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!

@Busylizzie85 Thanks so much for posting that. That's really reassuring! I am getting more and more excited by the day!

Had my 36 weeks appt this morning. Thankfully, everything remains well. Baby is head down and engaged.
We discussed the birth plan (omg! Birth plan!!!) and I took the option of the birth centre, with access to a pool. We also agreed on delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin and keeping an open mind about all pain killers. I specifically requested no students or male midwives. Don't judge me, but I cannot be my primal self when a male stranger is looking and feeling around my lady garden!
My midwife was really understanding and not judgemental in the slightest.
We even documented that my husband will cut the cord after birth.
This is all so real!

36+2

@Busylizzie85 ohhh thanks so much for sharing. Always a relief to read stories like this. Glad your friend seems to have had such a positive birth ! Fingers crossed for us too!!

An update from me too Re my friend. She eventually gave birth to a baby boy yesterday after 40 hours of labour. Had a nasty tear and used forceps and etc - haven't really had a good chance to talk to her - she's exhausted ! But both mum and baby are fine ! x

@umabb sorry to hear you're still experiencing this! Must be so stressful.
Even though baby is likely fine, I would always discuss with the midwife if concerned.
I'd rather be sure everything is ok, even if i was worried about being called a hypochondriac or something. Haha

@umabb my baby still has active days and quieter days. As you say, still moves plenty but seems less somehow. I guess it’s quite common.

Speaking of movements, when baby is moving around and limbs are sticking out all over the place does every else have a little feel and try to work out what body part it is? I can usually feel her bum and I think I’ve been touching her foot a lot recently too. It’s just so cute 😍

@uktosk yes, I do that all the time! Frequently feel a bum and what I think is a leg.

Just finished my interview. They focused quite a lot on the mental health challenges of being so isolated whilst this should be such an exciting time. Lots of focus on my grief for my dad and being separated from my family at this time etc. Hoping it brings forward the challenges we pregnant women are facing as I think we've been somewhat forgotten about in the media. They want to do a follow up when baby is here! If you're not in NW England and want to watch it then it's on channel 958 on Sky at 6.30 tonight.

Also, with regards to bump measurements, I was told I had static growth at 34 week appt but I was previously measured by a different midwife at 32 weeks in triage for reduced movements. She measured me at 34 weeks so when my 34 week appt came and I still measured 34 weeks by my own MW it looked like baby wasn't growing. But I know for sure that the triage MW measured me from a different place on my pelvis as she was heavy handed and it felt different. I have previously measured exactly as I should so she messed up my curve! I bet I'll measure 36cm at my 36 week appt on Tuesday!

@Missgemini yeah spoke to midwifes and fetal medicine specialist all said it's quite normal to have busier days and quieter days as they are little humans hehe but I always prefer those active days so I know he's very happy there. Can't wait for the birth - not that I'm not stressed about it too - at least we get to see and know how he is doing easily !

@UKtoSK I know how he is roughly positioned from scans so I know the stronger kicks are defo the feet and it's his bum pushing my stomach a lot 🤪

@APD1981 will defo watch it! I think we should be able to see it on bbc iPlayer too and it'll be available for 24 hours? Can't wait! X

@Busylizzie85 Thank you for sharing your friend's story - very reassuring.

@umabb @UKtoSK I still get quieter, more subtle movement days. I just make sure to check each hour that I can feel movement and that reassures me. The ladies in my NCT group all say they experience the same thing, so must be fairly common.

@APD1981 Glad the interview went well. I'm sorry about your dad. I lost my dad two years ago and I've definitely struggled at times with grief during this pregnancy. It's a bittersweet time.

@umabb great you're watching. Yes, i think it'll be on iplayer too.
@searchingtheskies it's so hard,isn't it? My dad died in July last year, 4 weeks after celebrating his golden wedding anniversary with my mum. That anniversary was 7th June... my due date this year. So a very emotional time for us all and a very, very wanted baby by the whole family. Yet my mum is isolated at home and I'm not able to see her whilst we prepare for her much longer for grandchild.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, too x

@Busylizzie85 Thank you for sharing this story! I love to hear about other people’s birth stories.

This weekend I’m going to make sure I finish my Hypnobirthing course and book. I’m quite nervous about how I’m going to react when the pain sets in! I’m a wimp! I’m going to focus on the excitement of meeting my baby though!

@SearchingTheSkies it's reassuring to know it's not just us /me alone having quieter days. How did you find the NCT classes? Was it useful ? We are having the first class on Saturday (a bit of odd arrangement as it's in the Middle of the bank holiday - not that we could go anywhere hehe!)

@Magpie21 I just finished reading the book Effective Birth Preparation by Margret Howell. Very interesting read. I also bought the CD - relaxing to listen. But I'm not sure how helpful this is going to be when it comes to the birth as I've not taken the classes. I was thinking maybe I get that positive company digital pack as it's same concept? thanks x

@umabb thanks! Il check that book out. I am half way through the Positive birthing company digital pack and I really rate it.

I’m 33+5 days and I don’t think my bump has dropped quite yet. Just wondering if it’s a gradual process or if you wake up one day and you feel a big difference?

@umabb I've enjoyed the classes so far. Everyone is so lovely and supportive. We've got a WhatsApp group that we chat on and our course leader is so friendly. During our sessions people are randomly interrupted by their cats and dogs suddenly leaping into shot, which is very funny. My only annoyance is that my WiFi cuts out at least once per session. The connection just drops randomly. But never mind. I hope you enjoy your first session. I've already learnt a lot in the two sessions I've had.

We brought our baby equipment out of storage today and I noticed that the car seat (Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix) has a 5 year year expiry! We had it 5 1/2 years. Looks like we need to shell out for a new one!

@APD1981 we saw you on tv ! You were great ! :))) well said xx

@umabb thank you!! My phone hasn't stopped tonight! Totally upstaged by the cat, though! Haha. I'm glad I got to highlight how hard this is for pregnant women! X

@magpie21 and @umabb i also have that hypnobirthing book and cd i found it brilliant first time round.

I also have a very low pain threshold but the most painful bit i found was dilating. Though once my waters went it felt such a relief! And Once you hit pushing your body just kind of takes over and its uncontrollable. Its weird to explain! ( i know everyone's experiences will be different) i just found it ironic they wouldnt give me anything stronger than paracetamol because i wasn't in established labour but once i was and my waters had broke they said i could have gas and air but i didn't really need it by that point 😂

@APD1981 just managed to watch it on iplayer, you were great!! Well done 👍🏻 xx

@gigitree oh great! Glad you saw it. Thank you! X

@APD1981 how could we watch your piece on iPlayer if we are not based in the same region? Would love it see it!

@andddddwegoagain that is good to know! Well 6ish weeks until I find out how well I cope. I can't imagine what it will be like. It's so exciting ☺️

I don't know, to be honest, but I've just been sent a Twitter link to the video. I don't use Twitter but their handle is @BBCNWT

@APD1981 I live in London, but was able to find the segment on iplayer. Well done! You did us proud! Really sorry about your dad.
Always nice to put a face to the name! Bump was looking good too :)

@Missgemini thank you! There goes my anonymity lol. I'm really glad I was asked to do it now as I've had so many comments and people get in touch. And my bump is huge! Haha x

@APD1981 I've just tried to find it on iPlayer but no luck. Is it the north west tonight programme? Just skipped through it and didn't see anything on pregnancy. I've not slept much though so maybe I'm just not with it 🤦🏼‍♀️

@cb31 it’s here about 13 mins in

North West Tonight, Evening News: 07/05/2020: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hzlq via @bbciplayer