Due October 2014.

Alf Veedersane · 18-08-2014 2:04pm

With about 8 weeks to go, I'm pretty sure that our imminent arrival will be a world champion kickboxer by the age of 1.

Marz66 · 18-08-2014 10:21pm

Glad the tests showed baby doing fine greenman and the worry is over

I have some stuff bought but no bag packed yet

Penny Dreadful · 18-08-2014 11:44pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

With about 8 weeks to go, I'm pretty sure that our imminent arrival will be a world champion kickboxer by the age of 1.

I have 7 to go and there have been times over the last little while, most especially the last two days, when the kicks came so hard it made me exclaim out loud and I was almost going to check if the skin at the top of my stomach had been broken they were so strong.
I have 4 more weeks to work (after this one) and I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to finish them out. I am exhausted and sleeping badly due to many toilet breaks during the night and pelvic pain that is bad enough to keep me awake when I turn over.
I have everything now except for a new mattress for the Moses basket and a pair of flip flops and a light dressing gown for me for the hospital. Will be 34 weeks on Wednesday and so really should pack a bag for the hospital.
The furniture has been delivered (save for the changing unit for downstairs but I think I'll get that delivered next week maybe) and assembled and the baby's room is all ready. All of the clothes have been washed too. I must get busy stocking the freezer up with dinners and soups for the first few weeks.

At every appointment the doctors have told me that the baby is very long/ big and so measuring 2 weeks and a day ahead of itself. At my last appointment the doctor said that the baby might well come a little early due to being so cramped rather than do the typical thing of going over. I'd be ok with it coming a little early but I do want a few days to myself just to chill out and relax once I've finished work before the little one arrives.

greenman09 · 19-08-2014 12:16am

Marz66 wrote: »

Glad the tests showed baby doing fine greenman and the worry is over

I have some stuff bought but no bag packed yet

Blood test results tomorrow on what is wrong the the boss. Hopefully all is good and just an infection that can be sorted easily.
Really enjoying telling everyone we are gonna be parents. It's amazing the amount of good wishes you get.

Alf Veedersane · 19-08-2014 7:53am

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

I have 7 to go and there have been times over the last little while, most especially the last two days, when the kicks came so hard it made me exclaim out loud and I was almost going to check if the skin at the top of my stomach had been broken they were so strong.
I have 4 more weeks to work (after this one) and I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to finish them out. I am exhausted and sleeping badly due to many toilet breaks during the night and pelvic pain that is bad enough to keep me awake when I turn over.
I have everything now except for a new mattress for the Moses basket and a pair of flip flops and a light dressing gown for me for the hospital. Will be 34 weeks on Wednesday and so really should pack a bag for the hospital.
The furniture has been delivered (save for the changing unit for downstairs but I think I'll get that delivered next week maybe) and assembled and the baby's room is all ready. All of the clothes have been washed too. I must get busy stocking the freezer up with dinners and soups for the first few weeks.

At every appointment the doctors have told me that the baby is very long/ big and so measuring 2 weeks and a day ahead of itself. At my last appointment the doctor said that the baby might well come a little early due to being so cramped rather than do the typical thing of going over. I'd be ok with it coming a little early but I do want a few days to myself just to chill out and relax once I've finished work before the little one arrives.

My wife was having awfully bad sleep up until about 4 weeks ago. It was improved hugely by changing one of the thingts about the way she was told to lie in bed - legs stacked with a pillow between the knees. Once she got rid of the pillow and moved one leg in front of the other she's slept so much better but she's always been bad for getting up to go to the toilet during the night so it doesn't seem out of the ordinary now.

And as for the kicking, it eases off when I put my hand on her belly and rub my thumb on her skin. I just hope that's a sign of things to come

Hope your last few weeks go smoothly and to plan!

Penny Dreadful · 19-08-2014 8:37am

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

My wife was having awfully bad sleep up until about 4 weeks ago. It was improved hugely by changing one of the thingts about the way she was told to lie in bed - legs stacked with a pillow between the knees. Once she got rid of the pillow and moved one leg in front of the other she's slept so much better but she's always been bad for getting up to go to the toilet during the night so it doesn't seem out of the ordinary now.

And as for the kicking, it eases off when I put my hand on her belly and rub my thumb on her skin. I just hope that's a sign of things to come

Hope your last few weeks go smoothly and to plan!

Best laid plans and all that jazz. I bet, just to show that I am no longer in charge of anything, the baby will decide to arrive the very day I finish work!
Had a brilliant nights sleep last night for the first time in ages so that was nice.
Did throw my breakfast up this morning though which was a lot less pleasant.
Thankfully that hasn't been too big a feature of my pregnancy- I had bad nausea for the first 14 weeks but throwing up only happened a few times and that was once I reached the third trimester.

Alf Veedersane · 19-08-2014 8:43am

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Best laid plans and all that jazz. I bet, just to show that I am no longer in charge of anything, the baby will decide to arrive the very day I finish work!
Had a brilliant nights sleep last night for the first time in ages so that was nice.
Did throw my breakfast up this morning though which was a lot less pleasant.
Thankfully that hasn't been too big a feature of my pregnancy- I had bad nausea for the first 14 weeks but throwing up only happened a few times and that was once I reached the third trimester.

I think we've been quite lucky. There was some evening nausea in the first trimester but never any getting sick.

Did you find yourself eating differently or anything over the pregnancy?

Speaking of best laid plans, the mid-wife saidat the class yesterday that there's nothing wrong with being prepared but you'll never be prepared so to settle down on the books and all that. Music to my ears

Penny Dreadful · 19-08-2014 10:54am

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

I think we've been quite lucky. There was some evening nausea in the first trimester but never any getting sick.

Did you find yourself eating differently or anything over the pregnancy?

Speaking of best laid plans, the mid-wife saidat the class yesterday that there's nothing wrong with being prepared but you'll never be prepared so to settle down on the books and all that. Music to my ears

My appetite has decreased massively since I got pregnant and that hasn't changed even since the nausea passed. I (usually) eat a good breakfast (porridge with nuts and seeds) and then some fruit or nuts mid morning and have a small lunch as I'm not that hungry then. Dinner- I'd eat the same type of dinner as I did before hand but since the bump has grown the space has become more limited and so my dinner is small enough.
That said the baby is growing fantastically well and my health has been fine so things are obviously ok.

Re: being prepared - my mother (who had 6 of us) and sister (has 3 of her own) said that you are never ready for the actual real impact of having the baby. I'm glad that I have the stuff ready as outlined before hand but I'm pretty much going along with them and their statement about just having to go with it once the baby arrives.
Luckily I am used to being around small babies and children a lot so its not all 100% new to me - just 99%:D
Still can't wait for it though. 34 weeks tomorrow and dying to meet my little baby.

Alf Veedersane · 19-08-2014 10:58am

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

My appetite has decreased massively since I got pregnant and that hasn't changed even since the nausea passed. I (usually) eat a good breakfast (porridge with nuts and seeds) and then some fruit or nuts mid morning and have a small lunch as I'm not that hungry then. Dinner- I'd eat the same type of dinner as I did before hand but since the bump has grown the space has become more limited and so my dinner is small enough.
That said the baby is growing fantastically well and my health has been fine so things are obviously ok.

Re: being prepared - my mother (who had 6 of us) and sister (has 3 of her own) said that you are never ready for the actual real impact of having the baby. I'm glad that I have the stuff ready as outlined before hand but I'm pretty much going along with them and their statement about just having to go with it once the baby arrives.
Luckily I am used to being around small babies and children a lot so its not all 100% new to me - just 99%:D
Still can't wait for it though. 34 weeks tomorrow and dying to meet my little baby.

My wife is the same actually. Every now and then she'll think she has a craving to eat loads and ends up eating normally. Dinners are still the same size as well.

Must start getting the bag of stuff ready though. I know it's 8 weeks to go but better to have it sitting there ready to go.

I'm 100% not ready but that's ok...no one ever is

Penny Dreadful · 20-08-2014 8:01am

34 weeks today!
Dreadful nights sleep though - bump really hard and awkward all night and every time I'd start to get any way comfortable I'd need to get up to pee! Grrrr.

Did the ante natal physio class yesterday and it was really helpful and informative. It dealt with how to manage the early stages of labour and next weeks one deals with the later stages and post delivery. For anyone who is wondering if they're worth attending I would have to say yes, most certainly.

Hope everyone else is doing well today.

Penny Dreadful · 25-08-2014 8:24am

Had a dream last night that I was in labour. It was a really unsettling dream and not because the labour was so awful or anything it was more a feeling of being unprepared, lack of control and that it happened without warning.

It was really unsettling and it took me ages to settle down afterwards.

The odd thing is that we are prepared (well in so far as you ever really are ;-) ) and when the real event happens it's not as though I'm going to be given a weeks notice to put it into my diary either!

I have 3 weeks left to work after this week and over the last little while I've been convinced that the baby will arrive early so maybe that's why it was in my head.

Penny Dreadful · 27-08-2014 9:45am

35 weeks:)

I can hardly believe it.

Had the second of my ante natal physio classes in the Coombe yesterday. All of those classes have been very good and informative. We have our full day ante natal class this weekend too.

I picked up the buggy, car seat and monitor from Kealy's on Monday. Its odd to see a buggy in the house. That sounds silly as I have a big pregnant bump at this stage but seeing that sitting there every morning when I go downstairs is making the coming event seem very real:o.

Hope all the rest of your October expectant parents are keeping well?

greenman09 · 01-09-2014 10:27pm

6 weeks to go. Baby kicking away like a footballer. Ante natal class next sat. All quiet here. Roll on October 12th

Penny Dreadful · 02-09-2014 8:00am

greenman09 wrote: »

6 weeks to go. Baby kicking away like a footballer. Ante natal class next sat. All quiet here. Roll on October 12th

At this stage it seems dreadfully unfair to have to wait much longer to meet your baby doesn't it?
We had our full day ante natal class last Saturday and enjoyed it. Most of the information I'd already picked up along the way from previous hospital visits and things I'd been told from midwives, physics, etc but it was nice to have it recapped and for myself and my husband to do together. As I'd always heard the Dads to be seemed to learn a little more than the Mammies in Waiting!
Enjoy your day.

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and can feel the baby is turning getting ready for exit so there is no denying I'm on the home stretch now. The little one was so busy last night that I could almost have powered the house with the amount of energy coming from her!

Penny Dreadful · 03-09-2014 10:48am

36 weeks today. This time next week the bump is fully cooked and considered full term!!!
Woke up last night in such pain and discomfort I thought I was in labour. Turned out to only be back pain and horrible horrible SPD in the left of my pubic bone, groin and down to the inside of my left leg as far as my knee. Took 3 hours to calm down.:(
Then for good measure I threw up my breakfast this morning.
The joys of pregnancy eh?

Bump is nice and low now so things are obviously getting ready for exit and the end game! Exciting and terrifying at the same time. Am definitely at the stage where I am ready to not be pregnant for much longer though.

murphy2 · 05-09-2014 9:39am

32 weeks today!

Had a scan on Wednesday and the baby is weighing in about 4 pounds already, measuring a week ahead of itself so I'm hoping that means I might go early!

Had very swollen feet and hands last night but really didn't enjoy the warm weather yesterday so hopefully that's all it was. Apart from the tiredness, I'm feeling good. Nursery all ready and bags packed just in case!

Sorry to hear the nausea seems to be back for you Penny but at least you're nearly there. You'll be finished work soon and will be able to rest and relax before the mayhem of being a parent!

Ticktactoe · 05-09-2014 11:06am

murphy2 wrote: »

32 weeks today! Had a scan on Wednesday and the baby is weighing in about 4 pounds already, measuring a week ahead of itself so I'm hoping that means I might go early!

Had very swollen feet and hands last night but really didn't enjoy the warm weather yesterday so hopefully that's all it was. Apart from the tiredness, I'm feeling good. Nursery all ready and bags packed just in case!

Sorry to hear the nausea seems to be back for you Penny but at least you're nearly there. You'll be finished work soon and will be able to rest and relax before the mayhem of being a parent!

I am currently 35 weeks and have scan on Monday. Looking forward to it as my last scan at 31 weeks calculated juniors weight as 5 pounds.... Well ahead of itself!!

Penny Dreadful · 10-09-2014 7:33am

37 weeks. I am now a full term watermelon! :-)

Bag(s) packed and ready to go. Car seat in the car, 5 more working days left, baby is turned in the right direction now too.......just the waiting game now.

Hope everyone else is well

greenman09 · 10-09-2014 7:40am

35w and 3 days now. Bags packed ready for car. Next appt next Tuesday where we get to see baby again in another scan. Room painted cot and everything up. Loads of movement. Just found my self watching the OH belly move for ages last night. Got kicked in the head for my troubles also. At last count it is 32 days to due date.

househunter · 10-09-2014 8:14am

The difference on the second one!! - just ordered a double buggy on Monday - still need a car seat for my son as the baby will be taking his. Moses basket not ready. No bag packed. I really need to get my ass in gear!!

Penny Dreadful · 10-09-2014 8:29am

househunter wrote: »

The difference on the second one!! - just ordered a double buggy on Monday - still need a car seat for my son as the baby will be taking his. Moses basket not ready. No bag packed. I really need to get my ass in gear!!

How far along are you? I'm sure you'll be grand...... Especially compared to us first time newbies!!!!!

househunter · 10-09-2014 9:10am

Will be 36 weeks on Saturday.
This just prompted me to start packing! To be fair to myself I have most of the things i need for the hospital bag - I just need to pack it

The little babygros and vests look so small - but it seems like such a short time ago that i was packing for the first one. Starting to feel so excited!

househunter · 11-09-2014 11:38am

New buggy arrived yesterday - yay! Finally feel like i have something in place for number 2

Penny Dreadful · 19-09-2014 7:35pm

Our little bundle of joy decided to put in an early appearance and was born on Monday night at 23:06. All three of us, proud parents and their little girl were discharged from hospital today and are all snuggled up at home.
So I guess I am now a September Mammy in action rather than an October mammy in waiting.

Ticktactoe · 19-09-2014 7:37pm

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Our little bundle of joy decided to put in an early appearance and was born on Monday night at 23:06. All three of us, proud parents and their little girl were discharged from hospital today and are all snuggled up at home.
So I guess I am now a September Mammy in action rather than an October mammy in waiting.

Congrats! Great news!

greenman09 · 19-09-2014 7:42pm

Congrats penny. I'm on 23 days left. And that's if we don't run over. Good luck with all.

Penny Dreadful · 19-09-2014 7:59pm

greenman09 wrote: »

Congrats penny. I'm on 23 days left. And that's if we don't run over. Good luck with all.

Thank you. Yes, it was a little unexpected all right! Best reason ever for not going to work on a Monday morning anyway.
Coombe staff were great. Everyone says it but it's because it was true. From the first phone call to the Assessment Unit to the baby being born everyone was working for me and for us. The help and support is great, most especially when you get upstairs to the delivery suite. I didn't need a doctor present during delivery once the epidural was administered and the midwives were amazingly fantastic.
The delivery was quick, safe and straight forward and handled superbly.
There was an incident involving me about an hour post delivery but that was entirely unexpected and caused by a sudden onset infection I caught a few days before but didn't know and a reaction to a particular drug. A doctor was called in then when things got a bit hairy and he was superb- cool calm confident efficient and sorted things quickly and well. I have a little crush on him now!
Again everyone including the midwives were superb.
You'll all be in the finest of hands and the very best of luck to all of you. Actually getting to meet your baby and see the little person whose kicks and habits you've come to recognise on the inside follow through with them on the outside is only fabulous.

Ticktactoe · 19-09-2014 9:23pm

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Our little bundle of joy decided to put in an early appearance and was born on Monday night at 23:06. All three of us, proud parents and their little girl were discharged from hospital today and are all snuggled up at home.
So I guess I am now a September Mammy in action rather than an October mammy in waiting.

Congrats! Great news!

Fagashlil · 20-09-2014 4:06am

Huge congrats to you! Good to hear it all went well, hope you and baby are doing well.

(At least I know there's 1 less person looking for the birthing pool now!!)

murphy2 · 20-09-2014 9:30am

Big Congratulations, that's brilliant news! I'm so happy your little girl arrived safely and you're both doing so good.
Glad to hear you had a good labour experience also.
Enjoy every minute with your bundle of joy!

Merkin · 20-09-2014 1:47pm

Congrats on your new bundle Penny!

Marz66 · 20-09-2014 9:12pm

Congratulations Penny, delighted for you! Glad you had a good labour experience.

2 weeks to go here.

Lucuma · 20-09-2014 10:00pm

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

Our little bundle of joy decided to put in an early appearance and was born on Monday night at 23:06. All three of us, proud parents and their little girl were discharged from hospital today and are all snuggled up at home.
So I guess I am now a September Mammy in action rather than an October mammy in waiting.

Congratulations Penny! Bet you weren't expecting that! You were officially full term though weren't you, had you the hospital bag packed?! Did you go into labour at 38 weeks? Hope you've had a chance to get some rest since the birth, it's hard to come by in the hospital ! :-/

73trix · 21-09-2014 9:35am

Wow, congrats Penny. That's fab. Been following you as you were only a week behind me. Can't believe all these early babies. Especially with first timers! You are officially in Sept club now. First girl after 5 boys!! Did you have a VB or section? What did you call her?

househunter · 23-09-2014 12:27pm

Awwww wow, congrats Penny!!! Soooo exciting!!

Penny Dreadful · 24-09-2014 12:12pm

Fagashlil wrote: »

Huge congrats to you! Good to hear it all went well, hope you and baby are doing well.

(At least I know there's 1 less person looking for the birthing pool now!!)

One out of the way all right!

As it turned out because my waters had broken at home and kept on coming ( there was no holding that particular flood back!) I wouldn't have been able to use to pool anyway because of the increased risk of infection.
I had wondered before hand if the pool wasn't available to me how I'd react and it was just fine.
It was an option I no longer hand and getting bothered by it wasn't going to change anything so I went with another plan.
My waters broke at 7am, contractions started at 2pm and the baby was born at 23:06- all quite quick really.
I used a TENS machine for few hours downstairs and it helped so I was glad to have it. When the contractions came stronger and faster it wasn't enough then so I asked for pethadine.
It does knock you for 6 and I napped between the contractions but as they came thick and fast it was a cat nap if anything.
I went from 2cm to 7cm in the space of about 2 to 3 hours and was taken upstairs to the delivery suite then.
It's actually a nice room. That might sound odd but it was a calm environment, the midwives were superb and I knew that this was the last room for me- it was going to happen here and I liked that. This was it, we were going to get to meet the baby and then we'd be out the other side of everything.
I used gas and air only for a while but the speed at which my baby wanted to arrived meant that when the midwife asked if I wanted an epidural I said yes please but I want to be placed on my side to deliver not on my back.
No issues with that and the anaesthetist was in with me in a few minutes. The man was a genius, I felt absolutely nothing until ..... Well I felt nothing. He was so efficient, gentle and quick at getting the epi administered I think I asked him if he'd come home with me! Oddly enough he declined my lovely offer.
Epi in and things slowed down a bit but not majorly and I had a light enough dose in that I could still feel the urge to push when necessary and the slightest edge of the contractions. It was good because it helped me to link in with what the midwives were saying to me when I needed to push and when to not.
Also because I could feel enough to do as they instructed I required no assistance with delivery (e.g. Forceps, ventouse) and needed no stitches.

We also asked for delayed cord clamping and again that wasn't a problem and we had skin on skin and a little feed for the baby straight away.

I had "planned"on being mobile for as long as possible and I wanted to use only gas and air and the birthing pool. Turned out the best laid plans meant little or nothing to the baby and I just went with things as they happened and it was all fine. The midwives made me feel totally confident in them and their ability to work with me to get this job done and I gave over to what was happening and it was all fine.

Penny Dreadful · 24-09-2014 12:15pm

73trix wrote: »

Wow, congrats Penny. That's fab. Been following you as you were only a week behind me. Can't believe all these early babies. Especially with first timers! You are officially in Sept club now. First girl after 5 boys!! Did you have a VB or section? What did you call her?

Thank you. It was a VB- 9 hours from first contraction to holding the baby in my arms. No stitches either which I am still shocked at!
We had a little girl (3.22kg/7lbs2oz) and called her Amy.
Considering that she was 3 and a half weeks early she was a fine size of a child, I don't think delivering her would have been as gentle on my nether regions had she stayed put for much longer!

Penny Dreadful · 24-09-2014 12:18pm

Lucuma wrote: »

Congratulations Penny! Bet you weren't expecting that! You were officially full term though weren't you, had you the hospital bag packed?! Did you go into labour at 38 weeks? Hope you've had a chance to get some rest since the birth, it's hard to come by in the hospital ! :-/

I was 36+6 so officially she was one day premature.
I had everything packed and ready to go. Lots of my friends were teasing me about the "organised fun" and my having everything bought and in the house ready to go. Turns out I needed to be just that organised!

The hospital was so so noisy I thought I was going to lose my reason. Coming home to my own house, so quiet and peaceful with a lovely normal temperature and lighting was like entering an oasis of calm.
I've been resting lots since we got home and I'm feeling better and stronger, more like my old self day by day.

Lucuma · 28-09-2014 10:32am

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

One out of the way all right!

As it turned out because my waters had broken at home and kept on coming ( there was no holding that particular flood back!) I wouldn't have been able to use to pool anyway because of the increased risk of infection.
I had wondered before hand if the pool wasn't available to me how I'd react and it was just fine.
It was an option I no longer hand and getting bothered by it wasn't going to change anything so I went with another plan.
My waters broke at 7am, contractions started at 2pm and the baby was born at 23:06- all quite quick really.
I used a TENS machine for few hours downstairs and it helped so I was glad to have it. When the contractions came stronger and faster it wasn't enough then so I asked for pethadine.
It does knock you for 6 and I napped between the contractions but as they came thick and fast it was a cat nap if anything.
I went from 2cm to 7cm in the space of about 2 to 3 hours and was taken upstairs to the delivery suite then.
It's actually a nice room. That might sound odd but it was a calm environment, the midwives were superb and I knew that this was the last room for me- it was going to happen here and I liked that. This was it, we were going to get to meet the baby and then we'd be out the other side of everything.
I used gas and air only for a while but the speed at which my baby wanted to arrived meant that when the midwife asked if I wanted an epidural I said yes please but I want to be placed on my side to deliver not on my back.
No issues with that and the anaesthetist was in with me in a few minutes. The man was a genius, I felt absolutely nothing until ..... Well I felt nothing. He was so efficient, gentle and quick at getting the epi administered I think I asked him if he'd come home with me! Oddly enough he declined my lovely offer.
Epi in and things slowed down a bit but not majorly and I had a light enough dose in that I could still feel the urge to push when necessary and the slightest edge of the contractions. It was good because it helped me to link in with what the midwives were saying to me when I needed to push and when to not.
Also because I could feel enough to do as they instructed I required no assistance with delivery (e.g. Forceps, ventouse) and needed no stitches.

We also asked for delayed cord clamping and again that wasn't a problem and we had skin on skin and a little feed for the baby straight away.

I had "planned"on being mobile for as long as possible and I wanted to use only gas and air and the birthing pool. Turned out the best laid plans meant little or nothing to the baby and I just went with things as they happened and it was all fine. The midwives made me feel totally confident in them and their ability to work with me to get this job done and I gave over to what was happening and it was all fine.

I'm envious of your short labour time, mine was 28 hours....I had 18 hours of irregular contractions before I got to 3cm, most of that was at home. Then I had a further 10 hours of regular contractions before she was born. The net result being that when I was put in my room with her both me and hubby were absolutely exhuasted having missed 2 nights of sleep and then had to look after her straight away! It was a bad start sleepingwise.

My labour was very similar to yours otherwise - I also used teh Tens machine and got a shot of pethidine. It's funny how we all react differnt ways though coz the Tens did me the whole way through, although I'd say for the last part of the pushing phase it was more of an psychological crutch than anything else! And I couldnt' even lie down after the pethidine not to mention sleep! It made me high as a kite for 2 hours though, all I wanted to do was chat to the midwife about her travels in Australia etc (!). I can't believe you didn't have to have stitches!! That's amazing for a first timer. Had you been doing the perineal massage? The stitches are a pain and just another thing to be trying to deal with when you have enough on your plate already so lucky you! Sorry to hear about your infection and the reaction to the drug though, which drug was it?

I agree with you about the hospital being noisy, and I had my own room but cleaning ladies and people coming in and out just bang away and don't seem to try to do things quietly at all. Plus it was absolutely BAKING in there, I had to get hubby to bring in a desk fan and I had it going the whole time. My room was a real sun trap.

Penny Dreadful · 28-09-2014 6:56pm

Lucuma wrote: »

I'm envious of your short labour time, mine was 28 hours....I had 18 hours of irregular contractions before I got to 3cm, most of that was at home. Then I had a further 10 hours of regular contractions before she was born. The net result being that when I was put in my room with her both me and hubby were absolutely exhuasted having missed 2 nights of sleep and then had to look after her straight away! It was a bad start sleepingwise.

My labour was very similar to yours otherwise - I also used teh Tens machine and got a shot of pethidine. It's funny how we all react differnt ways though coz the Tens did me the whole way through, although I'd say for the last part of the pushing phase it was more of an psychological crutch than anything else! And I couldnt' even lie down after the pethidine not to mention sleep! It made me high as a kite for 2 hours though, all I wanted to do was chat to the midwife about her travels in Australia etc (!). I can't believe you didn't have to have stitches!! That's amazing for a first timer. Had you been doing the perineal massage? The stitches are a pain and just another thing to be trying to deal with when you have enough on your plate already so lucky you! Sorry to hear about your infection and the reaction to the drug though, which drug was it?

I agree with you about the hospital being noisy, and I had my own room but cleaning ladies and people coming in and out just bang away and don't seem to try to do things quietly at all. Plus it was absolutely BAKING in there, I had to get hubby to bring in a desk fan and I had it going the whole time. My room was a real sun trap.

It was the syntocin that I had the reaction to. That could prove a problem for any future pregnancies if I need to be induced ( as it's what is used as standard for induction) and also to deliver the placenta again.
I was discharged from the care of the hospital to my GP because I had no stitches etc but as the dust settled and I thought back on things I decided to have my 6 week check up in the hospital. I want to discuss what happened with the consultant and get a handle on it. If I am intolerant of syntocin / allergic to it then I need to know that for the future and see what the alternatives to syntocin are.
The midwife assured me that everything was charted fully and that it wouldn't happen again but I need to understand it for me too. Also given that she also said she had never seen a reaction like that before it would suggest to me that there isn't necessarily an alternative solution in place already.

I was lucky with the labour and the fact that I seem to have gotten off lightly in terms of the physical stress to my body I.e. No tearing or stitches etc.
I didn't do the perineum massage, I had thought about it but one quick you tube video saw me back track on that one rapidly! I did a lot of ante natal yoga though and it focused a lot on the pelvic floor both making it strong but also supple so I think that it stood to me. Also at 7lbs 2oz and almost 4 weeks early maybe my little girl did me a favour, imagine if she'd gone fully term or even over!! There is a lot of weight and growing that a baby could fit in over that time. I think I'd be feeling things a lot differently :-)

Marz66 · 29-09-2014 11:36pm

Another Sept arrival from the October thread here!

Had a healthy baby boy last Monday - due early October. Absolutely in love with him and wish everyone else the best with their births.

I might share the birth story some time but short version is induction which ended in c section. Labour wasn't a happy experience but I was happy with the c section experience if that makes any sense - I was awake and so happy to meet my baby. Bonded with him straightaway. Had big trouble with latching on so expressing into bottles and so far so good there. Happy out.

Marz66 · 29-09-2014 11:42pm

Piece of advice for dads - my oh ended up with a lot of jobs such as laundry, bringing in extra blankets, buying breast pump etc. If there is anyone else who can do those jobs get them to do it cos the dads need their after work time/paternity leave to get to know their baby. Also I had c section to recover from so needed him at hospital rather than at home washing baby gros. As I said he is the dad not the maid so we quickly learnt to delegate those jobs. Give spare house key to someone who can pick stuff up for you.

73trix · 01-10-2014 6:56am

Started out in this group with EDD of Oct 1st then dates changed to Sept 25th (original dates in fact). Swapped back to Sept group and now here I am 40+6 waiting to be induced this morning so Oct 1st babba after all!

V nervous but exciting times ahead as hopefully meet our little bubs today, everything going well. Fingers crossed.

Fagashlil · 01-10-2014 7:31am

73trix wrote: »

Started out in this group with EDD of Oct 1st then dates changed to Sept 25th (original dates in fact). Swapped back to Sept group and now here I am 40+6 waiting to be induced this morning so Oct 1st babba after all!

V nervous but exciting times ahead as hopefully meet our little bubs today, everything going well. Fingers crossed.

Best of luck today, hope it all goes to plan and you have your little bundle very soon!

73trix · 01-10-2014 11:53pm

Soooo slow..... Have had 2 gels and nothing. Was hoping to avoid drip but unless things progress during the nite it's the drip tomo as can't have anymore gels. Thought I'd started contractions earlier and was v excited but midwife told me they were "tightenings" not proper contractions. Can't believe I've been in hospital nearly 48hrs and still not in labour. Groan...Baby is fine tho and just not ready to make an appearance!

Fagashlil · 01-10-2014 11:59pm

Ah god love ya, really hope baba makes an enterance soon for you, I'd say it's so frustrating! Hope things quicken up over the night!

Marz66 · 02-10-2014 2:34am

I found the drip tough 73trix but remember pain relief is there if you need it. Best of luck.

user37 · 02-10-2014 9:31am

Best of luck with the drip...hope things will get started soon for you!

I'm 37 weeks and the babies head isnt engaged yet. The midwife told me this should happen around the 34-36 week mark for your first baby.
She started talking about a possible section but said shed give it another 2 weeks.
Was/Is any of you guys like this at this stage with your first?
Sick with worry as i really want to avoid a section if at all possible.

Thanks

murphy2 · 02-10-2014 5:55pm

73trix wrote: »

Soooo slow..... Have had 2 gels and nothing. Was hoping to avoid drip but unless things progress during the nite it's the drip tomo as can't have anymore gels. Thought I'd started contractions earlier and was v excited but midwife told me they were "tightenings" not proper contractions. Can't believe I've been in hospital nearly 48hrs and still not in labour. Groan...Baby is fine tho and just not ready to make an appearance!

Hope everything is going well for you and things get moving for you soon. 48 hours is a long time, you will be exhausted!
Best of luck though

murphy2 · 02-10-2014 5:58pm

user37 wrote: »

Best of luck with the drip...hope things will get started soon for you!

I'm 37 weeks and the babies head isnt engaged yet. The midwife told me this should happen around the 34-36 week mark for your first baby.
She started talking about a possible section but said shed give it another 2 weeks.
Was/Is any of you guys like this at this stage with your first?
Sick with worry as i really want to avoid a section if at all possible.

Thanks

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and still haven't dropped.
I have my doctors appointment tomorrow though so will ask then.
Would really rather not have a section either.
Hopefully there's still time for the babies to drop down into position.

Due October 2014.

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