Due January 2019 (3rd thread)

[Buttercup53]

Starting a new thread for the January 2019 crew! Newcomers welcome :)

It really is isn't it @Pugmamma
Aww that's a shame, i am only going to the NHS classes and the midwife leading the antenatal group encouraged us to set up a whatsapp group which is really nice. I'm quite a rural location though so maybe different

@Merrz ahhh that is so good she encouraged you to do that! I've joined an app called Peanut where you can meet mums to be etc but it's a bit like a dating app haha... still I'm giving it a go!

That's the one good thing about being in hospital so long, have made a couple of good friends and swapped numbers- coffee meet up planned for January (even getting a few pop in that have been discharged which has been nice)

Maybe tmi but are anyone else's nipples leaking?! I'm 35 weeks atm. Is it normal?!

@Curlypop I've been leaking for at least 6 weeks (nearly 35 weeks now) it's a pain because I never know when it's going to happen. It's usually just a couple of drops at a time but sometimes it can be more

On another note... any nice nappy/baby bags you’ve spotted? Something neutral so my partner can carry too

I got ours in TK Maxx, it’s lovely, dark grey so very neutral.

My nipples have been leaking since about 20 weeks always a few drops in the morning mainly. My dog stomped on my boobs the other day I’d just showered sonwas lay in towel with my boobs out and she just appeared and stomped on them and milk squirted across the room 🙈 I was very shocked aonwas the dog 😂😂

Oooo harrypotterfan ouch but LOL!

Has everyone done a birth plan? I'm trying to think about it now. Is anyone thinking about trying a TENS machine?

I’ve not written it yet but I have a template.

Will maybe do it this weekend.

I will definitely be hiring a tens machine.

I have a midwife appointment next week so want to have my birth plan done by then so i can bring it to discuss with her.

I hadn't thought much about a tens machine but i would like as natural a birth/labour as possible so thought would be worth a shot

All I've been told so far is to be a bit vague in the birth plan as they will adhere to it, even if I was to change my mind during labour.
If the birth plan says that I do not want an epidural, then they will not give me an epidural even if I ask for it during labour.
My midwife recommended not to write that I do not want forceps used as there could be situations where it is necessary because there will not be enough time to do a c-section.

I think we will be talking about birth plans in detail tomorrow at antenatal class.

On a different note, what will your babies be wearing when going home from hospital? Do you have a "nicer" outfit for them, or will they just be wearing something plain and simple?

My midwife suggested to write preferences rather than a plan. So far I have written that I am happy to have students present and that I want to avoid epidural unless vital to mine or baby’s health.
A friend has offered me her TENS machine so I’ve said yes hadn’t really thought about it until then.
I’m trying not to think about labour too much because when I do I feel really tearful and panicked. I keep telling myself it can’t be that bad or nobody would ever do it more than once 🙈

I’ve packed 3 outfits all relatively plain and simple and I’m not too bothered which is used for coming home

Oh right, I don't want anything too rigid then.
I'm just taking 3/4 baby outfits (vests, sleepsuits and hat) all pretty much the same and will use 1 to come home. I am taking a cardigan for leaving the hospital though

Anyone else approaching 37 weeks and feeling desperate for baby to come now?
I feel like a whale, moving is so difficult, can’t get comfy in any position at all. Just want baby here now! 36&5 today and just feel like I can’t possibly do this for another 3 weeks :(

@harrypotterfan1604 I'm approaching 36 weeks and feeling the same way!!! Just want baby here now

My stomach is also SO SO itchy around my belly button - I know it's because the skin is stretching but has anyone found anything that takes the itching away? It's unbearable!

Hi everyone! I’m maybe a bit late to the party but wanted to say hi! I’m almost 35 weeks pregnant and been on maternity leave for the last 2 weeks (not by choice!). I’ve had quite the rollercoaster of a pregnancy with SPD from 14 weeks, GD and gallbladder problems but the thing I’m really struggling with is the loneliness of being in on my own all day. Is baby blues before the baby comes a thing? I wasn’t offered antenatal classes through the NHS and there isn’t much in our area so I haven’t had the chance to meet anyone going through the same thing. I’m just wondering if anyone else is feeling like this at this stage?

@littlebug19 Ive been lucky haven’t had any itching at all so not advice from me I’m afraid :(

Hi @67oonkin I feel your pain! I’ve been off work since 29 weeks because of spd I literally couldn’t cope any longer. I took 3 weeks sick 4 weeks holiday and finically started Mat leave this week.
I can no longer drive so I feel like I’m going insane being stuck in the house on my own with just 2 dogs for company all day. I pray for 6pm coming when my partner gets home and if he’s late home it makes me so angry because it just feels like forever.
I have tried to embrace this time though, I’ve kept busy ish, today I’m wrapping Christmas presents. Some days I sit and binge watch tv all day though.
Is there anything you can try to fill your time with? Cooking? Christmas shopping? Sorting through your wardrobe throwing stuff away that kinda thing. Just things that can be done at your own pace so you can rest when you need to.
I’ve become rather Partial to an afternoon nap 😂 I don’t sleep well at night so a nap 2-4 is just what I need some days xx

Im 34 weeks tomorrow and I had a scan this week as my placenta was low, thankfully it’s moved up but the consultant said babies abdomen is off the chart. It’s measured large 4 times now, I was sent for GTT at 21 weeks and had GCT at 28 weeks and I’ve just been for GTT again this morning!! I had my flu and whooping cough on Monday plus scans and midwife yesterday that’s 2 vaccinations and 4 blood tests in 3 days! I’m a bit sick of being poked and prodded! Has anyone been diagnosed with GD at this stage of pregnancy?? Xxxxx

@harrypotterfan1604 - oh I’m the exact same. If my husband comes back even slightly late I get really moody! Unfortunately he is taking the brunt of all my mood swings as my friends have been non-existent lately - don’t blame them I’m probably miserable to be around just now.
I’m stuck on the couch unfortunately so I’m limited to what I can do. In the first week I went into total nesting mode and washed all the baby clothes, packed my hospital bags and sorted the nursery. In hindsight I should’ve spread them all out! Have you had much info on labour because of the SPD? I’m getting so much conflicting information. Told at first I’d get a section, then I could labour naturally because once I had an epidural I wouldn’t feel the pain anyway but the last info I got was that they’d probably not give me an epidural so I didn’t overdo it and cause lasting damage to pelvis. Since being moved to consultant led care I’ve literally fell through the cracks cause I don’t see a midwife. Having to cobble together a birthing plan based on books rather than actual healthcare advice. Been told I’ll get induced as soon as babies head is engaged but don’t see the consultant again until 31st December when I’ll be over 37 weeks. Getting nervous I’m going into this a bit blind!

@le42 - I was diagnosed with GD at 28 weeks and feel your pain. I really beat myself up the first few weeks when I tried to manage it through diet as I couldn’t get my fasting bloods below 5.5 so I had to start metaformin and after 2 weeks I still couldn’t get the fasting bloods down no matter what I ate but my after meal bloods were fine. I eventually started insulin injections once a night and it’s made all the difference. Although I now need to watch as my bloods tend to get a little low during the day. It is not your fault though. Your body does some funky stuff and it took me a while to realise that. Don’t feel like a failure if you need to go insulin. Most people do.

@67oonkin sounds like you have it worse than me. Finishing work was a godsend for me, although I still have the pain but it’s kucj more manageable since no work which does mean I can do bits of things again. No plans for any interventions regarding the spd just to see how I go during labour. A waterbirth seems like the best option for me water has been so effective for pain relief for me and I’m very keen to avoid an epidural if st all possible. Is this your first baby? You should be seeing a midwife as well as a consultant as far as I’m aware. I have monthly appointments with my consultant and 2 weekly midwife appts x

@harrypotterfan1604 - that sounds like you’ve had a really tough time ☹️ I haven’t been diagnosed yet as the previous glucose tests have come back negative, Doctors are just concerned as the baby is a whopper - I’m imagining he looks like a fat Buddha 😂 has another fasting test today so we shall see if I get diagnosed with GD right before Christmas!! That’ll be fun!

@harrypotterfan1604 you’re so lucky if they will allow you to have a water birth. I’m not allowed one as I wouldn’t be able to get out quickly and unaided in an emergency. I’d give anything to be in water just now. I can imagine how much it would relieve a lot of my pain. Maybe a bit TMI but are you really feeling it between your legs? That’s where my worst pain is now. The popping noise that comes from my pelvis when I turn is so loud it is embarrassing. I had an appointment/scan at 33 weeks and my next appointment isn’t until 37 weeks but they are with the consultant (who pops in for 5 mins!) and the diabetes nurse. There is another woman there who may well be a midwife but she doesn’t speak and just takes my blood pressure. I was discharged from the community midwife at 28 weeks and haven’t seen one since. It’s pretty scary as it’s my first baby. I asked about antenatal classes early on and was told I’d get info nearer the time and then when i queried it last time I found out the classes were now full. We went to a private class on Sunday but it was more of a taster class but it was scary how much we didn’t know but should’ve already been told.

I don’t understand why you were discharged from your community midwife? That doesn’t make any sense at all. You still need midwife care regardless of being under a consultant. Plus you’ll need to be under the community midwives for follow up in the community once you’ve had baby. It might be worth a phone call to your gp surgery to find out what’s gone on.
I’m so sorry you’ve had such a rubbish time it certainly sounds like you have suffered more than I have :(
I’m feeling lots of pressure in between my legs now, just to add to the problems I also have an issue with my abdominal
Muscles they’ve detonated from the abdominal wall meaning I get deferred pains so both my groins constantly hurt. It’s like I’m being torn in half!
If this baby could come this week I’d be very happy x

Hi ladies I may be late but I'm 35/3 days pregnant with number 4 and have been getting loads of period type pain and the feeling my waters want to break. I Am on close watch for pre-eclampsia as had it with my 3rd and babies head had been engaged since 29 weeks..