July 2017 #6 - labour here we come

[nat2311]

I think this is how you make one?

Glad I'm not the only one with stretchmarks - although rather jealous big those with none. I've used Palmer's Cocoa Butter daily but hasn't made a joy of difference - I already have stretchmarks on boobs and thighs from puberty and horse riding so think I was screwed from the word go!

My belly button is still in but it's pulled so tightly it looks, and feels, like it's going to tear if baby aims a good kick at it.

Hope all is well Tinkling - the midwives here recommend a glass of cold orange juice nd laying on your left side for 2 hours.

Not long after writing that post I had about 90mins of non stop movements. Think baby was just having a lazy morning!

Had my 38 week appointment and referred to the hospital again for high protein (3+) and high blood pressure. This is the third time I've been referred due to suspected pre-eclampsia...

Midwife seems to think they'll probably keep me in for monitoring and possible induction soon.

Is it wrong that I really don't want an induction? I don't feel ready, I'm only four days in to maternity leave and have a to-do list as long as my arm, I don't feel baby is ready either and I want to use the birthing center but induction means I won't be able to.

Currently stuck in a very muggy, very busy waiting room with a load of people who are just having a loud, room-encompassing conversation.

I'm grumpy.

Oh no @CatRash that's no good. Can you ask for extra monitoring as opposed to changing your birth plan? Come to some sort of compromise?

I'm 100% with you on not wanting an induction. Perhaps you could go into the day unit frequently for monitoring. I've heard of some women doing that.

Sorry to hear that, CatRash.

I'm also keen to avoid induction if it's just because I've reached the magic 42 weeks, but I think in your shoes I'd be happier to go with it - mortality from eclampsia has decreased massively over the last few decades precisely because we have been dipping wee at every visit and doing something about it.

It's a bugger that it's happened so early into your mat leave, though. And loud people are just rude.

Thanks @Algebraic and @Spindelina.

I've got to stay in overnight for four hourly obs and they're putting me on some blood pressure medicine while they wait for my blood tests results re. pre-eclampsia. No-one at the hospital has mentioned induction at all so that's good.

I've never had to stay in a hospital before - I imagine I won't sleep at all tonight - especially on a ward with other people. DH has been sent off to get me a Burger King.

I wonder how @ButterflyFree is getting on - I'm guessing the silence means she's gone into labour naturally. Hope all is well with her.

Oh @CatRash hopefully it'll just be a little blip! Fingers crossed it all goes ok. If you can't sleep I'm sure the ones up doing night feeds will be around to chat as well.

Baby glitter has done nothing but sleep today and dh has pointed out she has a hard white bump/spot on her gum. Seriously can't be a tooth already I know some babies are born with them but that seems crazy.

I've managed to finally submit all the work I've done so I'm now officially on maternity leave (I'd done it all but had forgotten to send it where it was so far ahead when baby arrived 🙊). So no more thinking of work till I do a KIT day next month woohoo!!!

To celebrate, and becausrvi almost feel human again (Bar my stitches) we're heading for brunch in Chichester tomorrow and a mooch with the girls round the shops.

Can anybody recommend a face wash by the way? My normally clear dry skin has bloody decided to have some cystic acne post partum 😭 it bloody hurts.

@catrash i hope you mamage some rest. If there is no preeclamsia then theres orob no reason to induce. Dont be afraid to ask questions even if it makes you feel like "that" patient.

glitters no idea on facewash.. i ermm..dont really wash my face unless im in the shower. I dont use any facewash but i imagine something fragrance free will be best if youve got a breakout. More than likely hormone related :(

Hope butterfly is doing well ..eee could be another baby announcement soon

Hi ladies

Just checking in on the night shift!

Catrash, hope everything is ok. Fingers crossed for no induction. I know the feeling, i wanted to go go to the midwifery Centre too. Turns out I went into labour naturally but midwife Centre was full and I ended up on delivery suite anyway, which ended up as where I needed to be as i had vontouse, attempted forceps and a csection after reaching 10cm and pushing for over 2 hours!!

Hi Ladies 💙

Delighted to announce that Baby Z arrived happy and healthy at 37+5, 22:38 on Thursday 13th July, after an extremely intense 2-hour labour!! He weighed in at 2.85kg. DH made it to the hospital straight off his flight from Dubai just as I was given the thumbs up to start pushing. My mum was with me for the super rough part of the labour and she was incredibly supportive. She left the room for the delivery when DH arrived, but came back in to hold her grandson soon after. Really couldn't have scripted it any more perfectly.

I'm feeling a bit sore and exhausted but utterly high off happy hormones as I watch my two boys sleep peacefully 💙

Night feeder checking in.

Butterfly wow! Seems everything slotted into place just at the right time. And such a quick labour. Congratulations on the arrival of baby Z.

Cat hope you managed to get some sleep.

butterfly congratulations! Sounds like something off a TV drama! So many congratulations!
Also congrats to nats-hope you and little one are feeling better soon you poor things xx

Good luck to everyone still waiting xx

Butterfly what perfect timing! You and your husband are going to have such a great story to tell Baby Z when he's bigger.

Glitter I'm using a face wash at the moment that might be worth a try as it's quite drying - good for spots. It's a garnier one, botanical gel wash. It's cheap enough anyway. You probably want to avoid anything too creamy and moisturizing.

Due date for me today, based on the midwife's dates, though based on my last period, I think it's Saturday. Anyway, no signs, just a lot of groin pain making it harder to move in bed. Feet very swollen too.

Congrats @butterfly it does seem that everything slotted into place so happy for you. 2 hour labour you lucky thing! Mine was 25 hours from start to finish!!

Congratulations @ButterflyFree - such a quick labour your DH was lucky to make it in time. Clearly your LO just couldn't wait to meet his Dad!!

Thanks for all your well wishes. I managed to get some sleep at least - well I woke up with dribble on my face and I don't think I did that while conscious! I've been put on blood pressure medication which doesn't seem to have made any difference to my blood pressure...

Think I've got to wait for the doctor to make his rounds and he/she will decide what to do next with me. From what one of the midwives said last night it sounds like I'll be given a different medication - which no doubt will mean further monitoring and longer here.

And I have zero idea if I actually have pre-eclampsia still or not!! I feel a bit more with it this morning, gross but with it, so might actually ask a few more Qs and find out what's going on.

@Glitterglitters - I don't use face washes myself but use micacellular cleansers instead which are very effective but very gentle. Just apply using a cotton wool pad - no need to rinse - I use the Garner ones.

Congratulations @ButterflyFree. Can't believe the timing on that! Amazing!

I've been chatting to some mums at a bump
To baby group I go to, and they say to watch out for skin changes, and hair changes - some that enjoyed thicker, fuller hair during pregnancy went back to thin hair quite quickly. More fun hormones to think about

@butterflyfree many congratulations it all sounds like it is out of a TV drama so pleased for you and your family that everything worked out so perfectly. Even your mum got a part in the end! Happy days!

@catrash I had the smoothest belly while pregnant but my body has not taken well to the rapid shrinking...so I saw a few stretch marks appear in my lower abdomen. :( I hope that is as far as it goes. I am keeping a close eye on my boobs though as they go from 0 to playboy bunny in 60 seconds and I can already se a couple of stretchmarks There.

Of those that have had babies have you been out and about? And when did you leave the house? I went out on day 9 with the baby only a 20 minute walk by the river and pub lunch, however I got massive anxiety on the way back. I can't explain it I was tired so we decided to get a bus intead and I felt so anxious about the baby and me. Everything was so overwhelming... has anyone else experienced that?

Mawita we have been out with baby to register the birth then to a cafe and walked (15mins) to SILs twice over the last 3 eeks. Dh has had her in the pram to the local shops a couple of times but she really hates the pram which is why I haven't ventured out much. I tried the stretchy wrap yesterday and it was great going and having both arms free but it was a fuff getting her into it. We both ended up in a sweat by the time I was done. I would like to master the art of stretchy wrap and breastfeed at the same time as it seems to be the only things that keeps her calm. Also I think part of my anxiety has stemmed from my own insecurities like the Bells palsy but I do want to be able to go everyday even if it's round the block. I am gaining in confidence and hope to start going to the baby groups at the children's centres. What do you think is causing your anxiety?

Congratulations nat
congratulations butterfly
Wishing you both a speedy recovery!
butterflyOur babies share the same birthday!
I went into labour yesterday morning at about 7:30. Stayed at home till 11am. Only 3cm but Was losing lots of fresh blood which was apparently due to the treatments I'd had on my cervix when I was 25.
Got transfered from midwife led to delivery suite as I was losing lots of blood. They broke my waters for me which was horrible and was delivered with forceps (hence marks on her little face) as they were trying to get her out fast before I lost anymore blood. She was born at 17:05 weighing 8lb5oz. Had to stay in overnight due to the bleeding so still here but hoping to go home soon.

Congrats burterfly and rhodes.hope youre recovering well thia morning

@mawita ive not had this baby yet but i remember feeling anxious on my first big outing with ds. Every bump in the road i was worried he was shaking about too much, amd hed always scream in the car seat which made driving on my own with him traumatic.

@notyetthere the stretchy does take some practice, i watched youtube tutorials to master it. Ive still got my stretchy but kve also treated myself to a close caboo this time. Its kind of a hybrid and should be way easier than a stretchy (waiting for it to arrive) as i found the stretchy a faff when out and about.

Ahhhh babies!!! Congratulations @rhodes2015 and @ButterflyFree

They're gorgeous!!!! Hopefully you'll both be home soon.

Oh @CatRash glad you got some sleep. Hopefully they'll get to the bottom of everything soon and you'll have a clearer idea of what's going on.

My day out looks like it's falling through dh has a poorly tummy and the heavens look like they're about to open. Less than ideal for a walking toddler and 8 day old baby.

And I was TERRIFIED leaving the house the first time with dd. The thought of taking two of them out by myself (dd1 will need to walk) is scaring the shit out of me! 🙈

P.s. Thanks for the skin tips. I've usually got Kiehls on the but I'll give the garnier a try. Micellar water is amazing! 😍

I can also recommend The Ordinary Salicyclic Acid solution for spots. Only £4 but pretty powerful at drying them out @glitterglitters

Hoping you get out of hospital today with that gorgeous baby Rhodes

I'm enjoying my first day of maternity leave by having a bath and tidying up ahead of the cleaner coming. I feel at such a loose end!

Congratulations @Rhodes2015 she's gorgeous. Sorry to hear it was all a bit traumatic - hopefully you'll be home soon.

The consultant came to see me. I have pre-eclampsia which means I'm now high risk and will be induced today. I'm absolutely gutted as this is not what I wanted or expected at all. I thought I had at least another 2 weeks before baby came and fully expected to go overdue.

I feel very unprepared and am beating myself up about being so bloody laid back about it all until now. There's a million and one things I haven't done which means I'm now having to rely on those around me for help. I'm really independent so this has knocked me a bit.

I couldn't bring myself to even ring DH as knew I'd just breakdown so I've sent him an essay of a text message with a list of stuff to do. I've told him to inform both sets of parents as he will need help getting the house in order - again something I didn't want to do.

I should be excited about meeting baby (and finding out the sex) but think I'm just too worried at the minute because everything is do out of my control.