12 to 24 week pregnancy thread

sweaty_betty

In terms of dates, last time I started maternity leave on my due date (the latest I was allowed to start) but had saved up my leave so took 2-3 weeks off before my due date, so I had some time to do nothing/prepare etc.
This time I'm preparing myself for a scheduled section around 37 weeks so mat leave should start on that date, but will be taking 3 weeks of leave before this I think - although I'm already struggling so hoping to do a lot of working from home before this...

19+3

fluffysox

sweaty_betty wrote: »

A couple of friends of mine have done this and it worked really well for them - I'm not sure about no pain, but they certainly managed without pain relief (apart from being in the pool). I tried it, but as I was induced the pain came out of nowhere and I couldn't handle it!
Definitely worth trying I reckon

I used a lot of positive thinking and meditation techniques last time (basically imagined I was somewhere else- on a beach Midwives were dubious that I was in labour as I was so calm but was 5cm. But then you go through transition and pain gets worse so at that point was hugely relieved to get some gas and air. Pool helps lots too. But after getting to 8cm a few hours later, I stopped progressing. So out of pool to get syntosin drip- contractions are very strong and painful with this so had morphine and gas and air too. If I knew I was having this again I'd want an epidural. Ended up with spinal block and emergency section anyway.
Only found out this week that not only was DS big (9lb 10) but he was back to back too- midwives were sure he'd turned after 8 hours on my hands and knees. Back to back (in case anyone doesn't know) means their back is at the back of your uterus- not a good position for delivery.
Anyway there'll be no syntosin for me this time. I have choice of "trial labour" or c-section as it stands with growth scan at 34 weeks. If labour does not progress I go straight to theatre for a section.

fluffysox

Bangton wrote: »

Thanks sweaty betty! That's so helpful.

I'll call her then and ask her. My work said she should give it at 20 weeks or more but she was insistent that nope it's 25 weeks when the baby is considered viable!

I guess it means now I'll have to choose what date I go on maternity! Anyone else thinking of working up to their due date like me..as in due 2nd, leaving on 1st! People at work seem to think I've lost it!

I suppose it depends on your job. Is it near by, are you able to take breaks when you need them, are you mostly sat down or very active? You can always bring the date forward if it gets too hard. I think if you go off sick in the last couple of weeks it triggers mat leave to start anyway- not sure of details of this? Personally I intend to start mat leave mid September- due 15th October but possibility of c-section before then tbc.
It does get tiring at the end- sleep is for perhaps an hour at a time and you get heavy and unsteady- I fell and broke my wrist at 37 weeks last time.

sweaty_betty

fluffysox wrote: »

I used a lot of positive thinking and meditation techniques last time (basically imagined I was somewhere else- on a beach Midwives were dubious that I was in labour as I was so calm but was 5cm. But then you go through transition and pain gets worse so at that point was hugely relieved to get some gas and air. Pool helps lots too. But after getting to 8cm a few hours later, I stopped progressing. So out of pool to get syntosin drip- contractions are very strong and painful with this so had morphine and gas and air too. If I knew I was having this again I'd want an epidural. Ended up with spinal block and emergency section anyway.
Only found out this week that not only was DS big (9lb 10) but he was back to back too- midwives were sure he'd turned after 8 hours on my hands and knees. Back to back (in case anyone doesn't know) means their back is at the back of your uterus- not a good position for delivery.
Anyway there'll be no syntosin for me this time. I have choice of "trial labour" or c-section as it stands with growth scan at 34 weeks. If labour does not progress I go straight to theatre for a section.

FWIW I was induced, LO was back to back and I also ended up with an emergency section, so you're not alone! Much as I admire my friends who've done the hypnobirthing and had vbacs (and I'd encourage others to do the same if they wanted to as I've heard lots of positive experiences), I'm not even going there and have opted for an elective section. It's such an individual thing isn't it? As long as your happy with your decision, that's the main thing.

lobey

Hi ladies, had my 20 week scan yesterday and all was well, huge relief! Was amazing to see buns gulping, sucking their thumb and somersaulting around. We decided not to find out but I'm pretty sure I saw some boy parts. Feeling very real and exciting now!

MiffyMoo_2

Congrats on the great scanlobey :j

Bangton

fluffysox wrote: »

I suppose it depends on your job. Is it near by, are you able to take breaks when you need them, are you mostly sat down or very active? You can always bring the date forward if it gets too hard. I think if you go off sick in the last couple of weeks it triggers mat leave to start anyway- not sure of details of this? Personally I intend to start mat leave mid September- due 15th October but possibility of c-section before then tbc.
It does get tiring at the end- sleep is for perhaps an hour at a time and you get heavy and unsteady- I fell and broke my wrist at 37 weeks last time.

:eek: My mum said the same, it's heavy and hard going towards end but I've never experienced it before and I guess I am just wanting more time with baby at the end than time alone before if you know what I mean. I already don't want to work full time when he's one and he's not even here yet (and it's not an option!!)

I work 25 miles from home for which I commute on a bus, then train. That's the hard part because the train is a typical commuter train to a big city and it's the rushing and pushing mentality....pregnant or not. I can drive but it depends how big my bump is by then!

Actual work is fine. I work in an office so it's sedentary, if occasionally stressful (depending what I'm up to) and I'm fine to take breaks as and when.

I guess it's just the commute and the time it takes to get to work (early mornings!)

We'll see ...I could always tag some holidays on beforehand and worse comes to worse I'm paid for sick time and anything within the last 4 weeks prior to baby becomes maternity anyway!

I'm so excited to be pregnant today! :j

Massive congrats Lobey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flower08

fluffysox wrote: »

We had same last time 2 weeks holiday, but from paternity leave they should be able to take paternity leave from whenever you go into labour as long as he lets them know the due date ( on mat b1 form) with letter of intention to take paternity leave.

Ok thats great thank you will obviously get OH to speak to his boss about it all, its just something I have been quietly wondering!

With regards to finishing work, with DS I intended to work up until 38 weeks. But I am on my feet all day and I didn't realise quite how tired I would be and ended up changing it to 35 weeks.
I only went back part time after having DS and after the amount of problems I have had so far I intend to go as soon as possible this time (29 weeks I think?). I wont be going back so it doesn't make much difference me leaving early, have just decided I cant be doing with the stress this time!

Flower08

Bella2121 - EDD 17th September 2013
Bride2be2012 - 20th September 2013
Continualdiamond - 23rd September 2013
Bangton - EDD 2nd October 2013
Nessie216 - EDD 3rd October 2013
an9i77 - EDD 4th October 2013 (but will deliver at 39 weeks)
BeNiceToMySelf - EDD 4th October 2013
amus - EDD 5th October 2013
tinycourageous - EDD 8th October 2013
Hopelass - EDD 11th October 2013
Cleofish- EDD 13th October 2013
Fluffysox- EDD 15th October 2013
COMP - EDD 17th October 2013
Toothfairy4 - EDD 17th October 2013
Poppy27 - EDD 21st October 2013
Sweaty Betty EDD 21st October 2013 (but will deliver at 37 weeks or before - twins)
MiffyMoo - EDD 22nd October 2013
Maire1 - EDD 24th October 2013 (but will deliver at 38 weeks)
BabaMoose - EDD 26th October 2013
AngelMommy - EDD 27th October 2013
Trina2010 - EDD 1st November 2013
Lozza1985- EDD 2nd November 2013
Flower08 - EDD 5th November 2013
Vic3- EDD 27th November 2013
Kscarlet - EDD 29th November 2013

lozza1985

My EDD is 2 nov, but I'm aiming to finish at end of September but I've saved 14 days leave so won't be starting my Maternity leave till a couple of weeks before my due date. I'm on my feet a lot of work, but the main reason for finishing early is that work is an hour away and I don't want to be that far from home near anywhere near to my due date, particularly if Dh isn't with me just in case!