Due December 2023 Part 5

[Nclktnntt]

Starting Due December 2023 Part 5

Currently measuring between 90th and 97th centile- bang in the middle of those lines.

@Beans1982 @Nclktnntt also planning a water birth but also just happy to test things and see what works. I’m not opposed to epidural so if things get really bad I may forfeit the pool for the pain relief!

I'm hoping for a water birth if all goes naturally. In a dream scenario I'd only have gas and air, but you just don't know how these things are going to go!
Also I don't know if the birthing pools will even be available so I'm trying to stay relaxed in my plan.

I’m in on Tuesday for my 38+5 appointment and hoping to get some clarity on what my options are, baby was measuring just below 90th centile and they mentioned the last time they’d prefer to induce before 40 weeks otherwise predicted weight (given the growth pattern this far) is around 11lb full term. I’m more confused now if I want them to slow down a little and let me go myself or if they’re continuing on their growth pattern to opt for a section but I think I’ll be fighting for that one. Conscious the baby is nowhere near engaged (they could be now which would be brilliant but haven’t been this far) and I don’t like the idea of sitting on an induction ward for days until I eventually end up being taken for an emergency section anyway!

I never thought these decisions at the end would cause so much stress but I’m back and forth now in my head on a daily basis what to do.

@FlyingHighFlyingLow I had a sweep yesterday, slightly uncomfortable but nowhere near as bad as I was expecting!

Ohh that is good to know. How long does the whole procedure take? Is it similar to a smear where they insert a speculum etc?

@chloesl1808 it was about 5 minutes start to finish, but that included her feeling my tummy, listening in to baby, the sweep itself and then listening in again to make sure they’d not stressed baby out

she didn’t use a speculum, just 2 fingers. I’d say it was more tolerable than a smear test!

Thanks for putting us at ease @FirstMondayInMay, I'll be having one next Thursday if nothing has happened by then.

Hi ladies hope you are all doing well. Haven't been on here for a bit, trying to get organised. I was meant to have my Pre-assesment today and my c-section on Monday 4th however I got a call from a midwife saying its now moved to the 8th Dec. Changing the date is one thing but she called me without even doing a background check on my notes. I asked if I go into labour before the 8th, I need 100% confirmation that I'll still be having a c-section and of course she said she can't guarantee that...of course all hell broke loose and I then rang my actual midwife who I've been seeing for appts. She said not to worry and that you will still have a section even if you go into labour early. Now I need to rejig childcare and overall I'm so scared, nervous, anxious that I'll go into labour before the 8th. On Monday I would be exactly 38 weeks. Any advice or hand holding would be lovely 😭

Had my growth scan today, all on track and she’s measuring 60th percentile which I’m happy with!

Because of my GD, the consultant said we’d look to get induction booked at 38 weeks, and I said I think I’d want a c section over an induction.

They now want me to go to a ‘birth choices’ clinic. Has anyone had this? If so, is it genuinely
going through the options, or pressuring to have induction over c section?

@RG84 sorry to hear that, I don’t have any advice but solidarity on being pushed for things you don’t want!

@Mushroo im glad your appt went well. I would also prefer a section over an induction as most indictions end up in sections anyway. Not all but my 1st did. Birth clinics? Not heard of that from my trust.

I think I'm just so livid with the midwife that calls me without looking at my notes and then says she will ask the consultant to call me. I feel a little better after speaking to my actual diabetes midwife but my only worry is going into labour before my new section on the 8th. I'll be 38+4 days. I know it doesn't seem like much of a difference but anything can happen in 5mins never mind 4 days lol...
Just thrown me off guard I guess as I was mentally prepared for Monday. So have my Pre-assesment on the 6th Dec and section on the 8th Dec.

Had my stretch and sweep this morning. Didn't think it would happen as had no signs of anything, but I was actually already 2cm dilated and my cervix was very stretchy.

The pressure was immense, made it really rather uncomfortable. I managed to breathe through it but I simultaneously had baby head pressing down on my bladder, midwife on babies head and baby kicking me. It was manageable, and I'd have another again in a few days, but not a pleasant experience!

@RG84 im sorry to hear how they handled this call for you and can totally see how it would have thrown you! It's a big thing and they act like it's just run of the mill - for them maybe but not us!. I don't have advice as such but last week or the week before @wannabemum38 went into labour a couple weeks or so ahead of her planned c section and did get a c section still from her update. so I believe you would but obviously you want clarity from them directly.

@FlyingHighFlyingLow how many weeks are you now? So does this mean you're in the latency phase already? Doesn't sound fun but glad it went well for you.

Baby is stretching so much lately and there is just no spare room in there even now at 36 weeks, I feel like I've had an ab workout most days 😂 or that they're trying to move my abs out the way to break free 😂 kinda dreading the next 4 weeks as they're supposed to pile on the pounds and still working until the 16th - although I read their growth slows down now. 🤞.

40+2 today :) yes, I'm in latent labour but obviously you can sit at this point for ages! Induction booked for a week's time if he doesn't shift of own accord.

Baby movements in my case changed a lot over the last few weeks. Still moved a lot but felt different. More of a back wiggle and stretch and roll of shoulders rather than martial arts 😂.

My maternity leave started at 39+6, and that was fine for me but wouldn't be for everyone!

@RG84 That’s so annoying that they moved the date. I’m dreading something like that happening with my section. Even moving it to the next day must be annoying especially if you’ve fasted.

I still don’t know my section date. Midwife told me to call the end of next week if I haven’t heard anything. It would be good to know if it’s before or after Christmas for planning.

In the beginning I was a little doubtful about going for a section and wondering if it was the right choice but at my last two midwife appointments the baby has been back to back, which was the issue with my first birth. Midwife said it might be due to my pelvis that the baby can’t turn and she said when she was a young midwife they used to x-ray women to see their pelvises although stopped due to health risks. So it looks like I made the right call.

@RG84 That is so frustrating! Especially when you have mentally prepared for that date. I do hope mine isn't postponed as it will already be so close to Christmas. Could you keep arguing to keep your original date?

@Mushroo brilliant news! Glad everything is looking well! I've never heard of the birth choices clinic, hopefully they'll offer you a few options.

@FlyingHighFlyingLow that's so exciting! Fingers crossed baby comes soon!

My last day of work tomorrow at 36+2! Can't believe it's finally here! Just can't wait to watch Christmas films and eat nice things 😆

@RG84 yes I had a c section planned for 6th December and brought up my worries about going into labour with my community midwife. She said it would still be classed as a semi elective as in its not rush into theatre life is in danger. However my now 6 day old baby had other ideas and I started going into labour this time last week. I had him on Friday morning and it was a quick decision and before I knew it was in theatre. But having a natural delivery wasn't safe for me due to a low lying placenta so it had to be done quickly.

@Mushroo I’ve had my birth choices appointment, though mine was for choosing between VBAC and ELCS. It was with a senior midwife who went through the benefits and risks of both. I think as long as you are clear with what you want from the start and stick to it they don’t try to push you one way or another, just have to read you the risks to make sure they are covered insurance wise!

Statistically C-section is the safest way for the baby to arrive- less risk of birth injuries and given your risk factors, it sounds a sensible choice.

I’m booking a C-section over induction too- tried induction last time, it was awful and ended up in an EMCS anyway, wish I had choose a nice calm C-section from the start! This time, going to try a VBAC if I go into labour spontaneously, otherwise C-section again.

I was really worried about the nights as apparently I was a terrible baby, but she's a really good sleeper so far. Sleeps for 2-4 hours at a time in her own moses basket. I will say we're formula feeding on kendamil, and my husband and I are doing split shifts with one in the bed next to her in the nursery and one in our bedroom getting a proper sleep so that really helps. We do a last feed at 8pm before bed when she always seems hungry, so then we only end up walking up once or twice each. She is a very noisy sleeper though so kind of hard to sleep next to her! We tried breast feeding at the hospital, and that was an awful night she just screamed as she was hungry but couldn't/didn't seem to latch. I was never dead set on it myself so we just decided formula was the way forward.

@Mushroo I just want to say I had an elective c section as I needed to deliver early due to the gestational diabetes, and the recovery has really not been that bad. Day 1-2 is a bit hard, you're a bit scared about the scar and walking is difficult, but actually the pain wasn't that bad probably because of the painkillers. Sitting down I felt nothing actually, just trying to get out of bed I was a bit sore. By day 3 it was so much better, and I was down to neurofen/paracetamol only, day 4 I was doing painkillers only at night, and I'm now a week later on no painkillers at all and feel relatively normal. Still not gonna push it walking really far or anything, and I get occasional tinges at the edges of the scar, but I feel a lot better than I expected.

@Moriquendi thats really helpful thank you! I think I’m going to prep for the appointment by listing out my pros and cons for each option, to hopefully demonstrate I’ve not made the decision on a whim. Good to hear your experiences as well.

Has it suddenly become very real for anyone else? I’ve been very chill so far but it’s really hit me yesterday that I’m actually going to give birth, rather than it being a vague abstract idea. I know that sounds stupid, any tips on how to relax again?

@stardust25609 thats great to hear! For me, the known discomfort of a c section that you can plan for seems preferable to all the unknowns of an induction.

It’s so helpful to hear all these ‘real life’ experiences, thank you!

Also happy birth month everyone!! We made it!