Close?

Im 39 weeks exact today. Ive already had 2 episodes of diarrhoea this morning. Is this a sign im close to labour starting? My bowel movements yesterday were normal. Is this 'the clear out' before labour? How many of you had a clear out before labour started and how long before hand. I know every experience is different.

in our community

I’M SO SICK OF DUE DATES

They count 40w from your last period, adjust based off baby’s growth, and then call it a day.
Meanwhile it’s mentally so tough to approach your “due date” and mamas are getting pressured to be induced etc bc they’re past their “due date” and
WHAT ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT??
As if babies in the womb know our schedule??

Imagine if we assigned due dates for babies to be walking by or crawling by. Or a due date for a mama to have healed by post-birth?
I guess we do actually do that, but is that ok?? Also ofc we can have hard lines of “this is no longer normal/safe” but that would be at like 43 weeks, NOT 40!!! So many ladies deliver between 40 and 41 weeks! Many even go 42!
Why are we making women feel like there’s a deadline when it’s actually not a deadline AND an unrealistic expectation? Why don’t we just have a safety “cut off” or something like with other milestones?

Does anyone get what I’m saying?? Does anyone agree???

Positive natural labour experiences after waters breaking?

My waters broke nearly 10 hours ago now so I’m up against the clock. Is there anything you did to help bring on contractions? I really want to avoid an induction and have my water birth.

C-section booked for after due date

I’m a ftm and elected for a c-section but they said there’s no slots in my 39th week so I’ve been booked in for the day after my due date 😳. This gives me a lot of anxiety and part of the reason I wanted a CS was to avoid the angst around going into labour etc and the CS being “emergency”/unplanned. Anyone else experienced this or known of this to happen?

Midwife issues

Hey girlies, I’m 22 weeks and I’ve met my ‘actual’ midwife once when I was 8 weeks.

Whenever ive text her, she takes like 4/5 days to reply- literally everytime! I know she has other patients of course and she has made me aware that her days are very busy as she was meant to call me one afternoon at 1pm (my work break) but actually called me at 5pm.

She doesn’t ask how im feeling or how baby is, nothing about my journey with her so far has felt personal or like she actually cares? I know it’s her job but as a FTM it would be nice to feel a bit more supported I guess?

I had a midwife appt at my drs a few weeks back and it was a different midwife, the experience was the same so I don’t know if this is just a midwife thing? Although my friends have had different/great experiences themselves.

For reference, I’m based in the UK and know the midwives are overworked in the NHS, so I don’t expect miracles.. just a bit more personalised care?

Am I mad????

Reduced movement

Is it normal to have very unpredictable patterns of movement at 25 weeks?
I’m used to feeling him move mostly at night and when I’m laying still but today I’ve hardly noticed anything and I’ve tried touching my stomach and drinking cold drinks to get a reaction but nothing so far and I’m starting to get worried….

SOS!!!

how do single mothers find the time and energy to workout ??

my husband is in the military (california) so it’s just me and my 2month old at home 24/7 (texas). i want to workout every day but find it hard since im overwhelmed as i’m parenting alone and no one can look after my baby:(

any tips and tricks would be appreciated♥️