Navigating pregnancy after loss thread 4!

[arianasky]

Hello ladies though I'd start a new thread, I'll tag who I am remember I'm sorry if I've forgot anyone...

@Skl2021 @Cruz86 @flowergarden16 @aesgriff @Sassy144 @Arwen7 @Bridgey8

At 28 weeks I measured 99th percentile (fundal height) then 75th at 31. They sent me for a growth scan and baby actually measured on the 30th. They wasn’t concerned and didn’t book me for another scan but I did think it was slightly weird. Without trying to overthink it as I know how unreliable the fundal height measurements can be.

I saw a consultant due to the GBS infection last Thursday and he has booked me in for another growth scan to make sure all is ok next week (I’ll be nearly 35 weeks at that point) xx

Sorry should have tagged you @arianasky

Hi @arianasky I'm sure you're right and it's fine. We don't get growth scans in my area - just the bump measurement

@arianasky we had the same situation & been on bi-weekly growth scans since 24 weeks, now 36. Consultant said as long as they stay above the 10th centile and there is some growth at every scan they won’t intervene xx

Thank you all, I'm not too worried as he doesn't seem to small. Thank you so much for all your input I'm just seeing it as an excuse for another scan for now until we see what happens at the next scan. I think it affected DP as it's his birthday and exactly a year since we found out at 13 week scan baby's heart has stopped beating 😞 I can't believe it's been a year poor DP he doesn't have much luck with scans on his birthday xx

@HoneyPea I'm doing ok! Shortly after I posted yesterday about my darker test, I got some more red spotting. It was more like a streak of red and wasn't as much as the previous time which was quite a lot (enough to cover the entire toilet paper).

Since then I've not had anymore spotting but have had backache today. I know that can be really normal but it has concerned me because I didn't have cramping during my last loss but did have backache.

I still feel in limbo because I don't think my tests have got any darker since yesterday's, if anything they are slightly lighter but are different tests that yesterdays so that might be why?! I took one with FMU and one when I got home after a 5-ish hr hold and it wasn't darker, even though my pm tests usually are.

I'm just hoping that everything's ok but also don't want to get ahead of myself like last time x

Hi everyone quick update from me. Scan didn't go great and baby has hardly grown since 2 weeks ago. Or he has grown and last growth scan was incorrect but they can't take that chance. Blood pressure slightly raised aswell so they have decided to induce me on Thursday. I am absolutely gutted been an emotional night not what I was expecting. I had a sweep while I was there to try and get things started but cervix not favourable. My last induction was horrific to say the least so I'm petrified 😭 x

@Skl2021 ah now way I'm sorry he hasn't grown, is he head down now? How many weeks are you now? Maybe try all the usuals sex, dates, raspberry leaf tea and walking up stairs sideways? I know that's not much help sorry. I hope you're ok xxx

@arianasky yes he's head down but not engaged. I'm 39 weeks tomorrow. I'm a mess tbh this is what I wanted to avoid as last time was traumatic but he needs to get here safely. Just hope it goes better this time. Can't believe this is happening just a shock. X

@Skl2021 If your last induction wasn't great, not surprising you're bricking it. What was so bad, if you don't mind me asking? I've never had one, but my SILs have had 4 between them, so I can ask for tips...

It's going to be fine - and better that they take the initiative rather than there being a chance he's not growing. I remember having my section, and hating it, but having to reset my mind - it wasn't about me, it was about what he needed.

I know it's not what you wanted, but I hope you know you can count on lots of virtual hugs here. We're all rooting for you. You're amazing, and strong, and going to meet the incredible bouncing baby soon. Who will presumably have flipped back to breech by then...?

@barneymcgroo I just think my body didn't cope with being pushed into it when it wasn't ready. The drip was excruciating I just couldn't cope with the intensity and how fast the contractions were. Baby was stressed and wasn't coping kept loosing his heartbeat i think I should of had a c section before but they let me go to long and then baby arrived after alot of intervention and had to be resuscitated and spent a month in icu. I have never felt pain like that induction before and I had been through labour before!
They said I could try induction and if it's to much or not progressing I can ask for a c section. And yes omg please don't flip again that's all I need 🤦 just about hanging on now! X

@Skl2021 I've heard that the synto drip is excruciating. Reports from the SILs say to have an epidural before the drip, if you can.

Hang on in there. Good to prepare for a section, I suppose. If you have some enormous pants, they will stand you in good stead.

I think what they've said sounds like a plan - if not progressing or anything, have a low threshold for a move to a section so you don't have to go through the whole palaver again.

Sending lots of hugs and hope that you manage to get some sleep tonight. Have a big cry, if you want - totally normal!

X

@barneymcgroo yes the pain from that drip is something else! Didn't get offered an epidural last time but would ask if I need that again!
Yes I have big pants 🙈 c section scares me aswell I don't know what the best option is right now between them! I just wanted a nice natural birth like my first but baby has other plans 🤦 just need to get my head around it all it's been an emotional day. Im absolutely knackered so hope I do sleep! X

@Skl2021 oh gosh Thursday! Bloody hell...first don't panic. I know easier said than done..get walking. A sweep and loads of long walks helped induce my 2nd labour. My first labour was induced. They wouldn't give me the drip without having an epidural first so if they insist on the drip, make sure u insist on an epidural beforehand. Also my SIL was told she was to be induced if she didn't go into labour. Went for a sweep, was told baby wasn't engaged etc, cervix not favourable. That evening she went into labour and baby arrived the following morning, things can change super quickly! Thinking of you, you got this. Oh and one of my friends swears by nipple tweaking! 🙈 to start labour. U got this xxx

@Skl2021 Defo ask for the epidural first then! Also worth trying to maximise your natural oxytocin - easier said than done, particularly when you're in agony. Nice music, smells, darkness...? Don't know what you're allowed. But fight off the adrenaline. (Sorry, been reading my big hippy book of how to give birth. Please tell me to bugger off if not helpful - it's meant with kindness).

If section, it's weird but not sore. Lots of people describe it as feeling like someone's doing the washing up in your tummy. I found it utterly bizarre, but the theatre staff were incredible. Recovery after - take your time doing anything. Accept all the help. Don't use your tummy muscles for ages.

Take care. X

@calimc83 I'm in total panic as I was not expecting it! We haven't got everything ready yes my fault for being so laid back! And I have kids to organise. It's strange how different trusts do things I wish I got offered it! The pain I thought I was dying it was that severe.
Yes midwife said she couldn't do a proper sweep as cervix was to far back but I wanted to try see if it did anything before induction 🙈 wasn't prepared to become that close to the midwife today 🤣 xx

@barneymcgroo yes I will do 🤞 I don't even know what your allowed in there 🤦 or visitors or the rules or anything. Didn't have a birth plan or anything in place so it's a bit of a guessing game upto now 🙈

Never heard it described like that but I can imagine how it would feel like that! Thanks for all the help and support ♥️ xx

@Skl2021 your previous induction sounds horrific. Try not to worry too much, you've got a few days to sort the last few bits out, make arrangements etc. keep us all updated xx

@Skl2021 sorry this has been sprung on you, hopefully recognising it early and going for an early induction will prevent the issues you had last time 🤞🏼🙏🏼 Definitely recommend lots of walking (particularly on uneven terrain like woods, Forrest path etc), baths with clary sage oil & not sure how you plan to feed but have you tried expressing colostrum? When I got given the syringes by the midwife she said one of the side effects to look out for were contractions / that it can bring on labour so might be one to try. Also would Google the miles circuit for getting baby in the right, engaged position. You’ve got this! xxx

@Skl2021 sorry to here that. I also had an induction with my first but I got a epidural at the same time as the drip and honestly didn't feel a thing. Can you demand that rbis time?

I'm sorry you didn't get the care your deserved.

But I'm so excited that you get to meet your baby this weekend!

Oh and @Skl2021 I ended up with a c section after my induction and as others say, it was totally fine!

@Skl2021 sorry to hear about your induction when you weren't expecting it 💙

Hopefully everything goes well for you and you spontaneously go into labour in the next 2 days how amazing would that be!

Sending love and support 💙💙💙

@Skl2021 I'm sorry you are feeling like that about the prospect of induction. It sounds like your previous induction was so traumatic. I myself will decline induction if it's needed and go for section but I know it's not so simple especially when you have had a vaginal birth before and also when having your other DC to look after. But also your body has done it before and 39 weeks it's a good time, hopefully it will remember it and the labour hormones will kick in for baby to come quickly.
Definitely can ask for epidural before the drip (if you end up needing it) or even before they break the waters. The vast majority of women can't take that drip without an epidural as the contractions can come so suddenly, frequent and intense. And once you have had any kind of induction there has been intervention already anyhow.
Ask for anything you want/need to make your experience as good as possible and don't wait for it to be offered.
On the bright side, how so very excited you are going to meet your rainbow baby so soon ahhhh 😍

@Arwen7 do consultants take on board requests for c sections over induction?

@Annny27 yes absolutely is your right to decline anything even if it's against medical advice - up until baby is born. Now some consultants will say yes to 'maternal request/declines iol' very easily and others will put up a fight but the latter should not happen really, their job is to inform you of risks and benefits but some make it more difficult. It's always best to ask the midwife to arrange a consultant appointment if not seeing the consultant for another reason as soon as possible AND have it on paper on your notes as to what the plan is. Last min requests are more difficult to accommodate for everyone but they can't decline it even if you were to change your mind on the day of the induction.

@Annny27 like I do not need an induction so far as at the moment nothing has popped up and I am planning for a home birth. But I know already if something changed and I needed to be induced then I would decline and opt for section so I am meeting consultant around 34 weeks to discuss and for her to document the plan just in case.