September 2021 Babies - Thread 8 The final stretch....

[Bubbles1st]

So here we have it, the last thread before babies start arriving.....

Can't wait to start up dating this list with arrivals and names.

Good luck Mommas, we've got this!

@Noodles4Me - 26th Aug 💙
@Scotti84 - 30th Aug 💖

@Sceptre86 - 1st 💖
@primhutch - 1st 💖
@RaeRae84 - 1st 💙
@KHR1 - 1st 💙
@CherylLW - 3rd 💙
@GWhiteley - 3rd 💖
@deedeebythesea - 3rd 💙
@Allicit - 3rd 💙
@Poppins2016 - 4th 💛
@2021mumma - 5th 💙
@Squibble84 - 6th 💛
@leftitlate37 - 7th 💙
@SillyBry - 7th 💛
@LouiseJayne23 -7th 💖
@bewitchingnight - 8th 💖
@SK28 - 8th 💛
@Taralweaver - 8th 💖
@AdventuresAwait - 9th 💖
@mumof23188 - 9th 💙
@Bubbles1st - 10th 💙
@Catkin7 - 10th 💖
@FTEngineerM - 12th 💙
@CobleCloud - 13th 💙
@Maybebaby29 - 14th 💙
@Taybz - 14th 💙
@Bigdreamer9 - 14th 💙
@Eppy123 - 14th 💛
@Newmum110 -14th 💛
@Kirky658 - 15th 💖
@Hopefulmummie - 16th 💖
@Mamabearwhere - 17th 💙
@HollyMoore - 17th 💖
@aurora2021 - 18th 💖
@Bluespace - 18th 💙
@ErrolFinn - 19th 💖
@xsjrx - 19th 💛tbc
@unicornpower - 20th 💖
@Moominmiss - 20th 💙
@Sophieandtiger - 20th 💛
@bluemagicalsky - 21st 💙
@Clouless - 21st 💛
@Suma2021 - 21st 💙
@Jay3004 - 22nd 💙
@SP2Bx - 22nd 💛
@Geegee20 - 22nd 💙
@Holly91 - 22nd 💛
@Rach921 - 23rd 💙
@LittleCatDog - 23rd 💖
@SproutingSprout2021 - 24th 💛
@LittleAurora -24th 💙
@RadDarwazeh - 25th 💛
@crobo87 - 25th 💙
@d0nut - 25th 💖
@GummyBear91 - 25th 💖
@AdriannaP - 25th 💛
@MrsTD88 -27th 💖
@MrsBrett20 - 27th 💛
@marshmallowmode -27th 💙
@Kat1112025 - 27th 💙
@Mrssernalewis - 28th 💛
@ams92 - 30th 💖

@Scotti84 I wasn’t induced but I had the hormone drip that they use for induction because I wasn’t dilating that last 1cm to 10cm. Then they told me to stop the epidural (you press it yourself every 20 minutes to keep up the pain relief) so that I could feel the contractions ready for pushing.. OH MY GOD. It was horrendous, nothing like natural contractions. I freaked out totally (it was day 3 of being awake to be fair) and screamed at them in pain, wouldn’t let them touch me until I had pain relief.

Then they gave me a spinal which made my whole body dead from the boobs down in 5 minutes, lovely 😂.

In short, if you take the drip, take an epidural.

@Scotti84 I won't lie, the drip was intense! My midwife had warned me before that if I got put on the drip, lots of people have an epidural but I was dead set against that... Until the drip kicked in then I couldn't have begged for an epidural faster 😂 they can turn the drip up and down if things get too much/you need more help contracting which they did a few times. The drip sped things up a lot, it doesn't for everyone from what I understand but I went from 4cm to 10cm dilated in a few hours (I hadn't even lost my mucus plug before they turned it on and they were quite surprised when they went to check expecting me to be about 6cm but I was fully dilated).
If I need to be induced again, I'll do it (consultant mentioned it today as she doesn't want me to go too long over) but I'd definitely ask for the epidural to be put in before they do the drip so it's ready. Induction hurt but I don't have anything to compare it to so it could hade been that painful without the drip. I remember telling DH I was NEVER giving birth again straight after, but you forget about the pain soon after!

Thank you guys, so the takeaway is drip = epidural. So glad to have asked beforehand! I know its different for everyone and I can't know every possibility, but its good to know this stuff so i can be prepared and get the drugs arranged before its too late!

@Scotti84 I think it can depend on why you’re induced and how your body reacts. I was induced on my due date but my body was nowhere near ready for labour, I’m pretty sure my cervix was still fully closed and the baby wasn’t engaged at all so there was no pressure from the baby’s head to help dilation.

My induction lasted almost 30 hours before they declared failure to progress and I had an emcs. The pessaries made my baby’s heart rate go tachycardic so they stopped after two, broke my waters when I was 1cm dilated and put me on the drip. The drip caused me to have the most painful back to back contractions and I was begging for an epidural! After all that, I still only got to 3cm dilated! 😭

Because of that I will not be getting induced this time, and also because of my c-section they won’t, but the midwife at my 34 week appointment mentioned balloon inductions where they essentially insert a balloon up there, pump it up so that it emulates a baby’s head and puts pressure on the cervix to dilate. I did some research into it but still think I will be going for an elective if it comes to it.

However, one of my friend’s had a great induction experience so it’s so different for everyone!

Jumping on this thread, I'm actually due the 28/08 but I can't find the august thread.

Had my 36 week appointment today (I'm 36+3) and they said that baby is 2/5 palpable which means he's 3/5 engaged. Explains a lot because the last week I've been experiencing a LOT of pressure/borderline crampy feeling in my pelvis and I'm pretty sure some of my mucus plug has come away (checked this with MW and she said the same) This is my second pregnancy but I'm wondering whether this means he could come very soon or not. First baby was born at 38+6.

Thanks to everyone sharing their induction experiences, I am probably going to have one around my due date if she hasn't come early (because of GD). I'm ok with it (I think!) although would prefer for her to come of her own accord, but I suppose birth is unpredictable no matter what!

Hi ladies. Just doing some catching up on here and omg can’t believe how close we are now. Also kudos to all you active ladies, I am hardly moving because of so much pain in legs and pressure in my cervix. On topic of engaged babies, mine for sure is engaged and has been for a while as his head is so low sometimes I feel like it’s going to pop out whilst I’m on the toilet. He doesn’t lay sideways anymore so I know he is heads down for the foreseeable. I have my midwife next week so I will ask her to check.

I’m starting to get really nervous about labour. I had two relatively easy births before (albeit one only 2 hours and SO fast) and I’m just wondering how similar or different this one will be. I’ve suddenly grown this massive fear of an emcs and keep getting intrusive thoughts of the worst. I think im panicking a bit because im so inactive and immobile but at the same time can’t physically push myself to do much. Just trying to take each day as it comes and hoping for a safe and easy ride!

@Kirky658 our hospital is the same, when I was on the ward recently both times there were ladies on there waiting to be induced. One lady waited 2 days before they even started the induction.

The main reason they were made to wait was because labour ward was so busy and starting them would have been dangerous due to how many were already in.

I'm worried I'll either have a section (if he doesn't turn) or end up induced as my doctor told me yesterday I won't go full term.
She said to get to 37 weeks and then go from there but definitely won't be allowed to go to my due date 😬

Oh goodness some of your induction stories 😭… I’m assuming (even tho I haven’t even spoken to anyone about it yet) that I’ll have to be induced because I have GD… it’s diet controlled but I don’t think they will want me going over my due date still!

I’ve heard that with induction the contractions come on a lot quicker and closer together so it’s intense a lot sooner! My plan is that I will be asking for a epidural whenever I feel that I need it.

@crobo87 You're "allowed" to do what you want/what you think is right for your baby! Of course delivering early might be what is right but don't feel like that decision has been taken away from you!

Same goes for any induction ladies if it doesn't feel right, don't be pressured into it - particularly if there's no real medical reason other than you're "overdue"!

We all want to meet our babies as soon as we can, but induction definitely comes with its pitfalls! I'll be avoiding it for as long as I can, but then some people have a perfectly fine experience (albeit probably those who were closer to going into labour naturally in the first place...?)

Just weigh up the benefits and risks, ask if there are any alternatives (including what happens if you do nothing!) and trust your instincts as a mother... there's some hypnobirthing 101 for you right there 😂

Sooooo much easier said than done when we're so conditioned to take everything doctors say as gospel though I realise!!!

Wow can’t believe how active some of you still are! Kudos. I am struggling walking across the house some days just so massive!!

I have my consultant appt this Thursday to book in csection. Has anyone managed to have an early csection if all was well with baby as I am just so done.

I’ve been so ill over the last few months- gastroenteritis, chest infection, covid and now throat and urine infection- my immune system is shot and I don’t even leave the house (my husband and little germ monster who goes to nursery must be kindly passing all these things on!) I am measuring a week ahead also so I’m hoping to ask for 38 week csection as I will be measuring 39 weeks by then anyway (I’m currently 35+4) I guess what I’m asking is has anyone else pleaded with their consultant to get the ball rolling earlier? Thanks so much in advance!

@SP2Bx this is the mindset I’m going to be going with as I approach labour. With my low Papp-a, my hospital trust like to induce women on their due date (which would be an elective for me) but I’m going to turn that down and ask to be monitored daily if I go past my due date instead, as long as the baby is doing fine. I know from last time how forceful the doctors and consultants can be so I’m going to my consultant appointment next week with all my notes written down for what I want!

Is anyone consultant led care and been getting growth scans? Because i havent been seeing a midwife i feel like im missing out on loads.. I basically have just been going and getting scanned and no mention about birth plans etc my next scan i will be 36 weeks so im hoping there's some discussion

@Hopefulmummie I'm consultant led and have growth scans. I've still had and been booked in for all my normal midwife appointments along with my growth scans.

I also see a midwife at the growth scans too, I rarely see the consultant unless there's a n issue with my blood pressure (which has been regularly lately) or the scan itself x

@Squibble84 I was hoping to go full term just with the low Papp-a but I think my high blood pressure may cause me continuous issues.
He is small for gestation too.

It's hard to know what to do for the best and we are obviously told to trust doctors.
I'm just trying to take each appointment as it comes and get as far as I can as safe as I can.

@Hopefulmummie, I'm consultant led and have growth scans but still see my midwife for the usual appointments which is now every two weeks. In my trust, the two are separate.

@Squibble84, I took notes to my appointment too! I have gestational diabetes so they wanted to induce me at 38 to 39 weeks. I knew I didn't want an early induction so went to my consultant appointment with facts etc about my reasons. Compromised on an ELCS at 39 weeks which we're both happy with! (I didn't want a c-section either but definitely happier with that). They agreed with all my points and gave me a date the same day.
Just hoping baby doesn't come early! But I think it's important to look into things so an informed choice can be made xx

@Hopefulmummie I have been having growth scans. Haven't seen my own midwife for a while due to my hospital appointments and then she was on holiday but booked in to see her again at around 34 weeks. At my growth scan appointments I have the scan, see the hospital midwife to check urine, BP etc and then have a chat with the consultant. The consultant did say to me a while back that I'll hardly see my own midwife in the third trimester because I'm at the hospital every 4 weeks.

I had my 32 week scan yesterday and have suspected placenta accreta so I have to go back in 2 weeks to be scanned by the consultant to confirm. An anxious 2 week wait ahead. Can't sleep with worry.

@Hopefulmummie consultant led with growth scans here as well but I've been seeing my midwife as normal too. The midwife did say I didn't need to see her if I felt like I was having too many appointments, but I much prefer the midwife to the hospital ones so have kept going. Haven't had much conversation about birth either but have my next scan and appointments on Thursday (35 weeks) and midwife at 36 weeks when I've been told we talk about birth plans.

I'm potentially going to be induced due to polyhydramnios as depending on how bad it is they don't usually let you go into spontaneous labour due to the risk of cord prolapse if your waters break. The midwife told me if they go anywhere but hospital I need to lie on my elbows and knees, stick my bum in the air and dial 999 as its an ambulance job so thats put paid to a really active maternity leave! I have a consultant appointment in a couple of weeks so hopefully I resolving itself.

I'm not too worried about induction, if it gets baby here safely and avoids an ambulance then I will definitely go for that!

@Hopefulmummie can't comment on the consultant side of things but in my trust birth plans (or anything it seems!) aren't discussed until 36 weeks so hopefully there's time yet and you'll feel better after that appointment :)

@2021mumma, I was told they'd only do my ELCS at 38 weeks if baby was not growing at 50th percentile or above. As he was just over 50th in his growth scans it's booked for 39 weeks.

Definitely ask though, especially with everything you've been though. Fingers crossed for you x

Morning ladies,

I'm feeling torn and would love your opinion.

At the weekend I went in for monitoring after a second incident of reduced movements. All was fine, he wasn't moving as much as the last time but they were happy with heartbeat and what movements he was making.

They arranged a growth scan Monday - again all was fine but need to go back in a week as his growth has slowed slightly.

I was offered appointments on the assessment unit for further monitoring as I mentioned his movements were still very reduced compared to previous patterns. I declined as I said I felt reassured he was ok, but the Dr commented he still wasn't back to normal for him so I was welcome to go.

Now my dilemma is, he has always been most active at night post tea time and in bed. Hardly used to feel him during the day at all.

So it isn't until bedtime I stop and think about his lack of movements. He still doesn't move much during the day but I might feel hiccups. Even on the scan Monday he had hiccups despite me not feeling them. Last night I felt a few movements but nothing significant.

I just don't know whether I should make the 20 minute each way trip to hospital for monitoring just to see all is ok and this is just his new routine. I have a high bmi so there is always the risk I feel less and as I mentioned earlier in the week the bottom of my bump is basically just fat again now uterus has moved higher.

Im so torn between causing myself stress and worry when I believe he is ok and I don't need to go in, with the fear of why would I be refusing additional care and i would never forgive myself if I was that blasé about it and something happened.

Im not due to see midwife or have any other checks until Monday again.

What would you do? I knows is very personal and subjective but still I'd like to know how worried or confident you'd be.

Hi @Bubbles1st, it's difficult to know isn't it but I personally would go in as the reassurance can then calm my worries if it's on my mind regularly. So it would depend how concerned I was about the change in movements but I think I'm more likely to go in and be checked than not xx

Hi @Bubbles1st I would likely go in too. I think otherwise I’d be constantly thinking about it. I’d be packing some books and taking my headphones and trying to relax while there.
I’m also feeling softer at the bottom this last week btw….

@Bubbles1st i'd go in too. I'm an overthinker and even if my instincts told me all was ok i'd hate to think i had the chance to double check and didnt take it, i always prefer to be on the safe side.