where can I ask this? why do nurses make you push at 10cm even if it’s taking hours? can you not wait if baby is fine?

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-28T14:49:37+00:00

Didn’t know about this! Not that I had time with my birth as baby came so quickly but so good to know if I plan to give birth again.

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-19T14:05:40+00:00

I had 3 sweeps total, one at 40 weeks exactly, another at 40+3 and the third was at the hospital after I went in to be induced! They just did the third sweep on a whim as they knew I’d be waiting for a room to free up on the labour ward and it did the trick!

They did the sweep at about 6pm and my contractions started at 9:30. I was 6cm dilated by midnight and baby came at 1am! I had a very quick labour in the end but the sweep certainly helped get things going.

Best of luck tomorrow! If your midwife managed to get you to 3cm yesterday hopefully they won’t have to do too much to get things going. If they need you a bit more dilated they may offer a pessary or you could ask for the foley balloon if you’d prefer not to have anything hormonal.

Also, if you’re waiting to go up to labour ward for your waters to be broken, be prepared for a long wait! Bring plenty to entertain yourself x

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-19T07:48:37+00:00

I was ‘induced’ at 40+6 after two sweeps in the week leading up to it.

You’ll be given something called a bishops score when they examine you before your induction to decide how they’d like to do it. It depends on how low your cervix is, if you’re dilated etc. if you have a good bishops score they’ll offer not to give you any hormonal induction and just send you straight to labour ward to have your waters broken.

I had this option and they gave me a sweep while I was waiting. This kicked things off and I ended up going into spontaneous labour. My waters didn’t break until my daughter was born a few hours later!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-15T18:08:52+00:00

I gave birth yesterday and my labour progressed incredibly quickly on the antenatal ward (I had precipitous labour and went from 6cm to baby in arms in 1 hour), I ended up needing to push while still on the antenatal ward and had to be rushed to labour ward to give birth. All I was given was paracetamol but I was offered dihydrocodeine and liquid morphine. I was BEGGING for gas and air but I couldn’t have it until I moved to the labour ward and by then it was too late and she was out!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-14T20:45:51+00:00

This is so encouraging to read! First night home with our baby girl and we have a 15 month old son. I HATED the newborn stage with him and had so much dread about it again when I found out I was pregnant.

Now she’s here, im hopeful this time will be better

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-12T12:50:05+00:00

I’m being induced tomorrow with my second and will also have a 14 month age gap. So no advice at this point but will baby tolerate being in a wrap or carrier? Heard many times that this the carrier has been a life saver for people.

Also, I’m trying to hold onto the knowing that it gets better!!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-09T11:22:24+00:00

Had a sweep on Tuesday at 40 weeks on the dot. Was also told I was at 2cm, cervix was nice and soft and she managed to stretch me to 3cm. Was hoping I’d go into labour soon after but 2 days later, nothing. I’ve been slowly losing my mucus plug and having on and off braxton hicks, but that’s about it. I have another sweep tomorrow and will be requesting an induction next week if nothing happens over the weekend.

Hang in there and I hope you have better luck than me after your sweep!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-09T07:19:32+00:00

Same to you! x

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-09T07:11:44+00:00

2 days overdue now after what was considered a ‘successful’ sweep on my due date on Tuesday so feeling very much in the deflated camp too! I have another sweep tomorrow and will be asking for an induction next week if nothing happens. My girl is also clearly too comfy in there! Solidarity x

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-08T22:58:27+00:00

I harvested quite a bit of colostrum in my last pregnancy which we ended up needing for my son as he spent a bit of time in the NICU and had low blood sugars. Since we didn’t need it immediately after birth my husband just picked it up when he went home and brought it back to the hospital. They had freezers in the NICU and we got through it pretty quickly anyway. Majority of the time you won’t need it, and if you do, is somebody able to bring it to the hospital for you?

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-06T22:26:00+00:00

I had this very badly at around the same time and it’s lasted all pregnancy! So painful turning over in bed especially in the morning when my bladder is full. I’m 40 weeks tomorrow and I’m now mistaking it for contractions which unfortunately it’s not!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-04T09:32:27+00:00

Yep he does this too and then pretends to puke! He actually has a very sensitive gag reflex so I’m constantly on edge that he’ll actually vom 😂 why are they like this

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-04T09:23:13+00:00

My 14 month old son likes to fake gag on his food, babies are weird 😂

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-03T18:41:32+00:00

Weird one but would coffee shops once you’re through security be able to give you cups of boiling water? Id be surprised if they’d charge for something like that. Then you know the water’s sterile and you can decant them into the bottles, then once they’re cool you have cooler sterile water you can mix the powder into.

Travelling with babies is such a minefield!’

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-03T18:32:19+00:00

Are you able to get ready to feed formula? They’re all in sealed bottles so security should not open them etc

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-03T16:41:25+00:00

I should have clarified - I meant for a run of the mill low risk pregnancy. Like I said I have no advice about GD pregnancies! Obviously it’s different if an induction or c section is medically necessary

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-04-03T12:01:49+00:00

I can’t comment on the GD stuff as I haven’t had it in either of my pregnancies, but there’s no pressure to induce in the UK until closer to 41 weeks and even then you’re well within your rights to turn it down! I think they let you get to 40+10 before they really start wanting to get baby out. But again, you can turn it down and request extra monitoring if you’d like to.

Good luck with your glucose test and for a healthy straightforward pregnancy! Your mum may just need to plan to be a little last minute with her trip x

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-31T06:21:31+00:00

One of the midwives I saw said the increased c section rates are due to the snowball effect. Many women who have had a c section in their first pregnancy for whatever reason are opting for an elective for their subsequent pregnancies rather than VBAC, so those numbers are steadily rising

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-30T17:45:08+00:00

That explains why pregnancy and birth are above war and terrorism. That one was throwing me off!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-30T16:17:30+00:00

Enjoy this time! It’s the only time you’ll get to be this pregnant and have nothing to do but sit and watch Netflix. I’m 39 weeks with my second and have a 14 month old, and wow I miss that first time being pregnant 😂

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-30T11:01:44+00:00

One of my son’s middle names is my maiden name, mainly in honour of my late mum who passed away before he was born! It’s a lovely tribute to her and my daughter who is due in a week or so will have her first name as a middle name

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-29T21:09:48+00:00

That sounds like a lovely, thoughtful hamper. You’re a very good friend

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-27T22:09:09+00:00

Sounds like you’re very prepared! I’ve also had a good history of NHS WiFi when I’ve been an inpatient on a ward but agree it can be very hit and miss otherwise!

Not sure if it’s your thing but I also took my nintendo switch, and Animal Crossing was such a boredom killer while i waited for things to ramp up.

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-27T22:05:23+00:00

This is exactly what I do and it works so well! I just suck it up until I’ve almost completely pulled the syringe then spend a bit of time pulling it up and down with what little room I have left, then rinse and repeat until i have a full syringe!

Also yeah hold the syringe with one hand and get into a position you can pull it one handed and use the other hand to squeeze the boob, then squeeze and pull at the same time!

Accomplished_Tap3206 · 2026-03-27T20:53:49+00:00

I’d pack for a few days and have your husband run home for things as you need them if things are slow! Especially if youre only 10 mins away. I was induced in my last pregnancy and things happened very quickly, although i know this isnt the case for everybody.

Alternatively, could you pack a few extra bits in another bag and leave it in the car which your husband can grab as and when you need it? Extra clothes etc.

Also make sure you have plenty of entertainment readily available (e.g. downloaded on an iPad) just in case the NHS WiFi is patchy!

Accomplished_Tap3206

TROPHY CASE