Community Posts, Tips & Support on Labor & Birth

Hello all! Nearly 34 weeks so feel like I should be prepping mine and baby’s bags ready! Any must haves for hospital bags please! I know there are many lists online but wanted to hear what people actually needed and didn’t need! Thank you ☺️

This is my first pregnancy, and until yesterday all had been going well! I had my 36 week midwife appointment and my blood pressure was slightly elevated, I got sent to hospital and it obviously was then higher there. I got given some blood pressure meds and that brought it right down, so I’m now on those, but the d...

FTM here and this may sound ridiculous but I'm concerned I won't be able to tell what's really a contraction - please tell me it will be painfully obvious (pun intended)?😅

Not a huge amount of but definitely more than what I usually have as discharge and was watery, it trickled down my leg after I’d dried myself off from the shower, it was clear and had no smell, rang triage and said she thinks It isn’t my waters and to call back if a pad is soaked within 30 mins which it isn’t but sh...

I had a sweep yesterday they said I was 3cm and could feel my waters but my god I have so much pressure it feels swollen😭😂

Can I hear some positive induction stories please, all I keep hearing is negative ones and I’m already crapping myself for it! routine growth can turned into babies stomach measurements severely decreasing so being induced on Saturday! 😩😖

I’m due to have my 4th c section in a few weeks and due to on going complications in this and my last pregnancy I’ve asked to be sterilised. I was just wondering if anyone knows how they do it and if I’ll be awake for both procedures. The hospital gave me a generic leaflet for being sterilised but it said I woul...

So I’m due to have a section next month and I can’t lie I’m absolutely bricking it. I had a natural birth with my first and all I’m hearing from people is how hard recovery is and that I’m going to struggle with two babies (first will be 17 months). My husband only has 2 weeks paternity off and I’m so scared I won’t...

I’m currently 12 weeks and 5 days. Anyone else found a massive increase in discharge?

I had a c section in July 2023 and they took 7 times to get me numb which caused nerve damage and lots of back pain. I had lots of physio and they said if I wanted to have another I might have to be put under general. Has anyone else experienced this? Thinking *hypothetically* about options if we had another.

Hi guys, do you think 37 weeks is too early to do things to ‘naturally induce’ labour… I’m getting impatient for baby to come and I know some things work better than others and some things take more time and some things don’t work at all! I have a section booked for 41 weeks so trying to get baby out sooner!

Hello, I had a stretch and sweep Tuesday, I was 1cm dilated, cervix was soft and forward, midwife said it was all looking great.. I lost my mucus plug yesterday but no signs of anything else other than a few irregular period type cramps.. Do I just wait? Carry on as normal? X

Hiya! Does anyone know if you wait in a waiting room with other parents before being called into your elective section, or do you wait on a ward?

Did we need to change flat when LO turns one to a 2BHK

Just been told I have group b strep, I know this means having antibiotics in labour just wondering how this will affect my birth, was hoping to use birthing centre, anyone know if this is still possible or will I need to be on ward? X

Anyone been induced at stepping hill & their partner was able to stay with them throughout?

Anyone else have a tender tummy when you brush over it? 13 days pp x

Has anyone experienced their Braxton hicks becoming more frequent? Is this a sign of labor getting closer? My last doctors appointment it showed I had a short cervix and the doctor predicted the possibility of me going into labor around 36-37 weeks. I’m currently 35 weeks. I have my next appointment on Monday and I’...

Having my c section today and feeling so nervous. I think it’s just the fear of the unknown as I’m normally pretty good in hospital environments. Any positive c section stories welcome🥹🥹I’m having mine because I have gestation hypertension and my blood pressure has been sky high recently so baby is better to be out…

How long did it take your body to stop contracting / bleeding after a c section? X