Membrane Sweep

[Samkate]

Hi all

I'm 40+1 and had my membrane sweep today. Midwife told me I'm 2cm dilated, with a soft, short cervix that is in a good position.

Interesting thing I learnt from her, apparently after you've had a baby your cervix never properly closes again, so you're always 1cm dilated even when not pregnant!
(Makes be being 2cm dilated slightly less exciting!)

I had two sweeps with my first baby so not getting my hopes up to avoid induction this time, but she said it's more likely to work with subsequent babies.

Anyone else getting close/over?

[Samkate]

Thanks all.

Oh my god big! I was up the other night thinking ooh is this the start of it....or do I just need a poo?? Sadly it was the latter!! Haha
I said it to my midwife and she laughed

I'm not really sure what braxton hicks are...
Does it just feel like your bump is tightening? Like contractions but normally without the pain?
Things sometimes get tight but im not sure if its just the baby turning and pushing itself out.

[Bigfam]

Haha sam those pesky pooh's!
Yes, that sounds like braxton hicks, it's basically practice contractions without the pain (supposedly, I've had painful ones before) they can be 'uncomfortable' but you can tell they're not the real deal if they stop when you do something else, eg if your sat
down, get up, if you're up and about-relax or have a bath. They're also worse if you're dehydrated or usually if you've done too much.

[Samkate]

Do they always come a few at a time big or can you just get one every now and again.
Maybe I AM getting these then but just didn't know it. My bump went hard earlier and it just felt really tense, maybe that was one!

Anyone have any exciting news?
Are your contractions still going happy?

[happydays00]

I've had very sporadic BH. My bump went very tight and I had no other pain. Sometimes I'd have just one, sometimes a few more but never in a regular pattern or lasting a regular amount of time.

Well, I've been at the hospital for reduced movements today (baby obviously having a duvet day), all is fine but they are inducing me tomorrow morning That's if I don't go into active labour tonight, so they have said. So I'm bouncing on the ball and crab walking around the house to try and beat the induction! Oh and off to google "positive induction stories"!!

[Samkate]

Glad baby is ok happy.
At least you know you're gonna have your baby In your arms very soon.

Don't worry about induction! People have good and bad experiences just like they do in natural labour!
Mine was fine so really don't worry. Just think about getting that baby in your arms
Crab walk up and down the stairs holding onto the bannister and good luck!!

[Bigfam]

They can be a one off too sam ftom what you described, it does sound like it
Good luck with the induction happy how far along are you?

[Samkate]

Any news overnight happy?

[Bigfam]

maybe happy has had her baby sam and that's why there's radio silence. Still getting the annoying twinges, I've noticed they always start late afternoon/early evening then stop 😬

[Samkate]

I'm glad someone's having their baby! Lol
I'm just in an almost constant state of discomfort now.
Just been for a long walk around my local lake, no baby but I did find a fiver! So swings and roundabouts!

[happydays00]

No baby, just an awful induction Was hyper stimulated by the pessary thing so had back to back contractions for about 5 hours until they finally gave in to my begging to be monitored/examined to discover I was having about 8 strong contractions in 10 minutes and the baby was going into distress. I'm still only 2cm dilated. Who knows what tomorrow's plan will be.

to all - this baby carrying thing is a bit shit!

[Bigfam]

Oh no happy sounds awful
Hopefully they have a better plan for today and your baby arrives nice and safely.
Yes, towards the end, pregnancy is a lot shit

[Samkate]

Hope today has been managed better for you happy, have you got your baby in your arms yet?

I had my little boy, Alex, this morning at 05:24.
My waters broke last night at 20:40 without contractions. Went into the maternity assessment unit, was still only 2cm at 23:00 so went off for a walk. Told to stay in because suddenly got contractions every 3mins but very manageable. Reexamined at 04:00, only 3 bloody cm!! i just broke down. 5 hours for 1 cm!!
But suddenly within an hour and a half my baby was in my arms! Crazy!

At home now and still in shock! Lol

Good luck everyone. Can't wait to hear everyone's babies are here and happy.

[Bigfam]

Oh my god sam well done!!!!
I'll be the only one left at this rate 😦
I'm glad that he's here though, how much did he weigh?

[Samkate]

Thanks big
7lbs 5oz.
You forget how tiny newborns are!!
I can't stop staring at him. I'm totally in love. He looks exactly like my other boy did when he was born.

[happydays00]

Oh congratulations samkate!! Very happy for you!

Another day of contractions and still 2cm so it's a c section tomorrow for me. Not what I wanted but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Come on bigfam!! Has audrey had her baby too?

[AudreyBradshaw]

Baby Boy. Born 28th by c-sec after 30 hours in labour. Failure to progress and a blooming 9lb baby.

Epidurals are amazing. So is baby boy. Instant love

[Bigfam]

Congrats Audrey I bet both your boys are gorgeous and perfect ladies!

Hope you've managed to catch some rest in that time happy sounds exhausting. I seem to have camped down in my tunnel and can't even see the light at the end

[Bigfam]

Oh amd good luck with your section happy hope it all goes smoothly

[Samkate]

Congratulations Audrey! Lovely news.

Did you have your section Happy?

How are you getting on Big? It won't be long now! Are you booked in for an induction?

[Bigfam]

No pains sam and a toddler who was nearly hospitalised with rsv because she couldn't breath, she's so poorly
I'm having a sweep the next time I see my mw, next friday, 40 weeks. I guess we'll book an induction then 😕 how are you and baby?

[Samkate]

Ah yes I forgot you weren't overdue yet.
Aw im sorry to hear about your toddler. How are your other kids? Have they caught it too? Hope youre all ok.

We are good thanks. My 3 year old has been SO sweet with him. Has brought both me and my DH to tears a couple of times because he has been so loving towards him.
Baby is perfect in the day, has milk quickly then straight back to sleep for at least a couple of hours.
The night time...he sends his evil twin out to play! Haha!
Shockingly my house has never been so tidy. I think when you HAVE to keep a routine and tidy as you go along, it feels less of a chore and is much easier to do!

[Bigfam]

Fingers crossed I wont go over! They've all got coughs and colds (who hasn't at the mo?!) I think it's where she's a bit smaller and it's hit her hard.

Oh bless your ds, he sounds like a little cutie. Glad both you and baby are well

[Bigfam]

I've got me a baby! Contractions started about 2am got here at half 5 and was 8cm dilated. Romy born 7.33am weighing 7lbs 7oz at 39+1

[Soubriquet]

Congrats!!! Enjoy those squishes

[Samkate]

Aw congratulations big!!
Sooo cute! Think that's all of us with our babies now! Well done ladies 😊