September 2019 #11

[Stroan]

We're really racking up the threads!

Yes IVEgottheDECAF. I had to go in to speak to the support staff yesterday afternoon and it was like working in Satan's arsehole. I said "oh your aircon is off, do you want me to knock it back on?". "Oh no-", said two of the ladies who had their desk fans on, "it blows out cold air"

Rather than explain yet again the various fan and temperature settings I escaped back to my cool office whilst the normal other secretary threw me pleading looks.

Considering ordering some of those snazzy padsicles from amazon to whack in the freezer along with five hundred lasagnes and cottage pies for post birth. Has anyone tried them before? You can also get witch hazel wipes which get good reviews. That Spritz for Bits is £20! Is it really that good?

So hot, all the time. Need two showers a day to not feel completely gross. And it is not hot here.

@TheCraicDealer how much are they? I'm a bit cheap about stuff like that so I'd probably make up my own once I know I need them if that makes sense? Would not be paying £20 for a spray either! It's not that bad down there!

Ive never bought any of the fancy stuff! Tbf i never had any stitches just 'grazes' but ive managed fine

Glad i am not alone in melting

Nope @IVEgottheDECAF I'm sweating away here. And I am usually cold all the time! It's very odd.

My mum has bought me some of the expert midwife stuff, spritz for bits, nipple balm and then I bought the perineal massage oil. But it looks 99% certain that I'll be having a section now, so I won't have any use for the oil or spritz 😂 although the reviews say you can use it on your scar, I'd prefer to just leave it well alone. @TheCraicDealer do you want the spray? I've literally sprayed it once to smell it. Happy to post it.

I've also got some naice raspberry leaf tea, I've had one cup out of it and was then told don't drink it if you've had a previous section! So I'm doing well so far! If anyone wants that I'm happy to post it!

@Florencenotflo does that mean things went well with the MW today?

@Florencenotflo that would be amazing! Thank you! The reviews were really good but maybe it's just women trying to convince themselves it has magical powers after spending twenty quid on it the witch hazel wipes were £10 for 100 or something (they a bit bigger than eye makeup wipe size I think?) which is more reasonable, and I thought i could use them for skincare even if I forget about them or don't use them post birth.

I'm probably on reddit too much, they get numbing sprays (like those topical anaesthetics) and all sorts in the US. I don't think you can even get that sort of thing here without being under medical supervision! Their mat leaves etc are so short though they must be under a lot of pressure to return to "normal".

I bought this as a slightly cheaper alternative to the Expert Midwife spray, hopefully it’ll work just as well as the ingredients are similar!
www.boots.com/natural-birthing-company-bottoms-up-soothing-bottom-spray-100ml-10248550?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+Natural+Birthing+Company-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Baby+-+Mobile&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNHzm-rx4wIVwrHtCh2mfw8NEAUYASABEgLQc_D_BwE

Has anyone started massaging?

It's on the to do list, don't think I can reach myself...

Yes @Stroan mw I saw today is the lovely one, I've seen her a few times. She has booked me to see the consultant next Wednesday to get it booked. But she also talked me through my VBAC plan (hypnobirthing etc). She was quite honest and said that I need to bear in mind that their threshold for intervention will be a lot lower. Multiple reasons but main one, high bmi and big baby means increased risk of shoulder dystocia. But I would need to be progressing pretty quickly once I go in, pushing stage would be monitored and timed quite closely.

My main fear is going into a natural birth, labouring for hours and ending up with lots of intervention or an unplanned c section anyway. I'd rather have a calm planned c section.

And she agreed and had actually done the same when she had her second. So it was nice to hear some actual advice!

@TheCraicDealer pm me your address and I'll try and get it in the post this week.

I'm actually going into work today 😩 we have a yearly meeting (plus lunch) so I've said I'll go, it's more of a social gathering!

@Moraxella I tried before I was set on c section. And gave up 😂 my arms just aren't long enough!

36 weeks today! 28 days til due date. I have never still been pregnant on due date. (Knowing my luck i will now go two weeks late)

I know I should give the aul perineal massage a go but I have short arms and a massive bump. I can't even make myself moisturise when I get out of the shower normally, nevermind now I'm at the "T-Rex holding a basketball" stage.

@Florencenotflo your logic re the section is exactly the way I'd approach it too. Super chill planned vibes all the way! Especially when you have childcare to arrange.

My big concern about labour at the moment is making myself get up and stay off the bed as long as possible. I'm comparing it to being really hungover- you know when you know if you get up and get on with things you'll feel much better, but you just want to curl up in a ball in bed and feel sorry for yourself? That's how I think I'll be. I'm thinking about getting DH a t-shirt with "I love you, but get the fuck up" printed on the front.

@thecraicdealer you never really know how you'll feel though. I wanted to be active anyway but I couldn't have stayed on the bed if I'd wanted to. It was torture to lie down.

Craic if you do want to / need to spend time on the bed that is FINE! Honestly its not the end of the world. I was on the bed for a lot of all 4 of my births and it caused me no issues.

Well last night was a disaster. I'm pretty sure the twins are fighting for space in my pelvis. Not enough room for 2 heads to engage! Feel like I'm one big Braxton hick too.
I also spent most of the night thinking about what happens if I go into labour. That stupid consultant yesterday has just got in my head now and I feel like I need to be prepared to go natural if things start before the csection.

Boodles When are you next due to see someone? Sounds like you need to talk things over more. Wont do you any good keep stressing over what might happen.

My bump is so low its starting to poke out of the bottom of my tops

decaf I'm seeing midwife next week and yesterday the consultant said he wants another scan next week and to be seen after, so I can talk it over then. My labour with DS was quite quick so I guess I'm worrying that if I do go into labour there may not be enough time and I should at least prepare myself so that I don't panic. Ahhh I was totally set in my mind and happy with the decision til yesterday.

@boodles101 if you are worried, could you call your midwife and discuss? She might be able to get things moving sooner.

I can't understand the consultant being so blase when you are having twins and have history of fast labour.

stroan I'm just having a wobble. DS is at nursery today so having another relaxing day to myself and going to get back to being positive.

boodles it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling jittery after your appointment yesterday, and it’s so hard to think logically when you’re sleep deprived. I do think you need a blunt chat with your midwife even if it’s just at your appointment next week to say that the planned date is a later than you were expecting and you’re worried because you laboured fast with your first.

On the other hand, given that it’s relatively common for natural labour to start before 37 weeks with multiples getting yourself mentally prepared for the natural birth scenario is also probably a good idea . Totally in awe of how you’re managing with two in there at once.

Thanks science I will definitely bring it up, cos I feel like they can only say no. If I don't ask then there's defo no chance of bringing it forward.

stroan happydays how are you two feeling with just a week to go? When have you got your pre assessment?

I feel good about it. Still struggling with low blood sugar but find them all a bit more bearable knowing I only have to cope for a week. Just taken a bump comparison pic, the growth in just one week is insane so I definitely feel it's time.

Got a few things to do, so once those are all done I feel like I can maybe relax.

I go for a scan and clinic appointment on Tuesday, stay in for two nights to get steroids. Pre-op on Thursday then home for a night before the section on Friday morning. Really hoping I don't get bumped!