Due end of January 2022 - Thread 3

[spttc]

New thread before we run out!

I'm about 3 and a half weeks into my GD diagnosis and think my body is coping via diet controlling (so far.. I know things can take a turn!). I've had 5 higher-than-limit readings, however for all of them I can tell you exactly what naughty thing I ate. I think it was going so well that I though- this is easy! - so got a bit relaxed in my efforts. 3 were fasting readings, 2 were 1 hour after dinner readings.

Hope you ladies are all well! I have a question for those of you who already have DC or maybe just know more than me!! On Monday I have my first physical examination with the obstetrician.. Scared is an understatement!! Im 34wks, not in the UK (am in France) & this is my first baby. Up until now I’ve been able to keep trousers firmly on at the hospital 🤣 it’s a check to just see what my cervix is doing basically; I’ve had a ‘normal’ pregnancy, it’s not for any particular issue just a general ‘first look’ I guess. So I’m wondering what on earth will it be like?! Painful? Uncomfortable? The closest thing I can think would be like a smear test? I literally can’t think of anything I’d less rather do currently than have someone ‘down there’ but here we go - it’s the beginning of the end I guess! Have any of you had a cervical examination before & what was it like? Xo

@sjxoxo I only ever had one examination in my first pregnancy. I won't lie - it wasn't particularly pleasant but I will say I was actually in labour when they did it so a lot of things weren't particularly pleasant that day!! I reckon if it was a routine check, it would probably be similar to a smear. Maybe a little more uncomfortable? I wouldn't feel over worried if they said they wanted me to have one.

On another note, does anyone else feel like there's so much to do? I think with Christmas etc I just feel like I don't have enough hours in the day! Only 2 weeks left at work so hopefully will free up a bit more time.

@sjxoxo. I can't imagine the examination will be particularly pleasant. Could you just decline until later in the pregnancy if its not for any particular purpose at this stage? It does sound a bit unnecessary. Don't think anything like that is routine in the UK.

@BobbleWobble1 @SouthwestSis thanks for your replies! I think it’s because here you see a midwife every month until month 7 and then 8 & 9 you see an obstetrician/consultant so it’s like my routine appointment for month 8! I’m wondering if the physical is optional and it’s part of the general appointment- my midwife offered me one at month 7 but I said no thanks 😂 so maybe it’s similar! I suppose I’ll see on Monday!!!
Agree there’s loads to do still before bub arrives plus Xmas!! I feel like I’ve got about 2-3 weeks left of being able to actually move around & get stuff done- I think beyond that I’ll be so huge & waddley I’ll be stuck still 🤣 xo

Hey, hope it's okay to join? I'm 33 weeks and due 20th Jan with an IVF pregnancy with a DD. Already have a DS who is 10yo 2 days after Xmas. Didn't have a great first tri as I was pregnant with twins but lost one at 9 weeks unfortunately. It's been a pretty smooth pregnancy since and my little survivor has been engaged 2 weeks now which is causing lots of lovely sharp pains on my cervix 🙄

@sjxoxo I had two sweeps with my first and they weren't too bad at all and the midwife's/doctors usually make really light of it I find so you don't feel so worried.

@Crazydoglady123 isn’t a sweep for induction?? This is just a check up, bit early for a sweep xo

@sjxoxo yeah but very similar just obviously they're not messing around with your cervix, they'll just be checking to it. My point was more so general on having an internal examination pre labour isn't too bad and it's over quickly and made light of in my experience

@sjxoxo sounds very different in France. They wouldn't offer anything like that routinely here. I didn't have a sweep with my first as I declined it but I'd imagine a sweep being more uncomfortable as they're actually poking around. As someone else said, I would definitely ask why they want to do it and then decide whether or not you want it.

@sjxoxo I had a physical internal checkup by the midwife and it was totally fine. Was good to know that my cervix is closed etc, and she just checked for any signs of thrush etc. Was very quick and routine

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 @BobbleWobble1 @Crazydoglady123 thanks all for your replies- yes I will ask tomorrow exactly why they offer it, I think it’s just a general check up to see what your cervix is doing, signs of pre term labour etc. France is very different for maternity care yes. I mean we have midwives etc the same as there but the health service here is funded partly by a health insurance system so there aren’t the same strains; if anything they are obsessed with medical treatment as it’s big bucks here. I’ll let you know what it’s like tomorrow.. the obstetrician is nice and friendly but still being a Brit I’m a bit prudish compared to the French 🤣 Sweep is a word that frightens me still at 34 weeks but need to get my head around it as we are fast approaching due dates now!!

On a side note I’ve bought the online course from
The Positive Birth Company- haven’t finished it but what I’ve done has been good so far- if you can’t go to one of their classes for whatever reason it’s a good source of info & quite thorough! There’s a birth plan template & relaxation etc. Would recommend to anyone looking for a positive birth preparation course xo

Interesting @sjxoxo, can I ask how much do you have to pay for the insurance roughly? Is it more expensive if you're older or have more health problems?
And how do people who can't afford insurance access healthcare?

I've been reading a book from the positive birth company and have found most of it pretty helpful.
I turned 33w this morning, my husband looked a bit rabbit in headlights when I mentioned our baby could be born in 4 weeks and be term!

I had my 32 week growth scan this morning. As expected, because my blood sugar levels are still out of control despite my best efforts and those of my diabetes team, baby is looking very big. Head circumference is normal but abdominal circumference is 93rd percentile and the current estimated weight is 5lb 6oz/2.44kg.

Interestingly the femur length was estimated at 95th percentile but I can't see anything to suggest that gestational diabetes causes long legs - maybe I'm brewing an actual giant!

@SouthwestSis we pay about €20 a month but this isn’t totally typical- average is probably €25-30 per person. It’s a bit like the US system where you have packages with your employer, my husbands job subsidises it so he pays €20 a month and I am added on for free as we are married & baby also. So here the state pays 40% of costs and insurance 60% although due pregnancy from 7 months (I think) it’s the state that pays all. You can use your insurance to pay for special room etc if you want/if it’s included in your package. So people with glasses for example will choose a plan that has loads of eye cover extras. We still pay NI and there is large state contribution! You pay 25€ to see the GP but then get this refunded.

@thecapitalsunited we are in the same boat with giants! I measured the same as you pretty much, 97th percentile! At the appointment this morning with the obstetrician we had a chat about induction which is common here for babies predicted over 4.5kgs. Are you having a boy or a girl? My DH is 2m10 and 140kgs, I hoped for a girl
initially but when I saw the percentiles I knew it was a boy who was taking after his dad 😂 what’s your due date xox

@sjxoxo I'm due on Jan 28th but I'll be induced before then due to my gestational diabetes. I don't know what I'm having. Both DH and I are average height but my mum's family is full of tall, well built men and women so having long legs doesn't give me much of a clue!

@thecapitalsunited oooh that’s exciting!! And even more so if you can’t even pick up any clues from your different family members 😂 my side of the family are quite small so it gave the game away when she said 97th percentile and I saw a very long looking leg on the scan! x

@SouthwestSis reminds me of my husband when I told him a Christmas day baby was fair game this time. I'll be 37 weeks Christmas week. Though truthfully I don't think I'll go into natural labour that early. His reaction was hilarious though.

I had a combined 36 week and home birth assessment this morning. Bit early for the 36 week appointment but saves me a trip! Have a growth scan next week as it's standard in my trust. All went well. I still hope to go to the MLU at the main hospital but as childcare is one of our challenges this time, I'd rather have a home birth back up plan just in case. I really do need to get organised for labour. Feel it should be a job for the weekend.

Had an appointment/scan today...32+2, overall baby is 50th centile I think but more like 80th in length. So tall & slim. My husband is 6ft6inches. His whole family are tall & athletic. We're all average in my family...I'm 5ft 7 (so not short but not super tall). For my daughters sake I hope she takes more after my side 😂🙈 I think anything over 5ft 10 is difficult for a woman clothing wise etc. Hoping she stays average in width too....thinking of her exit 😅🙈 All well tho, I feel so iv been lucky to have such a smooth pregnancy 💯🙏 my appointments are dull, nothing to say 😂

Starting hypobirthing course this week, I feel I'm a bit late to the game, it's so hard to fit it all in. Anyone done any good courses?

@spttc ah let us know how you get on with the hypnobirthing course! I have been thinking about it but honestly I am not sure it's something for me... But I hear lovely things about it so I am debating 😅
We are currently doing our nct antenatal classes, they are so so so so worth it!
Very informative for both pregnant ladies and partners, so many pratical advices and being in small classes we get to ask a lot of questions and receive personalised advice... Plus we have met other people all living nearby, which will be lovely to have some support from people that are on the same journey!
On the other hand one of the couples had to drop off because they already had their baby at 33 wk 😱 it made me realise that maybe it would not be a horrible idea to start packing the essentials, just in case 😬
So far I am all good a part from a constant pain in my upper abdomen where apparently baby loves to push with her feet 🙄 but I am glad I have no other pains or issues, fingers crossed it stays like this!

I would definitely start packing an essentials bag. I'd half done mine and last night got out of the bath to what must have been a huge gush of fresh blood and white jelly mucus. I spoke to triage and we concluded I didn't seem to be bleeding anymore and had to put a pad on and monitor it for an hour. There was still red blood when I was wiping an hour later so I had to go to the Day Assessment Unit at the main hospital at 11ish last night. Had to drive myself over as my OH had to look after DS. When I got there I'd passed a large clot on my pad and my urine same was red. The doctor saw me at 12.30am and had a look inside with a speculum and there was still dark blood in there and so she wanted the senior consultant to look so he came in and said my cervix is closed but it could be the start of pre term labour. I was having a few tightenings according to the CTG and also had period like pains so they kept me in to monitor me. They've given me a steroid injection today and have to go back tomorrow for the next one. Thankfully I've had no bleeding today and was allowed home this evening but if any signs of labour start I have to go back. First thing I did when I got home was pack my hospital bag! I had no change of clothes and was in my pj's, no toothbrush or toothpaste (thank god for masks)! Thankfully I grabbed my phone charger though as I rushed out the door. But moral of the story is pack your bag ladies! Even if it's just bare essentials as it literally happened out of nowhere

Omg @Crazydoglady123 how scary, are you feeling okay now? How far along are you?

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I'm 33+5. Her head has been engaged for a couple of weeks but apparently that can happen on second pregnancies. I've had a lot of sharp pains on my cervix tonight too but where she's engaged that's not uncommon. My tummy was upset earlier too and I keep worrying I'm bleeding but go to the loo and I'm not so I reckon it'll be a long night again 😰 You just don't expect to see blood this late on!

@Crazydoglady123 you really don't expect to see blood this late on, must have been very scary to see. I'm glad they're checking you well, and have given you steroids, and hopefully little one will stay put for at least another couple of weeks.
Are you okay this morning?

@Crazydoglady123 wow that sounds like a crazy experience! Hope all is ok today and baby stays put!

I'm off for another growth scan today, hopefully all still on track.

Baby always seems to be transverse day to day and then wiggles his way to head down for scans!