September 2014 - Babies are starting to make an appearance!

[lilone1234]

A few babies have already arrived, with more due to make their entrance soon, and it's not even September yet!

Congratulations Bex!

Thinking of u Dinah.

Good luck to those in labour.

Congratulations bex!!!

Huge congratulations to all those who have already had babies!!!

Dinah-I hope things are okay with you & you're being kept informed.

Is anyone else overly concerned about labour & possible worst case scenarios? Sorry if im being negative but its really starting to get to me. I have no reason to be concerned-no medical reason or family history but its just there. I cant really believe that 'in this day & age' still birth still happens. it just shouldn't!

I had planned to be in the labour ward so that I could be monitored the whole time-for reassurance but have now seen the birth center & appreciate its much nicer &, I would imagine, calmer. Also ive been told that if youre on the labour ward you're much more likely to have intervention-just because there are Drs there & because they can . . .Plus now ive actually done some research about positions etc it seems those in the birth center are best all around-for speed, pain & injury!

Red-thank you for keeping the list going-Im due on the 28th but suspect shell be super late & keep me worrying as long as possible!

snafu I worry about these things all the time. There never seems to be a 'safe' time, there is always something that could go wrong but in the vast majority of cases things are fine and I think it's important to try not to worry as much as possible and just do what you can to make the experience positive. Much easier said than done I know! The word 'mother' probably means 'worry' in an ancient language!

ella I hope your nap helps you feel better, but otherwise definitely get checked out! Next Thursday then...the countdown is on for you! I'll be 2 days overdue if I haven't delivered by then, so in the nicest possible way, I hope I beat you

top Ouch! Are they meant to just go away on their own or do they need to be treated? Hopefully they'll pass soon!

dinah Thinking of you and Evie.

snafu you might find Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth a helpful read. I have also read there is no difference in outcomes between continuous and intermittent fetal monitoring - other than the fact that on continuous monitoring you are more likely to be stuck in an uncomfortable position without the midwife there, whereas with intermittent monitoring you will definitely see your midwife every 15 mins. X

bex Congratulations!! Looking forward to see your baby's picture.

dinah Hope they won't keep you waiting for a long and you get the best news.

Good luck to Cumbria and donteven tomorrow! Fingers crossed for you.

Someone here earlier mentioned clary sage oil rubbed on a bump when wanting to bring on labour. Is that meant normal essential oil (aromatherapy) or special massage oil?

Think will start baby's eviction at the end of the week , will be 37+1 only, but want him in my arms and to enjoy more time with him.

snafu I understand your worries and think it's normal. Is that your first baby? I'm having my first and even that read a lot about pregnancy, labour and baby care, it's just a theory and don't really know what to expect in reality. I'd say it's good if you think about possible complications and some worse scenarios as you can prepare yourself little bit in case something is not ideal. But too much worries just makes you scared of everything, so try not too much (easier said then done, I know). Just accept other possibilities and trust yourself you're strong to deal with it.

I didn't even think about having c-section and then I found out baby's breech and was in shock that I can't have water birth and straight skin contact and partner can't cut the cord, etc. Then I kind of put up with it and was trying to find out how can I get little bit what I wanted even with c-section. If I had realised the possibility of c-section, I'd have dealt better with it. Now baby seems to be in the right position, but not sure, so still don't know what will happen . But now I'm okay with whatever will be, just to have my baby safely with me.

About the monitoring. Have you though about positions you would like to be during certain stages of labour? I, for example, can't imagine to lie flat on back the whole time, so definitely don't want constant monitoring. I want to be active if possible and keep moving, walking along, bouncing on a ball, so want to be monitored only when necessary, although I know someone wants to be reassured by hearing baby's heartbeat the whole time. Too bad these two things can't be at the same time

Congratulations Bex!

Coolcat as far as I am aware, once you hit your due date, you are offered up to 3 sweeps which can help bring on labour, and then induction is usually booked for around 12 days after due date. Induction normally they give you pessarys first which can sometimes start contractions and if these don't work, then they move to the drip.

Just seen my midwife, and come home and had a real cry. I've only seen her 4 times, each for about 5 mins, and I'm now 37 weeks with first baby and she just casually said see you in 3 weeks and then we will book your induction if you haven't had baby by then. She has never mentioned birth plan. She has not really told me anything at any appt other than advised me to have whooping cough jab and just asked me if baby is moving. I never feel like I can ask her questions and feel she just wants me out of the room.

Today I worked up the courage to ask her questions and I asked her if there are any antenatal classes in the area, and she told me no, there's only NCT. Is this true that some areas don't have anything on NHS or free? Luckily I have afforded NCT classes, and I'm a nurse with midwife friends and friends who have had children, and I've read a lot, so I am probably sufficiently clued up, but it leaves me really disappointed and concerned for others who may not afford NCT or have such support. I've written my own birth plan using nhs website as a guide but didn't have the courage to show it to her today, even though I'd planned to, as just felt it was pointless as she really doesn't care.

Rant over. I've not been too emotional this pregnancy, but really feel sad right now and I think my saddest moments have been just after seeing the midwife - which is not right is it!? She's not horrible, or rude, just not the support I'd hoped for.

ella Eysight problems and headache can be symptoms of preeclampsia. If the headache doesn't go away I'd probably call midwife just to check. Just to be on the safe side, don't want to scare you.

ella definitely call your midwife, I think you need to get checked!

top me to, I have a doc appointment tomorrow to check my stiches and the infection. So I will get him to check it then. I've got no dignity left

dinah Eli may have a genetic condition, we too are waiting for test results, but for us at least we have had the last 8 months to get our heads around it. Thinking of you!

Eli was registered today

missing Sorry you have such an experience with her. This isn't right at all!! She's there to give you all information you need including support and reassurance. Unfortunately what I saw on this threat from others, it's kind of a miracle to have midwife who cares. What happened you've seen her only 4 times so far?? As a first time mum you're supposed to see mw at least 8 times during pregnancy. I've been seeing my regularly every 4 weeks till 32 wks and since then every 2 weeks. I've also had the feeling she's trying to get rid of me asap, but usually she gave me information and leaflets, told me about NHS classes well in advance and then I got invitations by post directly from hospital. (which I think should be available everywhere!!-maybe better check with your hospital if your mw is useless). I didn't build any special relationship with her during the time, but when I had some questions, I didn't allow anything to prevent me from asking and I always got some answer.

Btw, NHS classes should be offered to you with start around 28 weeks of pregnancy. I'm little bit shocked she didn't say anything to you and just ignored your need for information!! You should file a complain and report her somewhere.
It's sad people are becoming midwifes without actual interest in helping women and babies.

cookie You don't lose any dignity by getting checked your medical problem. That's why doctors are here and I'd say they'd seen everything and nothing can surprise them anymore. It's your health what's important and your baby needs healthy and happy mummy!!

top I feel for you I've has piles on and off since DS 3 and a half years ago and they have come back severely at the moment, the suppositories aren't helping though :( just run out of them too? And it's a nightmare trying to go to the lol, sorry tmi. I'm due to see midwife tomorrow, recon she can do me a prescription for more or does my GP have to?
Just had some hypno birthing from my mum, feel relaxed now :)
ella deffo get checked out if your still experiencing any symptoms like that, I've had headaches on and off which don't seem to go for ages, and bp was slightly up, but they didn't seem too concerned when I was seen, but I wanted to be seen just incase.
Congrats bex! I did wonder where you were again lol

Missing caffeine just to say my local area doesn't run NHS antenatal classes either. It depends on the individual NHS trust as to whether they provide them or not. It's rubbish though as not everyone can afford to do private NCT classes. Ours cost us over £140 and weren't even that great to be honest. xxx

Congrats Bex! xxx

Missing - I too had to pay for NCT classes too as all the NHS classes were fully booked! I have sometimes felt that I cannot ask my midwife lots of questions and she hasn't even mentioned a birth plan. I have decided I'm not going to write one. Half the reason is I will go with the flow on the day, although I would like a water birth if possible, the other half is so that if the hospital question me I can say I have not been told to write me.. I have seen a cover mw the last two visits as my usual one has not been there, and i suppose it's hard for them to know what has already been covered.. My last appt with my normal mw, she said oh since u have been to NCT classes I don't need to discuss BF with u! It just seems like they want to do the very basic checks and then send u on ur way.

Miracle midwife: The specialist midwife who came to see me at 8am this morning before her shift. She usually doesn't see women after they give birth but she wanted to see how I was as id needed extra support. She also gave me sad news that consultant midwife who approved my elcs before getting pregnant and booked me in so early has left or he probably would have visited.

Really feel like that timing wise I walked through a door that was open only for a brief second...

Kind of stunned.

I typed out a big long post and lost it...grrr....starting again!!

Congratulations to the newest mummies!

Those of you who are worrying about labour and positions etc, just wanted to share my experience with DD (now nearly 3). I was all set to go to the birth centre but when my waters broke, there was meconium so I ended up on labour ward for continual monitoring. I was able to move around freely, and was able to go into whichever position I liked. I spent approx 98% of my time standing up - I only lay down on the bed when they wanted to attach a probe to DD's scalp because her heart rate was dropping. Turned out she was actually coming out!! So yes I delivered her lying down but spent the rest of my labour standing up and moving around the room. You just need to make it clear you don't want to be on the bed if that's how you're feeling. There's no reason why you can't be upright and moving around a bit if you are being monitored.

Cindy Kitkat Really? I'd have thought it should be available everywhere to everyone. And if they're full, more should be scheduled. Probably I was naive, it doesn't seem fair though.

Cindy I wasn't told anything about writing birth plan either, but I wrote one as I wanted to make sure that mws at hospital will know exactly what I'm okay with or not and actually to find out what options I have.
I've seen 4 different mws during my visits and on 35wks check up I've got a new community mw as my is going to retire soon. The new one even didn't read notes from previous check ups or anything and straight went to check bp and position of baby and I was the one who informed her baby was breech on my last visit-she said he wasn't breech ..
Will be checked again this Thursday (37wks) so hopefully baby stayed in the right position. Even if she won't tell me or ask about birth plan, I want to discuss it with her anyway as it's for my reassurance and comfort. I'd tell you the same-don't let her put you off asking her anything.

Wow, I am really chatty today

lucidlady Oh! I didn't know that. I was told once you're constantly monitored you need to lie down all the time, and when you want to get up they have to take it off you. Could it rely on different hospitals?

I has constant monitoring for DS (similar to you lucid due to meconium) but was made to stay on the bed as they kept losing the trace :( I wasn't able to turn on my side for the same reason (even though I kept trying to). The main bit of my birth plan this time says 'OFF THE BED, OFF MY BACK" (capitals intentional!).

I was booked in for a double appointment at 36 weeks to discuss my birth plan, however I think this is due to some things that happened last time.

Congratulations Bex x
Hi ladies hope everyone's okay x

I didn't get chance to go to nhs ante natal. Hated my nct and found it really not v helpful so actually only went to 2 of the dates. No birth plan has been suggested and mw hasn't mentioned, only discussion of bf was in 36 week appt when she said they would help in hosp and the community mw and HV would help when home...,unprepared? Moi? Very.