Support thread for women who are pregnant or TTC after a termination for abnormalities 2

[LittlePoot]

Dear all lovely ladies past, present and future. Welcome to support thread number two, to help us through the anxious TTC waiting, early scary weeks of pregnancy, nasty scans and tests, growing bumps and babies and everything in between. May this thread bring luck and (eventual) joy to us all and at least we'll all be here to hold eachothers' hands along the way. x

Oooh - it was the Erin O'Brian one actually - glad you liked it. Someone at work's offered to lend me the Davina one too so I'll have an array of annoying DVDs lying round the house reminding me that I'm not using them. xxx

Hi ladies, I hope you all had a good week-end?

First of all, a big hurray for Rachel. Wow, 0,6?! I didn't even know you can have less than 1, this is fantastic!

Gina, reading about your nail gave me goosebumps! It sounds horrible.

Little Poot and Catlady, I am deeply ashamed, I haven't exercised at all in this pregnancy, and while I've been feeling exhausted maybe I should have just tried a bit more... hmmmm....

I am in a very weird place at the moment, I was expecting the week-end to be a nightmare, and I did have tearful moments, but I am in complete denial at what is happening tomorrow. I just can't get my head around it. I have started to feel anxious a couple of hours ago, but it's just a sort of generalised anxiety. I can't really imagine coming out with good news tomorrow, but on the other hand all was well last time at 12 weeks, and the lightening struck later.

Anyway, I am sure it will all hit me in a few hours and I'll be a wreck tomorrow morning, but one way or another it will pass...

Hello all!
Coffee- i shall be thinking of you tomorrow and mentally holding your hand i know it's easier said then done but just try and detatch yourself like the others have said veg out lots of slushy films and goodies, and don't worry i haven't done any exercise either yet i'm knackered all the time i think even watching a fitness dvd would have me in a sweat!
Rachel- Welcome! thats great news about your nuchal result! my 12 wk scan is on the 31st and i'm looking forward to it but also very scared they'll find something wrong so hearing others good news really cheers me up.
Hope all is good with everyone else still have my pom poms on stand-by for Katie i await their debut shake exitedly!! XxDMxX

Oooh it's all been going so well on here. Fab news Catlady and Rachel!

Good luck tomorrow Coffee. I will be cheering you on all the way. I know from bitter experience that a good nuchal is no guarantee - but it's a good start. And you will see your lo. Try to take courage from all of us thinking of you and willing you on.

Will be checking in for news. Hugs.

Coffee, lots of luck for tomorrow I'll be thinking of you! Xxx

Good luck for tomorrow Coffee, will be thinking of you.

Katie, my pom poms are ready for rustling!

Still thinking of Allstars, hope all is well.

Mishtabel, I like your image of me. I should keep quiet and let everyone believe your vision . Flawless skin is sadly not the case, I am suffering the ravages of 3 years of hormonal rollercoaster riding. I can only be thankful that I am professionally equipped to fool some of the people some of the time! I do try and keep up appearances with my hair and make up as I live in an area where I am likely to bump into work contacts, so I need to avoid bumping into potential employers looking too horrendous. I suspect that will change somewhat if I do manage to have a baby otherwise I have an image of myself with red lipstick smeared all over my face by little hands. I know you say you have the SAHM look but I seem to remember on the other thread, when Bella was born and you posted some pics to a couple of members, they were all raving about how gorgeous you were so I don't believe you!

My appointment is approaching fairly imminently, I will be going on Friday morning. Shitting myself. Really hoping I am not told that one of us has a chromosome problem that is preventing us from having a successful pregnancy. I don't know how, but my other half is telling me he's just not thinking about it until friday. I can't get it out of my mind. Strange how differently we handle it. Anyway, we'll see.

I hope everyone else is doing ok. I'm afraid I didn't get to bed 'til about 4.30 this morning so not switched on enough to remember all that's going on with everyone.

Good luck today Coffee, I really hope it all goes well for you at the scan and that the hours beforehand aren't too dreadful.

Kittens that's a very late night. I hope you weren't sitting up worrying about Friday.

I think men often do handle these things differently. DH seems able to compartmentalise his brain and emotions in a way that I just can't.

Poot I hope you're enjoying those exercise DVDs . I'm having a day off today, then plan a gym session and a swim tomorrow. I desperately need it - DH was hungover yesterday so we had McDonalds for lunch and I ate an entire packet of dark chocolate digestives while he was out on Saturday night .

Sorry - no time to post. Just wanted to wish masses of good luck to Coffee for today. Won't be able to get online again until I'm home tonight, but will be thinking about you. xx

good luck coffee, thinking of you this morn. typing 1-handed so short post... xx

Hello ladies, as usual thank you for your support. It was a good scan, I think. I am not entirely sure because the NT is 1.9mm, and this to me seems on the high side. It was 1.1mm last time. However, the sonographer said it is a normal measurement and they only get worried if it is 2.5 and above.

Also, the heartbeat is good, but the little one was not very wriggly and I am also a bit concerned about this. Although the sonographer was very blase, she said this is very normal and there are people they ask to go for a walk a few times before they're able to do the measurements. Oh, and she did see a nasal bone.

I'll have the full results tomorrow afternoon or on Wednesday, they will give me a call. I guess my mind is just trying to find a reason to worry.

It actually surprised me how resigned I was that things will go wrong anyway. I could see the NT was a bit thicker on the screen than last time and I was really expecting her to turn to us and say "I'm sorry, but...". Now I am in a bit of a dilemma, I don't know if I should have another scan at the FMC in London, I know they look for more markers there (blood flow in the heart, etc) and their results are the most accurate. Although I don't know what would reassure me at this stage, probably nothing.

Anyway, this turned into a bit of a ramble. I think I should just be pleased that nothing was picked up, as Cantdo said it is a good start. Does 1.9mm seem good to you?

Much love xxxx

PS: I am actually a bit ahead of my dates, 12 weeks today, so my EDD was moved to 28 Februaary.

Hi Coffee - I don't know much about the 'good' or 'bad' of nuchal thickness, but I think my measurement with Josie was higher than that with DS. I'd go with what the sonographer says; and even then, higher thicknesses than 2.5 can turn out to be OK - it just puts them into the 'higher risk' category. Re wiggly baby, personally I'd be more concerned if the baby was excessively wriggly as that's how Iola was (didn't have nuchal for her so no idea how her condition would have reflected that way). I don't think Josie was as active as DS - some babies are just quieter. I remember saying something about this as my pregnancy with Josie progressed and Justa said that with her DS3 she had to monitor his movements daily, but all turned out OK.

Could you leave making decision for 2nd scan until after Weds? Pretty sure Lins had hers there in wk13, with option of CVS on the same day.

Better go, required by DD! xx

Coffee 1.9mm is good. I think under our circumstances we're always hoping for that 'perfect' result, and unless it's the lowest risk possible it's easy to worry, but really at 1.9mm this is a very good measurement.

DD was a non-wriggler at my first scan. I had to go and jump up and down in the corridor and down some ice cold orange juice to get her to move about. She soon made up for it in later pregnancy, she literally used to beat me up from the inside...

I hope your full results come through quickly and that they reassure you. I was lucky to get mine at the same time as my scan, but I do think I would have felt anxious until I knew the full picture. It's understandable. Everything you've said about the scan is leading to a very positive picture though.

Here's to Feb babies . My EDD is 18 Feb, so we're just days apart. xx

Thanks ladies, you are right, it's just that I'm in the worry mode, and I am just comparing the result with the 1.1mm before, a bit stupidly I would say as the outcome last time was so terrible. It was a good scan after all, with a normal measurement, no major abnormalities picked up, and although I am very aware that things can go wrong later, it seems to be ok so far (and fingers crossed for Wednesday's results).

I think I just need to fully accept that I will worry no matter what - now it's Wednesday's results, then it will be the next scan, and it will just go on and on. And yes Numpty, I have thought about it: I'll just make any decision after I get the full picture.

Catlady, I think Gina's EDD is in Feb as well :) I so hope it will all go well, for all of us!

Coffee i agree that is a pretty good nuchal result! and as for baby being a non-wriggler as with Catlady my DS was a lazy bones and i too was sent for a wander and given some cold water to try and wake him up! and he's just fine!....well he likes to wake me up early and makes lots of mess..but thats true of any 4 yr old
All in all a very good result i think Coff i know it's hard to be optimistic but things are looking up, Oh and i'm going to try and have my baby early now so i'm not left out cause i'm not due till March 13th (it's not a friday i've already checked!)..and thats if they don't move me back again!
Right better get the dinner on i suppose running a bit late today may as well take advantage of DS being quiet and watching zing zillas,
Oooo and before i forget with regards to 'one born every minute' i loved it too i hope they do,do another series, one of my friends was born in that hospital and will be having her 4th baby there in Feb (she's due the 14th what a valentines prezzie!)so if they do a 3rd series who knows? maybe she'll be on it!
XxXxDMxXxX

Coffee, good result from the scan! I'd wait and see what the results look like when they come in. Mine was 1.7mm and I was comparing that to the 1.3mm that we had last time... I think its impossible to predict from that measurement alone! Having said that, if you think that it will give you peace of mind to go to FMC for another opinion then do it. I think only you can make that choice. If it helps you then that can only be a good thing

With regards wiggling, Olivia moved a lot at 12 weeks and then very little later on. This one moved a bit but according to the Midwofe today was moving around a lot as she found its heartbeat.

Yey to Feb baies! My due date is 1st Feb!! What a busy month it will be (being very very positve & sending positive vibes out to everyone!)

Just waiting for the 18 week scan on the 1st September.... trying not to think about it, new House box set has arrived and watching back to back episodes!!

Drama I saw the midwife today and they had a notice up in the dept looking for Mums who were due in Sept - Nov and planning to birth at Southampton to take part in One Born Every Min, so def another series coming up next year I guess!!

Hi ladies - hope you are all well!

Today is my due date but the good news is that my gorgeous new son was born three days early on Friday 13th (!).

His name is Felix Jack and he weighed in at 7lb 12oz ? it all feels very surreal right now and we are just in awe of him. I only got home from hospital last night as I had to stay in a few days, had a bit of a difficult delivery but all fine now.

So far Felix is being pretty good and sleeping lots, I am breastfeeding which is proving very painful but am persevering and hopefully it will work out soon.

I?ve posted a few pics to my profile if you would like to see him

Katie xxx

So pleased for you Katie, huge congratulations!!! What a fantastic name, give Felix a big kiss from me! I'm off to check out your pics!!
Xxxxxxx

Katie congratulations!! Wonderful news, welcome little Felix .

Sorry you had a difficult time. I had a horrendous birth with DD and it really does take it out of you for quite some time so do try and let others do lots for you so you can concentrate on healing and feeding.

You'll get there with the feeding I'm sure, well done for persevering. Have you had your latch and positioning checked out?

Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing them. Felix is totally scrumptious, you look amazing and I just love that one of Felix with his dad.

So happy for you xx

Oh my goodness - what a lot of fantastic news today! Katie - congratulations sweetie - he is absolutely beautiful (as are you)! Sorry it was a bit of a trauma Friday, but really pleased you're home safely now. Enjoy your bundle of sleepiness (and fingers crossed the good behaviour continues for many years.....). xxx

Coffee - that nuchal scan does indeed sound fantastic. Mine was 1.5mm, which is much the same, and of course I was comparing it with my last one and that was 4.5mm. Not so good. Still have to wait for the bloods obviously, but so far so good sweetie - and one more milestone ticked off.

So kittens is next for the hospital appointment and then Drama for a scan - is that right? Fingers crossed some more.

I have a small confession - I do talk a good talk on the exercise front, but I can't honestly say I've done anything about it yet! My first trimester was mostly spent on the sofa.... I just decided that as I was already in need of losing a few pounds before I got pregnant the first time, let alone the third time, maybe I should try and stave off the weight gain over the next few months by doing a wee bit of exercise. I'm no gym bunny (or gym cat), just trying to let Davina and Erin O'Brien inspire me into getting off my butt a bit more often!

Gotta run. Love and kisses to all and an extra one for Felix. xxxx

Hurray, congratulations Katie, great news, and Felix is gorgeous! I love your pics, and I have to say you look lovely despite the difficult labour! So Friday the 13th was actually a lucky day for you :)

I hope you are recovering well, once again hurray! And my pom-poms will gather dust now, you didn't need them after all :)

WOW! Congratulations Katie. He is sooooo cute. I have newborn envy:).

My top tip for breastfeeding pain is Avent nipple shields. Has to be Avent ones for some reason. They really helped me at the start with both DDs then I ditched them. Don't listen to anyone who says they cause nipple confusion - they help if you're struggling initially, and particularly when the milk comes in and you're engorged. It does get easier, anyway. Oh I feel all emotional!

Coffee, Coffee, I did say you wouldn't feel jubilant after your scan however good it was. I think the nuchal measurement is great - same as mine was for DD1 (Babycant was 1.1; first lost baby was 8.8mm going up to over 10mm! and second was around the same as yours/DD1's, but of course the problems that baby had weren't detectable at that stage). I also think there's no way you'll feel 'reassured' properly until 20 weeks at least. I certainly didn't. The nuchal is a good start though. One step at a time, you're getting there. And we're with you all the way.

Katie's post reminded me to ask Numpty, Mishta, how is your breastfeeding going? Babycant is 4 months now, believe it or not, growing rapidly, still feeding very well, smiling a lot - and also screaming. She was such a contented newborn that the screaming's a shock, but it seems to be the dreaded teeth pushing their way through...

Kittens, good good luck with your apptment. Yep, Mishta is indeed a hottie, even straight after a section.

Impressed by pregnant exercisers. The most I did was lug DD1 around...

Oh Katie - massive congratulations and a big welcome to the world to lovely Felix. A triumph. He will bring you joy, so much joy. I am very, very happy for you.

And Gina, DS was born on February 1st this year. Cool day for a due date.

love to all x

Katie! How lovely to hear your news and see your photos; and I agree with everyone here, Felix is a great name for a very cute baby, you look amazing and the photo of your DH with Felix is really sweet. Awe is the right expression for suddenly encountering the baby that's been inside you for all those months, and finally getting to meet them. I'm sorry you had a rough birth, I hope you feel well supported now and that the midwives (if you are still being visited) are helpful. Arnica tablets might help too.

My top tips for breastfeeding are 1) find someone whose advice you trust and stick with it, as otherwise you can get confused by all the conflicting advice and 2) ibuprofen does actually help, plus Lansinoh. Finally 3) sometimes it does just take time to improve BUT it will improve. I think for me this time the first 3 weeks were frankly hellish, partly because DD's latch still isn't great; but although it's not perfect now it is manageable. Having another small child about doesn't help me concentrate when feeding her - I have been known to be trying to make DS's dinner while feeding (not recommended). If you can, get yourself settled with a nice cup of tea and cake as your reward .

I second Can't - I also have newborn envy; Josie is now nearly 7 weeks, time flies.

Love to you, your DH and your gorgeous son, xxx

Congratulations Katiecubs - love the pics of Felix, his fluffy hair is so cute! Enjoy this time....

And great news on the scan Coffee. When is your next scan? I had a 16 week scan which helped when 20 weeks just seemed so far away.

I need to set aside half an hour to read back over the thread to see what else I've missed on hols. I've got more family arriving in a couple of days to stay til end August, and I dont expect to get on MN much though.

Mishtabel, I went to the gynae outpatients today and saw a different doctor who couldn't see any sort of abnormal lesion on my bits. Which is clearly good news, but then part of me is a bit as to what exactly it was the first doctor saw (she was quite definite it needed to be biopsied, and now they can even see it?)

Sigh! My mind will be working it over now. I might have to get a mirror out and have a gander myself ... (first time since DS was born)...... Ladies residing in the South, you may hear me screaming from where you are!

Big hello to everyone ...