Due February 2025 - Thread 4

[UrbanSquirrel]

Just creating this so that we have somewhere to continue when Thread 3 fills up. If you're due to have a baby in February 2025 (or late January or early March, as we have a wide spread!), come join us for support, advice and (at present) some really useful Black Friday recommendations! Big welcoming hugs to all the usual suspects coming over from Thread 3 🤗

(@CarrotySnack Goes without saying, obviously, that the NCT crowd were nowhere near as nice, nor the atmosphere as welcoming, as the gang here ☺️ So glad to have you lot as my 'primary network', even though I don't suppose most of us will ever have the chance to meet in person.)

@herewegoagain123456 I went in when I had two quiet days followed by two very quiet days. On the day I went into MAU I had felt my baby move four times between 6am and 6pm, and that was after tonnes of prodding. Baby was fine and I started feeling more movement while on the monitor. She was definitely tucked away somewhere (but where?? how??) because I basically couldn't feel her at all for those four days. Now she's lying transverse and high up - I can feel two lumps (head and bum, if I am not mistaken 😅) slithering around pretty much constantly. She'll probably hide away again and I'll be back to stressing. 😓

I asked the midwife at MAU if there was any guidance about how many times a day or an hour a baby should move, but she said every baby was so different that there was not. The advice is to go in if there's anything out of the ordinary for your baby. 🤷

@herewegoagain123456 If you are worried, go in. I was sitting at home stressing (worried about the baby but also worried about being wrong, somehow??) but it's not a big deal at all and I won't hesitate to go again if I feel I need to. Midwives were all lovely, got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

@Piluka Infant carriers are generally a better fit for newborns than other types of car seats, as @CarrotySnack says check for current safety labels to make sure it meets standards. Also not sure how old it is but car seats do have an expiry worth checking that if they've had it a few years. (I'm a bit of a car seat geek!)

I do think antenatal classes can be really useful, we didn't keep in touch after doing them with my first but mostly due to covid. You can learn a lot online if you don't want to/ can't find any suitable, your hospital may have some online video ones to watch. And if you plan on doing classes or anything when the baby is born you can make mum friends that way too.

@Piluka I have the same type of carrycot pram thing which can be used as a car seat, which I bought second hand. I do also have a new car seat which is supposed to grow with the child from newborn to bigger kid. Between the two of them I figure we'll be ok 😅.

We've been doing Bump & Baby antenatal classes and I've really enjoyed them. The midwife running ours was so lovely and so helpful (much more so than my actual midwife!) so I found it great to be able to ask her questions. All the other couples seem lovely too and we have a social meet up planned 😊. I wouldn't say it's critical and all the info you can find out through other resources, but personally I have enjoyed it and I really wanted to meet other first time mums.

On a separate note, I've just found out I'm positive for group B strep. Anyone else in the same boat? I've got a midwife appt tomorrow so will ask about it then but my understanding is it means you have to start IV antibiotics as soon as you go into labour... if I don't have a c section (placenta has moved a little bit but not enough yet) I wanted to stay home as long as possible but not sure that will be an option if I'm meant to get started on the antibiotics 🤯

Do update us after your chat with the midwife, @superj21, as it sounds as though this could be really valuable info. May I ask how it was picked up? There doesn't seem to be any systematic testing for it, so I guess others of us might have it without even knowing.

Looks like one of those things, though, where once you know you have it, it's managed really carefully. Good luck 🤗

So glad to hear the antenatal classes have been valuable for you too!

@superj21 try not to panic too much about group b strep, I know it’s scary but statistically the risks are actually quite low!

My SIL had group b strep when she had my nephew but didn’t know until afterwards (very quick labour, was missed off her records and not communicated to her during pregnancy!) and both her and baby were totally fine.

I was on antibiotics “throughout labour” but in reality they weren’t started until about 18 hours after they should have been, and both me and baby were okay as well (not for group b strep). Definitely speak to the midwife and remember, even if you do have to go in straight away, it doesn’t have to impact on your birth preferences tooooo much, so definitely ask about how your wants can be accommodated regardless!

@UrbanSquirrel with my daughter, I was tested for it as soon as I went into hospital in labour, but I think it’s a trial that my trust is/was running. It was a vaginal and anal swab (which luckily they let me do myself, although I’m not sure why I was bothered!) and the results came back about half an hour later. I believe a urine test can identify it too (which is how my SIL was picked up, despite not being by told!) so it might be that the midwife is testing for it when she asks for a urine sample, and just not mentioning it, but that’s just me speculating!

@Piluka I’m another one who’s been doing Bump & Baby (similar sort of thing to NCT). I’m really enjoying it - but more for the social side, I haven’t learnt anything new yet. We also looked at ‘Happy Bump Happy Baby’ if you can look and see if they have space? And our hospital does a class on weekends too. Fingers crossed you find something if you’re looking for the social side!

Also I turned down a free car seat from a family member because I was iffy on the safety side- a bit awkward, but it’s better safe than sorry!

I have absolutely no rhyme nor reason to kicks and it terrifies me.
I’ve perfect lying and toe pointing as a way to get movement

Try a frosted wheat or raisin wheat….they are the devil in sugar disguise!!! 🤣🤣

or a honey nut cheerio…
or Alpen…

Hi everyone, just reposting on thread 4 if that's okay (loving the beautiful baby scan and car seat chat! We're looking at getting a Doona).

Has anyone else been having uterine pains that are really painful (to where you can't move?)

I've contacted my MAU twice in the last week about them, once while the pains were ongoing around 4ish AM, early hours of Wednesday. I'd just lain down after a bathroom trip and it was a pain that came on and got stronger but wasn't a wave like a contraction. I managed to sit up and put my face on the headboard for a bit but it was so painful. I was told take paracetamol (didn't have any) and good I could feel baby moving but if it wasn't gone after 40 mins then come in - luckily it went away.

I then had less severe pains in the same place - far worse than any period cramps I've ever felt though and I used to get prescribed special painkillers for mine - on Thursday and Friday evening, baby still moving normally.

Then early hours of Sunday, again about 4am, just lay down and severe pain to the point I couldn't move. My husband had to physically put the paracetamol in my mouth because I felt like I couldn't move a mm and was just clutching my maternity pillow. The pain went away prob 20 min after it started so I didn't go in or ring the MAU (could feel baby moving normally, even kicking during the pain) but rang in the morning to explain the pattern and ask if I should be concerned.

I got told the parameter for premature labour is pain that doesn't go away with paracetamol after 40 mins and I only need to go in if the pain gets worse, if I have an uncontrollable trickle of fluids, bleeding, pain during urination or if the baby isn't moving normally.

It's mostly reassuring and she thought it was ligament pain, but I did ask if it was normal to be in so much pain I couldn't move as the midwife said pregnancy is 'uncomfortable' (don't we know it!) and she said it wasn't normal but that the 40 minute rule was the parameter.

(Edit: I should add, I previously got seen by the MAU around 18/19 weeks for similar pains in the night after laying down, they did a scan and a cervical exam at the time to check my cervix was closed and all fine. I've also been noticing I seem to be leaking a tiny bit of urine like 5p (up to 10p) sized most days since about 16 weeks, it's not sweet smelling like amniotic fluid is meant to be either, but I did raise this again on the call. Next midwife appointment is Wednesday).

I'm just getting a bit worried the baby is going to come early, I'm only 27+6. And would like to avoid these pains as well! Has anyone had anything similar or heard any additional/other advice?

Thanks @retrievermum 😊

@UrbanSquirrel I will do. I went into hospital as they wanted to check I wasn't leaking amniotic fluid (I wasn't so all good) and while they were examining me they did a vaginal swab to check for group B strep. Sounded like a "while you're here, let's just check" type thing.

@ridl14 I've experienced some pains - mostly related to SPD, but also some period type pain - but not like the severity you've described. I'd defo be taking myself to the hospital for pain that severe I think! Fingers crossed all is ok for you and it is just some shitty RLP but I'd want to get checked out for peace of mind.

Thankyou guys, after posting that baby started moving strongly and a lot again so I stopped worrying.
But a lot of useful info. So hard to know what normal and what's reduced at the moment. Think sometimes I just worry ATM.

I don't think I have any classes near me not that aren't full anyway.
Do you have to pay for them?

@ridl14 I have been getting bad uterine pains (worse than period cramps, but not so bad that I can't move). They don't last long - maybe 5-10 minutes at most. No idea what they are, but assumed either Braxton hicks (??) or ligament pain (but it feels more internal/higher up than previous ligament pain). I'm going to ask my midwife about it at my next appointment.

I wondered if it was maybe the baby jamming against something inside. For me, moving around and especially squatting down and rocking from side to side seems to help.

Could be totally different to what you are experiencing though.

@ridl14 That sounds absolutely horrible and I'm so sorry to hear you're going through it. I say this hesitantly... but could you not just go in anyway? They urge us to come in if we have any doubts about the movements, but surely pain that severe is worth checking out? Your well-being is just as important as the baby's! And especially if you've already been in with a similar problem, earlier in the pregnancy...

You poor thing. I really, really hope you find a way to sort it out, because it sounds ghastly. @QuantumPanic, you too! 🤗

@herewegoagain123456 You do have to pay for NCT classes, and I presume you do for Bump & Baby too, but I think classes run by your hospital or clinic would be free. Could you ask your midwife if she's aware of any? She might be able to point you in the right direction.

@UncharteredWaters Yes, I'm daydreaming about nice breakfasts 🤣 And lebkuchen, and stollen. Christmas Day isn't going to count here (as I've said before, the diabetes team expect everyone to 'forget to monitor' on that day), and I have one of those Waitrose cinnamon 'bunnettone' sitting on a shelf in our kitchen, like a beacon of light and hope, and a promise of lovely sugary goodness in (checks date) ooh, just four weeks' time now.

I think you have to pay for all the private ones (NCT, Bump & Baby etc.) but I think the NHS do some more specific free ones. It might depend on location, but I am sure I got a leaflet about a parenting class and a breastfeeding class at my local hospital. The private ones do seem to fill up quickly (at least in my area). We booked ours for November in August and even then there were only a few spaces left.

Piluka A traditional infant carrier would be better than the one you’ve posted if you’re able to stretch to one. The safest position for baby to travel in is rear facing. For those who are first time parents it’s handy to know newborns shouldn’t be in the car seat for longer than 30 mins so be wary of using it to pop into shops instead of transferring baby to the pram. They also have expiry dates and I wouldn’t recommend buying second hand unless it’s from family or friends who would be honest if it had been in a car accident.

superj21 I tested positive for strep in my urine in my booking in appt but the midwife failed to tell me. I only found out 2.5 months later at my next appointment. Yes they do recommend antibiotics at the first sign of labour which I’m disappointed about because I stayed at home as long as possible with my DDs labour. It’s antibiotics every four hours and you can still move around freely. I have requested swabs closer to my due date because strep can come and go, so although the advice for antibiotics won’t change, I’ll feel more informed to decline interventions like induction
if the strep isn’t present later on.

Our little boy is estimated at 3lb 3oz as of 28 weeks so I have the joy of the GTT to look forward to, I know some of you have mentioned having this.

Sorry to hear some of you have been having pain. I mentioned mine to the consultant yesterday and he didn’t seem fazed. I think I took paracetamol once in my first pregnancy and seem to need one dose of it most evenings this pregnancy with mild ‘period’ pain. Also having lots of braxton hicks.

Good luck with the GTT @GodspeedJune! Just remember, the result is not in any way connected to anything you've done or haven't done. It's just the luck of the draw. And, whichever way the dice fall, you'll have plenty of company ☺️ x

My midwife made me feel a lot more relaxed about the group strep b. She said that yes they recommend you start taking the antibiotics once you're in established labour, because there is a risk to the baby albeit a small one. She said often people don't know until after the fact or labour too quickly to get the antibiotics and if this is the case they just keep the baby in for 24 hours for monitoring and if they are showing any signs of infection they will be given IV antibiotics.

@GodspeedJune if your repeat swab doesn’t show group b strep just be a little wary that they aren’t that sensitive at picking it up, it’s likely still there. Just so you know the score for Labour x

Thanks for your comments @UrbanSquirrel @GodspeedJune @EastLondonCoffeeFiend @elb1504 @superj21 and @CarrotySnack

Good to know I'm not the only one having a lying down car seat. I've checked the instructions and turns out it has 2 positions as car seat, one is completely flat and the other is a seat position. The lying down it says is from 0 months and the seat one is 0+
I'll check for the labels as you girls mentioned. 😉😘❤️ Thanks for the info.

@superj21 I'm happy to read you feel better with your condition after talking to the midwife.

With my first child I went to both NCT and a hospital antenatal class.

NCT was over several weeks, smaller (I think 8 mums), time to get to know the other parents, have lunch, take photos of our bumps and form a mums group. This was really nice in the first two years. I didn't keep in touch with them in the end, but it was lovely while it lasted.

The hospital one had exactly the same information. There wasn't time to get to know the other parents. Maybe the only think missing was practicing different birth postures with your partner.

The downside with the NCT group was a slight bias towards natural births. The woman leading it tried to be quite neutral about advocating for yourself regardless of how you wanted to give birth, but I came away desperately wanting a natural birth and ended up having induction and emergency cesarean. I wish I had been more prepared that these would be likely options.

So NCT is great for the social side, but just be a bit cautious - I think it does depend on who is leading the group.

We have been given a lie-down car seat that we're going to use for the new baby. I remember first time how squashed my newborn looked in his car seat when he came home from the hospital! The car seat is within the expiry date so I'm very happy to reuse it for its functionality. We will switch back to our original car seat when little one is old enough.

Just for context, I didn’t do NCT or anything even remotely similar for my first baby (and won’t be this time); I did do the hospital antenatal classes (which were on zoom and still are as I’ve done a next birth after c section one through them this time!) but found that they were very, very basic and was nothing I didn’t already know (despite never having had a baby before!).

A few friends did NCT or similar and had very mixed experiences (we’re North East based), but none made any friendships that lasted after going back to work after mat leave!

I did attend a local pregnancy yoga class which is where I made a few mum friends, and most of my other mum friends were made at baby classes! I did find you have to really put yourself out there sometimes and just brazenly ask others if they want to go for a coffee after a class - I think everyone waits for someone else to do it!

NCT was a very expensive waste of time IMO. Partly because I was a midwife so learnt nothing 😂 but also I had my eldest just before lockdown so we couldn’t go anywhere or do anything! There was also only 2 other couples so way too few to make friends.

My SIL has made friends she still has now her eldest is 8, but I don’t think that’s common!