Labor question

I’ve always had pretty bad periods in regards to pain. I hear that contractions feel like really bad period cramps. If you’ve had bad cramps did your contractions feel way worse or was it a bit better since you had already experienced bad cramps?

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I have always had HORRIFIC periods. My contractions felt easier than my cramps. At 7cm is when I was like ok yeah, THIS is like my cramps.

If you’ve ever had menstrual cramps that make most of your muscles clench then I do think you have a good idea of what it’ll feel like. I used to have to stay home from school sometimes because I’d be in a lot of pain from cramps (this was before my PCOS diagnosis) but I think my labor pains were a little bit worse because it felt like my insides were being tied into knots that were progressively getting tighter. If you opt for an epidural you might be able to save yourself some of that trouble. My epidural didn’t reach my stomach so I felt all of it but that’s not the case for everyone.

Contractions are worse in my opinion but I was induced and had pitocin. More intense and across your whole stomach and sometimes back and not just the lower abdomen/back like cramps. But it is comparable in a way still!

So it feels like familiar pain which I think for us makes it more manageable. I don’t know if that’s why I was able to have natural births but I feel like it allows you to mentally feel like we can handle more.

in our community

Baby boy is here!

Just had baby boy this morning at 5:49am 🥹🥰 I was in labor for 10 hours and pushed him out within 9 pushes. I cried tears of joy for like 20 minutes. All that pain was worth seeing his adorable little face and chubby cheeks 🫶🏾

Obstetrician led

I’m having shared care between midwife’s and obstetrician.

My previous pregnancy I had extra growth scans as baby was measuring big and I had pre-eclampsia during labour and a full dilated emergency C-section.

This time round I’m having obstetrician appointments, midwives appointments, cervical length scan every two weeks from 16-22/24, and extra growth scans again .

I’m just finding it all a lot to process can anyone let me know there experiences and if they went on to have a happy pregnancy despite it

Polly??

My 3 year old son is completely insistent that baby sisters name will be Polly. I think he just got attached ages ago after hearing it shouted in the park and now it does matter what name we suggest, even if he says he likes it, he still insists her name is Polly.

Now I dont hate it but its not really what I imagine for my daughter either?? I typically like full (yet girly) names with a cute nickname that can work in either a professional setting or out of work.

I think Polly just feels like a cute nickname to me? Also, I had an imaginary friend heavily inspired by Polly Pocket as a child so I dont think that helps 🤣

We just cant seem to agree on any names as a family so a bit stumped!

Mums that have kids🥰

When you gave birth and came back home with your newborn. When people wanted to come visit you straight away. How did you feel?

Everyone has different experiences I’m so curious x

Movements

How are people with no obvious ‘pattern’ monitoring baby movements?

My babies movements vary so much day to day, there is no pattern I can see whatsoever.

For example, over the weekend i felt him a few times during the day but nothing crazy, Monday & Tuesday he was wild in there and I felt movement on and off all day, today back to a few times.

When it varies this much I have no idea how I’m supposed to work out what is ‘normal’ and when to be worried!!!

Midwife visits

how many PP midwife visits have you had and at what point??
I’m 3 weeks PP tomorrow, had a midwife come out on day 1 and then day 5 and got told at the day 5 visit that a midwife would come out again once baby has reached birth weight so that we could be discharged, yet she’s been back to birth weight for a week and we’ve heard nothing from midwife’s. all contact now seems to be only from a health visitor but she’s not coming back until another 3 weeks.
Should we have had another midwife visit post day 5, or have atleast heard from them during this time…? 15 days no contact at all makes me assume i won’t?