Community Posts, Tips & Support on Labor & Birth

Hello, I did anyone go to the buying for baby appointments that are offered in John Lewis + other places? Were they worth it? This is our first baby so we are a bit clueless and I believe it would be really helpful. But also don’t want to waste time…

How long was it until you got a date for a planned c section from signing the forms?

Hi everyone. Has anyone ever requested a c section rather than vaginal birth? My anxiety is through the roof for vaginal so I am going to request a c section but I wanted to see how to go about this, who to speak to and if I will be able to? I have looked at nhs website and it says I should be granted one if I am ...

i am currently pregnant with my rainbow baby (7 months) and i have to have a c section; due to an extra stitch i had on my womb due to my last pregnancy (placenta abruption/stillbirth) has anyone had a c section; planned! i am honestly dreading it, its scaring me that i have to be awake and be cut open to get baby ...

It's really embarrassing it's not wet doesn't look dischargy but my underwear part way through the day is always damp I guess? I don't think I'm peeing myself but maybe I am?! I'm also discharging more but this feels different

Been told I’ll be having an induction at 36 weeks. So starting to plan my hospital bag! I have the general overall list offline and snacks, entertainment and stuff but looking likely I’ll be in hospital for potentially between 1-2 weeks and wondered if anyone had any tips for extra things that packed that really hel...

Hey! Has anyone been in for an induction at st Mary’s Oxford road? I have been told this is what’s going to happen for me and wondered if you get your own room and if they’re nice, how comfortable it is so I can mentally prepare as much as possible 😅

Has anyone got any experience of having a planned section at Nnuh? I’ve requested a caesarean due to complications with previous pregnancy, just wondered what I should expect? Haven’t got my date yet because I’m not due till December.

I am 33 weeks with intense hip pain. Should I be worried? The hip pain is so bad I can't really walk. I'm scheduled for a c section in a little less than 4 weeks.

I'm seeing a lot of women getting induced. What's up with that? My first baby was 9lbs and came at 41 weeks. And I tried so hard to walk and walk and walk before my induction and I went into labor 2 days before my induction. I understand if you go over 40 weeks, there's reason to worry. But a lot of inductions these...

I'm 39 weeks pregnant, first baby. I had an appointment this morning, and I was told that I'm only half a centimeter dilated. Now I'm having contractions every 10 minutes. When should I head to the hospital?

It’s my first pregnancy and a while to go but I want to be mentally and physically prepared. I’ve gotten conflicting information whether a c section is the only way to go for both twins to come out properly. Worried that if I try for natural birth twin b will have complications and “freak out” when twin a leaves the...

Literally every ten minutes I have to pee. The past few days I’ve had some pretty intense Braxton hicks contractions and I’ve been super thirsty all the time. It seems like every ten minutes I have to get up and pee. Baby definitely started to drop last week. Has this happened to anyone else? Does this mean labor i...

What are things that can be done to prepare for labor and when can/should they be started? I know of a couple but not sure when/how to start them: -Drinking pineapple juice -Eating dates -Drinking raspberry leaf tea -Using primrose oil capsules -Drinking okra water

Or anything similar? What are you doing with your placenta if anything?

Has anyone had a c section at RIE recently? What did your day look like if elective and was your partner allowed to stay overnight as I’m worried I won’t be able to move about as much afterwords and will be stressing trying to look after baby on my own whilst struggling

So cringe to post this but I think I’m at the worst I’ve been mentally regarding my body. I understand I brought a life into this world, but just over a year postpartum and I really dislike my stomach! I barely have sex anymore (partly because I’m shy now and partly because my partner called me fat one time - he a...

I’m curious to anyone who has given birth on the labour ward in the middle of the night. Do they let your partner stay with you over night once you have given birth or do they send them home straight away? So if I give birth at 1am would they send him home straight away or would they allow him to sleep on the chair ?

Has anyone water broke before? What was your experience? How did you feel before your water broke ?

What are some good exercises to help get rid of the c section pooch? I’m struggling with my body image lately and the hang seems to make it worse 🥲