Due June 2020: Thread 5

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New thread ready! x

Sorry @Blizy that doesn't sound right - especially if you're high risk and there are concerns about baby's growth. I've got one in 2 weeks right at the expected peak of infections so I hope it doesn't get cancelled either.

I've got my OB appointment to discuss VB vs ELCS in 3 weeks I expect it I'll be over the phone.

Oh @Blizy I can only imagine how anxious you are feeling, and I totally understand the feeling that you’d just sob down the phone if you tried to argue about the scan. But in a way.... maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing? Maybe make a bullet point list of what points you want to make in the phone call, then ring and even if sobbing tell them exactly why you need your scan. Maybe have DH or other supportive person with you at the time in case you lose it entirely and they could take over? Really hope they schedule that scan back in for you. It seems like a very ill thought out decision on their part even with Covid 19 going on.

Re the pulse feeling down low.... I had assumed that was an artery or vein of mine that I could feel??! Who knows but it sounds like it’s common if so many of us have felt it.

I’ve definitely got a waddle going on. Aches and pains have begun especially with all the getting up and down off the floor with dd. Feeling every one of the 28 weeks I’ve been carrying this baby!

Yesterday had some quite painful period type cramps, I think it was a combination of round ligament pain and braxton hicks. Baby’s movements all normal but maybe he is having a growth spurt as the nausea is back too (oh joy).

I've noticed around this time of day in the evening my tummy gets really firm. Is this what Braxton Hicks is? It doesn't hurt as such, just feels very heavy down low and uncomfortable.

Also these pgp pains are still here and they've cancelled my physio so no idea what to do. I feel some relief sometimes if I sit crossed leg for like a minute or have my legs open. But I've read you're not supposed to do that?

@Rinoa I found sitting like that helped my PGP pain, but yes it goes against the advice we’re given. The only things I’ve found helpful are sleeping on my side with a pillow between my legs, swimming (but that’s out of the window now) and lots of baths!
Also, since my husband has been WFH he’s being taking the dog for a long walk each day, so I haven’t had to do as much walking as I normally would which has really helped. So I can just do gentle short walks for fresh air and pregnancy yoga.

I have my glucose test tomorrow and I’m so nervous :-(

I’ve had my 31 and 34 week appointments cancelled by the midwife and also had NCT classes refunded as we live in a village where the WiFi drops out all the time. I’m hoping to find some antenatal videos on YouTube for a bit of advice as FTM so having everything cancelled is not great 29+5

@blizy I really feel for you and Im conscious that we will all hear from our hospitals soon for the same reason. However, you have a unique case. Which hospital is it? Ive heard London hospitals are not coping. This is an unprecedented time for everyone and making this decision can't be made lightly. But I think you have a few options, do you have private health care, this might be covered. Or when it come closer to the time you could call with reduced movement and they may see you as an emergency. When I went 2 weeks ago I had the heart monitor and a growth scan then. At the time they told me to call anytime I had reduced movement, without hesitation. Worth considering.
Personally if they cancel my apts I would be worried for the Baby too but at this time I think Id feel safer not going. The only way we can avoid this virus is to stay isolated. Call them tomorrow, tell them how tou feel and see what they advise.

Back to the hiccups/pulses, Ive read that they can be a sign of a compressed umbilical cord. If they last for hours and are several times a day, you need to call Dr. So Bambino has been quite quiet in the last 24hrs, moving softly and occasionally. Ive also had the hiccups/pulses 4 separate times in like 16 hrs. Now Im nervous so Im going to ring the DAU in the morning. I feel silly because I was literally there last Tuesday for a scan but they said call if Ive had any change in movement. Gosh this is all so worrying.

@RPPs let us know how you get on.
I'm in Glasgow, we are not quite at the stage London hospitals are at right now. I do have another growth scan booked in for the 11th May,
I'm praying that one goes ahead. I also now have a midwife appointment on the 15th April at my local Gp surgery.
I have had my psychologist appointment moved to a telephone appointment, I have that this afternoon, I'm hoping she can help in anyway (she is based in the maternity hospital).

For the FTM not getting antenatal classes- honestly they are not that useful. I got so much more support from Mumsnet and friends with children after the birth of my DD.

A lot of it is spent going through birth options / pain relief choices which you can read up about plus as a FTM obviously there is a higher than average chance of intervention anyway.

The proportion on caring for a newborn is quite slim unfortunately unless your trust offers a specialist breastfeeding clinic.

Getting some good books on the first year after birth I would definitely recommend.

I'm in London and 30 -31 week appointment cancelled in person and changed to over the phone . Next face to face will be for 34 week appointment.

My antenatal classes also cancelled said they would send resources and slides last month but still nothing. Anyone have good videos that will be helpful for birth partners? FTM and FTD and I think DH has no idea what he should be doing during labor lol

@Rinoa YouTube positive birth company videos x

@mrssunshinexxx thanks will look into it !

I've just read an article on Sky news about a woman who gave birth alone at my local hospital (not the one I've chosen to go to - there are 2 in my area) who had confirmed CV. Her husband couldn't be there as he has a high risk condition so she did it alone. She said it was a really positive experience and better than she was expecting. I feel so much better now. It doesn't say how the baby is so I assume all is well 😊

Can I ask if you have all received your MatB1 forms? 31 week appointment this afternoon and I still haven't had it mentioned at all. Getting fed up with work, even from home, feels like I never get a break and I feel my mental health is just not great atm with everything going on. As a result I am considering finishing up work earlier than first intended so assume I need this pretty urgently?

Yes I made an appt to get mine early but then was offered at 28 wk appt. You need to officially notify employer by 25 weeks but not everyone gets MATB1 by then

@Blizy how are you today? Any progress ? Been thinking about you x

@Kez437 I asked my midwife for my mat B1 form at 21 weeks as my companies (nhs) policy was that I needed it to be in by the 15 week before due date which was around the start of feb, I had to have this and other paperwork so I could claim and be entitled to maternity pay. I hope the process will be different it your workplace as you should of already had this in place I feel.

Had my growth scan yesterday and all good with baby he's estimated at 4lb! Don't have to have another one now untill 36 weeks.

30+5

@Kez437 I just asked for mine at my 24 week appointment.

Anyone who’s had their Glucose Tolerance Test, how soon did you get your results?

Had mine this morning and haven’t heard anything yet so I’m hoping that’s good news. They said the results would go to my midwife this afternoon, so I’m hoping that means she would have called by now if it was bad news!

When is everyone planning on packing hospital bags? I was thinking 34 weeks to be packed but I've read a lot of people being packed by 30 weeks! I like to feel prepared and if I was to go into labour I wouldn't want DH having to pack my bag!!

@chocolate26 I'm starting to think about it now. I made a list earlier and ordered a couple of nighties for the hospital. I am 30+4 and would like to have it done in a couple of weeks, just in case. Also going to leave a list of things that I can't pack in advance (phone charger etc) in the bag so hubby can make sure everything is in there.

So, my baby has been really active today. I don't think I've gone more than 10 mins without feeling it and the movements are quite vigorous. At 6am this morning I woke up to turn over and felt baby move in quite an uncomfortable way. Since then baby had a very active so I went for a walk to try and lull it to sleep. It did calm a bit but hasn't really stopped moving all day. Movements are quite vigorous again now. Normally the afternoons are quite quiet but not today.

I've toyed with calling the maternity triage all day but keep hoping it'll settle down a bit. Shall I phone? Are increased movements really that worrisome compared to reduced ones?

@chocolate26 originally I wanted everything done for 35 weeks but with this going on and not being able to go to shop, shops being shut, online all out of stock I'm thinking about trying to get the stuff I need some how asap then I can feel relaxed. Will also write a note of stuff I can't pre pack to pack at the time such as toothbrush etc x

@APD1981 my midwife said to ring if there are any changes in their pattern that concern you, whether that is reduced movement or increased movement. I would ring them if you are worried and they can assess you over the phone and see if you need to be monitored. I’m sure all of fine and baby is just having a ‘busy’ day, but best to get checked out just incase ❤️

@mrssunshinexxx @chocolate26
I was planning to have all packed by 34 weeks, but have started to make a list now and order bits as can't get everything as easily now!
Might start doing a trail pack next weekend as all my online orders should be here by then I'm 30+3 so will be nearly 32 weeks by next weekend.