The March-ers 2019 - #9 Meet the Babies

[Angelmiracle]

Thread 9 wow 🤗

All being well a lot more birth announcements this thread 👣🍼🤰🏿🤰🤰🏾🤰🏼

Check-in mamas ✔

No exciting progress yet but almost certainly in labour not just fake contractions... I just voluntarily hoovered the car! Made DH chuckle when I told him.

Now wondering what I have forgotten to pack, not that we are going anywhere for a while yet it doesn't feel. Have put the car seat in the car and will do my bags in a min - easier than trying to fight heavy contractions and doing it later.

@badbadbeans on international women’s day-what a warrior you are!

@squirtlesmumagain all the very best!

Just seen our shed has been broken into. Don’t think they’ve stolen anything but have left strimmer and hedge trimmer out in the rain. Very random and a bit unsettling. Need to make sure we’re setting our house alarm.

Just been to buy some raspberry leaf tea and clary sage oil, worth a try next week.

@badbadbeans all sounds v reassuring, although without the biopsy you're never going to be sure ... So its also about managing the risks and right now it sounds like a delay to the biopsy might not be so bad if it means you then get to breast feed, which sounds important to you. Could you perhaps set yourself a window where you'll do it, and then move on to formula? This is what we are doing with the further treatment required for my tumour as obviously you can't breastfeed if you are doing chemo, so we've said we plan to breast feed for the initial 6 weeks and then progressively move into bottles and formula so that by month 4 we are both ready to go ... And that feels way more manageable than just not doing it at all, even though I know that 6 weeks is barely anything. But then there's no point delaying just so I can breast feed as that's not going to do anyone good if in the meantime the tumour continues to grow and then I die sooner anyway ... Can't imagine they'd be at my funeral saying "well at least she managed to get 6 months of breast feeding in!!" ... Hope you get what you want from the consultant appointment on Tuesday, it might be helpful to outline from them what you want as some people will go in wanting to deny all knowledge of it whereas other people will want to know everything, even if it is upsetting, as this is their way of coping. Ours asked us outright how honest we wanted him to be but if they don't then you could initiate that discussion - they will thank you!!

With regards to me, it wasn't that I stubbornly powered ahead refusing pain relief out of principal as I was open to it, I just never really felt it got that bad or something that I was unable to cope with in the latter stages using the gas and air so it was a genuine surprise when I delivered and that was IT as I'd expected more pain so had been stock piling the resources so I could use them when I really need them. But then I'm the kind of person who rarely takes paracetamol etc on the rationale that they won't work as effectively if my body gets used to them and I said the same when I refused morphine after my brain surgery on the rationale that I needed to save the pain relief for labour ... So now I guess I need to save it for chemo!!! But as I said it's not that I'm sat there in pain stubbornly just to prove a point, it just has genuinely never felt that bad yet... Hmm.

@gronk27 be careful with the rasberry leaf tea!!! I took literally one capsule on Friday at 36+5 as I'd bought it to start this week as I was interested to see what it tasted like ... It will definitely be a coincidence but my contractions started less than 24 hours later!!

Hi all! Quick update on the midwife app this morning. She thinks that my body is definitely preparing for labour and the contributing factor to this is baby's head is now fully engaged. Just a waiting game now, but she has told me to try and keep as relaxed as possible. How is everyone else doing?

@melissa112 hope you are getting on ok with the induction!
@BadBadBeans glad to hear the scan was clear for you! Wishing you all the best for the rest of the treatment.
@Jellybean023 congratulations on the birth of your little one! Hope she settles soon for you.
@SquirtlesMumAgain hope it is a quick labour for you and all goes well!

Sorry if I missed anyone, trying to catch up! ☺️

Hi everyone, haven't properly caught up but just wanted to say HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY!! 👸🏼👸🏽

With all these babies being grown and born, some in quite difficult circumstances, I just wanted to say how great I think you're all doing!

@SquirtlesMumAgain so exciting! I'm massively jealous you're in labour right now 😄 Feel free to come and do our car if you're still feeling sprightly!

Thanks @ballanj like you said, other people's experiences are good at putting our situation into perspective. This time next week, DD2 will (hopefully) be here so that's definitely something to look forward to!

@Gronk27 @cardboard33 I'm definitely going to Holland and Barratt for raspberry leaf tea now!

@cardboard33 you’re another warrior! Amazing ladies. And thank for the tip, yes just done a bit of googling. The general consensus seems to be not to suddenly start taking loads when overdue but to build up to it gradually so I’m risking one cup now. I’m ‘due’ on Wednesday. Could do with the weekend though . . .

@mistakenholiday it’s not the most delicious thing I’ve ever tried but generally of it’s warm and wet I’ll drink it!

Like others have said it’s always good to have some perspective. I see the struggles of so many friends and try to stay positive about how lucky I am. That being said this lovely supportive group is such a great place to have a whinge

@mistakenholiday will be right there!!!!

Still getting lots of tightening but it's not getting any stronger or more regular, sadly. Could still be like this on induction day!!!

@gronk27 yes that's what I read too. I asked at my consultant & midwife appointment in the Friday morning & they said it was fine to start taking it as then I had 2 weeks for it to build up in my system, although my understanding is that it helps build up your uterus muscle for a quicker second stage rather than being on labour per se. The midwife said she felt it had helped her but was also like "the verdict is out but it's worth a try" ...one capsule and less than 48 hours later I had a few hours old baby in my hands so make of that ehdh you will!!

@mistakenholiday I've got 59 of the 60 capsules left... So glad I didn't go in for their "do you want a second bottle for half price", lol! Not sure if the outcome makes it the best or worst £6 I've ever spent!!

Will catch up with everyone's news later as just waiting on DP to arrive back here with my mum for a few hours.

Tightenings were really strong most of the day but eased off in the last hour..they removed the pessary and I'm only 1cm so had to put the second 24hr one in I must say I'm feeling quite down. I don't normally find examinations painful but putting the pessary in was awful and there was blood all over the bed sheets afterwards. Having a bit of a mini cry as just feeling so fed up but don't want my mum to see me upset so trying to get it all out now! The thought of another night in here alone has really upset me and I can't even shower as there is black mold all in the shower and I really don't feel comfortable with that. Feel gross and just want to go home sorry for the self pity. I didn't expect to find it this hard and I know I'm nowhere near close to the worst of it yet

@melissa112 feel for you. I would say it’s ok for your Mum to see you upset and maybe when it does all start you will feel a bit more relieved and have your own bathroom, etc. I think that tension and stress doesn’t help with labour which I’m not saying to be unhelpful but if you can stay calm and try to be positive and relaxed and a bit of self love it might help. You can subscribe to the Positive Birth Company for some free positive affirmations might help, or watch some of their videos on YouTube x

Hope you get some progress soon @melissa112. I hope you can get some peace and feel a bit better about everything.

I know it's a daft question, but are you sure it is black mould not just staining from the regular use and lack or airing?
You have to feel comfortable but I'm sure a shower to wash away all the discomfort wouldn't go amiss if you could face it.

@Gronk27 you can't beat a good whinge every now and again 

@SquirtlesMumAgain 👍🏻 Bad news on the contractions though - I'll send tightening vibes your way!

@cardboard33 given how effective they've been for you, they're must surely be a black market for them 😂

Oh @melissa112 I'm so sorry things aren't progressing. I agree with Gronk, I'm sure your mum will be fine with seeing you upset - it's what we're there for x

Wishing you all the best @melissa112 and hope things speed up for you.

Has anyone suffered from a really sore belly? Mine all of a sudden feels like I've torn a muscle. From the top of my bump to my belly button and round to the sides as well. Bending and straightening is really quite painful. DH thinks I should call the midwife to makes sure it isn't anything else but muscular. His reaction to anything is always to call the midwife though so I'm putting it off. 😂 it's also rock solid but has been like it almost continuously for about 20 minutes so not contractions or anything... hoping I haven't got the start of muscle separation.

@melissa112 so sorry you are having a bad time of it. You are being so brave! I know it's easy to say but it really will be all over fairly soon. Sending loads of positive thoughts and vibes your way xx

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever I had this one day last week - absolute agony for the whole day and then completely gone the next! I didn't end up phoning the midwife as it felt more like sharp muscle pains (and lightening crotch) rather than anything internal, if you see what I mean? Would do no harm to phone the MW if you're worried about it though...

@assumeitwassomethingclever i’ve had a really sore and tender bump and tightenings few weeks ago, mentioned it to the midwife and she said it was normal as bump was still being stretched, etc. That being said if you’re worried or it doesn’t feel right always best to ask.

@melissa112 so sorry to hear that things aren’t progressing. You are doing amazingly. Personally, I find the latent/ early stage of labour the hardest as you feel like you still have a mountain climb and you have all the uncertainty - at least when it kicks in you can just get in the zone. Hope seeing your Mum helps. You’ve got this and your baby will be here with you before you know it. Sending much love x

@melissa112 I've got a positive birth company pack which is valid for 1 year, there's a section on induction. PM me if you want and I'll share the log in details. As gronk said the fact you're feeling stressed won't help get baby out as there's a lot of evidence to suggest that when you feel threatened your body will instinctively not continue with labour which is why they say at NCT that most people stop contracting as heavily on the way to the hospital as it's a stressful situation etc. They also said that you're more than welcome to ask the midwife to give the showers etc a full clean just for you before you use them, so don't feel that this is something you can't ask for and outline your reasons why but as someone else said, it could just be down to lack of airing between uses.

Also is there a reason why you can't go home? Again we were told that with long inductions they may send you home if you want as then you can be more relaxed and see what happens rather than playing a waiting game at the hospital. Maybe ask if that's something that is an option for you, and if it isn't could you go for a wander around the hospital, get some coffee etc? Or do they need to do continuous monitoring on you or baby?

Just been into hospital as madam had been quiet with the contractions. They have confirmed they are definitely happening, which is nice(!), and she had a bit of a decel when the contraction was happening. Thankfully she stopped playing with her cord after a bit so were happy for me to come home and see what happens!

Thanks all. Feeling a bit calmer now. I think the second pessary and all the pain and blood shocked me which is why I was so upset. As I'd had loads of contractions a few mins apart I'd convinced myself that I'd be far enough for them to break my waters which is my own fault really.

I've not asked about going home but on Wednesday evening they told me I wouldn't be going home until I'd had the baby as they didn't want to risk not monitoring him with so many episodes of reduced movements. I'm being monitored quite a bit so don't think they'd let me go now, I wish I'd asked yesterday when they put the first one in! Definitely agree that stress isn't helpful. Trying to stay positive now.

@cardboard33 that would be really kind if you are sure you don't mind sharing the login details? I will PM you, I really appreciate it.

@SquirtlesMumAgain that's exciting that things are happening for you and glad baby seems ok after monitoring

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever how are you feeling now with the sore bump?

@MistakenHoliday I'm sorry to hear that childcare has fallen through. That's really frustrating and hopefully baby will help you out with timing. Your colleague sounds great!

@BadBadBeans that's really reassuring even if there are still some decisions to be made.

@Gronk27 how weird is that? Such crap timing for it too.

@melissa112 oh hun I'm sorry it's been such slow progress. Can you point out the mould to one of the staff and ask if it will be cleaned? Seems surprising to have found that in a labour ward of all places!

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever I hope it's just a spasm but maybe a soak in the bath would help?