Due February 2017- thread #6

[Readyfortwo]

See below for previous chatter:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2697188-Due-in-February-2017-thread-5

Choose, not goose

I had an episiotomy as had forceps with #2 (vbac btw). It healed really well. You could barely see the scar a few weeks later.

Ha, I remember the mw asking at the time 'is it ok if I cut you?'....and My response was 'of course I don't want you to but I'm guessing I don't actually have a choice'. You don't feel it happen as they give you anaesthetic, and I think it's preferable to a tear. Having said that, my mw stitched me up & then said 'I can't leave it looking like that' & proceeded to unpick & re-stitch. Took over an hour in the end.....I still haven't had the balls to stick a mirror down there to check out whether she managed a better job second time or not!

Is it not sore peeing etc after that?

I had no pain peeing at all. Everyone talks about the stinging but I didn't get it. Pooing though... (haemorrhoids )

In terms of birth, I'm incredibly anxious about going overdue, needing induction and monitoring and all then all the things that are more likely to happen as a result of that. Including episiotomy, forceps etc. That kind of scenario terrifies me to be honest

I'm hoping for a natural home/midwife led unit birth but I know that choice could be taken away closer to the time. Does anyone who already has DC know if it's possible to book ELCS if I go a lot overdue?! I am worrying about this a lot recently...

I think I recall a bit of stinging when peeing afterwards but it didn'the last long and it was nothing compared to giving birth so I wouldn't worry about that . I had a quick bath daily with some cussons new mum bubble bath which kept it clean. They say not to use a shower head to clean down there as it can disturb the stitches. Very glamorous this child birth business

Does anyone have any recommendations where to get a nice pair of maternity black trousers with a bit of stretch in them? Looking for some for work but not having much joy.

I got some from Asos topmammy.

Stitches are a bit sore, but I think you get sore regardless. You just need to bathe them every day to avoid infection. I used wet wipes instead of loo roll for a couple of weeks too which was less abrasive!

I used the shower head to keep clean. We don't have massively high water pressure to it was fine. I don't like baths and the thought if bathing while bleeding grosses me out!

You won't be able to book a section unless there's a medical reason nasche, the reason they do forceps/episiotomies etc is because they're doing everything they can to avoid you having to have a section.

It's best not to worry about it, I was the only one who went majorly overdue from my Nct lot & 6 of 8 had some form of intervention! In fact I did pretty well as only had episiotomy (prob essential for a 10lber).

Oh yes wet wipes, definitely! I also used some preparation H wipes for the inevitable haemorrhoids which soothed the sore areas very well. What annoyed me more than the stitches and sore bits put together though was the humongous maternity pads you need to wear for a while afterwards, ha!

Naschkatze my waters went three weeks early so despite not going overdue I still had to be induced and also had an episiotomy. It just happens how it happens. It's really hard not having control over how your labour is going to happen, especially when used to planning ahead in other aspects of life I know . Are you doing any hypnobirthing or anything? I did a cd at home called Natal Hypnotherapy. It might help you feel less anxious.

I was thinking that would be the case Ready... Need to just get over it then. It's weird because I'm not really daunted at all about doing it naturally, it's the interventions that scare me.

Topmammy You're right, control freak here. I think if it doesn't go how I've got in my head I think I'll be in a bit of a panic... I need to do something about that. I'll give the CD a go; was thinking about trying hypnobirthing classes but I didn't realise how expensive they were!

On a different subject to cutty, hurty things, is anyone else DESPERATE to find out what they are having?!

Naschkatze yes I'd definitely try the cd . I think I had a bit of a plan in my head too how I wanted it to go but my waters suddenly going soon stopped that. I won't be writing much down on my birth plan this time apart from to just go with the flow and possibly try the birthing pool if it's available. I would prefer not to have an epidural or c section but I can't let myself think they're not an option or I will go into a panic if I need them. Definitely having a tens machine though, they're brilliant!

Argh Fenella yes! I posted my scan photo on the nub theory Facebook group today in desperation haha. I really want to knoooow! Not got a response from them yet though.

I really don't understand which bit you are meant to be looking at for nub theory Have been staring intently at our scan this evening and still can't figure it out!

This may help...
I'm not even sure if the nub is visible on my scan photo to be honest.

I don't think ours is visible - I couldn't work out what I was meant to be looking at even after looking at pics like that!

London I think if it's a name you both love then it's fine to use it. I find it strange when people name children after themselves but having a family name or being named after a grandparent isn't. There won't be any confusion because presumably your mum will be referred to as nanny or similar. Personally I would probably use it as a middle name and find something completely unique to your baby but I don't think there's any right or wrong.
I think there are a lot of scare stories about birth but remember most people do it again. I watched one born every minute loads when I was on maternity leave to prepare myself. Nothing can really prepare you but I think you just get to the point where you're so anxious to meet your baby that you don't actually care how it comes out in the end!

Fenella I'm so impatient and I can't wait. I just want to be able to seriously look at names and work out what I'm doing with the nursery. I put my scan picture on ingender. People on there are supposed to be good at telling from the nub. I got a unanimous girl result so will be interesting to see if it's right. My symptoms have been quite different from with dd so I was wondering if it's a boy.

Ooh what's ingender? I will try anything at this point!

It's a website where you can register and upload your scan pics then various users say if they think it's a boy or girl. I think some of the people on there are supposed to be quite good. Let us know if you get an answer!

I TRIED THE DOPPLER!! I found the heartbeat! It was lovely! Swishier sounding than I expected so I kept thinking I hadn't found it until I listened to other people's on YouTube Although it's not very comfy is it - hadn't realised you'd have to press so hard! Might wait a few more weeks until the baby is a bit bigger before trying again!

Nasche I can recommend the natal hypnotherapy CDs and books too. Really think they helped me stay relaxed during pregnancy and more prepared for the birth.

Also desperate to find out the gender! My scan pic seems a bit fuzzy for any nub theory. Not long until the 16th right !

I remember a bit of stinging from the stitches but nowhere near as bad as I expected. I didn't dare look for aaaaaaaages though!

My DH had an email from his parents yesterday offering to come over and stay nearby around the due date, so they can be on hand to help with DD. They live abroad and we only really have my mum nearby who is not always the greatest support so think this will be a good idea! It's funny last time I was adamant I didn't want visitors for at least a week but now with DD as well I think I will be really grateful for any help I can get!

I'm desperate to know what's in there! Looking at those nub pictures mine definitely looks like a boy so that's interesting. 19 days until we hopefully find out.

I cannot even start to think about the birth, I have absolutely no idea what to expect or what I want, so I'm burying my head in the sand until at least December!!