BFPs after IVF - part 3 (babies start arriving)

[HopefulllHolly]

Hi all,

SENSITIVE CONTENT - discusses pregnancy and birth after infertility

Continuation of previous threads for anyone with a BFP following IVF. This thread we should have some of us giving birth!

@anniestar12
@dippyduck19
@fluffyted
@leaf86
@loup87
@natty2
@thepeachgoose
@always28
@edf

Hi everyone - starting another thread! Will post the link in the other thread in case others still want to chat but for now have only added people who have posted more recently. 😊

@HopefulllHolly norovirus is awful let alone at 37 weeks! Glad am back to normal now and baby has been super active which has been really reassuring considering how ill I was. Baby boy is always sticking his bum out too!
Hope you had a nice Christmas with family and got lots of things for the hospital bag! As for nappy size I've just put a pack of pampers size 1s which I think are 5-10lb.

@ThePeachGoose sorry it sounds as though you are having a hard time with your friend. You really need to do what's best for you over the next few weeks and prioritise your mental health! Hopefully you'll get some support in place from your appointment on Monday.

@LouP87 hope your appointment on Monday goes ok. Remember you don't have to agree to anything. Just make sure you've done your research and if you want to go longer you can ask for extra scans, CTG, monitoring etc. My hospital reiterate BRAIN to make any decisions - Benefits, Risks, Alternatives?, Intuition, and what happens if I do Nothing?
Also can't believe you are still working! But at least you can work from home!

I just want baby out now!!! I've started walking a lot more, going to go kerb walking and do some deep squats, lunges and lots of bouncing on my birthing ball. Started raspberry leaf tea capsules (as they're a bit stronger than the actual tea so was reluctant before Xmas).

Have also had some problems with the ILs which is affecting my mental health. Really struggling at the moment but trying to pick myself up and concentrate on me and baby. The stress certainly won't help me bring on labour.
Have had the ILs all over Xmas who a criticised my birthing plan and think I'm being very naive. I don't think I am but I would like to remain positive about it. We also discussed boundaries around visiting after the birth as DP and I would like some time alone before visitors, which went down a s**t storm! Am exhausted from it all! Part of me now just wants to go into labour and not tell a soul 😂

@LouP87 Are you planning to work all the way up to the birth?
Good for you for putting your foot down and telling work you won’t be coming into London. My due date is end of Feb and even at this stage I couldn’t be bothered to go on the commuter trains and tubes, or the hustle & bustle of central London.
Phew on the blood test repeats coming back looking good! But oh lord this GD bonanza seems like a very poorly managed situation which surely was only made worse by the Christmas break. I’m pleased that you’re seeing a consultant tomorrow. They’ll be best placed to make recommendations on GD in the context of the growth scan as well, especially as it sounds like your GD is borderline now that you’re managing it. Hope that you’ll be able to get the birth you want in the end and that the baby comes before the need of any induction / c section.
On kickstarting things naturally, I’ve read in the Emily Oster book that nipple stimulation has some evidence behind it as well, but it’s something to the tune of a few hours per day lol probably the expressing attempts might cover that, but I think it helps if you’re relaxed, take a warm bath, put on some music and take your time with it. Whereas it sounds like you’ve been through the wringer in the past week!
Ah that’s funny that you have the opposite problem with the MIL. Hopefully she’s just trying to give you two some space to figure things out on your own, but good that you communicated your actual wishes via your partner.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 thank you, I’ve already been feeling so much more relieved now that she’s stopped messaging me. But you’re right, even if she gets back to me, I need to put myself and my baby first and ignore her as she’s not good for my mental health. Hopefully talking to a therapist will help further, especially with the feeling of guilt of not being there for my friend when she’s going through a nasty divorce. But at this point it would have probably been too much even for my non-pregnant self.
Gosh, it constantly baffles me how family in particular can feel so entitled to judge your choices, despite you being the one that has to go through them and live with them. Not to mention that it’s your life, your baby, you’re an adult and you can do whatever you god damn please 😆 If I started telling my MIL what I thought about the health issues she’s never managing, or go to her house and follow zero of her rules, she’d go bezerk and say I’m rude and know-it-all. But somehow it never applies the other way round!
A big hug to you though, as I’m struggling with the same stuff and the feeling that control is being taken away from me now that a baby is in the mix. If you’re lucky, you won’t have to see the IL’s at all until after the birth, and your partner should be the one dealing with them and putting his foot down, laying down the rules. Hopefully he can shield you from them enough that you can focus on your own mental health and getting in the zone.

@ThePeachGoose i was meant to be working right up to when he arrives, but I’m finishing on Friday now as I’ve just been booked in for induction on 7th Jan!

Had another growth scan this morning, he’s 94th% now so has come down from 97th, anything 95 and over they class as “too big” but nonetheless have booked me in anyway.

Still hoping he comes on his own before then, but if he doesn’t then at least I know next week he’ll be here!

@LouP87 oh my gosh, one more week until baba is here!!!! I bet you’ll be ramping up all the tips & tricks to nudge him to arrive early 😆 Do you feel ready to meet your baby? I can’t believe it, the first baby if the group 😍

@LouP87 OHMYGOSH!! One week until you meet baby boy! I bet you can’t wait! Get bouncing on that ball, kerb walking, raspberry tea-ing and all the other things that are meant to help! Im so excited for you! What have you got planned for your last week, apart from work?!

@ThePeachGoose thanks. DP is dealing with his family but worries about upsetting them. Sometimes I need to step in to get my point across. But am concentrating on myself for now!

@LouP87 how exciting you have a date for next week and baby boy will be here! How are you feeling?

I think I lost part of my mucous plug this morning and the braxton hicks have definitely ramped up! Hoping this is the start of something!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 OH MY GOD! Things are starting to happen here. Hopefully this is the beginning of it all and that all will go smoothly for you. Fingers crossed, how exciting!

How exciting @WhiskeyInTheJar33 Hope it happens quickly and safely for you! Eeek so lovely! 😍❤️

Ahhh@WhiskeyInTheJar33 ! So excited for you!

Happy new year all, what an exciting one for us!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 so exciting!! Hope all is ok?!

@LouP87 so exciting that you will get to meet your baby next week!! Hope you are doing ok
Did you have a glucose test for your GD diagnosis?

@ThePeachGoose how has the heartburn been now?
Hope you are doing ok, it must be hard for you this time of year with your dad's anniversary.

@HopefulllHolly glad you had a lovely Christmas! I get you on the smoked salmon 😂 my MIL put out a load of cured meats and I was like errr... can't eat any of that. The GD made it hard this festive period but I've managed! Managed to finally speak to the diabetes midwife yesterday and she's upped my meds to see if that will help with the fasting bloods otherwise it may be insulin injections for me.
Sounds like you've got a lovely week ahead planned and so exciting your baby shower is in a few days!

On my side the growth scan was showing 86 percentile still. They will scan again at 36 weeks but with the GD etc they're going to plan a delivery for 37-38 weeks which will be from 30th Jan! My original due date was 20th Feb so all feeling very real now 🥰

Happy New Year everyone! And what a big year it will be for everyone 😌

@Natty2 how lovely! do you feel prepared, have everything ready for little baby joining you at the end of Jan?
The heartburn is much more manageable, thank you for asking. It was at its worst when the baby was head up but now that the baby is head down, it’s easier to manage with smaller meals, halving my dinner and having the rest 2 hours later, and taking a Gaviscon sachet every night before going to bed.
I’m mostly at peace with my dad’s passing, but it does catch you out of nowhere sometimes, during emotional times. I might have another cry on his passing anniversary, but otherwise the amount of antenatal classes and midwife / hospital appointments I have this month should be enough to keep my mind occupied.

Oh some updates on my side. I had my 31 week midwife appointment on Monday. Fundus height was 30 cm and the midwife said again that my blood tests are fine. I told her I’ve supplemented with an iron spray anyway (which she scoffed at lol) and that I’m more mindful about iron absorption (I eat an orange / fruit when I have iron-rich foods or my supplements, and delay caffeine and dairy for 2 hours after). She said it’s too early to repeat blood tests (it needs about 4 weeks to see a difference) but she left a note on my file to repeat them at the 34 weeks routine appt.
Additionally, we’re starting our antenatal classes on Tuesday next week! Very exciting. After our NCT class got cancelled, we moved to a different NCT class, but since we had to travel now, my husband booked us in for the HPHB one as well, which we’d also need to travel for, but he’s more keen on their curriculum. He didn’t want to cancel the NCT one either so I guess we’re doing both 😂 it’s mad, but he’s fine with getting that information twice and keen on trying out both groups of people. So here we are.

Happy New Year lovelies 🥳 🥂

It's now baby month for some 🙌🏻🙌🏻 sounds so crazy saying that out loud.

How is everyone doing?

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas & New Year.
I am well & truly knackered and ready to meet baby now - only 1 week (today!) until we meet our baby girl 🩷

Also, sorry I thought I'd replied to everyone but just noticed I didn't actually post my reply 🙈🙈 baby brain has been on top form these past few weeks.
My appointment with the consultant went really well - it was a man and he's does the c-sections all time at my hospital - he was more than happy to put me in for an elective c-section and agreed it was the best option for me based on my pelvic floor issues & health.
I got my text from the hospital on Monday and we've been booked in for our c-section on Wednesday 8th January!! 🥹😄 very excited but I did have a little wobble when the text came through as it all seemed so final & emotional. I'm holding onto the last few days of my baby bump as I'm going to miss feeling all the kicks and movement.

No leakages from me yet - I don't think I even have any milk in my boobs yet 🤣 they haven't changed or grown since like the beginning of the second trimester 🤷🏻‍♀️

@AnnieStar12 finishing work feels soooo good doesn't it!! It's all coming around so fast for everyone now. Awww only a few weeks until your c-section and I bet those weeks will fly by. The last few weeks for me have been a blur.

@Natty2 aww bless you, sciatica is not fun at all. How are you coping? Have you decided when to start maternity leave yet? It's hard when you run your own business. The GD must be so hard to navigate, I really do feel for you. Ohhh so excited you have a date for planned delivery!! It's not far away at all 🙌🏻 those weeks will fly by!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 awww hun, that's awful! Sorry you were so ill. I hope you & your partner are ok now? Norovirus at 37 weeks pregnancy must have been horrendous. Just before Christmas too, I hope you still managed to enjoy the festive period once you were better.
We took all our decorations down today & got the house back to normal, feels so good to be ready for the baby!
Aww, I hate it when people disagree with plans about the baby & birth - it makes it all so difficult. I've got that from my mum, which is putting a strain on our relationship at the moment. I hope your IL's manage to keep their opinions to themselves and not make you feel bad or make things difficult for you!
😂😂 I can imagine that didn't go down well with the visitors post birth. It's your baby & your recovery - you have to do what's right for you and what you want to do!! Stay strong!!
I'd love to have the baby and keep it a secret for a while lol.

@ThePeachGoose awww I feel you on the baby's position, rib pain & acid reflux!! Lots of rennie helped me & Omeprazole. I take Omeprazole every day and some days the acid reflux is better than others, similar to yours I had no pattern - it's deffo caused by where the baby decides to sit 🙈
My rib pain has got much better since the baby has moved so hopefully it won't be long for you and you'll start to feel much better soon.
I'm glad your hip & buttock pain is better now! If it makes you feel any better I only just finished all the baby bits, finally sorted the nursery out & packed my hospitals bags on Monday 😂 (I was 38 weeks on Sunday!)
Talk about leaving it all till the last minute.
I hope the council talking therapy goes well - you deffo sound like you have lots going on! I hope you're ok!
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, it's still so raw for you! It's heartbreaking. Sending you a huge hug & lots of support!

@HopefulllHolly awww I'm glad you had a few stress free & calm days with your partners dad!
Awww the kicks & movements are amazing, I'm going to miss them! Awww have an amazing baby shower!!! How exciting, you must be so excited and it means one more step closer to meeting your baby!!
Also good luck with the nursery visits - I hope they go well.
Nappies - I've gone for size 1 & 2 so a mixture. I think size 1 goes up to like 11lb or something so should be ok for a few weeks 🤞
I packed newborn & up to 1 month clothes in the hospital bag just incase my baby girl is on the bigger size - as I have noooo idea what she'll weigh at birth 🤷🏻‍♀️ I've deffo over packed 🙈.
I feel you on the tiredness. I'm so exhausted everyday.

@LouP87 ohh I'm so glad the tests came back normal!! Annoying you had to go in on Christmas Eve though! That sucks about the GD diagnosis!! I wouldn't worry about it at all, especially if you don't agree with it! I'm sure things will settle down soon too, but it's ridiculous this close to your due date too and not getting an appointment until 6th Jan!
Ohhhh that's so exciting that you've been booked in for an induction on 7th Jan!!! Your baby will be here next week 🙌🏻🙌🏻 wishing you the best of luck with the labour & new baby when he arrives 

Happy New Year all, hope everyone had lovely Christmases. Eeek good luck @Fluffyted @WhiskeyInTheJar33 @LouP87 - so close now!

Some big news over here - baby girl has arrived ! 36+1 by planned c section on NYE. Surgery went very smoothly and I lost a minimal amount of blood and no hysterectomy! We are still in hospital as baby is on the borderline for phototherapy for jaundice, but otherwise she is latching well, no feeding or blood sugar issues and has been able to stay with me the whole time. 🙌🏻 We are completely in love and although I am desperate to go home, am trying to enjoy this one on one time with her in hospital before I go home to the whirlwind of my toddler and dogs and running a home! We haven’t named her yet. She will probably be the name we had as our favourite the whole way through, but someone made a small comment that has me questioning whether it is right now. 🤦🏼‍♀️

let me know if anyone has any questions on the immediate aftermath / postnatal wards etc, it’s all very fresh in my mind at the moment 😂😂

Awww omg @Leaf86 this is the most exciting news!! Congratulations lovely 🙌🏻💖🥂 I'm so happy for you!! I'm so happy you didn't need a hysterectomy and lost minimal blood & the surgery went well.
Awww a NYE baby!!! How exciting!! I'm soooo chuffed for you. I'm so happy she's stayed with you the whole time too - what a a relief!! Deffo enjoy the one on one time with your little lady before normality of life takes over, though I bet you're so excited to introduce your toddler & doggies to the new family edition 😍
Deffo keep the name you've had all along. People will make comments about even the most traditional, common names. Don't take any notice! Once you start calling her your chosen name I'm sure any thoughts you're having will disappear.

I'm a little nervous about my planned c-section next week so it's really lovely to hear your positive story 😊 it's making feel more calm about it.

Are you on a ward with other mummies & babies?
I haven't been able to look around our hospital as they aren't allowing tours - there is an online video but it's not the best to view anything 🙈 I know every hospital is different but how is the ward you are on? Is the post-natal care good? How is your pain pos c-section?

@Leaf86 congratulations! So happy for you and that everything went well x

@Natty2 that's great you have a plan. How are you feeling about it?

@ThePeachGoose exciting your starting your antenatal classes! And good news the iron bloods are being repeated. Hopefully you're doing enough for now.

@Fluffyted we are both recovered now from norovirus, thankfully! Also trying not to give the ILs any more of my headspace!
exciting you've been booked for your section next week! I get what you mean about missing the bump and kicks! I was a bit emotional about it this morning.

@Leaf86 AHH CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 so pleased your section went well! Do you know when you'll be allowed to go home?

I had my 38 week midwife appointment today. All good so far. Baby boy is almost fully engaged! Have booked in for a sweep next Thursday at 39 weeks if I get there.

Oh my gosh @Leaf86 I was just thinking about you yesterday thinking if you were going to be having her soon! Massive congratulations! I actually had a little well up tears for you. So incredibly pleased she arrived safely, that you were ok and even better no hysterectomy. The perfect result!! I can’t tell you how happy I am for you lovely. 🥰 ❤️ I bet she is absolutely perfect. Hope you are soaking up every second with her - definitely agree on keeping your original name. I wish I had not told a soul any of ours as people honestly have an opinion on everything!

@LouP87 @Fluffyted So exciting you’re next up to meet baby! Hope you’re both feeling ok! I bet it’s a bit surreal knowing exactly when you’re having baby and counting down to it. How are you spending your last few days? I hope you have some magical plans for it. Sorry to hear about the GD Lou - but luckily not long to get through!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 how are you doing? Any sign of the little one yet? I guess with mucus plugs they can mean baby will be there quickly or it can take a couple of weeks - wish it was a sign to a short countdown!!

@ThePeachGoose So funny you’ve ended up with two lots of antenatal classes too! You can’t be too prepared! But to be honest most of it has disappeared out of my head now, and I was a right swot in the classes from having so much info! 🤣 Everyone kept commenting that me and my OH knew loads. I really enjoyed HPHB - they do have more of a focus on vaginal birth in the in person bits but in the online stuff it’s more balanced.

On my side - just finishing with bag packing now. I’ve began really nesting and my other half is getting very concerned at me cleaning literally everything. I’ve done almost every cupboard and under both beds to declutter and clean. Washed every single cushion in our house (of which there are millions 🤣), scrubbed every skirting board, bought a million new plants (?!) and candles. Bizarre behaviour! Was going to do some batch cooking with my mum but she’s fallen down some stairs and can’t walk - so I’m just going to buy loads of those Cook meals. Also have some shelves for the nursery to sand and paint and a load of pictures to hang in her nursery and in the rest of the house that I’ve had reframed. I’ve totally lost the plot! 🤣

In terms of baby - I feel fine. I had quite a bit of period like cramping last night with backache and I thought maybe she was going to come early but it’s gone today so I think it was just her movements causing it. Wishful thinking! I’m very ready for her to come now - sleeping is non-existent, I have carpal tunnel in my hands and restless arms and legs all night. So I’ve just had enough to be honest! I’m currently bouncing on my ball with my second cup of raspberry leaf tea of the day. 😂 I am however getting more and more anxious about the actual giving birth part - so much so I started rethinking caesarean but I’m sticking with water birth for now as I know it’s just nerves.

Cant wait to hear about more arrivals in a few days!! Eeek!!!

@HopefulllHolly no more signs of him coming yet. Thing with mucous plugs is they can regenerate so may not mean anything. Am getting lots of watery clear discharge now (sorry if TMI) so things are happening and he's 2/5 engaged!
Midwife offered a sweep next week if he doesn't come before. She seems to think he won't be too long 🤞🏻 but obviously hard to predict.

You're crazily nesting!!! How do you have the energy??? All I do is sleep 😴 😂

I also have the nerves about giving birth now! And was second guessing myself about a c-section.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 So exciting! I hope he does come soon for you! 2/5ths engaged is brilliant! I have my 38 week next week so hopefully they’ll be able to tell me what little lady is doing. No TMI at all haha don’t worry - we’re all going through it! Mines gotten much heavier, very watery (to the point I did worry it was my waters but I’ve heard they have a specific smell).

Haha I’m not sure how I’m finding the energy tbh - I wish i could sleep but I can’t settle at all, even in the day time. I was meant to be taking it easy today as my partners taken the dog on a really long walk but I haven’t at all. It’s all productive stuff at least that I’ll only obsess over when baby is here and won’t be able to do. Plus it’s passing the time! 😂

Ive said I’ll have a couple of sweeps but even with those I’m starting to change my mind - it’s like we’ve had too much time to think about things now! It’s really hard second guessing yourself isn’t it. My friends have literally all had csections so I haven’t got anyone to compare or chat about vaginal birth with - and then I keep thinking C-section would take a lot of stress and stuff out the situation - but equally I really want the excitement of going in to labour spontaneously when baby is ready, the drive to the hospital etc, plus the benefits for baby in terms of breathing and microbiome and stuff! I think it’s the fear of the unknown more than anything though. I need someone just tell me what to do really (someone with a crystal ball!! 😂)

Not long now lovely - almost there! I was thinking back today and this pregnancy really has flown by! I am going to miss baby kicking and the feeling of excitement of what’s to come. I know it’s replaced with something even better but I am feeling very sentimental about it! 🥹🥹

@HopefulllHolly I wish I had a bit more energy! I have a burst in the morning so we try and get out for a walk for an hour but then I need a 2hr sleep when I get home! Am also bouncing on my birthing ball for about 15 mins twice a day too and that's me done!

I've wanted a sweep because I don't want to get to 40 weeks! Now it's booked in, I'm dreading it 😂 I've heard the bigger the midwives hands the better the sweep which will mean it's more painful! My midwife has long fingers lol so slightly dreading it!

Like you I want the benefits of a natural labour for baby. But wish someone could tell me how it's going to go 😂 I'm still undecided on the labour ward or midwife-led birthing centre. And still intrigued by a water birth. My midwife today said see how I feel on the day and how I managing with pain. She said if I get to the birthing centre and find it's not for me then that's fine, I can ask to be transferred to the labour ward.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 To be honest I’m knackered but I can’t sit still. We only do short walks now with me, and I’m missing long walks with friends especially when it’s nice winter sun. I do get tired quickly but I can’t sleep so I just find it frustrating even trying. I wish I could!

Haha oh god I don’t want those big hands near me! 🥴 I’ve heard they can be really painful and only really work when you’re kind of ready anyway. I don’t really want to have to have loads of them. I’m still quite torn to even have one really but the consultant was rushing to induction so me saying no to that but open to sweeps was my compromise when I felt slightly backed in to a corner. I wonder if they’ll give me one next week? Eek.

Yeah it’s so tricky not knowing what’s going to happen - I know it’ll all be fine and work out and in my head I have tried to prepare myself for what if this happens and I have to have xyz but really I’m still in denial! I want to do as much as I can with no drugs, then gas and air and then get in the water pool thing, then have pool and gas and air - so slightly step up my pain management each time. Obviously if the baby gets distressed then I’ll have to go to something else. It’s overwhelming thinking about it all really isn’t it! It’s great you can decide/change your mind about the midwife unit/labour ward. Like I say, I’d rather the midwife led unit because they listen to mum a bit more and don’t rush to interventions (and in one of my books it has a stat about outcomes like less tearing with midwife units), but I appreciate it can be a tough call and one you won’t know until you’re in it. I think given you have a low risk pregnancy and you’re healthy and fit that midwife unit would be ok to start with and see how you get on, but it’s totally personal! If you feel safer with doctors there then go with that.
I don’t have a choice as my hospital only has the labour unit but it’s predominantly midwives and the doctors are just on call when needed, so it’s a bit of both.

Eeek it’s so scary and exciting thinking about it! I can’t wait to go in to labour but equally I’m bricking it!

@HopefulllHolly they are only painful if done properly and need to be 1cm dilated too otherwise they can't do it. So hoping this is the case next week. In my hospital they only offer from 39 weeks, be interesting if they want to give you one early instead of induction.

I'm going with TENS and gas and air. I want to stay as mobile as possible and don't want to be on a bed which is why I think the birthing unit would be better. I want to avoid opiates as I don't like the effect they have on me let alone baby.

I also feel having baby continuously monitored by CTG would help my anxiety that he's ok but this has to be on the labour ward. The birthing unit just use the handheld Doppler after each contraction.

I think I'll probably go with the birthing unit although there's only 3 beds! And just see how I go.

Thank you all 🥹❤️ Feels like five minutes ago we were all waiting for tiny heartbeats on a scan.

@Fluffyted I was on a high dependency unit first and then have been moved to a postnatal ward. This is a different hospital from my last c section but so far, they’re pretty similar. 4-6 bays, one shared toilet/shower between the women on a bay. It’s HOT and it seems to vary as to noise level. Last night a couple of the women were discharged and it was much quieter, which was great because it wasn’t disturbing baby, which obviously meant I had a better chance of a bit of sleep. The midwives have been very responsive actually - I’ve heard people say that their experience was waiting for ages once the buzzer was pressed, but mine have come quickly. They do seem to have rubbish handovers and I have to explain everything to each shift change. Also they haven’t had much rhyme or reason in terms of handing out pain medication and I ended up taking too much, so maybe make your own note of what you’ve had and keep an eye. This has happened to me twice now! Pain is totally manageable so far. It’s definitely sore the first 24-30 hours in particular, but accept the stronger painkillers. My experience has been that I then haven’t needed more than paracetamol or ibuprofen from day 2 onwards. But pain is very personal and subjective and depends on your surgery too. Don’t be frightened, I am sure it will be magical. None of it is in our control so we may as well surrender to it all! If this whole previa / accreta experience has taught me anything it is that birth is not the important part of meeting our children, it’s just something that has to happen in order to meet our children. ❤️

@Leaf86 whoa, CONGRATS 🥳 on the baby and another big congrats for avoiding the hysterectomy. What a relief it’s all fine in the end. So happy for you! Hope you get home
soon, but defo enjoy the 1-2-1 time while you have it x

And can’t believe this is it now, this group is going to start having babies - we made it!

I’m definitely reaching my end point! I have been very uncomfortable with pelvic pains and excessive fluid build up in my arms and legs, not to mention I’ve started peeing every 30-60 mins and have been hit by extreme fatigue. So I’m really slowing down now.
I have my next scan on the 10th - I’m convinced the baby is still in a weird position sitting on my bladder. I’ve still not been sent a date for my C-section which I’m finding a bit annoying as I really really want to know. I know the consultant requested 30/31 Jan so I’m assuming it’ll be around that last week of Jan.
I’ve started prepping my hospital bag, but got few bits to buy still. And I’m making a list of all the things I want done before baby comes, including lots of batch cooking. First I need to recover from a hectic Xmas and new year and get mentally in the zone for baby coming.

Hope everyone’s surviving these final days/weeks!

OMG FIRST BABY OF THE GROUP!!!! CONGRATULATIONS @Leaf86 I’m so pleased that the surgery went well and there was no need for a hysterectomy. Also that the breastfeeding is going so well! One less thing to stress about and hopefully that will help her recover from jaundice more quickly. Great to hear that from day 2 you could manage with just paracetamol or ibuprofen. Enjoy your one-on-one time with the little one awwww that’s all so adorable. I second keeping the name you wanted and have been thinking about for months. It’s your child!

Did you give birth at St. Thomas in the end? I’ll give birth there in a couple of months so I have questions! :) Were you able to have skin-on-skin contact during the c section once the baby was out, and for a full hour? Did you struggle with constipation at all after the procedure? Did you bring your own pillow? Did any dads stay over in the ward? How soon were you able to walk around after the procedure?

Can’t believe that we’ll most likely have 3 more babies next week! I’m so excited for everyone, I’ve even been sharing the news with my husband as well lol It’s just crazy that we haven’t even met, but we’ve been through it all together for the past 8? months. @WhiskeyInTheJar33 (I wonder if the baby will get here before the sweep! He seems determined lol) @Fluffyted (yay for getting your c section date!) and @LouP87 (hope that the home remedies are working).

On my end I’ve had a terrible night, I went to bed after midnight and woke up after 20-30 mins with projectile reflux in my mouth again and feeling quite nauseous. I had to stay awake and upright until like 3:30 drinking ginger tea and having a second Gaviscon before going to bed again. In this time the baby was having a proper rave in there, kicking away like there was no tomorrow, which I assume is what’s happening usually when I’m asleep lol but I figure it must have been her that caused it, she must have moved again, as it was pretty bad and I haven’t felt like this in two weeks.

@Fluffyted so interesting that even on omeprazole you have good days and bad days for acid reflux. You're right that it sounds like it’s the baby’s position. Also very interesting that the rib pain got better when the baby started descending. Did this cause more aches in the pelvis instead? Lol I’ll probably be down to the wire with everything myself. Awww thank you for the hugs! Very sweet of you.

@HopefulllHolly lol on forgetting everything already! I’m sure it will come back to you in the moment. And it’s really handy that HPHB has the online video course to lean on if you want to refresh something. I like all their checklists for hospital bag and baby prep. I’m going through them and ticking along as we get more stuff. Plus I loved their Amazon wishlist for their recommended products. I’ve added them to my Amazon registry and I’ll order some with the 15% discount + a welcome gift. Tbh I expect that both NCT & HPHB will mostly focus on vaginal birth but we’ll see when we’re there.
Sorry to hear about your mum! Hope it’s not too bad and that she’ll recover by the time the baby is here. I'm sure she's very motivated to make sure she's recovered by then lol
We’re going to get ourselves the Cook new parent boxes too!
It sounds like your pregnancy symptoms have ramped up even more. I’m 32 weeks today and the new one I’ve noticed is that when I remove my socks, even if I wear my husband’s, I can see that they’ve been digging into my ankle through the day. So the swollen feet part is starting for me too. I wonder when I’ll change sizes.

I can totally understand the nerves as the birth and all these procedures are getting closer. It’s absolutely insane that we’re trying to plan for something we’ve never been through before and even if we have so much theoretical knowledge, we have no clue how that feels in practice, nor what curveballs we’ll get when we’re in it. And it’s all so primal and barbaric, yet natural. I think that it’s a good idea to start where you feel most comfortable, knowing that you can change things up as labour progresses, and there’s no shame in that. It’s such a personal and subjective experience and unfortunately there’s no crystal ball for it lol

Happy weekend everyone!