Due November 2022 Thread 3

[NotAdultingToday]

Hi everyone! I looked but couldn't see a thread, if there is one ill ask to get this one deleted. I hope everyone is ok!

@OtiMama oh god what a nightmare about your accident, glad you're all okay though, even if your car isn't!

@TFMinx hope your reflux calms down soon so you can get a better nights sleep

I'm now 33+1

@OtiMama oh, tough time. I've been quiet because I haven't had much problems. I think I'm getting Braxton Hicks but it could be constipation as I've restarted taking multivitamins after having reduced growth on my scan and I have less energy. I didn't get Braxton Hicks and last time and I don't remember getting these types of cramps until after my waters broke.so I knew I was in labour. Overall I have been feeling pretty well and healthy. Just three weeks of work left, and I work 3 long days, and my work have decided everyone who was due to work today is off and we don't need to make it up anywhere.

I've started packing my hospital bag. I'm packing light but am alternating between thinking I need to be more prepared Vs I don't want to plan to stay at hospital. I'm planning for a quick discharge from the birth center. It's things like, do I get a starter pack of formula, which I needed last time, but hadn't packed. DH bought it from Asda, which was fine, but more work for him. I think I'll decline a planned induction thats been mentioned, as I am fit and healthy, 0 risk factors or fertility issues, incubated one baby successfully etc. It might not even be offered depending on the next growth scan.

I have baby bag
Small full pack of size 0 nappies, about 5 size one and 5 size 2.
Wet wipes and cotton wool
Barrier cream
2 outfits, vest and sleepsuit newborn and 0-3....(may pack more)
Baby stretchy sling.
2 Mulin clothes

My bag
Snacks
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Flannel
Sprtiz for bit
Going home outfit (going to wear hospital gown there)
Lots of pants and sleep bras
Lanolin
Breast pads
Postpartum pads

May pack
Haaka
PJ's,
I've hired a tens machine,
Birth ball (I'll check hospital availablity), faff to deflate reinflate or fit in the car and carry.

hey ladies, long time no post 33+5 here now, currently in 2 minds of needing this journey to end and wanting to keep baby inside and safe forever. It’s baby number 4 and final one!!
this past week I’ve been getting my children joining in getting things prepared for babies arrival, they’re 11, 4 and 2, and explaining that their brother or sister will be sitting/laying/ wearing these things soon 🥰 it’s so much fun 🤩

my breasts have been super sore this weekend, I have a burning achy feeling inside. And baby was breech but isn’t any longer, scan 6 of 8 this pregnancy last week they couldn’t see my cervix because baby was covering it 😆

no idea how I haven’t visited the maternity unit with the super strong braxton hicks I’ve had!!

I just had to come on and say I've just had my last b12 jab! I am severely needle phobic, so to go through with them all was a huge mental battle, but I'm so glad I did. Yay me 😆

@OtiMama I'm glad you are okay, that must have been really scary!

I'm 33+3 today. Feeling okay, still got the nausea and just tired and out of breath now. I feel huge! How is everyone feeling now its getting closer to the birth? Will everyone be having a vaginal birth or is anyone booked in for a c section? I think I am getting a c section which they will give me a date for in my next appointment in 2 weeks. I'm starting to feel very anxious about it. Its so scary, with it being my first and not knowing what to expect.

Hi @Elle1709 I'm hoping for vaginal, as my first was too. The only reason I don't want a c-sec is because of my needle phobia, obviously if something happens then I'll have to go through with it but I'd much rather not personally. May I ask why you're having a c-section? I'm sure you'll be fine, please try not to be anxious about birth, for me the first time wasn't half as painful as I thought it was going to be, although I did need help with ventouse and an episiotomy in the end. You are built for this and can absolutely do it, whichever you decide to deliver your beautiful baby

Jealous of all the ladies going off work soon! I’ve still another 5.5 weeks to go 😩 my own decision, but still feels like forever to wait!

@Elle1709 Im an anxious first timer too. Hoping to have vaginal delivery. But I’m getting fortnightly growth scans at the moment and worried they might pressure me into early induction or a c-section which I really don’t want unless it’s necessary.

I still have 7 weeks to go before I finish for May leave at 37 weeks. I really doubt I’ll make it that far without going off sick due to PGP.

I am booked in for a c-section at 40+1 but if I go into labour before then, I’ll be left to try and deliver vaginally.

With my son, I had a 32 hour labour. Contractions stopped at 8cm, then needed to be induced. I ended up in theatre, spinal block, forceps, shoulder dystocia, episiotomy with a tear, haemorrhage, retained placenta. Because of the trauma of the birth and my son ending up with a birth injury due to shoulder dystocia, I have said no to be induced and that I want a c-section if I don’t go by my due date.

@CurlyNo2 oh gosh that’s really awful all that happened to you 😑 suppose you never really know what way things are going to go. That’s the hard part, feeling like you’ve little control over what way things will play out when the time comes.

I mean I was a freak patient for ALL that to happen to one person! Im sure this labour and birth will be a doddle compared 🤣🤣

Despite it all, it didn’t put me off future children so it’s not that bad 😉

@CurlyNo2 my traumatic birth 11 years ago doesn’t sound half as bad as yours and it stopped me wanting more children for 7 1/2 years, now on baby number 4 because the other two were a breeze compared to the first 🤣 walked away with a bit of internal bruising no stitches with the last two and home after 12 hours with the 3rd and that was only because he was born at 10pm. Praying for another nice one 😅

@Kathno4 oh wow! Fingers crossed I just ‘breathe’ this one out quickly! 😂

@OtiMama hope you’re ok and the shock of the accident has worn off, and that your car/replacement car is sorted quickly for you, what a worry!

@Elle1709 I had a c section last time and will be this time, it was a wonderful experience for me and I hope this time it is just as calm. I was really worried before c section last time but I felt really relaxed on the day.

@CurlyNo2 wow thats a lot to happen, sorry to hear you went through that. Hope this birth goes smoothly for you. Hows your PGP? Mines been painful am glad I’ve finished work now.

@curlyno2 there is hope!! 😅 2nd labour was 2 hours and 3rd I got seen and quickly got the gas and air 20 minutes before giving birth as it was a busy night 🥹

@TFMinx c section and induction were both suggested to me as I'm having growth scans and the baby is measuring really big, I think over the 97th percentile. I always was considering a c section anyway though as I feel quite phobic towards birth, no matter how much I try and relax and watch/read positive stories the idea of it just terrifies me. Thats not to say I'm not really nervous about a c section, but I'm hoping with an elective the process will be calm and controlled and hopefully not too anxiety provoking.

Hoping for vaginal but they might recommend or tell me its a c-section on the next weeks scan! A bit scary.

I am worried I packed on lbs like no other, think i wasnt meant to gain more that 35 the entire pregnancy, still 8 weeks to go and im definitely past the 35 mark 😭

@OtiMama I'm glad you're okay. That must have been absolutely terrifying!

I'm also getting really nervous about labour. This is my first and I've heard so many horror stories, and I'm really not very good with pain. I'm 34 weeks today and have been getting veryyyy intense braxton hicks. It's made me think about my birth plan more seriously and I'm really considering an epidural. I have an absolutely irrational fear of permanent paralysis from it though?! I also feel like a bit of a wuss opting for an epidural before labour has even started, it doesn't seem like something other women opt for? At least here in the UK... I've been watching so many birth vlogs and so many women in America seem to have them?!

I’m sorry if I have frightened people with my birth experience. Like I say it was just really unfortunate that it all happened at once to one person. But I was only a very small minority.

@Eryr22 I don’t cope with pain that well too. I had an epidural with my son. I was terrified, cried my eyes out. But honestly best decision I made and wish I had done it sooner. The anaesthetist will relive your worries at the hospital if you are unsure about having one.

I was/am adamant that I don’t want any other form of pain relief (aside gas and air), as I don’t like the feeling of not being in control.

Had another growth scan today, baby still on the 50th centile. 👍🏼

Yes @CurlyNo2 you really were unfortunate to have all of those things happen! Yes exactly the fear of feeling out of control is what puts me off.

@CurlyNo2 gosh no! Don't apologise! Knowledge is power!!

When you say feeling like you're not in control, is it not being able to feel the contractions and what's happening that you don't like the thought of?

Those who have as an epidural before... does it feel like being paralysed from the middle down? I know a spinal for a c section would feel like that but I'm not sure about the epidural, antenatal class said you can still feel touch and move around a bit? I'm thinking I'd prefer not to have one but, being a first timer I may change my mind rapidly once labour kicks in! I just don't like the idea of feeling paralysed and unable to move.

@Eryr22 Its the feeling of being spaced out, I don’t drink alcohol for that reason as I don’t like the feeling of not being ‘with it’. I would much rather be able to think straight and have pain relief that was targeted for the areas that needed it (eg epidural). I felt in complete control with the gas and air, epidural even though the contractions are duller, I felt I 100% concentration and not that fuzzy feeling you get with some drugs.

For that reason I declined the pain relief that comes in injection form, diamorphine, pethidine (I think they are the ones I didn’t want last time).

No epidural is not like a spinal block, so you don’t feel numb down below.

Epidural you can still feel your legs, they may feel a bit heavy but you have complete feeling. it just makes you comfortable, and takes the edge off the contractions in your tummy.

With a spinal block I was numb from the chest down. But this wore off quite fast after I gave birth and was in the recovery room.

@CurlyNo2 thank you, that's good to know. I've been a bit unsure about how it might feel and, like others, I think the thing I would struggle with would be feeling out of control (as much as you can ever feel in control, I guess). Tomorrow I find out whether my low placenta has moved or whether I'm still possibly looking at a c section being required anyway.

Hey everyone i dropped off the thread, back at work and school starting again and i lost track of life.

I hope everyone is doing ok!