u/Known-Cucumber-7989

Baby boy was born on Tuesday, has been mostly breastfed and exclusively for the first 24hrs. I supplemented with some formula last night because he was so fussy at the breast, I’d been running off next to no sleep after a 40+ hour labour. He took the formula and I got a 2 hour stretch of sleep which felt absolutely amazing. Since then he’s becoming even more fussy at the breast, presumably because he now expects there to be milk available straight away and he doesn’t need to work for it.

Every feed today I’ve just cried because he’s getting so frustrated, my nipples are cracked and so so sore. I’m still so tired and as great as my partner has been with lightening the load we also have a 2.5yo to look after who he’s been taking the lead with.

I formula fed my first from birth and she has turned out completely fine but I feel like such a failure for considering quitting this soon. I thought I could cope with being the sole nutrition of my child and the only one to feed him but I genuinely don’t think I can take it.

I know a lot of this is hormones talking but I just feel so guilty

Edit: Thank you all SO much for your comments. This community has truly lifted my spirits. I decided to do just formula last night and it may or may not have been a fluke but I actually managed to get some decent sleep, I’ve woken up this morning at peace with the fact I don’t think breastfeeding is for me. I am going to try and express some milk when it comes in properly and see how I get on with that in combination with formula but I genuinely feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders

I had a lovely VBAC with my little boy 2 days ago. Labour was 40 hours from start to finish, pushing only 15 minutes thankfully and a small labial graze which didn’t need any stitches.

The first 24 hours after birth I had so much adrenaline I didn’t really feel any pain, just a bit of sting when I went for a wee.

I’m now kind of feeling like my body has been hit by a train, my muscles are incredibly sore all over my body and I’m stinging quite a bit down there when I go for a wee.

As my first was a c section I’ve only ever experienced a long recovery so I have no idea what to expect this time!

If anyone has any tips outside the usual advice like taking regular pain relief I’d be really grateful 😊

What to expect in the first 24hrs after baby is born feed wise? Baby boy was born at 4.25pm yesterday, has been exclusively breastfed so far. It was a really long labour and I haven’t had much sleep since so I haven’t really taken note of how many times he’s fed, but he’s had 2 x poops and 3 x pees so I’m assuming he’s hydrated enough. His last feed was 3hrs ago, I’ve just tried to put him to the breast but he’s just not interested and is quite sleepy. Is this normal?

I didn’t BF my first so this is all completely new to me. Can he go that long without a feed? The last feed was about 40 minutes long and he fed from both sides

Just had a lovely VBAC with my little boy and thought I’d share as I was induced. For context my first was born 2y 8m ago, PPROM and breech.

Pregnancy with baby boy has generally been smooth but had quite a few episodes of reduced movements. I had one episode at 37+3 and 39+1 so was offered induction. I chose to agree to the induction as the RFMs were making me really anxious.

Sunday 17th - Arrived at 12pm for induction, propess pessary fitted at 3pm. By around 8pm I started getting period cramps, not very regular and very mild. When the pessary was fit I had a bishops score of 1 so wasn’t feeling very hopeful the first round would work.

Monday 18th - Around 12:30am I was starting to struggle with the cramps so had paracetamol and codeine which helped and I managed to sleep. 3pm my pessary was removed and I was 3cm dilated. Midwife said the next step was to break my waters however there weren’t any labour ward rooms available to do it so she offered a sweep which I accepted. Was then advised to go for a walk to get things moving. 5pm my waters broke naturally and contractions ramped up, they were now every 4-6 minutes. By 10.30pm I was really struggling with the pain, the only pain relief I was offered and available on the induction ward was paracetamol or codeine which did nothing 😅. I was taken to the labour ward at 11pm. As soon as I got to the labour ward I had pethidine which took the edge off the start and end of contractions but not the peak of them so I used gas & air for the peak of the contractions which I loved! The pethidine did make me vomit about 5 minutes after it was injected but I wasn’t sick again after this.

Tuesday 19th - cervical check done at midnight and I had only progressed to 4cm. Midwife advised movement to progress further. Contractions still very strong but I was coping with the gas & air and pethidine. Morning shift midwife examined me at 8am to find I was still 4cm which was so disappointing. I was given the option of a repeat c-section or the hormone drip and epidural. I felt so worried about the hormone drip and worried it would overstimulate the uterus and cause uterine rupture but my midwife reassured me we would be closely monitoring it and could stop at any time so I agreed on the drip & epidural. These started at 11am, and the epidural made things so much easier for me and I managed to get a couple of hours of sleep. I was awake properly by 2.30pm and every contraction I was starting to feel pressure down below. Come 4pm I was feeling the urge to push, midwife didn’t do a cervical check and said to just follow what my body was telling me to do. I decided to take a breather and get into a comfier position, and then at 4.10pm I started pushing properly. I won’t sugar coat it, even with the epidural these were tough and at some points I was shouting I can’t do this. By 4.25pm baby was born and boy did he shoot out!

15 minutes of pushing, a very small internal graze that didn’t need any stitches and baby boy has taken to breastfeeding so well.

Feeling completely elated and my recovery is already so much better than the c-section with my first!

Just had a lovely VBAC with my little boy and thought I’d share as I was induced. For context my first was born 2y 8m ago, PPROM and breech.

Pregnancy with baby boy has generally been smooth but had quite a few episodes of reduced movements. I had one episode at 37+3 and 39+1 so was offered induction. I chose to agree to the induction as the RFMs were making me really anxious.

Sunday 17th - Arrived at 12pm for induction, propess pessary fitted at 3pm. By around 8pm I started getting period cramps, not very regular and very mild.

Monday 18th - Around 12:30am I was starting to struggle with the cramps so had paracetamol and codeine which helped and I managed to sleep. 3pm my pessary was removed and I was 3cm dilated. Midwife said the next step was to break my waters however there weren’t any labour ward rooms available to do it so she offered a sweep which I accepted. Was then advised to go for a walk to get things moving. 5pm my waters broke naturally and contractions ramped up, they were now every 4-6 minutes. By 10.30pm I was really struggling with the pain, the only pain relief I was offered was paracetamol or codeine which did nothing 😅. I was taken to the labour ward at 11pm. As soon as I got to the labour ward I had pethidine which took the edge off the start and end of contractions but not the peak of them so I used gas & air for the peak of the contractions which I loved!

Tuesday 19th - cervical check done at midnight and I had only progressed to 4cm. Midwife advised movement to progress further. Contractions still very strong but I was coping with the gas & air and pethidine. Morning shift midwife examined me at 8am to find I was still 4cm which was so disheartening. I was given the option of a repeat c-section or the hormone drip and epidural. I felt so worried about the hormone drip and worried it would overstimulate the uterus and cause uterine rupture but my midwife reassured me we would be closely monitoring it and could stop at any time so I agreed on the drip & epidural. These started at 11am, and the epidural made things so much easier for me and I managed to get a couple of hours of sleep. I was awake properly by 2.30pm and every contraction I was starting to feel pressure down below. Come 4pm I was feeling the urge to push, midwife didn’t do a cervical check and said to just follow what my body was telling me to do. I decided to take a breather and get into a comfier position, and then at 4.10pm I started pushing properly. I won’t sugar coat it, even with the epidural these were tough and at some points I was shouting I can’t do this. By 4.25pm baby was born and boy did he shoot out!

15 minutes of pushing, a very small internal graze that didn’t need any stitches and baby boy has taken to breastfeeding so well.

Feeling completely elated and my recovery is already so much better than the c-section with my first!

Currently being induced using the pessary, it was inserted at 2.45pm. Nothing other the odd vvvv mild cramp from insertion until about 6pm. Started feeling irregular cramps that kind of felt like I was being stabbed in the bumhole (sorry no other way to describe!🤣). Gradually the pains started to get longer and stronger, and also closer together. Had a CTG at 9:15pm ish and monitor was showing I’m having 3 contractions every 10 minutes.

Currently 11pm at the time of writing and they’re still getting stronger, I can feel the contractions mostly in my lower back but they are quite sore on my stomach too.

Midwife on shift this evening seems to think they might slow down or stop which she says are normal but to me this feels like I’m in labour. The pains are very similar to what I felt with my first.

I can’t be examined to check for dilation until the pessary comes out but by that point I feel like things may have progressed way further by 2.45pm tomorrow!

I’m managing the pain well with movement, really struggling with the pain if I’m on the bed so I’m either on the ball or stood up swaying.

I don’t really know what I’m looking for with this post, maybe people who have experienced similar with the induction process and if it was actually labour progressing?

39+2, being induced for medical reasons. Original plan was to have a VBAC.

Arrived at the maternity ward at 12pm, pessary put in 2.45pm. Was told my cervix was posterior and 0cm dilated. Feeling a bit deflated really and wishing I’d just asked for a repeat c-section.

Any success stories of induction from 0cm? I’m so worried I’ll have no progress by the 24hr mark when the pessary comes out. I really don’t want to be in hospital trialing different induction methods for days on end and running the risk of another emergency c-section

Also have major mum guilt for my 2.5yo being at home with grandparents while we’re at the hospital. I’m feeling all the emotions and just want to be at home with her and give her a cuddle 💔

UK based for info.

39+1 with baby no.2. Hoping to have a VBAC and avoid medical induction.

Midwife did a cervical check yesterday and barely inserted her fingers before being able to feel babies head but said my cervix is very soft but posterior. I suspected baby had dropped down as my pelvic pain has creeped back in over the last week or so.

However this morning I have woken up with INTENSE pelvic pressure, walking, sitting, laying hurts.

My first came by c-section at 35+1 after my waters broke and she was breech so these are all new sensations to me. Is this normal?? Do I need to see someone?!

I don’t know if I’m confused because I don’t quite understand the anatomy and can’t visualise it but I went for a sweep today, midwife said my cervix is very very soft, still a bit tubular but posterior so she couldn’t quite reach it. She said baby’s head was extremely low and had pushed my cervix back, I just don’t understand how that is possible 😅.

I could tell his head is super low because my pelvic pain has come back after a few weeks of it settling down and the midwife barely put her fingers in before she said she could feel his head.

Still, I’ve come away a bit deflated that I won’t be into labour any time soon

39 weeks tomorrow and starting to feel really fed up of being pregnant, sleep is shit, in pain with pelvic pain constantly and just desperate to not be pregnant anymore. Have been having on and off early labour symptoms all week now and it’s exhausting mentally and physically.

My plan is to have a VBAC, I have a sweep tomorrow with my community midwife but who knows how that will turn out and if it’ll work.

As I’m coming up to 39 weeks I keep thinking if I’d just booked a repeat c-section I could be done with being pregnant next week.

I’m also starting to get worried as my partner starts a new job when I’d be 42+3, obviously it’s very likely I’ll have had the baby by then but who knows if he’ll be off work with me for 2 weeks or 2 days?! He can’t push the date back any further as he’s already chosen a later start date than the company would’ve liked and it’s a much higher paying job than he is in now which is going to be very much needed when I go onto maternity pay.

I don’t necessarily want another c-section, I just want to not be pregnant any more and meet my son 😢

P.S. if anyone has any miracle stories of a sweep working first time I’d love to hear it 😅

Not really sure of the differences between the latent phase, early labour or prodromal labour so happy for someone to explain this if they can!

Saturday: 38+1, lost a good chunk of mucus plug. No cramps/any other symptoms.

Yesterday: 38+3, couldn’t sleep as had some lower stomach and back cramps that felt like I was really constipated. On and off for 2 hours, didn’t time anything because it was like 11pm and I just couldn’t be arsed to do it! The pain almost felt like a belt around my lower stomach and back. Fell asleep after 2hrs, woke up 1.5hrs later for a wee and still felt the pains but managed to go back to sleep quickly.

Today: 38+4, period type cramps in the morning. Nothing throughout the day until 3pm. Another 2hrs of cramps, this time they felt more like contractions and I had so much pressure down below. Timed a few and they were between 7-10 minutes apart for an hour but only lasting 35-55 seconds. Suddenly stopped after 2hrs total. Had a bath, lots of lovely kicks from baby. Got into bed for a lie down after the bath and had the most horrendous wave of nausea then felt like I was literally about to 💩 myself. Body has decided to dump its entire contents into my loo. Genuinely have never felt anything like it in my life.

I have a sweep booked in for 39 weeks, part of me is hoping I’ll go into labour by myself before that but this is all feeling very new to me so I have no clue what’s ‘normal’ for this stage of pregnancy and what could mean labour is close.

For info: first was born at 35+1, no pre labour symptoms, my waters broke and then contractions started. Literally had nothing beforehand so I have nothing to compare it to

Sorry all me again!! 38+4 technically now it’s past midnight. Can’t sleep as for the last 40ish minutes I’ve had these cramps that feel like I need to do a massive 💩. I have been back and forth to the toilet but haven’t done anything except the odd toot but the pains aren’t going away! I genuinely don’t know if this is labour starting?! It’s like sharp cramps down at the bottom of my stomach, my bump isn’t getting hard but it’s the cramps are noticeable enough that I cannot get to sleep

38+3 currently. No signs of labour yet but I still have time. Have been given the all OK to have membrane sweeps from 39 weeks to encourage vaginal delivery. I have agreed with my consultant I will consider an induction at 41+5, I’d really hope that I don’t need an induction and will go into spontaneous labour before then but I’m trying to be realistic that I may need an induction.

Anyway - has anyone got any positive induction stories? Consultant has explained they’d start off with the dilapan rods as they don’t have any hormones in them, then potentially break my waters but things can change as needed. Pitocin would be a last ditch resort if other induction methods haven’t worked

For info: First baby born Sept 2023 by EMCS, waters broke spontaneously at 35+1 and baby was frank breech.

No other risk factors that reduce chance of successful VBAC

I need someone to bring me down to earth. 38+1 with baby no.2, first came 5 weeks early so the last few weeks have felt like an eternity. Have been very crampy on and off for the last 6-7 days, a few inconsistent contractions that never amount to anything. Cramps felt more intense yesterday evening and today, they haven’t really let up and I feel utterly exhausted! Anyway I went to the loo about 10 minutes ago and when I wiped had the lovely mucus plug on the tissue which is the first time I’ve seen it this pregnancy.

I know the mucus plug can regenerate but is that only when it comes out before 37 weeks or can it just keep regenerating until birth? I don’t want to get myself excited and think I’m going to be having baby soon because I’ll just wake up bitterly disappointed tomorrow 😂

Hoping to hear people’s sweep experiences please! Happy to hear good or bad!

Consultant has agreed that I’m to have 2-3 sweeps a week from 39 weeks until 41 weeks when I’m going in for an induction

Have had loads of period like cramping and inconsistent contractions over the last 5 days so I’m hoping the earlier ones will be successful

Has anyone dealt with c-section scar tenderness in a second pregnancy? First was born 2.5 years ago by EMCS, I’m 38 weeks now and feel a bit of pressure and tenderness around my scar area and lower stomach. My scar is not red or looking bad but it just feels sore. My logical brain is saying it’s just from baby growing and stretching my uterus out, but naturally my default is to go to the scary brain which says I’m absolutely having starting to have a uterine rupture 🙃

38 weeks with no.2. First baby born via EMCS Sept 2023 at 35+1 due to PPROM and breech presentation.

Have been very keen on VBAC entire pregnancy. First consultant appointment went swimmingly, lovely consultant who was in support of water birth and out of guidance birth in the midwife led unit which is across the hall from the obstetric unit. Second consultant appointment at 36+6 was completely different, different consultant who screwed his face up when I mentioned I would like to have baby on the midwife led unit.

This consultant has said that before he can “approve” anything, I need to have a scan and another consultant review at 38 weeks. So after that appointment I took the scan booking form he completed to the admin staff at the antenatal clinic, they then called me 15 minutes after I left stating they had no appointments for scans or consultant reviews but would contact me if something came up. Asked if I could have a scan with my community midwife, so I called and asked my community midwife if they could organise the scan. They said yes no problem, that was a week ago and I haven’t heard anything back so I called them today and they said they can book it but are unsure what the scan is actually for.

I explained that the consultant didn’t ever tell me what he was wanting to get out of the scan, every growth scan I’ve had so far has been absolutely perfect. Baby measuring 40th percentile, fluid good and baby’s position is good.

Consultant also mentioned my BMI which was taken at my 36 week midwife appointment and said he was “concerned” although my booking appt BMI was within normal range and if I hadn’t had a prev. c-section I wouldn’t even be seeing consultants for BMI.

Consultant did not even discuss what happens post due date, if I wanted to book an elective induction or elective c-section by a certain date.

I just feel so disappointed by it all, I’ve been left in limbo and feel like I’m going to go into labour before having the next consultant review which I may not even get on time because there aren’t any appointments meaning I won’t be able to use the midwife led unit

** FYI I am UK based

37+5 and have been having period type cramps and cramps in my back for the last 4 days. On and off, no pattern to them but absolutely noticeable and sometimes quite uncomfortable. Having a warm bath usually helps but as soon as I’m out they’re back again!

How long can this last? I had my first 5 weeks early and had no early labour symptoms with her so this is all completely new to me!

37+4, have been trying to collect colostrum since 36+6 as directed by my midwife. I’ve tried hand expression, heat pads on my breasts before expressing, long massage of the breast tissue before trying to express, using a manual pump, using a wearable pump and all I’ve managed to get in 5 days is 0.1ml. I feel so disheartened. Is there anything else I should be trying?

37+2 with baby no.2. My first came randomly at 35+1 so naturally I convinced myself this baby would be early too (ha), but now I’m just fed up and almost in disbelief I could have another 4/5 weeks of being pregnant. To make things worse I had to get out of the bath last night because I had such bad back cramps that came out of nowhere. They didn’t amount to anything through the night so I’ve woken up feeling so disheartened 😭

I’m not going to bother with the old wives tales that supposedly induce labour because I think I’ll drive myself even more mad than I feel right now. Any tips on how to not go completely batshit crazy waiting for baby to make their arrival?