Femmes Fetales - (PAL) Holding onto Hope 9 months and on...

[lilrojo]

Whats a sweep.. for us american ppl who have never heard that term..

 

[milosmum]

Loving the birth plans ladies very specific but not too rigid if you know what I mean. I wrote mine the other night then had a midwifes appointment this morning and asked a few questions regarding my birth plan and discovered that everything I have written in it is the 'normal' protocol for the midwife lead unit! Free to move around during labour, birth in whatever position I fancy, delayed cord cutting, physiological third stage, oral vitamin K, immediate encouragement to breast feed etc is the norm for them!
Looks like I can delete half of what I have written and just leave the paragraph about my exceptionally squeamish husband (he is more worked up about this birth than I am) and make sure that they know I want a waterbirth although that has been written all over my maternity notes by the midwife as well!
It is going to be a short birth plan - but you have reminded me to write that I am happy for students to be involved.

All good this morning at the midwife - squiggle is still head down, 3/5 engaged and his/her back is to the left - so fairly promising at the moment - now we just have to stay there. Still measuring small so off for my repeat ultrasound tomorrow to recheck placental site and squiggles size.

Hope something exciting happens this evening Kizzy xxx

 

[kizzyt]

I haven't actually done a birth plan, I am fairly flexible in what I want really and just trust them to do what is necessary for keeping me and baby safe

Can't see anything happening tonight to be honest but then I have never done this before so I am not sure what I'd be feeling anyway! I feel like I am just wishing the days away at the moment which is a shame because it's not the kind if person I am, and altho I know baby's come when they are good and ready and people keep telling me to enjoy the rest while I can, I don't want to be resting, I want to be cuddling and feeding my new bubba!!

God, how spoilt do i sound???

The sweep is when the midwife separates the membranes around the cervix to try to bring labour on, not sure what they call that in the US?

 

[Beanwood]

Oh Kizzy The wait is horrendous. I went 11 days over with my first (I am not telling you that to annoy, but to tell that you that I know how you feel). I had so many people say "it will come when its ready". I am not a violent person at all and hate confrontation but OMGoodness could have cheerfully punched whoever said it to me when I was overdue.

Probably have not helped you at all, but there you go. You are allowed to be fed and wanting to meet your baby - its totally natural.

Oh just to add when I went over I never had a sweep - don't know why just wasn't offered one. Hopefully if nothing happens before then that will get you going. XXXXX

Thinking of you loads - how exciting.....


Shell the birth plans are very good. I was interested that you have put about who is present. I had never thought of making anyone except my dh aware of that. I would not want anybody else there though.

I have never made one tbh.

Hi to everyone else hope you are all well. XXXX

 

[sparkle]

I wrote a brief labour plan when I had C but we didn't get it out of the bag. I did feel totally overwhelmed bu the experience and defiantly want to be more in control this time but I also know that I need to let go a little. For me it is far more important that hubby knows what I want. He knows I don't want an epidural and apart from that I'm willing to go with what is best at the time.
I won't be writing one this time although I am hoping to go to the birth centre not the labour ward. I couldn't with C as he was a preemie.

Good luck Kizzy!! I hope she starts soon xx

 

[neffie]

New - again. I really hope you get some good news at your upcoming scan.

Amber - Sounds like you had a wonderful shower! Glad to hear that Grace is doing well. The other ladies are right...if she is facing your back, that's the best case scenario...she just needs to stay put. I'm assuming your concern regarding her tummy size is due to your GD?? I'm sure everything will be fine, she seems to be doing great.

Bean - Yay for maternity leave! Not too long now. Hope you're able to get some R&R.

Shell - That's great that you were able to get some free nursery furniture! Also, great job on the birth plan. It's very precise, yet flexible. Hope you're able to get the home birth you want.

Sparkle - Good luck for your scan on Thursday!

Lil - Sorry to hear about the sciatica. Try to soak in some warm water..that may help relieve some of the pain. From what I've heard, it's something can comes and goes, and can be pretty unpredictable unfortunately. Hope you feel better soon.

Sam - Happy 27 weeks! I bet you can't wait for your scan next week. We'll be waiting for pictures.

Grand - Hope the insomnia eases. I worry about packing the hospital bag as well. Feels like you can never pack enough. Good luck with the birth plan!

Milos - Glad to hear that Squiggle is getting into position. Good luck at your scan tomorrow!

Kizzy/Pixie/Vix - Hope your little ones come soon. We're all waiting to meet them.

to anyone I missed.

We took our hospital tour this past weekend, and it went very well. We were impressed with the facilities, and I feel very comfortable giving birth there. They also have an excellent NICU, which is a good thing to have, in the event extra care is needed. I'll be pre-registering within the next week or so. Nursery is making some progress. OH is re-surfacing & painting an existing chest we have in the event we decide to use it for Coco's room. We also put the stroller & car seat together. Next thing on the list is getting the crib. We're still unsure on what we're going to do about the changing table. We might just get one, and then use it for storing other items once she grows out of it...ahh, decisions, decisions!

She's starting to get more and more active (knock on wood!), which is great! OH can now feel her kicks on a regular basis. He asked me the other day if we still wanted to keep our usual doppler schedule or space it out some more since her movements now are so obvious...my response...uhhhh, no!! So we're going to stick to our current schedule.

 

[kizzyt]

Thanks bean, it does help knowing other people's experiences xx

Neffie, we got a changing unit too and same as you we'll use for storage after

 

[pixie p]

Milos - hope your scan goes well today x

Shell - fab birth plans!

I have not done a birth plan as i am fairly flexible and will do/decide whatever need be at the time.... and im too lazy


Neffie - looks like things are coming together nicely! Glad you found the hospital tour useful and lovely that you are feeling coco more and more! Nothing more reassuring than that!

Kizzy - well if Tinks doesn't arrive before, then at least you have your sweep scheduled for tomorrow! Won't be long now! Good luck!

AFM - very uncomfortable/painful nights! Looks like i'm just going to have to put up with it a little longer as i feel quite sure this little one will be staying put for at least another week! Plus i do still have 1.5weeks until DD! Im really hoping not to go overdue this time but as everyone insists on telling me... "baby will come when its ready! "

 

[Beanwood]

Pixie -ahhhh I hope that you can get some restful nights.

Milos - Hope your scan goes well.

Neffie - we have got a changing unit this time and like kizzy says will use it for storage after

hi all.... xxxxxx

 

[shelleney]

Kizzy - Come on Tinks! You're outstaying your welcome now!! lol. dont worry, Hun, you dont sound spoilt at all. Im sure if I go overdue, I will be feeling the same as you...

Bean - will you be making a birth plan, do you think? If your DH can be trusted to make your wishes known, then thats great - mine is useless!

Milos - excellent news that Squiggle is head down and 3/5 engaged!! all ready to go then! and its brilliant that your Midwife Led Unit holds the same values as you do. I hope you get the birth you want.

Sparkle - I think its great that your hubby knows what you want from this labour and birth, and will be able to ensure you get it. But my OH is useless, and thats why I need a birth plan!

neffie - glad you enjoyed your tour of the hospital, and that it has excellent facilities. and its lovely that OH can feel Coco move more regularly now. What a lovely bonding experience. Did you look into perhaps buying a cot-top changer instead of the changing unit?

Pixie - aww, I know how you feel on the sleepless nights. I hope that you manage to get some rest soon. You will need it for when baby finally makes an appearance!

Amber - Happy 35 weeks!


AFM: I hope that people dont think im too rigid with my birth plans. Im not really! I just wanted to put my "perfect birth" down in writing...in the hope that I can get as close to that experience as possible. However, I am willing to be flexible, especially if it is for the safety and wellbeing of myself and my baby. But I would hate to end up having an intervention that I did not want - just because I didnt make my wishes known in advance.

Hope you are all well today
xx

 

[pixie p]

Shell - def not! this is a major moment and i think its very important to make your wishes known, especially if you have a clear idea of how you would like it to go.
I'm just a little laid back with things like this, although i would prefer not to be cut unless an emergency! No birth/labour is the same and to an extent we have no choice but go with the flow but i am hoping for a straight forward birth like last time..... my mum keeps telling me not to count on it! Thanks mum!!!

Yes the uncomfortable nights are driving me mad, i cant wait to lie on my tummy again!

 

[Beanwood]

Shell - I didnt make a birth plan with the boys but you guys have got me thinking that maybe I should. XX

 

[shelleney]

Bean - its completely up to you. Im not trying to guilt anyone into writing one...
xx

 

[kizzyt]

Shell I don't think you are too rigid at all, it's your experience and your birth so you need to feel comfortable with what you want and what happens so you are perfectly right to have your perfect birth in mind, and you are not naiive enough to not be prepared to be flexible and have alternative back ups in mind

 

[Amberyll23]

Morning ladies!

Bean--I hear you completely on stress, I tend to stress out the way you do with things and get something from my DH along the same lines that you do! (I would stress if there was nothing to stress about! haha). I hope things do ease up for you though, and you should not feel at all bad about having to go on leave. You and the bubs are #1 right now.

lil-- on feeling the little one moving every day, that is definitely a great milestone!

samb--good luck with your scan on Tuesday!

shell--I don't think you are being too rigid at all with your birth plan hun! Every woman needs to go into the birth experience relaxed and feeling confident that they will get what is best for them and their little one. Little Bo can only benefit from what you have set out! I think both of your plans are well laid out and leave room for emergencies and flexibility as things may arise!

kizzy--C'mon Tinks! We are all waiting for you! If no luck, I hope your sweep helps things along hun!

milos--glad to hear that your midwife unit is in line with your wishes for the birth, that makes things sooo much easier!! I hope your u/s went well today!!

sparkle--good to know that your DH knows your wishes with regard to the birth, that way he can step in for you if need be if you get overwhelmed or cannot speak up for any reason.

neffie--glad that you had such a good hospital tour, and that Coco is more active! On the changing table, if you get one, make sure you check the durability of the lower shelves (ie, read the reviews). A lot of the ones out there actually use that flexible particle board for the undershelves, which as you know bends and breaks easily--so make sure it has good sturdy shelves all the way down, especially for the storage use afterwards!

Pixie--hope your nights get better hun, sorry to hear they are so uncomfortable! And I hope you don't go over as well!

Grand--how is your birth plan coming along hun?

to everyone else!!

AFM: We had our NST (I go twice a week) yesterday and I got to review the ultrasound with my doctor. She said that Grace is measuring perfect and not to be concerned with her belly size--she said that my GD is totally in check and that she is measuring right in the window of many non-GD babies right now, so that I am doing a good job (yay!). I have to schedule another appointment with the specialist just to get things in order for delivery (in case I need to have insulin intervention during the birth) and to make sure I don't need to be induced any sooner than 39 weeks (lord I hope not!). She didn't see any indication that I will though, which is good!

Nevertheless, that got DH and I kicked into gear, so we are finishing out the nursery this weekend and getting the bags packed just in case!

On a sadder note, it was 1 year ago today that I lost my little peanut. On that dark, horrible day, I had no idea that 1 year later I would be 35 weeks along with peanut's little sister. I know peanut is up there watching over us, but I still shed a tear or two today and will probably light a candle tonight as well. I am so overjoyed with Grace's pending arrival, but I want Peanut to know he/she will never be forgotten!

 

[Beanwood]

Amber thanks hun. I am so pleased that everything went well with and that Grace is measuring perfectly.

It is understandable that you have felt upset about your loss. The date I lost mine was October the 18th last year. I will be about 35 weeks pregnant then also. I am already thinking about it.

Shelll - awww sorry you havent put guilt on me I just think that actually it is quite sensible. I keep thinking about the bit about only your oh/dh being there. I would be mortified if my mil came in. How stupid are my reasons though. XX

 

[kizzyt]

Big hugs Amber honey, lots of love to your peanut xxx

 

[pixie p]

Amber - Grace has a beautiful angel watching over her xxx

 

[grandbleu]

Remembering your Peanut tonight Amber...

 

[shelleney]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Peanut tonight, Amber
xx