December 2019-Thread 2

[BostonFern]

Kicking off a new thread since the last one if nearly full!

Some people can be so rude! You'd never ask someone for details about their genitals or sex life!!

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver that sounds amazing! I'm looking at my holiday entitlement now, trying to balance being able to take holidays at the end of mat leave to cover the back end of summer holidays with just not being at work anymore... I'm off next week so actually only 3 weeks left at work, maybe 4 days physically in the office between scheduled home working days and antenatal appointments.

One colleague that I don't know that we'll asked me if my pregnancy was planned. I just stared at her for a while and eventually managed to say, well that doesn't really matter now does it?

@codenameduchess if I'd been allowed to work from home I think I would have kept going but they don't allow that and the commute is killing me. Plus I don't think I'm going to fit behind the wheel for much longer. I've got wee short legs and a really big baby.

I'm having a similar problem @smartcarnotsosmartdriver 😂 my bump is so big I'm struggling to reach the steering wheel comfortably and can't bend forward. One of my desks (multiple locations) is near a wall, the gap between the desk and wall is getting pretty tight now... there is nowhere else to go so I'm just not spending much time in that location.

I have my appointment with the diabetic consultant tomorrow, the bloods I've been taking for the last week aren't looking great... mostly slightly above where they should be (eg. 6.5 instead of 6.4, 5.5-7 instead of 5.3) so I'm hoping it won't need much follow up with it being so close to the due date.

Fingers crossed for you @codenameduchess my midwife will decide on Thursday if I need to be sent for GTT number 3 or not. I hope not.

@lovebeingmum9 that made me giggle reading that this morning I'm also on baby number 4 and always have the oh your going to have your hands full as my little one is still young, my plans today are hospital I have my first growth scan in a little while and then consultant afterwards which is always unpredictable so I could be there a few hours waiting excited to see little man tho and how much his grown since my 20 week one

They're awful @smartcarnotsosmartdriver ! My 2nd GTT was just above so I've been pricking 4x a day for a week. And baby is only on the verge of 'big'... they are 'normal' until above 97th centile and this one is bang on 97th (If the growth scan is accurate, you have to take them with a pinch of salt).

There has to come a point surely where the tests aren't worth it so close to baby arriving and just monitoring in labour has more value. I'm still pushing for a natural labour with minimal interventions unless completely necessary. I have been reading up about inductions in the UK and the evidence that they are not always needed but women are pushed into them anyway.

I know... what is it with some people! 🤣
@December2019 sounds good.....my hubby works nights atm so he will be asleep until 2pm and as it's half term me and kids are just having a lazy day in today pjs,movie and games and enjoying no hectic school runs 😊
Its exciting for you ladies about to take your maternity leave! hopefully you will all get a well deserved rest before babies arrive.
Hi @Jowd92 aw lovely what age are your children and what's your due date?
good luck for your scan and consultation today....im also having growth scans and consultant led because of previous big baby.

@Codenameduchess natural labour is def best given the choice....I've only had 1 induction with my 2nd (because he was 13 days overdue!) with natural your body builds up the contractions and the time inbetween them gives you the rest you need to get through the next one....but with induction the contractions are constant and relentless making it feel more painful (in my experience anyway, but obv different for everyone) it will be interesting to hear all our different labour stories afterwards!

That's interesting @lovebeingmum9 I've only had an induction so no experience of a natural labour. I was strapped to monitors pretty early on and not allowed up to move around which I think made it longer and more painful than if I'd been allowed to be up and moving. Although 12 hours start to finish seems to be pretty good for a first.

I have a pretty detailed birth preference written out already, TENS and birth ball ready at home to manage the first stage (and DD has said she'll help me... as long as she has snacks and a tv show 😂)

@lovebeingmum9 I have a 10,7, 14 months and due date is 28th dec but hoping to be induced early so maybe around the 15th december

I'm actually hoping for a section. I'm above the 97th percentile or was at my last scan. The possible complications of delivery are really scaring me. I know a cesarian comes with risks but they're mostly for me not baby. I think I'd sleep better knowing for sure I'd planned the safest way into the world for him. I have an appointment with a consultant on Thursday so I'll see what they say.

@codenameduchess so would be nice for you to have a natural this time so you have a different experience to compare the 2! all 3 of mine have been different....my 1st was natural and by far easiest labour,2nd was induced but had complications and assisted delivery (so can't purely blame induction for the pain) and 3rd was booked in for induction but he came naturally but I opted for epidural. aww bless your d's sounds like she will make a fantastic,helpful big sis 😊

@Jowd92 aww lovely ages! ours are 7,5 and 2 and I'm due on 3rd of Dec (have induction booked then too)

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver hopefully you get your preferred choice,being 97th percentile with your 1st the consultants must have options for you,with caesarian being one of them?

Well just had growth scan and consultant got to be rescanned in 2 weeks time again now instead of 3 as baby is measuring small and below the 10th centile

@Jowd92 it's good that they're keeping an eye on things already. Try not to worry, easier said than done I know.

Yes just a worry got to see what the scan in 2 weeks time says his only on 9th centile at moment

@Jowd92 sorry to hear that...just remember growth scans aren't always accurate and in 2 weeks time he could jump up the growth chart.

Officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes today. Consultant said they'd look to induce by 39 weeks but was supportive of my birth preferences (active birthing, hypnobirthing, water as long as it's practical).
So, in 2 hours I saw the midwife, diabetic nurse, dietician, consultant and a lady who talked through colostrum harvesting. A lot to take in!

Anyone know what lowest pi measurement means in the umbilical cord ?

@Jowd92 the PI measurement is the pulsatile index, a high PI can mean increased risk of preeclampsia/growth restriction.

I'm not sure what the ranges are, did your sonographer/dr mention it to you?

No I noticed on the scan she kept checking the measurement I asked if everything was okay nothing was mentioned but then in my notes it says lowest pi measurement I just didnt know what it meant

@codenameduchess I think so long as it's managed well there's a good chance you'll get the kind of birth you'd like. Sounds like a busy day. You'll get to meet your wee one sooner than you thought.

Jut wanted to see how everybody was doing? I'm currently struggling to sleep through not being able to get comfortable. Really hoping it's just a phase. Starting to feel fed up now too. Has anybody started packing their hospital bags yet?

@stripes416 the lack of sleep is tough, have you tried adding pillows to support you? I've got quite the construction going on now with one between my knees, under bump, under hip/pelvic area and another behind me like a wedge at my back. I get a couple of hours before baby throws a party or I need to pee again.

I have an urge to pack the hospital bag and get organised, now I know we're looking at induction in 4/5 weeks it's feeling very close!

I've never been able to get comfortable with maternity pillows so I've given up with them now. What type of bag are you taking to the hospital? I know what to put in it from my first but I'm struggling with what actual bag to take. I'm not going to take a changing bag but I don't have any other big bags in the house at the moment so I'm thinking of buying a cheap gym/overnight bag

I've got a little cabin sized suitcase that I think I'll use, it will fit all of mine and babies things and has wheels so easy carry. I've made a list of what needs to go in but every time I look at it I end up changing it haha

DH got up with DD this morning so I could lie in, I've taken full advantage and done some of my hypnobirthing relaxation. birth feels very close!