Community Posts, Tips & Support on Labor & Birth

Does anyone know if partners can stay overnight after giving birth at Birmingham woman’s hospital?

Hi all - anyone who has had a baby recently in the women’s - can partners stay over? I’m due in August and my first baby was born in Covid so worried about being on my own again!! Thank you x

I’m being induced in a few days. Does anyone have any advice? Without sounding dramatic 🤪I’ve mentally prepared myself to be waiting around a lot, have accepted the idea that the induction may be delayed, that it could take days and things may or may not work. Things could change in an instant etc. On a practical…

Hi all, first time mum here! My waters broke about 3:30am this morning, went to the hospital and they confirmed it. Still getting leaking from my waters every so often. Is this normal? Anddd I don’t want to be induced they’ve sent me home to try and progress naturally. Anyone got any tips to progress naturally bef...

Hey everyone, I’m 37+1 today and just feel off. Lost my mucus plug maybe 2 weeks ago, I’ve got the worst upset stomach today and I’ve just been sick. I’m also cramping and got back pain. I’m scheduled to see my consultant later on but didn’t know if these could all be signs of early labour or not? Has anyone ever...

I had a sweep yesterday at 38+2, and she advised my cervix was soft, shortening (approx 2cm) and I was 1cm dilated. She was able to perform the sweep, and I’ve had irregular cramps and backache since, this morning I lost a fair amount of mucus plug. This is my second baby, but was induced with my 1st so I have no id...

I’m 4 weeks post op with my c section. I know recovery is 6 weeks, however I’m wondering how long people have left it before returning to the gym or getting back running? And what exercises you started off with and how long is was before you could do all the things at the gym you could do before the operation.

How long after anyone’s blood show did they go into labour please? Thank you

Good morning I am 32 + 6 pregnant and lost my mucus plug throughout the day yesterday. When I rang PAU they said not to worry as I don’t have any other signs of labour. I was just wondering if anyone else has lost their mucus plug this early? I spent yesterday packing a hospital bag just incase. This is my sec...

Help me am new to Chicago...

Age I got pregnant - 27 Age I gave birth - 28 How far along when I found out - 4 weeks, fount out the day before Father’s Day, and the day before my granddad passed away Morning sickness - No Cravings - malteasers Due date- 22/02/25 Birth date - 12/02/25 Hours in labor - 2 hours and 19 minutes Active labor - 1 ho...

Anyone else struggling with getting back into an exercise routine?? Dr says pain after working out is normal but I’m barely doing anything and it’s excruciating ://

Solve this riddle.... A woman was born in 1975 She died in 1975 She was 22 years old at the time of her death. But --- How was this possible???

Does my incision look normal at 15 weeks pp? I think it looks terrible. Why is it such a dark red?! It looked better at 8 weeks than it does now. I don’t need or even want it to be invisible, but the red jagged-ness of it really bothers me. Can you share what yours looked like at 15 weeks post c section? It’s compl...

Any moms, what do you guys pack in your hospital bags? i’m clueless😬

Hi ladies, I’m 32+2 days and keep thinking of packing the hospital bags for me and baby. But I’m so torn on what I will and won’t need to take for us… one of my main thoughts is which formula! my midwife recommended to take the pre-made bottles that come with the teats already as our hospital tends to have limited s...

I can't help myself. I'm too curious and always say yes! I'm finally dilated (just to 1cm) and 50% effaced. I feel validated knowing my really annoying sporadic contractions are actually helping. I know it's not an indication of when things will really kick into gear, but it's nice to know. (I had to be induced for ...

Wondering if it’s normal to feel a bit of pain/soreness when trying to massage above scar line. Also when I get out of the shower my stretch marks on my stomach are really tender and sore, has this happened to anyone? Anyone have any tips on how to get rid of “shelf” or “pooch” , feeling very self-conscious about it...

I’m booked in for an induction tomorrow, just wondering what your experiences are with induction xx

I had my hair colored march 7 with an all over permanent coloring at a salon. I waited 3 days to wash and only wash every couple of days with cool water and color safe shampoo and conditioner. They said the fading was normal and I’m calling bs. It faded to this at about 3 weeks is this normal or am I nuts?