May Babies 2025 - Thread 2

[BrodieKD]

Continuing on from the first thread....For all those pregnant ladies due in May 2025

I did think about suggesting an induction but my husband is very against this as his experience is that it often leads to an emergency Caesarian and therefore he would rather it was planned. He’s also concerned that because I had an instrumental forceps delivery with my first that I’m more likely to need an intervention with a bigger baby. I think I’m very attached to having a natural birth because of the recovery situation but also because I probably have fears around my milk not coming in, being in hospital longer and therefore away from my first for more time than I’d like and it just feels a bit like you give up all control of everything.

It doesn’t always end up in an emergency c section and that’s coming from someone who’s did the first time (second was an elective which I regret). My induction was absolutely text book until I got to pushing but I was induced before term so it’s very very different and I had never given birth before. There are soo many forum and groups around sections/inductions but also a lot of published research so have a good look around.

for example when I had my repeat section the one thing I was scared about when they told me was there is a chance of uterine rupture .. but that risk is so small 0.9%! If I had done the research my self and not briefed while I was in labour I think I would have changed my mind.

my second section was fine I was fine baby was fine, no infection I felt ok after about two weeks. Not driving for 6 weeks is a pain and the full recovery is a lot longer but nothing that isn’t expected after a major operation. really if I can’t have a trail of labour I’ll happily put on the socks and hair net at 39 weeks and go into surgery.

Thank you: that’s very helpful. I think I’ve just got myself into a bit of a state about it because I just wasn’t expecting it after having a very straightforward pregnancy with my first and up until now this was one too so now so close to the end being confronted with the fact that there could be complications just feels overwhelming and being married to a doctor is sometimes difficult when they can be so strident in their views.

Thank you for mentioning the statistics around the intra uterine rupture because this actually was something that was playing on my mind as if we did want another baby due to my age it wouldn’t be wise to delay for years and so having a Caesarian also felt like that option was taken off the table - but I’ll have a look at some research and think about things properly!

The risk is higher the closer the sections are my last section was 5 years ago and before that I had a nearly three year gap, if anything use that to show your partner that vaginal might be better if you go on to have another hehe. u can also ask for a low threshold for a section so if there are any concerns they just stop the induction and take you for a section. Your partner should know or at least be able to understand the research and if they don’t they should look at it with you. I don’t have anything against c sections at all but for me it would just not be what I want in my life right now.
I feel for you it’s just such a shock, I do have experience with complications coming out the blue in the 3rd trimester, with my first I got diagnosed at 32weeks with OC, it changed the course of my pregnancy massively and was so upsetting and worrying ultimately was the reason I was induced before term as the risk of still birth was so much higher due to my levels so better to get baby out.

@AutumnalPuffin in a similar position. Baby suddenly jumped over the 97th at 36 weeks. Remeasure at 38 although I think that induction will be advised. It’s all quite stressful isn’t it.

Absolutely push for iron supplements! Mine were higher than that but I was symtomatic and my ferritin had tanked, they (the advanced practitioner) wasn't going to give me iron until I questioned it, re-mentioned my symptoms and said I recognise the feelings from my previous 2 pregnancies then she reluctantly agreed but would only give me a month's worth and said any further would have to be discussed with my midwife. Spoke to midwife half an hour later who said their advice wasn't correct for someone that's pregnant and I should absolutely be supplementing the level I was at as a pregnant lady until atleast the end of my pregnancy and maybe a little beyond too. This was at around 25 weeks for me x

@BrightGoose @Poster57 Thank you for your responses: I do think that a great part of why I feel so upset is because it’s just come as such a shock and I probably took for granted that things would just progress smoothly!

l think requesting an induction with a low threshold for Caesarian is probably the best option and I have a fortnight now to consider the research so I’m going into the appointment more informed.

I think the second time around your milk should be fine! Are you expressing colostrum?

@AutumnalPuffin I’ve had two inductions due to size. Not quite as extreme as current measurements though. I’m not a fan of the induction process but I did birth both children vaginally in the end.

Has anyone got a good layout/template for a birth plan?

Very confusing growth scan today at 36w6d - was expecting to come out of there with a plan to deliver early like with my first baby (2nd one also SGA baby - has been measuring 1-5th centile on every growth scan for the last 10 weeks), but now he's measuring 13th centile and instead of being happy he's grown, they're concerned about accelerated growth 😩

I've been asked to do another GTT in the next few days in case of gestational diabetes but all my urines have been clear and I passed the test at 28 weeks.

And I've got yet another growth scan in two weeks if baby is still in there. When will it end! I should have sent up camp in the hospital car park weeks ago, I've spent so much time there.

Has anyone had experience of this before without the rapid growth being due to GD? Or been diagnosed with GD so late? I can't think of any symptoms I've had but I know a lot are just the same as normal pregnancy stuff. Obviously they've got no concerns about him being too big even with the possibility of GD because he started so small.

There's a chance there could have been an error from the sonographer today (although it was by far the easiest, quickest scan I've had as he's in a good position head down) but also a possibility that he's safely above the 10th centile naturally and I'll finally be left alone to labour on my own timeline which I've never experienced before. Not sure whether to cry or celebrate!

Eugh that sounds a bit stressful!
At my 20w scan baby was 27th centile, and my 36w scan they're 82nd centile - sonographer just said my cord blood supply/flow was great, proving optimal growth 🤷‍♀️ no mention of a GTT here 🫣 funny how it varies.

Girls can I ask, are any of you planning on using Soothers for the babies? I did with my son,
The mam dummies and I've bought some tommee tippee ones, is it worth getting some other brand ones just in case the baby doesn't take to the tommee tippee ones.

I got some mam and some tommee tippee ones I just ordered my steriliser today it’s a UV one on offer from boots it’s such good value for money, I used a steam on and a microwave one with my others but the steam ones is I felt were wet and messy and the microwave ones you can’t use for feeding equipment like spoons so I’m glad I found one on offer!

that growth scan just sounds so stressful surely they can just be room for error on the scans it’s not like they gone to the 80th centile, hope it’s not stressing you too much!

@BrightGoose I might do the same, get some mam ones too. I bought a steriliser and dryer in one on vinted, that had hardly been used, so quite pleased with that.

@Dullblue1234 so strange! Blood flow and waters have been fine throughout for me too, but it feels like they're just looking for something to be wrong constantly. It's exhausting.

Thanks @BrightGoose, trying not to stress but it's difficult. I just want to be happy that baby has grown but they've made me feel bad about it because of the possible GD. I'm very much looking forward to this baby being out!

I bought loads of soothers for my DD who was EBF and she wouldn't take a single one, so not sure I'm going to bother this time.

@LeBonBon we didn't use any dummies at first last time and then ended up buying some. I won't get too many just in case this baby doesn't take them.

I was diagnosed today (36 weeks) with gestational diabetes after my post glucose bloods were slightly above the borderline and again I don’t think I have any symptoms either @LeBonBon so this was based on the fact that the baby is now on the 97th centile. I’ve had my growth scan and consultant appointment cancelled and instead an appointment with a dietician put in so I’m feeling a bit lost as to what will happen!

I’ve not yet expressed colostrum @TheBeesKnee as I didn’t want to induce premature labour (hahaha) but I’ll ask the midwife for some syringes when I see her next week as if it ends in a caesarean I definitely want to ensure that the baby can feed from me.

Thank you @Poster57 for your good news re induction leading to a vaginal birth - its good to know that it does happen and it’s something to push for.

@AutumnalPuffin sorry that they have left you in limbo! How irritating, did you have any risk factors for GD? Hope you get your appointments sorted maybe they will need you to see someone different with having the GD.

I rang the midwife today and they agreed so prescribe some iron.

Hi @AutumnalPuffin I had C-sections with both of mine one under spinal, and a GA. And I managed to successfully feed and latch with both of them. Hope that helps ease your fear a bit 🙂. Obviously with the GA baby waited an hour longer than normal. But as soon as I was awake I just opened her mouth and stuck my nipple in 😁. Even if she wasn't suckling straight away I kept her there until she started. I also did skin to skin with her when I was asleep as I asked their dad to put her on me. Bit tmi but helped the sucking reflex and I was relaxed. As I felt a bit more anxious about it being a planned GA instead of a spinal..

just had another growth scan (37+2) and now having to wait for a doctor as he’s estimated 8lb15!!! I don’t have GD and all is healthy with him but they want to offer me an induction or c section asap🙈nervous isn’t even the word!! They also said the wait for a doctor will be a few hours😂🥲

Aw @LozC0411 that sounds like you’re in for a wait, what was the reason for the growth scan was you having them anyway?

I had a massive nesting session today and now I can barely move, please tell me why I think all the windows need cleaning before baby comes 🫣

Iv had weekly growth scans from 28 weeks that went down to every 2 weeks at about 33 weeks and this was due to his size and the fact I have Polyhydramnios… GD was ruled out thankfully so I just have a lovely chunky boy🤗 But my waters have gone from 8.2 down to 5.4 which is making me think my waters have started to go?🙈we have been sent home as the one doctor is in theatre so I await a phone call tomorrow!

I have a lovely mountain of nappies in my nappy boxes all done. Just getting the clothes down from the loft soon into 3 piles. Not going to keep much just the basics. To save for grandchildren 😂. My back is definitely hurting more. But sweeping the carpet Cinderella style probably doesn't help! Anyone else have a foam topper on their bed? Wondering if I need to take it off? As my mattress is bad without it. And the topper is my go between me saving up for a wool mattress. I'm seeing the menopause coming soon if I follow the rest of the women in my family.

I think we might be in this situation next week. It’s all so nerve wracking not knowing isn’t it. Look forward to hearing how you get on - hopefully a decent plan in place after today 🤞