Due June 2020: thread 7. The one where babies appear

[AndddddHerewegoagain]

Hi everyone. Starting another thread!! Hoping we start having babies appear very soon!!

@amymaria2 congrats he ia absolutely gorgeous. Well done you.

I've been playing catch up for weeks and finally got through the back log of messages.
I also have a breech oblique baby which means It is lying transverse with feet down. Feel its moved deeper into my pelvis tonight. I was offered the ECV but after speaking to several people who'd experienced it, I decided against it and have got my head around the c sections after many reassuring stories.
Had cramps on amd off today and lower back ache. Baby is moving stronger but less. Have heartburn and am getting hot flashes . I also have carpal tunnel and and elephant foot.

I have 4 more days of work but after closing the deal tonight that Ive been workongnon for tbe last year, Im ready to chill out and nest.

Looking forward to a fine glass of wine when we are on the other side but for the mean time I'll have a glass of milk to settle the fire and try to sleep
Im taking a year off. Im 40 and haven't have been working since before uni. I'm lpoking forward to my new role.
Stay safe and well all
36+5

I'm taking 2-3 weeks leave. I set that up when I worked a day a week and going back straight away was fine (DH on childcare duties except for boobs!). Since then due to the current situation I work full time plus evenings; not quite what I envisiged! Baby will have a lot of sling time I imagine (I work from home anyway)

It's taking me a while to get my head round being 'off'! I keep logging back in to emails to send one last thing I've forgotten! I need to stop and actually do some nesting, my house looks like the scene of a jumble sale 😬😬

I'm hoping to take up to a year off, and then return part time to teaching as I don't know how I'd ever do full time teaching with a 1 yr old!! All depends on finances though, specially now with the virus! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

@BabyBird20 I know what you mean, I've logged in everyday since Friday! 🙈
I have a plumber coming today to finish our bathroom, just in time, then I intend to dedicate tomorrow to blitzing the Kitchen!

Then the blitzing of the rest of the house, I'm starting to notice dust everywhere! One bad thing about the sun shining through the windows and being home all day! 😂

37+1

@RPPs Hiya, my bub is also breech and I think bum down in pelvis (as for the rest of it, I feel kicks and pokes all the way from left to right so must have some kind of starfish baby!). I'm actually hoping they send me for a scan so I can work out how it's positioned.

On the ECV, was it the pain bit that put you off? I'm still deciding whether to attempt to bear it as I assume I'll be offered after my 36 week appointment tomorrow. I have a low threshold for pain...

I've only experienced cramping once so far, this weekend just gone, but I think I over-exercised and that brought it on. I was wondering how likely an early labour would be with a breech - I don't think mine would be 'cooked' before due date so also worrying it'll be almost premature by or before a c section at 39 weeks. Growth by tape measure appears average but I don't believe it - I think it's small (maybe wishful thinking!!). So I'm also packing for c section and getting my head round it all. Be interested to hear your thoughts x

@AmyMaria2 what a gorgeous little baby you have!
I think mine has been mostly head down the last few days, but I'm sure I felt a head poking the left side of my tummy at the weekend.
I think ECV has about a 50% success rate. I'm not sure if they do it if you've had a previous section, so I'll be having another section if baby doesn't stay put.

Re timing of sections, they aim for after 39 weeks if everything is well otherwise. If they need to do one before that for medical reasons, then they recommend steroids to help the baby's lungs.

I had my first go at collecting colostrum this morning - managed a whole ml! Didn't expect to get as much as that. I'm starting a little bit earlier than recommended, as I still can't shake the feeling that the blood pressure or pre-eclampsia will strike and baby will have to come early, so I want to be prepared.

@NakeliP there’s a 60% success rate for ECV if breech and think it’s higher again if baby is transverse as it doesn’t need to turn as far. I was fully prepared to go ahead and have it done but when I went for 36 week appointment baby had flipped head down and I hadn’t realised as was still getting kicks to the left which I had before when baby was transverse. This was then confirmed next day at 36 week scan. Has anyone had a call from the health visitor? I had a text this morning to say someone would be calling me tomorrow to explain their services. I’m a FTM so not sure what’s norm etc even tho nothing’s normal at the moment with this virus.

@Babymaher yeah it's normal for the health visitor to ring, I was meant to have an appointment but I've moved so I'm waiting to hear from another area.

@Babymaher with my daughter, born just under two years ago, the health visitor came round, said hello, explained when she'd be visiting and gave me baby's red book at 34 weeks. I'd heard a lot of nightmare stories about HVs but she was really nice. Since then we've moved to another part of the UK, I'm 37+something and no one has said health visitor or red book to me yet. I imagine a lot of that first appointment they could do on the phone and send you the book separately but maybe I'm wrong!

Yes I’ve heard that health visitor appointments are all over the phone or via video call at the moment.

@Busylizzie85 brill that’s good to know thank you. @BirdGarden oh ok I’m 36+4 so will see what she says it’s a 0900 appointment I’m not even sure I know how to be human at that time anymore I sleep so poorly at night that when hubby goes to work in the morning I spread out in bed to try get a few hours kip.

Health visitor posted my red book through the door and then rang me for an hour's chat (this was about two weeks ago so I was 34 weeks). They talk through some of the key points in the book and where to get more information. I felt an hour was a little much, to be honest!

@Babymaher - I know the feeling, I never start work before 10, I just keep an eye on my phone for urgent stuff (only happened once that I woke up at 9 and saw something to deal with NOW). No-one has twigged. This morning I had to crawl straight into a hot bath as everything hurt and knew I couldn't stand up long enough to shower! Good thing about a phonecall is no one knows if you're in bed or not have you got a travel mug hubby can leave you a hot tea in before he goes to work so you can set your alarm for 0845, have tea and phonecall?

If anyone else is in Wales, have you had a red book yet? I'm assuming it's just regional differences but seems a little odd not to have it at full term. I've put it on my packing list for hospital bag despite not existing!

I feel like an elephant and I'm hungry all the time .... Since over the weekend I guess. I physically can't be bigger otherwise my belly will explode - that's how I feel anyway. Sorry ladies just need to post this 🤪 I plan to work until baby comes out (I wfh) but now I feel it's a big push 🙈

36+2

@umabb I feel more like a hippo than an elephant! Always wanting to eat but lethargic and I just want to laze around in water! Having to make do with a bath as swimming pools are closed! Wish I’d pushed hubby to set up a paddling pool in the garden for me!

34+6

@Gigitree @umabb I'm definitely in the 🦛🐘🐳 category but my appetite has diminished these last few days and I'm much more lethargic.

37+4

I’ve also been longing for a pool, or even better the beach! A swim in the sea would feel amazing... made do with a bath just now, the first of this pregnancy! It was so lovely to feel so weightless. Until I had to reach for something or change positions... I was hoping the bath would encourage baby to flip back head down but she seemed to find it so relaxing she basically slept through it.

Really missing any kind of water right now. I live by the beach but the sea is sooo cold! We don't have a bath ☹️ and no swimming pools open. Was planning on doing aquanatal classes but that's gone out the window!

Was told by my midwife that we get the red book in hospital, had a phone call from health visitor last week to introduce herself, gather info and outline when they will visit.

I feel like all of the above enormous animals - I don't see how I can get much bigger. I was this big at 40 weeks the first time so scary to think what's in store for me the next couple of weeks. Such bad hip pain when I sleep even with my pillows strategically propped up. Anyone experiencing cramping pain switching from side to side while sleeping? bloody hurt!!!

This weather has me wanting ice cream and ice lemonade I think my sugar intake has increased lately! I'm thinking of getting a blow up pool for DD or maybe one big enough to fit me as well

Bag is fully packed now at 37+4. 💙

I'm going on maternity leave at the end of next week. I'm so excited! My work is quite full on, so I expect il be answering a few emails here and there for a week after I leave but if it makes you feel better it's a good thing to do! :-)

I'm looking forward to sorting out the baby clothes and organising the hospital bag and just reading for fun!

I feel really full today and have had a few aches in the belly (not lower belly), I'm guessing this could be Braxton Hicks. All a good sign!

35+3

@magpiefeather I don't even like gin. Would rather be seeing wine glasses everywhere. Also can't wait for a cocktail.. Might have to get some ingredients in.

Will be glad when this week is over. I have no kitchen, no hot water and can't go in garden cos of workmen doing kitchen floor. If baby comes before friday then I'll be begging to stay in hospital. Unlikely as I'll only turn 36 weeks on Friday though.

I think it's normal for the HV to ring before baby is born, so they're not a stranger to you. Last time though, DS was here before she had a chance! I'm lucky that mine is lovely and sensible. We were given the red book in hospital.

I second the water thing! I used to swim miles every week. I'd put my waterproof ear phones on and just swim. I'm missing that level of activity and the endorphins as well as being in the water. I do, however, have a hot tub in the garden but I've been too worried about using it as I don't know if they're safe. I've googled it and got very mixed responses. My midwife wasn't really sure either. I wouldn't have a jets on but it's the temperature I'm worried about.

@APD1981 I asked my midwife a few weeks ago about hot tubs (had a spa day booked pre coronavirus) she said it was ok for no longer than 20 mins at a time and make sure to stay very well hydrated. Would better if temp was at 37 at max. Very jealous of you having a hot tub!

Oh thanks for that @cornishbumpkin. I have sat on the side of it and dangled my legs in for a few mins once but just wasn't the same! I may risk it after 38 weeks as if it does bring on labour then I'll be quite happy! And yes, we're lucky to have it. Had it 6 years now and our usage of it does come and go. We've had to replace a few parts recently which have been costly and we nearly got rid of it but decided when baby is old enough they will love it so kept it for them mostly!