Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Are you due in the next couple of weeks?

616 replies

hazel88 · 07/02/2015 20:57

Hi ladies,

Just wondering if anyone is due in the next couple of weeks and wants to keep a thread of how they're feeling, their daily struggles or keep updated with labour stories etc?!

I'm 38+0 and have been having niggles for a week or so. I have mild polyhydramnios and have been told to expect baby anytime soon, although some days I don't feel pregnant and feel I still have ages to go!

How're you feeling and have you had any signs that your LO will be making an appearance anytime soon?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
bambi07 · 01/03/2015 13:46

Good luck to you too tellmemore, lets hope it all progresses to newborn cuddles. Flowers

BigCatFace · 01/03/2015 21:54

Our son Oisín was born today at 11.24. He's 7lbs 2 of gorgeousness. The labour was absolute bollocks however. Wasn't induced, in the end he decided to come of his own accord. Starting with bullshit fake labour pains on Thursday making me cocky about the agonising ones on Friday. Endured 12 hours of these at home using various methods until finally headed into hospital (driven by Ellie, meaning I could preserve some dignity) expecting to be 4cm but only 1cm. So it was. Didn't send me home because was in so much pain. Gas and air is sweet and then was given an epidural due to exhaustion. Observations show I've got a fever of 39 degrees, resting pulse of 125 and protein in my wee. Worse is that the normally placid babe's heart rate is rising. Various painful blood tests reveal I have a raging infection I've passed to him. It's likely caused by the sweep I had on Thursday or my waters being artificially broken but will find out for sure in a few days. I'm put on an antibiotic drip. Labour for 36 hours with midwives wanting to get him out naturally as it's less risky (naturally being hooked up to a syntocin drip). Crash section prepared but his heart rate recovers. Because of possibility of section I'm not allowed to eat so go 12 hours with no food having also not slept since Thursday. But although I get to 9cm, he turns back to back, heart rate plummets and this morning I had an emergency section, which I found terrifying. And he's here and beautiful and would do it again though finding pain and uselessness frustrating as it makes it hard to hold him. I can't believe he's real. Hands will keep going to my tummy for foreseeable. We're both pretty besotted. He's a peaceful little chap. We're having to stay in hospital for a week on antibiotic drips. He was very brave today getting his in (I'm told, I can't walk today so couldn't go to SCBU with him). We're all attempting a snooze now.

tannyLoo · 01/03/2015 22:01

Bigcat sorry to hear it was such a long and exhausting experience for you call, but delighted to hear you now have your lovely little boy. After some sleep and plenty of painkillers, I'm sure you'll feel much more with it tomorrow, and with that time in hospital you'll be able to get brilliantly good at breastfeeding! Big hugs to you all x

MrsCorr · 02/03/2015 12:18

BigCat congratulations! Very similar labour to mine, got to 10 cm & pushed for an hour but my wee man was back to back so ended up having an emergency section. I have never been more scared in my life, but I was up walking a few hours later & once I had a shower I felt much better! The recovery so far has been fine, I'm now one week on & getting very little pain, only been taking paracetomol since Tuesday as the stronger painkiller made me woozy. Just wanted to reassure you, it's the unknown that was the worst for me so hopefully it won't be as bad for you. Plus the newborn cuddles are amazing too Smile and remind me that it was all worth it! Enjoy this time with him xx

Zsazsabinks · 02/03/2015 14:03

Congratulations BigCat! Crazy few days for you but the newborn cuddles make it worth it... Hope that you're recovering well. Great name too! xx

tannyLoo · 02/03/2015 20:43

Can I have some positive vibes for tomorrow? I'm going to be 40 weeks and hopefully can have a sweep. Some signs that things are starting to move but probably still a way off...

MrsCorr · 02/03/2015 21:06

Good luck Tanny! Won't be long now until you're baby is here. I had a sweep at 40+5 & my labour started 3 days later Smile

tellmemore1982 · 03/03/2015 03:38

Good luck tanny and congrats big cat! Sorry to hear the experience wasn't as you'd hoped but at least it's over and you can focus on your lovely baby now.

News here, I went into labour naturally (woohoo)on Sunday at 39+5, and our beautiful little girl arrived safely the same day a after just 4h active labour and an epidural which we only just managed to get in time! We are all home now and getting to know each other, good luck to you all still waiting, it won't be long now x

tannyLoo · 03/03/2015 05:05

Congratulations tellmemore, sounds like a great experience! Enjoy all those snuggles Grin

tannyLoo · 03/03/2015 09:46

Sweep done and 3-4cm and effacing, so hopefully we'll get some action!

monkeyfacegrace · 03/03/2015 11:16

Exciting updates from everyone! I'm very jealous Envy

How was the sweep tanny?

I have them 3 times a week starting tomorrow when I'll be exactly 37 weeks. Does it hurt?!

I'm fed up. Tmi coming up, but I can feel baby's head through my vaginal wall. Its literally a couple of inches up inside, I can almost wrap my fingers around it But, my cervix is always posterior and hard to get to, and I have a tilted womb so fuck knows what'll happen with the sweeps.

Sigh.

tannyLoo · 03/03/2015 11:39

It's like a contraction. It's over quick enough. You will be fine!

Im now in labour following the sweep. Contractions about 5-7 mins apart!

monkeyfacegrace · 03/03/2015 14:41

Grrr here comes the green eyed monster again!

Best of luck! How bloody exciting for you! Almost there Smile

bambi07 · 03/03/2015 16:46

Wow what exciting news from many, congratulations to all those already cuddling and best wishes for those still waiting.

I was in labour Sunday morning started at 7:30 am and managed to cope at home till about 2:30pm midwife checked over at 3:00 (at my mums) and was 3cm. Got in the bath to help with pains and called midwife again at 7:30pm at which point 8cm. Managed all naturally with a little help from gas and air and pool. Pushed for 30 mins and my beautiful Flora Jane arrived safe and well and peacefully. We are totally and madly in love and can't leave her alone.

Unfortunately my nice natural birth didn't quite go to plan as suffered 3rd degree tears and was taken to hospital for spinal block and stitching back together, making me feel like going for natural birth was an unnecessary battle.

Back home now very sore and told to do very little for at least a month and will need to attend physio to get function back to normal. Would do it all again tomorrow, love isn't a strong enough word to describe how we feel.

Good luck to all and happy snuggles. Xxx

missmakesstuff · 03/03/2015 17:19

I've been lurking but hoping I can join in..37 weeks yesterday, with a boy, already have a dd, nearly 5. Been off on mat leave for two weeks now and I am feeling very ready. dd was an elcs due to her being breech, so I have no idea what to expect, or when! Hoping to stay at home, but we shall see. Been having loads of braxton hicks for a few weeks, got a bit of spd and very achy ribs but apart from that I'm feeling good! Could be in for a long wait though...reading birth stories on here is helping though.

bambi07 · 03/03/2015 20:28

Hi missmakrsstuff the more the merrier I'm hoping my gorgeous girl will start to sleep a bit better and I can keep popping in (I know, wishful thinking!). Love reading everyone's stories. Xxx

bambi07 · 03/03/2015 22:16

I am sending all the positive thoughts I can Tanny, looking forward to hearing your story too. Xx

tannyLoo · 03/03/2015 22:40

I've been stop starting all day, am a bit tired and my contractions might be starting to crank up again ready for a long night! Not too uncomfortable at the moment, so will just see how we go...

tannyLoo · 03/03/2015 22:47

Hi miss, I recognise your name from another thread! Welcome along! Were reaching the end of a lovely little flurry, but I'm sure we'll have some more company soon...

Bambi, sounds lovely, and although no one likes the tearing, it does heal pretty quickly. I had a 3rd degree tear with my first, and 2nd with my second, so I'm hoping for some superficial nicks this time round! Enjoy your snuggles!

bambi07 · 03/03/2015 23:42

Thank you Tanny, that makes me feel much better, I have been surprised by how sore I am, which I know sounds stupid! I had a few days of on off contractions so hopefully you will be on track before you know it. Good luck and best wishes.

A quick question, has anyone else found breast feeding a lot more difficult than they expected? My nipples are sooo sore and bleeding, so much so that after just one day I caved and bought some formula. I am trying to do both breast and bottle but she definitely prefers breast. I have expressed as well which was a bit easier but I really want to keep on with it and toughen those nipples up, does anyone have any advice, don't think I can cope with another feed tonight they are just so sore. X

BigCatFace · 04/03/2015 00:25

Finding it very difficult too. I've only managed it with midwife help, after c section finding positioning impossible. Been using formula and expressing otherwise. Going home tomorrow and worried :(

bambi07 · 04/03/2015 01:32

I'm sorry to hear you are finding it tough too bigcat, I bet it is really difficult after c-section, I'm struggling with just the stitches on my bottom. I have just tried again but given up and formula fed, it just hurt too much. X

tannyLoo · 04/03/2015 03:34

Both of you ought to talk to your midwives and get help. I really struggled both times, and it takes longer than you think to establish. Get them to watch you attach, and get advice about positioning. They can refer you for some one to one bf support.

I made it through the awfulness both times, and have a feeling I'm going to be there again soon, so I really empathise. I used to sit and wince and cry through each feed, worrying about not bonding properly and the impact it had. I should have asked for help sooner, but thought I was the only one who couldn't do it.

Things that helped me:

Talking it through with the midwife at every visit.
Using nipple cream and leaving them out in the open air to dry before reattaching bra
Making sure attachment was really good, and ensuring I was getting nose to nipple and a big gape
Having privacy at the beginning
Expressing really regularly. I felt like a cow being milked for a while last time, but it helped get my milk supply up and gave me a couple of feeds off
Having time for a bath on my own, with DP holding the baby
Having some peer support through forums will really help I'm sure

I really hope you manage to find a way through this that is right for you. I think you should definitely not feel like a failure if you can't get going with it, it is a shitty stage to get through. Can't wait!

As you can tell I'm pretty awake. Contractions have died off again, but heartburn and itchy rash and general insomnia are keeping me awake...

DH with have to go back to work tomorrow if I'm not in established labour, which means a challenging day with a three year old and contractions. Oh joy.

missmakesstuff · 04/03/2015 08:16

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Tanny was it the mc thread? Kind of stopped posting and then it moved so quickly I couldn't keep up.
Had awful soreness and achy pelvis, plus just one point in my ribs at the back which is agony, just can't describe it. Had rib pain at the sides and front for ages, saw the chiropractor and it's moved to my back! The only thing that helps is baths and heat/ice.
Apart from that I feel great, don't think this baby is going to make an appearance any time soon.
anyone else getting unreasonably annoyed with their DH/Dp? Mine is doing my head in, he's exhausted ashes insomniac and isn't sleeping well because I'm not, but when he is Home in the evening I get barely a word from him, not even 'how are you, how's bump, etc. This sent me into an unreasonable rage last night. He's always been quiet and would say he can clearly see I'm fine so why does he need to ask? Because it's nice to ask! grr!

tannyLoo · 04/03/2015 08:49

Miss I think it must have been, I mostly post on mc boards!

Those random aches and pains really get to you after a while, don't they? My hips still hurt but unless I'm contracting my ribs now feel fine.

I had a whole thread going a few weeks back about how annoying DPs are in late pg! It was wonderfully cathartic! Mine has improved dramatically as we've got closer to term, so now I'm back loving him again, which is a bloody good thing...

I think we're in for another day of stop start contractions, but they have to crank up at some point, right??