[MommyKenny]

Hi ladies may I hop back in?  I'm slightly overdue, but we're hoping baby will come out anytime now.  OB gave me tips to induce naturally.  Any of you tried?  I'm also concerned that I might give birth alone.  Hospitals might not allow companions.  Any experience with this?

Congratulations to the new mommies!  We might need to be in another thread!

 

[hannahdaisy]

Omnom - It's very intense isn't it! Glad that you're enjoying it and getting lots of snuggles! Yes, tell me about it, went to Tesco yesterday and still no tissues apart from the small travel packs of Kleenex. Did manage to get a 4 pack of toilet rolls though, woohoo! Hated being in the shop though, so paranoid just can't get any online shopping slots now. Managed to get a Sainsburys one last weekend completely by chance for the next day, pure luck, and a few weeks ago I got an Asda slot but not for over another week. No choice but to go shopping.

MommyKenny - hoping baby may have made an appearance! Our hospital was still normal for visitors when Raffy was born, but I've seen that they've now said you can have one birthing partner and then they need to leave 1hr after baby is born and they can't come back at all to visit. Each hospital seems to have different rules though, maybe check their website?

 

[katkat2014]

Maeve congratulations!! How are you getting on?

Mommykenny, any news from you yet?

Omnomnom and hannadaisy, how are you and your little ones?

Please see this link everyone which is a petition regarding the right to have a birth partner with you during covid and so that women won't have to birth / c section etc alone. This may not make a difference anyway but if you don't try you don't win. I don't understand what the reasoning behind not having a birth partner really is. Often you live with the birth partner anyway so if one is infected then the other will most likely be too..or if the woman catches it at hospital she would probably pass it on to the birth partner as someone has to pick them up at hospital.

http://chng.it/fKV7mVM4wv

 

[ally389]

Maeve congratulations!! So pleased for you x x x

 

[ally389]

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well and safe.
We are all right, 37 weeks on Wednesday and cannot believe we are here. Nursery ready, just have to sort out our bedroom and find space for the cot. I had my midwife appointment yesterday which went well, seeing her again in 2 weeks time. Last day at work on Thursday and looking forward to some time off ..
May i ask whether any of you were told that due to IVF, you are in the high risk category? My midwives and consultants haven't mentioned anything like this but my cousin, who has had a still birth a couple of years ago - past 40 weeks told me that a very good friend of her who is a midwife advised that I should have had already in place an induction date on my actual due date. I requested a TC with a consultant to discuss this further but I am little bit confused on what to do. Should I wait until the LO decides to come even though this is over 40 weeks or should I request an induction just to make sure she arrives here safe? So confused 

x x x

 

[katkat2014]

Hey ally congrats on your 37 weeks! i am told as am over 40 and due to IVF they'd want to induce before 40 weeks. But I did some research and looking just at IVF then this seems to depend on how the IVF was done. As far as I understood it if you had a frozen transfer into a normal natural lining this should be treated like just any conception. If you had full stims and fresh transfer then this would then mean you'd fall into the more high risk category, think something to do with implantation, drugs and placenta. But please don't just take my word for it, better to read up on it and discuss with the MW.

 

[ally389]

Thanks Kat, much appreciated. I will be 39 next month so not too far away from 40. Had also a fresh cycle followed by the pregnancy. Will have a look online.
How are you feeling?
x x x

 

[katkat2014]

I'm fine, 36+2 weeks and scan again next week. I'm also pondering the induction thingy. Ideally I'd want the little one just to come on her own but a stillbirth really scares me. I've done the NCT class and there they kept on saying about how a placenta technically doesn't age but that factors like having a big baby (which we have) and other things would be the only thing that could warrant an induction if you're fit and healthy.. other than that the stats aren't that bad apparently and it's much better to have a natural birth. I don't know if it's better to just book an induction, get over the fact there may not be a nice calm birth (birth centres are closed anyway) and be at peace with the fact that this could mean use of forceps, ventouse, epidural, potentially c section and/or a lot of pain (I'm not painting a very nice picture here aren't I) but that baby comes out safely which really is the most important thing. What are your thoughts on inductions? I know someone where it all went well without any other interference and I know someone who ended up with an emergency c section.

 

[ally389]

I totally agree ... i do want a nice relaxing birth (we have done 2 sessions of hypnobirthing too before all this madness started), but all i want is a healthy baby so I wouldn't mind an induction. I think if I was to go over the 40 weeks my anxiety would get bad. I also prefer C-section over forceps and I did mention it to the MW. The MW said that she will ask for a consultant to call me ... still waiting.
x x x

 

[hannahdaisy]

Kat - we're ok thanks! It's just very tricky trying to entertain a 2yr old while you're stuck indoors for 23hrs a day! I usually take him to the shops, out in the car, to see family and friends, toddler groups, nursery, the park, soft play etc so it must be quite frustrating for him being indoors and then just walking around where we live. Baby Rafferty is good, getting so alert and has started to coo and gurgle like he's trying to talk to you.

Ally - my hospital didn't class IVF as high risk but I've also heard that from other people. I heard that it was because the placenta stops functioning so well from 40 weeks. We know our exact date of conception so know exactly when 40 weeks is, whereas with natural conception you can't be sure. Not sure if it's true though. Well done on the 37 weeks, not long to go now!

I had an induction at 38+5 with my first pregnancy, which ended with an emergency section. They tried the pessary first for 24hrs and it didn't work, then tried the gel and that didn't work so got taken to labour ward to have my waters broken which they found really tricky because I was only about 1cm dilated. Looking back I just think it's because he wasn't ready to come out yet! Wish they'd just given me a section to start with because they were saying that they thought he was too big for my body anyway.

Maybe see what your midwife/hospital says about induction? I think to start with, if things are all going well and everyone is healthy they'd normally book you in for a sweep.

 

[ally389]

Hi Hannahdaisy, glad Baby Rafferty is doing well, it must be amazing being a family of four  It must be tricky to entertain your LO ... also it is so hard to find a way to explain the whole situation I should think.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I've just been informed that a consultant will call me next week, which is good. I will keep you all updated.
In the meantime lots of positive vibes to everyone during these worrying times.
x x x

 

[hannahdaisy]

It's lovely to be a family of four and I'm so grateful that my partner is having all of this extra time at home with me and the boys. Just tough at times and then all we can do sometimes is look at eachother and laugh!

Yes, that's good. What are you hoping that the consultant will say?

Raffy is a month old tomorrow, can't believe it.

 

[Omnomnom:)]

I definitely need to find more time to keep in touch 🙈.

Hope we're all keeping well and staying safe!

HD - How's little Raffy? I bet you're smitten! Completely agree with you when it comes to having your partner home. It's made everything so much easier. How's Fin adjusting to having a little brother around? How are they seriously a month old, honestly?...

Ally - I was considered high risk due to it being IVF but I was advised that they would remove me from this category if everything progressed normally. It was never mentioned again after my initial consultation. Glad to hear someone else tried hypnobirthing. I think it was invaluable for the early labour. I have to admit that I struggled to remember everything I was taught the more intense it became. I know it's not for everyone but if you could have a birthing pool, I honestly cannot recommend them enough. If/when I have another baby, I would seriously consider setting one up at home if the pregnancy was going well! They're just brilliant.

Katkat & Ally - I'm going to upload my birthing story soon. I haven't held back on details so I'm pre-warning you but I think it might help other first time mums. Apparently my labour is very similar to one that has been induced so it might offer an insight into that too. Wishing you both the best of luck no matter how these little ones arrive.

 

[Omnomnom:)]

https://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=403925.0

Like I said, a little graphic but it might be insightful 😘 or at the very least, just a very honest account of my labour and birth.

 

[ally389]

Thank you Omnomnom, very useful to read your story. I've only done 2 sessions of Hypnobirthing as the other 2 were cancelled because of everything going on. I should really meditate more in the evenings. I glad you are keeping well and the LO is all right.

Hannah - it's definitely easy to have our partners at home even though the circumstances aren't ideal.
I've had to go in on Friday as the movement was reduced and they monitored me for 30 min. The heartbeat seemed fine and having a scan on Tuesday. She's more active than Thursday and Friday, but still can't say that I'm not worried. The consultant I've seen after the monitoring said that I might be induced at 39 weeks. It's not ideal as I would've wanted a natural birth in the birth centre but I will be glad if she arrived earlier. All I want her to be here and healthy
x x x

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[ally389]

Hi everyone. My scan went well. She weights 3kg at the moment and her measurements are fine. That’s a relief. My blood pressure was on the high side so they kept me in for monitoring. After a few hours they discharged me and I have to have my blood pressure taken again at the GP today. I’ll have a TC with the consultant to talk about a potential plan later on today.
I hope you all well x x x


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[hannahdaisy]

Omnom - a very interesting read so glad that everything went well for you. Can really never tell what will happen and it's lovely when people have a positive story to share. Raffy is good thank you, had a go at weighing him today on the bathroom scales and he seems to be 10lb 6oz now, good to see that he's putting on weight. I used to like going to get Fin weighed each month and having the HV check him. Fin is doing well too thank you. He likes to try and put a bottle or dummy in Raffy's mouth sometimes and isn't the most gentle, but he's trying, bless him!

How is Beaux? Are you already noticing differences? Raffy is now gurgling and cooing away and has started to smile, so exciting!

Ally - great that measurements and movements have all turned out to be fine. How did your chat with the consultant go?

 

[katkat2014]

Hey ally how are you? Do you have a plan in place? I'm so unsure of what to do. As am over 40 years old they suggest induction or c section at 39 weeks (plus we have a huge baby). I'd like to try for natural birth and at least give baby a chance to come till due date. Today tried this sweep to get the cervix soft/ready but baby was too high up and couldn't be done yet so was told she's not ready to come. Am terrified that am making the wrong choice by waiting and giving baby at least till due date or a couple of days over to make their entrance as at over 40 they don't tend to wait longer than till 39 weeks...

 

[ally389]

Good morning, I’m so sorry for not keeping you updated but it has been a full on week. Last Wednesday I had to go to have my BP checked again. After a whiled day of monitoring I was told that due to Hugh BP, reduced movement, Ivf and age they offer me induction that’s day, Thursday or Friday. My DH was waiting all this time in the car park as he wasn’t allowed in the hospital. After discussing with him we decided to stay at the hospital and go for the infraction. We thought we would be too stressed at home and we wouldn’t be able to get any rest.
So my induction started last Wednesday at 6pm, 2am contractions started and 5am my waters broke, 6am moved to take Delivery unit. My contractions were vert powerful at this stage and my husband could come and Joon me as I was in active labour.
At 7am was only diluted 2 cm, same measurements at 10am. By this time the contractions were very strong and could. They said that they would need to put me on the Oxytocin drip. This is when I decide to ask for epidural as I couldn’t take it anymore. I had 3 nights of not sleeping and I was exhausted. I practiced the Hypnobirthing affirmations and tried to embrace the affirmations as much as I could.
At 5pm I was fully dilated and I started to push, the midwife could even see/feel baby’s head. At 5:15pm several members of staff came in the room saying that we have to move ASAP to the theatre as baby’s heart had dropped from 180 to 80 and that the position was upside down.
I was going to have forceps! This is the only intervention I mentioned in my birth plan I didn’t want to have.
At 17:45 we go to the theatre and at 18:12 Alice Maria Helene was born weighing only 2,540 kg .. she is gorgeous. We were in so much shock as everything developed so quickly.
We came back from hospital only yesterday. My BP is very high and they had me under monitoring. Taking 9 pills a day for high BP and I really hope this is pregnancy related and not a long term condition. Initially they thought it is preeclampsia. The MW will come around our today to measure it again and tomorrow will have to go back to the hospital for other checks.
Xxx


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[katkat2014]

First of all my heartfelt congratulations ally, on the birth of your daughter!!

Wow what a whirlwind experience and at times scary, but all that counts really is that the little one got here safely in the end. The more I learn and hear about this the more I realise that nothing really ever goes according to plan. I'm so surprised that on your last scan they measured the weight so differently to what she weight at birth in the end!

I hope that your BP goes back to normal and that it was just pregnancy related!

You know in my birth wish list it also says forceps last resort, ideally no epidural, but I know now that there is a high chance that it will pan out this way or c section.

I hope your check up went ok and that you can start looking forward very soon. Keep us updated how it goes!