Fresh Start thread for pregnancy after miscarriage or loss - 2

[Labmum]

New thread, perhaps might be useful to all post an update of history and where we're at now?

@AnneLovesGilbert, @Paranormalbouquet, @Miami81, @hopefulforourrainbow, @HidCat, @NoCats, @beanhunter, @iswallowtoothpaste, @vuduvu, @whiteonesugar, @wishingoneastar77, @NoParticularPattern

Apologies to anyone I've missed, please tag them and let them know of the new thread.

Wow! That's lovely news @labmum. Huge congratulations to you all. Can you share her name? Sending lots of love xx

Oh my god!!!!! You brilliant woman and your beautiful new baby! Having a happy tear for you now, so glad you’re both okay. BIGGEST cuddles to your whole family, delighted for you xxxxx

Thank you so much ladies! After everything I still can't believe that she's here and that I'm now a Mum of 2. Despite the tiredness and knowing I should be sleeping I just can't help staring at her while she sleeps.

I can't wait for you all to experience the unbelievable high of joy and relief when they put your baby on your chest after all these anxious few months. You are all such amazingly strong women, thank you for all your advice and support.

@hopeful of course, feel free to PM me and I'll let you know her name. Same goes for anyone else who'd like to know. I've probably posted lots of "outing" info but I'd rather keep her name from a public forum.

Hi everyone. I was directed here from a thread of my own, currently 5 weeks pregnant but have had two MC (one last month) so keeping everything crossed for this babe as me and DP had tried for over a year until December with no luck.

Hello! Good to see you here. How are you doing today?

@AnneLovesGilbert I’m feeling really run down and sick today (possibly symptoms but I’m a teacher and the class have lots of bugs). Still feeling terrified but trying to stay positive!

Sorry you're feeling rubbish, there have been some horrible bugs around this winter.

Will you try and get an early scan?

How’s everyone else this week? I’m actually off work sick, hardly ever happens! Completely run down with laryngitis, fat sore neck, cough, cold, exhausted, lost my voice. Also now anaemic and meant to be on but I was terribly ill with upset stomach over the weekend and not desperate to get back on it as I’m convinced it might have been the cause.

So I’ve taken to my bed the last couple of days for some hardcore rest. Not sleeping well but doing as little as possible.

35 weeks tomorrow! We had a tour of the hospital which was good, nice to know where we’ll be and it’s much nicer than we’d expected. We have to be on the consultant unit but they have an active birth room with a pool and stuff, similar to the midwife led unit, so if all goes smoothly we can do all that and also have monitoring which will make my consultant happy!

Hope everyone’s doing okay x

Thanks @AnneLovesGilbert yes we will if we get to 7 weeks!

Just checking in. @Labmum huge congratulations!!! Hope all is well. Were the growth scans accurate in the end?

Anne 35 weeks- amazing! Hope the next few weeks pass as quickly as possible.

That’s not too far off @TTCVickster though I know that time has never moved as slowly as it did in the early days and weeks. Try and kept distracted while also looking after yourself while you’re feeling ropey.

Hey para! How are you all? Feeding still going well? I’m not remotely ready for the baby to be here yet and lurgy and anaemia aside I’m feeling good so happy for it to stay put a while longer We’re getting there on house and baby stuff, washed the clothes today and done loads of clearing out so we have somewhere to put its things. Need to pack a bag at some point!

We’re going away for a few days a few hours away end of next week with DSC. Would you take a bag and the baby car seat with you if you were away at 36 weeks just in case? I said it jokingly but I’m now wondering...

@Anne I'd definitely take them with you just in case, and look up your closest hospital to where you'll be staying. Hope you're feeling better soon.

@TTCVickster got everything crossed for you that this is your rainbow.

@para how are you doing? Are you on a postnatal group? I've looked to see if there was one but couldn't see anything?
She wasn't quite as big as they predicted but still a good size considering she was 2 weeks early, on 93rd centile. I think with the position she was in if she'd been any bigger I'd have definitely needed either a section or assisted delivery to get her out, it was a close call as it was.

Hi @AnneLovesGilbert so sorry you are feeling so poorly. I would definitely take your notes and car seat. More in that 'murphys law' kind of a way where if you have planned for something like that then it won't happen.
I'm only a couple of days behind you, baby is being very stubborn about lying transverse so it looks like we could be having a section. Hopefully at some point between 37-38 weeks. My consultant doesn't really want me to try too many of the SpinningBabies things as she is concerned that baby is transverse for a reason and should be left to her own devices.
We had a growth scan today and baby has dropped a bit on the chart, nothing significant it just is making me a bit jumpy. All Dopplers and fluid levels etc were good. Have ctg again on Friday so if I am still feeling iffy then I may ask them to check fluid again.
I finish work on Friday. Can't wait now.
We have packed my bag. Babies is started and we have most of the absolute definite needed items covered. Loads of other stuff is in an amazon wish list and can be primed from the hospital.
@TTCVickster I hope that time goes quickly for you. Those early days are hell. Today you are pregnant was/is the only mantra that gets me through.

Anne sorry to hear you are feeling so miserable. Definitely take your notes and bag/car seat with you. Just in case. Feeding going great now, baby is tracking the 25th centile and for now at least sleeping well. I’ve started expressing for milk bank.

Labmum I haven’t seen a postnatal group either but there’s hopefully going to be quite a few postnatal ladies soon! 93rd centile is a great weight, my little one was on the 3rd when born at 37w (despite estimated weight on 90th at 36w scan!) but I’m glad she’s gained a little fat now so I don’t need to worry so much if she catches a cold/bug.

Miami best of luck over next few weeks. Definitely ask for more scans if you are worried but remember growth scans are less accurate later on (they were way out for both of mine). Is there a plan to admit you if baby is still transverse at term?

Not long now @Miami. Sending huge hugs for these last few weeks. In some ways if she's transverse and you need an elective section it may be easier mentally. You have a date to work towards and there's no uncertainty of labour either. Hang on in there, it's the final straight and the reward is so worth it. Ask for as much support as you need to ease your nerves.
Take care lovely lady.

@para once Anne and Miami's bundles have arrived maybe we can set up either a postnatal group or a private group message? Glad feeding is going so well. That's brilliant you're expressing for the milk bank, I'm tempted to volunteer for it here. We the process straight forward? My electric pump gave out, would they provide me with one or would I need to buy one? X

Ah thanks guys. Yeah I was explaining to the consultant yesterday that I need an end date to help me through the next few weeks. She took that on board and will speak to my main consultant about it before next week.
At this stage I am quite comfortable with the idea of a section, it's just the added drama of the lungs/ steroids issues that makes that a bit more difficult. They seem to not want to give the steroids but they would want to wait to section until 38 wks in that case. Whereas I kind of feel that given she has an unstable lie, my history and you know just the stress of the whole thing I would be way more comfortable getting the steroids on board and then heading for section very soon after 37 wks.
There is a risk with a transverse lie that I could have a prolapsed cord if I was to go into labour naturally. So i feel like they either need to section on plenty of time or make a plan to have me in the hospital in the lead up to section. I live 30 mins from hospital which isn't good if it were a prolapsed cord.
Trying not to dwell and trying to take it day by day. But as the aunt to a perfectly healthy 35 weeker I must admit that as we get closer to that I just want to scream at everyone to get my baby out.

Also still lurking!

Miami and Anne I have everything crossed for you both for this last push.

Paranormal I'm glad feeding is now going well.

Definitely up for joining in on a postnatal board although somehow DD is 6 months next week. Not sure how that happened!

Hi everyone. 22 weeks here and struggling with swollen ankles when working a 12 he shift already. On nights just now so really should be sleeping. Have a weeks leave after tonight though so looking forward to that. I'd love to keep in touch with you guys so a postnatal group/private group message would be a great idea. You've all been an amazing support.

Count me in for a chat group! Love you lot to bits. If we weren’t scattered all around the UK I’d suggest we got the babies all together one weekend!

Thanks for good wishes. God I feel shit. Had upset tummy at the weekend and haven’t been eating much. Had scrambled eggs and a bagel for lunch and I think it’s coming back On top of no voice and general sore throat crapness and barely sleeping. All you ever hear is constipation from iron and this is the opposite!

You’re right about taking stuff with us just in case...

That’s so amazing about milk banking para. You should definitely explore the peer support route you mentioned a while back. I’ll be coming to you for tips!

I know you were hoping for an easier time feeding lab and hope it’s gone well.

Always in my thoughts miami, totally get how you’re feeling about plans and knowing as much as you can what will happen. Your normal consultant sounds epic so hope you feel supported in your options. When’s your next growth scan?

That really is insane keepon, how on Earth has it been 6 months?! Hope you’re all keeping very well.

Swollen ankles and night shifts sounds really tough hopeful, sorry How are you feeling in the rest of you and are you sleeping well when you get to?

Got next scan and consultant apt in a week. He’s keen to “book an induction date” for no reason at all other than to help plan when to come off my meds. Will be an interesting discussion. He doesn’t want me to go past 2 weeks off the jabs so won’t let me go overdue but scans, placenta Doppler, all my obs are right on track and it seems crazy to start every other day sweeps which he suggested from 37 weeks or a proper induction at 38 for no reason. It’s head down, back visibly sticking out of my upper belly several times a day, movements regular and v strong, placenta high enough etc etc and I’m really reluctant to mess with it without a reason.

Am I being a precious ftm or is he being an overly cautious medical man? He concedes he wanted me to enjoy my labour and you know I love the guy to bits and will totally respect his advice when he can back it up with reasons but for now I just want to let things carry on undisturbed and not commit to interventions for the sake of them.

But I’m grumpy and tired and probably being a bit chippy

Contact your local milk bank Labmum and they’ll tell you what is needed. I’ve just started expressing for them as had a massive oversupply I wanted to settle first. They are run on shoestring budget so I think you need your own pump.

Keep can’t believe your little one is 6 months. Thanks for feeding help before, baby just latched without shields at 4 weeks and we never needed them again.

Hopeful swollen ankles are awful, hope they settle for you with rest.

Miami I think speak with your team about your worries. Many places offer admission from 36/37 weeks in case of spontaneous labour with an unstable or transverse lie- that might be an option that you’d be more comfortable with. Re steroids my team give steroids to every elective section before 39 weeks so that shouldn’t be a factor in the decision process?

Anne if it makes you feel more confident re induction a recent study showed better outcomes with induction at 39 weeks for no specific reason including less sections etc. Sweeps won’t do any harm anyway- they don’t work if you aren’t ready. I was anxious about having section at 38 weeks instead of 39 this time but baby had her own ideas anyway and arrived at 37!

30 weeks here today and my goodness I’m exhausted again. Still
Have lots of vomiting and it’s worse with the tiredness. Next growth scan in 2 weeks and I guess start watching blood pressure as that caused mischief late on. Finish work at 36 and can’t wait (also currently can’t see how I’m
Going to get there!)
Possibly being induced at 39 weeks but we shall see.

@Miami I completely understand your worries with the transverse lie, I was very twitchy that I wasn't going to be rescanned to check her position until 37+3 with the risks of a cord prolapse. I think you should discuss your concerns with them, some trusts admit from 35 weeks for an unstable lie. They might be more keen for a 37week section if you push to be an inpatient and will be taking up a bed?

@Anne my consultant didn't want me to go overdue either and I was recruited onto the big baby trial, I declined randomisation for induction as I didn't want to be induced at 38 weeks as I wanted to give her more chance to come herself. We compromised on induction on my due date but she did a sweep which did the trick and got things going. Feeding has been easier this time around, perhaps because I was less worried about it. She struggled to latch at first although showed more interest that DS but as I was prepared for that I hand expressed and syringe fed some colostrum then as soon as I got on the postnatal ward I requested a member of the infant feeding team to come sit with me. 10days in and she's now well away with it, she struggles with my fast flow so I've been to a local feeding support group for tips on helping her cope with it. She's latching well, initial soreness has worn off, she's not regained her birth weight yet but I'm sure she will soon.

@para have you any tips for me on the oversupply?

@beanhunter and @hopeful hope you're feeling both better soon.

I'll set up a postnatal group and then pop back to post a link for everyone.

That’s useful lab, thank you. What were you when you had the sweep and was it just the one? Thanks also to para. I’m just averse to anything feeling forced I think. I know sweeps are drug free and either work or don’t and I’m usually very relaxed about being poked and prodded but I’m not feeling fed up of pregnancy yet (might be in a couple of weeks I know!) I’m feeling very protective of it coming in it’s own time, I also think my due date is out by several days based on when I know I ovulated, so when he was assuming I’d go in to have it pushed along on some arbitrary date I felt very resistant.

I know they can’t make you do anything but it’s a weird dynamic with our consultant as I’ve pretty much blinded followed all his advice and the current kitchen sink approach to any and all meds and checks and it’s worked so I don’t feel very confident saying no.

Such good news on feeding lab, so pleased for you. How did it work with the infant feeding team? It’s good to know support is there. Did you have both children at the same hospital?

@Anne I had the sweep at 37+3. My plug came away over the next couple of days then labour started on 37+6 and DD arrived the same day.
With the feeding I just asked the midwife if someone from the feeding team would come and see me. They have peer supporters and dedicated feeding team staff who can come and sit with you helping you with latch and positioning. My top advice is to ask for whatever help you need with feeding and feel confident with it before you leave because the help is on hand there. If you're struggling then stay a bit longer.
I really enjoyed my hospital stay this time around, I was luckily given a private room with its own bathroom (the midwives felt sorry for me because the ward I was on was really manic with the other ladies' families/friends) so it was like being in a hotel with everything being done for me. WiFi so I could watch TV on the iPad. No toddler to run around after. Literally just me and baby with lots of time to bond and get the feeding sorted.