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 a consultant meeting today. I'll be 29 weeks tomorrow. They basically said even if the baby's growth is perfectly 50th centile until the birth (currently on track to do just that!), they will want me to have the baby by week 37-38 (and not by 39 like they said last time). Down to risk factors of the placenta crapping out, such as age (I'll be 45 in June) and ivf. So we went ahead and scheduled a c section. 18 June! That's 37w + 5d. Only two months to go!

Based on last time we tried induction at 37w + 2 days and ended with emergency c section 2 days later, I think we'll go straight for scheduled.

Now I need to decide when to go on maternity leave. I think I'd like 2-3 weeks beforehand (at least) to get some things done and do some relaxing things, too. I have a couple of weeks holiday I can use before mat leave kicks in. I should finally get my MAT-1B form from the midwife on Friday.

@Bluebonnet3 how exciting to have a date! I think that sounds like a sensible plan (no expert here) but the main thing is you’re happy with it!

Im not sure if this is an option for you but I’m using my leave spread out so instead of just being off early I’m only working 3 days a week starting in May. Very excited for some time to potter around on my own and probably take naps in the afternoon but think I’d go a bit mad off for too long. My leave year only just reset though so I have an entire year’s worth of leave to try to take in about 3months!

Hi Ladies

Hope you are all doing well

Coming up to 29 weeks and have a weird feeling.

My stomach always feels cold like freezing but like it's coming from the inside! Mentioned to my midwife at my 28 week appointment but she didn't have an answer.

Is anyone else experiencing the same?

No idea @LStar1 !

Kicks are getting painful now though, especially in the bladder. And three veryyy small stretch marks have appeared 👍

I had my 28 week appointment yesterday and I was measuring 34cm, that's far too big for 28 weeks so I have to have a scan on Monday. Worrying weekend waiting for the scan, really hoping my midwife just isn't accurate with the tape measure!

The measuring tape is not really accurate, just gives an idea and they are over cautious. I am massive but won't be worried if referred as when my midwife felt the baby at 25 weeks said it felt a normal size and I was referred for previous baby as I just get massive!

@justanotherlaura - if it helps, while I was waiting for the midwife this week two women came out and were saying they’d both been referred for their bump measuring off and both were absolutely fine (one of them was there with her perfectly healthy newborn).

Hopefully it’ll be the same for you - think they just have to be cautious!

I had my fundal height measured this week at 28 weeks and I'm 30cm apparently. I'm having a growth scan at 32 weeks anyway because I'm consultant led so apparently I won't have any more fundal measurements because the scans are so much more accurate. I only had growth scans last time and to be honest I don't know many people who haven't had at least one growth scan in pregnancy. Hopefully, it's just them being over cautious and baby is growing nicely 😊

Ohhhh, interesting. I’ve got my first tape measurement on Tuesday and I was wondering what would happen if it was higher than expected because I am massive - so much bigger than last time 😂 wouldn’t mind an extra growth scan actually. Got one booked for 32 weeks but that feels aaaaaages away.

Also, I’ve already got the feeling that this one is coming early 😲 anyone else?

@justanotherlaura Just to reassure you, I measured two weeks ahead last week from the midwife's tape measure 😂 I'm 5'2, I'm going to measure bigger than a taller person because there's nowhere for baby to go apart from growing outwards. Had a scan, baby measured bang on as it should be ☺️ Those tape measures are useless 😂

@Amberellaella I was 10 days early with my first so expecting to go early again this time. However, it's my 30th birthday when I'm 37+5 so hoping I'm not too early!

That is a good point @chilliflakesmum, I am tall and long-bodied, so maybe not objectively as huge as I think I am. Other people do keep commenting on it though (in a nice way) so the tape will tell!

@wannabe123 got my fingers crossed for you… but on the other hand if they arrive around 37w you might get a birthday booze 😂

@Amberellaella that's a very true point! Our 3 year old was born the day before my husband's birthday and every time their birthdays come round it feels a bit chaotic and like my husband loses out so hoping we don't have a repeat although I suppose it would be quite sweet

I had my growth scan today after measuring 6cm too big at my 28 week appointment, everything is fine, he's tracking 50th centile and while I do have on the high end of normal amniotic fluid, it's nothing for concern. Very glad to hear, was a worrying weekend waiting!

I had my fundal height measured today and was also 30cm at 28 weeks - but there is definitely some inaccurancy as the fundal growth from my ultrasounds were generally a little bit smaller than average, and my mum said me and my sisters were smaller babies anyway so we do have to take it with a pinch of salt (plus I am on the larger scale).

An interesting note though, that I am looking into a homebirth currently. I love the idea of my own quiet space, dimly lit, with fairy lights and a birthing pool. The midwife was delighted by this (rare!) but did advise my BMI could put me at a higher risk (despite being low risk for every test they've done) - I was referred to a book called Plus Size Pregnancy by Sarah Wickham which I've got coming on thursday to have a read through. I'm hoping I can still fight for the homebirth as the thought of being in hospital makes me feel so out of my comfort zone and control.

I had another scan today to check on the location of my placenta. Still completely covering the cervix so I am being booked for a c-section at 37 weeks, which will be around the 28th of June. It feels SO soon!!!! We hardly have anything for baby so we better get organised…

Baby is weighing 2lb 5oz at the minute 🥰

How is everyone? Hope you’re all keeping well!

My C-section date came through today (if I don't labour on my own before that). It's 17th July.

Hello,

Im in an absolute panic - due to IUGR they think delivery will be in the next 7 days by c-section. He was only 650 grams at his 26 week scan and im so terrified he won’t make it.

xx

@justanotherlaura Great news - glad everything is ok ☺️

@Hoping4amiracle I am so sorry to hear that. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

@Hoping4amiracle sending you lots of love and positivity your way. Fingers crossed your username works out for you!!

@Hoping4amiracle so sorry to hear that, thinking of you and baby ♥️

@Hoping4amiracle sending a massive hug and all digits crossed for you both x

@Hoping4amiracle Sending you guys all the love and crossing everything ❤️

My identical twin girls arrived last week at 28+4. They are perfect and doing really well in SCBU. My waters broke at 25+6 and I held on as long as possible but eventually became extremely unwell with an infection. Luckily they got them out in time before the infection reached them.