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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Due November 2019 Thread 4

999 replies

Smiffette · 15/04/2019 09:35

JoJoSaysHello 27, 18/11/19, baby #1
OhMarnie 28, 11/11/19, baby #1
Smiffette 35, 04/11/19, baby #1
LittleAndOften 40, 10/11/19, baby #2
AcatcalledGary 32, 13/11/19, baby #??

OP posts:
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25
Rotorua · 04/06/2019 09:03

@dottydally I know what you mean. I got my hopes up at my appointment last week, but I was told they don't listen to heartbeat at 16 week appointment in my area. Was so disappointed 😔

dottydally · 04/06/2019 09:08

@Rotorua oh that's a shame Sad I know they listened to it in my area a year ago but who knows what changes have been made since then. Did they do any blood tests at 16 weeks?

PyjamasForever · 04/06/2019 09:23

That's such a shame @Rotorua. My midwife was potentially more excited than me, when booking my 16 week appointment she kept going on about how great it would be to hear the heartbeat. I guess it's not that easy to find at 16 weeks and must cause huge anxiety when they can't find it. Last pregnancy I had an outpatient appt with the obs consultant at about 22 weeks and he couldn't find the heartbeat... I was then left in limbo until my next midwife appointment when she found it.

Rotorua · 04/06/2019 09:24

@dottydally ohh, then it looks very hopeful Smile I was prepared for a blood test and had a big breakfast before because I was sure I read it somewhere in my notes, but in the end she just monitored my blood pressure and had urine sample tested.

TrashKitten10 · 04/06/2019 09:30

@dottydally Hope your appointment goes well. My midwife didn't try to find the heartbeat, I was a bit disappointed as well. It was quite dull really, just another urine and CO2 test and checking everything was going okay.

Mintypea5 · 04/06/2019 10:10

They don't do the HB in my area either. It is a little disappointing but after they couldn't find it at my 32 week appointment last year I'm a little more chill about it. It can be so hard for them to find even at later stages (and they're trained!!) so I appreciate that they don't want to scare us too early mi was blue lighted to hospital at my 32 week appointment and basically told to prepare for the worse (stillbirth) rushes into a scan made to sign some paper work and I was so upset and confused ... baby was fine

Jakeybean18 · 04/06/2019 10:26

Hi,just came across this thread.Im joining you lovely lot,and expecting my 2nd child on 24/11/19.super excited 😍

dottydally · 04/06/2019 11:16

@TrashKitten10 @Rotorua she didn't listen which is sad Sad but it's only just over 3 weeks until my 20 week scan so not too long!

I have such a lovely midwife though so we had a good chat about some classes they run. They run breastfeeding, parenting and hypnobirthing classes so I will go to those. I'm not sure if my area is particularly good but a lot of people I've spoken to haven't been offered them or have had to pay through NCT. Has anyone else been offered classes?

azel · 04/06/2019 14:01

sorry new to the thread, EDD 18/11/19!! Just had my 16 week scan, mw was nice to encourage me to record the heartbeat for DH.

im getting confused with all the types of classes available. Ive heard so much about NCT but our local area focuses on noobies and birth and beyond so not sure what the main consensus is locally.

Farmmum7 · 04/06/2019 16:03

I didn't do any classes with my first two I had no idea where to start looking for them or anything. I'd love to do some this time round though even if it's just a local breastfeeding one.

What's hypnobirthing?!

Has anyone ever done a birth plan and stuck to it or is anyone planning on having one? I never had one before I didn't really know what I was going into the first time and the second time I was so adamant I would just ask for drugs because it hurt the first time that was all the planning I did 😂

PyjamasForever · 04/06/2019 16:57

@farmmum7 if you are thinking of a birth plan I'd try reading the positive birth book. It's got some great ideas. I also like the way in encourages you to have a "plan b" just in case things don't fit with your original plan.

dottydally · 04/06/2019 17:21

@Farmmum7 ask your midwife about any classes. Mine had all the leaflets ready when I arrived but perhaps some need prompting.

Hypnobirthing is a lot about keeping you calm and in the zone whilst in labour. I bought 'practical ways to make your birth better' by Siobhan Miller (I've uploaded a photo). I can't rate it highly enough, it teaches you about breathing techniques but also about making positive choices. It talks about knowing your rights in labour, making informed decisions (eg. about induction) and how to cope when things don't go as planned. It also explains the science behind labour which I found helpful.

I'm going to have a birth plan just to get down what I do and don't want to save me having to explain myself in labour. It won't be rigid and I'm aware things might need to happen if there's a problem but I want it there. It will mean DP can be my advocate too.

Due November 2019 Thread 4
Mintypea5 · 04/06/2019 18:11

My area don't offer NHS classes anymore funding cut. I've heard great things about hypnobirthing. Some they do a discount in the online course etc

Your midwife will run through a birth plan with you after 30 weeks usually. I had one with DS1 but was induced so it wasn't used. Induced with DS2 for reduced movements so again didn't use one. All I'm putting this time is epidural please

It's worth making sure your birthing partner 100% knows what you want and is confident advocating for you in case you're in a position you can't

blizzard88 · 04/06/2019 21:02

@Mintypea5 your birth plan for this time around sounds the same as mine 😂

LittleAndOften · 04/06/2019 23:58

Hi all hope you're all ok.IME birth plans aren't worth the paper they're written on. It's an illusion that we have an element of control Grin

My birth plan this time is similar to @mintypea5 - healthy mummy and baby, try to avoid emcs if poss!

Farmmum7 · 05/06/2019 10:01

It was my plan with my second but they refused to let me have an epidural so make sure you kick up a fuss because apparently I didn't seem to be in enough pain!

I would have liked to try a water birth otherwise but I don't think it's an option at my hospital I spent most of my first labour in the bath so I think the water might help. Has anyone has a water birth/opting for one?

I think I've got epidural top of my list otherwise. A C-section is my biggest fear I don't think I could handle being awake!

I'll have a look at some of the books try and talk labour to my DH he's still traumatised from the first one apparently so maybe if we have some kind of plan he might feel a bit more useful/in control!!

LittleAndOften · 05/06/2019 10:32

@Farmmum7 I had emcs under general anaesthetic with ds. I wouldnt wish that on anyone. GA really messes with your head (I had a panic attack when I woke and had nightmares for a week), you don't see your child born so it makes bonding much more difficult, you're groggy for hours afterwards. They only used GA with me as a last resort after all else failed (17 attempts at a spinal) I don't actually think it's something you can request - it's pretty grim!

I don't want another c-section really, but realise I can't control that. Above all I just really want to be aware of the birth this time! Smile

dottydally · 05/06/2019 11:47

@Farmmum7 we have a birthing centre attached to our hospital so I'm hoping to give birth there. The midwife said I could give birth at home or the midwife led birthing centre - the labour ward wasn't given as an option as I am low risk. They have pools in the birthing centre so I'd like to use one if there is one free. I think water would be really soothing.

My biggest fears are a c-section and an epidural. The idea of losing the use of my legs terrifies me. I had an operation a few years ago under GA and the GA was quite traumatic for various reasons. I'm open to other pain relief but I feel like I need to keep in control a little bit.

Mintypea5 · 05/06/2019 14:34

@dottydally I can't speak for c sections but I've had epidural twice and could still move my legs. Once it's in they give you a button to press and "top" up the drug. DS1 I kept myself at the threshold so I wasn't in pain but could get things. DS2 came a bit quicker than expected so my epidural hadn't quite kicked in all the way so the first thing that alerted them to his immanent arrival was me saying about pressure and it hurts ... had to have gas and air as well and could feel when to push. Was up and about 45 mins / an after having him

PyjamasForever · 05/06/2019 15:51

@dottydally @mintypea5 I could still walk with my epidural. I just had to call the midwives for a top up whenever I started having pain again (wish I'd had a button for that too). It wasn't until they topped up my epidural to a spinal for my c-section that I couldn't move my legs. It was weird, but by that point I was just glad they were getting the baby out!

Farmmum7 · 05/06/2019 16:06

I had no idea you could still walk with an epidural!! Does it completely numb the pain or does it just dull it?

I had nothing with my first and they gave me pethedine with the second but I hated it I just felt drunk and threw up lots despite the anti sickness pills luckily it had worn out by the time I popped! I didn't like the gas and air either I prefer the pain to the weird dizzy feeling!

When you have a C-section do you feel anything and how long does it take to stitch you back up? That's the bit I'm most scared of the wait knowing I'm just wide open while someone puts me back together!

Its just over a week before my first appointment now too I've got a whole list of questions for the consultant the poor man won't know what's hit him 🤣

PyjamasForever · 05/06/2019 16:36

@Farmmum7 I had quite a light epidural so although I didn't have pain, I could still feel contractions. They offered to top it up more I wouldn't feel any discomfort, but I quite liked feeling the contractions when they were just a little uncomfortable, like braxton hicks.

The c-section was weird, no pain at all but you can still feel pressure and movement so you feel rummaging as they get baby's head and then a kind of empty feeling as they pop the baby out. Can't remember how long it took to sew me up, but not very long. I was in a weird situation where it was a friend who did my emergency section so we just chatted as he sewed me up.

LittleAndOften · 05/06/2019 17:21

Interesting variety of experiences in our group! @Farmmum7 I had a syntocinon drip with my epidural as my waters had broken over 24 hrs before. So I couldn't walk anywhere!

I won't have an epidural again if I can help it as whether it was that, the drip or a bit of both, my birth stopped progressing from thereon in. Realistically I know the problem could have just been with me, but the epidural is the only thing I chose that might have sealed my fate with the emcs, so I'll try to avoid it this time.

Hopefully gas & air with better mobility during labour will make the difference. Fingers crossed we all get the births we want (even if it is just all down to luck!).

PyjamasForever · 05/06/2019 17:49

That is interesting @littleandoften. I had an epidural, synto and continuous CTG but was allowed to get up and walk around. Downside is I had a funny turn when standing up after having a wee and collapsed. Basically I don't want synto this time.

LittleAndOften · 05/06/2019 18:24

@PyjamasForever nor me but it wasn't a choice! Information is definitely power during labour. I was so clueless looking back. There's a lot I would have questioned.