Due August 2022 (3rd Thread)

[Beth262]

New thread - because I'm badly procrastinating with actual work today 😆

@squatternutbosh12 @Cakecakecheese @Shelly1812 @Coalcraft @madeleine85 @SantiagoSister @Mufflette @Gem2811 @ToCaden @RP90 @mamaof2girls @beckybloomwood11 @Isonthecase @Kcat82 @Unknown6 @strawberrysummer19 @Celyn22 @theotherfossilsister @PopgoesBang @Surprised12 @miltonj @BunnieMilk @Delight12

Sorry if I've missed anyone!

@Unsure1010, I'm 38 and having similar considerations. I have heard too many bad birth stories where induction is involved so I'm going to refuse that option and if needed I will go down c-section route.
I might be considering a c-section anyway as I have issues with my heart rate when I exert myself in pregnancy and pretty sure labour will cause exertion 🤔

@Unsure1010 I am sort of similar, natural issue free birth at 35 weeks last time, no induction. This time I am 37 and definitely not lighter than before, so older and less fit. I spoke to my doctor on this exact topic last week. She is very into the natural birth progression option, especially given prior natural fairly easy birth, and said that unless there was a medical issue, the absolute earliest that she will induce is 39 weeks, which frankly I will be doing if I go that far, just as stillbirth rates increase as we get older and that worries me a bit. She did say that although inductions sometimes fail/progress to C-sections, that if you have had a natural first birth, if an induction is used with the second, it is usually pretty easy/successful. My sister also had her 2nd induced 2 weeks pre due date, and managed a natural birth without any issues. Hope this helps a bit!

@Unsure1010 I had a brief conversation with my consultant who said due to my age (41) they would likely induce me at 39 or 40 weeks but they won't make any decisions just yet as I'm 29 weeks.

@Unsure1010 I had an induction with DD 9 years ago, she was my first. Her heart rate was all over the place, the pessary didn't work, but the hormone drip did, and dd made a speedy entrance into the world. I had a slight tear but we were both fine. 9 years on I'm 39, my bmi isn't as low as they'd like Altho I have lost 9kg, gestational diabetes and hyperemisis, I'm looking at induction at 38/39 weeks.
I'm having growth scans and it will be discussed with the consultant in more details at my 36 week appt.
Part of me feels ok with induction as an option, although I keep seeing stories about it taking days and being drawn out due to staffing etc. and quiet honestly, I don't want to be in hospital that long prior to birth, I know I'll be in a minimum of 24 hours post birth, but that can't be avoided.

Just remember it is your choice, and everyone will always offer an opinion. But you can only choose what you feel is right for you at the time.

@Unsure1010 No personal experience on the induction front but just to add to what @PopGoesBang has said about hearing stories with it being drawn out during to staffing issues. When I was in last week there were two ladies in my bay/room who had been brought in for induction and 6 days later they were still waiting. One was supposed to be an induction for medical issues with mum. Hopefully not the same at your health board but just to be aware!

I've been having a similar conversation around induction with my DP today. Hoping that the golden lining of a crap cervix is that I'm less likely to need one (average time to go into labour once the stitch is out is 14 days which would be 38 weeks).

But if I do then I think I'm happy to try having the gel rods in and then going home to wait and see which I know my trust offers, and if that doesn't work it's straight to c section for me, I think I'd be too aware of all the potential negative what ifs and would be more relaxed with a section.

Had a long night in triage last night due to regular contractions. Got there about half ten and got home about half three 😧

Baby was absolutely fine on the tcg but it did pick up the contractions so I had to wait around for a doctor to review. Must have been a busy night cause it took a while! And all they can do is look at my cervix and do a foetal fibronectin test, both of which were all good. The doctor did say though that he thinks I will most likely go early again, probably around 33-34 weeks 🙁 I hope he's wrong! It made me feel anxious once again about the fact that I'm only scheduled my consultant at 32 weeks 😧

but ah well, just have to resign myself to going in for an exam and a fibronectin test even time these bloody contractions show up.

On the subject of induction vs. section, I would 100% take the induction. Yes it can lead to a trickier vaginal delivery but a section is major surgery with significant recovery and might make picking up my lump of a toddler tricky! Of course if I end up needing a section then fine, but if there are other options I'll go for those first.

@CoalCraft hope you’re feeling better now. How many weeks are you? I know it’s scary but at least you kind of know the signs now and what to watch for. Still frustrating though!! Will they give steroids at a certain point to help lungs in case?

Hi everyone.

Anyone got any advice? I've possibly got strep b and I've looked online and scared myself. Anyone else have it and can explain it a bit?

Im abroad and my midwife appointments are done via a translator so it all gets a bit confused. A few weeks ago they told me I had an infection and they put me on amoxicillin, I've now realised that it was/is Gbs rather than a UTI. So they will test my urine again in a few weeks to see if I'm still positive and if o am, o have to have injections during labour. But I've scared myself looking online about the risk of still birth or the baby becoming very ill. I didn't have this with my 1st only 20 months ago so I'm confused! Any help appreciated

@CoalCraft, how did the early contractions feel? I'm 31 weeks and keep getting pain in my back. It feels a bit like period pain but new for me in pregnancy so I'm just wondering if it's something I should be monitoring, have a midwife appointment on Sunday, but still 2 days away.

My fingers swelled alot today when walking, but as soon as I stopped walking they went down again.

@CoalCraft what a stressful night! Hope you have had a little time to rest today. Can you see if there's a way of talking to your consultant earlier, always worth a try to see if there's even chance of a phone chat!

@CoalCraft ah bloomin heck. You tried so hard with the consultant and bring the appt forward as well. In light of last night can you contact your midwife team and see if they can add any weight, especially as you were told your likely to go early again. You'd think everyone would want to be as prepared and ready if that is the case. Hope you've managed some rest today.

Thanks everyone, it’s really helpful to hear others thoughts and experiences. @madeleine85 , I’ve already said to my midwife I don’t want to go late, purely because of the stillbirth rates. I’ll bring that up again on Wednesday. On the induction vs section question, I’m still leaning towards section, based on stories I’ve heard. My health board doesn’t have the best reputation at picking up issues… I know they are rushed off their feet though, so not criticising.

@CoalCraft what a stressful time for you!!! Hope you can maybe get somewhere with bringing your consultant appointment forward a little, based on what’s happened. At least you know the procedure if it happens again..

@CoalCraft could you ask pals about escalating? Seems so silly to just wait.

Anyone else finding pregnancy quite hard right now? I am so stiff and achey.

@CoalCraft hope you've managed to have a restful day after last night. I'm guessing that the fetal fibronectin test came back negative when you say it was all good so a little reassurance for you there I hope - at least for the 2 week window it's supposed to give anyway! . Everything feels heightened when you're already mum to a preemie, so completely understand your anxiety at the doctor predicting 33/34 weeks. I echo the others though and suggest pushing your midwife to try get you a consultant appointment before 32 weeks, especially after last night's shenanigans and your first DDs preterm birth x

@Isonthecase yes me. So creaky and stiff I feel about 90 😆

@CoalCraft eek that sounds like a horrendously long night - hope you’ve now had some proper rest. Also hope the doc is wrong about going early - agree with the others though that they should let you chat with the consultant earlier in light of this. No harm in making a bit of a fuss- they’ll be used to people making a fuss about much less pressing things!
btw I had my iron infusion today- just to let you know if you do end up having it, it was absolutely fine! Only took 15 min then 30 min on monitor to check for having a reaction. Not noticed any side effects so far. The colour of it though!! It looks like a bag of intravenous Coke 🤣

@Isonthecase yep me too- yesterday was a bad day and was thinking along the lines of ‘jesus I can’t do this for another 9 weeks!’ 😱 today was better though, wasn’t sick as much and managed more food. fingers crossed for easier days for you too :)

@madeleine85 I'm 29 weeks today, so was 28+5 at the time - obviously not an ideal gestation for baby to make an appearance? I believe they will give steroids if they find any cervical changes or foetal fibronectin, but right now there is apparently only a 2.4% chance that I'll go before 30 weeks. It is scary but it's also just grueling. My heart sinks knowing it's going to mean a 4-5 hour stint in triage. They are all so kind there but even so.

@miltonj I believe strep b is common with up to 10% of women carrying it? But it's also easily treated with antibiotics. Hope it gets sorted for you xx

@Unknown6 I feel the contractions as a tightness across the top of my bump with no involvement of my back at all. I can also use my hands and feel that my uterus is hard. That said, when I was in proper labour with my first, I felt those contractions as pressure in my lower back, and it was pretty vague at first. If you're feeling back pain and it's sort of going up and down in intensity regularly I'd definitely get checked.

@PopGoesBang @Isonthecase @Unsure1010 @Beth262 The logical part of my brain knows that there isn't very much a consultant can actually do. It's just a case of checking and testing whenever there are contractions to see if it could progress to labour or not, so I don't suppose an appointment would be of much practical benefit. It's the less rational part of my brain that finds it so strange. I will ring the antenatal clinic and ask them to let my consultant know about what happened, see if she can slot me in a bit earlier. I don't have any contact details for her personally. Fortunately triage has been great and keeps reiterating that I can come at any time, so I know I can see a doctor if I need to.

I'm definitely feeling the physical effects of pregnancy now. Can barely remember rolling over in bed without pulling something!

@Beth262 Sorry I meant to ask, how're you doing now? Are you back home?

@CoalCraft Thank you. I am back home and have generally been ok but a few contraction type instances yesterday evening. Triage didn't seem overly concerned and told me likely braxton hicks and to go to bed 🙄 When they discharged me at the start of the week they said any pain or bleeding to be straight back in. So funny how midwives see things so differently even if they're in the same department! It's a dull period pain type back ache this morning so will see how it goes. They've had a shift change since last night so will get someone different this afternoon if I do need to call 😆

Part of me wonders if I'm just on edge over thibking things because of the whole positive fetal fibronectin test, especially as it's been 9 days... but the pain last night was the whole 'stop, focus, breathe' waves so who knows 🤷

Have you managed any rest since being home? So hard with a toddler, I know! x

Am 30+5 today and DS was born at 30+1 so guess that's playing on my mind too that realistically it could be any day x

Glad its not just me basically falling apart!

@Beth262 hopefully you'll be the exception, it does sound like it could be Braxton Hicks too. All that about them not hurting is absolute rubbish.

@Isonthecase it's definitely not just you. I feel like i need a lie down after the exertion of getting dressed in the morning.

@Beth262 hope you get some reprive soon and baby stays put a little longer.

@Beth262 if it's a dull pain in your lower back that's coming in waves I would be concerned, personally as that is how my labour started with DD1. I know how frustrating it is having to keep ringing and keep explaining and going through the whole little phone ritual though. I don't think you are overthinking things at all and if the pain keeps going or gets even remotely worse, it would be best to go in.

Sorry you're having such a tough time 😞

As for me, I can't say I've gotten much rest, exactly since we've had friends down since Thursday (was a bit awkward when I had to slip out Thursday night, but oh well), but I've been trying to take it easy in a physical sense. Part of DD's bedtime routine involves a big old cuddle and when she's sleepy her weight rests on my bump. Hasn't been a problem before but it did cause some discomfort on Thursday and I think maybe it triggered the uterus irritability, so DH is gonna be taking over bedtimes fully now. He was doing it five days a week anyway.

I hope you are able to get some rest, physically at least. I'm sure it must be hard to relax mentally at the moment xx

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing ok. Just caught up on the last five pages. Congratulations @Delight12 and glad you’re back home @Beth262!

Apologies for not being great on the chat - had quite a whirlwind past few weeks. I’m 28w6d with due date of 21st Aug. Baby was measuring big at 20 and 24 weeks so my GTT was brought forward and was negative.

Baby girl was showing 31w5d at my 28w2d growth scan earlier this week and estimated weight of 3lbs 4oz 😳. I’ve also got too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) which means I’m at risk of early labour. Still not showing as having GD but started blood monitoring and I’m definitely having blood sugar issues (which they think are PCOS related). Went back on metformin today (was on it up until 4 years ago to manage my PCOS). Am already on asprin, vitamin D and additional iron so feeling quite medicated!

This is my first baby and my birth plan has always been a c-section but with the size of the baby and the excess fluid - it’s now the only option. I’m feeling both validated by my decision but also a bit disappointed that it’s not been my choice, if that makes sense?

Midwife and consultant have advised me not to travel abroad from now, which is a bit scary at not even 29 weeks. Also, gutting, as I had a five day break planned with DH. C-section may now be at 37 weeks instead of 39 weeks unless I go into labour before that.

So much going on and lots to think about. Sending love to those going through a tough time. Soon, we will have our babies in our arms and rare steak, sushi and unpasteurised cheese in our tummies! 💛