*~*~* The Decemberists! *~*~*

[Pusscat]

Yes they were nct. NHS classes are very thin on the ground here, would have gone to them if there was anything decent available! Hope you find yours useful too.

 

[smawfl]

Hi Ladies,

How is everyone doing?

I've just had my 34 week midwife appointment and it seems Baby has turned! Although they seemed a little unsure at one point, as they felt a hard bit high and low, but the high hard bit was wider so they think it’s the bottom. I’m happy with that, as long as it doesn’t turn again!

Blood pressure, urine etc were fine!

 

[Pusscat]

That's brilliant news smawfl Hope baby realises how lovely it is to be in the right position and decides to stay there.

I had my 36 week appt yesterday and got disappointing news, my platelets have dropped to their lowest level! I was convinced they were on their way up, the previous 2 test results showed that. They were 103 so getting close to the 'below 100' danger zone. So again looking very unlikely I can go to the birth centre. It's just the not knowing which I hate, I like to have things planned out. I think I'm just going to set my mind to going to hospital, and then if by some slim chance I get to go to the birth centre then that'll just be a bonus.

So I was quite upset yesterday but I shouldn't be as baby is doing really well. She's nearly fully engaged, just 1/5 left to go! It's amazing how low she is, the midwife showed where her shoulders are and they are much lower than I'd thought! And she also said I had fantastic tummy muscles, which certainly cheered me up!

Hope everyone is well. We're off to Surrey this afternoon for a wedding tomorrow. My last trip away for a while. Then I'm full term on sunday!

 

[smawfl]

Sorry to hear about your platelets dropping Pusscat. Will you be monitored more closely now?

Glad baby is doing well can't believe she's almost fully engaged! Does that feel uncomfortable once baby starts dropping?

You'll have to post a bump pic so we can see how low she is!

Enjoy the wedding and happy almost full term!

 

[seaweed eater]

Happy Thursday everyone! :wave: Quiet in here lately! Hope that means everyone's doing well.

Smawfl, wonderful news that baby has turned! I'd be surprised if he or she turned again at this point. Glad everything else is ok with you too.

Pusscat, I'm very sorry about your platelet levels. That is disappointing. I know just what you mean about wanting to have everything planned out. I'm still hoping my BP stays fine and I go into labor before 41 weeks and don't have to be induced, but I feel like I always have to juggle two scenarios in mind at once, and I hate it! I think you have the right mindset given how things are looking, and I hope you DO get the bonus of going to the birth center.

Enjoy the wedding! And I agree with Smawfl, post a bump pic!

I'm doing well...very happy to be 36 weeks and still healthy! Have had a few panic moments this week -- a couple times I've thought of going in for reduced movement, and on Monday I called when I was having contractions and pressure. I'm pretty sure the baby dropped a bit on Sunday so the pressure was probably from that. I don't think he has dropped all the way yet, but it feels a little different -- more pressure. And my bump is starting to get in the way when I sit with my legs closed.

If any of the rest of you in late third tri are feeling a lot less movement, apparently that's pretty normal. It really has been a dramatic shift, but baby has been great on all the NSTs (including today's) so apparently nothing to worry about.

The serious stuff starts next week...GBS swab and then weekly cervical exams! I thought about turning down the exams, but instead I've just asked the doctor not to tell me. Two of my friends went through this recently -- one was 3cm at 37 weeks and didn't go into labor until 40, one was still closed and long at 40 and her water broke that week! I think it would just help my sanity not to know. The doctor seemed somewhat amused by my request to withhold the information, but hopefully he'll go along with it. I'll remind him.

Are you ladies feeling very impatient yet? I have to say I'm not really...I'm definitely looking forward to finally getting to know the baby on the outside, and anxious to know how labor and birth will go, but I'm also enjoying the last few weeks of normalcy and sleeping through the night!

 

[smawfl]

Hi Seaweed :wave:

Definitely very quiet in here, but we do tend to have our moments of chattiness / quietness dont we

I hope you're right, fingers crossed baby doesn't turn again!

I've found my bump is getting in the way a little now too.. i dont know whether it's dropped, but it seems to really rest on the tops of my thighs when I'm sat down

My movement is still pretty good, definitely got a strong baby in there but I have read as they get less space they quieten down a little. I dont know how that will effect me with my anterior placenta, I guess I will just keep and eye out even more for movements.

What's GBS swab?

So can you start dialating even before you have contractions?! OMG that's frightening!!

I'm starting to feel impatient, I think we both are really excited to meet Baby now, and especially as we don't know whether it's a or one! Can't wait to find out!

After taking my wedding rings off the other week, I decided to do the wedding ring gender test last night..! It circled over my bump so I think that means girlie! So many people have said they can see me with a girl. And equally lots of people say I'm carrying like it's a boy!

I still find it amusing, can't wait to find out which thoeries were correct!!

 

[gaiagirl]

Still here just got home from a road trip so totally beat! I'll catch up this weekend

 

[Pusscat]

Thanks ladies The wedding was lovely although pretty strange being there with all my old uni friends getting drunk and not feeling like even getting up from my seat. Didn't stay until the end because I started crying because I felt so much like a spare part. Mainly down to hormones I know And also because I got yet more bad news about my platelets earlier in the day. They've dropped slightly below 100 so got to go to hospital to see haematology midwife. Birth centre completely off the cards now. Appt on 29th though so they can't be too worried about me. And might have had baby by then!

I'm definitely feeling pressure when I walk and also getting the stabbing pains down below. They're just a very quick stabbing pain though so not as bad as they sound! But still a bit alarming!!

See photo for bump comparison. I'm not good at noting the week of the photo and can't be bothered to get up and check on phone, but think that the blue top pic is from about a month ago, and the white vest pic was from last week (36 weeks ish) I think bump is definitely pointing more downwards than it did before!

 

[seaweed eater]

Pusscat you definitely have dropped!! You look great!

I'm sorry to hear about your platelets. As you said, it doesn't sound like they're too worried about you, which is great, and it's also good that you are aware of this and won't be putting yourself in a risky situation...as much as I know you wanted the birth center.

I know what you mean about the pressure. My friend and I go on walks once a week or so, and before this week we did an hour no problem, but yesterday after 40 minutes I felt like the baby was going to drop out! I also feel his head in front behind my pubic bone, which is very strange. I hope it means he's tucked his chin in the right way (because back labor is supposed to result from the baby's head pushing on your back, right?).

Smawfl, GBS is group B strep. It's a bacterium that some women naturally have, and it's harmless for them, but it can be bad for baby if it's in the vagina as he is born. It's routine to check for it in the US around 36-37 weeks and if you're positive you just get a course of antibiotics during labor. I'm hoping not to have it, of course, because you need the antibiotics 4 hours before birth and I'd really like to labor at home as long as possible, but it's also not a huge deal.

You can definitely start dilating without feeling any strong contractions. I believe my friend who gave birth recently was already at 3 cm at 37 weeks before she even felt her first BHs. (Who knows if they were really BHs at that point...but they slowed down.)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. We just had our last prenatal class! One more doula meeting and then it's just waiting for baby!! Wow...can't believe it.

Happy 35 weeks, Smawfl, and happy FULL TERM TOMORROW Pusscat and DS!

I keep wondering how FSB is doing! Any day now!!

 

[Pusscat]

Thanks seaweed I'm so happy to have made it to 37 weeks! I really feel like we have everything prepared now and no more big events coming up before baby. I'm relaxed and ready for baby to make her arrival whenever she decides is a good time. She's done a fine job of growing up into a proper little baby, so I'll trust her judgement as to when she's ready.

I keep thinking about FSB too. How are you FSB?

 

[gaiagirl]

Wow, so crazy how close you ladies are!!! I still have a whole trimester stretching ahead of me! Lol.

I am working the next 5 days in a row...haven't done that since June! Yikes.

I also am starting to stress a teeny bit about teaching jobs for the fall...ugh, not what I want to be thinking about! I don't even want to go back to work...how could I possibly focus on planning lessons and dealing with students when all I'm thinking about is the baby! Haha

Pusscat I am sorry about the platelets. It must be disappointing to not be able to deliver where you wanted to. I will be pretty crushed if my plans get dashed, but then...either way you will get to meet your beautiful baby and really - that is the most important thing!

 

[smawfl]

Gaiagirl - how was your road trip?

Pusscat - sorry your platelets have dropped and you wont get the birthing centre.
Your bump has dropped! Congrats on Full Term!

Seaweed - Totally didn't realise you could dialate without knowing!

 

[gaiagirl]

Road trip was good! Definitely our last one (at least in our tiny car) for a long time! The actual driving part was a but rough as I think I had a growth spurt during the two longest days of driving which usually means cramping and pain for me...

Otherwise, the Rockies were gorgeous and we had so much fun together! So glad we could really enjoy one another's company so much before things change for us

Did any of you ladies notice patterns in your growth/baby's movement? I've noticed that he will get really quiet for a few days (enough to make me worry) then I'll get some cramps and muscle/ligament pain and then suddenly be a little bit bigger. Kinda funny!

Still can't believe how LOW he is! He is almost never above my belly button and every single person who sees me comments on how low he sits. The pressure on my bladder and hips/pelvis kinda sucks but I guess it's either that or the ribs and diaphragm! Not sure which would be worse, lol.

 

[FeelSoBlessed]

Good morning ladies!!

I hope you're all well. Apologies for being away/not keeping up! My in uncle has been in hospital so we've been up visiting regularly as things were not looking good. However, this man is such a fighter and is gaining strength everyday!

I think this has taken my mind off thinking... Meeting my baby could happen any day now!! I cherrish spending time with DH just laying there with his hand on my bump - and this happy face that you see on a kid who cannot wait until Christmas!!

I haven't had chance to get on my laptop since finishing work as it has a virus! Ooops! But I'm so glad to read you are all doing well

Gaigirl - glad you had fun on the road trip. I had a quiet day last week and then bamm... Someone was having a great stretch. I absolutely love the movement in these last days, a foot sticks out the side as if to say... Tickle me!!

Pusscat - sorry about your platelets, is there nothing you can do to encourage getting your levels up? Birth centre or delivery suite - you're ultimately in control of the whole experience so embrace it and make the room your own (music, dim lights, scents/fragrencies, etc). Hope they go back up though!!

Seaweed - hope you've enjoyed prenatal classes and that you're doula goes about things as you'd like. I wonder whether I've started to dilate as it feels 'different' down there - as if something's going on! Ha! However - no mucus plug and only occasional BH as yet!! Ooooh - exciting!!!!

Smawfl - we're in that... Wow, boy or girl thought! I'm not usually a fan of 'the unknown' but I love the fact that I've had no say, no influence, just great fun making back in December and joys of keeping baby safe, providing all they need for 9 months!! I'm getting all emosh on you all! Apologies!

Sorry if I've missed anyone out - I'm forever wishing all ladies in our Decemberist thread (from mamas in waiting to TTCers who we all look forward to supporting when it's their time) continued good health, smooth pregnancies and positive frames of mind. This sounds like a farewell... My fingertips must know something I don't know!!

Take care, I look forward to keeping you posted and hearing your updates too!! x

 

[ds0910]

Hi ladies. Sorry I haven't been on in a while. Been trying to get the house ready and packing hospital bags and so on. Plus I have been a bit anemic so I just really haven't felt like doing much.

seaweed- I have been dilated to a one for at least a week and I still don't even have any idea what a BH or contraction of any kind feelsI was quite shocked when he told me I was dilated!

pusscat- sorry to hear about you platelets. Can you not do anything to bring them up?


So I guess it's just down to a waiting game now as technically I could go into labor at any time now Hardly seems real!! LOL Well hope all you ladies are doing well!

 

[Shh]

Hi ladies, likewise, sorry I haven't been on for a bit. Diabetes is taking quite a bit of controlling (4 injections of insulin a day and testing my blood 7 times a day - my fear of needles is having to get better!). I saw doctor, consultant, SCBU Nurse etc yesterday, I have to be induced (something I didn't think would happen following a c-section), and if that doesn't work, have a c-section at 38 weeks, no arguments. Very worried as I'm not comfortable with this at all, but if its the safest thing for the baby, then I have to get on with it. Going in to talk to the midwife today about it all.

Other than that, i'm completely disorganised, we still need to get old baby things down and sort through them, build the crib etc etc, as well as thinking about packing hospital bags and things! What a contrast from last time when I was ready to go from about 30 weeks!!!

Glad to hear you're all well, those that are TTC, I'm still thinking of you and shall be hanging around until you have babies!!!

Sorry I haven't replied to everyone individually, I'm manically researching before this afternoon's meeting, my list of questions for the poor midwife is growing rapidly!

Will update soon and have a proper thread catch-up xx

 

[smawfl]

Hi Ladies

Gaia - glad you enhoyed the road trip and your time with your hubby!
Yep I've noticed growth / patterns too. Like yesterday, I seemed to have grown over night!

FeelSoBlessed - glad you're keeping well. Sorry to hear about your uncle, glad he is getting better.
It's so nice not knowing the sex isn't it! I've had more "ooh I can see you with a girl" comments! Can't wait to find out now!

DS0910 - sorry to hear about the anemia, are you on tablets for it?

Shh - for the injections, sounds painful. Make the list of questions as long as you like, that is what they are there for!

 

[Pusscat]

Gaia - sounds like a lovely road trip It's good that you're making the most of this time when you're more mobile! I can't say I've noticed growth spurts, and looking at the growth chart in my notes it shows a very steady increase so I'm quite glad of that! It's true that wherever I give birth the end outcome is the main thing - getting to meet my daughter. It feels a bit selfish wanting the birth centre birth. But then on the other hand if I'm relaxed in my environment then the birth is more likely to go smoothly, which is good for baby as well as me. Like you say FSB, it's up to me to make my environment as relaxing as possible, no matter where it may be. I'll be looking to get some nice relaxing essential oils at the weekend. And I've ordered a new MP3 player and going to load it with my favourite songs.

FSB - sorry to hear about your uncle But glad you are doing well. So excited for you that baby could be here any day The midwife hasn't offered any suggestions for how to increase my platelets. Looking online it seems most people recommend eating as much fruit and veg as possible. So I've been doing that. But it seems to have no effect on my platelets. I've been eating the most healthy diet of my whole life, but they have still fallen so feeling pretty disheartened with it. But I know it will have been doing the baby good so it wasn't all a waste of time!

DS - very exciting to hear you're 1cm already!! Makes me wonder if I am too as we are due date buddies My midwife doesn't check that though so I won't know how dilated I am until I'm in actual labour.

Shh - good to hear from you. It sounds like a lot has changed since finding out about the diabetes I know the feeling of being forced down a very medical route which you're not entirely comfortable with. Once baby is here none of it will matter though, that's what I keep telling myself. Hope you have a good chat with your midwife. When are they looking at inducing you?

Hope everyone else is having a good Wednesday. I hosted my first coffee morning this morning! It went very well and I coped with having 2 toddlers toddling around my house! They brought their own toys to play with and spread them all out on the floor - gave me a taste of the mess children make! They were very good at tidying up though so I can't complain.

 

[ds0910]

pusscat- I'm surprised they don't check you! Is that a UK thing? Glad your morning coffee went well.

smawfl- yes I have been on iron tablets for two weeks now. They have helped a lot and my numbers have come up. Still so exhausted though, not sure if I'm still a little anemic or if it's just late pregnancy

Ssh- so sorry you are having such a time with the diabetes Sounds rough. I am pretty disorganized right now as well lol. There is still so much to do and as time runs out the more stressed I get about it so the harder it gets for me to do it!

AFM- baby is moving around a ton!! He will actually push his foot out from underneath my rib cage like he is stretching and is tumbling around in there so much, especially at night, that it actually makes me a little sick at times. Tomorrow is my last day at work!!!! YAY!! It's gonna take everything I have to make it through as it is really starting to get painful getting in and out of the truck so much and my spd flares up something fierce. Anyway, hope everyone has a great day. I am off to wash fold and put up baby clothes and pack bags and clean house ugh!!! Talk to yall later.

 

[Pusscat]

Yes, think that's normal for the UK. I guess they might check if you asked, but wouldn't routinely.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with a stretchy baby! She just carries on with her big stretches, no matter how little room she has in there. She stretches so that her back pushes out one side of my stomach, and then her feet push out the other side. So my bump goes kind of rectangular!! My god it's uncomfortable!