Calling all Mums - first timer with LOADS of questions.

[LuckySalem]

Hi all,

I'm now 33 weeks pregnant (well tomorrow I am) and I have loads of questions that I know I should ask my MW but I'm so nervous that I just can't I have questions that need the anonomous touch (IFKWIM)

Ok easy ones first

Vitimin K - Has anyone had it? Anyone had bad experiences, what exactly is it for?

Umbilical Cord - DP doesn't want to cut it (it's gross apparently) Can I do it? Also was reading on storing cord blood, does anyone have any experiences of this. Was thinking about letting the cord stop pulsing before cutting it, any ideas there?

Labour - Is it true you can get caught short when pushing? I've read stories but wondered just how regular this was.

I bet I'll think of some more soon OR IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO POST SOME FEEL FREE TO USE THE THREAD.

Thanks ahead guys.

funnypeculiar - you are right about the issue of Vit K. A few years ago there was a (now discredited and found to be misleading) study, linking Vit K to childhood leukaemias, and there was quite a backlash against having Vit K, esp by injection.

In Australia (living there at the time), it was found that there were an increased number of babies dying of clotting disorders (although still a very, very small number) and so it was strongly recommended that all babies have Vit K again.

There doesn't seem to be any side effects of having it IM, but a lot of parents dont want to subject their baby to another injection, so have it orally. Problem with oral is that its given in 2-3 doses and its common not to get the follow up doses, so if you are going to have VIT K at all, its better to have the injection IMO.

Baby starts producing its own Vit K after about 1 month.

Revel - if you're still around, it sounds like very early labour, and if you are coping with the pain ok I would try and rest. These tighteneings can often stop and start for a few days, so I would recommend staying home and waiting for the real thing, which, for most people, are 4-5 mins apart, lasting 1 minute and painful. Then your cx will be starting to change. If you go to hospital now you will just be sent home again!

With the Labour question- i found once i was in Labour i could have ran round the Labour ward stark naked for all i cared, doing a poo was the least of my worries!

hi all- thanks very much for the answers- they are painful when they happen but still only a few seconds long! short sharp shocks really. and v irregular. ill get a wave of a few a couple of minutes apart, then none for 30 mins or so. really hope this is not what my next few days look like!
but after i read your answers i rang my hospital who agreed, and want me to call in again when things go up a gear. im having a home birth so i can just chill out at this point on the sofa! right. will stop hi jacking this thread now...

Good luck with the homebirth Revel - let me know how it goes. I'm not sure on whether I want to have a homebirth yet.

btw, have you both seen this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1365/422006 - nice uplifting stuff for mums to be

Thanks for that link, i have kept a brief eye on it but just read through it again and it's lovely to not see ONLY horror stories, really relaxed me now.

Just don't like hospitals so gotta get over that bit next!!! lol

vit k no side affects
dont think dh was even asked to cut cord but his reaction to the afterbirth makes me beleive he wouldnt have wanted to!
as for pooing you wont know or care at the time!didnt think i did but when i mentioned afterwards i didnt dh went quiet and changed the subject quickly so i must have but what i dont know wont hurt me

In response to OP. Apologies for any repeats. Answers obviously based on my personal experiences!

Vit K: Stops the baby suffering bleeding problems etc.

Cord: Your Dp WILL want to cut it. He will get swept away with it all and will be glad to do it.
I would personally say on this note, let them cut it/get it cut asap. I let the cord 'die' with DS1 which allows all the red blood cells back into the baby. This caused him to be in hosp. for the first 2 weeks with severe jaundice. It was cut straight away with DS2 and had no probs. at all. Cutting it soon did not interfere with the early, precious moments in any way. With any subsequent babies I will do the same. Not all babies get this, but Mone did and I didn't want to risk it again.

Labour: Not so much you get 'caught short' whilst pushing but the babies' head compresses the rectum on the way out, forcing anything in there, out! Usually, soon before labour begins, your body has a good 'clear out' so there is not much there anyway. Had both boys in water and with DS1 there were a couple of tiny 'bumbles' as we call them in our house but certainly nothing major. You don't even know and MW wll remove them swiftly.

Lastly, have a great time!

I thoroughly enjoyed it both times and I am NOT a hippy, sadly.