Due July 2024 - part 3

[Oatmilktea]

I noticed the other thread was full and have started a new one.

Lovely to hear of everyone’s 20 week scans. Thanks to those of you who gave me a list of baby essentials, very helpful!

Hope you’re all doing well!

I had an induction last time and it was absolutely fine. Had the pessary in the evening and then was at 6cm by lunchtime the next day. As far as I remember, they put me on a drip but I didn't feel anything because I had an epidural (absolutely insisted on that and would again). It was a breeze after that, really relaxed and I had DS in my arms a few hours later.
I'm not fussed about "natural". I want it as safe and painless as possible.

My local hospital has a c section rate below the national average, although I wouldn't be worried about a c-section later on either, if needed... and they don't offer gas and air (which I tried but would not use again...it was horrible). I also wouldn't want a sweep. It was excruciating and pointless when I was pregnant with DS.

Thank you all for your insights! I had assumed there would be a higher rate of c section after induction, mainly because the fact someone is being induced would indicate some kind of health/risk has been identified.
I'm not opposed to an epidural, so I guess if it ended up being an induction offered, I would defo be having it if contractions are even more painful!
It's so hard to know what the right choice will be, so hoping if I know all the information I can make an informed choice at the time!

Oh yeah when they introduced the drip I went straight for an epidural, which was 👌👌👌. Was not in my birth preferences but those had gone out the window ages before that.

Those that are going for a VBAC are you planning on starting off on MLBU?

@Nocoffeenotalkie snap! I too am 42, and minded for section as a result. Thanks for that really helpful information. I will need to advocate for myself more strongly at the next appointment I think.

It's interesting that so many of you are talking about birth with your midwife. I've had a really bad experience with my midwife care this time - loads of things have been missed and no ones really been checking in. Whenever I've mentioned birth they've made out like it's too early to even consider talking about it. I feel really frustrated and let down tbh. I had a premature birth last time and have a lot of trauma and really want this to be a healing experience and it feels like they're up against me.

@Sophie3003 is would love a MLU birth but have been told I can't due to previous prem, VBAC, BMI and IVF pregnancy. They want me constantly monitored bc of risk of rupture which they apparently can't do in MLU. I feel like I'm being forced into a birth I don't want from the outset.

@BananaHammock23 have you been able to do a birth reflections appointment at your hospital to reflect on your previous birth/experience? I did this not long after I got pregnant as I found my hospital experience last time was really bad.

Also the consultant told me I had to go on delivery suite and the midwife said no reason not for MLBU. I also need the constant monitoring but have been told this is even possible with waterproof monitoring. My midwife said the hospital/consultant will always want what is easier for them and planning and so when I go at 32 weeks am going to do discuss the MLBU.

Hey all! How are you all doing?
28+3 over here and all was going swimmingly until I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes on Friday 😭
My levels are ok though, I was just on the threshold - typical ehh!! But, I now have to finger prick myself before and after every meal, and they said it can be diet controlled so thankfully no medication at the moment.
Anyone else been diagnosed?
I didn't have it with my first.
Going back tomorrow to meet with the diabetic nurse for the first time. I've done a weekend of monitoring and Its so interesting 😄

@chilliflakesmum oh how annoying! I had the test but thankfully clear. Hope you have a useful appointment tomorrow and managed to stay on top of it without too much trouble x

Hey ladies, can’t believe I’m seeing section dates ☺️ this is really exciting!!
I’m 28 weeks tmrw, doing all good just waiting for my bloods from 28 wk appointment.
if any of you remember, I was so overwhelmed with my usual midwife…this time I had a stand in midwife and she was amazing!!! I hope I see her again !

Intrigued also about any more induction refusal
stories? Would really like to avoid that, if safe to do so. Im in the depths of learning about birth options, I was sure I knew what I wanted but now I have no clue. Mainly about where and what pain relief. The rest I’m sure about ☺️

@chilliflakesmum ohhhhh how annoying I’m sorry to hear that. Keep us updated on the monitoring !

Thanks @Jess725 and @wannabe123 - I feel ok about it, nothing I can do to change the diagnosis and there's only 10 and a bit weeks left. It'll be fiiiine (😂)

Re induction refusal @Jess725 I had an induction with my son in 2021 and that unfortunately ended in a EMCS. This time, I've said I'd like to go naturally, but if baby hasn't arrived by 40+6 weeks then I'm opting for a ELCS. I just don't want to be induced again, I dilated 1cm in 3 days last time. That being said, getting induced works amazingly for a lot of others.

I doubt i'll get to 40+6 with the GD diagnosis and also pre-eclampsia chances too 🙈 so a section seems very likely over here!

@Jess725 don't have any personal experience with induction but in my yoga class today it came up and the teacher recommended "In Your Own Time" by Dr Sarah Wickham. Apparently, she explains induction options and refusals and why doctors and nurses recommend them as they do without bashing them and saying noone should have one ever so might be useful for you?

@chilliflakesmum thats the spirit 🤘 10 weeks ish and you’ll be with ya little one!! Yes you’re right they might be eager to meet little one sooner with pre eclampsia, you’ve got this!
thanks for the info, your last birth sounds similar to my close friend who gave birth last month, although not ideal she’s absolutely fine and no regrets which is nice to hear!
@wannabe123 thank you so so much! This sounds right up my street. I’m completely impartial ☺️of course ultimately I may not get the choice when it comes down to it but giving time before intervention sounds ideal (am I being a naive first time mom, who knows 😅)
night ladies xxx

I got diagnosed this week too. I am gutted because carbs are my favourite food group😂

Anyone experienced this...? So I have a tight chest feeling when I'm breathing in. You know the feeling you get in your lungs when you have a bad cough or chest infection type thing. But I have no cough! Is this just things moving around or baby sitting higher up do we think? I see the midwife Thursday anyway so hoping I can make it until then before bothering any professionals 😂

Oh no, sorry you're also in the GD club now @TooHappyToday ! Oh I know how you feel, I love carbs too 😂😭 Think what gets me through is knowing luckily this is only temporary and we can eat carbs after babies are here ☺️
Here anytime you want a rant or chat - or swap snack tips 😂

@missmoosh heyy 👋 not at all the symptoms you mentioned but it did resonate slightly - I have a slightly tight chest like a feeling of i cannot get enough air in. I was told just uterus expanding. I still have a small bump so I find it all very confusing it can cause shortness of breath 😆
If you are worried deff give someone a call for clarification on the chest infection feeling ☺️ hope you feel better!!!

@missmoosh I was diagnosed with a chest infection last week however my only symptom was chest pains, it started off as just a tight chest when doing a deep breath in or laughing etc but it started getting worse. It’s fully gone now after a course of antibiotics for me, so just something to keep your eye on although it could totally be just everything shifting around inside.

@missmoosh
Yes and you're right it's because baby is growing and pushing everything up.
I complained about chest pains and palpitations and was told its normal.

@Bali200 ahh yeah that sounds like mine, if I talk to much, laugh or breathe to deep it hurts. Will see if it's any better/worse tomorrow and reach out to midwife if needed. As I say I see them Thursday anyway, so at least I know will be seen by someone this week!

Hopefully it's just baby pushing up as others have said!

Hi everyone!

I got my glucose results today and I passed!, which seems like a miracle because bread with butter and chocolate ice cream are some of my favorite things right now (which I think made my husband feel slightly relieved since I was killing our budget with berries 😂).

I did start to have sudden short, intense pains in my pelvic/vaginal area, when I'm resting or walking, I was wondering if anyone has felt this? I'm only 27w today, so I thought it was too early for lightening crotch. These pains come at different spacings of time and thankfully not accompanied by any back pain or anything. Just a straight up pain from my vagina that makes me flinch.

@Samszie me too if its like a short seering/stabbing pain? I'm pretty sure I had similar a few weeks back too...I just put it down to general aches and hormones etc but no idea what it is.

@MyNameIsBatty yes, exactly that! Stabbing at random times, no matter what I'm doing (walking/resting) and it freaking hurts 😂 It could be lightning crotch but most say it would be quite early to have it now. It seems now the choice is between a low kid and stabbing pains, and a high kid with heartburn and shortness of breath.

@Samszie i have had this pain on and off since about 15 weeks. My view is it's either lightening crotch, which although a lot of places seem to say comes on later, can defo happen earlier. I often got it when on my period as well. But more recently, I think some of it's actually bubs giving me a good ol kick to the cervix lol. I'm only 25+4 as well! Long way to go with stabby vag

Chest is all fine now, think I must have slept on my sides for too long the night before and crushed my lungs 😂😂