🍼👶🏼👣 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! ❤

@Peacefulspirit amazing about your three home births! Do you have any tips or hacks? As I am FTM, I don't really know how quickly or slowly I am going to birth, but plan was to get the space ready in advance as much as I can (or do final bits when latent labour starts), have a bath with clary sage when it begins and just chill out, then get on the ball or sofa with my tens machine and breathe through using Freya app / hypnobirthing, then just get in the pool when I feel like it, and try to sleep when I can, if things don't ramp up. I have some some homeopathy that can help with different emotions and if it's too slow/irregular/fast. The birth pool will be setup in our bedroom, opposite is the bathroom. I also will have gas and air for active labour/pushing part. Midwifes will come when I am ready, they both live about an hour away. If I have to transfer the hospital is 3 mins away.

@summerhillgang omg love the name Forest! We were going to have Forest as a middle name if we had a boy! It's so unusual. Emerald for a girl is gorgeous too!

Anyone else getting serious Braxton Hicks? I was very close to calling triage yesterday as I was cramping and having Braxton Hicks constantly (which I hardly had with my DD) but I wasn't losing any discharge so I wasn't too concerned and didn't want to be wasting anyones time.
All lovely hearing you guys wanna try for a homebirth! That was my original plan as I had a really quick 4.5 hr labour with DD on an MLU but I came away with a low grade prolapse and it took me absolutely months to recover and it really traumatised me, so I'm booked in for a section and strangely feeling very at peace with the idea now.

Yeah it's a beautiful name, glad you like it @MyGrassIsBrowner

I am not even sure what Braxton Hicks feels like but no major twinges yet. Sounds like your body is getting ready but I know you can have them from very early for second, third etc child.

Gosh that's a fast labour. Are you by chance A+ blood type? The NHS midwifes here seem to believe that A+ ladies have really fast births. I'm A+ so hence the interest!

@summerhillgang Braxton Hicks is when you belly will just randomly tighten, almost feels asif baby has gotten themselves into an odd position and stretching your belly out. It's not painful but definitely uncomfortable and for me lasts about 30 secs before it relaxes again. My belly goes absolutely rock solid!

You know, of all the blood tests I've had carrying two children I'm still non the wiser as to what my blood type is 😂
Don't let my quick labour fool you though, my body definitely wasn't ready for it and because I gave birth to her in the pool, I wasn't given much guidance as it's more hands off approach. I pushed at all the wrong times and was given gas and air far too late so it didn't do a thing for me. The MW didn't believe me when I said I needed to push and then it turned out I was 10cm and she was back to back so it all kind of flashed before my eyes. Then I nearly sat on the poor girl when she popped out 😩

@MyGrassIsBrowner not sure I've felt that yet, guess it's all the muscles getting ready to do their thing.

Sounds like a very rapid labour which must've been really scary for your first time. That's the thing I am dreading tbh but also mentally and practically preparing myself for it if that happens. Ideally would like at least to have the bloody show a day before so I can psyche myself up and get everything sorted.

@summerhillgang I had a 2nd sweep and then DTD and the next day had my bloody show and awful cramps so I knew things were kicking off. I was only 2cm when I was admitted but thankfully they let me stay in and gave me another sweep and the rest was history. It's catch 22, long labours are exhausting, short, fast labours can be traumatic too and not knowing how it will go down is the absolute worst feeling as it's so unpredictable. My advice though, if you need pain relief, snap their hand off. I had pethidine but all it did was make me sleepy between contractions, so I'd just get over one contraction then start dozing then another one would come around and it just made me a little delerious at that point. My DP said it was horrible to witness and I think I nearly crushed the poor sods hand in the process 😆

@MyGrassIsBrowner I might be naive but I'm going for minimal interventions, so refusing any induction methods and just letting nature take its course. You're right long labour would be exhausting and would prob mean a transfer, and short labour could be traumatising and cause physical issues like PPH.

I'm not a fan of opiates, they don't agree with me at all, so I'm trying to go unmedicated with exception of gas and air, tens machine and the water. Let's see how it goes!

@summerhillgang I had on my birthing plan strictly no instrumental intervention and my DP would advocate for it too. I wish I'd have had opportunity to try a tens machine but you have to use it the moment you get your first tingle!
And get on the gas and air nice and early, it's great for regulating your breathing too.
I ended up with a 2nd degree internal tear and graze on my labia which were stitched up immediately after and that's when I went to town on the G&A and I loved it haha. Probably a bit too much tbh 😆

Afternoon everyone,

Does anyone else feel at a very awkward stage? I am 28 weeks and feel unprepared but equally far too soon to get prepared aha
I keep buying little bits here and there but have put off putting a cot up or washing baby clothes for risk of it being too soon. What is everyone else doing? I know I am probably a bit behind as due right at the end of October so you are probably a bit closure to the day

Loving the names so far, especially Forrest, and the link to Nature. We were totally set with Edie but now it’s definitely not even on the list, so weird how we both just completely went off it. Wren, Orla and Autumn are all on the maybe list. I love Ada and Delilah but have friends with those names.
@summerhillgang you sound pretty organised for your homebirth. We had dust sheets/old duvets on the floor. I think the only thing that was a pain was emptying the pool….first one was 16 years ago though so there are probably more efficient ways to do it now but I vaguely remember my ex husband emptying it using the baby bath 😳 It really is so peaceful and empowering being able to take control of all aspects of your labour. I am probably not going to make much sense but a long, gentle early labour can feel really beautiful at home. I’m not sure what I really mean by that, just that my last one felt a bit too quick and intense. To be fair it was the 4th time in 6 years so my body clearly went on autopilot.
It has been over 10 years since I laboured so I’m expecting it to be like the first time again! X

@Juicytoot287 totally feel the same. I’m 31 weeks, lots to do but still feels far too soon. X

@MyGrassIsBrowner @summerhillgang those are gorgeous names ! My husband was allowed to choose the name if it was a boy and he's settled on jack which goes really well with our second name (j surname) havnt had any braxton hicks but I've been quite uncomfortable lately the way he's been twisting and turning in their.
@Juicytoot287 I'm 28.5 weeks today and I'm at that weird stage I have already bought everything I need so it's all away in the cupboard and I'm dying to get it all set up but it's just too early for me yet I'm trying to keep really busy so before I know it the schools will be back the dark nights will be approaching and I'll be ready to get things out and organised I have all his clothes in the packaging in the drawers but I'll probably wash them around 2 weeks before he's due it's taking all my willpower not to go wild and set it all up though so I feel your pain. @Peacefulspirit I love autumn it was on our list if we had a girl it was my dh favourite out of all the names.
Been to the midwife today and my fundal height is measuring exactly on track I thought my bump was small but it must just not look as big as my first pregnancy.

@queenie273646 @Peacefulspirit Glad I am not alone! I am a teacher so I am off for the next 4 weeks still and have limited going out or shopping due to COVID and not yet being fully vaxxed so I think i gives me the urge to sort things more than normal
I imagine if I was working I wouldn't be as bothered so maybe when I go back in September It will distract me - although I will then have less time 😂

@Peacefulspirit I love Wren, I had the name Seren on my list and would have called her Ren for nickname, but randomly my bestie also liked it and called her baby it lol. Autumn is beautiful and obv works for the timing of the year. I like Edie too. So many names I liked loads at the beginning but sometimes they just don't connect and you're searching for something else. I felt that way with Emerald, as soon as DH said it, I was like that's the one I've been searching for! If I don't have a girl this time I hope I do have one eventually, as I've imagined this little girl a lot!

Yes I've tried to visualise the birth as much as poss and think how I've cope with the different stages and different paces. Assuming as it's my first it'll be long (unless these prophecies about A+ blood group are true!) thinking the home is where to be and have lots of comforts, snacks and love around me plus a bloody brilliant midwife. Funnily enough I asked my midwife the same thing about emptying the pool on Tuesday and the pools now come with a reverse pump so it's easy now 😊

@queenie273646 glad you like the names. I have been worried about what people (my Mum!) would think of the name Forest especially. My Dad (who I don't really speak to) will be mortified I am sure.

@Juicytoot287 I was exactly the same a few weeks ago but have blitzed everything over last couple of weeks and got everything now. Still not put up the cot or bouncer, want DH to help 😊 will feel super real when we do.

Is it the done thing to wash all baby clothes when they are fresh out the pack with non-bio? Xx

@summerhillgang Oh that makes me feel a bit better, maybe we will start buying a few more bits
Haven't bought any nappies or anything yet haha.

I am FTM but going off advice from others, apparently its best to wash them first to get chemicals off from any factories or shops? I will just be using the usual non bio we always use!

I didn't wash things for DD, I know a lot of people do but I don't think it's necessary and needless to say she came to no harm as a result.

I need to send DH up to the loft at some point to get everything out so we can see what we have to see what else we need to buy. But I know theres still a bunch of stuff we need to buy though...buggy board, formula (powder, newborn starter kit, premade bottles), new mattress for the two cribs (will I need a new one for the pram carrycot too? Not sure if that's necessary?), Isofix base for the car seat and possibly adaptors too - Cosatto still haven't responded to my query about this , electric breast pump, bikini top, multi-mam compresses, bottle teats, something that plays lullaby music...that's just off the top of my head, there's still probs a bunch of other things too eek.

oh my! That list has already panicked me. I want to breastfeed but obviously it doesn't always work out so I should get some formula backup. What steriliser did you go for? @meadowhay with your first.

The other predicament is that when I want to buy something my mother is like 'oh no , will get that as a gift' and actually you can't bank on that and I don't want to be without? I personally don't want a baby shower so doubt I will get too many gifts anyhow..

@Juicytoot287 oh snap, FTM here too. Aldi have a sale on at the moment of stuff for new borns, some nice bits on there www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/baby-and-toddler

I think if you're planning to breast feed then don't bother getting stuff for bottle feeding, you can always get that further down the road when/if you're ready to start giving formula.

My mum was the same but didn't mention it again until like last week and by that point I'd bought everything. I got her to get the play gym I wanted as less essential. Alternatively you could just start sending her links and ask specifically for stuff. I don't think you need to beat around the bush when it comes to grandkids. The two things that need a bit of thought are car seat and pram. Everything else is much of a muchness x

@Juicytoot287 oh it'll fly by when your back at work ! I'm looking forward to having dd back into school so I can relax during those last few weeks I've loved having her off for the summer holidays so far but I'm really starting to feel the aches and tiredness now from being out and about a lot with her and it makes me feel guilty as some days after a busy few days I need to just rest and it ends up an iPad and tv day . Oh start buying im sure your mother will ask what u still need as the weeks go by I have left nothing for anyone to buy as I went on a soending rampage when I found out the gender (don't know what happened and it was uncontrollable)
@summerhillgang youll feel so comfortable at home they say to look at your mothers/grandmothers labour and it's usually an indication of how your own will be, my mam had a slow labor and then so did I although mine had intervention as my waters went first even the drip did sod all to speed it up for at least 6 hours . I washed my first dd clothes and will with this one as I love the smell of non bio anyway with the comfort baby softener, I have the most sensitive skin imaginable so I did it mostly because I assumed my dd would have sensitive skin too and she does not as bad as mine but still sensitive.

@queenie273646 I was 'late' so she got induced, then epidural, then drip, then forceps and voila. I was back to back as well, so think she was in a lot pain. I just don't want to go down that route at all,
specifically any type of induction practices. She had a lot of problems later on in life because of that epidural and she really struggled with breast feeding, and gave up after a few days. It's sad to think of her as a new mum without access to the same information and support I have now, plus my dad wasn't understanding and just wanted his food on the table when he came home from work, and didn't help by sounds of it, so that was the main reason she didn't continue with breast feeding. Imagine not having social media and not having any one to talk to, just must have been so hard. Perhaps if she'd be able to let nature take it course then labour would have come on naturally, maybe I would have turned to optimal position? perhaps the hormones would have kicked in to bring on her milk supply, maybe the birth would have been less painful, and she wouldn't have had to have a hip replacement at 65 (her leg fell off the side of the hospital bed during the birth and she really hurt herself).

With my younger brother it was super quick I think and not late. Completely straight forward birth.

So much luck to it isn't there, I think if you have optimal positioning, the right environment and solid support around you then you're likely to have a good one.

@queenie273646 there's a story my great grandmother gave birth to twins on the stairway in the pub - her son (my grandad) had the nickname 'Catch'. They lived in a slum and had very little. I hope I can do her proud!

Aww I'm so excited for you first time mummies! I remember the sheer anticipation before having my DD, making sure I had everything I needed and going through our 'to buy' list about a zillion times 😂
Now I'm like fuck it, if I dont have it I'll Amazon Prime it, no panic 😆
I would say even if you are planning on breast feeding, get some bottles anyway. Sometimes I expressed with my pump and DP fed her whilst I caught up with sleep.
I didn't have a great experience with my DD and breast feeding, it all went so tits up (HA if you mind the pun) the pain I was in after my birth, the sleep deprivation, baby blues (I cried all day everyday) it just got too much for me. She was so unsettled and I'll never forget giving her a bottle of formula and her sleeping for 5 hours.. she'd lost loads of weight and she obviously wasn't getting enough from me and I just felt terrible. I remember crying to the midwife down the phone and she said forgod sake woman, give her formula and stop beating yourself up about it. Anyway, she became a formula fiend and started sleeping like an angel from that point and I dont regret it one bit.
Some women just take to it, others need some coaching and some it just doesnt work for plain and simple.
With me having a section this time I think I'll be giving her the colostrum and then onto formula. I just wish there was less pressure on new mums to breast feed. It's hard work x

@MyGrassIsBrowner that sounds like a really hard situation, I think you made the right decision completely! Sorry it was so hard in early stages for you.

I got some of these bottles minbie.com/ - the teets are like nipples. So will have a go at expressing and see if it takes the bottle from Dad.

@summerhillgang sadly I just had a really shitty experience in my first birth. It really annoys me when the midwives tell me I had a textbook birth and I'm like, no I didn't! I came away with horrible injuries and it traumatised me.
I keep saying to DP bring on that bloody spinal block cause I cant wait to not feel a damn thing!

I’m a midwife and have never seen two births the same. I think the one thing that makes a huge difference is a supportive birth partner. All the rest is just unpredictable. X