Some news...

[Katster]

I will be sure to give you all the details. Probably via PM to spare the more squeamish of efesters lol.

[feral chile]

Did you do the impressive waters all over the midwife move feral??

No, I can't remember actually experiencing them breaking, I think they must have broken them for me with the middle two, the first was an emergency caesarean, and the last was due to be, but because I went from 0-10cm dilated in 10 minutes, when they first checked, they couldn't break my waters, and when I told them 10 minutes later that the head had crowned, they thought I'd lost my mind, and I had to get quite aggressive to get them to check. (Similar tale for the birth prior to that,as well).

it might sound better, but it's not, it causes severe distress to the baby (and to the mother!)

[bunique]

Waters not breaking? I think the statistics say that very few break before labour. Mine took me rather unawares whilst putting a jacket potato in the microwave!

[feral chile]

Waters not breaking? I think the statistics say that very few break before labour. Mine took me rather unawares whilst putting a jacket potato in the microwave!

And there was I thinking I'd missed out on something!

[feral chile]

If there's anything to worry about, they'll pick it up and whisk you in, anyway.

My daughter had some of hers at home - though she did live next door to her midwife, which helps

Edited September 2, 2014 by feral chile

[bunique]

No, only a slight moment of "Have I just wet myself?" Ain't pregnancy glam!

[feral chile]

No, only a slight moment of "Have I just wet myself?" Ain't pregnancy glam!

shh it gets grown men all soppy, they won't want to know the gory bits.

[Katster]

I am currently sat with elephant feet propped up on cushions. Dan (and others) keep telling me i look fab but most of the time i feel like a useless hippo/whale/turtle and about as far away from glam as i could ever be...and I'm one of the 'lucky ones' (I'm not so big, no stretch marks, skin not come out in crazy spots or blotches etc). Its exciting now its close but its definitely not glamorous and having my body back yo myself after the best part of a year will be fabulous. Sorry, I'm not the most maternal person you will ever meet, much as i am looking forward to being a mum

[feral chile]

Probably pre-pregnancy men

Ha probably.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I am currently sat with elephant feet propped up on cushions. Dan (and others) keep telling me i look fab but most of the time i feel like a useless hippo/whale/turtle and about as far away from glam as i could ever be...and I'm one of the 'lucky ones' (I'm not so big, no stretch marks, skin not come out in crazy spots or blotches etc). Its exciting now its close but its definitely not glamorous and having my body back yo myself after the best part of a year will be fabulous. Sorry, I'm not the most maternal person you will ever meet, much as i am looking forward to being a mum

You'll be very proud of your body when you first set your eyes on your beautiful child. Best wishes Katster and Dan.

[bunique]

You will. But you'll also be so freaking happy to be able to lie on your stomach again! And turn over in bed without hearing "vehicle reversing" noises in your head (that may just be me!).

[Katster]

Ha, I'm not very big and still remaining very mobile but I know what you mean. Specially the sleeping on my stomach thing, I've almost forgotten how it feels!

My cankles are still really bad and I am extremely tired now (just woke up after being in bed since 5pm) but overall I am still doing way better than I'd thought I would. I just want it all to be over and done with now. I'm bored.

[windy_miller]

I have all this to look forward to at the end of January!

[Katster]

As bad as it is Kat its better than what is about to come

Our six month old thinks its party time when its night time My wife is averaging two hours sleep a night over the last two weeks

Sprinkle on top of that a VERY active four year old during the day and its like her own personal hell

Its just a phase... Its just a phase... (we keep telling ourselves)

As bad as it is Kat its better than what is about to come

Our six month old thinks its party time when its night time My wife is averaging two hours sleep a night over the last two weeks

Sprinkle on top of that a VERY active four year old during the day and its like her own personal hell

Its just a phase... Its just a phase... (we keep telling ourselves)

Nope. Because as hectic and tiring as all that sounds - you get to see that face, those big eyes, feel its arms thrown around you (or whacking you in the face). Pregnancy is shit because there's so little that's positive (in my opinion). Yes the scans are lovely and to some extent the movements and kicks are exciting etc but beyond that there's not much pleasure to be gained from pregnancy other than the bundle of joy at the end of it all. I know I don't sound like the average pregnant lady, but personally I can't wait for sleepless nights etc caused by that innocent little face rather than this annoyingly expanding lump in my stomach.

[Katster]

Congrats Windy Miller. 2014/2015 certainly seems to be a popular year for babies, I know so many pregnant people?!

[bunique]

Spot on, Kat!

And congrats windy! Definite baby boom at the mo - I'm seeing pregnant people everywhere!

[bunique]

Although I have ordered a baby who sleeps this time; I feel we're owed it as the first was/is a nightmare!

[Katster]

Yeah, I'm not arsed about tiredness. I am hoping to express so baby gets all the good stuff but dad gets to bond ASAP. If I can't though I'm not too fussed. I'm pretty laid back about most things in life so will just go with the flow

[midnight]

........ Eee, I love birth stories! For something that is generally speaking the same for everyone, they're always completely unique!

You do? I've got a gory one up my sleeve, but I thought I'd wait with it until Katster has safely popped her sprog.

Now it seems it will have to wait until January - congrats, Windy_ Miller!

Have to admit, I was really looking forward to the baby, but I didn't care for being pregnant at all (although I had a really easy pregnancy and managed to work until 2 weeks before the due date); I didn't like having to be so careful with my body, all this do/don't eat this or that malarky, having to watch what I do, not being able to run down the stairs for fear of tripping and damaging the precious load. Very annoying.

I'll leave you with one anectodal fact regarding sleep, to mull over: The first night my son finally slept through was the night following his 5th birthday party. Yes, that's right. He was 5. So, put your swollen feet up while you can, Kat!

Most children are not like that, of course!

Edited September 4, 2014 by midnight

[feral chile]

I had the other problem with mine, she'd sleep 12 hours if I let her. Feeding on demand was in then, so the midwife just wanted me to leave her to it. But that's not really acceptable when you've got a small, foetal distress/caesarean baby delivered of a severely anaemic mother who weighed 6 and a half stone at full term.

Forget fads, use common sense.

[feral chile]

Feeding on demand is still the thing today isn't it ? My wife fed on demand...

But you are certainly right that you should just do what works!

fads come and go - I've been through go with the flow, stick to a routine cycle a few times. With another baby the midwife told me off for feeding on demand, it should be every 4 hours. I just used my common sense. feeding on demand within a sensible time frame worked best for me.

[greenfairy43]

It's been great reading all these posts over the last few months

[Katster]

Yeah BP still raised (for me) but still within normal range. My cankles are quite bad and don't seem to be draining back at all even though I am sitting with my legs raised as much as practical at work, very high at home, and even on two pillows as I sleep?! I am drinking lots of fluids and resting, is there anything else I can do?

I personally have been very impressed with the midwives we have had after swapping from the original place. A couple have been quite rude to Dan (not really acknowledged him) but in terms of my care and support they have all been brill.

[greenfairy43]

Keep your feet up & moving ( wriggle your feet regularly) & don't cross your legs. Support tights are helpful if you need to be on your feet all day.

There's not a whole lot else you can do that you're not already.

(remember me trying to help warm your feet up at Bearded a few years ago?!!)

[Katster]

This hot weather isn't helping. I'm fighting a bit of a losing battle but the main thing is it doesn't seem to be getting any worse and has gone from my hands and face since the first episode.

I do remember - think i ended up with some fluffy socks of yours that i returned the next day? It was so cold that year i remember paper cups which had frozen solid. In May?!

Circulation is obviously not my strong point ha.