MSE Pregnancy Club 28

arbrighton

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

So my blood type came back as A- and they tested my partners blood, we have since found out his parents are both O type blood so if he happens to be O- will that mean I won't need to have any injections? Although I know it's really unlikely I'm just wondering in general (and hoping as I'm terrified of needles!)

We also found out my placenta is at the front and that I probably won't feel movements until about 24 weeks, I'm so confused as I thought I'd been feeling movements since at least 15 weeks!

You'll only need Anti-D if OH is anyletter positive blood type. I have mine on friday (and you've reminded me to go and check with bit of hospital that's in, thanks!)

They did mention where placenta was at my 2nd scan, and it's been noted at each growth scan since.

But yes, the kicking can sometimes be quite 'intense'

firebird082

Growth scan this morning was all good news - placenta has moved right up and out of the way, and baby's estimated weight is 4lb1oz, so below average, but in keeping with previous measurements (and husband's average family size!). So we'd better get on with the rest of the preparations - suddenly 8 weeks seems like no time at all :eek:

How's everyone else doing?

penguingirl

That's great news firebird, and must be a weight off your mind.

I've been a bit up and down the last few days, finish work on Friday and finding it harder than I expected- feel like I'm giving up lots of things that were important to me and tbh I am just fed up being pregnant as tired, my back hurts, frustrated with my energy, got heartburn etc so was a bit gloomy. OH asked me yesterday what I was looking forward about having our baby and I just burst in tears and said I couldn't think of anything, which of course isn't true, just felt it at the time. Got to love these hormones!

But I'm feeling much more positive today. Carpet is being fitted as I type, so we can then build nursery furniture. Furniture for our bedroom is being delivered next week. I've also got a group health visitor appointment next week. Maternity leave seems to be filling up with things already!

arbrighton

Did my volunteering stint at the school garden club today. With holidays/ hospital, I hadn't been in a month so there were a few bump size comments (and one set of touching)

I am probably dehydrated today which may explain what I suppose are Braxton Hicks being quite obvious/ frequent today.

Going to rest up for the rest of the evening as I also did garden centre with mum after (damnit stomach must be squished, couldn't eat the whole cake!!!) and have planted some of my new stuff today. Husband has gone straight from work to cinema to see something I don't want to see, so if I want to just eat a bit of toast, I can.

snowscreamer

31 weeks today; time is flying by! Really really enjoying our antenatal classes. Learnt so much about latent and active phases of labour and how to best cope that just isn't widely publicised. Amazing in these days of abundant information how you can read so much and yet understand so little! Actually now really looking forward to labour and both of us feel like we know exactly what to do and when for a smooth progression.

Sad that it's our last class next week but equally looking forward to it as it's the babycare session. So much focus on a few hours of labour and really that's over in a blink and then babycare lasts for months! Hopefully will learn some more that has passed me by during my own research.

My third trimester symptoms seem to have calmed down (either that or I have very quickly got used to them!) so I'm hoping this continues... 6 weeks left at work. But I am still loving my job so by no means counting down. Ended up running for the train again today though (self inflicted - poor timekeeping!) so not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep that up!!

Sorry to those struggling with physical or emotional symptoms at the moment. We are really so nearly there and we'll be holding our beautiful babies before we know it!

firebird082

snowscreamer wrote: »

Learnt so much about latent and active phases of labour and how to best cope that just isn't widely publicised. Amazing in these days of abundant information how you can read so much and yet understand so little! Actually now really looking forward to labour and both of us feel like we know exactly what to do and when for a smooth progression.

Do tell! I've got my own ideas, but no-one ever wants to tell anything but horror stories... :mad:

snowscreamer

firebird082 wrote: »

Do tell! I've got my own ideas, but no-one ever wants to tell anything but horror stories... :mad:

Luckily our class is a horror story free zone. But where to begin to try to share it with you...

Main points:
Latent phase of labour (0-4cm dilated) - be lazy; rest, relax, limited distractions, eat little and often and drink lots of water. You might not feel like eating much so ask OH to offer you small manageable bites regularly whether or not you are hungry. Go to the loo every hour (get OH to remind you as again may not feel the urge).
This is to ensure you are fully energised for the active phase of labour - so no moving around; at this stage it is counterproductive. Doesn't help progress but could cause exhaustion later which is problematic. Conscious brain is switched on at this point and you can have normal conversations.

Active phase of labour (4-8cm dilated) - this is when you need to phone hospital (assuming no other issues e.g. waters broken when you should phone immediately). Main way to tell you are in active phase - conscious brain switches off and conversation becomes monosyllabic. Get OH to watch out for this and phone hospital. Don't do anything that requires conscious brain as will slow down labour. So no intellectual or plot-twist TV etc. Limit adrenaline by staying calm as adrenaline slows down labour and increases pain. Some adrenaline spikes (e.g. arriving at hospital) are inevitable but limit them. Dim lights in hospital room and put on music that you like to relax too (whatever this is!) to promote relaxation. In this phase it is important to regularly reposition (birthing ball, leaning on bed, squatting on peanut ball etc) to open up the pelvis in different directions. But keep it calm and gentle so not to waste energy. Don't try to fight your conscious brain switching off - this is what's meant to happen. Fighting it will prolong labour. You are in control if you allow your subconscious to take over.

Think that's a reasonable summary of what I took away? Midwife told us that about 50% of their epidurals are due to exhaustion and it's totally avoidable. Nothing wrong with an epidural for pain but it's a shame to have to have an unnecessary medical procedure because you exhausted yourself or didn't eat enough in the early stages.

Absolutely fascinating; had heard none of the above before the classes!

firebird082

Ah, that is interesting, and matches pretty well with what we learnt in our hypnobirthing class. Certainly the stuff about making sure to eat and keep hydrated - exhaustion certainly seems to be an avoidable complication if you understand what is going on during the various stages.

We haven't been to our NCT or NHS classes yet - they are all in May. The horror stories are all from colleagues and acquaintances... I've been ignoring them

arbrighton

Great summary thanks snow

newthrift

I started writing last night but my brother popped by and I forgot to post.
Firebird - glad the growth scan went well and placenta has moved, that must be a relief.
Penguin / arbrighton - I feel your pain with emotions and tiredness
Snow - excellent summary thank you.

Back and well whole body ache along with tiredness and rubbish sleep has arrived, i've been feeling it this last week but hoping to pick up soon.
Cotbed set up and nursery coming together. Still keep finding little bits we haven't brought yet haha.