Discovery Home & Health

Cathy,
I'm so sorry I cannot help you with this, as fertility treament is very much a specialist area, and although we go through it breifly in training, its not something I am involved in at all, I only see women once pregnant.
I do wish you all the luck in the world, and just from woman to woman, don't give up if your not ready to, but I would give myself and cut off point and get on with the rest of my life.
Easy for me to say as I'm not going through it, but I'm here if you want to chat. Hugs x
Regards
Jules

hi jules, so nice of you to offer your help and knowledge[]

I'm on baby no3 and currently 20 weeks, had my scan this morning and they have told me the placenta is high and at the back, now do i understnd right that normally the baby will face the placenta???
It's just with my last pregnancy the baby was back to back and it was the most agonising long labour ever! and i have everything crossed that it won't happen this time!
Also they have told me they are 70-80% sure it is a girl this time, i have 2 boys already, but feel quite frusrated as there seems to be quite a chance it could still come out a boy! i would love to buy some girlie things, do you think they are just covering themselves???

thanks for any info,
bubbly x x x x

Hi Jules

My BP was fine, infact she commented that it was better than last time and my urine was clear. I just rang the doctors and the receptionist told me if anything had been found in my blood results, then the midwife would call me.

I don't really suffer from headaches, but more of a numbness across my forehead or at the back of my head. The flashing lights happen everytime I blow my nose, or if I bend down to pick something up, (luckily that's not something I do very often, more so because I can't bend down ....lol) Getting up and out of the bath also causes it, so I just stick to showers.

I will mention everything to the Consultant on Monday, and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your wonderful help, it can be so long between appointments.

Annie x

hi Jules just wondered if you could lend me your thougths on C- section, i am on baby number5 for my last 3 pregnancies i have suffered sever spd and due to this i had an awful delivery on baby no 4 which has caused damage to the lower of my spine,this has given me sever back trouble and left me quite traumatized about the whole delivery thing so much so i want to opt for a c-section do you think i should be given the choice this time?
The thought of child birth does not bother me the thought of my back back going again frightens me to death.
Also i did ask my midwife another question but she told me she has not come accross anyone in the same position as yet, i asked her if i could breast feed after having a breast reduction op 5yrs ago, breast feeding has never appealed to me befour but this time i really want to for some reason.?
Thanks jules hope you can help
Sharonxxx[]

Hi bubbly,
The placenta is in a good position, so thats good. About the baby facing the placenta, thats a new one on me, I have never heard that before, who said this to you?
There is no reason that because your previous baby was back to back (OP -occiputal posterior), that this one will be. Even if your baby is up until delivery, he/she can still turn during labour. Was your previous baby born face up?
They may be just covering themselves about the sex of the baby, but in my experience I would never take it as 100% until the baby is born. I have known a midwife who was told she was having a girl, she bought all girls things, and it turned out to be a boy.
I have 3 girls, if you have a boy, maybe we could swap one (mine come house trained!) Ha Ha!
I know it corny, but as long at the baby is healthy.
Well best of luck.
Jules

Annie,
Doesn't sound like you have too much to worry about. But when you see the consultant, tell him you want to know what your HB is.
Keep in touch.
Jules

thanks jules,

I'm not sure were i hears about the placenta?? ds was born back to back and have been told they can turn right up till the end, so i shouldn't slouch on the sofa etc.. just very scared of going through it again a suppose.

I think we will leave buying any girls things untill we know for sure when the baby is here, alot of my newborn stuff is white anyway.

thanks for your help! and i'm sure i'll be back!

bubbly[]

Hi Sharon,
SPD (supra pubic dysfuntion) can be extremely painful. And to be honest I would always opt for a normal delivery where possible. Although in severe cases of SPD it depends on how far you can open your legs to deliver. The good thing is that being you 5th baby, it should'nt take too long (labour) famous last words!.
But not knowing the ins and outs of your previous deliveries and pregnancies, you should discuss with your consultant about a caesarean section, and if it is so traumatic for you then yes you should have a choice. But an informed choice, CS is a major operation and it can take you 6 weeks to recover. Also if you have damage to your back you need to find out if it is possible to have a spinal or not?
You need to tell your consultant your fears and make the decision together.
I know it has been possible to breast feed after a breast reduction in some cases, but it depends on how much of the breast was removed and which parts. you should contact your breast surgeon and ask him/her what their opinion is. But there is no harm in trying, just be prepared that it may not work, or you may not be able to produce much and your baby may need some or all of formula milk. Be open minded.
hope this helps.
Jules

Bubbly,
If your so concerned, when you go into labour tell the midwife that is looking after you, I'm sure she will support you and keep you informed.
Or do a sort of birth plan, explain your fears and concerns, give it to the midwife when you go into hospital, so she fully understands, that way she plan your care better.
Regards
Jules

Jules thankyou for your speedy reply, its so nice of you to offer your help and support to others.
My plastic surgeon did say they try and save tissue where poss, he also said many womens loose sensitivity in nipples, in my case they are now over sensartive and on my last baby i did leak colostrum and milk so maybe thats agood sighn.
Can you take anything to increase your milk supply or do you have to top up with formula?
As far as labour goes, i am not very good at that ..lol you would think they fell out after 4 but they don't, i go into slow labour for about aweek before i actually deliver which is where my problems start due to increase pressure in pelvis and lower back.
i would.nt mind i only have small babies, my biggest was my 1st 10yrs ago 6lb 15oz my smallest 5lb 5oz.
Who knows i might get aquick one this time eh!
Thankyou jules your a star![]

Sharonxxx

Hi Jules what a responce to your kind offer!!

Thanks for your comforting words by the way! Midwife said something about being 50% effaced and i got a Bishop score of 9? Not sure what that means? It was scored 2, 2, 2, 1, 2?

Anyway feeling more positive now its just hard when you cant sleep at night!!

Sharon,
As I'm only working 2 short days a week at the moment because of my osteoarthritis and waiting for my total knee replacement 3rd May, I'm glad to be of service to others, it make me feel useful, as I can't work clinically at the moment. So my pleasure.
You could try something I used with my hypersensitive scars after my ten surgeries, don't know if it will work the same, but its worth a go. I was told to gently tap the sensitive area for about a minute up to 10 times a day, this did actually de-sensitise my scars, at one point I couldn't wear clothes over my knees as the scars were so sensitive.
If you leaked colostrum last time, thats a very good sign. There is a formula that you can use to boost your milk flow once you have had the babyl, I don't think I have it to hand, try asking your midwife for it, she should have one, failing that, let me know and I will sort it out for you. But you don't have it until you've had the baby.
If you are breast feeding the best top up formula to go for is Aptamil.
As far as labour goes, the saying goes (and proves right in many cases, the 1st and 3rd are the worst!)
So you may get lucky this time! LOL.
I don't think size makes that much of a difference unless the baby is very large. I had twins 4lb 7oz and 4lb 12oz and then my third daughter who was 8lb 4oz, and it bloody hurts either size! LOl
It sounds like you should really give the breast feeding a go.
My advice is that even if in the early days your baby appears hungry and you and the midwives don't feel he/she is getting enough, you should express every 3 hours to stimulate your breasts, even if you only get a few mls off, you can give your baby it and then top up. But fingers crossed you will be ok.
I will very interested to see how things develop.
Regards
Jules
x

Rachael,
Its my pleasure.
WOW! Your off to a good start!
50% effaced means the cervix is about 2cm thick now instead of 4cm.
Bishop score is high. It to do with dilation, effeacement, where the opening of the cervix is lying (at the back or front), consistency (soft or firm). Its all looking good girl!
If you need prostin, hopefully you will only need one dose (not a guarantee though).
But in our unit if your score is 7 or more, then we would break your waters and not bother with the prostin. You should do ok, fingers crossed.
Get used to the not sleeping, as you still won't sleep when baby arrives! LOL.
Regards
Jules

Thanks jules i will keep you informed wow! i never thought i would be on baby no5 but here goes baby due end july.
Incidentally i was suposed to start my 3yr digree in midwifery at Leeds university this sept which for the obvious reason i have had to defer till next year i was gutted i have just spent the last 4 yrs at college re doing gcse's and doing a mature access course, never mind i will get there at some point...lol
Thankyou love
Sharonxxx [][][]

Sharon,
That is a shame, but you can still do it. I did my midwifery course at the age of 30, and I know they accept people up to the age of 55 years old, so you have plenty of time.
Are you getting sterilised after this one?
Just one thing to bear in mind, in the event of a CS, you could ask them to sterilise you at the same time, this needs to be discussed and planned with your consultant before hand, and make sure it is written in your notes.
Best of luck.
Jules
x