Due August 2021 - the final countdown!

[Daffodil21]

Continuation of the previous thread.

All newcomers welcome!

Not long now!!!

Maybe we should put the induction/section dates on the list? :)

I think I need to pack my bag. This is what food I'll be putting in:

Dried mixed fruit (for afterwards mainly)
Isotonic sports drinks
Haribo - prob some gummy/tangy ones for the birth, then licorice ones for after :o
Protein bars
Glucose tablets
Plain water - maybe with rescue remedy drops in

@RandomCatGenerator I'm hoping for an ELCS. I'm pretty sure it's nil by mouth beforehand but not sure how long for. My snacks are intended for afterwards but will be handy if I end up giving birth naturally

Good point @Daffodil21. And for my husband I guess!

Will look into packing some for after. I’ve been so focused on run up to the c section itself that I haven’t thought enough about afterwards…

@BertieBotts what is rescue remedy and glucose pills for in this context? Sorry if really stupid question.

I have been advised to bring peppermint tea to deal with post surgery gas!

[quote RandomCatGenerator]@BertieBotts what is rescue remedy and glucose pills for in this context? Sorry if really stupid question.

I have been advised to bring peppermint tea to deal with post surgery gas![/quote]
Rescue remedy is a nice natural supplement to help calm nerves, not a relaxant or anything, just nice to have. Glucose pills for extra energy if everything drags on I’d have thought.

I really need to pack good snacks, I had nothing last time!

Im reading through a few threads on last minute preparations…it’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll be moving house either on my due date or shortly afterwards - has anyone attempted similar or have any advice on how to tackle everything at once 🤦‍♀️

@lucyrp so glad he’s on the mend, nothing worse than when kids are ill and you just want to take the pain away is there.

@Daffodil21 good shout, I will probably try and get some protein cereal bars or something. I also need to get some peppermint capsules or something. I realise they aren’t good though 😂 when do you think you still get your ELCS date? Have they agreed to it for you?

@RandomCatGenerator I’m booked in for an ELCS at 39 weeks (however could change as I have a growth scan booked for this Friday so it is dependant on growth) I’m pretty sure you can’t eat before but I know I will be peckish after!

@BertieBotts I can see myself just packing sweets 😂 but I don’t do well with anaesthetic and I remember last time the only food I could stomach were sweets! Hoping they can give me some anti sickness this time though.

@Magik01 the consultant said we'd discuss it at my next appointment which is on Monday, but my notes say 'CS to be booked for 39 weeks' so who knows! Hopefully have some answers on Monday! I got my peppermint oil capsules from Holland and Barrett but they were quite expensive!

@Magik01 I would definitely pack dates full of energy and help labour progress. I took 3 and my waters broke and finally got things moving with dd.

Sorry for tmi here... So I've just been to the loo about 20 mins ago and when I wiped had a very small amount of red spotting.. Do I need to be worried? Haven't seemed to have any more since. Can feel baby moving. Have been getting some pains / tightenings but not regular and not any more than I have been since I went in a couple of weeks ago. A few more like shooting pains lower down yesterday and today but very quick and short.

I also did bump / scrape bump with the car door earlier when putting ds in his car seat... I thought I was clear of the door when I went to close it but not hard either.

Have tried ringing for reassurance but they aren't answering either phone line

Has anyone had a water birth? does it help with pain at all?
my pain threshold is the worst and the midwife refused to even give me paracetamol because she didn’t believe i was in active labour as it was first child, turns out i was 6cm and they had to really start rushing to get me on antibiotics for the strep b, didn’t get any relief until change of midwife.

@Smurf123 sounds like it could be your mucus plug? Could also be some burst vessels from all the pressure baby is putting down there

@Smurf123 keep ringing because I know my midwife likes any bleeding to be reported and it’ll reassure you or go into triage if you have to

Thanks @Aaaaa1519 I'm still trying to get through.. I could call over but I don't know if that's an over reaction. It was a very small amount. But I haven't had any bleeding since the tiny bit of.spotting I had at 7/8 weeks

@Smurf123 I would second the suggestion to keep ringing - it's hopefully nothing, but much better to be on the safe side, especially at this late stage

@Aaaaa1519 I'm a FTM so no personal experience but a friend who had her baby last year swore she couldn't have done it without the pool - I'm hoping to use it for my birth, and I know having a hot bath is so helpful at the moment for my back pain, so it makes sense that the pool would help too

Got through.. They have said to wear a pad and keep an eye on movements and if I start to get any pains to call back.. Hopefully all is ok. Ofc baby has gone quiet now but they were dancing about an hour or so ago

@Smurf123 hopefully it’ll be ok keep us updated on how you get on x

@biscuitcat I’ve heard people say that but don’t know anyone with personal experience, I’d love to go for it just to be a little more with it after birth and not so high off the drugs lol

@Smurf123 Just in case you're looking for reassurance, I've been into triage with bleeding 3 times over the last fortnight and it's been nothing to worry about. Has stopped now but was on and off pretty much everyday.

The way it was explained to me was basically everything internally is under so much more pressure and stretched, (sorry in advance for TMI) that it's easier for a small rupture to occur and cause a little bit of bleeding.

I had a couple of internal exams just to make sure everything was okay along with tests for UTIs and thrush as that can be a cause of some bleeding - just in case you go in to get checked out.

I hope all's okay - deffo get some rest and relax as I found mine got worse when I was busy / rushing around loads.

Thanks @EJT89 that is reassuring to here. I'm glad all is OK with you. Baby is moving about more now again so that's reassuring.
I don't know what it is. Still some spotting but very light.

Yep glucose tabs for in case you need a bit of an energy boost but don't want to actually eat anything.

For after birth snacks especially if you're likely to be eating in bed, which is highly likely, NOTHING crumby. It will drive you absolutely bonkers if crumbs get into your bed and you can't get them out. So no crisps, biscuits, crackers and no haribo covered in sugar crystals! Just the plain gummy ones. Postnatal wards are also kept super hot so chocolate is a bit of a nightmare too as it melts everywhere.

Someone said grapes before. That's a good shout but they won't keep, so fine if you're having a planned section, as you can buy some on the way. But if not and you're staying in, get someone visiting you on day 2 to bring in a punnet for you. I plan to ask for grapes and ice cold red bull :o

I used the birth pool with DC1 from about 6cm onwards and it was BLISSFUL - really incredible at turning down the pain. Made everything floaty. I then added gas and air from about 8cm and this got me all the way there, never needed anything stronger, never wanted it in that birth. They made me get out of the pool at the end and I wished I'd been able to deliver in it.

But I tried it in labour with DC2 and it did absolutely nothing for me at all. I think I got in too early. They wouldn't tell me how dilated I was so I assumed things were well established but they really weren't, I was only 1cm At that dilation they won't give you a room in the UK let alone let you in a birthing pool!

I still don't know what I want to do this time and I have my birth planning meeting on Monday.

Oh lots to catch up on here. I'm awake with super itchy feet which I hope is just because I was on them a lot yesterday in the heat. I don't have other signs of cholestasis so I'm pretty sure it's just that. Had a lovely day in Edinburgh yesterday but walked too far. Got a couple of nursing bras to do me until I can be properly measured after birth.

I've been trying out my birthing plan and it totally feels like all my hypnobirthing training has gone out my head and I'm just panicking at the thought of giving birth. I think I need to do more relaxing with my positive thoughts! It just seems so close now and I look at my huge belly and can't fathom how she can get out of me without ripping me apart! I must trust in my body a bit more I think.

So far my snacks are cereal bars and chocolate covered nuts....

I've had to up my omeprazol due to reflux getting worse. But from that I've developed a dry cough. It's a pain in the arse and makes people stay well clear of me 😂

Morning all, hope everyone slept better last night?

Snacks wise, we will make up a bottle of 50/50 OJ/water with a pinch of salt (this is essentially home made sports drink!)
Flapjacks, Haribo/Jelly Babies. There’s an M&S food onsite so I’ll also ask OH to pick some fresh savoury snacks, bananas and grapes up on the way in!

Good ideas for the snacks, I’ll be heading shopping this weekend to get everything ready for my bag.

Had my 34 week appt yesterday, there’s been a slight growth delay but not enough to concern them and to send me for a scan.

Did anybody else / has anybody else had any period like pains recently? It’s not horrific but uncomfortable and seems different to my SPD/PGP pain.

Yes the period pains are braxton hicks contractions. When they happen does your bump go hard and tight? It can start off that you just get this tightening with no pain. Then over time as you get closer to birth when they happen it gets more painful. They should never be awful but it can make you stop and think what's that?! It's good as it means your uterus is getting ready.

@Fran919 yes just at @BertieBotts said they are prepping the uterus. Mine started scattered at week 33. Am week 34+4 and the frequency has increased. I've noticed they are more when am up and about being active, doing house work - esp when I bend down. Like you said not painful but can be uncomfortable. I just use them to practice my breathing and use them as practice contractions upcoming to the real ones on the day. FTM so can't even compare to real ones lol x