if you are 32 weeks how are you feeling?

[TwoTearsInABucket]

Or 31 weeks, or 33 weeks!

I feel really on edge, nerves jangling and excited all at the same time. I am now looking forward to seeing this baby, but I am sooo nervous about the birth.

Its DC3. I know what birth is like, but I don't know what this birth is going to be like and its making me feel crazy! Doesn't help that last night I dreamed that I gave birth in my sleep.

How are you feeling about it all?

32 weeks here with DC1.

Mixture of feelings. I can't wait for the birth TBH - has not been the best pregnancy and I can't wait for the baby to be out. We did a tour of the maternity ward last week and that actually got me more excited. I trust my hospital (which also has a lovely MLU) so I think that helps. I've been doing antenatal yoga with a great instructor who talks a lot about optimal positions for giving birth so it has strengthened my idea that yes I can do this - although I know it will be tough. Fingers crossed. Reading lots of good birth stories on here and elsewhere help too - I try to stay away from bad ones. My mum had 2 fairly easy births and I've got the same built as her so again it helps in my belief that I can do it.

I am really looking forward to meeting him/her. I just want to see what he/she looks like

On the other hand I'm quite anxious - will I be a good mum? Am I going to be able to cope? Also will I be able to breastfeed? - that's an important one for me and I'm trying to prepare by reading the La Leche League book (The womanly art of breastfeeding) as recommended on here.

I think DP will be a wonderful dad - he's fantastic with kids (much better than me ) and he's very supportive. Again, that really helps in thinking everything will be okay.

The one thing I'm worried about the most - and this might sound stupid - is the mess that is currently our house. We moved from a 3bed rented to a 2 bed rented 6 months ago and we have SOOO much stuff! Mainly DP's. We've gotten rid of a lot but there's still a lot to go and I'm worried the place will still be a bombshell by the time baby is here. We've got some bits on eBay now and I've told DP that if it's not sold by next weekend I'm putting it all in the car and driving it to recycling centre/charity shop. But he's got a very different image of what a house should look like than I do. He's from a very different background - working class, brought up by single mum on benefits in a tiny flat, whereas I'm very much middle class from 2 working parents in what was, quite frankly, a huge house - so he's used to there being stuff everywhere as there was no room in the place he grew up.

Anyway, DP's mum is coming over in a couple of weeks to help us sort out the house so hopefully it will all be okay.

Other than that the bump is getting heavy - as expected - and it's physically getting tiring. Hard to sleep too and sciatica doesn't help.

Sorry for massive long post

Hey

I'm 32 weeks with dc7 including 5 mc's! Due 15 November:-)

I'm feeling huge a lot bigger than with dd who's 13 months, babies really dropped in last couple of weeks its really uncomfortable! Not funding easy with a very lively toddler who's into everything and being very needy lol

Worrying how I'm going to cope with the close age gap, dd was 2 weeks earlier have a feeling this one will be early too! Not sleeping much, peeing for England up every hour at night!

My labour was bloody quick last time 3 hours 15 mins, i've been told they think it'll be quicker! Ive dreamt i give birth on my own on the kitchen floor with my dd crying her eyes out:( Crazy pregnancy hormones hey!

Thanks for your replies!

MissHC - you sound like my DH, he does not like clutter! We declutter every 6 months probably. But, we did manage to do up our house while our DCs were small so it was quite messy but manageable.
Great that you have been doing yoga - its so what I should have done. I have a feeling I have missed the boat now. But, I saw the consultant midwife who gave me tips on best position etc. I just need to get my head in the right place. You sound like you have it under control. I am very familiar with the hospital where I will be giving birth - which has its upsides and downsides. I will concentrate on the upsides.

Jules22 - 5 mcs, that must have been hard (understatement). It will be hard work with a small age gap, but only at the beginning i think, maybe. There are 20 months between my DS and DD and at the beginning it was hard, because DS wasn't walking yet. But, you work around it.

my hips get sore in the night, so every time I need to roll over I wake up! Only peeing once or twice a night, so not that bad... mostly being woken up by DS (5 years old), who comes into our bed every night as well. He has started properly waking up at 4.30am, swiping DH's iphone off the side and playing games very loudly, grrr! I don't know how he survives on such little sleep as he's not generally asleep until about 9pm.

take care ladies

I'm 33 weeks and feel like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I'm really excited, next I'm in floods of tears, then I'm terrified! Also feeling very disorganised. I'm not sleeping much and my bump feels massive!

On the other hand my skin, after years of acne, suddenly looks awesome !

I'm 31 weeks with DC1. Feeling excited but terrified of child birth. It was too easy not to think about it before but it is now feeling far too imminent!

Apart from this suffering from awful backache and heartburn and feeling a bit like a while. Looking forward to starting maternity leave in 5 weeks time so I can have a bit of a rest.

Good luck

Yes to the heartburn and terror!

I thought I was ok this morning but the anxiety has returned .

Hey

I'm 31+4 and an absolute mess at the minute!! One minute I'm fine and really excited to see the baby then the next I am terrified not only of birth but also of being a mum. (This is my first)

To make it worse all the way through I have been told I am having a c section because that is what my neurologist recommends due to a prior medical condition, but now my neurologist has left and I have a new one and he is saying I can try natural birth but it is more high risk. But my consultant is now pushing me to try, so everything that has been planned in my mind the while pregnancy has changed and that has made me really nervous too!!

But I think because I am on maternity leave now and the baby's room is all finished etc it has suddenly become very real that I'm not just pregnant I'm actually having a baby, and that terrifies me!!

I thought it was just me that was going through this complete panic mode!! But I guess it must be a normal (well normalish) thing to go through xx

hi I'm 32 weeks, first baby after much disappointment and difficulty. I've had a really easy pregnancy and I'm feeling VERY excited, pretty uncomfortable and kind of very much looking forward to actually giving birth - whilst still not really believing I'll have a baby at the end of it.
I am clearly anxious though as evidenced by:
Dreaming the baby was ugly and called Norman
Worried about pooing during labour
Feeling like an imposter whenever I buy baby things
My DH is brill and that really helps!
Good luck everyone!

33 weeks here with DC2 (9 year gap between them). I'm feeling good at the moment although I do get knackered easy and I am starting to struggle with work (2.5 weeks to go!).

The last few days I've been finding I am a lot more emotional than normal and often feel like bursting into tears for absolutely no reason!

We are desperate to meet DC2 and have everything ready for him/her. Although I am pretty terrified as a c-section appears to be on the horizon for me as bubs is still in breech position. It was something I hadn't really considered before (no idea why, its such a common thing!), so it has knocked me for six a wee bit. I'm hoping there is time for it to turn but to be honest, it has always been in the same position since I have been able to feel it, so I reckon its pretty comfy the way it is!

My other worry is around BF. I had major issues with DC1 and had to swap to formula, for which I was given a pretty rought time by the MWs. I want to try again this time round, but I am getting myself in a bit of a state about it. Trying to take big deep breaths and tell myself it will all work out in the end!

excited did you go to hospital last week because you were in pain? I hope you are ok now.
ninja glad your DH is being supportive, I just rang mine after the school run in floods of tears and he was ready to come home straight away bless him! Partly because he hates working in an office though
vkinski I couldn't get the hang of bfing with DS so Ffed from 3 weeks. With Dd I managed it without too much difficulty, probably because I had read so much about it first time round. I hope it works out for you too. Ff isn't the end of the world though! I am hoping dc3 is as amenable as dd but if not then ff it is.

I just rang my midwife in floods of tears and she is going to listen to the baby's heartbeat today. She must think I am a lunatic, especially when he moves about so much. I am just gripped by anxiety at the moment. I'll try not to ring her every week until he is born!

Take care everyone x

Twotears - I've got a doppler heartbeat detector, which only cost about £20 from Amazon. I use it every day, sometimes twice a day, and it helps me calm down even though mine moves about loads too... best £20 I ever spent!

Yes twotears I did. They gave me steroids to strengthen baby's lungs in case she comes early and tablets to stop the pains which seem to have worked as not had any since!!
Don't think that helped my anxiety levels though and it made us rush round to get everything ready for her in case she is early so we now have everything in place! Apart from packing my hospital bag as I still need to but a few bits for that. Xx

Glad you're not in pain anymore. What a worry! I have barely anything for this one. A Moses basket and a few bits. My hospital bag is not even out of the loft yet but I do have a small pile of things sitting on top of the chest of drawers rather unhelpfully. Need to get organised and put a positive spin on it!

Hi everyone,

I'm 32 + 2 days and really looking forward to my growth scan today. I had a checkup with my GP this morning who listened to the heart beat and it's perfect :) so very happy to hear that. Baby has also turned the right way, yay!

I've been absolutely terrified that something might go wrong during labour and was very teary last week. It's not a case of being scared about the pain but more the uncertainty. I've discussed this with my midwife and she assured me it's normal but to keep an eye on it.

At 26 weeks I had a private scan which showed the cord was wrapped around his neck so I'm flagging this up today. I'm definitely keen to keep having private scans as ive found that the OB is a lot better than the NHS research fellows who care more about their own research projects than about the patient.

Other than that I'm just so excited! A bit uncomfortable as I'm quite tiny and he's looking like a big baby! We'll see whether or not a c-section is necessary :)

Ah twotears I don't even have a pile if stuff yet. Infact I don't even know what I need to take especially as I don't know if I'm having my c section or not. Once I know that I can plan and pack accordingly.
We have her room done and I have a crib for my room and a Moses basket for downstairs but still need other stuff. Will get there lol xx

Hi all.

Due Nov 15th (CS booked) - not sure what that makes me.

Am tired - super tired - I spend the whole day on the sofa after dropping DS at school.

Feeling constantly sick, lapses during the day and then at 10pm comes back with vengeance to the extent that I was up until 3am this morning.

Have got room sorted (moved DD), have got a car seat and a cotbed and some clothes and nappies but that's about it. Hoping to go and do a big shop in a couple of weeks to get everything else.

Got a scan booked for Monday when the DCs will see their sibling and then we all going out for a nice meal together.

This si DC3 and had totally different labours last times - had one which was 26 hours with lovely controlled pain relief and one that was a matter of minutes with no pain relief and really as much as it seems trite to say worrying is pointless. You can write as many birth plans as you like and say you want this that and the other but that baby is what is in charge and will come out one way or another.

Seriously - please don't fret. I do wish now that I had savoured DSs birth far more than I did, instead I was panicking big time and hated every moment of it.

Have you guys gone for newborn or 0-3 month clothes? DS was huge and DD tiny so really not quite sure what to do?

Madame - what an absolute arse that you are still feeling sick. I am packing newborn clothes for DC3's arrival. The other 2 were 6lb 1 and 7lb 2 so I am guessing that this one will be similar. However, if I were you i would take some of each, but less newborn! What's age gap between yours?

excited - i had an EmCS with DS and I would recommend massive pants and using the maternity pads as protection across the scar. What do you want to do about your birth? It must be confusing when one person says one thing and another says another. I went into this one thinking I would definitely have an ELCS as I had a VBAC last time and tore. But as it wasn't medically indicated to have an ELCS this time round I am now going for another natural birth.

kate - i hope your growth scan went well. i know the teary feeling!

i was up at the surgery this morning crying to the midwife, who listened to the heartbeat and everything is fine. I think I am just obsessing as it is near enough to panic about but far enough away that I have time to pull myself together. I've also had the whooping cough vaccine this morning, which I think is a good thing. One less thing to worry about!

I feel an overwhelming desire to go and buy some brightly coloured muslins to cheer myself up. We got rid of all 30 muslins from DS and DD. Wish we hadn't now. They are so useful.

Hi I'm 32 weeks today with Dc3 and like the rest of you veer between totally emotional and unreasonable and very excited! Feeling ill with a virus this week and shattered. Taken day off work today as feel SO exhausted. I'm having an elcs on 5th or 7th nov. can't wait to meet baby but not looking forward to a third c section!

hello, I am about 32 weeks and also feeling mix of exhausted, emotional and excited! I haven't bought anything, haven't moved DD out of her room yet (this will be DC2), haven't got a carseat, or bought nappies or new mattress for the crib... eep! Looking forward to starting maternity leave in two weeks though and blitzing the clutter and the baby prep. Madame, I think I'll probably only get a couple of newborn vests/ sleepsuits and the rest 0-3. DD was 8lb and apparently DS is measuring much bigger... oh dear.

31 weeks with DC1 here

I'm a mixture of feelings as well! Pregnancy hasn't been too bad except low blood pressure the last few weeks which has meant I've found work quite difficult but I finish for a year on Friday yay

I'm loving feeling my baby move and watching my bump move. I can't wait to meet him/her and get to know them (due 26th Nov).

I've started thinking about the birth and I'm both nervous and excited. I have a few ideas about what I'd like ideally but accept that things may go differently to what I plan. Looking forward to starting antenatal classes on 8th Oct.

MissHC - I'm also worried about house as we have been renovating and now need to put things back where they belong but will have time after Fri to do this.

So yes very mixed! X

I would prefer a c section twotears. Only because I have hemiplegic migraine which means when I have an attack I lose the sue of my left hand side and eyesight is blurred and speech slurred and it can last a few days. My triggers are hormone levels increasing, stress or my temp increasing so I am high risk if having an attack in labour but because it is not guaranteed the consultant is pushing me to try natural. But if it does happen I may not be able to see or hold my baby properly for days afterwards!! But convincing them is like convincing them the moon is made of cheese lol.

I am hoping to have everything sorted when I see my consultant next in middle of October. But I saw midwife last week and she said the baby feels like it is back to back with me which would give me more reason for c section so I have another scan booked before I see consultant as if that is the case then I am not even attempting natural as there are too many factors against me!!

Thanks for advice on what to pack I am totally useless and haven't a clue lol xx

Hi excited, i think if I were in your shoes I would be pushing for a c-section as well! hemiplegic migraine doesn't sound fun at all.

When the consultant said that c-section wasn't recommended for me, I burst into tears and she referred me straight to the consultant midwife. I had an appointment with her and she answered all my questions. I am pretty sure that if I had still wanted a c-section they would have booked me in for one. If I go to 42 weeks I will be booked in for one.

My point is, although the doctors have told you that you could try for a natural birth, you could still say you want a c-section. I think ultimately they can't turn you down according to the NICE guidelines.

I hope whatever you choose that it goes smoothly and the doctors are supportive.

Thanks twotears!
I have discussed it more with DH and my mum and I am going to push for the section. I just don't want to miss out on any part of having my new baby. I have researched everything and we are going in well prepared so that we can show that we know everything when we discuss it with the consultant. It's just so stressful not knowing what they are going to say.
Sounds like u went through it all when u saw urs as well though. Why is it never straight forward?!? Lol.
Well hopefully all will go well for both of us and we will get what we want xxx

you know what your migraines are like so why would a doctor tell you to risk it?! Unless you felt very strongly about natural birth that is!

I am happy to be trying a natural birth again (I think) but very nervous. Being prepared is good, but allowing for deviations is also good. So i keep telling myself...

Thanks twotears I'm glad I'm not the only one! I've been feeling really excited and then incredibly teary and frightened. I'm going to see the midwife this Saturday which is good.

The growth scan was good! Baby's estimated weight is 4 pounds and 3 ounces...already! A bit upset as I had been told the cord was wrapped around his neck and that this was to be kept an eye on but the songographer yesterday was very dismissive and told me she couldn't be sure and it could change anyway...a bit worried as my cousin nearly died when the cord was wrapped around her neck and my aunt had to have an EMCS - they're both absolutely fine thank god and cousin is off to uni next year...but it's still scary.

Other than that he looks great, just running out of space...