Due in March 2017 - thread #3

[NameChange30]

New thread for the March 2017 club!

Here are my stats:
Name: Name
Age: 30
EDD: 2nd March
DC #1

I always have a GD test and then have midwives going "ooh I thought you would have it!"
(mainly because I'm fat, though there is type 2 diabetes both sides of my family)

never had it yet.

oh if something happens on the day of the test to get your adrenaline up TELL THEM.
We had a car crash on the way to mine last time and while we were all fine the test had to be cancelled because it would have given false results

dusty Obviously it's something to weigh up when the time comes, particularly after reading what happened to you last time but at the moment I'm dreading them taking bloods at every routine appointment as my veins collapsed at my booking in and it meant going to the local hospital for my bloods as the midwife couldn't get any. So, rightly or wrongly, I'd rather not have the gtt. I've got 16 weeks to consider it though so I may change my mind.

Catalina can you get them to take it out of the back of your hand at the hospital. That's what I do.

I don't have a problem with having the test, I'm just sad I need to have it. I was overweight in my last pregnancy too but the midwife then spoke with me about weight management and offered me free slimming world (which I didn't take her up on, perhaps foolishly) and I am disappointed in myself that my weight has gone up since then, 2.5 years later, so this time I am under a mix of midwife and consultant led care and automatically get the GTT. It isn't the test I mind, it's being obese and unhealthy and the risks that poses to the baby. I feel bad about it. I am really hoping this doesn't mean they will refuse me a birth in the midwife led unit. This time around I didn't get the sense the midwife wanted to help with any aspect of the pregnancy - eg she reluctantly gave me some phone numbers I could call in case of any issues but said until I am 20 weeks if there's any problem I should just ring 111 as the midwives won't be able to help me until then? I think last time I felt more supported. This time I feel more like I am a burden on resources, somehow.

I think in general you get less support with successive pregnancies Daisy though we have booked scan on the 30th Aug and then an appointment to discuss my birth options ELCS or VBAC on the 30th Sep which is actually more organized that I expected.

At my booking I got a blood form to go off and get the test done, had to take a wee sample with me and had bp and weight taken and the breath test. I would have thought they had to do all of those tutu to give a baseline to compare to as you progress through your pregnancy.

I also had a sticker to say I was allergic to plasters and latex, but I'm not, no idea where they got that from.

Daisy I toldy midwife I was doing slimming world and she just laughed and said not anymore so I guess so she'd not heard you could still do it while pregnant. The scales weren't working for my booking in and she didn't listen to what I said my weight was so has put me down as 5lbs lower than I am. I'm still.hoping to lose that 5lb but I haven't yet. So they didn't even work out my bmi and therefore haven't offered me any tests. I'd go for it if they offer it further down the line though. Might be a pain but I'd rather know.

Tutu I agree 7-9 lb babies are pretty average and not big at all. My dd was 8lb7oz and she was a perfect cuddly size.

I think the talks of nappies etc should wait a little bit till people have started accepting theyre having babies haha. I can imagine as a first time mum it's pretty daunting at the beginning so can save all that talk for later on. Well I certainly remember being pretty daunted by it all. Now I'm daunted about being a second time mum and having 2 to deal with haha!

Neon I have known someone use cloth nappies with twins although she didnt bf so I guess it is possible but it's not really the end of the world if u don't want to. Life will be hard enough with twins without extra work.

I have a lot of admiration for people who use cloth nappies and I'd love to say I will, but it's really not for me. Feeling so utterly anxious about this 12 week scan on Monday, I'm convinced they're going to tell me something's gone wrong. Even that tumble down 2 stairs last week has me convinced I've done something to this baby. Was so looking forward to this 12 week scan and now I'm just getting really twitchy. Really need to get a grip and just pull myself together.

Dozey after the nappy and feeding choice talk I realized that I have no idea how to look after a newborn at all. Its very daunting.......and I have a 1.5 year old I'm hoping it all comes flooding back once the newbie arrives!

Try to distract yourself from thinking about it super I'm sure it will be an amazing experience for you as you see your little one wiggling about. I've found that the more I think about it and the more I google the worse the worry gets. Distraction is the key to sanity in my case.

Catalina that sounds grim and painful I can see why you don't want to be any more of a pin cushion than you already have to be in pregnancy.

I've read so much from women who have had negative comments and poor treatment during ante natal care due to having a high BMI. It seems very unfair and especially unhelpful when we already potentially feel vulnerable. I can see that they have to be mindful of extra risks, but it just seems so bloody rude to make someone feel self-conscious or guilty, etc. I don't know how prevalent it is in other areas of medicine, but I get the impression that some midwives seem to think it's fine to continuously comment on patients' weight. In my last preganancy I had a midwife who made several comments about weight (though my BMI was 25), yet she herself was very heavy.

I think you can push for MLU whatever your BMI, but of course the nearer you get to term, the easier it is to assess actual risks and not just make assumptions based on weight.

Have you got a CO detector at home Rosey? Could be a dodgy boiler so I'd definitely look into it.

I've been booked in for a GTT. My BMI is ok but I have PCOS which is linked with insulin resistance. I'll have any non invasive test they offer me! Mine isn't until December either.

Tutu I had my booking appt yesterday and only had blood taken. I almost wasn't going to get that, but I explained I was away from today so she hurried through everything else to be able to do it. No wee pot, no measuring or anything haha.

Bit worried - midwife told me I'd get a call yesterday to book my scan in, but I didn't. Literally going to be in Cambodia from tomorrow so they better ring today. Otherwise there's zero chance of me getting a 12 week scan within the limits :/

Super, yay we are scan buddies. Roll on Monday for the peace of mind eh.
I didn't know weight had anything to do with the type of delivery you have. They've never weighed me or mentioned BMI. What is BMI anyway? I was in the midwife led unit it's called the midwife led birthing centre here. Can't recommend enough it's like a mini hotel room.

Give them a call Charly. Explain your award for a long while and need a date to work around.

Mrsmushroom hopefully you're friend will understand about not being able to do anything. I live near blackpool so will wave at u haha. I'm sure you'll find some fun stuff to do despite the pregnancy.

Good luck all those with scans coming up. Desperate for my scan date now although I also get really nervous before it in case something isn't right. U just don't know what's going on in there until u see it. I just want to know there is a baby in there and it's alive and kicking.

Re potentially not being able to use the midwife led unit, in my area at least they are reserved for low risk pregnancies/ deliveries. If you have a high bmi then you're classed as medium or even high risk. Last time my midwife didn't really mention to me that it might be an issue but when I was actually in labour the midwife who came to my house to assess me called the centre to let them know I would be coming and they started to try to refuse because of my bmi. I could hear her telling them I was mobile and healthy but they are so stretched I think they would rather I had gone to the labour ward. They closed the unit just after I arrived as they were full and there's no planning for that. Sometimes you just don't get the labour you would have chosen, I guess.
My midwife didn't make me feel particularly guilty, I just do anyway. I'll feel better as pregnancy progresses I hope as last time o didn't really gain any weight until right at the end, just changed shape, which was reassuring.

What are the benefits of a MLU over a maternity ward out of interest?

A MLU will be full of lovely kind relaxed MW where as the maternity ward has doctors and consultants roaming around (there is a theory that doctors and consultants are very quick to suggest interventions when they may not be necessary).

In theory the MLU is a far more relaxed place and good for water births, hypnobirthing, keeping it as relaxed and natural as possible. My closest one is lovely, a lounge to relax in before things get serious or after baby is born, a room that DP can stay in if necessary, your welcome to stay longer after birth while you get used to the new addition to your family.

That said mine is a 20-30 min drive from hospital, there are no doctors, no consultants and you are limited on pain relief options. So pethadine (sp?) is available I think, gas and air but no epidural. If you need help then you need a transfer by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

Some MLU are in a bigger hospital so the transfer is shorter and in a wheel chair or on a bed! I didn't make it to my MLU as they wont admit anyone over 2 weeks past due date. But the hospital was also lovely.

I ended up in special care due to an EMCS and both me and baby needing IV antibiotics so didn't see the maternity ward as we were in a private room.

However in most cases you can if you have a relatively uncomplicated birth in a maternity ward, you can ask to be transferred to a MLU post birth and make the most of the MW looking after you and helping you get used to baby. The MW in special care really helped me to get BF established and were wonderful giving DC cuddles when I needed sleep post op.

At least that is my take on the difference from my experience a year and a half ago.

Sorry that was an epic post!

Angelblue I have big babies too although the mine ranged a bit more than yours, from 8lb 6oz to 10lb 13.5, not in that order though my first was my biggest! So I've had the GTT twice I think but didn't have gd, like you I just grow them big :)

Good luck to all the upcoming scans xx

Just had a text reminding me about my MW app tomorrow, Like I could forget! its the first appointment I've had, didn't even see my GP to confirm pregnancy

x

Thanks butter, that's really helpful. I don't think I'd want to be at a MLU that was miles away from the nearest hospital (I almost died when I was born as the cord was wrapped round my neck and I wasn't breathing, so I'm very conscious of wanting doctors nearby!) but my MLU is on the same site as the hospital so would be an easy transfer if needed. Definitely like the sound of a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere!

I've just done a mammoth catch up and have a question for Alpha:

Did your midwife really say you shouldn't take Pregnacare? Can I ask why?

Hello Everyone!
I haven't been on for a while!
I've had my booking in appointment and got my scan date through for the 9th Sep and have blood tests tomorrow.

Midwife reassured me as with my DS I was very sick and absolutely shattered in the first 12 weeks but I'm feeling fine this time round. Hoping all is ok and it's just the fact your body is different in each pregnancy.

Told all family about the news and turns out my sister is edd 30th March so will be great to have someone to share the experience with!