Due February 2024 Thread 6!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

Last thread just got full so starting a new one for us to keep chatting :)

Just finished ours today!
Two cabin size suitcases.

@Ebonythoughts I had a growth scan today too. At 35+4. He’d dropped from 50th percentile to 45th. The Dr said it was nothing to worry about but obviously I am. They have booked me in again for next Thurs for a Doppler scan to check the placenta. Though today they said the placenta and cord were fine.
It’s confusing when they are booking in extra scans but saying “don’t worry”.

I have definitely over packed , cause I am having a c section I will be in a few days and I might want to change I thought (fresh pjs?!) haha

I am using little mini rolly case (hope that's ok) and have a snack bag and my posture pillow seperate.

@Thewildthingsarewithme mine is moving up the centiles in growth. But this happened with my son and although had had huge head and stomach (100th centile), his legs were short so I possibly had assymetrical growth restriction (I had low Papp A also).

This time I can't tell with the movements. And it feels a huge responsibility. And I have asked them and they aren't clear on what constitutes a change.

I've packed a cabin size bag each for baby and I and I'll also do a small bag for DH. I'd never fit it all in one and don't want the stress of trying to cram things in and jumble through to find them when needed.

This is a massively tmi question, but has anyone looked at their vagina recently? I did a wax this morning for pre-birth, and omg it looks horrific down there. All swollen, and bulgy and darker, and really unpleasant

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7

Yes mines puffy swollen and darker, apparently it's because of hormones. I haven't done anything with the area as i don't want to look at it longer than i have to 😭😂

Yes me too!! I'm so glad my belly hides it right now because it is not a pretty sight lol. I've booked in for a wax next week, poor waxing lady 😅

@redxlondon I haven't finished packing yet but really trying to fit everything into a wee suitcase (overhead size) and a backpack (the backpack will be my snacks, book, headphones, chargers etc). With my first daughter I overpacked and didn't use half the stuff so I'm trying to be more sensible this time! Also your partner can bring things to you if you end up being in longer than you expect.
That said there's no real downside to overpacking so better safe than sorry, a most people had two bags when I was on the ward last time.

@Thewildthingsarewithme @undercoverhero74 interesting we are all tall - I'm also 5ft10 and my daughter was 8lb5 when she was born at 40+1 so I guess it is not surprising this baby is measuring a bit bigger so far.
They've also said to me to keep a close eye on movements, and they've been really supportive the twice I've gone in with reduced movements. I think it might be because the placenta could start to calcify with low papp-a? Although I know everyone is encouraged to go straight in if they're worried, low papp-a or not.
I had a midwife appointment and she can tell he's still breech 🙃 which I can find of feel for myself to be honest, some of the movements feel so awkward.

Yes it’s hard not to worry but with the pains I’ve been having since yesterday I have a feeling my little one might be here before the next growth scan.

@Ebonythoughts - yes I had a growth scan where baby had apparently dropped from 90th percentile to 60th just before Christmas. I’ve had another growth scan and all was fine - baby is 75th percentile and about 7lbs. they’ve released me back to the community midwives.

There can appear be a bit of an error margin with growth scans so it could just be they are being cautious. They did freak me out though when they sent me away with warning “have a very low bar for calling”

Only issue they found with me last scan was that I was a bit anaemic so they are prescribing me some iron tablets.

I got anaemic too but was at 108 and they said anything above 105 was ok and just to take tablets but that I might need an infusion later if it doesn’t pick up.

I'm trying not to focus too much on the growth scan when things are so close now, it wasn’t a big margin so will just keep an eye on it.

Question how do you know you’re first in labour or when should you get checked? I don’t know how to explain it but last and and today I feel different a lot more pressure and some light cramping 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Shrillwaffle our antenatal class said to call if:

• waters break
• you have any bleeding or a show
• three contractions in ten mins

@Shrillwaffle exactly what @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 has said except they said if baby isn't 37 weeks yet to call as soon as you notice contractions become regular as they way want you in for monitoring

Don't forget to pack a carrier bag for dirty washing!
Clothes and underwear can get pretty messy!

Baby is not breech anymore, so exciting! He was 53rd centile on the 18th of December and today he's gone up to 68th centile but nobody commented on it at all. I'm just so happy he's growing well despite the kidney issue. Sending my best wishes to those worrying about growth and such! ❤️

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I haven't looked but I can definitely tell it's not "normal" down there any more. I just wanted to say I'm amazed you was able to wax yourself this late in pregnancy 🤣🤣

@LavenderSweetPea i don’t know whether I’m just feeling anxious and overwhelmed I don’t know what I’m looking out for 😢

and @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 i feel like I haven’t seen it in about 6 months 😅

I was using an accessible bathroom with a wheelchair height mirror the other day and unfortunately got a view of everything when I stood up from my wee. 😭🤣

@Shrillwaffle I imagine it's just cramping from baby moving, or Braxton hicks. If you concentrate on the cramping does it come on suddenly and disappear 10-120 second, or is it more constant? If it's more constant it's probably baby moving/position cramping.

If it comes on and off, but when you time the gaps when there is no cramping it's not consistent then it's Braxton hicks.

If it's regular and getting progressively worse it could be labour so best to call the hospital.

All of that being said, if it's going to put your mind at ease you can always go in to be checked out, there's no harm in it if it'll help you get a decent night's sleep.

Oh gosh I'm glad it's not just me, thanks for putting my mind at ease @Chanhedforthis, @msp2023. @msp2023 I'm sure it'll look much nicer once waxed 🤣

@Cheetocat yep it was a full length mirror for me also, the horror!

@anony1111 it was some creative standing and twisting in front of a full length mirror 🤣 I'd left it so long I was ashamed to go and get it done by anyone else

Went for just a 30 min walk today and came back home with so much pain down below, lower back pain and more distinct and regular Braxton hicks every 6-8 mins and getting really worried. Did I overdo it with the walk or is this early Labour?

Please call your midwife, they should have talked you through all the signs to look for. Perhaps report this if they haven’t, that’s really awful.
here’s some information from NHS if it helps for this evening: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-of-labour/signs-that-labour-has-begun/