🍼👶🏼👣 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! ❤

@MeadowHay Cosatto is another classic brand too! Some of the newer ones have lovely patterns but I'm not out there enough to pull it off lol.

God can we swap? I'm constipated as hell I could do with a loose poo haha! My Laxido sachets have being helping a fair bit though.
It's probably just your uterus and everything else working overtime! I actually never had the 'clear out' people talk about before labour, I just lost my mucus plug and then my contractions started an hour or so afterwards haha.

I find all the baby carriers I've tried quite uncomfortable tbh, it's not so bad when they're newborn but once they get bigger it's back breaking carrying them on your front.
We've got a wrap for round the house when she's born and I found it brilliant with DD.

How's everyone this weekend? I went to meet my friend's perfect little newborn today and I just can't wait for my own to be here now!! 😍🥰

It's just so exciting @mooloop - wanted to be a mum for so long and it's so close!

I had a nice weekend, we went for a massage and had a pub lunch after, and had some us time for first time in weeks as various family have been around. Sunday we got a beach hut and took dog out.

Oh gosh I just used the Aniball for the first time. It was unpleasant to say the least. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it and become a bit more coordinated with it. I can see how it can help though, getting used to something large being in that area etc

It's one more day until I am officially allowed my homebirth (although if I went into labour today I am sure it would be fine to go ahead). I am going to get the fairy lights up this week. I bought some new towels, some cheap bath mats and a heater over the weekend, so I think I have everything I need now.

I think the baby has gone even lower I think and I really ache in my vagina. I didn't realise 1/5 engaged meant almost fully engaged until I googled it this weekend, so basically the head is super low now. I'm having lots of twinges but no real signs. I'm going to start taking Caulophyllum 30 homeopathy remedy daily to help ripen the cervix from tomorrow. Am eating dates and drinking raspberry tea everyday. Hoping things will just happen naturally but have some reflexology and acupuncture booked to help with eviction towards due date. I really don't want to get into induction conversations (I would say no) so ideally want the baby here before the phone starts ringing and killing my vibe.

Xx

@summerhillgang You are making me feel so underprepared! Hahaha I really hope you get your homebirth.

For me, I haven't felt baby turn and kicks etc. are in the same places so I think she is still breech. Still time though!!

Does drinking raspberry tea and all that help? I haven't looked into anything like these massages or aniballs and I am feel slightly overwhelmed. I just thought screw it, babies come out one way or another and have for years.. am i naive ?

@Juicytoot287 I guess I just feel I need to be extra prepped because of home birth, there's much more control with the route I am taking, but I kind of feel like it's me and me alone who's going to make it happen, rightly or wrongly. A big part to it being successful is labour kicking off naturally so trying all the things!

Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to tone and strengthen the uterus (so stronger contractions, less chance of PPH maybe?) and you can drink from beginning of third trimester. Medjool dates help the body to produce prostaglandin (same hormone in semen) which helps to ripen the cervix, and shorten labour is the thinking.

Defo still time for baby to turn. You could try moxibustion yourself or get an acupuncturist to do it. you can get the stuff off Amazon though I think. Then there's spinning babies position which are supposed to help. I just did a lot of the crawling forward pose over the ball which gives baby space to move around. Breaststroke has the same effect I think.

Aniball is controversial. A lot of people swear by it but many say there is no point. It's not really about stretching, more about getting used to something head like being in the birth canal and learning how to coordinate pelvic floor so you can relax and release. It could be absolute bollocks, I'll try it a few more times and report back. You can start it from the end of 36 weeks pregnant.
X

thanks @summerhillgang ! I would be the same if I planned a home birth so I defo get the need to organise and control it right now.

Will look into buying the tea and have been leaning over my ball a few times a day at the moment. Here is hoping she moves. My mum said I was breech until last minute so she clearly takes after me lol

@Juicytoot287 there actually is some decent quality evidence for the moxibustion such that some NHS trusts and I think RCOG too even tentatively suggest it, but I think there is a cut off point when it becomes too late for success to be likely? Not sure but worth looking into, I found some local places that did it here but my baby turned themselves in the end (albeit also then went back to back ). Perineal massage also has a decent enough evidence base. I did it last time and I ended up having an episiotomy in the end anyway but that was because I had an instrumental delivery, and I didn't have any additional tearing, so it may have prevented additional tearing for all I know. So am persevering again this time even though I find it hideously painful eurgh.

Had telephone appt with the consultant earlier today and think I've made my decision to try for a vaginal birth instead of going for an ELCS. I just don't feel my heart was in an ELCS and though my anxiety about birth is really bad, it's not quite as bad as it was a few months ago and I've got a 'better the devil you know' type assurance about it whereas the idea of a section terrifies me because it's an unknown for me. Hopefully haven't made the wrong decision but I guess only time will tell...

@MeadowHay Yes, it was mentioned to me and there a woman nearby who is qualified and recommended. They said they would give me details if she does turn out to be breech past 36. Have my midwife next week so will know for sure then and be 34w 4days so will then have a scan tk confirm and discuss options if thats the case. What will be will be!

Oh it must be such a hard decision. ELCS are very routine and an understandable option - I will definitely leave toward if given the choice due to breech baby but you are right that recovery and fear of the unknown is always going to play on your mind. If your consultant believes vaginal to be safe then I am sure your last birth has no bearing on this one! You are doing all the right things :) Can only make a decision with what js in front of you and its your body so you know it best

Hi ladies - hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend!

I’ve had a really relaxing couple of days, had an appointment with a babywearing consultant - wasn’t sure how useful it would be but it was great and I’ve ordered a stretchy wrap to use for the first few months which I’m really happy with. Then had a pregnancy massage on Sunday (would highly recommend!) and went out for a nice roast.

Unfortunately now sat in the MAU with possible leaking waters…hope I’m just wasting their time with a bit of wee because I’m not ready for baby to be here yet!

Oh gosh @HedgerowRobin hope all is well! Let us know how you get on how many weeks are you?

Hey lovely ladies. Just catching up with the thread. @HedgerowRobin jesus gal I hope everything is okay. Deffo keep us updated. Sending hugs!

Sounds like the rest of you ladies are getting well prepared now! So pleased to hear of you prepping for homebirths, I do hope you all have lovely experiences. I wish I could have had one myself this time round but sadly it's just not feasible or the right choice for me.

I had a scan today, I'm 36+3 now and it looks like I'm carrying a whopper. She's currently 6lb 8oz of perfection. If it's right that they put on about 1lb per week from this point she's gonna be around 10lb haha. Thank god I'm having a section cause I think she'd ruin me!
Signed my consent forms for section and I'm booked in for my pre op on the 2nd.
We also went to pick up the pram yesterday and I am in love with it. We took it for a spin and it's the best pram I've ever pushed, so smooth and amazing getting up kerbs etc. Plus it also turns into a double which will come in handy.

Glad to hear you are all well. We're so close now! X

@HedgerowRobin oh gosh, how many weeks are you now? I hope it's wee too 😵‍💫 let us know how you're getting on and sending you strength if it's defo waters

@MyGrassIsBrowner so glad you got the dreamy pram! One less thing to think about. Wow sounds like you are brewing a bonnie baby, I'd be very proud of 10lb-er!

X

@HedgerowRobin Ah sorry to hear that, hoping it's not your waters and that all is well. I had this very early in my pregnancy when I wet the bed and wasn't sure if it was wee or waters...needless to say it was wee, felt very embarrassed but the doctor was lovely about it. Also you've reminded me to try and book in another pregnancy massage, but I am only available two days a week when DD is in nursery so might not be able to squeeze one in before baby arrives as I've got to fit all my appointments and everything in those two days each week.

@MyGrassIsBrowner Wow looking like a big'un! My DD was only 6lb 14 when she was born a 40 weeks and this baby is apparently looking to be a similar size although perhaps ever so slightly bigger apparently. I don't have any more scans booked in though, slightly miffed as it was good getting to see the baby more! But obviously reassuring that nobody thinks I need them anymore.

@Juicytoot287 Yes I would have definitely gone for ELCS if this baby had stayed breech.

DH and I are having our 'last date' day tomorrow hah. We are going to an exhibition at one of the museums and then a leisurely lunch. Possibly some calm shopping afterwards depending on how tired I am. Probably still do some jobs before we pick DD up from nursery. This will definitely be the last time we get to have a date together for at least a year, til the baby is in nursery.

@summerhillgang my DD was 8lb 6oz so it'll be interesting to see what this little lamb is going to weigh! Chunky babies are so damn cute though, and tend to sleep like troopers 😆 just a bit worried about my milk supply potentially not being enough for her as it wasn't with my DD 🥺
There's a history of big babies in my family though so non of this really comes as a suprise lol.

@MeadowHay to be perfectly honest I'm sick of being in and out of the hospital and the midwife appointments now. It's been so stressful trying to work it around my DPs work and getting childcare for DD. Nightmare. I see the midwife tomorrow and then hopefully that's me done until my pre op on the 2nd 🤞

God what I'd do for a pregnancy massage right now! I'm jealous ladies!

Thinking of you @HedgerowRobin. Even if it is waters, there are lots of things they can do to keep bubs in there for as long as necessary. Babies are so incredibly robust.

Thinking of you @HedgerowRobin and hope all is well. X

Thank you all so much for your well wishes 🥰

Not long back from hospital now, cervix closed and fluid swab negative, thank god! Baby is still happy and healthy in there but they have told me to keep an eye on things and particularly babies movements as the tests aren’t 100%. One of pregnancies glamorous mysteries I guess - they have sent off swabs in case of bacterial infection etc. So hard to know as a first timer what’s normal/what to bother the midwives with! Feeling very relieved though as I’m only 33 weeks so was quite alarmed!

@MyGrassIsBrowner chunky babies are so cute! Sounds like she will be a good size by your section - how many days do you have left? Can’t be long now 😊

@MeadowHay I’m glad I’m not the only one - all of the alternatives to waters are fairly embarrassing 😳 but preferable I guess! I hope you do manage to fit another massage in - I’m going to try and book another for when I finish work in a few weeks, it was an absolute game changer, most relaxed I’ve been in months!

I’m off to try and get an early night now in preparation for taking it very easy at work tomorrow 😂

What a relief @HedgerowRobin, so glad all is well. It seems as if things are getting so real for us all. I’m 36+3 had my first proper midwife apt (all previous one have been with colleagues!) head engaged, though might not stay that way.
@MyGrassIsBrowner don’t worry too much about weight. This little one was apparently 6lbs at 34+ week growth scan. Weight gain is on average 0.5lb per week and the scans aren’t always mega accurate. I’m sure they’ll all be manageable weights. So exciting that your pre-op is so close.
Things have changed so much since my last baby, I am “allowed” a sweep 2 weeks today at 38+3…you used to have to be post dates before anyone would even consider it 10 years ago! I doubt it will do anything but like others my PGP has ramped up a notch so I’m happy to have a bash at a sweep.
Hope everyone else is doing ok. We are getting there ladies!!

So glad all is well @HedgerowRobin

I forget that some of you are sooo close to due dates now! I'm not due til 30/10 so I keep forgetting others on here are due at the start of October 😂

@HedgerowRobin that is good news! No harm in being thorough.

@mooloop I know! I am the 28/10 so similar to you. Although it isn't unheard of I suppose lol. Keep my legs crossed for the foreseeable 😂

@Juicytoot287 haha same! DH's friend's baby arrived at 36w last week and all I can think is oh my god I'm not ready to have mine in 3 weeks time 😂

Hey ladies, I got admitted to hospital early this afternoon with what I thought were start of contractions. Anyway turns out my cervix is still closed (thank god), but bubs keeps turning from head down to transverse which is probably why I've been in so much pain. They're keeping me in for monitoring and at the moment I've got my own room but the bed is uncomfortable and it's humid. They were quite worried about my blood pressure as it was really high but think they're putting it down to me being stressed out. They're coming in intermittently to do their obs and I've bloods taken again but hopefully this is just a false alarm this time. I realise how significantly unprepared I am mentally!

@MyGrassIsBrowner oh goodness! I hope you and baby are ok. At least you did the best thing going to be checked out and cervix being closed is a good sign. You must've had quite a fright though!

@MyGrassIsBrowner - oh no! I hope you’re feeling a bit better now and in less pain? Reassuring that your cervix is closed and I hope your blood pressure settles down. Ask for a fan the next time you have your obs done - I work on a ward and we’ve always got a few stashed away. Might make the night a bit more bearable for you!

@MyGrassIsBrowner oh gosh, hope you are ok. So great you have your own room, I hope you can get plenty of rest and at least you're in the right place now if they do need give you something for
BP, they can do it there and then. I hope they are looking after you xx

Thanks for your kind words ladies, I'm on the ward now with two other ladies who are lovely which is making my stay a lot more bearable. Thankfully it's quiet so I will be able to get some shut eye and the bed is much comfier than in the triage room I was in initially. I'm still getting lower back griping pains though and my blood pressure is a bit high still so I'm not sure what their verdict will be yet. They keep telling me baby is transverse then head down but can't seem to make up their mind tbh.
I'm kinda glad I've had a bit of experience on the ward tbh it's a lot less scary than I anticipated. Xx