Due May 2024? Part 3

[Sa11yCinnamon]

Just kicking off a new thread, hoping no one else does it at the same time!

@Athena1984 hope all is ok, keep us posted xx

@SarahB88 I know! I’ve now found a couple of people that should be able to stay with him overnight if needed.

I haven’t had much of a show either, but it does feel like stuff is happening between mild cramps, twinges and backaches. The midwife still said all those things combined could mean labour will come anywhere between days and weeks.

@PeppedUp I’m feeling exactly the same and my midwife said the same! She just thought this week due to the engagement but she also said that things could stall and it’ll go on longer. They’re going to try a sweep next week if things are looking favourable so that’s exciting!

Not really sure if anyone here can help or what question I’m asking 🙈😂

I went for a fairly long forest area walk with my parents this morning and now the inside of my vagina is really sore! I’ve not had any braxton hicks or little twinges so no idea if this means anything but omg it’s uncomfortable! I’m hoping it’s sign that baby’s maybe moved down a bit more, I do think my bump is lower again. I’m going to have a bath to see if it helps as I’m struggling to stand up and walkabout now 🙈

Anyone who’s had a baby before could this be good or have I just overdone it?

Very glad that we have finally reached May and baby boy will be joining us this month!

@SarahB88 I've been feeling alot of pressure/heaviness down below the last week or so. Quite similar to the few days before I'd get my period actually. Midwife wasn't worried and said it was because he has moved down and the head is engaged.

Definitely been feeling lots of twinges over the last week or so. Braxton hicks and cramps etc. Today (maybe TMI sorry!) I've had quite large loose bowel motions, anyone whose had a baby before had similar before labour? Also feeling quite nauseous. I read that it may be my body preparing for labour so fingers crossed!!!

@Irishmamatobe24 sounds like we are in the same boat! I’ve been woken up with needing the toilet two days in a row and also went later in the day too 🙈 very unlike me. I totally relate to your description of pre period feeling, I go between that and actual period pains at the moment. Again midwife not concerned at all.

Fingers crossed it’s all good signs for us!

Just had my first sweep trying to get baby moving before induction next week. I’m 2cm dilated and she was tickling baby’s head so she is low and in position so keeping everything crossed that things get moving quickly now. I find symptoms are very hit and miss as to whether they actually mean anything or not! When baby is ready they will come. It’s just the unpredictable ness that is hard and trying to plan ahead for childcare etc is really tricky!

@Emmacb82 ooo good luck!! How far along are you now? And how did you find the sweep? I’m getting one next Thursday if nothings started itself by then.

I’m 38+1 today, am booked for induction at 39 weeks so can start having sweeps the week before. I was really nervous as I’ve never had one before with my other two but it was actually fine and very quick. Just really hoping it works! I can have another one on Saturday if nothings happened.

Fingers crossed for you @Emmacb82 !!

I’ll be 38+4 at my sweep. I’ve been having twinges already but I’m booked in for a section at 41+1 if I’ve not gone myself. Sweep is the only form of induction I’m accepting. When I was in to see the doctor about my section she’s noted everything down so the midwife will do my sweep at my appointment. I assume if nothing happens with it I’ll be booked for another one too. Glad to know it wasn’t bad for you.

Hi all, i'm 36+5 today- Just wondering for those of you who have scheduled sweeps, was there a reason for this? Had my 36 midwife appointment today didnt mention any sweep today and im only back to see them next at 40 weeks as they told me to have my 38w appointment with the gp?

Wondering if i should be asking for a sweep? The only thing she said was if i havent given birth by 41 weeks then they will induce me at 41+5!

@venus93 I’m only getting my sweep on the back of an appointment with a doctor to book me in for a section if I go overdue. She was happy that my cervix sounds favourable given the symptoms I’ve described to her. I’d seen my midwife a few days before and she didn’t mention a sweep at all.

Surprised about your appointments though. I had my 36 week appointment where they told me baby was engaged. I then got booked in for 38 weeks and I have appointments booked for 39 and 40 weeks too if I need them. I don’t have any further scans unless they decide at 39 weeks I need one for whatever reason (my baby is on the smaller end of the scale). Do you have scans booked? I don’t know why a GP would do a 38 week appointment, I haven’t seen my GP at all for pregnancy related appointments other than to get anti sickness meds at the start and to get something prescribed for thrush recently.

I see! Can i ask is there a reason you prefer to go straight for section instead of induction? I hadnt considered that!

I agree my appointments seem to be very different to I had to have my 24w at the gp aswell and they didnt seem very well prepared to answer any antenatal questions. So im not too keen to go back there. I dont have any scans booked, and she said head was engaged today aswell!

@venus93 sweep is the only form of induction I’d accept. I’ve read up on it and whilst I know there are positive induction stories, my NHS trust don’t have a good track record and it would likely end in an assisted birth or emergency section anyway. I understand the recovery time with a section and whilst it’s not ideal I’d rather that than a poor experience with induction. I also understand that my natural birth may result in assisted delivery and section too but there is a much lesser chance. I’m also birthing at the midwife led centre where they have really good stats on successful natural births. For me it was just a very personal choice but I feel very informed about it and have felt entirely listened to the whole time, no one has given me any push back.

That's great, will definitely read up more on induction today. I'm also hoping to start at midwife led unit 🤞🏻. Ive been procrastinating with labour prep and hospital bag but hearing her head is engaged today has definitely been a kickup the bum! Hopefully we wont need to go down that route but will be good to be more informed!

@SarahB88 I'm trying to find my health board's track record on induction but not sure what I should be searching for, how did you get that info?

@Sa11yCinnamon They post it on their Facebook page where I am. Some trusts don’t release their stats though, if they aren’t releasing you can assume there’s a high rate of induction and subsequent intervention but absolutely make the plans for the birth that you want regardless. Always ask them the pros and cons of what they are suggesting to you and also what will happen if you just do nothing and wait and see how it goes. I think the acronym is BRAIN but I can’t actually remember what it standards for 🙈 it was taught in my hypnobirthing course.

@SarahB88 thanks! I'm not against it but have said that I'd want it to be made clear why it's the best course of action. Still very much hoping it all starts naturally anyway.

My only accepted part of induction is for them to break my waters and the midwife who did my sweep said that would be very easy and I would likely go straight into labour as it’s my third. I won’t go any further down the induction route as I had a very traumatic first birth and I don’t want a repeat of that. That’s not to put people off - I’m sure there are plenty of positive experiences too. If labour does not progress beyond waters breaking I will have a section too. I’m sitting here vigorously bouncing on my ball 🤣

@Sa11yCinnamon here’s hoping! My midwife was brilliant when I spoke to her about it but I think she’s the kind of midwife that would “push” people to a natural birth if that makes sense? It just so happens that our outlook aligned.

@Emmacb82 I’ve heard some extremely positive induction stories but I don’t want to risk the traumatic side of it like you! I’ve been doing loads of walking and ball stuff this week too. Also on the raspberry leaf tea and dates because why not!

@SarahB88 @Emmacb82 I need to get some dates but I'm all over the raspberry leaf tea, walks, birthing ball, nipple stimulation and sex 😂

Thinking of everyone today- wonder if any babies will make appearances over this bank holiday weekend?! I ended up having a growth scan this week (37 and a half weeks) and baby is already an estimated 9lbs which is fairly terrifying! 🤣

@LondonGirl1992 Ekkk! Did they say anything about baby's estimated weight?

I'm hoping baby stays put this weekend, i dont feel ready although I am having braxton hicks quite frequently, lower back ache and I'm pretty much sleeping the days away.

@LondonGirl1992 oh wow!! Have they suggested induction or anything? Mine was just over 6lbs at 36 weeks and I'm back in on Wednesday to check if growth has slowed.

It's my last day of work today, my bag is packed so he can arrive any time now!

@LondonGirl1992 oh wow! As others have said have they suggested induction? I wouldn’t worry though, my friend at work was told her daughter would be over 10lb, she was born 9lb 2 a few days before due date. She’s got a history of making bigger babies though.

@Sa11yCinnamon do you know what they’re checking for at your next scan? My baby was just over 5lb at 36 weeks and I don’t have any other scans arranged because her growth has been consistent 😬 thinking I should maybe have one though!

@SarahB88 it's because he was on a higher centile at 32 weeks than at 36 and I have a bicornuate uterus, so growth slowing would suggest he's running out of space in there. They said if I had a normal shaped womb I'd be left to crack on.