Late October - thread 6

[DressingGown87]

Thread 6 ladies! And the final one

Girls: @DressingGown87 @Jaffas22 @DogCatDex @EmmaA96 (twins) @Parks11 @LadyB90 @Strawberries4days @LST87 @sls668 @plentyofplants Uppsydaisy (Girl twin)

Boys: @sunbreak @FirstSurprise001 @WaveStreet @roarfeckingroar
@Mc3209 @KitKatKit @1990shopefulftm @Lolllyf @HelenMarie1001 @Freddie1987 @BS9790 @hmeadow24 @Ghostworld @roarfeckingroarr @Glooorb @mamavee @UpsyDaisy1234 (Boy twin) @Samk93

Surprise / Waiting
@60sPony @Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt @AdventureAhead @Elizag20 @justtb @Clalou83 @SJR86 @Flora20 @Watersintheclouds @Jaffas22 @justtb

If I have missed you! Sorry! I did quickly scan through the start of the last thread, to add people and update the list, but only did this quick.

@1990shopefulftm
I have anterior and placenta too so fingers crossed your little one isn't back to back! I had really bad cramps last night as well for some reason but wasn't sure if it was my bowel or the baby, not even sure where that is anymore haha!
Ah so stressful about the shower!! I know what you mean we are so close to the end now so don't want to take any risks unless we have to.

@LadyB90 yes it's difficult to tell with all our organs squashed into different places.

Nearly everyone we know lives in areas that have gone into local lockdown now so coming to terms with the possibility that they might not be able to meet baby for a while when they do decide it's time. Focusing on the fact that the hospital has better visiting times still and the midwife unit is still open.

@1990shopefulftm Firstly - don't panic about baby being back to back. It's a recent trend to turn that into a horror show and it really isn't - a huge proportion of babies are back to back and generally turn during labour. If they don't, it's very rare for it to cause any issues - stay active and upright in labour and birth and don't worry. My first was back to back although I didn't realise until afterwards - I had an amazing birth and I think the only difference it made was that I felt literally nothing in my bump, all the pressure was in my lower back.

In terms of position - if your bump goes in or is softer around your belly button baby is more likely to be facing your tummy, and if you feel hands wriggling round low down at the front (like just above your pelvis) that's another clue. Mine was back to back at my last appointment and I think he's moved round but I get thumped and prodded everywhere so no idea now!

Oh and look at the spinning babies website for tricks to get baby into a comfortable place!

@Mc3209 with you on the inner witch vibes, I'm all swings and roundabouts though. One moment I'm looking at him lovingly and so excited to see him be a dad, the next I want to murder him for not reading my mind or coughing too loudly... I'm also a bit with you @ChlOeWh on the "ugh" feeling - it's probably a combination of the news, anticipation for this major life event and feeling a bit all over the place hormonally!

Thanks @DressingGown87 for setting up the new thread again!!

I tried properly for the first time yesterday to express some colostrum and gave up after about half an hour with only a couple of sizeable drops...so frustrating. Trying not to get too stressed over it as I know I can keep trying but I feel like it's just another thing I want to have ticked off my list sort of thing. Anyone else struggling?

@Flora20 I think I m just a bit spooked by it as I thought supposedly that could mean more interventions if babys was positioned like that.
You didn't have pain in your bump at all?

Yes I was hoping I could stay as active as possible, I absolutely hate being in pain and not being able to move in some way, I ve been sat of my birthing ball with my raspberry tea a lot and it's really helping the back pain I ve had recently.

My bump does go in at my belly button but most of the movements higher up although that ll probably be down to where my placenta is.

I'm still working.
Every little twinge is making me think something is happening, I'm on high alert looking out for the same signs as I had last time. Major back ache and Braxton hicks every evening too.

I'm so so ready now!!

@Freddie1987 I have had zero luck trying to express any Colostrum yet, although my syringes seem to have got lost in the post so it’s not the end of the world. I feel like I’m checking myself constantly just in case something has come out 😂

@Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt I’m still working too, although I’m only in the building 3 days. My mum is my boss so lots of room for flexibility luckily. My OH just came home for lunch which is very rare and found me and our 2 pugs snoozing under a blanket, he was like ‘oh so this is what you all do all day really’ 😂

@LST87 thinking of you! hope all went well with your induction yesterday.

@1990shopefulftm mine is on her side, which they said is fine for labour. Can feel her movements in my back sometimes, and stomach others. Still stuck on the right. Aww that’s an pain with the shower, I would probably get it fixed now if I was you. As after the birth your going to have a baby too in the house, so could be months before you feel comfortable. Might be hard to bath too if you have a ELCS.

@Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt I’m freaking out at every twinge too.

@sls668 haha that made me laugh, a one of them “I promise it’s a one off or I closed my eyes for two seconds”

Ive got cramp today, it’s quite consistent and painful. I’m convinced she is going to come before I’m ready. Give me until Friday please, so I can have a birthing partner!! 😩

@DressingGown87 DH has managed to get the switch back on for the shower, fingers crossed it keeps working for now.

Worst case scenario after babies here we can get a shower attachment for the bath taps if an electrician will take a bit of time to come round as we re both comfortable with having tradespeople round once he's born, just don't want to take that risk now of me not having DH there with me for his birth.

Fingers crossed she stays put for you.

@DressingGown87 thank you for setting up the new thread!! Final thread ladies, what a journey we have all been through, final bit to go!!

How is everyone gearing up for the birth? I'm trying to practice hypnobirthing and on good days I'm like I can do this, but other days I'm still rather anxious and scared about the pain...

Still no colostrum... but I think at least with the boob massage and stimulation, I am preparing for breastfeeding in some small way (I hope!)

Getting a few Braxton Hicks and pains during the day and sometimes at night. The night ones are not fun. Also heading to the loo most nights at least once... does break my sleep up a little!

Anyone reading up on how to deal with baby when they arrive? Any good parenting book recommendations?

Haven’t had chance to catch up on the thread, but my baby girl Mia Florence Rose was born Monday at 12.50, beat her induction just. Waters broke at home at 7.30 as I was waking up to get ready for induction, contractions started every 3/4 mins straight away, made sure I had my weetabix and headed to the hospital, arrived at 9.50 to be told to still head to my induction at 10, couldn’t wait in the car as now contractions were every 2-3mins and strengthening, went through to FMAU left a puddle in front of new mums waiting for scans then got taken to triage where they dismissed the fact I was in full labour strapped me to a monitor and said see how I go they could offer paracetamol after being monitored then maybe go home for a bit!!, by this point I was climbing off the bed in agony, Made them examine me and I was 6cm and cervix soft and stretch and head sitting right low and I wanted to push got wheeled down to labour ward where it was too late for any pain relief, hated gas and air tastes horrible and couldn’t breath contractions where so strong but good to bite on. Think it was just over an hour of pushing as I got tired where it was all happening so quick And contractions slowed a bit and my baby girl was born at 12.50 At 37+6 with no pain meds (Not by choice asked for everything but too late) just nearly breaking my poor husbands fingers!! Sorry long story But thought you’d like to know, and so far been blessed with a very chilled peaceful baby who’s dozing next to me and only seems to feed every 3-4 hours and sleeps inbetween, but I’m sure it’ll change 🙄

@LST87 I am over the moon for you! How crazy you went into labour the day you were supposed to be induced. What a trooper you've been! Absolutely well done for going through that without your pain relief. I cannot believe they didn't even examine you on arrival that's just disgusting the way they made you wait and just dismissed you like that. It's amazing how quick it all happened. You've done absolutely amazing, congratulations and enjoy your baby! What a beautiful name ❤️❤️

Huge congratulations @LST87 we had our babies at the same gestation!

My baby girl Elodie Wren was born on Saturday at 12:12am, 6lb 14oz via natural water birth at 37+6.

I had my midwife appointment in the morning and when walking home I had to stop and start due to crippling period pains. My OH helped me home and I thought it was braxton hicks.

My mum cane through and was trying to convince me it was early labour but I was in denial.

Eventually it got too intense, I rang the hospital and deducted my contractions were 3-5 mins apart at 90 seconds long roughly, I was told to head in if I couldn't cope.

In we went, I was 3cm already and things were heating up faster than I could comprehend. Like @LST87 gas and air was useless I felt like launching it across the room!

I was offered an injection which 'wouldn't help the pain but would make me feel woozy' - yeah no thanks that's why I hated gas and air!

The pain was too bad and the midwives did a check and after 5 hours I was 8cm. Still no water breakage.

They then suggested the birth pool as the room was free so I accepted.

In we went, I laboured deep within myself and tuned out the world. Another 1 hour of contracting and then I was told I'd feel the urge to push like I need a poop.

I pushed and my waters broke- made me jump!

Then I just let my body take over until they said I need to roll onto my bum so they can check baby's head.

I could feel her head wanting to crown but it kept going back up. Eventually she crowned, and before I knew it she slid out before the midwives even managed to help manoeuvre her, the poor thing.

She has severe jaundice and isn't latching to me at all despite her constant attempts and I'm at my wits end. Just want her to be healthy as I'm m expressing milk for her but it's already taking its toll and I can't do it anymore like this.

I'm honestly debating mixed feeding with formula.

Otherwise she's just so precious and tiny!

Wow these labour stories this morning are amazing! Congrats @SophieJosie95 you did so so well! my son who's 5 now was born at 37+4 he had severe jaundice too and had to be kept under the blue phototherapy light for 4 days and I was only allowed to pick him up for feeds or nappy changes. It was a really challenging time but the midwives helped me a lot with the latching on and he eventually started feeding. I know it's really hard right now, try not to give up I hope you get the right support but if you feel like you want to give her formula then you do that, it's totally up to you. Try not to stress about it too much and enjoy this time as it goes really quick xxx

Wow congratulations @SophieJosie95 & @LST87 on the birth of your baby girls! Hope you are all recovering well.

@LST87 Congratulations on your little girl 💓 can’t believe you went into labour the morning of your induction, how quick it was and that you coped without any pain relief! Hope your both doing well?

@SophieJosie95 congratulations on your little girl too 💓 another early surprise. Glad you managed to tune out and get a pool. Hope your little girl is ok, hopefully with a lamp the jaundice will clear up, and things will get easier for you. As for BF, don’t beat yourself up, and combi feed if you need too. Just do what is right for you and your baby.

@DressingGown87 when's your induction date? I'm sure it's soon x

@SamK93 I have my sweep tomorrow morning, and if that doesn’t work my induction is booked for Tuesday. Cramping for the last 24hours, so hoping she doesn’t make an early appearance. Dreading driving down the m6 today alone, panicking I’m going to give birth on the hard shoulder 🙈 hope your got your Mat pay sorted?

@LST87 @SophieJosie95 congratulations both of you! It sounds like you were both absolute troopers with the lack of pain relief, whether by choice or not, and have loved hearing how you got on! Hope you can both have a few days of resting up now and enjoying your little ones!

I’m getting SO excited hearing about these new arrivals ladies! Call me crazy but I’m currently on a train on the way to Edinburgh (from the Midlands) for a last minute surprise night away. If all this walking and travelling doesn’t get him going I don’t know what will 🥰

Congratulations @LST87 and @SophieJosie95! What amazing news!

@DressingGown87 let's hope the sweep gets things going for you! The cramping isn't very nice is it, I'm sure she will stay put just so you can get your errands done today fingers crossed. Don't ask about the mat pay, honestly when they finally got it sorted it wasn't anywhere near enough as what I had worked it out to be but apparently because i was in a 0 hour contact and I had took some unpaid time off during Covid when I had no AL left, it's what they had worked it out to be. although on average I was doing in between 30/35 hours a week my entitlement is absolutely rubbish! I've tried and failed many times to get them to check again so I've just given up have to put it up with what I will receive, no idea how I'm going to manage it's just a shame when you work so hard and then get treated like this. I have been advised to apply for UC as my smp is so low, DH is self employed so I'm not sure if I will be entitled for it or not.

Congratulations @LST87 and @SophieJosie95

@FirstSurprise001 so jealous! Have an amazing night away, I love Edinburgh, was on my 2020 (failed) bucket list! Hopefully he lets you have a well deserved break, and comes next week.

@SamK93 that’s rubbish that they have done it that way, and didn’t give you any advance warning, or try and help you out, especially when you’ve worked hard, didn’t predict / cause COvid, Speak to UC they have been really good with me. They have also changed it, so you can apply now, they keep you on the system. So even if your not eligible yet, when you have the baby you just add that, and they issue a statement each month / payment if due. So you can fill in the hard but, and jump through the hoops now. There is an online calculator which helps too. if you are eligible, even it’s for a small amount, apply for the sure start grant, you can claim until the baby is 6 months but there is a section for your midwife. Hope you manage to get something sorted. Mine MAT starts on Monday and I’m just on basic SMP, even though I’ve been employed For 5 years by the same company.