January 2011 - New year, new baby! - 2nd Trimester

[mummychicken]

Got there first - thanks Sarrita for the suggestion!!

My BP (the bottom number) has been up to 90 the last two MW appts on the first time she takes it and then down to 80 (my pg normal) the next. Usually is 70 non pg. She said not a big concern as I have no other symptoms, just something to monitor, but did list symptoms that I should call them if I had any - headache (doesn't go with 2 paracetamol), flashing lights, epigastric pain, reduced baby movement, just feeling odd.

Hannah they can put you on BP medication but normally if they're going to do that, they'll do it early on in the pregnancy and almost always by 20 weeks. At this stage if BP is high and protein in urine it's a strong possibility you will develop pre-eclampsia (I'm not a doctor so don't take my word as law!) so BP meds won't help, iyswim.

Thankyou all, Roxie and Ladybuzz don't worry haven't scared me, I feel better hearing other peoples experience and knowledge of it. Have been asked about headaches and swelling have had a bit of swelling but nothing awful, think you're bound to get a bit.

Am glad they're keeping an eye on things would be more worried if they were'nt, just wasn't sure what they were actually going to do if stayed high.

Thankyou! :)

32 weeks

hi all
gosh i haven't been on for ages. we haven't had any internet access at our new place until now and things have been a bit hectic sorting out the flat, working and trying to transfer my antenatal care. Have tried to catch up with some of the posts i've missed but there are pages and pages!

Am in a bit of a quandry over birth choices in our new area - don't know whether to give birth in local hospital (which is good but often VERY busy apparently) or new local birthing centre - which is meant to be lovely but attached to a different hospital that doesn't have such a good reputation so a bit of a risk if something goes wrong. really not sure what to do for the best. hmmm

Yesterday at antenatal class, 3 new mums came in with their babies and proceeded to tell us their birth horror-stories. i felt a bit cross by the end as i wasn't sure how this was meant to be helpful to us!! I now feel rather terrified about the whole thing .

sorry to hear people suffering with heartburn etc. i seem to have got off quite lightly on that front but my ribs are absolute agony! baby must be playing them like a xylophone with its toes or something! ouch!

hi again....been offline over a week changing supplier....just catching up on all your news :)

now 32&5 ...feeling utterly shattered!!

lots of painful prods & kicks, Bad heartburn, RLS keeping me & DH awake (really annoying symptom!!)as well as my twins waking every few hours between them...which doesnt help !! fortunately DH has been taking boys to school in mornings...but i cant stop yawning all day !

am neglecting housework...and feeling like waynetta !! whilst giving in to feeding the twins chocolate biscuits to keep them happy..as Im just too exhausted to take them out everyday!!

very rarely seen my midwives (thrice in whole pregnancy!) seen my OB twice, last time at 30 weeks....not booked in again till 40 weeks !!! (the antenatal care in Uk is becoming very scarce!!!)
wont be long till we're back in dark ages delivering our babies by ourselves...with a friend/relative helping!!

trying to focus on christmas to take my mind off things :)

I'm trying not to think about Christmas at the moment! I know I should be doing shopping etc now while I still can but can't find any energy or inspiration.

splodge that sounds really awful at your antenatal, you would have thought they'd find at least one positive story . We were invited to be the demonstration new parents at a class when DS was tiny, I was very positive about birth and breastfeeding but DS did his best to put them off. He did the most enormous, explosive, coming out the neck of his sleepsuit poo while we were there and I think most of the parents would have liked the chance to opt out then

33+6

Had a good consultant's appointment today, really reasurring given how long its been since I saw the midwife! (twice this pregnancy so far). They tested my urine, which hasn't been done since 12 weeks, which was fine, and did BP, listened to heartbeat, checked position and measurements etc. Also got swabbed for MRSA and signed consent form for c section. See midwife in 2 weeks and then pre op clinic xmas eve, joy.

I've also been referred to physio for pelvic pain. Its probably a bit late in the day with less than 6 weeks to go, but worth a try I guess. I'm not sleeping very well because of the pain and its getting worse and worse - whereas it was mainly just at night, I'm struggling a bit during the day now too. I guess it may be too late now, but we'll see.

A friend of mine also lent me her doppler, which has been fab. I've been having a little listen every day, and managed to hook it up to iPod speakers and play it to mum and dad! Very cool.

1 more week in work to go, thank goodness, and then I'll hopefully be able to get some rest when DS is in pre school for 3 mornings.

I think its really out of order talking about your labour like that in front of new mums to be! I didn't say anything to anyone after my last. Entertaining stories re exploding nappies are at least slightly funny!

Hope everyone has a good weekend

33 weeks

Hi everyone, haven't looked in ages I'm afriad and have spent the last week reading the thread after DH asked how the 'Jan Bus' were doing.

Preg going well, no complaints. Had a Obstetric Colistitus (sp?) scare a few weeks ago, itching hands and feet all night long, it was driving me literally crazy but all tests negative and piriton prescription has worked wonders.

Good news is DH finally has a pilot job (he qualified at start of recession just as the airlines started losing money hand over fist and has spent the last 2 years jobless (no flying job anyway), frustrated and debt ridden) so it has been a very long journey to get here and massive relief thats it's finally happening. Hopefully his pay will start just as I lose mine, it can't come soon enough.

Bad news, SiL MC at 21 weeks, so very very sad, was so excited about them growing up together. Happened 6 weeks ago so she's still not ready to see me, which is completely understandable but feel very sad and cut off from the whole thing.

DH's job means he is away from home for 5 weeks training, he finishes the same day I go on ML (dec 10th) and we are moving house that weekend (36 weeks) crazy I know. But both houses are rented and its only 30 mins away plus my parents are coming to help. I'm sure it'll be fine!!

Feel like I'm juggling so many things but most of them good. Can't wait to meet her, been asking every mum I know if their dc's were early/late/on-time.

Anyway enough for one post. Thinking of all you ladies with heart burn/SPD/protein in the pee/high BP/leaky waters fingers crossed all our little ones stay put for a few weeks yet but it's exciting that things seem to be heating up a bit.

Hope everyones doing ok :)

33 weeks

Thought I was having contractions last night ....it was just wind . Quite glad DH is away at the moment so he didn't witness my overraction to a fart!

Really surprised about the lack of ante-natal care some of you are having. I have seen my team of mid wives every 3 weeks since 25 weeks and it is about to go to every 2 next week.(fab chance to bunk of work on a Friday afternoon!) Guess it really is a post code lottery.

You get a lot more attention first time around, after that they don't seem too bothered!
Glad your contractions were a false alarm!

I think mine sounds about the same as you mummychicken

Glad the contractions weren't real - and no one saw

I thought I was hard done to with seeing a different mid-wife every time but at least I have seen midwives regularly and I'm about to start seeing them fortnightly. Think I shall meet my 6th midwife next week.

After a couple of weeks of increased activity the baby's movements have slowed down again which scared me silly earlier in the week. Almost woke DP in the middle of the night to take me to A&E because I couldn't feel her moving. Funny how everything seems worse at night.

Has anyone done a tour of their maternity hospital yet? My midwife hasn't mentioned it, and admittedly I haven't asked but our local hospital is so busy they can only offer available tour dates in January!

I'm shocked too about the lack of care some of you are having!

DP has 2-3 appointments every week, midwife/doctor/scan/consultant/diabetic clinic - we are being so monitored I don't see how anything could go wrong (touches wood x1,000!)

31 today here. Can't wait to meet him, time seems to be dragging now!

Jobi1 This is my second and I am having the same amount of appointments as a first timer. The head mid wife thinks it is ridiculous you don't see a mid wife from week 16 to week 28 (the 20 week scan is not done by a midwife)

I thought that was a long gap too.

I also think it's a bit weird that ante-natal classes always seem to start so late. Surely it's better to be getting information about the changes your body is going through and how to prepare for the birth long before 30+ weeks?

Hello ladies,

sorry it's taken me ages to post, I've had a fairly busy week what with work and the MIL staying over...

I don't know much about the brightsparks and the primaxx, but they look fine to me. At the end of the day, I do find that baby bags are a matter of taste, and that you end up finding what type of carry works for you. The only thing that I would say about both is that I tend to find that carriers that use both shoulders work better for me, because the weight is better balanced.

About the baby bjorn, I'd say it's not very durable, as you cannot use it once the baby is a certain weight/height. Also, I would need to google a specific article, but apparently the fact that the whole weight of the baby is resting on its crotch is not meant to be great.

I would most definitely recommend the Ergo, both in terms of comfort and durability. And if you don't mind getting to grips with the tying bit, I love wrap around slings.

Littlehuman, I used a sling loads with my first baby, as I used to wear him while doing chores. It was sure to settle him and send him to sleep, and it left my hands free. Also, I think it will be even more useful for baby two, as I'll have a toddler to deal with at the same time.

Re:gap with midwives visits, I feel the same. I'm 32 weeks and I've seen a midwife 3 times. One of the midwives did tell me that they had reduced the number of mandatory visits (another cost cutting exercise, I would expect).

Hope all of you are having a nice weekend.

Afternoon all :)

sorry bit lazy to go back and check who wrote what

Can't believe bringing mums in to talk about horror birth stories - what is the point in that, classes are supposed to reduce anxiety.

I was given premaxx sling, but have since read on here that similar baby bags have been recalled/banned in USA re risk of asphyxiation.

Our care seems quite good up here, now due to be seen every 2 weeks mimimum until due date.

OH and I had good giggle at the windy contractions!

I think the midwives/ob think as Ive had a few babies, I can be left to handle it alone ...(esp. as they are a tad too busy to fit me in no doubt)

....and that after my 30 week check she said..."right...book yourself in to see me at 40 weeks" ...
so thats my last 10 weeks without seeing anyone !!

chatted to DH last night, and hatched a plan to go to a different hospital to have this baby...as Pembury is supposed to be a nice hospital....esp. now all done up...and midwives have good reputation there.....
so fingers crossed my plan works

our local hospital has got busier & busier......which unfortunately mean worse & worse !!!

Even in the A&E dept. my poor son (aged 4) who had fever above 104 & was really ill, sick & drowsy after a bump on head at school, had to wait over 5 hours in waiting rooms ....as its just so busy (this was a monday night....!!! not even weekend) so DH who had taken him to hosp, gave up at 10pm and came home with him !!!
its just useless....and I feel unless your desperate...our local hosp is NOT the place to go !!

Hi all - like many of you am keeping up with news but haven't written much for a while. 32 weeks now and it all seems a bit close, had antenatal classes last week which scared me slightly. Am so bad at pain that am seriously considering max pain relief!! Not sleeping tonight (am with you on the RLS mumsy) so decided to get up and try to tire myself out.
Gallicgirl I have also nearly been to A&E this week due to lack of movement but she has started up again. DP has me down as totally paranoid now! Hope all of you coping with the physical and mental strain of this last bit - anyone else working full time till 36+ weeks? Am finding work exhausting tbh...
Good luck all

I'm full time up to 35 weeks, one more week to go. With a toddler as well & lack of sleep due to SPD, I'm done in & really struggling. Plus as we know when baby coming & with xmas just before there will barely be time to blink!
Not long to go now! I'm still scared about having two but at least we've got an idea what to expect & can hopefully not get stressed.
Re pain & pain relief, don't worry too much just play it by ear. Tens & gas & air are great & there are loads of options if you're struggling, you'll be fine. And don't forget, between each contraction the pain goes away completely. It really does. And each one is bringing you closer to meeting your baby!

DS was due on the 19th Sep, I worked up to the 14th. But as I had the school summer it wasn't too bad.

This time maternity starts on 4th Jan, LO due 8th Jan BUT due to school hols last day of work is 18 Dec so will be 37 weeks. Only 20 more days at work!!! (I have even been sad enough to work out how many lessons I have left )

Great idea Mummychicken - am a teacher as well and so tired but maybe knowing number of remaining lessons will help... Can't imagine how hard it is for y'all with other DCs.Never again! (she says now... )

Not posted for a while, time just seems to be flying by, I can't believe only 6 weeks to go!! Can't wait to finish work in 2 weeks!
I've got a Mai-tai sling which i'm going to try out!
mumsylady I was not sure on my local hospital either only having heard negative things, however the maternity ward turned out to be great when I was admitted for a week the midwives themselves were really lovely and that really helped. It was the care around them which was not so good and waited hrs to see consultant. Hope it all works out okay if you do end up at your local hospital, but Pembury has a good rep, its where I'm going to ask to be diverted to if mine is full (although the new midwife unit not going to be open at beginning of Jan when I'mdue

mummychicken you have made me laugh!! I'll make sure I double check now for potential trapped gas before thinking i'm in labour!!

Bit nervous about starting my anti-natal classes, hoping mine don't scare me too much, i don't start until i'm 36 weeks!!

Walkthedog there are some slings out there which are very similar to the ones banned in the USA, same kind of bag style but NOT the dangerous kind, I suggest checkingout some of the babywearing websites to double check if yours is one of them!

gallicgirl our hospital no longer does tours, so will just have to find out on the day, been to the ward but not seen the delivery suit.

readyornot2011 so sorry to hear about your SIL, must be a really hard time. I know what you mean about asking whether people's babies were early/late, although I do not need to ask, people come up to me at work to tell me there babies came early and I could have mine in a couple of weeks!!I tell them this is very unlikely as ALL babies in my family are late. I'm not expecting baby boy till the 11th in reality so I do not get too upset when he turns out to be late!

Sorry to hear some of you suffering with SPD/back pains etc. Not long now and we'll have our little ones.

Will try and be a bit more regular again, hope everyone enjoying their weekend.

35 weeks.

Hannah1890 I hope your blood pressure has stabilised.
Splodge That's so horrible that you had to hear the bad birth stories. I went to a hypnobirthing class as I was stressed out a while back after watching labour vids on youtube. feel a lot calmer now. and thanks Jobi1 for your lovely advice about the contractions...
wondersnuffle I can't be arsed with Christmas shopping either. loved your explosive poo story though
readyornot2011 I'm delighted for you and your DH about the new pilot job... one less thing to worry about. but also that is so sad about your SIL's MC. She must be devastated. I can't even imagine how awkward it is for you.
gallicgirl I did a hospital tour and I was pleasantly surprised how unclinical the birthing rooms were. I hope you get to do a tour.

I finished up work last Friday. I was commuting on the Tube and carrying a laptop and other equipment and getting so tired. I can't quite believe how close we're getting to meeting our babies.
I've got all the things for my hospital bag, but haven't quite put them in a bag yet :)
I got my application for State maternity allowance accepted so I'm absolutely thrilled as it'll pay for my groceries every week.

I hope you're all having a good week :)