So Sorry!

I've been away, I know, sorry about that! Been busy, busy, busy. I'm looking forward to posting some new birth stories soon and one of my lovely friends, Rachel, has just given birth to her second son, Stuart. There's lots going on at home and projects in the pipeline but I'm back updating this blog!

The Arrival of Stuart!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Rachel, Craig and Scott on the arrival of Stuart Alastair! A magnificent weight - looking forward to hearing all about it once you have recuperated and settled as a family of four. Well done!

One Born Every Minute - Channel 4 and 4OD

I love this programme! I've just been catching up with the episodes I've missed as I don't find the time to sit and watch it when it is on TV. Every time I see the opening credits, I go all tingly and get butterflies in my stomach. I find it so intriguing seeing what choices all the women make, how they are supported by the staff and their family, the birthing positions, pain relief... the tears are brimming every time!

Does anybody else watch it? What sort of memories does it bring back for you? Or if you are an expectant first time mum, does it instill you with confidence or just plain scare you? Please leave comments below, I find it fascinating how people view labour and birth and their perceptions on it afterwards and hopefully you can lend your knowledge and experience to others.

You can watch One Born Every Minute on catch up on 4OD here.

Submit your story to marvellousmummies@live.co.uk - please state whether you would like your name and location published otherwise by default you will become 'Anon'.

Favourites Feature: Westrea

I thought it would be nice to have a regular feature spot highlighting bloggers and hand-makers with relevant news and products. I have lots of blogs I follow personally and know some fantastic craft producers and I'd love to share them with you.

First up is Westrea Design Studio based in beautiful Devon. This blog and attached online shops, Facebook pages and Folksy account, previews her work - bags ideal for baby paraphernalia, purses, wet wipe cases, collectible mohair bears - everything is hand crafted by this very talented lady. Feast your eyes on this...

Did you take a look? What did you think? Please leave comments below.

Almost at the target...

We're almost at our 50 birth story target - number 44 has just been posted. Do you know anyone who might be interested in reading this blog? Someone who may be willing to share their story? It would be fabulous if you could recommend this blog!

Lesley's story, UK - waters breaking early and Group B Strep

"September 2002

This was my first pregnancy. I was 19 years old and 28 + weeks pregnant.

In this pregnancy I had really bad sickness and and sciatica, I was bed ridden for weeks with my back. Other than that I was enjoying it. One day in September 2002 I was having a lie down (at my partner at the time's house) as I wasn't feeling too well. When I felt a gush of warm water between my legs I got up in such a fright and looked at the bed; it looked like I had peed the bed. My boyfriend at the time shouted for his mum who phoned my local midwifery unit who said I had to go to the labour suite 25 miles away and had to wear a pad. So I did and when we got to the hospital they tested my pad and said that it was my waters that had gone. I got put straight on a drip to try to stop the contractions and got steroids injections. I was so scared but they said that they would do everything in their power to stop my labour progressing. I got a scan and was told the head was well down. Hours passed and I was kept in the labour suite as they said my baby was well on his way. During the night nothing seemed to happen; I was given the steroids again 12 hours after the first time. I was kept on my drip to stop my labour for 48 hours. After that they put me up to the maternity ward and I got checks every few hours. This would be my new home for the next week. During the week they discovered Group B Strep in my urine and in my high vaginal swap. I had never heard of this before and was puzzled to what it was so I was explained to that I would need antibiotics for the rest of my pregnancy because of my waters breaking and that also during my labour that I would need a drip in to administer antibiotics straight into me to stop my baby becoming ill when he entered the birth canal. After they were convinced that I was OK to go home, I was given my tablets and leaflets and told not to have sex. 

October 2002

I was getting checks all the time to make sure everything was OK, I would have scans and blood taken. When I went for a check one day I was kept in as I was having tightenings, nothing happened and after a few days I got home. This happened a few times over the next few weeks. 

20 November 2002 

36 weeks pregnant

They were really happy that I had made it this far and decided I would be booked in for induction on the 2nd December, 18 days before my due date. On the 20th November I got my usual scan and blood taken and they said everything was fine. The next day, 21st, I received a phone call from a midwife telling me to get straight into the hospital as they had found a problem in my blood. I was so scared. I got there straight away when I was told that my CPU level in my blood was at 2 and if it went to 3 there was a great danger of infection and that I was to be induced straight away. I was taken to the labour suite and put on my drip to start my contractions and my drip for antibiotics so here I was stuck on a bed with a drip in each hand after about 9 hours my baby boy Dylan entered this world weighing in at 6lb 6oz, 4 weeks early. He was taken away and had swabs taken on his eyes and ears to be sent away to make sure he had not contracted the Group B Strep. Luckily he didn't. We got home after a few days but were back in for a week afterwards as he was really bad jaundiced. I hated being back in there but knew it was the best place for him. 

My son is 9 years old in November and he has no idea the trouble we went through to keep him in my belly until 36 weeks - one day I shall explain."

Submit your story to marvellousmummies@live.co.uk - please state whether you would like your name and location published otherwise by default you will become 'Anon'.

Winner announcement!

Good evening everyone! The mei tai giveaway competition has ended and the winner has been drawn - drumroll please...

I am pleased to announce that the winner is number 35 - Facebook user name:

Natelle Nuttynel Arnold

An email will be sent requesting contact details to arrange delivery, congratulations!

The winning number was drawn using http://www.random.org/

Thank you to everyone who entered - a new competition will be coming soon so keep a look out!