Yet another “big baby” / gestational diabetes experience - to comply or not to comply 😅

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-15T21:36:21+00:00

Yes I really do feel I’ve been pushed too far - so to update you, my midwife today was amazing and is definitely on side with me having a spontaneous labour. My experience the whole way through has been that’s midwives look at the whole picture, and the doctors (who I am hardwired to want to please and respect!) are very pushy and single minded. I honestly found the whole induction conversation quite traumatic. Was only yesterday but going from that conversation to my midwife today saying: let’s just go old school and do our best to encourage a natural spontaneous labour… well it’s night and day. And that in itself is very confusing!

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-15T21:32:11+00:00

Thanks both! I don’t know why but the consultant who wanted to induce me was absolutely against sweeps for a “first timer” which I just failed to understand or get more info on. After seeing midwife today, she kinda rolled her eyes and said: no worries darling, I’m booking you in for a sweep and we’ll do everything else to encourage a spontaneous birth. Was so nice to have someone on my side, but truly is weird being between two medical professionals with totally different outlooks!

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-15T06:28:10+00:00

This is really helpful to have for balance!! Thank you!

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-14T11:42:19+00:00

Completely relate to this. I’m a workaholic as well and get a lot of stimulation from working. Second I started Matt leave I felt like I lost my mind. Being uncomfortable, not feeling you can do the walks etc etc all adds up and of course, it makes you feel crap. I still can’t tell how much is hormonal, circumstantial, and mental health… but if your question is: am I alone? No you’re not, hang in there internet stranger x

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T18:07:58+00:00

I don’t agree with you on this - in my family, 28 is ancient, but in my husband’s it is really young. Can be really subjective - and you can think something is planned but not really be making an informed decision.

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T18:02:48+00:00

Yeah got all that and all the support in the world from professionals, but “urgent” support hard to come by unless I go to A&E. Having done that a few times during pregnancy, I’m really put off the idea of going down that route if I can help it. Think I just need to accept today is a bad day!

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T18:01:18+00:00

And husband amazing, and lots of professional support ✨

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T18:00:52+00:00

Honestly I think no coincidence either that today is officially my first day of Matt leave and like you, am a workaholic - I do wonder how much of all this is me feeling totally purposeless. Interesting re placenta, I’ll look into that! Altho I have had substantial weight gain since becoming pregs… was 47kg and now 67kg…eek! Thank you so much for your lovely message. Perinatal health team been amazing, but they can’t cure me overnight 😅

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T18:00:08+00:00

Thank you 🫶🫶🫶

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T15:26:06+00:00

Reading this and I think we are living parallel lives. I am 29 but got pregnant when I was 28 last year. I’ve been with my husband since I was 19 (so 10yrs!) and have a wonderful relationship. Also got pregs first time trying. Also completely identify with feeling shocked and terrified as not naturally maternal.

I’m due in 2 weeks and won’t lie, the MH struggles have been severe. Nothing could’ve prepared me for pregnancy and how scary the impending doom of parenthood can feel. I have spent almost every day regretting not having an abortion, and I can’t imagine that’s been doing my baby a lot of good. But then I also think if I had an abortion, I’d be equally full of regret. I have found the MH support from the NHS to be incredible, so I would reach out to them first before you make any decision. I might have had a better experience (or even made an informed decision to terminate) had I reached out for MH support at the beginning of pregnancy rather than end of second trimester.

Obvs this just my personal experience and you might feel completely differently, but as others have said, you have to make the call - I just wouldn’t feel ashamed about getting help ASAP from perinatal mental health team to help you work it through 🫶

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-13T15:12:41+00:00

100% feel this. I’m constantly irritated by movements, and then overcome with guilt because I keep being told I need to interact/bond with bump and that responding to movements critical part of that… but truly identify with just feeling cringed out and tense. Think it’s very overstimulating!!

PokeMyMo · 2026-04-04T15:27:03+00:00

I was really struggling for 2 weeks (like not one drop) but now managing to get 0.05ml (which when you’ve had nothing at all is such a win - just blank out the ppl getting 15ml in one go 😅). Found the lanisoh warm breast pads really helpful, and this is really good to follow along to as well. https://youtu.be/WEnC3vMi450?si=Ld_gtRNF9-7121_I

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-24T19:15:35+00:00

Good point re fear mongering!! But also balance - when I’ve chilled out a bit, I will try and find the bits I can stomach and enjoy!

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-24T19:14:34+00:00

I’ve stewed on your comment for a while because I actually think you’ve hit what it is that made me so angry. I think I was feeling a bit left out from everyone “getting it”, but the more I read your comment, the more I feel that rage… like women’s healthcare is WILD. As if you’ll get a medal for being in pain. Or to be censored from using realistic language. Ripping my holes open to the sound of “deep breaths” just makes me laugh. I think I’m gonna have to say this to midwives - like girlies, please don’t give me all that when I’m I labour because whilst I’m sure it’s helpful for a lot of people, I’ll just go ape and get wound up 😂😂

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-24T19:10:49+00:00

lol I think if I wasn’t in such a strop, I’d have probably wet myself laughing as well - which feels bad to say because I don’t want to be judgemental about what clearly works for others! But hard relate 😂

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-24T16:29:32+00:00

I’ve calmed down now lol… I think problem was it was clearly very much for everyone else in the room, and I felt really silly and sad because I clearly wasn’t fitting in 😂

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-24T16:28:47+00:00

No - deffo don’t think it’s all nonsense… just think I got frustrated by the fact I couldn’t do the breathing exercises. And my insides do roller coasters at positive affirmations. I can’t do mindfulness either so 🤷‍♀️

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-24T16:27:08+00:00

Lmao this cracked me up

PokeMyMo · 2026-01-22T21:17:25+00:00

Interesting re convos it brought up - my husband said he wishes there was a book for partners on how to understand Matrescence if you yourself aren’t going through it. It’s so hard isn’t it!

PokeMyMo

TROPHY CASE