May 2017 #10 - To be prepared or not prepared

[RasperryInAMelon]

Here's a link to the last thread and photo updates just incase anyone's looking for anything!

Thread 9

Photo Page - Bump Update

I don't have access to a desktop right now though so can't post the link to the GoogleDrive spreadsheet, but it's a few posts down in the previous thread!

Happy chatting!

Sounds like some of you have had very productive weekend. I was hoping DH would build the chest of drawers we've bought for DC2's clothes but no such luck so holding back on washing everything for now. I did manage to go out for a mani pedi which was a bit of a treat although shaving my legs first was interesting.

wish the video cracks me up, I'm sure grobags help delay the escaping but imagine it's only a matter of time! Apparently DH made a tower out of teddies to climb out, quite clever.

badger I think it was you that mentioned Cocoonababy? I've gone a bit overboard & bought one this time round even though we have a Sleepyhead. Planning to use it for the first 3 months or so in the snuzpod then switch once she's outgrown it. Does look comfy!

30 weeks now and I'm in the nice (?) position of knowing CS will be at approx 39 weeks unless I go into labour early so 9 weeks to go.

Took DS to his music class this morning whilst it was raining, didn't wear suitable shoes and ended up slipping over and tipping over the pram 🙈 Luckily I fell on my knee not bump and DS was strapped in and fine. Back home now with a cold water and feeling plenty of movement so fingers crossed I haven't done any damage although back and leg a bit sore!

Morning ladies!

Sounds like you all had such productive weekends. I'm jealous! I didn't even get a load of laundry in, as we had our 2 day hypnobirthing course from 10-5 both days. Knackered. It was so much more beneficial than I expected, and I think it gave a boatload of confidence to DH as well. Only downside is that DH walked away thinking we should have a home birth and I'm still keen on the birthing centre! He's wisely letting me choose, obviously

One point that was hammered home was about due dates. The instructor told us that the best thing to do is add 2 weeks to our due date and start telling everyone, including ourselves, that's the date. So if you're due mid May, just start telling everyone it's now late May so you're not inundated with daily texts and disappointment once the due date passes. Apparently 85% of first time babies are later than their EDD!

Thankful to be WFH today. Pretty sure I'll be doing all work in my dressing gown from the sofa!

Agree totally re edd. I'm just saying "may" this time, which gives me 3 weeks leeway :)

Remember if you book a home birth you can always transfer to birthing centre but not other way around (easily), have a chat with your mw

Savage We were just talking about that actually. The other thing I didn't realise is that they won't let you go to the birthing centre if you are more than 41.5 weeks, only labour ward or home birth. Would definitely prefer home at that point, so we will have a good chat with the midwife about the best approach!

Anyone here been signed off with SPD?

I had a crap weekend with pain in my legs, hips and pelvis and last night was horrendous. Was in so much pain I barely slept and have had to call in sick today. Got a doctors appointment for later to see if they can ether give me some painkillers that are safe to take OR sign me off.

I saw the physio last week who said it was SPD/hypermobility and gave me exercises and the most uncomfortable band known to man, which is no use to me as my job involves sitting at a desk all day and it just digs in causing more pain.

So miserable right now

@klane that's a bit odd. Is the birthing centre attached to a hospital at all? Ours here (MLU) is, and in my last labour they refused to attend me at home as I was post-42w by scan, but I negotiated MLU instead (to be fair, their policy may usually be to refuse, but I wouldn't have agreed to labour ward). Another question for when you see the midwife :)

Savage It is attached to the hospital. There were a few NHS midwives on the course, and they said that 41.5 weeks is the NHS policy guideline, but it sounds like it may be negotiable depending on the situation, which would be a relief! The instructor was adamant though that they absolutely cannot refuse you a home birth though, which is interesting. I had thought they wouldn't "let" you go past 42 weeks either, but she said that it's policy to basically say that, but if you refuse they will just offer you increased monitoring. I'm sure it various a lot by hospital and also situation!

Morning ladies. Working from home today in the hopes that our buggy and car seat arrive. Very exciting! Also pretty exhausted from the weekend so it's nice not to be going into work.

Savage, KLane I just looked at the details we have and it looks like we can use the midwife unit even if we are induced, as long as there are no complications and you don't need close monitoring. So if everything's ok except that you are late it may be worth checking. I really hope so - I really want a water birth!

Redblu - haven't been signed off for spd but have been struggling for a while. I had found this weekend quite difficult and although am in work today, as contemplating taking the rest of the week off.

Could you possibly talk to your physiotherapist about any hydrotherapy or acupuncture courses that they may run for pregnant women, which you could attend? I've been going to hydrotherapy for a number of weeks and it has helped. Just think I've had a rough weekend as coming towards the end of the pregnancy and baby is growing more.

Fingers crossed you feel better soon xx

Yep @klane that's what I've been told too. Unfortunately last time I wasn't able to test that properly as by the time they told me 'no' I was already in labour and not up for as much arguing as I might otherwise have been! I had refused induction and opted for monitoring, which showed no issues. It's worth preparing your OH to fight your corner if it's something you feel strongly about as we certainly weren't prepared for it. But things were certainly more negotiable than you'd think even then - we agreed to no triage, direct to MLU, using the pool and no continual monitoring provided there was a 20 min trace on admission. Consultant (who'd been called) wanted me on labour ward permanently attached to the monitor. And induction to speed things up although I was already in labour!

@mrsJW15 that's good about the MLU. Here it was definitely induction = labour ward last time, but I'll be checking if anything has changed since last labour.

Info I was advised to bear in mind re water birth... if you need a wee... do it in the water 😕

It's sterile anyway and if you get out to pee and baby's head begins to make an appearance you won't be allowed back in as it's dangerous for them to touch the air and then go back into water.

I had a physio appointment this morning, Midwife had suggested I ask about hydrotherapy but I was told my trust don't do it for pregnant patients as the water has to be under 35 and the hydro pool is 36 😩

@KLane I've already resided myself to the fact that I think little girlie won't make an appearance until early June anyway, but we'll have to wait and see I guess. I really hope I can have the water birth I want!

Have been in the hospital since 8am this morning with DH having an eye appointment after my physio... Appt was due at 9.10 and I've had to leave him there to make his own way home as I have to get to work... not impressed to say the least...

I don't know my hospital's policy on using the birth unit when overdue, I must ask them! DH and I still haven't been on the tour, I am thinking maybe the 2 of April is a good time, they do them every Sunday afternoon.

Bought baby 3 cardigans today at Lidil at their baby event, wasn't that impressed with what they had!

2 days of work for me this week. We are off to Malta on Wednesday for 5 days. Looking forward to just spending time with DH, having lie ins and generally doing not much!

Back from my 32 week appointment (31+5) heard the heartbeat (yeay) and lots of feeling of bump, she had a student with her and so she also showed DH how to feel the difference between head and bum so he was quite chuffed with that. Measuring 31 which is right on my 90% line... so we might be right about big baby

I have split rectus abdominis, which apparently means the sheath round my abdominal muscles is split so I have a body length tubigrip to wear which is attractive She also told me that when I go swimming no breaststroke legs, I think my number of lengths might drop next time!!

I spoke to her about moving before baby was due, because we'll go and stay with my DPs at the beginning of May rather than me being 200 miles away on my own. She was really reassuring and said it's basically a case of saying when I register with the GP that I need a midwife appointment and taking it from there, so one less thing to worry about!

Morning ladies

Raspberryinmelon - that's pants about the hydrotherapy pool temperature. I'm sure that someone on this thread had mentioned that they were referred to acupuncture session for their spd or back pain so is this something you could ask your physiotherapist about?

Attempted to work in the office today despite not feeling much better. Had a mini meltdown and was told to go home by my colleagues. Am gonna have a nap when I get home and try how productive I am before deciding if I'm gonna go back this week.

@jennymac31 I'm not seeing her again for 6 weeks as that's the soonest available appointment she has now.

I've got 9 days left at work so I'll just ride it out and take myself swimming instead

@jennymac31 sounds like you need to be kind to yourself and take some time off, remember pregnancy sick is just the same as normal sick... if you felt this bad and you weren't pregnant would you really consider being at work?

Re due dates and telling people a later date - Emily Oster's book says the average date for labour to start for ftms is 40+8

Lullaby - hope you're feeling ok after your tumble?

I was induced 3 days early with DD... am hoping for induction with this one too! 2 weeks early on my birthday would be fab!

There's been a notice go up at DD's nursery about 3 cases of chicken pox last week. I'm actually willing her to get it - not just because she's young still, but so I can have some time off of work to sit at home in my pjs!
Only 21 working days over 6 weeks to go!

@jennymac31 please be gentle to yourself and get some rest. I've stretched myself over the weekend and it didn't do any good to me.

cox that's exactly when my labour started (by my dates, anyway, was later by scan) :)

Oops no it wasn't. Clearly can't add today :D

I was 10 days late with DD. Felt like forever. I wonder what the average is for second timers?

lullaby ouch!! You poor thing, I. Et that hurt.yes was me that was given a cocoonababy, does look snuggly :)

red that sounds really crappy :( hope they can come up with something for you at Drs.

Oh blimey savage is that nationwide do you think, the no hb after 42 weeks? I'll ask my mw next week....

jenny you're at work!? Hope you're feeling bit better...

raspberry I think we're "due" 1 day apart and I think my LO won't be here till June either!

Oops jenny I see you are back home now. Good! You need to rest by the sounds of it

esme 'all babies are different'. So we'll see. If it is down to when baby's lungs mature, I guess it's largely genetic so expect it to be similar, but maybe a day or two earlier to allow for everything already being a bit looser and so on.