Community Posts, Tips & Support on Labor & Birth

For those who have had an elective c section have you any advice before and after, also could you share your experience please. TIA

I'm 17 days PP. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any rush to 'snap back' I just want to know I can get rid of the overhang if I so wish??? Or am I stuck with it??

Hi, for those who have been lucky to be able to harvest colostrum how much did you take into hospital with you?

More of just a rant but I'm struggling so much with the c section recovery. One minute I feel great and the next I feel like I've ran a marathon. I had my daughter on the 19th and have been mobile a lot, been for walks and went shopping for an hour. I love being out and feel this has helped me but then I get home a...

How far along is everyone packing their and babies hospital bags?

Waters broke last night and my contractions had started was taken to labour ward did quite well no pain relief at the start and had a sleep with my contractions then they got stronger.... little man was born was born at 11:28 but upsettingly was taken to nicu due to struggling to breathe due to the cord wrapped arou...

Hey! Does anyone had their antenatal follow up? If so what happens in it and am I allowed to bring my partner? Im 16 weeks and have mine in 2 weeks or so

Obviously I know for many people they won’t know that they need a C-section until later in the pregnancy but I’m just wondering if you know earlier on for whatever reason how early can you usually have those conversations? I had a third degree tear with my first birth and because of the damage caused I’m being adv...

My doctor gave me the option for a membrane sweep on Wednesday, I'll be 39.5 weeks. Has anyone else got this done, and how long until you went into labor? How painful was it? I'm so nervous!

I’m really scared to get a c section but my baby has been stuck in my birth canal and I can’t dilate more than 7 will it hurt any advice please

So I had my sweep yesterday at around half past 3 so it’s not quite been 24hrs yet. I lost my bloody show last night but still having some brownish loss? Almost looks like little flakes of dead skin (sorry very gross 😂) have also had some very light cramping. Take it these are all good signs??

Does increased discharge ( I genuinely feel wet) along with random period like pains mean labour is near? I’m 37 + 1

Just hoping to get any advice or words of comfort from anyone that has maybe been in a similar situation. I'm a FTM and currently 41+2 weeks pregnant. I was sent for a growth scan yesterday and was told my baby is measuring over 10lbs and they suggest either bringing my induction forward or having a c section. I was...

What does a contraction exactly feel like bc I’m having weird pains but I’m only 32 weeks so idk

This might be a dumb question, but I’m having mild contractions that are fitting within the 5-1-1 rule according to my app. BUT they are not super strong yet. Should I be going to the doctor or should I be waiting for them to get stronger? I also can’t for the life of me tell if my water is slowly leaking or if it’...

At 4am Oct 1, I checked in the hospital with my water broken at 3cm dilated, pretty mild contractions. They induced with pitocin which brought me to 6cm. It seemed like forever of increased pain, which led to getting an epidural. However, I was stuck at that dilation because my baby’s body couldn’t pass through the ...

Hi all, I am considering giving birth at Barnet Hospital as I did not have a great experience at Lister with my first. The maternity unit at Lister has recently been rated as needing improvement, whilst at Barnet the maternity unit is good, although the last inspection was in 2016. If you could share your experien...

If anyone is having a planned section how many weeks do you have it at please?

If you have had an elective C-section how many weeks were you? I am due with my second baby 10/01/2025 and just wondering if I do have a C-section what date it may be on 😅

Has anyone else had contractions start and stop? Mine were every 9 minutes for around 2-3 hours last night and around midnight just stopped. I got some sleep but was hoping things were happening for us! With my first baby everything gradually got more intense so not sure how normal it is for it to just stop!? Baby i...