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

@GreenAventurine sleep is a thing of the past and I am constantly exhausted 😂 I don’t go on Mat leave though until I’m 37 and a half weeks and I’m really regretting that decision now cause all I wanna do is sleep all day 🥲

Since I wrote this comment I’ve decided to go on maternity leave a week early now - so 36 weeks. It’s a big operation and I want to recover as well as I can so I think it’s for the best I finish at least a week before it!

Today was my last day at work and omg i was sooooo ready, nights at 36 weeks was hard!!!!

I've got swollen fingers, my feet feel fat,shoes feel tight and i keep having pins and needles!!!

@TMI2000 I’m with you girl! I don’t sleep at all really. I run about all day trying to keep busy, thinking it’ll tire me out. I’m exhausted come bed time and can’t sleep at all. I ended up going for a walk around the house in the dark last night, completely forgot my BF had set up a baby gate in the hallway. Walked into it at high speed, belly first, and just folded over it like a piece of paper. Lol. Hit my belly so hard though so was a bit worried after but she was moving about as normal. Ended up finally getting 3 or 4 hours at 6am when he left for work.

im 36+4 and don’t go on Mat leave till 39 weeks. I don’t think I’ll change it as I actually only work 7-8 more shifts between now and then (Oct 30) because I’ve taken some holiday days. It’s the drive in that’s the most brutal for me now, it’s almost an hour each way and sitting in the car is really hurting my back. I’ve been using a pillow and ice pack.

ordered a back strap about 3 weeks ago from Amazon. Everything else I order arrives in 1-3 days. This still hasn’t arrived and keep getting told “it’ll be here by the end of the week”. seems pointless trying to order another one now with just over three weeks to go!

Hello again ladies! Hope everyone is well, I was hopeless at keeping up with the threads a while ago and lost track of them. I can't believe we're all so close to the end now!
It's been a stressful few months as I've been having almost weekly scans due to raised PI since 23 weeks (now 34+4) and have been living from week to week not knowing if I'd develop preterm pre-eclampsia again or not. A few weeks ago the consultant was on about inducing me at 37 weeks but now the PI has stabilised again. Such a roller-coaster of emotions and worry. Baby girl is growing well though, thank goodness. Hoping I can go to term 🙏

I’m in the no sleep club 💤 I keep waking up around 1am and I can’t go back to sleep for a few hours. Super annoying!

I had a scan today and everything looked good, they estimated the baby’s weight to 2.9kg. Afterwards I saw the consultant and they recommend induction at 40 weeks, he said they could push it to 40+ 3 but no longer because I’m over 40 and the placenta might not work as efficiently past 40 weeks.
I’m not very keen on having an induction but will go with their advice. Hopefully I’ll go in to labour spontaneously before that. Since I have felt some cramping and increasing BH I feel there is a chance. I may actually have acupuncture again as it worked the last time and labour started 24h after I had it, just like the acupuncturist said it would!

Oh and baby is head down finally! I never thought it would turn. I can feel more pressure in my pelvic floor now too and I’m becoming more uncomfortable.

@Travellingislife no sleep club here too... we'll hopefully the middle of the night hunger club & I get back over. Currently eating toast.
Fab news with the scan!
I'm a bit scared of an induction too.. do your own research into the placenta risks. My friend just had the consultant suggest an early induction at 39 wks due to baby size, they said no & immediately the consultant agreed and said there is no need. Sometimes it's just due to processes they have.
I am definitely going to try acupuncture, never tried it in my last pregnancies tho, good to hear it worked for you!

@Travellingislife I’m about to book myself in for some acupuncture too!
we tried to get pregnant for 8 years, 3 failed IUI and then just before we were about to try IVF I had a month of acupuncture and got pregnant the next month! So I’m a huge believer!

I have a feeling I’m gonna go way over; not sure why, no BH or any signs that it’ll happen any time soon. Dr will induce me at 41 weeks, thought it would be 40 as I’m 36 years old. But I really don’t want to be induced at all. So I’ll try every way possible to go into labour ASAP. I’ll be 37 weeks Saturday so anytime from then on and I’ll be happy!

Hi everyone! Been lurking away checking everyone’s comments in the background, can’t believe we will all be posting about baby being here so soon!

im 35w and have noticed my bump has really dropped, did anyone else experience this so early? I’ve read it can indicate labour in 2-4 weeks if it’s your first baby so I’m not worried as 2 weeks would make me full term - it’s just all getting very real now!!

hope everyone is keeping well in these final weeks xx

@Rebs23 i dropped early with my first and he was born at almost 42 weeks, so i don’t think it necessarily means labour is approaching, just that they are in the right position for when it does start. I do hope for you though, that baby comes earlier than my first, because going two weeks past due date wasn’t the nicest 🙈.. I think everyone’s bodies react differently and ultimately, it’ll happen when it happens ☺️

Happy Friday everyone. 35 weeks tomorrow and getting braxton hicks upon braxton hicks. I’m having a C-section so they arnt needed! 🤣

@Rebs23, I'm just back from a MW appt, baby has dropped and is 4/5ths engaged. She seemed concerned I wouldn't make it to my section day which is 3.5wks but not that anything was imminent. Just kept saying 'we'll have to see' thoughtfully, over and over! This is my second, but as I had an Elective last time too, it's like it's my first body wise.

Do any of you try and collect colostrum before baby is born? I see a lot of people doing it on my other group, but I’ve not had any indications that I have anything in there at all.

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow. if you have done before / are doing it now… any tips?

@Psqueak87 I have been given a kit from midwife and told I can start from 37 weeks (Monday for me) so also looking for some tips!

I’ve booked in acupuncture and reflexology for the next 3 weeks, both helped me getting pregnant when my hormones were all over the place so I do believe in it!

@LilmissCa I agree, sometimes it’s just their policy but not much substance behind it. I’ve been reading lots of research papers about induction and it seems like the risks of still birth and neonatal death are slightly increased if you go past 40 weeks when you’re over 40. Ultimately it’s your choice though, they just recommend it.

@Crazybrowncow @WriMum22 thank you both for your insights! All the different experiences are so interesting to learn about.

I’m glad my body seems to be getting ready for the big event, whenever that might be :)

@Oreopie what is in your kit? I don’t think they give them here in Canada!

@Psqueak87 I say kit, it's really a set of syringes, labels with my name and NHS number so I can take them to the hospital with me, a leaflet and a QR code (which I haven't scanned yet) which I believe takes you to an informational video!

Yes, my bump has been very low for a few weeks now, I'm almost 35 weeks too. The sonographer had trouble measuring baby's head as she's so low down. Perhaps it's because she's our 5th, or perhaps she'll come a little early! Are you getting back pain with it?

Hi ladies, just thought I’d ask your opinions.
I have asked from early on to have a scan mid 30 weeks to check baby’s position, because my last baby was breech and they didn't pick it up until 37 weeks when i was in for reduced movements and a dr felt my bump, the community midwifes thought she was head down!
So anyway they said early on it wouldn’t be a problem, now I’ve had very short appointments, no extra scans since 20 weeks and felt a bit rushed out tbh. At 32 weeks the midwife said they would sort it out at 34, then at 34 they said they would only do one if they thought baby was breech at 36 week appt. Now how do I say nicely at my appointment next week that I want a scan to double check because I don’t really trust them 🤣 I mean no offence but I want to know 100%. My little girl had hip dysplasia last time and was in a harness from 9 days old, so I want to know asap if this baby needs turning or plans in place. I don’t want to go into labour naturally if they are breech as it’s dangerous, and I have a higher chance from having a previous breech.
sorry for the long post 🫢

@Mrsrobinsonx
I could've literally written that post! Had the exact same issue with my first, went in for reduced movements at 37weeks and he was breech!
I would just ask them - they've offered me an extra scan which I had last week at 36weeks and second baby is head down.

@Travellingislife any increase in stillbirth & neonatal death put total fear into you, your well researched anyways! My ones sitting on the bigger side so I'm expecting the induction talk at 38wk appt. I must research some more!!

@Rebs23 I'm 35wks also & noticed a drop in my bump & also such stronger more uncomfortable movements! It's my third baby tho so I'm hoping it doesn't mean labour is too close!!

Sooo ready for this insomnia to do one!

I've been lucky symptom wise after that, just some piles and tiredness.

How is everyone else doing?

@LilmissCa
This is the most recent I found: https://www.bmj.com/content/367/bmj.l6131

RCOG have one from 2013 too.

NICE guidelines: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207/chapter/Recommendations#information-and-decision-making

I’m going back and forth as there are other risks with induction such as higher risk of uterine rupture and of having an ecs.. Also it’s likely to be more painful and them having to use foreceps etc are increasing.
I just hope I go in to spontaneous labour before a possible induction 🙏🏼