September 2018 #2: testing and symptom-analysing

[Secondsop]

New thread. Will attempt to post link in old thread!

So sorry to read of another loss in the group such a horrible thing to go through.

I'm high risk due to my health issues so won't be allowed a home birth sadly. I would love to go into labour first thing and have a baby ready for when dc gets home from school alas not to happen

Does anyone have a tender feeling in their uterus area/stomach. Don’t particularly have cramps but it feels uncomfortable and I’m aware of it.

I’m about 5.5/6 weeks xx

Hannah I've been having pain for the last three weeks (currently 8w) in my lower abdomen. It's usually normal - your body stretching and adjusting I think - but if it's coupled with bleeding you should speak to someone.

I've just rung my doctors to find out if I should have heard from my midwife yet (I'm 9weeks Friday from LMP) and they said they've taken my details but I probably won't hear from them until about 12 weeks?! Is this right?

Thanks all, you've given me the courage to explore home birth further! DH isn't that keen, but then again he would prefer to close his eyes and wait until it's all over! He's not getting that option...

@HannahJH I've been having cramps for the last few days. Alternating between mild to severe. Went to doctors yesterday to discuss as they were so bad I was sick and turns out I have a uti which can cause severe cramps in pregnancy apparently.

He also told me that mild-moderate cramping is normal but if there is bleeding then come back in, so sounds like your cramping is totally normal.

I'm 5 weeks tomorrow. Waiting for antibiotics to kick in which seems like they are taking forever!!

I'm thinking I would like to use the midwife led unit. Its not at my nearest hospital but it's not too far. When do we have to tell them our decision, does anyone know?

I’m currently 8 weeks and ive just had (yesterday) my booking in appointment with the community midwife, (i phoned up and booked an appointment my GP practice 2 weeks ago.
At this booking in appointment she basically gave me my own folder which will follow me through pregnancy. Ive got lots of into to fill out.
She alao took a blood test, urine sample, blood pressure, Carbon Monoxide test and gave me the flu jab.

My next appointment is in 2 weeks (10 week mark) where she comes round my house for an hour to fill in more paperwork.

During the booking in appointment we have chosen when and were im having my scans and where im going to give birth.

As this is my first pregnancy, and first experience in all of this im happy with the service ive had with the NHS so far.

Thanks for sharing HanSpan1 I've been wondering what happens on the booking in appointment. Was your partner with you? Mine wants to come as he wants to be involved but I'd hate for him to take the time off to be told to sit outside.

Is the coming round to your house normal? We're in the middle of decorating and it will be done by the time babys here, I don't want midwives round.

@HanSpan1 to be honest that does sound pretty amazing, where I am we don't get any of that. Just a booking appointment at 8 weeks - mines on Friday. She will do bloods and urine test but pretty sure no flu jab and defo no home visit. It's dc3 for me anyway so I won't see a midwife as much but it sounds like you have it very good wherever you are :-)

I had my booking in appt today which was very similar. Went through all family history and previous pregnancy histories etc. Chose which hospital I want to have scans at and then which one id like to give birth at etc. Took about an hour all together. Annoying thing is the midwife at the clinic is on long term sick, so the one I saw today did say I'll probably not see the same one twice! Mine also booked in my 16 week scan at 15 weeks, and said she will then refer me for another reassurance scan (our epu only goes up to 16 weeks, and that's when baby stopped growing last time) in the next day or so after so I'd still be in within the limit there. So that was a huge relief as the 12 week scan doesn't mean anything to me in terms of reassurance anymore!

Sorry, 16 week midwife appt

I'm seriously considering a home birth. Things went pretty smoothly last time and I was midwife led. The only thing that concerns me is there is a limited amount of gas and air at home! I had remifentinal for the last bit and it was amazing so I would miss that but on the upside it would solve our lack of childcare issues...!

Hanspan sounds like you've got a great service there!!

@Sals27

Yes DH was with me, to be honest, the only thing he did was confirm his date of birth, If i could go back in time, probably would tell hom not to come and use a morning off work. It was more about Me to be honest.

I didnt know if the home visit was normal or not, as this was my first experience, my DH is cynical and thinks “its to snoop on our house” to check its babysafe! Haha.

Who knows!

The only thing that worries me about home birth is the clean up. Luckily our carpets aren’t too good, but do you have to put plastic down everywhere?

I will be a hospital birth as I will probably be induced at 38 weeks. I’ve had this for both my births and obv it’s not a barrel of laughs but birth as an experience in itself has sort of passed me by because my induction labours have been incredibly quick once they got going. I’ve never needed a drip, only the pessary, and I basically didn’t have a transition stage - went from “you’re only 3cm dilated” to midwife 1 looking at midwife 2 and saying “that’s the head”, within about 20 minutes. First time, this all happened in the induction room and they had to literally run with my bed down the corridor telling me not to push. Second time round I knew what would happen and after a lot of my husband making a fuss I was moved to the labour room earlier than they thought I needed it as my waters hadn’t broken and I was still only 3cm. 20 minutes later the baby was born still in his sac.

Scan tomorrow - very scared! If all goes well baby will be whipped out by c section at 37 weeks no nothing vaguely natural for me!!

Wow amazing booking in. With DD mine was about an hour and chatted loads, had bloods and told me I had to eat more 😁 then had one at 16 weeks. I’ve got to be scanned at 16 weeks this time to see if I can have a natural delivery cuz I tore badly last time. I’d ratver not have a c section but that’s better than being incontinent all day long!!

Those on cuclizine, how are you finding it x

Hannah I'm struggling really badly today
Been sick a few times
Not been able to drink much
The meds aren't helping

Now have a headache on top of it all.

That’s crap, sorry you’re struggling. Hope you can get some rest xx

dingdong you can hire blow up birthing pools to have at home (disclaimer you will need a really good supply of hot water as they are huge and need to be kept at 38degrees for the duration which involves a lot of emptying and topping up!) but otherwise I presume a good supply of clean towels and a waterproof cover on your bed (we were advised to do this anyway once you get near to full term as waters could go at anytime), depends on where you decide to Labour. You might prefer being in your kitchen with the worktop for support!! 😂

@PassTheAfterEights So sorry to read your update. I hope you are doing ok as you can be and have some good support in RL

@HannahJH I also tore really badly with DS (third degree) and a bit anxious about a natural delivery. I think the Midwives said at the time I would be referred to a consultation to explore options if I had another. Like you I'm not keen on a CSection but risk of double incontinence doesn't sound fun!

Anyone on here had a successful vaginal delivery after a 3rd degree tear??

Wow @Secondsop born in the sac! That's amazing! I'm a fast labourer too! Ds was 3 hours, dd was 20 minutes! I'm hoping for hospital birth but that's if I'll make it there

I hate the thought of a home birth personally, I'm way too ocd with the house looking like a show home lol, there's not a single room I'd feel comfortable letting bloods and waters go everywhere, it makes me anxious just at the thought of it! I also like the fact you leave all that mess at the hospital and come home to a nice clean house. But as I say, that's me being far too obsessed with mess more than anything! I probably need to get over that though as I'm so worried I'll just have to sneeze this time and I'll give birth

Aaaahhh the talk of tears is freaking me out. I had conveniently forgotten that could happen

Hi all,
I've been lurking since the start of these threads but haven't posted yet as it still doesn't feel quite real! EDD 2/9/18 so am 8+2 and this will be DC4

Just had to post, for the people thinking of a homebirth, I had 2 previously, DC2 and DC3, and fingers crossed everything goes to plan will be having one this time. I absolutely loved them. I had quite quick labours with both, 3hrs 55mins with DC2 and 2hrs 50mins with DC3, both from nothing to baby, and I think that is partly due to being so relaxed at home. With DC3 I had given birth by the time the second midwife arrived with the gas and air! First midwife was here only 45 minutes before baby was out! Will probably call earlier this time all being well.

In my area you have all midwife appointments at home, including blood tests etc, and it is a small team so you meet all of them and know the person who will deliver your baby when it happens. As for mess etc, I have given birth twice on my sofa and nothing has been ruined! You need to get a shower curtain/ plastic sheeting and old sheets to put down and then once baby is born you go off for a bath in your own bathroom and the midwives bag up everything for the bin and put all towels etc in the washing machine. I came down from my bath both times and you'd never have known that someone had just given birth in the room (apart from the tiny squishy baby being there of course).

I am a big advocate for home births, if you can, it's just so nice being in your own environment, and cuddling up with your tiny newborn in your own bed after!

Just thought I'd offer a bit of reassurance