August 2016 Babies (thread 6) - Ready to Pop!

[FourForYouGlenCoco]

New thread - the one where we stop being pregnant and become new mamas! So close to the end. Exciting!

I think movement-wise it's about knowing what is normal for you and your baby, and contacting the hospital if there's a change to that. As I underrstand it, the type of movement can change in later pregnancy (e.g. more rolly, less jabby) but the amount and typical times of movement shouldn't.

It is very hard to decide what is instinct and what is anxiety isn't it. It's definitely been more rolls today than jabs. I've just drank a cold Capri sun and lay on my side and immediately got a few kicks. I just can't wait for her to arrive and be able to share the responsibility with my husband!

Is there any difference between jabs and rolls, in terms of what counts as movement? I'd assumed any movement (except hiccups which aren't counted) was a good sign. Is that not right? I think I need to get more specific info out of my midwife. She's lovely but very breezy and laid back. I think she trusts me too much in that she thinks I know
more than I do.

And sorry cheese I was just lying in the bath thinking about what happened to you, and reflecting on my posts, I feel like I glossed over your loss and my "flowers" comment came across much more flippantly than intended. I should have been more thoughtful. I was trying to acknowledge your loss without forcing it into the spotlight, but I think I did it badly.

I think any movement is good movement (except hiccups don't count, like you said). What I meant was that the type of movement might change as baby gets more constricted/moves down, but the frequency shouldn't. My little one is currently favouring big stretches where he pushes out his bum and his feet at the same time!

Haven't posted in a while, but as you're all talking about movements, I was wondering if anyone had experienced an increase in movement? My LO has been v wriggly in the past few days and I don't know if it has any meaning!?! I don't feel like it needs to be a concern though.
37 weeks tomorrow!

My midwife said to me that the type of movement might change e.g less kicks and more rolls but that the relative frequency/activity shouldn't. So if they always move in the evening then you should expect movement in the evening but later on it might be different but still moving if that makes sense.

cheese I'm so sorry about your previous loss - you are very brave to talk about it and use your experience to inform other mums, thank you for taking the time to comment.

lou I'm not sure about increase - the midwives only talk about decreed don't they.

Right - off to bed having been reassured as she's been pottering away in there all evening. Pregnancy can be so stressful!

Up eating a big plate of toast after a terrible nights sleep, promptly followed by a 5:30 wake up and throwing my guts up! Weird feeling as I don't feel ill, all I kept thinking was "I really fancy toast!" But my belly was killing during and it had such a sense of urgency that I thought i was about to die (I'm being dramatic....slightly). Googled it though and apparently it's a very common thing to happen a day or so before labour?

You never know Christina, it could be starting! How many weeks are you?

I had bad night's sleep, kept dreaming my waters had broken. They haven't.

38+1 owlina. How funny, I had a dream she was here last night

Also a bad night here, up since 5am and struggled to sleep all night with hip pain, take heed from me, do not attempt to deep clean your house, the pain isn't worth a sparkly home 🙈.

Re movement, I know it's so stressful , I also hate the fact I'm the only one monitoring it. In it sure what's normal and what's me just stressing

To be honest if u was offered a induction I'd jump at the chance again rather than sit here worrying for next few weeks. My first induction was a fine experience and I'd happily just get this baby out now so I know he is here and safe.

I had alot of movement last night which has reassured me again as baby was very active at nights. I have MW today and I'm 39 weeks tomorrow, not sure if she will offer sweep or if I'd except but as a previous poster said it's handy to just get a idea of what's happening in there

plimsolls I could have written your post. I too have a very quiet baby and an anterior placenta so I've never felt confident about baby's movements. I'm not really being jabbed any more, I just tend to feel the odd wriggle/roll/stretch. Completely agree that it is so hard to trust your instincts.

It's my due date today! Will be in the overdue club tomorrow. I feel like if I haven't given birth by now then I never will and am definitely going to end up being induced in two weeks. The baby is cooked, what are we waiting for?! I shouldn't wish this time away but I really don't want to go too far over. I finished work at 37 weeks and am now pretty bored! The house is clean, the freezer is full, family live far away, friends all at work...my days are pretty much now just walks in the park and doing the laundry.

Hi all, thought I'd check in (it's been a while!) lovely to see that babies have started to arrive already! Congratulations everyone.. Although it does make it all seem a bit real!!

I'm on maternity leave now and a bit fed up, DH was meant to be travelling home from work this weekend and has been asked (well told) to stay another week :( They said the contract will literally have to shut down if he goes as they have no replacement for him. Talk about a guilt trip!! I'll be 38 +3 when he gets back.. Just hope this baby stays put. Luckily no signs of anything happening yet, midwife said he is head down but not engaged.

Feeling a bit worried about baby's position as he was breech at my previous scans, also a friend at my yoga class has just found out her baby is breech at 38 weeks after having a scan for reduced movement.. Her midwife was sure she was head down! She's now booked for an elcs. Made me think about getting a private presentation scan just for reassurance - has anyone else considered this?

Gah. No sweep for me yesterday - community midwives can't do them until 41 weeks here. Then yesterday afternoon I thought I might have trickling waters and mat assessment told me to come in, but after examination and monitoring they decided membranes still in tact so sent home, and the minor contractions I had been having settled down by about midnight. Then I woke up at 1, 2.30, 4 and got up at 5. Went back to bed at 645 when DH got up.

My parents have left now (here overnight to baby sit in case of any progress) my children are being horrible to each other and generally I am fed up. Fortunately they are off to sports camp this morning for 2 hours and then we are going to a friends in the afternoon so at least I can dilute their fractiousness with others! I'm sure they are just feeling unsettled because of the uncertainty with waiting for dc3 but I do wish they wouldn't take it out on each other when it's only me here. Still, once DH is home tonight that's him off on leave - hope baby arrives soon so he is off for a while post baby instead of just pre baby!

Glad I'm not the only one feeling frustrated! That sounds so annoying LotsOfDots, but the minor contractions will be doing their job, even if they are stop and start.

I was awake all night with horrible acid reflux. Have had it for months, but it was unbearable last night and had to sleep sitting up!

Currently in a dilemma about what to do with work. My mat leave officially starts on due date (next Thursday). I am incredibly fortunate in that (outside of term time) I work from home and can be flexible in my hours. This means it is very tempting to work until Thursday. I started feeling fed up of still working though and told my line manager I would take the first 3 days of next week as holiday. But now I can't help thinking that is a silly waste of leave (and therefore money) that I could be saving for after mat leave. Don't want to take the piss, but equally I could go another 3 weeks and don't want to be sitting twiddling my thumbs...

I'm at the hospital waiting to be seen as not had much movement and the usual cold can of coke trick did nothing (except give me a sugar rush). I've been fretting about movement all week and our conversation on here gave me the final push to come and get a proper assessment on whether my baby is just lazy or if there's an issue. Waiting room not too busy so hoping I don't have too long to wait.

plimsolls keep us posted! I'm sure little one has just found a really comfy spot in there!

Plimsolls Hope all is well and that the reduced movements pick up, how are you getting on? You didn't come across flippantly :) I often think I am too insistent when reduced movements come up on threads, but I do mean well!

Alfie Glad you were reassured by movement last night, it's such a worry isn't it.

Christine Fingers crossed it's the start of labour but if not then I hope you're not getting ill.

Daytona I know what you mean, I often wish it wasn't all down to me. Glad you're feeling more movements too.

Basket Hopefully things will get going for you soon and you won't go too much longer.

Lily Are they going to scan you again to check presentation? Has the midwife said baby is still breech since?

Lotsofdots How many weeks are you now? Hopefully things won't take long to get going.

Sophia I have a lot of heartburn too, it's horrible.

I had another growth scan today at 35+1, she is measuring around 6lb 6oz but following the line, her head measurement was huge however and abdominal circumference big also. They've also said that I now have polyhydramnios, too much fluid, so I have to go back for another scan in 2 weeks time if nothing happens before then. Apparently I have an increased risk of prem labour now and of my waters breaking.
Trying not to google too much as I know there are cord prolapse risks, as well as others, but I'm sure I won't be able to stop myself.

Measurements have me as 37+4 I believe and she said bump looks big. Lots of movements which is good. Placenta is now high posterior after being low previously, so that's good at least. Now we just have to
wait and see what happens. I'm expecting a spectacular gush of waters every time I move, but I'm sure nothing will end up happening at all.

Feeling very tired, uncomfortable and huge. Heartburn is crap but blood sugars are still good. Really not sure whether to try a vbac or go straight for an elcs though. Anyone been in a similar position with that?

All fine at the hospital, but I'm very glad I went. It's good to be reassured.

cheese that's good news about the placenta. Sounds like your baby is a good weight now so presumably they're not too worried about risk of premature labour? I sympathise with worry about waters breaking. It must be like carrying round a very precious very fragile water balloon! And I don't think you can ever be too insistent about movements. I can't imagine anyone would ever regret getting checked.

christine I hope it's the start of labour for you too. You've had such a time of it! And you lots.

alfie and basket and daytona hope you're still feeling enough movement to be reassured. It will be so great when they're born and other people can check on the baby too, won't it?!

sophia my job is similar to yours in the sense that I'm not needed to be present during school holidays. My original plan was to wfh until just before due date but I've decided to stop after next week. I spent ages weighing up the 'waste of money' aspect but, for me, I realised that I just needed to flop and relax and change out of a work mindset and into a baby one. I'm sure you'll make whatever decision is right for you but don't be too tempted to soldier on if it's taking a toll on you. You need rest!

lily have you looked at some of th baby mapping resources on the Internet? They might help you get a sense of your baby's position by tracking kicks etc. Could either be reassuring or give you some useful info to press midwife with.

If I've missed anyone out, it's because I'm using the browser on my phone whilst on a train, not on purpose!

Brilliant news plimsolls - midwives are always happy for us to go in with any worries.

I've come to the same decision as you - even though I don't need to do that much work, it still feels like a weight hanging over me that I don't need, so am going to get what I need to finished today and then stop :-)

Hope you have a lovely weekend x

Plimsolls they aren't too worried but would prefer to get steroids in first if she were to be born early. The steroids work best if given within a week of giving birth though so I won't be having any unless there is an indication I'm going early. Would be easier all round if I went naturally but I'm leaning more towards an elcs if that doesn't happen. Her head is almost off the scale too so that doesn't fill me with joy! So glad all was well with baby, you'll have a much less worrying weekend now you've been checked over

It's nice to read I'm not the only one to wonders whether reduced movements are actually reduced movements or just fear/anxiety!! Iv had a few days where Iv suddenly realised I have noticed him moving and start panicking only to lay down with a can of coke and him go nuts in there! I think my problem is when I'm doing things I'm not thinking about being pregnant or what's going on then I realise I haven't thought about it all day and suddenly feel like a crazy person!

On the other side though I'm on day 3 of having what I assume is a bit of a tummy bug, no sickness yet just the other end! And evening 2 of pretty bad again what I assume are Braxton Hicks and bad back pain! Being a first time mum I feel a bit clueless about what I'm experiencing but it's bloody painful so that's what I'm calling it!
Was out for dinner but once home had a bath last night which stopped the pains but they seem to be re-appearing this evening, think I'm just hoping it's a good sign as baby was engaged at midwife on Wednesday!

Midwife did say id be offered a sweep on my due date if I want one.... Then went on to say she didn't really agree with them and thinks people should wait till their 41 week sweep, which made me wonder how many people would turn a sweep down? She will be coming to my house so it's not like il have it done and have to drive home after? But also made me feel a little like I'd be wrong to say yes please? OH is totally ok with whatever I decide (mainly coz he gets a bit grossed out when I try and explain things) and think was just trying to shut me up!

Oops sorry for the essay! Got a bit carried away with my own thoughts!

NO MORE WORK TILL 2017!!!

[Now to figure out how to do this thing called 'relaxing' that everyone talks about..]

Ellie How far along are you? Stomach symptoms can be a sign of pre-labour as your body tries to clear everything out, so may not be a bug! I've got the Braxton Hicks plus back pain too..

That's so annoying about your midwife! I wish they would just stick to guidelines and offer what they are meant to rather than their personal opinion (I have the opposite - a sweep-happy midwife who sprang it on my at my 38 week appointment!) It's completely your choice whether you want one or not - don't let her make you feel bad if you do!

So I ended up at hosp today for low/no movements... Everything fine!! However MW announces I have been sat there having contractions and wanted to know how long thatd been happening?! I was like ok, two days? Not mega painful you see so not clocked that they were actual contractions . Fingers crossed and everything else that this is why I've been in pain and aching, and that it gets on with it!