The berry copter thread for all your clenching and hand holding needs

[BlindKitty]

Small print: ideally pg with #1 and had ttc for >12months although let's face it, we ain't as fussy as we used to be, just as long as you're nice

5 second generation berry babies and LOADS more to follow

Back from check up, MW said oh I think she's shifted and you've dropped! (her head was towards my hip last time).
Well LO had shifted, she's now breech!
Given my history, they don't recommend trying to undergo the procedure to flip her. So unless she sommersaults (which doc reckons is unlikely at this stage) it's an elective C Section on 18th of June for me.
Does anyone know what to expect? I was a bit to actually think of any questions.

Qaz have they scanned you to confirm? Tally's the one you want for advice here

Yep, they scanned to confirm that she was "ready to go" as i was oblique the last check up. Only to find out that what MW thought was the head was in fact baby's bum.
I've another check up in 2 weeks and they'll scan me there too, to check she hasn't flipped.

Qazxc how many weeks are you? just gone up thread to see you are not on the list!
Merkin: Delivery date: 21 March, girl, 8lbs 10
Thunder: Delivery Date: 26 March, girl, 8lbs 12
Tally: Delivery Date: 7 April, girl, 6lb 14
Boom: Delivery date : 11 April, girls x 2! 5lb 15 & 5lb 2
Katatonic: Delivery date: 24 April, girl, 9lb 11
PoppySeedBun: Delivery date: 23rd April, girl, 7lb 7
Brodicea: Can't remember delivery date! - girl

Kitty: EDD 22nd May - girl
Puppymummy: EDD 31st May - boy
Foody: EDD 15 June - it's a secret!
Angel: EDD 22 June - boy
longleggedlady: EDD 22nd June - girl
Charming: EDD 8th August -
Dartmoor doughnut: 25th august
Jessplus: EDD 30th August - surprise
Bunny: EDD 3rd Oct - surprise
Sidney: EDD 18th Oct - boy

Are you on the fb group? there are a few berries on there who had sections who might be able to help/advise

Foody, thanks for suggestions and reassurance that it's not necessarily all waddling from this point!

Qaz, afraid I've absolutely no helpful thoughts to offer but sorry to hear that Qazlet has decided bum first is the way to make her exit- sure there will be berries along who have been through similar frustrations and can offer informed sympathetic advice!

Hi qaz, sorry to hear that. That is exactly what happened to me. A student mw incorrectly said it was a bum at 34w and the 36w check I got sent for a scan to check. It was a bit of a shock because I was clueless she was being awkward. I didn't want to try and turn her so we went for a section. She hadn't turned in time so there we were. Imogen was born at 38+3 by section. What questions do you have? I'm happy to tell you everything but best to steer it where you want to go.

I'm due on 22nd of June. So 36+3.
Doc said that with my history of recurrent miscarriages, she wouldn't recommend trying to get consultant to flip her as "It is such a precious baby". (does anyone not think that their baby is precious?).
So the plan is to have a section at 39 weeks, with scans at 38 weeks and before op in case she does flip by herself (which doc says is possible but unlikely).
If she does reposition herself it's back to plan A (ie vaginal birth).

I'm just a bit clueless as to C sections. Can my partner be there or does he have to wait outside? will it affect breastfeeding? What about aftercare? Adjustments required in looking after a tiny baby whilst recovering? Actually any info would be good (don't worry about it being TMI).
Yes I am on the facebook group.

Qaz i'm clueless about sections too, but from memory...
Yes your partner can be there (provided it's not a real emergency and done under a general). You can ask for a 'natural' c section as possible - read about it. I think it involves low lights in the theatre, music playing, baby handed straight to you, skin to skin etc and (assuming all is well) you should be able to breastfeed immediately. I think i looked it up for somebody else and there is no reason to not be able to breastfeed after a section...there are often issues if it is an emergency section an there is no skin to skin and a gap post birth before baby gets to be with their mum but with a planned section you shouldn't have those challenges to face.
Post section I think all the girls have sworn by having a three sided bedside crib instead of a moses basket so that you do't have to be getting up and lifting baby in and out of the moses basket multiple times a night

If you want to encourage the baby to turn (without a manual, and i think risky turning attempt) google the webster technique and look for a chiro near you. You will see this isnt a manual 'turn' but it has very successful results so may be worth considering if you do want a natural birth.

Hello copter berries, I'm back to bother you at merkin's request. You might remember that I got a bfp after our first Ivf attempt but it was a bit ambiguous and was told to wait to retest. I did and got bfp, then day later spotting started, which got worse and then turned heavy and I passed a weird white inch long lump thing. After that got v depressed thinking it was all over, no one could tell me what it was, just wait and test. So I have and over this w/e got 3 bfps. My clinic have booked me in for early scan saying this Friday I will be 6 days 1 week. I have no idea how they are dating this. It doesn't seem to tally with egg collection/ transfer or my breakthrough bleed when I was sniffing. Does anyone know?

Also I was going to try to move my scan forward from next Monday (meant to be 6 weeks 3 days) to this Friday( 6 weeks, 1 day). Spoke to secretary this morning who said they don't like to do them before 6 weeks 3 days as it can be hard to see anything and can be inconclusive but that the nurse will ring me back. Now I don't mind waiting if it means a better look. Have any of you had early scans? If so when and what did you see?
Thanks choppers!

Bushy what dates were egg collection/transfer. I suspect they will be treating egg collection as Ovulation and adding 14 days onto that to get the 6 weeks thing

i it helps bushy this was my scan (with visible heartbeat) at 6w5d according to lmp, 6w1d according to my calculated dates (due to longer cycles) and measuring 5w something according to the scan measurements

Hi bushy
I have had a scan at 5+6, which was only enough to see an egg sac & rule out an ectopic. Heartbeat not visible until 6wks at least, I think, and sometimes not until 7. Sadly, that one didn't make it in the end. If you can stand the wait, I would go with the later scan, as you can get that much more reassurance from it.
Re: dates, remember that they are dating from start of LMP at this stage, regardless of cycle length or other interventions. Could that be throwing dates off?
Good luck whatever happens. This stage is nerve wracking whatever you do, and I'm sure the other berries will back me up in saying that each scan only really buys you one day's peace of mind. Sometimes that is absolutely worth having, but it can be short-lived relief. Fx and for you and the bean.

Arr thank you merkin really interesting to see your scan pic.

Ec was. 29th April, et was 4th may. I've just had my call back from the clinic who said next Monday I'll be 6 weeks 6 days the right amt for scan. I asked and she said they add on 2 weeks to ec date. So fingers crossed all will be well.

Fingers crossed bushy, I'm very glad it's looking positive! I've had numerous scans at 6w something and all have been just able to see the heartbeat. But only just. Later is better.

Qaz, your oh will be allowed in with you and you may even have the choice of taking a photo as the baby is born (oh of course) as we did. You probably won't get skin to skin in the theatre but I was insistent ASAP and she was put on me in recovery and almost instantly latched on. This is despite not even going through labour, she still knew what to do. My milk took no longer than normal to come in and she fed almost constantly while I was in hospital. I did get worried I wasn't producing enough and bought formula but that was not really necessary. Recovery was quicker than I expected and not as sore at all, just had to be careful sitting up and twisting, but I wish we'd had a bedside cot instead of the Moses basket.
Also. You will need maternity pads. Despite not actually giving birth you will bleed. A lot, for quite a while.
Also, buy granny pants. You don't want knickers resting on the wound. I'm still wearing mine as the wound is healed but sensitive where the nerves are healing.
I'll add more if I think of it. Anything else??

bushy my 6w scan was very similar to Merks an amazing flashing blob! Fingers crossed for you!

Qazxc - I finally found the thread having been directed to advise from FB! My LO was breech at 35 weeks but had turned by my scan at 37 weeks so don't give up hope. Are you doing lots of kneeling on the floor? Also bouncing on an exercise ball if you have one. Check out the spinning babies website too. I used Moxibustion which may be worth a try if you can find a local practitioner though I think it's more effective a bit earlier.
We bought the NCT bednest in a pre potential cs panic & it's been brilliant. J is only moving out of it into his cot at almost 5 months & only because he is a long baby. You can hire them too but we couldn't as it was closed over Xmas.

Hey qaz, not sure if this helps but -
I have put in my plan that if we end up with a section I still want skin to skin, for baby to not be taken out of theatre unless medically needed and that I want to try bfing strait away so they will need to help as I wont be able to move much. Also that OH is to stay with baby if they have to go to special care or anything.
made me feel better just writting it the other night.

Sorry I've been a bit AWOL! Yes, bambino is taking up a LOT of time and I'm trying to master the art of left hand texting (she prefers right breast)

qaz nothing useful to comment as my mw turned out to be wrong when she said bambino was breech although I so know how upset I felt at the time. So know that most who've had cs have still had good births

bushy my first scan was 6 weeks too. I agree it was the longest wait I'd ever had. Offering a hand to hold!

So in my news I haven't left the house in 9 days and have an extremely hungry baby who will only sleep in my chest!

bushy Had a early scan at 7 weeks and they could find sac& yolk but no feotal pole. also were saying I was measuring small even though I was sure of my dates. Told me to come back in 2 weeks. 2 weeks later, baby was there complete with heartbeat and measuring spot on 9 weeks.
So don't worry if you can't see what you're expecting, at this stage things are so small, it's very easy to miss things/measurements to be slightly off. Hopefully this won't happen to you, but I just don't want you to worry unduly just in case.
I enclose a pic of 9 week scan, you can make out a baby shape and there was a little flickering heartbeat.

bushy fingers crossed for your scan

hi kitty glad you and the kitten r ok! weather is rubbish so pointless leaving the house anyway!

no sign of any baby movement here, enjoying half term though!

has everyone abandoned the thread?!

oh well ill talk to myself! 40 weeks tomoro! woop!

had quite a few (mild) cramps today and having some stabby braxton hicks tonight. very tight bump and an indigestion type feelin but accross the bump. so hoping it might be the start of something!

on my ball to encourage baby along!

Yay come on baby puppy! 40 weeks, bang on time (hopefully).

Qaz - very late to the party but been directed from FB. My DS was delivered at 38+3 via elcs due to being transverse breech (they said they couldn't wait for 39 weeks, even though that's the ideal time, as going into labour would be dangerous).

I bloody loved my elcs, can't tell you how much. DP was with me the whole time (although I think some NHS trusts ask them to leave just for the spinal and come in straight after, no idea why) and there was almost a party atmosphere - the consultant even left to get her iPod as we hadn't brought one for music! Delayed the start as she had to get scrubbed up again but was lovely having music - we are having the song that was playing when he was born as our first dance at our wedding.

The low down:
Spinal is absolutely bloody fine. The local they inject first stings a bit, but the spinal that follows is painless.
You'll feel paranoid that the anaesthetic hasn't worked - they spray you with cold stuff and ask if you can feel it to check - and I even changed my mind and said it wasn't working to be told that they had already started and were about to deliver the baby!
If you're in any pain just say. My spinal started to wear off on one side as they were sewing me up (don't panic, very rare apparently) - the anaesthetist will totally look after you. I was given gas (like gas and air you have in labour but without the air) which helped a bit, but mainly the reassurance that I could be knocked out under general within 5 seconds meant I relaxed enough to cope.
Mine wasn't straightforward due to me losing a lot of blood, baby having to be turned to normal breech before they started, spinal issues, and DS having breathing issues (predicated and anticipated due to awkward position) but whole thing still took well under an hour.

I wouldn't hesitate to have one again.

In terms of recovery I also found it easy. My tip (given to me by midwife) was to get up as much as possible and as soon as possible. I was walking loads within 5 hours due to DS being in NICU due to breathing issues, and I honestly believed it helped. Everyone advises you to take the painkillers even if you don't feel you need them, and I'm sure that's sound advice (although day 2 I didn't have any as I missed all the drug runs when in NICU, and coped easily with the discomfort).

So all in all I know it's not what you want, but an elcs can be a lovely positive experience, it truly can.

Oh and despite DS being in NICU for a few days, after that I still managed to establish bf after that and fed him for 9 months. And most trusts will do skin to skin and delayed cord clamping if you ask...

Oh and if you're wondering who the hell I am, I'm one of the original berries and have an 11 month old DS

Going into labour seems a bit extreme as a way to entice people back to the thread ;) but hope you start getting proper contractions soon and we can look forward to baby Puppy!

Bushy, hope you're surviving all the uncertainty - fx your scan goes well.

As for me, I'm 27 weeks today and second trimester glow is definitely succumbing to tiredness and reluctance to move. Skin on my bump seems stretched to its limits which is scary when I know there's a lot more expansion to come! Not sure if the thought of having less than 100 days to go is more relieving or terrifying....