Help me work through last minute questions and heebie jeebies!!....

[~clover~]

The only concern for Juliette was that she had a tiny graze/scratch for a few days after the birth.

My DD2 had a little scratch on her head as well from them breaking my waters at the last minute. Not real important, but just so you know. I felt at the time like they could've been more careful, but these things happen sometimes.

[studentmum]

I complained about having constant efm and so they said they could just attach this thing to bubs head and then I would have more freedom to move etc. So easy, sounds great...
Problem is that by the time this sunk in and they have done it I realise the little cord coming out of myvagina is attached to my baby's head - TALK ABOUT MAKING YOU WANT TO KEEP STILL!!!!
I also had to pee later and was terrified to walk to the loo!

NO ifm, no constant efm - let them use the doppler every 10-15 mins or so, no reason they can't.

As for your placenta injection you don't have to have it at all if you don't want it, just make sure that you let them know in writing and very clearly beforehand 'cause you'll be pre occupied pushing a baby head out and it'll be in your leg before you know it!

Sarah

[Ozziehoffy]

Tan, I'm glad that Sarah replied with her experience with the IFM as with Oskar he was born in less than an hour after I got to hospital and that was partly due to them picking up that he was in distress with HB dropping to 40 BPM every contraction so I didn't have time to walk around and he was helped out into the world via vacuum.

Honey, it's totally normal for old fears to arise as you get closer. This is when it is really important to keep up with your affirmations and relaxation techniques. I had my affirmations on my fridge so I saw them all the time (actually they're still there...lol) ... good thing cos I'll need them again! Oh and re: control freak... you need to give into your body hun Your body and baby know what to do

[BellyBelly]

IFM - it's still atached to the EFM and you will have limited movement, just as much as normal monitoring, you can sit on the fitball and all that, but unless there is a medical reason why, do you really want a clip in your bubba's head?

Yes, the studies show no improved outcomes for having continuous monitoring, only increased c/s rates!!!

Cervix - yup don't stress, it's doing it's job and will continue to do so!

Third stage - most placentas come out pretty soon after the birth, I have only ever been with one client where it was stubborn, it was a normal waterbirth too. But the majority come away well and it's a much better option than a managed third stage which requires active management where they need to manually get the placenta out, possibly pulling off the cord (yes it does happen) or other issues. If you start bleeding too much and need Syntometrine, then it is much more concentrated than Syntocinon and works very quickly intramuscularly. Blood loss is hard to measure and estimate though.

[Beach Mama]

Thanks so much everyone! It has put things in perspective in my head much more clearly now and I have a midwife appointment tomorrow so will have a chat to suss out the waters (no pun intended ) and see how we go!
Kelly - that is exactly it, I don't want anything attached to his head, and just am keeping positive that it won't even be an issue.

Cass - CONGRATULATIONS! I think I missed something along the way or else it's my baby brain but how exciting hun!