June 2023 Babies ☀️ (Thread Five)

[firsttimelondonmummy]

Hey all,
Starting a new thread as 4 is getting full and updated due dates below as requested 😊

1/6 @Zaalfruit
2/6 @thedust
3/6 @Gemmms00 @B1993 @Fredthespider @AstroH
4/6 @Okapi99
5/6 @SleepingJane
6/6 @RedRose36
7/6 @Katie2021
8/6 @pinkindigoviolet
9/6 @Belami @hannahplym @Funfamilytimes @dresslol @Hankatherine01
10/6 @pippabg
11/6 @BellaTheDarkOverlord @Babybaby66 girl
12/6 @DrinkingAllTheGin, @PurBal boy
13/6 @Kladebs
14/6 @Givealittlebit, @Texasholdem20
15/6 @ManedWolf
16/6 @Mistymeow
17/6 @Mayfield87
19/6 @ladydorito
20/6 @professionalnomad @SR2811 @toomanysausages girl
21/6 @positivethoughts1 girl
22/6 @C1umsyGiraffe, @justbelieve boy, @firsttimelondonmummy boy,
23/6 @Hlc86
24/6 @Kelvie103
25/6 @ELW2006@theblueflowers @CatsCoffeeChocolate @Lilyp88, @BobbySD345
26/6 @Bparb
27/6
28/6 @ScrantonDunderMifflin, @BathshebaEverdeen
29/6 @HasHus86, @Domary
30/6

Aww @BellaTheDarkOverlord that's fantastic news! You must be so excited.

Love your little baby, thanks for sharing x

@BellaTheDarkOverlord beautiful, so glad she’ll be home soon xx
@MrsFloraPoste I switched to my “enso” silicon ring yesterday, there are a few different brands. There’s a bit of give in it and is replaceable.

@flossypots It’s booked for 38 weeks, the reason being I’ve got a J cut in my uterus from my first c section so they don’t want me to go in to labour naturally (slight risk of uterine rupture). I think the norm is more 39/40 weeks for c section but any complications like I have they don’t take any risks.
@Zaalfruit ahh I felt exactly the same with my first. I was diagnosed with GD so they said no birth centre, no water birth and I would be induced so even a natural labour was unlikely. I did eventually feel much better when I realised actually the extra monitoring was very reassuring and what was needed. But yeah it was very upsetting at the time x
@BellaTheDarkOverlord aww how lovely, she’s done so well! It will be so nice having her home.

@BellaTheDarkOverlord so pleased little one will be on her way home soon bless her

I got the letter for my elective c section earlier this week! Booked in for the end of May when I’ll be 39+4. So excited and savouring these last few weeks of pregnancy. Starting to really enjoy it these past few weeks.

@BellaTheDarkOverlord so so happy for you! I loved the photo. The position she’s in is exactly the same as the funny position my LO is in in the womb! We call it the little prawn. Excited to see if they do it when they come out.

Iv noticed a few ppl being upset at not being able to birth in the birthing centre. I had both my babies in the birth centre and yes it was relaxed, there was no bed there just this foam sofa bed thing, lots of apparatus around to grab hold of. But I felt like I was left alone- a lot. Looking back now it's really annoyed me that I was left to just Labour on my own thru the night with the odd check-in. After Labour as there wasn't a bed to lie on I had to lie on that weird sofa thing, with both babies I came home the same day. With my 2nd baby my kidneys starting failing whilst I was at home after birth, it was horrific.

With this baby for some reason I'm shit scared and want an epidural so will have to be on Labour ward. And also I wana make sure my kidneys are checked prior to discharge. What are ur Labour ward experiences like, are they really not good?

@tigerlily0 that doesn’t sound like a very good/ normal birthing centre.
Ours has beds, water baths, balls etc which I was told is the norm and I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews.
A number of mums have also mentioned how the atmosphere is way more relaxed to a labour ward which can be known to delay labour due to bright lights, sterile environment etc.
It’s obviously awful what happened to you and I’m so sorry to hear you went through what you did.
I don’t think this is the norm at all though?
You obviously have to do what’s right for you but I’d hate mums to be to be put off birthing centres as there are a number of benefits over a labour ward if you are low risk.

I really wanted to go on the birthing unit this time round but again not allowed to cause of the pre eclampsia and wasn't allowed with my daughter, but ours sounds amazing, the have pools in every room, balls, sofas, candles and even offer massages so I'm gutted I have to be in the labour ward/unit as they always seem so rude and abrupt in ours

Oh yea don't get me wrong , it was nice and relaxed and dim with starry ceilings and lava lamps. And if you wanted a pool you could- I tried it and didn't like it I felt out of control. I would definitely recommend asking for a tour beforehand, not sure if they do them now but they did back then. Ours didn't have a proper bed because they were trying to go for the whole non-clinical vibe. But that wasn't very comfortable for afterwards, hence why I was in such a hurry to get home.

Maybe it was the staff, but I was definitely left to it a lot. I didn't have any pain relief bar gas and air but this time as im considering epidural il have to be on Labour ward.

I think labour wards vary, ours has pools in at least 2 rooms and a large bath in every room. I laboured during the day with DS1 so just had the light of the sun through the window. No birth centre within 30 minutes of the hospital. Other hospital (where we had originally booked with DS1 but we moved house so changed) has an “alongside” birth centre so I think the labour ward is more utilitarian.

I wanted to ask if anyone had had their birth preferences appointment yet? I had mine last week and it was probably the most useful over both my pregnancies. Different midwife and very informative. Was advised against pethidine as control is a big thing for me. My labour with DS (from waters breaking / contractions starting) was 39 hours so I reflected on the fact I chose an epidural primarily so I could get some rest rather than the primary reason being pain relief. My contractions were never that regular but had a short 16 minute pushing stage regardless.

Thanks all xx They've provisionally put her down for Wednesday coming home but they weighed her yesterday and since Wednesday her weight has gone static and not increased. They said they want her to have a weight gain on Wednesday before they will discharge her. I just realised I don't have any sheets for her crib or Moses basket so will go out tomorrow for those. I think we got most other stuff ready now. Hospital will give her milk to discharge her as she's on a special one provided on prescription for now which we can get from gp. Need to ring GP tomorrow to register her too.

I'm 35 weeks now and I am not convinced I will ever be comfortable again!
I have had a bath this evening, that helped for a while and now have taken myself to bed.
Please tell me when bubs is here, I might be able to sit still on the sofa again?

@tigerlily0 I had a tour round our labour ward and it seemed fine? It was clearly a hospital room but the rooms had an en suite bathroom and nice big windows so lots of natural light. The sense I get is that they’re happy for you to bring little lights and other bits to make it more homely. I’ve chosen a c section so have got my head around the idea it’s going to be all a bit clinical and I’m fine with that, hopefully it’s only for a day or two!

@BellaTheDarkOverlord catching up on all the messages ! Ohh hopefully she gets to come home on Wednesday , babies and weight gain is always so temperamental x I can’t believe you have a little newborn and we are all waiting Around now for are due dates.

In terms of birthing centres - I have heard some have felt really alone during , and that midwives don’t check as regularly- which is a shame as it robs you from feeling helped. However I did a tour of mine a few backs and it looked really good a whole room with lots of options and super nice midwives . I won’t be giving birth in a
birth centre as they have deemed me high risk now which has left me gutted as the hospital that I have to use is awful . I wasn’t feeling well and needed extra monitoring and I could see how understaffed the hospital was and that people were labouring in the maternity triage waiting room due to lack of beds.

Also I still haven’t packed my hospital bag - I don’t know why everytime I go to pack it a sense of over whelming fear hits me and I get demotivated .

(Has anyone been told estimated birth weight - I have been told a healthy 8lbs plus which scares me as I’m super petite. )

I wasn't able to use the birthing centre for our Son and although it's an option for me this time, I wouldn't take it. I can see the attraction and potential benefits but I had natural birth with our Son and I was very close to needing intervention. I wouldn't have liked to have been on my own (I hear you are very much isolated in the birthing centres to ensure it is calm and quiet.) Each to their own. You can usually go visit them and the labour ward so you can make an informed decision.
Our labour ward you have your own room with an en suite and then when you move onto the ward after the birth is when you have a small curtained bed area with shared toilet which isn't very pleasant. Prior to that their labour triage where you stay until you are in established labour is really quiet. You have your own room with en suite and bath (double locked though so technically shared with the room next door).

@Zaalfruit It does feel weird. I haven't come to terms she exists yet. I keep forgetting she is in hospital even though I'm there so much. It really doesn't seem real. Sometimes I wish she was still inside me so that she was safe and growing and my body hadn't failed her. Your due dates will come so fast. As soon as we were told she would be discharged soon we decided to repaint 3 rooms and now house is a mess again 😬

@Zaalfruit me neither re hospital bag at 35 weeks, had a little bit of a panic this morning so headed to the shops to get a few bits I haven’t got yet (looking at you nipple cream). Need to get some bits and bobs down from the loft and wash the car seat covers etc. No estimated weight but DS was 8lb13.
@BellaTheDarkOverlord it must be really strange but please don’t feel like your body failed, she’s here and she’s got you advocating for her. You’re amazing xx

@BellaTheDarkOverlord you must be so excited to get her home ! ❤️

Feeling very flustered this morning and struggling massively at work!

Had another growth scan this morning, she's gone from the 80th percentile to the 60th and now the 25th so they're a bit concerned that she's not growing as she should be on the chart. Got another scan in 2 weeks and if she still isn't growing as she should be they'll want to deliver at 37 weeks!

When dh asked her if there was anything we can do to help things along she said "get your bags ready"! Husbands gone into full nesting mode and just did a huge Amazon order 😂

Bless you @C1umsyGiraffe , it's mad to think we'll all be full term soon 😱

How is everyone planning to give birth? I think I'm going to try for a water birth and then straight to epidural if I can't hack it 😂

@Belami plan to give birth the same as you! I had an epidural last time and loved it but didn’t love staying afterwards. I’ve said up post that I primarily chose it for some rest.

@C1umsyGiraffe keeping you in my thoughts.

@Zaalfruit I’ve now purchased everything I need. Unpacking from a weekend away and will repack this week.

@Belami just wanted to add that the epidural was great for feeling in control 😊 still felt the contractions and pressure. And the overall vibe of my labour was just super chilled out. We chatted a lot. It was really nice.