November 2023 babies - Thread 5

[Shaker21]

I couldn't find a new thread open as the old is now full.

Got a few of the usernames to tag, definitely missed people but hopefully they find the thread :)

@spareincoming @Pinkplantcase @leeanneD11 @LilmissCa @FlyingHighFlyingLow @Psqueak87 @spanglesj @BabyBabyBaby123 @Houseonthehills @GreenAventurine @reememberly @Cegbee @DollyGx @38andtrying @JD90 @travellingislife @mldn @sb86 @TMI2000

@Chellooo I really feel for you. I am also a FTM but my care has been outstanding. In fairness I am considered High Risk but there's no excuse. I know it all differs to trust.
Could you call your midwife and ask for an appointment and mention you wish to do some birth planning with them? Usually you get an appointment 34-36weeks for this so unsure why you're not getting them. I'm getting growth scans every 4/5 weeks now and midwife appts every 3 weeks.

@Chellooo sorry to hear this. I can recommend the Positive Birth Book to help with your plans, It helped me with my son in lockdown. As others have said call or maybe email
You MW and let them know you're feeling anxious and want to go through it with them.

I am Consultant led but also kept my appts with the MW and the difference in care is real. Especially when it comes to reassurance and asking the questions you have on your mind. I am sure they will see you again if you give them a call. x

@Chellooo I also recommend having a read of The Positive Birth Book, I am currently reading it and as a ftm also it has been really helpful in knowing stuff that I wouldn't know yet about birth plan or what options you have available.

@Chellooo mention your concerns to your midwife and ask to be seen more regularly. I’ve really struggled this pregnancy with anxiety and my midwife has been seeing me every two weeks since I was 18 weeks. Just so I can get some reassurance. She said she would rather see me as much as I need to feel comfortable than for me to sit worrying and feeling lonely. I honestly do not know what I would have done without her being so brilliant, understanding and accommodating. She’s been amazing. It’s definitely worth a try, especially as a FTM, it can be so overwhelming when you don’t know what to expect or what will happen. At my hospital you call triage if you suspect labour, but again, speak with your midwife, she should outline all of this to you. Even if you ask her for a one off appointment until your 36 week check, then you can jot down all your questions and ask her to answer them for you so you feel informed and prepared.

Thanks so much ladies for your kind words it's so nice to know I'm not alone/going crazy.
I called my original midwife and basically had a breakdown on the phone, she booked me straight back in with them to go through all my concerns/fears and told me to call anytime.
The care the midwifes give in comparison to the consultants is just next level, they really are so so selfless x

I know everywhere is different but what do they do at your midwife appointments?
I’ve only had 3 so far (8,16 and 28 weeks) but they haven’t even listened to the heartbeat or anything, feel like I’m always in and out really quickly 🤔

@Mrsrobinsonx mine always check my blood pressure, pulse and other general health related bits and every time since 16 weeks they listen for baby’s heart.
they then open it up to any concerns I have and any upcoming appointments. They’ve been so good! Could you ask to listen to the heartbeat at the next one?

I dont see my midwife much, but when I do she’s very supportive. I am consultant led though so I do have more appointments than I normally would.

I saw the diabetic team today and had my monitor. My results have all been under the 7.8 today which is on target so 👍🏼.
Hope everyone is doing well xx

Mine have been BP check, urine dip, listen to baby, bloods as needed and a lot of chatting about how I'm feeling, how my consultant appointments have been/concerns/questions. Last apt she also measured my tummy when I asked her to, it's not being routinely done as I'm on a serial growth scan pathway I was just curious. The level of interaction people seem to get from either midwives or consultant seems to be so variable it's scary really.

@Mrsrobinsonx at my 28 week appointment they measured the belly, felt baby’s position and listened to the heart beat. Aswell as the usual urine dip stick and blood pressure check. The appointment was definitely more than 30 minutes, not too far off an hour with general chatting too.

@CliniMama I've had vertigo too. For me it's normally in the morning. I tend to eat something salty and then feel better. Even if it's a salted crisp or some sea salt on cut oranges is lovely too. It's worth a try.

@WriMum22 sorry to hear re physio. That's not on, they should be offering you manual therapy. I've been very surprised this time round on the NHS where at each appointment the alignment of my ankles, knees and hips have been checked and my left pelvis/hit has been going out of place so she pulled it and stretched it etc. She's also been showing me different exercises. I had this very bad pain early on in my back and she did some pulling/massaging and it went. I would go private with her anyday.

Have any of you got a fibroid by any chance? I really would like a homebirth and whilst they don't advise it for someone with fibroid, they would still support.

Has anyone had their babies make you feel uncomfortable, all day I've been in pain when I walk & sit down , I've had his bum or back stick out all day against my stomach and it's made me so uncomfortable and in pain like I wanna cry, what position could be in? I don't feel kicks in my ribs haven't done for a while always felt them lower . Could this be back to back or breech position . Never experienced this before . Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am 28 weeks . Also has anyone experienced shoulder pain? The pain in my left shoulder has been hurting all day too xx

@Chellooo if you’re uk you’re entitled to call and ask for a midwife appt I think? It sounds like an oversight to from them to leave it to 36 wks to discuss the birth with you, I went into labour at 37 wks, you want the peace of mind before that late really don’t you! Also the NHS website says your midwife will discuss it with you at 34 weeks. There’s quite a lot of information on there too around options and birth plan/preferences template also. I have similar feelings this time around the midwife care and find that if you don’t push for what you need not a lot happens - not ideal is it! Hope you’re ok.

And a little hello to everyone else on here and hope you’re all doing ok. I’ve been quiet on this thread for ages now but check in now & again. Like others just can’t wait to have her safe in my arms now and think she will be here late October for me. Not long to go everyone!

Ah sorry @Chellooo i missed a load of replies, sounds like you’re being looked after now!! :-)

@LeeanneD11 yeah defo but definitely discomfort for me not too painful. Bum sticking out and I do feel movements down low which i know are her hands/elbows because I’ve felt hiccups near my bum ha ha. However if you’re in pain they’ll see you at your birth suit now and might be able to check your shoulder pain and answer your position question? Baby might be transverse or oblique mine was in my last pregnancy and they do keep more of an eye on you in those cases but maybe after 30 wks not sure. Always worth asking anyway!

Another shout out here for the Millie Hill book for birth planning!

I am off work AGAIN! I’ve been off so much this pregnancy, compared to my last very uneventful pregnancy with my DD.
I have done something to my back putting my daughter into her car seat after nursery yesterday, she is a chunky 20 month old.
I didn’t get a wink of sleep because it was so sore and I am having sciatica like pain whenever I put any weight on my left leg.
I rang the doctor for an appointment this morning, but there weren’t any available, so I will have to try again in the morning.
I hate feeling like I’m letting people down, I’m 30 weeks now and I really don’t want to start my maternity leave so early. It is more stressful being off work than being in work.

@spanglesj

I feel movements lower down too , I was in pain too again , I think baby has moved and made me so uncomfortable, I struggle to walk like I'm waddling now lol , I have midwife in the morning so I'll shall mention my concerns , she didn't say much at my last app as I said I feel like he was breech position but didn't confirm it, but I'm defo getting uncomfortable can't sit down without being uncomfortable, struggle to get up and sleeping isn't great either the turning over and trying not to sleep on my back is hard too, as I sleep longer . And this heat isn't helping either 😂😂🤦‍♀️

I am definitely waddling!

@LeeanneD11 I’m still sleeping on my back with a very flat pillow under the edge of my back on one side, I read somewhere (probably tik tok so don’t take this as medical advice pls, lol) that as long as you are somewhat sloped it’s all good! I’m almost 32 weeks now and I haven’t found a comfier way of doing it

Looks like I managed to swerve GD 🥳 but is it cheating if I jiggled my foot the entire time I was sat in the waiting room?

Great news @AngeloMysterioso ! I’m not having the GTT but I do get light headed after I eat sometimes, especially if I don’t eat often enough. I ordered a continuous glucose monitor to see if it’s anything sugar related and it arrives today!

I have mixed feelings about it, on one hand I’m really interested to know what’s going on and I’ll have so much data! In a nice graph too. But on the other hand if there’s a problem I’ll probably have to do something about it 😂

Midwife had no concerns today , bump is measuring 2 weeks behind so currently 28 weeks but measuring 26 weeks , but she did say baby head could be near my ribs but can't confirm till my next app, heartbeat was 140 , I mentioned about the pains she said it could be where his laying . Took more bloods due to my itching but found protein in urine sample but wasn't concerned about it . Next app is 32 weeks . How is everyone managing in this heat xx

@LeeanneD11 I am not coping in the heat !! Last night was insanely warm. Dreading tonight.

I had to ring in sick to work today between the heat, my 19month old up with sore ears & my almost 8yr old up with a sore tummy since 6am I've barely slept!

Oh no I hope you manage to get some sleep . It's horrible I'm struggling so much . Even the sleep xx

Is anyone getting any formula in ready? Hoping to either breast feed and/or introduce formula gradually early on. Where do we even start with knowing what to buy?? 🤔