Due July 2024 - part 4

[Oatmilktea]

The other thread was filling up so thought I would set up a new one!

@Sophie3003
@ceruleansky
@Amberellaella
@wannabe123
@glasshalffull0
@Morningcoffeeaddict
@missmoosh
@Jess725
@AnonymousXXIX
@Busyhedgehog
@Nocoffeenotalkie
@justanotherlaura
@Honeymint
@Savvy21
@hopingfor23
@chilliflakesmum
@ExpectantEs
@AimeeLou84
@Welshgal85
@TooHappyToday
@Bali200

I’ve tagged people from the last few pages of the previous thread, hopefully everyone makes there way over here when the other one fills up!

I'm now having contractions 😩 mild but there. Feel like period pains but showing up on ctg as contractions 😩 had my first steroid injection last night and got a scan this morning followed by the second injection so fingers crossed it's just Brixton hicks 😔

@hopingfor23 I’ve got my fingers crossed for you that it’s just braxton hicks. What are the midwives or doctors saying about it? Thinking of you!!!

Fingers crossed for you @hopingfor23 !

@hopingfor23
Sending you good vibes. Crossed fingers that everything goes smoothly and you're taken care of.

I had to go to the ER for really awful rib pains. It escalated to a point where I couldn't breathe without crying. Was given paracetamol via an iv and was told that it's nothing serious.
It hurt like I cracked a rib I don't know how that's considered normal. Makes me worried to think about what they consider abnormal!

@ceruleansky such odd stuff happens during pregnant which isn't always explained- my daughter was suspected ectopic and I cannot even tell you how bad the pain was when I got the attacks, am almost interested to see how that compares to labour (as haven't experienced that yet!)

Well I went into assessment unit, as I was still finding I was leaking this morning. Thankfully it’s not my waters! They think I may have an upper UTI, so are sending a sample off. However I also had my second lot of reduced movements. CTG they seemed alright with after an hour, but want me to have a scan and see doctor before I can go

In full nesting mode over here, finally got a changing table and organised it, went hunting for second hand furniture (new house, we don't even have a coffee table), even got new bathroom bins and toilet brushes 😂

@Sophie3003
Agreed. Yikes that sounds awful.. if you don't mind me asking, what happened and how did they handle the situation? I hope the two of you are safe and you're not in any discomfort now.

@missmoosh
Hope you feel better soon and that it's nothing alarming. I don't know why utis are so common close to delivery..
A scan should help clear things up!

@AnonymousXXIX
I've been buying stuff on and off too! But kept it at a minimum. So far i just have 3 onesies in terms of clothes because i don't know what size the baby will be, and we don't know the gender.
Have been contemplating getting a diaper genie but also think I should wait for the baby's arrival before buying anything I can hold off on! Figured a regular bin would suffice! I hate spending on baby stuff and maternity clothes. Undergarments, of course, cannot be compromised on.

@ceruleansky thank you! Been allowed to go home have a scan tomorrow, they had offered to do daily CTG’s until scan, got me all booked in for them. Then as I left ultrasound department called, so that was handy! Turns out there were 6 low points on the CTG reading, so given it’s my second lot of reduced movement they want a scan. But they did say it could be little one grabbing the umbilical cord!
They have given me meds for a UTI as well, as the second sample I did showed something. Think it was protein and ketones, so somehow I’m still dehydrated despite an excessive amount of water!
very glad I went in now!

@ceruleansky It's mostly house stuff I am sorting. I have bought the baby a grand total of 1 small jumper 1 set of pyjamas to match their sibling. All other clothes, nappies and items (bath, crib, pram, muslins, etc) are being re-used. I even came across half a pack of newborn disposable nappies we never used, and a pack of maternity pads I never used (I used Wuka postpartum pants!). Just needed the changing table (got a second hand television sideboard ha!) as we used an old chest of drawers before lol. Now onto laundry and pump sterilising!

@AnonymousXXIX - you do sound very organised!

Do you rate the wuka postpartum pants? I’ve used period pants quite a bit prior to this pregnancy but only really on the lighter days and stuck with disposable on the 1 or 2 really heavy days so wasn’t sure if I’d find it a bit much postpartum initially so haven’t bitten the bullet on ordering any yet

Oh goodness sorry to those that had to go into/going back to hospital, I’m glad they are keeping on top of everything for you tho.
yea I also wonder what consider abnormal 🙈

Speaking of post partum pants! I was recommended some seriously big bad boy pads from Amazon, they are called Abena. I have high hopes for them!! Looks like nothing can get through them 😂
im well and truly getting on with the hospital bag! Babies room is still being lined with thick lining paper (we cba to skim plaster after all!) priorities right! ☺️

I loved postpartum period pants @Morningcoffeeaddict ! The first 3-4 days or so in hospital I added pads as well just for good measure, but once home I found I really didn't need them, because the pants contained everything well enough, and the pads were just bulky and uncomfortable and did not help with healing my episiotomy wound etc. (I could not sit normally for like 5 months, apologies if that terrifies anyone.) And I did bleed loads - I wore period underwear for a good 2 months straight. I always rinse them when I shower and then throw them in the wash, and I have a good few on the go so it's just a little routine I am used to. I'd say it is worth giving it a go and getting 2 to start with, especially if you come across a nice sale, and just seeing how you get on with them.

@AnonymousXXIX - that sounds good to me. I expect I will use disposables while I’m in hospital (they’ve said they’ll keep me in for a couple of days) but once home I’ll give them a go if you’ve got on with them well. I’m having a planned section but even in that case think the pads (especially the ones they provide in the hospital) look so enormous and uncomfortable that I’d rather not use them long if the postpartum pants do the job

@ceruleansky this was my first baby. I ended up having increasing attacks of agonising cramps, screaming and it completely took it out of me and made me ill- this went on for a few weeks. I was admitted to hospital however they couldn't scan me until 6 weeks so discharged me and I just had to try and live with it which was hard as was so unwell and could barely even walk. I cannot even tell you how bad it all was. Convinced something terrible was going to happen and they were very convinced baby was ectopic. Why this happened I have no idea! Daughter is now 3.5 years and completely fine. She has been much better post pregnancy than she was when I was pregnant!

I used the net pants with pads for quite a few days. I was tempted to get the Freda mom disposable pants this time as they look a bit nicer! I had barely any bleeding afterwards though, seems like it all fell out of me once I stood up for the first time after the caesarean! I use reusable period pants but so difficult to know what I would need size wise at the minute and how my tummy will feel!

@hopingfor23 fingers crossed just strong braxton and nothing more. It is strange I just watched a YT vlog of a lady who had contractions at 32/33 weeks (short cervic) but was able to carry on until 39 weeks and the contractions stopped. It can happen randomly. I guess bed rest and relaxing must help.

@missmooshsorry to hear thats happening UTIs suck anyway but in pregnancy whole other thing. Are you on antibiotics already? Get well soon. Ahhh just seen your update. Glad they are keeping a close eye on things. Antibiotics should kick in quickly. You can try have probiotics to help with the uti.

@Sophie3003 my honest feedback on labour - it feels like massive pressure (not pain) and then towards the end it feels like you need to pass the biggest bowl movement ever and it is massive pressure. I wouldn't describe it as painful . it was similar to period "pains" but nore pressure and even across the whole back and abdomen. I also had back labour! Which meant more centered pressure on the sacrum.
Actually one of the breathing techniques I learnt said to practice on the toilet 😂 it actually works.

@ceruleansky omg no way was that baby? Kicking or had feet dug in. Poor you that sounds horrendous! Is there anything you can do next time. Did they suggest anything? Heat pack? Warm shower? Stretches?

@AnonymousXXIX thats nice. Nothing like a fresh start with a baby. My DH is dragging his heels with getting jobs done and it is driving is me so mad. i have been nesting for a few months. Cleaning like a mad woman! I purchased the shnuggle changing mat a new Baby Bjorn carrier and am looking out for a portable bath support for newborn and the babyjorn bouncer (vinted) so expensive but things I wish I had last time with DS.

Amazon have a diaper genie as a free gift when you create a wish list and make a purchase.
I actually love gender neutral clothing so I have opted for creams, beige, orangee, yellow tones for baby. I do have DS clothing to all gender neutral 0-6 months as we kept his gender a surprise. I purchased some lovely summery zipped rompers/onsies from Tesco the other day. I also got some going home outfits from H&M. I am assuming DS2 will be similar size to DS1 6lbs-6.5lbs so I got a few first size/newborn.
Morrison's had some 100% cotton zipped sleep suits in x2 packs and ended up with first size, 0-1 and 3months.
I got a few options as so unsure how to dress a summer newborn (in british summer weather). Was easy with DS he was a winter baby.

I loved the Always discreet pants! I popped in a boots mat pad and they were so comfy and I felt very secure. I wore them for about 7 days while bleeding was heavy. I made my own aloe and witch hazel spray and added to pad too help discomfort.
I had 40days of bleeding then 2 weeks off then my periods resumed 😖😭

Going to hate going back to pads as I have been using a menstrual cup aka a blood challis for a while and love it. But not allowed to use it until at least 6 weeks post partum.

Hi all,

Update from me - baby has stayed put so far 👏👏👏 contractions were regular for 3 hours then just eased off thank goodness. Gave me a scare though and I'm supposed to be discharged to day but feeling a bit wobbly about it to be honest. On top of that I stood and waters gushed yesterday afternoon which I haven't had before it's just been trickles. Then I was told I have strep b same as with my son. I'm all clued up on that due to previous diagnosis but I am also very aware the danger of infection once waters go and my whole last pregnancy was told if waters go you need to go straight to hospital due to danger...now they are trying to send me home?!!! So got lots of questions for ward round today as just so anxious about going home unmonitored when they've told me it's highly likely he is on his way. I have previous traumatic experience from my son going into distress and needing to be out immediately too and luckily I was on and on the monitor so it was caught quickly but I know if we had been home when he went into distress then he wouldn't be with us now.... trying not to feel like a huge drama but I'm so torn as to what is for the best 😩😩😩 sorry for the rant!

@hopingfor23 hope you're ok! In my last pregnancy my waters broke (full rupture, massive gush!) at 30 weeks and they were picking up contractions on the monitor and I was 1cm dilated. Somehow I managed to keep DS in until 35 weeks. There's a good Facebook group about PPROM thats got loads of info on it. In the UK it's standard to send you home and have you in for monitoring every few days whereas in a lot of other places they keep you in until delivery!

Oh wow how scary for you and amazing you got to 35 weeks. I'd be so happy with that right now as bub only 4lb4. Did you stay in bed rest at home? Oh fab I'll look for that group thank you x

@MixedCouple2 We were gifted a 'fake' baby bjorn bouncer from Smyths last time, way cheaper and almost identical. I just checked and it was called 'Nested Gravity Baby Bouncer'.

@hopingfor23 make sure you advocate for yourself and don't agree to anything you're uncomfortable with! Medical judgements are important, but so is your gut feeling.

On periods - mine didn't come back till 14 months postpartum!! Definitely in the category of breastfeeding prevents them over here.

@AnonymousXXIX I think mine came back at 9 months although I fed until 2 years. Still felt like a long time without them!

@hopingfor23 - glad baby stayed put. Agree with the above on advocating for yourself, at my hospital with DS1 (born early, severe pre-E) it felt like on rounds everyday each doctor had a different opinions on whether I should be kept in or not. On the Saturday I had one get all the discharge paperwork out and send for my medication to send me home “you can come back Tuesday for a check” but luckily a midwife stepped in later in the day to stop me going as they were sending me down to delivery in liver failure on the Sunday.

if you don’t feel happy / safe / comfortable going home then it sounds like you have valid reasons they should let you stay for monitoring and a different doctor today may well agree more easily.

@Sophie3003 - back on period / postpartum pants. Just been on the wuka site and they’re doing 28% off site wide plus have a range of postpartum pants that stretch to cover multiple sizes (XS-L or L-3XL) so I figure less of a worry about getting the right size, or at least that’s what I’m hoping!