🍼👶🏼👣 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! ❤

Oh wow ladies, I guess I have this to look forward to. I am 26+5 so a little bit behind you all.

Really sorry you are going through so much. I guess I am fortunate to be a first timer and a teacher here so on my 6 weeks break which is a god send. Using this time to prepare and clean the house thoroughly- kim and aggy style! The closer it gets the stronger my nerves and excitement grow haha.
We didn't book any classes in the end because my midwife said from experience she tends to explain everything they do and I have trusted that.
That being said I barely hear from her and have not discussed the birth or anything massively. I feel completely lost for what actually happens when this baby decides it is her time to shine! Maybe this is all midwives but from what you all seem to say, it just isn't the same. I feel very much leading any conversations and quite frankly, do not have a clue besides google so that isn't ideal! Plus I can only contact her between 9 and 5 monday to friday and through a reception who request a call back unless I speak to a random community midwife. Is she meant to be the one in labour and if so, how on earth would she know?

@summerhillgang Your father situation is tricky. Similar to my own sibling and their dad. Ultimately it is what you are comfortable with. If it helps, they allowed him to see their kids but just made it clear that all the effort had to come from him. That way, if he cared enough he would be there. Unfortunately this fizzled out and he has only met one of their children twice. However - this was so young it has not impacted them and was better for her than building hopes everytime as it was all on him.

I hope you ladies start to feel better but with getting bigger and the heat or muggy weather it is seeming likely haha!

Thanks for the advice on the Dad situation, I chatted to my partner when he got in (and laughed about the random presents he got me) and truth is it doesn't mean very much, yes it's more likely he'll get invited to wedding now he looks like he is making the effort but he's no way giving me away or making a speech, he doesn't know me at all. I just sent his girlfriend a note saying thanks for the card and presents and let her know approx when baby is due. Maybe we'll see each other then but he has to request to see it and come here rather than me travel to see him. Not going to think about it even more, but I've decided to read the book 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad You Did)' as a bit of gentle catharsis 😜

@MyGrassIsBrowner so sorry about the dog situation. They do pick their moments don't they! My one was sick everywhere yesterday. I can't imagine what all that is like with a little one around too. I worry a lot about my dog when the baby comes. She is a total baby herself and very high maintenance - small, white, fluffy, loves mud and putting her snout in gross places, very partial to doing a poo on the floor, only happy when she's eating our food really and demands to sleep in bed with us (currently trying to train her to sleep in her basket at the end of the bed as realise i can't do co-sleeping with a dog in the bed). I booked a dog walker to come a couple of times a week to get her properly exercised, more to get her into a routine before baby comes and to get her hanging out with other dogs so she remembers she's not actually a human lol. I think a bit of restbite and support from DH is exactly what you need - try to get some extra naps in, a nice bath and just generally have some me time or time to connect with the new baby.

@Juicytoot287 that doesn't sound like your midwife is doing enough for you. I would really recommend NCT to get a base level of understanding and to meet other mums. It's about £175 for 3 sessions - one on prepping for birth and the different avenues it can take, then one on basic baby care stuff, and another on breast feeding. Particularly good for the partners I think.
In terms of books, I'd recommend Ina May 'Guide to Childbirth' and another 'Preparing For A Healthy Birth' by Sylvie Donna which I am reading now and is very comprehensive although very pro minimal intervention which I think isn't always realistic. I also use an app called 'Expectful' and there's a great audio series around Hypnobirthing on there that gives you a lot of insights into what to expect.

@Juicytoot287 Hey lovely. Well you say you're 26 weeks now so wouldn't panic too much in regards to lack of contact from the midwife. You should however be due for a 28 week appointment soon where they'll do usual checks (doppler, measure fundal height) and then take their last lot of bloods.
They dont usually go through a birthing plan with you until after 30 weeks generally. Do you know what facilities are at your local hospital? Does it have an MLU? all things worth noting down so you can get better prepared for how you may want to birth.

@summerhillgang I've got a greyhound so he's goofy but so laidback, he takes everything in his stride but I feel so guilty that he's not getting as much attention from us as before my DD was here. We have a dog walker as well but at the moment money has been tight so we've had to cancel for a few weeks.

I'm just thankful the weather has cooled off a bit. I was genuinely struggling with the heat and I'm absolutely dreading it if we have another heatwave cries hysterically
X

Thanks ladies! I am booked in for the 28 week one which is only 2 weeks away now or just under luckily. @MyGrassIsBrowner I know a bit about my hospital but only by asking other mums or googling - again not much info. I had to ask about whooping cough vaccine and request matb1 form etc. She hadn't mentioned any of it. Feel a bit left to it by them tbh. I think maybe as I am young and low risk they think I am the easy case perhaps and that is why maybe? I know there is a baby boom so probably really busy but does feel like i have to call general numbers all the time and never speak to the same midwife which isnt great. Luckily every community midwife I have spoken to is lovely and caring but just a shame it is never the same one 🙄

Oh I have a nutter dog too! Glad we all have dogs. I have kicked my dog out @summerhillgang lol. She is a goldador so a big dog and could not risk her in the bed. She now has her own bedroom which she took like a duck to water thank god! Then she comes in a morning once we are awake - hopefully similar routine when baby is here as we can supervise when awake so we don't mind her by the bed. She has been very good not jumping and gentle but I cannot walk her anymore incase she pulls as she is 35kg. Partner is picking up the slack here haha! Also your outlook on your dad sounds completelt reasonable, good luck and I hope it ends positively.

Will look into the books and podcasts whilst I am off. Partner doesn't want to spend a couple of hundred on classes at the moment with baby coming - we should really be offered free NHS ones as our first but none are on🤷🏻‍♀️

@Juicytoot287 yeah it is pretty shoddy of them especially with it being your first. Good that you're low risk but still doesn't make the whole process any less of a worry. I feel like I've been left to it but it seems like my final 10 weeks are going to be fairly full on with appointments as I'm going for a homebirth so they're going to start preparations with that. I'm very lucky that my midwives are stationed on my street (madness) and the hospital is 3 minutes round the corner. So I feel fairly confident trying for a homebirth this time.

My dog is 38kg so I feel you on the big dog front. Thankfully mine is daft as a brush and him and my DD are thick as thieves when they're together.

She's got a thing for holding his tail whenever she's sat with him 😆 x

10kg's of pure sass 💁🏼‍♀️

@summerhillgang Awh what an absolute cutie!!! 😍

Don't let her looks deceive you. She has been doing some lethal farts today!!

@pixiedust21
@Peacefulspirit
@summerhillgang
@queenie273646
@Anynamenottakenplease
@MeadowHay
@lockdownbabyx

Think I've tagged everyone! How are we all doing ladies?
Well, I'm 30+3 today, and I'm so over this pregnancy now. My mum had to take my DD for the weekend as I practically had a mental breakdown. The dog got ferried off to the inlaws as well and I pretty much slept the whole weekend. I'm fairly certain bubs is transverse at the minute (she was at my last growth scan) but my god I'm so uncomfortable and I'm not feeling the low down movements like I did with my DD. It's all high and at the sides of my bump. There's still plenty of time for her to move of course, but I am so so uncomfortable, I didnt even feel this uncomfortable full-term with my DD. I haven't got a single thing prepped for this baby (wish I was joking) no hospital bag ready, nada! I feel totally selfish saying I haven't enjoyed a single bit of this pregnancy but sadly it's true. I've already told DP this is our last and he agrees, he's hated seeing me like this as I've been so miserable 😩
Hope you ladies are having a better experience than I am!

Xx

@MyGrassIsBrowner aw I'm sorry to hear you're having such a miserable time! I'm glad you were able to have a rest at the weekend though, do you feel better for it?
All good over here, I'm 27+1 and had my whooping cough vaccine today. Feeling lots of movement but the position changes throughout the day! Sometime it's really low down and then other times it under my ribs and on the sides, feels like he's doing somersaults in there! PGP is definitely getting worse though, it's impossible to get a good nights sleep now 😔 I have to keep changing sides throughout the night and that's a massive task in its self as it's so painful to roll over. Can't wait still I can sleep on my stomach again. I'm not prepared in the slightest either, so much to buy and organise still, but right now I can't be bothered! X

@lockdownbabyx to be perfectly honest I feel like I would probably benefit from being on bed rest until I'm due but lol, that's never going to happen 😆
I've finally had to give up taking baths as well which is devestating in itself as a bath is my only time to relax and wind down! cries hard
I feel you on trying to get comfy in bed, absolute nightmare isn't it. When turning it's best to try and keep your knees tightly together if you can. I'm looking at ordering myself a birthing ball to sit on now, our sofa isn't the most comfortable and I'm hoping it might take pressure off my pelvis for a bit. I just have a sneaking suspicion this baba is not in a good position with how uncomfortable and tight my bump is, I never had this with my DD at this gestation and she was head down quite early on. Doesn't help either that I'm now a 38HH so I literally feel like I'm suffocating 😆 god knows how I'll get through the next month! X

Hi ladies, this thread just disappeared for me for ages I dunno why .

Sorry to hear people's struggles. @MyGrassIsBrowner - I hate pregnancy. I hated my first and I hate this one even more! I had HG the first half with both and this time I've now got PGP in the second half. Hate it and I don't feel ashamed to tell anyone! It's not a magical time for me at all, just a means to an end. I don't think we will have any more either, like you a lot of that is because pregnancy does not at all agree with me. I have so many shitty complications that I could write a book about them! When I say complications I don't mean anything serious with baby just annoying things for me!!

I'm almost 31 weeks atm. I had to have a growth scan last week as my MW measured my fundal height to be absolutely tiny. Which is bizarre as I look massive compared to with my first . Growth scan said baby was just under 3lbs which on my grow scan is comfortably somewhere between 10th and 50th centile, so where they should be roughly and looking on track to be a very similar size to my DD - with an equally as massive disproportionately large head! Which is worrying me as I had to have an instrumental last time and the chances of that are higher when babies have huge head circumferences eek. I couldn't cope with a second either physically or mentally! I also have a huge head so these babies obviously take after me ! Baby was breech but obviously it's early days yet.

My PGP is up and down but I had some horrible days with last week where I could barely walk or go up and down stairs, it was scary. It's improved again over the weekend. I'm doing a pregnancy yoga course and my instructor suggested I keep a symptom diary to see if I can identify any triggers for the bad days, which is a good idea, I should do that. Agree that nights are the worst and turning over is a nightmare. I sleep with a big thick pillow between my knees and turn every few hours because the pain wakes me. I squeeze my thighs/buttocks/abs/pelvic floor as I turn over which makes it manageable.

@MeadowHay Hiya hun! Yeah it did dissapear for me too, I think if it's not been posted on pretty regularly it goes off your 'I'm on' bit. Annoying!

Sorry you're having a rough time of it too, I completely empathise and feel exactly the same.
Feel trapped in this damn house as even going for a short walk absolutely does me over.
I'd also been sent for a growth scan because of the stupid fricking fundal height measurement! But I think because this one is transverse, any measurements are coming up smaller because of how she is laying.
It's just added stress we could really do without right now.
I'm absolutely petrified of instrumental intervention and I've put on my notes that under no circumstances do forceps come anywhere near me. I'm so sorry you've had a shit experience of that. Have you considered a section or are you happy enough to try for a VB again?

Our babies are looking to be a similar size at the moment too which is also a funny coincidence! Have you had physio or anything for the PGP? I saw one privately when I was about 24 weeks for an assessment as I could claim the cost back through my work healthcare cash back scheme. She gave me advice, told me some exercises to do, and did some manual therapy. I bought a support belt off her too and I signed up to an online access thing she has too which I could also claim back through work as physio as it's physio led exercise classes and videos about pre and postnatal health. That's only £30 for the unlimited access, I can DM you her details if you're interested as it's all online? She's a specialist women's health physio. I'm also trying to keep as active as poss within my pain limits, doing a pregnancy yoga course too. I appreciate it's harder for you though because your little one is younger and also you're a SAHM I think? I just don't want you to suffer alone when there might be some treatments to help. I've text my midwife to ask for a physio referral too but she never responds so God knows whether she's doing it or not! I've also booked myself in for a pregnancy massage in a few weeks time, again I can claim that back through work luckily.

I had a ventouse delivery and I dont think I'd consent to second instrumental, but then that sorta makes trying for VB more dangerous potentially too...I am considering an ELCS and have an appt with a consultant to discuss it about a month before I'm due. But I'm terrified at the prospect of a section and would prefer a VB really ...and I know my risks of another instrumental are low because they're much more common for first time mothers. I pushed for 2 hrs and was exhausted after 30hrs in labour and my DD was suspected small for gestational age too so they wanted her out after that. It was horrific but only because I didn't have any functioning pain relief, it's really traumatised me .

@MeadowHay So my midwife told me I can be put on a list for physio, but then said there's a huge waiting list and it could be months - so obviously I said dont bother lol. She did send me a link to some exercises I can do but I'll be perfectly honest, I find I am in more pain doing them than not so i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment. Thank you for the offer by the way, honestly, if I could afford private I certainly would but our money is tight at the moment. DP has a new job he's starting next week (thankfully much better paid than his previous) so we're im the process of re-arranging and sorting our finances out before bubs arrives.
Yeah I'm a SAHM, my DD is 16 months now and just learning to stand, so that's fun! Lol.
She's doing fine but I cant help but be crippled with guilt that I'm not doing enough with her right now.

A few people have told me to see an osteopath after this one, so it's definitely something I'll be looking into because I can't carry on like this. It's debilitating. I'm not even 30 yet and feel like my body is failing.

Oh my god your birth sounded bloody terrible love. I'm so sorry you were dealt such a shit hand. I can only sympathise and I hope your next one is quicker and easier. I'm booked in for a section for thr 4th October and frankly I think I'm going to stick with it now. Mainly the controlled aspect of it over the unknowns of another VB that may potentially make all my problems worse. I cant even imagine physically having to deal with the pain of VB with all the pain I'm dealing with currently.

I gave birth in a pool, it was all totally textbook. I had pethidine (which just made me completely out of it and disconnected) I was offered no gas and air until I was in the pool pushing and by that point I couldn't focus so I threw it at my DP (poor fucker) 😆 after half an hour of pushing she crowned, which was horrific, but she slipped back up and I cried and swore and shouted at that point that I wanted an epidural, to which the midwife laughed at me. I braced myself in what only I can describe as a frog position and pushed with all my energy I had left and her head popped out but I knew I had teared as it was searing pain. I had 2nd degree internal tearing and a graze on my labia (which imo was worse than the internal tear) I used to have to wee in the shower with the shower head on my bits for the first two weeks. My poor DP did everything for me those first couple of weeks.. before then he'd never even held a newborn before. I dont know what I'd have done without hom tbh. Xx

Hey guys, I am back from a couple of days in London staying with my best friend for her bday and getting some practice in with her newborn - can't wait to have mine here with me! So happy to be out of London, back with my partner and dog on South coast, really can't handle the busyness of the city these days. Especially when you've got a big baby kicking you almost 24/7 😊

I am now on mat leave and have started swimming today, and mid wife coming a bit later for a check up. Trying to get hold of my recent full blood count results from NHS as I want to make sure my iron levels are in a good place.

@MyGrassIsBrowner sorry you're having such a rough time. I think an osteopath (more than a physio) would be a good idea when you have some spare cash. I would recommend the homeopathic remedy called Bellis perennis for your pelvic pains. Take the 30c tablets twice a day for one week, and hopefully the pain will stop. If you it starts up again you can do the same again. It costs around £9 for the 28g size and that should be enough for two rounds www.helios.co.uk/shop/bellis-perennis - let me know if it makes a difference for you 😊 @MeadowHay maybe also good for you xx

@summerhillgang Heya lovely, ohhh sounds like you've had a lush time away! God you sound like a powerhouse, though I could totally go for a swim right now, but then again I dont even have a swim suit that fits me and I wouldn't want anyone to have to look at my hideous body right now, no one needs to be exposed to that 😆

I'm going to investigate those tablets, they sound like a good shout. My midwife was hopeless, she upset me actually, told me I can only really take paracetemol and keep moving.. yeah, thanks midwife! Xx

@MyGrassIsBrowner I just got a maternity swimming costume from ASOS for £26 https://www.asos.com/prd/21863721?acquisitionsource=pasteboard - there was plenty of larger non-pregnant people swimming about so felt like I had found my tribe lol

Yeah midwifes are useless about medication and remedies as don't want to be seen to be recommending anything. I have used a few topical creams to reduce the inflammation around pelvis, lower back and also bum cheeks (was agony earlier on in pregnancy) - this one is really good https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XWQ9ZLJ/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcKVKAV543CFSC1F1P7VBD??encoding=UTF8&psc=1

@summerhillgang that's lovely, though I doubt it would adequatly hold my 38HH knockers, there would definitely be spillage! 😆
Thank you for that link! I'm guessing that is okay to use during pregnancy? I certainly need something more than damn paracetemol. If one more person tells me to take paracetemol I swear I'm going to scream 😆

@MyGrassIsBrowner yeah the ingredients in it are pretty good, no rubbish in it, and really does give immediate relief, I literally rubbed it everywhere. Nothing in it that I was concerned about and lots of stuff that reduces inflammation.

I think my boobies must be like a F or G now as was an E before pregnancy. But yeah it's a bit of a tight squeeze not going to lie 😉

@summerhillgang Does it give you a high as well? 😆
I'm willing to try anything right now, on a serious note this pain is debilitating.
Yeah I think it's probably best I pass on that swimsuit, doubt the seams would hold LOL x

Speak to your GP if you need stronger pain relief @MyGrassIsBrowner - lots of people take stronger pain relief in pregnancy. Codeine is usually the next one they add in, I take it very occasionally with paracetamol when I get a migraine because the pain is awful and unmanageable with paracetamol alone. My GP knows and confirmed this is fine, I had to do it in my first pregnancy sometimes too.

I wanted to do aqua natal as there used to be a class at the pool near me but it's never started again since the first covid lockdown . I can't actually swim sadly, would love to have adult swim lessons in the future sometime when I can afford it.

Had a nightmare today, sliced my finger open cutting a tomato for my lunch and it bled for about an hour and I've been woozy ever since. First was because my blood pressure went low but think it's been psychological over the last few hrs tbh. It's bled a little bit twice late PM too. I didn't know what to do tbh but luckily my DH is a Physician Associate and works for a GP practice and after 20 mins ish I managed to get through to him once he'd finished his patients and he came and checked it and steri stripped it up for me, didn't think I needed proper stitches. Am still anxious about it though with the later bleeding and we are going away on Friday so what bad timing!

@MeadowHay I'm thinking this is probably the route I'll need to go down. Midwife just said paracetemol in my head I was like.. never?! Paracetemol? Hadn't thought of that one!
Ugh I'm really not a nice person to be around at the moment 🙈
My DD has been thrashing round like a mad woman today as well and is seriously testing my patience.. she can be the sweetest little girl, but also a complete monster lol.

Oh you poor sod, I can only imagine your panic especially if it didn't stop bleeding. I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure if your DH was concerned he'd have sent you up to the hospital! Just keep your arm elevated, that's what they always tell you isn't it?
It just needs time to fuse together and I'm sure it will within the next few days!

@MeadowHay oh sorry to hear about your finger - it's so horrible when that happens. Can be a nasty shock on the body and just make you feel queezy for hours 😵‍💫 feel better x

@MeadowHay @MyGrassIsBrowner
I've had a little time out with my phone for a while ! Currently in the middle of bathroom renovations hoping they'll be done by This weekend so I can treat myself to a lovely bath instead of a shower every night. Oh I feel your pain im starting to struggle now if I have a busy day I'm sleepy I ache my back is in agony the joys of pregnancy! I can't believe we all only have 2 month to go until October, im ready for ds to come out now don't know how I'll manage waiting another 10 weeks , im surprised I've resisted putting his crib up in my room already . When is everyone packing their hospital bags ? It's like it's all new to me again having a 5 year gap between kids.