OCTOBER 2024 BABIES - Thread 5

[CluelessInLondon]

So I guess this is the one where all of our babies will be arriving, eek!

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@sorchanim I'm a teacher too! I would love to know what's on this 12 step plan? I'm like you and trying to avoid induction for as long as possible!

@Sara1988 if it helps I was so worried about my pgp affecting my in labour last time I could barely open my legs so didn't see how I'd be able to labour and move positions etc but as soon as contractions ramped up it didn't even cross my mind x

@spudnik1 so glad your recovery is smooth. I feel really nervous about those first few days of pain but hopefully after that it will be ok

@mrssunshinexxx oh that's good to know! I've only really had it for a week or two. How do women cope with this all pregnancy?!

Dunno @Sara1988 I've had it twice now from about 22 weeks this time has been the worst I've had regular osteopath apps in the third trimester which definitely help abit

First sweep done today.

Not sure I recommend

Baby is very comfortable for now at nearly 40wks

@mrssunshinexxx I spoke to midwife about it at 38 weeks appointment and she said it was so late now, there's little point in trying to get an appointment! Not being able to be active has really affected my mood. Swimming is still OK at the moment, it's just driving there that's the problem!

@Kate9423 I didn't realise they did sweeps before due date. Hasn't been brought up for me. How was it?

My next appt is after due date so they suggested it.

It wasn't 'painful' as such but they don't hang about with getting as rough as they need to up there! It's reassuring to know where my cervix is positioned etc currently, even if it's just for positive thoughts that we are heading somewhere.

@Kate9423 I can't decide whether to have one or not. My midwife is very anti any intervention and generally I agree with her but I'd much rather a sweep than an induction if I get to 42 weeks.

I'm trying to avoid induction too! My trust only 'allow' you to go to 41 weeks so I'd rather try sweeps than that!

Interesting re your midwife. Not really their place to push their opinion on you so perhaps ask for a sweep and see what they say. It should be happening if you ask!

Snap ! @Sara1988 my husband bought me a reformer Pilates machine for my bday in July I went on it 4 times til my pelvis gave up now every time I walk past our gym room I literally feel sad I cannot wait to get back into it.
It's not too late but midwife won't help you need to book somewhere local and private osteopath it will give you some relief for sure

@Sara1988 I am with a private practice of midwives who are very, very nature-centred, anti-intervention, and a bit 'woo' as I mentioned yesterday. I still asked for a sweep and while it's not something they would offer, because it was my wish, she provided! I have an appointment for monitoring in the hospital on Friday and my own midwife said I could also ask the hospital midwives while I'm there. I'm abroad so it'll be different for you, but there will be someone you can ask!

I took home a bunch of stuff and tried some things last night, and woke up with contractions this morning. Had a few while lying in bed and they were fairly regular (though not frequent). Came down to have my breakfast and they're either going away or I'm not noticing them as I'm pottering around. My mucus plug is (partially?) out anyway so there's definitely something happening this morning!

The 12 step thing involves repeating some steps and it's not written in English but here's my best shot!

1. 1000-1500mg/dl of evening primrose oil capsules (+ raspberry leaf + lady's mantel tea)
2. Herb drink: 1 cinnamon stick, 10 cloves, freshly grated ginger (about a thumb), 1 teaspoon verbena officinalis leaves. Leave overnight in 1 litre water, boil for 10-15 minutes. Sip this throughout any of the steps. [they gave me the bits for the tea, I just needed to add ginger]
3. Any homeopathic treatments you were recommended during your pregnancy (didn't apply to me)
4. Nipple massage for 30 minutes
5. 1 hour (or at least 30 minutes) walking
6. Bath with palmarosa and clary sage essential oils. 6 drops of each, first add them to a bit of milk or cream and then add them to bath water).
7. Massage back and soles of feet with "induction oil" [which they gave me]. 30ml carrier oil such as sesame/jojoba/hazelnut oil, + essential oils: 17 drops cloves, 5 drops cinnamon, 17 drops palmarosa and 6 drops clary sage.
8. Eat something warming like pumpkin ginger soup. Ginger is essential!
9. Acupressure massage, 5-10 mins on each point or acupuncture or massage soles of feet, using the induction oil. It goes on to detail acupressure points but I'm sure you can look those up.
10. Cocktail with ricinus oil - don't know what this is and some of the ingrediates are expensive/hard to get so I'm not going to recommend this!
11. More nipple massage for 30 mins.
12. Repeat any homeopathic treatments

SO, yesterday:

• I took the evening primrose oil (1)
• I prepared the tea (2), haven't drunk it yet
• I didn't do any homeopoathic treatments (3) or nipple massage (4)
• I walked half an hour but that was before the appointment and I've been walking loads every day (5)
• I don't have a bath so didn't do that. I bought clary sage essential oil myself which arrived Tuesday so I put some in a diffuser and put it on my pillow going to bed. I also put a tiny bit into my bio oil and massaged it on my wrists and behind my ears.
• I did massage my feet with the "induction oil" that they gave me, and I added more clary sage to it myself (don't tell my midwives!). You could just use any body oil and add clary sage to it yourself but don't go overboard. (7)
• Didn't eat any ginger yet (8) but there's loads in the tea. Pumpkin + ginger soup sounds good though!
• I did not do acupressure. I went for acupuncture on Monday afternoon and have another appointment for tomorrow morning. (9)
• Didn't touch the cocktail (10)

My partner's alarm went off this morning and he hit the snooze button and went back to sleep but I couldn't, so I started doing nipple massage and a few minutes later I started having mild contractions. I kept at it and they were regular. I've just finished my breakfast now and am either not noticing them or they've stopped but they were very real this morning!

Take from that what you can. On Monday I called the midwife and she said to get some acupuncture and then have an OTT date night with soft lights and lots of romance - didn't get around to it as my partner was out for evening classes the last two nights in a row! I also messaged my midwife friend who recommended acupuncture and clary sage oil. Try and get a sweep if you can too! x

@sorchanim thank you so much for sharing! It's interesting that they're anti intervention and have then given you a list of interventions! Mine has just said wait basically. I've been doing nipple massage but didn't realise I needed to do it for half an hour. Also got the clary sage bath bomb from lush. Will suggest a date night on Friday. Hopefully the contractions are a sign you're on your way! Keep us updated.

@Kate9423 I'm with the homebirth team, our hospital has horrendous induction and c section rates (it's rated inadequate) and I've made it clear I'm suspicious of inductions, so I do think she's taking my lead on it. I don't really know how she feels about sweeps, they've just never been mentioned at all, so will ask about them at my next appointment and see what she says. The homebirth team are very high performing- very low rates of transfer, assisted birth and tearing - so I'm willing to take her guidance over the hospital tbh. Ive said I'm willing to go to 42 weeks and she said I'll need to really defend myself past 41.

I tried reflexology today. I've done it before but not for Labour induction. It was so relaxing. I could have fallen asleep!

38weeks today. The final push... no pun intended!

Just had a growth scan st 39+3. Baby is suddenly measuring off the charts for abdominal and weight. Was given a blood test for diabetes (my original gd came back really good) and have a phone consultation tomorrow. Freaking out now. If I have to have a c section so be it, but hate getting send home without speaking to someone.

When was your last scan @Sara1988 ? Try not to panic too much. The scans aren't super accurate for one and let's see what your GD test results are, hopefully it will be nothing. Hope you get a result very soon and a chance to talk to someone (consultant?) about it.

@WeightoftheWorld 4 weeks ago. Baby has always been on the big side but it's rocketed off the charts. Phone consultation tomorrow morning. Feels like years to wait.

@Sara1988 ours is also off the charts for abdominal and head measurements. I saw the consultant after our last scan but she wasn’t concerned and hasn’t offered induction. Hopefully they’re able to provide you with some reassurance when you finally get to speak to them.

@Bee49 oh really. The sonographer said today 'we need to figure out how to get this baby out of you' which wasn't helpful and has left me assuming c section. Just holding my breath for tomorrow now. When do you see them next?

@Sara1988 thats not very helpful at all. I’m pretty sure it’s not their place to say! I don’t have any more appointments or scans. I was discharged from consultant care and am just waiting for labour to hopefully happen naturally.

Oh that's good! Hope everything goes well for you. I've planned so much for a home birth and I'm just gutted. I guess I just need to wait for tomorrow.

Hey.. I'm a bit late joining this thread. I'm being induced on Monday 7th October at 37w5 days. Getting rather nervous now and not knowing what to expect x

@Sara1988 Sorry should have said yesterday. NICE guidelines aren’t to induce for a big baby if that’s the only ‘issue’.

That's good to know! Thank you. I'm just waiting for consultant to call now.

This makes me so happy to hear! Mine is breech and it’s my first so I’ve been booked in for a c section which doesn’t bother me at all but everyone keeps looking at me with such pity when I tell them. I’m hoping because I’m fit and active still and have a high pain tolerance the recovery won’t be too awful as I’m not good at standing still!

@Mitsky me too, they tried to turn him but it wouldn't work and really hurt! I'm booked in for one now, he may still turn but only a small chance