38 weeks 4 days and really struggling - seeking solidarity!

[Meerkat0391]

Anyone else near the end and finding everything really difficult? I'm so grateful to be pregnant and cannot wait to meet my baby boy soon, but every day is such a struggle - physically and emotionally. I got diagnosed with antenatal depression early on (had input from perinatal MH team but no meds) but felt better in the third trimester. However this last week has been horrendous and I feel miserable. Dull Christmas and rubbish start to the new year. Lots of fighting with my partner and I spent the whole of yesterday crying in bed! I just want cuddles but there is a total lack of intimacy and my partner seems totally fed up, he can't understand how uncomfortable this stage of pregnancy is, let alone the hormonal rollercoaster. I miss my mum who died 10 years ago and my family live far away so I can't see them when I please. I can't go anywhere at the moment because my car got written off and so I'm dependent on my partner to drive me. PLUS just got diagnosed with a UTI, so there's that on top of the lightening crotch, MAJOR kicks that are actually quite painful!, pelvic girdle pain, and sore back and boobs.

I know oxytocin is exactly what I need but apart from a bath I can't seem to get any!!! My body felt like it was preparing for labour at 36 weeks so I was excited and felt ready for things to start moving quicker, I also had it in my head that I might deliver early as my baby boy was measuring big and this has happened with family members who ended up delivering at 38w. I'm just spending my days (when I have the energy) practicing hypnobirthing exercises, bouncing on my ball, Pilates, etc etc. But the waiting around and living in limbo is really getting to me.

I didn't mean this to be a rant but more seeing if anyone else is in a similar boat? How are you coping?

I’m only 29 weeks now, but this is my 2nd. And I remember very well how long and how miserable the last weeks were with my 1st.

you’re in a hard situation with no support so be easy on yourself, is there anything else you can do, watch tv, read a book, bake a banana bread? Even if you take your mind off for 30 mins at a time, it’s still good. I’ve left a lot of tv shows and movies to watch for these final weeks, plus the sleepless nights with baby.

It won’t be long now, but I know it doesn’t feel this way. I dread the last weeks too.

it might help also if you can go for a walk. It might help bring the labour closer, plus the fresh air, even as cold as it is, will make you feel better.

also look and join any local mum groups on FB, etc. there are churches and other places that organise weekly play sessions for kids and mums. I’ve joined a few for my first as I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have any support apart from partner and made good friends. The churches don’t push any religious stuff on, most are free, tops I paid £2 entry. It will be worth even going now, before the birth, as you’ll meet mums with very young babies, I went when the baby was about 2 months old I think, and you’ll have yours soon anyway. It’s good also to ask about their birth experience about your local hospital, and where the breastfeeding clinics & baby weigh clinics are (if you don’t know already from your midwife)

good luck and hope you won’t have to wait long, have an easy labour and healthy happy baby x

Btw in case it sounds weird, the play groups are not in the church area where services are held (don’t know the name), but in a regular looking room with lots of toys. They offer tea or coffee (sometimes paid, but very cheap like £1), kids play and mums have a chat. The church people don’t interact otherwise. That was my experience.

also the fb groups sometime organise weekly coffee meets for mums & kids or other activities, walks around the park, etc. everyone will understand if you join now, the last weeks are not easy for any woman, many will be also in the situation you, and me were in, with not much support except maybe a partner.