🍼👶🏼👣 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! ❤

@MyGrassIsBrowner really hope it’s a negative for you!! Not long till Monday, bet you’re literally counting down the days

@HedgerowRobin nice to see they’re are a few of us at the end of Oct!! Still feels like a while away but then I can’t believe it’s the 1st this week. I’m the same as you, finish next week at 36+5 and Mat pay starts at 39+4. Can not wait to finish work now! Just want to be able to chill for a few weeks.
Does your trust still have a high number of
Covid cases? Those visiting hours sound like they were the same as mine last year but our maternity wards etc are pretty much back to normal I believe. I’m allowed 2 birthing partners throughout, then after birth visiting hours are 8am-10pm (I think) for main birth partner and I think it’s something like 10am-3pm for the 2nd person.
I’m hoping to not stay in for long, I have this vision of me going in giving birth then hopefully home that night, you watch ill end up being in for days now!

Been for my midwife appointment today, everything all good. Head down, actively kicking my ribs and growing nicely on the chart. I’m not as worried about my post Covid growth scan now I’ve been the community midwife.

@lboogy I’m 35+5 and not experienced itchy skin so far, I’ve heard it can happen in pregnancy with skin stretching etc. Do you oil/moisturise? I try and do it twice a day that might relieve some discomfort for you. Worth a conversation with your midwife though if you’re worried.

@NW2021 I feel the same as you - time is going so quickly but so slowly at the same time 😂 I’m really looking forward to some time to rest before baby arrives too - my sleep has been absolutely awful the last week or so, hot flushes, hip pain, baby disco dancing and keeping me awake!

Just looked at the covid cases for my area and they’re decreasing. Plus I work in the local hospital and admissions have been stable for quite a while now so I’m not sure why the maternity visiting guidance is still so harsh? I can have 2 birth partners during active labour but only planning on having my partner. I’m just terrified at the thought of being so exhausted, possible complications, learning to breastfeed etc with a brand new baby and no support! Just got to keep my fingers crossed that I can come home fairly swiftly

@lboogy I thought itchy hands and feet were the main signs for cholestasis, I’ve had itchy stomach skin at some points over the last few weeks but definitely improved with more moisturising! Worth running it past your midwife though just in case 😊

@HedgerowRobin sorry missed your query about visiting, yes the rules at my trust are similar unfortunately. One birth partner who is also your one named visitor postnatally, only allowed to visit postnatally if they agree to be covid-tested on your admission (and test negative obviously). They are allowed with you from admission to either MLU/delivery and including admission for IOL or ELCS. They can stay until you move to postnatal ward, then they get chucked out and visiting hours are a pre-booked 3hr slot each day and that's it. Hence I am going to do absolutely everything possible to not go to postnatal ward at all and be discharged home, it was one of the reasons I decided against an ELCS in the end. Last time, I delivered in the morning, got moved to postnatal ward around midday where DH stayed with me on the postnatal ward in a side-room overnight and that was great and we went home around midday the next day. I was desperate to get home even with him with me, I have an anxiety disorder and hospital wards are a trigger amongst a bunch of other things and I will be in pieces if I had to stay alone, it would be really detrimental to me. Most people do manage ok though of course, just I have specific circs with my mental health. I'm glad to read @NW2021 that it's not like that everywhere. I'd love it if you could PM me which trust that is? Just ignore if you don't want to though obviously I understand the privacy issues.

@lboogy I get a really itchy bottom of my bump quite often, it's because of the skin stretching. Moisturising it does help a little. If you think your itching is excessive though definitely mention to the midwife and they can do a blood test for OC if they're worried. My itchiness was a lot worse in my first pregnancy and I had the blood test but thankfully it was nothing.

@HedgerowRobin omg the hot flushes at night!! 🥵 I thought it was just me. My baby has turned in to a night owl and is none stop now, so uncomfortable sleeping on my side as well, I have about 5 pillows round me 😂
I’m getting heartburn/ingestion again as well, making me feel so nauseous.
I know my friend gave birth earlier this year and due to the NHS staff getting ‘pinged’ they were so short staffed! She said after a few days though she did feel more supported. Hopefully it’s not as bad now though & we’ll get the support 🤞🏻

@MeadowHay I have similar views on staying in hospital just the thought of it gives me anxiety, I really really want to try not stay longer than I have to! I’m hoping for a quick discharge. I just know I’ll be so much more chilled once I’m home with baby.
Of course but you’ll have to tell me how to PM I’m useless I dunno how to do that? 😂🙈 I know the hospital across the boarder (I could either go to Wales or England) I’ve gone to England and I know the Welsh hospital are still relatively stricter with their rules.

Hiya ladies! Hope you're all okay just quickly catching up as I've been pretty much bed bound past couple of days. Haven't had chance to do PCR as I physically cant get to a test center atm. Though I'm taking lateral flows daily and all have been negative since my first positive one. I've been bed bound basically cause of this damn SPD which has been horrific, really struggling to walk now and my feet keep ballooning.

My hospital r.e visiting is that DP can be with me during/and a couple of hours after section, then he has to book a two hour visiting slot. I'll be honest I dont mind too much, having to deal with other peoples partners whilst on ward is stressful in itself especially when you're at your most vunerable/trying to establish breastfeeding and generally looking like shit post birth. Honestly though, you ladies who are having your first babies, the wards aren't as daunting as you may think, and if you're that way inclined, just get chatting to the other ladies on your ward, it'll make your time there must more bearable. But I promise you'll be fine.

@MeadowHay I hope you get a quick discharge hun, I can totally understand how much of a big deal it will be for you having to stay on ward potentially alone. Anxiety really sucks arse. X

oh no @MyGrassIsBrowner . I would try and get the PCR asap as it may affect the care you recieve at the hospital so you would want to prepare. I so feel for you though, must be awful trying to fit it all in but lateral flows arent that reliable either way. Plenty test negative when positive and vice versa so defo best to get that confirmation for yourself and baby and also the hospital if you are booked in Monday.

My hospital is still 1 BP and then i think they are normal ward visiting hours but it is all a bit confusing. I am trying not to look and obsess over it as I can't change it so would only worry myself.

Feeling a bit low lately ladies. Not even a reason to feel low but just a bit run down and tired of it all. Plus then I feel guilty for feeling that way as I should be grateful and what not. Hoping it is just hormones but I am a miserable bitch to be around for DP right now, poor sod

@Juicytoot287 I get a PCR done on Saturday at my pre-op. To be honest if I do one now or then and it's positive then it makes no difference really. They've told me I still have my section done I just go into a different ward/bay to isolate when I come out of theatre. It's if DP tests positive he can't come in at all - but all they want from him is daily LFTs (which just seems bonkers really) but all his LFTs have been negative so far. I think at this point I'm just focusing on hopefully only being in the hospital 24hrs or so and then back home with my family.

No guilt in feeling shitty at this point, we all dont have plain sailing pregnancies that are a a joy. I've hated every second of this one and dread to think what damage it's done to my body this time 😪

Oh that is good they do you one on saturday! No point stressing then. But hopefully they want you out the hospital asap so you can get back to resting at home. Be much easier to recover.

That's the thing, I hear all of you lovely ladies and your struggles and I am mostly plain sailing so really shouldnt be feeling crap. Sometimes that is worse because I beat myself up that I have no reason to be down. Probably just last minute nerves and hormones but not enjoying it!

@NW2021 @HedgerowRobin @MeadowHay

Thanks for the reply ladies. I am moisturising every few hours which is helping. The itching is mostly on my stomach so I put that down to stretch marks. It started at the bottom of my bump and now it's the whole stomach.

In the last few weeks it's been my hands and feet that have itched badly. I tried to get hold of the midwife and it's impossible to speak to anyone. I have a scan tomorrow so hopefully I can find out some information then

@Juicytoot287 You still got as much right to feel crap as the rest of us! Your hormones will be going haywire as you're approaching your due date. I remember the day before I went into labour I felt horrifically low, like the world and its dog hated me lol!
Alllllll changes once these babas are in your arms though rest assured 🥰

Goodluck to the ladies having caesareans tomorrow, you finally get to meet your lovely babies :) Also my first was breech until 36 weeks then suddenly turned!

I have been itching on/off all pregnancy, stomach, arms, legs, it seems to come in waves. Moisturising definitely helps.

I keep getting crampy braxton hicks today i really wish they would amount to something or bugger off.

Hi ladies bit late but I thought Ill join in ! Im 36 + 3 today ( due 24 Oct) with my second 🙂 having a boy this time !! Got a 2.5 year old girl already ☺☺ ... First of all congratulations to all mummy's on here and good luck for those who are welcoming their babies in the next couple of days !! .. I am sooo ready for this baby to come out !! This pregnancy Iv been struggling a lot !!... its been reeaaaalllll hard ! Just no energy.. very big! Feel very heavy .. heatwaves didn't help either ... I literally feel like Iv been pregnant for 2 years 😅 ... just always drained out ! ... I am hoping as soon as 37 week will hit he will come out 😅 .. the last 2 weeks Iv been having quite a lot of braxton hicks and when they come they are pretty uncomfortable... very crampy ... there was 2 days where my lower back was killing.. cramping feeling for like hours and then it would stop .. sometimes on the night i will wake up with a very bad cramping in my hips and lower belly .. once I thought im going into labour but then it stopped .. so no idea ! I hope this is a sign that he will show up before the due date 🤞 has any of you experiencing the same ? Xx

Thinking of you ladies having your sections today. Absolute best of luck with it, hope everything goes smoothly and can't wait to hear about it and see some babas! 🥰❤

Good luck today ladies ❤️
@summerhillgang are you ok? Haven’t heard from you for a little while. Hope all good.
My tagging doesn’t seem to be working so if anyone can tag her that would be cool.
Hope the week is going well for everyone else, PGP and general late pregnancy is a pain in the ass! Big love to all.

@Peacefulspirit hey lovely how are you? When are you due again? Having any niggles?
My PGP has been awful but I'm so ready for this baby now I cant wait. Been told today that I'm the only elective booked in on Monday so all being well should be out of theatre before 11am! 😁 super nervous now but more excited than anything. Just want to be on the road to recovery.

@summerhillgang hope you're doing okay lovely!

Still waiting to go down here! Think I'm 3rd on the list and the 2nd lady is in theatre now.

All the crying babies are giving me contractions!

Good luck to those having their babies imminently, how exciting!! 

Welcome to the thread @Izabela54, how are you feeling?

@Juicytoot287 would you believe...I saw the midwife today and she now thinks baby is head down 😂 I've been referred for a scan on Monday afternoon to confirm just in case!

@Chameleon2021 eeeeek not much longer now then! Can't wait to hear all about it 🥰

@mooloop well in fairness most babes do move before labour so she's probably right! Good to get the scan in to check though. Fingers crossed!

Good luck to ladies having their sections today, let us know how you get on!!

Am desperately hoping mine stays put until I recover from this cold, I feel lousy. Dragged myself out to playgroup with DD this morning and not long got back, but that's me done for today. She will just have to spend the PM watching TV because I don't have anything else in me now, I just need to be under a blanket with tea and paracetamol the rest of the day eurghhh. I'm terrified of going in to labour in this state. I think if it does happen I am just going to ask for an epidural straight away. It's not what I wanted but I can't see myself labouring with pain for hours and then pushing successfully in this state, at least with an epidural I can just rest and sleep until I need to push.

@Izabela54 welcome! I've had pretty much the same symptoms as you since I was 36w as well and I'm now 39w with no signs of labour starting so I wouldn't hold your breath, you might have a good wait yet!

@mooloop No way!!! typical.
To be honest, I have just drove home from work and i am in pain! Dont know if its how she us lay but its like an intense pressure in my pelvis and lower back. Not enjoy it and hoping changing position eases it a bit. Makes me thing she is low now....

Glad your scan is so soon mine isnt until thursday which seems forever, I am gutted.

Good luck today ladies! So excited for you all

@Peacefulspirit thanks for checking in, I am alright, feeling pretty chilled after a few weeks of anxiety. Not even sure what caused it, I think partially stressful stuff with DH's company, the midwife's suspicion around preeclampsia and then just comprehending this baby is coming out! But feel a new sense of calm and even a thought that birth could be enjoyable in some way! How are you feeling about your impending home birth? Will you be free birthing or do have NHS midwifes coming?

No really symptoms over here. I have told DH we need good sex, hot food and a long walk this weekend, so maybe that might do the trick!

My EDD is next Tuesday. Met my second midwife this weekend and she was really positive, said it's most likely to come between 41-42 weeks for FTM. My mind has slightly started to wonder about what happens past 42 but trying not to dwell on it. I am pretty much up for waiting it out, don't fancy a sweep 🧹 but maybe I'll feel differently a fortnight from now.

Ladies who are meeting their babies today, how exciting! I hope it all goes well and that you're all feeling good.

Sorry you're poorly @MeadowHay 😞 I can recommend Sambucol / elderberry syrup/lozenges and manuka honey to speed up recovery. 4Head is great for relieving head pressure/aches. Vicks vapour rub also is ok to use. Bath with Olbas oil. Lots of food with garlic, chilli and ginger. The colds going round are supposed to be horrible. I defo felt like I was coming down with something so have been upping my defences this week. I think your baby will know to hang tight for a while.

@mooloop hope she's right and baby is head down that would be a touch!

@MyGrassIsBrowner sorry to hear about the positive covid test, hopefully you are not feeling like you have it? If you don't have symptoms it's prob just a blip, those lateral flow tests don't seem to work properly. Or maybe you were just fighting it off at the time of testing. Who knows. I hope you're getting some rest and getting the support you need so you can prepare for the new arrival. I recommend getting some arnica and hypercal remedies from Helios for your recovery, it works amazingly for c-sections.

@Juicytoot287 sorry you're feeling down. I defo have had those days. Been off for ages which has given me time to think, which is good mostly but also sometimes bad as the mind plays tricks on you. I am at the point where I just feel really bored but I'm napping a lot and doing what I can to prepare and doing things that make DH and the dog happy to create a nice vibe for my little one to be born into. It's such a strange time as it's the most time I will prob have to myself for the next 10-15 years lol - I am so excited to meet them, I just know any pain will be totally worth it x

Also Staphisagria 30c for c-section recovery too xx

Hi @summerhillgang glad you are starting to feel yourself and find some joy. So weird knowing people are full term in comparison haha forever october is a long month!

Honestly this pain in my back is awful right now, not sure if I should be worried :( Only 36 weeks but then again, if she is now head down it could just be normal and I wouldmt be used to it due to being breech so long
Does anyone think i should be concerned?

@summerhillgang lovely to hear from you and hope you are managing to relax these final couple of weeks too. Definitely dont rule out a sweep if you hit 40 weeks and are fed up! I'll forever be grateful for the sweeps I had with my DD 😆 my laterals have all been negative thus far (I'm testing daily now) but I have a PCR on Saturday at my pre-op so just gonna have to go with it whatever the outcome. Thankfully no symptoms though which I guess is a good sign! DP also testing neg atm too.

@Juicytoot287 is the back pain like a constant ache or intermittent? There's literally no harm in calling your midwife or hospital (whoever is easier to contact) and ask for advice. They may just have you in for monitoring to be on the safe side. I find it's best not to ignore any unusual gripes and you certainly aren't wasting anyones time by doing so. X

thanks @MyGrassIsBrowner The back ache is contstant but the pressure was intermittent
Seems ro have stopped now so I think i will give it an hour and if they are still there then I will call. Back ache alone is normal for me, just that pressure pain. Cant explain it but it got quite bad when I was driving and seems to have worn off now I am out of the car. Perhaps just position? I just feel a bit off and icky now