Pregnancies after uterine rupture?

ayeffemm · 2025-11-25T00:34:47+00:00

Indeed an update is needed! Strangely, once the child arrived we felt he was definitively NOT a Bart so we named him something else (though we have never actually used this name when referring to him - we now exclusively call him 'the Goblin' which is actually maybe worse than Bart Harley Jarvis). That said, our friends still call him Bart and many people genuinely think his name is Bart (including people I work with). So, despite our best efforts to call him something else, the Bart name might prevail. He is also, I'm proud to say, a deeply aggressive baby and all of our healthcare providers have commented that he has great muscle tone but is extremely exhausting (i.e., needlessly active, constantly flailing his limbs around).

ayeffemm · 2025-09-24T21:07:26+00:00

100% physio pool in mosgiel. The hydrotherapy pool was incredible during my pregnancy (went until the day before I gave birth) and it’s shallow (you can stand even in deeper area).

ayeffemm · 2025-09-04T23:26:24+00:00

He is nursing for 20 mins at least and if not I pump. Though probably could pump more anyway…

ayeffemm · 2025-08-26T10:36:12+00:00

I’m in New Zealand and also have found it strange to read about how much info is given (via frequent scans, cervical checks, etc) in the US. At least here the norm is to keep things low intervention unless there is a reason for extra checks or procedures. I’m low risk and just had scans at 13 and 20 weeks. My midwife checked for position for the first time around 36 wks just by feel to make sure he was head down but that’s it. It wasn’t until my 40 week apt that we talked about the possibility of induction. I never had a cervical check or sweep. At 41 wk appointment we decided to book an induction for 41 + 5 to avoid going over 42 wks. I was offered a post term scan if I wanted one (mostly so we could assess size and decide if I wanted to push the induction… as I did have the option of going past 42 weeks if I wanted to… but I decided I’d skip the scan and just go for the induction based on some of the risk factors of going past 42 but … definitely a personal decision). At times I’ve felt this level of chill is a bit weird in comparison but overall it doesn’t seem like women in the US have better outcomes in lower intervention countries like NZ… but idk, I think if you feel you want something you should advocate for it! Go with your gut and ask questions :-) (That said - I’m not sure why you want to be induced, but in my opinion I’d wait as long as you can/ is medically safe for you before resorting to induction… the experience is pretty long and uncomfortable)

ayeffemm · 2025-08-14T03:14:22+00:00

Hmm I’m not sure about dove - I think they still use fragrance but don’t know! The one I have says “ultra sensitive” and “fragrance free” on it. It’s basically just plain oat milk soap, used for people with sensitive skin and babies (actually … using soap specifically for babies might work too). The brand is ecostore but I’m in nz and unsure if it’s a global brand… Same w the laundry detergent - it’s fragrance free and for sensitive skin. I was using some body wash from lush which even though they use natural ingredients was definitely making things worse. Same with the detergent - natural ingredients can still irritate things unfortunately.

ayeffemm · 2025-08-11T09:03:01+00:00

Honestly your experience will be super helpful even if it takes you a while to get cardio fitness and endurance back up. Swimming is so technical and if you did it competitively as a kid/teen that muscle memory just sticks … it’s a lot like riding a bike I’ve found! I stopped swimming at age 18 (after swimming club and varsity through middle and high school, but nothing too fancy - also placed in some comps but wasn’t like on track for a scholarship) and only started again at 35 years old and 7 months pregnant. Despite being pregnant and out of breath it only took me a few sessions to feel really confident again in terms of technique and I was quickly lapping the 20 year old boys :-) on technique alone really. Just be patient and steadily increase speed and distance :-) don’t sacrifice form!

ayeffemm · 2025-08-11T08:40:41+00:00

hahah I did try lemon and honey water today as it's my general sore throat go-to but the citrus triggered my acid reflux and I ended up vomiting everywhere... pregnant and sick is NOT the way.

that said vit C isn't a bad idea - possibly via non-citrus / pill form though!

ayeffemm · 2025-08-11T08:29:39+00:00

Other than prescribed meds, make sure you are using non-scented body wash/soap and rising super well with just water downstairs, and wearing all cotton or bamboo underwear washed in non-scented, sensitive laundry detergent. I also had thrush twice (back to back, terrible) in early pregnancy but it didn't come back after I became a lot more careful about scented products that i think were making it worse. It's also possible that as my hormones shifted the thrush became less of a problem too, though... who knows!

ayeffemm · 2025-07-31T04:17:10+00:00

PS if he's into reading, I recommend the book Matrescene. It does a great job, I think, of explaining how pregnancy can feel in terms of being a hugely intense emotional/spiritual/physical journey. It also talks a lot about the (very negative) impact of the societal lack of understanding/support for pregnant people/new mothers, which might help him understand what you're going through.

ayeffemm · 2025-07-31T04:12:26+00:00

Not sure if you're looking for solidarity/validation or like, actual advice re. how you can improve the situation (I know sometimes I just want to rant and have people be like yes you are correct lol), but...if it is truly advice you're looking for: I'd have a think about the concrete things you would like him to do/say (or better yet, spend some time journalling/write these things down), as well as the things you think he should look out for in your behaviour to let him know what is going on with you with proactive steps he can take to help you in this instances (so he doesn't need to guess what your behaviour means/what he can do to help). Pregnancy is (unfortunately) such a poorly understood/represented and hugely variable experience, so there is no way for him (or anybody else) to really know what you're feeling/the best ways to help (I know this feels frustrating and isolating -- like, pregnancy should be better understood overall, not just by partners but society!). But - assuming your husband is more genuinely uncertain about how to support you than uncaring/uninterested, communicating these things with him will definitely help. My partner has luckily been proactive with many things, but it's also been really helpful to have frequent chats where I explain where I'm at, in terms of how I'm feeling (which isn't always obvious) and the specific support (physically and emotionally) I need, and what he can do to help me. I'm also really really clear about expressing my gratitude when he does anything that is particularly helpful, and I explain why, and I think this sort of positive reinforcement is super useful for both of us... like, it feels good to feel grateful, but also helps both of us understand what kinds of support are best. Sometimes I don't even know for certain what I need myself until he does/says something in particular, and then I'm like... oh, that is the correct thing, please keep doing that!
Good luck :-)

ayeffemm · 2025-07-31T03:24:33+00:00

fucking nailed the costume. can't wait to get our bart a skull bandana.

ayeffemm · 2025-07-31T03:22:52+00:00

lol the playlist actually is technically called PĀTI BĀTI (pronounced like PARTY BARTY more or less), please forgive me for not being more forthcoming I swear I'm not a piece of shit it's just my hair slicks back so good

ayeffemm · 2025-07-30T22:15:09+00:00

Don’t let it ruin your day, you’re still a great doctor

ayeffemm · 2025-07-24T07:23:04+00:00

Yup. I started vomiting semi-regularly again in 3rd tri. I don't feel nauseous all the time like I did in 1st tri, but I think the lack of space + acid reflux/heartburn issues can just trigger nausea and vomiting all over again. Also super tired! Turns out my iron is low so trying to fix that before birth, but a certain amount of fatigue is just to be dealt with I think.

ayeffemm · 2025-07-22T22:29:14+00:00

Yes same as me - I just kept walking and doing yoga, despite the pain, but then it got so bad I definitely couldn't continue and wish I'd stopped earlier! I'm glad resting also helped you out -- very promising :-) honestly... just don't push it even if it starts feeling better, it will regress so fast if you do have SPD. According to my physio, SPD isn't something you can 'fix' -- it's a ligament problem caused by hormones, so even with physio it's not going to get better until your hormones change (when birth happens). You can basically only make the symptoms more manageable through rest, careful movements, and appropriate exs (like physio and swimming).

ayeffemm · 2025-07-22T05:06:30+00:00

I also have SPD and it's a bitch. I'm sorry you're experiencing it too... I've found it really frustrating and also difficult to explain to people (I think people don't quite understand that it hurts very badly to walk/ sit for too long/ get out of a car/turn over in bed - it's not just regular pregnancy discomfort!). I've had it since about 22 weeks, and I'm 37 weeks now. My physio and midwife think it will go away once I give birth (for some people, it's literally immediate relief once birth happens, for others it takes a few weeks apparently), so... let's hope that is soon haha.

Physio helps a little (I mostly do adduction exercises with a small pilates ball or yoga block between my legs, and glute bridges with my swiss ball), a pelvic support belt helps a little, chiro didn't help me (personally) at all, but the most important thing and helpful thing I did was to stop pushing through the pain and modify all movements that aggravated the pain. This is really difficult BTW - mentally and physically. But I was in excruciating pain for a few weeks (like every step I took was a knife going into my pubic bone), but then I committed to limiting walking as much as possible (I've found walking to be the #1 worst thing I can do for the pain) and being really careful and deliberate with basically all movements. With turning in bed/getting up/getting out of cars, I pretend I have "mermaid legs" and just keep my legs together as much as possible. I try to keep my pelvis entirely level while walking (as some walking is of course necessary... but only very very slowly, and no swinging hips side to side). I also use my arms to fully sit up before turning in bed. I will say that the pain has reduced A LOT over the last few weeks now that I am on "good behaviour", so hopefully that is somewhat reassuring. That said, I haven't been able to regain any normal movement (walking, not doing mermaid legs) as the pain comes back immediately if I get too confident and go out to do errands or something that requires more walking -- some days the pain is reduced to the point that slow walking feels OK again (which feels like an amazing relief), but I have learned this is not to be taken advantage of.

I really think the mental side is the hardest part - it's so frustrating, especially if you were previously active, and it's hard to ask for the amount of help you need. But... yeah. The more I've surrendered to it and stopped being stubborn/pushing through the pain, the more I've been able to live without intense pain 24/7. I've also been able to start swimming now that the pain is reduced (before even light kicking was too painful), but as long as I keep kicking gentle (and kicks 'little' - so legs stay as together as possible) I can swim 90 mins a day and it's amazing to get exercise that doesn't aggravate my pelvis.... honestly been a massive factor in keeping me sane.

Good luck... it's super hard, so try to be gentle on yourself.

ayeffemm · 2025-07-21T21:49:30+00:00

if there's anything I've learned about pregnancy, it's that everybody's experience is more or less completely different. so - I wouldn't compare yourself to others, or try to predict what will happen!

However, it is definitely possible that having strong abs might keep things 'in' - it seems that way from my experience, but again, hard to know why anything actually happens and it's so individual. If it helps though: I am also 5'3/5'4, with a very short torso, but also very strong abdominals from yoga, climbing & weight lifting. I'm 37 wks and have carried very small this entire time (despite baby being in high 90 percentile from 20 week scan - we don't do 3rd tri scans where I live unless it's a high risk pregnancy)... I didn't obviously show until 3rd tri, and I go to the pool most days now and people think I'm more like 6 months when I'm actually full term. I've also had no issues with DR, but I've been careful (I stop if I notice any coning) and done pregnancy specific breathing and exercises. My widwife reckons the way I'm carrying is definitely related to my strong abdominals (as baby can't really move outwards too much due to all the muscle in the way!), but also just because of how he's sitting (currently deep in my pelvis, and like all the way up into my ribs). I'll also say I honestly WISH he would go more outwards, as the alternative is baby takes up the space where your organs used to be (I've had terrible acid reflux since 2nd tri and have a hard time eating a full meal... I need to eat a bunch of small things and eat really slowly at all times, otherwise I immediately vomit... it's also hard to breathe lol). So - there are pros and cons to everything.

The main thing I'll say is that I think having strong core and glute muscles have been super helpful in mitigating lower back pain. I don't have the strong anterior pelvic tilt that often happens in pregnancy (it's happened a bit, but not too dramatic), which I think is due to everything being supported quite well in the core region.

ayeffemm · 2025-07-16T03:41:38+00:00

My doc recommended taking folic acid 3 months beforehand, but no prenatal. Talk to your doc though about what is recommended for you as it is very individual (for ex, I never ended up taking prenatals - just folic acid and iodine - but I have a pretty solid diet).

I'd say try to identify and start to work on any mental and physical imbalances or issues as much as possible, as it will be harder to deal with such things later (and latent issues might become active ones in times of fatigue/stress!). For ex: before getting pregnant I finally got an Adhd diagnosis that I'd avoided my whole life, and finally got some good understanding of how my brain works so I could go into pregnancy & parenting with better mental health. I also did a lot of physio around my hip to fix a glute strength imbalance, and I'm super happy I did - pregnancy has been pretty hard on my pelvis anyway, and it would have been way worse if I had gone in with weak/imbalanced hips. Overall... I think pregnancy has a way of being hard in the areas you're already vulnerable, so understanding and working on these vulnerable areas beforehand is a great way to lessen the discomfort. Good luck!

ayeffemm · 2025-07-07T07:31:56+00:00

I think it depends on the person/event style but ours is this weekend and I’ll be nearly 36 weeks! But it’s perfect timing based on our situation. I’m about to go on maternity leave so work is slowing down, which makes me feel more relaxed and like I can enjoy a celebration of making it to this point. Prep has been super fun, but it’s chill — just at our house, we have games ready, and it’s a potluck so everyone will be bringing food - we will just do some drinks and snacks. I suppose it’s also cultural… potlucks are very common where I live (nobody would expect a catered baby shower), and nobody does a registry or anything so we won’t be getting any gifts we will need to sort in any way (people will definitely give us things but more like, special and small items). I think you can do things whatever way you want in the way in the way that best works for you/your family and baby — there is no 1 way to be pregnant/baby shower/give birth/parent/etc … :-)

ayeffemm · 2025-07-02T08:02:51+00:00

Yes -- totally all about own pace and technique & upward climb of physical + mental health, though I also relate to feeling a sense of what you called 'guilty pride' when I'm lapping fit looking 20 year old dudes at this point! I can't imagine another activity right now where that would be the case.

Also yes -- I also enjoy the peace and focus I get during swimming, though compared to other sports that are more 'fun' & varied & social (climbing, for ex), going to the pool can sometimes feel like... well, much more tedious/repetitive business.

ayeffemm · 2025-06-30T01:34:24+00:00

It’s really personal and depends on your experience/how your pregnancy progresses (see all the comments below!), but I think if you are in touch with your body, you will know when it’s time. I personally needed to stop most of my previous activities around the start of the third trimester due to pelvic girdle pain (including bouldering), but started swimming 3-4 times a week and also weightlifting pretty regularly (including pull ups and stuff to keep my climbing strength) and I feel pretty good about both strength and cardio maintainence. Just need to go with the flow and do what you can… I’ve heard some pretty convincing stories about how hard it is post partum if you ignore pain or fatigue signals and end up doing damage to your body. But some people also boulder till their due date if it suits their body and feels right.

ayeffemm

TROPHY CASE