fed up!! Hormones kicked in today and so have the tears. Had a sweep on Thursday and was told I was 1 cm dilated and the mid wife was confident that it will all get going naturally before my booked induction 11/12! So I left the appointment last thursday thinking it was all going to start so I think today I am just completely fed up with the whole thing and am starting to think it will never happen! I know as this is my first this is all completely normal!! Just feeling a bit despondent and dying to get on with it all!!
Thanks for letting me sound off!

Poor Foxyh! I can imagine how frustrated i'll feel if I go overdue too. It sounds pretty common, unfortunately. Have you tried all the 'natural' things that are supposed to encourage labour to start? The ones I've heard of are: having sex (nipple tweaking! and also semen is supposed to contain one of the hormones that triggers contractions); fresh pineapple; hot curry; raspberry leaf tea or raspberry leaf capsules (this is what I've heard, tinyfeet - but some women seem to take them through the last months of pregnancy to tone the uterus). Oh, and some mumsnetters seem to swear by household chores - defrosting the fridge or cleaning the kitchen floor. But of course you might have tried all these and had no success! good luck anyway, it can't be long now.

Thanks MARSUP!!
Have tried sex (even twice in one day, quite impressive at this stage I thought!) curry (and chilli), scrubbing floor on all 4's, walking, raspberry leaf capsules........ I think that is about it! Feeling a lot better now, just very hormonal I think!! Poor hubby is looking with horror at my emotional state, he was ready for it afterwards but was not expecting it now!! Have had a bit of a browny coloured discharge today, would like to think it was a show, midwife did say that this would happen after sweep. Have also had a large blob of clear jelly type discharge (sorry for gory details!) so at least there is some action down there!! Fingers crossed!

Good luck Foxyh. I was overdue with DD1 too and getting very anxious. Hopefully, it will happen soon for you - maybe you're there now! If you're still around, a brisk walk is also supposed to help move things along.
Marsup, thanks for the info - was wondering what all the raspberry talk was about. I'm trying to hold on until after the new year, as I'd rather my baby have a early birthday in a new year - as far away from christmas as possible. So am trying not to have sex, staying away from curries and will not go anywhere near raspberry leaf teas.

Thanks Marsup, for the info on BH. I think I probably have been experiencing them as my tummy also goes rock hard at times - I just expected it to be painful, and it isn't its just sometimes very uncomfortable.
I've stopped with the raspberry leaf tea now - wasn't trying to bring baby on early - it was just the only thing I felt like drinking whilst coping with a horrible cold. Anyway, definitely on the mend now - thank god
Good luck FoxyH. You must be really fed up. Hope things have started happening now for you.
I'm just off to the hospital with dp for a tour of the labour ward. They do visits on a Sunday. The idea is to be prepared when it all happens - but starting to feel quite apprehensive - everything seems so real now!

Am still here and a bit grumpy!

2 days to go officially Rhubarb! time to buy fresh pineapple? good luck, it can't be long now.

Hello all,
I visited the labour ward the other day, and now feel more apprehensive than reassured about the birth. Have any of you felt like this? and am I being silly? I don't know what I expected, but if I'd have seen it earlier I think I would have looked for a hospital that promotes a more positive experience.

Deeno - Labour wards can be daunting!
Stay at home as long as you can bear it.... the later you go in, the less intervention you are likley to face.
Also don't forget you do NOT have to agree to anything and NO ONE can make you lie on the bed if you feel like being active !
Good luck

Thanks Pupuce. That's a bit more reassuring. I am sure when it comes down to it, the surroundings will probably not be that important.

Just a quick update for everyone...now 37+ weeks pregnant and getting a bit fed up with not being able to get around easily anymore. Feeling like Humpty Dumpty. Just hanging around waiting for things to happen...

karenanne, good luck with the section on Monday.

Rhubarb, congrats if you have had your baby and good luck if you haven't

Anyone having a homebirth with a first baby? I am going to give it a go as I think I will be able to cope with the pain better. We shall see what happens, I am going to pack a bag just in case

hi all ...congratulations to rhubarb and all others who've given birth...my turn tomorrow!getting abit apprehensive last time was emergency section so really was abit of a blur this time i'll know all thats happening,although midwife assures me that its all very relaxed and quite a positive experience!!
cant believe that by tomorrow lunch time i'll be cuddling a newborn again!im hoping to be out of hospital by wednesday if not then im just walking out so i'll post then and let people know how i got on.
as for mums still waiting hang in there it does get there ..and when it does you could start to wish it hadnt!!

Hi. I'm a new girl, hope you don't mind me butting in. I'm living in Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai but have come up to Cairo to have the nipper, he's our first. Have endo and been through all the surgery, drugs, waiting, disappointments etc so he's a much wanted baby. He's due 22nd of Dec and even though I'm feeling great and have had a great pregnancy, I can't wait for him to get a move on. He was 7.5 pounds at my last scan last Wednesday and has an unusually big head!!!! I'm staying up here on my own which isn't a problem but the boredom and waiting are really getting to me. Wish I hadn't come up so early but then I guess you never know. Want to have as natural a birth a possible but I'm no martyr so what ever needs to happen will happen. Haven't read the previous messages yet so will go back and swat up on all your stories. Hope to hear from you.

Good luck for tomorrow karennane, you sound quite serene!

Welcome kiwicath, I agree with you about wanting a natural birth but not being prepared to be a martyr. I have no idea what my pain threshold is - in fact I don't have much experience of pain so probably don't have one at all... But if you have endometriosis you probably know quite a lot about how you react to pain. You are lucky to have a scan with a size/weight estimate - I asked my midwife about that and she said there was no point finding out before the birth (in fact she doesn't think I should know anything more than the strict minimum).

Joolee, I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow too and I know what you mean - I feel like a beached whale and really miss being able to stride around easily. Are you getting aches and pains if you move around too energetically? NB Rhubarb did have her baby, the details are on the birth announcement list.

Hi all, How is everyone.

I'm 38+ weeks now. First baby so feeling very nervous about what lies ahead re: birth. Trying to keep as occupied as possible to keep my mind off things.

Congratulations to Rhubarb on the birth of her little boy.

Joolee and Kiwicath - I admire you for having your first baby at home. After visiting the labour ward recently at our local hospital I can understand why people choose to stay at home. I think I would too if it wasnt for the fact I've no idea what my pain threshold is and I imagine I am going to be a complete wuss!

Good luck Karenanne with the section tomorrow. Will be thinking of you and looking out for the birth announcement.

Kiwicath, its interesting that the birthweight of your baby has been estimated. I haven't had a scan since 20 wks so no idea. Our family are having a fun time guessing weight and gender etc. Myself, I feel absolutely huge and cumbersome but people are telling me I am neat and tidy and look all baby. I look like I've swallowed a beach ball!

How has the pelvis/groin pain been these last few days Marsup?

Has everyone done their Xmas shopping? - I'm almost there!

Deeno, not having a home birth. Infact I couldn't be further away from my home if I tried. I'm originally from New Zealand but have been travelling for 15+ years. Have been working as a scuba diving instructor on the Sinai side of the Red sea for the past 8 years. Medical facilities where I work are horrendous so have come up to Cairo to have the baby in a private hospital. Staying with an aquantance here but don't feel really relaxed as it's not my home and I think he will take offence if I start "nesting" all over the place. Can't speak highly enough of the Doctor I'm seeing and the treatment I've received here. Had major reconstructive surgery on my face after a car accident here and also all my endo treatment here as well. All the most up to date gadgets and incredibly open minded with the birth etc. Trying to tell myself he will be late so I don't get too disappointed when due date comes and goes. I don't need to tell you guys how frustrating it is though. Is anyone trying to help their little ones along abit ie raspberry leaf, castor oil etc.

Sounds like an exciting lifestyle, kiwicath (when you're not sitting around waiting for baby)! Yes, I have been taking raspberry leaf in powder (capsules) for the last few days, as I am now 37 weeks. Have you taken castor oil too? did you take it in pill-form or old-fashioned spoonfuls?

I had a visit of the antenatal ward and delivery suites at my local hospital and it wasn't as bad as I had expected (admittedly I was being a bit negative!); also the midwives there seem lovely. But when I mentioned SPD one of them did say that they sometimes have to induce a birth for SPD if it seems to be getting worse very quickly.
I would prefer a more natural birth but it looks like I might not even be able to squat anymore, or walk up and down the stairs comfortably...

Marsup, I'm usually such an ordered person and like to be in control ALL the time however, I'm rapidly discovering that over the next few weeks I'll have to give all that up and just go with the flow. Like you, I would like to go the natural way but when I comes down to it, as long as the little one comes out safe and sound, I don't really mind how it happens. Saying that.... I have been drinking raspberry leaf tea like it's going out of fashion. Can't stand the taste but couldn't get hold of the tablet form over here. Not so sure about the castor oil theory though. Have heard some horrendous stories about it besides I'm not due until 22nd so not going to stress too much until then. Going to the docs again on Wednesday but she also is very much against intervention unless absolutely necessary. The frustrating thing is that I feel great!! no braxton hicks or any strange sensations. I'm almost wishing I could have a little discomfort so at least I know things are finally starting to happen. I'm going to regret saying that.... I went to Xmas Carols at the British Embassy last night to try to get into the Xmas spirit but didn't quite do the trick. Almost burst into tears though when the priest told the story of Mary, baby jesus etc. Thought of what a tough time she must of had. I can manage to walk around the block a couple of times but riding a donkey???? Came home then and watched "Damien" on the satelite. Started getting paranoid that someone would switch my baby for the antichrist when we weren't looking. Phoned husband there and then to make him promise to not let him out of his sight once he decides to arrive. I'm losing it guys .....

kiwicath, I met someone today who told me two of her friends went into labour within hours of taking castor oil, but that in some countries pharmacists won't sell it to pregnant women (a friend would have to get it for you and pretend it was for his granddad's constipation...another function of castor oil which might be related to the horror stories you have heard?). If it is that drastic I'd wait a while though. The raspberry leaf thing is supposed to tonify the uterus in general, so better. I did have pineapple for dessert yesterday, though! very yummy.