Due December 2024 - thread 2

[CatCaretaker]

Follow on from the first thread here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5032929-due-december-2024?page=40

@LilyJessie Thank you hun. Feeling abit better about it this morning, gave my head abit of a wobble last night and told myself it's just a day later. I'm just really really hoping they don't change it again. 🤞🏼 I'm sure there was a good reason for the change, even if I don't know what it is.

@starryx Happy Birthday to you for today!! Hope you're doing something nice!

I think we waited until the cord fell off and then a couple of days later we gave her a bath, but we only used plain water no soap for months

Their skin is so delicate and we didn't want to disrupt her skin's microbiome, my daughter had quite bad baby acne as well bless her

A lot of babies cry when you bathe them apparently but she didn't, it was lovely ♥️

Happy birthday!

I'm 38 weeks today too!

I hope you've managed to have a good one despite the weather

My midwife came round today and talked about positioning, the baby is in a good position thank goodness and 2/5, although she feels lower to me

My daughter was back-to-back so I'd rather avoid that this time round 😂 I don't know how long it went on for, but I didn't have any breaks between contractions until we managed to move her last time. I'm really hoping I get breaks in between this time

I've got my pool delivered and everything is pretty much ready for baby, I just need to go into labour now please haha

@RedRobyn2021
Oh how lovely that you're having a home birth 💞
I bet that'll be so amazing!

@RedRobyn2021 that's great news! Hopefully you'll be able to have the birth you're wanting!! 🤞🏼

@HelterSkelter224 can I pick your brain a little; I know your having a ELCS and I think (if I'm remembering right) you've had one before. Been sat thinking today and had some random thoughts pop into my head 😂 so do excuse them...
but firstly, you know after the surgery, your taken through to recovery, do they put pants on you with a pad in? Or are you just bottomless and laid on a bed with one of those sheets underneath to catch the blood?
How long did you have your bandage on over your incision? I've read conflicting info about this that some it's removed before leaving the hospital, others it's a few days later by a HV/midwife.
Did you first shower with the incision hurt? Like does the water touching your incision hurt?
And I know when they're removing baby you can feel some tugging/pushing. Can you feel anything when you're being stitched up?
And also, when you were home, how did you sleep? I keep thinking about this, I'm usually a side sleeper but I'm thinking that would be really uncomfortable in the abdomen having just had surgery, I've seen some say they sleep sitting upright (which I'll hate but will do if needed), just wondered how you navigated it. Sorry in advance for the many questions. 🥴

@LilyJessie

Well I've done it before with my daughter, it was nice after just going for a shower and then getting in to my own bed. My partner clearing up downstairs and it was just me and her.

But the actual labour wasn't the most fun I've ever had because of her being back-to-back, also I was vomiting a lot at the beginning (I think it was the hormones) so I was quite dehydrated. But actually giving birth to her in the pool was really really lovely, such a relief to have her out and I was on top of the world afterwards. She was quite late and I found that difficult, so to have her out and there was just magic ✨ and now she is 3 and has just been telling me how much she loves me 😭 ♥️

Hey @Lunamoon23 no problem at all ask away ☺️

1. I honestly can't remember whether they put pants with a pad straight away but I do know that you'll have a catheter for a while until the anaesthetic wears off as you won't be able to stand until that wears off so if I remember correctly you'll be bottomless so the midwife can come check on / change your catheter. For that reason a nightie is good to wear after a c-section. I think I just wore a pj top with the blanket over me. My daughter was born at 9.30pm and I was up by the next morning. Don't be afraid to call the midwives to help you lift baby while you're unable to due to anaesthetic, as often as you like, that's what they're there for. I was exhausted last time and baby was jaundiced and not feeding so it was a bit of a tough night as we actually had to wake baby every 3 hours to feed but I'm looking forward to the op being in the day this time so I can just spend the entire day doing skin to skin and trying to establish breastfeeding 🥰

1. The bandage wasn't on that long - in fact I'm sure it came off pretty quickly (sorry I can't remember exactly when!) to allow for healing and to allow for the midwife to keep an eye on stitches and for healing. There will be dissolvable stitches that just disappear on their own but one bigger stitch that the midwife will remove the next day, didn't hurt at all and I remember chatting away to the midwife while she did it. The best thing to use on the scar once the bandage is off is a maternity pad placed over the top as it's soft and padded and you can keep an eye on any seeping etc. but you'll be taught how to keep it clean.

1. Shower was heavenly lol. I don't remember it being painful rather just a little uncomfortable because I still had my bandage on and I always think it's gross to get bandages etc. wet but bring your own big soft fluffy towel and nice toiletries to feel lovely after your shower as the hospital ones are somewhat lacking 😂

1. When I went in for my c-section the anaesthetist did his thing (although I had already had an epidural by this stage following a long labour!!) then spent quite a bit of time making sure I was completely numb by spraying some kind of cold air thing and tapping my skin until I couldn't feel a thing. He was very friendly and made me feel really at ease. I could feel some slight tugging but nothing remotely painful, just a weird pulling sensation when they were lifting baby out. I couldn't feel them stitching me up at all. I just remember some prodding and pushing for a few seconds then my baby's wee pink screaming face being lifted up for me to see over the curtain like Simba from lion king 😜

1. Sleep - I sleep on my back although obvs not at the minute so I was delighted to be able to sleep on my back again!

Overall I actually healed up pretty quickly and easily after the first few days - I took all the painkillers offered to me whether I felt I needed them or not as they kept me relatively pain free and meant I could move about which is the best thing to promote healing. I was home by 5pm the next day after surgery at 9.30pm the night before (although this was during Covid so I don't think there's such a rush now!) Within 2 weeks I was driving 😱 (I know you're not meant to and don't recommend- I clearly missed that memo at the time and won't be doing it again!)

The best thing about the whole experience so far, not even c-section related was when the midwife placed baby on my chest and she wriggled all by herself up to my breast and latched on herself. It was the most surreal experience!

Everyone heals differently and the above might be different based on your experience at hospital, in my case I had an emergency CS after 17h painful active labour following a failed induction and 3 sleepless nights on a labour ward prior to with pre-eclampsia (so not ideal conditions, no food, no rest etc!!!) so I was really really exhausted post birth and somewhat traumatised! But actually the c-section was a relief at the end of it all and was quite a calming experience. The surgeons, doctors and midwives were all so lovely in the theatre and put me right at ease. I'm looking forward to being much more in control this time.

Recovery was 3 years ago so there will be gaps in my memory but I honestly recovered really well and followed all the advice and was up and about pretty quickly. I know that was also the case of the four girls (out of 8!!) in my NCT class who also ended up with c-sections! Of my entire birth experience the c-section was the positive bit 😂

@HelterSkelter224 thank you, that's so helpful.

I haven't been able to get a nightie, I should of got one in the summer when they were out in abundance but didn't think too, so I've taken normal PJs with a button up shirt but I've also taken maternity vests, so I thought once I'm back on the ward, I'll put on of these on which will make breastfeeding easy (they're like breastfeeding bras) and the pj top over the top if needed. Bottom wise I thought I'd just sit in pants or naked 😂 with a blanket over me until I'm up and able to change.
I was just curious what they do while you're unable to mobilise regarding the blood.

In regard to the sanitary towel over the wound, did you just stick this to whatever you were wearing once home? That's a good idea!

I've contemplated not showering in the hospital and waiting until I'm home. I'd of had a shower the morning of, and from what I've been told, all being well, I'll be home the following day by the afternoon. And considering I probably won't be up and about until later the first day, it's only overnight then I'll be home and able to shower in my own home. I have packed toiletries incase I decide otherwise though, but I think I'd feel much better having a shower at home and then getting into my own bed than in the hospital. And considering I won't be experiencing labour etc I shouldn't be too gross by that time 😂

Pain medication wise, they've told me I'll have a suppository after the surgery, then I'll be given orarmorph while in hospital that evening, after that it'll just be paracetamol/iburofen. Was that the same for you? I'll definitely keep ontop of the pain medication, the less pain the better!

And with sleeping once home, did you find it difficult then getting up from lying down to sitting up for night feeds etc? That's what worry's me? The being able to manouvoure without too much pain, because of course sitting up uses your stomach muscles and we don't have a bed with a bottom headboard to tie anything too, so I'll be relying on DH to help sit me up. But I know how much I struggle to sleep sat upright 😂 although I'm sure I'll be so exhausted it'll be fine!

You had alot to contend with last time didn't you! This time round will be such a different experience for you, you'll be able to go in well rested, without having had labour for days on end... will seem like night and day to you!!

I'm hoping for a quick recovery, I'm such a Do-er that just being sat around and cared for will drive me insane after a couple of days I'm sure. But I'm also very mindful of not overdoing it and setting myself back. And while my husband is off for a month it makes sense to utilise him haha. But I'll be sure to move around little and often for sure as I've read so much that that really does promote recovery!

@Lunamoon23 well I ended up back in hospital after the first night at home due to baby dropping birth weight and issues with my supply (that's a story for another day 😡), but for that first night at home I had my husband sleep on the side of the next2me for the first night and pass her to me to feed. By the time I got discharged again a week later I was able to lift her ok. Come to think of it I was fine lifting her at the hospital too. There was the most wonderful amazing support worker (not midwife) working on the ward who I'm convinced was my fairy godmother helping me throughout that week. She even cleaned up baby's first poonami for me 😂😂 (not all heroes wear capes!!)

You will know yourself how far your body will let you go but maybe for the first night or so have hubby pass baby over to you to avoid you straining too much. Getting up I lay on my side and lifted myself much like I do now. Have you seen the @csection_uk Instagram account? I noticed this morning they posted a video about how to stand up for the first time after a c-section. If you haven't seen that account it's quite helpful though mostly just flogging online courses.

Oh I'm exactly the same I can't be doing with sitting around convalescing 😴 plus I've got a toddler and as you know it doesn't sound like my mum will be much help 🙄 I would say though do try and spend as much time as you can snuggling in bed doing skin to skin. I think I didn't allow myself this time last time as I was so keen to be up and about, there's definitely a balance.

Re nightwear yea I just had a pj top last time, it's fine you're sitting under a blanket anyway and it's bloody roasting on the ward.

Finally, if you haven't seen them already there are some lovely positive c-section birth stories on the positive birth company website, a mixture of elcs and emergency, I've found them really useful to read. Not long now @Lunamoon23! How are you feeling?

Sorry @Lunamoon23 I forgot to answer your other questions!

Re pain relief I was sent away with a bottle of some kind of morphine! I didn't ask for it but they gave it to me anyway and I hope they give it again although it might be different now.

I just put the pad in my massive pants and used tape to keep it in place but didn't need it very long.

Hey. I've posted this as my own thread but wondering if any of you lovelies could maybe help as I'm home alone with the kids and looking to ease the discomfort pretty quickly...

"I'm 38 weeks and as above in a bit of discomfort.
The pressure is radiating down the backs of my legs especially when I stand. When I sit the pressure all moves up to the front of my bump. Bit of ease on the birth ball but it starts up braxton hicks. Had ridiculous back ache last night but not enough to stop me sleeping, just ached to walk etc.
Pretty sure it's not labor as I'm not in pain as much just a lot, a lot of discomfort.
4th pregnancy including a late term loss and that is the only one I can remember having the leg discomfort with. 1st was back labor and a need to poop at the end, 2nd was standard contractions then again I just needed to poop.
Could this pressure type discomfort be how babe is lying/engaging? Anyone know any yoga or other positions to help?"

@OnNaturesCourse I was thinking about you this morning, wondering how you were getting on. Sorry to hear you're in so much discomfort 😔 I'm really sorry I have no real advice for you but is it worth calling your midwife for advice? (I assume she'll only be available tomorrow) especially if you're worried about having a similar sensation in your previous loss, even to put your mind at rest. I'd imagine it's due to where baby is lying as I know they've been engaged for quite a few weeks now 😢 maybe a nice warm deep bath to take the pressure off sitting / standing might provide some temporary relief? Although that might be tricky until your DH can take over looking after the kids.

Are you constipated at all? I struggle badly with constipation in pregnancy (tmi I know but whatever) and find I get backache simply just from the general discomfort from constipation.

@HelterSkelter224 i am a little bit constipated but have still been going, just not today.

It does feel like there is a lot of pressure on a nerve somewhere and that's what's causing the discomfort, like a tingly blood returning to limb sort of discomfort but it's x100!

I've tried a bath but it's not helped. I have actually been tempted to try and get to my local pool to try for a bit of a float but it will be super busy today with the school kids. Maybe try it tomorrow when my own kids are at school too.

I'm trying to stay positive and think it means baby is engaging again after taking himself out of the battle station a few weeks ago!

@HelterSkelter224 oh I'm sorry to hear that. I'm so hopeful that doesn't happen, I want to be in hospital as little as humanly possible. Did your supply issue have anything to do with the csection, as I've read a lot that it can have an effect on your milk coming in? I'm quiet nervous about the breastfeeding journey I'll be honest, with zero experience I'm just blindly hoping for the best but realistically have no idea 😬

We've also said that we're going to put the next to me crib on DH side of the bed for the first week at least, he'll then wake to pass baby to me. I know if I put him on my side I'll be stubborn and do it regardless and set myself back whereas if he's on husband's side I'll have no choice. Plus I kind of like the idea he'll be awake with us because as I said above, completely new territory and nice to have that moral support.

Ah yes, I do follow that group. I haven't brought any of the courses because I find they're quite pricy, even when on 'offer'. But I have found their posts and the comment section really helpful actually. I have seen the videos regarding getting out of bed and tbh, like you, that is how I've been doing so while being pregnant too!! So hopefully that works okay post surgery! 🤞🏼 I truly can't wait to not be pregnant and not be recovering and be able to snuggle up properly in bed. Since about 16 weeks of pregnancy, I haven't slept under the duvet once! I've been sleeping under the throw, with my pregnancy pillow. I've found myself being too hot for a duvet and my pregnancy pillow is a full body one and it's just be impossible wrestling that aswell as a duvet 😂 I know sleep will be disturbed of course with a newborn but even those hours where I am able to sleep, will be a dream being snuggled up under a duvet, comfortable!! I'll feel like a new woman. 😂 no back or hip pain!!

And tbh those first few days I plan on spending in/around the bed only. DH will deal with downstairs and I'll just walk from room to room upstairs, shower and then snuggle with baby in bed while watching tv/Christmas films. I've told family we won't be having visitors for the first week more than likely, depending how I feel. Except for my mum, as she's storing some of my batch cooking so she'll bring that, but she's no bother at all.

And oh really, I asked my midwife and she told me that if I'm still requiring oramorph/morphine they'll be hesitant to send me home! And that it's generally just paracetamol/ibuprofen - which to me is madness. I was given stronger than that when I had tendinitis last year! I am going to ask for something called Dihydrocodeine as I've seen alot of women mention it on Mumsnet who've had C-sections, it's a weak opioid that you can take alongside paracetamol and ibuprofen and is safe to use while breastfeeding. So fingers crossed they'll allow that.

Not long at all - 4 days!! I'm still feeling quite oddly calm about it. I'm not sure it's quite sunk in yet... which in turn makes me a little anxious. Worried all my anxiety is going to peak the morning of. I'm so ready to have him here but just wish we didn't have to endure all of this inbetween 😂 (if only). I'm also over being pregnant now, I'm so uncomfortable, backs killing and I feel disgusting. Haha. We've done a full house clean today, and tomorrow we're going to our favourite place for a carvery lunch. Then just got the bedding to change the day before and a quick hoover over and wait for our food delivery to come Wednesday and we're set. Also going to repack my hospital bags at some point as I've forgotten what I've actually packed 😂 how are you feeling? 9 days for you isn't it??
Also how's the situation with your mum fairing? X

@OnNaturesCourse Ive been having awful back pain too. Lots of pressure on my tailbone. Can’t even sit on the sofa, having to sit on my birth ball.
DC1 was back to back and I remember feeling lots of pressure on my tailbone in labour but not before.
If you do find something that helps relieve it please do share 😅

I'm 38 weeks now

Has anyone else been experiencing period like cramps? Just like right before you start your period?

I've been having this on and off maybe the last week, also having Braxton hicks more and more frequently

And I've been feeling nauseous, I thought this might just be because I've been overdoing it but I woke up in the night because I felt sick which isn't normal, which then makes me think maybe it's hormone related

@MaybeBaby2024 I have spent the afternoon doing pregnancy yoga from various YouTubers and figure 8s on my birth ball - seems to have eased the pressure but I'm now absolutely exhausted and my reflux has gone crazy.

Win some... 😂

Least I can sit down now without feeling like I'm sitting on a baby head in my butt.

@maybe

@OnNaturesCourse lol thanks I must give that a go!

@RedRobyn2021 yes I’ve been getting the period cramps too since 36 weeks.

Sounds like baby is on their way very soon! This is how my labour with my first started. Period like cramps, sickness and then the braxton hicks turned into full contractions.

Hopefully, not long now!

@RedRobyn2021 -
Sounds like baby is very close!
And sadly none of these I'm experiencing!! I wish I was! I just want her here now 🙏🏼

Remind me @LilyJessie is this your first?

My last baby was 2 weeks late so it would be crazy if this one came early!

I wish this is what it meant! Haha

@RedRobyn2021 -

Everything crossed for you!!
Would be so exciting if you are in the early stages.

And yes my first, so now doubt she will be 2 weeks late! 😅

It's crazy, that they can come any time from 37 weeks to 42... So she could come tomorrow (38 weeks) to another whole month!!

Yess!!! I had it terribly yesterday, so much so I started freaking out that labour was starting. Had my sister frantically googling for me.

I have cramps in my tummy as-well as on and off tightening and the back ache (period like back ache) was killing me. Kept feeling nauseous too. Felt pretty miserable yesterday. Took two paracetamol before I went to bed last night and feel a lot different today...

I've had the on off period like pains for a couple weeks now but yesterday it was really quiet intense.

@Lunamoon23 Boohoo have some really comfy button down ribbed style nighties, super cheap as well! Although appreciate this may be a little last minute to order now x