🍼👶🏼👣 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! ❤

Bake off is back - epic timing ❤️

@summerhillgang Haven't got round to watching Bake off yet as I'm clunge deep in MAFS 😂
How are we all?
I'm well and truly fed up now, crying daily, I'm a wreck tbh lol. Got it in my head that I'm going to die on the operating table during my section, no idea were this has all come from I'm just super super emotional. I'm back at the midwives this afternoon for BP and urine check as they're still monitoring me for pre-eclampsia. I've packed my bags just in case they pick anything up as they said I'd be admitted straight away. My feet are incredibly swollen, bump is definitely bigger and I'm fairly certain she's still transverse.
Sorry for the rant and negativity, I am just really hating everything about this pregnancy right now 😭
Doesn't help that I've had two friends both given birth this week and they were due well after me, so feeling a bit deflated to say the least. I know it's just one of those things but.. argh!
X

Lots of love to everyone, really not too long now….says the most impatient bugger ever! Had growth scan today and EFW is 7lb 10oz with another couple of weeks to go. I’m having a sweep from a mate this afternoon. I doubt it will do anything but can’t hurt.
This last month is so difficult emotionally. It’s so difficult not to have expectations, anxiety, hope/excitement….just feeling all the feelings. We can do this ❤️

Afternoon ladies!

Hopefully not much longer to go @Peacefulspirit 🤞🏻 and aww @MyGrassIsBrowner you will be absolutely fine!! My friend had a planned section 2 weeks ago and had a great experience and a smooth recovery so far

I had my 34w appointment today (I'm 34+5) and midwife thinks baby is breech 🤦🏼‍♀️ so I have to wait and see if they still think he's breech in 2 weeks time and if so I'll be sent for a scan to confirm. On the positive side, he's no longer measuring huge 😂

Oh @MyGrassIsBrowner you've had such a tough time of it bless you have you told your midwife how you're feeling? Maybe you need some additional support with your mental health? I'm doing a CBT-style guided self-help programme atm with our local IAPT service atm for my anxiety, it's a bit early to tell if it's going to be a help but it's clicking with me so far. Got my third appt this evening.

@Peacefulspirit what is it like having a friend do the sweep for you? I can't imagine that I must admit!

@mooloop don't worry, I had a scan at that gestation and my baby was breech and at 36w another scan and they were head down. There's plenty of time for them to turn.

I had my 38w appt today, midwife thinks baby is now ROA and 3/5 engaged, so that's good as last time she thought they were back to back. She's coming back in a week, I dunno why I confess because with this being my second pregnancy I wasn't expecting any more routine appts until 41 weeks if still pregnant? I dunno if it's because of my mental health issues she wants to keep more of an eye on me? But I'm not doing that badly tbh so am surprised. Still am not gonna complain about more care I suppose!

@MeadowHay definitely nice to have a bit of extra care towards the end. Quite a few midwives I know try and squeeze in an extra appointment right at the end if possible, if only to check in before delivery. Sounds like all is looking good for you though. I agree there are some great resources for CBT style audios or guided meditation to keep grounded. Lots of websites have them availableand I love a bit of simple mindfulness just to bring me into the present. If I’m in the present moment I don’t feel guilt or shame about the past or anxiety about the future, can just be. Deffo good for us at this stage in pregnancy.
I think after 4 babies I have no dignity 😝 Initially I was a bit self conscious about having friends do sweeps but chances are I’ll have a friend or at least ex colleague look after me in labour too. Desperate times etc x

@Peacefulspirit it's good to be like that though I think, I mean bodies are bodies at the end of the day! My midwife discussed induction with me today apparently the trust now routinely books everyone in for between 40+6 and 41 I think she said and she was ready to do this for me but I have declined and plan is for a 41w appt if still pregnant and then apparently I will automatically be referred to obstetrician for review at that point and be moved to consultant-led care and have to give birth on delivery suite rather than the MLU. I said I probably wouldn't want induction booked in earlier than about 41+5. I'm thinking this is all unlikely anyway as I wasn't overdue with my first (born on due date with labour beginning the day before), but is this th same procedure as at your trust? Just being nosy sorry . Also I have had a bunch of occasions of slight urinary stress incontinence when sneezing literally just over the last fortnight and am freaking out about it - does this ever go away if it was present in pregnancy honestly in your professional opinion? Or is the most I can hope for that it won't get worse? I've never had it prior to this pregnancy and it's just ramped up in the last two weeks.

Hello ladies 👋🏼 38+2 over here, head fully engaged but no real signs yet, although I don't really know what to expect. Last night I did have loose stools before bed (sorry tmi) and then dreamt that baby was coming soon. I'm getting well bored now though, keep telling baby I'm ready for it! Just had the most painful fanny daggers whilst typing.

I'm supposed to have midwife appointments every week but it just feels like too much. I've decided to refuse further blood pressure tests as it's stressing me out, clearly I have developed 'white coat syndrome', as it's completely normal at home and I've tested during resting periods and also when I've just ran up the stairs, made lunch etc - all normal.

I had reflexology yesterday. Wow, really recommend it, it's made me feel probably 100% calmer, just hope it lasts!

I got my besties coming to see me at the weekend for a 'baby shower' of sorts. We're going out for lunch and then some drinks by the seaside. Hopefully the weather holds out.

@MyGrassIsBrowner also been binge MAFS, it's proper juicy!! I'm really enjoying it. Sorry to hear you're feeling so rotten. All this monitoring is no doubt amplifying your anxieties about the birth and that's just not what you need. Definitely second other posters comments on meditation/mindfulness... and specifically some hypnobirthing audios with lots of positive affirmations may really help too. Gratitude lists always seem to help me shift my mood when I am super low. But appreciate this might not work for everyone. Sending hugs and solidarity x

@MeadowHay great about the position and engagement! And great CBT is working for you for this pregnancy xx

Heya lovelies. Thank you all for the sympathies. Well, as I predicted I was bloody admitted.. AGAIN. BP was high but only borderline high but they wanted me in regardless 😑 went in, BP was initially high, then it came down after a further few readings. Urine and bloods all absolutely clear but they've put me on Labetalol now for my BP. They gave me a dose whilst in hospital and it's made super woozy I dont like it at all. The ward was busy, there was a mother and baby who were both severely ill and a mother who had just given birth to twins so everyone was on edge, it all got too much for me so I self discharged. They weren't best pleased but I was weepy and needed to be at home. Plus DP cant afford to take any time off before his paternity and I've no childcare or anyone to look after my greyhound so I really had no choice.
Anyway they want me down at the midwives 3 times a week for BP and urine checks but it all seems pointless now I've only got 10 days until my section 😑 I'm just immensley tired and so over this pregnancy now. Stressed and upset most days. I probably should look into some CBT (ive had it once in the past) but I think I'll just be able to cope much better once baby is here and I'm no longer carrrying this big belly around with me!

Glad to hear you're all doing well ladies, we're soooo close now. Also the ladies that babies are still breech, they can turn in labour!! So dont get too stressed about that. These babies like to keep us on our toes! Xx

Omg @MyGrassIsBrowner you did totally the right thing discharging yourself. Can they not loan you or someone loan you a BP machine for home and the urine sticks? So you can monitor yourself. Seems like such a faff to be going back and forth at this stage. Plus it's prob going to be falsely elevated just by the process of doing that. Sorry that sounds like a rough day/night. Hopefully you can rest today xx

@MeadowHay different trusts have slightly different policies with regards to post dates induction. Ours would invite you to discuss it at 41 weeks but it would only be a discussion and you’re well within your rights to decline and opt for frequent monitoring and Dopplers to look at blood flow and placental function. For all I’m messing about with sweeps I too would like to avoid induction unless clinically indicated. Please don’t worry about urinary incontinence, at this gestation one of the main causes is simply to do with lack of space and how squashed your bladder is. Be mindful of pelvic floor exercises, especially postnatally and I’m sure you’ll regain control. If not women’s physio teams are brill and can give you specific help.
@MyGrassIsBrowner I’m sorry you’re going through such a rough time. You know your body, if you have any symptoms get in touch with your MAU, ASAP. Labetalol can take a bit of getting used to but it does the job. The fact your bloods were normal is reassuring but please have a super low threshold for going back in.
Happy Friday ladies….I wonder who will be the first to announce a baby! I have to admit when @MyGrassIsBrowner posted at 3am I got very excited!

@summerhillgang it's just all gone wild this past week and they can't just expect me to suddenly come to terms with being told I'm under watch for pre-eclampsia. You're so right, my BP is (in my eyes at least) literally due to stress.
So much has just gone tits up for us this week. DPs car failed its MOT and halford quoted us £900 for the work.. well frankly they can get fucked. Thankfully we've got a mechanic friend who has quoted us £290 for everything. It needs fixing before baby arrives so he's going to DPs work on Monday and doing it there then it'll have to go in for its retest. On top of that our energy supplier went bust and no doubt are new quote with the supplier Ofgem has put us with will be much higher. It's literally been one thing after another and I'm not sure how much more I can mentally process before I have a full breakdown.
The midwives were lovely though and one of them is picking my tablets up for me and dropping them off as I have literally no means of getting them from the hospital, so that's a big weight off for me today.

@Peacefulspirit Honestly, I wish that was the case for my late message. I have no idea how I'm going to get through the next 10 days until my section. I'm feeling fairly certain all this stress is going to induce me 😆

Oh gosh @MyGrassIsBrowner I can't believe what a time you're having of it! You'd think they'd consider bringing your section forward if they're truly concerned about your BP etc?

@mooloop To be honest this is something I am going to mention to them. Surely if my BP is becoming an issue they'd rather had bubs out now. I mean, I'm 38 weeks today and my bump is huge, fairly sure it's all baby as well and wouldn't suprise me if I'm carrying a biggie. She's still moving great but I'm starting to get shooting pains in my cervix and wondering if this could potential signs.. argh! I was never in this state with my DD towards the end of pregnancy and I went into spontaneous labour very quickly, so I've no real idea what I'm looking out for this time in regards to early labours signs. X

God.. apologies for my crappy grammer lol. I'm half falling asleep atm 😆

@MyGrassIsBrowner I've had the shooting cervix pains loads for a good fortnight or so already and it is sooo painful! It's usually worst when I'm doing a lot of walking so here I am walking 30+ mins home from playgroup pushing my 12kg DD in the buggy and grimacing every few steps with the pain I must have looked mad!! So sorry you're going through all this, it may be worth discussing whether they could bring the section earlier as you say. Hope you're ok love and either way it won't be long til this is all over and you get to meet your precious baby ❤️ Like you I am finding it mad how much easier the end of my first pregnancy was compared to this one. The permanent PGP pain and frequent shooting pains in my cervix, needing to pee a lot more this time too with my crappy pelvic floor, stress urinary incontinence...and the bigger bump and more exhaustion. It's so much harder than last time and made even harder by the days I have to be pushing a 12kg toddler around in a buggy for 1hr+ a day and playing with her all day etc. And presumably this is even harder for you as your little one is younger so will need more hands-on care too.

@Peacefulspirit thanks for your response and reassurance I appreciate it. I always thought discussions on induction only began at 41w but as I say my midwife says our trust recently changed their policies and offer you a date to be booked in at the 38w appt for between 40+6 and 41+6. I'm hoping I won't go past 41 anyways tbh as I didn't last time but who knows.

It is exciting that we might have some babies born v soon here!!

It’s reassuring to hear that others pregnant with their second babies are finding things harder this time as I was starting to think it’s just me. Anyone else had a feeling like a bowling ball is going to fall out their bum??? Honestly there’s so much pressure in that area but bump still seems very high up so I’m a bit confused. Just hope baby waits 6 more days! I’m finding the self isolating very hard too as I’d love a very gentle walk in the evening sun about now.

Oh my god @MeadowHay I dont know how you're managing to still get out and about. I'm finally at my limit now of not being able to walk properly or without being in crippling agony. I walked to and from the kitchen and it took me ages as I could only slowly shuffle. My concern at the moment is how swollen my feet and ankles are but I go back to see the midwife on Sunday so if I dont end up back in hospital by then I'm going to need some serious discussions with her.
I'll give the ward staff their due, they've been absolutely fantastic well and truly. The midwives have been calling me to check up on me and have been extremely supportive, I couldnt ask for more from them tbh.
You poor thing sound like you'rre going through the mill too! As I say, totally take my hat off to you for still managing to get out with your DD, literally dont know how you're doing it. And omg the shooting pains in your cervix, blumming awful isnt it! I think bubs is engaged now as there is some immense pressure down there anytime I walk and the underside of my belly is not even uncomfortable anymore, it's painful and sore!
I'll be perfectly honest I'm excited about the spi nal block and being able to be totally pain free for a few hours.. that's gonna be lush lol.

I'm so excited to see everyones bubs too! It's been a journey ladies! ❤

Ahhh ffs my DD has a temp AGAIN! poor thing has had to endure a covid test a month for the last three months cos of temps. Crossing my fingers tightly that it will be negative...she was absolutely fine yesterday as well, so odd.

@MyGrassIsBrowner ahh bless you well my PGP clearly isn't as bad as yours lovely or I wouldn't be able to either I suppose! Which is just as well as my DD hates being at home much and her behaviour is soo much better the more we get out so that's always been my coping mechanism for motherhood ever since was about 3 months old lol spending most of the time out. I'm glad your care has been good even if it has all been a stressy nightmare for you.

@MeadowHay oh no! There are so many bugs going round. At school we were chatting there are sickness bugs, flus etc. all circulating right now so hopefully it is just that! Not a nice worry for you or a test for her though.
With cases and getting closer I am getting fairly nervous of covid now. Really hope to make it through and be able to breathe again. Then it is just about keeping baby safe from all the other winter bugs lol!

What is everyone's plans with visitors? are you restricting or going as normal?

also sorry to hear @MyGrassIsBrowner hopefully if they are that concerned they will bring your date forward. Fingers crossed for you hun!

@MeadowHay Your poor DD, I hope it's not Covid! Tbf there are so many bugs/viruses floating about it's that awkward time of year were the temp dips and viruses start spreading like wildfire.

Well, I'm calling the midwives shortly cause I'm not coping. These Labetalol tablets a
For my blood pressure are giving me some seriously hideous side effects and I've got this overwhelming feeling that I'm going to die. My PGP is the worst it's been and my poor feet.. swollen is an understatement. I cried most of the night, DP has had to break off work until it's decided what to do with me, not going to lie I am selfishly hoping they'll just bring my section forward, in fact I'm going to be asking them. I'm 38+1 now so technically term now anyway. But I certainly cant carry on like this much longer 😢

@MyGrassIsBrowner definitely argue your case to be brought forward as I’m sure your pain/distress isn’t in the baby’s best interest either. Even if it’s brought forward to this week rather than next would be something.
@Juicytoot287 I don’t plan on restricting family at all as they missed out on so much with our first due to lockdown but most of our friends are teachers and school cases round here are sky rocketing just now so maybe I’ll ask them to come after they’ve done their usual LFTs. It’s a tough decision though.
Does everyone have names ready for their babies? We have a boy name but haven’t even got a short list for girls!

Oh @MyGrassIsBrowner . You poor thing, I really hope they can bring your section forward or at least maybe switch to a different medication that might not give you such bad side effects? Hope your midwifery team can help you ASAP .

@Juicytoot287 We also have no plans to restrict visiting at all, even if covid wasn't around autumn babies have the disadvantage of all the regular bugs starting to go around anyway but I've never heard of anyone restricting visiting for autumn/winter babies in general. Of course I would not visit anyone who is unwell and would expect nobody with any signs of illness to visit! But that would always be the case, we aren't going to do anything extra. I am a bit worried about this, not covid but just general illness as chances are DD will bring everything back from nursery and pass it straight to the baby too. Whereas DD was a summer baby and didn't get her first illness til she was 5 months old and it's less worrying then when they're a bit chunkier isn't it than tiny newborns.

@Anynamenottakenplease We have a girl's name but nothing for a boy, so the opposite! We are both convinced it will be a girl but I do want us to pick a boy's name ASAP. It's DH who is the problem, I like loads of names so can be flexible but he just says no to everything and offers no suggestions and never wants to discuss it. I've warned him if he doesn't sort this out and we have the baby I will just name it what I fancy then!!

Morning ladies!
Finally got my negative Covid test 🎉 I know it effects everyone totally different but i didn’t have it bad at all. 1st trimester was defo worse than a week of Covid 😂 just in case any one is anxious about it, for some people isn’t not as bad as they say.

@MyGrassIsBrowner you sound in so much pain 😔 I really hope they can bring your section forward! I’d be asking the midwife for sure.

Not going to be restricting any visitors, I can’t wait for people to come meet the little one 🥰 we’ve got the boy name sorted but really not sure on girls! Finding girls names so much harder than boys!

Anyone been having braxton hicks? With it being my first baby I dunno what I’m looking out for 😂 but last night I was getting worried because I was having some dull pains but thankfully moved about and this morning all gone now. I’m assuming braxton hicks?! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hiya lovelies thank you again for your sympathies. Such a lovely lot you are. It's nice to be able to vent to people other than my poor DP.

Congrats on the negative Covid result @NW2021 fantastic news and glad you're over the worst of it now.

I wont be restricting visitors this time round either, in fact my mum and sister are staying the week after my section to give me some support as I'll need every bit of help I can get. I'm genuinely starting to believe that my section recovery will be a walk in the park compared to how I'm feeling right now. My feet/ankles and legs have ballooned so getting quite scared and I'm trying to get through to the midwives who aren't picking up! Didnt want to resort to calling the delivery suite direct in case I'm wasting anyones time but think I'll have to. Will be sure to keep you ladies updated. I'm so ready to welcome my girl earthside now. X