38+6 weeks pregnant- anyone fancy joining me in a babywatch thread?!

[RoseBud2016]

39 weeks pregnant tomorrow. I lost my mucus plug 2 weeks ago and have been getting tonnes of low down pressure and sharp stabbing pains in my cervix ever since, but no progress.

This is baby 2 for us. DD is just turned 2. I’m impatient for baby to arrive but also desperate to savour the last few days (weeks ) with my little girl.

Anyone in a similar position and want to join me on bsbywatch?

@Fae1989 I really didn't want to be induced but I feel like it's better to get things moving, I'll be 40+11 by hospital dates and my baby's already scanned quite big. I know labour's going to hurt but it's going to relieve so much anxiety when it starts! I've not asked about balloon induction though I've heard of it, I'll see what they say.

@Triskaidephilia - I completely understand. It’s worth asking because apparently they’re more natural and the contractions are less intense than with the other methods. You never know, it could all happen before then. I supposedly have a ‘big baby’ too! I completely get where you’re coming from with it relieving anxiety (although try and stay as relaxed and happy as possible as it releases oxytocin which you need to stimulate birth :) ) easier said than done haha!

Did you have any (tmi so sorry) like pinky discharge after your sweep btw?

@Fae1989 not on monday, today it's been a sort of beige colour, maybe because she was a bit more rough. But both times they mentioned it can cause a little bit of bleeding so i wouldn't worry about it.

Was just hopeful it meant something! Not so sure now :/

@Fae1989 Is it sticky? Could be your mucus plug?

Yeah kind of, (apologies this is so gross) like stringy stuff? There wasn’t much tbh so I’m not sure!

Ooh in that case it could well be a good sign! I've had no sign of my mucus plug at all...

I’ve read you can lose it without even noticing too!

Yeah, or can lose it when in labour, but losing it after a sweep seems like it'd be a good sign!

Afternoon ladies,

How is everyone today?

x

I think my cervix is moving forward! I checked it myself, I usually can't feel it or can just touch with the very tip of my finger, but today I could reach the front of it with no issue. Had a tiny bit of bleeding as well. Yesterday I took a bath with oil that included clary sage, ate a bigger amount of pineapple and bounced on my ball most of the day, so I'm trying that again. I'm out of fresh pineapple but I have a tin that I never ordered but was delivered with my shopping just before I found out I was pregnant, seems like fate

@Trisaidekaphilia - amazing! That's so exciting :)

I definitely think bouncing on the ball works. I've heard good things about clary sage. Might have to get some!

I have a pineapple I need to cut up, might give it a go (and maybe get my partner to get some clary sage whilst he's out!) is it just the essential oil?

Seems so much more promising than yesterday for you - I swear things can change in such a short amount of time; this feels disconcerting and exciting in equal measure!!

@Fae1989 just make sure you eat the pineapple core as its got the most bromelain! The oil I have is a mix of mandarin, clary sage and nutmeg, the midwife I saw for the first time yesterday asked if I'd been offered aromatherapy and I hadn't yet so was quite excited. While I was doing my urine sample she asked DH if I liked woody or floral scents and he remembered I only really like fruit scents, so she added the mandarin. I just put a tiny bit in my bath, you can use it for massage as well but I think if its pure essential oil, you have to dilute it with a carrier oil like almond or coconut.

Yes it does seem like things might be happening but I'm trying not to worry as much about it either way. I thought that if I got an induction date it would seem like a deadline but it's actually kind of nice knowing that no matter what, I should be meeting my baby next week

How are you feeling?

I feel almost glad when I check the thread that I'm not alone in my overdue grumpiness but then it's also sad at the same time because I know you ladies must feel as crappy as I do playing the waiting game 😂

I've had absolutely nothing going on, to the point where I don't care now, I'm not forcing myself to do any of the tips and tricks that obviously don't work for me now nor am I bouncing on my ball or staying active. I've officially hit 'the wall' and have decided c'est la vie and if it results in induction then whatever.

I had a hunt for my cervix this morning and still couldn't reach it :(

Glad things seem to be moving in the right direction for you @Triskaidekaphilia

@Fae1989 Did your symptoms post sweep ramp up or did they fade out? Hopefully it'll come in waves until it's the real deal!

@Triskaidekaphilia - I can't say I've ever actually cut up a pineapple before but I'll keep an eye out for the core, thanks :)

Oh nice, do they offer aromatherapy at the hospital or gp then? I might see if DP can find some later and I'll have a bath!

Yeah I think that's a good mindset to be in - I think the lack of stressing about it actually makes it more likely because of the oxytocin etc needed to start labour. If you're stressed and worried I can't imagine there's much happy hormone floating around! I completely relate re induction- ultimately you get to meet your baby so it's really good to put a positive spin on it. A means to an end if you will!

I'm not bad thanks, had a bit more 'show' if that's what it is. I have awful stomach cramps - have you had any of these? My stomach goes hard for ages and stays hard and my bump has gone all narrow and pointy. No idea if this means anything but something is happening, just not sure if it's labour!

@SenoraSurf - so sorry, nearly missed your post!

You're certainly not alone! It's really difficult. I actually think that once you stop caring things start happening, which has no science or evidence to it whatsoever. I was like that yesterday, I literally gave up cause all the symptoms went and then they came back...strange.

The one benefit I've found to bouncing on the ball is my thighs are getting toned! Haha. The bouncing seems to make me feel a bit happier - so might be worth investing in something that relaxes you and makes you happy? I highly recommend chocolate! I wasn't very upright and active yesterday until the pain started coming back. Things can change in a matter of hours from what I understand so as long as it's not getting you down too much maybe not worrying about it is a good thing?

I've had persistent stomach ache all morning. I have a feeling it's because of the sweep, not because anything is particularly happening. But who bloody knows at this point! Haha.

@SenoraSurf yes, at least we have someone to discuss it with. Everyone in my nct group who've had their babies seems to have had them at an earlier gestation to me, think the latest was 40+2 and I'm 41 now. I too have limited belief in all the methods I've tried but I've been off work for 8 weeks and I'm starting to get bored (which for me is unusual cos I can happily spend weeks doing nothing) so it keeps me busy!

@Fae1989 I just cut a whole round out to make sure I have some core, then chop it into pieces.
I know the midwife led birth centres often have aromatherapy available, I don't know about anywhere else, I guess if you're lucky you get a midwife who is a great believer in it. But if not it's quite easy to research and buy yourself. I'm having a look on amazon at the moment to get more as I was only given a tiny bit. Tightening pains sound promising- my braxton hicks feel like that. Whenever I get period type pains/stomach cramps it turns out to be trapped wind so I'm only looking for tightening-type pains now!

@Triskaidekaphilia - Thanks for the tip re the pineapple. I think it's great if you get midwives willing to think outside the box etc. Hoping that when I do go into labour that ours will appreciate the hypnobirthing we've been practising as I know not all appreciate or relate to that kind of stuff. I think our birthing centre does do aromatherapy, which is good!

The whole pain thing is weird - I find it very hard to distinguish between what might just be a normal pregnancy related pain (or trapped wind haha) to what could be a contraction. The tightening and pain for me seems to be all in one go rather than coming and going.

It's reassuring to see others feel bored. I'm only on week 2 of my mat leave and I'm bored senseless. It's all well and good people telling you to relax and enjoy it but it's not that easy when you're mightily uncomfortable and can't get around very easily!

@Fae1989 I've been very lazy with my hypnobirthing, been practising breathing but haven't even practiced the guided meditations! But still very good from a 'my body can do this' perspective!

Your contractions will probably feel a lot like the ones you're having now, just regular and more intense. Mine are occasionally getting uncomfortable again but not exactly painful. I can't remember if I mentioned this on the thread or just said it to DH, but I feel like, if I can't tell the difference between period pains and needing to poo after 18 years, how am I supposed to tell the difference between random pains and labour which i've never experienced before?

It really was bliss when I first finished work, having been on my feet 8 hours with bad pgp for weeks. Now I either feel fed up trying to do housework, or sit around on my phone/xbox/watching tv and feel guilty I'm not being more active!

@Triskaidekaphilia - Tbh I think the breathing is the most important part! I've not practised a lot of the other stuff to be honest. DP watched some of the birth partner videos (we're doing the Positive Birth Company's online course) which I think were more important in some ways and he's got quite a big role in supporting! It sounds like you're in the right mindset, which is half the battle!

I guess pain is very subjective isn't it? That's why I don't think anyone can describe it to you properly, because I guess it feels different for all of us! Haha I totally get you re what your said to your DH - maybe your body experiences pain in similar ways? Which doesn't exactly make it helpful, as you say, when it comes to distinguishing pain in labour. I do wonder if the breathing changes the way you experience it all anyway - because you're sending oxygen to the muscles, you might not get pain in the textbook sense. I find it all fascinating!

Sorry to hear you've had PGP. Sounds like you needed the rest! I totally relate to the guilt thing. I don't really know what to do with my self. I've just found the second series of The Letdown on Netflix (highly recommended btw, the first series was hilarious!) and I'm going to binge watch that today! I want to do housework but at the same time my bump is so heavy my little legs keep buckling under the weight (of my massive baby ha-ha).

With both births, the thing that triggered labour was nipple stimulation so get twiddling ladies 😂

@Mrsmummy90 - aw congrats again! How are you doing?

Aha really? I might have to have a go (no idea what I’m doing!!) haha

@Fae1989 that's the same course I've been doing, and I think the breathing is the most important part too! I've always thought I have quite a high pain threshold but it's hard to tell when you can never know what others are like. The worst pain I've been in was with a severe kidney infection and I've been told that's worse by people who've experienced both. My PGP is a lot better now and I don't have much issue with moving around, but whenever I'm standing or walking my knees are in agony and I get tired after about 10 minutes.

@Mrsmummy90 I do a bit of that most days, although when DH did it I got very strong cramps so he must have been doing it a better way or something might have to make a request when he gets home!

@Fae1989 we're doing good thanks :) my 18mo is jealous and keeps hitting at the baby though 🙈 trying desperately to stay between them.

How are you getting on?

There are articles online that tell you how to do it 😊 good luck!

@Triskaidekaphilia definitely get him to have a go 😂