Due May 2020 (thread 6)

[sao81]

6th thread already 😬😬😬 not long now

I am 31+3 and hoping that the situation maybe different come middle to end of May. I am anxious so the thought of not having him there is unbearable. I am at risk of tearing again so have to be in hospital for delivery.

@Caspianberg there's an "expected" 3-5 day hospital stay after birth here too (last time I gave birth on Monday morning and left on Friday morning, normal birth, no issues), but I've got a toddler this time and there's no way I'm staying that long, so I'll be leaving as soon as possible.

I read a thread the other day from a woman who was sad because she would miss out on one-on-one time with her second baby on maternity leave because her first was home from school. She got a bit bashed, because of course there are worse things, but I feel sad too that the last few weeks of my pregnancy are so full of stress and uncertainty. I should be going to my pregnancy exercise class and meeting friends in the park with their kids. Visiting my parents then preparing for my parents to visit me and organising a birthday party for my son. It's only March and this year has just gone to shit. Time is passing so slowly

Hey all. Hope everyone is coping with the craziness.

My appointments are going ahead as planned. Still need to do my hospital and consultant appointments which is a bit scary. There are testing pods all around so makes me anxious.

I’m also really upset that my NCT course will likely be virtual or cancelled. I only wanted to attend to make new friends so sad it won’t be happening. I’ve had to pull my toddler from nursery too as I can’t afford the fees on my maternity pay and my partners been made redundant.

Wishing everyone luck through all this

Is anyone experiencing breathlessness or discomfort when breathing?

I've had it on and off for a few weeks now, I suppose it's a case of me getting bigger with baby pushing up on my diaphragm and epecially after I eat as there is just no room.

Has anyone any tips to alleviate the discomfort?

@woollycat @123Pandy
I'm under queen Charlotte's too! 😊
I must say so far their looking after me brilliantly! Such a fantastic hospital
As far as I know my appointments are going ahead as normal - I had monitoring today and growth scan is on Monday. Unsure yet if they will still go ahead with 34 week midwife app on Monday also or if it will be cancelled ? I hope it'll go ahead as I want to talk to her about a lot of my anxiety's since all these changes are coming in! I'm absolutely terrified of being on my own in hospital! X

@AlmostAlwyn - yes exactly, its my first baby so was planning the whole leisurely walks, friends for cake, pregnancy yoga classes etc whilst on maternity. Instead, I'm at home, waiting.
I'm also not planning on staying 5 days now if dh has to leave straight away or potentially not even be at birth. It all goes well, baby is healthy etc I'm going to leave asap.

Currently passing time downloading lots of kindle books to pass time for overnight feeds or in hospital. Does anyone have any good recommnedations?

@Saoirse7 Yes I am the same and even one night woke up feeling like I couldn't breathe. Doc said it was as if the baby pushing up and to expect it to happen again. My consultant said that we are breathing for two (or more) and it's expected.

I've just spoke to the doctor and they have signed me off now until my maternity leave starts. I feel a bit sad. I was hoping me finishing work before the baby would be exciting and celebratory... but with this virus I suppose we're all in the same boat!
To top it off my clutch has starting slipping today so that will need replacing urgently, which is not something I can afford right now... but oh well. Things just keep getting better, right?! 🙈😂

After the shocking start of this year, I can only hope and pray that something amazing is going to happen to me and the second half of the year will be a lot better then the beginning! I know I'm SO lucky to have a little boy and be carrying another... but it just feels like everything around me is collapsing.... but it's probably just one of those days!

@woollycat it's actually gone into my 32 week but it's next Friday.

@Lifesforlivingandloving I've found the care there is also really good. Have they confirmed that they are restricting birth partners at the birth?

Hello, hope everyone is well, considering!!

Just had a call from my midwife to say she's having to take time away from clinical care due to her underlying health issues - completely understand, but can't help feel so sad about this. I've had the same midwife throughout and now the rest of my appointments and most likely the delivery will be with someone I don't know. There are more important things happening but... you just want everything to be perfect don't you and currently, nothing is going to plan. Just waiting for someone to tell me I can't have a home birth next :(

Sorry to be so down again, feel like I only come here to moan now. It's not all doom and gloom, I'm healthy and so is baby and we'll overcome this won't we x

@Saoirse7 yes I get this a lot! I find the way I'm sat down makes a big difference, slouching into our big sofa is not good at all but sitting on my birth ball seems to help as it corrects my posture.

I’ve just had my 34 week check up and my midwife was so calm. She is not concerned about the virus, she wants me to keep self isolating as a precaution but also get out for fresh air. She made me feel a lot better. She said she won’t be cancelling check ups as they’re important and my husband was allowed in with me. She also said there is no way that my husband wouldn’t be allowed at the birth. So feeling a lot happier. Yes the situation outside is horrible but at least we have babies to look forward to x

@123Pandy
The notice displayed today said restricted to one birth partner . And visiting is 4-7. I'm not sure if this includes partners after the birth - I will ask the midwife on Monday when I see her
Are you giving birth on labour ward or birthing unit ? X

Thankfully I'm not the only one! That coupled with the heartburn and the coronavirus fear is putting my head away!

I must get a birthing ball to help me alleviate the pain

@Saoirse7 would definitely recommend it! They're not expensive either, if you can't borrow one off someone. Great for having a little bounce on in front of the tv :)

Hi all,

Re the virus: I've been told if your birth partner has the virus/ has symptoms/ is self isolating that they will not be allowed into the hospital for the birth or to visit.

If you are showing symptoms/ have the virus you will need to enter the hospital via a separate entrance and they have part of a ward separated and ready for your birth.

Also, only your birth partner is allowed to visit you after the birth. Eg if your husband is your birth partner, he will be your only visitor in hospital. They also said health visitors are no longer doing home visits and midwife visits post birth are being reviewed.

Each nhs trust will be different and will issue their own guidelines so I imagine we will all be faced with different experiences.

In other news: I've bought some reusable nappies and I think I'm now done with all the baby shopping!
I'm having my baby early via section so the little one should be here in 3/4 weeks.
Keep safe everyone x

So my employer has decided to not allow me to work from home as they don’t have enough laptops for everyone, even after making me get a doctors note to request to work from home. They did however give out laptops to some of my other colleagues. So I am using the rest of my vacation days up and bringing my mat leave forward by a month. Not the way I wanted to start mat leave at all but would rather stay safe at home than go into work right now.

@Emmacb82 i completely feel your pain and in your shoes ... the loss of childcare and MY CLEANER are the most awful thing when u heading into mat leave ( ideally wanted to catch my breath ) .

@mrsf1204 it's ok to spread reassurance ... however it's too late now the PANIC started so it's a vicious cycle that won't stop by just 40 ladies stopping shopping! also some will not have transport anymore no parents extended family to buy things for us ... no baby shower ... so ways u usually got stuff for a baby age changed- i bought nappies wipes just one box of formula ( i'm breastfeeding) clothes, newborn meds - i think out of everyone the mums to be SHOULD buy and prepare ....

@sazzlerazzle you r not only moaning ... u r sharing the exact fears we r all having abd it's nice to know that we are feeling the same x hugs

@november90 i'm sorry but I agree that u win the shittest year award - your ex is an arsehole x i'm worried this corona situation will get him needy and u will fall back into the trap x hang in there

@mintbear that's exciting not long to go - i've got 7 more weeks to c section x

@Moongirl10 yep i hear you .. i think my manager will have the same conversation with me next week 😒

Omgggg ladies anyone else experiencing seriously soar feet?!
The past few nights I have woken up as my feet are just SO soar! I feel like I've walked miles! They aren't swollen or anything, they are just SO soar!!!! Ahhhh!!!

Anyway... hope everyone is sleeping well and not up with soar feet like me 😂🙈

@november90 I am awake as I cannot get comfy as bump is aching 🙄

Worrying a bit about going into hospital for my scans as someone has died of the virus at my hospital. Trying to tell myself that they will have had them well isolated.

Just checking in with you girls, from your comments it seems we all are feeling it at the moment. I am feeling less and less reassured that by the end of May this will have died down. I think we are still only at the beginning of all this 🤯 I almost wish I was due sooner so I can keep him safe and get this whole nightmare over with. As you all say, no rest for the wicked! Now nursery is closed I am entertaining a 20 month old six days a week so god only knows when I'll get round to doing the nursery or washing baby clothes 🤣 partners still working cos he's self employed so no support from him. Oh the joys xx

@moongirl10 that is disgusting. What an inconsiderate employer!!! If you plan on going back there after maybe ask what the protocol is as you've and to bring leave forward to accommodate them, but if you weren't planning on going back for the full year etc they need to meet you in the middle give that you are doing them a favour here by taking early leave rather than working from home because it doesn't fit with them...

@facevalue I agree that mums to be should be able to prepare but what I'm saying is that ladies who are becoming mums right now are struggling to find provisions for their babies who are here right now. So I'm saying if we can all do our bit and hold fire on bulk buying until closer to our babies due dates that will allow the mums struggling now to find what they need. At the end of the day stuff is only going to be sat in our cupboard for a couple of months whereas newborns need this stuff now. I understand the need to prepare though, and if we want to and can find bits then just limit ourselves to one box of wipes, one box of nappies, one box of formula etc. It's just about being considerate to everyone xx

@mrsf1204 all well and good until your contractions start- your due date isn't a guarantee! then if u catch the virus and u r unwell and the baby gets delivered early same again!

i'm not bulk buying - just buying my hospital bag worth of stuff no more. so if anyone is buying 12 months worth that's truely not fair and actually selfish so i join you in saying STOP now.

How is everyone doing? I feel like this isn't even real life at the moment, it just doesn't seem real. Mothers Day is pretty much cancelled for us now, as partner has to work, we can't go out anywhere, feeling in a very sulky mood today. The only thing that is keeping me sane is that my kids will have no idea what is going on, and won't remember a thing in years to come

Hi all. Just wanted to echo that I feel like I'm in a nightmare too.

Can I ask if there's anyone on here planning to have an elective C section in the UK?