Anyone else on maternity leave and waiting for their baby to make an appearance?

[ShirleyPhallus]

I’ve batch cooked, nursery is sorted, I feel fairly relaxed. Just waiting for this little one to make an appearance

Anyone else waiting now?

@WingingIt101 - I agree, the midwives and front line staff are doing an incredible job.
It sounds like she’s done a fantastic job to reassure you and I hope you’re feeling better?
I’ve been scrubbing the bathrooms today to keep busy and hoping being on hands and knees will speed things up a bit. Can’t say it’s massively worked but I’ll do anything to get out of Saturday’s induction!

@ELW85 I’ve heard scrubbing the floors is a great one to bring on labour - right position etc!!

Hoping everyone is feeling ok after today’s announcement - it seems to be enforcing the distancing which for most people not already observing it will seem hideous but for what I think is most of us here, I hope it doesn’t bring too much worry or change.
My trust are issuing an update following their meeting tomorrow so fingers crossed for birth partners.
In the mean time I shall be cleaning to take my mind off things!

Night all x

Just wanted to pop in and wave good bye and say good luck to all yet to have their babies, DD arrived at 4.37 this morning weighing in at 9lb 2. Hope it goes well for everyone x

@WingingIt101 - I was awake at 4am feeling very achey and hopeful and now...nothing!!
Did your trust update their guidance?

@sprite25 - congratulations!

Just been told DH can’t stay with me after the birth, and that they’re reviewing the situation on a daily basis so I might have to deliver without a birthing partner. Absolutely devastated.

Congratulations @sprite25!

Oh @ELW85 I’m so sorry to hear that, I think it’s probably a huge fear for all of us so we know how you’ll be feeling. Sending hugs to you xxx

And sorry - I missed your actual question - no updated guidance released yet! I’m midlands based, where are you x

Anyone noticed the movements have slowed down a bit. He is still moving but much for gently. 38+3

Movements aren’t supposed to slow - it’s probably you worrying a bit but please contact your midwife / antenatal unit as they will want to know and advise (at least that’s what mine have just said in a video online - no matter how busy they are movements are the most important thing and they want to know if you feel they’ve slowed)

Also update - birth partner still allowed at the moment!

@Wingingit101 - thank you! I’m in Newcastle. It’s such scary times isn’t it? I’m really pleased for you that you’re still allowed your birth partner 😊
Hopefully the little ones arrive soon so we can get on with enjoying being new mums! Xx

Ah @sprite25 those are the updates that are making me smile! Congrats, enjoy your new arrival

@Whatelsecouldibecalled best to get checked out if you notice a change in movements. It’s probably fine but best to double check

Oh shit @ELW85, you poor thing, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. He’s allowed to be with you during birth is he, at the moment at least?

My birth partner is allowed at the moment but I’ve heard the hospital nearest to mine has reserved the MLU for those birthing with CV so others have to be in the labour ward. Really hoping that doesn’t happen!

How are all those due this week?

@ShirleyPhallus when was your due date again?

Mine is Sunday. I’ve decided I am definitely going to go over based on head being only 1:5 engaged on Monday.

However since then sometimes when baby moves I’ve had really sharp pains down below, I think this is her pressing on a nerve or maybe my cervix. It is quick but quite painful. Also saw her feet sticking out the top of my bump so it’s like she is pushing herself down!

Woke up with period like backache at 4am as well. I wonder if this is something but is most likely nothing!

Anyone else getting this “lightning crotch” thing?

Afternoon all

@ShirleyPhallus - they said at the moment he’s allowed to be with me but they’re reviewing it daily. And I’m 4 days over now, so I think I’m just feeling a bit low in general. Decided to put a sundress on today and just try and make myself feel better. It’s working so far 😊 how are you feeling?

@singme - I wouldn’t worry about how engaged you are; it’s not a linear progression, so you don’t go from 1 to 2 etc. Some people are only ever 1/5 until active labour.
Totally get you on the pressing down on cervix thing. My little one has been doing that for a while now and it can really take your breath away!

@ELW85 thanks that is reassuring!

So nice to be able to wear summery things! Hope you also get some sunshine! Bit rainy here but still had my cup of tea in the garden!

I’ve swapped the cervix pain for rib pain now I’m lying down. Seems either/or as she is stretching out right now!

Hi @singme @ELW85 I’m already a week overdue so really hoping the baby will make an appearance soon. I have another midwife appt to discuss induction which I really don’t want to do, but I guess it’s necessary!

I’ve been having pre-labour symptoms for weeks now, really hoping this means it’s at least pushing on a bit now

@ShirleyPhallus it won’t be long for you now then. I think with everything going on in the world it just puts that little bit of extra pressure on.

Lots of articles I have read recommend cinema/restaurants/gallery trips for expectant mums to take their mind off waiting, which is obviously not happening. I will make do with naps!

Looking forward to your baby update!

What are you all doing to stay sane? It's really getting to me today, having to stay inside, and I'm getting sick of the sight of my husband who is wfh but refuses to talk to me except for during his lunch break. I've done batch cooking, everything for the baby is prepped, I've watched almost everything on netflix. Keep thinking the feeling of isolation is only going to intensify once baby is here (I'm almost 38 weeks) and that I can see myself ending up with post natal depression. Cant stop myself crying this afternoon.

@mum2b2020

So sorry to hear you are feeling rubbish.

I’ve had some bad days, days crying on DP because I think I’ll be giving birth in 2 weeks time when it is crisis point. Also feeling very guilty as I was frontline NHS until a few weeks ago when I went on mat leave (just before the first covid case arrived on my ward).

I found a few things really helped:

• my online yoga class- set my living room up, all nice smellies, catching up with the group online was great
• did a bit of stuff for work that may help my colleagues - basically wrote summaries of some info
• naps
• getting outside every day if able for my 1 walk (but my area is deserted so I don’t see anyone, if I lived in the city I might not be able to do this)
• hypnobirthing relaxation tracks
• chatting on the phone everyday to various people who probably wouldn’t have time to call me if we weren’t in lockdown!
• thinking about what housework I should be doing but actually going easy on myself just because I can

All sounds quite trivial stuff written down but honestly I think we have probably all been in some very low and anxious places and this has really helped.

I think lack of baby groups will be a real problem in the coming months and I hope some online ones will go some way to helping with loneliness.

@Mum2b2020 ah bless you this sounds just like me at the moment. Had some very teary days - one of them today - where I just constantly feel on the edge of crying. Trying to keep myself as busy as possible which helps but deep down I'm so scared about giving birth now and being left on my own (hospital isn't allowing any visitors including dads) and having to manage all of this without support from friends and family afterwards. Keep trying to tell myself this will all be something to look back on and feel immensely proud of ourselves for getting through!

Hi all, how are you getting on?

I had a sweep this morning but the midwife couldn’t even get her finger in, my cervix is still high and closed. I’m booked in for an induction next week so trying to stay positive but it is really difficult, I was so hoping something had happened by now!

How is everyone else doing?

Afternoon!

@ShirleyPhallus I started having contractions at around 7pm last night, they got to a min long every 5 mins. Went to hospital, was only 1cm dilated so sent home with some codeine.
Latent phase of labour = contractions can randomly stop and this pain can go on for any amount of days. So sadly still at home. Passed out and contractions have slowed right down! This is so upsetting.

Morning ladies - just a quick one to say life is very different here now On the singing it universe - my beautiful daughter arrived at 9.39pm last night on her due date no less!
Hugest luck to those still to deliver - you don’t have long to go now and it’s the best thing in the world! X

Morning ladies

Ahhhh @WingingIt101 what lovely news!! I am beyond thrilled for you. How was the delivery? Huge congrats to you.

@ELW85 you poor thing, I really feel for you. Any movement over the last 24 hours?

I’m seriously overdue now and all the advice online says to stay busy. Difficult in lockdown!

@WingingIt101 congratulations!! What lovely news.

@ELW85 hope things have got moving for you too

@ShirleyPhallus I know- all the online articles suggesting meeting up with friends, getting massages etc. Not relevant anymore! It won’t be long for you.

My due date is tomorrow, don’t really feel any different in myself. But I think average 1st time mums go 8 days over so not really putting too much expectation into tomorrow!

@WingingIt101 huge congratulations! Hope you and baby are well x