Hi, I am new to this site, and just found myself looking around and saw pregnancy. I have some time on my hands due to my total knee replacements in 2006, But I was a Midwife (qualified 7 years), but haven't worked clinically since my last May 2006,I'm also a mother of three daughters, twins aged 20 and youngest 17, and if I can help anyone in any way with any questions, I would be glad to help. Though I will not go against any advice given by other obstetric professionals that are treating you. Also if you do have any major concerns, don't wait for me to get back to you, you should contact your GP, Midwife or Consultant. But I can offer support and try to answer any burning questions that you wish you could ask a Midwife now! Sometimes waiting a week to a few weeks, it seems like waiting a lifetime just to get your questions answered. Questions can be on antenatal (pregnancy), intrapartum (labour), postnatal (your body after baby is born), traumatic delivery (get things in perspective-its never quite as it seems), baby questions, breastfeeding, practically anything, I will do my best to answer your questions, but please appreciate that I may not be able to give you the answers you want/are looking for (and I will be totally honest, at times this may be upsetting, but is not my intention), or just may not be able to answer your question at all. Well I hope this will be of some use to some of you, as that is my aim, just to help out a little. Kindest Regards Jules x
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jules831b,
I'd like to help if I can, Zoe 3rd one, you know what its all about now! Starsign, nothing wrong with being an older mum. I have twins 18 and another daughter 15, I have a new partner and at 40 we are thinking about having a baby, as my partner doesn't have any children of his own. BIG dilema. Jules x
Well im 9days over due and im climbing the walls! First baby feel like there is no more room for baby to move about and that it cant be good for it but also feel like its never going to arrive like its quite happy to stay there forever! Havent had any pains only the evening after the sweep (had sweep monday midwife said i was already 2cm dilated but still nothing at all.) Feeling depressed about it now especially as i had planned to go to a midwifery led unit for a water birth but if it doesnt arrive by Sunday then i am booked in to be induced on Monday 27th at the local hospital which in a way i will be relieved to have baby but also can see me having the birth i dont want (epidural).
I am very phyical having horses and have kept active throughout pregnancy so long walks, mucking out etc etc doesnt do anything i think because its not a shock to my system?
Read about people having reflexology..........? Any other tips?
RachaelX [][][]
Posts: 174 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: 09 August 2005
Hi Rachael, Its not nice being over due, even I remember the last few weeks being hard. Can't get comfortable, got heartburn, feel like you could explode. The good sign is that you are 2cm dilated, but do you know how long the cervix is? It usually starts about 4cm thinck and then thins out. The good news is, that just because you get induced, does not mean you can't have a normal or water birth (does your local hospital not do water births? If not you can still use the bath to labour in). Just because they are using prostin to help kick start you into labour, doen't mean to say that everything else won't go to plan. As for the epidural, you don't have to have one if you don't want to, and its use is for pain relief in labour, not because you may have an induction of labour. You still have to be open minded about your labour, making a rigid plan in my experience, never works! The commonest one is the three H's: Hot bath, Hot curry and Hot sex! Not that I'm saying you would, but for the benefit of anyone thinking of taking cod liver oil.... DON"T, its not safe. Hope this helps Jules Best of luck, please let me know the outcome. xx
This is my 3rd pregnancy, I am 28+5 weeks with twins and already measuring 40 weeks. I am completely exhausted all the time and hardly ever go out of the house now. For the last few days, I have been feeling very dizzy/light headed and wobbly on my feet. Eating doesn't help. I've been prescribed Pregaday since week 13. I really wanted to know whether I should call the Midwife for advice, make an appointment to see my GP, or wait until my next visit to the Obstetrician? Also, is it normal to have almost non stop Braxton Hicks?
Would love any advice on twins you can offer too. (Especially what to expect during labour and birth)
Thanks
Annie
Posts: 132 | Location: Wigtownshire | Registered: 13 May 2005
Hi Annie, I can sympathise totally as I had twins 18 years ago, but mine were totally undiagnosed until I gave birth! Yes you will be more tired and a lot larger, more uncomfortable, have you any help with your othr tow children? You need to take time out in the day to rest/sleep. I remember I used to have to hold my tummy up when I walked as it felt that heavy. Have you had a recent blood test? Do you know what your HB is? It maybe that you need some Ferrous Sulphate, a stronger iron tablet, you may be more anaemic, which is not uncommon when having twins. Postnatally you will probably need them also. When is your next appointment with anyone? Due to you having had 2 pregnancies before, you will be more sensitive to every ache and pain, and with having twins this time, your uterus is alot larger and so you may feel more braxton hicks, as long as they are not painful (like contractions), they should be pain free tightening. They should not be continuous, like every 10 mins, 24/7. Again when do you see your consultant again? With the labour, it depends how the babies are lying. if they are both head down, or the first is at least head down, then you can go for a normal delivery. (bearing in mind usually twins decide to be born around 37 weeks, and there is a possibily you could get high blood pressure towards the end of the pregnancy, so take it easy). If they are breech, there is a tiny possibilty if you had normal deliveries last time, and that your consultant agrees (which is rare) that he/she may still allow a vaginal delivery, you could ask but like I said it unlikely for them to say yes. I had my twins vaginally, and I had pre-eclampsia just before delivery, I was induced, and they were born 7 minutes apart. The time between deliveries can vary, can be minutes or even an hour or so, again, depends on your consultants policy on how long they will leave it before intervention. You must bare in mind again depending on how they are lying, that there is a possibilty you could deliver the first vaginally and may need a section for the second. You need to find how there lying and discuss your options with your consultant before you make your informed choice. But try and keep to the way you want things to be, but still be open minded about everything. Hope this helps. Jules
jules,,,ok a question for u...im on 14 DPO and had a negative HPT ..im very disapointed i was also taking metformin and 100g clomid. my temps are still high ( chart on 2WW)...do u think its not my month or am i throwing the towel in to early...i did ring my fertility nurse but its her day off.
any advice would be much appreciated xx
oh and i've just turned 41y xx
Posts: 2662 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: 02 December 2005
I don't have extra help with my other 2, but they are at school, so atleast I can rest from 9-3. My DH (husband) is also beginning to help more when he is home from work.
I had bloods taken last Tuesday and when I mentioned bright stars infront of my eyes the Midwife also said I may need to change to Ferrous Sulphate. I'm not sure if they would contact me with the results, or if I have to ring them.
I have my next scan and visit with the Consultant on Monday, and if the babies are still in the same position, they will both be head down. I really hope they stay this way. I had a vaginal delivery with my other 2 and labour lasted 6 hours with the 1st and 3 hours with the 2nd. A c-section or even a spinal is the last thing I want this time, but I also have to stay open minded and take on all advice given. What a shock (or nice surprise) for you not finding out it was twins until the birth!!!
Thanks again for your input, and no doubt I'll be back with more questions.
Annie []
Posts: 132 | Location: Wigtownshire | Registered: 13 May 2005
Hi Annie, Thats good you can rest during the day, and your husband is helping more. I would ring your GP and ask for a midwife's appointment, she can then chase up your blood tests, but what concerned me was the bright stars infront of your eyes? Was your blood pressure ok at that time it was happening, and was your urine test sample clear? I assume they were as the midwife did not need to act on it. Please if you experience headaches with flashing lights then you should contact your midwife or labour suite to get checked out. You could get your blood results from the consultant appointment, write questions on a piece of paper so you don't forget, ask about your HB, flashing lights, and the dizziness. Ask the questions about your concerns with the delivery. Don't be pushed into being rushed in and out. Sounds like they are in a good position, and the longer they stay there, the less room they will have to move round. Good luck with the scan, let me know how you get on. Your deliveries were quick, I hope this one will be just as quick also. I've just thought, does your GP get your blood results, if so you could ring your surgery today and find out. Regards Jules
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