February 2019 - babies babies babies

[Since2016]

New thread ladies! The final few weeks!

Soooo today I’ve learned that if you say reduced movement over 37 weeks they offer to induce you. Pip is (of course) totally fine now and moving but they said it can be a sign/risk that the placenta isn’t in great health and so there’s no way to predict ongoing baby welfare from day to day and still birth is at increased risk. No other risk factors. They offered to just admit me there and then but said I had to go home and think about it! My parents are literally on their way to visit for three days so worst possible timing for massive decision. I don’t want to risk still birth obviously so it’s a horrible choice to make when she seems happy now. I think I’ll probably go in tomorrow but need to sleep on it and get myself prepared for an extended stay :/

Thank you ladies and for the research articles. I will certainly look up and read all about it, lots of women are saying similar things about induction.

@powkin good luck with your decision for tomorrow, how are your movements now? Tough but go with what you feel is right!

@Squashbanana1 they are fine, she’s had a good wriggle about after lunch, but was definitely quieter all weekend. I know the baby is a decent size so that makes me feel better about going for it, it’s just not a nice way to give birth. If I could have the induction and go home for a bit I’d feel a lot better about it but all the monitoring in hospital makes it a much less palatable option. Also if my parents weren’t turning up that would help too, as I don’t want them coming to the hospital.

It feels so horrible to be put in this position where everything could be totally fine OR I’m risking stillbirth. I’m not bothered about the pain it’s more the time I’ll have to be in hospital and the discomfort of that for me and DH. Oh and the ruddy cat!

Do they offer foley balloon outpatient induction or is it straight to pessary/drip?

@powkin That sounds a big decision! Could you request regular monitoring instead? I was in with reduced movements last week at 38+2 and nobody mentioned induction, even after it took a couple of hours for baby's heart rate to settle.

@powkin That is a difficult decision to have to make. It sounds like everything is fine but there is always that element of doubt isn’t there and then it feels like it’s all on your shoulders as your the only one who can say how much the baby is moving. I struggle with it all the time. I find my baby has “quiet” days, often a couple of days a week, often over a weekend, and I never really know what’s normal. She was wriggling last night and this morning but still I worry as I forget how much she’s moved that day or what’s normal for her. I think go with your gut. Don’t feel pressured into going for the induction just cause they've offered it if you feel movement is ok and would rather wait.

Having said that, while I’d also like to avoid being induced, this needs to be balanced against how much you’ll worry. I don’t mind being pregnant at all, even at this stage, but of course can’t wait to meet my little one. However, the worry about movements could be the thing that makes me want to go in and have the baby sooner rather than later.

@Celebelly - I asked and she said it was straight in for pesssary/drip/monitoring which made the decision much harder. If she said I could go home I’d have taken her up on it straight away.

They told me just to come back if I decide it’s what I want but if I’m going to go back at a time of my choosing I’m wondering if there’s a ‘best’ time of day etc!

I'm in the same situation on that they're possibly offering to induce me tomorrow.

Battle of the minds-

Big baby v's induction which can be more painful

But if they advise because of the baby being at risk I'd obviously take the induction.

Have fallen off the last few threads. I’m now 38+5 and I have taken up the option of induction on Friday at 39+2 . This is due to having a big baby and having pgp so bad I’m struggling to walk. I was really unsure about induction but baby’s head is measuring on 98th centile. I was 2cm dilated on Friday and have been having contractions on and off since then. Cervix was low and thin and mw said she could’ve broke my waters then and there if she’d needed to. Hoping to go before being induced as dd was born at 39 weeks but if not I’m fairly sure I’m going to go ahead with the induction.

Those who are being offered inductions. Did they give you your bishops score? It may well be that you are so close naturally anyways. @powkin in which case there are other quicker options.

I was a 6 which is relitively favourable at 37wks for induction to start labour and it still took 2 days for labour to start for me. And an other day to get to 2cm. 4 contractions in 10 After pecessary, ARM. And drip. So time was an issue. But it honnestly wasnt painful until the end. When progression sped up massively.

I did end up having intervention. But that was due to other issues.

But it was disheartening for it to be so slow. Thats only thing id be mindful of.

I was induced with my 2 vaginal births, one at 39+3 due to reduced movements plus a big baby (9lbs 10) and this time at 36+6 as it was twins. In both cases when I was induced I was dilated enough for them to break my waters and I didn't need the drip. I had pretty good labours both times, less than 6hrs from waters being broken to birth. I just used hypnobirthing and a bit of gas and air in my first labour and then had an epidural once I was fully dilated (having got there with only breathing) at their recommendation for my twin labour.. I suppose I'm trying to say don't be scared of being induced as inductions don't have to mean long drawn out labours and lots of pain, you tend to only hear the negative stories rather than the positive ones!

@MrsY87 you star. Exactly what I needed to hear, just been in for reduced movements again. Was there Saturday. After a internal exam and a scan they said he is basically big (which I knew) and running out of room so it's better to be induced than him get distressed for being cramped in.

Being induced tomorrow now and shitting it a little 🙈

I've had a few pains tonight and am now scared haha. 3 in an hour but they seemed to last a while so don't know if they're necessarily contractions or maybe just baby pushing down, I'm at the midwife tomorrow so will see how I go x

@babyp160 hope all goes well tomorrow xx

Good luck @babyp160

I had my first decent night's sleep in ages last night (usually lie awake for hours, and have to wake up to turn over or go to the loo several times) and have felt sooo good today. Honestly not felt so well since before I was pregnant. So much energy, found myself singing as I cleared out some cupboards, hands less swollen, even felt like I was walking more normally. Just felt like my normal self (albeit a bit larger!!!) and got so much done. My mum is saying this might be a sign the baby might come soon - is this wishful thinking or is there some truth in this old wives tale?

Also I've had a cold for a couple of weeks, when I first got it I had a couple of people tell me that I'd have it until the baby arrives. I didn't believe them but seeing as it's stuck around this long maybe there's something in it! I'm not feeling ill with it any more, just really bunged up!

@babyp160 - good luck!

@detachablehoof - I've heard something like this before - I hope it is!

I'm gutted, I think my scar / stitches are infected! 😩 Going to try book in at docs this morning x

Good luck @babyp160 hope it's a very straightforward and positive induction experience for you and you new your baby very soon!

Thanks all, been up half the night with mixed emotions but itS all about the outcome 👶🏻

I’ve been having last minute wondering... and they’re all pretty stupid! 😂

So, my early morning whittlings were.. sterilising and making up bottles. Despite this being my third child, I still feel clueless! The rules have all changed now anyway (11 years is a long time!). So how are people making up bottles and cooling/heating them as needed? Give me an idiots guide please 😂
Also, the powder dispensers that you keep inside the bottle until required, do those get sterilised? How exactly does it all work...

I also have baby skin care questions, but I’ll see if google can be more help on that one first! 😂

I will add, I’m hoping to breastfeed... but chances are it won’t be long term.

So formula feeding....

The only thing that needs sterilising is the bottles.
Feeds should be made up fresh. So either boil the kettle, put boiled water in bottle and add powder. Then cool under tap and use within an hour. Or use ready made stuff. Or get a perfect prep (sensible option!). Or can use the perfect prep method on the cheap - have a container of cooled boiled water ready at all times. Boil kettle - add ounce of boiling water to bottle, add powder then top up to 4oz (for example) with the cooled boiled water.

For skin care we were advised to hold off first bath as long as possible, then don’t use bath products for first few months. If needs moisturising then grape seed oil or coconut oil are good options.

Thank you 😊 so the method of adding powder to completely cooled boiled water is a definite no now? It must be added to 70c water?

I just used to mix powder into room temp cbw with my other two kids, as and when they needed a feed! I’m thinking perfect prep is the way forward.. 💰

Skin care was more to do with if mixed race babies need anything extra? My first two kids are white, but my partner is half Jamaican, (asking him about this is pointless! 😂).
I’m guessing not as my baby will (I’m assuming) be quite light, but you know when these thoughts just won’t settle.. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Good luck @babyp160 I hope all goes well!

I’m feeling eerily calm about Thursday. Off for a pedicure this am and have just dyed my hair. Another bloody hospital appt this afternoon though.

Assuming I will not feel quite so calm tomorrow 😂