Pregnancy #62

[anything at all]

I used boots maternity pads, I think I possibly only went through 2 or 3 packs, switched to lillets maternity pads when it got a bit lighter.

I also got some fridamom disposable underwear (you still need to use pads with them) that I never ended up using - so personally wouldn’t bother with those if anyone is thinking about it ! Just buy a pack or 2 of big black underwear that you might also still be wearing well after a year of having your baby too

This time round I’ll probably use the same things, might even bother with the disposable underwear just because I have it there already
I also second the spritz for bits if you end up having stitches, I felt like that helped !

I never noticed any leaking on our bed but I keep a mat underneath Incase, I was also paranoid about leaking on our light coloured sofas so always had a mat where I was sitting but never leaked.

Also never got the burning when peeing thing I don’t think, I got one of those perineal bottles but wasn’t allowed to use it on my first pee since they needed to collect it, and I never felt like I needed to use it. I think my hospital bag will be much lighter second time round

 

[anything at all]

With my first pregnancy I wasn’t certain I’d felt any movement until 23 weeks I think, had an anterior placenta

This time I was told it’s left lateral and I’m sure I felt flutters as early as 15 weeks (which sounds nuts I know ) and the flutters and movement has just continued to feel stronger since. 19 weeks today and I’m sure I felt actual taps on the outside while laying in bed this morning but I must’ve imagined that right?

There’s not really any consistent patterns or anything to it which I know is normal and fine at this stage but in a way being able to feel him so early this time has felt slightly more stressful, cause I’ll have days where I wonder and have to think back if I felt anything that day 🥲🫠

 

[plonkington]

28 weeks but I don’t feel the baby kick much. I read online that you should feel your baby move more or less every hour but I only feel her move mornings and evenings. Is anyone else in the same boat? I have a posterior placenta

This is my second pregnancy and she’s pretty chill in comparison to my first, this time and pretty consistently throughout she was very quiet in the day and then super active evenings and mornings. Maybe it’s just because I wasn’t aware whilst at work. It’s only this last few weeks (40 weeks now!) that I’ve been more aware of shuffles as she’s much bigger. Posterior placenta also.
First pregnancy that kid did not sit still for a moment of the day, even with an anterior placenta I was very aware.
I can also say that she still very much is the same 3 1/2 years later

 

[Greencatfysh]

I had my anatomy scan this week and it mostly went well, the doctor couldn't see baby's kidney very well so they ordered me for another scan in maternity ward (they have better ultrasound there) and I have that on Monday. Hopefully it will all be well but I'm excited to see baby girl again so soon. She's currently breech and I hope she stays this way so I can request a c-section (no elective c-sections in my country, not on mother's request anyways which I find incredibly stupid).

My bump finally popped at 22 weeks now and I can start feeling how much harder it is to move, breathe and sleep already. It all literally changed in one week! It's so much harder to bend down now and I feel like the baby started to press on my stomach and I can eat a lot less. People are starting to ask if I'm pregnant too and I'm happy that I finally don't look just fat.

Ours was breech at 22 weeks and now is very much not, I can tell via the stabbing vagina pains hoping yours stays put!

 

[Super_Berry]

Someone has accidentally ruined my gender reveal I’m absolutely gutted! Have to try and pretend to be surprised now because my husband doesn’t know.

I'm so sorry this has happened. I know it was an accident but you are allowed to be gutted.

 

[littlepup]

I was so excited to go pram shopping today, but it was such a let down. Most were so out of our budget and the ones that we could afford couldn't fit in the car. We have a small car and just couldn't fit the smallest pram in.

And we just saw people walking around buying these expensive travel systems and it just made me feel a bit flat. We think we've found one that will work online, but i just feel a bit meh after the whole thing.

We found the one we liked in John Lewis then got it second hand on FB, coincidently from someone we know, for £100! OH was prepared to buy it brand new but I wanted to see if I could find it in good condition first and I did. I got new hood and bassinets cover fabrics for about £70 as they were sun damaged and it looked brand new. Soooooo glad because I hate it! Switched to a foldable stroller ASAP.
No part of me felt I was missing out, I was just so chuffed to think I’d saved like £700 and go to the stroller without feeling guilty.
Most travel systems you can buy spare parts for, fabrics, wheels, mattresses, seats etc. maybe have a look around.

Re measurements, I had maybe 5 growth scans. They were wildly out by about 3lbs. Don’t worry unless they’re worried and even then, they’re notoriously inaccurate.

 

[Greencatfysh]

My partners parents are separated so I sort of have 2 sets of inlaws and one of them was very intruding and over excited with our first, you’d have thought they were the ones having a baby, but ever since our son left the baby baby stage and no longer wanted to be held they couldn’t care less they’ve only seen our son (now 20months) 3 times this year and all the stuff they had talked about doing before he was born they haven’t bothered with.
Not sure if it will be same case with others in laws but some do get bored quickly !!

You may have to have some awkward talks and set some rules, before baby is here is probably better. Mine thought they’d be coming up the hospital to see our son as soon as he was born, yeah no thanks

and I don’t know if any others are likely too.. but when we let ours know our son was born they went and posted it on Facebook that second…neither me or my partner had posted anything and there were still people we’d have liked to have told without them seeing it on Facebook from someone else

Im hoping they’ll be more chill now we’re having our second but we will see..

Oh lord, good point about sharing news of baby’s arrival. My MIL doesn’t use social media but she WhatsApp’s about 50 friends/family a day so I bet whatever message we send her will get forwarded on immediately unless we ask her not to!

 

[User767676]

Yeah, insurance companies just say “see what your doctor thinks” and doctors just say “see how you feel” - I was only on codeine to be fair, morphine would’ve been lovely (joking) but wouldn’t have driven then!

I drove after 16 days but could’ve done sooner realistically- as long as you can get baby in and out safely of course then good to go.

Also, my 6 week check I wasn’t even examined so that wouldn’t have helped anyone. Do people actually get examined at the 6 week check? Have I missed out?

My insurance said I could drive once my dr signed me off and they don’t even discuss it during the 6 week check. Just asked how I was feeling and how my scar was ! I waited the whole time to drive as I didn’t want to risk it, however I would have driven earlier if I needed to but realistically I didn’t feel like it for a good few weeks anyway

 

[Super_Berry]

Thanks for all the advice! Yes I’m in the U.K. I’m going to contact my GP tomorrow and let them know, and then hopefully be in touch with midwife services glad I can choose the hospital I want my care to be at!

@Greencatfysh congratulations!! Wishing you all the best for the coming week

I didn't call the GP. I googled my council area NHS midwife unit and I had to fill in an online form, then a midwife called me about a week later. I had an online chat with her at 10 weeks and my first scan at 12 weeks. I didn't get an option to pick a hospital, just went for the nearest one. I'm in Scotland tho so maybe elsewhere you need to go through your GP.

 

[Greencatfysh]

Anyone at 37/38 week mark absolutely starving 24/7? My appetite has been pretty much normal throughout but since last week I’m absolutely starving constantly! I keep going shakey and clammy and just craving sugar constantly! Anyone else had this? I’m hoping it’s a sign labour is near as I’m so tired of being pregnant now

I haven’t been that much more hungry but I can feel that because baby has moved down to become engaged, there’s more space in my tummy and I’ve had far less heartburn and reflux. Maybe baby has just created more room for you

 

[PoppyKJ]

We had a 4d scan this week & I was told baby is estimated to be 3lb at 28 weeks. Their belly is measuring 80 something percentile but overall she was 58 percentile. Just worried this is big!
I have a GD test in a few weeks & supposed to be having growth scans from 30 weeks but none planned at the min

 

[PrincessShark]

Considering I've just been admitted to be induced after a whirlwind 24 hours I'd be extremely concerned if baby Brew doesn't make her appearance in this thread

Exciting! Sending lots of positive labour vibes your way

 

[RoseyThorney]

I was reading on another website about a MIL who made a whole nursery in the in laws house and expected to have the NEWBORN weekly overnight so I guess it’s not quite as bad as that yet
My MIL has never quite cut the apron strings from my partner (not that he’s unhappy with that I will add ) and so for them I feel the baby is just an extension of him. They’ve just gotten a little carried away with their plans and don’t realise that me partner and baby are going to be our own family unit first and foremost.
i think i will drop in the fact im going to breastfeed for at least the first 6 months ( ) and hope the message goes across that she won’t be away from me in that time unless absolutely necessary.
thank you all for making me feel like less of an ungrateful cow

My MIL is already planning the nursery at their own house and has shown off the most vile wallpaper she’s chosen. Baby will not be having overnights for at least a year so she’s in for a rude awakening.

 

[Super_Berry]

The only issue with this is that if anything happened to you, the airline or airport wouldn’t be liable for anything if you didn’t have a F2F certificate. Obviously it’s unlikely but worth bearing in mind depending on how long the flight is and if you have any health issues

Turns out (which I didn't know) is the doctor won't sign the letter if you have a low lying placenta. So I need to go back in tomorrow for another scan so see if my placenta has moved before they decide if they'll sign it for me.

 

[hazmaz]

Looking for some reassurance from those who have had more than one pregnancy! I’m 7 weeks along with baby 2. First pregnancy was a relative breeze. I do remember some fatigue in my first trimester but no sickness whatsoever. This time I’m absolutely exhausted (I do have a 2 year old so I know it makes sense to be more tired) and I’m feeling sick all day long. Not actually vomiting- it’s not that bad. More like bad hangover all day.

Is it normal for 2 pregnancies to be so different? I’m spiralling thinking it means there’s more than one in there. I could cry even thinking about that possibility. Booked an early scan this Friday to try and ease my mind

I can relate. First pregnancy no sickness and felt fine whereas this one a lot of feeling rough, nausea and a bit of sick. I’ve got my nhs scan tomorrow so I’m hoping there’s just one in here as I think it scares me more thinking about twins with a 13mo……

 

[Aemee00]

babymel bags are gorgeous!
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Feeling so lonely this week, I’ll be 31 weeks this week so all the support and excitement at the start has just completely gone. Nobody checks on how I am, my husbands family never bother with us anymore (my family are far away) and just struggling with low moods and pain 🥲🥲🥲

Thanks for tbe recommended and I'm so sorry you're feeling like that. It feels like towards the end, everyone's only really thinking about the baby and not how mum is doing. Hope your low moods and pain gets better soon

 

[BWinter]

is it okay to get BIAB done? Just wondering if the gel and the uv lamps are safe?

also I know I should limit my caffeine intake, so I’ve stopped all coffee and fizzy drinks, but is decaf alright? Or should I look for something with 0 caffeine like fruit teas?

sorry if these questions are so silly, I have no one else to ask and no midwife yet my gp just referred me today!

I had my booking in appointment tomorrow and my midwife said decaf is fine. There is a bit of caffeine in them, but I think you’d have to have quite a few to get over the limit!

 

[Greencatfysh]

Orange juice can have 0.5% so it’s technically ‘safe’

Same as kombucha.. and sauerkraut
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Thinking about my hospital bag. My plan is to exclusively breastfeed initially and then maybe start expressing in a few weeks so that husband can do some feeds. I appreciate it may not work so am planning to take with me a pack of formula in the bottled with the pre-sterilised teats like this Aptamil 1 First Infant Baby Milk Formula Liquid Starter Pack Ready to Feed from Birth 6x70ml - Tesco Groceries .

Is that ok?

I’ve done the same but our breastfeeding adviser said not to worry as the hospital would provide any milk if needed but also would help you hand express colostrum which would carry you over till you get home. Not sure how much I trust that info but

 

[Greencatfysh]

Think this has been asked before so apologies but how many nappies should we pack for hospital? I have 75 newborn nappies so far… obv won’t take them all

 

[JombleWomble]

Yes, so i got the Asda maternity pads which are really cushioned (so good for stitches) and then I got the Tesco ones after a few days because these are slimmer and overall I preferred them. I think I used at least 3 packs of maternity pads. Tbh it felt like I bled forever, it was at least two weeks (but when I had my c-section it didn’t feel as long - I may be miss-remembering though).

never heard of using tena incontinence pads - I’m a bit of one for using the right product for the issue though.

and yes, I got the disposable bed mats, we still use them for no nappy time, sickness bugs etc and use them during night time potty training so they are handy to have around. I would just buy a pack of them (I got mine from Amazon) and see how you go. I used to use them as disposable changing mats as well. When my waters broke I just used one for sitting on at home and also in the car to the hospital. When you’re at hospital they give you some from there.

Invest in a waterproof mattress protector - get at least two for now and ever more with small children about - better safe than sorry.

This is probably a stupid question but are the pads that are labelled as "for postnatal incontinence" also suitable for bleeding? Or do I need thicker ones for dealing with the blood? For some reason postnatal pads is what my mind is choosing to overthink today