AUGUST 2022 (Thread 4)

[Beth262]

New thread

I'm so sorry to those whose community midwife team have been useless, that's really unfortunate. We've only had the one meeting so far but it was reassuring and convenient. Got the Day 3 weigh-in today, so very curious to see where we are.

Otherwise things are going well over here. Breastfeeding has had it's ups and downs (had a weird issue in the night where even though my boobs were full to the point of pain they wouldn't let down for baby?? So that was a stressful few hours...) but is fine on the whole.

Honestly the main thing that's bothering me is how it's affected DD1. She was always going to be too young to be excited (20 months) but she's so chill normally that I hoped she'd take it in her stride. Instead, after a weekend where mummy and daddy basically disappeared for three days (to hospital), followed by us returning with some weird thing we always seem to be holding, she's gotten pretty unsettled and insecure. She had a huge tantrum yesterday about the tiniest thing which is very unlike her, clearly actually just letting all the stress and emotion out 😟 Have to admit I had a little cry over it once she was in bed. I know she'll get used to it all and it's just this transition that's tricky, but in the meantime it breaks my heart to see my happy, confident little girl seem so unsure of herself. She's in nursery this week as we thought she'd appreciate the familiar routine but now wondering if that was a mistake as it doesn't leave much space for one on one time, though we try our best. Gonna make an absolutely huge fuss of her on the weekend.

This is what I'm worried about. My little girl is 23 months. Very verbal and talks about little sister coming. But doesn't truly understand what's about to happen. I'm overly emotional thinking about how she will cope and thinking I'm ruining her life!! I can't stand the thought of her feeling insecure or left out. It's so hard. But in the long run we are doing a great thing for them!! A sibling is an amazing thing and I'm sure you're little one will grow to love them, and mine too, it's defo going to be a transition period but they adapt quite quickly don't they? All will be fine xx

@CoalCraft do you follow big little feelings on insta? I think someone on my recommended it to me. They have a course on toddlers I did, but sometimes just throw out tips on insta and they do recommend a 10 minute miracle, where you call it mummy and DD time, turn off phone, completely disconnect from everything including baby and focus purely on you and your toddler once a day for 10 mins. Maybe that will help. Also they say to never blame the baby for you being unable to do things now, so just to be careful. It’s totally natural your little one is feeling a bit unsteady, but she will adjust!

@Beth262 and everyone else, thanks for the well wishes! Baby luke is doing great. We should (fingers crossed) be headed home today which blows my mind! Sleet about the scalp issue, but glad your baby is being checked just in case.

Speaking to friends, everyone had the same issue with older siblings. Ours was a nightmare and he was 3! The trouble is they have this idea of what a baby is but it doesn't match reality so all you have is a situation where someone who they depend on totally can no longer give them 100% attention. The only thing that seems to have helped really is time, although one on one attention for them makes a big difference too. We also did a lot of daddy time in the weeks beforehand so it wasn't such a huge adjustment, and grandparent time where they were proper centre of attention. Still absolute hell for a few months, mind!

Hope everyone is doing ok in the heat. Feel like Imogen's mostly in a nappy currently!

On the sibling front, even my 9year old has had her moments since Baby has come along. I think @Isonthecase is right, big changes in attention - and visitors coming to see baby etc.
My best friend rocked up the other day and took her out for the morning and then asked her if she'd introduce her to baby - that made her feel quite special. And we've made sure she's had one on one time with both of us and took her out for the day yesterday (we survived, me and baby just took to any shady spot and Dp went on the rides with older one - I'm a wuss and wouldn't go on rides even minus a newborn so no different there!)
I can only imagine for younger ones it's a bigger shift in things too. But, I'm pretty sure they'll all be fine and will adjust. They've all got pretty awesome Mums who will make sure of it.

I'm worried about the sibling part of things too, I just keep thinking "it will work out" 🤦🏻‍♀️🤞.

I had my first sweep today. That was fun. Not sure if I've come away feeling slightly deflated, even though everything they said was positive. Just want to meet him now!!

Feel so, so nauseated these last two days and so unhappy. 3 days overdue and so over this.

Hope those who've had sweeps etc are successful, and things get moving for those close/overdue.

I had my first sweep this morning too, it was incredibly painful😭 but I suppose that was probably a mixture of the status of my cervix and or the student conducting it.

2 days overdue today. I'm so over this too
I had a sweep this morning.
It was unsuccessful and I was only 1cm dilated. Hoping it gets things moving regardless😔

Hope everyone is doing well and more babies are on their way soon for those still waiting. We had amazing support for baby's feeding in the neonatal unit and he's now gone the other way and can't get enough, which means I can now relax and also get enough sleep!

In case anyone isn't aware, if you've got a newborn (or in some places if you're pregnant), you can register with your water company for priority services in case places start to get cut off. I'm sure none of us will need it but I'm a planner and can't help sharing backup options!

Anyone having sweeps, I've found the most painful ones are the ones that work! Plus it's a good chance to practice that hypnobirthing breathing. And no, my sweep this week didn't work 😂

Let's hope for a little lull in babies, no one needs a newborn and antenatal ward in this heat. The night sweats alone 😅

Had a midwife appointment yesterday and fungal height measured 32 weeks again (I'm 37 weeks) and then ended up up the maternity unit that evening for reduced movements so that was a fun night! Had a scan today though and the previous 25th centile baby is now around 75th centile despite my static measurements! But everything looked good so fingers crossed it all stays that way. Good luck through the newest heatwave everyone, not sure if it's worse heavily pregnant or worrying about a newborn but neither is fun.

@Isonthecase that is the sort if positivity I need 😂. Sore was a word I'd use for it so I'll take that haha.

We found out today the nice big Dyson fans all the rooms have aren't being used just now because of covid. That information had the potential to send me over the edge 🤦🏻‍♀️🤭

Also I've just bought a breast pump. Didn't do it with my first so unsure...do I take it in the hospital bag?

@Passthetena good question, I could do with knowing this as I haven't packed it just yet either but I was thinking of just taking the harvested colostrum in a small freezer pouch instead - think I heard somewhere that hospitals can loan breast pumps too but not sure if this is every hospital or a select few if you're struggling for bag space x

Waters broke this morning booked into triage for half 5 tonight if nothing dramatically changes before now and then! So glad it's a heatwave 😂

Exciting! Good luck, hope all goes smoothly xx

Losing the will. 40+4 today. Had cramping every 10 mins Weds night/Thurs morning and bloody show but then it stopped when I got up. Then went for my sweep and cervix was just as far back, hard and none dilating as always so obviously they couldn’t do it properly 🙈 … went to bed early last night as shattered (couldn’t sleep with the cramps) and then woke about 2am with cramping/contraction like waves every 10 minutes for the rest of the morning. Still getting some now but no where near as regular.

Was induced with first child due to being overdue and he was born at 42 weeks. I literally had no signs of labour until induction. I feel like I’m a first timer as I just don’t know what it feels like ‘naturally’. I’m assuming what’s going on can’t be contractions due to stop/start nature but they come in waves, hurt and squeeze my tummy and back ache. I’m so confused.

@Gem2811 good luck! Hopefully won't be long and you'll be getting baby snuggles.

Remember the heatwave of 2022? Yes I was pregnant/giving birth/had a newborn - not a summer we'll ever forget!

I said to Dp her small clothes will be mostly out grown by time she's wearing more than just a nappy 🤣

@Passthetena @AbiGoLucky not 100% sure with the breast pump - if you are just expressing I'd say take it so you can get going straight away. If mixing expressing and breast you may want your milk to come in and your supply to settle before you start expressing. The midwives will have far better advice I'm sure!!!

@Sunandsea77 I felt just the same as you re the natural signs of labour. Induced first time nothing had started before hand.
I'd probably call triage and ask them (pretty sure you would anyways!) I'm sure they would rather check you out and have time to get you sorted. This was my plan if anything felt 'regular'. But it is so hard when it's unknown. Weirdly I don't remember feeling quite so questioning/worried about it the first time round.

Imogen is back up and past her birth weight and we're signed off from the midwife. Hearing test on Monday, nice and early so that'll be a challenge and Dp is back at work and I don't drive and it's the other side of the city. All very doable but just feels a bit daunting with a 2 week old.

Same here. 40+3 today. Had a bloody show about a week ago, no signs of labour. Failed sweep yesterday but my induction is booked at 41 weeks, kind of want to fit another sweep in before, but boy did it hurt the first time😅

@Gem2811 good luck today!!!!

Snap!! Also 40+4 and also went o weeks over with first. Although avoided induction as went into labour a few hours before it was due. However it was back labour for days! So I know what you mean about feeling like a newbie and not knowing what to expect. I'm so fed up now and just wish I knew roughly when things will happen! I have a scan and monitoring on Sunday so hopefully can ask them what they plan is from there. Hope you go naturally,
Fingers crossed for us both.

Baby girl madison made an appearance at 2028 12/08 at 7lbs 5. Got sent home from triage at 430 saying they didn't think my waters had broken I was only 2cm dilated back 2 hours later at 6cm and needing to push 😂 both of us are well!

Wonderful news @Gem2811 congratulations! Absolutely beautiful name 🥳

And sounds like you're another who only just made it back in time. Triage need to stop being so keen on sending people home!

Hope those of you who are overdue get your deliveries very soon. I can't imagine how uncomfortable you're all feeling, especially in this heat.

@Beth262 I know there's definitely a lot to be said about trusting your own body this was my first but it defo knew what it was doing! Actually ended up doing a water birth wasn't my plan at all but I would highly recommend it!