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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Anyone else coming towards the end of their pregnancy?

226 replies

PowPurry · 11/03/2021 21:23

Thought it would be nice to have a thread going for those in the final stretch Smile

Starting to analyse every little twinge now. Knicker checking every time I use the loo like the early days. Braxton hicks every night too. Wondering how much longer I’ll be! This is my last pregnancy so I’m in no rush for it to end, but at the same time can’t wait to meet little one. 37+3 today!

How are you feeling?

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chickensoup23 · 17/03/2021 10:30

@SunnySideUp2020 I'm
Due April 1st so very close to you! I had a sweep with DS. Was uncomfortable but very manageable. Much less intense than labour

SunnySideUp2020 · 17/03/2021 10:34

@chickensoup23 exciting! It's my first so no idea what labour feels like.
My midwife offers sweeps from 39w and i was considering it.

SunnySideUp2020 · 17/03/2021 10:35

@chickensoup23 would you have one again?

chickensoup23 · 17/03/2021 10:42

@SunnySideUp2020 honestly no - I ended up having a 3 day labour as the sweep had started by labour / contractions off but my cervix wasn't dilating. It was Awful.
This time round I had the midwife go through DS's notes and she confirmed the length of labour was likely due to the sweep when my body wasn't ready. Obviously everyone is different and that's just my experience.
But the only thing in my birth plan this time is no sweep and let nature take its course!

serialplanner · 17/03/2021 10:44

[quote chickensoup23]@SunnySideUp2020 honestly no - I ended up having a 3 day labour as the sweep had started by labour / contractions off but my cervix wasn't dilating. It was Awful.
This time round I had the midwife go through DS's notes and she confirmed the length of labour was likely due to the sweep when my body wasn't ready. Obviously everyone is different and that's just my experience.
But the only thing in my birth plan this time is no sweep and let nature take its course! [/quote]
@chickensoup23 thanks for sharing that's really interesting.

I'm not keen on sweeps but I was going to take one if I get to the stage of induction. As in nothing to lose- do you agree?

chickensoup23 · 17/03/2021 10:48

@serialplanner yeah I think if I'm right at the end of my time over (think where I am it's 41+5) I'd potentially try one but from my experience last time I wouldn't do it early / before I had to again.
I was so impatient and begged my poor midwife who did it at 39+2 - I lost my mucus plug almost immediately and contractions started so all looked good. But it turns out the sweep triggered the contractions but my baby wasn't ready so I was having contractions 3 mins apart for 2 days and still only 1-2cm.
The issue was then that I was just so tired when it did start I had no energy. So my plan is to stay rested. Keep feet up and try and let it happen naturally.
I also read last week that the stress hormones can delay labour (not sure how true this is!) so very much trying to remain zen! Unlike last time when I was a nightmare!

serialplanner · 17/03/2021 10:51

Thanks @chickensoup23 valuable insight

SunnySideUp2020 · 17/03/2021 10:57

Thanks for sharing @chickensoup23
I will discuss properly with MW before having one

chickensoup23 · 17/03/2021 10:58

Obviously mine is just one experience I'm sure they work really well for lots of people! Just my preference this time round 😄

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 17/03/2021 20:04

Are heart palpitations are sign of labour coming on? My hearts gone a little jittery!
I have just had a dessert that was quite high in sugar though so could be that!!

serialplanner · 17/03/2021 22:00

@Wavescrashingonthebeach

Are heart palpitations are sign of labour coming on? My hearts gone a little jittery! I have just had a dessert that was quite high in sugar though so could be that!!
Hope you are okay @Wavescrashingonthebeach!
Wavescrashingonthebeach · 18/03/2021 08:01

@serialplanner

All good thank you Smile think must have just been a bit of a sugar high!!

Lets see if baby makes an appearance soon Smile

calimommy · 18/03/2021 10:30

37+6 and an appointment later today. I thought things were kicking off last night and I even left my make up on going to bed 😂😂😂😂 I'm curious to see if I've dilated any further since the 4cms last Friday. I feel like I have but then again I've had plenty of discomfort in previous pregnancies and not been dilating so the jury is out. Also I dont know how far it be can dilated without going into labour -anyone have experience of this?

KO2018 · 18/03/2021 11:03

Wondering how people know how dilated they are? I’m 40+1 but no ones had a look up there at all yet!

Is it from your sweeps?

calimommy · 18/03/2021 17:30

@KO2018 my Dr did a cervix check for me because I've been having really strong BH.

NewYearNewOldMe · 18/03/2021 19:07

Just checking in at 39+5 (when I started labour with DS, had him 39+6). Still pregnant. All signs have ceased- no more period cramps, no vomiting, no BH. Nada. 😭

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 18/03/2021 23:05

Wondering how people know how dilated they are?

Funnily enough i was thinking about this before and imagine if you could invent some kind of affordable home device that could tell you this! I reckon you'd make a fortune! Now imagine pitching that to Dragons Den haha!!!!!

My hospital is a fair trek from my house so i really dont want to risk getting there to be sent home again when i am in labour! Id love a way of knowing if i was dilated as this is all new to me!

calimommy · 19/03/2021 02:08

So I'm gutted haha, still exactly the same as last week, haven't dilated any further. However I'm now going to walk the streets until this baby falls out. If I wasn't getting such strong contractions and wasn't dilated I would just relax but it's constant and all I really need is consistency to get the ball rolling. It's waking me at night and stressing me worrying about how we will get the children sorted if it happens at any given time.

serialplanner · 19/03/2021 06:10

So I literally won't trust this until the baby is in my arms but...! 40+5 Contractions (god you really do "just know" with these) since 12.20am various times of 6-11 minutes most at least 45 seconds. Still going. Half thinking it will just stop, half thinking maybe we'll meet our baby today!

Good luck to anyone else with any news today.

chickensoup23 · 19/03/2021 06:52

@serialplanner good luck!! Keep us updated xx

NewYearNewOldMe · 19/03/2021 10:25

@serialplanner good luck!

Bec1710 · 19/03/2021 10:35

@serialplanner Good luck xx

SunnySideUp2020 · 19/03/2021 13:09

@serialplanner good luck !!

JemNo66 · 19/03/2021 13:11

@serialplanner good luck, how exciting!! I’ve been having cramps on and off for days now and then every time I think ‘this is it!’ they bugger off again. Trying to just relax and reassure myself that she will come when she’s ready, but I feel like a ticking time bomb 🙈 have had a bit of an upset tummy and some mild nausea but no other signs.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 19/03/2021 13:19

@calimommy @serialplanner
Good luck guys!!

And @JemNo66 mine is the same! Random cramps & back pain then back to normal! She will come in her own good time Smile