38+2 OVER IT. Even trying to post this for the 4th TIME is making me RAGE.

[Giveupmum]

First poster, sorry ladies it’s a bit of a rant! Currently 38+2 full time working mum of 2yo DD, having a boy this time but suffering with SPD and Sciatica in a BIG way. Had 2 failed sweeps this week as cervix is too high. Had my show at 34+4, have been losing more sporadically and contracting since but nothing progressing - docs warned me to be prepared for baby to come early and now... NADA! My daughter came 37+3 a day after my waters broke naturally and now I feel like an IDIOT for even hoping this one would come a little early. They have decided I should now see a consultant in a WEEK. I really feel like an incubator and not a human anymore, every day is more painful than the last with less sleep than the last and he just keeps getting bigger. I’m so worried that my delivery is going to be horrific, il be torn to pieces and I’m going to be pulled all over the place with lasting damage. Don’t get me wrong, I get why they want the baby safe etc but it just feels like it’s at my expense and they couldn’t give a toss. I’m not the most maternal anyway but I’m literally at the point where I just want him out and then he can stay the hell away from me! Trying not to be so negative but I feel so bleak!

I 100% know how you feel! I'm 37+5 and was also expecting baby early (was advised it was likely as dc1 was 5 weeks early). Also told to expect a big baby so now I'm just sore and uncomfortable and totally miserable and can't wait for it to be over. Can't remember the last time I had a decent sleep because I'm up practically every hour every freaking night to either pee or have to take gaviscon cos it feels like there's a laser burning a hole through my chest and throat. Doesnt help that it doesn't matter what I eat it starts off the raging heartburn - makes me dread eating but if I don't then I feel sick so can't win ☹️
Here's hoping both babies appear soon!!

I have no advice, just sending sympathy.

if you are in so much pain (both physically and mentally) could you call the midwife and tell her? I'm so sorry you are feeling like this. I'm only at 20 weeks and I already feel completely fed up and ready to give birth so I can imagine how much worse it is for you.

I feel for you! I'm housebound already at 27 weeks, really bad SPD, can barely walk or stand to cook. This is my 4th baby.

I would put my best in your place when you go next week to speak with the consultant.

It sounds bad, but think how awful you feel at this point and how your quality of life is so low. Baby out will be good for you too. Tell them exactly how you feel, don't be afraid to cry( I saw they believe you better when that happens, sorry not in a bad way again).

I plan at my latest to be induced at 39 weeks. I hope they will listen as I'm already struggling so much. Plus I'm a second VBAC so know my chances go less after 39, of having baby vaginally. I was induced with my third so I know my body reacts well rapidly.

But if they would tell me to wait spontaneously, I would be shattered.

They should listen. Women who want a ciao-section can have it from 39, why wouldn't you be allowed to be induced at 39. That's less risky and they should be happy to encourage that.

When I was being induced they were postponing putting me into a delivery suite to break my waters. I was at a breaking and asked for a section instead. The doctor saw I couldn't handle the stress anymore and assured me, unless there were emergencies, I was the next in line for a suite. 4 hours later my DD was born.

Need for sleep, I never had heartburn before in my life but this time - it’s relentless. I’m sorry your suffering so badly too! I avoid eating after putting my daughter to bed to try and help but I rarely eat before she goes down either, lost interest in food completely too.

LH1987, I have told 3 midwives and a consultant. They are completely unconcerned with me to be honest, they only agreed to sweep because my husband confessed he could hear me screaming in bed at night (he’s in a separate room atm as he’s working nights) where I’m in so much pain. Docs also aware, said paracetamol or nothing.

I'm only 36 weeks and I already feel your pain. Have a 20 mo DS that is a little mental ball of energy, and I just can't keep up with him, just sat in pain on the sofa being boring mummy. He was a massive baby as well and this one is looking to be huge too. Booked in for a planned cs at just before 39 weeks but I desperately want to go into labour before then (although DS was 11 days late so fat chance of that). Hang in there OP!

@Giveupmum, so frustrating. It seems sometimes, like doctors act that pregnant women are just emotional and exaggerating their symptoms.

Good luck, I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end but that doesn't really help now.

R2D2 I’m sorry your having such an awful time and so early too...
I had an epidural last time but had to wait over 8 hours for it as “he’s in surgery”. I’m terrified of labour again without it and I have told OH they are NOT to break my waters until I have had it as if the labour progresses too fast, they’ll be quite happy to ignore me and make me go without! I could not cope at all my last labour - easily the most traumatic experience of my life. I had every drug I could get my hands on and just could NOT cope or get a grip on the pain! I had to call an ambulance at 1cm to rescue me from gridlock traffic and get me to hospital. To say I’m scared is a little of an understatement... the fact this baby is further along than my last and will be bigger is making me hate him!

@UterusesBeforeDuderuses glad you have your section booked and just before 39 weeks so you don’t have to suffer until after due date. Have everything crossed for you that you go into labour before though if that’s what you’re wanting! I feel mental for even saying this and it’s obviously impossible BUT if we are giving up our lives for another person WHY can’t we at least be in control of how they get here?!?

@LH1987 I’m sure they see it all the time, women near the end that have had it but maybe, just maybe they may know their own minds and bodies quite well? Thank you for the support x

I hope baby makes an appearance very soon.

For those with heartburn if you haven't already get them to prescribe you omeprazole. I had a fight to get it which is ridiculous as it is considered safe in pregnancy and it has been life changing. I've gone from a constantly burning chest and bringing stomach acid up into my mouth repeatedly to just a few ladylike burps with zero pain. Never thought I would be so happy to be burping

@squee123 omeprazole does work but I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole - I spent 2 years on it previously and the lasting side effects completely outweigh the benefits of taking it. I ended up with so many digestive problems it's unreal (including no longer being able to tolerate wheat gluten or dairy), had to have several endoscopes and colonoscopies as a result. Have a google, it's a dangerous medicine that unfortunately doctors are only starting to realise

sorry you've had issues, that must be really tough. I did read up on it and couldn't find any reliable evidence that is was problematic for short term use and the NHS drug info doesn't raise concerns. Given I'll only be on it for a few months max I think it's the better alternative for me to the constant pain and distress of regularly bringing up stomach acid.

@squee123 I think that's the main thing, not staying on it for long. I was kind of given it (for what turned out to be a hiatus hernia) and just left taking it indefinitely. It worked with the acid incredibly well so I never questioned it until I started having regular stomach pain, vomiting etc

I've since been changed to ranitidine which is also pretty good but obviously that's been recalled so I'm now on cimetidine (which does absolutely nothing for me) so I'm going to ask if they can give me a stronger one as apparently that one is known to be fairly weak

Sooooo I have another rant for anyone still reading!
I had a consultant appt yesterday who confirmed that I am actually already 2cm! Yayyy she agreed fully I should be induced as she could see the mental and physical pain I am. Couldn’t start it yesterday as antinatal were too busy. Noted that she could have broken my waters but as my cervix is still high she would prefer I am a little more dilated. Went in 9am for pessary but was checked again and told I am easily 3cm! Another yayyy as no need for induction. Labour ward now full so they cannot jump straight to breaking my waters, please call back this afternoon and they will see me. Called them and they have no room but by all means to come if my waters break or contractions pick up? Not looking likely for tonight either to have room. So now... I’m in limbo. The midwife did a sweep this morning so I’m contracting although not very painfully or consistently. This seems like madness, I’m contracting enough to dilate me but I’m not feeling it so terrified when I do it will be too late for epidural and baby will be born at home!