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.

@DressingGown87

Do your family and friends that would be able available to visit you at home have weekends off work? if they do then I'd be leaning towards a c section today/tomorrow as perhaps there could be a good chance you could be out of the hospital at the weekend and at least have someone there to help for the first day home and you'd perhaps be less tired than waiting it out for if an induction would work.

@CurlyMummy1912 I’m 30 and this is my first. We have hugely struggled with a name since finding out we were having a girl (had a boys name for years!). We now have a ‘maybe name’ but not telling anybody as I don’t want anyone else’s opinion on it

@CurlyMummy1912 I don’t have any strong feeling between the two. I think my main concern is recovery, and her being safe.

@1990shopefulftm my parents work 7 days. But I have friends who could come and help, and do a Rota. It won’t be 24hour help, but could be something everyday. Would also mean I’m breaking lockdown rules completely

Thank you both

[quote DressingGown87]@CurlyMummy1912 I don’t have any strong feeling between the two. I think my main concern is recovery, and her being safe.

@1990shopefulftm my parents work 7 days. But I have friends who could come and help, and do a Rota. It won’t be 24hour help, but could be something everyday. Would also mean I’m breaking lockdown rules completely

Thank you both[/quote]
I think you have to consider that another two days of anxiety and little sleep is potentially going to add to more mental and physical recovery. The section puts you back in control. It does take some recovery but not especially more than tears, cuts and stitches potentially could. It's no breeze but it surprised me how quick my recovery was afterwards. Last time I went through full labour, couldn't push him out and had EMCS. That's why I've chosen elective this time as most of my recovery was from the labour I'd been through, not the section.

If they know you have no help at home they would probably keep you in a little longer - ask if this is possible?

[quote Sls668]@CurlyMummy1912 I’m 30 and this is my first. We have hugely struggled with a name since finding out we were having a girl (had a boys name for years!). We now have a ‘maybe name’ but not telling anybody as I don’t want anyone else’s opinion on it[/quote]
I know that feeling! I had loads of boy names! Haha! I agree not to invite opinion on it. Lovely to have a private secret with your partner about it, too.

As a teacher I ruled out loads of names as I associate them with dislikable children!

@DressingGown87 I haven't broken a single guideline this whole time and i wouldn't hesitate to do it with friends and family you know you can trust have been sensible for some support at home in your situation and I'm sure any compassionate person would agree with me.

@CurlyMummy1912 that was exactly my problem - I’m in early years!

@DressingGown87 Oh bless you, it's horrible having to make big decisions on no sleep. Remember it's all your decision and if she's happy enough at the moment there's no reason for you to be rushed into a decision. Take your time tonight to think over what help you've got (ignore the lockdown rules for the moment, just use your common sense about who you interact with) and how you picture the next few days in both scenarios. Then speak to them again in the morning. At this point it might be worth planning a C-section seeing as little girl is resisting the induction, as it might well lead to it anyway - but only if you're happy that you can arrange for the help afterwards. Are there any other induction methods that might be more helpful - the balloon for example? Make sure you are given details of all the different options so you feel you've had all the information to make your own decision without being rushed. Thinking of you x

@DressingGown87 agree with everything @Flora20 has said. It's so hard to think rationally when you're a bit anxious and tired but I think a night to think about it and go with your gut ultimately once you have all the information is the best idea. I also agree that you are doing the best for your sanity, recovery and baby wellbeing to take the calculated risk with help at home. Sending good positive thoughts for tonight and hope you're ok.

I'm 32, 33 in November! Wondering whether baby is going to be making an appearance before due date as I was woken up with quite strong period pains last night but nothing has developed since so could be nothing!?

To the ladies talking about the Covid tests, when I went into labour the other day whilst I was in the assessment room she did the test on me. The same swab in my mouth and then my nose, I don't even remember how it felt due to the contractions. My husband was a bit annoyed when he joined me in delivery and I told him they did a swab, he asked why I didn't question it and just let them do it. I wasn't told that i was going to have a test when I go in to labour. I'm assuming it was negative as I haven't heard anything.

@DressingGown87 your in such a difficult situation, it's a hard one, especially with the lack of sleep and the fact you just want her here now. It's hard. I don't know what I'd do, the safety of baby is obviously your first priority. The road to recovery for C section is obviously a lot harder and longer, don't worry about the lock down rules you will need the help when the time comes and you have to take it. Try and get us much advice as you can, there's no wrong decision. Let us know what you decide x

@Freddie1987 I’ve had spells of period pains too, last night was really bad then nothing happens. I start off thinking ‘oo this is it!’ then it completely stops

@DressingGown87 I completely agree with @Flora20 and others, have a rest as best as you can, sleep on it tonight, and have another conversation about your choices with your team in the morning.
Got everything crossed for you.

I am getting quite a lot of BH, and I am a little worried I wouldn't be able to tell when the actual early labour will start...

@CurlyMummy1912 I'm 32, fiancé is 2 weeks older . First baby for us both - not planned but only a year ahead of "the plan" and it's worked out really well with COVID, wfh etc.

I'm really tearful tonight. No real reason, just overdue and fed up and DP is antsy with the not knowing too.

@Sls668 @Mc3209
When are you both due? Interesting to hear early possible labour signs. Last time I leant forward to pick up something off the floor at 38 weeks and my waters gently broke. I assumed I'd had an accidental wee as you often do at full term.

I kind of think that will happen again but who knows! My BH are full on and I keep getting random cervix pains xx

Sounds like lots of us are symptom spotting - it's frustrating isn't it?! I didn't have this at all last time, is only a few days past when I had my first but feels completely different because my daily routine is so changed - last time I was still teaching full time until 2 days before, I didn't have any time to pay attention to any warning signs... This time I'm noticing everything but don't know what I'm looking for 😂

@Flora20 my mum (4 natural births) used to check her cervix for signs but I hate sticking my hand up there and can never find it 😂😂😂😂

She said the morning she had my sister she could feel her cervix was dilated and could feel the amniotic sac bulging!

@CurlyMummy1912 I’m not due until 30th so I think I’m getting ahead of myself, especially with it being my first. Every time I tell my mum any aches and pains, she just looks at me and says ‘no, it won’t be today’ 😂

Thank you ladies. I completely agree to ignoring the lockdown rules, and without reason doing what is best for me, the Baby and my recovery. I have booked in for a section at lunchtime tomorrow, but I can change my mind. I have asked them to do another two examinations and monitoring (tonight and in the morning) to ensure nothing has progressed or changed prior to me finalising my decision. I’m hoping to get a full nights sleep. She keeps having moments of distress, as I have strong contractions, but my cervix is still solid and fully closed, so the contractions are doing nothing but compacting her. I think my general concern is waiting another 48hours and ending up in theatre anyways.

@CurlyMummy1912 I’m also 32, 33 in December.

@CurlyMummy1912 I am 31, almost 32, DH is 10 years older. Expecting first with due date on 31st.
I am consciously trying not to symptom spot, and then I swing into 'What if I won't know I am in labour?!' 😂

@DressingGown87 that seems like a good call. At least you can sleep on it but hopefully thinks will progress on their own in the meantime

@DressingGown87 Good you've got a plan, that sounds sensible. Hopefully that in itself will help you to relax and get a decent night's sleep, and things might start more naturally in the morning. Sleep well x

Like many of you I'm also 32 and this is our first.
@dressinggown87 I'm glad you have a plan and it sounds a sensible one to me. You seem like such an organised person, hopefully having a plan made will help you mentally switch off and get the rest that you need tonight.

@DressingGown87 hope you manage to get some sleep and not worry too much now you're booked in. I think I would be thinking the same as you about c-section either way and at least you have control over when it happens by making a decision, although it is hard. As you say you can still change your mind.

@CurlyMummy1912 we haven't told anyone at all our name choice, we want to try it out first to make sure it suits him, it seems strange using it at home but I'm sure we'll get used to it instead of the nickname we've been using. I'm 30 and he is our first.

Trying hard not to symptom spot yet as not due til 29th but every different new feeling does make me think 'is it happening'! I keep telling myself I will definitely know when it does.

@WaveStreet sometimes my OH uses her ‘maybe name’ when he’s talking to or about her and it sounds so strange to hear it out loud. We’re like you and want to meet her first to check it fits! I have no idea what we’ll do if it doesn’t because it’s the only name we’ve been able to agree on!

[quote CurlyMummy1912]@Flora20 my mum (4 natural births) used to check her cervix for signs but I hate sticking my hand up there and can never find it 😂😂😂😂

She said the morning she had my sister she could feel her cervix was dilated and could feel the amniotic sac bulging! [/quote]
Oh wow!! How?? I'm always amazed at women who can do this. Like I can barely push a thrush pessary up my vagina... I'm really bad at female anatomy too