Anyone around 37 weeks?

[KatnissMellark]

I know from other threads there are a few of us in the board at the mo- anyone fancy a chat during the final countdown?

I'm 37+1 with my second baby. Lots of IVF and miscarriages to get here, plus I have underactive thyroid so I'm scheduled for a couple of sweeps neat week and then induction on the Friday if nothing has happened. I'm a great big ball of anticipation which I'm sure will stop anything from happening 😂

How is everyone else doing?

Hello!

I’m 37+5 also with my 2nd, booked in for an induction this Friday due to a large baby and other risk factors I have. I’m super nervous, I went naturally with my first bang on 40 weeks so have no experience on the induction process! I’m spending a lot of time on my birthing ball, moving around and even tried sex last night! Hoping I can atleast start things naturally.

How are you doing? Xx

Hey,

I'm 36+1 with my first baby and starting to get a bit nervous now! I'm having a section at 39 weeks so not long to go for me either.

How are you feeling about giving birth during the pandemic? Have you been made aware of your hospital's policy re birth partners being present and how long they are allowed to stay?

Bet you can't wait to meet your baby after all you've been through x

I'm ok thanks. Find it hard not to get anxious in the last few weeks so been in a few times with reduced movements and everything has been fine. Have the usual complaints- I'm hot, it's hard to sleep, feel a bit sick, tired, heartburn and carpal tunnel but that's all par for the course at this stage isn't it? 😂🙈

How big is baby measuring? Do you know what you're having?

I've got DS3 and expecting a girl this time round.

Re induction I was also induced with my first and had a really positive experience. Used the pessary only and nothing happened for 24 hours. When contractions kicked in I had him within four hours with no further intervention. I did have a year but he was big and came fast so don't think that was due to induction. Don't believe all the scare stories, it can be fine!

@ThisIsHappening my hospital allow birth partner once in established labour (so he won't be there for first part of induction) and then visiting on post natal is only one hour a day. I'm fine with it to be honest, obviously it's not ideal for most but I am happy to help reduce the spread of covid/viral load on midwifes by accepting that it just has to happen. To be honest other people's visitors are super annoying and I wouldn't want my DS in hospital anyway so suits me fine. I imagine as a ftm it's more daunting though.

@KatnissMellark that's good that you're allowed a daily visit at least. At my hospital DH is allowed to be in theatre for delivery but then must leave immediately afterwards. We aren't allowed any visitors at all on the post natal ward so I'm hoping not to be in too long. Don't fancy going it alone for any length of time as a FTM and don't want DH missing out on the precious early days with his first child either. I understand they are doing it for everyone's safety but it is a shame nonetheless x

@ThisIsHappening yes it is a shame, and I do think it affects FTM so much more as with DS3 to look after, DH wouldn't have been spending much time at hospital anyway as it's just not practical. Fingers crossed you're discharged nice and quickly so you don't have too much time apart from DH.

@KatnissMellark Thank you! Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

I hope your sweeps gets things moving for you so you can avoid induction if possible x

@KatnissMellark the baby is just above the 96th centile, I had a scan last Friday which put the current weight around 8lbs 4oz and if I went to 40 weeks it would be around 10lbs 8oz. I know scans can be hugely inaccurate but I also have a couple of other risk factors (epilepsy, DVT, high BMI) so we’ve decided to go for it! We’re getting a surprise!

Thank you for saying about your last induction, that’s good to hear

Our hospital will let my husband in when I’m in established labour and he may be able to stay for 4ish hours later depending on the time. There’s no visiting at all on the ward so hoping for a quick getaway!

Have you got everything packed? Xx

Hi everyone!

I am 36+5 and due a c section week 39. I am a ball of nerves as it’s my first and I am not sure at all what to expect.
Some days / hours I feel absolutely no movement and other times he is mad lashing around in there. Wish it was more often and softer movement... I’m either worried something’s wrong or grumpy I am being bashed!

Had growth scan yesterday and he is 97th percentile and has a massive head (off the scale) so pleased now I’m having a c section. He also measure 7lb 3 already so how much bigger can he really get in a few weeks?

Just hoping I don’t go into labour early ...

Hello ladies,

I’m 36 weeks tomorrow but due to be induced at 37 weeks, next Thursday, due to having twin girls. Had my final scan earlier today and they weighed 6lb and 6lb4.

We have a DD(4) who was also induced at 42 weeks and I had a positive birth experience with her, so hoping for similar again this time round - fingers crossed! It will definitely be strange not having DH in except for the delivery room (no postnatal visits for us either), but needs must. It seems we may deliver on the same day, Katniss! Amy, my experience of induction was fine. Remember, you may only need one or two vaginal pessaries just to get things going, but I like the fact you get a private room with bathroom to ‘settle into’ for the first part of labour, which can be lengthy! Lots of midwives on hand too, for reassurance as your contractions start to increase in intensity.

Good luck everyone for the next few weeks.

I had an appointment with my midwife earlier today and baby is measuring a week ahead. I'm not having growth scans so no idea what weight he is. She also gave me my section date and it's not until I'm 39+6 which is later than I thought it would be, I was expecting it to be at 39 or 39+1. Really hoping I don't go into spontaneous labour before that 🙈

Hi,

I am 36+4 and feeling a bit worried as well, I noticed you have thyroid issues @KatnissMellark? The Doctor has just made a request today that I see my midwife next week and I am worried as all was well yesterday (saw midwife and had growth scan - all fine) but my thyroid results have come back and I think I am overactive now. I just think it's odd that he wants me to see the midwife rather than changing my meds? I can only think it's to discuss induction? Any advice would be great, I am trying not to worry x

Hi all,
I’m 36 + 3 today and still feeling pretty ok physically but am starting to get quite anxious. It’s an ivf pregnancy so I haven’t been the calmest the whole way through but now it’s so close the stakes seem so high. Trying to stay calm and enjoy this peaceful time.

It’s interesting that a few of you have babies that are measuring large as at my growth scan at 32 weeks his abdomen was on 97th percentile-got tested for GD and apparently I don’t have it so who knows why he is so big! got another growth scan this Friday and hoping I will find out more about potential birth plans. It sounds like lots of you know a bit More -like induction dates or section dates. if he is really large I’m wondering if they might want to induce me

Hope everyone is getting on ok. I’m a mix between excitement and nerves! And I haven’t bought anything much so really need to get organised!

Hi newbie to forums but have been reading up on some threads for tips the past few weeks.
I’m 38 weeks +3 with second baby. just wanting it to happen now, it’s going to at some point but wish it was soon as really don’t want to be induced! By what I’ve read on different post’s on here each area differs as to what the protocols are, my midwife is refusing point blank to do a smear or even check cervix with is pretty rubbish.
I think I’m at the point of looking out for the slightest of thing, I wish I could get out more to keep my self occupied

Hi all

Maybe a silly question but how early before labour begins does your cervix start to dilate? What does it feel like (if anything at all)? Can you check it yourself?!

Sorry for stupid question

It can start to dilate days before. I think if it’s your first pregnancy it’s more likely to be closed until early labour starts though. Subsequent pregnancies I think cervix can be slightly open sooner.

Not sure about checking it yourself... whether you could even physically manage it? If I could reach it I wouldn’t want to go sticking my fingers in my cervix.

Hi @Hodge85 my thyroid is generally underactive, and pregnancy tends to make it more so. I've been monitorred throughout and after a few dosage adjustments in the first trimester it's been stable. I know after pregnancy you can need a dosage adjustment again so will be prompting GP for a blood test at the six week check. Apologies, I don't know much about overactive and how that affects pregnancy/birth. I do know you'll need checking afterwards though as you don't want to be living with the side effects of overactive thyroid and a newborn.

Hello!

Is anyone getting a lot of what feels like head butting in your vagina? I know the baby is head down and engaged but I feel pressure now quite low down and in my hips/pelvis?

If it’s constant pressure that still isn’t a contraction right?!!

Hi @JKD1982 not contractions just yet I don’t think, unfortunately but things are definitely moving in the right direction for you.
I’ve been getting this for the past 4-5 days pretty badly more so on a evening/night along with Brixton hicks. My midwife said with it been my second baby can engage pretty much as your going in to labour but if it’s your first they engage weeks before.
When I feel the pressure in my hips/pelvis my legs also felt tingly not sure if there supposed to.