Pregnancy after MMC

[sadtoday21]

Hi everyone! I moved our thread over here so we can all keep in touch as we continue on this journey.

Many congratulations again to @Amanda81 on the birth of your beautiful baby girl Holly! Our first baby on the thread. Also tagging the regulars @Catconfusion @Kiki061190 @bananamonkey. Newcomers welcome as well!

@sadtoday21 sounds like early labour to me. Call the midwife and see what she says about going to hospital. Fingers crossed this is it for you. It’s so exciting! Just breath through it in the meantime and get into a position that’s comfortable. Could DH come home? Was just thinking a nice bath might help with the pain but if I were you I’d want DH there in case I couldn’t get out. Let us know how it progresses. Can’t wait to hear news! Xx

Sounds like early labour to me @sadtoday21! Maybe give the MW a call as Catconfusion says, how exciting! Try and get comfortable and breathe through it, do you have a TENS machine? Keep us updated if you can x x

Sounds like to MW gave you a lot of really good information @, in your position I'd definitely opt for an elective section, seems too many risks with an induction. I never want to be induced and I’m low risk.

Sorry @Catconfusion

@sadtoday21 Oh gal! It sounds like early labour! How exciting. I’d maybe get in the bath? Apparently getting relaxed helps make things quicker ☺️ I am sooooo excited for you. Can’t wait to see our first baby on here. You’ve been so anxious this pregnancy but you’ve done SO well and you are almost there 💓💓💓💓💓

@Catconfusion Seems like a section would definitely be the best thing for you. I know you would prefer natural but it could be really tough and you don’t want to distress you or baby boy 💓

@bananamonkey Hey hun! How have you been feeling? Is it 2 weeks left of work now???? I’m ready to finish up but still 3 weeks to go. Still confused about how much of baby girls stuff to wash. I’ve washed all her vests and socks. Would you wash short sleeved, long sleeved bodysuits and sleepsuits too???

Hi ladies! Baby Rumi is here 💕

Long story short, had cramps overnight and didn’t know it must have been contractions. I saw the health visitor this morning and then was talking to my dissertation supervisor on the phone and told him had to go! 😂 Called MAU but was advised to stay home, which only lasted half hour or so as I started bleeding so rushed into MAU. Had to walk part of way as taxi couldn’t get close to building. Found out contractions were actually only four minutes apart and was made to wait in MAU for twenty minutes with only one paracetamol, no one taking me seriously until they checked and found I was 8 cm dilated already! That was the worst part getting to 8 cm without any drugs. Rushed upstairs had natural birth just gas and air two and a half hours no time for the pool just pushed him out on all fours. Gas and air was lovely, helped a lot in the final stage, didn’t actually find transition to be bad at all. Placenta delivered with injection right after, very cool looking. Second degree tear after birth and had to have lots of stitches but able to move around right after. Baby fed right away, he was so hungry! He had a good latch after half hour or so. Very calm baby, as I suspected from his movements! And not too small in the end, 6.8 pounds.

It was all really incredible and I’m just so grateful for all of your support along this long journey. I couldn’t have made it this far without you ❤️.

@sadtoday21 OMG what wonderful news to wake up to. I am so proud of you 💓 what a beautiful name and what a fabulous weight! You have done amazing. Enjoy all those precious baby cuddles 👶🏻

Yay what fantastic news @sadtoday21 and a beautiful name. Your birth story is fantastic. I’m so pleased he came when he did and so quickly too. I bet you’re so relieved. Enjoy every moment of it. Keep us posted with how you are! Xxxxx

Yay @sadtoday21 congratulations! You are a superstar! Glad everything went well and hope you are at home now enjoying baby snuggles and taking it easy x x

OMG @sadtoday21. Amazing! I'm so very very happy for you. congratulations 🥳 I hope you are doing well xxx

I'm watching 'Babies' on Netflix. Guys, seriously if you have access to Netflix, do try and watch it xx

@Amanda81 we’re loving babies too. How are you getting on?

@sadtoday21 how are you feeling PP? It must be so strange to not have him in your tummy.

So I just had my scan. He’s just under 8 pounds but no longer breech. So over 100 centile now. Fluid about the same. Heart rate and blood flow looking good. I think we’ll ask for a section. Just waiting to see the consultant. Xx

Hey @Catconfusion - we are doing okay. We've made it through the first regression/leap...which was hard work as she couldn't/wouldn't nap and was getting over tired. Last few days have been much better. The next leap isn't far away, but feel much more prepared for it and kind of know what to expect.

Good news that all has gone well with your scan. How many weeks are you now? A section would be booked in for 39 weeks in wales...is that the same in your case? Or would they do it earlier due to baby size? Xx

@Amanda81 Oh I’ve been watching Babies too and it is so interesting!

@Catconfusion Great news that he isn’t breech. Have they mentioned potential induction if he is coming up large?

Well yes @Kiki061190 this is the difficulty. As I’m over 40 they recommend induction or c section at 39 weeks. Bigger babies are also recommended to come early but it’s not essential even to have a c section as babies up to the 11 pound mark should come ok naturally.

The problem is inductions notoriously fail especially with older mums and bigger babies leading to an emergency c section. We obviously want to avoid this. The other problem is my arthritis. Inductions also often lead to epidural. This means more monitoring and being immobile which would be really bad for me hips if I can’t move around.

So we asked for a c section at 39 weeks. Except when the doctor went away to book he sent another doctor back to tell us they can’t do 39 weeks as no beds so it will be 39 plus 5 on 9th April. Now I just can’t imagine being pregnant for another 5 weeks. With baby at the 8 pound mark he’s heavy and my bump is huge. Walking is already difficult. We were surprised that we’d just been talking about how 39 weeks is the best time for him to come and then the date they booked is nearly at 40 weeks.

Anyway, looking on the bright side he has a bit longer to come naturally, him going head down is a sign he’s getting ready so we can only hope he’ll just come early. My placenta is looking great for blood flow and general health. They checked it on the scan. So he should be ok for now.

I have another scan at 38 weeks so if I’m really struggling with mobility we could ask for an induction then or if an earlier section date is available. I will also ask for crutches when I see the physio next to help me with those last weeks.

In a way I quite like the idea of being in hospital over the Easter weekend. It’s likely if we have the section on the 9th we’ll bring him home on Easter Sunday, xx

Hey @Amanda81 glad to hear you’re ok, those leaps are a pita but at least they don’t last too long x x

Hope your consultant appointment went well @Catconfusion

Thinking of you @sadtoday21 x

Sorry I didn’t answer your questions before @Kiki061190, only 2 weeks left of work! Can’t wait as I’m finding it hard to sit in a chair all day now. I washed everything but I’m not sure if I’d bother again, it was summer and nice to hang them all on the line.

Feeling very unattractive right now, my hands, feet and face are so puffy, putting my socks on is difficult and I feel ginormous, everyone keep joking about the size of my bump. A friend put some professional pics on SM of her 38 weeks pregnant and she looks like a supermodel

Having a night away in London tonight for a gig which is probably my last chance to enjoy the pub child-free for a while and nice to do my hair and make up. Hope you all have lovely weekends x x

Oh @Catconfusion 39+5 is a bit of a wait considering how big baby boy is already. I can understand that being pregnant another 4 weeks will be hard. You might end up on bed rest if it gets uncomfortable. He might decide he wants to meet you before then!

@bananamonkey I am also struggling with the chair. I find myself constantly uncomfortable! Also completely understand what you mean about feeling unattractive. I just feel huge!!!

@Kiki061190 yes it potentially is but the growth scans could be wrong and he could be 15% smaller. In this case it wouldn’t be so bad. If they’re right I’m worried about growth restriction and him running out of room. He could be 2 1/2 to 3 pounds bigger by due date so that’s over 10 pounds. Saying that, plenty of babies are born over 10 pounds and they are fine. I have another scan before the section too so we can check he’s still doing ok. I just hope he comes of his own accord. I think we’ll wait until 37 weeks and then try all the natural tricks: dates, pineapples, curries, raspberry leaf tea etc. Xx

@Catconfusion 37 weeks will be here before you know it. There’s no harm in trying everything. I think I’m going to give a few things a go as well around that time just because I think I would be so fed up going over due. My OH cousin had a boy who was 10 and a half pounds in 2018. She had to have a last min c section as he has too big but he was perfectly fine and is a total cutie 💓 are his movements painful at all because he is so big already? I am starting to jump here and there at bigger movements!

Hey @Kiki061190 yes it probably is worth trying some natural methods. I guess I’m a little worried I will go into natural labour but it’ll be a section anyway because he’s big. The doctors keep saying this is unlikely if it’s before term The induction seems to be what often leads to instrumental births sand sections. Also use of epidural. Anyway I guess everyone has the chance the baby won’t come leading to a section, regardless of size.

Yes the movements are a bit uncomfortable now but really lovely. It’s great to start seeing feet etc. I’ll probably miss it when he’s here. It really does make you jump out of your skin occasionally! Xx

@Catconfusion I guess labour is just a waiting game. I had some Braxton hicks I think last night.... I felt like I had period cramp on and off for about half an hour then it stopped. I’m actually getting sharp pains up my lady bits today when I walk. Thinking baby may be low????

Yes @Kiki061190 definitely a waiting game. I’m getting sharp pains too. It’s probably the pressure on your pelvis. I had that even before baby was breech so not sure if it’s baby low. It could be. Braxton hicks is a good sign. Hopefully it won’t be too long for either of us! Xx

Oh @Catconfusion I think I would tear my hair out if I went overdue! Fingers crossed March passes quickly ☺️ Hoping baby is still head down when I go for the midwife app weds afternoon. When are you next being seen?

Yes I bet it’s so frustrating @kiki061190 hopefully won’t happen for you. Hoping she is head down still. We’re in a week tomorrow with the midwife. Baby boy still feels head down and is kicking to the side. I’m still really on the fence as to whether I want to go into labour naturally or hold out for the c section. Xx

@Catconfusion I’m looking forward to the midwife tomorrow as I haven’t seen her for 4 weeks! Can’t wait to check on baby girl. My bump is very big now and starting to get sore now. 2 weeks on Friday until I finish work thankfully. I am feeling movement veryyyy low down and can’t tell if it’s hands or feet 🦶

Hey girls. Just popping in to say I'm going through my second MC (had blood tests, HCG very low and just a waiting game to start bleeding). 6 weeks now, but the tests were so faint I knew something was wrong. I'm actually ok about this, however sticking a massive middle finger to TTC and pregnancy, I'm completely fed up with both because it never ever brings any positive feelings or outcomes to my life!

Anyway. I'm just not in the pool of women who can succeed in this.

I'm hoping everything is well with all of you and your little beans, it took me ages to find this thread again! Wishing you the very best of luck, I remember some of you are due very soon ❤️❤️❤️ xxx