Due in February 2017 - thread #9

[twocatsandatoddler]

New thread - hope everyone finds this! I'll try and post the link in the old thread if it will let us go over 1,000 posts.

London DS had (still has) a massive head! I can't remember the measurement but they plot everything on a growth chart and his head was on the 98th percentile line, so I'm not surprised he got stuck! Even now when I look at him next to other kids I can see his head is huge - obviously to house his enormous brain .

Hoping this one's head is smaller than his brother's as I don't fancy pushing it out if he's similarly huge!

I did yoga, pilates, lots of core and resistance work (squats, squats, squats!), saw a physio for PGP and also consulted physio colleagues (mothers) re pelvic floor exercises. I still developed faecal urgency after my c section (not immediately after, more like a couple of weeks. Def had been doing postnatal pf exercises). Luckily it resolved within a couple of months. Mode of birth has no bearing on your likelihood to develop faecal incontinence, but yes, a vb is more likely to cause urinary incontinence. And of course big babies (and probably regular size but big headed babies) are more likely to cause pf damage. My point was that this is not always the case.

In the interests of full disclosure (like I haven't told you enough already ), my pelvic floor went into a coma after my vb. I was on the postnatal ward for 5 days. I was trying to squeeze the life out of my pf but can't say if I actually managed to contract anything. I was on iron tablets and desperate not to get constipated. So, I was taking lactulose and eating the chickpea curry every day. The curry was lovely but I was incontinent of farts in a bay shared with two other ladies My pf obviously wasn't fully up to grade when I attempted a slow jog at 8w pp, but I am pleased to report that all is now well (she says, frantically squeezing

My children both had 37cm heads. No wonder the buggers needed a hand getting out! I guess I'm likely to have another fat headed child. Lucky me.

Gumboots nothing is always the case. I'm managing risks not certainties and making personal decisions that are best for my back and my personal general health priorities.

I'm sorry you suffered from some of these issues after birth (70 percent of women do) but I'm glad it was temporary rather than long lasting damage requiring multiple corrective surgeries as was the case for my MIL

I don't think this thread is the place to get into a detailed debate about birth and fecal incontinence but the NAFC (and the research I've seen) clearly have a different view to the one you hold.

London because we need to get some building work done for storage as our house is so small but this cant be done until beginning of December. And I cant get started on nursery until the storage is done as it is full of boxes...
Oh well.

On birth subject I feel so unprepared. All of you seem to know about the different drugs and risks and the rest and I know nada
Oh well. Still 15 weeks to go and they are going so slowly...

Exiting that you are extending though ever. I'm trying to get some things done around the house and garden before the baby arrives as I figure I won't be able to focus on it once baby arrives

Twocats my DH has a massive head-- boys with massive heads are the best, just not during birth!

Evening all!

Just to chip in my 2nd had a 36cm head and I was very lucky to not tearing or having incontinence issues, but my back and core has been unstable since then on and off. Most likely though I think it was as a result of carrying him and his size (he was over 9lb).

I'm having to be so careful now as even relatively innocuous movements can trigger sharp pain! Even pregnancy yoga and Pilates both triggered very painful episodes afterwards so I'm just trying to take it easy but keep moving.

28 weeks tomorrow and have a scan to see if the placenta has moved. Hope so! If it has then comes a decision re home birth or midwife led unit. I'm erring towards the latter, unless the baby comes really quickly and it has to be at home. In an ideal world I'd have a water birth with gas and air too, but I don't think I can face organising the birth pool etc at home, so would prefer to go into the unit I think. Also worried I will scare the kids!

I am in the same boat as you evergreen! I don't know anything about my options really. Guessing the midwife discusses it later? I am going to antenatal classes soon too which my DP thinks will be "for morons" but I need as much info as I can get!
Brain says - take all the drugs and options they have to get us both out at the other side safe & well. Trying not to listen to horror stories as it's such an individual experience.x

Luna I doubt my midwife will tell me a thing because my appointments are quick as anything and just to fill in the data.
I have the antenatal classes in a couple of weeks and then I will do some research after Christmas.
I had all sorts of ideas but now I am kind of as long as it gets out and we are both fine I dont care anymore
But my preference is the birth centre.

Is anyone here actually sleeping at night????

Does anyone know what happened to this idea which was mooted over the summer (www.newscientist.com/article/mg23130813-000-uk-doctors-may-starting-warning-women-of-childbirth-risks/)
Basically suggests offering women information on the risks of vaginal births as well. I have done my own independent research, but it seems a lot to ask that we go off and read research papers or get our info from blogs and online sources with agendas that are often not explicit. But midwives have so far just fobbed me off when I ask to discuss birth.
If I did turn around and insist I wanted to discuss a c-section then they'd have to refer me to a consultant right?

ever. I had the worst nights sleep too. Barely slept due to bump pain and back pain 😩

luna most everyone with a birth plan who has posted are second time mums. I don't think any of us first time mums have a fully thought out plan yet. Besides managing my specific risk factors which I've been thinking about before even falling pregnant, I haven't looked in depth into pain relief or monitoring options beyond what was in the book I read 'Expecting Better' which I can definitely recommend!

Bisquick it's totally unreasonable that women have to do their own research to learn of the risks. Because of the history of large babies and pelvic floor damage in my husbands family, I selected a consultant that specialises in both. I'm not sure if you'll be referred to a consultant or even what advice a typical consultant will provide in your trust but I'm sure my consultant can talk to you about the risk factors etc if you are struggling to get balanced advice. Just PM me if necessary!

'Medical Paternalism' is exactly the right word for it. That judge was spot on in his ruling.

Morning all, just had my sugary drink ahead of the long 2 hour wait during GTT. Was pretty gross!

Ever generally I'm sleeping ok at the moment, except that I wake up every time I roll over because the pregnancy pillow is in the way and needs more thought to move then my sleeping brain can handle!! Are you struggling? It makes it even harder to deal with real life when you don't get enough sleep!

Sleep? What's sleep? 😭😭😭

I appear to have developed sciatica. And it fucking hurts. Today is going to be a loooong day!

I've had to call in sick again today due to the aftermath of hurrying for a train on Wednesday night. It's unbelievable how quickly it exacerbated the PGP, was glued to my bed Wednesday night with pain like someone was ripping my legs out of the joints!
I've improved a little but not enough to sit in work all day, I feel a bit guilty as my brain is still functional!

I'm not sleeping great Evergreen, just lots of aches & pains & bladder. Are you ok trying to sleep anxiety wise? I used to really struggle earlier this year due to a terrible work situation and was prescribed Trazodone pre pregnancy but titrated my dosage down & eventually stopped taking it not long after I found out. I've been ok anxiety wise (touch wood) which I'm pretty amazed about, due to new job but I'm always concerned how easily it can creep back.

Midwife appointments are fairly brief with me too although a student wants to use me as part of her case study so she'll be at most of my appts and potentially birth too. Still need to do my own research re birth options.

I'm about halfway through Expecting Better London , suspect I'll get to that section soon!

I thought I had sciatica too Fenella and it was a lot worse when driving/carrying bags but it's turned into the full PGP shebang. Hopefully yours eases off. There are stretches that can help, I find heat helps distract me from mine.

Thought this was apt for us 😂😂

Is anyone else here planning a home birth? I am and have my first appt with the home birth team on Monday (a bit scared with the builders in they may be horrified that I am asking for a home birth but they will be finished by the birth!)

I'm just beginning to doubt the decision as so many people tell me I'm crazy and mad and my baby could be at risk as I'm taking massive risks etc..... By having a home birth. It's taking the shine off what should be a special thing for me.

I don't think you are crazy at all! Honestly home birth isn't for me, but then I am one of life's worriers, and I want ALL OF THE DRUGS. But the beauty of choice is that you should get to have the birth you want. If the midwife had safety concerns as to the risks, they wouldn't give you the go ahead for it, so just smile sweetly at the people talking rubbish and plan the birth you want!

diva my friend has had two home births. First one was an accident haha... she loved it.
I'm a worrier though also will be in the hospital! It's whatever is right for u!xx

My birth plan is:
Go in the pool if I can
Have just gas and air again.

Not ruling out anything else because I know from first time you just don't know how things will go. If it's a lot more painful this time I will happily have all the drugs. Was dead against episiotomy last time but ended up having one and it was fine. Feel the same about avoiding forceps but I won't rule anything out entirely.

I would have considered a home birth this time but after haemorrhaging quite badly last time I have been put off. Have several friends who had planned home births, two successful, one went to hospital after labour didnt progress and the other had to go in because there weren't enough midwives available to come out to her !

Divadee I have two friends and several acquaintances that have had very happy home births. Its not for me for various reasons but as long as you, your husband and your medical team are happy, you should do what makes you feel most relaxed and excited about the birth!

Diva I'm hoping for a home birth too. I haven't told many people for exactly that reason. However, I know that for me to feel calm and excited about the birth, that is where I need to be. The mere mention of hospitals make me anxious! (I know there may be a possibility it is necessary to transfer and I will of course do whatever is needed to keep baby safe.)
I think you should do whatever feels right for you; there's no right or wrong way!

Did you have to make an appointment with a homebirth team? My midwife knows my intention but hasn't mentioned anything of the sort yet...

Witch I have 3 normal pillows instead of a pregnancy one and I spend the night juggling them
How was the test???
So out of the 4 midwifes I have met so far 2 thought I need the test and 2 were adamant that I dont need it.
The last one I saw said not to book it so I havent done so.
Why cant they agree? Then one said well if it will help you relax to have it... And I said well no, I dont want to have it if you are saying I dont need it.
Crazy

I see... So nobody is sleeping. So much for the "sleep whilst you can" advice * Luna* is a mix of anxiety, having to pee three times a night and being so uncomfortable...
Good one shell
Diva not crazy and people always try to scare you. We live quite far from a hospital so I wont do home birth but I am hoping for birth centre.
I am not telling people in RL because most of them will talk rubbish about home births and birth centres and I dont need that.