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!

@Mj2196 I think we’re lucky in our area they’ve kept homebirths going and have just started reopening birth centres thankfully.

Has anyone got any tips for sleeping with hip pain? I'm in agony when I lie on either side and just spend the entire night heaving myself from side to side. I have a memory foam pillow for my legs but it's not much help as it's my hips that hurt. I'm currently propped up on my back on three pillows but my bump is too heavy, it's uncomfortable and I feel a bit breathless on my back. The joys, eh?!

@SerBrienneOfHouseTarth can you put a duvet under your sheet? My physio recommended I do that to make the mattress a bit softer. I struggle in bed, switching sides regularly. It's awful!

I'm having a homebirth with an Independent Midwife as my NHS Trust have suspended. I'm 37 weeks' and got a feeling the little scamp has turned (breech) but will still be going for a home birth if she has.
Official due date 29/5 but personally think I'm "officially" due a few days later.

@SerBrienneOfHouseTarth I had those pains + pelvic girdle pain. I have invested on a maternity belt. Now I am wearing it everyday for 1-2 hours and it improved my life. PGP is manageable and my hip pain is minimal at night.

I had bought babyGo from Amazon which can also be used postnatally.

Thanks @Blizy and @Bikbikmum great tips, will try both! I had another rubbish nights sleep last night! :(

Home births are still an option in my area. Am tempted but husband is worried if baby is born not breathing or something, then no equipment. I reallllllllly want a water birth so I'd be having a home birth for that. However there's a chance they could open up midwife led unit which has water birth and all equipment so would be best of both, although it's currently being used for covid patients which isn't a great thought - I'm sure theyll clean it well but still a bit scary. There is one water birth room at my actual hospital so also chance I could use that if free. I'm going to really push water birth when I meet midwife on weds. Writing birth plan with husband today so he has a good understanding because he keeps saying 'just do what the doctors say' 😐😐😐

@peetieswie The midwives do have loads of emergency equipment - mine is bringing hers all in with her and setting it up on my dining room table (and then covering it with a blanket as she well knows about my anxieties following two rough hospital births).

I listened too much to what I was "told" to do for my last two and that caused quite significant problems, especially in my last birth ten years ago. Aa an older mum I'm far more confident in trusting my instincts and have a partner this time around who is supportive of my decision re where I have chosen to birth.

If you are low risk and you've had a baby before, there are no greater risks with homebirth and loads of advantages. Of course it's not for everyone, but I feel so much more relaxed about the labour now that I know I don't have to go in to hospiral (unless of course in the unlikely event of an emergency situation).

I am also far calmer in the knowledge that OH can be at my side throughout and be around to witness the arrival of his first (and last!) baby.

The mini Prosecco in our mini fridge for after delivery is also a bit of an incentive!!!

I'm also planning a water birth - mw bringing out pool today. Just got to stop my 10 and 13 year-olds from attempting to try it out!!!

@Nicknamegoeshere how many weeks are you? Do midwives bring the pool or do we need to hire? I wanted to have midwife led birth centre (outside of hospital) and now they are closed. But they have just resumed home births only and it is an option for me now. I'll speak with my midwife. I am low risk 32+5 first child.

@Bikbikmum My NHS home birth team said I'd need to hire everything myself but I've got a Independent Midwife now who is supplying everything.

The only thing I would say is do your research as it is your first baby (although ateotd it's entirely your choice and it due any rule out a homebirth).

I'm also low risk on everything but third baby so hopefully body knows what to do. And, contrary to popular belief, being 39 doesn't put me in any of the higher risk categories

I'm 37+1 weeks.

*doesn't

36+1 and getting last bits of my hospital bag ready. Snacks and things I may be deluded about needing - kindle and eye mask. Any chance of sleep or time to read I wonder?

Also getting A LOT more Braxton Hicks and feel someone jumping on my cervix.

I don't think I've had Braxton Hicks at all in this pregnancy ....
I'm making the most of the lush weather and stripped the covers off the sofa to get them washed and dried! Makes me feel better to get rid of any potential germs before she arrives!
I have a couple things left to pack in hospital bag but they are last minute things as I need them now.

Random question will the hospital have a hair dryer do you think? I know it's not a hotel but just wondered if it's something I should bring

35+5

@Smiffette I'm wondering those random things too. I've packed some tea bags do I need to bring my own mug? And if I have my own mug do I need to bring washing up liquid? haha

This weather is lovely I'm having some nice ice cold lemonade and have already had ice cream. Never imagined having a summer baby on lockdown though!

@Smiffette I was told to take a hairdryer with me if I wanted one! 😊

Sorry abit late, @newbyxx I'm in the same position really, I am really hoping for a c section, I can speak to my consultant about it next week, I've had a lot of reduced movements and the baby is so big, and back to back now as well.
There's no chance they'll leave me to go into labour naturally now,
They would still like to induce me but have told me how likely it would be that I'd need an episiotomy and forceps, and that would be my worst nightmare! Or tearing.
What do you think you'll do? Have you been given the option to request a c section? xxx

@AmyMaria2 it's not so much that I actually want a c section just that the midwife wouldn't even discuss with me, I'm being induced at 39 weeks by foley bulb method as this way means I can come home untill I'm in labour instead of being in hospital by myself due to the COVID situation which I would if I had the pessary/drip.I'm going to put my point across to the consultant on Monday, that I'm ok to go along with the induction to see how I progress as women have said on here sometimes it goes ok and all is happening within 12 hours or so. However I am going to say that if I'm in a prolonged labour as in 30 hour plus before im even pushing then I will want a csection instead of carrying on with the induction/labour and having to push exhausted which more often than not leads to instrumental/assisted births. Hopefully he will respect my wishes as I feel requesting a csection in prolonged labour before baby is too far down the birth canal is fair enough! I'm really hoping I go into spontaneous labour before I'm induced.We shall see...

I'm having last minute wobbles about having a section. Mainly because my 3 year old is so boisterous at the minute, and keeps jumping on me and kicking me. Don't know how I'll manage that with a big abdominal wound!

Home birth would be my worst nightmare. I'll be giving birth in a hospital with obstetricians, anaesthetists, paediatricians and a NICU with all emergency equipment on hand, thanks very much 😀

Me too @MissisBee - I also have a 3 year old and not keen on such a major invasive operation. I don't worry about recovery from episiotomy or 2nd degree tear but I know if I have another 3rd degree tear it could cause permanent damage or one that would need further corrective procedures etc.

What is about 3 year olds? I said to my husband no matter where im sat or he's sat his feet will always be digging into one of my body parts. Its like he has extendable legs!! Totally reaching lockdown fatigue again today. Fell asleep on the sofa for an hour whilst the 3 year old watched Disney + cant wait for husband to have a few days off work so I can hopefully have a break. Who's secretly hoping Boris will reopen all nurseries Monday 😂😂

Mine seems to have about a million pointy elbows and knees. If he's sitting with DH, he'll sit perfectly nicely and still. With me, he's climbing all over me, elbowing my boobs, trying to jump on my tummy and kicking me! I'm lucky DH is home, so takes him out to the garden for extended periods and out for walks when I don't feel like joining them.

@AmyMaria2 I'm in the same position as you, repeated reduced movements, extra scans for heart rate, monster head size and lots of extra growth scans etc but not had a chance to discuss birth options yet which is starting to majorly affect my stress levels 😢😢 I have such awful visions of it all going wrong with vaginal birth, I want to ask for c section. Just hoping his head is enough of a factor for them to recommend it!

I have a consultant and growth scan appointment on Monday. We will be discussing birth plans and hopefully getting a date for my elcs.

I hear you all about space encroaching limpets! My 5 year old ds is the same! We have a huge sofa but he has to sit squashed up against or on me.