Due August 2021 - The Final Countdown continues...

[Daffodil21]

Continuing the previous thread!

I'll let @PurplePansy05 post the updated list

@lucyrp I was told baby doesn’t grow much after 39 weeks yesterday, don’t know how true it is but hopefully that’s a bit of comfort if you’re worried about size. It put me at ease a little about possibly going over due date now

Ok, question for those newly post section/ who have had little ones before….

Our reno work was due to be completed end of this week, but due workers having to isolate, delays with deliveries etc they are behind. Bathroom 1 can be completed next week. Bathroom 2 can’t be started until bathroom 1 completed. We can’t have workmen in the house when I have to isolate
Pre-op. Bathroom 2 is 2-3 weeks work depending on how long plaster takes to dry.

So options:

1. we keep going, the work men don’t work the weekend/day before my op, but continue whilst I’m in hospital and would likely have completed the dirtiest work before I was discharged. OH would clean & move a bed downstairs to open plan kitchen/dining/lounge and we would essentially make a bed sit in our downstairs with new bathroom next door. They would continue work upstairs for probably another week.
2. The workmen continue as above, but pause work when I come home, leaving us without upstairs loo/bath until I feel comfortable to have them back.
3. we stop the work after bathroom 1 is complete, company keep everything in storage and start bathroom 2 say 6-8weeks after baby arrives.

Which would you pick and why?!

Hi all,

I've been having period like cramps on and off for two days. The night before last I woke up and the cramps were coming in waves in my lower abdomen, it felt like contractions but irregular so probalby just braxton hicks? I've had them before but never felt cramping in my thighs as well, which I did this time around and is more like my normal period pain.

@Caz1226 I'm also having trouble sleeping and today I'm 39 weeks also! Been taking lots of naps and just resting at night if I wake up.

@lucyrp I feel your pain - just remember you're getting so close and try to rest as much as possible. I know it doesn't help when you feel physically terrible. I felt really bad weeks 37-38 but now feeling a little better in my body.

@BertieBotts I have definitely been grateful that my baby has been running out of room (although worried this means he's huge) - my belly is just so tight and uncomfortable but at least the kicks and pushing out against me with his bottom and feet is less painful than it was previously!

@sarah13xx jumping in to say the only negative midwife experience I had with DS1 was post-section in the middle of the night… it really felt like the midwife on night shift was really peed off she had landed the night shift. SO GRUMPY!

Hopefully you’re sent home soon and can relax 😊

Had my check up this morning (39+1).

Doctor says:

Baby very happy + moving lots. Placenta is starting to calcify, which is OK but means we're close to the end. Still have plenty of fluid. 1cm dilated 🥳 but not having contractions and baby is not at all engaged.

Estimated weight now 3800g / 8lbs 6oz.

She noted I can barely walk/move around now :o

Next appointment at 40+0 and if I get that far they'll keep an eye on placenta, ctg, fluid level and the moment anything looks off we can discuss induction.

@Inmypjsagain yeah al good, still hanging on in here. Went swimming with DS and my friend and her DS this morning then popped in the shower after just now and I lost quite a big bit of my plug, I lost some last Thursday and then some on the weekend but this has been the biggest bit. Sorry tmi 🙈

@Aaaaa1519 let's hope so! I did also remember that they forward dated me a few days at my dating scan so realistically I could be 38+3 today rather than 39+1 so I calmed down a little as 38+3 is when my waters went with DS 🙈

@WolfMother326 Everutning is getting a little bit stiffer and harder to move 😂

@sarah13xx @Daffodil21 congratulations on the arrival of your little boys! Loving the names. Hope you managed to get a decent sleep today and will get to go home soon.

Regarding period pants for post birth bleeding, I love the idea. Can those of you already post birth please tell me, how does sizing work? I was a size 16 pre-pregnancy, what size and brand do I get? TIA!

@HopefulB Categorically option 3 IMO.

This is because I understand you'd have a finished, functioning, clean bathroom which is vital. One finished bathroom will be enough. Get DH to clean the house before you're back as well.

You do not want strange men, noise, dust and dirt that inevitably will travel all around the house immediately after the birth when you're trying to establish BF, rest and sleep and generally if you want to walk around in pants and with your boobs hanging out cause that's what you need, you shouldn't feel restricted. It would drive me bloody nuts to have workmen in now. Get them to come back 6-8 weeks post partum, we're doing the same with our new windows and a couple of other finishing touches. xx

Disposable period pants. Always discreet they are called. So comfy and easy because you can Chuck away. I might use period pants for the tail end of post birth bleeding but you want the nuclear options for the first few days.

Thanks @PurplePansy05, that was my gut instinct, mostly as I suspect I’m going to spend most time in a nightshirt either feeding, sleeping or changing.

OH is pushing for 1, on the basis we will have a brand new bathroom downstairs (next to ‘bed sit’) for me to use and the work upstairs should be done within a week and will be the final tile/fit, so not too messy. Where as option 3 is going to mean 2-3weeks disruption when baby is here, including all the mess.

@Ava50x I saw these In Sainsbury’s
www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/toiletries-mum-mum-to-be/sainsburys-for-mum-maternity-briefs-medium-size-14-16-x5

Picked them up as I already had pads for the ‘nuclear’ option as Bertie described, but thought disposables my be good for first couple of days in hospital & be one less thing to wash when I got home!

Not used yet, so no idea if plan will work!

Why such a difference though @HopefulB? Can they not do as much as poss now and come back for a week but just at a later date?

Would you have a working bathroom on the same floor as where you'll be sleeping? If so then that's really great, a big bonus post section!

I understand being hesitant if they have to come back for 2-3 weeks later. But these first few weeks are very intimate and personal and I'd not want them ruined by having strangers at home. Mess, noise and strangers would be easier to cope later on IME. xx

Also, I gave 4 packs of nuclear pants to my neighbour as the bleeding is nowhere near heavy enough... I don't even fill the lightest Always pads. So by all means buy some pants, but you can always buy more depending on your bleeding...xx

@HopefulB I'd probably go for option 3 too just for not wanting builders in my house with a newborn the first couple of weeks.

@Aaaaa1519 hope you are OK. If you still aren't feeling movements it would probably be worthwhile to go get seen again asap rather than wait to Friday. Can you arrange someone to stay with dd? Maybe could you even phone and arrange to come and see the Dr telling them that you were there yesterday but had to leave due to childcare issues and couldnt wait to see the Dr last night.. Maybe it is would cut down the waiting time?

Thank you @sarah13xx and @Daffodil21.
Had a slightly challenging conversation with the doctor today who said he wouldn’t consider a c-section until I’d had my last growth scan (currently booked for when I’m 39 weeks exactly). He also said that if I wanted an elective section it should have been discussed and booked in ages ago. I explained my reasons for wanting one (apart from the obvious that he was breech yesterday) and he came around in the end. Then when he checked there happened to be a couple of elective slots available for next Tuesday so we’re booked in!
I can’t believe this time next week our baby will be on the outside, and all of a sudden it feels like there’s so much to do before then!!
Totally feeling what everyone is saying about being tired and not enjoying this end stage of pregnancy, it is hard work. And for me it feels harder knowing that the brand new baby stage/establishing bf is a tricky stage too. Just looking forward to holding our baby for the first time, and for those shart bath comedy situations to come 😆

Ahh everyone’s been so chatty! I have read it all but apologies that I probably won’t tag individuals as I can’t remember who exactly said what!

Congratulations @sarah13xx and @Daffodil21 I’m so glad you both had positive experiences! I think we all worked ourselves up and the outcome has been pleasant for the majority. And congrats @Hoares3 as well! And anyone else I haven’t tagged who’s babies have arrived.

All the baby names are lovely so thank you for the update @PurplePansy05

Luckily my stay in hospital was only for 24 hours as I really pushed for discharge as I wanted to pick up DS1 before it got too late in the day. All the midwives were so so lovely and I’m really lucky that this time I got my own room and toilet. I remember the first time I was in a room with 4 other mums and babies and I was in for 3 days. It was a nightmare as I had a snorer as well!!

Hope everyone’s feeding is going the way they want it. I had three nights where Isaac literally didn’t sleep- constantly feeding or wanting to feed and not be put down. Last night was a little better now my milk is in. Hoping tonight is better and it goes from there. He only lost 3% of his birth weight by day three so I’m super proud of both me and him!

Aah the first days are hard, but they are so so magical as well. Just getting to know them and holding their tiny little sleeping selves is so precious. Even when they don't let you put them down!

I think that's awful of the consultant to say a section should have been booked in ages ago! You can't always know in advance what their positin/growth etc will be and there are always urgent situations that come up which aren't quite urgent enough to be classed as emergency, but still need a section, so they will always have slots.

@Millymay13, that does sound rather like the consultant was being deliberately awkward especially if the baby is breech at this stage. Glad you got the outcome you wanted in the end.

@Inmypjsagain I didn't until my husband got back at 8am 😂 I could have for a few hours earlier on but I think I was too hyped up so I didn't, I just had lots of cuddles. Then just as I wanted to, obs came round, then it was time to try and feed again which didn't go well so tried hand expressing for first time. Then lady's baby next door was crying for ages and if it wasn't then she was snoring, then Elliot was unsettled so by that time I had given up and it was nearly 8am 😂. Had a couple of short naps today though.

We have now been given the all clear to go home 🎉🎉🎉

Ladies. Just wanted to congratulate any whose become a mum in the last 24 hours and wish everyone well whose gonna see their baby's soon x

Haven't had a chance to go through this but just wanted to inform you. I went into labour at 9:30 pm last night. Went in to triage and was 6 cm dilated. They took me to birthing centre and 19.5 hours later I was still 6 cm dilated. Baby was back to back so my back was done. I was exhausted they put me on drips and my water had to be broken after 10 hours.

I was then moved to labour ward (I have my own room though so am over the moon). Got an epidural and a catheter. Baby still back to back and had to be given oxytocin as cervix just not dilating. Am 38+2 today. As of 2 hours ago was at 8cm dilated. Baby still back to back but might turn before it makes an appearance.

Just goes to show that baby's have their own plans. I feel like a hero to be honest that I managed 19.5 hours on no medication but nothing I could do about baby being back to back. My back pain was intense! Looks like I'm defo gonna have one of those 24 hour labour stories but just glad they're constantly monitoring baby's heart and movement.

I will update you ladies when my little surprise bundle of joy finally makes and appearance. Little one is already stubborn like daddy. Speaking of - all MW said my OH is like a doula. He's been so amazing and supportive to me! My heart is full! Can't wait to see baby now. X

Oh gosh @Whatshouldbemyusername!
Best of luck 🤞

Great news on being allowed home @Daffodil21

@Millymay13 It's tiring but SO worth it. I just said to DS that my heart is so full I could burst. He's my mushy pea, got me wrapped around his littlest finger and it's the happiest I've ever felt in my life. Bath shart stories complete it 🤣 xx

@Magik01 That's such a low weight loss, fantastic news! Well done you. I bet you're exhausted but hang in there lovely, you're not alone ❤ DS lost 7.5% initially despite FF/combi, but today we're back up to 5.5% exclusively BF, I'm so happy 😊 Midwife was very pleased too.

@Daffodil21 Brilliant news, best of luck!!!

@Whatshouldbemyusername Oh girl! Bless you! You've got this, not long left hopefully till your little bundle of joy arrives, we'll all be thinking of you and sending positive vibes now ❤❤❤ xxx

@Magik01 well done on the low weight loss!
Dd lost just over 8% on day 3 though she had gained 100g from birth weight by day 10.
I think we are having a growth spurt atm dd has fed every hour or 2 all day. This evening my breasts are so sore to touch and generally achy and im shivery with a headache really hoping it's just tiredness from lack of sleep last night.
Anyone any incredible tips on getting burps? Really struggling to get many but then she is windy a few hours later.. I've tried sitting her up on my knee supporting her chin in my hand, circling her on my knee, up on my shoulder.. Most success sitting her up straight on my knee but maybe getting a burp every few feeds.
@Whatshouldbemyusername well done you! You are doing amazing, hopefully not too much longer to your holding your beautiful baby!!

Haven’t caught up on the thread (might do it tonight during a feed ha) but wanted to send well wishes to @Whatshouldbemyusername. I hope you get baby snuggles soon!