February 2019 - babies babies babies

[Since2016]

New thread ladies! The final few weeks!

[welshweasel]

@since2016 it all comes flooding back! Definitely far less stressful second time round.

[hayley013]

Scan went well, they want to do another day before I'm due and if any drop in weight gain I'll be induced on due date. Otherwise they'll let me go 6 days over and encourage induction. Was advised to have bags packed as baby is very engaged, seems so close now so I'm gonna get bag sorted today and iron some last baby bits to put away. Swapped sides of the bed with oh last night and strangely had the best sleep, I mustn't have moved a lot though as I'm stiff and in lots of pain today with pelvis etc xx

[babyp160]

First baby and don't want to be one of those pestering new mums.

36 weeks

Upset tummy the last week
Had period type cramps last week
Last night had VERY sharp pains lasting 30 seconds
Today I've had 4 of them (I am timing etc on my app)

How do you know if it's Braxton Hicks/baby continuing to engage (3/5 but large baby already 7lb) or the real thing? If you've never felt this way before?

It's not overly painful but I do stop and have to concentrate. 🤔

[Since2016]

Honestly? Doesn’t sound like labour to me. Just third trimester joy. Rule of thumb I was told was to only call / go in once contractions were less than 5 mins apart and you couldnt talk through them. Honestly once you start having proper contractions you really will know. But as always, ring and check if you’re concerned!

[Since2016]

Ps. Even if it is the ‘real thing’ And the start of latent labour - they’ll just send you home in my experience unless there’s a problem with baby.

[Notquiteagandt]

So been hospital and sent away again. Long story but they wont be inducing me today as they dont think I am strong enough and few other things. My heart tests showed something up. They want to act on first.

Have given me lots more meds and a definate date for next week though.

Feels very very very feel now and oh so scary!!

[babyp160]

Thanks @Since2016 I'm pretty chilled and just had a bath. Wouldn't go up there unless they were closer. Plus baby is raving about!!!

[HugoBearsMummy]

@welshweasel he looks so cosy with his lovely wool hat. Congrats!

4 weeks and 6 days to go for me :-). Suffering with SPD,had it in my last pregnancy too- anyone else suffering this awful ailment? Leaving work 1 week earlier than expected due to this (last day next Friday yippee!)

[Yakadee]

@Notquiteagandt - hope you're feeling OK.

I've been for my pre - assessment this afternoon. Was actually a really quick appointment, talked to them about the spinal block and what to expect on the day. Seems very real (and a bit scary) now!

Pleased to learn there's only me and one other so should be all done with in the morning 🤞

[hayley013]

@babyp160 I agree with @Since2016 You'll definitely know when it's labour, I was told as soon as anything consistent is happening to call, obviously any worries call them too. 3/5 engaged will probably cause pains, baby is quite far down at the point but could still be a few weeks away.

I've packed hospital bag today, just got a little list of bits to get and pop in ie dry shampoo, change, hand sanitizer. 37 weeks tomorrow so technically term, can't believe it's gonna be sometime in the next month

[hayley013]

@HugoBearsMummy spd has kicked in for me with 3 weeks to go, my pubic bone and thighs hurt so bad when moving

[mummymummymummummum]

Can anyone recommend an app (or another way) for timing contractions? I'm not having any right now! Just want to be prepared.

@babyp160 Baby should be moving as normal right through labour. Go in if (s)he isn't 😊 (I had to with my first, turns out she was tangled in the cord and I had to have a section).

[HugoBearsMummy]

@hayley013 My pain is in lower back, buttock, inner thigh & groin, exactly like last time but this time on the right hand side rather than the left! Getting in and out of the car and dressing myself is a royal PITA! Last time ended up completely immobile & shuffling on crutches at 39 weeks, midwife agreed early induction may be needed if that happens again as I now have a 3 year old to run round after- I can't be crippled! Argh..

[Yakadee]

Thought I'd post this for in case it's useful to anyone - got it from the hospital x

[bubblybrit]

Thanks @Yakadee. Any idea as to why nail polish isn’t allowed? My MW hasn’t mentioned this to me and I always have my nails painted lol x

[Lookingforadvice123]

Yes I agree! You will recognise contractions, they are very obvious tightenings/squeezings. Even when my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and agony, I was still only at something pitiful like 2-3cm (my husband was like Ross in Friends: "Just 3cm? I'm dilated 3cm!"

Whenever I rang the rule they tended to give was if you can talk normally you're not far enough along to be admitted yet. Which was very true, when I was finally admitted at 5cm I was struggling to speak.

[Celebelly]

@bubblybrit That's for C-sections specifically. They use your nail bed to monitor you, so if you're going in for a planned section, it's best not to have polish on as they'll need to take it off.

[Yakadee]

@bubblybrit - sorry, should have said this is for my section. @Celebelly is spot on.

Just thought it might come in handy for some x

What are people wearing to the hospital (for those of you who have time to plan) x

[bubblybrit]

@Celebelly @Yakadee. Ah I see. Makes sense in that case! I just bought new nail polish as usually get gel nails but my nails keep breaking and the gel lifting since I reached 35 weeks! My nails are usually in great shape though! X

[AliceRR]

I have had PGP / SPD since about 4 months! It’s not great but I’ve kind of just got used to the fact that I can barely walk 😬😂

[lanalawr]

The rule of thumb about contractions five minutes apart and not able to talk through them is great. If you (or your birth partner) feel you need to ring before that though then do it. Trust instincts. I could talk through all contractions with dd and they only reached five minutes apart half an hour before she was born. I know that's unusual but it's definitely taught me to trust dh's instincts more this time because I'd have stayed at home if he hadn't forced me to ring (he dialled the number and handed me the phone when they answered so I had no choice but to talk to them).

[Since2016]

Always best to err on side of caution re nail polish though. I had mine removed by 39 weeks just in case (and it turned out to be a good thing!)

Re the contractions - it’s just a guide! I could talk through mine when I was admitted but I had had no sleep for 3 days and was off my head, in the end they almost broke my waters as although I was contracting but not dilating. So if you’re struggling to cope please ring for advice. Mine weren’t quite 5 mins apart but I wasn’t coping and they admitted me anyway.

[lanalawr]

@Notquiteagandt that sounds scary and a bit frustrating. Hope the meds work well over the next week. Will they do a section next week if they think you still aren't strong enough?

@mummymummymummummum dh used the pregnancy+ app to time contractions last time. I didn't time any but he seemed to think the app was good enough.

I'm also 3/5 engaged (or was two weeks ago). Can definitely tell now because it's more uncomfortable. Can't decide if the cramps I'm also getting are because the baby is engaging or an effect of the iron tablets. It's definitely much more comfy when the baby moves up again

[sickmumma]

Aww sounds like some of you ladies are very close! There's going to be lots of baby posts over the following weeks!! Exciting!!

Just finished my last day at work today!! Felt a bit emotional leaving (I work in a nursery) knowing I won't see some of the children before they go off to school but boss has said I am always welcome to come see the sports day and we do a farm trip and I guess I will go and visit with the baby too!! Kind of sinking in how close it all is now! 5 weeks to DD today and thinking soon this baby will be here seems strange! Still feels very surreal!!

[Notquiteagandt]

@yakadee Thanks. Im fine just feels the biggest anti climax ever. Id psyched myself up for it.

@lanalawr I have a blood clot they think. So lots blood thinners for me and more tests etc. Yet another lovely side effect of HG.

I am going back for lots of fluids and iron next week before planned induction day. So fingers crossed all does the trick. 🤞

They have said want to try and induce me. But theres like 25% chance will end in a section anyways. If I have a section my clot risk increases. So that would be a last resort if induction doesnt work.

Just feel restless now just want her here to see she is happy and healthy.