Due end of January 2022 - Thread 3

[spttc]

New thread before we run out!

Thanks everyone for your replies I really appreciate it . It's good to hear from people that are actually in this situation as well as the advice online. Nice to know you're not alone in making these decisions.

Haven't packed my bag yet - so disorganised! But have got most the what I need.
The only thing I haven't bought yet is baby clothes, we don't know what we're having so will just get a few neutral things this week i think. Can't seem to believe baby going to be here so soon!

@Crazydoglady123 I’m sure yes 😂 we have had growth scans every 4 weeks due to a genetic condition on my side of the family and also my DH being a giant man. Baby is 97th percentile, head 10.5cm which worries me more than the thumper feet!! Current weight estimated at 37+3 is 7lbs7oz. Final appointment next week with consultant to decide on a plan of action, I’m anticipating an induction being offered wk 39/40.. my biggest fear is him getting stuck! xo

Hello everyone, I'm due 14th Jan, wondered how everyone is getting on and if this is not your first what signs did u have before going into labour? X

@specky114 I had my first Pfizer at 14 weeks, 2nd at 19weeks, had my booster at 34 weeks. I was 3months, 10 days since my 2nd vaccine when I got the booster. I understand your feeling of all 3 is alot, but my consultant explained to me that doesn't make medical sense that there would be an issue getting a third, and I could have 20 Covid vaccines during pregnancy and the level of safety remains the same 😂 The first vaccine of any kind there's a chance you have an allergic reaction, but once you've had it before you know that won't happen....explains them abolishing the 15min wait after the shot for boosters.

@sjxoxo apparently the measurements they give on scans are to be taken with a pinch of salt. Iv heard stories of people being told their baby is small, around 5lbs and it being born 9lbs 😅 likewise a friend of mine was induced 2 weeks early as baby was meant to be over 10lbs....was 7lbs 😬

I finally put my hospital bags in the car yesterday 🎉 it's a load off. Had a moment of worry/dread/fear lastnight about the birth itself lastnight, it's hard to believe it's actually happening 😬🙈

Hi everyone, hope everyone is ok. I spent overnight in hospital Christmas to Boxing which wasn’t ideal but all is ok. My bloods are picking up my liver is being a bit odd, so I’m to watch out for itching, which ofcourse is making me itch because I’m thinking about it!

I hadn’t packed my bag (34+5 at the time) so was forced to send my bag list to DH to pack and drop off. Bless him he tried. One of my first jobs when I got home was to repack.

Thanks @spttc that all makes sense. With cases getting so high again I know that I want to get it, I just wasn't sure when the right time etc would be. Prefer to have it before baby especially being in the hospital and so I don't need to think about after.

Hi everyone,
sorry to hear you had Christmas in hospital @Jonesy88!! I hope you are well now!!

I have hospital bag ready and car seat installed, so that we are prepared, just in case! I know and have heard about quite a few people that gave birth earlier than expected, and I am almost 36 weeks so it's not far from being full term!!

As others have said, I had all my covid jabs during this pregnancy, actually the first one just the day after I found out I was pregnant. This time I could have waited after baby is here, but actually it's just safer to have it now and be protected + pass some antibodies to our babies, I don't see any downside! but I understand that it can be scary!!

@spttc yes I know they aren’t always accurate. There’s a genetic condition in my family which can show up during fetal development in short bone measurements so we have had lots of measurements which I’m hoping are somewhat accurate or at least generally a good indicator but I know they aren’t always right. Well done on getting your bags into the car! I’m finishing off packing this pm. I’ve got a list from the hospital, one of the things on the list is ‘cabbage leaves’… I kid you not!! 😂 here in France the midwives recommend them for soothing sore nipples when your milk comes in. Honestly I’m not making it up! I looked online and it seems it is actually a thing! Apparently they are high in sulphur which can help engorged boobs xo

@sjxoxo they mentioned cabbage leaves during the antenatal course!!! I also found it so weird but apparently it's a thing!!
I have just bought nipple cream for now, but who knows I will try it at some point ahaha

@EsseKey ooh that makes it seem a bit more normal haha! I thought it was a wierd french thing 😂 I’ve only got cream too but I was thinking if you take a cabbage better put a name tag on it… don’t want to be sharing your fridge fresh cabbage leaves with someone else’s boobs 😂😂 xo

@sjxoxo ahahah indeed! and also I guess you need to always have some at home, you can't just buy them in advance and keep them in your hospital bag until they are needed 😁
Anyway our antenatal class instructior is french so maybe that's where it's coming from?! still quite funny though 😁

@EsseKey oh yes maybe she’s bringing the french touch 😉 how strange! I told my grandma and she said ‘never heard of such a thing in all my life’ in a very disapproving tone! I might send DH out to get a cabbage once labours out of the way, we can do a test & see if it really helps.. in my head it’ll give My little mermaid vibes to the post birth goddess look 🤣 (farm version) xo

Hi everyone, hope everyone's doing well. I am 36 weeks today, had midwife yesterday and all okay now measuring 37 weeks though. I feel it lol. I have had Christmas off but return to work tomorrow and then have 2 weeks at work after NY. I still feel okay but everything is indeed harder!

I have my ball up now and feel so much more comfortable spending the majority of my sitting time bouncing on it!

I've also started raspberry leaf tea, 6 dates a day and perineal massage. I'm having to set reminders for all of this 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Hospital bag not packed but have stuff for it. I am hoping for home birth so hope not to need it and perhaps why I don't feel rushed but I do need to do one obviously just in case. I feel like I can perhaps do it in early labour 😬

@sociallydistained oh wow you are busy!! I tried perineal massage but gave up as I thought I wasn’t doing it right & it was so awkward to reach 😂 have you done it before for a previous birth & did you think it helped?? Im taking rasp leaf tea too- are you drinking it or taking tablets? Im not sure what sort of dosage is right, I’m taking 750mg a day but saw online somewhere that’s quite a low dose so not sure it’s making any difference! Not long to go at work for you now & you’ll appreciate the ‘time off’ even more! Xox

I can't seem to do perineal massage, I'm not sure what I'm doing, and I cannot reach! The oil I have says not for internal use also?

I've also got an Aniball, and I'm struggling with that too. Although I can 'birth' it in a squat, it stings, and I can only get it up to 21 cm circumference. I'm not sure I'm doing that right also 😬

I'm eating dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea. Although also now not sure if two cups a day is anywhere near enough!

Anyone trying to beat an induction date? Any tips for things that might work?

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 21cm sounds like a bloody good effort to me! I was too scared to attempt a ball thingy & same problem as you for massage..t Rex arms these days 🤣 x

Hi all! I’m due 29th jan, so 35 weeks right now, 3rd pregnancy!
Massive congrats @Scottishgal85 hope you’re doing ok!!

I packed my hospital bag this week but still need to buy my pads etc, they are sat in my boots basket waiting! Lol

I had my booster week before christmas, feel fine, had Moderna and a sore arm but no other side affects! This was 6 months after my 2nd dose and my gp strongly advised me to get it, even wrote me a letter as they hadn’t put pregnant women in the vulnerable category yet.

Hope everyone enjoyed their christmas!

I really need to step up the attempts at perineal massage but similarly struggling to reach well enough to do it properly. Tried to get my husband to help but he just looked really awkward and wasn't particularly encouraging. You'd think after all the efforts I've made and discomfort I've suffered the last 8 months he could at least help with this!
I'm going to start to attempt colostrum harvesting next week to try and beat my induction, though I haven't been given an induction date yet, have an appointment to plan it next week, eek!

@sjxoxo I think a baby's head is 30 cm or something, so I think it's just terrifying me, as I cannot get it any bigger....

@Jonesy88 sorry to hear re: hospital over Christmas, hope you're feeling better. Hadn't read that far back on the thread

For the massage (I use that term lightly) I only started last week and have been setting a reminder to do it every other day. It is very awkward and at first I had no idea so I found a YouTube video which described what to do and put it on whilst I attempted it and it made sense. I have found it best to put a towel down on the sofa and do it there sat up rather than laying on the bed. You only need to do it for 3-5 mins so its not too bad. I have the my expert midwife oil.

For raspberry leaf tea I have the hot tea Mama "final push" tea bags. I am trying to do 2 a day but tbh mostly only remember 1 and apparently you should build up to 3 a day after 37 weeks... I'm gonna have to set more reminders 🤦🏻‍♀️ ... I've just put the kettle on now haha

My midwife gave me a colostrum harvesting pack yesterday it has 2 fabric hearts in it which the leaflet explained you can put one with baby and one on you then exchange them so you have each other's smells. I guess that is if you are separated at any point or in nicu 😢
Im probably going to give this a go but not until I finish work as don't want it to promote leaking or kick off labour. Soon as im finished work it's all good!

Hi everyone, thanks for all the good wishes. Everything is incredible, our wee boy is just amazing and being a mum is honestly the best thing ever!
@specky114 I had my booster last Monday and was admitted into hospital on the Tuesday to be induced. My husband and I have now both tested positive 🙄. (I'm guessing we picked it up at the hospital) so I'm glad I had the booster, as it seems to have kept any real symptoms at bay. I would say go for it, this new strain is so contagious, that any protection is going to be beneficial to you and the wee one. x

I’ve been booked in for an induction on the 17th (38+4) but hoping that colostrum harvesting might bring things along more quickly. I managed a whole 0.1ml on my first try but it wasn’t too difficult so I’m taking it as a positive sign that I’ll be able to collect enough to help stabilise baby’s blood sugars when it arrives. Having as yet uncontrolled gestational diabetes I’ve been worrying about poor baby having a hypo when it’s born so at least this gives me something positive to do.

@Scottishgal85 thanks for the advice. And a huge congratulations to you! Lovely news that you are enjoying your newborn bubble

Hopefully you don't have any symptoms and are feeling ok.

Hi all, I didn’t try perineal massage before 1st birth and I did tear a bit although not too bad. Tore the same places on my second so kinda expecting the same this time round. But then my labours were both pretty fast, so I’m not sure it would have helped anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

I would recommend buying products for after! I used aloe Vera gel both times, and it’s amazing! This time I also have a natural birth company spray and some witch Hazel pad liners which had good reviews on boots! Big soft pads are a must, not skinny period type ones. The thick cottony ones act like a cushion too!

I’ve got my induction booked for 10th Feb but haven’t needed one previously so 🤞🏻 and I hope you guys all beat induction too!
I did have a stretch both times at my due date midwife apointment tho!