October 2017 #5!

[GimbleInTheWabe]

Hope no one minds me setting up a new thread- we were getting full up on the other one!

Here is the link to the deets sheet, feel free to add or edit your details as you please:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pa8LZMKMLvREYH4kFiNqn1dD7aTb053cT_KHvghwvSM/edit?usp=sharing

Bring on the third trimester aches, midwife appointments and birth plan chat!

Oh no gimble - hope you are not too sore! I am the clumsiest person at the best of times and seem to be even more scatter-brained and accident prone now I'm pregnant. Can't believe no one stopped and helped you!!

boxes I think I've read that it's quite common for the plug to go or partly go weeks before you are due so wouldn't think it's a problem but am sure a quick call to the midwife will put your mind at ease if you are worried

@boxes this is from the bounty page;

"What happens if I lose my mucus plug in early pregnancy?
Some mums-to-be report that they have lost their mucus plug before they are due or early on in pregnancy. However, in many cases this is nothing to worry about - occasionally this does happen and your mucus plug coming away isn’t a necessary sign that you’re heading towards labour.
However, if you’re worried or have any other signs of labour before 37 weeks, contact your midwife or doctor as soon as possible."

I'm sure I have read that you can lose part of it but not the whole thing and it can rebuild itself, but I'd check with someone if it was me, just to be safe.

Thanks all. Obviously now I have gone into overdrive, analysing everything! Ergh, idiot that I am!
It was just a shock. And also gross. Did I mention gross? Have left midwife a garbled message. She has not called me back...
sure it's fine, going to have a nice bubble bath, and attempt to ignore all mad overanalysing...
ps it was quite big and gross. Ick

boxes my only knowledge comes from lurking on the pregnancy section of mn but as the others say it does sound like it can come away in pieces gradually or even regrow. Can understand it being a shock though! I'm still on knicker watch from ttc. Not sure it ever ends...

Ouch gimble hope you're ok. Can't believe that person didn't stop! How awful!

Hats off to everyone moving house etc. I think nesting kicked in today as I found myself frantically scribbling a list of 50 000 things it occurred to me I absolutely had to do before baby comes, and I'm also suddenly disgusted at the state of the house and want to scrub the place from top to bottom. Basically I just want a sparkly brand new house.

Hello I hope everyone is well.or asm well as can be in pregnancy. I am late 20s and have decided this baby hss to be my last as my body doesn't handle pregnancy well at all. I can.also feel my hyperemesis gravidarum making a re apperience after feeling complety better at 24 weeks. I am.36 weeks pregnant and everything is ready for baby. This will be baby number 4 for us. (3rd for my DP)..this is our rainbow baby after 3 miscarriages in a row in 2 years.
Getting this far along feels like a massive challenge. I have already been in hospital 3 times with reduced movement and each time I get scared that they are going to say my baby isn't alive I feel like I am.loosing the plot. Apart from the hyperemesis gravidarum this pregnancy has been plan sailing compared to my other pregnancies yet it's the one that has had me worried constantly.

Welcome @AwayWith88Faires. I'm sorry to hear about your previous MCs. That must have been extremely difficult for you. Just think - 36 weeks - not long to go now!

Thank you they were very difficult indeed. With my last one I needed a Dnc as my body wouldn't miscarry Naturally I lost a friend through it too because they classed it as an abortion and we're totaly against it. It was my closest friend too. I known I don't have long to go now I just hope I making the right decion in having a c sesction and getting my tubes tied. My mum has been quite judgemental about it saying by making this decion I am saying I regret my children and I don't at all. I made the decion on getting my tubes tied because I really struggle with pregnancy there is always a complication off some sort and for 9 months I am not the mum my children are use to having and I don't think it's fair on them. Sorry for my rambling. I hope your pregnancy is going well.

Welcome @AwayWith88Faires, i think whatever decision you make will be right one for you- don't let others tell you otherwise 😊

I've had a dramatic day. Went for a presentation scan to check for breech that they weren't even sure I needed. Safe to say my midlife-led-unit water birth plan is well and truly out the window. Turns out I have an "unstable lie", so Bubbabean can (and is) literally flipping from transverse to breech in under 30 seconds. As it's my first pregnancy I knew I was feeling a lot of intense movements but I thought this was normal, apparently not! They wanted to admit me there and then for the remainder of pregnancy (I'm only 36+4 so not wild on that idea) but also booked me in for a ECV on Friday despite me repeating 3 times that I don't want one... I'm an NHS employee myself and it felt really disheartening and frustrating that I was clearly saying I didn't consent to a procedure and they've still booked it anyway. However they did say I have the right to refuse on the day, which I will be doing as a) they still want to do a c sec anyway and b) given that the problem is my baby moves too easily even if they manage to turn then head down (which they were at 29 and 32 weeks) there's nothing to stop them wriggling back into transverse or breech within 10 mins of the procedure being over. So... looks like I'll be meeting bean a little sooner than we originally thought and in slightly less calm circumstances but they did say if left to go into labour naturally there's a real risk of either breech vaginal delivery or stillbirth/brain damage if I have a cord prolapse... so for all my delightfully intervention-free hippy birth planning it looks like admission and c sec here I come! 🙈 Hope everyone else is having a good week xxx

Welcome away. Sorry to hear about your past losses. I've had 4 mc though all very early. It is a tough journey but not long to go now until you meet your little one.

Wow mummabubs that does all sound quite dramatic! Really annoyed on your behalf about the ecv. And as you say it doesn't even make sense for them to do it for unstable lie! I had a presentation scan for ds at 36 weeks after my midwife uhmmed and ahhed about his lie. She was 99% sure he was head down but he wasn't. So although I didn't have the worry of an unstable lie and needing to be admitted I know the feeling of having your midlife led water birth suddenly taken away! I refused ecv (and would again - have a presentation scan for this baby next week though I'm fairly sure she's head down). Good luck for everything. I know it's a complete change of plan but very little about childbirth ever seems to go to plan! And at least they picked it up now and not in labour! X

Thanks @TippetyTapWriter. Glad to hear as well that someone else has 'successfully' refused an ECV- it was like they just weren't listening every time I said no! Just feels silly to knowingly go to an NHS appointment slot that someone else could be using when I've already said no very clearly. I'm worried about the idea of spending two weeks in hospital before c sec as I'm pretty sure I'll be very bored/lonely (family all live 3 hours away and visiting hours/ restrictions mean I'll only see my husband for brief stints and my beloved dog can't be with me). The other part of me knows it's what's best for Bubbabean so I might just have to find a way to grin and bear it. :/

Welcome away; you're in good company here.

mummabubs FUCKING HELL. What an absolute head melt. This and a couple of other threads I'm watching at the moment are making my piss boil as I'm so sick of hearing the professionals brag about "patient centred care" when it seems that the moment you step on the maternity/labour pathway feck what you want: it's all about what this consultant thinks should be so.

I am staggered they are keeping the ECV appointment; it's up there with appointments 3,4 and 5 next week to have the same conversation with my NHS trust about the CS everyone agrees there's a clinical need for yet I have to "tick the boxes".

Man, I'm angry. Late pregnancy/labour is hard enough without this shit.

Yes being admitted for that long sounds really tough. Are you on mat leave? No idea how it all works but hope there's some way to shorten the stay or make it all more bearable. It's not much but at least you can post on here for a bit of company!

I agree legend. Though actually I wasn't pressured at all. Makes me think I was luckier than I realised! They just gave me some paperwork on the risks of both options and told me and dh to go have a coffee and think about it and let them know. All very civilised and how it should be! So annoyed others don't have the same experience. Totally agree about the loss of autonomy in pregnancy.

Haha that does sum it up @TheLegendOfBeans. Like I said I'm an NHS employee myself and truly try to embody patient centred care... my pregnancy yoga teacher gave us a heads up that where pregnancy is concerned staff will often try to convince you to have many interventions that are not necessary and will really push for them and I thought she was maybe exaggerating a bit... but my experience today was exactly that. Very disappointing. I've already read that once you're admitted they'll keep trying to persuade you to have the ECV, they can try all they like but I won't budge from my informed decision of no thanks! I think the 'norm' in this scenario is admission and then elec c sec at 39 weeks, but I'm wondering if they'd consider doing one at 38 weeks providing bean is ok. Their head is measuring as 39+5 anyway and stomach at 37+5 plus their estimated weight at the moment is 6lbs 4oz, which is the same as some of my friends who went full term so I'm wondering if bringing it forward just a few days would help to save my sanity! 🙈 x

And @TippetyTapWriter I was signed off work at 28 weeks and am now technically on annual leave, mat leave due to start on due date. This does mean I've had a lot of time at home already, the thought of 2 weeks on a ward is not appealing to me in the slightest! How will I have my 2 hour baths now?! They've got me through the last couple of weeks!

Blimey @mummabubs that must have all been a lot to take in. Good for you for standing your ground RE the ecv and rather manipulative that they book the appt in case you change your mind  looks like you could be meeting your LO sooner than expected! When are you due back in?

Welcome @AwayWith88Faires x

I am already monitoring myself for labour signs.. need to remind myself that it could be weeks and weeks!!

@GimbleInTheWabe it was a bit! Spent a lot of time crying last night and didn't get much sleep but I think I'm in a better place of acceptance this morning. It's definitely not how I wanted my pregnancy to end but equally I'm telling myself once I have bean out and in my arms I probably won't care too much about how they've got there. I'm due back in tomorrow for the ECV that's not happening 🙈 and they've said they'll likely admit me straight from there. I've asked that if that is the decision will they at least let me go home to properly pack as my hospital bag only has the bare basics for 24/48 hours in it. (That and I'll need to say a proper goodbye to my dog, who I can't imagine not seeing for three weeks!)

mumma

Top tip; if you can, pack for 5 days

And look up "packing hospital bag for a CS"

There are few differences but a couple worth looking at.

My hospital "bag" is a flipping suitcase, with 24 newborn Boots nappies tied onto the front of it x

Oh and please PLEASE don't forget charger and reading material xxxx

Thanks @TheLegendOfBeans, that's really helpful. I did have a precursory Google of packing for c sec hospital bags. (I already have a small suitcase for me and a big bag for Bubbabean, not even sure if there'll be anywhere on the ward to store a suitcase never mind two!!) 🙈🙈

I somehow doubt they're going to allow me to have a c sec before 39 weeks but that'll be one of my first questions tomorrow, especially given that they're measuring ahead... might be being too optimistic on that one but honestly, two weeks+ on a shared ward when there's not even any immediate health risk to me or Bubbabean is going to be tough!

Oh mummabubs! What a shit situation! Why do they need to have you in for so long? Download some films and stuff to take with you too, the hospital tv things are a rip off. We'll be here to keep you company as best we can.

Haha thanks Bobbiepin! I live in Wales- most of the hospitals here don't even have TV on the wards! 😂 It is really frustrating that they want me in so early, especially since my mum went two weeks overdue with all three of her kids so I think I'll be the same! Apparently it's because the risk to Bubbabean if I go into labour and have a cord prolapse outside the hospital is too great (I.e they'd need to get me into theatre within seven minutes to ensure Bubbabean survives, never mind potential damage from oxygen deprivation... so the likelihood is very small of it happening but if it does it's likely to be a pretty catastrophic outcome). I still have my fingers and toes crossed that tomorrow they might let me stay out another week... but my husband is now terrified at the thought of me not being in hospital so thinks I need to be there from now onwards! X

Oh wow! You must be so stressed. It might be best to stay in and relax for a bit. Is there any chance you can have an elcs early? Babies are full term from 37 weeks so surely if bean's weight is ok they could do it?

Have a look on YouTube too for videos about c-section hospital bags as there's loads of good advice there from 'real' mums. I have 2 bags one is a big hold-all for baby and the other is a backpack with my stuff. Got some really good tips from YouTube vids of what to pack.

My suggestion is anti bac gel. Even though there'll be loads in the hospital I suggest you take your own one to keep near your bed and apply it as often as you remember. Hospitals are pretty germy and keeping your hands clean will help a bit.

We'll have to look for the best Netflix shows for you when you're in there. Maybe it's time to start that novel you've always wanted to right too?! And you're so right, soon you'll be holding bubbabean and the stress that you feel now will be a distant memory.

Welcome @away, sounds like you have had a tough journey with past pregnancies, really hope this one goes to plan for you. Only you know what is best for you and don't let others sway you.

@mumma wow that is quite some news and change of plan. I'd never heard of an unstable lie. Two whole weeks in hospital before the CS? That would drive me crazy with boredom unless I had a project, like writing a book or researching family tree (do they have internet) or learning a new language! Do you have time to order/borrow some box sets and a laptop with a DVD drive?

I'm frustrated with the NHS today too. I had a consultant appointment as we know the baby is going to have a health issue when he is born. But the consultant wasn't in today. I got fobbed off with a registrar who clearly knew very little on the topic and didn't answer any of my questions properly. Also baby is breech, so I have to go back in three weeks for another scan and supposedly to see the consultant, although he doesn't actually have any appointments that day so they will just try to "squeeze me in".

Morning ladies. Going on a weekend away trip with my husband today. So excited! Just an hour on the train but just happy to have a break from work, tbh. My whole company is in "crunch" so overtime every day, eating a 5 minute lunch infront of my computer etc. I got really fed up with it and had a bit of a pity party for myself yesterday.

Also, I'm finding by the time I eat my evening meal, it's VERY uncomfortable to move. As in, feeling far too full/heavy/pressure under my bump. Is this common? Trying to eat smaller meals but it's hard!

Good luck for today mummabubs! Hope they accept your decision without any fuss.

Sorry to hear about your appointment pingusmistress. So annoying when they do that especially for something like this. I had similar experience after ds was born. They just don't have enough staff. Hope you get some answers soon.

kitkat I always feel hugely pregnant and uncomfortable after dinner. Think it's just there's not enough space for food plus baby! And I get heartburn in the evening too which doesn't help with the uncomfortable feeling. I'm too greedy though to eat smaller portions.

Does anyone have a chicco next to me crib? Tried setting ours up last night and the instructions say it has to be firmly against the mattress of our bed, but that's going to be impossible due to the bed frame. It's a completely standard pine bed frame, only a few cm wide but impossible to get crib against mattress. Surely all beds except divans have a frame? So how are you meant to get the crib touching the mattress??

Think someone said they were already on the lookout for labour signs. Me too and I'm not quite 36 weeks yet! Think I'm going to go crazy over the next 4 weeks. I've had loose bowels (tmi sorry) the last two days which I know is common in pregnancy but can also be a pre-labour sign. I'm sure it's not, but I can't help thinking what if... and baby seems to be burrowing down a bit. Getting lots of sharp stabby pains!