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!

Tippety I bought a tens machine when had ds1, an Elle one which I presume they still sell. He was meant to be a home birth, waters broke 5pm, contractions started about 6, DH was home just before 7 and put tens on and it took a lot of the pain away, it’s just learning to control the settings, start off very low and gradually build up, I used to use one years back for general
Back ache and they are really effective. As your contractions begin to intensify just turn the settings up, and when they are really strong then you use the boost button. I got to being fully dialated bar for the lip that the midwife failed to tell me about just using the tens, then I had an injection in my bum and gas and air when pushing but then that’s when everything went wrong.... but highly rate the tens machine myself

PS I’m having a baby in less than 12 hours if all goes to plan tomorrow!! Can’t believe the day has finally come. 4 years since our first loss, 12 losses, many trips to Coventry and Worcester Hospitals for various tests and procedures, 2 trips to Epsom to the clinic that frankly deserves massive recognition for the work they do, panorama test at Solihull, 11 scans during this pregnancy and I dread to think how many tablets and injections to get to today. Just hoping she arrives safe and well, can’t wait to meet her!

Good luck loopy - we'll all be thinking of you and looking forward to your next update!

How thrilling @Loopyaboutmy2boys - I hope everything goes brilliantly!

How exciting @Loopyaboutmy2boys! The long road will be so worth it but I’m sure you know that already.

Glad I raised a smile for you @mrsbumblebees  Monkey (my Cat) likes to play the ‘annoy the human’ game for attention very early in the morning and then is an aloof chappy all day.

I’m with you on the worrying @Loopyaboutmy2boys. I can’t help but feel anxious about something going wrong (which I’m sure is normal) but I keep trying to tell myself that it’s irrational to worry and that I’ll be in the best place. Now I’m just worrying about not going in to labour before 42 weeks and not having a choice about being induced. Am 41 weeks tomorrow and I feel so conflicted about it.

Gimble have you had any sweeps? Raspberry leaf tea capsules? Tens machine can sometimes bring on labour? Eating a fresh pineapple each day?

I used a TENS machine in both my labours, Tippety. I really liked it and only took it off after it was clear I needed surgery to remove the placenta the first time and after most of the placenta was out this time.

The sensation feels to me exactly as you describe it but I found that helpful in easing the contraction pain. I did have to turn it up quite high to make it useful rather than irritating though and I wouldn't enjoy it if it wasn't being used for pain relief. It was particularly useful when I had to move away from the gas and air to go to the loo!

Oops, forgot to say good luck loopy!

No sweeps for me @Loopyaboutmy2boys, I’ve not wanted one really as I know they can be painful and elementary if your cervix isn’t ready and I’d rather let it happen naturally, even though the waiting is driving me mad!

I’ve been drinking RLT, long brisk walks every day, had acupuncture, been on my yoga ball and doing stretches, literally everything else I can do

Wow good luck loopy!

Thanks for replies about TENS machines. I'll just have to see how it feels during labour. As you say I'll probably be glad at least to have a distraction and something to try. Hopefully it does help. Such a wimp about pain.

Sympathies gimble. I read what seemed to be a fairly well evidenced article recently that said most first time mums go 8 days past due date (when corrected for early c sections, induction etc so just considering spontaneous labour) so perhaps not much longer for you to wait? I think it said second time the average is 4 days over.

@loopyaboutmy2boys good luck!!

@GimbleInTheWabe You sound just like me waiting for DS to be born! I was convinced that I'd go to 42 weeks and I was panicking about induction etc. I woke up 40+6 with labour starting, not a single sign the day before!

@TippetyTapWriter I hope you find the TENS useful I wouldn't worry too much about being a wimp with pain, because labour is different to any other pain you'll ever have. I'm a huge wimp, I'm a right moaner when it comes to minor injuries, and cried through having stitches the first time round, but I managed labour with gas and air (and for me the all-important water birth) because it's not the same as hurting pain IYSWIM, it's useful pain that's doing something, so you'll find you can cope with a lot more than you usually would. You may still end up wanting extra pain relief, but I reckon you will be amazed with how much labour pain you can cope with

(I was also super lucky to have a straightforward labours with babies in the optimal position, which makes a big difference to pain levels, so I hope this is the same for you!)

Thanks @Nessalina, that’s given me a bit of hope! I am feeling a bit different today, crampy and period pain-y so hoping that’s progress. How’s life with a newborn going?

It's tiring but wonderful She's doing really well, very chilled out, I'm sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop! Coping on my own with her and DS when DH goes back to work will be the real test!!

Is anyone else experiencing heart burn for the first time?! It's something that has never bothered me before and at first I wasn't sure what it was but from what I gather heartburn it is! I'm pleased it's not plagued me the whole pregnancy- mainly just the last month or so. I had a growth scan last week and the sonographer said they could see lots of hair and apparently you get heartburn with more hair! Never had it in last pregnancy, it's really ramped up today , sign of labour along with every other little thing I'm imagining!

Yes @asilikeit

I'm carrying a bottle of Gaviscon around with me like some alky with a hip flask.

Do we need a new thread btw? There are still 22 days left of this month to go; that's a lotta bairns

Hoping you have your little baby in your arms by now @Loopyaboutmy2boys !

@asilikeit I've had heartburn for the last few months but it is definitely getting worse now, as is the constipation unfortunately. I guess everything is just getting pushed out of the way and squashed as baby is getting bigger. I'm on a diet of indigestion tablets and prunes at the moment! I'd heard that thing about hairy babies causing more heartburn too, not sure if it is true or not.

Glad things are going well @Nessalina .

I liked using the tens machine last time, but I think it would feel quite different using it when not in labour. I was so distracted by DD that I actually forgot to turn it off after giving birth and only realised after an hour of cuddles that it was still on full whack!

Weird question but has anyone else got a tender tummy button? Mine feels really bruised. I usually have a very deep "inny" but it has popped inside out now.

I've created a new thread called October 2017 #6 in Ante-natal clubs. Once I figure out how using the app, I'll post a link!

Link (hopefully)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/3056073-october-2017-6

Hi All
Hope you are all ok hopefully not much longer for some of you to wait. I was just wondering if there was a thread set up for us for newborns in October or something just to help each other out a bit. We'll to be honest I'm living in a little bubble with Austin & OH had loads of visitors but I feel like a rabbit in headlights 😳😂 lots is coming naturally what to do but I feel useless with nappy changing, how to wash etc & dreading OH going back to work. Not sure how I'll manage daily life aswell as looking after baby. Maybe I'm just feeling emotional cos of hormones & milk coming in. My MIL is next door so I feel grateful for that, she's been doing my washing & feeding us while I recover. My body feels in shock from the whole thing & now I'm just constantly paranoid checking his breathing all the time 😳 Xxx

Hey @ButterflyGem I hope this link works but here’s the thread for the babies that have arrived: October 2017: Babies are here!
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-herewww.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-here" target="_blank">http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-herewww.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-here" target="blank">clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-herewww.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatall<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-herewww.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-here" target="_blank">clubs/3051759-october-2017-babies-are-here

Hopefully I’ll be joining you on there soon (if he ever decides to come out!) but I’m sure the ladies there have lots of info and advice to share. And just remember: you’re doing an amazing job xxx

Thanks @gimbleinthewabe hope to see you all on there soon. Good luck hope all goes well. Just remember whatever the labours like it's all totally worth it 😘

Last post!