Community Posts, Tips & Support on Labor & Birth

Honest, unfiltered, and in real-time: what women like you are talking about. Peanut group chats, support, and posts on Labor & Birth

Hospital bag

Finally it's due date month!

How much is everyone packing for the hospital? I've got a cabin sized suitcase and a changing bag full and still got some bits left to pack. Am I over doing it? FTM here so no idea what I will actually use but I also want to take things I might want to use even if I don't end up using them.

Also is anyone packing 0-3 clothing? I'm measuring in the 90 percentile but my midwife has told me that does mean I'll have a big baby. Again unsure and how many and what time outfits to pack. I love gone with just a newborn swaddle hoping that we will manage with that as my 0-3 swaddles are 2.5 tog
Thanks

Why do some parwnt wean their babies before 6 months?

Just genuinely curious, no hate. I just don't understand.

Like there's a mum in my babies group posting about wanting to start giving her 3 month old purees?

I had my friend round the other day and she was all "are you going to bother waiting until 6 months?"

I just thought it was standard to wait until baby could sit up straight etc?

I know there are some people that start at 4 months, but I never really understood why? Is there medical reasons? Or any other benefit to weaning earlier? Also how do you feed a 4 month old if they can't sit steadily in a high chair?

Anyone else too scared to have sex?

I’m 7 weeks PP after a c section, healed well and no issues but I’m so beyond frightened to even attempt it! I really want to get the intimacy back but I’m genuinely worried it’ll hurt or I’ll get an infection 😭

I waited until I was 4 months PP after my last section! I don’t want to do that again 😭

Waters or pee 😭😅

I never thought I’d be one to question if my waters broke or if I just peed myself given that with my first it was a huge gush and then continuously flowed out of me until there was nothing left to leave but here we are! Lmao
I was lying in bed and went to adjust my undies because I had a wedgie (gorgeous I know 🙄😂) and there was a slight “gush” but when I say a gush it was almost like turning on a tap and letting it run on a low pressure for 3 seconds. Then it stopped. So I went to the bathroom to inspect because I was wearing a panty liner and figured it would indicate something based on the colour. But of course it missed the liner completely and had only gone up the back end of my knickers! The thing is- it didn’t have a smell. But there hasn’t been any more waters leaking or anything. Not even close to the amount that would be presenting itself if it was a full on water break.
Is there a way I can make it more obvious before I head up to the hospital to be told I’ve just peed myself? I remember reading somewhere to lie down for a few minutes and stand back up and sometimes that’ll move things/baby around to let out more waters so you’ll know 😂

Did you experience a vaginal breech birth?

I'm 30 weeks pregnant with second baby and baby is breech. I know there's still time for her to flip but I'm still thinking of having a home birth even if breech. (Home birth with OB, doulas and pediatrician). Does anyone have an experience to share ?

Sweep yesterday

Hi
Had a sweep yesterday ive had them previously but was 3 years ago cant really remember exactly what it was like after but the sweep i had that time cervix was closed ' but had one yesterday was 2cm already so she was able to get round babies head had brown mucus blood but ive been so crampy all in my back and round the bottom off my bump more sore in my pelvis when I walk ' and tighten round bump irregular threw out the day ' anyone had anything similar

TMI discharge, fluid?

I've had to change my pantyliner 3 times today and each time my underwear has also been damp underneath. The discharge on the pantyliner looks a creamy yellow colour which is normal for me but there is just so much and my underwear is also a bit damp. Baby has been super low feeling the last couple days and I've had more low pressure but not uncomfortable enough by itself to get checked.
Has anyone else had this? Would you go and get checked for leaking fluid?
Really don't want to spend 2/3+ hours getting checked just to be told it's discharge but obviously don't want to miss something on the off chance it's fluid

Driving after c section

How long did it take for people to be able to drive again? I’m really stressed about not being able to drive independently. I have family around but they do all work full time and can’t always rely on them. I also don’t live somewhere with good public transport

luton & dunstable hospital

does anyone else have a fear of giving birth at L&D? ive only heard horror stories from friends and family that have given birth there and 3 of my friends are now unable to have more children due to the physical trauma staff put them in. im someone who wants a big family and is an absolute wimp with pain so i just wanted to know if anyone has any opinions or thoughts?

Abit confused on what’s going on. Baby gone from 90th percentile to 60th in a few weeks and says baby growth is still a slight worry .

Anyone know why is that?

Oak Tree Babies Together

Hi mamas, has anyone attended this session in Crewe? How did it go? Never been to one before but thinking to bring my 4 month old today not sure yet!

Can’t wee after C-Secion

Sorry if this is TMI

Had an elective yesterday (30/07/26 9:21am) after an emergency with my first, i had to have a catheter in for 12 hours but haven’t been able to go to the toilet since. They did a in and out catheter after 6 hours and said I had another 6 hours to try and go before they would maybe need to refit the catheter again for 24hour observation. But I still can’t go even though I feel absolutely desperate for the toilet.

I’m terrified something is really wrong please tell me some of you have positive stories after this happening and I don’t have some kind of permanent damage 🙈🙈🙈

Spotting (lochia) after c section

How long did you have spotting/bleeding on and off for after having c section?

2022 babies

Anyone anxious for pre-K or TK😭😮‍💨

C section mums with heavy babies!

How are we coping?! My baby was born at 60cm long and nearly 9lbs, he’s only 2 weeks old but I’m really struggling with being so soon into recovery and also carrying, feeding and putting him to sleep. I have felt really sick the last two days with lots of tummy pain and I’m worried it’s because I’m doing too much :( even feeding him puts pressure on my tummy and twisting to put him in and out his crib. My partner is amazing, but I am obviously holding the baby a lot and I want to but I’m just worried that it’s going to impact my recovery, is anyone feeling the same?!

Membrane sweep

I had a membrane sweep on Tuesday and had mild cramping but nothing major I was spotting Tuesday and Wednesday and today morning my mucus plug came out. I am 39+2. Could this be a good sign? My ob said to do another sweep next week but it really hurt so I don’t think I will be getting it. Waiting to see if I get approved for elective induction this Saturday.

Vbac

I had my c section over 2 years ago now with my first, and want a VBAC this time round. Is anyone else feeling the same way? Or is going for an elective c section better? My c section absolutely traumatised me the first time round and honestly don’t think i could do that again.

1st C section plus size girly

Hi all.

Having my 1st c section next week. As a plus size girl wondering if anyone has tips for the healing process? Different dressing ect. Thanks in advance!

C section Scar Location

Hey, this has weirdly been on my mind lately. Where is everyone’s scar(fully healed). I’ve been given so much advice and told I would be able to wear certain clothes due to my scar, and my scar ended up being so low that even ultra low rise are above it—and no i don’t own those cured pant i tried them on out of curiosity.

Mine healed it a little more than my middle finger from my belly button.

Elective c section or vaginal birth

I know I still have a long way to go but I’ve been thinking a lot about birth options. I think I’m leaning more towards an elective c section. What are everyone else’s thoughts?