Due Dec 2023 - part 6

[Nclktnntt]

Follow-on from part 5 heading into delivery and motherhood.

@Beans1982 i was wondering the same about talc but wasn’t sure if it’s just in the USA that there’s been problems with it. I wonder if the liquid talc would have the same effect?

good luck everyone booked for induction or section over the next few days!

Baby is 2 weeks old today and has woken up with an awful cold so desperately trying to source some type of Vapour oil/rub that is suitable from birth. Does anybody know of anything I could try and battle Xmas Eve queues and Sunday hours to try and get for him? He’s more chesty than snotty so don’t think the saline drops would be much use for him!

@FirstMondayInMay I think snuffle babe may be the only thing ok at this age. Fairly sure things like the calpol plug in etc still say 3 months plus. Saline drops have always been my most used thing if they’ve got a cold. Hopefully it passes by quick.

@Beans1982 I’ve never used talc for my first. Never really found the need to. I think you do have to be careful with it and it’s best avoided.

I’ve also never used talc in any forms with my first. I also didn’t see the need. I just used cotton wool or wipes and then creams if needed.

I had a balloon in the induction I did last time. I’d been through a few days of induction before I got it. My waters broke really quickly and contractions started and progressed quickly so I was taken to delivery room in a few hours.

Thanks all for the advice on talc powder, sounds like I can save a few pennies and not buy any. 😊

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope you all get to enjoy your first Christmas with your little ones/the remaining time before you meet your baby 🎄😚

@ThomasinaLivesHere yep I’m the exact same! Keeping my legs crossed on Christmas Day holding out for the c section on the 27th! Also don’t reallly feel like indulging in heavy / meaty Christmas food a few days before the operation I’m so paranoid about being constipated afterwards 😩 after reading some horror stories on here!

@gurlwhaat Prob TMI but I was so worried about this post baby and bought the dulcolax stool softeners and took peppermint oil capsules prior to going to hospital. Pleased to say both were lifesavers and I have had no issues with going to the loo post baby, really recommend both! I did get wind pains from my c section but so mild, mainly a little bit of gas, and I feel great now.

Congratulations to everyone who's had their little ones and hang in there for those staying patient still!

My bundle of joy arrived 10 days ago via elective c section, the whole experience was so relaxed, I would do it again if we have another!

Question please ., we're supposed to go to a close friend's for Christmas lunch today. Just two close couples and three kids between them - 2, 3 and 6. The two year old has a bit of a cold and cough.

What shall I do? Shall I go with my newborn? Is it too risky and stay home?

Let me know what you think!

We had the Xmas day baby! 🤦‍♀️

I had the exact labour I didn’t want and it was honestly fine. She’s so worth it. Birth story below for anyone interested.

Had our growth scan Thursday 21 December and was advised to induce as she had dropped from 60th growth to 25th.

Went in at 4pm Friday and was told I was already 1cm dilated and they would try a sweep to get things going.

That evening it was so busy they paused all inductions so I didn’t get the pessary until 5am Sat morning. I did NOT sleep well and was exhausted!

Post pessary had progressed to 2cms and my waters had gone so was told I’d be taken to delivery.

Went to delivery suite 9am on Xmas eve, had another pessary. After 6 hours loads of cramps but no progress so they burst my remaining waters (huge gush).

Still no progress but put on the drip at 4pm Xmas eve. I was dreading the drip but managed absolutely fine with gas and air until about 1am when it ramped up. They checked and I was still 2cms 🙄.

I got the epidural (took two attempts and honestly it going in was worse that most of my labour cramps, it felt unnatural and weird but once in no pain). However baby’s heart rate dropped so was offered emergency c section which I took.

She was born 3am Xmas day and doing brilliantly.

Like I said, on paper the worst birth experience, but the staff were brilliant and I felt calm and fine throughout.

C section recovery wise was bed bound until about half an hour ago which was a pain as I couldn’t do anything, I also vomited mid morning which was a bit gross. However, now had a shower and feel like a new woman!

Merry Xmas!!

Congratulations! I had some similar complications, baby born 7th Dec.

Went in on 6th to be induced, but was already 2cm so sent home to wait for a bed to break waters. Woke up at 4am with contractions. Ramped up super quick, 3 in 10 min by 7am. Triage said only 2cm still but my body wasn't acting like it, contractions really strong and almost no break between them. Did a test and realised my waters had partially gone, rushed to labour ward.

I refused to let them break the rest until I had an epidural in as I was not coping. Babies heart rate dropped - common as epidural can drop mums blood pressure! They also looked at emergency c section but my bp and baby heart rate came up with pushing fluids so wasn't needed. Epidural helped even the contractions, back to 3 in 10 but I still had the odd super contraction lasting over 2 mins which was stressing baby out, and so strong I needed gas and air on top of the epidural for them. I was 9cm within 2 hours. I ended up in ketosis and they were feeding me sugar liquid sachets.

Swiftly fully dilated and started pushing but baby not moving and getting stressed. Baby had tilted head and couldn't rotate so got stuck. Rushed to theatre for assisted delivery. Tried forceps but wasn't working so pushed baby back up and did category 1 emergency c section. I spent 5 hours in labour overall.

Not the plan, but recovery better than expected. He was also huge so I was never getting him out vaginally. I was back to normal within 2 weeks, healing well. Baby putting on lots of weight. No issues with gas pain or anything, milk in within 2 days and breastfeeding well.

@FlyingHighFlyingLow wow very similar. Yes, my body was not acting as though I was 2cms! Post- midnight they really ramped up and were basically back to back and very strong.

Glad to hear gone well for you post birth - little one here doing well and feeding and pooping at the right times!

Ahhh @Mushroo congratulations I'm so pleased for you.

I'm due Wednesday and keep being asked already how bump is and if I'm feeling anything yet. This will be a long two weeks if people keep on asking if baby goes over and through to the end.

Congratulations @Mushroo delighted your baby has arrived safe and well! Keep on top of the pain meds and rest plenty, I’m only 5 days post section and already feeling so much more human!

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄
Fantastic news @Mushroo huge congratulations to you on the arrival of your little girl! Hope you're both continuing to recover and you've arrived home/will be allowed home soon.

@Nclktnntt @Crabbit1212 @gurlwhaat @ThomasinaLivesHere @HappyPie82 not long to go now for c-sections / until we get to see some progress hopefully (sorry if I missed anyone else who's still waiting to meet their little one).

Thought I'd update. Had my daughter Aurora yesterday morning at 8.30am on her due date. Started having contractions at 5.30am. Nearly didn't make it to the labour ward. We are both doing well. She's absolutely beautiful 🥰

Congratulations to everyone who's had their babies. Hope you are all recovering well and that your little ones are doing OK.
Hope those of you still pregnant are doing also.
We made it home on Xmas eve which we never thought would happen. Baby boy doing well. I need to remind myself I've had the c section and not to over do things and ensure I'm having time to rest!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas (sorry forgot to say that in yesterdays message) I swear baby brain has got me - i made a mistake in every single Christmas card I wrote 😂

Congratulations @blackpanth I hope you're home soon with your little one.

Baby got well and truly spoilt yesterday and they're not even here yet bless them.

Thank you. I got home that day. Only had to stay in 6 hours 😊 just in time for Christmas.

Congratulations to all who’ve had babies! I did wonder if there’d be a Christmas baby in the group. Sorry you never got the birth you wanted @Mushroo - your story seems similar to my first birth. The staff for c-section were great so it did rescue the experience and of course having a healthy baby makes you forget the horrible moments.

I’m due tomorrow for planned c-section. The plan was to go to a restaurant this evening and have a big carbohydrate meal in preparation for fasting tomorrow but of course terrible timing my husband is not well in bed so hoping he gets better in time and especially for tomorrow. And hoping nothing is passed to me. Best of luck to everyone else still waiting for baby.

Congratulations to everyone who have had recent baby's in the last few days. My little one is 3 weeks old and time is already going fast. Hope everyone had a great Xmas as well.

How many babies left to be born? Can't believe we started this journey together in May (me anyway).

Congratulations to all who have had the baby and sending love and patience to those still waiting!

My daughter is 3 week’s old tomorrow, and won’t be put down and the nights are awful. Does everyone else have dream babies?!! 😱

I’m also very tempted and 90% certain that i’m ordering a “Snoo crib” In the Boxing day sale. It comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.

It’s eye wateringly expensive but I’ll easily sell it on in a few months. I just don’t know much about them! A friend (Who is minted!) Has one for her 3 month old and says she couldn’t survive without it. Well, i’m barely surviving this week and am so, so tempted…. The sale ends tonight so no time to research though…

@VillageFete same with our little boy. He's never slept for longer than 15mins in his cot, he wants to be held when he's sleeping and when he is awake. Furthermore he sleeps during the day and is awake at night 😭 thankfully my hubby has been off for December but when he goes back to work in Jan on his nights, I have no idea what I am going to do. Its actually making me anxious as I have a 3.5 year old toddler as well.

We haven't given our newborn a dummy as our toddler from day one never took it and we didn't want to give a dummy to our newborn either. I'm sure it would help but I read and heard it delays speech. How true that is I don't know but we got through no dummy with our daughter. Our son however seems more demanding 😭

Any advice would be great!

@RG84 I feel your pain. It’s so difficult. I have a 4 year old to look after and am running on empty.

My advice would be to give the bloody dummy if he’ll take it! My daughter isn’t fussed but my 14 year old and 4 year had one - no speech delays as I went cold turkey with the dummy when they were about 12-18 months. I also never used it for anything other than sleep - didn’t just randomly give it when they were playing or watching TV etc… Just go cold turkey when they’re bigger. It can be a God send in the early days if baby will take it.

Dreading tonight, and praying she settles. I’m zapped. Christmas has been a chaotic blur!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, so nice to read so many babies being born and doing so well 😊

My labour story is below If anyone is interested 😊:
our little boy arrived Thursday evening at 40w+4 after a very short labour. I had a sweep the Wednesday lunch time and got cramps the whole afternoon but they went off at night. Then woke up Thursday morning feeling a bit sore but no sign of labour other than being a bit uncomfortable.

At around 10:30 I had a bloody show and started getting cramps again. Partner asked wether he should make his way home (as he works 2 hours away) but I thought that since I had the sweep the day before the signs might not be labour. Still had cramps throughout the morning but not painful and I spent the morning and early afternoon on the exercise ball.

At around 2 I started to think that it could be the real thing and text my partner to let him know he might want to make his way back (he already suspected this so was actually already on his way 🤣). At this point I got out my freya app to time the contractions and from the very start it said I was in established labour. I didn’t think this was accurate because the contractions didn’t seem to have a definite start and finish. Looking back now this was actually because they were back to back contractions 🤣

At 2:30ish everything started to get a bit more intense and I ran a bath to see if it would help, half expecting it to stop everything. It was nice for a few minutes but I couldn’t get comfortable so I got out again and shortly after my partner arrived home.

I then spent the next couple of hours swapping between the bedroom and living room whilst listening to the freya app and timing contractions, they were very close together but some lasted 5-6 minutes so I was convinced it wasn’t yet established labour (again, this was just back to back contractions). At this point my partner called the maternity unit to let them know I was in labour and that as traffic was quite bad it would likely take an hour to get there. They advised to take a bath and see how I get on as it could be a few hours before things ramp up especially being my first. I was happy to stay at home and was managing fine at this point.

A couple of hours after this my partner convinced me to call the maternity unit again since they were about every 2 minutes now. He talked to them on the phone and when they asked to speak to me they asked if I wanted any more pain relief or if I had any concerns etc and I said no I was coping fine at the moment so they advised paracetamol which I took. (I think my partner wanted to take me to the hospital at this point but I was being stubborn as I was still convinced the contractions were going to ramp up and I didn’t want to spend hours at hospital or get sent home again 🤣).

At around 6:30 I stood up after kneeling on the bed and my waters broke movie style all over the bedroom floor. I think at this point I was in transition as it all changed a bit and it got harder to control my breathing. We made our way to the hospital and it became clear in the car that he was going to be arriving quite soon so my partner called the hospital and they said somebody would be waiting to bring me in.

At 19:00 we got to the hospital and no one was there yet so we dumped the car right outside the door and went to the assessment unit, where I jumped onto the bed, they didn’t properly examine me and just said they need to get me to delivery quickly so wheeled me down.

At 19:17 after a few puffs of gas and air baby boy arrived into the world. We left the hospital a few hours later at around 11. I feel very lucky to have had such a positive experience and still can’t believe he is here!

I feel everyone’s pain regarding night times 😰 baby screams for about 3 hours every night. Eventually goes down into the noses basket but not for very long periods of time!! I dread night times all day and baby girl is only 11 days old!!