November babies - getting close now...

[KatieKat88]

Thought I'd post another November babies thread as I haven't seen one in ages. I'll be 31 weeks tomorrow and it's starting to feel very real now! Not that the crazy heartburn and ever expanding bump wasn't enough of a reminder... anyone else due in November and want to chat?

I've had Braxton-Hicks not my favourite thing but not awful. My sleep is getting really affected now and I can't help but wonder if it's because baby is so big. Still feel like I have a lifetime to go but I know that he's growing well in there and that's a good thing. I do however REALLY need to pick my maternity pjs for the hospital and pack the damned bags!
I'm starting to think I'd rather have a section which I know you're not supposed to say but I'm freaking out about him getting stuck. I haven't seen larger measurements for the stage I'm at on any thread and it's making me feel awful.

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver I'm not measuring big and really struggling with sleep (waking every 90 minutes or so feeling very uncomfortable) and have been getting up in the middle of the night for up to 2 hours - so I doubt it's because of the size of the baby that's affecting you, if that's any reassurance. Also please don't stress about questioning whether you want a section - it might be worth investigating so you can make the right decision based on all the facts - better to speak to someone about it than drive yourself potty with worry 👍

I rang maternity assessment about my swollen foot/ankle after reading that one leg on its own being swollen ought to be checked out. They told me to go to A&E so I'm currently sat in the thrombosis assessment unit at our hospital waiting to see a doctor. BP was normal when they measured that so I really am hoping that it's all going to be a false alarm. 🤞

@Weathergirl1 thank you, I have an appointment with a consultant next week so I'm trying my hardest to stay calm until after then as logically I know there's no sense worrying just now, can't always help myself though. I've had to start sleeping on the couch because it's the only place I'm comfy(ish).
I'm sure your blood pressure being normal is a good sign but you're always better safe than sorry. Let us know how you get on.

Right, so the bloods and urine tests came back clear. The registrar said my lungs sounded fine, but did think there was swelling. He thought it was slight until he got the tape measure out and my right lower calf is 2cm larger in circumference than my left... He thought it was more likely to just be fluid (baby trapping something on that side) but wanted to rule it out by an ultrasound scan. Annoyingly though we were too late to have that done this evening so I have to go back in the morning for it, and they wouldn't let me go home without a blood thinning injection 💉☹️

I will try doing some spinning babies inversions this evening to see if I can persuade kiddo to move.

I'm now nosy about what the deleted message above was!

That sounds good so far. Hopefully you can get the wee one to move.

The message was another one of those research project requests that seem to be popping up all over the place.

Hope everyone's doing ok! On mat leave now and 35 weeks. Lots of painful sciatica which I'm finding really difficult to deal with - can barely walk and am just so frustrated with it! Then I feel guilty because the baby's fine and I feel like I should just suck it up. DH is wonderful and has been doing literally everything around the house and has told me it's fine for me to be upset - I'm in pain. Trying to take it really easy in the hope that it gets a bit better.

Happy maternity leave @KatieKat88 !
Definitely take it easy, just think if you had fallen downstairs and sprained an ankle or something, you wouldn't feel guilty for being in pain and incapacitated for a while. We are always hard on ourselves when it is "self inflicted" but it doesn't make it any less painful.

I'm waddling like a champ now, I felt the head engage 2 nights ago so got a lovely grinding going on and hoping not long now. I look ridiculous though as I am still measuring really small so it just looks like I'm taking the piss or need a poo

Just lit my first fire of the autumn, 3 yo DD went to play in the sitting room this morning and it was freezing, a situation not helped by her insistence on remaining naked! She has now retreated to the toasty kitchen and I'm enjoying a peaceful coffee listening to her sing about going on holiday - I wish!

Morning all!
@Weathergirl1I hope US goes well this morning. I too spent some time semi upside down and back to front to try and get this baby in to a better position, I've got pilates tonight too so hopefully that will help encourage her.

@KatieKat88 totally agree with @Montgomerystubercles - don't be hard on yourself, what your body is doing is amazing!

Lighting a fire sounds lovely, but I'm just SO HOT all the time! I'm normally a cold blooded creature so I'm finding it strange to still be warm enough in tshirts when normally I'd be wrapped up in jumper dresses and scarves by now! Hopefully I'll save some pennies on the heating bill while working from home though - haha!

Thanks ladies - I really appreciate the support I've started to feel the cold more recently- had to get DH to help me put my tights on for my last day of work last week because my knees don't bend enough! A fire sounds lovely.

Hope the baby spinning is taking effect for those who need them to turn!

Just back from the hospital and no DVT - woohoo! The sonographer actually said I have very good veins 😀, so I guess the swelling must be some sort of lymph drainage issue 🤷 I'd better get kiddo to move and stop making my foot swell!

@katiekat88 another one here who keeps feeling guilty about not managing to do things. I don't have full blown sciatica, but my piriformis is tight both sides. And I've decided it's fine to moan about it - pregnancy sucks as far as I'm concerned and I'm looking forward to reclaiming my own body 👍

Had a scan today, baby is weighing at 6lb 13 so he is cooking nicely! Hope he doesn’t get much bigger my other two were massive 8/12 and 9/5. He is breach... they said I have too much fluid so it’s like he’s in an Olympic size swimming pool and having a great time bobbing about. Have to speak with the midwife tomorrow to see if they are going to try turning him or leave him to see if he does it on his own. I can see now he’s going to be a tricky baby!! Just over 3 weeks until due date so counting down. Can not wait to finish work on Friday I thought the day would never come!!

Can I ask for some options? I'm just 34 weeks but I'm really struggling. My original plan was to start mat leave at 37+5 but I really don't feel like I'm going to make it there. I'm supposed to be on holiday next week to break up the time I have left but I'm considering asking them if I can change my mat leave. I'd work next week, then take my weeks holiday and start mat leave at 36+5. I'm just worried that I'll feel mean having spent that time before baby was born rather than after but I'm in so much pain with SPD I just don't feel I can continue the commute? They may not be able to accommodate me which I understand but will a week make much of a difference to the wee one and me when it's time to go back?

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver I wouldn't have thought one week will make much of a difference. I think you have to look after yourself to be honest - a happy mum is more likely to mean a happy baby! That said, if you do it, I'd be inclined to write yourself a note about how you are currently doing to read when you go back a week early so you don't forget you made the decision based on how you are now. Hopefully that will help to stop you feeling bad about it.

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver I went at 34+4 and couldn't have done any longer. Really should have gone a week earlier but had some stuff on at work that I felt I needed to be there for. Do it and go off sick if work force you to as a last resort - look after yourself and your baby.

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver I completely get where you are coming from - to be honest I'm thinking the same thing! If you can work it out with work, and the SPD is a very legitimate reason, I agree, start ASAP.

My last day is two weeks tomorrow, I'm going to try and struggle through but I don't know if I'll make it. The commute in particular is a nightmare. I'm sat in hospital having a GD test (another one) and if I do have that I might make that my basis to stop a bit earlier.

Thinking of you!

Thanks everyone, I think I will keep a note of how I'm feeling to ease the guilt when I'm going back to work. I have a meeting with my boss this afternoon so I'll see what can be done. I've never known pain like it to be honest. I really can't wait until he's here and I can feel like myself again.

Spoke to my manager who was very supportive. I've changed things around so I'm on holiday from 35+5 and on mat leave from 36+5. Only 7 working days to go.

Ah that's good news @smartcarnotsosmartdriver 👍

Well done @smartcarnotsosmartdriver! Hope the remaining days aren't too much of a struggle.

@smartcarnotsosmartdriver that's great news, hopefully the last 7 days will feel easier as you know there's a close end point

Morning lovelies, how are you all getting on?

Anyone experiencing any signs yet?!

Nothing new to report here, coming up 35 weeks, mat leave starts in 3 weeks...feels like time is going so slow!

Had a very sudden and sharp pain in the hoohaa the other night that woke me up with a start, I had to check to make sure a foot hadn't fallen out or something !
The baby is breech at the moment...I think it must be playing on my mind - haha!

@Hayesdays 35 weeks tomorrow here. Am in hospital for observation as I have been having very watery discharge... Not great, but not feeling too worried as it's not far off being 'term' if something means they have to get the baby out soon. However, I am TOTALLY NOT READY for this 🤦 - our bathroom at home is only half done (we've been getting some bits fixed ready for having a small person with us)... Arghhh

Hope everyone else is okay!

oh gosh @Weathergirl1 I didn't realise watery discharge was something to look out for, do they think it might be amniotic fluid? I hope you're ok and resting up.

Babies can always be bathed in the kitchen sink so I wouldn't worry about that...You might just need to have the odd baby wipe bath yourself though :)

@Hayesdays it's because we aren't sure if it's trickling waters or not. Apparently discharge can get more watery but I weighed an Always towel this morning I'd had on for about 5 hours overnight and it was 25g heavier than a dry one, which seems suspiciously heavy for just discharge 😳

It's more the extra mess I could do without to be honest! I guess we will cope if we have to 🤪