June #9, The ABSOLUTELY FINAL stretch! The one where the little ones start arriving. Here's to sleepless nights and lots of cuddles.

[nehagarg]

Will we make it to the end of this one with all the babies here?

Here is the latest one people.

And a link to the stats.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oTx71GeTR-ilVPTpIhNhutAwZPqNyYNEyIDwO80PmKQ/edit#gid=0

Enjoy!

Tough decision neha. To add another dimension, i had an assisted delivery with episiotomy and i had help for a couple of weeks due to blood loss and severe anaemia post birth. Eg, i didn't want to carry baby up/down stairs because i felt so weak and shaky, could only walk short distances etc. Sitting was painful too! Either way, your body needs to recover and that consequences of birth can vary, whatever way baby comes out. Maybe you could consider what option feels emotionally/psychologically the most manageable?

I'm sure you'll make a decision that's right for you and dh, I'm glad you have good support from him.

X post neha!, glad you are getting somewhere

Sorry to hear things haven't settled down inside. But good that they're on it, and you're definitely in the right place. I hope things settle down and get a bit more stable.

nehagarg that's so difficult! Hopefully you can discuss with your consultant and see what their thoughts are. I have no experience to offer but I suppose as Torfhinn says, it's impossible to predict how you'll recover from things so just go with whatever feels right and most manageable for you. It must be disappointing to have to be considering all these different options which were so far from your original thoughts of birth. My DH and I did my birth plan last night, and I thought of you as we were doing it actually! Everything can change and in the end we just have to go with whatever happens- it is what it is!

Thanks Torf. Thats really helps. Thats been on my mind too. After 2 failed inductions chances of an assisted birth are much higher and if I am going to have a longer recovery period either way, I'd rather go for the easier birth with an ELCS.

All of your experiences are really helping. Please keep them coming.

Yep Mollie. I am struggling with this a bit and feeling a bit like I have failed (which is insane, I know. If I wasn't pregnant, I'd be telling myself off). But when I think about the baby, all I care about is that he gets here safe, no matter how.

Good luck with you though. I really hope your birth goes according to plan.

I was really cross with the midwife after my EMCS as she said I'd been robbed [of a natural birth]. I actually view the EMCS as a really positive thing as I was fit and well (eventually) and I had a healthy baby. If either of those things had not been true then perhaps indeed I had been "robbed" as she suggested but comments like the midwife made don't help you feel better when you feel like a failure! You are definitely not a failure neha you have grown a baby and will deliver a baby one way or another just like every other woman who has had ever a baby. Good luck with your decision xxx

How are you doing inside ? X

Neha what a tough decision to make must be horrible for u I'd be tempted to go for the ELCS rather than being taken through as an EMCS at least with elective all will be calm

I would go for the ELCS nehagarg.

I planned the lovely birth centre last time but when faced with option of highly medicalised breech delivery in stirrups, in theatre, surrounded by doctors the ELCS was an easy choice!

The recovery was totally fine - I was out of hospital after 2 nights and walking to the shops within a week. I breastfed and had skin to skin straight away in theatre and recovery.

I'll be declining induction for this planned VBAC - if I don't go into labour spontaneously I'd rather have the same again than a messy induction followed by loads of stess, possible forceps etc...

ELCSs are so chilled!

Definitely elcs. The chances of a "nice" vaginally birth are out the window I would say as your body is not ready to expel the baby yet!!

Hi all my blood pressure is still not behaving, so more blood tests today and a scan tomorrow to check size and position of baby, then possibly having him later on this week. Not ideal, but I have had a long chat with the consultant and there is a chance I might be able to hang on for a week or 2..........

Strangely I am feeling very calm at the moment, the team here is amazing which helps a huge amount.

nehagerg which ever you decide upon you have in no way failed. Most important is for you and baby to be safe.

Inside how far along are u at the moment

I am 33 + 5 so early but not too early (iyswim) consultant is talking about 34 weeks being a good gestation and baby might not even need scbu as the transitional care ward is so good.

inside that sounds positive and I'm really pleased you feel well looked after.

nehagarg all the best with the consultant tomorrow. In time you will look back and you won't give two seconds thought to how the baby came, whether he was ff, or bf. Whether you did attachment parenting or a more structured approach. So as far as possible try not to worry and just concentrate on both you and baby coming out in the way that is as good as possible for you both.

to everyone especially those with concerns at the moment.

Realistically, many of us won't get the birth we wanted (and this was definitely my experience last time) and it can be really tough to come to terms with. Don't beat yourself up about something you can't change. All that matters is you and baby are safe and well. This will apply to lots of decisions later too .

Piles - highly recommend witch hazel (on a bit of cotton wool, applied to the area). Mine were bad last time but thankfully have only just showed up this time around.

Glad your being well looked after inside sorry things haven't settled but sounds like your medical team are on the ball.

neha in your shoes I'd go for the emcs if they are willing.

inside frustrating for you, at 34wks baby could be around the higher end of 5lbs so small but perfectly formed. A friends ds was born at 34+1, he was 5lbs 8oz, spent a couple of nights in scbu and was able to go home after 5 days - he's perfectly fine now at 4 he came suddenly and quickly and no time for the steroids so you have that going for you.

35wks here today, only 2wks til classed as full term - how scary! He is currently rumbling around as I lie on the sofa, very warm here today again so I'm hiding from the sun.

Thanks everyone. ELCS it is. We are going to the hospital tomorrow morning at 8:30, without breakfast to get the earliest slot possible. I am beginning to feel a lot better after all this. Thanks to all of you.

My dad is having a bit of a hissy fit about "letting me go under the surgeon's knife" but that's just because he is a typical parent. He agrees relunctantly that this is the best option.

Good news inside. Hope everything stabilises soon. I am very happy that you are feeling calmer too.

That's good nehagarg if your feeling happier it means you've made the right choice for you. Best of luck for tomorrow

I think you've made the best decision in the circumstances nehagarg - it just sounds like your body doesn't want to labour yet. I'm having my ELCS on Wednesday so we can recover together. My DH is taking 2.5 weeks off, and then my Mum will stay for a few days, so I'll first be on my own at about 3.5 weeks, I'm hoping that will give me long enough to recover.

inside Sorry to hear your blood pressure is still unstable. I think at 34 weeks your baby has a good chance of being born in good condition, and not having to have a stay in NICU. You must feel a bit thrown by all this though. Thinking of you.

We've been super busy this weekend getting last minute pre-baby things done, but I think we are basically ready. We did manage to go out for a last pre-baby meal which was lovely. I'm starting to feel really anxious about getting through the surgery on Wednesday, and how the recovery will go whilst trying to work out how to keep a newborn alive! It is just such a big leap into the unknown...

I glad you've come to a decision you are happy with neha, and now you know you definitely get to meet you baby tomorrow!

Wow just catching up, looks like a good decision Neha with elcs and as others have said you will definitely be meeting your baby very soon.
Inside sorry you're going through this it is rubbish when things don't go to plan but maybe if you are allowed to hang in a little longer you'll reduce the time on scbu which is better. Either way sounds like you are in good hands.
I've had a hectic weekend with a surprise baby shower last night which I wasn't keen on when it was suggested a while ago but actually turned out to be great fun. At a christening today too so all I want to do is lie down now!
I think baby has definitely got lower this weekend too as I feel more pressure down there. Thankfully no piles I really feel sorry for you guys who have them it can't be nice.
Fx escape them but there's still time

Good luck for tomorrow neha! Sometimes just knowing what the hell is going to happen is half the battle- I'm so glad you've got a decision and it feels right!

Good luck too madrigal!! Just a few more days!!

This thread is going to be full of BABIES!!!!!

nehagarg I'm really glad you've come to a decision, and it sounds like it's definitely right for you. So exciting- you'll meet your baby tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, I hope everything goes well.

Inside as others have said 34 weeks is a good gestation- I definitely felt like it was a milestone when I got to 34 weeks as they need much less special care after that point and outcomes are good. And even better if you do manage to hold on for a bit longer. Good luck whichever way it goes.

And madrigal too this week! Glad you're feeling ready, or as ready as you can be. Feeling nervous is surely to be expected- it's just such an unknown quantity!

A busy weekend here too, trying to get everything sorted despite the house not being quite finished. I've also made a bit of a start on the garden this weekend which has turned into a jungle while we were concentrating on all the building works. The gorgeous sunshine has made me think of all the lovely sunny summer afternoons we can spend in the garden with the baby pottering around. Then I remember I live in Lancashire so our default summer weather is grey and chilly

Sorry to everyone who's suffering with piles. I seem to have escaped so far, though I'm sure I won't do for much longer!

Wow - so much has happened!
Good luck neha - ELCS sounds like the right choice!
Inside - hope things are a bit better tomorrow and they let you hang on a bit longer.

I'm 34+4 and she's still stubbornly staying breech - have to start making some decisions as to whether we want to try ECV as 36w - hmmmm!!

I've definitely overdone it this weekend trying to get the house and garden sorted - currently trying to relieve the hip pain in a bath!

Few more weeks left at work - can't believe there are going to be lots of June babies about before I even start my mat leave!!

Good luck to everyone and I hope next week is quiet and uneventful for all those who's babies should be staying put.