Aug 2021 - 2nd Trimester continues

[Alittlexmasmagic]

Hi everyone, another thread begins & things are getting real now 😄 x

@MrsB2019x I also just started using a pregnancy pillow for two nights now - I got a Dreamgeniie one. do let me know how you get on, i'm struggling to be comfortable on it, and find I end up on my back (which is how i usually sleep!) trying to sleep on my left and get into the hang of it but it's easier said than done!

@wimbler I am really torn. The idea of constant monitoring is really putting me off, as I don’t feel like it will be the nice “normal” birth I want. And I feel like 1 in 4 is quite a big percentage and I can’t go through what I went through before mentally. But because last time it was an EMCS due to prolapse when breaking my waters I don’t know if that birth would have gone smoothly or if I would have had trouble progressing.

I think if that hadn’t of happened and say I got to 5cm and didn’t progress and it ended in an EMCS then I would opt for ELCS straight away. I think it’s the unknown of what could have happened. But again, the percentages are really scaring me. 😭

@Alittlexmasmagic I’ve been told a water birth is out of the question with being in the birth ward and not MW one. How did you find the vbac before? Was it straightforward? How was the aftermath and healing?

@BertieBotts just the cannula part, it’s not that I’m worried about really. It’s just the being monitored part- I feel like I wouldn’t be in completely control if that makes sense? Honestly it’s the 1 in 4 chance of an EMCS again that terrifies me, to go through the trauma of that again. When I could just cut out the middleman and have a lovely ELCS without the rushing and panicking that came with the first. But then I feel like I have TRIED to birth naturally, and it could be a wonderful experience!

When you all talk about being constantly monitored what is that involving ? I thought I was constantly monitored last birth as I had the monitors around my belly the whole time but is the constant even more so??

@Shannondd3108 my friend was consultant led because of her weight and she managed to get a birth centre birth with just the two midwives so I'd keep pushing for what you want!

@lucyrpThankyou will definately try 🥰

@lucyrp honestly I’m not too sure, she did mention the things around the belly and cannula but I didn’t really ask anymore questions on it only the water birth thing!

@Magik01 I think the things around your belly are pretty standard for a hospital birth anyway! I planned a birth unit birth but my waters broke 24 hours earlier and nothing had happened so I was booked in for induction. I went into the hospital on the Friday morning 8am but as it was a bank holiday weekend they were so busy I was just put in a room and examined every so often. I was ready for them before they were ready for me and ended up in the delivery suite at 7pm that evening without being induced! The monitors were slightly annoying as they kept flipping off and the midwife had to keep touching me to put them back as I was out of it on the gas and air but other than that I didn't notice it really ! I thought it was standard !

Thank you @wimbler, @Whatshouldbemyusername, @BertieBotts and @MrsB2019x, that's so helpful!

@Whatshouldbemyusername those clothes are just gorgeous 🥰 what an amazing colour the pink is! I love celebrations with a new baby, it makes it all so much more exciting

I'm trying not to think too much about the birth at the moment - in an ideal world I'd love a water birth in a midwife led unit, but I don't want to get to wedded to it as I know things can change quickly at the last minute and I think if I set my heart too much on anything I'd be even more disappointed

@biscuitcat ooo same on the birth front! My birth plan will have about 3 words on it if that !

@BertieBotts and @biscuitcat ♥️ about the clothes.

@biscuitcatand @lucyrp I'm with you girls on the birth front. Not thinking about it at the moment. Just taking it as it comes x

@DressyGerbera you will have your urine and blood pressure checked every time you see a midwife. with pre-eclampsia, other things to look out for include swelling of ankles, hands and legs, headaches and vision disturbances. Try not to worry but if anything ever seems out of the ordinary, you should be given the triage number to call.

I didn't think constant monitoring was always necessary. Some hospitals have wireless monitoring so you can move about freely. Also it's worth remembering that nothing can be done without your consent as the patient. I would seriously questions having a cannula in my hand "just in case". I would seriously hope that a midwife was able to insert one of these quickly if needed. I did hypnobirthing with my first pregnancy and one of the biggest things I took away from it was that you can advocate for yourself. no one can force constant monitoring, internal examinations without your explicit consent.

The BRAIN acronym is really helpful birthzang.co.uk/2014/09/brain-acronym-for-labour-birth-plan/

sorry if this is all a bit preachy but i'm quite passionate about trying to get the birth I really want this time around so I think it's important to be educated on what is and isn't possible whilst bearing in mind the risks v benefits of those decisions.

@wimbler it's interesting how everyone has such different views on it isn't it! I'm passionate about not having any intervention in terms of a c section or instruments etc but when it comes to inspections and monitoring and things like that I just don't think anything of that really. To me its just what happens happens kind of thing ! Of course if I need intervention I will. My birth plan tends to be gas and air, water birth maybe, and ag a birth unit maybe. Undecided as to if I want a hospital birth yet or not !

You're all really opening my eyes on the birth side of things - I didn't know there was so much to think about! I was hoping to just wing it but maybe not 😂

Turns out I also have an anterior placenta - I only just realised what that is! Been told placenta is at the front at multiple scans but he never used the words 'anterior placenta' 🙈 all I asked was is it normal to be at the front and he said yes! It doesn't seem like a reason to be concerned though? Just unfortunately later movements?

@Daffodil21 personally I would say just winging it is a perfect plan as nothing will go to plan anyway. Have a rough idea what you do and don't want and just go from there! Never even thought about the birth with my first until probably now when I'm thinking back to it !

@Daffodil21 I would say i winged it with ds.. I figured my ultimate goal was baby to arrive safely and I didn't really care about anything else.
I was induced due to reduced movements, I had a drip of antibiotics due to strep b, went for an epidural when gas and air didn't do much for me and ds was born with vacuum delivery and I had a episiotomy.. It was what was needed for ds to be born alive. He was born at 8.01pm and by 7am the next morning I was walking up the 2 flights of stairs to nicu to see him because nothing was going to keep me away any longer.
Tbh I think it worked for me as I think if I'd had a really set plan of how I wanted things to go it might have been more difficult to accept that some or all of those things couldn't happen.
Mind u though I think we have about 1 available room for water birth in my hospital so it would have been highly unlikely to happen anyway. I plan on winging this time around too.

@Magik01 unfortunately that pregnancy was a loss so tiny babies. That said, the induction and labour were a lot quicker than with my son, I also dilated at least an extra cm than the previous time, no tears. I'm hopeful that I'll have some muscle memory and can do the same with a full term baby. I loved being able to get up and about, get cleaned up, go home relatively quickly after. I could pick my toddler up and give him big cuddles.

@lucyrp Oh I definitely agree with you that having a rigid birth plan is not always a good idea. I think calling them preferences is more appropriate. I'm the type of person who is very research heavy and I like to know several possible scenarios and outcomes so that I can feel more prepared. That is why I like hypnobirthing so much as it helps to to understand why certain things might happen and what you can do to still have a positive birth experience. For me, it is all about knowing that the decisions I might have to make are informed ones, if that makes sense!?

@wimbler yes birth preferences is a much better way of wording it! Oh yes can totally understand that! With me if I were to research more about each thing I think it would bring my anxiety out so for me knowing roughly what each thing entails is enough for me. Knowing just enough to hopefully make an informed decision without scaring myself too much 🙈 I was going to look into hypno birthing as a possibility this time but haven't had a chance yet !

@Alittlexmasmagic oh I’m so sorry I hope you don’t think I was being insensitive! But yes, with having a nearly three year old by the time of the birth that’s what I’m worried about really

My little chocolate cupcake is doing well. Really wriggly and camera shy...again! Everything looks good. I didn't find out gender and coz baby facing downwards I know this may be hard but let's have abit of fun shall we....boy or girl?x

Sorry forgot to attach the photo 🤦🏽‍♀️🤣

My birth plan is just give me all the drugs (except for pethidine, don’t want that). Having worked on a maternity ward I’ve seen how quickly things can change so I don’t want to get caught up on a plan that probably won’t happen.

Beautiful scan @Whatshouldbemyusername 🥰

Hi 👋 👋 👋
I'm due 27th August.
I've got pcos and been told I'm more at risk of developing diabetes. 13 week scan was all fine thankfully. Sickness has eased but still take anti sickness once a day in the morning, but generally feel better.
I suppose my books sometimes hurt a little when going down the stairs and I get heartburn but I'm 16 weeks and can't feel anything. I think everything is OK but I can't wait to feel something for reassurance as you hear all the horrible stories. Does anyone feel nervous and just want to get to their 20 week scan?? Xx

@MrsB2019x ooo why no pethidine ? Just curious as was considering that if gas and air just doesn't cut it this time and its the only thing available extra at a midwife led unit