MSE Pregnancy Club 28

littlesnuggy

<waves to everyone> Sorry I've been a bit absent, have had an on/off cold/cough for the last 10 days which has taken it out of me a bit and in the evenings I just flop out on the sofa and can't bring myself to type anything.

We put up our nursery furniture yesterday; took DH & I a total of 5 hours but 7 huge flatpack boxes became a cotbed and changing unit/drawers. Really happy with it and so excited that everything is coming together for baby's arrival! Still need to put the crib up and buy bedding for it all.

We also tested out the video monitor yesterday and seems to be fine, which is a relief as we agonised for ages over which one to get!

I'm 28weeks on Thursday. On Friday I have a growth scan (yay, can't wait to see him again!) but also have to have my anti-D shot (boooo), and blood tests tomorrow in advance of that. I managed to convince my normal midwife team to give the anti-D to my consultant clinic midwives to do on Friday so I don't have to have two appointments, but now I'm worried I might miss out on information they would normally give at the 28 week appt. Is there anything specific they do at 28 weeks?

Diamond_Orchid

39 weeks today :cool: Went to midwife today as she managed to squeeze me in, and tried a sweep but cervix still high and thick.
She said my pains meant baby engaging, and she is now 2/5 engaged.
She went easier with the internal, so hoping whoever does my induction, if needed, will also go slow and carefully.

Hardly slept last night, worrying about induction and MiL. Saw her yesterday, at her house, and she looks very thin and tired, as expected. I hope so much she gets better. My SiL's two kids also have some issues so there's a lot of worry going through my mind, besides the birth. I went back to bed after school run but still didn't sleep much, maybe an hour. I then woke up to a message from MW about fitting me in for the appointment today, so had to get up.

I can't wait to have her now, fed up with the acid/sickness etc. So excited to meet her.

Hope everyone else is OK, I will read back later x

devildolly5

LittleMoog wrote: »

They may *want* to monitor you the whole time, but you don't have to consent - there's a lot of debate about whether continuous monitoring is useful - it's not been shown to improve outcomes over intermittent monitoring with a handheld Doppler, and is known to increase interventions, and although they say you can be mobile, if they keep losing the trace on the day you may find yourself confined on/near the bed. http://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-based-fetal-monitoring/

A quick google pulled up this document http://usir.salford.ac.uk/30944/3/Respectful_care_for_women_with_a_high_BMI._Dignity_in_Childbirth_Forum_paper16th_October_2013__SDavies.pdf with advice on best practice for high BMI mothers - they specifically recommend avoiding CFM! Something to think about before your next consultant appointment. All the things they told you they would want are their recommendations, you can decide whether to accept or decline any aspect of care that is offered to you. They don't always make that obvious in discussions in my experience, although they are supposed to be giving you enough information to make an informed decision.

I had CFM with my DD as I was induced (it's indicated then, as baby more likely to be distressed by the process), and they couldn't get a good trace if I didn't stay still on the bed, which led to an epidural, and then a C-section. I intend to decline this time if labour begins spontaneously, and opt for intermittent monitoring by the MW unless there's cause for concern. I'm a lot more prepared to challenge hospital recommendations/policies this time around, as I feel my induction led to my c-section, and I was never offered the alternative of just waiting for labour to start with additional monitoring. It was very much, "you're 42 weeks, you must come in for induction now" with no discussion of the risks/benefits etc. I wish I'd been a bit more clued up on my rights and the evidence behind the policies. Might not have changed the outcome, but I wouldn't have been going into it blind.

Thanks for the links littlemoog. Being on my back on a bed is what I am dreading. Being a FTM I am not sure what I can or cant say no to. Having never been in the position before, I guess the tendency is to go with what the docs say, but when my instinct tells me to do something else, I am finding it hard to do that. I will definitely go into the next appointment a bit more clued up and ask more questions.

She also mentioned something about having to have an IV line in my hand the whole time, and she said it was because of the injection to remove the placenta, but I didn't think you needed an IV line for this? I might be mistaken but I think the IV line is in case they need to do an epidural? Any ideas anyone? Don't really want one in my hand the whole time, especially as it only takes a minute or so to put in. Seems like they set you up for a multi intervention birth before you even get a chance.

Diamond orchid, sorry to hear your feeling low. Its a really difficult time your going through, and your bound to be worried. Really hope MiL starts to recover. My FiL is also not too good. Needing more help for day to day tasks. Very difficult to see. He did say the the thought of a new baby is keeping him going, so really hoping baby is as close to due date as possible so he gets to see them as much as possible.

Littlesnuggly, I had my anti-D a few days after my GTT at 29 weeks. From what I can remember, the 28 week appointment is a pretty standard one, BP, urine test etc.

Pinkshoes, exciting news about the natural birth and being on maternity leave. After two MMC I am soooo thankful to be having just one, but a still a teensy bit jealous your getting two! So exciting.

snowball - looking forward to hearing the birth annoucement next week, and that everything goes OK. Hope your not in for christmas. Christmas day in hospital doesn't sound like fun, but your getting one of the best christmas presents going so all worth it in the end.

LittleMoog

devildolly5 wrote: »

Thanks for the links littlemoog. Being on my back on a bed is what I am dreading. Being a FTM I am not sure what I can or cant say no to. Having never been in the position before, I guess the tendency is to go with what the docs say, but when my instinct tells me to do something else, I am finding it hard to do that. I will definitely go into the next appointment a bit more clued up and ask more questions.

She also mentioned something about having to have an IV line in my hand the whole time, and she said it was because of the injection to remove the placenta, but I didn't think you needed an IV line for this? I might be mistaken but I think the IV line is in case they need to do an epidural? Any ideas anyone? Don't really want one in my hand the whole time, especially as it only takes a minute or so to put in. Seems like they set you up for a multi intervention birth before you even get a chance.

I very much went with whatever the Drs said last time, and I'm really doing a lot more research this time. I don't regret my CS, as DD was distressed (probably due to them breaking my waters and me being stuck on the bed with an epidural) so it was the right choice, but I also really really don't want another one! I found the recovery painful, and it was at least 12 weeks after the birth before I was pain free - I think I'm a slow healer!

I'd also consider refusing a routine cannula on admission. I had one fitted when I had my epidural with DD, as they may need to give you fluids etc. I know I'm likely to be offered one this time, as being a VBAC means they consider you "high risk". I found the cannula really painful and annoying, and they wouldn't take the blooming thing out until about 36 hours after my section which made trying to rearrange myself in bed etc even worse as it hurt my hand/wrist.

It's worth understanding that every aspect of maternity care is your choice, the consultant can tell you what their general policies/advice would be, and it sounds like they're treating you as "high risk" and want to manage you as such. They should be giving you sufficient information on the risks/benefits/alternatives for each option, as they must obtain INFORMED consent for all decisions. It's really up to you to decide what level of interventions you're happy with. You may not be allowed access to MLU or a birth pool (you can't demand care they won't offer), but you can make a plan to make the birth unit more comfy/cosy for you to help facilitate you being relaxed and able to follow your instincts. If you're concerned about the consultants recommendations, I'd suggest contacting the Supervisor of Midwives to discuss your birth plan - SOMs are senior midwives who's role is to advocate for women. YOu can call hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to the on duty SOM. There's also a small book by AIMS (association for improvements in maternity services) called "am I allowed?" which is helpful in knowing your rights and options in the maternity services.

LittleMoog

pinkshoes wrote: »

I managed to teach until 32 weeks and am now "enjoying" my 3rd week on maternity leave. I had a horrible cold the first week (and STILL feel rough), then DS was poorly the second week. Hoping to at least be lurgy free in time for the birth!

Having had quite an easy first 32 weeks of twin pregnancy, these last two weeks have exhausted me. I have acid reflux, which seems to have triggered my asthma, and then this endless supply of snot which is not helping. Did I mention back ache, and hip ache...?

Still, soldiering onwards and upto 22 days to go (induction booked for 5th Jan) if these babies don't decide to make an exit prior to this date.

I have opted to try for a natural birth, as the girl is head down and engaged. Boy is breach, but the position of the second baby isn't overly relevant with twins as once the first one is out, the 2nd has plenty of room to turn round to escape!

I am terrified of giving birth, but the pros/cons for natural birth (for the babies) outweight those for a c-section. The main one being that going down the birth canal helps remove the fluid from their lungs, so they are less likely to spend time in intensive care.

Obviously if twin nearest cervix decides to change to transverse or breach, I will have to have a c-section.

LittleMoog, I felt exhausted around 28 weeks, and my bloods showed really low iron levels. A month later and some yucky tablets that make your poo go black, and I feel a lot better, and can even stay awake until 10pm if I try!!

Am looking at my long list of things to do, but cannot quite muster up the energy to do them! Think I might have a cup of coffee and watch some TV before waddling down to pick up DS from school.

My younger sisters are twins PinkShoes and were born vaginally, following induction at 38 weeks. Twin 1 was breech as well. They were the biggest twins ever born in the hospital at the time (both well over 8lb!). The recovery would be so much better for you as well, I hope you can get your birth

I'm not sure if I'm anaemic, or if my thryoid might have gone out of whack, or if it's something else, but I do feel pants! Hopefully the bloods will show something up.

Rambosmum

I hope you feel better littlemoog - it could be thyroid or iron, or just being heavily pregnant in December! So hard to tell. Bloods should hopefully tell you something though.

I hope things get moving for you Diamond Orchid and that you MIL gets better soon.

Today is my last day in work, I finish at 2 for our team Christmas lunch and I cannot wait. Got a busy first week on mat leave tomorrow I've got carpet fitters coming to lay upstairs and I'm getting my hair done. Thursday I'm at the hospital, Friday is eyebrows and nails (such a hard life hey?) and on Saturday, whilst OH is at the cinema watching star wars I get to drive for 2 hours to collect his Christmas present. It's an electronic piano, so no idea where I'm going to hide it once it is back in the house!

Got last bits of Christmas presents to wrap and the odd stocking filler to buy but pretty much done, need to write a list for the Christmas food shop as we are hosting this year.

I've also got a UTI got antibiotics off the GP last night as it has been stopping me sleeping. I normally just ride them out with loads of fluids but this one has actually made me feel unwell.

Really looking forward to Thursday's lie in! I intend to eat breakfast in bed watching TV!

Rambosmum

Due Date list:

1. bellola – 5 December :female:
2. Diamond Orchid – 21 December :female:
3. Locky – 24 December ?
4. snow_ball – 28 December :male:
5. Hieveryone – 29 December ?
6. Littleskintdragon – 2 January ?
7. Rambosmum – 16 January ?
8. Devildolly5 – 19 January ?
9. frozenpenguin – 19 January :female:
10. TopQuark – 19 January :male:
11. Pinkshoes - 24 January :female: :male:
12. michbright – 27 January ?
13. Saffagal – 19 February ?
14. Pootle_3 – 27 February :female:
15. laura_hoggle – 4 March :female:
16. *niptuckfan* – 6 March ?
17. LittleMoog – 14 March ?
18. sweetilemon – 14 March ?
19. First.Time.Mummy – 6 April ?
20. MummyMelxx – 28 April ?

When you see this post do your pelvic floor exercises

Hospital Bag List here
Supplement List and Dosage here

***BIRTH LIST*** - Within the last month or so
Jwil 28/11/15 female 9lb 8oz.
MrsHaworth2b – :male: Mason – 15 November 9lbs
Just D – :female: – 9 September 7lb 6oz
Missyy76 – :female: Annabelle Hazel – 3 August 9lb 2oz
pm04gn – :female: Heather – 20 August 9lb 3oz
twinklie – :male: Henry Watson – 3 September 7lb 6oz
Wellyboots6 (aka katy721) – :female: – 21 September 7lb 3oz
Cath_Ster – :female: Alyssa Molly – 24 September 6lb 11oz
Kitten_Pie – :female: Rowena Hazel – 5 October 7lb 2oz

PROBABLY GIVEN BIRTH BUT TOO WORN OUT TO LOG ON TO LIST
[Allow 2 weeks after EDD before transferring to this list (Max 6 weeks)]
slowlyfading – 7 August
musogirl295 – 11 September :female:
tiny_courageous – 25 September :female:
clumsy_cupcake – 15 October
Nightsky224 – 16 October


CONTRACTION MASTER TIMER

Please post your birth stories here when you have time/energy

I updated the list as Jwil has given birth.

First day of mat leave for me! Yippee. Currently having a brew awaiting the carpet fitters.

Had a lovely day at work yesterday - it was our work Christmas lunch which they turned in to a surprise baby shower for me! Balloons, table confetti and presents. Amazing. Was very sad to leave.

LittleMoog

That sounds lovely Rambosmum, glad they gave you a good send off hope you're enjoying your first day of leave! I've just counted and realised I've still got 9 weeks to work when I go back after Christmas, seems like ages! I'm sure it will whizz by in the New Year, but I just want to finish now!

Bean83

littlesnuggy wrote: »

I'm 28weeks on Thursday. On Friday I have a growth scan (yay, can't wait to see him again!) but also have to have my anti-D shot (boooo), and blood tests tomorrow in advance of that. I managed to convince my normal midwife team to give the anti-D to my consultant clinic midwives to do on Friday so I don't have to have two appointments, but now I'm worried I might miss out on information they would normally give at the 28 week appt. Is there anything specific they do at 28 weeks?

I had my 28 week appointment yesterday (I'm 28 weeks tomorrow), so here is a brief summary of what it entailed:
Blood pressure
Urine
Baby's heartbeat
Blood test (to check iron levels)
Mentioned that I should book in for whooping cough vaccination at the doctor's, which can only be done after 28 weeks
Same usual questions about any unusual symptoms, etc.

So pretty much the same as always, apart from the blood test

LittleMoog

Afternoon ladies been for my first of 4 medical appointments in the next week, it's a pain in the bum that they can't do everything at one appointment! Especially when they always always run so late! So thryroid consultant trip today, dosage adjusted again, all well with baby, although a student midwife measured my fundal height without any supervision and came out with 29cm (I'm 27+3), which looks massive on the customised growth chart!. Will get it done by the MW at my 28 week appointment next week so will be interesting to see how well it corresponds.