September 2019 #11

[Stroan]

We're really racking up the threads!

@kyles101 im realy pleased your boss has seen sense! I was the one who tried to keep in touch quite closely with my first and had no intent on doing that a second times (despite my new boss hinting) - my only minor concession is being available to interview anyone new into my team, we need some folk and I want to return to people who are competent!

I feel so stretched today, my belly button is aching, baby is still very traverse (so I get small fundal height measurements) but just pulling outwards. Got myself a new birth ball today and conned into amazon prime 30day trial which id hoped to use in a months time - but will be assuming a new position on that ball to try and encourage a turn!

Thank you ladies - I’ve taken a few rehydration sachets during the day to try and fend off dehydration. Will take some paracetamol now to try and ease temp/aches. This is the blimming second stomach bug this pregnancy - perils I suppose of having a toddler this time round.

Dreading vomming in the night if we’ve no power. And our fridge/freezer supply defrosting and having to chuck it all! DH is downstairs enjoying a takeaway...🙄

Oh wow just catching up, congrats to those with dates in the diary. Getting very real now!

@Exitstrategist I called re maternity allowance the other day as applied end of June and didn't even get a text. They told me the same thing as @IVEgottheDECAF but the lady did go through my file quick to check they had everything they needed from me so it's a quicker job when they do get to it, so it was (sort of) worth the hour on hold listening to Beethoven or whatever on loop.

Hi, can I join? I know I'm late but I only found out I was pregnant at 28 weeks, I'm 32 weeks now and baby is looking healthy. I'm still in shock really, my periods were normal and I had no bump at all. I've only got a little bump even now. Sorry for my rambling, I hope it is okay if I join.

Oh wow what a shock iaintwrotenopoetry of course you can join us. Do you know roughly when you are due? And do you know what you're having? I always find it amazing to hear stories of women that didn't know they were pregnant. What was it that made you discover in the end?

Thank you @boodles101. I'm due the 28th roughly, we don't know what we're having..thought we'd have another surprise . It was feeling the kicks, this is my first so I've never felt it before and thought that I had IBS.

Can't even imagine the shock of that! But I suppose it's better than finding out when in labour!

I keep telling myself that boodles101, I've been reading other peoples stories. I feel like the only one..at least it means I don't have to wait to long to meet them.

Welcome @IAintWroteNoPoetry! One of my best friends found out she was pregnant at a similar time to you - her son is now 6 and a lovely little guy. She had their second a year ago. Yes definitely a positive that you won’t have to wait long to meet him/her! Hope you’re feeling well x

Our power is back on now thank goodness - makes you realise how reliant we all are on electricity!

I remember you saying @BBell2 I just can't imagine how stressful it would have been being half involved. Everything crossed that's the way everything pans out for us both. I can see why you'd want to interview and make an exception for that.

Wow, @IAintWroteNoPoetry what a story! You must have been thinking all sorts! As you say, massive bonus not to have that long wait!

Yay for power @BridgetJonesDaiquiri hopefully you start to feel better soon too

@BridgetJonesDaiquiri glad to hear I’m not the only one. I’m feeling good thank you, it’s poor DH who’s the most shook up. He’s crapping himself😂. I’m glad your power is back!

@kyles101 It was terrifying, I went into complete shock. But doing good now, we’re getting cracking on the nursery and we’ve got our boys name ready. Just struggling to think of girls names.

Hi @IAintWroteNoPoetry, wow that must have been an absolute roller coaster! I found the first kicks weird enough and that was me expecting them/knowing what they were in advance. I'm due the 25th so around the same time. Hope you're doing well and that your husband is slowly recovering from the shock 🙈😂

Crikey @IAintWroteNoPoetry ! That's some shock!! It must have been totally terrifying both before and when you found out!
@Stroan that's brilliant, it's so clearly the right decision since you feel that way!
I'm agog with you and @happydays00 both scheduled in now (and so close together!)- next week it all gets very real!

Welcome iaintwrotenopoetry! My friend found out she was pregnant at 25 weeks when she had her hernia scanned! Her dd is now 10!

Slept like shit. Too hot and just all sore. Could not get comfy. Constant urge to wee. Now staggering around like a cowboy

35+5

Welcome @IAintWroteNoPoetry what a shock!

DD has just woken up and been sick. Nursery warned about a bug last week but she seemed to have missed it. Thankfully my Mum was planning to come anyway so I have back up. Today, I'll be using ALL the antibac gel.

Oh dear stroan still probably better now than with a newborn!

Welcome IAintWroteNoPoetry! The same thing happened to my DSis's SIL, her little boy is four now. As soon as she found out she 'popped' overnight, as if her body was like "hands up, you got me"

Can't believe some of you are so close now! I'm only 33w today, so still a while to go yet.

Did any of you second/third/fourth/fifth timers actually go early naturally with no. 1? I've been pretty laissez-faire thinking I'll almost certainly go overdue, then I saw in some marketing email you're more like to go early with no. 1 than any subsequent pregnancy? Starting to crap myself that maybe working right up was the wrong idea!

Also I've found that during the day I'm weeing loads but no discomfort. Then at night before sleep I'm having discomfort around my public bone that's almost like a bladder infection? Anyone else? Going to try to drink shit loads of water today because I really don't want one of those right now

Craic i went 5 days early naturally with my first! Was actually in slow labour for few days before too. Established labour 12 hours, no interventions, no stitches etc. Baby born 7lb 9oz!

@TheCraicDealer, over with my first and always sure I would be, always slightly disagreed with the dates - Induced at 41wks due to growth tail off. This one I feel the opposite about so will probably be dissapointed if o go a long way over.

Yes @TheCraicDealer first time round I went into labour 3 days before my due date! Not too early, but I was just thrilled i wasn’t late

@thecraicdealer I was induced on my due date with DD and she was showing absolutely no signs of leaving of her own accord.

I definitely know more people who have gone overdue with their first, unless they've had an ELCS or induction for a specific reason

One of my NCT group has had her baby (first) about a week early. Completely spontaneous labour - she had contractions for almost a week before labour kicked off properly though so she knew it was coming. Baby was average size too - not big.

Another had hers a week early too but that was ELCS due to breech.

Two more are due before me so I'll let you know if they are early too!

A close friend was early with her first - she finished work on the Friday at 37 weeks and gave birth over the weekend, so she didn't get the 3 weeks at home she planned!

But most other people I know personally were on or just after EDD.

@IAintWroteNoPoetry wow that’s crazy! Congratulations and welcome aboard! I’ve tried to attach a baby list and hospital bag list if it’s any use to you - my friend sent it to me and it’s pretty comprehensive!

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HCk9gbE7qJf7LAt_i9KVzS6g37n5aQBlI8qu-7zUA8Y/htmlview

I've typed up my birth plan this morning as midwife wants to add it to my notes at the next appointment - just need to run it past DH - but he is being a complete arse at the moment and we aren't talking.

I've tried to keep it as open as possible, but it still feels weird writing it down! This is the general gist - is there anything I've missed?

Place of birth – Delivery suite at the xxx
Birth Partner – Husband, xxx

Number 1 priority is the safe delivery of the baby, not the birth process so we are happy to do whatever is necessary to ensure this. We are open to any and all discussions about the safest way to proceed. I am happy to be induced on or before my EDD if this is deemed appropriate, given my risk factors (Age and Gestational Diabetes) we understand this is likely.

• I would prefer to remain as mobile as possible and to stay off the bed, using a birth ball.

• I intend to use gas and air and a TENS machine if possible initially.

• I would prefer to avoid all opiate based drugs unless deemed essential.

• I am happy to discuss an epidural if it is thought necessary/I feel the need for one.

• I am very nervous about instrumental delivery/episiotomy/tearing and stitches and would prefer to avoid this if possible. I am happy to discuss c-section as an alternative.

• We would like as much skin to skin contact with the baby as soon as she is born, if for any reason I can’t do this then contact with my husband instead.

• If possible we would like the cord clamping to be delayed, we have no preference who cuts the cord.

• I would prefer an actively managed 3rd stage.

• I am happy for the baby to have IM Vitamin K injection.

• I intend to breastfeed but am open to formula feeding if required.