Due March 2023 - Thread 9

[TeddyBeans]

Let's see how many babies we get on this thread 🥰🥰

20/1 - botleybump 💓 (due 23/2)
10/2 - Amy1303 💙 (due 27/3)
12/2 - Babynum2 💙 (due 5/3)
12/2 - Cams50 💙 (due 2/3)
13/2 - LizziBee 💙
14/2 - BabyNumber3OnTheWay 💙 (due 28/2)
18/2 - Ubbee 💙 (due 27/2)
19/2 - beatingheartbaby 💓 (due 14/3)
21/2 - suchardchoccy 💓 (due date baby!)
22/2 - muminlndn 💓
24/2 - saltandpepperr 💙 (due 6/3)
24/2 - mrs2022 💙 (due 24/3)
25/2 - JTB123 💓 (due 1/3)
26/2 - GreenIsle 💓 (due 7/3)

DaisyRainbow 💓

26/2 - TeddyBeans 💓
1/3 - Clarps84 💙, MoronikaFaceache
2/3 - BethBeef 💙
3/3 - LittleAcorn20 💛, LaForza101 💙, SammyJay5 💓, pamplemousse19 💓, Lauren11x 💙, Whatsforpud 💛
4/3 - EastyBaby19 💙, Cdoc 💙, Katdemar 💙
5/3 - hopingforarainbow27 💓
6/3 - allthingssparkly, Thirdtimesacharm3 💙
7/3 - Noodle20, Pickles23 💛
8/3 - Splashh, June628 💓, BabyLimey 💛
9/3 - Penelope_2023, 91mana, havanamama 💓
10/3 - iratepirate 💛, PeonyPops 💓, MrsD0147
11/3 - Chloe1896
12/3 - Katlouise24 💓
13/3 - ToffeeEl 💓, Franklin321 💓, paulinesmithson 💓
14/3 - rainbowbaby23 💙
15/3 - Hrf1503 💓, TTC24 💙
16/3 - flawless29
17/3 - Room4onemore 💓, Cuppasoupmonster 💙, broomfig 💙
18/3 - XjustagirlX 💛, CristinaNov182 💓, Shep21 💓
19/3 - Dreamingof3 💓, alotoftutus 💙, AK93 💙, hellosunshineagainxxx 💙, Allthegirls3 💓, obabybaby 💙
20/3 - Nettlestea 💙, MillennialMummy 💛
21/3 - FirstTimeTryer93, LifeOfRiley1 💛, Rose429 💓
22/3 - mrshenny 💓
23/3 - Choc2022 💛
24/3 - whydotheyallhaverubbishwheels 💙, Charlothevet88 💛, Blocklynn 💛
25/3 - Whywhwhy 💙, Missy95 💛
26/3 - purplerain555
27/3 - Cats23 💓, firstlittleone 💓, dmb91 💛, AGirlsNameIsAryaStark 💛, hol92 💙, Bobduncan 💛, OonMP 💛
29/3 - Perexi 💙, SenecaFalls1848 💛
30/3 - ChristmasJumpers 💓, Moonlighting 💙
31/3 - Baby2iscooking 💛
1/4 - diamondbutterfly 💓

congrats to all the new mums, and what gorgeous babies!

@Rainbowbaby23 Oh that was a very difficult birth! I had a grade 2 tear involving the back passage as well and germoloids suppositories and cream made such a difference, it was easy going to the toilet after and took away the pain, it has analgesic plus stuff to prevent infections.

Almost a week later now I have almost no pain (only in the late afternoon after sitting on my stitches during the day). I’ve also being doing Kegel exercises from day 1, very gently, at the advice of the midwives, and I can’t believe how much muscular tone I’ve recovered already, I can do them much stronger now. The area/stitches still feel swollen but that’s to be expected for a while.

sorry for the gross details but hope this helps. For the first days, week, also try to lie down as much as possible not to put pressure there.

hope you recover quickly

@Rainbowbaby23 you don’t have to stop breastfeeding. It’s normal babies will cluster feed in the beginning. Mine stayed almost 24 hours at breast on the 3rd day! At some pint there was no colostrum and she was crying lots. I took 30mins break and put her back and fortunately had some more colostrum then. She only did this that day, but she is still doing 3-4h continuously towards the morning alternating with 3-4h sleep at night, during the day there are shorter intervals but more often.

@JB2021 sounds v promising on the signs! Hopefully your body is in full prep mode for labour. Ive stayed super active too (though definitely not running, kudos!) And I've done lots of breathing practice which I'm hoping will all help in the moment. If not...it never hurts to stay fit for caring for newborn anyway!
@AK93 aaahh I have a feeling it's April for me, sigh. But that's ok cos I'm trying to embrace the Zen (though doing lots of hillwalking up sand dunes just in case Baby feels like making an appearance and just needs some encouragement 😅)

Congratulations to the new mums and wishing speedy recoveries to those who struggled!
With breastfeeding (part of my job is advising new mums on this) - I'm always super clear on how normal it is to have "problems" the first few days - weeks as your milk comes in and establishes. It's not a sign of an issue, colostrum is exactly what your baby needs and formula tops ups have the risk (though not the guarantee) of disrupting your supply. It's a feedback loop between you and Baby. Nobody should ever feel pressured into formula top ups within the first couple of days especially, as there is no such thing as "supply issues" then.
That said, if you find it helpful because formula top ups take away some anxiety and pressure, then that might even be beneficial overall as nobody wins if you're getting super tense right before a feed.

Going to try and express colostrum this evening, bought the syringes but then felt weird about doing it so haven’t bothered. If anyone has any tips on how to get things going - going to have a bath first and see if that helps.

Getting all upset wondering if my body will actually let me have a natural labour without help. Second attempt at sweep a fail, cervix just not where it should be yet.
I've got a week for things to change or it's induction which I don't really want, but equally don't want to go over so much that the overdue risks are higher. Meant to be going to the shops but have to wait till my face is less red from crying!

@AK93 it's easy for me to say but try not to stress about it. I read yesterday when I was googling sweeps that people hadn't have a favourable cervix but then a day later it was fine. Equally those who have had sweeps haven't gone into labour 48 hours after.

It must be tough after having two sweeps though. Did the midwife give you any advice?

@JB2021 I just feel if my body isn't ready is it going to cope with an induced labour?

I had the first try on Sunday so only two days apart but I don't know how long it could take cervix to move forward or if it will! I think it is best to wait longer between this time, it doesn't feel nice and I cried during todays so not worth trying if they can't do anything. Hopefully my body will be kind and start doing things to prepare in the week and make Sundays successful. Induction is booked for Tuesday otherwise but too many fail stories and obviously nobody wants to be one of them. Feel like I can't win as if he doesn't come himself in the next week then none of the options are ideal

Not really much advice. Nothing is really proven is it xx

@AK93 unfortunately if your body is not ready the sweeps won’t help, you’re putting yourself through pain unnecessarily. At least you know you’ve tried.

read up on induction and know your choices. Google “nice guidelines induction” and others.

Don’t let them rush you into anything. Your body might need to take it slow.

For ex, there is a pessary that is on a strong and can be pulled out if contractions get very intense (sorry forgot the name, but midwife will know). I had a tablet type pessary with my first, I got very painful contractions right away (and nobody believed me for 2 hours)

also ask for the epidural with top up (as soon as you are allowed it, as it takes some time before the dr can come in, prepare you, etc)

the epidural with top up = Every 20 mins you can press for a new dose. Or not. This will allow you to control how you feel the contractions and maybe stop the epidural towards the end, when you need to push. I wish I had done this this time around, cause I couldn’t feel how to push and tore…

They might try to rush you and that might bring a lot of pain, if your body is not ready. Ask them what happens if we wait, if the baby is ok, can you wait, what else can you try, etc.

you can’t control the process in the end, but as long as you know you’ve done what you could then you’ll feel better about it (also inform your partner in case you won’t feel like asking these)

good luck and hope you have a good labour, same for all the waiting mums to be too

@AK93 sorry I'm not sure what to say but wanted to at least acknowledge your reply/post.

Look after yourself and when your body/baby is ready they will arrive

I think just try and focus on the fact that your baby will have to come out one way or another and it WILL happen soon. Easy to say not to stress but obviously stress does being with it problems. It is such a difficult time though when things are unplanned and you just don’t know how you’re going to end up giving birth. You having any labour signs? Hang in there!!

Woke up feeling really sick and back pains but bet it all wears off. Not sure if I want to go early or not but hate the feeling of not knowing!!

@AK93 I wasn't dilated or effaced at all with DS when they induced me and I still had him vaginally with no instrumental intervention. It is possible - my labour was long because a lot of prep work needed to be done by my body, but it is possible. Don't lose hope ❤️

Health visitor Q...She came today first time - Baby is 10day. All is fine. She will come next week to weigh again....and added ' I will also check where baby sleeps too' bare in mind baby was asleep in Moses basket when this Am in living room with me. This is baby #5 for me and ive never had a HV ask to see where baby sleeps. It feels judgey and nosey tbh..., my partner wanted to opt out with the HV with the other children after they had the 6-8 week check and this time is adamant we should opt out of HV calls. We have nothing to hide ofcourse but I dont want her in my bedroom next week....., anyone else been asked to see babys sleeping room?

@Cats23 at my 10 day HV visit I was feeding DD in the bedroom so she came up and did all her checks there and just said oh I see she sleeps there (in next2me)& that was it. I think it’s quite standard for them to check where they sleep, with my first they never asked to see our set up just asked us what it was.

Those of you who had a sweep that was successful, what were the signs?

I had my sweep yesterday and am absolutely shattered today. Like in the first trimester!

@Cats23 HV never mentioned where bubs sleeps to us, don't remember it from DS either. Very weird. I'd find it intrusive too. Happy to tell them DD sleeps in a cot but they don't need to see it imo

Yeah the HV asked to see where she sleeps on the worst day when I had stripped the next to me and had to use a different blanket because she'd been sick in the night 😫

I find it intrusive but just assumed it was routine.

*found

Aww big congratulations to everyone who have had their babies, well done!! 😍❤️

I was due to go in for induction on Monday due to the baby being big but decided against it, so 4 days past my due date I’m being induced tomorrow instead. Thought I’d give him a bit more time to come on his own but he’s not budging. Think I’m just happy there’s an end in sight now.

A bit of mucus plug came out last night - jelly texture and all. After lunch there’s a pink tint in my discharge. I am having a “show”, aren’t I? Does this mean baby is coming soon or it might take days 😭

@Rose429 unfortunately it can still take a while from having your show. It does mean that things are starting to happen though!

@Cats23 one of the midwives asked where baby was sleeping but I can’t remember HV asking, she definitely didn’t ask to see.

I last had a HV appointment 10 years ago for my twins so can’t really remember. However I think try not to feel like they are just asking you, I reckon they just have to be careful and ask where baby sleeps to everyone now - probably just to advise against co sleeping.

I just remember being in absolute chaos last time they visited me and no sleep, but I think they expect that with new mums.

We had the midwife round today and she just asked if we were happy with the safe sleep guidelines 🤷🏼‍♀️