Due October 2023 Thread 8

[Chanteuse]

New thread for our October group - third trimester time!!

@katherine123x he’s measuring on the 97th centile and has always measured large, I also have polyhydramnios is that why they tested you? I’m 37 weeks on Monday so they may not as too late on?

@Koalawhala i think I need more rest too, I just feel so drained and super dizzy, it’s freaking me out. Are you drinking enough? I’m trying to but struggling!

@LWestYorks exactly the same as you!!! Just slightly earlier. So maybe. Have they mentioned anything about inducing or c section to you?

Been knocked out with covid this week. DH is a teacher so unavoidable with all the kids being sent in sick. Thankfully baby boy has been kicking more than usual - letting me know he’s ok I guess! Hope everyone is keeping well ❤️

@monsteramunch ah yes must be tricky being self employed, but hope you manage to get some rest when you can. I'm the same, really emotional and just generally drained. Haven't done my hospital bag yet - really should!

@LWestYorks glad it's not just me! Wondered if I was being silly bringing it forward but just really need it. Also have a c section and have a big ish baby (not off the scale but with a 97 percentile head!) but c section is due to complications with my first. Good luck for yours, I'm a few weeks behind you.

@katherine123x yes I’m having a section on the 6th, due on the 9th but my hospital consultants are on strike the 2nd and 4th so having it 3 days before due date which I’m slightly anxious about! What have they said about your fluid? What’s your largest pocket? I’m terrified something is wrong because I’ve got this but I’ve had MRI, Amniocentesis and infection blood tests for another thing during pregnancy which came back normal.

@ForeverAndEvers thank you - good luck for yours too!

@ForeverAndEvers absolutely exhausted too! I've already been back to bed for nap today even though I didn't get get up til 9! I wouldn't be managing work at this point if my boss wasn't telling me to wind down. My maternity cover has started so I'm in theory just there to support/answer questions with no official work load, and still finding it hard

@LWestYorks oh nice that you've got one booked though!!

I can't remember ... I have another appt Monday and armed with a question list! 😂

@katherine123x let me know how you get on - inbox me if you are wanting to know anything. X

@LWestYorks thank you!

@PeopleAreToads a nap sounds like a fabulous idea. I have an older one who's a bundle of energy so naps aren't possible but definitely dream of them. Great your cover has already started, although imagine just being there is tiring in itself. I wish my cover had started but at the moment it's just my normal role which can be a lot anyway so at the moment just feels too much but not too much longer now.

Last night I had awful cramp In my calf (partner said it's because I don't eat enough salt... piss off 🙄 although I didn't decline a pack of ready salted which I scoffed in bed after "stretching" my calf's.. don't ask 😂)

Today my legs are just aching. Feel like I've walked up a fell. Currently in the bath with lots of my little coco Epsom bath salts and bath soak. Smells Devine. Hope it works!!

Anyone else aching?

@LWestYorks the joint Dr’s strikes make me anxious too. My c section is booked in only 5 days before, not due to strikes but due date is a Saturday so they moved it to the Monday. It does feel close though!

@ttcttc I have cramps although luckily they are not regular. I try to have a salt foot bath before bedtime which helps and I also do a short walk in the afternoon/evening for circulation. My feet are swelling all the time now and if I sit too much my calves get rock hard and very painful. I was told all this is normal but yeah...it is painful. Ask your lovely partner for a foot massage :) while you enjoy a packet of crisps (for all that extra salt lol....which is actually not that good because it helps retaining water and you don't want that).

@peonygirl I've tried everything. I was awake at 1:30 this morning, it was awful!
Thankfully it's just at night and not all day!
Not long now 🤞🏼

Two naps today and still can’t stay awake. 38 weeks tomorrow. Counting down the days.

Been feeling really dizzy and nauseas this evening. Problem is at this stage you start wondering if everything is a sign of labor starting!

@OrionNebula ugh same, I’m lying on the sofa with a bucket next to me because I feel like I might vomit which I haven’t done since I was 7 weeks. Can’t lie it’s made me a bit suspicious although I have another week of work left so would really like if baby could just stay put a little longer.

@Saturnsmoon me too, due to finish on Friday. Hope I make it that far!

Anyone else feel like they cannot walk anywhere without the sensation of feeling like the baby will literally fall out of them!! I do not know how I will manage another two weeks at work, my boss has also been adding to my workload which is stressful so I’m tempted to bring forward my maternity leave by a week. I still feel so unprepared for birth, does anyone have any recommendations for positive birth podcasts?

I feel like I have just not thought too much about giving birth as I didn’t want to get worried, now I’m nearly there and panicking that I know nothing!! Xx

@Summer022 what on earth is your boss playing at?! I’m working till due date but thankfully from home which really makes a difference. Made the mistake of going to ikea today and now am completely done in!

@FirstTimeMamaAtHalloween also working up until my due date …

had my baby shower yesterday and it completely wiped me out 😂😅

now I have this cold again because the weather has been hot/cold/hot/cold 😅😅😅😅

this is never ending. Still got 5 weeks to go! 🥹

@FirstTimeMamaAtHalloween went to ikea a couple of weeks ago. I hate it at the best of times but not only is it 10 times more exhausting when heavily pregnant, I couldn't have a glass of wine to recover when I got home either 😂

@OrionNebula at least there are lots of Chairs throughout! We normally go midweek if we have to but my husband’s schedule is full on at the mo, it was chaos in there! Think we now have everything needed for the nursery though which is exciting

@NSx mine did me in too, so lovely but all that socialising is knackering!

@Summer022 I’ve been listening to the positive birth story podcast which I’ve found quite reassuring. It’s set in Sweden and the US, so there are some systemic differences to the UK but still worth a listen I think. I have also listened to Jessie Ware’s is it normal pregnancy podcast. Not positive birth stories as such but still quite informative and reassuring. Lastly, I don’t know if Ina May Gaskin’s book a guide to childbirth is available as an audio book but the first half of it is all positive birth stories which I enjoyed. Wouldn’t necessarily recommend reading or listening to the second half while heavily pregnant or if you are already a bit anxious as it dips into things that can go wrong and I don’t find that very helpful to hear/read at the moment.

@Summer022 I second @Saturnsmoon suggestion of Jessie Ware's podcast 'Is it normal', it has definitely played a big part in me feeling ready for labour/birth, as she goes through lots of topics with a midwife and an obstetrician as well as other guests. Very much recommend 😊