November 2020 babies - thread 9!

[Iona1985]

In honour of our third trimester I thought we should start a new thread!

No I haven't looked yet @harrietm87! I had DS in summer so had a very cool nightie from M&S which buttoned down the front and worked well. I wore it again over our heatwave summer! But assuming I will need something warmer this time round.

I'll post links to any nice ones I find.

Hi all, lost you momentarily. I can’t believe October is here! I’ve been collecting things for my bag but haven’t got everything or packed it yet. 33 weeks and definitely much more tired, and it’s all starting to feel very real! Hope you’re all doing well 😊

Anyone else had period pains at 33 weeks? I had it for a couple of hours yesterday. Also having back pain at night. Baby feels like it definitely has less room to move around in there now and kicks are quite painful.
I’m still getting the same amount of movements btw.

@SqidgeBum I have bought an ASOS bikini crop top. I plan on just wearing that as I found the hospital so hot last time.
Otherwise have a look at nursing vest tops if you don’t want to feel exposed xx

@Parentinfo they’re great, really positive and efficient. And are allowing parents in. I don’t know anything about patient referrals but I would recommend the hospital as a whole

Still no visitors allowed in Cardiff, and partner only for established labour. That's been a huge factor in me opting for a home birth this time around

I'm scared to even check what my hospitals stance is on partners when in labour and after the birth. I figure if it's bad news, and I don't know about then I'll have the mindset to just deal with it at the time. Whereas, if I know DH won't be allowed in, then I'll be stressed about it

@Iona1985 Thank you, that's so reassuring to know. Do they use any maternity apps at Kingston or just paper notes ?
My previous hospital used Maternity Notes app, so not sure how they will be managing transfer of all my details, test results, consultant referral data and medical history

@Parentinfo They don’t use an app but instead you get a paper folder with print outs and scribblings from your appointments. But I’m sure they can print out your notes from app and slot into the folder

@wannabe I think that's a sensible idea! It's out of our control and in the grand scheme it's only a short span of time. I think they are getting people home asap. I'm hoping for a home birth but very aware I may end up in hospital anyway. I hate the idea but I know I'll get through it!

Been lurking and posted a few times in previous November threads but wanted to say hi :) 34 weeks currently and due on the 8th. This is dc3 so I should be used to it but nerves are kicking in about delivery!

Started packing my hospital bag this week so amongst the usual necessary items I purchased a couple of pairs of button down PJs for Bfing, some spare carrier bags incase of leaks that I can give to DH to take home and wash, disposable undies (a necessity I realized for the first few days with heavy bleeding).

A really handy tip my MW told me with DC2 was to sub divide items in my hosp bag to make life easier. So I had my shower and post-birth items in a seperate bag in my trolley case and was easy to grab and go shower, so everything from towel and shower gel to PJs and flip flops. Baby's first items were in a seperate little bag which DH found without faffing through the entire contents. Just saved time really.

Yes @Ding123 we did the subdividing thing too. We had 3 little sandwich bags for the baby clothes, each one had a vest, sleepsuits and hat. Made it easy for the midwife and DH to find quickly. Also recommend getting your birth partner to actually pack the bag so they know where stuff is if you want it quickly in labour.

My DH is a real faffer so it was definitely useful and he is always a little traumatised post-birth so takes some time to get his bearings.

I just labelled the bags with 'mine' and 'baby' so it was clear enough.

@FudgeFlies how has your recovery been from Covid? Hope you are well now. I live in an area with high rate since the start and never really came out or a local lockdown. Quite nervous about DH or DC bringing it home but doing our best to be careful.

Had my scan this morning and at 32+2 baby is 5lbs apparently... .

I can now have an induction at 38 or stick to my section at 39. Really not sure what to do..

@FilthyforFirth what’s the rationale between induction vs c section at different times? Also I don’t know anyone where the weighty estimates have been right, or even close. Are you worried baby will be huge?

Really unsure to be honest. DS was 96th centile when born, though dropped to the 50th and haa stayed there 3 years later. I have had a massive bump since very early on.

They wont give a section at 38 as it isnt considered full term and the implictions for baby's lungs. They wont budge. They are only consenting to the induction at 38 because he is big and I am suffering badly still from HG.

They have warned that I cant have a hormone drip due to previous section so it would have to be a balloon something in my cervix. This method apparently leads more to emergency sections.

I feel very torn. I am utterly, utterly miserable and my mental health isnt brilliant as I am just so desperate for it to be over. I would rather a section but I dont know if I can force myself to wait a further week for it. If I go into labour naturally early they have said I can still have a section..

That sounds really tough @FilthyforFirth. Obviously I’m not a dr and don’t know the ins and outs of it, but if you could hold on for the planned section it might be worth it rather than having a tough induction that ends in an EMCS anyway. I was induced for my first baby and it was a good experience, but I was almost 42 weeks and he was ready to come - might be different for a 38 week baby. Then again if your HG is horrendous then could be worth it. Sounds like your baby will be fine either way - just whatever will be best for you.

Thanks @HarrietM87. I have until my 36 week scan and consultant appt to decide as they will make the firm plan then. So going to give it a lot of thought over the next 4 weeks. I am just hoping I go naturally sooner if I am honest.

@wannabebump yeh I was also the same. I didn't even want to know about what my hospitals policy was but the consultant told me yesterday (along with lots of crappy news)

I now not only have to have a section, it has to be a section under general Anesthesia so I will miss everything and the first hold, and skin to skin and quite possibly feeding her. But then after that news I was told my husband could come the day baby was born, also can't be at birth because of general so will be waiting in some area for me. Then I was told I could be in for up to 5 days and he will not be allowed in after the first day so I'll be alone for 4 days. It's heart breaking. I'm just praying my placenta moves or something drastically good happens that means I can at least have a spinal block! I just can't believe partners aren't allowed in any other day apart from birth.

@futuredreams I have everything crossed your placenta moves and that you don't have to worry about all that. It's so harsh not allowing one person to be with you on a daily basis, especially DH when you're from the same household so there's very little risk.

@Ding123 recovery from Covid went well! Thank you for asking. I got my smell and taste back (only symptom) after a few days of testing positive. No fever, aches, cough anything. I had a growth scan booked pre-covid and that was rearranged for after my isolation, baby’s growing fine and seems okay which was reassuring to see after testing positive. I was weary before about being out/around people before but now I’m even more worried as I was hardly out in the first place and don’t want to end up catching it again so close to due date! Apparently only 8% who’ve had it are actually immune. Most people are only having mild symptoms like I did and are fine, but it’s still hard not to worry isn’t it?! I’m sure we’re being as careful as we can be!

Ah I thought this thread was gone!! Hope everyone is well :)

I went to the midwife today. I am 36 + 2 and she said, with a look of surprise on her face, 'oh wow. There is very little room left in there'. Also, baby is completely down in the pelvis, which I know is normal at 36 weeks.

I didnt think babies ran out of room. I am a little concerned now that baby may come early if she has 'run out' of room. Anyone have any experience with this?

I have no idea @SqidgeBum but despite having an average fundal height (35cm at 35+3) I had a scan this week where they predicted my baby is 3.5kg already, 95th centile and have been referred for a gestational diabetes test 😱. Now terrified that baby is giant and I might have to have her early, whether she comes by herself or they recommend induction. My first child was big but 2 weeks overdue so I wasn’t expecting her to be here for another 5-6 weeks (36 weeks now). Pretty scared tbh.

Hi all, sorry for not posting for a while and replying, I had Covid pretty badly, although I avoided being admitted to hospital, thank goodness! It took about 3 weeks to run the gauntlet of symptoms- I seemed to have them all! Loss of taste and smell, headaches, sore muscles, sheer exhaustion, stomach upset and nausea, a fever of 38.5, a bad cough, abnormal breathing and heavy chest. Was quite terrifying 😔

Obviously it pushed my non essential appointments off schedule but when I eventually went for my latest scan I found out baby will likely have to be induced at 37/38 weeks (under 2 weeks time!) due to baby’s very small size- so I may actually be having an October baby! Also found out I have Group B Strep - so it’s been a pretty crap few weeks!

Take lots of extra care if you can ladies, and those you live with, I would hate anyone else to go through the weeks I’ve just been through at this late stage in our pregnancies xxx