September 2019 #7

[easterbuns1]

I get nervous when it's so close to post 999..:

@Megan2018 , echo the pp who said it is what's normal for you. There is also a huge emphasis on movements and calling in case of any concerns so I don't see the harm in a call to your MW.

When I saw the consultant yesterday to discuss the scan findings (increased fluid) she basically terrified me: talked about potential birth defects, blockages and cord prolapses. I was by myself and in complete shock. I cried most of the way home and have felt extremely upset since. I'm back to the foetal well being department a week on Friday and another scan and consultant appointment 10 days after that. Depending on their findings and level of fluid then I could be back for weekly monitoring. I'm self employed and feeling utterly overwhelmed! I was planning on working up until 38 weeks and now it seems likely I'll have to stop by at least 36 weeks. I also don't have enough childcare to spend one day a week in hospital being monitored, scanned and waiting to see a consultant. My appointment yesterday was at 1:30 (I left home at 12:30) and got home at nearly 6pm. Just disastrous.

Sorry for the rant, I just feel very down and worried as the impression I got yesterday was we wouldn't really know the extent (if any) of the baby's problems until he is born. So it's just completely unknown- he could be absolutely fine, but possibly not.

Happydays. The NHS website says it isn’t usually a sign of anything serious. It can cause complications but it phrases it as if it’s only a slight increase of risk. Chances are very good you and baby will be fine 💐

happydays do you have a contact number for a mw you could speak to? I ask as when i saw the consultant at hospital she was very much on about everything that could go wrong. When i spoke to actual mw she said they are covering own back and but often all these things are unnecessary.

In my case the issue is it being fifth baby so uterus is tired, there is a risk of baby being transverse or an unstable lie and also increased risk of PPH.

Consultant was all about me going straight in once contractions start, getting drips set up etc. Mw was like "No. You dont have to do that. Its a precaution and if you dont want it say no. If the worst happens they can deal with it then. You dont need to be all wired up just incase" She even said she thought i would be a good candidate for home birth which consultant told me i would not be ALLOWED to do.

@happydays00 I second calling your midwife. I swear some of these consultants need a lesson in bedside manners.

@IVEgottheDECAF write today off, snuggle and do nothing (within reason with your dc!), tomorrow is a brand new one

Forgot my coat, lashing down with rain - will be a mad dash to the car!!

@happydays I also suggest calling your midwife. That sounds like an awful appointment and it makes sense that you would want to discuss further now you've had time to absorb it all.

Scan was ok, apart from head measurement was off the chart, measuring 2 weeks ahead of where I am. Got sent to maternity day care for them to plot baby's growth, midwife wanted me to go and see foetal medicine department at another hospital today. But I've got a consultant appointment tomorrow and the head of foetal medicine is the lead consultant so I'm seeing her tomorrow.

The midwife told me not to worry. The sonographer said that baby is head down and is very low (which is good for a VBAC if she stays there) but it was extremely hard to get a good measurement. Which is why it may just be an anomaly, consultant will look tomorrow and advise from there. Hard not to worry though, DH is away with work so I've downplayed how worried I am because I don't want him stressing.

@happydays id speak to your midwife too , Ive been down since my consultant appointment on Friday initially it's because of my age but at the 20 week scan they found I had a low lying placenta. She was really doom and gloom about it and when I asked if it would move she drew me a picture and told me mine was totally covering my cervix and the ones that move usually aren't so it will probably be a cesarean I've been so down and crying since then as I was trying to be positive and hoping it would move ,on the plus side I have 3 extra scans but I really wanted a natural birth and struggling with the idea that this won't happen

@happydays00 - no wonder you are worried! Not helpful to be told that and not given anyone to talk to - I agree with the others that it would be worth a midwife chat, I am sure they can reassure you that odds are things will be fine, and consultant was being "worse case scenario" as they often are.

@Florencenotflo - hope your consultant appointment is positive. Measurements are really inaccurate I'm told so it is probably nothing. Our baby had a smaller head by over 1 week at one scan but caught up at the next.

@Dipsy77 - must be hard to take that in - but focus on the time after the birth. It really doesn't matter how baby is born - it just matters that they are born safe.
I am the opposite - I want to be offered a section but everyone seems optimistic I'll be able to push this baby out. I have my fingers crossed she stays breech so I can get a section without looking like a wimp! What will be will be - they are all the same once born.

Everyone seems either worried / down / feeling crap atm! Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

I thought that too @IVEgottheDECAF fingers crossed for everyone.

On a positive note, I've found non alcoholic peroni is very nice! DH is away, I've got 2 bottles in the fridge and a spag Bol waiting for me too. Plus an early night and the whole bed to myself m!

@Megan2018 that IS a pattern- movement on your commute and when you wake up in the night!

For those with scary scans and consultants- remember that the consultants are far more likely to see people who have complications and hard times, so that colours their view of the risks. Midwives see everyone, so have a much more balanced sense of it all. And of course they don't want you to have a horrible shock if things take a bad turn (which seems an odd reason to give horrible shocks at the first sign of anything remotely Not Average!).

I've had a day of dealing-with-work-when-technically-not-working, so we are all knackered and grumpy and everyone wants more attention. Except me, I want peace!

Think i am ordering pizza, taking painkillers and getting in bed!

Just got to get the dc to bed first!

Decaf good plan!!! Just gotta get through bedtime (always the hardest bit of the day!!!!!) mine are currently leaping all over my bed, not putting their PJs on, while I fail to find the homework which needs to go back to school tomorrow.

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Thank you everyone for the kind words, I'm seeing the midwife on Monday so will chat to her then. I feel a lot more positive tonight so fingers crossed it stays that way. For those that have had increased fluid before - were you very uncomfortable? I'm only 5ft 3, with a very short torso, and my stomach honestly feels the size it did when I was 34+ weeks pregnant with my DD. Bending down, sitting, going from sitting to standing feels so uncomfortable! I've gone from flying about the place barely feeling pregnant to some sort of beached whale all within the space of about 10 days!

@Dipsy77 I'm so sorry to hear that - that must be so disappointing for you and there really is nothing anyone can say to make you feel better when this ultimately is so out of your control. I do hope the placenta moves, and if not you are able to feel a bit more positive in time. Big hugs to you.

@Florencenotflo sending hugs your way too, and to you @IVEgottheDECAF - did you manage to get a small amount of respite today? Despite having your DC at home with you??

Has anyone had anti d injection? I have mine tomorrow, wondering if it’ll hurt?

@happydays00. It was a long time ago but yes I do remember feeling very uncomfortable! And when the waters broke they seemed to go on forever :)

Hope the other 3 went down ok Decaff!

Night night all and hope tomorrow is a better day for everyone

oh what a morning... woke up with horrid leg cramp and havent been able to shift it completely. Had my breakfast and then started gagging so attempted to make a dash to the toilet to be sick only to be crippled by leg cramp causing me to collapse on the floor - had DH massaging my leg whilst catching sick in my cereal bowl and DS crying for me! Made it to work, driving was manageable, but cant walk properly so hobbling about as the cramp comes back if I walk properly!

(FYI first time mums, for me, leg cramp is wayyyyyyy more painful that labour contractions)

@hsunshine I’ve had one and due another next week. It didn’t really hurt. No after pain / ache like the whooping cough vaccine. Just the initial little second when it goes in.

Hope everyone is feeling better or getting answers and reassurance today

Oh #twittlebee, what a morning!

I agree on the leg cramp pain, I keep feeling it starting if I wake up and stretch my leg so normally manage to stop it somehow!

I've never had leg cramp so bad it makes you hobble after- until now. Whoever said to pull your toes up when you feel it coming on, thankyou.

MIL said bananas are meant to be good for helping to prevent cramp? Anyone else heard of anything? Apparently Tonic Water with Quinine is another but there are also potential side effects to deformities and early labour with quinine (wondering now if how much i glugged down tonic water due to cramping lats time had anything to do with the early labour....)

Yes to bananas i think due to the potassium?

@TwittleBee - I bet the bananas thing is due to potassium, so it will only work if you don't have enough of it.
No leg cramps here yet. I am definitely getting the easy pregnancy so far. Sorry for those that have it though - sounds horrid!