39 weeks + 5 and beyond fed up

[MrsW32]

Need to rant! I’m just fed up now. For context I’m due this Sunday but due to risk of having increased BMI I have been booked in for an induction next Thursday which I’m really really not at all comfortable with, but got fed up with the doctors pressuring me and I’m too tired to argue with them.

My week began being admitted to hospital as I was concerned about brown discharge which they said was normal and looked like mucus plug was coming away but then they got concerned as m my heart rate and blood pressure wouldn’t come down - even though I have no other symptoms for like preeclampsia and have been previously diagnosed with white coat syndrome. Kept in for the night (which was distressing listening to two other ladies on my ward bay having very traumatic and painful 1st stages of labour) and all my readings came down and when the consultant discharged me, he was like why you on my ward, you just a very anxious heavily pregnant woman. All the while, my little boy is doing fantastic and there’s no complaints with him which is very reassuring! 💙💙

So for the rest of the week until now the brown discharge has gone, but I did get a clear small jelly blob on Wednesday night that looked like more mucus plug but nothing since.

I had two sweeps last week but following my hospital visit, they have advised I shouldn’t have anymore. They didn’t explain why but I assume due to risk of infection.

Since I went on mat leave at 37 weeks I’ve been trying pretty much every tricks to induce labour. I’ve exhausted nesting, I’m getting bored of sitting on my birthing ball, gentle yoga helps a bit but again getting tiredsome. Only thing I’m seem to like is vegging out and watching the US Office! But yesterday I hit a wall and had a meltdown, as I went for a walk and came back home sat down and when I got up again my pelvis and lower back felt like it had shattered. I rested in bed for the rest of the afternoon and by the evening the pain had subsided a bit. Like I’m too scared to go for another walk now and feel guilty

Since about 38 weeks I’ve had sporadic BH, sometimes very mild period-type pain, nausea in the morning but no vomiting, my appetite is all over the place and an increase in having no.2s.

Everyone keeps texting for updates and I’m getting irked by that. Keep saying I’m fed up and no news then they reply he’ll be here soon and it’ll all be worth - to be honest the mood I’m in the those comments are just not helpful.

I just needed a rant and writing this has been cathartic. I know I’m not the only one in this boat. So if anyone else needs a rant feel free to join in 😅

Aw pal! I've been having some brown discharge post sweep, and I've just assumed it was dry blood/bleeding from the sweep (very common I was assured).

Our dates are similar, and I stupidly came off work on 18 Oct so I am BORED now, waiting for my new job to start 😂 my NHS due date was on 5 Nov, and this was on BBC2 (pause for reflection) on 5 Nov which really soothed me, as its true: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015nm0y/episodes/player (Rachel Thomas - I just need to lift my eyes).

Humans like certainty, and when you're going to go into labour is not certain at all. Studies show people prefer knowing a bad outcome than not knowing what an outcome will be - we tolerate uncertainty poorly. And awaiting labour and birth is an uncertain time. Also, as FTMs it's a life changing time so anxiety can so easily prevail, and we look to dates and Pineapple and snagging to send us into labour (they don't work lol).

Solidarity sister, in 2 weeks this will seem like a distant memory.

Also, I found putting read receipts off on WhatsApp to help with messages.

Also your symptoms since 38 weeks same as me - BHs aw over the place. Thought they must be doing something and my cervix is CLOSED AND POSTERIOR. excuse me body, what are you playing at babes x

@Hanbanan44 Thank you for the link to the podcast, will have a listen later.

You’re so right humans like certainty and being in control and giving birth just don’t allow any control whatsoever!

Oh that’s interesting about your sweep. First sweep I was told I was 1cm and then 2nd one she said she couldn’t get it at all and it was closed! Then at my last midwife app on Tuesday she said he’s gone back up to 4/5 engaged from being 3/5. Like he feels very low down and the pressure on my pelvic floor. It’s like my body and baby aren’t syncing together yet! 😅

oh yeah I always have read receipts off on WhatsApp 😅 still don’t stop the messages or my sister calling and asking if I’m in labour yet 🙄

@Hanbanan44 are you a FTM like me?

Yes, FTM!

Again, so much of that can change too. Sometimes head feels low, other times it doesn't. One midwife said he's engaging next time he's facing down but not engaged. Who knows! 😂 there's scope for error in their assessments. As long as he has a head and is generally facing the right way, we good.

My baby is in a posterior position which doom scrolling on reddit doesn't fill me with hope (back labour etc) but my friend who has had 4 children said her back labour was the easiest labour so we shall see 😂

@Hanbanan44 that’s true I hear so many different things from the midwives and doctors I’m all confused but I’m running with the only consistent info which is he’s growth is bang on average and on track and he’s head down. Every time the listen in on him, they’re happy too. It is very reassuring but I’m listening if he’s cooking well in there surely he should be ready to come out or at least my body is giving me signs. But I know that’s me being impatient 😅

Hopefully your little will turn around once you’re in labour 🙏🏾 like you said as long as they’re head down, it’s the bed you can hope for.

Keep me posted if you have any updates!

@Hanbanan44 that pause for thought is what I needed to hear. Made me cry - bloomin hormones 🤣. Thank you so much for the link ☺️

Aw mate, could have written this myself!

Trying to think what me in 3 weeks would say to me now so as not to waste this time - probably, be patient; he will come (he can't not come); he's safe, happy and moving; enjoy your last week of being able to read books, see friends and sleep whenever you want 🥲