Early Oct Babies Part 8

[Treaclepie19]

Will this be the thread where the babies start to arrive?? 😮❤

@otterbaby Clary sage, that's the stuff for the bath! I couldn't remember what it was called!

I'm on codeine at the moment, a doctor is going to discuss the possible effects on baby this week. I can't walk without pain relief so I'm a bit stuck. They wouldn't give you codeine if it was too much of a risk, so if you are in loads of pain don't worry too much about taking it if you need to lovely.

@MrsK89 Ah I see! I always go in with questions then totally forget to ask any of them when I go in. Baby brain has settled in for me that's for sure! X

@justanothermamma ahh good to know!! It's absolute agony at night so they recommended taking one before bed...don't know how DH sleeps through my moans and groans every time I try to roll over!

All these induction dates! How exciting!!!
Lovely bump pics as well.

I am getting bored and I'm only 2 days into my maternity lol!
Yesterday I was mopping floors and sorting stuff out and today I glossed my bannisters in hall, stairs and landing. I'm now exhausted.

Also why is everyone eating dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea?

@HerondaleDucks meant to be good for shorter active labour, think it ripens the cervix or something. I've not tried previously but I am eating 1 date a day now, I know its meant to be around 6 but can't take the heartburn lol x

All these inductions! It's not even been mentioned by my consultant or MW... Should I be asking? I have a 36 week growth scan app tomorrow and consultant app so might bring it up? What's the pros and cons of being induced?

The raspberry leaf tea tones the uterus muscles to help with birth. It's not meant to induce labour, although they say dont use until 34 weeks or if quick labours previously. I'm taking tablets as I dont really think I will like the tea plus it's meant to be stronger in the one dosage. For me it's not expensive so worth a try, I guess you never really know if it works or something else.

My understanding with dates is 6 a day from 36 weeks can help the cervix and dilation during labour...once again who knows!

Tempted to try the Clary sage but will wait until nearer my due date. Just a reminder to everyone if you're using essential oils you need to mix with a carrier oil if using in water otherwise it sits on top of the water and can be dangerous...I never knew that until recently and was just merrily dropping lavender oil in the bath every week!

I have been too hot and exhausted today. I literally had no energy after my early wake up call then fell asleep in front of the tv at 5PM!

I'm the same forgetting my questions, I've written my midwife questions on my phone for tomorrow because I usually go in and say "no i dont have any questions i can remember!" 😂 then get home and remember something.

@justanothermamma -my 4yo is the same she's starting baking ohhh and ahh noises when she gets up she's she's also taken to putting a stuffed toy under her top and saying she's got a baby in her tummy!!

It's starting to feel real now I've got a date @Treacle81 if you're on time and my induction doesn't take ages we could be same day! My baby currently weighs 5lb 9oz they reckon she'll be just over 8lbs when she's born

That's it I've had my last scan now unless anything happens I've no more appointments at fetal medicine and DH was allowed with me for this one so he finally got to see a scan! Xxx

@CharlieBalf I've been reading up on inductions today as I've been offered one for the convenience of knowing when the baby will arrive since my DH will have a limited time period to be in the country before heading back to work in Germany. I'm confused whether to take it or not. It has a high chance of making contractions come on quickly and painfully as labour is less likely to build up gradually but as I'm planning on having an epidural anyway (unless I dont feel the need) that might not be a downside for me. The usual reasons for having an induction seem to be if there is a medical reason to or if the baby is overdue and it becomes safer to deliver than wait.

I had my 36 week mw appointment today. She was running late and when my time was up hurried me out the door. We were supposed to write my birth plan so I was expecting time to have a discussion but it was more like her telling me how things happen on the nhs and signing a section of my notes. It felt very conveyor belt. Baby's also back to back which makes me feel anxious. It was a bit of a wake up call and I'm now feeling like I need to do a lot more reading up on things myself to make sure i know what choices to make when I'm there so that my decisions are informed.

I've ordered some raspberry leaf tea to give it a go and also the spritz for bits just in case it helps.
@otterbaby sorry you had that experience today, sounds like very poor care. Definitely try to see your own consultant if you feel unsatisfied.
@LexiM thanks for the oil tip, I didn't know that.

@otterbaby I don't know how my DH is coping with my moaning bless him! Went and got him a takeaway tonight as a pick me up.

@HerondaleDucks Don't overdo it you! My first mat leave I just sat and watched all of Bake Off and Gossip Girl on Netflix. This time round I'm still working from home, may as well not rush to go on mat leave because I can't relax having DD to run around after. I should have cherished that first baby free few weeks on my first ever mat leave 😂😂😂.

I've not heard about the dates thing, will look into it!

@CharlieBalf Induction has only been mentioned to me as I'm really suffering with sciatica and SPD - it's not standard I don't believe. My first pregnancy they only mentioned induction on my due date as a plan should baby not arrive naturally before 41 weeks (as I have a medical condition where they won't allow me to go further).

@LexiM I used almond oil as a carrier last time, not sure if I'll try it again this time as I'm like a beached whale trying to get out of the bath!

@MummyBearBoo Aww that's so cute! They're hilarious aren't they!

@BettyBotter1 I've bought some Spritz for Bitz, never saw it last time! I hope it helps!

@CharlieBalf google 'risks of induction' - there's lots of good info online. Of course in many cases the benefits outweigh the risks, like if you're being offered an induction for a serious medical reason such as GD, placental abruption, premature repture of membranes etc. But there are lots of significant risks to induction as well. It's not something I would personally accept unless there was a really clear medical justification, but I really encourage you to do your own research on it 😊

If I didn't need to, I wouldn't get induced but it is a wierd feeling having a set date, although of course anything can happen lol.
Anyone getting really sharp shooting pains down 1 leg. Like a dull feeling low down in the belly followed by shooting pain.

It doesn't feel like sciatica, as ive had that for years now, it's kind of the inner leg close to groin 🤔

Baby's got a birthday 🥳 firmly staying breech and thankfully consultant agreed chances of ECV working, then me progressing to have a vaginal delivery without instruments / emcs were definitely to the lower end, have to be realistic about large baby, first pregnancy and high BMI meaning I'd end up with emergency intervention anyway. ELCS booked for 1st October! Only another 22 days of pricking my fingers 7 times a day, and injecting insulin every evening.

At my local hospital DH can be there for surgery and recovery, but once I go to the ward will be scheduled one hour a day, so fingers crossed all goes well and we don't have an extended stay! Got my colostrum harvesting kit, so gonna start milking myself next week as I finish work this Friday, going to enjoy my last 2.5 weeks of quiet and snoozing.

Any of you had ELCS, anything you packed differently compared to normal hospital checklists? Recovery tips?

If you could I'd recommend the postive birth company for finding out about induction and things. She explains things well.
Im offered an induction but like above, I'm only going to accept one if there's a really clear need because the risk of intervention goes up. Also because mentally I was induced with my TFMR and not with ds1 so I'd like to try and keep things happening naturally and as close to his birth as possible (though no forceps would be nice)

Hey everyone - just catching up on the messages - lots of new information form everyone . Hope everyone is well.

Who else is in the no sleep club? Raise your hands - I get so jealous of dh .

@BettyBotter1 my midwife did the say she just read through a section from my book about birth plans - and then said you can make notes . I was so confused she used lots of words and didn’t really explain a lot.

I got some raspberry leaf tea too - just need to brew it but I’m not a fan of fruit tea so it’s the nerve to drink it .

( in terms of feeling like crap mentally - no one has gotten in touch - I have given up with the nhs )

Same*

Second what @Treaclepie19 said about the positive birth company and inductions she explains the facts and choices really well.

Sleep is an issue, and I'm beginning to think I want this baby out sooner rather than later with the rise in Covid cases and increased restrictions. Where as before I was happy for her to come whenever, now I'm quite keen to get her moving!

Hope everyone's ok

@Treacle81 you've got a fabulous bump ❤️

@MrsK89 glad consultant wasn't too worried, very exciting on getting a date!

@justanothermamma fully engaged is exciting! Less so for your lady bits and pressure. Hope the house viewing goes well

@otterbaby hope you're okay, that sounds like a really frustrating appointment ❤️

@MummyBearBoo exciting to have a date!

@elliegolightly woo more dates! No experience myself but I've seen a few people saying about putting a maternity pad over your wound with it stuck to inside of pants can help cushion it. That could be duff info though!

@Zaalfruit how are you feeling? I don't blame you giving up on nhs but keep an eye on yourself

We managed to pretty much finish the nursery and house tasks at the weekend. One of our kitties stopped eating on Friday. He's had long term health problems for a few years now and I think he just had enough. The vet told us last year to just keep him happy for as long as he wanted. He wouldn't be tempted with anything and just wanted to sleep. We lost him yesterday. My parents had went home on Sunday but drove back Monday to help take him to vet and take me to my growth scan (it was too hard to rearrange it). Dh and I are both pretty inconsolable so I think everyone is worried I might go into labour so I've been confined to couch and TV for at least the next few days.

Growth scan the sonographer started by saying my chart wasn't too bad (just over the 97th) at last scan and that she didn't expect him to be too big on scan. Then she went "oh that's a big bump" to "okay well yes he's quite the chunky monkey" and "I don't think I'll need to check the cord as he's definitely sucking in all those nutrients off you". He's now a good bit off the charts at estimated 8.4lbs at 36+1. She did mention that it could be really inaccurate so try not to worry but she does think he's big, he's even got great big feet. Tbh I was so numb yesterday (and still now) that I didn't take much in. Just that my consultant is likely to discuss early delivery with me next week. Will just need to see what she says but he might end up being a September baby. I really need to finish my hospital bag for us both.

Morning girls, how are you all with swelling. I noticed when walnut yesterday that trainers were defo too tight but feet didn't look swollen, they did hurt during walk and last night and now I've woken to sausage fingers, worst in right hand and tight and sore to bend. I know swelling can be normal but at times can also be a sign of preaclampsia. Would you call mw? Or wait till my appt on Friday? @EllieGolightly exciting news, not much longer for you. I may try the clary sage bath bomb @LexiM as bath mostly every night but I'm not bothering with anything else. My body fully dilated without intervention itself last time, I'll leave it till nature. Which will change dramatically the first day i go over due date and I'll be trying everything 😂xx

@Quiffy I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. It sounds like he was so loved and cared for though and you just have to find some comfort in the fact you know you did all you could for him. Definitely try to rest up and take care of yourself 💜 My cat is limping about today so we’re having to take her to the vet later - it’s such a difficult time to be dealing with the worry and upset. 😖

My bump has always measured above the 97th percentile on the chart but I haven’t been sent for any scans or anything. Been a little worried I’ll have a big baby but midwife doesn’t seem to think so based on feeling her. Have you been having scans for reasons other than your fundal measurement?

@Treacle81 I get really puffy swelling in my hands at night and then often wake up with achey hands and feet - think it’s water retention and maybe some carpal tunnel. I’ve mentioned it to mw and she wasn’t worried but definitely call yours just to be sure! I think they usually worry if you have other symptoms such as the headaches and high blood pressure etc.

Re positive birth co while she does give lots of good info I can't be sure how I feel about what she says because she's not neutral in her perspective. I want to read some more points of view.
@Treacle81 I've had some swelling in my hands for a week or so now, joints feel very slightly sore when I bend them and my rings are tight. Mw wrote it on my notes but wasnt worried at all. Like @StrawberrySprinkles said I think unless you have any of the other symptoms they don't worry, but mention it to them if you're at all worried. I've only been wearing birkenstocks so I'm not sure what my feet are doing.
@Quiffy so sorry to hear about your cat, like losing a family member. Sending you lots of love and sympathy ❤

Yay for a date @Elliegolightly. I cant help with post caesarean advice first hand, but have heard about having a pad against the stitches to limit rubbing. And holding a cushion against you if moving, laughing at the beginning. Oh, and having something to help relieve trapped wind. I think peppermint tea??

So sorry to hear about your cat @Quiffy. You clearly loved them so much. Sending lots of love.

I had a busy day in the office yesterday. First day in since March. Signed off a lot of stuff ready for maternity leave. Only 2 WFH days left, but as I've handed everything over I'm pretty much done. Felt really uncomfortable last night and really low, emotionally. Not sure if it was the anti climax of finishing work, or cos I'd been so busy. Had a proper cry at DH about feeling tired, uncomfortable, fed up, etc. He was being lovely, but there wasnt really anything he could do to help.

@Quiffy sorry to hear about your cat, it's so hard to go through, but he had a lovely happy life with you both.

@BettyBotter1 I find that she can't really stay neutral with inductions and I suppose it's just what has been her experience, I'm finding it hard to start watching the rest of the videos now.

@Treacle81 I'm with you on the swollen fingers, I think it's carpel tunnel, I noticed today my feet really ached and felt a bit swollen too. Again it was just noted down when I mentioned it, but it's worth giving them a call.

@Spark27 after today I only have 2 days left WFH and I can't wait. I do have to go into the office the day after to drop off my computer etc, but I'm planning on going early before anyone else gets there as I don't fancy being in a stuffy office with loads of questions being fired at me.