Sept 2024 - Thread 10!

[SpicyMoth]

Saw we hit page 40, so figured I'd get a head start on the next thread just in case!!

Oh gosh, I just thought, there may not be very many more of these threads - I wonder if this one may even be the last?!

HUGE congrats to @MudandMoet on their gorgeous wee one!!
Best of luck on your way home this afternoon/this evening, I'm desperate to ask all about what it was like but I'll avoid that as I don't want anyone to get nervous/anxious about what's to come!!

Super glad you're feeling mostly okay and so so SO happy for you! <3

Found it! Note that the leaflet is dated 2016, and the data will be from studies before the leaflet was written. It’s called “Choices When Pregnancy
Reaches 41 Weeks”.

It says on the Summary pages on page 12 and 13, a caesarean happens in 107 of 1000 births when “induction of labour at 41 weeks”. Compare that to
“Continued Labour At 41 weeks” which is 96 of 1000 births.

So definitely no half, don’t know if all are EMCS, and marginal increase of CS when you’re induced cos you’re overdue, versus continuing.

https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/documents/IOL-leaflet-40plus-weeks_vTDF3v5.pdf

@SpicyMoth hth I was furiously googling last weekend because I knew I’d be planning my induction date soon.

What is balloon induction??

@SpicyMoth I don't know anything about balloon induction however I have had 2 C sections. Both times I have had really quick recovery, the first time I was up and about quicker than the woman next to me who had a vaginal birth. They have your drugs measured so much that you don't really feel pain - more a stiffness. My pain tolerance is quite low too. They have you up moving within about 12 hours and constantly checking wound to ensure no issues. Having had my last c section 15 years ago and comparing it to this time round there has even been vast improvements. If I had to choose again, I'd choose C section. I'm now 11 days post op and it's like it never happened. I did have the odd sting or twinge but nothing major.

Congrats @kc92, enjoy the baby bubble 💙

Ah fantastic news @kc92 enjoy the snugs xx

@FuppinNora really glad to hear that, I have a c section in 6 days and the closer it gets, the more I panic and laying awake at midnight frantically reading about c sections for the hundred time for reassurance.

Tysm @BakeOffRewatch !!!! UGH, you're an absolute godsend!
I misremembered the percentage as 50% rather than 25% - I think out of anxiety 😅 - apologies if I worried anyone, but this was the thread; https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/amibeingunreasonable/5057887-to-request-a-c-section
No source, but when googling couldn't find the right places to prove it wrong so got myself into a bit of a state I think😩Perhaps I wasn't googling the correct phrases?
Thank you SO so so much for the leaflet am just going through it now, you're honestly a godsend <3

@TripleESept24 I honestly don't know a huge amount about it, my friend had one and kindly (Or unkindly depending on your perspective I suppose, to be fair it was a bit gory to see 😬) sent me a pic of hers back when she'd had one done for her last kiddo! I'd guesstimate it inflates to roughly the size of a very small kiwi?
From what I understand, it's basically a small balloon that they insert into your cervix and then gradually inflate, it's meant to help both soften and dilate the cervix and possibly help your waters break.
According to my MW leaflets it'll either start labour and it'll fall out of it's own accord when you reach a certain cm dilation, open your cervix wide enough for them for break your waters for you, or there's also a chance it'll do not much of anything at all.
My MW said they'll give you gas and air for insertion, and I'm not booked in till 8pm so I have no idea if It's a "stay in" or "go home" kind of scenario but she said that some women can be sent home with the balloon in - I feel very in the dark still honestly even with the leaflets she gave me hence my rabid MN thread searches for more info!

EDIT; Last part of my reply got cut off - But also massive thank you to @FuppinNora for the reassurance! It's relieving to hear of fast & smooth recoveries - I've only ever heard of the more difficult ones. I'm so glad you've had pleasant experiences! <3

Oh you definitely need to stay off AIBU @SpicyMoth ! You’re welcome, it’s nice to have joined this club around our due dates, it’s actually comforting to see people having the same questions and worries at the same time, makes the worries less “real” iyswim and more a feature of our stage of pregnancy? 10% is very different to 25%, let alone 50%!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience of caesarean @FuppinNora , that’s part of what had me googling last weekend and reading all the childbirth threads, my first induction was quick and minimal intervention, but people keep saying “be prepared for it to be different”, so it felt like all the worries as if I was doing it for first time reopened. People have told me to mentally prepare again for 3 days and a caesarean.

Having a jam packed weekend has really helped with the worry and baby’s movements are regular for me. Last weekend I kept asking DH if I should go to hospital because I was so on edge and had nothing to do that anytime the baby was quiet I worried.

Congratulations @kc92 what a wonderful birth story to read! Hope you and baby are both doing well!

@SpicyMoth there's still alot of days in between now and the 13th! And if it does come to induction on Friday, the odds are definitely in your favour with your gestation, I believe the section & intervention stats are much higher with the earlier inductions rather than those past 40 weeks.

@SpicyMoth i just read the thread and the poster says “of the people I know”, they’re not even quoting a study or saying “my midwife/consultant said…” 🙄. I do think early inductions are an issue, and this is my opinion, it’s a hammer used where nothing else is available. In the lead up to my first birth I was very anxious about movements after 37 weeks - no reason to, just a worrier, if my waters had broken or was it just pee, and the medical approach is “we have no way to know if baby is healthy until it’s out so let’s get it out”. That’s literally what I was told each time I went in, combined with “go in, better safe than sorry” I can see how that would lead to a lot more inductions at maybe not the best time. I’ve read so many anecdotal stuff on here where people were induced due to concerns on growth and baby was fine. I’ve also read stories where people were concerned about movements, were induced and then they could see there was something wrong with the placenta. Which you or medical professionals would have no idea about.

@TripleESept24 balloon catheter is kind of like a membrane sweep +. It’s used because it’s “drug free” and can be done as outpatient. The pathway is usually mechanical sweeps at outpatient or home by hand, balloon or rods, prostaglandin (pessary or gel), ARM (artificial rupture membranes) where they break the waters, oxytocin drip. Described here https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/inducing-labour/what-happens-during-induction-labour

I asked my midwife loads of questions about induction last week, about when to book it because most NHS trusts say 10-12 days overdue, but the risk increases at 14 days. The consultant and the midwife said it’s because they want the baby out before day 14, induction can take a few days, and sometimes they’re delayed if others are prioritised and they don’t have the staff on hand to monitor you because it’s far safer for baby to stay in than give you strong drugs that simulate contractions and possibly leave you on your own. I think that must be why some trusts try sweeps and balloons first? I booked mine for day 13 because I don’t want to be in hospital over weekend and she said I’ll be top of the list because I’ll be so near 14 days.

@SpicyMoth if you feel worried I recommend the Tommy’s website, they cover everything in a sensitive and well written manner, with sources.

No problem at all ladies, if there are any other questions let me know and I can try help. Honestly, I had him around 7am and they had me out on the chair that evening and I was able to move around since then (slowly) with every day getting less stiff. Bending is the hardest bit, get a long tongs or one of those hand grabbers to help pick things up you drop on floor at home. Parked my bum in bed or on sofa when I got home on Day 3, 4, 5, (still able to get up and look after baby) started doing small tasks Day 6 and went for a walk Day 7. I could possibly start doing laundry again but DH is doing an A+ job I'd hate to disappoint him 😉

@SpicyMoth i had a balloon induction as it was the least invasive way to start induction due to prior section. It’s just a balloon catheter inserted into your cervix that is filled with liquid to slowly open the cervix. I got to 2cm on it, but unfortunately my body wasn’t ready to labour, even after my waters breaking and a hormone drip which resulted in a c section.

i was adamant the whole way through I didn’t want another section and it was my worst nightmare. However in the moment knowing baby girl was beginning to get distressed. It was so obvious what I had to do. The c section experience was much more positive this time for me. The whole team made the experience amazing and we has skin to skin and delayed cord clamping.

the recovery was also much quicker this time, I experienced minimal pain (just keep up my the pain meds) and was out of bed within 12 hours discharged after 24. It’s been 9 days since and I feel great. No pain and healing well.

How wonderful @kc92, congratulations on your (huge! 😁) boy! How are you feeling today?

@Cinai2 are you having your section on Friday? I was offered the Friday but chose the next available date, a week on Tuesday instead. (That’s because I knew the NHS had dated me four days ahead which was medically impossible!) Anyway, do try not to worry, everyone I know who’s had an ELCS says it’s just brilliant. This time next week you’ll be home and having newborn snuggles!

As for me, single figures now, nine days to go! 😅

Congratulations @kc92 😃 that sounds perfect ❤️ glad you are both well :)

My section date is 16th we have decided to not tell family other than my mum who will be having my baby boy, they seem annoyed and keep asking a date but I just don't want the anxiety when everyone is texting asking 'if she's here yet' I went into spontaneous labour last time and ending in section so I didn't have time to think about it and nobody knew which I think really helped as I felt so calm!

This time knowing the date is making me anxious so I'm dreading the next week a little and just want it here

I keep wondering if I've made the right choice booking a section, I said if I go into labour before I will try naturally but if not then I have my husband with me 3 weeks after the section because he goes on long as 13 hour shifts 13 days straight until Christmas, where as if I wait for natural and it ends in section he will only be here a week and half, we have a 17 month old so I think I've done the right thing but there's always that though of have I made the right Choice x

@Decaffe They offered Friday which would be 39 weeks exactly, but as it’s Friday 13th I asked for it to be done on Saturday 😅 Thank you for the reassurance!

@hol92 I kind of feel the same about potentially trying a vaginal birth if I go into labour before my section date. It’s so hard to decide…I guess because there’s no right or wrong answer and either option could be a really good choice (or not), depending on how it goes.

Hi all just checking in, sending calming vibes to all who are feeling anxious or worried, I've never had an induction or c section so can't pretend I know what it's like but just wanted to offer some solidarity 💪🏻
I had the urge to furiously clean and tidy the house yesterday so was hoping it might have been a bit of a sign something might happen but **nope. Although last night I had such a weird dream that you could literally see babies hands/feet/even face stretching out of my belly but no one around me seemed to be overly interested 😂 40+3 here and just want him out now

@Decaffe we have the same date for c-sections! Mine was supposed to be the following week but due to a late diagnosis of GD and needing insulin, they’ve brought me a week forward. Definitely more nervous now knowing it’s a week earlier and also that I can’t do the same prep (carb-loading for energy and lots of fruit for the fibre) and I could need an insulin drip in theatre which might make recovery harder!

@FuppinNora I have mine in 12 days and this is so refreshing to read, rather than scare stories! I have focussed solely on positive stories and there are so many around elective sections.

I personally have chosen section over induction as want to avoid lengthy interventions and chance of emergency section. That's only due to my own anxiety around hospitals etc. so for me an hour in surgery sounded better than potential days. But my friend is due the same week and is the complete opposite as me and wants induction. So really each to their own.

There are horror stories about every type of birth if you want to find them. Sad that people want to trauma dump on you.

I'm terrified but trying to focus on meeting baby at the end and being home maybe the next day

Eee lots of booked sections soon! I’m the day after you @Decaffe and @RosiePH on the 18th!

@SpicyMoth I had a post dates balloon induction last time. It didn’t feel any worse than a sweep to put in but I’d recommend accepting the paracetamol and dihydrocodeine they offer at the time. Felt lots of pressure upon standing up but got to go home. After a few hours of contractions building it fell out on its own went back to hospital and had the baby 4 hours later with no further intervention so essentially it started my labour off but the rest progressed on its own. Doesn’t always happen that way but if it’s for being overdue more likely. As much as I want to go spontaneously this time I would accept it again if I needed to.

Little too much information but I haven't been able to do a number 2 for weeks I'm always constipated but today have been 3 times! Not complaining haha but also read that it's a sign labour could be on the way...
or am I just being hopefully haha

@hol92 yes your bowels loosening is a sign!!

So maybe another TMI.... but I have just been to the toilet and had a lot of thick discharge in my underwear. More than I have ever had/and tbh I haven't had any discharge at all for weeks.

Anyone had a lot of discharge before their mucus plug came away??

@hol92 mine has shifted over the last week or so like you said. No baby yet but feel she may come soon!

Congratulations @kc92!

HELP

has anyone had numbness in there left legs I can walk just feels numb and my left size on my back feels alittle numb should I be worried
it’s not hot or red I’m 38 weeks + 5 days