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

@Crazybrowncow hope you don't mind me jumping in, I'm an anaesthetist and work in obstetrics primarily. You can just ask your obstetrician when they consent you for the c-section to add on a salpingectomy. I assume this is the same everywhere but they now remove your tubes whole rather than just clipping them/tying them as the clips can falls off, and that reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Salpingectomies also reduce your risk of ovarian cancer as a lot of the cancers are thought to arise from the tubes. If I end up with a CS I will be getting one too!

@Cegbee still clipping/tying tubes not cutting where I am; my friend is a obs/gynae specialist back home and describes my hospital trust as 5 years behind in women’s healthcare… Aside from
the fact sterilising me wouldn’t help with my gynae issues, hearing that my trust aren’t up to date in procedure was just something else that put me off!
What is completely screwed however, is if my trust is at capacity (happened with my last DC!) I get shipped south or east (in to the trust my friend works in, which would be nice!) and both those trusts do the full removal of tubes; but apparently I can’t consent to that as I’ve consented to my trusts procedures already. Living rurally has its perks, until it very much doesn’t!

@Spareincoming oh wow! What a shame. But I'm pretty sure if you ended up in a different hospital they could amend your consent. Everywhere I've ever worked you would be able to do that.

@Cegbee Thats what I said to the consultant explaining it all to me, surely I could consent elsewhere; she just shrugged!

I’m having a c-section, that’s a definite but not being sterilised as it’s a procedure that won’t help in my circumstances so I’ve declined it, whilst I’m not really affected but I’m sure other women must be!

@Crazybrowncow I have mentioned it at every appointment I’ve had to make sure they don’t forget, they must think I’m a mad woman!
I gave consent at my first and only consultant appointment and she just added it to my consent form.

@Cegbee I was told that different surgeons do it differently, but none use clips anymore in the hospital I’m in. So they will either be completely removed, or cut and burnt. I will definitely ask on the morning of my section which one will be performed, I wasn’t really bothered when she explained it to me, but now I have a preference for full removal of tubes! It makes sense from an ectopic point of view if nothing else.

@BabyBabyBaby123 & @Cegbee thanks for the info.

I can't decide whether it would hinder recovery especially if it's full removal, is that quite a big thing for your body?

@Crazybrowncow it's really not, unless you happen to have lots of scarring but that's quite unusual. Adds about 5-10 mins to the end of the CS and they're on there already so saves you having to have an operation under general anaesthetic in the future. If I don't have a CS (previous vaginal delivery) i will ask (make) my husband have a vasectomy!

Hi ladies, a little late but hoping on the hospital bag talk. Here’s whats on my list:

Labour bag:
loose nightgown
socks with grips
face mist
face cloth
water bottle
snacks
TENS machine
1 x sleepsuit
1 x vest
2 xnappies
water wipes

Normal bag:
me:
pjs
flip flops
slippers
socks
5 x big size pants
charger
wash bag
towel
baby:
5 x sleepsuits
5 x vests
hat
scratch mits
nappies
water wipes
cellular blanket
baby towel

I’ll have another bag packed with clothes for me and baby to come home in but I’ll leave that at home and partner can bring it in when he’s getting us.

If there’s anything that I can add to it please let me know.

@LeeanneD11
How are you this morning?

They did carry on till 11 but not as worse as the one I had previously . Seem to have settled down a little , did wake up with chronic back ache & cramps , still having the loose stools, I will give MAU a call today and see what they say xx

Hi, has anyone started getting braxton hicks? I'm 35 weeks now and they started yesterday. I really don't want labour to come in early, as most likely will need a c-section and baby is on the small side of things, so want to keep baby in as far as possible.

I decided to go for a lie down after the braxton hicks.

Also, I am still getting ALOT of movement and kicks etc, is this normal? I thought by 35 weeks they wouldn't be as much space? Midwife said she is head down (not engaged) but I can feel she keeps moving around (and it is very painful) and when she hiccups she sometimes is side ways. I have had quite extensive surgery in and outside the uterus and other organs, so maybe the area is just more sensitive?

What you describe is quite similar to what I'm going through, and I've also had on and off loose stools too for the past few weeks. Personally I am not keen on going in, as I went in my earlier weeks and even stayed over, and they couldn't find anything, and at this stage I just don't want them to carry out more tests/interventions. There's also a very long wait at triage/ward if they call you in, and I end up feeling more tired/sick before I left. So I am just waiting it out unless I see really obvious signs of going into labour.

@JoyApple i spoke to MAU and they advised me to keep and eye on them today and if they come back and get worse I have to ring them straight away as could indicate labour I'm 32 weeks Monday , but I've never experienced something so painful to the point it made me cry and trying to breathe through them , I should be used to this being my 3rd baby , but I'm known to having early babies . I just want to him to cook a little longer , it's to early for this , how are you now xx

sorry to hear that, hopefully it is not early labour, and you get to term.

Tbh it is on and off with the pain. I don't think I'm going into early labour (or maybe I'm in denial who knows) but I do think it is made worse when I haven't rested well. Yday I took myself to bed mid-afternoon and slept for a few hours, and I plan to do the same today. I've really consciously slowed down my pace and what I do each day - tbh my body is telling me that, and I really don't want to go into early labour, the decision on my c-section hasn't even been decided yet (although looks very likely!).

@JoyApple I'm the same on and off with the pain, to the point by body was shaking and I felt sick , it's horrible , I hope iou manage to rest today and they settle down for you and you make it your c section date xx

@JoyApple I've had BH since around 20 weeks. They have been worse and more easily triggered over the third trimester so far.
I have definitely slowed and am easily drained. I'm struggling to get the balance of rest vs getting life done. House is a tip!

Have you noticed anything that triggers movement? Certain foods get my belly kicked a lot!

Has anyone made the decision to bring their maternity leave forward?
I have decided I want to finish work on 13th October and start maternity leave on 15th (it has to be a Sunday) and I’m quite worried about what work will say, because on my maternity application I had my maternity leave starting on 5th November.

My head of department has a leave of absence for 2 weeks from 16th and I don’t feel up for the stress of running the department in his absence, so I have decided to bring my leave forward. I really can’t see it being a popular decision, but it is definitely best for me and baby as I am really feeling the exhaustion, especially at the end of the week.

I’m going to tell them on Monday, but I’m quite worried about their reaction.

@BabyBabyBaby123 last time I brought my leave forward by around 3 weeks but they probably had around a months notice. I don’t think they’re really allowed to comment on it tbh. It isn’t something they can say no to if it’s what you need to do.

@PinkPlantCase Our policy says to give 28 days notice, where possible.

I know that I could go off sick and maternity leave would start at 36 weeks, but I would rather give them even 2 weeks notice than just not turning up when I’m not unwell, I’m just tired and not up for the extra stress of managing others.

My replacement has already started and has been shadowing me on some days, which I think might make it easier, but I expect they were planning on using him to cover my HoD while he is away from work.

Please don't worry, do what is best for you! And you have nothing to feel bad/guilty about.

I bought it back last minute too and have zero regrets. Your body needs rest, take it.

@PinkPlantCase @Spareincoming thank you! Yeah it’s Tylenol I had been taking! I spoke to my OBGYN today and he said the same, take only if I really needed but that it was perfectly safe.

my partner is unfortunately sceptical of the medical field so he still doesn’t want me taking them, but I’ve just decided to keep a bottle at work for emergencies and take as needed.

currently 6 hours into a 12 hour shift and think today will be one of the days I need to take them. The ice pack only does so much.

Only 12 shifts left though, as I’m basically part time after next week due to holiday days I had to use up! The count down is on! 35+1 weeks now!

@Spareincoming yes we have London drugs! It’s my go - to fit Weetabix supplies 😜

haha I need all the pain relief after snowboarding too! My coccyx still hurts since last year falling on my arse! I’ll try some heat pads, I’ve been using the icy gel packs but I can’t freeze them quick enough! Here’s me planning on no epidural and if someone offered one to me right now I’d probably take it 🥴

Not sure how I missed this!

Apparently, she’s on the 20th centile, which is better than the 10th that she was on! They were happy to leave me go four without another growth scan but my consultant booked me in for one for two weeks time when I’m 35 week, purely due to my anxiety. They, one in particular, have been really really great.

Hope everyone is doing well 💛

Hoping to get a date booked in at 37 weeks for my section Friday if I see that particular consultant 🥰. Crazy to think we could be in our babies birth month now. I love October 🍁🌙

Well now, because I don’t spend enough time at my “local” hospital, I’m currently sat in the car park at the bigger, not so local hospital, where I’ve appointments Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday this week and DP was admitted last night after a car accident, hoping he’ll be released tomorrow after the top man has reviewed his scans, he has 2 suspected fractured but stable vertebrae!
Just what we need with a maximum of 4 weeks until Baby arrives!
This pregnancy is a bloody rollercoaster!
Now I have to endure a drive home with MIL whenever she appears from inside, visiting ended at 4pm!

Ah no, hope your DH is fighting fit soon. You’re not getting a break!