Pregnancies April 2018 - #3 the babies are nearly here !

[DaisyLand]

So we’ve nearly finished with thread 2! Just on time for the babies joining us !

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3070393-Pregnancies-due-April-2018

Thanks for all the advice and thoughtful comments ladies.
@strongarms hope all goes well tomorrow with the ECV.

@pumpkinma and @loosemoose yes I've been weighing up pros and cons of vaginal birth v c section. I always knew that c section was poss on cards for discussion because we were checking whether placenta was still low lying today. But that decision would have been made for me. Now I've been given choice and I hate making decisions lol. The thought of the scar doesnt bother me too much.

Thanks @emvy. Yep I hate making decisions.

After lots of reading and discussion with partner we've decided to not go with ECV. Baby could still turn naturally this week as I'm 36 weeks today and if not ill see consultant a week today and book c section. I feel better for making the decision...just hope it's the right one!

@amysaurus I hope everything goes well the rest of the week and remember whatever happens they'll make right decision for baby. And like @bez said, babies are being born early with little risk and theyre thriving.

@rosegarden the consultant , infact no one, can tell you that you can’t homebirth.

Read the NICE induction of labour guideline you can search them for macrosomnia

And heres is a good link to start any research if you want more information.

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

@wonderfullysunny. Yes I am a believer in aromatherapy. If your hospital does not support it (some hospitals do routinely offer it now) best place to go is a Neals Yard or similar and tey can give you more info. Clary sage is good for getting things going before or during labour if it slows down. Lavender is a calmer (I have been using it at night and sleep much better) also amazing for your bits after birth and a natural anticeptic, frankencense creates calm and focus during labour.

@Loosemoose28 thank ye! I know the hospital won't have it so will go and investigate meals yard in that case

Ended up going to women's emergency this morning as had period like pains all night. Put me on the baby ecg monitor, little man was happy and after having the speculum and amniotic fluid test all is fine. Feel like a bit of a twit as they were really dismissive of a bit of the mucus plug coming out, seems unless it's brown/red they're not fussed (oh and is cervical secretion not your mucus plug apparently).

@wonderfullysunny glad bubs is okay. It’s rubbish they made you feel like that. I’m glad you did go to get checked though and all was okay.

Having big sympathy waves for all the mums struggling to sleep through the night: I usually fall asleep okay after 10, 15 minutes but I have a group assignment due at 12 noon today and was up till 3:30am putting everybody's parts together and have been waking up sporadically since then as I wait anxiously for them to give me the thumbs up to submit it. Just want them to wake up and okay it so I can submit it and go back to sleep. Hope to never have to work with this group again as they've been nothing but miserable to me. Got partner's dad coming by flat to pick up his paint stuff at 2 so will have to be awake and up for that.  I can't wait till that first cup of joe after labour, decaf just isn't the same.

Midwife appointment yesterday, another new midwife, think I've accepted the fact that it will be a stranger coming into our home after babas born for the community midwife visit which makes partner and I sad and anxious as we don't like strangers in the flat without meeting them beforehand. Been told refusing to let a stranger enter our flat leads to social work referral however. They said baby was 4/5ths palpable/engaged/whatever at appointment which is good but fairly typical I guess - from family history there are a lot of breeches. Still measuring normal size - bumped into a friend yesterday who said she was shocked I only had a month to go, said she couldn't even tell I was pregnant, just looks like a bit too much Christmas pudding.even though I don't feel fat I can't keep my balance and keep bumping into walls - I have bruises up the sides of my arms in some spots.

Not bothering with waterproof sheets, will sleep on old towel closer to the time as it's roughly only 2 litres and been told it will more likely trickle out than gush.

Saw some ridiculous dramatic facebook post about not using radox's muscle soak bubble bath as it has clary sage in it which can trigger early labour apparently - meanwhile I got given 4 bottles of the stuff at Christmas and have used them all so clearly not that strong an effect on me. 

@Bez9087 Good luck with the twins! Tell mum to get stuffed, turn off your phone during visiting hours so your family can get special alone time to bond if necessary. Also tell the midwives not to let her in - my mum would simply say "mums sleeping right now you can't visit her sorry" if her patients asked.

Any Scottish mums received their government baby boxes yet? Sent mine to my old flat and didn't realise I hadn't changed the address to new flat till minutes before delivery.

Thanks @dkb I’m going to tell them I don’t want any visitors that night apart from our children just don’t want to add pressure to their work load as know they are understaffed as it is.
Took my son well my friend took us both to messy play today with her and her daughter and she did most of it with my ds anyway it was at a local children’s centre and she said now the mw visits at 24 hours of you being discharged. Then get an appointment to visit a children’s centre for baby to have heel prick test and then another mw visit at drs or children’s centre then discharged to health visitor. Who comes out at 10 days ish then again at 6/8 weeks. so much has changed from when I had my son just 3 years ago. Mw used to come out every few days. They did heel prick test etc at home. I was like so they expect you with a 5-10 day old baby post birth to get out to this test and then if need a mw to go see her rather than them come to you?! I just think it’s gone crazy. I said I feel nervous about it and these are number 3&4 for us but can imagine a first time mum feeling even more anxious etc. It’s scary how they pretty much just leave you too it.
Starting to get so nervous for Friday now.
Oh and my hv is currently only on two day weeks so that’s why she hasn’t been out and won’t be till babies here aswell. Lots of faith and trust in our local services at the minute. I understand staff and government does not help and they can only do the best they are allowed with the support but I feel so many mums are going to be let down and it’s awful.

@Bez9087 that sounds awful ngl - we were planning on bunking down in the flat for two weeks (minus one of us going out for groceries etc) now baby's first trip out will be to a health centre. Are you in England or Scotland as I wonder if it's different policies?

@Bez9087 thank you, it's good to know all is well and I suppose as with any service you get good eggs and bad ones! Friday is so close now am excited for you  Interesting how things have changed in such a short space of time with mw and hv's!

@Rae2017 will keep everything crossed little one decides to get their wiggle on!

@dkb I’m in England in the north west. I can’t actually believe it.
@wonderfullysunny Thankyou it felt ages away then I thought ahh not to long and now we are only three days away. Tomorrow my best friend has told me we are going too music group in morn with my ds and her dd and they then get a play on the soft play equipment then ds is in nursery from lunch time. So it’s going to go really quick now hopefully.
Gone into panic mode of what I haven’t got which isn’t anything to be fair but I’m now making babies a portable changing mat for their bag. I don’t know why I give myself this work but can’t wait to see it finished later it’s all cut ready.

@Rae2017, the ECV wasn't so bad but she didn't turn, so I'm having a c section too. Not what I wanted and I had a bit of a cry but these things happen.

@wonderfullysunny thank you...hopefully the little monkey will turn on his own.

@strongerarms aw sorry to hear it didn't work but at least you gave it your best shot. I know what you mean, it makes you anxious when the plan changes. But I did a lot of reading last night about sections and I do feel better today now that I've made the decision.

@bez it is so interesting how different things can be from each area. I'm in northwest too but 2 weeks ago got told by mw that they come out to home to do heel prick test. Was speaking to hv last night as in my maternity notes it says that i should have home visit round 38 weeks but hv said due to budget cuts it tends to not happen now. Like you said, cuts can't be helped but it just doesn't seem.good enough!

@strongarms - sorry got your username wrong in previous post. I try to remember the names but then baby brain takes over.

Setting date for c section has also meant me reconsidering when i finish workn. Due to finish on 6th April but section could be on 9th! So think I might finish next thurs instead and have the week off before hand

@rae we are meant to have a health visitor home visit at around 34 weeks to introduce themself etc. I enquired how I hadn’t heard but someone else who’s expecting twins had theirs at 34 weeks and she said my health visitor is currently on two day weeks till end of March so won’t get to fit me in and she’s sorry?! I’m like okay. to me it’s fine I could do without her coming anyway but that’s in the same town and literally five mins away from each other just because we are registered at different drs her health visitor came out but mine hasn’t. I get it can’t be helped sometimes but I honestly feel like so many mums are going to be failed by the government. It ridiculous how many cuts they keep doing they don’t understand the importance some of these visits are. I was and still am a nightmare for ringing for advice as can never explain myself properly so used to rely on them coming out to ask questions etc where as now it’s telephone or go to them where ever they are. Rant over sorry

@bez that is so frustrating that 2 people from almost the same place are having 2 completely different experience. And a sorry? What are you meant to say to that! It is such a shame that these services seem to be diminishing and how many mums are losing out on the support that they most likely need.

@Bez9087 I live in England and it's not like that here. We were discharged on Sunday, midwife came Monday, breastfeeding consultant came today to check we were ok, midwife comes back on day 5.. tomorrow..for heel prick test, back again on day 10 I think it was...unless I need her then I call and she comes. Then hv comes between day 10 and 14. The only time I have to leave the house is for the 6 week check at the doctors! I wouldn't take my baby out at 5 days old...especially in this weather!

I am going to question it with them at hospital and the midwife that comes out within 24 hours but my friend who had her baby at beginning of Feb said the same she had to do the running round.
I’m glad your back home @anna how’s little one settling in

Typed out a huuuge message to everyone and then accidentally clicked on one of the bloody adverts and it disappeared 😩

I haven’t heard anything at all about hv where I am. I must remember to ask at my next appointment! I’ll be 37+6 at my next appointment so I’m wondering whether I’ll a) make it that far or b) ever see my midwife again after that! I had to postpone it due to a work commitment and was already late with the one I had to postpone 😬 as others have said, it’s so so sad that services are diminishing and it’s really hit and miss what care you get given. Postcode lottery seems barely a thing anymore by what you’re experiencing Bez.

Rae and strongarms, best of luck for your sections. Scary to have to prepare for, just remember you still have choices and lots of your birth preferences can still be incorporated.

Bez, your friends sound great keeping you busy. 3 more days! Wow!

I’m SO poorly with a cold. Okay so obviously only as poorly as you ever get with a cold but I genuinely feel rotten. And it’s my last week at work so I really feel I can’t take any take off and don’t want to either, yet I’m not actually sure I should be going in. I’m so grumpy that I can’t enjoy my last week with my lovely class and am barely scraping through each day in a haze of tissues and fuzzy headedness. So annoying!

@emvy I have never appreciated them more. Don’t get me wrong this morning the thought of going out etc filled me with dread but it did ds good to get out. And then we had a chilled afternoon plus made the day go so quick. Tomorrow it’s mt best friend turn and again I’m just happy to get out the house I think. And by time we finish he will be going to nursery etc. Plus my best friend had her little girl at beginning of Feb so cant wait for some snuggles with her whilst my ds and her other dd play together. Her elder dd is 2.5 and is so so cute real soft spot for her I always say she could tell me she’s painted the dog etc and I couldn’t get mad at her. But that’s what they are for your friends babies to spoil and let them get away with murder haha!

It's sad that care varies so much. We really are blessed here and I couldn't fault my care at all.

Áine is doing great. She's diddy but absolutely perfect! Now my milk is in we've started cluster feeding which can be tiring but all in all its going really well. Each day brings a little less pain too so it's all heading in the right direction! All I can say is...it's worth it!

She really is so cute ahh it’s fab your getting there. My best friend breast feeds her baby and she did with her other dd and she said this time round she has found this baby cluster feeds a lot more than her other dd did. Your doing an amazing job mama keep going
Can not wait for Friday and my newborn snuggles. It seems so close yet so far.
I’m feeling okay with the lack of help potentially off health visitor etc anyway as I feel fairly confident as a mum to my dd and ds. I know I’ll have moments with the new baby like everyone does but feel quite confident we have done it before and have an 8 year old and nearly 4 year old who are thriving so we can do it again haha. I keep making jokes about “winging it” but to be honest Iv been doing that all along lol.

@anna she is absolutely gorgeous. The first of the 'April' babies....it's so exciting. And yours next @bez. Wow these last few weeks have flown over.

@emvy sorry to hear you're full of cold
How have you been finding teaching generally in these last few weeks? Ive been quite lucky as new teacher taken over my class so don't have as many responsibilities and im doing group work but I'm finding the early mornings hard.

So exciting that babies are starting to arrive!!

I am 36+5 today and feeling it. I feel like I'll be going 2 weeks overdue though as I have no signs of labour starting! Went for a long walk yesterday and it made me so stiff which then makes it harder to get out of bed in the night for the 6 toilet trips!

I'm starting not to sleep now, I'm awake from 3am until 6am so think my body is getting me used to having a baby!

Hey everyone, I was on the last thread under another name. Just wanted to ask, has anyone booked a late private scan just because? I'm 35 weeks now, and just dropped £60 (ouch) on a scan because I haven't seen her since week 20 and I just desperately want to!

They sound wonderful Bez! Glad you’re enjoying your last few days as a mama of two!

Anna, she’s such a beauty! I agree, you’re doing fantastically. Are you still in hospital or have you been able to come home?

Thanks, Rae. I feel so rotten. I should’ve taken today out but I thought I felt better this morning. Tomorrow, work are throwing me a baby shower so I definitely can’t have tomorrow out. I will just be battling through the last 2 days I think which is such a shame but never mind. Generally, I’ve found it okay and I think without this cold I’d be fine. I still have such a long list of things to do though and only 2 days to do them in 😬 when do you finish?

strawberrysparkle, I’m the same with sleeping. Wake up wide awake for hours in the night just not feeling at all sleepy. So bizarre!

Nelly, I haven’t booked any additional scans but we did have growth scans so that helped. I think if we hadn’t have had those I’d have been keen to book at least one more private one. Is it a 4d one?!