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Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Due March 2010 - "Hello Baby... Goodbye Pelvic Floor"

989 replies

Arcadie · 20/01/2010 12:27

Welcome to the March Preggos. Here's hoping we see nearly 1000 posts before anyone pops!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BulletProofMum · 01/02/2010 12:53

Dr Skid,

I also loooked into ECV and didn't like the sound of it - as I said earlier they didn't offer it at my hospital anyway.

Good luck!

TakeLovingChances · 01/02/2010 12:55

DrSkidaddle DorindaG mumbot and anyone else who was going to mention 36 week scans.

My baby isn't breech (not as far as I know anyway!). In Northern Ireland (where I live) scans are given at some hospitals at 12, 20, 30 and 36 weeks! This is just a matter of routine, but not something all hospitals do.

Lucky for me, the hospital I booked into does these extra scans

At this stage they will just be checking to see if baby is in a good position and getting to the right size/weight etc.

Shroomer · 01/02/2010 13:15

I'd love to have extra scans, but just had routine ones at 12 and 20 weeks. DrSkid - thanks for the info on ECV success rate for transverse babies. I'll find out tomorrow where on earth the baby is at the mo...

Caitni · 01/02/2010 13:55

DrSkid I think ECV success rates vary quite a bit from doctor to doctor depending on their experience. At least for my SIL (admittedly in Ireland) what cinched it was that her particular obstetrician had higher than average success rates (70% plus) and low risk of needing an EmCS. She figured it was at least worth a try and was glad when it worked.

Anyway, hope the breech babies do turn (so you too mumbot).

BPM really interesting to hear your experience with a breech baby (Mary Cronk is very interesting about the art of midwifery in general I think). Also meant to say about your friend. Sounds a little like she's slightly taking the p*ss on the asking a favour front (you had already said no, so really she should have made alternative plans). And I agree that moxibustion - I had various accupuncture during our ttc adventures, including one 5 Element practitioner who burned moxa like a maniac and I just couldn't suppress my side. So I went back to TCM, to a practitioner who specialises in fertility treatment, as TCM accupunture at least has some (very slight) benefits for IVF and definitely relaxed me, allowing me to not feel like I was burning money along with the moxa!

Start of the last week for me at the office. Can you tell (based on much MN checking I'm doing ).

BulletProofMum · 01/02/2010 14:14

Me too on the timewasting - I have 3 more weeks but really can't be arsed. No motivation to work at all.

I have four sets of slides to make for important meetings on Wednesday and just can't seem to motivate myself.

PixieOnaLeaf · 01/02/2010 15:24

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evitas · 01/02/2010 15:25

DrSkid - thanks for the info. I'm also seeing my consultant tomorrow, so hopefully she will tell me that the baby has turned! ECV seems a little bit scary...

I think I'm starting to loose my mucus plug (a jelly transparent/yellowish thing... sorry TMI). I started to notice it on Saturday... it wasn't the entire plug, but I keep getting these small jelly pieces on my underwear. I'll talk to the consultant tomorrow (need to make a list of everything otherwise I'll forget half of it). Not particularly concerned about it, I don't think labour is eminent... but I would like to wait another 2 weeks to reach the 37w mark.

DrSkidaddle · 01/02/2010 15:55

BPM - sorry somehow missed your post - that is really helpful to hear your experience and makes me more convinced that I will just go for an ELCS if he is breech.

caitni - yes I have heard a lot depends on the dr doing the ECV. A friend of mine who is a doctor told me to ask for a particular consultant by name but I can't imagine they're going to give me a choice!!

wow evitas at losing the plug already although it could easily be another 2-3 weeks. Even then doesn;t sound like you will go overdue! Fingers crossed for you that you baby gets into position.

pixie - my heartburn has disappeared as well - think my bump is also lower so I suppose that's why?

caitni and BPM - I've never heard of Mary Cronk - will have to look her up. I'm reading Sheila Kitzinger atm which I am loving - trying to learn all my different kinds of breathing in case I do have the lovely waterbirth I had planned.

TLC - lucky you having a routine scan at 36 weeks. I think everyone should have one to check that the baby/placenta is in a good position, growing well etc - I'm sure a lot of traumatic labours could be avoided that way... (although I also concede that medical professionals may know a LITTLE bit more than me on these matters....)

PacificDogwood · 01/02/2010 16:26

Hi, people!
Right, should any of you ever have the misfortune to need a bone marrow biopsy: it is not that bad . Done and dusted in 3 minutes, had lots of local anaethestetic, only felt pressure but no pain when the consultant took the bone sample (trephine), very unpleasant but shortlived discomfort when she sucked up some actual bone marrow. It is now 2 hours since it has been done and apart from a very slight bruised feeling I am absolutely fine. AND the blood count they took at the same time is totally normal - first normal blood count since September, yeah!!

Yes, I am well pleased and probably slightly euphoric, so just ignore me .
One week to wait to get a result though, meh.

Good luck to all of you having 36 week scans: apart from seeing your babies, I hope you all get the results you want re position, weight, placenta etc.
I'll get scanned again at 37 weeks (just the way it worked out with scheduling) to make sure my geriatric placenta is not giving up the ghost prematurely .

Anyhoo, have a nice afternoon/evening!

PacificDogwood · 01/02/2010 16:32

Just found this thread about ECV, for all of you with uncooperative bump dweller!

Caitni · 01/02/2010 16:34

Pacific phew that the biopsy wasn't too bad, but still founds like quite an ordeal [lightweight squeamish emoticon]. And well done on the normal blood count . Now just hope those results come back all clear. And feel as euphoric as you want!

Pixie bet they'll love being twins! All the twins I knew growing up loved it, and I was always jealous of proper twins...just didn't like having a baby sister who refused to be my baby sister for 4 days a year . Sorry to hear your DD1 is being a bit nervous, she's at the age where she knows the bad stuff so is probably more anxious for you than your younger DC would be...

Pingpong · 01/02/2010 16:35

I am very of you who have stopped getting heartburn. Mine is terrible.
I also need to pee constantly, the baby is definitely pushing right down on my bladder. I feel as if it's going to fall out very soon!
Head is engaged so at least I know it's not breech.
Sorry for all you ladies with breech or transverse lies at the moment. A school friend had EVC that didn't work and said it was very painful, had uncomplicated c-section followed by VBAC. From my reading up of VBAC it seems like you have a very good chance of natural delivery if breech was your reason for CS whereas 'failure to progress' is less successful, ho hum, I'm still going to try.
pixie I was thinking about your itchy bump and reckon it is probably just down to the extreme stretching your tummy skin has had to do to accommodate the twins. Keep slapping on the moisturiser!
itchy nipples -
I don't mind the raspberry leaf tea but I don't take milk in regular tea and quite like green tea, herbal stuff etc.
heckle glad you are getting some support and hope you start to feel better soon.
pacific hope you got on okay today
emlout let us know how you get on with your scan.
BPM your friend sounds a bit very unreasonable but I hope she will be able to repay the favour sometime. Can't believe she suggested your DS missed his swimming class though

PixieOnaLeaf · 01/02/2010 16:40

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Caitni · 01/02/2010 16:58

Pixie at the birth video they watched - it'll be tempting to quote her words back to herself when she hits the broody stage when she's older . Still, the video sounds like a good way to try and minimise teen pregnancy risk...

BulletProofMum · 01/02/2010 17:15

My bump is so low now it feels as if it will fall out. The pressure on my pelvic floor/ bladder/fanny is so great it really hurts when the baby moves if I'm stood up. It feels sometime if the baby is trying to claw its way out.

I don't remeber this from my previous pgs!

DrSkidaddle · 01/02/2010 17:28

pacific - brilliant news re blood count and well done for getting through the bone marrow biopsy (also made me a bit squeamish pixie!)

thanks for the link to the ECV thread as well - puts me off having one even more... especially as I will have to go alone because DH will have to look after the DC

BPM - yes i have a lot of pressure this time too - suppose it is because our pelvic floors are weaker/more ancient this time round sometimes I feel like my fanjo has turned inside out when I stand up

smac - sorry you're still suffering with heartburn suppose that throws my 'baby is down so heartburn has gone' theory... only a few weeks to go though and you'll have a gorgeous baby instead of heartburn

Pingpong · 01/02/2010 17:35

I was too busy scrolling so mananged to x posts with pacific good news about the blood count and fingers crossed for the other results. Glad it wasn't too daunting - you have to be brave though you're a medical professional, you can't go all weak kneed like pixie ;-)

Chuckle at your DD1 pixie best form of contraception is to put them off altogether!

BPM I've only done this baby thing once before but I could have written the exact same thing. I also get the knitting needle up your wotsit feeling that I've heard described on other threads. Definitely didn't experience that first time round.

IWCAS hope you have chased up your physio appt. Crawling round the flat doesn't sound good

BulletProofMum · 01/02/2010 17:48

To those that are going for a CS/VBAC - it was only after the VBAC that I had my fanny turned inside out. There is an advantage to C/sections.

MandaHugNKiss · 01/02/2010 17:51

spent the weekend at DP's mother's so no internets for me. And as I'm feeling rather listless I shall have to rely on memory to reply to everthing I've read since I last posted; expect HUGE gaps and lots of posts to be inadvertantly missed!

Firstly, pixie (well, something directed at me, and just a few posts back - bound to be top o' the list!). DD is nothing but excited. Regular updates/count downs on her facebook status and she posted scan pictures as they became available too. One of her very best friends is also expecting a boy sib a couple of weeks before this one arrives so maybe it helps to have a friend in a similar situation? I have to say we've always been fans of human biology (and as such both kids have seen multiple types of birth on tv/internet before) and so although she realises that issues can crop up I don't believe she's remotely worried. THe fact I had such an easy time delivering both her and DS is also reassuring to her, I think. Also, she's very much a 'glass half full' kinda gal (whereas I'm more of a 'there's hardly anything in that glass...and it appears to be leaking. Not to mention at any moment that glass could simply shatter' kinda gal) so I'm sure that even if any negative outcomes have occured to her she's dismissed them.

She did ask me the other day that if I go into labour when they're at school are they going to come home/to the hospital. And I kinda laughed it off saying the way I pop babies out there probably won't be time so they can just come home as usual after school (they have keys) then DP will come and get them when they're home. But, in all seriousness, I guess I need a contingency in place for evening/middle of the night senarios. I also know she'd like to be in the room when the baby is born but I'm struggling a little with the idea of DP even being there (exDH was only present for literally the last two minutes when DD born and not there at all when DS born - but I actually liked it that way. I could concentrate on how I felt/go with the flow rather than worry about the other person as is my way, really).

DS(12), he is very touchy feely with my bump and talks to it, but I dont think he really has any idea of how the baby will impact on his life. But for now the fact he's been pleased from the moment I got pregnant (was actually asking for a sib for a few years) is reassuring/enough.

Maybe you and she ought to watch a few episodes of the birth programmes that are on dicovery home and health every morning? Often, the outcomes are very good and even when things don't go to plan they still end up ok. I think her seeing that video in school would have been unhelpful - she wouldn't have been able to talk about, honestly and realistically. what what going on and how it made her feel. Desensitisation/avoiding 'fear of the unknown' can only be good for her, eh?

I guess fishfingers have feelings too.

I forget who asked about itchy nipples. I'm happy to report that I'm itch-free right now but a couple of weeks back they were burning. Similar to how they felt in the early weeks. I just put it down to more changes preparing for milk production and consciously pushed the feeling out of my mind. I don't wear a bra at all in bed/oten indoors now... but then I'm still a 'modest' c cup despite going up two cup sizes from prepregnancy so I understand that's not necessarily comfortable for our more well endowed ladies.

pacific!! I would have relayed my mum's experience of a bone marrow biopsy if I'd have thought/been on, but her experience sounds a lot liek yours 'local, pressure, bruised feeling after'. Obviously good bloods are a great sign - here's hoping this is the beginning of the end to your white blood cell count blip. One of those 'we just don't know why it happened' things

Yay for the return of TLC - we missed you, lady!

anna Hope your cough is on it's way out?

hekcle Poor you! It's pretty well known that shingles and the viruses in that 'family' are more opportunistic when the 'victim' is run down/exhausted. Rest up, deal with stress, consider taking a multi vit/mineral if not already (pregnancy one to avoid too much vit a) as it can't hurt and may just give you a little boost, and when my nan had shingles I did some research and found that it seems supplementing with lysine/avoiding foods high in arginine may be beneficial (a quick look online seems it's safe in pregnancy - as lysine is an amino acid (building block of protein) I can't imagine how it might be harmful but would look a little further...). Feel better soon!

Ummm... I'm sure there's so much more I want to say/address but that's all for now!

mumbot · 01/02/2010 17:54

Really glad you're feeling OK after your bone marrow biopsy pacific good to hear it wasn't too painful afterwards

Thanks also for link on ECV thread

scooby26 · 01/02/2010 19:23

pacific - really glad biopsy went ok and you got good blood results.

Went to our two classes over the weekend. The first was a 'parenting' class where we saw an 11 hr baby be bathed. Not so novel for me as I have seen/done it with 3 nephews but DH who isn't so hands on when they are so brand new learned a bit. The other class was basically a tour of the ward. I have to be honest- I came away deflated. Maybe I'm too used to nice holidays and nice hotels etc but out of 12 delivery rooms only 4 have ensuite toilets- so in the throws of labour you have to get 'decent' and wander round the halls to a communal loo!! As previously mentioned I also asked about the birthing balls. They looked grimy to say the least and certainly are not sterilised for each patient- if ever!! The midwife wasnt sure what if anything happened to them - urgh!!!!! You can't tell me there are not occasions when some labouring mothers do not sit on those balls and leak bodily fluids!! So sadly I came away feeling let down and quite nervous about it all. Kinda wish I hadn't gone at all. Postnatally the wards are for 4/6 ladies unless you 'pay' for a single room ( if they are even available - 1st come 1st served ) and even the single rooms aren't ensuite either. I may be a snob but I don't EVER like using communal bathrooms never mind when the patients I may be sharing with have an average age of 17 yrs and have no idea of cleanliness. Lets hope I make it to 37 weeks, can have my pool birth and get home in 6 hours !!!!!

PacificDogwood · 01/02/2010 20:12

Apologies to all those who felt squeamish on my account, sorry, if it was TMI, no harm was intended. And FWIW, I felt squeamish too.... 'Tis always an education to be at the receiving end of health care provision .

scooby, sorry to hear your tour of the labour ward was not too inspiring - I was thinking of asking for one too as I have not delivered at this hospital before. Maybe ignorance is bliss . Yuck at birth balls, that's made up my mind, I do not care what they think, I am bringing my own (if I can find it in the garage and clean the grime off and inflate it without it leaking ).

Just to counter BPM's bad VBAC experience: I had a good one and am hoping for another one. Not trying to be controversial, just mean to say if you end up in a situation where you are given a choice between different modes of delivery (as I was last time round), go with what you are comfortable with. I felt if I did not at least try for a vaginal delivery, I'd felt, I dunno, that I'd missed out? Not sure really, but felt strongly I had to give it a go and was v lucky with a good end result. Equally, if I had ended up with another CS, I think/hope I would have been fine about it (as I was with emCS with DS2 as there was no other way he was going to come out alive) as long as I had tried IYKWIM.
I suppose it is all about thinking about the bad possible outcomes for either option and then deciding what one could live with more easily. Gawd, does any of this make any sense?
I am truly not intending to undermine anybody elses birth choices and am going to stop now before the hole I have dug myself gets any deeper .

mummyscrummy · 01/02/2010 20:15

Evening ladies,

Not been on all weekend been decorating the kitchen so i've read through everything and will try my very best to not miss anyone out or get anyone confused

pacific really pleased biopsy went ok and that your bloods have come back normal

scooby with you on the communal loos thing, don't go in public toilets if i can help it (although at the moment its becoming more regular ), at my hospital they have jack and jill toilets in the delivery suites which is ok if you remeber to lock both doors! but on the ward there are 3 toilets thats it!! and like you even the single rooms are not en suite!
the birthing balls sound disgusting, would they let you take your own if you wanted?

BPM im also getting that feeling! sometimes if i stand up too quick i feel as though baby is gonna drop put too! And a question for you, You have had both cs and vbac, in your honest opinion which was more comfortable and what about this time round? i had emcs last time and comm midwife is very pro vbac so is slightly pushing me to go for that, but i would like another cs i think! All the vbac stories i have read have been positive but i have my reservations!

Itchy nipples - only in the morning and if im cold, then they feel like they're on fire!
No itchy bump tho!

Want to thank all again that suggested spatone instead of iron tabs, i can actually poo again!!!

As I said before been busy decorating the kitchen this weekend, well i say decorating all we've (or should i say I) achieved was steaming all the 2 layers on woodchip wallpaper which had been coated with about 10 coats of paint, off the walls!
Went to a friends xmas do on Sat night, (her DP is like mine and diesnt like to socialise!), hoping i would last the night! Yeah right, had to phone my darling dad to come pick me up at 11, knew i shoulda took the car but the bus was laid on for free! Didnt do too bad i suppose had a couple of hours dancing, minus the heels of course!

Had a lovely day with DS today. I love mondays the only day its just me and him cos i'm off, even managed to grab a nap with him on the setee for an hour!

Anyway really sorry if i've missed anyone, not purposely theres just so many to catch up on! Hope you've all had a good monday and your all well!

mummyscrummy · 01/02/2010 20:20

hey pacific
its good to hear both sides on vbbac as i'm really on the fence! Like you DS1 had to be emcs otherwise he wouldn't have come out alive, so totally understood why but i dont feel as though i've missed out either! You make toal sense by the way and you didnt dig yourself a hole!

Henrietta · 01/02/2010 22:18

For those with transverse/breech babies - just found this www.radmid.demon.co.uk/presentation.htm
may be of interest