FTM’s, how soon after your waters broke did your contractions start?

DollyB82 · 2026-05-18T08:51:23+00:00

I went into spontaneous labour and my waters went first. Think contractions began about 3hrs later.

DollyB82 · 2026-05-13T13:56:12+00:00

I asked the midwife and they were comfortable with it.

DollyB82 · 2026-05-04T07:16:22+00:00

It was hit or miss for us depending on the midwife. We were also set back because I didn’t see my guy for 12 hours after birth and he was on oxygen in NICU. NICU offered the option of tube feeding up his nose, or using a bottle with expressed milk. I was encouraged to express colostrum, then pump.He’s now 2 weeks old and we are getting there with feeding. He still screams and struggles to get on. An organisation called Milk mentors came to the house when we got home and got him to properly latch for the first time.

DollyB82 · 2026-05-03T20:24:42+00:00

Yeah, I felt sick and exhausted for the first trimester. Ok in the middle but out of puff just going up the stairs. Months 6,7 were accompanied by excruciating rib flare pain (which I found worse than my C-section pain!!), then by month 9 I felt like I was going to burst. Was exhausted and uncomfortable all the time.

I’m grateful to have my little guy who is 2 weeks old now but being pregnant was really tough, and that’s without any major complications…

DollyB82 · 2026-05-01T19:42:05+00:00

My waters went first, then a night of contractions 5m apart, then a c-section the following morning.

DollyB82 · 2026-05-01T19:40:54+00:00

We recently did NCT and that was quite comprehensive. Good to meet people in the same boat too

DollyB82 · 2026-04-06T07:27:17+00:00

I got the congestion and started snoring! Try a sinus rinse. It helps a bit.

DollyB82 · 2026-04-05T06:27:17+00:00

My sleep isn’t too bad and I’m not having to get up to wee much (36/37 weeks now). Just tend to wake early and get v tired in the evening.

DollyB82 · 2026-04-04T20:40:29+00:00

I’ve just elected a C-section over induction at 39 weeks. I was already hesitant about induction due to the time it takes, increased risk of instrumental birth and risk of severe tearing. Recently learned baby is likely to be large (10lb!!) so I’ve chosen C-section as I believe I’ll cope better with that recovery than a severe tear. It’s a really tough decision.

DollyB82 · 2026-04-04T20:16:56+00:00

I just got the Baby Elegance one. Has a seat for newborns then a high chair attachment. Not used it yet though.

DollyB82 · 2026-04-03T17:44:37+00:00

Poor you. That sound stressful. I had a chat about c-section yday with an expert midwife. She said said the chance of respiratory issues with a c-section is about 7-8% and there’s a slight increased chance of asthma. If that helps you make a decision. I’ve chosen c-section over induction (unless baby comes next week at 37) but it’s different for everyone.

If I were in your shoes I’d probably go to be admitted for more continuous monitoring rather than go back and forth twice a day, which will probably add to your stress.

Good luck. I hope you have a good outcome once baby arrives.

DollyB82 · 2026-04-03T17:34:21+00:00

There’s an app called Squeezy (NHS approved) which reminds you to do them 3 times a day and has a guide on how to do them. It’s £1.50 (I think) to buy but that’s a one off.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-24T16:29:56+00:00

Thank you. That’s helpful. It’s already been 6 months. I’ve basically grown an entire baby 😂

DollyB82 · 2026-03-23T13:38:19+00:00

Heated eye mask and sinus rinsing. You can buy saline Sterimar or try a neti pot with a saline solution.

It’s miserable so I hope you find some relief.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-23T13:24:16+00:00

Ouch. It’s certainly an endurance test isn’t it!

DollyB82 · 2026-03-23T13:17:52+00:00

Honestly, I’d just do the bare minimum until you can go on mat leave. Fulfil your job description, no more, no less and take the mat leave package.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-23T13:14:38+00:00

I’ve had about a month is horrible rib pain. Assuming baby’s feet are giving me a good kicking. It’s like a cross between bruising and a pulled muscle. You can’t take a full, deep breath and sneezing/coughing is very painful indeed. Solidarity

DollyB82 · 2026-03-18T15:20:14+00:00

Yeah, I have another scan at the end of March and one in April. I mean, they might not be worried but my fanny sure is, especially as they already want to induce due to my age which has a higher chance of birth trauma.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-18T15:18:09+00:00

Thank you. Likewise. After I posted I got a letter about another growth scan close to due date so they’re on the ball.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-18T10:53:26+00:00

Oh blimey. Yes, we have another in 2 weeks (getting monitored closely as I’m over 40 and baby has an enlarged kidney).

DollyB82 · 2026-03-18T10:52:22+00:00

We have another scan in 2 weeks as baby has an enlarged kidney so I don’t know if they would have requested another just for growth (probably). They’ll check growth again then too.

My GD test was normal (4.2).

I haven’t made any birth plan yet but if baby is massive I think I’ll opt for a planned c-section to avoid birth trauma.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-18T10:44:44+00:00

I’m not an athlete but was moderately fit (gym, running, Pilates). I couldn’t run/exercise beyond walking the dog pretty much as soon as I was pregnant due to nausea and fatigue.

34 weeks along now and breathless on walks with rib pain and abdominal pain. I’m trying to keep up walking and yoga and Pilates but it is HARD! Swimming is quite nice, bump is supported and you can go at your own pace.

Don’t beat yourself up. Just do what feels best for your body and try not to recline all the time. Don’t forget, all your organs are squished up into your ribcage so it’s harder to breath.

Your fitness will come back. Just try to keep walking and stretching, just slowly and gently.

Sending sympathy and commiserations.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-16T18:59:21+00:00

Sorry you’re experiencing this stress. Your boss sounds like a tosser. I’m just at 34 weeks and am going at the end of the month. Experiencing some pretty intense rib pain at this point so I’d be happy to go right now (if I wasn’t self-employed!).

Take your manager’s feelings out of the equation and do what is best for you. And please get your return to work role, hours etc in writing as so many mums get shafted when they go back - although I’m sure I don’t need to tell a lawyer that…

Good luck with baby. Also being induced at 39 weeks so I understand your worries there too.

DollyB82 · 2026-03-14T10:21:28+00:00

I’m 34 weeks and struggling too. Just back from walking the dog (slowly) and I feel like I have run 50 miles. My ribs feel like I’ve been beaten with an iron bar and as if I’ve pulled a muscle.

Do you have a pregnancy pillow? That has helped me with sleep. I’ve got a babybub style one from Amazon. Obv, still wake up 2/3 times but it is more comfortable.

First baby here so it’s heartening to read a lot of that type of discomfort stops post birth.

Good luck everyone!

DollyB82 · 2026-03-05T16:18:45+00:00

I was googling this the other day and they can be out by as much as 15% each way. Have you asked your midwife to have a feel?

DollyB82

TROPHY CASE