November 2023 babies - thread 4

[AngeloMysterioso]

Here you go!

@38andtrying a long phone charger lead, as long as you can get! When I had my DD the plugs were so far away from my bed, but someone had already recommended a long lead so I was glad that I listened to the advice, or I’d have gone crazy on the noisy ward without my phone because I hardly got any sleep.

@38andtrying It’s no harm packing the bag early, I definitely echo a long charger lead and earplugs. I paid for a private room the last time and it was so worth it, some trusts don’t have them though or they might be full so on a busy ward earplugs will be useful. I also brought lots of healthy snacks.
Then the standard list of: nappies, baby grows, hat, mittens, sanitary pads, underwear, warm socks etc. The most important- a car seat to bring the baby home 😊

@38andtrying if you remember take your own pillow and a spare pillow case, hospital pillows are both awful and there's also a real shortage (where I work at least) so any little things you can do to make yourself a bit more comfortable are a bonus.

@38andtrying gosh I feel under prepared now :) I need to get my own things like comfy pyjamas etc.

I would recommend taking your own pain killers as sometimes they can take long to prescribe them...

I'm also thinking of doing a small suitcase rather than bag so it's easier for DH to wheel in (and rummage through lol)?

Anyone doing NCT classes? When is best to do it?

Hope everyone is well! Has anyone had a cervical erosion? I ended up at maternity assessment last night as I had some bright red spotting - I’m 24 weeks. They checked everything and are happy nothing to worry about think it’s essentially irritation in my cervix caused by pregnancy hormones- said it was common but I’ve never heard of it before

@Mimi2022 we did NCT first time round and enjoyed it. They have different groups depending on when you’re due as they try and group people together who are due around the same time. I don’t remember when it started but it was whatever they set the start date too for my due date group!

@Mimi2022 I’ve booked onto NCT classes. I am due 2nd Nov & the classes that shown as “ideal” for my due date start on 8th Sept & run every Monday evening for 4 weeks!

@Hopewishprayer I was in hospital Sat-Mon due to a bleed & they thought it was Cervical erosion, However they couldn't see it, so my bleed is 'one of those things' which doesn't help the anxiety. I think CE is quite common. Hope you're better now x

My sister had it throughout her pregnancy and didn’t cause an issues, I think it’s basically the hormones irritating the cervix and the blood vessels on the outside just bleed the odd time. They were never worried x

Hi not sure if this has been asked before but has anyone had any side effect from the 20-wk whooping cough vaccine? Got a sore throat and just wondering if it’s that.

NCT - I missed the boat, all booked up here. So if you’re considering it don’t delay probs!

@spanglesj I know lots of people with a cold that includes a sore throat at the moment. So I’d assume it’s a coincidence.

You have reminded me to chase up my vaccine though!

@Crazybrowncow sorry to hear you were in hospital so long, they have reassured me that everything is good but still doesn’t stop the worry! Combined with an anterior placenta not feeling much movement 😞
@Houseonthehills good to know thanks for sharing x

I had a midwife appointment today at 26 weeks, which must just be something my trust does, cos I can’t see much about 26 week appointments online.
Got to hear baby’s heartbeat and she did a fundal height measurement which came out above 97th centile. I do feel bigger with this pregnancy than my last 2, so I’m not surprised. She said this is just something they’ll keep an eye on, but that until they have a few measurements to compare then the first measurement doesn’t really mean much.
I only realised afterwards that she didn’t give me my MATB1 form, was I supposed to get it at this appointment?
I’m back for another appointment at 28 weeks, so I will ask for it then.
I also queried when I will hear from the consultant, as I will have a c section due to complications and scarring of my uterus from my first DD, but she wasn’t even sure if the referral had been put through, I already had my c section date by this far along in my last pregnancy. Has anyone who who is having a planned section had any contact with a consultant yet?

@BabyBabyBaby123 ill be seeing mine next Friday but I’m under the impression I won’t get a date yet. I’ve been told I’m able to choose a c section so I will be bringing it up when I see him.

In UK, employers need written confirmation of pregnancy (an email would count) at 25 weeks and should be given a copy of the matB1. If your employer is happy to wait then I'd not worry.

I had to move my 26w appointment back so phoned to ask for it early. Popped in next day (I live ten mins drive away) and it was sat ready for me.
Adore my MW, she's so helpful.

Hi everyone hope your all well,

I'm looking for advise really, I've been told I can have a VBAC , but I'm worried and I don't know why I should tbh , this is my 3rd baby ,

I had a home-birth with my first , without any gas & air or needing to go hospital afterwards , my 2nd was emergency c section

Has anyone had a VBAC after a c section I've been told it could cause uterine ruptures & scar issues,

I'm more concerned about childcare

I've been told I can't have a home birth this time round due to complications

Would I be able to ask to be induced? I'm having growth scans due to my placenta so wasn't sure this was a option,

Sorry for the long paragraph xx

@BabyBabyBaby123 In my area, if you’re consultant-led you see them at your 16wk appt and they make a plan for ongoing care. In my case safe to have most of the regular checks with community midwives, but key appts with consultant, so back to her clinic at 32wks for a growth scan and to make birth plan, which will almost certainly be section for me and expecting they’ll book it in then. I’d do as you’re thinking and speak to the midwife about having a birth planning appt with consultant as soon as possible, but I think some trusts leave these really quite late.

Also, it was ages ago but I’ve been catching up - thanks @CliniMama for exercise links. Although even simple tasks feel like a workout now, so I’m not managing much more.
Anyone else having to really slow down already? I find it so frustrating, but I’m prone to fainting so have to be careful, I think it’s low blood pressure.

@reememberly yep, I also have low blood pressure. I’m usually pretty active, always walk the dogs for miles a day and do lots of gardening, but I literally did 10 mins of weeding yday and I was f*cked. Had to go for a lie down. This is my first pregnancy and I can’t believe how exhausted my body is!

I don’t feel tired if I’m busy, but the second I stop I’m shattered!
Im finding it hard standing in one spot lately. I can walk all day, but standing still… jeez. I wonder why this is?

@LeeanneD11 Induction methods for VBAC are more limited as they will want to avoid the drip as it can increase the risk of uterine rupture.

Tbh if you’ve already had a home birth for your first I’d consider it if it’s something you might still want. It’s easier to get them to agree to a HBAC than a VBAC in a birth centre as they can write a plan for a home birth outside of guidance and have to support you in it but they can outright deny access to the birth centre. So that would probably be your best best for a hands off birth.

VBAC on labour ward is of course an option too! But would likely be with continuous monitoring.

More complications for us. The word viability keeps being thrown about quite a bit. 2 week wait and see before the consult can see us.
Thoroughly fed up.

That sounds worrying @Spareincoming, have you had previous complications. Stay strong my love x

Oh @Spareincoming I'm so sorry that you're going through this 😔 sending love and prayers for good news 🙏🏼 ❤️