Wednesday 28 May 2014

Common interventions antenatal class and pregnancy update 36 weeks


Last week we had our 3rd and last private antenatal class thankfully we didn't have any group exercises. We opted for 3 classes as I wanted to know more about labour as I thought it will give me a better idea of what to expect and what might happen. 
I think one of our teachers (student midwife) was more “open” this time e.g. she mentioned that unfortunately midwives tend to be very time oriented and due to that you won't normally have as much time relaxing or do what you want during labour as you will be constantly rushed.

We discussed interventions we may have:
- episiotomy
- c-section
- use of forceps, ventouse
- anti-d injections
- sweep
- breaking waters
- baby turning in case of a breech

As most of us are first-time mums-to-be we were told about induction. In our area when pregnant woman reaches 41 weeks she will be offered a sweep and induction-pessary (internal tampon alike medical device) which will be left for 24 hours to see if it works (woman stays in hospital), if pessary doesn't work she will be offered 2nd pessary for another 24 hours, and if 2nd doesn't work she will be offered c- section. In cases where pessary works (cervix starts to change) midwife will break waters and put on a hormone drip (artificial oxytocin). The whole induction process scares me the most as I never thought or even considered c-section and it will be a big led down for me if I can't do it naturally. 

In the second half of our lesson Helen- one of our teachers gave us a card with an acronym:
B- benefit
R- risks
A- alternatives
I- implications/instinct
N- nothing (to do nothing for a while)
S-smile

This acronym can be used if mum-to-be will be offered an intervention and it is our right as a future parent to question it and make sure that we are making the right decision e.g. waters breaking or any other intervention.

The last part of our class was dedicated to massaging and breathing techniques. With breathing it was more of a relaxation session where we had to concentrate on the way we breath, it was very nice but I think that when you are in the middle of giving birth all these techniques will be forgotten. Massaging wise we were showed how to rub/massage back starting from shoulders and going down to bum area avoiding spine, massaging bum in 8 alike movements, massaging lower back area. We had some time to practice it in the class and after trying all these methods I felt more comfortable with a shoulder to bottom massage. 

Overall, I enjoyed classes certainly learned something but I can't say it gave me more confidence I am still scared of unknown. I guess I need to try it myself to know.

Bump update

Visible changes in my body: my bump is more visible but again not as big as some other mums-to-be have; swollen feet- nothing helps really.

Other: hospital bag is pretty much packed. I like staring at my bump all the time, waiting for little one to move as I know I'm going to miss it a lot. Slightly paranoid at times as wake up in the middle of the night or early morning and checking if my waters broke or not.

How do I feel: I still have pains in my back, sore ribs, feel tired quicker and often and of course started visiting loo at night again.

Cravings: still none.

Fitness: swimming once a week, our treadmill is currently in the garage due to us needing all the space for baby shower and we still didn't manage to put it back into house.

Baby: At 36weeks baby is still gaining weight – about 28g a day. She weighs nearly 2.7kg and is about 47cm long from head to toe. Baby’s lungs are now complete and are producing a lubricant called surfactant that will help the lungs when they take their first breath. 

44 comments:

  1. Your post has such a relaxing feel to it, though I know a lot of this part of pregnancy is far from relaxing! :P
    I think a lot of what one learns at antenatal classes are very helpful and those breathing techniques continue to relax you even after birth! It's amazing how easily we go back to not following all the good advice and tips we learn at this crucial part in our lives! I hope you're coping with the soreness and your bladder taking over your life ;P It'll pass...lovely to have come across your blog. x

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  2. It's lovely reading blogs from people at a similar stage to me - I'm 34 weeks today. What were your thoughts re assisted labour? I found nct classes so useful whereas my midwife today was useless! I hope you manage to get some decent rest before little one comes along. I'll keep my eye open for updates!xx

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  3. I enjoyed reading your post :) Like you, and lots of other mums-to-be, I was scared about labour and what may happen. I am a bit frightened of doctors and the like to be honest, so the idea of being in hospital legs akimbo with strangers looking at me whilst I attempt to push out a tiny human did scare me lots! I have just one little one, my precious little boy who is now 2. I would say have in your mind the kind of labour you would like and then be prepared that this may change on the day. I used a tens machine which really helped. Breathing exercises can be very powerful and massage too if your partner would like to assist :) I did pregnancy yoga and remembered a little exercise where you essentially make the shapes of the vowels circling your pelvis slowly whilst also saying the letters - sounds a bit wrong but works! Lots of luck with bump. It won't be long now until you meet :) So exciting!

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  4. Good luck with it all and I hope it all goes smoothly. I found all my plans when out of the window and I had to go with what was happening around me x

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  5. I was really against intervention too and longed for natural births. I had no plan relief at all but with my daughter I ended up with forceps, ventouse and an episiotomy as she was a rather large first baby at 8lb 4oz and didn't want to come out!
    All the best, hopefully labour will begin naturally for you xx

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  6. Good luck not long now to go. I am so excited to read all about your arrival!!!! Hurray. Hopefully you will have a quick and easy birth. I practically sneezed both my babies out in less than an hour from start to finish so it does happen fast and easy you just never hear about it. Just try to stay calm and focused and be prepared for it to go any which way, know your options and you will be so great!!! Makes me want to have another. Thank you for linking up to Share WIth Me. #sharewithme

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  7. That's great you took a class! I certainly wish I had prepared myself a little bit more before the big day! Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy...the little one will be here before you know it =) #sharewithme

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  8. I was able to remember and use some of the breathing techniques so don't worry that it will all be forgotten. Just try to take things as they come. Also, take some mags or quizzes or something to keep your mind occupied in the quieter times. Best of luck. It will all be well worth it. Xx

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  9. You seem so calm about it all, I kind of envy that in you! Lovely post!

    I never had any antenatal classes but my during labour/birth it all came back to me from the first time round anyway. I almost, dare I say it, enjoyed it second time round! Not he pain! Just the experience of listening to what my own body was telling me!

    Thanks so much for linking up to#BabyBabble

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  10. I really did my research about labour when I was pregnant, I didn't want to stick my head in the sand and go with the 'ignorance is bliss' mentality. I'm so glad that I did. When I went into labour I felt relaxed and in control because I knew what was happening to my body and understood that the pain was a 'healthy pain' - it was my uterus working and doing its job to get my baby out. I hope that your antenatal classes and knowledge help you in your labour. xx

    #babybabble

    www.tinyfootsteps.co.uk

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  11. Ooh you're into the home stretch, exciting! I'm one of those who wound up with an induction and then emergency C-section and two things I'll say from the heart a) avoid induction if you can unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary as from what I've experienced and heard it's almost a slippery slope to more intervention but then... b) if you do wind up with a C-section try not to feel too disappointed, the most important thing is bringing your baby safely into the world. Everything else is theory really. Best of luck with it all!

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  12. I can't believe you that she told you that you will be made to feel rushed. I have 4 children and only felt rushed the last time (but he was born at 35 weeks so all a bit different). I think the best thing to do is just try to relax and let nature take its course. Whatever happens, however your baby comes out is just the best way. Don't start motherhood feeling negative - you have created a life and that in itself is marvelous.

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  13. Wishing lots of luck. It's a wonderfully exciting time. Try and enjoy every minute! :)

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  14. A lovely read! I cannot believe a midwife told you there might be a possibility of being rushed. Well, you can't rush delivery of a baby, can you? I have just posted my own birth plan (due in less than 2 weeks!) and linked it to #brillblogposts, too! Mel

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  15. Midwife's might be time constrained, but htey have no rights to rush you or make you feel you have to have intervention. I've made it clear to my midwifes all three times that I will do things as I please, with no intervention and no pressure or time limits put on me. Remember you're in charge not them! They're there to help you x

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  16. You sound so really relaxed about your pregnancy. Enjoy it and all the best for the future.

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  17. Eeeek nearly there now. Lots of luck xx

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  18. Not long to go now. Enjoy it!

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  19. Oooh interesting stuff- going to send this to my heavily (she'll kill me saying that word!) pregnant friend! x

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  20. Good luck! I had the natural sweep by the midwives for both my babies and I went into labour the next day! All inhibitions will go out the window as you are butt in the air and squeezing as if you are trying to do a "big poo" the midwives will have seen everything and you will be in safe hands! Just remember to get them to weigh and measure your baby when born and try to enjoy the experience! Pain killers or no pain killers! :D

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  21. Good luck, not long now!

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  22. Aww not long to go! Good luck!!

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  23. My tip for swollen feet is liz earle leg gel and also keeping them elevated above heart level

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  24. Oh what a lovely update - good luck not to long to wait now till get you to meet them :) x

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  25. wow weldone you not long to go , it be all worthit in the end

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  26. I thought i'd commented but it seems to have disappeared! I just wanted to say make sure that you know your rights! It is your choice whether to have ANY intervention as it is YOUR body :) x

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  27. Aww the exciting part, good luck with the final stretch, rest as much as possible. Good luck x

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  28. Such an exciting time! I was 12 days past my due date when I eventually gave birth to my daughter four years ago. Looking back, I genuinely don't think she was ready to be born before the day she actually came. I was fed up and was booked in for an induction the following day, so I was SO pleased when the labour eventually started naturally and it all went to plan - the way I'd hoped it would. Everyone experiences labour so differently so I hope you're able to avoid any unwanted advice that might be being thrown your way. I remember just wanting to shut myself in my house during the week before my daughter was born - I was so sick of people telling me to eat a hot curry or pineapple, or give me birthing tips! Thanks for linking up to the #BlogBumpClub - lovely to hear your experiences and the excitement is infectious! x

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  29. It sounds like you're getting a lot from your antenatal classes :) Mine were rather useless..I wish they had prepared me a bit more as yours seem to be doing x

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  30. Aw fab post and update! Not long to go now. I never got to go to antenatal classes in my last pregnancy so I'm looking forward to going this time around.
    Lots of luck hun!
    Lianne | TheBrunetteSays...

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  31. Not long now. Sounds like you're pretty prepared and informed. My first pregnancy was in a birthing centre rather than a hospital and it was wonderful - I had a water birth and would have gone back to deliver all my children there but we relocated and the centre was closed down. Scandalous as it was still relatively new and a wonderful alternative to hospital.
    Best of luck in the coming weeks.

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  32. Don't worry too much about being rushed - both my birth experiences were nothing like that. The midwives were great and gave me the time I needed to do what my body needed to do! Good luck x

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  33. You are so lucky that you have / had no cravings

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  34. Ah not long now Hun. Bet you will feel the next few weeks drag now! At least your almost at the end of the pregnancy road. ull soon have a beautiful new baby x

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  35. Not long to go now! I planned for both of mine to be natural births but the first was 10 weeks early and the second was delivered by emergency c-section 2 weeks early. Pregnancies and labour never go the way you planned! xxx

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  36. Best of luck, you're nearly there now. Sounds like you're treasuring these last days with your bump.

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  37. Oh wow - it's getting really close now isn't it. I won't share my birth stories are they are both awful. I hope you get the birth you've hoped for and meet your little one when they're good and ready :-)
    Love Vicky
    Around and Upside Down

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  38. Oh wow you're really nearly there, and you sound incredibly well prepared! I was induced with my first at 42 weeks, and it was just a really long labour - she came out the traditional exit. I think you just have to know your options and then be prepared to roll with it - good luck :)

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  39. Love reading pregnancy updates. You are so near your date and it sounds like you are well prepared. Wishing you lots of luck and happiness x

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  40. Good luck - you are almost there. Tip for swollen ankles - lay on the bed or sofa and prop them up against the wall for 15 minutes. It doesn't cure it completely, but it helps xx

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  41. Good luck with it all, looking forward to reading about your little one's arrival soon! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts

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  42. that acronym is brilliant, not long now! how exciting! x

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  43. Yuk I remember swollen ankles, its not nice. Make sure you ring the midwife if it gets too bad! I am only 18 weeks so very far behind you, but still good to know about labour etc at this point.
    Thanks for sharing!
    x xx

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  44. What a fabulous update and you sound so mentally prepared! Love it. Not long to go, HOW EXCITING! Thanks so much for linking up! #MMWBH xx

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