👣 Due Nov/Dec 👣 it's the 20 week scans! 👣

[ChampooPapi]

Half may mark approaching or even completed for some of us 🙌

@chubbyhotchoc tell your partner to pull his finger out! Seriously!

@chubbyhotchoc ugh feel for you!! Get him helping!!

Yesterday afternoon I had two men turn up unannounced saying they had arranged a viewing at 1pm with the estate agent. Turned them away. I was so angry I've said no viewings until we've left the property now.

Morning ladies,

Great to see everyone's bumps.
We're 18 weeks this week. Morning sickness hasn't eased - but I am feeling mental stronger and able to handle it better now.

Did anyone not get a 16 week midwife call? I think they forgot me- l am just wondering if I should bother to chase them up or will it be caught up with at the 20 week appointment?

I was also wondering if anyone on this thread is thinking about an elective C section? We've discussed it at length and due to personal reasons We both think it's the safest option for me and baby. I have no idea when I should request this and who I should talk to and I'm just feeling a little bit overwhelmed about the whole process so I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or ideas ?

@chubbyhotchoc sorry you OH isn't being supportive. I hope you manage to rest and get some you time this week

Hey @MrsSmith2020, is this your first? I'm having a planned c section this time as it's twins and although I've had two vaginal labour's previously I decided the planned section was the only way for me this time. I just had my consultant appointment after my 20 week scan where my birth choice was thankfully brought up and she signed off on it very quickly. I would advise for a single birth as well to bring it up as soon as possible, to write on your own notes now your choice and why (there is a section for this). Because the sooner the better in requesting one as you may need to be very forthcoming with the 'why' you want and also make sure you are armed with all the information when asked this. Always say you have read the NICE guidelines and are absolutely certain or you may find some trusts/doctors/midwives will try and change your mind.

You will certainly get one but you will need to be fully prepared with your reasons.

I'm having a natural cesarian with my twins and have linked some info on it for you, there is also an amazing video I can link too. I think they will be very happy to do the same for you if you request one.

fabnhsstuff.net/fab-stuff/torbay-hospital-lead-way-natural-c-section-itv-coverage

It is supposed to also be more beneficial for the babies lungs as mimics the birth canal in the fact the baby slowly squeezes itself out rather then is whipped out quickly

@ChampooPapi oh wow that looks really precious and much more in line with what i envisage!

Thanks for sharing your experiences- I'm hopeful we will be successful in our request.

This is my first pregnancy. I've had non existent care from the NHS in the 18 weeks, my 12 week appt was so dreadful and I feel sick at the thought of going back to the maternity ward.

What's driving my request is both my friend and baby died of sepsis at this local hospital in 2018- all the midwifes involved in that particular case still work there.
I just don't trust them to deliver this child safely. It was all investigated at the time and I'm sure they are not individually to blame but it still doesn't bring my friend and baby back to life.

We've also been on a long fertility journey and it's taken 3 years to get to this point- I have increased anxiety about miscarriage and complications during a prolonged and difficult birth. We don't know if we will be able To get pregnant again if something did go wrong.

My lovely mum had 4 straightforward VBs and has explained her positive VB experiences to me, they all sound really peaceful and calm but I still feel that a C section is safe than a prolonged VB.

I know the risks, I've seen my sister recover slowly from 2 CS and I understand that it's major abdominal surgery - it's not a decision we have taken lightly.

Furthermore my sister had an EMCS in 2017 after a horrible labour at the same hospital- she nearly lost her son, so my anxiety is sky high.

Wow! I feel drained after writing all that down.

Thanks for reading & for any advice x

@MrsSmith2020 is there no other hospital you could receive your care from?

@peachypetite Hi!
Technically we could deliver at Brighton.
That's quite a drive away and whilst it means I'm under the care of a different team.... it still doesn't alleviate the other concerns I have listed below.
We both feel that an elective is the safest option for us in this instance.

X

Has anyone else had feeling itchy as a pregnancy symptom? I read you can online but wondering if anyone has had that same on here?

@Babyhope98 only boobs/nipples really. If you're itching is persistent and widespread or particularly the palms of your hands and soles of feet, and at night, you should contact the midwives as it can indicate a pregnancy related liver condition.

I have my 20 week scan tomorrow morning, I've called the ultrasound department (Hampshire) this morning & they are saying no partners still, so annoying how much it varies between hospitals.

@RestorationInsanity I did see something about this I will speak to my doctor.. it isn’t persistent so hopefully not 🤞

@MummyShark97 good for you!! that's awful! I hope the estate agent apologised because that's totally not OK. are you selling or are you a tenant?

@Babyhope98 I've felt like bits of my skin are more sensitive to itchy fabrics, like linens or wool. and my bump and boobs can get itchy, i think that's the skin stretching but yeah see what your doctor says :)

Scan done and house viewing ✅exhausted though.
Baby girl was all healthy and lovely and sonographer was really kind. Did say I have a low lying placenta so may have to have a section of it doesn't move. Anybody else in this boat?

@Hanrora06 I'm a tenant, we'd not even confirmed viewing arrangements with the estate agent yet but someone had managed to phone them and get an appointment! They've actually not got back to me yet so I imagine they are trying to get to the bottom of it but it's totally unacceptable, I've been on edge all day any time I've heard a car door shut outside! All the better when we're in the new house

@MrsSmith2020 so sorry for your loss of your friend and her baby. that must be terrifying, especially for your first! it's my first as well and i would be feeling the same sort of anxiety.

I'm not in the same position but yeah I think speak with your maternity care team ASAP. they need to know your feelings and why you feel them. gauge their reaction. if it's supportive and they listen, even if they tell you their concerns in response, that's still ok as long as it's respectful, that can help build back a bit of trust. if you don't get the response you should, enquire with the other hospital for the same, an elective c section, and see how their reaction makes you feel. the drive might be worth it for the treatment you deserve. good luck x

@chubbyhotchoc me! Did they book you in for another scan in Oct?

@peachypetite yes. I'm really hoping it moves by then. They wanted to do an internal today but I didn't see the point really. I don't like internal scans

@chubbyhotchoc So glad your scan went well and hope you can have a well deserved rest now!

Oh wow really? My sonographer said not to worry, it should move by October, but I am a little worried in case I’m that small % which doesn’t and makes it harder to think about your birth plan!

@peachypetite I wasn't planning on much of a birth plan anyway because my dd came at lightning speed. I really don't want a c section though. In a weird way I was kind of looking forward to doing it again

@MrsSmith2020 I'm in a similar boat, I'm a FTM after IVF and miscarriage and I have a lot of anxiety from the trauma from my miscarriage, it was horribly managed by hospital staff. I have a close relative who had a still born and all these things just really impact my anxiety around a vaginal birth, I'm quite scared of a C-Section too but I think it is my best option.

I have a meeting with my midwife at 25 weeks so was going to bring it up then. Have to get ready for my 20 week scan now. I could mention it today but I'm not sure I will actually see a midwife.