Due June 2020: thread 6

[AndddddHerewegoagain]

Hi everyone. Hope you don't mind me setting up the new thread didn't want to run out of space on the other one!

@Pegase I’m interested to know more about these two scandals you mention where the midwives were pushing for the natural route. I’ve not heard of these, do you know which hospitals these where at/have a link to an article about this?

@BabyBird20 we got a free Shoulder bag one with our pram too and I’m going to see how I get on with it first before buying a backpack style one. Depending on how long covid lasts we might not going out and about as much as I had expected!

I think there were many failings to be honest in lots of areas but natural birth at all costs was one of the concerns

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/23/hospital-in-worst-maternity-scandal-to-hit-nhs

@Pegase thanks for the link. That’s just awful isn’t it?

@SerBrienneOfHouseTarth that was an amazing (written) speech! I feel ready for war! Haha!

I would love a natural birth like everyone else. But I am more than happy to do whatever gives me a healthy baby.
For example, I'm not keen on unnecessary analgesia, but I have rented a TENS machine just in case. If that doesn't do it, I will accept whatever the hospital has to offer. No one needs to die in pain haha!
Also, as soon as I get to 40 weeks, I'm asking for an induction. My best friend is an obgyn and says that she would prefer that I go into labour before 40 weeks because it's safer from a stillbirth point of view.

So yes, aim for a natural birth, but we need to accept that there is a reason why maternal deaths have dropped significantly over the last century.

Hi all - is anyone else having baby hiccups multiple times a day? Mine has them most days and today has been at least 3 times! I think it’s ok but wanted to check if anyone else getting them regularly?

@AnonyHB I'm noticing mine having two or three times a day sometimes.

35+1

I’m taking a cabin case and a backpack as well. Mainly so I can have the backpack on my back and wheel the suitcase if DH isn’t allowed in with me due to covid 19. I’ve mixed things for me and things for baby, the way I decided to organise it was out things I’d need to have in easy reach in the backpack (in case I need to stay in and DH can’t stay, he could leave it on the bed for me then I’d be able to reach everything. Especially if o end up having emergency c section or can’t get out of bed for any other reason).

So in backpack I’ve put:
My toiletries, hairbrush etc
Maternity notes
Maternity pads x 10
Change of pants for me
Nipple cream
Breast pads
3 x sets of Newborn clothes in a ziplock bag
5 nappies, wipes, cotton wool, nappy cream, nappy bags, portable changing mat
Antibacterial hand gel!
Notepad and pen, puzzle book
Sleep mask and ear plugs
Change
A big muslin

Phone charger will be added to that when we’re all set to go

I still have a few bits to add.... I don’t have enough maternity clothes either so I will add my comfy yoga trousers at the last minute!

DH insisted he didn’t need a change of clothes but then I reminded him that DD pooed on him as soon as she was born so he relented!

@BabyBird20 def agree re backpack style changing bag for the long term. Shoulder type is fine when pushing pram / pushchair but backpack one becomes essential if you want to go out and about with baby in the sling or when they get older and you need both hands!

@AnonyHB yes has been happening more and more. At least 3 times today.

@AnonyHB mine has hiccups every other day. I'm not sure what they mean. I assume it is the digestive system preparing itself? All I've been told is that it is normal.

@Magpiefeather thanks for your list. Given me some ideas.
I was wondering. How are people taking the baby home? Car seat? Or something else.

@Missgemini yes car seat for us. I know it’s daft but it’s one of the things I’m going to ask midwife at next appointment... do we need to actually bring it onto the ward when we come withme in labour? That seems bonkers but with covid 19 / birth partner restrictions I’m worried they won’t allow dh to go back and get it from the car! Silly thing to worry about but it is on my mind.

That list is just in the backpack, the rest is in the cabin case (including more nappies, pants, pads, changes of clothes, bigger baby clothes, towel, flip flops etc )

DH can't stay at postnatal with me so he will have the car seat with him when he comes to pick us up when we're discharged (please let it be no more than a day!) - I can't imagine having a car seat in the ward along with cabin bag and back pack I'd be tripping over everything!

I asked the midwife on Thursday re the car seat , she said yes bring it lol unless you're driving in you can leave in the car. (We're getting dropped off by my in laws so will bring it in I think) I'm sure either way they will have to let him back out if you don't bring it initially

Lol that’s what DH said @LillianFullStop, it’d just be a ward full of car seats everywhere!!!

Thanks @Rinoa , we will leave it in the car then as dh will be driving us there and back.

Thanks for all the love lassies, I have a feeling we'll all be grand! 🤞🏻

Re bag: I have a holdall that I took last time but I've added a backpack for labour because I've put extra changes of clothes in for me and the wee one incase we need to stay a few days. I used this list as a guide: www.everymum.ie/Custom/media/Site-Media/Hospital-Bag-Checklist-2018.pdf

I'm absolutely cream crackered today as we've moved house! Spent Thursday cleaning then yesterday and today we were moving and putting everything away. We're still not done as we only got help to move the big furniture (CV compliant!) so I've done umpteen runs in the car (we only moved a mile away and both houses empty). Every muscle in my body hurts and my feet are swollen and sore. I also am waking around 5am so that hasn't helped. Treating ourselves to a fish supper and an early night (rock and roll, eh?!)

Oh, and re car seats, my hospital has put a notice on social media saying not to bring them in but to have them in the car and someone will come out to the car with you. Might be worth checking xx

I think we'll just have the car seat in the car and DH can bring it in when he comes to pick us up (I'm assuming I'll be in for a couple of days). Then he can carry the bags too 😁

Plan @MissisBee

In my hosp a girl who gave birth last week put on fb that the midwifes helped her down to the front door whilst pushing her baby in the cot & her partner met her there with the car seat, That’s in Glasgow though xx

@AnonyHB yes my baby has hiccups every day between 2-4 times a day usually but once on a particularly active day I counted 7 times in 24 hours. Was told it’s all normal and apparently a good thing as it’s due to them practicing breathing the amniotic fluid. (Not having them isn’t a bad thing either though!) they usually last 15 minutes, I’d start to worry if they lasted much longer than that.

Has anyone else had acid reflux that makes you feel like you’re going to be sick? The past few days I’ve been waking up about an hour after I first fall asleep (when my husband comes to bed) and go from completely fine to suddenly feeling I’m going to be sick. Have to run and drink some gaviscon type stuff the doctor gave me and that usually helps but last night I was up walking around for an hour feeling nauseous/reflux-y.

@UKtoSK yes me!! It's awful. I haven't been to the docs yet so still on the gaviscon but I'm getting through so much each day now I think I'm going to make an appointment! I wonder if it's baby's position that makes it worse? Sometimes it's too painful to eat, others or wakes me (like now) and I have to get up for a while to try and be upright! 😢

I'm also up with reflux at the moment. We had a takeaway last night and it's really sitting heavy in my stomach. I feel like I just can't digest it. Baby is still really high which is probably the problem. I can't wait for the head to engage although I know that'll bring a new set of uncomfortable feelings. Sigh. The things we go through for our babies!

@BabyBird20 @APD1981 sorry you’re both dealing with it as well! My baby is super low, head right down and almost all below belly button still and yet I’m still getting it. I think everything is just running out of space. I hope it doesn’t last for the rest of the 8ish weeks left.