Due September 2022 (Thread 7!)

[HaresHoping]

Hiya everyone,

Just starting a new thread for when we need it as thread 6 is almost full! ☺️

I hope you don't have any bleeds in the next 4 weeks. Also whilst it's really hard not to presume the worst when you spot a bleed, my biggest advice would be to try to remain as calm as possible. Even in an emergency situation, your section may not have to be a crash under GA and there is usually time for a spinal etc. Bleeding without contractions is less dangerous than bleeding and contracting which I am told is more likely to happen if you're stressed. On Thursday I was really panicked and began contracting too. I was given magnesium sulfate to slow things down and thankfully it worked.

I was moved to another hospital out of area but within the same county on Sunday due to a lack of NICU cots available. It's been a tough couple of days of adjusting to new surroundings and protocols but I feel like I've finally turned a corner today and feeling much more like myself.

It's been 10 years since my last section so I'm also on the lookout for advice but two things I do remember is arnica being wonderful for helping with healing and peppermint tea being a saviour for trapped wind/bloating as it can be very painful xx

@Butterflytulip that is really great!! Also @awwbiscuits, lovely news both of you :)

@handbagsandholidays glad they managed to stop the contractions and I hope your little one stays put for a while longer! My friend recently had a C section and she really recommended a belly band post pardum type thing and putting a fabric type ice pack inside it. She also said to take all the medication that they give you/recommend, and to make sure to take it exactly when you are meant to (and set alarms).

Anyone else having mum guilt it's the summer holidays and I am struggling to find things to do with my 2 boys simply because of my swollen feet, hospital apps and the fact I am heavily pregnant.. my boys have been amazing about it all but I can't help feel guilty we usually do loads of days out during the week but I am struggling to walk far xx

I have the worse guilt. I only work term time but I'm keeping DD in her nursery over the 6 weeks, I just don't have the energy to give the attention she deserves. We are on holiday together next week and DH can pick up when I start to wilt. I'll be trying to make as many special memories as possible next week.

@TurquoiseDreamCatcher oh it's been so hard atm I have had apps all this week and so knew things would be a nightmare iam going to try and plan a few things for next week for them I just feel so bad even though they're quite happy plodding around the house x

Birth plan all done I am so excited water birth has been approved as my little lady is growing nicely decided against the c section that will be a last resort.. i will be having a sweep at 39 weeks they don't want me going over 40 weeks due to my anxiety especially with my ectopics last year and the traumatic births with my other 2 I no with my track record she will most likely be kicking her way out early 😂 the consultant midwife was amazing she really listened and completely understood what I was saying especially with my fears and past births it felt nice to have someone on my side I really did advocate myself well I wasn't worried about expressing everything... I am looking into get a tens machine too.. they will be timing my labour in the birthing suit and if it goes over a certain length of time they with my consent move me over to have an epidural I am not sure I will need it I had 2 very natural labours without pain relief.. I really hope I manage to birth her in the pool was gutted I was too tired to get back in the pool with my son.. it's all starting to feel real now.. the sweep worked well with my first son had him 10 hours after it being done I didn't have one with my second he just waited out 😂😂 I also asked about the period like pains and she seems to believe it's braxton hicks as they aren't continuous xx

I'm in a similar position with respect to the section timing. Was told today that they probably want to have baby out at 36 weeks, but I'm not putting too much weight on that to be honest - it'll all depend how the next scans go, particularly the growth scan the week after next. If there is reasonable growth on that scan then I might push back a bit against the 36 week idea - I don't want baby to be prem for no good reason.

So pleased for you @Sweetbabydust1989 that all sounds so exciting!

@Redapple21 Thankyou lovely I honestly didn't think it would be approved because of my history but they said I am relatively low risk now and I did have one last time although I gave birth out of water they don't see why I shouldn't try again.. they also don't think she is back to back anymore and if she is not to panic like I did last time as they will support me more once she begins to turn on her own so lots of support.. this is my last pregnancy so really hoping I get third time lucky with a dream birth I actually feel like i am in control this time.. how are you doing lovely?? Xx

@Sweetbabydust1989 aww everything crossed for you that you get the birth you want this time, it sounds like you have all the right support which is brilliant!
I'm good thank you. I haven't discussed my birth plan yet so will ask my midwife next week when we start to discuss it. I will be 34 weeks next week so hopefully it's then! I'm also hoping for a water birth now that my low placenta has moved up. I've been watching videos on hypnobirthing trying to get as educated as I can in the lead up! Excited and terrified all at once haha. First time for me!!

@Redapple21 oh it's definitely better this time round I saw a consultant midwife she will relay everything to the consultant.. have you looked into tens machines you can either hire or buy them they're are apparently suppose to be amazing I never knew about them many moons ago but going to get one this time round just can't use it in the pool.. the birth suits are lush they're huge and really do feel less clinical mine had a huge sofa in it that my DP took residency of for most of my labour as I needed him for the more active part.. Have you had many Braxton hicks mine started a couple of days ago xx

@Sweetbabydust1989 oh wow that sounds amazing! Don't want to get my hopes up too much in case I get there and they don't have a pool suite available, but I really hope they do!
Oh yes a tens machine, I have seen people mention these, il have a look at hiring/buying one, thank you! I am starting to feel quite excited now, love feeding off other peoples excitement !! Xx

@Redapple21 I shared that fear with the midwife she reassured me that most of the time the pools are available they will keep you in their assessment bit until one does become available... She said most people want the drugs so dodge the pool .. I am more excited now that I have that In place before was so unknown now it's not xx

@TurquoiseDreamCatcher honestly without daycare right now I think I would be in a mental hospital. We got an email about hand foot and mouth yesterday and I almost had a breakdown thinking if we get it and were all trapped at home! That holiday is so well deserved. I know what you mean about trying to create special memories with DD. It feels like there is a weird pressure to "be there" with our children before the dynamic changes, even if it truly doesn't change. I hope that you have a lovely break, and it isn't too hot!

@110APiccadilly fingers crossed for good news for you on your scan. I agree with pushing back if they try to go under/at 36 but there is still growth, at least you still have a bit to wait to see. Having been through a NICU experience and being told to expect a second one, I would do literally anything to reduce the chances of it. My consultant said that over the last 2 weeks we have steadily grown at 2% on the chart, so he hasn't dropped, and that is the basis for keeping him in. Let's see how it goes tomorrow at the next measurement for us. Every week I go in wondering if I am going to be going straight to L&D, glad not to have yet!

Weird feelings of nesting today (35w+2d), i've been cleaning like a mad woman (sorry work), a lot of washing completed, and set up the baby's living room sleeping area/nappy changing area. I've been putting it off, but if we have an EMCS I know I'll want to set it up and won't be able to do it myself. I have a helpful, wonderful husband but my OCD makes me want it done my way. The last time tested out a sheet in the bassinet my 2 year old wanted straight into it, so hoping by setting it up now that we will manage to keep her out/she will get bored of it fast. This should be interesting. The dog is very miffed that his bed has been shuffled over and i'm currently washing the couch covers and spare bed😂

@Sweetbabydust1989 oh that's really good to hear then that they are often available, fingers crossed !!

I had good news at my growth scan today. Baby is following the centile curve and is about 4lb.

Bad news regarding my bladder issue, after seeing urology where they taught me to use a catheter at home, it was discovered my urethra is far too narrow. I was screaming in pain at this appointment and cried a lot.

As a result, the midwife team have finally taken mr seriously and they are allowing me to discuss an earlier delivery. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to discuss this.

@TurquoiseDreamCatcher oh no, I suppose it sounds good over all.
Great baby is putting on weight and will hopefully be closer to 5lb by time they arrive! How many weeks are you now?
Hope the bladder issue is ok, sounds very painful :(

@madeleine85 @110APiccadilly hope your scans go well today, must be odd going in with your hospital bag at the ready 🤞🤞

@Butterflytulip I'm 32 weeks. I'm hoping to meet her at 37 weeks. I have a month to get ready!

@TurquoiseDreamCatcher how will you cop with another 5 weeks with the bladder issue??
Iv a planned section at 39 and baby estimated to only be 6lb. I think quite a few of us will have tiny babies! Just about to order a pack of white sleepsuits from M&S in tiny baby size! We don't know what we are having !

@Butterflytulip John Lewis also have some lovely ones in tiny baby size and the quality feels nice too. I'm hoping to have a growth scan next week so that I have a better idea of how this little one of ours is doing in terms of growth. I've only bought one set of tiny baby clothing as I simply don't know what to expect yet.

My first born was 6lbs 6 at full term but I think this little one may be a chunk even though born much earlier! We were measuring 3lb 4oz at 29+5 so think we will be around 6lb by 34 weeks x

@Butterflytulip I'm going to have to grit my teeth with the bladder issue. I'll have to use the catheter every evening before bed and hope I get used to it.

For tiny baby clothes, I found that Asda have a nice selection. They do a neutral colour range too!

@TurquoiseDreamCatcher great news on the growth, sorry about the catheter though, had one in for a week in my last pregnancy and was miserable with it, thankfully didn't have to self catheterise. Will you have to keep going to the clinic to get it changed? They were going to leave me with the same one for a few weeks....

@madeleine85 and @110APiccadilly good luck with the scans

Had mine today, 35+3, very slight dip in growth, but still a good weight, 6lbs 4oz at the moment they think. Got a last scan at 37+3 as a precaution, then they'll give me my induction date based on that, so either 39 weeks or a bit before. Still head down though and very much engaged, she's low in my pelvis, feeling or pressure ramped up this week and some lower back ache.

How is everyone else doing? Sorry I haven't caught up properly

Is anyone else utterly exhausted? I'm 34+4 and I just feel tired from the moment I get up!