Due January 2024 - Part 10!

[Lilothblos]

Starting a new thread. Hopefully this will be one with lots of baby arrivals!

Tagging using the list from last time:

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

@Bims2019 thank you! Its nice to know it's not unusual! It does seem that she's going through some sort of transition but like you say it's hard to know. We've got another midwife appointment tomorrow to recheck her weight and jaundice levels so will mention it to them too and hopefully they can offer some advice too

Ladies, is it normal to get way more emotional in the lead up to birth? I have cried more this week than I think I have in months. It’s my birthday today and DP already managed to set me off about something before I even got out of bed! I just feel on the brink of tears constantly

@sashastuck I've been crying on and off all week! So I'd say yes... including in the cinema at the muppet Christmas Carol when tiny Tim dies... (or doesn't but yeah) awful 😂😂

Started harvesting colostrum a couple of days ago, only tried it twice and it's not painful at the time but my nipples are quite sore the morning after. Is this normal? Finding mixed things on Google! Don't know if I'm being a bit overenthusiastic or something...

Happy birthday @sashastuck ! Hope things have improved after this morning. I’m very emotional too, there’s a lot going on and a huge change upcoming, trying not to do myself down about it.

I haven’t had sore nipples after harvesting colostrum, slightly sore boobs though. I haven’t really been squeezing the nipples though more the boobs just around them?

Happy birthday @sashastuck have the best day!!!! Yes to the emotional and tearful!

I've not had sore nipples, but like@WitcheryDivine my boobs have been a bit tender after, I think it's the squeezing. Are you working inwards to the areola from the fleshy part of the breast, try not to go all the way to the nipple, that could be causing pain if you are.

@sashastuck i cry a lot at the moment. Cried this morning because of my eldest being ungrateful about presents he got but didn’t ask for. Instead of being angry I just cried.

Got my letter through for my elective c-section. 2 weeks to go!

(Unless I go into labour before then. I have said I want a water birth if I go into labour on my own but I've refused an Induction)

Last growth scan was 36 weeks and baby was estimated 7lbs 1oz. I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow

Well they’ve just recommended I have an induction in the next couple of days, bit shocked and upset tbh

Also joining in a cry. Feeling really overwhelmed by everything. Feel like nothing is ready. Family staying for a few days and all the crap they've bought with them just making me feel super overwhelmed. Mum is helping me clean which is appreciated so don't want to seem ungrateful just all feeling a bit overwhelming.

@sashastuck happy birthday!

@WitcheryDivine whats changed for the recommendation? It’s hard when things go down a different path

Repeated reduced movements - and technically I’m nearly there anyway, 40 weeks next week. It won’t be for a couple of days anyway as it’s so busy.

Just need to get my head round it, and I’ve heard so many horrible stories in a way it’s the birth process I’m most scared of

@WitcheryDivine I was in the same sittuation with my first, induced at 39 plus 3 due to repeat reduced movements. It was a bit of a shock but I had about 10 days to prepare.

Every birth is different so try not to listen to the horror stories. Have you weighed up an elective C as an alternative?

I haven’t really, I don’t know the pluses and minuses

@WitcheryDivine I think it depends on how effective the pessary is for you. It personally had no effect on me, and therefore I ended up having my waters broken. I won't lie, this was quite painful and there was no slow build up to contractions, so I'd recomend researching your pain releif options.

I had an epidural and it was great. Would have one again.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I did perk up in the afternoon (mornings seem to be the hardest atm) and just demolished a full steak dinner plus DP’s leftovers 😂😂

@Onedayatatime24 yes I had sore nipples the first couple of times but it got easier. Rubbed some nipple balm on and it was okay

@WitcheryDivine sorry that it’s stressing you out! I was also upset about needing an induction. There’s a podcast all about positive inductions, should be easy to find (can’t remember the name but listened to a couple of useful eps). You can still use all your hypobirthing techniques if you’ve been doing that! Also a good induction birth story on tiktok by a girl called Kike - she was induced for reduced movements x

@WitcheryDivine I’ve just had the same today although mine is related to blood pressure. They initially said I’d be booked in if I got to 40 weeks but they now want to bring induction forward a few days so I’ll be 39+3 if they have space on the day.

My plan is to try my best to stay relaxed. I’ve downloaded some series on my iPad and some hypnobirthing relaxation tracks. I’m focusing now on meeting my baby soon even though it’s not the way I’d imagined labour. I’ve had a relaxing bath tonight and plan to get as much rest as I can over the next couple of days.

Oh what a coincidence @Lightningrain ! Your approach sounds incredibly sensible, I’ve calmed down a lot now and similarly trying to focus on the positives ☺️

Happy Birthday @sashastuck 🥳

I really hope the crying thing is normal because I'm bordering on unhinged this week 😳 I sobbed last night for about 45 minutes. Can't even remember why now!

@WitcheryDivine inductions are very individual to each person. Just make sure you understand the process and have your expectations right. It’s different for everyone in every trust aswell.
but usually 24hr pessaries which you may need two of, or balloon catheter, or dilapan rods all with the aim to change your cervix enough to break your waters. Not that many women go into labour with it (especially the mechanical methods like balloon/dilapan) and the aim isn’t to put you into labour either. Hormone drip is very likely with an induction also. Stay positive, know your options, ask lots of questions. Hopefully you will go into labour before then ❤️

Happy Birthday @sashastuck 🎂

Sorry to ask another non pregnancy related question but could do with any advice if anyone has any!

Baby is 7 days old and exclusively breast fed and weight has become static so we have been advised to express what I can and use a cup to top up her feed. We are really struggling with how to actually do this and the videos we have found look absolutely terrifying and we just can't seem to get the hang of it. Has anyone ever done this with a little one? Could we maybe order some syringes instead and give it that way?

@FirstT1meMum why a cup? We used a bottle while our little one was in NICU and it didn't affect breastfeeding at all. I wouldn't know how to cup feed such a small one

@FirstT1meMum absolutely use syringes, the cup tip method looks terrifying!!!! I used them to feed colostrum to ds when we were still in the mat unit, amazon are selling 20 1ml for £5 on prime I think, so you'll get them tomorrow.

Has anyone had high fetal heart rate during the CTG? I've had weaker movements (but still lots) last four days, midwife at my appointment said I needed to go in for monitoring. I did, and heart rate was over 180 for half of the monitoring, before coming back down to under 160.

The Dr has ordered a scan, and wants me to come in for daily or every other day monitoring until I have the scan. Not sure whether to be worried. I'll be booking a private scan tomorrow for some peace of mind also