MSE Pregnancy Club 25

mlbarrett

Hi ladies

Had a quick read through - my congratulations and best wishes to those with happy news (starting to lose my memory now).

I'm hoping the viva will be at the end of Nov but uni is currently having difficulty in finding examiners with sufficient experience as my subject area is quite different. Hoping my supervisor has found a couple of people who'll be able to fulfil the requirements.

Nothing was mentioned on the cause of the bleed. A doctor did find yellow discharge as he swabbed me but nothing's been said. Maybe it's in the sealed letter to my doctor that I need to hand in later.

Better print off my birth plan as mw would like to see it later.

Have a good day ladies

MLB (31+2)

LittleMoog

Nephthys wrote: »

LittleMoog - that sounds really nice (the NCT group - not the scary hospital Lol!) that there are others in the same boat as you and all at the same stage. Our parentcraft classes the last time weren't really like that so I have no contact with any of them and not doing the classes this time. I did meet a lot more people in my local area and made a couple of good friends through breastfeeding groups and stuff so hopefully I'll meet some more this time too!

I have to say the social aspect is the main reason we did the NCT classes, although the actual classes were quite good too. We only moved here 2 years ago and I don't know anyone apart from work friends (who'll obviously be at work while I'm off!) so it was really important to me to meet new people. I'm quite shy in new situations, so I was worried that I wouldn't make any friends if I just went to baby groups. All the couples in our group are lovely though, so hopefully we'll continue to meet up once all the babies are here!

LittleMoog

Just got a text from my sister telling me that she's pregnant again! :j So exciting, baby due in April. This is me now --->:D

savageHK

Well, some more background

I've just read Childbirth Without Fear (written in the 40's, if not before!). Essentially his point is that the uterus is made to give birth, and there is nothing else that the body does 'normally' which 'normally' hurts. Following his experience as an obstetrician he came to the conclusion that in most cases pain arises because women are scared / have been told to expect pain, and fear causes all sorts of other things, not least of which (we now know) triggering your adrenaline, which goes against your natural body's attempts to let the oxytocin and endorpins roll and prevents the uterus contracting the way it needs to to push baby out. Not to say that it's not bloody hard work pushing a baby out and you will make all sorts of noises because you are in labour (operative word here meaning the same as 'manual labour' - your body is having an immense work out).

So, I'm going into this hoping that I will not need any pain relief and hoping that by being mentally prepared and using hypnobirthing (etc) I will be able to do this mostly on my own (hears sniggers from the ladies who've already given birth). I know that I'm not going to know how I will handle it until it kicks off, but that's my current theory. I also have examined the options for pain relief available and am pretty sure I don't want pethidine / diamorphine as I don't want the side effects (for me mainly - nausea, feeling out of it; or for baby) and would like to avoid an epidural as well unless I really can't hack it due to the odds of it increasing the chances of further interventions and restricting my movement (nevermind I didn't like the - albeit small - chance of the severe headache!). So I'm optimistic, but also fairly sure that I don't want any of the things on offer to relieve pain even if I am in pain. (I will consider gas & air, but that's available at a home birth anyway). I'm also hoping to use a birth pool which I'll hire for home use. If the pain is too much I believe you can transfer into hospital for more options.

We live a very short distance from hospital (1.3 miles) so transfer in case of real emergency should not be a problem, although real emergency is unlikely. It seems the most likely complication leading to transfer is failure to progress, which is non-time critical.

It also seems to me odd that I'd labour at home as far as possible (in a comfortable environment where you have all the things you might want or need) and then only transfer in for the birth, as by that stage if your hormones have kicked in, judging from what I've read, you should be high on oxytocin and all zoned out. Getting dressed (this will be late Nov / early Dec) and leaving the house, being assessed at maternity triage, moved to the delivery unit (or worse sent home as you're not far enough along!) doesn't seem to me a sensible thing to do. If you are coping, why would you suddenly change all the environment?

I've looked at the latest study on outcomes by 'intended' place of delivery (so of those people who planned a home birth what % of them had x,y and z). The statistics are surprising how many more interventions are performed even if you're in a midwife led unit. This was also the study which came up with 40% transfer rate for first time mums, so it was surprising that even with 40% transfer, the number of interventions was so drastically lower.

I know as well that my family would completely and utterly be freaked out by this, so we woudn't tell them before. And possibly not after! OH will support me whatever I decide although he is a bit more nervous about a home birth than a normal one (but only about 10-20% by his comments).

Mess is not so much of a problem. We've recently bought our house and it needs redecorating pretty much top to bottom so I'm not attached to anything including the carpets

I also know that after all this baby might decide to turn breech or break its waters early or need to be induced or something similar, and all of this might go out the window!

Still welcoming any further comments as there might be something I've not thought of!!

Molly41

I am a retired Home Birth Midwife and only ever did births at home apart from my training. Im obviously very pro them but have a sensible head on as regards transferring in.

Some areas have specific teams dedicated to home birth and the facility should be available to every woman who has a trouble free and low risk pregnancy. A midwife is more likely to pick up any issues at a home birth because she only has one woman to look after and 15 minute obs/ listening in. Most issues with baby and women can be picked up in the early stages so should be plenty of time to transfer in. All midwives are trained and attend compulsory updates to manage obstetric emergencies at home and carry all necessary drugs and equipment.

i have to say that it is a totally different experience to birthing in hospital. Babies tend to come more easily because the woman is free to labour in any way she wants, any position and anywhere. I used to spend a lot of time following women around their gardens. Most women birth on all fours or propped up by partners or in the water = one way to guarantee a waterbirth is to hire a pool.

I cant talk you out of it as it is a wonderful way to give birth but it is a very individual decision and one that needs to be made with your midwife and family. Good luck and feel free to PM me x

Molly41

LittleMoog wrote: »

Just got a text from my sister telling me that she's pregnant again! :j So exciting, baby due in April. This is me now --->:D

Busy Grandma....I would love to be a Granny x

Rups32

morning all. how are you?

I am tried and grumpy and into work. meh..found out the work i was covering and still am, i made a mess of it. i dont really care.. also manager asked me about thinking of handing over my work! gladly!!! :0) if i manage to keep hold of my holidays, i can even leave at the end of novemrber and i am so inclined to do that.. so that would give me 2 months.. such a long time away

savage, reading yours and everyones comments, personally i think for me, as its my first, i wanted to go to the hospital as i have no clue of what to expect (already covered i know). Also i wanted the birthing pool and in case it doesnt work out, then there is help nearby. hope you can choose what you want. The hospi is around 10-15 mins drive away so who knows how i will end up getting transported there? hope its at a normal time where dh is around. eek!!

just tired and slept badly as usual with wee breaks. grumpy!!!

congrats on the news of your sister littlemoog. how exciting! cant wait till my little one arrives.

martafdz

Savage, I am also reading about hypnobirth, and I do believe most of the pain is produced by the fear itself. It is like when you expect tickles and you start laughing before anyone has touched you... but the opposite! If you are in good health and your partner/husband can stay with you and considering you are SO close to the main hospital... Idk, you could give it a try. My worry would be something going wrong and being 30 minutes in traffic, but in your case that is not possible. I will stay at home for as long as possible, I will get everything ready and then ask my husband to drive. My mum had problems and I want to be surrounded by doctors because of that; plus I do not mind being in hospital, but I am weird, I know.

I received an email today about a free hypnobirth taster session from "easybirthing", in Withington (Manchester). You need to register in advance if you want to go, it is the 25th of November, Sunday. It is a morning and you try a session, after which they probably will try to sell you the course, but you are free to say "no". Birthing partners are welcome, there will be a talk about hypnobirth followed by a sample session. I think tea and coffee are always available afterwards. After the lesson, you are offered to sign for the course but there is no obligation to do so.

This is the email I got from them on July:

There is a FREE session on [old date] at Didsbury Park Sure Start Centreand birth partners are welcome too. There will be a talk all about hypnosis for birth, followed by an actual hypnosis session. Tea and coffee will be avaiable afterwards too. At the session you will also have a chance to book on a hypnobirthing course, although there is no obligation to do so at all.


Here is some information about the actual group courses:

The courses are based on the easibirthing (R) method. Easibirthing (R) was developed in conjunction with UK midwives 15 years ago and has been used successfully since to help women have easier childbirth experiences. The method incorporates breathing, visualisation, hypnosis and relaxation to empower you to be calm and in control during your childbirth and in the postnatal period.

The course will enable you to eliminate negative thoughts and feelings relating to birth or previous experience so you will look forward to and enjoy your future experience of childbirth.

Easibirthing (R) is an evidence based model and research shows it to shorten labour time, reduce chances of medical intervention, reduce use of pain relieving drugs and reduce incidence of PND, to name but a few benefits. The group courses will have between 3 and 4 pregnant ladies (plus partners if they wish to come). I offer two sessions, briefly:

>> Basic session: Incorporates: Breathing, visualisation, deep relaxation, elimination of fear, staying in control
>> Advanced session: Incorporates: Managing sensation during stage 1, 2 and 3 of labour, breathing baby down, bonding with baby, efficient breast feeding and confident parenting.

Each session will be approx 4 hours long in a single block. You can just do the basic session if you wish, but if you do the advanced session, you need to do the basic session first. The cost of each group session is just £25 per pregnant lady, so £50 if you do both sessions (no extra charge if your partner comes) . I am able to offer such a low prices due to the support of the Sure Start Centre (usually such group courses cost about £200).

For all sessions, you will recieve printed information and a CD recording of all the hypnosis sessions for you to use at home.

Currently, the dates I have for the group sessions are:

Sunday [old date] 9am till 2pm (basic session)
Sunday [old date] 9am till 2pm (advanced session)
Sunday [old date] 9am till 2pm (basic session)
Sunday [old date] 9am till 2pm (advanced session)

If you prefer, I also hold one-to-one sessions at the Burton Road Clinic. These may be suited to those women (and partners) who have more specific fears/previous negative birth experiences or those who just prefer one-to-one. The cost of a basic course for one-to-one is £100 and for the full ourse, £190. These sessions are geared exactly to your needs and anxieties. If you would like to book on a one-to-one course you will be able to get a free consultation, please let me know.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you would like me to book you on the free session and/or directly onto a course, and also if you are bringing a partner.

Best Wishes,

Gouri
Please visit and like my new facebook page http://en-gb.facebook.com/ManchesterHypnotherapyAndReiki
www.manchesterhypnotherapyandreiki.co.uk

So I am guessing it is the same this time.

Rups, that is a lovely nursery, I wish I could aim to do something like that! : ) I must admit we are not having a nursery. I am using an old big set of drawers in light pine for the baby's clothes, an old desk in dark mahogany as changing table and the white moses. We will buy the cotbed in whatever colour is available, because all the rest is a different colour anyway. Plus my husband has there his two wardrobes, and I have my huge bookcases too. The plan is to save some money in the next 4-5 years and get one of those made-to-measure bedrooms, that way I will be able to put all my books in cupboards on the walls right up to the ceiling and we might get a better use of space than buying standalone coordinating furniture, plus maybe we put bunkbeds at that time if we have been busy making babies too! . So the baby will have to share the room with at least some of my books and his daddy's coats for a few years. I do not think it will be a problem, I shared the bedroom with my grandma until I was 7 years old, I think you do not get the idea of "property" or "privacy" or even "my bedroom" until around 5-7yo. I wish I had a bigger flat, but I don't, so for the time being it will have to do. We got rid of the double bed we had in there and I am moving some of my books to our room, but we cannot really move everything out of there, there is no space anywhere else being a two bedroom flat.

PurpleFairy26

Savage - I am planning a home birth and although this is my second, I planned one with my first. Unfortunately for me, I went to hospital with my DD as my waters broke and 36 hours later I still had no contractions so had to go and be induced. It was disappointing, but, the best thing for LO.

There were several reasons why I wanted a home birth and they haven't changed:

I'm comfortable with the fact that I know my body needs to do this and desire to have minimum intervention and I can have G&A and pethadine at home if I want to, which I had last time on REALLY cranked up induction drip
I want my DH to be with me for the whole process and afterwards - 1 big downside of hospital is if you give birth say in the middle of the night and they are busy and ship you quickly to a ward, DH will not be allowed to stay - I was really disappointed that he had to leave last time when DD was 6 hours old - not because I had any issues - I just wanted us to be together as a family
I want to be comfortable in my surroundings and not in that clinical environment - which even the 'home from home' rooms are
All of the midwifes I spoke to were really supportive, even with my first and I live 35 minutes from the hospital. They will clear up, you just need a shower curtain (I got a £1 from wilko) and some towels.

I hope you can make the decision that it right for you and your OH and LO.

HTH

Rups32

yes marta makes sense about the place and how much space you have. i guess in my head i want a nice room for the baby, but we are also lacking space, considering we live in a 3 bed house. we have so much clutter and well lots of stuff. we dont even have enough room for a proper wardrobe in our room so have those stupid argos temporary ones, which serve the purpose. that is why i have decided to chuck away clothes that dont fit me as i cant store them anywhere! maybe we need to think about a bigger house in the future, or get rid of our rubbish. dh is such a hoarder though!