Due May 2022 thread 5

[Kittycaz]

@midnight90 @MrsMay19 @JMill13 @YfenniChristie @EastMidsGem @morphe @Sarah239 @fejkalove @Mummyingetc @Orangesunshin @aNewYorkerInLondon @Bubbasmama2017 @GinnyBee @Lavendersblue42 @Honeymint @YummyMummyXoX @K834baby3

Hey all if I missed anyone please add. Noticed last board is almost full.

@Zibidee that's interesting! Seems like nothing is proven to bring on labour other than going to hospital for medical induction. My friend swears by having sex to bring on labour so I will be giving that a go this weekend!

@Bubbasmama2017 nipple stimulation is supposed to work. I've been doing it 3 times a day 5 minutes on each and I do get tightness and cramps but then they disappear. Pineapple and dates haven't worked at all. Am trying the curry myth tonight lol x

Colostrum harvesting did causes few cramps at first but doesn't seem to anymore. Perineal massage again, a bit crampy but it faded. I can't do pineapple or dates or a curry due to Gestational diabetes, bit might try a spicy tikka or something! And sex, well I think it's the sperm that is supposed to do the trick and as a lesbian my only access to sperm is the remaining sample we have in the IVF freezer! And daily orgasms haven't done anything yet! If anything, walking the dog seems to bring on more niggly pains.
I'm very open to other ideas anyone has...?

@Zibidee I've heard lush sex bomb helps I don't have a lush near me closest one is 40 miles away so I haven't tried it myself. But I know lush warn u away from it if your pregnant as it can cause contractions. X

I came for a growth scan and consultant appointment today and have been admitted for steroids/sliding scale tonight and tomorrow as I'm 36+2 and a c-section booked for Friday. I've barely had chance to take it in and I'm feeling overwhelmed and very scared. Also so upset that I didn't get any quality time with my DD beforehand, I planned to have a pamper night with her and sleepover in Mummy's bed.
Just waiting for the dr to change something on my drug chart for the midwife to be able to administer the steroids.

Sorry, no real point to this post other than I'm petrified.

@fejkalove ah sorry to hear. So stressful when these things happen.

💜 you got this mama, pamper night with your daughter once you're back home will be even better.

@fejkalove, that's certainly scary. It sounds like you and your doctors are doing exactly the right things got yourself and your family. Focus on meeting your baby soon. You're doing a great job!

@Kittycaz apparently today is world bath bombs day so a coincidence you should say that! (no I didn't make it up!)

I've heard lots of myths about what does and doesn't induce labour, I'm sure some have more reasoning behind them than others, but the main one that midwives seem to say might actually help is having sex as the semen releases prostaglandins which encourages cervix to "ripen".

@fejkalove what does sliding scale mean? I'm sorry, it sounds like you've had quite a shock ❤️ Did you know at all you would be scheduled for a c-section or just not this soon? Or did you know about the c-section but not that you'd be admitted before Friday? I'm sorry things haven't gone to plan, be kind to yourself and try and rest as much as poss before Friday. I'm sure you will be well looked after and your DD will be waiting for you when you get home. Sending love and hugs xx

@fejkalove I'm sorry to hear this can you have your daughter visit you tomorrow for a few hours if you explain to the midwives they may let you. Take care and try to relax (as much as you can in hospital) until Friday. x

Thank you all. Unfortunately @Kittycaz she's not allowed on the ward - I may be able to meet her in the canteen downstairs, depending on if she can come after school.

@Sarah239 I have GD so a sliding scale is a drip of insulin/glucose which they adjust based on levels (steroids are notorious for playing havoc with levels). Although I had the steroid injection which was unpleasant, they're just monitoring if my sugar level goes above 10 then I will have the sliding scale. I didn't know I was having a c section, although I was going to ask if it was an option for me as I didn't want to labour for days struggling to manage my sugar levels with hospital food and then end up with an EMCS but baby was transverse on the scan today. She's been previously breech for most of the pregnancy, head down last week and transverse today. I assumed I would be induced early as she's not growing very much but definitely didn't expect the dr to tell me Friday - cue lots of tears!
X

@fejkalove oh, bless you! It sounds like a real rollercoaster but at least this way you know you can avoid an EMCS and the long labour you feared. Maybe once you have got over the initial shock you can try to focus your mind on meeting your baby soon, with the knowledge that she should arrive in a calm, managed way now. I would feel the same though so I totally get it xx

Hey @fejkalove sorry to hear you've been admitted, and hope you're being well looked after. A friend of mine was admitted for a C-section - she had GD and needed steroids, so you have my sympathies with keeping those in control!

Had the meeting with the consultant yesterday which was a mixed bag if I'm honest. Growth scan felt very rushed and was told the doctor would speak to us about the results which sent alarm bells going. Turned out we were seeing the doctor instead of the consultant - which I wasn't particularly happy about since this was the "next steps" meeting. Managed to wrangle seeing the consultant eventually.

Long story short, they are happy with how the meds are working and after much discussion, I am being induced next Wednesday!

@fejkalove hoping the hospital stay isn't too bad, I guess if she's not growing well then it's better out than in where you can give her everything she needs on the outside without GD interfering. Sounds like she's a real monkey moving all over the place, she definitely wants to be out doing those acrobatics! You've got this!

Hi all,
I posted recently and got some replies but the site wouldn't allow me to reply or post afterwards i've no idea why! So my apologies for not being able to reply to those who responded and thank you for the help, my issue is resolved now thank goodness!

My latest query is in relation to Covid. My partner just tested positive so I am anticipating getting it myself, I am 38 wks now and wondering if anyone knows what this means for the pregnancy? Will it change anything? Will I be induced early if i test positive? Would love any info as Im copmpletely in the dark on this one! Thanks so much!

@Cienega, I would keep away from your husband as best you can and test every day. If you test positive or have any symptoms, then call your midwife. It seems each trust handles this a little differently. Good luck!

Good morning, ladies! I hope this starts your day off with a laugh.

So, I've heard of new mums doing this before but thought maybe an exaggeration. Nope, I've just done it. I answered the front door in my nursing nightgown half unsnapped with baby latched and feeding! It was DPD. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙈😳🥛

Hi gals, sorry I haven't been on much, been a bit busy here at the farm and tired from the physical work. And I have no news 🤷‍♀️

Re: tips to bring on labour, according to the midwife who leads our antenatal class (Bump & Baby Club) the only methods with some scientific backing are sex, nipple stimulation, dates and maybe acupuncture. And these won't kick start things, but can make it easier and shorter when it does start. The science behind sex is that sperm contains prostaglandins which is an essential hormone for labour, nipple stimulation boosts oxytocin which is another essential labour hormone, and dates can help soften the cervix. Acupuncture has also been shown to ripen the cervix and get you ready for labour to start.

Generally also trying to do anything that helps you relax which is again essential for labour as stress hormones will slow things down and can even stop the whole process - from evolutionary point this is quite useful as if your cave is suddenly attacked you want to be able to escape without being in active labour.

@aNewYorkerInLondon I can see myself doing this aswell 😂

@GinnyBee ive heard the nipple stimulation is also to trick ur body into thinking u r breastfeeding and have allready gave birth so your body thinks the baby left in your womb is just placenta and will try to extract it. (think it was on QI I heard this)

I'm gonna go for a walk as am crampy again in hopes gravity may work this time am 39 weeks tomorrow and would like LO to make an appearance soonish. Very uncomfortable x

Thank you all for your kind words. I managed to avoid the sliding scale last night as they require levels to be over 10 to start it and mine was highest at 9.9. I felt pretty rubbish at that level mind and I had to check all through the night so I think I only managed 4 hours max all together. Tonight will be much the same but I'm a little more anxious as I've heard a few stories of people having higher levels with second dose. Also on top of that, the anxiety for tomorrow!
I really hope you're all getting on okay and labours all progress for you quickly (those who are patiently waiting!) Xx

Hello all, baby was born at 9am yesterday, weighing 8lb11oz. Quite a whopper compared to my other 2 dc (7lb/7lb 3oz), very much a GD baby! She had a couple of heel prick glucose checks after birth and her levels are fine, so my consultant doesn't have any more concerns.

Otherwise the c-section went pretty smoothly, hopefully I should be able to go home tomorrow. I'm finding the recovery quite manageable, just taking paracetamol and codeine regularly and able to move around OK.

Congratulations @morphe!!!

She's beautiful!! Such long hair already!

So glad you're feeling good!

Congratulations @morphe x

@morphe Congratulations!!! Such a lovely photo of your adorable baby girl xxxx

@Cienega I echo the other advice to try and avoid your partner as best you can, it may seem unlikely to avoid catching it but is possible (my sister managed not to pass it to her husband). I have just had covid at 36 weeks and honestly the medics weren't that bothered and I had it quite mildly. But my experience: when I tested positive I rang maternity triage, they did a risk assessment on me to work out if I should have blood thinners to prevent clotting (I didn't need them and was classed low risk). Then it's just a case of riding it out really I think and obviously seeking care if you feel seriously unwell at all. You would need to check your hospital's policy regarding if you went into labour, obviously they have to treat you as the pregnant person, but if your birth partner is still positive different trusts have different rules on testing and positive/symptomatic partner's attending. I was more worried about my partner than me but luckily we both recovered within a few days.

I haven't heard of induction being done as standard because of covid; I think that would only happen if you became seriously unwell with it and they were concerned for you or baby.

Best wishes and take care, I hope you stay well. For me it was just like a cold for a few days. Xx

@morphe congratulations! What a cutie ☺️