Pregnancy #62

[PrincessShark]

Stretch and sweep went much better than the last one!
A very stretchy 2cm, central and able to touch the baby’s head..so much can change in just a couple of days.

I don’t think it’ll get things going, but it’s reassuring to know that the niggly pains I’ve been having are actually changing my cervix.

 

[Kaylarina]

I'm at the point in this pregnancy when I am questioning my life choices. 30 weeks pregnant and I'm doing an 11 hour flight this weekend with a 17 month and 2 and a half year old. Pretty sure every ounce of common sense I had went out the window with this pregnancy!

 

[Amylaauren]

Not sure if it’s just the pregnancy hormones, but I’m annoyed that my MIL has told our niece that we’re pregnant. It’s still very early (5 weeks) and I feel passionately about not asking children to keep secrets, so I don’t want to ask her to not tell anyone, but she’s five, she’s absolutely going to announce it to everyone because she’s excited (which is lovely, don’t get me wrong!) but I just keep thinking that the more people that know, the more people we’d have to tell if anything happens, and this is why I didn’t want people to know yet.

whether you’re 5 weeks or 30 it should be your news to tell! It’s so annoying when people do this.

 

[Keera]

Finally settled on and ordered our travel system. After a panic as it was going out of stock til December in almost every place ‍. feel great relief as I have not bought anything else except drawers so at least now the baby now has somewhere I can lay her if nothing else

 

[Spencerskates]

Second time trying and failing to harvest colostrum. Hot bath, massage, even used a haakaa pump to try and move things along. Wondering if my body is just nowhere near labour

I don’t think it’s necessarily linked - I didn’t get anything with my first until after he was born. I know it’s easier said then done, but try not to beat yourself up over it!

 

[ASAnigel]

Hi ladies,

I am 15w3d today. We had our dating scan at 13w6d and baby was perfect. Everything as normal.

Since then my energy has come back a lot and my nausea is much less frequent. I am occasionally getting crampy/stretchy feelings in my lower stomach and sides. Nothing painful just uncomfortable. I don't massively have a bump yet, it slightly appears sometimes and then other times it isn't visible.

I have myself completely wound up that something is wrong. I know I am probably being irrational but any reassurance would be gratefully received.

I know it's too early to feel movements so I don't even have that for reassurance. So annoying as I thought after the first trimester I would relax and enjoy this pregnancy!

Try not to worry firstly but I completely understand - I felt exactly the same at around the same stage.
The cramps are likely exactly what you’ve said and it’s everything stretching for baby, if accompanied by bleeding or the pain is severe then don’t hesitate to seek medical advice!
You spend the whole first trimester wanting the nausea to go away but then you have this limbo period between your dating scan and your anatomy scan at 20 weeks where you have no signs of “reassurance” that things are okay.

Do you have a 16 week appointment with a midwife booked? I was lucky and they used a Doppler to listen to baby but not all places will do it as it can be really difficult to hear the heartbeat at that stage and they don’t want to worry you if baby is in the wrong position to listen!

It shouldn’t be too long before you’ll start feeling faint baby movements so hopefully that helps.
Also the thing I found super reassuring was knowing that at any time I could book a private scan to go and reassure myself, I didn’t end up doing that but it was nice to know I had the option. Also I found it reassuring to find out about what was happening to my body/baby week by week (for instance I knew the cramping I was feeling was normal) but I know not everyone would find that reassuring!

 

[PrincessShark]

I've been wondering this too. Do I just go to the hospital in whatever I'm wearing at the time, or should I change into something more suitable for giving birth in? I'm dreading how hot hospitals usually are so I'd rather be in something really airy, but I don't want to turn up in a massive nightie if I'm going to be getting changed anyway

You can ask for a hospital gown if you want
What I will say is lots of women start off with a nighty on and end up giving birth in those soft bras you can get, some even prefer nothing on their skin at all. It’s all personal preference.

Just to add, if you want an epidural, the hospital gowns allow good access for it so sometimes you may be asked to change in to one

 

[anything at all]

Went for a private nipt test today to hopefully rule out any possible problems hopefully the result comes back okay

Also found out today that baby is a boy.
I’m not as sad as I thought I would be and I’m not sad that he is a boy it’s just the missing out on girly things that makes me sad - as I don’t think we’d have anymore children after this one.
That and being outnumbered by stinky boys forever

 

[Elisha97]

We actually found one that fits the boot of our car on eBay this morning. I've happily bought everything else so far on FB or Vinted, but just felt so flat going baby shopping (in an actual shop) for the first time and everything being so expensive.

We’ve bought everything second hand so far too and looks like we’ll be doing the same for the pram. The shop prices are often ridiculous aren’t they?! We can’t afford it, especially as I’ll be going down to maternity pay

 

[User767676]

I’m finally buying baby bits and I wondered if anyone had any recommendations or thoughts on the following. What did you buy and do you recommend? I’m also looking to combi feed and I’ve no idea where to even start with these:
- White noise machine
- Groegg
- Prep machine
- Breast pump
- Steriliser
Thanks so much

Hi, I combi feed. I use the rapid cool (I have two) for formula.
Don’t use a white noise machine, got gifted a teddy but use Alexa. Doesn’t seem to make much difference !
Steriliser I use the Milton cold water one - they used that in hospital and I find it so easy to put stuff in and out - especially pumps.
I got a groegg2 from Facebook marketplace for £10, we have it downstairs atm but will move it in to babies room once she’s in it.
Breast pump - I wouldn’t spend loads on one until you know that you’re able to and want to. I was able to use the hospitals which helped as I only express and don’t nurse. I got some off Amazon but I do like the momcozys12 pro - Id recommend a double and then potentially more than one set if you pump a lot. I got mine off of vinted - they have some new with tags if you don’t want second hand
---

34 weeks today and baby is still breech I’ve got until 36 weeks for her to turn before we start talking about a C section, I know she could turn anytime multiple times but I’m quite scared of a C section.

Wondering if anyone had some advice to prepare just incase I do need one or had a good experience? Just to put my mind at ease a bit xx

hi, I had to have a c section because baby was breech. I tried the ECV but wasn’t successful to c section was realistically the only option (advised not to do it vaginally as first baby). They will scan you when you have your c section so if baby does turn you can still opt to not have a c section!

I did look at the exercises on spinning babies but they terrified me!

Some tips I’d have:
Make a playlist - I was able to have what I wanted on for the birth, may help relax you
Try not to do too much too soon after - it’s a fine balance of doing a bit at a time and overdoing it. The first day or so for me felt like I’d take forever then the next day I felt so much better
Loose comfy clothing, high waisted pants (Asda over the bump) - try not to have anything over your scar

 

[sushimama]

We’re also set on Sofia so far it was my husband’s grandma’s name and we’re not that traditional at all but somehow it feels the most right for now haha. I always felt like there are soooo many beautiful girls names but now I can’t seem to find any.

 

[Keera]

I just put baby’s name down for nursery I was nearly in tears thinking about leaving her already god knows what I’ll be like next year when she actually goes

@anything at all I’m so pleased for you, as you know I’ve been following along your journey on the other thread and I’ve been quietly confident and hoping for this outcome for you 🩷

 

[Scorpihoe]

Had the worst night last night waking up every hour, either to pee, raging heartburn, can’t fall asleep, overheating…did anyone else have this in the first trimester? It’s like I can’t get comfortable and fall asleep anymore!

 

[Keera]

I have an abscess in my breast midwife says quite common but obviously more so once baby is here and actually breastfeeding. Been on antibiotics for a week and it’s slightly less angry looking and painful but going back to GP today to let them have another look. I think the next step is incision and drainage of all the things I thought would be not so nice in third trimester I wasn’t thinking this

 

[Hinchhater1442]

I keep being told how busy September is on the unit, I’m actually wondering if they’re insisting inductions so they can actually space out births for shift management. I know a few others that were due after me and have already been and gone with inductions.
I’m a week over due now and seriously fed up so will be looking for induction toward the end of the week if I have no movement (pray for me I do) but I feel that’s for safety opposed to anything else!

They absolutely do try to schedule inductions for shift management. If they never knew when 100% of women would go into labour it would be bedlam so if they can control a percentage of that of course they will. The amount of times too I see women have their inductions ‘pushed back’ due to no bed availability (more spontaneous labours coming in than they anticipated) is crazy. Surely if you NEED an induction it’s because they need to get the baby out sooner rather than later… some of these women I see have 5 day delays ????
Anyway, that’s what I’ve read, or do I need to take my tin foil hat off?

 

[Amylaauren]

Lodge a complaint with PALs. State the reason for the 23rd and also when you were told about the appointment being the 23rd - hopefully it’s noted in your medical notes. Bug the hell out of them. I hate to say it, but being persistent (and some times down right stubborn) can be the only way to get things moving.

yes absolutely this! Take it further and good luck x
---
Had my second sweep and I’ve had awful cramping since coming home makes me worry how the hell I’m gonna birth this baby hahaha

 

[Darlingbaby]

Hey.
Just found out I'm a second time mum to be. Very very early days so family not informed yet.

Exhaustion has kicked in, needing to consistently nap daily. Didn't get this with my first it was pure nausea and sickness with him.. I think I'd swap at this point.

 

[Greencatfysh]

I’m literally in my local day unit now for an emergency check up.. and I didn’t need my notes, no one has asked for them, and I wasn’t asked to bring them / told I need them either I’ve been more times than I can count as well and it’s never been an issue

Your hospital will be able to identify you by name and NHS number so there is no need to panic! I would be more inclined to have my phone set up with emergency contacts / details in my bag for those kinds of situations

I agree, this seems insane? My notes are all digital but surely your hospital number/DOB is all they need. If you colllapsed in the street when not pregnant and got rushed to hospital they wouldn’t need your medical history on a piece of paper…!

 

[Angrysue_]

I definitely feel like it's a bit early at the minute with only being 14 weeks and I don't think I would convinced they were right if I did it this early so seems a bit pointless I think I will do it at 16 weeks though.
I want to be organised and know what I can buy etc and I'm just being impatient. I've waited so so long for these moments that I just get too excited

 

[sushimama]

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.