Pregnancy after MMC

[sadtoday21]

Hi everyone! I moved our thread over here so we can all keep in touch as we continue on this journey.

Many congratulations again to @Amanda81 on the birth of your beautiful baby girl Holly! Our first baby on the thread. Also tagging the regulars @Catconfusion @Kiki061190 @bananamonkey. Newcomers welcome as well!

[sadtoday21]

Just a quick update from me, 28+1 weeks today and going to 4d scan tomorrow! A bit anxious, hope baby boy is ok in there.

[Kiki061190]

Awww @sadtoday21 Thanks for the new thread. Your scan will be absolutely amazing!

[Catconfusion]

Thanks for the new thread @sadtoday21 Good luck for tomorrow with the scan. How exciting! I bet you’ll get some lovely pictures of baby boy. Xx

[bananamonkey]

Thanks @sadtoday21

Hope you have a lovely can today and get some great pictures x

[bananamonkey]

*scan!

[bananamonkey]

Is anyone getting Braxton Hicks? I never had them last time (or at least member felt them) so wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve had a few twinges the last couple of weeks but today felt properly like early labour contractions. It was pretty uncomfortable and I was quite worried for a while but luckily it passed after a couple of hours.

[sadtoday21]

Thanks @Kiki061190 @Catconfusion @bananamonkey!

Scan went well today, baby boy measuring 28+1 and estimated weight 2.75 lbs (50% on growth chart). The 4d scan was amazing and also a little frightening! We saw him yawn, rub his eyes, drink the amniotic fluid, smile, and wave. He appears to like sleeping with his fist covering one of his eyes, which was really cute, and he touched his nose with his foot! Wondering now what he will look like when he is born and how close it will be to the images we saw today! It was nice to go into a scan having felt him moving for once, a bit less anxiety than usual and the sonographer was so nice and printed tons of pictures and gave us a free key ring with his photo on it.

@bananamonkey I've never had Braxton Hicks, so not sure what it feels like, but I think it might be normal to have it earlier with your second child. As long as it passes after some time, I think it is perfectly normal at this stage!

How is everyone else doing? I feel like time is going really fast and really slow at the same time!

[Kiki061190]

@bananamonkey I don’t think I’ve had any Braxton hicks yet but I have heard it starts earlier with your second too! Hope you’re ok 💓 how is baby girl doing? Is she moving a lot?

@sadtoday21 awwww how adorable. He sounds so cute! You much be so excited! I feel the same. My second trimester is passing much faster than the first and I’ve now been telling myself just 16.5 weeks to get organised! I’m going to see about ordering nursery furniture in January. Are you organised?

[bananamonkey]

Aw that sounds great @sadtoday21

Yes my friend I was with said she had them much more second time around and thought she was going into labour lots of times. I had a funny turn yesterday which I think made it worse and had a little freak out! Had a couple of cramps this morning but only mild. Baby is doing lots of big kicking, although stops as soon as anyone else tries to feel! It’s so lovely to finally enjoy being pregnant.

Hope everyone has a good weekend, can’t wait to finish work tomorrow! x

[Kiki061190]

@bananamonkey Great she’s kicking away! Yeah I agree it’s lovely to just enjoy pregnancy now. I finish Xmas eve but have some decent time off after so I’m very excited!

[Amanda81]

Hey @sadtoday21 - the likeness between Holly and her 4D scan is uncanny. Holly also used to like having one hand over her face when in the womb and we have a good picture of her doing this when she was being weighed.

Great to hear that many of you are starting to enjoy pregnancy now that you have passed various milestones. Great news!

I wanted to pop on and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very baby riddled 2020! Love and hugs to all xxx

[sadtoday21]

Great to hear from you @Amanda81, hope you are managing some rest with all the night feeds! How are you finding it so far? Little Holly's first xmas, how exciting! Do you have anything fun planned?

@Kiki061190 I feel both organised and not, if that makes sense? I've bought the bigger items - pram, carseat, nursing chair, changing table, cot, bouncer and two smaller items (one jumpsuit and one rabbit). I also received sheets for the cot and one more romper from family. But really in terms of the smaller items and clothing I don't have much of anything yet! I figure I can get all those things quiet easily/cheaply/quickly if needed though. I am not sure what else there is left to do - just buy the small things eventually, do some batch cooking, pack a bag. All things I want to do later into 30+ weeks. Are you feeling organised?

Just got booked in for my NHS antenatal class at 36 weeks, which I feel is a bit late? It's one all day class, so maybe its fine, I'm not really sure. It seems I don't have much of anything in the way of milestones until 36 weeks now - so two months of waiting! At 36 weeks they do the tour of the birthing suite, antenatal class, and growth scan. Before that its just the regular midwife appointments. I'm going to Scotland at 31-32 weeks, so hoping that will help pass the time. And also trying to get some work done over the holiday break so I won't be so far behind later on. How is everyone else doing? What are you ladies up to @bananamonkey and @Catconfusion?

Wishing you all the best for the holiday season and new year! Xxx.

[Catconfusion]

Hey @Amanda81 how lovely Holly is doing things she did on the scan. Happy Christmas to you and your little family too! Xxxxx

@sadtoday21 you sound pretty prepared to me. Sleepsuits are easy to get hold of so sure you’ll be sorted by the time he comes. It’s probably a good idea to get the course out the way in a day too. You’ve timed it just right. Wouldn’t want to do it any later though just in case.

So we just told my Dad we’re having a boy. Gave him a framed scan Christmas ornament with a ribbon saying ‘it’s a boy! His knee jerk reaction was to say: ‘Oh I won’t be having any granddaughters then!’ My sister has two boy and I guess he’s thinking at my age I might not have any more so no girls. It made me feel a bit rubbish if I’m honest. I thought he’d be really pleased. Instead he changed the subject and talked about everything but our little boy. He said he was convinced it was a girl so I guess it was a surprise. We will give the same gift to my Mum and DHs family tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll get a bit more excitement from everyone else. We’re really pleased so that’s all that really matters.

Anyway Happy Christmas to you all. Have a lovely day tomorrow! Xx

[Kiki061190]

Hi ladies!

@Amanda81 It’s funny I was thinking when you posted a picture of Holly that she looked just like she did in your scan!

@sadtoday21 I’m terrible! I’ve been buying baby girl all the cute things under the sun. You’ll be given so much though as well. I think my classes will be late as well. Just got my MAT B1 form sorted with work and my official maternity leave date sorted today. Finish March 27th!

@Catconfusion That reaction is upsetting but he will be madly in love with your son. I can’t wait to see him! Bet he is beautiful! I have a feeling you will have another one, my gut tells me it’s going to happen!

Merry Christmas ladies! Have the most wonderful day. We have just done the massive drove to the in laws, we have a reveal tomorrow for baby girl. Can’t wait to see their faces!

[Catconfusion]

Hey everyone, hopefully you had a nice Christmas. @Amanda81 I bet yours was extra special. Finally this morning DH felt baby boy kick. It was lovely. Bump is huge. I saw my sister yesterday who said she wasn’t far off my size at full term 😯. I’ll just see what the midwife says next week. If he is big I’m sure it’ll be fine. My second nephew was 10 lbs 11 and my sister had him naturally with no stitches. It’s amazing what our bodies can do. Anyway at least my hip pain is better. Have a lovely time enjoying the last days of the decade! I have a feeling the next one will be completely different for us all! Xx

[sadtoday21]

Hey @Catconfusion I’m so sorry your dad didn’t react as you had hoped. You might recall I had a similar situation with my FIL (he really wanted a girl), but now he is delighted it’s a boy and is so excited! I imagine your dad is like my FIL, no filter but means well. And you never really know if it will be your last, but either way none of it matters because your little boy is so precious! Glad your DH finally got to feel him kick, it takes awhile with AP!

Now that I’m 29+1, baby’s movements are definitely becoming a lot stronger and it’s wonderful to finally feel his little body moving around and not just occasional kicks. I still can’t see any limbs sticking out, but I do see my stomach moving and feel him becoming more forceful! I love it and it’s definitely helping me feel more connected to him.

@Kiki061190 how did the big reveal go? Thinking of you!

[Kiki061190]

Hi ladies!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

@sadtoday21 Oh the reveal was so special! Everyone’s reactions were amazing and everyone was delighted 🥰 can’t believe we’re all this far along! I’m exactly 5 weeks behind you!

@Catconfusion It’s so special when they feel movement. I’m getting lots of movement now, can be quite distracting. How are you finding sleeping? I’m starting to get uncomfortable now!

[bananamonkey]

Hello! Merry Christmas to you all, hope you’ve had a nice relaxing time!

Glad the reveal went well @Kiki061190 what a lovely extra present 😊

Sorry about your FiL @Catconfusion, I’m sure he’ll be excited soon enough.

Movements sound great @sadtoday21!

Hope all is going well @Amanda81 x

As is tradition for my pregnancies I have come down with sinusitis and I can’t take the good drugs 😫 Had a lovely Christmas Eve and Day, it was the first year my DD has really understood it and it was so lovely making it magical for her. Then I started feeling rough in the evening and have been in my pjs* since then, not slept for 2 nights but hoping I can feel better later as we have to visit relatives this afternoon then a long drive to my family tomorrow. Feeling very guilty for having paracetamol and Diet Coke but I’ve needed it to get through the day. Last year we had a sickness bug so guess it’s better than that! Enjoy the rest of the holidays x x

*I got 2 pairs of maternity pjs for Christmas and they are amazing!

[sadtoday21]

@bananamonkey I didn't even know they made maternity pjs! How are they different from normal ones? Sorry to hear you are feeling sick, hope you feel better soon to enjoy the rest of the holidays with your family!

@Kiki061190 oh wow, I didn't realise we were exactly five weeks apart! Do you have a pregnancy pillow to help with sleeping? I never bought one in the end, but I haven't had too much trouble with sleeping. A few nights of insomnia and now I generally get up once a night for the loo, but nothing much. I do feel my bump is big or the right size at least for this gestation (in the shower when I stand up straight I can't see my legs/feet anymore!), but not so huge yet that I can't still do most things. Christmas day we went for a nine mile hike and I'm definitely slower, but still up for it.

How many weeks will you all be at New Years? I'll be 30, which finally feels farther along!

[bananamonkey]

@sadtoday21 they’re from Next but not online anymore, kind of a soft jersey material and the bottoms go over your bump. I got these and a long sleeved pair. I was pregnant over summer last time so just wore vests but I love proper pjs so was v pleased, am busting out of my current ones.

[Kiki061190]

Oh no @bananamonkey I hope you are on the mend soon. How is baby girl coming along? I got given lots of pjs in larger sizes for Christmas which has been handy. My bump is wide as opposed to out if that makes sense?

@sadtoday21 I’ll be 25 weeks at new year! It’s insane. I’ve been very calm since the 20 week scan as I can feel movement quite a bit. I do panic when I don’t feel anything for a while but if I rub or touch my belly she seems to kick back. Very jealous you are only up once for the loo, I am up too many times to count. I haven’t bought a pregnancy pillow but I usually sleep on my stomach so trying to train myself to sleep on my side isn’t easy! Are you less anxious now? You’ll be packing a hospital bag in no time!

[Catconfusion]

@Kiki061190 sounds like bump has formed like a typical girl bump. Mine is all out front. My movements are pretty regular now and getting more powerful. It’s not keeping me awake as such but I have an awareness of it in my sleep if that makes sense.

Thanks for saying you have a feeling we’ll have another. I have to say unless something goes majorly wrong in delivery our chances are good. The only problem is we live in a two bedroom house so might need to move.

@sadtoday21 I have the Jo Jo Maman pjs. They are about £40 but I found some on eBay for £15. They are so comfortable and I would highly recommend.

Thanks for the kind words about the sex. I think you’re right that it was a knee jerk reaction. My sister said our Mum did the same thing when she found out she was having her second boy. She was excited once he was here. Funnily enough my second nephew is very feminine and his interests are very girly. Just shows the sex doesn’t necessarily dictate personality.

@bananamonkey Sorry to hear you’re unwell. I hope it passes soon. You Christmas sounds lovely and great DD could understand more. My Dad is really excited but there’s definitely a slight disappointment it’s another boy. I don’t think that generation view sex and gender in the same way. They have very set ideas about what a boy is and what a girl is. To me our baby is a little person. He’ll be over the moon when he’s here I’m sure.

As for me, the kicks are getting stronger. I’ve also been quite naughty and treated myself to some nursing clothes in the sales. I got a sparkly nursing dress from Jo Jo Maman for New Year’s Eve as it’s got easy access for feeding so can wear for evenings out when baby is here. My bump looks so cute in it. It had £25 off so couldn’t resist.

Hope you’re all enjoying the last few days of 2020. The new decade is going to be amazing for us all! Xx

[Kiki061190]

@Catconfusion People keep telling me I’m neat but I can tell my bump is much wider than most. Kicks are also getting higher so hoping baby girl is growing away. My next scan is 3 weeks today! I also have picked up a few things in the sale. I’ve started browsing nursery furniture, have my eye on a three piece set from silver cross. We got given a sleepyhead from the in laws for Xmas and lots of home knitted goodies which I love!

[sadtoday21]

Hope you all have a wonderful NYE! It's hard to believe that this year could be so different from the last. What is everyone up to?

Everything pretty quiet here, I will be 30 weeks on the day after new years. It feels like a fairly big milestone in terms of really getting into the third trimester now. I haven't bought anything else and don't really intend to buy clothes/smaller items or pack hospital bag until around 36 weeks, so not much to do atm. Still feeling baby boy move about five sessions a day, so we seem to be in a pattern for now which is helpful in terms of managing my anxiety. But it's starting to get closer to February and I can already feel the anxiety ramping up. I realise I think a lot about worse case scenarios since what happened to me two years ago and last year. I guess that's what trauma does - I never used to think about these kind of dire scenarios. I know logically it's just bad memories and I need to shake it off.

Feeling sad that my MIL isn't here to share this adventure with me, she was my true mom in every sense of the word and she would have loved this pregnancy. She was the one person I could rely on besides DH. My actual family always just lets me down, whereas my (real) family (DH's family) is still just so broken even two years later. As expats here, we won't have any support from friends or family. I hadn't really thought about this until now, some people mentioned all these baby showers the other day and I just suddenly realised I'm very much alone here.

Sorry! Didn't mean to write such a negative post! How is everyone else getting along? Hope you are all feeling well and getting excited for what the new year will bring! Xxx.

[Catconfusion]

Happy New Year @sadtoday21 we’re going to a house party but not sure how long we’ll last as I know everyone will be getting quite drunk. It will be nice to see everyone though.

Honestly you rant away. It’s been a tough couple of years for you and it’s natural to worry about the support you’ll get when you’re in another country. I can imagine it’s hard to think about your Mum in law and how happy she would be for you if she was hear. I bet she’d be really proud of how you’ve coped with such difficult challenges and got all the way to 30 weeks with this baby. Dealing with anxiety is hard and not everyone understands but you’ve done really well.

As for support you have all of us. I know it’s in a virtual sense but we’re all here for you and know what you’ve been through. This year is going to be exciting for us all. I can’t wait until our babies are here. We should start a post natal thread for then.

Anyway have a lovely evening. Next year will be awesome! Xx