Pregnancy #67

[WeepingCassandra]

Definitely in early labour, 1cm dilated and semi-regular contractions. Went into triage at 3am because they were so bad I couldn’t sleep and they said they can see the contracts are happening but they‘re not strong, long or regular enough to be moving towards active labour at the moment. Could feel babies head well engaged in the cervix on exam.

I’ve been ok most of the day on paracetamol, but it’s starting to ramp up again as it’s moving towards night. Because I’m still technically preterm (until midnight, lol) they said go back any time I want, or if my waters break/I have any bleeding/I’m worried about anything. I’ve read different advice online as to whether it’ll likely be days or longer (!) - any advice?

I’ve got some raspberry leaf tea and some pineapple which I might have some of tonight, why not eh

 

[poppyred05]

Finished up work today, very weird feeling! I have been so excited to finish up and counting down the days for months. Today I’ve felt so emotional! I won’t miss my workplace.. but it somehow makes it all feel so much more real! Scary to think baba will be here soon!!!

 

[Elltee]

I finally have my 12 week scan in the morning! I'm so so nervous though. Had a scan at 6 and 8 weeks and all looked good and was discharged from the recurrent miscarriage clinic.
I'm just so so scared... I hope my baby is ok and growing in there x

had my scan, all looks great, baby was wriggling and flipping about so she was struggling to take measurements
I was supposed to be 12 weeks yesterday but they put me at 12w3d which is amazing.
has anyone booked a gender scan at 15 weeks? I don't think I can go another 8 weeks without seeing my baby lol x

 

[Elltee]

God the third trimester is HARD. I have no energy at all and also currently moving house, can't wait to give birth lol

 

[opintionatedperson]

I've the third trimester urge to organise and clean everything but my employement is in the way

 

[georgiecait]

Positive induction story!

Context:
- low risk pregnancy
- 1 baby and first birth
- 42 weeks
- 2cm dilated already

Appointment at 4:00pm. CTG for a few hours and one last sweep. Was told it would be the next morning to get onto the labour ward but they saw I was 42 weeks and they took me down at 6/7pm with a dedicated midwife. Perks of being overdue I guess
1st check I was 3cm and I chose to get my waters broken (first stage of induction for me) as the midwife said it was super easy to. No pain, felt a bit weird, just leaking. Prepared to be there for days.
Contractions started really well and I asked for 2 hours instead of the usual 1hr before talk of the hormone drip. I was on a ball and could deal with contractions ok. I was soooo close to labouring without the drip but they weren’t quite strong enough, they were regular though.
I had a few ml of the drip and my god I was off. I must say the only bad bit was the Syntocin contractions, they were exactly what everyone said, horrendous!
At midnight I was in full flow. Gas and air, peanut ball, oxytocin playlist on. I begged for the epidural when the gas and air no longer worked but their next check I was 10cm and there was no time so birth comb was well used vaginal birth @ 4:30am 12 hours after I stepped into hospital , my notes said my total labour was 3.5 hours.
So she took her time but at the end all she needed was a little wake up call and she was out quick.

If I could do anything again I’d have asked for the epidural earlier but as it was my first birth I just thought that’s how the contractions felt. I’ll know for next time! Would happily have my birth over again, blessed that it was a positive experience.

 

[Mermer89]

Had my 16 week appointment with the prem team last Tuesday as my last baby was born at 24+5. Was already worried because of the high NT reading at my 12 week scan. From what he could see baby was fine, I wasn’t so good.
Cervix already shortened and funnelling significantly with bulging membranes and signs of infection. Was admitted straight away and had IV and an emergency cerclage on Thursday. My consultant was a lot happier than he thought he would be as my membranes weren’t bulging at that point and all my infection markers were ok.
I’m only 17+3 today so even viability seems miles away- staying hopeful but realistic 🥹

 

[Bec3007]

I’ve had 3 bags of crisps today … 3 !!!!

Acceptable even when not pregnant

 

[Kool Aid]

I’m 37w and soon to be a mama of 4 excited for my 2nd home birth !

 

[jolly_parsley]

Coming up to 36 weeks pregnant and I’m so tired.

At my 20 week scan they were like “There’s a risk she could be small and you’re at risk of preeclampsia because the placenta is inefficient”. Been taking aspirin every night and having growth scans and now they’re like “Yeah she’s growing fine”

But after my last growth scan the other week they were like “Your platelets are low and your ferritin levels are low so need an iron IV and frequent blood tests”.

Saw my midwife today and she’s like “I don’t know why they’re concerned about your platelets, they’re not low enough for me to refer you to a consultant, but if they want to monitor you extra close then fine” and then today there was glucose in my urine sample so got to have a GD test. At 36 weeks pregnant. What is the point at this stage like just leave me alooooooone.

I have a 2 year old so that on top of what feels like whack a mole with pregnancy health conditions is just knackering me. I wanna cry lol

 

[Lyricallie]

Had our “20 week” scan (at 18+5 as we’re going on holiday lol) and everything is looking good. I feel so much better and feel like I can start to get excited and maybe buy things! Decided not to find out the gender I’m proud I didn’t crack haha

 

[anonymous_flower]

I am 31w 5d and over it now baby's head is in my pelvis and has been for weeks now, feel like I've got a brick in my vagina, I can't sleep properly, i just can't be ARSED. My poor husband is so supportive and gets me anything I want/need/crave/unnecessarily demand but my god literally nothing is making me feel better right now.

 

[Lyricallie]

We had our scan, it was so bizarre and lovely haha. We even had baby having a little wiggle and wave. Apparently they’re chilling in at my hip.
The sonographer and the midwife were both so lovely. Went to get bloods afterwards and the midwife was like “does it feel a bit more real you know it’s not all in your head.” I have never felt more seen. I was like omg yes it makes me feel less crazy!
Now just waiting for testing to come back. I’m trying not to google!

 

[Kaylarina]

Just looking for some advice, since my first midwife appointment I’ve made it clear I want an elective c section (I understand the risks of c section but equally there are risks to a natural birth). My midwife has constantly made comments that a consultant would need to review and ‘make the decision’ or ‘sign off on it’ and also put on my notes that I have an ‘extreme fear of childbirth’ - I don’t have a fear of childbirth, it is a variety of reasons (I won’t bore you all but none stem from a fear of childbirth). At my 16 week appointment my ‘extreme fear’ was mentioned again and that perhaps I’d change my mind. I made it clear again that I had no fear, it was my personal decision and I would not change my mind. A consultant reviewed my notes yesterday electronically and I have now received an appointment for when I’ll be 28 weeks to see the obstetrics team - is this an indicator that the c section has been ‘approved’? I hate saying that as I thought it’s our choice how we give birth. Just trying to work out if it’ll mean yet more arguing/explaining when I could not have made it clearer since my 7 weeks appointment.

It's not so much a case of being approved because even if the specific consultant you are under will not do the c-section for you, they have a duty to refer you to one who will. Under NICE guidelines, as long as you are making an informed decision, you cannot be forced into any sort of birth.

I would hazard a guess that the appointment you've been given is to go through the pros and cons of the c-section and to potentially steer you towards a vaginal birth. Go armed with what you want and why and stay firm. If your doctor won't do it, ask to be referred on to one who will.

 

[ASAnigel]

Hello!
Tentatively parking myself here as I’ve just found out I’m pregnant with my second!
Had a chemical a few months ago so feeling crazy anxious this time round that it’s going to happen again so if anyone can help with this with success stories etc that would be amazing!
holy hell I am SHATTERED and I don’t remember that from last time but I didn’t have a toddler then 🫣

 

[disneys]

I agree, I got so many comments on how big I was with my first and all the “he’s gonna be massive when he’s born” which, well they weren’t wrong about in my case, but it’s not the point is it? It’s insensitive and used to irritate the life out of me.

Same as when people would randomly touch the bump; I’m not a tactile person (unless you’re my husband or children) so it really made me feel uncomfortable. I don’t stand for it now, I felt like a lot of things were out of my control during my first - and after a very traumatic delivery - but when I was pregnant the second time I was firm on my boundaries and will be with this one too.

I had my first bump touch from a stranger in this pregnancy at the weekend !

on Saturday we took our kids into London to see Paddington the musical (great show for kiddos but horrible idea in a heatwave) and I wore a “baby on board” badge on the train . It was a busy service and I ended up having to sit away from my husband and our kids and got chatting to the lady next to me who clocked the badge . She was very friendly and pleasant but as I got up to get off she put her hands on my stomach !!

so strange and I hate when people do it . If people ask I always say no ! But when they don’t and just go for it it’s so jarring

 

[ReginaPhalange3]

If one more person points at me and says omg youre all bump, you're going to have him any day... Im going to sit on them.

 

[Noscrubs]

34 weeks today. My arsehole is sore. My tits are sore. My legs and feet are sore. Still got 3 weeks of work until I go on annual leave/mat leave.

 

[yankydoo]

Those of you who have been pregnant with a toddler, how did you do it? I am so exhausted. I'm only 32 weeks and genuinely don't think I will survive the next 8 weeks. I have the worst insomnia and the lack of sleep is torture. There is no downtime as I am working 4 days and then have my son to look after. I can't even look forward to evenings and night time as I cannot sleep. I am so big and heavy... I need to sit down for a minute everytime I carry toddler upstairs.

Oh and husband and I got the sicknenss bug so we were wiped out all weekend whilst our son was full of beans.

I have a midwife appointment this week and I'm going to ask if there is anyway I can be induced bang on 37 weeks as I can't do it!!

 

[Mermer89]

21 weeks today after having my emergency stitch at 16+6. Feel so close yet so far but trying not to let the anxiety take over. Don’t even know if I’ll get to 24 weeks never mind further.
Everything crossed