Any 39 week pregnant mums? COUNTDOWN

[NewMamaToBee]

Hey all!!

Im 39 + 4 tomorrow and eagerly anticipating the arrival of my first DC.

Super excited and beginning to feel slightly worn out now as pregnancy insomnia has kicked in.

So far I’ve had inconsistent contractions, loose bowels, cramping in pelvic area.. but no mucus plug or bloody show :(

I was sure that baby would have arrived by now, but looks like it’s way too comfortable!

How is your final week(s) going?!

@colourPink i hope the next sweep is better! good luck.
I feel better now I have a plan but I’m really hoping I go into spontaneous labour naturally before 41 weeks. My due date is Saturday and I guess the countdown really starts then!

Thank you!! Sending lots of positive vibes your way!! Do not worry too much about the sweep as cervix can change in a matter of hours. One minute it’s closed the next you’re dilated. Keep doing what you are and trust the process.

Ive been having crazy back pain today and I feel super unwell. It’s strange I don’t have a cold or sniffles or sore throat or anything, but my body feels so beat. I hope it’s something to do with labour. I keep telling myself this is all purposeful but if it is just down to weather change my motivation is going to seriously drop. Why are these babies not budging haha!

@NewMamaToBee did the symptoms ever progress into labour?

I'm still completely fine. Nothing. Nada. Getting very frustrated 😂

They didn’t- so frustrating! I’m still getting minor twinges, but I think I’ll be calling triage this morning as baby movements feel less than usual.

Isn’t it strange we want the pain to come on 🤣 the first time I’ve prayed for period cramps haha!

@NewMamaToBee definitely worth getting checked out!

Haha I know! I feel like I know it's going to hurt and it's going to be super painful so I want it over and done with! No point waiting for the inevitable 😂 Except.... I have no choice but to wait!

I've been where you are - quite bad cramps thinking it was something and it never is. Hopefully one of these days it will be!

Hi ladies,

Just an update- I had a second sweep yesterday at the hospital and they’re going to break my waters today as I am 3cm dilated. I’m just not having any strong contractions though which worries me a little as I really don’t want the Pitocin drip as that means I’ll 100% need epidural for the pain.

Excited and nervous all in one. 41 weeks today🎉

I'm 41 weeks tomorrow, nothing yet, first one came at 41+5 after induction which I will categorically refuse this time.

Second attempt at sweep tomorrow (first at 40+2 was too uncomfortable).

Scan and consultant appointment at 41+3, will book ELCS for ~42 weeks if not gone into spontaneous labour by then. Fortunately midwife and consultant been fully supportive that this time around I'm not consenting to induction.

@NewMamaToBee Fingers crossed your contractions have kicked in! I really don't want the drip or epidural either.

Still not had the call to go in for the induction. They rang to say I'm on the list but they're really busy. It's so hard as they were obviously worried about his growth enough to induce me but I must not be high priority.

Had lower back pain and lots of twinges yesterday but all disappeared over night. Was really hoping to go into labour naturally.

@NewMamaToBee all very exciting hope the waters going trigger the contractions! Good luck.

@apples24 was the induction experience really awful before? I’m so sorry if it was as we really deserve better. Carrying a baby for so long only for it to end traumatically isn’t fair at all. Sounds like you’ve got a great plan for you this time.

@Nattalot hopefully they call you soon- must be annoying being on edge and not sure when the induction will be. Still hoping you go naturally before that.

im 40 weeks today and although a bit disappointed nothing is happening I’m just trying to be more accepting of it. I can’t rush natural labour. I have an induction booked for next Saturday (if they have staff beds etc) so I’ll just wait until then. Not much I can do in this. Just would like to have little one here now.

@Pinklilly pretty much every risk of induction materialised for me, hence staying well clear of it this time.

How are you all managing to pass time? I'm finding it increasingly hard, just want to slaunch on sofa but first baby was back to back so trying hard to avoid that again.

They've just rang to say I'm next in line to go in

@apples24 we've got so much done round the house these past 2 days! All the little jobs we never get round to like touching up the paint chips on the corners of walls!

Also trying not to just lie on sofa! Just been for a walk came back absolutely shattered and woke up to definitely more than twinges this time. Lots of people have recommended walking up hill and kerb walking so maybe has got things moving!

@apples24 im sorry to hear that about your previous induction experience. I’m quite nervous about how it will go if I have to go down that path.
tbh I’m the same as you I have no tasks left to do so I’m really struggling passing the time and getting very bored going for walks around the same park.
I had a lot of cramping today but more like a constant stitch so don’t think that’s anything related.
fingers crossed we all go naturally in the next few days!

@Nattalot good luck- I hope you have a smooth experience and are soon cuddling the newborn!

Contractions have kicked in and are regular, but 10-12 minutes apart. I also didn’t realise but all this time I thought it was a feeling of “trapped wind” but actually those were my contractions LOL.

Since then of course the contractions are a lot more painful than just trapped wind but it is insane how different they can feel to each person.

Ive been admitted onto one of the wards whilst I wait for my waters to be broken- but I could be waiting a week! I really wish I could just labour at home but they want to monitor DC closely so I have had to stay in :(

Managing to pass time is one of the MOST difficult things ever! I’ve binged on so much friends and come dine with me between long walks I could probably remember the script off by heart!

Did you manage to get some sleep in the hospital @NewMamaToBee ?

About an hour from 1am-2 and now an hour from 5am-6. I’ve landed myself on a ward of snorers!

Thankfully the contractions are still going and getting more intense so no false hope this time- I’ll be having a cervix check this morning to see how far along I am!

How are you feeling? Any more twinges? I also had baby back to back and rest assured these things change near labour so if you feel like having a day of slouch go for it. Mine has decided to turn to ROA now which will work fine they’ve said

Shared wards can be so restless 😔

Small occasional twinges and plug finally started coming away in tiny bits. I have a sweep today and then heading for brunch at a farm shop after that.

Hope things start progressing for everyone.

@apples24 I also have a sweep today! Let's hope things start happening for us!

Update: Baby boy arrived yesterday at 20:23 weighing a whopping 10lbs 7 oz. Yepp- I definitely tore and avoid the bathroom like anything but was it worth it- totally!

after my second sweep I stretched to 5cm and was super effaced. They broke my waters at 3pm and my contractions were insane- I was contracting every 2 minutes- felt like no break. In the end I had gas and air, an episiotomy and some general anaesthetic for stitches… but honestly what a magical experience 🩵

My body really surprised me- we can do anything

@NewMamaToBee congratulations, and well done. Enjoy your new little boy.

Huge congratulations at @NewMamaToBee ! You're amazing, we'll done.

Waiting game continues here! How was your sweep @colourPink ? Midwife was able to do one for me (which is better than last week) but nothing's happened since, cervix still quite posterior.

@NewMamaToBee amazing news! That all happened super quickly. Congratulations!

@apples24 sweep was okay. I was only 1cm dilated so she couldn't do a "proper one" but aggravated my cervix as much as possible. It's a good sign that yours was successful though! When is your actual due date?

We THINK my waters might have broke last night. I had a wet patch that went through my knickers and joggers. I put a pad in and it was getting damp. Phoned the day assessment unit and they said to see if labour starts naturally otherwise I'm booked in for this afternoon to pop up and see what's going on.

Anyway, nothing since. I was starting to get signs of labour but it's all stopped. Dry pad this morning. Not sure now if it was my waters or not? Soooo.... as usual, this is fun 🤷🏼‍♀️😂😂

Feeling so clueless!

@colourPink my due date based on 12 week scan was the 17th - though my by own calculation more likely the ~20th. When was yours?

That does sound like it might have been your waters, they should be able to tell you in the assessment unit. Fingers crossed things start moving.

My next appointment is Wednesday for a scan and to book ELCS.