September 2021 Babies - Thread 9 The final countdown....

[Mamabearwhere]

Hi ladies. Starting our final thread! How exciting.

@bubbles1st do you have your latest list of due dates to add to here?

Congratulations @Jary6 you and your husband are so brave! Wow what a labour! Well done to both of you! Hope you get some of rest now with your little one and lots of lovely cuddles 🥰

My induction process started today with the Dilapan, it was surprising not unpleasant or painful at all. All my anxieties about it were dispelled once the short process began. If any of you are having this, I'd say don't worry it's not half as bad as it sounds.

Unfortunately, I have to be admitted to hospital for the rest of the induction process and it'll be my first time in hospital. Midwife said my induction will most likely take a few days as it may not be successful on the first go due to being a ftm. Any ideas on how to survive the long hospital stay?

Congratulations @Jary6 and @FTEngineerM ! ❤️

(@SillyBry we don't know the gender but if it's a boy it will be a Dylan too 😊)

I'm 40+2 today and last night was having some period type cramps all evening accompanied by a tightening bump while watching TV and when we went to bed...

... but have woken up today with nothing at all again. Cue major dog walk this morning and fluffy, oxytocin filled day to try get them going again! But I haven't noticed any plug go or anything yet so god knows how much longer this will go on for 🙄

Sending love to all the new mamas, can't wait to join you! ❤️

Wow congratulations @Jary6 that sounds like one heck of an experience for both you and your husband! Congratulations!

Sorry for the below long, ranty, Negative Nelly post. I'm just so cross and wanted to share this experience of the horrendous midwife appointment that I had this morning. I've gone from being extremely relaxed to being highly anxious just from this one woman who has totally knocked my confidence in the system. Aren't we supposed to be empowering eachother to give women confidence in how they give birth? Aren't we supposed to be looking after mental health and not looking to cause unnecessary stress and anxiety?

40+3 Midwife appointment - she beckoned me in wearing full PPE and started off by criticising me for not coming with evidence of a negative covid test. Abruptly told me my registered birth centre were closed yesterday due to having no space, and the second nearest birthing centre are closed today and will be diverting all women over the next couple of weeks too (added at the end that September is the busiest month anyway, as if this was a bad time that I'd purposely chosen). Basically highly likely I won't be able to go to where I've prepared to and have to travel quite a considerable distance to an unfamiliar hospital (anxiety #1). Then told I wouldn't be able to have a home birth either as no local available midwives. Great, I thought, but if it can't be helped then that's that.
Proceeded to try booking me in for a sweep and induction which I explained my reasons for not wanting etc. She then started harping on about placental aging, how I would become high risk after 42 weeks, and told me a nice story about how babies die because of women who refuse inductions. I think I was staring blankly at her in disbelief she would be so crude and scaremongering but also because she was absolutely adamant this would happen. Now, I've done quite a fair bit of research from various sources about the theory of placental aging, and I know that there is no evidence to prove there is a relationship between length of pregnancy and the health of the placenta. Placental insufficiency can happen anytime in pregnancy and is usually picked up on earlier on.
So, she tells me I would go from being a low risk pregnancy with no complications to being high risk at the stroke of midnight at 42 weeks and this would mean I'd have to have a hospital birth instead of a birthing centre (anxiety #2). "Placental aging" was her argument for trying to push me to be induced but she couldn't really elaborate or give me any other information on the matter other than how we wanted to avoid distressing the baby by going too far over my "due date". The "scope of midwifery" doesn't allow for going over 42 weeks, apparently.

I was pretty irritated by now which is perhaps why my blood pressure was slightly raised upon checking (105 / 80, has been around 100/60 in previous appointments) but still - anxiety #3, now need to keep an eye on that.
And upon feeling baby she tells me he is back to back. Sorry...What?! He hasn't moved this whole time and I swear I can feel a smooth back at the front of my stomach as if he's NOT back to back. Same as he's felt the whole time. Anxiety #4.
Finally she tells me not to go to the supermarket because people have got too complacent about Coronavirus and aren't being careful. Tells me off for not getting the vaccine. Warns me about a woman who died recently after giving birth from Covid "leaving a poor baby without his Mummy". Anxiety #5.

I think if I hadn't have researched studies and information to death (because that's the sort of thing I do because of the complete goofball I am) I would be absolutely petrified walking out of the appointment and booking myself in to be induced immediately. But even so, she's basically told me I have 1 week today to go into natural labour before I get referred for a hospital birth and I'm still finding myself feeling like I now have a deadline to meet. And worrying about what's to come.

But more importantly I'm just horrified that such a person is out there saying these scary and unsupportive things to other women. Grrr!

@Taybz re the stay, I went I with charged phone, tablet with Netflix, music and books and I watched one episode of desperate housewives in the 6 days i was was there 😅

I was induced at 8:30 in the morning and nothing happened until the night when my waters broke at 2am, we spent the day wandering around the hospital grounds as they said walking helps, between that, getting meals and being checked out the time went pretty quick. Also the time after Lilly was born when it was just us two and she didn't do much, it went much faster than I thought. Plus if you can, sleep! You will need it, I didn't sleep the first day, gave birth to her on the 2nd and then when she was there I was too worried that she was ok to really sleep. Use the waiting time to stock up on that if you can x

@Suma2021 gosh I am so sorry you had to experience this horrible ordeal! It's not the midwife's role to impose her opinions on inductions/sweeps as if it were fact. The more I read, the more contentious the research appears, at least before 42 weeks anyway. Based on my own reading and a thorough talk with my midwives, I did agree to being induced today as I'm 40+10 but was in no way pushed or threatened into it. I think hospitals do have the right intentions but not necessarily the right execution.

Have you reported this midwife? I had a traumatic experience with one midwife during an examination and it truly scarred and terrified me but thankfully I'm in a better place now. Also, the vaccine threatening is not on! A consultant did that recently in a room full of pregnant women waiting for their appointments and I was so mad! There really should be more protocol around this especially as our hormones are already all over the place. How are you feeling now? Were you able to discuss your options with someone more supportive?

Hi @Taybz! Gosh I'm quite embarrassed by my long ranty post, I'm feeling better now but it felt good to "put it all down on paper" . Thanks for your kind response. It's been a family birthday today and I haven't been able to get advice from a different midwife yet, but intend to call tomorrow to explain what happened and see what they say. I feel in hindsight that that particular midwife possibly had some personal issue or experience that caused her to be exceptionally negative about a few things. I don't think she meant anything maliciously but I wouldn't describe her as being professional or objective about the way she handled things. But I absolutely agree! And the vaccine threatening is something I've heard a few times now, certainly not on!

I hope your stay in hospital is going okay and you aren't crawling the walls. Good luck with everything and fingers crossed its not too long of a stay for you and you can meet your baby soon! 🤞🏻

Congratulations @Jary6 I'm glad baby arrived safely, sounds like your hubby did an amazing job 💙 and love the name we named our little one Oliver too.

@Taybz hope your stay isn't too bad and you get to meet your little bundle soon!

@Suma2021 sounds like a horrible experience and not what you need at this late stage, I hope you manage to sort it and speak with someone who is less negative.

@Taybz I'm due for induction Wednesday and really unsure what to take with me 😂 I'd only packed for an overnight stay now I'm considering packing for a few days, then I'm thinking snacks. Entertainment. I may aswell just take a full size suitcase with everything I feel like I've planned 😂🙈

@Scotti84 I know I can relate to, will therebe enough milk there for next time! I tried mother's milk tea. It was mellow and nice. Yet to really see any improvement but it was like 6 quid for 14 tea bags🤔😂😅. I do feel really hungry after BF but it's hard to eat all day long! So you don't really have anyone to come live with you for 3 or 4 weeks. It's definitely going to be a hard few months ahead. It's only a short time so let's just do it, hope our babies can bring in the milk by sucking often. I'm trying to be positive but often get deflated a few days later 😢.
All the ladies waiting their arrivals, good luck. Remember the blessing above all and may God grant you ease through this time. Amen🙏.

Thanks for the tip @Scotti84. So your induction working quickly then? Apparently mine will likely take a few days and involve more processes 😣 I'm still trying to keep an open mind though and remain relax although it's tough. I feel like my body's failed in some ways.

@LauEliivr I've had to pack more now that they said I'll be staying for longer. Labour ward apparently has 24-48hrs waiting time which is why ill be in longer!

@Suma2021rant and vent away! That's why we're here. 🤗

@LauEli definitely pack for 4-5 days! I had the first pessary administered on the Thursday morning and baby was born in the early hours of Monday morning. It can be a real long slog! Take something to watch, read and keep your mind occupied! Headphones were a godsend as were an eye mask as they kept the lights on on the ward until late as each woman was having checks at different times so it was quite bright. And also wayyyyyyy more maternity pads and pants than you think you need! I took a pack of 10 and needed more as got through loads when my waters broke.

@unicornpower thank you, gonna repack today for myself, I'm sure hubby can drop things off but don't want to mess about as he will be looking after our little boy until its time for him to come in.

@Taybz I had the first pills at 8:30, nothing happened, had another check and another lot of pills at 1:30, then I started with light contractions that ramped up a bit but not unbearably through the night til my waters broke at 2am, then nothing more until they gave me an enema and said that would also help bring on contractions, which it did, massively and without a break. Then I asked for the epidural, and then they put me on the drip to bring things on. It took ages but only as she had the cord wrapped round her neck so everytime I pushed she would move down but between pushes she'd go back up again so they used suction in the end to stop her going back up. It did seem quick though as there was lots happening, checks, contractions etc. I also didn't touch any of the snacks I had packed, eating was the last thing on my mind. Just water, lots of water! And yep, take lots of maternity pads. There's sooo much fluid when your waters break, the nurses gave me three huge pads at a time, all dignity lost on that day 😅

Congratulations to @FTEngineerM @Jary6 !! 🥰 @Jary what a birthing story, can't imagine how that must have been/felt!

My little boy was born on Wednesday morning, we've named him Elliott 💙 birth wasn't anything like I'd imagined, but like everyone says, soo worth it in the end xx

@Suma2021 that midwife sounds horrific. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better about things now but you should never have been made to feel like that in the first place. Do you think it is worth speaking to another member of the team who is more senior and raising your concerns? It may help avoid this thing happening to lots of other mums in future.

@Tokyo87 congratulations 💙

Ladies, I just feel so down. Dilapan induction is not really working. Midwife says there's been progress in my cervix softening and getting shorter but it's still not open after 2 rounds. They're now talking about giving me a propess tablet/gel/pessary? Girl, in the next bed dilated to 2cm after one round. I know I shouldn't compare but I can't help but question why my body is not working 😢 They haven't told me much about the propess; I like to be fully informed to get into the right headspace. Do you have any experiences of the propess? Also, I really don't want to go on the dreaded drip nor have an epidural although midwives seem to really champion it!
Midwives here have been lovely but I just want to be home. Having our baby in our arms feels like such a distance away. Family and friends constantly checking in without a break is also putting so much pressure on me. I know they mean well but I feel like they're wondering why I've still not had the baby as if something's wrong with me.

Congratulations to everyone, babies are coming now we are nearing the end of September and it's all such an amazing experience.

@Taybz hang in there. It's not easy and I completely understand how you feel about all the different methods. I know with my first I felt completely out of control and got to the point where I just did as I was told because I was so fed up and just wanted it all to be over.

I know it's hard but just listen to all your options as it is always your choice. Very soon you will be holding a baby and however it happens you haven't failed, you've managed to look after the baby until now and the fact your this far along shows how relaxed they are.

Hang in there, here for you x

@Taybz sorry that the dialapan hadn't worked as well as you hoped. I've had the process pessary for both DCs - the first time my cervix was really unfavourable when it was about in, not dilated at all, far back and hard. Waters broke naturally 9 hours later and I was 2cm. Second time I had the pessary in for 24 hours (cervix was soft, 1-2cm dilated and a little far back but they walked it forward), after 24 hours was 2-3cm and ready for my waters breaking. Ended up in hospital for 5 nights with DC2 - took a load of puzzle books, downloaded a ton of Netflix and went for a walk around the hospital grounds every couple of hours. It can be pretty frustrating being stuck in though, waiting for your little one, hope they are here soon.

Congrats @Tokyo87

@Taybz It is hard but try not to compare yourself to anyone else. Our bodies are all different and will react in different ways and speeds. Sounds like your body is working just fine, your cervix has softened and got shorter and whilst you may not feel like it, that's still progress which is great! Maybe the girl next to you already had a softer cervix for example, or her body just responds differently to induction procedures.
Propess is a synthetic prostaglandin so may they need you to remain lying down for any amount of time after insertion? Will you need to be monitored or able to move around freely etc? Will it cause a period of more intense contractions? Obviously no experience on my part as a FTM over here though!

I would feel the same if my friends and family were constantly checking, oh my goodness it's enough pressure for me right now with getting the "Any sign of baby?" messages let alone being in your situation!😂 Could you politely make an excuse so they can give you some space?

Good luck, you've got this 🙂

@Taybz I had the propess pessary and my cervix was long and hard on day 1. They inserted one pessary and left it in for 24 hours, they examined me and nothing had happened so they left it in for 6 hours more. Took it out to give me a break and then put another in on the Saturday morning. I started having contractions but nothing really happened, during the examination on Sunday morning my waters broke and Billie was born on Monday morning. It was a long slog but it DID work for me. I totally get how you feel, everyone around me was coming snd going with their babies and mine was taking FOREVER, it’s really disheartening! Take loads of entertainment, and remember you can always stop the induction process at any time and ask for a c section. I had the drip and an epidural too and honestly it was fine! My actual birth experience was lovely x

@Taybz thinking of you and hoping it's all going well. 💐

Hi

Could someone post the link to the September birth club thread please

@Hopefulmummie www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/4326386-Babies-due-September-2021?msgid=111116210#111116210

@ftengineerM thank you x

Hi ladies. I hope you’re all well. It’s been a while since I last checked in on here. Just wondered how many of us are still pregnant 🙋🏼‍♀️ 4 days overdue now and starting to get fed up and disheartened. I wasn’t mentally prepared to go into October!
Been getting lots of back pain and braxton hicks the last week or so but it doesn’t seem to be amounting to anything. I had an attempted sweep on my due date (Thursday) but my cervix was closed so it wasn’t successful. Got another attempt today.
I’ve tried every old wives tale in the book, plus walked over 4 miles Saturday and another walk yesterday, lots of ball bouncing and yoga.
It’s just the not knowing of when it’s going to happen! Had a really good chat with the midwife on Thursday about refusing induction and allowing baby to come when he wants, which is what I plan to do (unless there’s a medical reason not to) but the waiting is just so hard! X