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

[AndddddHerewegoagain]

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

@umabb we are indeed!! We can get through it together!! 😬😬 I've bought a 3-6 month hat just in case he's that big, but hoping it won't come to that! I suspect if I get to 39 weeks I'll probably be begging to be induced!!

@Smiffette im considering it now as worried about tearing and episiotomy with a massive header!!

Has anyone invested in the 'My expert midwife' products? I was looking at the peri prep my bits and the spritz for bits and wondering if they're worth the investment!!

@BabyBird20 I haven't had a chance to discuss birth plan at all because the MW appointments kept on being cancelled. Didn't bother me too much as I had multiple growth scans but next time I see the MW will be June 1 when we are 38wks ! A bit late really. Yes we will get through this together ! xx

@Smiffette I tried the massage once but I couldn’t get relaxed enough to not hurt myself ! Must have done it wrong... I don’t think I can be relaxed for the husband to do it either 🙈

For ladies who are going to harvest colostrum I found this video very useful. www.viewpure.com/PnG4pW9z4Cc?start=0&end=0 shared by the NCT instructor. I’ll try this next week when I’m 37 wks

@AndddddHerewegoagain 2cm dilated with no pain? Wow !! Very soon now! Good luck!! Looking forward to more new baby photos xx

@AndddddHerewegoagain I've been thinking of you! Keeping everything crossed that things progress for you quickly now, you'll be meeting that little baby soon 🥰

@umabb i think its cos its happening so slowly. Once im in established labour im sure I'll have all the pain!! Thanks everyone will keep you all updated

@AndddddHerewegoagain
I'm guessing you've been able to keep on top of your GD to be able to go to due date?

@Millettmum yes I was borderline with it so been very lucky that I've been able to control it with diet only. Its definitely stopped me piling on the lbs in my 3rd trimester for sure!

@umabb I was in floods of tears for my whole appointment and left completely unsatisfied and still crying so don't have a plan agreed at all yet. The doc agreed to see me again at 38 weeks to finalise plans though don't really want to see the same one again. Going to speak to my midwife beforehand to ask her advice on where to go next with it!!

I tried massage before my daughter but found it excruciating, felt quite sick. Had a very long episiotomy to go with a ventouse anyway so I probably didn't miss anything. I think I'm probably just beyond help in that regard!

@Smiffette I didn't bother with massage last time and had no issues; a quick labour with a very small internal tear. I haven't bothered this time either. I'm not convinced the effort is worth any small benefit but I'm pretty skeptical of alot of pregnancy and birth suggestions in general so I'm probably not the best person to offer advice!

@BabyBird20 I really feel for you. I was up to 100 before I spoke to my consultant about the risks of instrumental birth, but was glad I put my concerns in writing as that seemed to do the trick. Keeping everything crossed for you that you get it resolved and bloody pissed off on your behalf that you have to do this to get the care that is your absolute right xx

Hi Ladies, so had my 38 week appointment today at 37+5 and firstly want to say a big thanks to everyone on this for giving me the confidence and info to help me today. For background baby started on 50th percentile, shot up to the 90th, came off the 90th a little and then by the next appointment had come off quite a bit but not down to the 50th so they didn't send me for a growth scan. I had had no scans since 20 weeks and spent the last 2 weeks since my last appointment fretting about growth and even getting my husband to measure me with a tape! Was convinced bump had not grown.
Went in today determined to get some answers, frustrated that they keep saying the percentiles are 'not accurate' so 'not to worry'. Just came out with it today and told them I am worried though and if they're so inaccurate then why do they bother? Got me up on the bed, looking at me as though I was crazy, measured me and straight away plotted no growth in the last 2 weeks. I basically demanded a growth scan and given I'm nearly an hour from the hospital and had been waiting an hour and a half for my appointment told them I wanted it this morning, I think my exact words where 'everyone else seems to know an estimate of weight and head circumference and I know absolutely nothing, I could be about to birth a raccoon for all I know'😂
Anyway they got me the scan, baby has grown and is approx 7 pound 6 but literally had to drag info out of the midwife and then she wouldn't/couldn't really answer my questions and images were limited so clearly to keep herself right has referred me to the consultant! Initially she told me 2 weeks which I pointed out as pointless as I'm due then anyway so have it in 10 days 😁
Sorry for the essay but I'm just quite proud of myself, I was polite the whole time but it is the first time in my entire pregnancy that I feel I have really stood up for myself and baby, every other time I have felt palmed off but armed with all your info and some research I took the plunge today. Also my instinct proved right, baby has grown but my bump has not. Lesson for birth to trust my instinct and not be afraid to ask questions and demand sensible answers! Maybe this will help inspire some confidence for someone else on here, mother's instinct is a thing and it turns out it kicks in long before baby is born

@BabyBird20 if it helps when i walked into my appointment yesterday the first thing they said was if you still want a c section then it has to be done by Saturday as you're now full term which completely threw me after all the arguing at my 36 week appointment!! So maybe you will get your elcs they're just discouraging it until there's no other option? I really hope they listen to you at your next appointment.

As i said earlier if i wasn't contracting so much and already dilating i would have definitely gone with c section but I feel my body is trying so going to go for an induction. Heres hoping i made the right decision!

@babybird20 ooo yes I've got the spritz for your boys product, a couple other ladies in my NCT group have bought it too as it was recommended to them

@BabyBird20 I got this set, which includes a spray for your bits, a cooling spray which I thought would be lovely in labour and some other nice bits for labour/after delivery.

Natural Birthing Company Mama's Moments Birthing Essentials Kit, 1 Pack (1 x 392 g) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DLBJF5G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Zf2XEbGG61D3Y?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@Gigitree oh yes I saw that in Boots!

@kez437 thanks for posting. Everyone keeps talking about percentiles whereas my bump was completely off the chart last time I went, so I don't know what I am then. 1%? Nervous for appointment next week to see if I am still huge or was a one off measurement. We shall see if they send me for a scan or not but also has no scan since 20 weeks. I'm nervous of undiagnosed breech too... although I feel like baby has been head down for a while, what do I know? I'll see what they say and I guess ask/demand a scan if I'm not happy. I am also scared to go to the hospital and potentially get covid and worse, pass on to husband and have to give birth alone. Really got my heart set on no induction, no intervention and water birth too but feel like I need to be a bit more realistic maybe.

@kez437 well done for sticking up for yourself and your concerns, is this your first pregnancy? I am surprised they haven't listened to you before. I am another one in the small/static bump size, good size baby club, and I was with my daughter too. With her I was referred to DAU for a second opinion after every appointment due to low bump measurements, too small/too little/static (which was a good journey away, meant time off work, etc etc). They offered me a scan nearly every time and asked what did I feel was happening, did I have any feeling something wasn't right because they "go off mum's gut feeling"! I actually declined them all because I felt comfortable all was well (they did scan me in the end as I had been there so much, revealed baby fine and a good size). This time I measured 26 at 28, 27 at 30, 30 at 34 and still 30 at 36. I was being signed off by the consultant at the last one, opposite the scanning room, and it wasn't really a question, I was sent for a scan. I have another good size baby on board, this one is actually measuring 2 weeks ahead on length and tummy (2 weeks behind on head though). Midwife has never referred me because I said I was like this with my daughter so they're happy it's how I am built. If it makes you feel any better at all I'm often told I am difficult to measure and my good abdominal muscles don't help! Maybe it's the same for you? I think for some of us bump measurements aren't just inaccurate, they're totally irrelevant! I'm not particularly tall either, not really short, but I wonder if that doesn't help either.

I'm going to be reminding myself to stand up for me and baby in labour and birth this time - rather than have it "done to me". That's something I wish I had the confidence to do with my daughter.

By the way, my daughter was 7lb3ozs at just shy of 41 weeks, by scan this one was 6lb3ozs at 36+4. So 7lb6ozs for you sounds really good!

@BabyBird20 sorry you are having such a stressful time of it; someone else recommended putting your concerns in writing which sounds very sensible to me. Take a breather, make tea, get biscuits, and write it all out calmly and professionally. That way what you're asking and your concerns are fully documented; not just some dr's scrawl of your conversation which no one else can read or even check for accuracy.

@peetieswie I think my bump measurement percentile is about -10%! My sister in law is 10 weeks less pregnant than me, obviously we've not actually seen each other in person but we have video chats etc and she easily looks further on than me. I'm sure if we could get side by side you'd never guess I'm due months before she is. I'm 38 weeks tomorrow... Can you ask your midwife to have a palpate to see how baby is lying? Dare I say it an older, more experienced, midwife can often glean a lot from a good feel!

@Smiffette I thought it was a good price considering it’s the same price as just one of the expert midwife bottles. The lavender sleep spray is lovely, I plan on using it as a room spray when I get to the delivery room to give it a nice calming spa vibe! (I hope!!)

@BirdGarden yes first baby for me which is why I felt like I knew nothing. They did keep making comments about me being quiet tall but didn't make any reference to it affecting bump measurement. It must just be how I carry but I'll know for next time and that will help with the worry.
@peetieswie it sounds like you are in a similar boat to me, if I were you at the next appointment I would just lay my cards on the table and tell them you are anxious and concerned and you feel you don't know what is happening with baby. You are close to giving birth and have no concept of size or position which for your own mental reassurance and preparation just isn't good enough. A midwife should be able to tell you position using her hands but of course a scan will be more definite. No doubt your baby is fine but mother's mental health is a massive factor and especially with Covid affecting our birth plans knowing a bit more about baby size and position before birth is at least something solid we can hold on to. Would definitely recommend standing up for yourself and baby, like I said I wasn't rude or overly forceful at any point but I did present as very anxious and a bit weepy and left out and the midwives were quick to act. When is your next appointment?

@Kez437 definitely helps once you have one, literally, under your belt (I know that isn't much help to you now). I've moved area since my daughter was born but I do wonder what they would've done about my measurements if I didn't have a "history" to go on? One other thing, do you have a personalised growth chart for your bump?

I also found in both pregnancies that I really feel like I am very, erm, squished internally. I'm sure all women do but I get the "no room left for my vital organs" feeling and symptoms in the second trimester, so I think I must carry quite far back in order to produce a good size baby still with such a small bump. Do either of you feel like that too?

Just a quick question. Does anyone have swollen feet? My feet are very swollen today. I feel otherwise well with no other issues.

Yeah @blizy I’ve noticed my feet puff up from time to time. If I’ve been on my feet too long, sitting in one position for too long or if it’s particularly hot.
I believe it’s quite common towards the end. You only need to worry if it comes on suddenly, and is in multiple places and doesn’t go down when you put your feet up as that could mean pre-eclampsia i believe

@Blizy
Yes and hands, mainly during the evening, worse during this hot weather.

Yikes, it has happened quite suddenly. It's not warm here and is raining today. I'll put them up to see if it helps.

@Blizy mine have been swollen constantly for a good few weeks, they go down a bit when I put them up but generally are always swollen as are my hand although not as bad! I mentioned it to the midwife on last two appointments and she's not concerned, apparently it's only an issue If your face swells as well 🤷🏻‍♀️
I use a cold water drenched tea towel to ease them in the evenings and try and elevate them when I can but I don't think they are going away any time soon.
If it helps my friend had horrendous swollen feet throughout her pregnancy in the summer, the heat does not help them, they eventually went away about a week after she gave birth. 😊