May 2017 #14 'A baby each day in the month of May?...'

[RasperryInAMelon]

Thread 14... I'll post the other page links below too!

My hospital schedules then a few days before 42 weeks to ensure the baby is here before 42 weeks in case it takes a while or they have to bump you to the next day if they are full of emergencies. They also try to avoid starting at weekends unless it's essential.

So guessing mine will be booked for 40+10 so the middle of next week.

I've not done very well keeping up despite presuming mat leave would mean I'd become better at doing so.

I'm now 39+1 - hips hurt a lot from having my increased load bearing down on then during the night. But what I don't feel is pelvis pressure and my bladder is just about managing to hold out through the night.

Whilst I want baby to arrive before too much longer I am enjoying having some time to myself (and sort of bricking it as the new responsibility is scary!). Finally got round to buying a waterproof mattress protector to save my heated blanket should waters go pop in the night.

I do have great mat leave entertainment in the form of bird box nest cam though - it's pretty inspiring seeing the hardworking parents work tirelessly to raise their eight babies.

The reason for induction at 40+10 or whatever is indeed so that baby is there before 42w. As if it's some kind of hard deadline after which your placenta immediately stops working. We know that's nonsense and that term varies from 37-42w, and we know scan dates aren't accurate and neither is LMP. So why the complete faff around tripping over one arbitrary line in the sand? It's also possible to check placenta flow and monitor baby.

Yes, there's some evidence that stillbirth rates rise past 42w, and that will be the case for babies who are genuinely post-term and where there is placental insufficiency. 40+10 would give you another 4 whole days to see if labour starts on its own, which may well happen. They only induce that early because induction can take forever if you try and inflict it on a woman whose body isn't ready.

And yes, this is a sore point (following last time's attempted home birth which was refused as I was over 42w by scan when I knew for a fact I wasn't, had had a scan which confirmed placenta was fine and had had foetal monitoring which also said all was ok - and they'd said all along they'd go with my dates until I was actually in labour) and yes, I'm probably a bit more short tempered than normal in the run up to birth.

So much of a woman's care when pregnant/in labour is presented as a 'we are now going to do ZZZ' rather than 'because of XXX, the risks of YYY are now higher, so we would recommend ZZZ. Alternately we could do A/B/C'. And I don't mean outlining all the risks/benefits of each option in minute detail but at least mentioning there are options would be a vast improvement on the usual language I've heard. It takes a backbone of steel to stand up to medical professionals presenting you with a done deal when you would prefer another option or route even if you are in possession of all the statistics and evidence, especially if you are vulnerable / hormonal / in labour.

I'll shut up now.....

I've also had failed inductions (x2), so unless there's a medical concern I would be holding off as long as possible I think. Mine were apparently required due to babies being small, so done at 41 weeks ans 40+4, but I think neither me or the baby was ready on either occasion.
I also agree that if bfing there's little point waking DH up. I used to give a bottle of formula at bedtime last time once supply was well established, but I would definitely be wary of trying to express to skip a night feed too early as it could affect supply. Bottle feeding in the night is much more faff than boob in my opinion (having done both!), so I don't see the point if bf is going well.

@savagehk good thoughts, I've bookmarked your post. Please do not shut up 

@PeachIcedT bird watching is entertaining, isn't it? We have got a bird box with blue tits nesting and they work tirelessly to feed their little ones. We had to move some equipment a bit so the cats can't climb and distress the birds. It's great fun watching bird parents taking a bath every evening once the cats are shut indoors.

Aw thanks newbie. There's a lot of good info here (the site generally, but I've linked to the post-term one as that's what we're discussing) although it's often US biased as the writer is in the US. evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducing-labor-for-going-past-your-due-date/
NICE guidelines are also often enlightening, but no one should have to read through reams of those in preparation for birth.

Sorry @savagehk I do know that! It was my phrasing, not the hospital, they will wait, they just want you every day for scans to check the placenta.

Obviously I'm not there yet, but although I'm not keen on induction and getting baby out before it's ready, I'm uncomfortable and ready! So for me, further delay doesn't sound great either. Hoping this baby decides to get moving before I have to worry about this.

Teainbed - Exactly!

MW and HV both been this morning and we now have a referral to the hospital for DS's jaundice. Thanks to Tea for already having gone through the same thing and sharing so I felt totally relaxed when the mw said 'blood tests!'

I agree @savagehk please don't shut up?
I'm glad that the weekend is over. The Pax wardrobe is put up but the doors are not good and I had to contact Ikea to get another set of hinges. Apart from sorting that, the technical support they gave was zero about how to actually put them on and the manual is below Ikea expectations!
Our kitchen tap is fixed hurray!
I'm having a friend to visit with her 3 month old baby and haven't seen her for a few weeks so she will have changed a fair bit by now! My friend is an occupational therapist (I'm a physiotherapist) and we are very like minded which we only discovered recently. I'm very pleased to have 'met' so many new people via mumsnet, but also at work, via NCT and the pregnancy club.

I'm starting to 'dread' the immediate postnatal period as that will be the time when my parents and PIL will meet for the first time! OH and I have not been together for that long, but he said last night that he's so happy we met and he's happier than he has ever been before which totally gave me happy tears. His parents are kind people with some quirks clearly but they've welcomed me into their family so nicely! My youngest BIL and his wife are amazing too but the middle brother is a bit of a black sheep.
I never thought I'd met someone who would have children with me after my divorce and then another 4 year relationship which went bust partly due to him not wanting children... needless to say I've made a fresh start at my age so will take it as it comes. Sorry for the soppy post !

Oh and I could do with a third leg really!

@MrsJW15 It's such a hard balance to strike isn't it- tired of being pregnant but reluctant to be induced?

After the Katharine Graves hypnobirthing course I've completely gone off on the idea of induction unless medically necessary. Similarly however, I really want to be in the midwife led birthing centre if possible and they have a cut off "guideline" of 41.5 weeks. I spoke to my midwife about potentially switching to a home birth plan after 41.5 weeks to avoid induction and labour ward, but she was really pushy about not doing this which I expected and so pushed back ever so nicely. Anyway, the main consultant midwife called me and I will meet with her this week (39 weeks) to discuss getting "pre approval" to use the birthing centre beyond 41.5 weeks if necessary. She was really pleasant on the phone and emphasised that guidelines are only just that, so there is room for flexibility. Fingers crossed she is as agreeable in person!

@savagehk I am not sure. She's allergic to all over the counters & supermarket that we've tested, she was prescribed sun sense and was ok with that and lavidol last year, but now allergic 🙁 sent her to forest school with long sleeve lightweight top and hat.

@peasandquiet apologies for my ignorance but what is the difference between closed and open systems? We plan on bf this time and o want to express 1 bottle a day so DH can feed spud too.

Bizarrely turnip doesn't have sensitive skin she tans really well, she just has allergies. It all started 2 years ago when there was a big taboo in the news about suncreams not offering he protection they stated. My guess is that they've added another ingredient that turnip doesn't agree with.
I too haven't had enough sleep, hope your pamper day makes you feel better 😘

With regards to induction I am of the same opinion as savage. Would you believe my midwife asked me if I would be induced at 40+12 (current process in our trust) at my homebirth booking in assessment thingy. I said no and I don't want to discuss induction until I need to discuss. At 36+5 this conversation wasn't needed or wanted.

@Rustler74 I too am dreading the immediate post natal period. Mainly the after pains, establishing bf all whilst trying to keep bean & Turnip totally involved and not feeling like baby is my everything.

I have just looked at the Chinese gender predictor thing (see pic attached) and it has all 3 of my babies correct

Bean - 20 conceived Nov
Turnip - 23 conceived Jul
Spud - 27 conceived Sept

MrsJW- I have no idea if there is any evidence for this at all (although I'm getting it on the NHS so you'd hope so) but my trust offers acupuncture to overdue women as they reckon it can bring on labour. Could be worth a try?

Bean my DD has ridiculously sensitive skin. Can you get sunsense on prescription? It's the only one that seems to agree with her. You can get hats and t shirts with a built in SPF that we use in summer (no need here today, it's freezing)

Awwww that's a lovely post rustler. The little one will give the new grandparents something to talk about and coo over. I'm sure it will be fine.

Yes I think the language around induction can be unfortunate. I don't have my notes anymore but I'm sure they said at 41 weeks discuss birth preferences, offer induction or expectant management and sweep etc. In practice I think when it comes to it it can get lost in the conveyer belt/protocol land that is hospital medicine!

No medical reason for induction for me, just read about the higher risk of still birth after 42 weeks, so don't want to go past ideally. Plus, my hospital won't allow a water birth past 42 weeks, so IMO I may as well get induced. I'm just getting stressed out about baby not being here, I had it in my head baby would be premature, so now I'm over my EDD, my head is everywhere! But I want baby to come out of it's own accord, but if I'm stressing, it's not doing me or baby any good, argh!!

Interesting Chinese prediction Bean, for me it says baby should be a girl, can't wait to see what I have when baby eventually comes!

Good luck BabyWish!

@beanturnipandspud my initial thought looking at that was "when was baby conceived?"! I'm so focused on due date now that I've forgotten the other end 

@EsmesBees not sure if my trust offers acupuncture but I would try it if they did! Only 39+3 just impatient and uncomfortable. So lots of walks and raspberry leaf tea etc. I'm hoping baby makes a natural appearance in the next couple of weeks - like @Brightsmoke I really want a water birth, so I'm just trying not to stress!

bright will they permit an induced water birth? They don't here.

Savage, no they don't, so I don't see the point in waiting if I can't have the birth I want either way!

@Barnes79 same here... I'm so uncomfortable- I want her to come when she's ready, but also really don't want to feel like this for another 4 weeks. I'm eating mountains of pineapple and spending a lot of time on my birthing ball now...

@WishIWasSleeping sorry your MIL is being difficult. I'd make her come to you, regardless of how long that might take! Especially for the sake of a 6 mile journey!

I know my parents intend on driving up for the day (150 miles) so will probably stay the whole day but will go home that evening.

I don't know if this will help anyone, but I posted this on my FB the other day as a gentle reminder too...

@Tickyboovicki Sorry you've been having issues with BF - but it's good you've got a support network around you

@Rustler74 How's the foot today? I was saying to DH this afternoon how I'm actually feeling a lot better on it today - still sore but not as bad.

Question for those with experience - I've been given a microwaveable sterilising box - goes in the microwave sterilises bottles, I get that - can I then just towel dry the bottles and pop them away in a cupboard? Should they stay in the box with the residual water??

I'm probably being really thick so apologies... 🙈

@beanturnipandspud mine should be a girl if I go on that Chinese prediction thing! Well I'll let you know!

@RasperryInAMelon the foot is ok apart from swollen but I've been limping around on it a bit today, and more rest than yesterday!

In fact I'm gonna limp to the kitchen in a bit and put some crumpets in the toaster!

It's a week until my mum comes and I'm getting really excited. Between now and then I will hopefully see some of you ladies having babies! My friend with her three month old baby came along this afternoon. The LG was difficult to settle and had some reflux but I managed to soothe her and get some smiles out of her! Pretty proud I still got it!

Now where are those crumpets? I think the postnatal period will be dominated by crumpets and cereal and lots of milk if it's true that new bf mummies are about doubly as hungry as when in their last trimester in pregnancy!

Bright snap sweep here tomorrow afternoon too, keep us in the loop with what happens. My midwife says she's very confident with her technique . Here is a little duckling spam for you to keep us going until babies arrive. The tin bath that is now their pond was what they lived in for first few days and they had loads of room for water, food and sleeping area . Those with nest box cameras that sounds gorgeous

Savage please don't shut up the advice of those of you more experienced, even by a few days, is invaluable. What you and then others have said will really help with midwife appointment tomorrow.

@beanturnipandspud I should be having a girl according to the Chinese thingy ma bob. I've had a hunch from day 1 I was having a girl but everyone else is convinced blueberry is a boy.
@Rustler74 I really really want crumpets now. We are going to do a food shop tonight rather than home delivery to hopefully help things along - our Sainsbury's is massive so lots of walking. May have to buy several packs of crumpets and freeze them mmm.

Rustler, you need more than crumpets. You need CAKE postnatally when the bf hunger kicks in - lots of it!

@beanturnipandspud the Chinese calendar seems to be right for newbie baby gender.

@dreamofhungarianlanterns love spam photos of the ducklings, they really seem to enjoy the pond ❤️

@KLane and @savagehk I will use some of your thoughts/ evidence from the article during the meeting with MW tomorrow (same as dream).

@RasperryInAMelon Pineapple added to the shopping list 

@Rustler74 I cannot imagine being more hungry - I am eating like a horse now and cannot stop 🙈