Pregnancy #62

[scouseconstantine]

First official day of maternity and after a lazy morning decided to try and clean the house as it didn’t get its usual weekly clean. Cleaned downstairs and Jesus Christ I feel like I’ve ran 8 consecutive marathons! how on Earth have I been working with toddlers all this time and not broken a sweat but mopping the floor has done me in.

At this rate the stairs won’t see the Hoover for another two months

 

[Spencerskates]

When do you know it’s time to see about going to hospital with sickness? I’m 7 weeks and I’ve been sick 5-10 times every day this week and I’m the last 36 hours or so I’ve not managed to keep anything down including water. My heart rate feels a little high and I’m definitely peeing less.

 

[Spencerskates]

Yes. At our 20 week scan and our extra growth scan they asked us if we knew/wanted to know. After we said we didn't want to know they made sure to tell us to look away before they scanned those parts. You may have to look away right at the start though because I know someone who found out she was having a boy as soon as the scan started because he was in a weird position that made everything very clear

My son did this to us - literally bum against my tummy, legs apart! The first shot we got on his 20 week scan was of his bits. Luckily we wanted to know. He’s 17 months now and equally pleased to show them off. We’d like a surprise this time though so I’ll make sure to tell them.

12 week scan today and I’m so nervous! I also had a dream it was twins - we’ve had early scans though so fairly confident it’s not.

 

[Spencerskates]

Controversial, but with our first we actually had both sets of parents visit almost as soon as we got home from hospital. That way it bought us a little bit of time before they visited again, which was especially helpful when day 5 hit, the baby blues were strong and my milk was just coming in. And my parents brought a takeaway for us and made sure we could eat it hot.

we initially planned to wait a week for visitors and had told parents we weren’t ready for visitors straight away, but that’s just what worked for us.

 

[Amylaauren]

30 weeks today
Also getting a bit anxious too about labour and what our plans are etc
Pelvic pain is unbearable now 🥲

 

[Kaylarina]

So weird! I follow a few ladies who were TTC at the same time as me and now had their babies (US based) and they were all induced. The comments honestly! So many women saying “omg I’m 38 weeks and no signs of labour yet.. what shall I do?!” It’s scary!

It absolutely boggles my mind.

I was talking to someone at a baby store the other day who told me it was "better for the baby" to be induced and her doctor had advised her not to go to 40 weeks, but even just the tests they have - the same woman was amazing I hadn't had a glucose test and asked me why I would go against medical advice when I didn't go to medical school (And yes, yes I really did take great pleasure in informing her that I indeed did go to medical school and was a doctor )

It's scary. I think the US mortality rate is about 21/100000 compared to 9/100000 I think in the UK. I understand the need for induction, c-sections, forceps and even the right to choose if that is what you want, but pregnancy is the most natural thing in the world and that has definitely been lost in the US.

I already have 2 healthy girls, both born at 36 weeks after short labours (with one surprising us at home very quickly). Like you said, you're almost 41 weeks, as long as you and baby are safe (and unless its what you wanted) why would you add in more procedures and medications than needed.

(Yes, I am rambling but it's 3.30am baby 3 has decided my ribs are the best toy every and E2 has decided she absolutely cannot sleep unless she is next to daddy laying like a starfish so no sleep for me! )

 

[anything at all]

I had a low lying placenta and had a few episodes of bleeding too, each time I was kept in as an inpatient until it had been 24 hours since the last bit of bleeding. One point I was there for almost a week, I hope you’re ok?
You’ve done the right thing by getting checked out. Sometimes the bleeding can be from irritation, sometimes it’s the placenta itself moving, or something more severe so always always get seen especially with it being low lying xx

Oh gosh I hope I’m not here for a week

Unfortunately had another small amount of bright red blood during the night so they’ve said I’ll be here another night 🥲
They said they would want to examine me if it happens again

I know I’m in the right place in case anything happens but finding it so overwhelming being on a ward with others that are close to having their babies.

 

[Spencerskates]

It's stopped again, but might start again like it did before. I'll call them in a bit. It just amazes me they don't tell you what's normal. I know everyone is different but they could at least have something that says X is normal but call us if you see Y.

I’d give them a call for reassurance! It’s crazy isn’t it? I had a horrendous bleed at 9 weeks with baby Skates - heavier than day 1 of a heavy period, and he was absolutely fine. They weren’t in a rush to see me though.

I’m so, so fed up of being and feeling sick. I don’t know why I expected anything different after one HG pregnancy but it’s fucking miserable.

 

[Amylaauren]

Took maternity at 36 weeks because of annual leave, I’m on my second week and I am so bored there’s only so much cleaning and organising I can do

 

[Shinythings]

Can I ask - how did you decide you wanted to find out the sex? I feel like I do as I’m a planner / more logical (eg only have to think of one set of names) but my boyfriend wants to wait. Others have also said they wanted to wait until birth.

I don't want to find out. It's one of the few surprises you get in this life. I like the idea of finding out at birth. I'm actually worried I'll spoiler it fir myself my seeing the gender at the scan.

 

[Nfj]

On the pads front - with my first in the early days I used the frida mom pants with a maternity pad inside (was quite heavily bleeding first couple of days). Then just moved to maternity pads, then normal pads after that. I’d stopped bleeding at 3 weeks and by the end was just wearing a liner.
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I really don’t want a c section with this baby - recovery with a 2 year old isn’t going to be fun. Partner is off for several months so I’m happy to wait and then discuss induction methods if I go overdue. Apparently once you’ve had a baby inductions so go a bit easier.

 

[yankydoo]

@Amylaauren and @Greencatfysh Also joining the club. I'm 32 weeks and I'm not sleeping, feeling uncomfortable and to top it off I think I'm coming down with something. I haven't felt myself the whole pregnancy either.

Not too long left for any of us although does feel like ages.

Also, happy birthday @Amylaauren!

 

[scouseconstantine]

Bought myself a can of coke this morning as a little treat from home bargains…dropped it in the floor leaving the shop and it burst open, stained my white jumper and just generally embarrassed me

 

[clmay]

At what point do I contact the gp? Currently 4 weeks so still super early and I don’t want to jump the gun on things and jinx it!

I’m also 4 weeks! I just went on the maternity website of the hospital I want to give birth at and registered. The email said they will contact me in the next 2 weeks. Last time I think I got seen around 7/8 weeks for a booking in appointment where they did bloods, urine test and height/weight/smoking test etc. I know how you feel on not wanting to jump the gun but I think it’s good to be all registered etc in case something does go wrong.

 

[Vmanxx]

8 weeks pregnant with baby no.4. Been stressful so far with bleeding on and off but scans have shown everything is fine and good heart beat. Never had it on other 3 pregnancies. Been stressful as I have had x2 MC in the past. This pregnancy I've had nausea and vomiting which I never had in any of my others. Very tired, very sore boobs, lower back ache but otherwise im okay. Ihave a 17 year old, 6 year old and 4 year old and all 3 are girls.

Im in exactly the same situation, 10 weeks, 4th baby and I’ve bled on and off since 6 weeks. I’ve never had this before either, also had a past MC and I’m nauseous which I’ve never had before! I’ve got 3 boys. Hope you’re doing ok, it’s scary to bleed, especially after MC and if you’ve never had this before xx

 

[Greencatfysh]

Did it cause you to gain a lot of extra weight (baby aside) or not really make much of a difference? It's ridiculous. Had a massive bowl of pasta for dinner and now I'm lying in bed and my stomach is growling like I haven't eaten for a week and I know the hunger pangs will keep me awake

My tip would be to eat little and often rather than having big bowls of 2-3 meals a day for example. Your body is racing through energy to grow baby, so just focus on that. If you’re eating every 1-2 hours with a good snack rather than junk food, you’re doing the right thing. I definitely found this too and if I didn’t eat I’d feel so sick. So I think you’re probably in a preferable place. It will even out at 12-14 weeks when hormones settle. And yes I was very bloated which added to the bump. I never really knew but real bump didn’t appear till almost the third trimester!
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Baby skates is just getting over hand, foot and mouth disease (for the second time🫠) and I’m now convinced I’ve got it. I’ve got a mouth full of ulcers and a couple of spots on my hand. Google tells me it’s more dangerous in the last trimester, but do I still need to tell my midwife? I’m only 9 weeks.

Definitely tell them!

 

[Shinythings]

From my experience the times I’ve bled at the start of a pregnancy no one seemed overly fussed as it’s just one of those things that can be normal or there’s nothing they can do if it’s not. I don’t think it would hurt to call tomorrow if you’re worried, they may refer you to an early pregnancy unit but they might not. Feel like the care varies each area unfortunately. Hopefully everything is okay x

Call them tomorrow for sure. They’d always rather help you now than later. You might be able to book into the EPU for a scan next week depending on your history 🩷

Thanks, I'll call them in the morning. It's mad how it's 2024 and pregnancy is still such a mystery. Google is absolutely no help because it ranges from 'you're fine' right the way to 'definitely a miscarriage'. I've had light cramping pretty much from the day I found out

 

[Spencerskates]

Maybe I'm really strange and slightly delusional, but I've always said I'd love twins!

I always said the same until I had my first! I have so much respect for twin mammas, I can’t even imagine how hard it must be, especially in the first few years. Although I would have loved to only have one pregnancy after having HG with both of mine.

I also think you should get a higher rate of maternity pay for twins too!

 

[scouseconstantine]

After moaning for weeks about not feeling baby, wow she has made up for it today. Don’t know what she’s doing in there but some of the movements are verging on painful!

 

[Greencatfysh]

Hi ladies who are further on than me () when in your pregnancy did you do everything like build bassinets/prams, have hospital bag ready for etc?
I’m only 26 weeks but both my mum and my MIL got caught out by baby’s coming at 30 weeks and think I should start having it all sorted.
I have mostly all I need now but tbh - I’m kind of scared and nervous to set it all up as it’s making it feel real
Obviously I hope she stays in there cooking for another 10+ weeks at least but now I’m scared I’m not prepared enough

We did it around 33 weeks. Hospital bag priority I’d say but I’d also advise to leave time aside for putting the pram etc together as it can be fiddly and frustrating! I also know ladies due to give birth next week who have only just done it so depends if it’ll make you feel better to do it asap!