#TTC1 - Second Wave grads thread the Second!

[kavanaughkj]

Hello all! Welcome to the second thread for the 'new wave' of grads from #TTC1 - the first wave ladies seem to have decamped en masse to Facebook now (I heard weaning mentioned last time I ventured onto it) so this is now officially the place to be!

We're pretty spread out over the pregnancy journey so far with some newbies and some about to pop I'll try to maintain a list so if anybody wants to leave details of due dates and whether you're Team Blue, Pink or Vanilla (I think we're pretty heavily skewed towards Pink at the moment) then leave your details and I'll amalgamate them!

As Moose mentioned in our last thread, please do feel free to join in if this is your first time walking this weird and wonderful path - there is no such thing as TMI and we're all learning off each other!

We still have a lot of Team Vanillas, Seahawk, so there could be some Blues in there :) me included! ... and I might be finding out about mine rather sooner than expected. I've been in and out of hospital the last few days with high blood pressure, eventually being admitted on Friday night for one night to try out medication on me - they also found protein in my urine again. Long story short, I've been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, which means it's highly likely I'll be induced in a couple of weeks' time, and I can't give birth in my original choice of location (and likely not using water, which is disappointing as I'd hoped for a midwife led unit and a water birth, and now it's looking like I'll be in a regular hospital and not able to use water). Not keen on the idea of induction as from what I've heard it makes labour pains extremely intense, and induction often doesn't work and ends up as an emergency cesarean, which I do NOT want.

One small positive point - at my last midwife appointment she was unsure which way up the baby was, having thought it had turned - another midwife had looked at me and thought it might be breech. Turns out apparently it just has a very bony bottom as it's head down :) I got to see its face this morning in a scan which was really lovely - and go to see a consultant on Friday to talk about my options. Obviously I have to be led by what is safe for both me and the baby but I'm so hoping to be able to go into labour naturally.

Started maternity leave a week early thanks to this so at least I now have time to sort things out a bit before baby arrives! Hope you're all well ladies and sorry I've been quiet - just so much going on.

Oh kav I'm sorry to hear that. How are you doing in yourself? Hope you aren't feeling too poorly. Great news that baby isn't breech though! I obviously can't speak for induction but one of my close friends that had her baby in May was induced and had a vaginal birth so it definitely doesn't mean that a C section is a forgone conclusion. Do you have to have daily BP tests now? Glad you had the upside of seeing baby's face on a scan

Wanting sorry for forgetting you in the August due dates - I was looking at an out of date list!

Also sorry for lack of recent activity. I was bridesmaid at a friend's wedding this weekend which was very full on but absolutely lovely and am doing the same again this weekend but in cornwall! We are staying down there for a few extra days which should be nice and relaxing. I've packed a small hospital to give me peace of mind as I'll be 36 weeks!

Will catch up on thread more later

Congratulations seahawk! What a gorgeous boy, love the name! Sorry it was a difficult birth but definitely true that it soon starts to fade! Hope the recovery is swift.

Fell off the thread again. Looking after baby marmite is very full on!! She's 11 weeks tomorrow..!! And a very strong willed little lady she's a massive daytime sleep avoider she gets absolutely knackered but fights sleep but is so tired she then gets hysterical. It's tough. The only way she'll reliably sleep during the day is in the sling really - which means I can't do much. So much for 'sleep when your baby sleeps' she's a pretty good sleeper at night though so can't complain really!

Glad to hear mini fishys jabs weren't too bad fishy E had a temp for 48 hours after hers. Thank goodness for baby calpol! We have the 12 week ones next week.

Sorry to hear about the pre-eclampsia kav but good that they've caught it now and can keep a close eye on you and baby. Totally understand how you feel about induction as I was desperate to avoid it too. I thibk it can be bad, but have also spoken to a few people since who were induced and said it wasn't all bad. I think if you have to be induced you can ask for wireless monitoring/at least longer cables etc to allow you to stay as active and mobile as possible which will help with the contractions. Also, if the pessary works rather than needing the drip, I believe labour progresses in much the same way it would otherwIse, it's not meant to be too different.

Still need to have a proper catch up on the thread but sending lots of good wishes to all the pregnant mamas to be and to all the new mamas - how are we all coping? Hope everyone is ok!

I've finished expressing now so need to go and decant!!

Sorry to hear about the pre-e Kav, at least they've diagnosed it and you'll be looked after properly now. Someone on our August due date FB group was induced early for pre-e and growth issues and had a normal vaginal birth although it was very speedy once the contractions kicked in. Induction is different for everyone so the best thing to do is just keep an open mind, good luck!

Hello all!

Sorry for disappearing - wow these babies don't give you a moment!!!

We're doing great still - breastfeeding going well and after a worrying week where Edie wasn't gaining weight she's now packing on the pounds. This girl loves her milk, she's attached to my boob most of the afternoon/evening. She's sleeping well from 10-11 in three hour stretches so I can't complain!

I haven't had time to catch up on the thread - I'll attempt to go back now but I hope you're all ok? When people told me to enjoy and relax in the last weeks of pregnancy I laughed at them. Now I'd give my right arm to have enough time just to have a shower ha ha

Really sorry to hear about the pre eclampsia kav but good it is really that they've caught it and you have options. Hope you are managing to relax as much as poss on your mat leave

Have just had my midwife booking appt (round 2, she did remember me from last time!), so been referred for 12 week scan, can call up for a date for that on Friday & have a private reassurance scan on Friday too, it just seemed like such a long time from 6+1 to 12 weeks, so just want to check all is ok in there

Did you get your 12 week scan this week missy??

Hope those of you coming up to DD are doing well!!

Hi ladies,

Haven't had a chance to catch up properly but read your post kav and wanted to say that sucks I am hoping for the birthing center too and I know I'll be gutted if it doesn't work out. I know everyone says it doesn't matter so long as baby is safe and well, but we matter too! Really sorry to hear about the pre-e but great news on the mat leave and the fact that baby isn't breach

Had my midwife apt last week and I don't have pre-e after all, just swelling up due to the heat and being on my feet. She did book me in for a positioning scan (tomorrow) though as although she thinks baby is engaged she couldn't feel the shoulders as well as last time so wants to check my fluid levels too. I sense this may be gearing up for a gestational diabetes test but who knows atm. I've been eating healthy but have been indulging in a LOT of cake as well.

These next 4 weeks can't go quick enough now. Obviously I'm hoping baby will be a little early though, to save me the trauma of going overdue and having to decide whether to allow them to induce me or not. Not an easy decision. I've been told some hospitals suggest an epidural if you need to be induced kav, something I didn't want but would consider if i was induced. Tbh I think I'd prefer a c section over an instrumental birth, but fingers crossed I won't have to decide.

Sounds like you're doing a fab job moose, well done!

Hi kav sorry to hear the news and your well made plans have all had to change. As all above have said, good they picked it up and you are being looked after. Glad your maternity leave has kicked in early so relax up and take care hopefully we will be hearing about mini kav soon!

scandal have my 12 week scan on Thursday lunch time. It's felt like so long. Kind of wish I'd booked myself an early scan but I know things can change so much and as I'm a bit of a hypochondriac I thought it best to wait for the 12 weeks...hopefully after Thursday I can start to get a bit excited! Oh and tell my parents :)

moose I will keep your advice in mind and make sure to make the most of those maternity leave days before arrival! At the moment when I have a sleep in I'm like well this will be a luxury that won't be around for much longer haha eek

Sorry about the pre eclampsia kav hopefully they can keep it in control and you can hold on for a little while longer yet. Glad baby is not breech though.

Good to hear everyone with their babies are doing well.

I'm 17 weeks now and just wondered if anyone here had any experience with back/pelvic pain in pregnancy. I don't think it's spd/pgp at the pain is in both my sacro-iliac joints, lumbar sacral spine and then I'm also getting pain in my hips accompanied by sciatica but no pain across the girdle, front of pelvis/seat of pelvis etc. I'm, to quote a work mate "walking like a pregnant person" aka hobbling like a granny, yet have maybe put on max 1kg on prepregnancy weight and defo do not really have a bump to speak off. I injured this area about 4 years ago but it hasn't really caused any issues for about 2 years until the last 4-5 weeks and over the last week its ramped up to being painful all the time at varying severities.

I have an osteopath appointment tomorrow so really hoping this will help, also going to ask for a physio referral to get some exercises but anyone got any tips from personal experience?

Congrats on the girls miranda, bluebell and carley

Hi glittery good to hear from you but sorry to hear you're in pain. I have suffered on and off throughout and for me the best thing I could do was keep active, i worked with my chiropractor and yoga teacher to keep on top of it, where other ladies I know went straight into crutches. I feel that crutches is a slippery slope though, so I'd definitely recommend trying a few different tactics to see what exacerbates it and what seems to help. I really hope you find something that helps.

Marmite are you quite sure your baby is 11 weeks? Pretty sure it was just two weeks ago - wtf?! Ha ha glad to hear it's going well though

Hello! I'm from the first lot of grads (I've got a 10 month old now )! Just wanted to drop by and congratulate all the new mummies!

Also, I noticed that a few of you were worried about being induced so wanted to share my experience if that's ok? I really wanted a natural birth, midwife unit, pool etc etc but my waters broke and I wasn't getting any contractions so I had to be induced. I had the pessary first but apparently that rarely works in first time mums because the cervix isn't soft enough. Anyway, I had the drip in the end. They recommended an epidural at the same time because it is supposed to be more painful. I took the epidural and it was all honestly fine. We listened to music, I could have a little sleep, it was a really good experience. I didn't have an instrumental delivery and only a graze - no stitches. Because of the epidural they then let me wait an hour when I was fully dilated so baby's head could get properly down the birth canal so I would have less pushing work. Obviously you're usually in too much pain and just have the urge to push but I didn't have that.

Things to remember though with an epidural are

• you won't be able to move around (I'm sure they can give you long lines on your drip so you could walk around but with an epidural you can't feel anything so you're on a bed!)
• you'll most likely have a catheter. I was really about this as I never knew that and of course they never tell you about it at NCT (for the record I thought NCT was great until I gave birth and then realised that they don't actually tell you anything useful unless you have a textbook natural birth). It's fine though, just a bit undignified but good to know it's going to happen
• if you get the epidural placed in you have control to get the drug 'topped up' if you feel pain as it does wear off
• if you have a top up of epidural too late on then you will have to do the pushing bit in stirrups as you can't feel your legs. This happened with me and was pretty undignified!

Anyway, I hope this is helpful to people. I just wanted to try and give a positive induction experience. Once I got over the upset of being induced,

Dammit posted too soon!

I meant to finish by saying that once I got over the upset of being induced I found the whole experience calm and pain free.

Happy to answer any questions or PMs if that helps.

Good luck everyone and however your birth ends up - you're going to be a mummy! xx

Thanks for the info Soda, I find that both midwives and NCT classes are reluctant to tell you the actual gory parts of birth for fear of making anyone unnecessarily worried but I'd rather have the facts!

My midwife made out that the epidural was the dogs b0llocks at an antenatal class we attended because the drug doesn't cross the placenta to affect the baby but then failed to mention the fact you lose feeling in your legs and that you will be given a catheter.

I think even though Meptid/Pethidine does cross the placenta I'd rather have that if I thought I could cope than the epidural, but I suppose if you were being induced then it's a different situation.

Totally agree mrsg. I was really upset about the catheter at a really vulnerable time whereas if I'd known about it in advance it would have been a lot better.

It's really good to hear your story soda - thanks for sharing. I think I must have been lucky with my nct group as they have been pretty open about stuff. It might have helped that we have a doctor in our group who could talk us through the epidural and cesarian procedures and that one of the couples had their baby at 32 weeks and she gave a very honest account of her experience to us all (although she managed to get through it without any pain relief at all)!

I also don't like the sound of an induction but I have decided that if I do have one and I needed pain relief then I would prefer an epidural to pethadine. I don't want to be unrealistic about my ability to handle pain so I'm not going to set myself up for a fall by setting my heart on everything being natural - I don't think I have a strong enough will!

Loved reading these updates. Although not about your pre eclampsia Kav!!
Hey to you all! Will catch up properly soon

Hi kav sorry to hear about the ore eclampsia it is horrible when you have to say goodbye to the birth you wanted, I felt the same with my induction. It will be fine though. I had exactly the birth that I dreaded and now it's just a blur and I can even laugh about it.

I was adamant that I didn't want pethedin but ended up having diamorphine which is similar as I was having really painful contractions and it was when we were left without a midwife so I couldn't have an epidural yet. It didn't take the pain away but made me feel pretty drowsy and like I wasn't really there so I felt quite remote from the pain. I much preferred the epidural as I was more alert and couldn't feel the pain. I spoke to a lot of people who were induced and it was almost unanimous that if you have a drip it's best to go for the epidural. I never actually had the drip as my contractions were so strong after breaking my waters but my nct friend did and she did regret not getting the epidural straight away as she feels she had 4 pointless hours of pain.

Everyone is different and you need to do what is right for you, do remember however that you get a baby at the end of it and there are no extra prizes for going through hell.

Ps I dreaded the catheter but it was fine!

Had scan today. They said all looks fine. Had a good long look as well because I had a student midwife and midwife both have a go!!! Date now 24 Jan so only one day later than expected!

Hey missy that's wonderful news. How far along does that put you then? Really pleased for you.

Hey seahawk. How you getting on?

Oh that's lovely missy, so glad all is well

I have a scan this morning at 9+1, feeling irrationally nervous as I've had no signs anything is wrong, but it will be nice to just know!

Hope everyone is well!!

Kav I'm sorry to hear about the pre-e but I'm glad they've picked it up. Hope you're managing to get lots of rest.

Soda thanks for sharing your story.

That's great news Missy

Hope your scan goes well Scandal. Let us know how you get on.

I've only got 8 days left at work now. I'm really looking forward to finishing.

Hi all, things are going well thanks. Hector is pretty good so far. Only wakes up twice in the night so can't complain! It's such an amazing time, my favourite time is when he wakes up around 5-6am and we get up together and go into the front room and watch tv while I feed him. DH comes in for a
cuddle about 7.15 before he leaves for work. We've been very chilled out with H and hopefully it's rubbing off.

We've only had one disaster which I thought I'd warn you all about. We went out to the cafe at the end of our road on day 4 and had the sunshade pulled right down but some sun must have got in and it burnt the bottom half of his face. He's totally fine now but I felt awful, it happened in the 5-10 min walk there as we sat in the shade. Make sure you get a parasol for the buggy and be vigilant about the sun. It makes me feel so guilty to see it.

Thanks guys it was such a relief to see baby in there.

bluebell they said 12+2 but baby didn't stop moving and then curled up so they struggled a bit to get measurement. So we are 12+3 today.

scandal hope you had a good scan this morning let us know!

seahawk thanks for the story re sun really useful to know that.

Congratulations seahawk he is Beautiful!

And all those who are having lovely scans!

I need to have a proper read when I get some spare time but am thinking of you all! L is almost 8 months and such all pure cheerful little character, he's ace! Although how I'm not sure how he's 8 months because he was only born last week! Can't remember if I've posted here under this name change buy it's AudreyBradshaw.