Sept 2024 - Thread 9!

[SpicyMoth]

Continuation from the previous thread before it fills up - we're getting so close ladies, ahhhhh!!!

Previous thread here; https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5094920-september-2024-thread-8?page=39&reply=136855271

@SantasRubiksCube how far is it from where you live/where other people you know, friends, family members live? can you figure out a plan for who could come and pick up kids if they absolutely had to? and again, stress to them (and yourself!) that it almost certainly won't be necessary but just so that you feel like you have something in place!

@malimoon luckily it's only just over an hour's drive from where we live (we purposely didn't book anything too far away but stupidly thought it'd be ok to book something so close to due date)

@SantasRubiksCube that's good tho! so whoever would take the kids when you do have the baby might be able to get to you? like, I know it wouldn't be ideal but it doesn't sound like it would all be a complete disaster. You did make sensible choices around this, it's just that pre-birth anxiety I think!

I've just been for a growth scan and baby is 'estimated' to be 6lb 2oz (I'm 36+6) I'm dying to know how accurate these measurements are but from what I've heard, not very. I'm booked in for a sweep next Wednesday and another 4 days after that. My consultant said today if they don't work I'll be started off around the 22nd, 23rd. Things feel sooo real and as much as I'm excited to meet this baby girl I'm starting the get nervous for the labour part *reaches for the birthing affirmation cards

I'm 34 + 4 and was told 5 pounds 2 yesterday. I think it needs to just be taken with a pinch of salt tbh the estimated weight!! You are nearly there!! How exciting! I can't wait for September to come

Further update to this mornings, I have got to go back for another Doppler on Friday and my induction has been moved to Monday coming, so less than a week 😱

My gosh, hearing about sweeps and inductions and things being booked in already has got me feeling the way I felt a bit at the start of pregnancy where it felt like other people's pregnancies were more real than mine.

I'm 34+2 now but can't quite conceptualise how close to the finish line that is... I'm very happy that baby is almost here but, even when he's dancing about in there, I don't think I really truly believe there's an almost full sized wee guy in there just waiting to pop out 😅

@MrsMoggy oh wow!! Hope everything goes well! I can imagine the excitement and nerves are all taking hold MASSIVE right now 🤍

@TripleESept24 September will soon come around for you 🫶🏻
All the farm lads have started a sweep stake for baby's arrival, earliest so far is 19th, I hoping they're right because I can't wait now to meet her.

@PoppingUp I kind of get you in a way. We've talked about this for years, having a little family and doing things as a three. So now it's a matter of 3 weeks max away I can't quite comprehend it. Every now and again I think, this is real, there'll soon be another little human living with us, we're actually going to be a little family. It really is a strange thought sometimes xx

I also can feel how close we are now. Actually having a wobble about my planned c section in just 5 weeks. Anyone who had one before and can reassure me that the pain afterwards won’t be that bad? Just not sure how I’ll manage feeding the baby, being in constant pain and not sleeping while trying to recover from major surgery.

@Cinai previous C section here. In all honesty, I don't remember being in pain so much, just uncomfortable and having to adjust how I would usually move around. Go slow with everything. Keep on top of painkillers, don't wait to be in pain to take them. Don't be a martyr if you are in pain - take whatever the hospital will offer. Stock up on ibuprofen and paracetamol at home now so you don't have to think about it when you get home. Take a pillow to hold across your belly for the car ride home - it helps.

Just don't try to do too much too soon. Enjoy the cuddles in bed with your baby, don't push yourself to do anything if you don't want to. Main thing is that you and baby eat and sleep. That's all I'd suggest you do for the first few days at least!

Thank you @cd24x x

Hi, i'm 32 weeks and due my ELC on 20 september. Just got told today at my midwife appointment that I'm measuring a little on the smaller side and she want's me to be referred for a growth scan. I'm worried now :( my diets not great but mainly because of heartburn, i make sure I try and eat well though.

Reading about inductions in less than week’s time is giving even me the shivers 🥲

@Cinai i had an emergency C-section last time. I'm having an elective this time in 4 weeks! Ahh. I dont remember the pain much either. I remember struggling to walk in hospital as it felt like gut could fall out but obviously it can't. Take all the pain relief anyway. They gave me morphine whilst I was on the ward but at home alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol. And dont do too much for first couple weeks as its not worth it. Soak up the newborn cuddles instead. The first week of sleep will be horrific not gonna lie. Its hard to lie down so I had to sleep sat up in bed and obviously with newborn wake ups too it isn't the best. Get your partner to help with feeds or at least lifting the baby out of the crib if breastfeeding. Its not as bad as you think, if it was, I wouldn't opt to do it again and would have tried for the VBAC but for me I'll take another c section over the pain of labour 🤣

Ugh, thanks so much! Just hearing other's struggles with it is honestly such a moral boost - I COMPLETELEY feel you re; weight gain - It's so impossible to move some days!

10st 4 starting weight to 13st 8 last time I checked >.<

Just hoping the PGP doesn't linger post birth and I can get back to my regular weight as quickly as possible - I've heard that for some women in rare cases you can be fully stuck with PGP?!!

@SpicyMoth my physio says in her experience PGP sticks around only if you push yourself, ignore the pain, and go on walks, gym, up and down the stairs too much etc. She gave me some toning exercises to do (squats with an exercise ball behind my back against the wall to stabilize, bridges, clamshells) but she said to sit tight and it will be easier to get back to fitness after birth if I'm not nursing an injury as well. So take it easy 😀 re swimming, no breastroke allowed, as it puts pressure on the pelvis.

Re birth, if you're going for a vaginal birth, they recommend alternative positions to help with the pressure. The Pelvic Partnership UK website has helpful info on that. I'm having a c section as I have a preexisting hip injury as well.

Also, do you have the serola belt? It made a difference for me.

@Cinai2 have a look at the C Section UK instagram and courses, even just their recovery course.

I’ve found their courses so useful. Going to add things like advance IV drip to keep up hydration if I’m delayed going down to my birth plan, after learning about that on the course. Remaining hydrated can reduce nausea and vomiting.

Carb-load in advance of the day to have energy in recovery. Drink more water than usual too to promote tissue healing. Plus chewing gum and peppermint tea for gas pains.

I’m hoping to avoid morphine afterwards as it causes constipation. So I’m going to try and balance a bit of pain in the hours afterwards with causing myself pain over the next few days! Make sure you ask for laxatives if you have the morphine!

@RosiePH oh just looking at the C section UK Instagram and it's quite helpful, thanks!!

Amazing advice, thanks so much!
Aside from my initial physio I've not heard back from them at all so have just been kind of winging it and going with whatever works with trial and error, so far the only things that have really helped me have been resting an absolute butt-load and trying to either sleep sitting up, or change sides in bed by sitting up sideways first then manoeuvring like I'm a bowling ball ahahah!

I have a belt, but it's just a generic pregnancy one from Argos really, I'll have a try wearing it a lot more if you say it helps you though - any and all advice or tips much appreciate and fully taken on board over here!
I didn't get on with it originally, I found the velcro super itchy on my sensitive skin even through clothes but I'll persevere, any to help this pain!! <3

I do also have a pregnancy ball, so I'll deffo be giving squats a go, I'd actually heard that squats may not be good for things like diastasis etc so have been avoiding them entire pregnancy - really wish I bloody hadn't now! >.<
Ugh all the advice is so conflicting and confusinggggg!!!
I'm sure even if they can make diastasis worse the chance of it happening this late into pregnancy with so little time left has gotta be super small to be honest - Thank you so much for all your advice, I'll be getting on them ASAP!!

Can I be cheeky and ask how many times you girls are getting up in the night for wees? I'm averaging around 5, I am getting soooo little sleep. It feels like I'm busting and HAVE to go but then it's a thimble full at best. I'm hardly drinking because of it (which makes feck all difference if I'm honest) I honestly feel like I'll get more sleep when this baby arrives as I'm getting around 3 - 4 hours a night max. This can't be normal? Please someone else say they're the same!

@MudandMoet if one more person tells me to "sleep now while you can", I'm going to scream. FIL said it to me twice yesterday and I wanted to commit murder (otherwise a lovely man).

About 3-4 hrs a night has been my average too.

@MudandMoet For me it’s usually 3-4, but often only one of those would be one that wakes me up specifically for that reason. The others will be because I’m awake for another reason (husband coming up to bed, cat wanting attention, uncomfortable position etc) and decide to just go for a wee while I’m awake anyway. There have been a couple of nights recently where I’ve slept all the way through, but my bump/bladder is so painful in the morning that shuffling to the toilet is really horrible, so it’s actually better if I go a couple of times in the night to stop that happening.

I'm only 32+4 but I feel like I'm lucky, if I pee just before I go to sleep (c. midnight) I can get through til about 6.30 (and then usually get another hour of sleep after that). I don't appreciate tho that I can no longer luxuriate in bed when I wake up but have to immediately get up and go to the toilet

Hi everyone, am I ok to join?
34 weeks today with a very much unplanned late addition to the family. I’m 42 and my eldest is 22! This will be my fourth. Things have gone fairly smoothly so far, I just feel far too old to be pregnant, I’m just knackered and huge! All three of my others arrived before their due date so I’m expecting a slightly earlier one again. Hope you’re all doing ok.