Giving birth with a leg in plaster

[Owchyleg]

Hi

I broke my ankle in two places last week and had to have surgery on Monday. The lower half of my leg is in plaster and I am can't put weight on it for 6 - 8 weeks, this will be followed by 6 weeks in a cast boot.

I am nearly 33 weeks pregnant and now am adjusting to the fact I will have to give birth in a plaster cast.

My dd who is nearly 2 was a normal midwife led birth. As a result of the accident I am now Consultant led.

I haven't found much advice online about this and I wondered of any mumsnetters have any experience of this or anything similar? Aibu to still hope for a natural delivery?

Would borrowing / hiring a wheelchair make getting around indoors any easier?

Yes asking for help is hard.

Sorry no advice for the birth but want to wish you luck!

I'm currently in plaster from my groin to ankle after falling last week and smashing my knee, it's horrendous, I mainly sit and cry out of sheer frustration!

I hired a wheel chair from the red cross or rather Dh did, or maybe he just have a donation...it's all a haze now it was the red cross for sure!

It may be worth giving Your HV a call to see if she/he can suggest anything.

Good luck with the birth.

www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Mobility-aids

Having a rubbish moment. I feel really down this evening. It's my dd's birthday and I've hardly seen her. We sent her to nursery as I can't do anything with her. We did have a nice tea and opened presents. That couple of hours exhausted me though. I know my emotions are shot anyway being 33 weeks pregnant but I feel pretty bleak tonight. Already sick of being so useless and utterly reliant on my dh (who is also exhausted). He has to go away for a couple of days tomorrow with work so I'm being looked after by my mil who is lovely but I'm normally so independant. I just feel like crying all the time today. Is this normal?

I have just read your thread and wanted to add my support. Try not to feel down. And it's perfectly normal to want to cry at 33 weeks pregnant even without a massive injury!!

I have metal pins in my leg from breaking my tib and fib after being hit by a car about 10 years ago and I spent 3 months on crutches. It is hard work (and I was a fit 20 something then with no baby or bump!). But you will get more mobile every day. And your DD can come to you for cuddles.

It's really hard relying on other people when you are used to being independant but remember they want to help and they love you. My 85 year old nana came to stay with me the weekend I was released from hospital as my flatmate was away. It will get easier and once your gorgeous newborn is here you will want to spend lots of time sitting down snuggling anyway!

Thank you BadgerFace. I know it's hormones. I have a massive blub then I am ok for a while again then. You are right about cuddles with my toddler. They are the highlight of my day. And also yes, when my newborn is here, that will make life even more wonderful. Xx

Happy birthday to your DD.

Thank you icanseethesun. She has had a happy day. Lots of fuss, presents and cake. She went to sleep singing happy birthday to herself. Oh the joy of being 2 years old.

Oh Owchy, I'm sorry you are feeling down. If it's any consolation, I burst into tears in the car on the way to an appointment when I saw a woman running for the bus. I couldn't see how I could possibly ever run for a bus again and was really upset over it.

Go easy on yourself and have a blub whenever you need to!

Thanks Mawbroon. It is gruelling isn't it? I am finding it a big culture shock adjusting to this new (although thankfully temporary) way of life. Bloody exhausting too. It is good to feel supported here. Xxx

Completely normal OP,I expect it's also still the shock, you've been through a massive ordeal xxx

It is still a shock nearly 3 weeks on. It is slowly dawning on me that the reality of having a toddler and a newborn whilst being pretty immobile is going to be extremely tough. To stressful enough at the moment but once the baby arrives, then what!!! Yikes!

You will be fine! I quite enjoyed the enforced cuddling with my newborn

Thanks mawbroon. I am sure I will be. I may be seeking a lot of advice on mn! X

I've no experience of broken ankle whilst pregnant. During my second labour I was however much more immobile due to feotal monitoring. It was still a million times easier than first time round. I gave birth on my knees leaning over a bed back which seems possible? My other thought is Hypno birthing. Mindful mammas courses are not hugely expensive and relatively wide spread and clinical hypnosis is hugely powerful. Good luck.

My friend had to give birth with her leg in plaster. I don't know how she managed it to be honest, but she said it wasn't too bad.
Hope everything goes well.

Thanks guys. I will check out the hypnobirthing suggestion. My last birth i was so active, Pacing around with my tens machine and contraction counter all day. It really helped and I got to ten cm by the time I was at the mw led unit. I am very open to pain relief and whatever it takes to get baby here safely though. I am hoping the limbo in the birth pool may be an option although as I am now consultant led due to the clexane jabs I am taking, this may not be available.

Feeling totally wiped out today. I'm guessing it's a mix of being 34 weeks pregnant and healing bones. Wow, I don't even want to lift my head off the pillow today. I must have slept for 4 hours today. Who knew this would allbe so tiring?

Again, perfectly normal. I was beyond shattered some days and that was without being pregnant. I was sleeping 2 hours most days tbh.

Par for the course even without a broken ankle I would say!

I don't want to worry you, but DS2's teeth are slightly affected. I took him to a paed dentist a few weeks ago to have his tongue tie assessed and the first thing he asked was if anything happened during my pregnancy.

A couple of his molars are de-mineralised and his front teeth are easily chipped. The dentist said it will not affect his adult teeth, so not a huge problem, but it might be worth looking into calcium supplements. I was still nursing ds1 so there was a fair old demand on my body from him, ds2 and my bust ankle!

I happened to have some calcium the house which had been prescribed for ds1, but he refused point blank to drink it, no matter how I tried to disguise it. I don't remember the name of the supplement, or the dosage. Not very helpful, sorry!

Also, I found after the birth that my breastmilk turned rancid when stored, I assume because of excess lipase. I then read that there is a link between excess lipase and minerals in the diet so I am guessing that the calcium supplements were probably responsible because I had not had this problem with ds1.

I reckoned expressing then scalding the milk before storage was a faff and just didn't bother with EBM at all, but obviously you may want to do things differently. Or you might not have this problem!

Make the most of being able to sleep just now. I could do with a nice 4 hour nap myself Are you taking any painkillers that are knocking you out or is it just pure tiredness?

It's just pure tiredness. I have tramadol prescribed but I am trying to avoid taking them. Have coped a few days without pain relief now. I am definitely making the most of this sleep opportunity!

I am planning on breastfeeding. I did for 11 months with dd. Didn't bother with expressing tbh as she would never take a bottle.

I am trying to drink extra milk but may get some supplements as well. I hope all works out with ds2's teeth mawbroon. It makes sense really and definitely worth investing in rest and supplements for me at this stage.

Mmmmmm, tramadol. I remember how lovely it was and I remember thinking I could really see how people could get hooked on prescription drugs!

Good to hear you are managing without pain relief.

I bf ds2 and was actually quite glad to be sofa bound with my ankle. It doubly justified not getting up and doing things round the house (Like I need an excuse LOL)