MSE Pregnancy Club 22

Lirin

My hospital is two minutes from my house- quite handy! It's midwifery-led, and does do waterbirths, but I'm learning that while the community midwives are great and chat away with loads of info, the hospital midwives seem harried, and don't tell unless you ask. Plus, whoever gave me the advice real early on in the last incarnation of this thread to keep repeating any changes to whoever you see as they won't have read the notes- spot on advice. In the last two appointments I've had, my notes have never been asked for, and I've had to tell them.
Platelet count is top 50's, which is low as the normal range is 150-200, but have been told that unless it drops to 50 or below, they're not going to worry overly, and 40's is when they begin mentioning transfusions... It is getting slightly lower every blood test, so I've been warned to ask for a blood test pretty much every time I'm seen to ensure it's monitored....
Hope that doesn't affect chances of a waterbirth, though I suspect it probably will.... I would like active birth an waterbirth.

Kira000

Hi all!
Congrats on the new arrivals, and labour vibes to all of the ladies at the top of the list!

I have my appointment with the consultant anaesthetist on Weds (will be 18 weeks so seems early to me!), i think to discuss my birth/pain relief options due to my High BMI.

Just wondered if there are any of you more experienced ladies with a similar issue who have had a similar appointment in the past, and what options/limitations you were told?

I strongly suspect that i will be steered towards the "tied" to the bed with leads side of things, as that seems the easiest for them, and of course if it *really* is my best option then fine, but i'd like to be a bit forwarned so i can ask more knowledagebly about other things. I think i would like the freedom to shift around a bit, change postition if i like, stand up etc..

I'm happy to go with the flow somewhat, i dont want to rule G&A, epidural, spinal block etc in or out, but dont want to be fobbed off either. I have read about a newer option, which is self administered as and when needed, which sounds most appealing, but i cant remember the name "R" something.., or know much else. Anyone got any more info on it? Are there restrictions as to suitability? Can you still move around?

Help! bit scared about what they will say!:(

Thanks ladies..

Skint_Catt

Just been for my 30 week scan (got others at 32 & 34 weeks) to monitor growth due to my high BMI.
I always thought it was because I'd be likely to have a big baby, but although the sonographer suggested he weighed 3lbs (eek - already?!) the consultant showed on the growth chart that he was the lowest of the range that they monitor.
He wouldn't tell me what the issue was if the baby remained low weight so can anyone help? Anything I can do to help the baby gain & me not?

He also really worried me making me promise that I would call midwife/ante-natal unit/hospital if Giblets movements changed. Does this mean there could be something seriously wrong? I regularly don't feel Giblet move for a couple of hours at a time (he's more active just after lunch & when I go to bed) but how do I know anythings wrong? How long should I wait before panicking?

C xx

Apricot

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Just been for my 30 week scan (got others at 32 & 34 weeks) to monitor growth due to my high BMI.
I always thought it was because I'd be likely to have a big baby, but although the sonographer suggested he weighed 3lbs (eek - already?!) the consultant showed on the growth chart that he was the lowest of the range that they monitor.
He wouldn't tell me what the issue was if the baby remained low weight so can anyone help? Anything I can do to help the baby gain & me not?

He also really worried me making me promise that I would call midwife/ante-natal unit/hospital if Giblets movements changed. Does this mean there could be something seriously wrong? I regularly don't feel Giblet move for a couple of hours at a time (he's more active just after lunch & when I go to bed) but how do I know anythings wrong? How long should I wait before panicking?

C xx

My MW says as long as you feel 10 movements per day then it's ok. My baby seems to have a pattern of certain times of day when she moves and others when she doesn't. I think the general rule of thumb is as long as they move when they usually do and if you haven't felt them moving for a couple of hours try drinking something sugary and laying down and that should get them going.

With regards to the growth scan, don't always trust them to be accurate, my sister was told she was having a tiny baby and had regular scans which confirmed this. Baby was born at 36 weeks at 6lb something so if she had gone full term she would have probably ended up with an 8lber which is far from tiny! I thought 3lb at about 30 weeks was average anyway? Although Im far from an expert but the last trimester is when they start gaining the most weight anyway.

Gillyx

I wouldn't worry too much, my friend is 38 weeks and her baby was weighing 3 and a half pounds at her last visit and they don't seem even bothered about it. So you have loads of time for your baby to put on weight.

jcr16

My baby is classed as big baby at 32 week scan he weigh 5lb 8 oz! I'm growing an elephant I think , lol

Skint_Catt

Thanks all I feel a lot better now, I think it was more he worried me about what he said but then wouldn't explain things to me - he just said there's not much he can say on one measurement (my previous hospital where I had my 12 & 20 week scans didn't do a growth chart :mad:) which is fair enough but he could at least have explained why Giblet may possibly stop moving or why he's not a 'full' weight!

As if I don't have enough stress hubby is texting me from work - he's made a major !!!!-up (very unlike him) and thinks he's going to get a serious !!!! kicking I told him to go to his boss as the stress of being away from home every week is getting to us both now. They keep promising to send him back to work down here but it never materialises.

C xx

alison2020

Kira000 wrote: »

I have read about a newer option, which is self administered as and when needed, which sounds most appealing, but i cant remember the name "R" something.., or know much else. Anyone got any more info on it? Are there restrictions as to suitability? Can you still move around?

That will be Remephentenol (probably spelled wrong) - the MW's just call it Reme. I didn't get it last time as i couldn't remember the name of it when i got to hospital!! It sounds great. Think it is put into your arm like a drip and you administer the dose yourself with the push of a button. It's tiny doses of pain relief that work for just long enough to last the contraction. Think it's suitable for most women. I was going to ask for it this time, but i'm not sure it's available in the midwife led unit i'm hoping to get into.

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Just been for my 30 week scan (got others at 32 & 34 weeks) to monitor growth due to my high BMI.
I always thought it was because I'd be likely to have a big baby, but although the sonographer suggested he weighed 3lbs (eek - already?!) the consultant showed on the growth chart that he was the lowest of the range that they monitor.
He wouldn't tell me what the issue was if the baby remained low weight so can anyone help? Anything I can do to help the baby gain & me not?

He also really worried me making me promise that I would call midwife/ante-natal unit/hospital if Giblets movements changed. Does this mean there could be something seriously wrong? I regularly don't feel Giblet move for a couple of hours at a time (he's more active just after lunch & when I go to bed) but how do I know anythings wrong? How long should I wait before panicking?

I'm at the same stage as you SkintCatt, 31 weeks, and what you describe sounds completely normal to me. 3lb sounds about right, think they put on nearly half a pound a week at this stage. I have noticed a BIG diffference in baby's movements, from almost constant a few weeks ago, to lots of long quiet periods. Also, much less active - now feels more like someone trying to turn round inside a sleeping bag (ie, with difficulty) . My theory (rightly or wrongly) is if something is wrong, i will probably know it. So I'm not worrying. This is my second pregnancy and I'm much more relaxed about everything anyway.
I haven't been told baby's size or weight despite getting scanned at every appointment because my doctor happens to have a scanner. My BMI was 34 before pregnancy but thankfully no-one is making an issue about it.
Sounds like someone is trying to get you stressed! Send me a PM if comparing notes makes you feel any better.

delain

Everyone needs to tell the hospital if their baby stops moving! I don't know why they said that to you, don't let it worry you xx Babies have periods where they are 'asleep' and 'awake' at your stage of pregnancy, I'd imagine they meant that if the active periods stop. I guarantee you you'll know if your baby stops moving, your body is very in tune to it.

Skint_Catt

Many thanks Alison! I was surprisingly relaxed with this one as it's my first until today anyway! My book suggests 1lb this week and 2.5lbs next week which I think is why I thought 3lb is a lot for 30 weeks but obviously isn't! I think my BMI was 27 when I got pregnant but suppose I just expected to get a big baby and now (potentially) the opposite is true. As long as Giblet's healthy though I wouldn't mind a smaller baby for the birth part if nothing else :rotfl:

C xx