🍼👶🏼👣 MAMAS DUE OCTOBER 2021 👣👶🏼🍼

[MyGrassIsBrowner]

Hey ladies, thought I'd start a thread for all us mamas due October 2021! Whether you're on your first or your tenth child, let's share our journey together!

My due date is officially 8th October and this is my second baby girl 💜 My DD is 15 months old so I'm gonna have two under two.. god help me 🙉
I'm actually booked in for an elective section this time (reason being is that I have low grade rectocele prolapse and I'm petrified that another vaginal birth will make it worse) my first labour was 4.5 hours from start of initial contractions to birthing her - textbook waterbirth on paper pretty much. I am however starting to reconsider my decision and go for my original plan of a homebirth. DH has just landed a new job only 15 mins away so it changes a lot. Any other ladies looking to try for a homebirth? I know for me personally it takes a lot of the strain off finding childcare, given how quickly I laboured first time round!

Cant wait to hear your stories and share these last few months of our pregnancies with each other! ❤

@Juicytoot287 yeah same, if it's not one thing it's another right? Pregnancy is really hard! On so many levels it tests your strength. Let us know how your scan goes xx

Just checking in. I feel so sad when I hear of people having negative experiences with their midwives. I joined the profession to provide care and support and I hate that things have become so stretched that midwives have empathy fatigue, or have no time or have stopped caring.
@Juicytoot287 as other have mentioned palpating and fundal height are not super accurate in terms of assessing growth. A scan will still not be definitive but they’ll check dopplers, blood flow through the cord, placenta etc which will hopefully reassure you.
@summerhillgang your BP is still well within normal range. I have had a few raised readings too generally if been rushing or stressed, no doubt the anxiety won’t have helped the second reading. Sending loads of love to you both. At least HCPs are aware and will keep an eye on things. Xx

thanks @Peacefulspirit . It is hard not to think the worst. Midwife said not to worry or stress but i have anxiety anyway so that is impossible. Just when you finally let yourself relax and get excited! I must sound silly as others seem to have growth scans all the time but I feel like we went 0 to 100. Its all be fine so far so to suddenly have no growth made me panic. But like you all say, baby position, different midwives etc. can all play a part. She is still wriggling around as normal so hopefully a good sign!

Definitely a good sign! It’s absolutely understandable that you’re going to worry and be mega anxious. Hopefully the next appointment will reassure you, it’s just hard to wait. Xx

@Peacefulspirit that's very reassuring 😊 thank you xx

@MeadowHay Thank you so much, you're so kind. Honestly though, I'm having daily mental breakdowns and I am starting to worry about the logistics of having a newborn and toddler.. it's certainly going to test me.
You're doing amazingly too, you have the whole dealing with your DD in nursery and I haven't even crossed that bridge yet, it's a massive deal so dont be so credit to you too.

@summerhillgang it's so nice to be able to pre-plan this time. I say that, knowing my luck baby will decide to come early and throw all my plans out the water (I do generally have shit luck haha) 😆

@Juicytoot287 oh you poor thing. Ffs this fundal height measuring system is screwed. Honestly, I will put money on it your bubs is fine! If she's transverse your tummy is spread wider and so your measurement will definitely be shorter (im having the same issue atm)
I was supposed to be in for a growth scan today but I had to cancel it. No childcare for my DD and my DP had to work. The clinic give me a real hard time about it so I said well, are you going to look after my child then? My bubs was estimated at 2lb 14oz at a 28 week growth scan which tbh is a fair size.. my bump is huge now so I'm failing to see what the issue is other than that she's in an unstable lie and this stupid fundal height measuring isn't showing a true reflection of it.

I wouldn't mind, I'm booked in for the 13th anyway for my 36 week growth scan which you get as standard when going for a section so I really dont understand why they were so desperate to have me into day. Frankly I'm trying to keep my contact with the hospital to a minimum anyway as I'm not vaccinated. Got my DP doing weekly LFTs as I cannot risk him getting it and not being able to be at the birth with me (they've told me if he tests positive he wont be allowed in the hospital) so that's got my anxiety spiked.

@Peacefulspirit Sadly this is the reality for a lot of mamas atm. I'm angry for first time mums who have being having to put up with lack of contact or midwife appointments "over the phone" it's ridiculous. I understand midwifrey as a sector is struggling with staffing issues and the current midwifes are burnt out, it's awful. But, the treatment women are getting as a result is appauling.
I've been lucky this time, my trust has admittedly been faultless and my community midwives are lovely, but then again, I live in a small town with a small hospital. Different story when I had my DD back in 2020 though, my care was dire and I was forever chasing up appointments or being told I wasn't booked in when I clearly was. Wouldn't mind that was before Covid hit as well.

@Juicytoot287 hope everything is ok with growth scan! It’s so easy for us to say but try not worry, same as what the ladies have said those measurements can be so inaccurate especially if it’s different midwives.

@Peacefulspirit i can’t complain with the service from my midwives, I’ve been fortunate by the sounds of it, everyone has been lovely & so helpful! 32 week appointment this week and my community midwife brought up my birth plan and info I needed. I just hope it’s all as chilled and lovely when I go in to labour!

Anyone counting down the days now? I know I’m only 32 weeks but I’m sooo ready for end of this pregnancy. Tiredness is unreal! We can final say, next month we’re due to give birth!!! 😁

@NW2021 counting down the days now! 32 until my section... safe to say I'm getting nervous!
I've got a wash on this morning of all my DDs newborn clothes. I didn't realise how much I had!
I also ordered a couple of nighties and big sexy pants for after my section off George @ Asda.

By the way ladies, Asda baby & kids clothes are absolutely fab and soooo reasonably priced, that and Tesco!
X

Christ shit is getting real here. Birthing pool arrived, gas and air arrives next week, and just booked a 37wk scan to double check position. Midwife also doing her health and safety planning etc

Seems like baby is in the LOA position now so just want to get it to stay there! What are the chances it could move now at almost 36 weeks?

Not sure what my BP is saying but I feel normal and don't have any PE symptoms, so hoping it was just a blip.

@summerhillgang Aww wow! I'm slightly envious of your homebirth plans. I wish I could have gone for one myself but I just couldn't hack going through a natural birth again, not with the state I'm currently in. It'll be MAGICAL!

Mine is in that position too currently. They can still move right up until you go into labour though so I wouldn't worry just yet. Good that you're getting another scan to check though. With my DD she was engaged, facing away from my spine. Right up until I started pushing she decided to go back to back. So even during labour they can shift.
My blood pressure has been higher than average during this pregnancy too, but it's been a running theme for me since my booking appointment so they said they aren't concerned. Just keep an eye out of blurred vision, sudden nasty headaches and sudden swelling of feet and hands, they are usually sure signs off PE. I'm sure you'll be fine though!

@summerhillgang I'd imagine it's unlikely to move now if it's in a good position because there won't be much space left anymore.

@MyGrassIsBrowner I had the opposite, had far less newborn clothes than I expected. I think because she was a summer baby born in a heatwave she basically just wore vests for 6 weeks so we got by with hardly any layers. Also she ruined a lot of stuff shitting all up them and that . I did a big George @ ASDA order the other day of mostly newborn clothes but some 0-3 too where we had gaps. Bought basically the cheapest we could get of everything and still ended up spending about £120 in total. I love Asda for kids clothes though, often buy my DD's clothes and shoes from there too it's really excellent value. A few weeks ago in store I got her a few pairs of shoes for £3 each !

What's everyone packing in their hospital bag in terms of clothes for you? Last time all I took was a bikini top (didn't end up using it), a PJ vest top (worn during labour and birth), button down nightie and a pair of tiny PJ shorts (wore on the ward after my shower), flip flops (again wore on ward), few pairs of disposable undies of which I think I used 2, sleep bra (again worn after my shower), pair of socks and t-shirt that I wore to go home in and I just wore the harem trousers I wore to the hospital to go home in too. So far all I've packed this time around is a sleep bra, pair of socks, button down nightie, little PJ shorts, V-neck PJ t-shirt, flip-flops and a five pack of disposable undies. I am going to buy a bikini top as I sold the last one and hoping to actually try the pool this time. Will also pack a t-shirt to go home in...maybe a pair of leggings and a vest too? Might buy a cheap thin dressing gown to take too, I had one for last time but didn't wear it and sold it.

@MeadowHay Asda is so bloody fab isn't it. I find their sizing really good as well.
To be fair we threw so many sleep suits out too that DP tried and failed to save when she had a blow out 😆
I'm personally not bothering with fancy outfits this time, sleepsuits/rompers and nice cardigans for the winter months. I do have a load of leggings with feet and matching long sleeve vests from H&M that I put my DD in when she was newborn and I forgot how TINY they were. Over here getting all emotional whilst I put it all on the clothes airer. Lol.

Definitely take a bikini top or sports bra with you, though I went in the pool butt naked and I loved it, so freeing 😆 as for going home outfit, something light and baggy I found best. We're only round the corner from the hospital I'll probably leave in my nightie, that's acceptable right? 😂

Pouty madam!

@Peacefulspirit What a lovely scan photo!

Awww @Peacefulspirit that's a cracking picture!! 😍

I went for my 31w midwife appointment this morning and my bump is now measuring big apparently 🙄 my midwife said she wasn't too concerned at this stage but if he's above the lines again at my next appointment I might be referred for a growth scan. I know the measurements can be really inaccurate but it's still got me googling what happens if he does stay big 😩

@mooloop god you can't win can you! Just know though, bigger babies tend to be easier to birth so bare that in mind 😉 dont worry much yet, you're still such early days! Their estimated birth weights are always way out anyway. You could just be carrying a lot of water.

I hope so @MyGrassIsBrowner! I'm really short (5'1) so I feel like bump has no option but to go outwards 😂 it just concerns me because my frame is overall small whether I'd be more likely to have complications giving birth vaginally if he is on the bigger side.

And now I'm Googling induction vs caesarean for large babies even though I know I'm absolutely getting ahead of myself, pregnancy eh? 😳😂

@mooloop I wouldn’t worry, mine was slightly above the line but this stage of pregnancy I’m expecting my bump to get bigger quicker.
Those measurement can be so inaccurate, sometimes I think it’s all just about where the baby is lying etc! My midwife said she’s not to bothered if it’s above the lines it’s more so if they drop below that they’ll send for growth scans (but I imagine every trust is different?)
My friend had two babies that were showing on the bigger side and she just got induced before due date.

I was told baby is already head down as well @summerhillgang which makes it feel so real and soon now!! 😳 also explains the kicks in my sides & ribs!
As times going on I’m starting to think about a home birth, I know I’d be more relaxed at home! But with it being my first & I’ve had two friends who have had traumatic births (life and death situations) I feel like I need to go to hospital.

@mooloop personally if they were absolutely sure you were having a biggie and you might have complications during a natural birth, I would opt for the section. My DD was 8lb 6oz and although she wasn't necessarily huge, I certainly paid the price with her. It's a difficult decision to make so soon but worth keeping an open mind to your options. Low risk elective sections have such incredible outcomes these days and it's why I am having one myself this time. X

@NW2021 a home birth does sound lovely! I'm the same though I feel like I want to be in hospital just in case (no MLUs round here).

@MyGrassIsBrowner that's how I think i feel tbh - my friend had a similar situation, she's about my size too, and ended up needing an emergency cs after a long, painful labour on the drip. I worry about the recovery after a caesarean but equally could end up with serious injuries from a vaginal birth anyway. Everyone I know that's had an ELCS for whatever reason has had a really positive experience!

@mooloop Emergency sections tend to have a much rougher recovery period. I have a friend who has just had an elective and was back driving after two weeks (signed off by her GP) she said it was the best thing she'd done! I'm really looking forward to my section now and I'm at peace with it. There are sadly risks with all births but the unknown risks of vaginal births over the known risks of a section is what made my mind up this time.

Unless it's changed very recently, NICE guidelines don't recommend induction or ELCS purely for estimated large foetal weight in the absence of other risk factors like GD etc. My trust follows this guideline and so they don't even refer for growth scans if you measure big unless you've got some other additional risk factor too. I was actually reading some research recently which showed a much higher correlation between higher rates of perineal trauma and intervention in babies with very large head circumferences (think that was defined as greater than 95th centile iirc) than with babies with a large weight but without a very large head circumference. Which makes me nervous as my DD was fairly small but like 98th centile for head circumference - and was an assisted birth as she wouldn't come out after 2hrs of pushing - and if my growth scans have been accurate this baby is similar. Eek.

I just had my first ever bikini line wax as I can't really get to the area anymore and I'm fed up with it. I was so anxious but it was absolutely fine, overall less painful than when I get my face threaded which I do regularly. Can't believe I've never got one before in many years of wanting to when it wasn't even that painful! Will get another in a month or so if baby isn't here yet and I am also going to get DH to trim the rest of it as I can't see to do it anymore and it's getting me down.

@MeadowHay you can make a maternal request for a section now and basically, they cannot refuse, if they do they will simply refer you to another consultant who will carry it out. Mine was a maternal request but on the basis that I am worried about worsening my existing prolapse with a subsequent vaginal birth. It was the easiest yes I've ever had in my life. My consultant is lovely too. It was actually the midwife who originally shot me down and I had to really fight with her. She was adamant I would be refused and wanted me to stick with my original plan of a homebirth. I said unless you can guarantee that my prolapse wont get worse with another natural birth then I am going for a section. Obviously she couldn't.

I know what you mean about feeling so down not able to tidy up downstairs. I've given up now but I will have to shave my bikini line before my section, DP knows what he's gotta do 😂

I think it’s all so inaccurate, even scanning they base EFW on two measurements; abdominal circumference and femur length. Those are reasonable indicators but you’d never use them to guess the weight of someone outside the uterus! I totally get the rationale but causes so much anxiety. I’ve had 4 pretty good size babies, heaviest was 9lb 2oz and never torn at all (not sure what that says about my fanny mind!) I think with birth, what will be will be.
I’m swaying back towards another homebirth. I might book it and if it’s not a good time with the other kids etc can always decide to go to hospital.
I need to do something about my pubes too, haven’t seen them for ages but caught sight in the mirror the other day….jungle!!!

@MyGrassIsBrowner oh yes sorry, I just meant that NICE guidelines don't recommend the routine use of ELCS or induction just because of an estimate that the baby will be big, so trusts shouldn't be recommending them on that basis alone. But of course I fully support maternal choice when it comes to mode of delivery, I still have a telephone consult booked in with the consultant at 37 weeks to discuss an ELCS myself but I think as time is going on I'm leaning towards vaginal birth again tbh for various reasons. My midwife actually seems to be wanting to push me more towards an ELCS if anything tbh which surprised me.

Also off topic but Cosatto randomly got the isofix base we need back in stock rang them and they said they'd had a couple of people ask about them so they did a huge stock check clear out and found some. So we bought it and got a £10 off offer too. Also ordered a new carrycot mattress through their guarantee. We are getting there step by step in sorting things! Was going to get the travel system professionally cleaned but we've decided to save the money and do it ourselves (although God knows when we will get time to sort that eek).