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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

39 weeks - fed up

69 replies

QueenOfWeeds · 31/01/2023 17:45

I’ve been leaking a lot today pretty sure it’s urine not my waters, but that’s purely from googling. I’ve had an unsettled tummy the past few days, and the baby has been super active (which is really nice, actually).

The Tena pants are uncomfy, I’m irritable (and permanently ravenous), I’ve got piles, I’m walking around but super tired from it, even though I was walking more last week when I was still working. I can’t sit still for more than about 10 minutes, but as soon as I stand up I want to sit down. Haven’t yet had the urge to do frantic cleaning, but I am very aware that the house is not exactly what I want to bring baby home to. DH is super busy at work - he’s a star when he’s around, but he’s needed in the office for handovers and parental leave prep so it’s just me and my overthinking during the day at the moment.

Rant over. Anyone else want to join?

OP posts:
Itsmeitscathyivecomehome · 01/02/2023 17:27

@QueenOfWeeds oh bless you sorry you’re having to go straight for the drip. Will be really thinking of you. Let us know how you get on.

So no further progress since my second sweep. So tomorrow morning at 11 I’m going in to be induced. They think they might be able to pop my waters straight away so hopefully contractions start and I don’t have to do the drip too. If that’s the case I think I will ask for an epidural.

im so nervous.

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 01/02/2023 17:40

Good luck!

OP posts:
Cuppasoupmonster · 01/02/2023 19:44

That’s interesting about the pessary! I had the drip with DD - I would really advise an epidural early on, not even so much for the pain relief aspect but more to save energy for the end - 10 hours of strong contractions was exhausting, I didn’t have adequate pain relief so by the end I had no energy left to push and was falling asleep between contractions 😕 in hindsight I should’ve had an early epidural and rested or had a nap. Good luck whatever you decide! Looking forward to the baby updates.

GoT1904 · 01/02/2023 20:15

How is everything going guys?

I had the drip and honestly didn't mind it. I did tell them to turn it up slowly lol. I think it kind of depends how ready you are for how high they have to turn it up xx

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 01/02/2023 20:34

Someone else here with early waters going has been told she can have a pessary, so who knows?!

Will definitely ask for an early epidural - good tip!

OP posts:
purplejungle · 01/02/2023 21:34

I had the drip with first baby as things weren't progressing and contractions were already very intense - I had the epidural before the drip started.

With second baby I had the drip as my waters went but labour didn't start. I decided to give the drip a go without the epidural to start with and it was manageable with only gas and air as they turned the drip up very slowly. I didn't need the drip up too high as it seemed to kick start my body into doing it for itself. I think although contractions hadn't started, my waters having gone meant my body was nearly ready and only needed a little push from the drip.

I was offered the gel but decided to go straight for the drip because it's easier to control, turn up and down etc.

Good luck!

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 01/02/2023 21:38

@purplejungle this is useful, thanks!

Just sent DH to the hospital cafe for snacks so I can preserve the labour bag goodies. I’d already eaten a packet of sweets before he got here 😂. Every time I say I’m hungry he produces a piece of fruit - he has to run out of healthy stuff soon!

OP posts:
GoT1904 · 01/02/2023 21:40

QueenOfWeeds · 01/02/2023 21:38

@purplejungle this is useful, thanks!

Just sent DH to the hospital cafe for snacks so I can preserve the labour bag goodies. I’d already eaten a packet of sweets before he got here 😂. Every time I say I’m hungry he produces a piece of fruit - he has to run out of healthy stuff soon!

Fruit?!?! Pshhhh. You need more sustainance.. Cookies? I have a pack of dried mango in my birth bag and the rest is absolute junk food 😂

Cuppasoupmonster · 02/02/2023 10:56

Mine is flapjacks, dried apricots and lucozade! How is it going OP? Hope the silence means there is a baby here!

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 11:11

Still here, still no progress. Super busy last night apparently, so only got a bed on the labour ward at 7am and haven’t started the drip yet.

I wish the silence was from snuggling my baby!

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 14:23

(Little) update - still no baby (still no contractions!) but they have given me the gel to try and start things off before getting to the drip. Fingers crossed!

The staff are all so lovely, but obviously hideously overworked.

OP posts:
Cuppasoupmonster · 02/02/2023 16:50

Good luck! Getting any twinges/pains?

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 17:05

A few, but nothing substantial. More like period pains. Got another 90 minutes for them to ramp up enough to avoid the drip…

OP posts:
DiaryofWimpyMumm · 02/02/2023 17:05

Good luck!! Hope it all goes smoothly

RandomMess · 02/02/2023 17:29

I always took ages to get into labour but the rest of it was quick. Hope it goes well Flowers

Sashimito · 02/02/2023 19:00

Hope it all goes well!

I'm 39+3 and pretty grumpy this evening.

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 19:22

Welcome to the club @Sashimito !

OP posts:
Cuppasoupmonster · 02/02/2023 19:51

I would ask for an examination before the drip to make sure you haven’t started dilating - just to make sure they’re not trying to ‘speed you up’ when you’ve actually made a bit of progress…

Itsmeitscathyivecomehome · 02/02/2023 19:57

I’ve been admitted for induction since 11am this morning 😩

Im 2cm dilated so they want to pop my waters but I have to wait for a bed on labour ward first. Think it might be a long night.

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 20:13

Cuppasoupmonster · 02/02/2023 19:51

I would ask for an examination before the drip to make sure you haven’t started dilating - just to make sure they’re not trying to ‘speed you up’ when you’ve actually made a bit of progress…

Yes, definitely. Thanks.

Just heard one of the medical staff describe the last two days as “horrendously busy” so that’s great timing!

@Itsmeitscathyivecomehome good luck! Hope you get a bed soon. We got a beanbag, a trolley and a patch of floor in an ultrasound room last night (and it was actually pretty comfy!).

OP posts:
Cuppasoupmonster · 02/02/2023 20:17

Sorry I don’t mean to make suggestions out of turn, it’s just I was induced on a busy ward and in hindsight it looks like the drip was just used to speed me up and get me out the room, rather than because I wasn’t making steady progress. So i have a bee in my bonnet about it!

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 20:26

@Cuppasoupmonster please don’t apologise!

DH and I are currently discussing a c section. My body really doesn’t feel like it’s made any progress, and I’m anxious that I don’t want the baby to go through an extended period of forced contractions. Waiting for the new shift to come round on the ward so we can discuss options. Not where I wanted our birth to go, but it is what it is.

OP posts:
Cussons · 02/02/2023 20:32

Just to offer another perspective. I was offered the drip, I was totally against it tbh. But it was the only option or c section. So I went with it. I had an epidural put first as they warned my contractions could come on very strong and fast. It actually turned out to be a good experience. I actually slept the whole night as I couldn't feel any contractions. Woke up and it was time to push, baby was out in an hour Smile. Just sharing a good experience. I hope all goes well and you get to meet baby very soon!

Original poster
QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 20:36

Thanks @Cussons.

OP posts:
MrNook · 02/02/2023 21:08

QueenOfWeeds · 02/02/2023 20:26

@Cuppasoupmonster please don’t apologise!

DH and I are currently discussing a c section. My body really doesn’t feel like it’s made any progress, and I’m anxious that I don’t want the baby to go through an extended period of forced contractions. Waiting for the new shift to come round on the ward so we can discuss options. Not where I wanted our birth to go, but it is what it is.

If I were in your situation I think this is what I would want too, hope it goes the way that you want xx