Due January 2024, Part 7!

[RG9895]

Thought better make a new one!

@Dannic2018 I haven't had to take them for that long but I've done two weeks after my csections. I didn't find them bad although I'm diabetic so I'm used to poking myself! I agree with kalodin stick to fatty areas and make sure you're rotating areas.

Most people post csection also need to do them too @Dannic2018 , they are pretty standard now so must be safe and effective. But yeah, they're just not a pleasant thought to do. Once you have done a few you'll hopefully find it easier. I often done it as I was settling down to watch something

Bump measuring under 1/3rd centile so referred for a growth scan 😭 I know deep down I carry neat and I was exactly the same with my DD and she came out a good 7lbs at 39 weeks but I was already feeling anxious and this has made it worse! Plus I have a nasty cold and am off to a funeral tomorrow that I have been dreading.

Realised I wrote that wrong and she said third centile. So that would be bottom 3% right?! I don’t feel like my bump is any smaller then it was with my first. Panicking now 😭

Sorry I have been struggling to keep up lately!

@buckingmad just seen your message pop up though and want to hopefully give you some reassurance. I got referred for a growth scan as they said I was measuring weeks ahead and very high percentile and I was freaking out! Went for scan and she is absolutely fine and sitting on 45th percentile so not big at all! I know its easier said than done but try not to worry and see what your scan says. As everyone says the tape measure is so old fashioned I don't really know why they bother with it, I'm sure baby is absolutely perfect size 💕

@RG9895 thank you. I know deep down it’ll be fine as I was exactly the same with my first and my bump consistently measured smaller than scans. Just not by this much! Probably made worse by the funeral tomorrow. I’m already feeling on edge and I’m going down by myself and leaving DD with DH which I’ve only done once before. I hate leaving her.

@buckingmad try not to worry- the tape measure is really old fashioned and inaccurate. I’m sure everything will be fine.

I have my first appointment with the diabetic consultant tomorrow and compiling a list of questions. I’m mainly worried about the birth and the long term effects of gestational diabetes.

• If I go on to have another pregnancy and get gestational diabetes again, does that further increase my risk of type 2 diabetes and if so, by how much.
• What are the risks to the baby and is there anything I need to be aware of post birth?

Birth

• if I stay diet controlled can I use the midwife led unit? When would I be made to use the delivery suite?
• what monitoring will I have during birth, can I still move around?
• How late can I go before they will induce / c section?
• How does induction work and what is the process. Can my birth partner stay with me? Generally how long does the induction take?
• What percentage of inductions lead to an emergency c section in first time mums?

Does anyone think I’ve missed anything obvious?

Also I’m really torn between agreeing to an induction vs an elective c section? Has anyone got a view on either?

The part worrying me about an induction is being stuck on a ward for days, on my own, wired up and stuck to a bed. I know I’ll be stressed in that situation.

Whereas I know c section is big surgery, but I should be ok to recover - I have loads of support, no need to drive and no other toddlers to look after. But of course it’s major surgery and I’ve heard horror stories of being left to struggle on the ward after surgery…

@buckingmad another here with reassurance re bump size! I'm sure it'll be fine, i had the same a few weeks ago, they measured 95% one week and then next time 3% line so I had to go to a scan, all was fine and baby is around the 90% by the scan measurements! got another measurement (by tape) next Wednesday so i'm hoping that It's fine as it's a huge stress for just an iffy tape measurement!!

@Mushroo looks like a good list of questions. Inductions are different at all trusts, but I usually advise women they can be around 2-3days before labour but you aren’t continuously monitored throughout, infact my trust have included GDM diet control in the outpatient induction policy.

@Mummyme87 thank you :) I need to do lots of reading up / asking questions and just make sure I’m happy with my ultimate decision.

(And of course; main goal is getting baby here safely!)

@Mushroo i was induced with both of mine, first ended up CS at 9cm and second induced as a VBAC for likely late onset GDM with polyhydramnios and massive baby. Pessary both time and I was lucky I actually more or less started labour with it, not the norm.

Have had a trace of glucose in urine today at midwife. I’ve never had that before, hoping it’s a dodgy sample. Will check again tomorrow at work, then GTT Friday 🥴 otherwise appt all good. Me and midwife both think baby is breech at the moment, he better not be a difficult one!!

@Mushroo if you don't put info about increased risk to the mother from GD, please let me know. I'd be interested to hear. I know it's 50% chance of type two in seven years with one GD pregnancy, and that terrifies me.

Re the induction, mine was positive. I was on the ward from three to four days which was dull, but I could leave it. So go out and meet my partner for lunch, a friend for a walk etc. Partner could visit me on visiting hours. As soon as I got a labour spot, my partner could be there the whole time.

The actual induction was painful but manageable, no tears, and I was out dog walking the next day. My sisters and cousins had inductions also, no interventions or emergency c sections. I'm not sure what the stats are though, that's obviously just anecdotal

Sorry @Mushroo that's meant to say if you get given info! My diabetes team last time were v non-commital and wouldn't really say. They did say that having high fasting levels points to more of a problem long term, but I don't know how much

Right side of my bump is super painful today. I THINK it’s just muscular but not sure whether to call the midwives. Hurts a lot more when going up or down stairs.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I’ll definitely report back. Thanks for the insight on inductions as well, that sounds pretty positive overall.

@Mushroo I'm in the same position of having to choose between elective C-section and induction. There's so much info out there, I haven't made my mind up yet so going to see how things go over the new few weeks.

I was quite against induction but have heard some more positive stories recently so I might change my mind. So hard to know what to do, as you say I think it's about doing the research and being happy with the choice that works best for you 😊

@Bims2019 thats exactly how I feel! I really really didn’t want an induction, but I’ve read some good case studies and now I’m sort of coming round to the idea.

I also feel everyone is very positive about elective c sections.

It’s so difficult to know!

My bloods from today are back and as expected I’m anaemic. I’ve been taking super low dose iron but will need to up it to full whack, came back as 101, which isn’t horrendous but obvs untreated will be in the 90s before long. Fun fun, might be why I’m extra tired of late

@Mummyme87 mine have come back at 105 so I’ll be on extra iron now too. I’ve still been taking my seven seas pre natal vitamins everyday so if I wasn’t I expect I’d be alot lower. It’s dropped from 116 from my last bloods so hoping it’ll help because I’m absolutely shattered. This is the first pregnancy that I’ve struggled to move and feel so uncomfortable already, feel like I’m turning into a right winge bag

26 weeks today!! Where has the time gone 😥

@Mushroo it really is! Kind of wish someone would just tell me what to do 😂

Yep I've heard lots of positive C-section stories as well, and while the major surgery and recovery part puts me off the thought of just getting baby out safely is tempting.

I might try for the induction but if things don't progress as they should then go for the C-section (if this is even an option). Again depending on what happens on the next few weeks. I feel it's such a personal choice!

@lilluce95 I know, time is just slipping away!

I'm really struggling with iron too. I was 89 at booking bloods and only up to 101 at 26 weeks 🙈 I'm trying a higher dose atm so fingers crossed! I'm really trying to avoid an infusion.

@Bims2019 I still have SO much to buy too. We're going to the baby & toddler show in a couple of weeks so hoping I can pick up a few bits there 🤞🏼