The berry copter thread for all your clenching and hand holding needs

[BlindKitty]

Small print: ideally pg with #1 and had ttc for >12months although let's face it, we ain't as fussy as we used to be, just as long as you're nice

5 second generation berry babies and LOADS more to follow

Go Puppy! [waves pompoms]

Glad labour seems to be setting in

Yay!
Go puppy, go puppy, go puppy!

Puppy remember you MUST update the berries when puplet arrives otherwise we worry and get cross and impatient
Hope you're doing ok x

Us the puplet here yet?!

Good luck puppy hope tonight's the night!

dont worry I might try and do a live birth thread for you!!

up to about 8 mins apart now
and ill be honest its starting to hurt (quite a bit!!) which is obviously very good!

walking is good, laying down inbetween is not because that requires getting up during the contraction (to walk) which is very not good!!!

Puppy I don't know if it will help but I walked through my contractions. Actively stomping, marching, clapping, jazz hands and singing all helped. Plus if somebody is timing for you, letting you know when you are half way (eg if they're a minute, shouting at 30 seconds). That way you really only have to cope/get through half a contraction as the second half you know mentally it is going away and getting better

I found breathing really didn't work for me but one of the reasons for it is to keep your body relaxed...if you tense up during a contraction the work your body is doing to relax your cervix is having to battle against your tensing muscles. So think wobbly wobbly jelly while doing your jazz hands to stay relaxed
I know you know all this, but I forgot it ALL while in labour. However you sound much calmer than I was
Am cheerleading for you x

[Grin] puppy
Ouch to trying to get up during contraction though

yes walking is helping merk and breathing to relax.

agree the breathing itself doesn't help but I am trying to stick with 'mindful' birthing and concentrate on it!

I hav a timer app so I can see what's goin on!

feelin quite calm at the mo, ask me again later!

puppy you are doing amazingly. I'm jealous! can't think of anything helpful to say but am thinking of you

Also just realised, this is the boy to end the seemingly never ending run of girls! Doubly exciting

posting here is surprisingly helpful! and I know all the berries already with babies know where im comin from!

OH will be helpful when in hospital im sure as he is very good in a crisis but he cant do much at the mo and obviously, through no fault of his own, has no real idea whats happening!

My husband was next to useless until we got to hospital. Tell him it is his job to feed you (little and often), bring you drinks and most importantly keep you calm and remind you over and over that you can do this and you are doing amazingly. Then when he gets to hospital he should do all of the above plus reminding you to change position every 20 mins. That's what the NCT teacher told my husband.
Btw there will come a point where you won't be able to time contractions so you may want him to have the app if you're using one. There will also come a point where you mightn't be able to tell him what to do so ensure all instructions are given or written down now...I had a list on the door of stuff we needed as we left the house and a list in the hospital bag of contact details etc.
Have you taken a final bump photo? (We forgot). My NCT lady also recommended a tiny glass of wine to relax and toast your last few hours as a couple before you become a family. Enjoy these moments x

Wow, puppy it's a bit mindblowing that you're going to be a mummy soon!! You sound v cool about it, think I would be bricking it.

I have an early scan next Thursday. They've told me to bring a urine sample and have a full bladder. Silly question, appt is 8.30 am bit concerned that if I have a wee in morning for sample then I won't have enough time to 'top up' again. Would my urine sample from the night before be ok? Have you ladies had any exp with an early scan like this? Will this one be vaginal or over the tummy?

what a lovely post, thanks merk and excellent advice!!

just rung hosp as contractions now comin pretty much every 5 mins. they hav suggested staying here a while longer 'as I seem to be coping well'

debating wether to hav some paracetamol and c if that takes the edge off

I know merk, I'm excited for a blue one too

puppy you sound like you are doing fab! Breathing worked amazingly well for me as I was strapped to a monitor and couldnt walk, BUT the midwife had to show me how to do it properly, sounds daft but the right breathing technique made such a huge difference to me! Can't remember for the life of me how she said to do it but I know I hugged her afterwards when she came to see me

However shit and out of depth he is, just be gratful the OH is their to make you drinks, help you get up, talk to you etc etc, my OH missed it and I would have done anything just to have him their as company and to hold my hand. sorry for being depressing/me me me

Will be thinking of you tonight!! Although I'm hoping for a good night without night feeds so might not check in until tomorrow.

Can't wait to hear about your lovely little lad! So exciting!

Yes have some paracetamol!!! I agree stay in the comfort of your own home as long as you can!

Puppy I have nothing helpful to add apart to say that you are one calm mama! Cannot believe how cool you're bring, you're setting the bar really high for those of us who still have babies on the way! I'm taking notes on everything everyone's saying btw - when my turn comes I may well be such an expert that I'll sneeze birth mine out in my sleep and then hop up to make a full English breakfast never gonna happen

Will be rooting you on and hoping everything continues to go smoothly. Only a few hours left til Puplet is in your arms

And for God's sake, have the paracetamol! And the wine!! Do it for me, I'm really craving a mojo to lately!

Bushy I've has loads of scans and they don't usually ask for a sample as well, but when they did I always said that I was very full so I'd give it to them after the scan. I really don't like walking around with wee in my bag!

Puppy you sound like you are doing amazingly!!!!!

Not had paracetamol yet?!
blimey you must be nails!

bushy what yime do you get up? They recommend drinking 1/2 to 1 pint an hour before the scan so 1st wee when you get up then a couple of drinks should be ok - I am a rubbish drinker so only managed one drink in the car on the way there and another when I got there and was ok. So if you can manage more than that you should be fine!

Very excited for you puppy ! I forgot this was our first blue one of the second generation! Wishing you a speedy and pain free sneeze birth look forward to reading news in the morning x

bushy my first scan at 6 weeks was dildocam! I didn't need a full bladder though so yours might be external?!?

foody it just seemed a bit pointless. don't think it will touch it!

goin to ring hosp back shortly as last few contractions hav been preeeeettttyyy stabby!!

all cross fingers pls, baby by morning!