August 2013 - Part 4 - Half way there already!

[RugBugs]

Old thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1678178-August-2013-Part-3-Adventures-in-the-second-trimester

Stats thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1655004-Due-August-2013-Stats-Thread

Ruck I have slept sat upright on the sofa for the last week cos its only way I can get any sleep. It's driving me and dp crackers. He misses me apparently (i know he is vomit worthy) I have 14 weeks to go.

waves how are getting on sweetie

I hit upon a comfy position yday, pillow horizontally underneath thighs near the buttocks, was really comfy :) only any use of you lie on your back though, which I still can without any dizziness, baby does NOT like me lying on my sides, probably as it's transverse most of the time so I am probably squashing it!

Sympathies to all of those with aches & pains...foot cramps here (and an odd, displacement-eqsue, clicking noise from my hips if I dare to lie on my back).

Is it too early for rib pains yet?
I'm carrying this one so low (bump barely above belly button, below that it's a beach ball) that I doubt I'll ever get as huge as I did with DS...feeling so much more pressure on my bits/BH than I did with him!

27+3

GBT I am in AGONY with rib pains - tears to the eyes type pain. And ouching out loud to the consternation of the DCs. It was v bad a couple of weeks ago, then only intermittent since. This afternoon/evening has been dreadful.

But, no other pg related pain thankfully (hoping the HG is my main curse this time and that I will have a pain free labour and an angelic baby to compensate!)

Pgp and pubic symphysis pain has been treated successfully by the osteopath in 6 sessions. Yd I walked miles around the city and although I have done nothing all day due to being exhausted, I haven't had any bother from my hip.

T m I warning - my bits smell has changed. . . And the discharge is thicker. Is this normal?!

24+4

Wish I could afford one woofers

As for tmi bit...dunno about smell bit cos my hayfever is in full swing so can't smella thing but the dog has been dead funny around me and is back to trying to sniff there a lot so possible. And according to "what to expect when you're expecting" the discharge thing is normal, mine has got thicker and was gonna speak to gp tomorrow but then was reading the book in the bath the other night. Hth

woofers could be thrush? quite common apparently. Dr gave me some cream but said make sure to check with the pharmacist if buying over the counter as some aren't suitable in pregnancy.

Gary and Waves yy to rib pain. Agony!!! I thought my hips were better too but after 3 hr presentation and 6 hr commute yesterday I'm in agony again. Might see if I can get Osteo locally.
Starting to realise the last few weeks might be hard work
29+1

My ribs STILL hurt this morning, although not quite as strongly. Agree Remembering that the next few weeks are likely to be hard work.

I had my first weird baby dream last night..... I dreamt that I was about 5/6 weeks before my due date and they decided I had to have the baby but it was breech and wouldn't turn round so they did a c section. I was crying because I couldn't understand why they did it early, and also insisted on a section despite me explaining that as a single mum it was the last thing I needed. And then I kept hiding the baby in a sling Oh, and in my dream it weighed 5lb 6.

Really hoping I don't get this bad rib pain, it doesn't sound fun at all. Hope you all managed to find some relief somehow.

I've been told being taller I shouldn't get as bad rib pain from wedged feet kicking me as there's more space for the baby to go before reaching ribs. We'll see if that holds true!

waves that's a very strange dream.

Those of you that have done it before, can anyone suggest different coping mechanisms to look into for labour? I'm a real panicker and am scared I'll just want to curl up in a ball as I'll be in an unfamiliar environment with people I don't know, in a situation I can't control. New things/places and being out of control are feelings I don't handle well.

I haven't had rib pain yet but it sounds awful so sending hugs to all those suffering.

I found out last week our NHS trust no longer offers antenatal classes. Have been looking into local ones but there aren't any nct ones near me and lazy daisy's only consultant here is on maternity leave so I m feeling a bit like I have been left p*$$ing in the wind.

Am reading the labour and delivery chapter in "what to expect" but like rucki am starting to panic about what to expect, care I will receieve etc. How the hell can they leave first timers like this??!!

Waves You've already had it more than tough so I really feel for you - hope the next few weeks are actually easier on you

Ruck I've not done it before so can't comment directly, BUT, the relaxation techniques in the Hypnobirthing book are helping me manage my labour anxiety and I'm hoping will mean I can manage it all well enough, assuming no special circumstances. I have a spare copy of the book if you'd like it?

Ruck, have you thought about a home birth?

Waves if anyone deserves an angelicly behaved baby it's you!!

First timers, best advice is to just go with the flow, accept it's beyond your control, not much you can do to change anything, what will be will be etc and go with it, take it as it comes. Once you get over that obstacle in your head I promise you that it's easier to relax and jsut get into it and do what needs to be done :)

Foof see above comment about being a panicker! In theory I would love a home birth, but only if I could lift my home and place it in the hospital car park in case anything went wrong. Really hoping I can get in at the midwife unit which is based at the hospital so you can transfer really easily.

remembering I'm a bit dubious about hypnosis in general, is the book more like relaxation/breathing stuff or more 'out there'? If it's not too crazy, I'd love to see it, I'll PM you.

I'm going to chat to the midwife at my 28wk check next week and just say I'm starting to freak out and is there anything she can recommend. I can feel my anxiety levels getting worse.

This is going to be my third baby, and whilst it is quite a long time since I had my others, this is what got me through

• remembering that childbirth is not a medical complication, it is a completely natural process. Your body KNOWS how to give birth, just like it knows how to breathe and digest food.

• keeping very active during the labour, moving about, using birthing balls etc

• having a detailed birth plan for the "best case" scenario, i.e. an uncomplicated, natural delivery

• understanding that at ANY stage you can ask why midwives are suggesting things, and that it is your right not to have any intervention until you fully understand why it is being suggested, and what the implications may be

I used aromatherapy massage oils in both my previous labours, which really helped with relaxation, and also made me feel that it was less of a medical event, if you understand what I mean. I also took my own music along which helped a lot.

DS was a natural labour and normal delivery - for pain relief I used water, TENS and tried gas and air but it made me sick. I had a shot of diamorphine near the end but that was nasty stuff. I spent very little time on the bed! DD was induced a few weeks early because I had kidney problems, but the actual delivery was completely normal and I actually delivered her myself from an all fours position which was utterly amazing

I'd like a home birth this time, no idea if that will be possible, but if not, I will be taking my own pillows along with me to the hospital, along with aromatherapy oils (lavender and clary sage are great for during labour), music, and I'm going to make a birth labyrinth picture to have with me too.

Finally, with both my children, I had a close female friend with me present (as well as my exH) during the labour and birth. Certainly helped me to have a friendly female presence, and also alleviated the pressure on my H. This time I'll have my doula and a good friend with me. That might be something to consider.

Ruck I'm quite 'woo' and so I may not be the best barometer but the book is very much about breathing, relaxation and visualisation techniques. There is no 3-2-1-backintheroom. Hubby is about as anti-woo as it's possible to be and he tolerated all 5 workshops with only 1 grumble... Chatting it through with MW if a good idea too I'm sure. Have you started any anti-natal classes yet?

Waves Great to know you delivered naturally post induction - it's my biggest fear that the surges will be too strong too fast if I have to be induced, so I'll end up asking for Epidural... Ultimately it's the safe delivery of a healthy baby I want, but if that can be natural and with minimal intervention then so much the better

Foof having that flexibility and allowing things to go the way they go will be my challenge - I have to keep reminding myself that if I need help then that's ok...

waves thanks for that. I think a lot of the stuff I know in my head but will probably forget at the time. Think a nice reminder list for DH may come in handy. I'll have a look into aromatherapy, never used it before so know nothing about it.

I'll have DH with me but don't have anyone I'm really close enough to that I would want there. We looked into a doula but decided we couldn't afford it. Same with hypnobirthing type classes, £250+ is just not realistic at the moment. We need to be saving every penny for when I'm on maternity leave.

Ante-natal classes start at 32 weeks so a few weeks yet. I'm currently managing to not totally freak out by concentrating on when baby is actually here, getting the nursery sorted, reading up on breastfeeding, stuff like that.

This group is brilliant for having such a mix of people and experiences.

In same position re money ruck things like hypnobirthing don't exist round here that I can see and the nct classes are miles away and extortionate. Not helping my anxiety.

After waiting all week for work to call me back they have finally called and apparently don't qualify for medical suspension so back to gp for more sick notes grrrr

I posted this on a thread yday but going to repeat it here - don't believe the hype that induced labours are awfully painful and long, more so than spontaneous ones - simply not true. My second was induced, was far far quicker by about 20 hours!! and it wasn't half as painful either. The cx didn't go in full steam ahead with me, still progressed gradually, just obv a little quicker. Much preferred my second labour in that respect even though I hadn't got a birth partner.

Thanks foof. Tbh I think its the unknown that scares me, what to expect, what will happen, who will be there etc. My anxiety makes me a complete control freak. I think if I could guarantee it would be on X day at Y time with A, B & C happening I would feel a lot better but I am well aware that without a cs that isn't gonna happen

I'm really only copmfy on my back (propped up with 4 pillows) or right side (again loads of pillows).

on my left side for 5 mins last night and got stinking cramp in my hip! DH thought I was dying I made such a fuss!

Lost you all :) marking place!

I have done so much more research this time, for baby 4!
I had a retained placenta with my last two babies, and want to do as much as I can to avoid a third. I have been reading about natural 3rd stage and delayed cord clamping, and plan to go down that route this time.
Unfortunately due to pph after my 2nd baby, I have got to get consultant, and lead midwife to agree to let me do things naturally.

Stupid me thought reading some birth stories might help so I've been reading the ones on babycentre. Big mistake! All it's make me so is realise that there are more scenarios than I realised for me to panic over. Really hoping when I get my 28wk check on monday the midwife will have some suggestions for me.

Although do I have to say having been to maternity triage twice in the last month that has helped knowing that's the place I'll be going when things kick off.

Jolly I've been reading into that as well. Hope you get your wish.

I retained some stuff, just membranes I think where DD ruptured them with her feet. The dr who did my stitches fished it out.

I'm feeling very up in the air for this delivery. Physio has said I must not labour on my back/sitting because of coccyx but consultant thinks induction is a real possibility due to bp/PE and ruled out a home birth.
I don't want a section but then I can at least know and manage the risks rather than wait and hope I go into labour naturally and that I don't damage my coccyx more than I have already. I'd feel more confident if my hospital had bothered to look at my notes last time and not put me in frigging stirrups.