[gisses]

Just a quickie for me:

Carol- how did ur appointment go?

[andrea79]

bex - sorry to hear AF arrived and sorry I can't help with the progesterone stuff, I'm a little clueless when it comes to all that stuff. Hopefully you get some answers soon and you're GP isn't just stuffing you around.

JuniorGandR - grrrr very frustrating when that happens. Hope you had a good nights sleep though!

carol - how did the results go today?

aurorasleeping - thanks hon and yes, things seem to be going well at the moment. I love reading people's birth stories so I'll share mine in a minute but understand if people don't want to.

AFM - boobs getting sorer, tired, waking at 4.00-5.00 to pee then having trouble going back to sleep. No nausea as such but just a general off feeling, especially if I'm hungry. Oh and appetite seems to have increased a bit but not much. More randomly I'll just feel sooooo hungry and it seems to take forever to satisfy it, then other times it's not too bad! Just hanging out now to see my GP on Thursday. I could have got a walk in appt today with another doc if I wanted but after my mc last time I just want to see my GP!

Ok here's my birth story for DS! I'll try and keep it short!

I lost my mucous plug about 3.00pm Monday so thought something might happen within the next 24 hrs! My mum was flying down from Sydney the next day to spend some time with me before the birth and she was coming in with DH as she wasn't able to experience my sisters or SIL's births for one reason or another.

Tuesday morning woke up at 8.00 and as I got out of bed I felt a little rush of water but it wasn't a lot. I didn't know if it was my waters breaking or I'd peed myself! Figured out it was my waters so called my midwife. As no contractions had started she said to call her back at midday to tell her how I was progressing. For the next couple of hours I had a shower and just wandered around the house. Pains/contractions not that bad, mainly felt like bad period pain.

I started timing my contractions at 10.40am and they were about 4 mins apart and lasting about 30-60secs. By 11.20 or so they were getting stronger and closer together so thought I'd better call my midwife back then rather than wait til midday. As soon as I told her what was going on she said to come to the hospital and meet her there between 12.15-12.30!

So off we went. I still remember as clear as anything sitting at traffic lights having a contraction and DH said that maybe we should have left earlier - my response was - don't worry about that now, just drive!! Oh and before we left I called my mum and told her to drive straight from the airport to the hospital - about 1.5hrs away.

Got to the hospital at 12.20. Midwife checked me about 12.30-12.45 and I was 3cms. About 1.00-1.15pm I hopped in the bath for some natural pain relief (no pain relief so far) and the bath was amazing. It's makes the uterus so buoyant and took the pain off my back. My mum arrived at 1.30pm! Good timing!

Just after mum arrived the midwife came in and didn't do another internal because it was a bit harder in the bath but considering I was only 3cms before she said I'd probably have at least another 3 hrs to go. So about 2 or a bit after the contractions were running into each other and I wasn't getting a break. I told DH that there was no way I could keep doing that for another 3 hrs so I asked for the pethidine. Midwife jabbed me then about 10 mins later I needed to push! Midwife was caught a little offguard and at 2.20pm DS entered the world! I didn't feel any affects of the pethidine at all and the midwife said it wouldn't have had time to take affect anyway?

So I had cuddles in the bath for a little while but the water was getting cold so they took him away to weigh etc while I walked back to my room to have a shower.

It was the most amazing day of my life!

[caroldiem]

Hi girls,

feeling very i really can't function am i the only one but is anyone else checking for blood every 5 mins it's crazy i know i can't believe i am at 7 weeks I need to get myself a ticker

OK so went and saw my GP this morning i was able to convince my Dh to come with me for support i was so nervous it felt like D Day for me. Anyway sat down and she's like "How are you" and i 'm like " I have been really sick" she's like "yeah you look it" and then i am thinking oh crap she is delaying telling us the results because they are BAD!! but luckily this wasn't the case she said well great news your results are brill.

22 000 beginning of week 6 and then 3 days later it was 46 000 so i was so overwhelmed i started crying my DH is looking at me like "Please don't cry don't embarrass me now pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". Anyway so she was so excited she got me in for a scan at 11:30am woohooooo

So based on my LMP date i would be 7 weeks today and due 19th of November. I was so nervous waiting for the scan fortunately the woman that did my scan was lovely i went to lie on the table and i just started crying I told her about my miscarriage and how scared i was i asked her not to put the TV on i didn't want to see. Fortunately my bladder was nice and full so i just had an external scan, she spent about 30secs looking and then see there's the sac, yolk sac, fetal pole and the baby. i couldn't believe it the baby is measuring spot on for dates exactly 7w and based on her report i am also due on the 19th of Nov so i was very happy about that, the heartbeat was 141bpm which she said was the average and overall she said everything looked good nothing to worry about it. I was crying when we left the room.

When i got home i read the report and it said i had a small extra membranous hemorrhage inferior to the gestational sac measuring 1ml in volume i have had no bleeding up to this point so i am going to assume my body will just absorb it because 1ml is tiny right? also i am aware from my DD's pregnancy that i have a bicornuate uterus i told the sonographer today but she called it a subseptate uterus it is a deformity and it can cause issues later on in the pregnancy or can cause a miscarriage if the egg is implanted on the septum and not receiving blood flow fortunately my deformity is minor and i figure i had my DD with the same uterus so hopefully i can do it again but i will address this with him when i see him in 3 weeks so now i am just for no bleeding over the next 3 weeks

Now the next milestone waiting for OB appt 3 weeks to go

[aurora sleeping]

Wow Andrea your story is a little similar to mine - my DS was born at 2:20am!

Oh Carol, you and your VBACs you crack me up - don't worry I didn't know what it was for ages too! Now my post will look weird ! So glad you got a good result lovely, I was thinking of you!!! I'm sure it will be okay, like you said, your uterus has done it before! It's a good sign that she said everything looks good - but so hard not to worry isn't it! I'm looking for blood every time I go to the toilet too - sometimes I go just to check as I imagine something's there, but it's just some CM or something. So, certainly not the only one lovely!!! I find distraction is the key!

AFM - Got my blood test today. Technically I'm only 4 weeks and 4 days along, but my levels were 3115, which I think is quite high. I'm sure of when I ovulated, so it's not further along than what I think. Hmmmm can't wait to see the scan now!!!! Wondering if there's more than one... Will call the OB tomorrow to book in officially - gosh, that makes me feel like it's all real now!!!!! Can't believe it's really happening!!!!

[caroldiem]

aurora sleeping -I can't wait for your scan either how exciting i am getting the feeling you are definitely having twins, i am getting not identical 2 girls i wonder if i am right ( I am a little bit psychic)

[Pssst...]

Smiley – everyone’s birth experiences are so different, I find it really fascinating. Even though I’d like to go for VBAC this time, my C/S and recovery went really well. And I can see why you might want to choose one – I have a friend in a similar situation too. Hopefully all will go well for both of us!

Carol – don’t worry about the VB/VBAC thing. I still get confused by acronyms in this place! My C/S wasn’t an emergency but it wasn’t planned either (see story below). There shouldn’t be any reason why I can’t have a VB so hopefully it will go that way. Sorry about your nausea, but in a weird way it must be comforting to have such strong symptoms. Glad to hear everything went well with your blood tests and scan

Andrea – the water birth sounds amazing! I’ve been super hungry too. Had two breakfasts yesterday! One at home and another when I got to work! But I felt sooooo sick on the way to work and I just had to eat something. I find that I can go along for ages and then suddenly – bam! I’m starving and I have to eat NOW!

Aurora – yes, will be interesting to see if my OB will support me. He’s a pretty relaxed guy and we’re keen to use him again – but if he won’t support me then I’ll be looking elsewhere. Thanks for sharing your birth story, I love hearing/reading them! Did you manage to book in with your OB? Will be watching closely to see if your high levels do mean twins!

AFM – on and off nausea and still some tiredness. Took DD to her swimming lesson this morning and my boardies were a bit harder to do up! Feeling quite bloated and I have been eating heaps to combat the nausea. Must try really hard not to put on 20kg like I did with DD though!! I do bootcamp three times a week and told my trainer yesterday. I managed to keep going with bootcamp until I was about 15/16 weeks with DD and then it was too intense. Only problem was I didn’t replace it with anything. So have to make sure I do better this time.

Stuck my head into the December DIG briefly. So many people! Not sure if I can keep up with all of that, but I'll try to at least go back and introduce myself...

Also happy to share my birth story. I had what could be described as the typical ‘cascade of intervention’ but it was not traumatic at all…

OB was talking about inducing me due to PE and I was going to the hospital for monitoring twice a week. And I had some acupuncture to try to get things moving along naturally. I was meant to go to the hospital on the Wednesday night to be induced but the OB called to tell me that the hospital was too busy and I should just go and see him for my usual Thursday morning appointment. Sitting at home Wed afternoon I felt a tiny trickle. Didn’t think it was my waters, just thought I let a bit of wee out! And nothing else happened after that so I didn’t think anything of it

Thursday morning we went to the appointment where the OB did an internal and my waters went all over him, all over his bed and all over the floor!! Sent to the hospital for checking but they still didn’t want me. Once they were satisfied all was OK with bub, they sent me home to clean up and pick up my bags etc. Back to the hospital around 2pm. By this stage it was nearly 24 hours since my waters broke (the tiny trickle the day before) and no contractions had commenced so they put me on the drip. All was fine, labour built up at a good rate and I dilated and coped with the contractions well.

By about midnight I was asking for pain relief but I couldn’t handle having the mouthpiece for the gas in my mouth – it made me want to gag and I’d already been feeling nauseas. DD was posterior so the only comfortable position was standing bolt upright with my hands on the bed. But my legs would keep getting tired. Originally I didn’t want an epidural because I wanted to have the option to move around. But I was pretty much stuck on or near the bed anyway, so decided to have one. And managed to have a couple of hours rest thanks to it. I seemed to stay at 7cm but since DD was showing no signs of distress they were happy to let things continue on to see if they would start up again. Eventually though, my OB advised the C/S due to the fact that many hours of ‘ineffective’ contractions can actually be damaging to the uterus and make it harder to have other kids. So, we agreed and DD was born just before 4am. Turns out that she had turned during labour and was stuck so was probably never going to come out on her own.

The worst part of the experience for me was being so sick from the morphine about 2-3 hours after DD was born. And then the fact that I couldn’t get up to get her wasn’t great either, especially that night once my DH and mum had left. I recovered really well and at the beginning wasn’t too bothered by the fact that I’d had a C/S. But the more time that goes on, the more I wonder ‘what if’ and I’ll admit to pangs of jealousy when I hear/read about other people’s amazing VB stories. Hopefully one day I’ll get to experience that too.

[*Mumma-to-A*]

I will try and do personals this weekend but so tired and have attempted them for 3 nights now with no success.

Psst- I am hoping to have a VBAC for this baby and have been planning it before we even started TTC. Everything you wrote about feeling what if is exactly how I feel too. I have joined Birthrites which is a support group for VBAC's but moreso to help with a positive second birth if a c-section needs to be done. It's really helped me so far.

I'll try to explain my last birth as best as I can: sorry it's long I should blog it instead Feel free to skip.

I went to my appointment 10 days (a friday) after my due date hoping to get induced it was 1st february and I was truely over the summer and being pregnant only to be told the earliest induction they could give me was the following thursday afternoon (would have been 17 days over) The Doctor gave me a s&s and I went on my way to have lunch with my mum and nan. Later that night I roped DH into "helping me out" (DTD). Work up at 3am and had my first contraction (if I known it was going to be so long I might have stayed in bed longer) I sat in our lounge room waiting for the intensity to increase and timing them (they were 7-8 minutes apart) 7am my Dh woke so I told him about the contractions but told him we had plenty of time to get organised. I was in pain but they were coming anywhere from 20 minutes to 5 minutes apart. Around 9.30am I rang my mum (she was to be with us in the birth) came running down even though I really did want to just be alone and relax. I laboured with painful contractions 7 minutes apart for most of the day. I also used our pinball machines to distract myself and found them great to lean on when I had a contraction

I rang the hospital at 1pm and told them I was in lbour but wanted to stay at home. They were happy for me to stay there but I had to call in every few hours to update them. at 7pm I had enough contrations were 5 minutes apart and I was tired. Mum went to stock up on some supplies for the hospital while I had a shower and our last few moments as a couple. Anf off we went to the hospital being in the car did nothing for me and the 45 minute trip didn't help. We went to the FMU and was assessed at being 3 cm they could either admitt me or we could go for a walk and get dinner. I opted for option 3. it was 10pm at this stage and could only find macdonalds in perth city they only place for a quick feed - I remember having a massive contraction at the counter and freaking out the place - food to go we had to get back to the hosipital got admitted and opted straight for the bath for pain relief - which was ok but felt so cold and I wanted it warmer which they couldn't do as it is temperature controlled through the hospital so I didn't last long in there. Out of the bath I got a plush labour room and went to the bed - it looked so good and I was so tired. My lovely midwife did an examination (around 2.30am sundy morning) and I was at 4cm and he was positier and I had back labour (I hd slipped L5 disc 4 years previous so no wonder I was in pain) At this point I opted for epidual (maybe not the wisest decision as I think it slowed down a slow labour more).

Fast forward my novel to 12pm sunday where I was at 9cm and the big boss doctor (don't know what they call him) who told me I had an hour to deliver or it was a c-section (no bed manner what so ever) I was exhausted so burst in tears. I wanted nothing than to avoid the c-section. And hour and the nice dr came back and I was told I was at 10cm so could start pushing. My epi was wearing off (cause I didn't want to use the top up and wanted to start feeling again) Ds would not comply to my pushing (he was still up high I could feel him near my ribs) so Mean head doctor came back in to check me again. I was 10cm but had an anterior lip and my blood pressure was dipping so I need a c-section and it had to be now. I was wheeled away and had to have a spinal tap as the epi was too old (or something like that) I remember being so scared and they told me they were going to make the cut and my baby would be here soon. I was shaking so much from the spinal tap and Dh wasn't there yet. He walked in just in time and whispered that he loved me. He then peeked over the curtin and said my guts where on the table (yep I got a sweet one there) Then they produced the ugliest blue monkey I had over seen. Took him away to the table to clean up where he proceded to wee on the nurses. Dh then got his first cuddle - I was jealous I wanted the first cuddle. Alex David was born at 3.55pm 3rd February and was 53cm 8 pound 2 ounces (3.69kg) He had no name for almost a week.

I was wheeled to recovery and Dh went to spread the news and was told I would be out soon. Alex stayed with me and my midwife helped him have his first feed. After 45 minutes DH was allowed in (I think they were worried he would wear out the carpet) I had bleeding that they couldn't control so ws glad for the time DH was allowed into recovery for. I was so out of it and had no feelings towards Alex at this time.

I going to stop now but I'm glad I am finally writing down my birth and I think I will blog it for myself including the afterbirth stay in hospital and recovery. I'll link it to anyone interested. I found blogs for birth stories really good to make me feel I wasn't alone. I'm sorry it is so long.

[aurora sleeping]

Awwww loving the birth stories ladies!!! It's good to remember that special, crazy time and think that it's not to far away for round 2! And Mumma-to-A your story was great, not long at all!!! Love the bit about the pinball machines LOL!

carol I'd be pretty darned excited for 2 girls!!!!! It would be a crazy time in my house as it's very small, but I'd love it anyway!!!

AFM - So, I've hit the 5 week mark and I'm VERY tired but no nausea yet. I didn't really get it with DS either so am wondering if this will be similar... I'm worried about how early I'm going to show as I already feel like things are getting big (paranoia, or twins lol) and I'm not sure if it's just due to bloating. It probably is, I'd forgotten how crap you feel right at the beginning. It's already stuffing around with my bowels so that sucks.

Managed to get my scan.. but I have to wait 3 weeks!!! I was a bit spoilt with DS, got in for a dating scan at 6 weeks and was able to see the heartbeat. I was hoping for that again but the OB I'm going with is on leave at the moment. So, I'll be 8 weeks at least by then. Another 3 weeks to go *sigh*

I'm actually going with a different OB to the one I had with my DS - basically, that one was great but he was coming back from leave about 2 weeks before my due date and as Levi was early he didn't make it and I had one of the other OBs he works with. That one was great for the birth so I was open to having him - checked both of them out and their fees are similar but my original OB is again having leave right around when my due date is, so I'm going with the other one instead! I'm glad the OBs I have are all in a team and I know they're all good so whoever is rostered on will be good.

Hope everyone's having a relaxing Easter!!! xxx

[~A2~]

Hi girls

Just checking in to see how you are enjoying your new home.

Hope everyone is going well.

Ali

[*Mumma-to-A*]

Loving it Ali. Can't wait for a few more friends (both old and new) to join us.

Aurora sleeping - LOL yes my very expensive laundry folding stations ie pinball machines do come in handy during labour. Every labour ward should have one. DH has 9 in total at the moment - funny that he is also legally blind and can barely see me across the other side of the room but can play these for hours.

When are you all planning on on buying/laybying stuff if you need to? I want a capsule and of course a new pram but luckily my sister is loaning alot of her stuff.

I got some really bad news that a friend lost her battle with cancer on sunday night I'm sure that pregnancy hormones aren't helping with this news this week (I cried the other day because I forgot to hang out a load of washing)

Hope everyone else is doing well.