★ October & November 2020 Hedgehogs ★

[JessdueJan]

Eurgh... Heartburn and anxiety got me sat up at 4am watching pointless TV

Baby was a monkey again today and I ended up in preg assessment with reduced movement. Took over an hour to meet the criteria to come off the ctg trace monitor.
I have appointment with consultant tomorrow but I think its a phone appointment only due to a spike in cases in my area and it's stressing me because that means she won't see the notes from my trips to pregnancy assessment and be able to discuss them in detail with me. I'm hoping I can ring and speak to somebody first thing in morning and request a face to face one if I explain how anxious I am.

I have a scan at lunchtime tomorrow too to check fluid levels and cord blood flow.

I'm hoping tiredness is contributing to the fact I'm an absolute emotional wreck right at this moment and things won't seem as bad in the morning xx

 

[Joannaxoxo]

Mask at labour - I'm hoping I can take it off during the pushing phase but we will see. Perhaps when no doctors or nurses are in the room we can take the masks off... I can't imagine sleeping in it too

Catmum - I hope things are going well in hospital. Surely if Bonnie is measuring 40 weeks already they won't let you go much longer?

Azure - I'm glad your feeling better now. I seem to go through phases during this pregnancy when I'm nice and regular and then go almost 4-5 days without being able to go. Must be a combination of what I'm eating and hormone fluctuations. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen to you again.

Jess - Hopefully your assessment and scan goes well today.

AFM - I think baby might have moved out of head down last night... he was a right wiggle monster last night while I was trying to sleep and his movements felt different then usual. If he did flip, hopefully he's flipped back head down again. My doctor will be monitoring baby's position before and during labour to make sure I don't have another breach baby, otherwise VBAC option is off the table. But at 35+3 weeks he's hopefully got some time to flip back down.

 

[Fern81]

Jess- sorry that baby is causing you anxiety I’m glad everything seems to be ok so far, hope the blood flow etc measures fine and that you get a face-to-face consult; can they perhaps scan and email your results to your caregiver? Or share it somehow? Keep us updated!

Joanna if I were you I’d rip off the mask if it gets to be too much and let them just *try to put it back on me lol. Hope baby turns head down!

Mine is definitely head down with feet top left. He’s facing forward though. Lying EXACTLY like ds1 did which caused me to have trouble progressing in labour (before being induced) because he didn’t put the correct pressure on my cervix... or something. I hope he turns and faces backwards and comes down nicely. He still has lots of time.

Catmum you haven’t had it easy during this pregnancy for sure!! Wow what a dilemma with your due date and date to move being on top of each other! Will they do a cs earlier than 39 weeks at all?

Azure- glad you’re feeling better!

I’m having a difficult day emotionally, anxiety is eating me up and I’m exhausted. It’s hectic at school due to me now having to try do do as much work as possible before I leave- other teachers get to keep teaching and doing revision until November but whenever I ask about a substitute teacher to do the same for my learners then I get straight out ignored!! My learners are going to get the WORST marks... I’m assuming there is NO sub teacher coming... I’m just fed up with the stress of the year, really it’s been terrible.

BH- so sore and so frequent these days! I won’t be surprised if at my 35 week checkup my cervix is shortened or something already! Anyone else struggling with bh?? Pineberry I know you are!

Compression socks- couldn’t find any over the weekend but it’s getting really hot with temps rising up to 30 deg C (and still only spring) which I’m happy about but I’m starting to wonder whether socks will work in this heat. I think I’ll borrow my mom’s instead of buying, in case I find I can’t use them.

Anyone else who have done/are planning on doing a scent-free birth? I did last time (wash and moisturize only with unscented products including hair products & roll-on) so baby isn’t overwhelmed and can smell my skin. Also- everything that touches me or baby is washed in baby laundry detergent and then rinsed twice to get rid of as much product as possible, including my linen etc. And I will do so this time as well. Is it common or weird? I guess I’m used to being careful about perfumed products after 2x ivf; my clinics expected me to be scent-free/no perfumes during egg collection and embryo placement so I kinda associate no perfumes with baby going in and coming out I guess.

 

[Flueky88]

Catmum and Jess sorry for all the stress.

Joanna I don't think I could labor with a mask on. I mean I could for a minute or so when a worker is in the room but no way during pushing.

Sorry ladies, I had written a post earlier yesterday but didn't save all I'd typed up.

AFM we are under contract with the land we put an offer on. Also, saw a pelvic floor therapist yesterday. They recommended I wear a support belt so found mine last night. Helping a ton already. My muscles are tight so she wants me to focus on trying to relax my muscles instead of kegels at this point.

Baby E seems to be pretty active so no worries there. So happy that I only have 2 months left now. It's going to be a long 2 months though.

 

[Joannaxoxo]

Fern - BH contractions... yes I've got loads of them. They haven't picked up in numbers (I get half a dozen a day) but the intensity of them has changed. They are certainly stronger in the last 2 weeks. And I've also noticed then when my bladder is full it seems to trigger an intense BH contraction if pushed on. Not sure why but it happens occasionally.

Flueky - I always forget about kegels! I should be doing them because after my first was born I couldn't void my bladder for a few days ... I guess everything was swollen and the feeling was lost. I wasn't accidentally peeing but my body was holding everything in. So I had to have a catheter inserted several times to empty my bladder... which was very painful! Oh the joys of childbirth lol. I'll try to remember to do some kegels now!

 

[Flueky88]

Fern I've been having BH or irregular contractions here and there. I expect to dilate partially before labor starts. I think I was 3cm and 80% or fully effaced at my 39 week appt with my 2nd.

I never wear perfume but do use scented products so will continue to use. I don't think it's strange how you feel though.

Joanna, yes, I thankfully could pee after my 1st but I did have some incontinence before sitting on commode for a week or two after her. No issues after my 2nd. I just got to the point where I'd sneeze and doing a kegel wouldn't stop any leakage or urine. I think my muscles are wore out having babies so quickly.

 

[Catmumof4]

Hi all hope your all well.

Bh suck big time I'm really feeling them this time round, whether it's because my body has had too much practice or the fibromyalgia pain makes it seem worse I don't know but iv decided they suck lol

My pelvic floor is also a bit of a joke. When iv had Bonnie and recovered for a bit I will finally suck up the courage to go Drs about it because it's really bad these days..

Thank you for your concern ladies nice to feel like I can vent, i do need your opinions though....

So I have the vbac vs c section debate going on and no-one is able to help me decide so far. With the move date being on too of my due date if I have a section that will b about 38-39 weeks and give me a couple weeks to get back on my feet but won t b 100%. With natural labour it wipes me out because of the chronic fatigue part of the fibromyalgia and with her being a lot bigger that leaves me open to things like an epistonomy and shoulder distocia sorry for the spellings lol and forceps so I could be recovering from that.... I just don't know what to do and it's really starting to get me down. I have my appointment at 10am Mon to tell them what I want and I literally have no idea. Please please please give me some advice or insight.. xxx

 

[Catmumof4]

P.s 36 weeks tomorrow!!! Massive milestone !!

 

[Fern81]

Flueky are you wearing a pelvic support band or one of those that support your tummy?

Catmum that’s a really tough one. Does your medical team have any advice for you? Idk what to tell you... honestly if it was me personally and I was so stressed out by the thought of vbac under the circumstances, I’d go for the repeat cs. Will you have enough help when you guys are moving house? Thinking of you hun, it sounds really, really tough. Xxx

 

[Joannaxoxo]

Catmum - that’s a tough decision. I remember my csection took me about 2 weeks to feel mostly myself (although 6-8 weeks to feel mostly recovered). How long will the exhaustion and fibromyalgia would it take for you to recover after a VBAC? Recovery is what I keep in mind. However if shoulder distocia is the main issue with the VBAC I’d be leaning towards the csection.

I’m still hoping for my VBAC but it depends on if my baby is head down this time and also that my body goes into labour naturally. I can’t be induced. So many things to think about with delivery. I hope you make the right decision for you.

 

[Catmumof4]

Thank you ladies for the replies it's such a hard situation to plan for. I think I'm leaning more toward section but I have no idea. 4 days to make up my mind and I just cant! I'm so stressed out!!

Joanna I really hope u get your vbac xx

 

[Pineberry]

BH- so sore and so frequent these days! I won’t be surprised if at my 35 week checkup my cervix is shortened or something already! Anyone else struggling with bh?? Pineberry I know you are!

Yes, I'm totally in the the same boat! I've been super sore lately (despite having been relatively active throughout my pregnancy, to the gym until 35 weeks, and talking walks every day) and TONS of BH contractions - well I've had them for a long time, think it started around 22 weeks, but those last few weeks they've been inteeeense and one day I counted them with an app... Had 52 BH contractions in one day lol!!

I've done some third trimester stretches/yoga I found on youtube and I must say that my soreness has decreased a little since doing that!

About unscented birth - never heard of that before, but now reading about it it makes a lot of sense! I may pick up some unscented deo/body wash etc. when I'm at the store next time, as it does make sense that that would be better for the baby.

@CatMum - sorry you're having to make such a tough call. I really dont have any super useful advice to offer unfortunately, especially since I'm a first time mom and can't speak from experience at all. Since your bub is measuring so large still, I'd perhaps lean toward the cs just to eliminate the risk of shoulder dystocia and such.

@AzureOrchid - Aww so glad you had a lovely shower and got tons of awesome stuff! Also, have fun with the baby shopping - I admire the fact you were patient for that long! I started buying things at 13 weeks hahah no self-control. And good on you starting maternity leave earlier. I stopped working 3 weeks ago and it’s been the best decision ever!

What’s everyone else’s hospital/birth center partner policy atm?

It’s soo different from hospital to hospital here in Lisbon, but the one I’ll give birth at we’ll both have to do a covid test once we arrive at urgent care to be admitted to L&D. My partner’s test results will take about 2 hours during which he won’t be allowed upstairs with me (hope baby doesn’t come super fast & he misses the birth, ahh!).

Of course only if the covid test is negative, he’ll be allowed to the birth and into our private room and not permitted to leave the hospital until we’re discharged.

__

AFM - no real progress yet, but I’ve had slightly increased red spotting yesterday, as well as mild lower back pain. And, period-type cramps the last two nights and mornings. All of which sounds like labor is coming soon, but I just want it to start already especially since bub is on the larger side!

This morning and yesterday morning I could have sworn that I had mild contractions! They felt slightly painful, not like BH. But they always stop once I get up from bed so that’s been disappointing. Would really like to go into labour naturally before the membrane sweep that is scheduled for Monday.

Also, sorry for the lack of activity here! Pregnancy insomnia has hit me soo hard these past couple weeks, I am barely sleeping these days and just feel utterly tired & drained the majority of the day, which results in me not wanting/ feeling able to type out long responses. I do read everybody’s posts and updates though

Based on my symptoms I do feel like labor is close, will definitely let ya guys know once things are happening for real. Latest Monday anyway!

 

[Flueky88]

Cat, I would probably lean towards a CS but would you consider an induction? Regardless, you shouldn't be moving anything after a couple weeks postpartum. I'm sure you know this and I know us moms do what we have to o sometime but you don't need to do that kind of strenuous activity so close postpartum.

Fern it's a pelvic support band. You wear it just under your hip bone. It helps support my bump though so it relieves some of the pressure. I also have a postpartum support garment, I used it a few times after dd2.

Joanna really hoping you get your VBAC

Pine, I've been waiting to hear your birth announcement lol. I don't think itll be much longer. As far as a membrane sweep, I had one with my 2nd and it wasn't bad at all. It was mildly uncomfortable but not bad. I have never been bothered by cervix checks either though.

 

[Joannaxoxo]

Pine - it does sound like your body is gearing up for labour. I remember with my first that for about 12 hours before I went into "active labour/when my water broke" I was having this pain that I described as an elastic band tightening through my uterus and cervix. I didn't realize it was early labour at the time though.

52 BH contractions in one day?! I guess if I counted mine I might be having more than I think, but I was thinking around a dozen a day. Intensity of them have certainly increased though. I might actually count them tomorrow to do a comparison.

AFM - had a check up yesterday and got a swab for Group B Strep. I'll get the results on Monday and we will also be doing an ultrasound to check if baby is head down. I assume my following appointment (between 37-38 weeks) we might be doing the first stretch & sweep if baby is in the right position of course.

I was also told that because of COVID they are inducing people at 39 weeks or booking ultrasounds... so since they won't induce me due to being a VBAC that if I don't go into labour naturally by 39 weeks I'll probably get booked in for a c-section. I'm not going to worry about this because they are out of my control... my ultimate goal is a healthy mom and baby so I will accept which ever way this baby is delivered.

 

[Fern81]

Pineberry sounds like a few days at most...!!! Wait, do you mean that if your partner has a positive test he won’t be allowed at the birth??

Flueky I do have a pregnancy bump support band... it sounds a bit similar but it’s around the lower part of my bump though not my hips. It’s been lying in the cupboard but you’re making me think about trying it to relieve some pain.

Joanna- fab attitude about the birth, we can only do só much planning right!

Azure I still wanted to say I’m glad you enjoyed your shower!

I had a chat with my husband regarding maternity leave and he basically said he doesn’t care if I take leave 2 weeks earlier in other words not return to school after the holiday. I’ll be 36 weeks then. I’m very tempted but it’s a few thousand Rands’ pay that I won’t be getting if I miss those 2 weeks. I don’t know if I mentioned it on here but the financial manager at my school has finally let me know that I won’t be getting any maternity leave pay. I will have to claim unemployment and hope it pays out (our governmental unemployment insurance fund, toward which we all have to pay a compulsory amount each month, like tax, completely fell apart during covid lockdown and stopped paying out to people with legitimate claims so I’m not expecting anything). Soooo we’ll see but the opportunity is there for me to quit a bit earlier. I had a horrible sickly day yesterday but today was fine again. I’ll just have to wait and see how my body copes by then.

 

[Fern81]

Our holiday and my major nesting week starts next Wednesday! Yay!

 

[Pineberry]

Pine, I've been waiting to hear your birth announcement lol. I don't think itll be much longer. As far as a membrane sweep, I had one with my 2nd and it wasn't bad at all. It was mildly uncomfortable but not bad. I have never been bothered by cervix checks either though.

That's good to hear it wasn't uncomfortable! Though I dont think i'd mind if it was- I was ecstatic when my doc offered to do it at all I dont like the idea of an unnatural induction (by being given hormones) so a membrane sweep sounds perfect. Just hope it works, but my doc is optimistic!

I was also told that because of COVID they are inducing people at 39 weeks or booking ultrasounds... so since they won't induce me due to being a VBAC that if I don't go into labour naturally by 39 weeks I'll probably get booked in for a c-section. I'm not going to worry about this because they are out of my control... my ultimate goal is a healthy mom and baby so I will accept which ever way this baby is delivered.

My hospital does the same! Not letting women go past 39 weeks due to covid. Not sure what the correlation is, but interesting. Also, really good/healthy attitude that you have about birth it's true, as long as our bubs are healthy it doesn't really matter how they came out.

Pineberry sounds like a few days at most...!!! Wait, do you mean that if your partner has a positive test he won’t be allowed at the birth??

Noo haha - I meant only with a negative test result (not having covid) he’ll be able to be with me during the birth

Sorry about the situation with work, that’s terrible you won’t be getting any pay during maternity leave. I think that’s incredibly inhumane.. being supported financially after birth should be a given everywhere. If you somehow can hold out a little more I’d probably do it if it meant having that extra bit of financial gain, but not if you’re struggling physically and emotionally/ mentally... Being healthy is more important, both for you and your bub. I’m glad you’ll be on holiday soon

 

[JessdueJan]

Happy Friday ladies! Hope you're all well!
@Pineberry you do sound like you're headed in the right direction for labour. Fingers crossed the sweep sets you off, stay as active as possible after it and you should be good to go.
I am allowed two sweeps from 38 weeks onwards so counting down the days now, haha! Xx

 

[Catmumof4]

Hey all, pine sounds so exciting and must be nearly time! Sweeps have never hurt me so I hope you get started with that

Fern what a crap situation not to be paid. Is your husband still working? Enough to support u all? I really hope he is. Yey for holiday soon!

So iv decided I'm just going to go with the flow. If my consultant will only offer induction at 37 weeks and not a section then I will take that lol and if she offers either I will go through the pros and cons with her. I hope it's my actual consultant iv only seen her once she always seems to be off and her replacement doesn't like me bleurgh that would NOT be a conversation I want to be part of x

 

[Fern81]

Catmum, if that decision puts you at ease the most then it’s definitely the best one! I hope everything comes together perfectly for you.

Pineberry I’m on labour watch for you lol.

Jess I keep forgetting that you’re also almost due. Almost sweep time!

Yes it sucks that I won’t get mat leave pay and most likely no unemployment insurance pay either... luckily my husband is working again although not at full capacity. A lot of their sport academy’s income is dependent on school coaching but all school sport has been suspended until 2021 so they get an income solely from people who want private coaching. But he’s lucky though, my son’s poor swimming coach had to close her company due to being closed for 6 months during Covid lockdown (they physically hold the babies & toddlers during swimming lessons and obviously couldn’t do that until now; we’re on level 1 as from Sunday, but its too late for them). I’m so sad for them!
So yeah Idk what I’m going to do after the school holiday, it’s just 2 weeks but we’ll see. On the days that I take my pain tablets I feel mostly ok but I can’t take them for too long... tramadol... I don’t want A to have withdrawals or anything and dr only prescribed them for a month.

I have to see my mil tomorrow <ugly cry>. It’s my bil’s daughter’s christening (the only one out of them all who is not a drug addict). I’m not a christian anymore and we don’t attend church or believe in christening & stuff but I’m willing to sit through it to support them but I DEARLY WISH I didn’t have to be in the same space as that woman!!! Omw ladies I’ll update you all lol I’m just going to smile politely and keep my distance. We even have to be there very early for family photos oh the horror! Husband’s mean streak has been out for the past 2 days he’s even been screaming at our son over nothing so it’s all building up aaarrgghhh!