🍼👶🏼👣 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! ❤

Hi ladies - just catching up on the thread as been out of action with an absolutely awful cold for the last week or so, been so miserable but just starting to get back to normal now thankfully.

I hope you’re all doing well - the end is well and truly in sight for some of you now

Had my 32 week growth scan today and baby has come up at 75th percentile and he’s turned head down (yay!) which I suspected because his movements have felt different for the last few days - side effect of being head down is that I feel like he’s now constantly head butting my bladder and I need to pee every hour which is less appreciated haha

Starting to struggle with work now and have another 4 weeks left to go until mat leave - just don’t have the attention span left for it anymore!

@HedgerowRobin Oh lovely, couldn't even imagine dealing with any illness on top of being pregnant. I'm glad you're starting to recover now.

I do have to keep reminding myself that there really isn't a long time for us ladies left to go now and scarily, any of us could go at anytime now, haha! 😳🙈

That's fantastic news that bubs is head down now! Hopefully he's there to stay. But yeah the added weight on your bladder is a crappy sacrifice for them being in the correct position 😂
I keep saying it but honestly in awe at you ladies still currently working. I think I'd have had a mental breakdown by now if I was still working. Well, I already have had numerous mental breakdowns and I'm not working lmao. Well, I do have a very sassy 17 month old to contend with so I guess that counts lol. X

@HedgerowRobin Great news about your scan, do you still have to have more? I still have like 5 or 6 weeks left of work as it stands. I know I will be grateful long term when we don't stress about money as much but just want to switch off.

That being said it is doing me good to keep me busy and occupied otherwise I just get stressed about silly things here.

@MyGrassIsBrowner I hope don't pop any second I am only 33w lol! I am the end of october so still in denial and bit further away lol.

@Juicytoot287 No we definitely dont want any early babies lol I keep forgetting some of you ladies are due towards the end of October I'm just getting ahead of myself. To be honest first babies do tend to leave it right til the last minute to make their grand debut so I'm sure you'll be fine! 😉

I'm so glad the temps are going to be cooler tomorrow. Anyone else just craving jumper weather or is it just me? I love Autumn and cold crisp days when the sun is shining.

I love, love Autumn. Crunchy leaves and lovely jumpers, cosy nights. All canny.

@MyGrassIsBrowner I won’t lie - it’s been absolutely awful, I honestly didn’t think anything could make my sleep any worse at this point but this cold has proved me wrong!

So exciting (and scary!) that we could have the first thread baby some time soon

I’ve started with pelvic pain now he’s head down too - honestly don’t know how you’ve been putting up with your PGP for so long, I’m already dreading another 8+ weeks of this 😂

Work hasn’t been as bad as I was expecting really - I’m a nurse so on my feet for long days but have moved to admin only duties in the last couple of weeks due to the covid risk. More sitting down which is appreciated but it’s a bit mind numbing and I feel like my brain is on maternity leave already 😂

Never mind you being in awe of us still working - I have no idea how you’re chasing around a 17 month old, at least work stops at 5pm haha!

I’m starting to feel a bit ‘nesty’ now - had the cars cleaned and seats shampooed this week and got new stairs carpets being fitted next week, it’s so satisfying being able to tick jobs like that off the list, I’m starting to feel the need to clean the tops/insides of the kitchen cupboards but might need to rope OH in to do the majority of that one as not sure how well I’d do balanced on a kitchen chair 😂

I did clean out all our cupboard at the start of summer so I feel good! Just been keeping on top of the cleaning but my issue is resisting buying expensive cleaning products like a steam mop lol...

I love autumn. Where have people bought cardigans for babies? Struggling to find some I like :(

@Juicytoot287 I’ve just got the one more scan left at 36 weeks and appt with the consultant to (fingers crossed) confirm that I can go to the MLU for the birth if no complications. Had no issues so far and only had the growth scans as my BMI was borderline at booking

I agree that work has been good at keeping me distracted - I would have bought way too much baby stuff already if I had anymore free time 😂

OH had to talk me out of buying an upholstery shampooer to do the car seats myself…although I reckon it would have been cheaper than what we paid to have both cars done!!

I can’t wait for autumn either - best season of the year by far! Although I don’t have many warm maternity clothes and don’t really want to have to buy any more for just a few weeks because they’re so expensive 😬

I was in Primark today and they have all their autumn stock out now - including lots of cute button up knitted baby cardigans and some lovely little jumpers, Next had some nice baby bits in too, I was very tempted by a soft grey cardigan with little ears on the hood but my mum has gone knitting mad so I didn’t bother

@HedgerowRobin The PGP is just brutal. I had to finally cave and go to my GP and I'm now taking Codeine when necessary. Trying to limit myself to two doses a day max when it's really bad.

Aww wow, so amazing that you're a nurse! I bet it's been a rough year for you. I dont know how your coping still being at work though, moreso with Covid, so I take my hat off to you!

I think the reality of having two under two is finally hitting me and I'm a bit like.. 😳 trying to work out logistics of day to day and things like that.. I think it'll be a bit overwhelming at first but you manage as you just know you have no other choice lol.
My number one tip though for you new mums is sleep when baby sleeps. I cant stress it enough. If your bubs has long stints in the day of sleep, make the most of it. Me and DP used to do shifts too, so at least one of us was getting sleep at a time which helps you function. The sleep deprivation is what really got to me personally in the early days and it can be horrid.
I'm very lucky that my DD is a good sleeper so we're going to do everything in our will to not disturb her routine when baby arrives. (But we'll see how that pans out 😂)

I miss the nesting period!!! haven't had the wherewithal or stamina to do it this time but I'll give DP his due he'll do the jobs around the house he knows I want to do but can't.

@Juicytoot287
Really worth checking out Sainsburys/Tesco/Asda/H&M for baby cardigans! Or if you know anyone who can knit. Hand knitted ones are always so cute and it's a nice keepsake!

I'm so glad it's cooler today, my legs and feet swelled to actual tree trunks yesterday and were so tight 😩
I can't believe I've only got 25 days until I go in for my section... shit is getting real now! Eeeeeek!

@MyGrassIsBrowner I've had swollen calves and feet too with the heat, not super bad but enough to be uncomfortable. Glad it's a bit cooler today already. Glad the codeine is helping you. My left hip was killing my yesterday evening and night and DH has done his neck in somehow so I had to shower DD and put her to bed myself and then sort all the evening chores myself and today both my hips hurt a lot and so does part of my back grrrr.

Midwife just been for 36 week appt, my fundal height measurement has shot up so I don't need any more growth scans. She thinks baby is back to back though!! DD wasn't and I'm a bit worried now what that means for delivery as I've heard it can be harder and longer labours etc? Midwife wasn't concerned and said baby will probably turn the right way before delivery, not sure how likely that is?! She's coming back in two weeks time assuming I haven't had baby yet (I bloody hope not as too much to do before they come!). Also she gave me some syringes so will start the colostrum harvesting next week. Anyone else been suffering the pain and indignity of perineal massage btw or just me ?!

@MeadowHay I'm starting colostrum harvesting next week and yes we're doing the perineum massaging too... I had hoped it might turn sexual but yes as you said it just hurt. I am also going to try the Aniball next week too.

I have officially got the fear on birth now I think. Read one too many birth stories (must have read over 1000 now) and feel like actually know too much without knowing if you get me. I was awake last night just thinking of all the shit that can go wrong. I think this blood pressure thing has made me think I can't do it or my body isn't capable. If I am getting a bad reading from just chilling out at home what the hell is it going to be like when I'm pushing a baby out my fanny 🤔

5 day countdown until I can try for homebirth tho! Even doubting my decision there right now 😟

My PGP has just ramped up a huuuuge notch. Not sure what the hell I’ve done to aggravate it. I had it with the 4 others, in fact with the last 2 it was worse much earlier on. I reckon the 10 year gap allowed my pelvis to stabilise but oh my god! So much empathy for @MyGrassIsBrowner and others who’ve been suffering. I’ve got codeine, seen the physio etc but the next 5 weeks can’t come quick enough!
Hope everyone else is having a canny day, at least it’s cooled down a bit xx

Oh @summerhillgang keep breathing. You are capable, trust your body. You’re going to be well cared for and all you need to do is take it one contraction at a time. Try some of the hypnobirthing relaxation meditations. Let it happen x

@MeadowHay Bloody awful isn't it. It's the tightness of the swelling that's so uncomfortable I feel like my feet are going to pop if I walk on them by the end of the day!

I too had to bath DD last night and do the nighttime routine as DP was on a late, boy it was a fricking struggle I tell ya. I swear these men come out with all ailments all of a sudden lol, DP is suffering with his sciatica but I keep plying him with nurofen express and telling him to STFU haha.

Well I'll tell you now I birthed my DD back to back in 4.5 hours so it's totally possible for a shorter labour, I found if anything it's the contractions that are horrible more than anything as it's all in your lower back. The midwife was blase though and pretty much said this baby is coming regardless if she's back to back or not so I just had to crack on with it. I would recommend you going on all fours though for the pushing stage though if she does happen to stay back to back. But the midwife is correct and they can turn during labour, so fingers crossed she does that for you! 🤞

@summerhillgang it's scary the thought of giving birth, but I think you do right getting clued up about what can go wrong, there's no point being in denial that some births dont go as planned, but being aware of it prepares you at least. I always joke and say I've done that much research myself I could do a bloody midwifrey course 😆
There's so much you can do to help get in a good mindset, hypnobirthing being one of them as @Peacefulspirit said! Especially for a homebirth. You'll feel more in control. Once you go into labour though, I found that my body 'took over' for the most part. Even the initial pushing stage, my body was pushing for me! That's when I shouted at the midwife as she didn't believe me and then I was 10cm on examining me 😂
And remember, even if your homebirth wasn't progressing as it should be, your midwife will be on it immediately and you'll simply be blue lighted to the hospital.
I'm not sure if others agree with me on this who've had babies but honestly, the most painful part for me was the crowning stage (and I dont say this to scare you) literally that the crowning stage is over so quickly so for me the rest of the whole labour/delivery stage was a breeze in comparison. The perineal massages should definitely help!!

I'll also mention that I did this on no pain relief. Baring a shot if pethidine which was a load of shit. That's not me being headed btw just that my midwife didn't offer me G&A as early as I would have liked. She didn't offer me it until I was pushing in the pool and I just chucked it back at DP cause I couldn't concentrate. I did absolutely go to town on the G&A when I was being stitched up though and it was AMAZING. Some women say it's crap but I loved it and wish I could have kept sucking on it all day 😆

I've currently got this innate fear that my waters are gonna go at some point before my section, and the sheer fact that I still haven't packed my hospital bag so it would be a case of quickly packing a hospital bag whilst calling DP to get home from work, call the inlaws to come over and look after DD then us rushing off in the car to the hospital. I keep going over the scenario in my head and honestly it'd be like something out of a comedy show and probably just my luck as well 😆

@MyGrassIsBrowner ah I didn't know your first was back to back, that's reassuring! Sorry to ask but did you tear/need stitches? If this is all tmi please just ignore it . I only ever seem to read horror stories about back to back babies on MN, my first was enough of a horror story but she wasn't back to back!! I'm not sure there's any good data on birth outcomes for back to back babies maybe @Peacefulspirit do you know of any? Midwife asked if I had back pain because of the position and I don't, but I'm wondering whether it's being back to back affecting the PGP as I never had PGP at all last time with DD being the 'right' way?

Ah @summerhillgang I frequently get in a panic about birth and I've been through it all once already, I think it's all the unknowns which can make it so scary. But you will be in good hands and ultimately you only have control over a small part of the process and worrying about all the what ifs won't change that or help with the outcome - I need reminding myself of this

@MeadowHay Oh trust me, I've no dignity anymore, I'll chat about anything hun haha!
So I was fairly lucky in one sense with DD I had 2nd degree internal tear (so inside the vaginal wall) can feel a ridge where the stitches were if I put my finger in. I then had a graze on my labia which needed a couple of stitches (tmi but I have small labia so that was more painful than the internal tear tbh) as everything for me is more 'tucked in' when I would pee, oh my god.. the pain! Had to pour a jug of warm water over me as I was weeing or just wee in the shower with the shower head aimed at my bits which did help. I did end up with grade 2 rectocele prolapse though and I think that is due to my quick labour and that she was back to back. But she was also 8lb 6oz so a fair size too.

What's strange though is I never had PGP with my DD, but I think I did a bit of damage to my pelvis during delivery and that's why I'm suffering so bad now.

There are certainly stories of successful back to back births but I would definitely say do not labour or birth on your back if you can avoid it. All fours or on your knees, let gravity do its thing!

I'd be concerned if non of you were a little worried about birth, it's all so unpredictable. Even me being booked in for a section means jack shit, I might go into labour early and suddenly and need to decide on an emergency section or go ahead with a vaginal birth if I'm too far along, or I could have a really shit section and lots of blood loss, or a really horrible recovery. But being aware of these potential risks although scary, puts you in a better mindset and can hopefully help you process things with a bit more clarity if things aren't to go to plan. X

Also dont be afraid to asked for coached pushing. I wish I had with my DD but I was in the pool and at that moment it was very hands off. DP was at my head end and the midwife just intermittently got the mirror down there and checked on progress. I also caught DD which was lovely (even though I did nearly sit on her head as her body slid out really fast) haha.
I wasn't given the injection for the placenta to come away either, so basically a case of midwife wrapping cord round her hand and yanking when I had a contraction, that was a bit rough I must say so make sure they're going to offer you the injection!

She then proceeded to slap it on the table next to me and check it (they need to make sure its not fragmented and fully intact) otherwise they may need to send you to theatre to have the remnants removed as it can lead to major blood loss so although this part could be scary, it's vital for you.

....she then asked me if I wanted to take it home 🤢😂 felt like saying yes of course love, I'll just get my cool bag out that I've brought along with me! Hahaha

@Peacefulspirit Can I ask how many births you've done? I'm totally in awe at midwives. I find the whole process of childbirth fascinating.

Hi. I’ve lost count of how many babies I’ve delivered. You have to do 40 as a student and I qualified in 2010, so a few! I haven’t always worked on delivery suite though.
Back to back (OP) babies tend to turn in labour, as a result of the contractions. It’s a bit of a catch 22 though because poor application of the head to the cervix (which can happen with OP) prevents good oxytocin release and therefor can impact strength and frequency of contractions and you need these for labour to progress. Very few babies are actually born “face to pubes” though, they tend to rotate as they progress through the pelvis. As @MyGrassIsBrowner says optimum positioning will really help. I think the spinning babies site is good but generally upright/on all fours/using the birthing ball are all proactive ways of getting the baby into a good position. Also try and avoid things that might slow the frequency of contractions…early epidurals are the worst for this because they limit your position. Activity such as walking in early labour helps too.
I’m impatient now! If it’s any consolation to anyone I love giving birth! I’d do it every day! X

Just found out today that my c section is now 30th September and although it’s only a few days earlier than first planned, the fact it’s THIS month is scary haha! @MyGrassIsBrowner I also haven’t sorted my hospital bag and have the same concerns of waters breaking beforehand. I’ve been getting period type pains today but think it’s just been a long day at work then playing with DD who insists on climbing on me. I would say that I can’t wait for bed time but I think junk we can all agree that trying to sleep is more frustrating than anything at this stage!

@Peacefulspirit thats so amazing!!!

@Anynamenottakenplease OMG exciting!!!! And equally nerve wracking! I'm hoping our babies will hold out for our sections now 😂 you need to try and take it easy if you can now, although I do laugh when anyone says that to me!
I've had really uncomfortable braxtons hicks on and off all day which always gets me a bit on edge 😅
Is this your first section?

Stop the bus , I have actually started packing my hospital bag!!
We did a long awaited Aldi trip which I have been putting off due to covid but it was dead this time of night. Got their nappies (the premium ones but couldnt work out which ones everyone raves about) and also some wipes and formula. My midwife said all formula is the same really unless prescribed due to regulations so said dont bother with expensive brands. Hoping to combi feed so will see how she goes. Only got one tub for now to see how she gets on. Anyway, this got me feeling motivated finally so I started packing although I am far from done, just feels good to have something done at least!

Nappy wise, I have bough 2 packs in size 1, one pack in size 2 and we keep getting freebee size 1 packs from emmas diary in pampers. How many of each are people bothering to buy? I have no idea how long yhey stay in size 1 2 3 or whatever 😂 Trying not to overbuy right now as we can always pop to a shop, not like they close when she is born .

@MeadowHay I’m with you on the swollen calf’s!! Struggled all week with that, doesn’t help me sat at a desk all day.

@summerhillgang I’m with you on the fear now!! I’ve been fine all along, really positive and not really worrying, fast forward to 33 weeks and I’m starting to brick it!! The anxiety is real! I don’t think I’ve helped myself I’ve read a lot of traumatic birth stories recently (why I don’t know 🙈) I think I need to re read my positive birthing company book again and try get back in that frame of mind! It just seem so real now 😂

Question about colostrum harvesting when are you meant to start? I thought it was around 37+ weeks but I’m only 33 weeks and I’ve noticed all I need to do some times is give my nipple a slight squeeze and the gold liquid comes out, not loads but I’m starting to think should I start collecting now? Or wait?

@Juicytoot287 I’m following your lead and getting mine done this weekend!! Then it’s done and I can relax.
I’ve got some of the premium nappies and the wipes from aldi.
I’ve gone over board on nappies 🙈 pampers jumbo box was on offer recently so my mum kept buying! But I’m just trying to get them now whilst I’m on full wage as I’m taking a massive cut to stat maternity pay.
But like you said you can always pop out when you need more.
I think I’ve got like a months supply of size 1.