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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Due May 2023 - Thread Three

324 replies

AlwaysTryingToHelp · 12/04/2023 15:27

New thread as the other one was full!

I will try and tag everyone from the previous thread, sorry if I forget anyone 😊

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Nell80 · 19/05/2023 07:51

@TheBeesKnee how are you doing?

I'm also struggling with breastfeeding - which nipple shields are you using and do they stay on the nipple well? My baby seems to tug them off...

Did you get your scar sorted? As far as I know you should have support from maternity unit until 28 days postpartum! Can you call your community midwife and ask them to help? The drop off back into the GP system is brutal.

It really is relentless - keep going, you are doing the best for your baby and that's all that matters x

Shannondd3108 · 19/05/2023 08:16

@Janch13 did anything happen last night? 🥰

Janch13 · 19/05/2023 08:41

@JaymarNo. Trying to be patient but feeling very disheartened. I have had cramps and twinges all night and still now but nothing like contractions. Not sure what to do except for wait for them to ramp up. It’s actual mental torture gearing yourself up for labour for then nothing to happen. Feeling guilty that I sent my 3yo off for a sleepover last night when he wanted to be at home, when likely he’ll have to sleep at grandparents again tonight. Sorry for moaning, this weeks just been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster waiting for this baby to arrive.

TheBeesKnee · 19/05/2023 17:12

@Nell80 thank you for your words of encouragement, of all the things that I thought I'd struggle with I didn't think breastfeeding would be this high on the list!

I'm doing okay actually, I feel like I've turned a corner these last 2 days. I feel a lot like my old self (touch wood).

Wound is infected, luckily I managed to see a GP yesterday and have been put on 10 days of antibiotics 4xDay. I'm not in pain thankfully. I was also surprised to hear that maternity don't want evening to do with me after 10 days, it feels like a harsh and sudden cut off point, especially as I had a CS and spent a week on the ward!

I'm using the MAM nipple shields and they work quite well. I invert the nipple piece when putting it on so that it pulls my nipple out a bit and you put a bit of moisture on the wing bits to make it stick to your skin. They mostly stay on but occasionally transfer to baby's face 🤦‍♀️

My second hand MomCozy pump arrived today so I'm going to try it out as soon as it's done charging.

What are your struggles with breastfeeding?

Nell80 · 19/05/2023 17:55

@TheBeesKnee oh man that infection must be a pain and faff even if not sore, have you managed to get antibiotics on board? I'm shocked by their 10 day cut off, the midwife said our area is 28 days. 10 days is so sudden especially if you have a wound and a long stay.

I had an episiotomy and was on the ward for 5 days 4 nights. My labour ended up very fast, only 12 hours from waters to baby, and 10 mins of actively pushing. My bits will probably never be the same again...it's all been a massive shock and I've really struggled these last few days as it sinks in what I went through and that there's a baby to look after now.

That's such a good tip for the nipple shields I'll try that. I managed to get baby latched for 20 mins today. He didn't actually feed but was well on there sleeping. Small steps. He had posterior tongue tie which they missed on the ward and the lactation midwife spotted when I was home. It's not been a miracle cure but his tongue can move more now. He gets so frustrated and cross when he can't latch and I think that's putting him off.

Let me know how the pump is, I need to think if I'll continue to pump if he can't latch. My supply is good, it's just the latch.

Happy to DM if you'd like some solidarity on breastfeeding and wound woes (mine is not infected but I have pain from the episiotomy wounds) xx

tigerlily0 · 19/05/2023 19:14

With my first baby breastfeeding took me 4 weeks to establish it was so so hard, and I think if it's the first time for mums it's a shock to the system around how hard it actually can be. It can be very disheartening. But just stick at it if u can and want to, it will get easier. I used to read and read and read around what to do I almost became an expert.

If baby has tongue tie then I'd suggest getting it snipped ASAP.

Jammiedodger12 · 19/05/2023 22:57

Had baby girl last night at 10pm. After a sweep the day before and contractions starting around 9am. Water broke at 9pm and baby was born at 10pm.

Janch13 · 20/05/2023 07:08

Congratulations @Jammiedodger12 Hope you’re all doing great xx

ArrrMeHearties · 20/05/2023 09:43

I got a 24hr pessary at 10 last night. When I got examined before it went in my cervix was soft and was 1cm dilated. On monitor now and will be checked in a bit to see what's happening

Nell80 · 20/05/2023 10:39

@tigerlily0 that's really encouraging to hear - it's so hard juggling pumping with trying to get him to latch, on top of wound care and the basics like eating and drinking. hopefully things will improve...

Jaymar · 20/05/2023 16:43

Congrats @Jammiedodger12 Hope you are enjoying being in the newborn love bubble. Good luck @ArrrMeHearties, hope it’s working and you’re well on the way to meeting your wee one.

Northby · 20/05/2023 22:26

Thanks so much for sharing your experience @Nell80 , I hadn’t heard about the pressure so it’s great to feel armed with a little more information! Thank you.

I had an extra scan on Thursday and was recommended induction on Friday as his tummy is extremely large, so that’s booked for Monday. It’s actually been nice knowing I’ve got this weekend as my “last hurrah” then it’s happening on Monday. It’s helped me to mentally prepare, I think.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Nell80 · 21/05/2023 03:11

@Northby how're you feeling about induction? Hope it all goes well and you have a good weekend in the lead up x

ArrrMeHearties · 21/05/2023 20:27

Today just before 2 I gave birth to my gorgeous baby boy after my induction. I got the 24hr pessary on Friday night then a 6hr gel on the Saturday night then almost 6hrs later my waters broke themselves. Got taken to labour ward and got to 3cm and while contractions were coming they weren't strong enough. Got put on the drip then went to 6cm then 1hr 45 later he was here all 9lb 1 of him. I'm in love

Nell80 · 22/05/2023 02:46

@ArrrMeHearties congratulations!!

Janch13 · 22/05/2023 08:27

@ArrrMeHearties congratulations!! Hope you’re recovering well. Did you get an epidural before the drip or managed without? Asking as I’m 41 weeks and approaching my induction date. Will go straight to the waters breaking stage as I’m already 4cms dilated (poss more now as that was Thursday last week!)

ArrrMeHearties · 22/05/2023 13:59

Drip was just put in as a cannula in my hand. I delivered him on just gas and air as I was too far into him coming for the diamorphine. He was 9lb 1oz so had put on 1.5lb in 3wks so he would of been almost the same weight as my oldest had I went to full term

Leostratts · 22/05/2023 18:03

Just an update - as it’s been a while.

Unknown gender baby boy was born 7th May early hours. I didn’t think a birth could be any more traumatic then it was with my first son but apparently it can!

I was over 40 weeks when my waters broke morning of the 5th, no progression so was induced that evening. Had epidural but had back labour so wasn’t pain free. Then midwife wasn’t topping epidural up so ended up feeling full blown contractions for hours anyway.. baby was back to back but I did get to 10cm dilated and was pushing for 2 hours.

Baby was in awkward position and wouldn’t move down so ended up in another emergency c section which was the last thing I wanted. I had extra blood loss and my bladder was fused to my uterus..

Basically just a horrific ordeal. Recovery has been hard, especially with a 2 year old. Starting to feel better now but panic is setting in about how I’ll cope with a newborn and toddler come next week when OH goes back to work..

Baby boy is healthy though which is the main thing and he was 7lbs 8oz! He’s gained weight every weigh and is already out of newborn clothes.

I really wanted breastfeeding to last longer this time (managed a few weeks with my first) but after a few days the pain from my section and the pain in my nipples was just making me cry constantly and was miserable, so for my own mental health I had to go to formula. The mum guilt over it has been just as bad as it was the first time round but I make myself feel better by saying I gave it a good go both times and they both had the colostrum and milk the first part of their lives.

I hope everyone else is well.

Leostratts · 22/05/2023 18:08

Congratulations to everyone who has had their babies, good luck to those who are still yet to have them! Haven’t had the time to go through all the previous posts but I know there will have been babies born or about to! 💗💙

Nell80 · 23/05/2023 04:25

@Leostratts that sounds awful, I'm sorry it's been so traumatic. It's really positive that baby has gained weight and is healthy but it still sucks you had that happen.
The sadness of not being able to continue BF must be hard. is you OH back at work on Monday?

raffika · 23/05/2023 19:33

Congratulations to those who have had their babies - I hope you’re recovering well and enjoying your newborn snuggles!

Sending love to those who are struggling with one thing and another, please be kind to yourselves.

For those having feeding struggles, I saw this on social media. I’m not intending to trivialise your struggles or your feelings, but there’s some truth there :)

Due May 2023 -  Thread Three
Shannondd3108 · 23/05/2023 22:16

39+1 and still waiting 🫠

Appleby11 · 25/05/2023 13:12

@Shannondd3108 me too. 39+3 today. Had my last growth scan this morning as we're IVF and hopefully being induced on Monday! Hooray! Has induction been suggested to you?

Shannondd3108 · 26/05/2023 21:19

@Appleby11 induction Wednesday for us ❤️

Appleby11 · 26/05/2023 21:59

@Shannondd3108 looks like we'll end up having June babies 🤣 are you okay about an induction? I'm glad things are finally happening. The waiting has been hard.