Due February 2024 Thread 7!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

Cannot believe we are on the 7th iteration and the babies are starting to arrive 😭❤️

Anyone experiencing a raised heart rate to the point that it feels like an anxiety attack or heart attack? I have been getting it on and off but didn’t associate it with a raised heart rate until I was on the ctg machine in eou at the weekend, just lying there my heart rate was reaching 120. I just made breakfast for my toddler there and had to sit down as it felt so intense in my chest and checked heart rate and it was 100. I know it being raised will he normal, especially this late on but just wondering if i should get it checked

I dont think that 100 is much to worry about, depending on resting HR(mine is 70 ish now) . I got 10 moves (HR 116 +)hurrying but not running on the 10min walk to my gym, and just after stealing some of DP’s coffee ( and then only 20 in the actual gym).
Then I seem to get moves in the warm shower afterwards or for very random things. This has happened throughout the 3 rd trimester. I wouldn't notice without the fitbit though.

Better to phone midwife for reassurance if you feel it’s strange for you(I asked months ago).

@PeeBeee as always, it's best to ask your midwife/get it checked than not.

But I would like to say it's been happening to me, too. Basically since the second trimester it's absolutely routine for my smartwatch to notify me about high (>120) HR at rest, to the point that I was at the cinema and mid-film my watch thought I was actually dying.

Moving in the house alone, pushes my HR to about 135-140, which pre-pregnancy would be a workout reading for me.

I should also mention that I started pregnancy with normal BMI, I have no heart diseases or risk factors and my blood pressure has been consistently fine throughout pregnancy and before. And yet, still, crazy HRs this pregnancy 😬

Thanks for the replies! I am so done with being pregnant now, 2 weeks to my planned section and first day today of mat leave!!

@redxlondon @Meeting I totally agree with you, and I was being a bit flippant with my comment about unicorn natural births! I think some of the rhetoric around natural births can contribute to women feeling shame and fear around interventions and surgery. But I feel proud of both of my births and grateful for the medical expertise and technology that made them possible.
Of course I understand why "natural" birth is very important to lots of people and that we shouldn't rush to intervention when it's not needed. In my case it was both times and I have no regrets.
Really glad if my experience helps you both a wee bit and definitely have that chat with the midwife @Meeting good luck!!!

Hey all hope you don’t mind me finally posting I have followed this thread from I was 6 wks pregnant was due 20th Feb but wee man decided to make an appearance on 29th Dec 7 1/2 wks early 😬 without knowing this page has been such a support reading your stories your struggles your advice you are all amazing strong women ☺️ for all that have had their babies congratulations & all that are still waiting your day will come soon xx

Aww @Angelslookingafterus look at your lovely little boy! I hope he is doing well and gaining strength each day. It must have been a shock for you to have him so early, I hope you are being well supported.

This group has really been such a great support for me too. I'm sure there are plenty of others who have been following us on our journeys but not wishing to post themselves, so hello and good luck to all of you as well!

Noah is doing great spent 17days in neonatal first 2days he struggled then went from strength to strength he is thriving now 🥰 that was my fourth baby and never had a premature baby before. I honestly don’t know what made me even go get checked so anyone holding back not calling I encourage you go get checked if you are in any doubt.
I haven’t had much support tbh and this thread has been my support without you lot even knowing 😂 on bad days I read your stories and it kept me motivated and strong.
Thank you all for that xx

You can decline the induction.

Happier news today 😀 my S+S was able to be done and I'm 2cm dilated. I know that doesn't mean much as can still be a while but Atleast I know something is finally happening 😀

I'm sure partner will take credit for the change since Thursday thanks to sex 🤣🤣

The podcast I linked a few days back “Is it normal?” really is brilliant and might help with some of the worries. The host invites midwives and obstetricians to discuss different topics. They help debunk lots of myths, like inductions leading to sections.

@CheeseAndCrackersx whoop whoop 😁 so your cervix must of moved more forward then since she last checked? Was you 2cm dilated before the s&s or after she did it? How did it feel? I haven't managed sex yet with partner as you can imagine with 4 kids its hard to get a moments peace just to even eat tea together 😂 but been telling him all day that he needs to see to me later 😉 so hopefully that will make a change to my cervix before midwife comes to see me tomorrow! Glad you have managed to get yours done though x

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX yeah central, soft (it says in my notes) and was 2cm before she did it 😊

Sex wasn't as painful as I was expecting it to be cos as you know down there is just so sore. But yes defo I can't imagine how you'd squeeze it in 😄
Good luck for tomorrow and hope you have the same outcome 🤞🏻xx

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX & the sweep was ok actually, a bit rough but apparently that means it's a good 1 😄 and apparently the more relaxed we are the more effective so I relaxed the best I could xx

@CheeseAndCrackersx so sounds really positive then that you was already 2cm dilated!! I bet this helps encourage things along for you now 😊 it can take 24-36hours cant it for the s&s to take affect? And thanks for the info on the s&s will take that onboard and be as relaxed as I can be that's if I'm able to have mine done 🤞 will let you know ASAP tomorrow 😂 xx

@CheeseAndCrackersx YAAAS those are great news!! Fingers crossed things start progressing further for you! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Needless to say, thanks so much mamas for sharing your S&S stories, I've been more terrified of that than an actual C section LOL! But reading your stories even when it fails, gives me strength that if it's not too bad for you, it won't be for me either. I was going to straight off refuse any S&Ss otherwise 😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬

Anyways, not there yet but still shifted my perspective.

Now regarding C-secs I just wanted to add a non-UK perspective, just to balance things out.
Where I come from, people are shocked that mothers choose to give birth naturally (!!!) 🤣 Imagine I had to convince friends and family from back home and justify myself why I want to try at least a natural birth! Crazy, but hope it puts things in perspective. For numbers lovers for example, most of Eastern Europe has a rate of c-secs >40%, Brazil a whooping 50%! And no, not emergencies, elective! I think that's a bit of an extreme really, but it's remarkable U.K. has managed to keep the c-sec rate below 20%.

Don't let yourselves be fearmongered or belittled whatever you choose to do, or whatever happens in your birth journey, mamas 💪🏻

Following on from everyone else, also had my stretch and sweep today haha.

She said I was 2cm and did a good sweep, think was stretch to 2cm and my cervix was soft already so maybe the sex last week did it's trick. 2nd baby though so think cervix tends to be a bit more favourable, especially as due date is tomorrow!

Had to do my blood pressure 3 times the last 3 appointments so think element of white coat but generally is creeping up a bit so want to get baby out before they diagnose me with pregnancy induced hypertension and want to induce and deliver on consultant led side, etc.

Baby now occiput transverse instead of posterior so might even avoid back to back labour 🙏

Those who have had babies before, can I ask about the cord stump - my little one cord fell off a few days ago but today there are tiny specks of blood on the inside of his vest coming from it. There no pus, redness or obviously signs of infection. Is this normal from your experience?

This is completely normal.
(I'm a midwife and I've had four babies myself).

And no, I'm not pregnant! I'm just enjoying reading this thread!

For me I would like to experience things going naturally and only intervention when needed but totally agree there’s a lot of weird pressure out there not to accept intervention.

If I need an epidural I’ll have one even though I don’t fancy the idea right now. If I’m heading for 42 weeks I’m getting induced. If I end up needing a c-section I’m glad I have that option.

@Angelslookingafterus - awww congratulations on your little one!

Huge congratulations @Angelslookingafterus - he’s absolutely beautiful 😍

My bf is starting a new job on Monday (worst timing ever!) so I’m hoping baby boy comes a little bit early, or a little bit late 🙈 Since first babies are usually “late”, next Friday night would be ideal 🤣🤞

I’m also hoping for a nice boring vaginal birth, as not sure how much time off work bf will be able to have unfortunately. I used to work on surgical wards so the thought of having a c-section/epidural doesn’t worry me, it’s more how I’ll manage afterwards at home with a newborn. I can totally emphasise how surgery/theatres and even hospitals in general can be very alien/frightening to people though but honestly there are so many checks and protocols in place to keep you safe.

@redxlondon @KayakingBex it doesn't matter which way into this world a baby is born whether that's through the roof or the front door 😂 aslong as their born safe & healthy that's all that should matter.. but everyone is entitled to their own opinion & preference ofcoarse we won't always agree but hey-hoo thats life 🙂 lol.. for me the thought of a c-section sounds terrifying! Don't like the thought of been cut open if I'm honest. Unless ofcoarse their was emergency and I needed to have one & it was for the babys best interest then coarse I would!

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX absolutely :). We all do what works for us if we can.

c-section sounds terrifying to me too, to be honest!

I think women that opt for a c-section are very brave! 💪 lol