Last week or two of pregnancy

[squidkid]

Just a place for advice/suggestions or a place to chat for those of us in the last couple weeks of pregnancy. I am on a brilliant antenatal thread but my due date is the first there and I don't want to bore them all with nonsense about braxton hicks and how to fill my days when lots of them are still at work... and I think they would prefer their babies to stay inside for now! I'm not quite at the "get it out of me" stage yet... but I'm definitely at the "if you came now you'd be very welcome" stage.... :)

I am 38+5 today and this is first baby. I know most first babies come late, so I've been trying to tell myself I'll be late throughout the pregnancy, but now I'm term it's hard not to be excited. In the last three or four days I've had long periods of continuous mild period-like pain, and some painful tightenings (sometimes very close together, but then they stop). Are these imminent signs, do these mean nothing... I don't really know. I haven't had a show.

Baby has been engaged since 34 weeks (uncomfortable!) I'm pretty sure his/her back is on the left side at the front (all the kicks are upper right hand side) which I think is ideal. I'm a little obsessive about keeping baby in a good position - I spend time on all fours, make sure I get plenty of walking/standing, sit on a gym ball when I'm on the computer, sleep on my side, I don't lie back on the sofa. I'm probably overthinking this.

I am doing pretty ok for late pregnancy - still walking at least a few miles a day, or swimming, or walking into town every day. I actually did a charity night hike last night! (Boyfriend carried maternity notes in his backpack through the woods - it was a bit stupid really!) I am slow, but I thought I'd be a lot heavier and more immobile by this stage to be honest. I stopped work a while back - a very busy, stressful, physically and emotionally demanding job - so I've had a lot of time to relax, nest, exercise, see almost all my friends, sort my flat out. Everything is neat and sorted and stocked and ready.

I'm grateful that I've had a troublefree pregnancy and hoping the birth will go fine too. Feeling positive and relaxed about it, just impatient!

How are other people doing? Staying busy, getting anxious, waiting, over-analysing every tiny sign!? Any suggestions for good things to do in the last week or two? Please no one tell me to 'get lots of sleep' as this is the one thing I am completely incapable of at the moment - up every 30-60 mins through the night...

Anne Castor oil - who knows if it helps or not but the thinking is it's very laxative like, inducing lots of toilet time, which in turn stimulates the uterus. My friend tried it, thought she needed the toilet for 12 hours and then gave birth

It doesn't taste of much but is very oily in substance - it's actually sold as a massage oil! It's sent me to the loo already and I feel a bit queasy, and getting regular BH's now. We DTD a couple of days ago and I don't think it was very good for either of us, hahaha! I blended 4 tea spoons into mango juice and knocked it back - fingers crossed!

So good luck to the three of us, hoping to kick things off/keep things going. Keep us posted gangly!

gangly hope the contractions start up again soon! With ds I had a night of contractions / BH every 10 mins which then stopped during the day, but I went into labour proper at 1am - maybe that was your 'warm up' labour before it all kicks off! Hope so.

Good luck to the rest of you having some symptoms and trying to get things going too. My midwife hasn't yet come to give me my sweep She said she'd ring at 9.30am to check I was still at home and not in the labour ward but no phonecall either - I don't want to ring and be naggy but might have to do so soon as I need to take ds to school at 12.30pm. Grrrr! Equally I want my sweep so I'll ring the school and tell them ds won't be coming in today if need be. Come on, midwife, where are you?!

Think I could use some castor oil too - well and truly bunged up despite taking Fybogel twice a day and having All Bran with my breakfast. Do not want to be having to strain and burst any potential stitches post-baby (wincing at the thought). Was planning on going to the supermarket to buy prunes or prune juice later. It's raining and I am fed up! I was hoping to have had my sweep by now and be contracting away merrily! (maybe less of the merrily)

ok fellow bumps - i am going to get some castor oil today. whether i have the nerve to take it is another thing but i will report back.. i have had some clear pains so SURELY i am trying to at least start to get the ball rolling?? wonder whether caster oil might knock me over the edge. did you try it yet orenishii?

oh well. if i go to 42 weeks i quite like the idea of halloween baby......

whats the news on the sweep mummy2 ? oo and how are the contractions gangly ?

I definitely had something happening but I think it might have stopped now. Regardless the oil was very good for clearing out...very gentle, no gripes like with laxatives, just regular toilet trips.

Ooooh we are also looking at a Halloween baby! DH was born then too. Fingers crossed these naughty babies get a move on soon. I have cried twice today but then I watched Strictly Ballroom (the film) which cheered me up.

Did you get your second sweep, mummy?

Congrats nene - sounds like we both went a bit off-piste in terms of the birth plans. Ah well, thank god for other options when our first choices don't work out, eh?

well i am officially shit at pregnancy. went to morrisons and boots and neither had any caster oil. morrisons 'dont stock it' and boots had run out. i cant even try and cheat labour on properly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

orenishii oo DP's birthday is the 27th. deffo like the idea of halloween baby. thinking of all the part theming. one thing that would get me through a 42-weeker.

must be something in our waters today. had a PROPER sob this morning. snot, tears, heaving..... feel oddly better for it. having a curry tonight. nothing about bringing on labour, just something easy to eat with a spoon on the sofa. i am up with gastric reflux after a cup of tea so i may as well have a curry.

big hugs to everyone on a blue day. monday is over. garfield had a point. silly really as am not even at work...

Yes you got em out, the most important thing! That and well babies - the other most important thing. :)

Hope your contractions turn into something anne! And the bowel clearance sounds good at least, orenishii. I don't have any castor oil but I have prune juice so hoping that will shift mine! (sorry tmi)

The midwife came this afternoon and did me a second sweep. She said that my cervix has changed since friday and is now flat and soft and ready to go! Baby's head has come down even lower too and she said the membranes felt tight across the top of her head now, not bulging like they were before. All good signs that everything is ready to go, but I need some contractions now to get started! I've had a few tightenings and some bump discomfort but nothing to write home about. Bought a whole pineapple this afternoon and have eaten quite a bit of it, and dh and I are going to get takeaway curry for dinner (biryani, mmmm) :) Not sure I can contemplate DTD though - just so difficult and uncomfortable and I am so not in the mood! Hoping the food will be enough to get contractions started...

Off to drink some prune juice... shudder

Aww anne shouldn't really offer you so here is a ! Hope that helps! And orenishii - hope you're both feeling better. I had a few wobbly moments over the weekend and will probably have another if this sweep doesn't get things going soon! x

Oh I could do a big glass of vino!! Biscuits good too though...

Feel lots better. Dp moisturised my feet this eve :-)

Any sweep effects mummy2 ??

That was nice of him :) Pat on back to your dp. Not many sweep effects as yet... have had a few painful contractions - the closest I've got to the real thing so far - but they have literally been an hour apart. The odd BH other than that. I did enjoy my chicken biryani and ton of poppadoms and chutneys for dinner though :) I then ate half a pineapple which I think was overdoing it a tad and gave me reflux. Given up on wishing for baby action tonight now, tired and wanting sleep - just polishing off a comforting hot chocolate then bed for me I think. I always feel more anxious about labour at this time of night - something about the quiet and the dark? I am much more relaxed about it during the daytime. Strange. Night night all :)

Ah... a lot of :) in that post...

Hi all, sorry I came and went-no sooner had I started to moan my waters broke! 12 hours later after emcs my baby girl was born. 9lb 11oz. Beautiful!! Good luck to the rest of you for imminent and stress free births :)

Many congrats citrusy! Lovely news and impressive baby size! Hope you're both doing well.

Well if Murphy's law is operating I should go into labour today as been up allll night with ds who has chosen these past few nights to sleep terribly, so feeling utterly knackered and not at all like I could push a baby out. :(

Hope the rest of you are closer to having baby in your arms... x

Congratulations citrusy!! Wonderful news and very glad to hear it's all good! Welcome to the world, littlecitrusy!

Mummy I know what you mean about birth starting in the middle of the night...there's something about feeling like you're the only one awake in the middle of the night, awake and in some discomfort. Yesterday I really thought the castor oil had done it - I was getting regular tightening sensations and I honestly thought, this is it! Then it all tailed off and by 7pm I was wishing and hoping for a good night's sleep :)

Congrats citrusy!!! Short stay in this thread is the dream :-)

I concur re middle if night think in the day I am ok bumbling about and don't expect anything.

Got the caster oil thus morning. Big letters on it that it's not for pregnant women but suspect was written by a man so giving it a whirl now..

Hmm. Managed to buy capsules by accident. Hoping just makes it easier to take.

I am shit at this.

I have my sweep today and I'm not sure what to wear. I've mostly been living in various pairs of maternity yoga pants - I guess the MW will put a sheet over me and not expose my (temporary) thunder thighs??

Ann if you have a little blender or electric whisk, blend it like that - it will taste and go down a lot better! It took about an hour to kick in but was very gentle all day. I would definitely recommend it for even just being bunged up!

Hahahaha, sorry Ann that's just so funny! Castor oil capsules? Even better! Research online suggested 4 teaspoons worth, which was about 2 fl ounces so I guess measure out the capsules?

Thanks all for congrats - we've been blessed- she's beautiful!

Hello everyone

Congratulations Citrusy

Sorry I've been a bit quiet- unfortunately it's not because I have been busy having a baby. been having horrible contractions, sometimes regularly, sometimes not, since Sunday night now and nothing is happening. I'm exhausted because they're keeping me up at night and so painful! I've really had enough.

I'm off to see the Midwife shortly to book my induction. Not sure if I should have another sweep or not? Orenshii I wore a dress for mine last week and I'm wearing one again today, but yes they do give you something to cover yourself so not to worry.

Good luck with your oil capsules Anne

Will report back after my appointment xx

I just wore jogging bottoms and cotton knickers (with a panty liner) for my sweeps orenishii - they are the only thing that are comfy now. If my waters break all over them I have no idea what I'll wear to the hospital! Pyjamas?!

I'm all for sweeps gangly - the more you have the greater the odds of one working! My midwife is going to give me a third one on thursday if baby not popped out by then. Sounds like you're close - hopefully a sweep will tip you into labour proper :)

Good luck with the castor oil anne. I can't be bothered with anything today, so tired. Ds has been making me play trains this morning and I have tried to muster up some energy and not done very well. Off now to take him to nursery... See you later ladies!

Hello, i'm 39 weeks in 2 days. Cant wait till he is put :) xxxx

Welcome cupcake! We are all doing our best to get our little bubs out now :) passes the fresh pineapple

Had my sweep - cervix is too high up and she couldn't do it. Have another one booked for Friday. She put me under loads of pressure to be induced, and I cried lots :(

Then I came home and made a chocolate coconut cake, which was better :)

Ohh hugs orenishii. How frustrating for you :( The cake sounds like an excellent idea... drooling at the thought of it... It doesn't take long for the cervix to soften so hopefully by friday it will have changed lots. Are you taking evening primrose oil? Might be worth a try, you can take 3-4 500mg capsules a day after 38 weeks to help soften the cervix. Hope the cake makes you feel better :)

Nowt happening here except the loss of my patience - largely connected with ds being up half the night and lack of sleep, I suspect. Over 3 days since the loss of my show now, so I have decided that a show can mean diddly squat! I never had one with ds, presumably passed it during labour itself although I wasn't aware of it (maybe my midwife saw it - ugh!)

I think you should cut the cake and hand the slices round...