Due January - Part 9!

[PartRadish]

Couldn't see another and the old one is full. Will copy the list from the last one, the tags are really temperamental though and it definitely has quite a few people missing sorry 🙈

@Kalodin
@buckingmad
@FirstT1meMum
@Vikki7
@sashastuck
@xLJ1990x
@suz2285
@TunnocksTCake
@Mummyme87
@Redpanda21
@Luhou
@RootsHere
@Matildahoney
@flowerpot258
@Ttcdcno1
@Onedayatatime24
@PartRadish
@youaremysunshine03
@Dannic2018

@Mummyme87 it makes me exceptionally grateful for my midwife for being so anti unnecessary intervention and very pro my stance of staying home. After refusing induction with my first I came very close to an unnecessary epistomy with him-luckily the midwife with me told them no and to stop swooping to try and claim the delivery!
then getting out of hospital was a nightmare, it’s easy to see how people end up feeling they’re no choice but to agree. I had my second at home and it was so much more pleasant. Didn’t even get asked this time, she put me straight down for staying home 😂

they’ll always be some need for intervention and I appreciate that, but those figures are really sad & shocking. it’s enough of a life change without adding more discomfort and recovery to the start of the process!

@WitcheryDivine I've never been induced but when I was admitted to the antenatal ward a few weeks ago the other 3 ladies in my bay were all in for induction. The midwife spent a good amount of time with each of them talking through the various options. Off the top of my head it was balloon catheter or pessary/gel, eventually followed by waters being broken if necessary/when dilated enough. She went through the various pros and cons of each option and various possible adverse outcomes and their percentages and it was made really clear that it was all a choice. I was really impressed tbh! Especially since our local trust has quite a poor reputation for antenatal care!

Mine is due to previous c section. I’ve no qualms about having sweeps but I really will push back against more official forms of induction unless I’m close to 42 weeks. Im not allowed the drip due to previous c section which is absolutely fine by me. I would take c section over the drip any day.

Im also planning on pushing back if (like last time) my waters break and I’m not progressing enough after 24 hours. One midwife told me another trust is 36 hours after waters going that they look to induce so I want to give myself more time at home.

I'm due 2nd Jan, but booked in yesterday for an induction at 39+2 on 28th December due to baby being on the larger side 😬 it's scary having a date, especially one that's 3 weeks from now, but I'm excited as well. So I might have a December or January baby! The countdown is officially on.

Whoever said they were scared and thinking about the worst outcomes, I know what you mean. It's hard to be otherwise when you hear so many stories and risks! I'm just trying to do everything I can to feel like I'm prepared in a small way, like doing hypnobirthing and perineal massage. I'm probably naive but trying to focus on the good outcomes!

I'm going to refuse a sweep or induction if offered, unless it's for an actual medical need. Anyone else?

Sorry guys I’ve had a hectic few days. Had a work wellbeing day today which was lovely and they gave me a little baby shower too! I’m exhausted now and so pleased it’s my last day tomorrow.
@sashastuck thank you I love a good bump pic too! I’m still high and as I say that’s just how I carry, from the back you wouldn’t tell I'm pregnant, all out the front and baby, well apart from my waddle 🤣.
The pic was off this morning, do you all think I’m tiny ? I just don’t think I’m big at all and I’m 36 weeks tomorrow 😩

I'm due 5th Jan, I’ve gone over with my other 3 but honestly can’t imagine that with her, I’ve got a scan at 39 weeks to see her position and size then the consultant will decide if I can have her naturally or by section.

I definitely don’t want inducing, I have a fear over it. I’ve had sweeps with previous 3 which got things going but honestly after my last sons birth I want minimal intervention, I had my waters broken, in and out catheters and I just felt it made the whole birth worse. I think I’d rather opt for a cs than go through that kind of birth again. Also @Mummyme87 if I have a bit of a prolapse in my canal will I be ok to birth normally without making it worse or my insides falling out 🤣🤷‍♀️

@Luhou I would also prefer c section over induction. Have a growth scan on Tuesday as baby off the charts on fundal height so will know more then I think. I've had previous prolapse so don't need anything long and drawn out putting any more pressure down there. Last was quick though so no reason to think this will be otherwise.

I keep freaking out about birth mainly because I had a pph last time which is talked about so casually with midwives and DH but when I actually think about what it means it scares the sh*t out of me!

Hi all, haven’t been around much since some of the earlier threads due to loads of issues at home. And now to top it all off I’ve got Covid. Guidance on what to do about it when in the late stages of pregnancy (I’m 35+5) seems mixed. I’m dosing up on paracetamol, drinking lots, and resting. But should I be concerned for the health of baby? I’m getting in a bit of a flap about it.

I’ve said no to induction if no signs of natural labour, got an appt with the consultant on 29th Dec to discuss

Ahhhh what a night.
nearly 4 yo DS has taken it upon himself to go upstairs. Climb up his wardrobe. Help himself to a baby swim nappy, try put it on and smear poo over half the bloody house.

All over the carpet. His bedding. The bin where he’s tried to hide the evidence.

I’ve been asking my husband for weeks to put some lower locks on the stair gates so he can’t get up himself as he’s so naughty, needless to say he’s in equally bad books as the child.

my poor eldest I explained mummy needed to go upstairs to sort his brothers mess, and apologised for leaving him on his own and he said “don’t worry mummy, it’s okay. It’s not your fault he’s naughty & I’m not on my own the dogs are in the kitchen”

I felt so awful I rang my parents to fetch him for a sleepover 😂🤦‍♀️

I'm due the 3rd Jan but booked for a csection on the 20th Dec at 38 weeks 😊 I had my last growth scan today and he's estimated 7lb 2oz so far with an off the scale belly which is not surprising since I'm diabetic and my other babies have all been 9/10lbs 😂

I've packed 5 vests and sleepsuits plus going home outfit since I'm having a section and could be in a couple of days.

@1992H oh no! I hope DH is buying you lots of treats as an apology 🙈

I can’t believe a couple of you will be DEFINITELY meeting your babies this month! I’m due 4th Jan and I’m not sure how I feel about induction really. My friend had one earlier this year and it sounded pretty traumatic, think I’m leaning towards a C section if I get close to 42 weeks.

@RG9895 @PartRadish @Dannic2018 love your bump pics and no Dannic I don’t think you look tiny. You look just right!

@1992H I’m so sorry, wow😭 bless your eldest!

Does anyone else feel super out of their depth as a first timer!?

All the talk about birth choices makes me more confused... I never knew there was such high rates for induction and c section. I'm worried as I'm estimated to have a bigger baby that I might have to have some sort of intervention that I dont understand.

I really want a natural birth if possible, but understand it can go so many different ways I just guess I need the knowledge so I can make my own informed choices? Or is it pretty much they decide for you?

Super over thinking it all now as its coming closer to the time as I'm 36 weeks tomorrow!

First timer here too. I did a hypnobirthing course on thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk which was very informative and did help a lot. I would highly recommend it. I learnt a lot actually and my husband did too.

@EL27 I'm with you! I've read books and done the antenatal classes and I'm still confused over all the choices and what would be best for me. I've heard not great things about both inductions and forceps but also don't want a c section so not sure where that leaves me! I've always said I'd put my preferences down for as natural a birth as possible but will be steered by the midwives at the time to tell me what they think is best. Without being through it before and knowing what worked for your body last time, I don't know how I can make a decision either way without relying on the pros!

I’m saying no to an induction too if I go overdue, will consider c section at 42 weeks if I go that overdue. Also no to sweeps until after 41 weeks.

@EL27 I'm not a first timer and I feel out if my depth with the whole possible induction thing. If baby is small at 36 week scan (if I make that on 20th) they're planning to induce me on the 27th, however the consultant signed me off at 32 weeks as he was looking as projected.

I'm due 16th January, but really think he'll be here by next Friday. Bump dropped over the weekend, then went back up Tuesday, but he's wriggled back down again, I can feel him bashing his head or punching down low like he's trying to fight his way out! Not comfy at all!!!

I've not really slept this week as I just can't get comfy. I was woken at 3am by what I think from how you all have described were hiccups. Midwife said he's firmly head down, bum to my left (which you can feel) knees bent towards my right and feet firmly in my ribs under my sternum. I suspect he's been like this for a while as the bum has been a noticeable solid lump for a couple of weeks and kicks have more central in my ribs.

@Hummusanddipdip ive got the bum bulge on my left too 😂 I give it a little tap when she kicks the shit out of my ribs.

Gosh it's all feeling so so real now knowing some of you will have your babies this month 🥰

Really struggling these last few days, went to maternity triage early hours this morning with horrific back pain and I've got a UTI - it's SO painful I'm not sure what labour is going to be like! Have a course of antibiotics and I've been taking paracetamol but it's not really doing a whole lot.

Any tips to take the edge off? Xx

Yes I’m a first timer. Trying not to freak out too much, will just make decisions based on how things pan out. Can’t plan every scenario in advance - well I probably could but it would stress me the hell out.

@EL27 I did initially as I’ve also been told I’m having a big baby and I am 36 weeks tomorrow too however my midwife did suggest that I did some of my own reading on what induction actually is but also what the risk is with having a potential big baby.

I’m now open to induction at 39 weeks as ultimately there is a potential medical risk that could endanger both me and baby but I’ve also thought about the fact that if I wasn’t to have a big baby, it being my first child the chances are that I would go over my due date and potentially need to be induced then too. So either way I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t and just have to be open to all options.

@EL27 I recommend the positive birth company online course too, and just educate yourself as much as possible about all the interventions then write it in your birth plan if you have strong feelings either way about any of the intervention methods... that way you know you won't have to make any on the spot decisions and try to remember what all the risks are for each method... if that makes sense? Knowledge really is power and you will likely have a gut feeling about each option as you learn about them and once it's written down you can relax and forget about it.

I did a similar thing & wrote order of preference for the pain relief options, couldn't remember which was which by the time I got to the birth but knew I'd done my research and told them / DH to follow the birth plan.
Also get partner to advocate for you if you are really against one particular thing, make sure he knows it!

Hi all, I can't believe I've only just found this thread. I hope you're all well. I haven't had time to read all the almost 500 posts (chatty bunch!) I hope I haven't missed any major news.

We've been so busy this past few days with flooding and school closures, illnesses, nativities and concerts.

I've just come up to bed to be with my son who has another ear infection and I'm totally congested myself - there's nothing you can take for congestion whilst pregnant is there? At least it's only small worries.

I can't believe we're almost at the end of our pregnancies, I've ordered all my home birth stuff and midwife is delivering my birth pool tomorrow.

My 6y/o daughter will be my birth partners whilst my OH takes our 4y/o son out. He has disabilities and no understanding of what's going on. I think it'll be a real positive in the future for my daughter to see how beautiful and fuss free birth can be for when she is old enough to have her own children.

I had my driving test today which couldn't have gone worse! I drive there with my OH as we were using my car to test in, tried and failed multiple times to reverse bay park (my weakness!) before going inside - got all emotional, ended up in floods of tears and went home too embarrassed to even take the test! It's so gutting as my kids really need me to drive. I've booked another test for Feb hoping I'll be more confident (and less tearful!) but will see how it goes.

36+3 today with loads of pressure and spinal discomfort causing lots of issues with balance but no one said it was easy!

Another one who's baby sticks bum up in the air 🤣

Definitely realisation is dawning...hoping my growth scan next week will be my last 🤞 due 7th Jan so just hoping I can make it into the new year!

Got a manic busy day tomorrow...nativity first thing then taking the children on a trip in the afternoon...it seemed a good idea a few weeks ago 🤦🏼‍♀️

Now my back is aching and my hands are so sore and cracked from what I'm guessing is the weather the last thing I want to do is leave the school to go on a trip 🤣