Due August 2021 - Third Trimester!

[Daffodil21]

Not totally up to date, sorry!

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@ready2020 - EDD 4 August, Girl 💖
@Xaxnxdxrxexaxandrews87 - EDD 4 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, Girl 💖
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@Winecoffeeteamum - EDD 23 August, Girl 💖
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@ava50x - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@Ghhh - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, Girl 💖
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

@PurplePansy05 I think you have different options when it comes to being induced I.e the drip or the pessaries etc. Don't hold me to that as I'm unsure but I don't think you have to have the tablets. Unfortunately most of my fillings at the back of my mouth are silver and they'll only do white if they're at the front 🙄🙄

@Daffodil21 I was definitely more anxious last year than I am now, as time goes on I seem to have relaxed a little too much 🙈

Is it different meds that you get via drip though @lucyrp, do you know? I'm not convinced about induction anyway, my health board would not allow DH to stay with me if it took a while and all of my friends who have gone through it ended up needing EMCS anyway and had all sorts of various complications and mixed feelings afterwards. It's such a personal choice and not an easy one, I'm not decided on anything, just have a gut feeling I'll have a section. I'm doing a workshop on Weds via Zoom, it's that one advertised and pinned on the main page here, is anyone else doing it? Also I feel like I need to chat with the MW and my doctor to get things clearer in my head. xx

@PurplePansy05 I was reading this a couple of days ago which I found really useful! They discuss the tablet, the pessary and the hormone drip and they all seem to be different. From page 8-10 I believe this is. Have a read. I went in for induction last time as my waters broke 24 hours before anything had happened but I managed to escape it by developing in labour myself. My mum however was induced with me and was turned on and off numerous times over w course of a couple of days so that has put me off. I am however on a Facebook group of ladies who quite a few of them have been induced with the drip and they said it was great and really quick ! Xx

Would help if I attached the link sorry!

www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/UHS-website-2019/Patientinformation/Pregnancyandbirth/Induction-of-labour-maternity-information.pdf

@PurplePansy05 xx

That is really helpful, thanks @lucyrp. The drip would be a better option for me I think, if necessary. Unfortunately this confirms the tablets/pessaries are of a similar type to what I was given before and without going into details, I ended up in the some women experience nausea and diarrhoea and extremely quick and painful cramps categories. It looks better on paper to what it felt like IRL. I also had other issues as a result but that was part of me being hypersensitive to this type drugs of which I didn't know about before.

I've downloaded a birth plan document from the NHS website and have planned to go through it today before my MW appointment on Tuesday, we will be discussing birth options then. I felt that I needed something that would help me gather my thoughts and flag up things I haven't thought about at all. I'm struggling with concentration now! It's a thorough form, I'm going to read through it and make notes on it before speaking to the MW. xx

@PurplePansy05 yeah I think I would be the same. I can't remember which I had but I definitely had the diarrhoea when I was given the tablet/pessary when in hospital to induce pseudo labour to pass my baby as I had to send OH to the shop to get me fresh pjs and underwear 🥺 xx

In other news I haven't heard anything back from my bloods I had taken at 28 weeks so I'm guessing my liver function ones came back fine so I don't need to see a consultant about my gallstones. will be interesting to see how my bump has changed since then too as that will determine if I get a growth scan or not

@lucyrp I get it, last thing you need is this sort of side effects when giving birth.

Re bloods, my hospital said no news is good news. They called me after 2 days to say my iron is low & didn't mention anything else, just said I can go through the results with the MW but all was in order. You mentioned you have an appointment at 31 wks yes? Could you double check then? It sounds like it's all good news though 😊 xx

@PurplePansy05 yeah and I'm not sure that would help with the anxiety of actual labour if it gave me flashbacks to that. I am actually quite relaxed about it and trying hot to think about it too much yet as its still a few weeks ago. Yeah I have an appointment a week on Monday so will ask her then! Yeah I think it should have been fine anyway as I haven't had any more flare ups since. Touch wood xx

I had pessary induction with DS. First pessary did nothing, had a sweep and 2nd pessary 24 hours later. I had diarrhoea and vomiting (once of each) when I hit 4cm.
I had been warned on antenatal classes that this could happen even in a normal labour, it's just your body clearing everything out ready to deliver. I figured it'd reduce the odds of a poo accident during pushing.x

Hope you don't mind me adding myself on as well 🙂
@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@ready2020 - EDD 4 August, Girl 💖
@Xaxnxdxrxexaxandrews87 - EDD 4 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@Hoares3- EDD 10 August, boy 💙
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, Girl 💖
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@Winecoffeeteamum - EDD 23 August, Girl 💖
@K2a0t1i5e - EDD 23 August, Girl 💖
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@ava50x - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@Ghhh - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, Girl 💖
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

Also can't comment on being induced but has anyone experience quick labours? My DS was 1 hour and 1 minute and my DD was 35 minutes! I am a bit concerned about how number 3 is going to go! Midwife keeps saying 3rd labours can be very different but I am worried we won't make it to the hospital and I can't have a home birth due to ongoing issues! Just looking for reassurance lol! Google and Mumsnet seems very mixed 😬

@PurplePansy05 and @lucyrp, I had the same side effects and had to spend the whole night on the loo so I really don’t want that for my entire labour. I definitely need to have a conversation with my midwife about it the next time I see her xx

@Daffodil21 I had an ELCS as the ecv I had didn’t work and I didn’t want a vaginal breech delivery. My trust do them from 39w provided there is no medical need to go earlier. After 39w the chances that baby will need help breathing etc is reduced but they also want to try and book you in before you’re likely to go into labour. Mine was a very calm and positive experience despite it not being what I’d hoped for. Whilst I hope to have a vbac this time, if I have to have an ELCS I’d be ok with it

If you have very quick labours and home birth is not advised I'd probably ask whether that's grounds for induction at something like 39 weeks?

I have the opposite issue, my labours have been really long. Nice and relaxed for getting to hosp but totally exhausting and draining!

So can we talk the grim stuff, please, just so we all know what to expect - is it the case you can poop/pee yourself at birth (C-section or vaginal)?

My mum had planned C-sections and I remember she was saying they emptied her stomach before the op (but it wasn't in the UK and in the 80s). So in my naivety I didn't think you could poop yourself 🤣

Do you eat as normal before going into labour? And what if it takes a day or two, do you eat and drink whilst in labour? Bring your own food? I can't imagine these things 🙈

Are the post-partum poops that no one seems to want to talk about whenever I google really that bad? Do we need to prep for this somehow?

Sorry, appreciate this is not a pleasant topic on a Sunday aftermoon 😳 xx

I definitely don’t think I pooped during my csection but since you have a spinal I would never have known! They catheterised me once the spinal was in and also put a suppository painkiller up there 😳 that lasts for 16 ish hours if I recall correctly!! I was oblivious to anything going on down there though but remember finding them trying to get the compression stockings on me hilarious. Took two of them 😂

I planned for the post birth poo with prunes, I don’t remember it being bad but it was a couple of days. The trapped wind from surgery was HORRENDOUS. They gave me peppermint oil which helped but def take peppermint tea bags or capsules with you! I was nil by mouth from 5.30am on the day but each of us having ELCS on that day were given a different schedule according to what time we were planned for. I was last of the day so didn’t eat for nearly 14 hours which was horrible.

My hospital won’t discharge you until you
Pass two lots of 200ml of urine (I think). I remember having to take a cardboard bucket to the loo and show the midwife 🙈

I was also given tablets to take the night before and the morning of my ELCS. Think they are antacids. Not sure what happens if you have an EMCS if they give you something similar but probably not when time is of the essence!

I definitely don’t think I did during my C section - I remember being quite constipated afterwards but by the Monday I was fine (had her on the Thursday afternoon) xx

You will poo during a vaginal birth I'm afraid - it's just physics! The baby's head squishes your colon as it comes down, like a tube of toothpaste. Nowhere else for the contents to go except out. But as it happens to everyone, it's totally no big deal and the staff are extremely discreet and will just whip it away no problem - people don't always even notice. It used to be routine to give mothers in early labour an enema but this is seen as unnecessary these days and I don't think you can have one even if you wanted one. Some people have vomiting and loose bowels as a very early labour symptom, which might be your body clearing out/getting ready.

You can't avoid eating before going into labour because it's not something you can predict (you'd have to not eat for weeks!) and anyway you'd want to keep your energy up because it's physically very hard work and draining and most people don't want to eat in the later stages. I've eaten normally during early labours - last time DH went and got 40 chicken nuggets and we all sat down like some kind of surreal last supper :o I think I had a burger king in my first labour as well! Once the contractions really ramp up, I've found I don't want to eat which I think is typical - haribo or other gummy sweets, and glucose tablets are quite helpful to have because they can give you a bit of a sugar boost without you actually having to eat anything much. Also lucozade sport (the isotonic, non fizzy one) or powerade. It's common in the US for hospital policy to be nil by mouth in case you need a general anaesthetic, so you might come across reference to this if you read any American sites on how to prepare for labour, but UK hospitals don't insist on it and say you can eat/drink as you want to. The chance of needing a GA are really low and they would just keep an eye on you if you did need one.

I have never found the post birth poo to be bad at all don't get what all the fuss is about TBH! Weeing is painful if you have stitches/grazing, but I very quickly learned to just lean all the way forwards so the stream doesn't flow back over your vagina and it was fine. You might want to have a little jug or spritz bottle for water as this can be more comfortable for cleaning yourself after a wee if your bits are very sore but I only found that stage lasted about 24 hours.

For weeing if you've had an epidural or spinal they'll put a catheter in so you don't need to worry about weeing. Also if your bladder is very full they will sometimes put a catheter in anyway - I think I had one both times because they said I could walk to the loo or have a catheter and I was just like fuck it hahaha. If your bladder is too full at the end it can impede the baby coming down but I don't think it's common to wee yourself.

Welcome back @PurplePansy05!

Re induction I think there are multiple different methods. This video was also recommended fb.watch/5APNiNUK3a/

No personal experience on the bowel
Issues around/post labour, but @BertieBotts description mirrors what NCT taught me.

I’ve not had the best start to 3rd trimester….. 2 falls in the last 48hours. Now nursing a very swollen ankle. I hope this is just a blip and not a sign of things to come!

@HopefulB have you been seen in hospital ?? Are you okay? I'm so scared of falling after someone local had to give birth at 27 weeks after a fall down some steps 🥺 we went on a 10km bike ride this morning and had to slow right down on some bumps incase they threw me off the bike

@lucyrp, thankfully I avoided bump in my landings and they were slow falls just walking down steps/along rooty footpath. Baby’s been active, and I have no signs of bleeding or amniotic fluid, so assuming all ok (other than my pride!). I’ll mention to midwife on Thursday though, or call MAU if anything changes.

I’ve moved to a borrowed step through bike & have the seat low enough I can get feet down quickly. I rode to the hospital on Thursday like the queen, I was so careful & cycled in a fairly wide/proactive road position to ensure I could cut in if I felt someone was close passing. My main issue last week was an exceptionally rude old man who charged onto a narrow bridge I was already crossing, and it wasn’t wide enough for two! Thankfully I met my neighbour as I came
Off the bridge who calmed me down as I was so cross.

@HopefulB ah that's lucky! Glad you're okay. I find riding the bike at the moment the best form of exercising rather than walking which hurts my hips or pelvis 😅

@BertieBotts

If you have very quick labours and home birth is not advised I'd probably ask whether that's grounds for induction at something like 39 weeks?

I have the opposite issue, my labours have been really long. Nice and relaxed for getting to hosp but totally exhausting and draining!

Thanks @BertieBotts I'll have a word with my midwife and see what she says, it's giving me anxiety thinking about it lol!!! Although baby is measuring small so I don't know how they will feel about a induction guess I'll have to wait and see