The CBFM Graduates Vol 1

[StormBird]

We have got to know each other pretty well during our TTC journey's so have created this thread on Chocciechips advice (hope she doesn't mind!!) so we can all contintue to support one another through our pregnancies.

Welcome................

choccie - the 3 of us very close together then! im being induced next tuesday if no progress.

re bottles etc i have done the whole avent kit: bottles, electric pump, steriliser etc. i know people do rave about the doctor brown's but i have also heard great things about avent and love the way it all fits together perfectly.

choccie when you say the baby hasnt grown, is this from measurements or a growth scan? if phrases like that are being bandied about you should be offered further scans/investigation. if i were you i would go to the hospital and be really pushy about it and say whatever needs to be said to get you looked at by an obstetrician.

boba same here with the pains. i have a 'cervical exam' (and possibly sweep tomorrow) so hopefully that may show that the pain has resulted in some progress, like softening of the cervix etc. will let you know, probably in far too much detail.

water all very exciting - certainly sounds like the early movements, kind of fluttering, irregular, not quite sure, maybe digestion, maybe not....probably are baby though. i had similar at about the same time but it wasnt until around 22 weeks that i was having regular discernible baby movements.

boba do you find it really hard now to tell difference sometimes between baby moving, and braxton hicks? all i know is that the feelings are not comfy...

choccie was going to say... am now firmly convinced the stretch marks are all in genetics. have been doing the bio-oil etc religiously since early days and now have the most beastly stretch marks. they started out around 28 weeks i think. if you have got this far without, you could be one of the lucky ones with fabulous skin, but i have also heard of people not getting them until they go overdue. still, good going.....

it is nice to read that other people have not been majorly into sex. i have felt like the odd person out as everyone else i know seems to have loved sex all through pregnancy; i have just really not felt like it.

oh choccie - perinneal massage. i was going to. i just decided in the end it was one indignity too many and i just could not face it (this comes from someone who is inserting evening primrose every night....)!

Choccie - here's hoping you go well overdue so you get all done what you need to!! Having wished boba and ilovekitty quick deliveries!! Choccie - it is good your little one is still moving lots.... hope midwife helpful. Thanks for your lovely comment... it still feels like a miracle to us, too... in fact the people that we have told have said "was it ivf" and we have said "no, it was a miracle!" Not told siblings or work yet - work will have to know at week 14 for my time off work for midwife at 15/6 weeks!!

Ilovekitty - no bump as such, but my tighter clothes no longer fit and jeans feel uncomfortable. At night after injection and pessaries am swollen so bought some maternity leggings to wear just at home as they don't fall done like maternity trousers do when I tried them on!!

kitty My midwife's measurements haven't changed and she's been seeing me every two weeks (so last two measurements are the same with no change). And I had a growth scan in between which seemed to also show a lower reading than the growth scan before, which the obs told us happens blah blah blah. But previous growth scan had us at 95th centile, and the recent one has us just about the 50th centile. But what bothers me and Dh is we're seeing so many different people, and not sure if the thinking is 'joined up' - i.e. is obs aware that midwife's measurements are also showing a slow down/stoppage, and would she be less reasuring if she knew that etc etc. My past experience with NHS on this score makes me think we need to do something just to make sure. At the moment, my midwife has only said I'll be measured again at next meeting but this - damn it - will be a different midwife because mine is going away. So back to the same old cr*p with next midwife probably starting from Point 1 again. Ugh!

We are however very reassured by the strong movements because our friends who had a still birth said their first sign of trouble was zero movement all day. But DH is going to phone triage anyway to discuss all this further. We'd never forgive ourselves if something went wrong and we did nothing.

boba Yes, it's a girl. I was ambivalent about knowing the sex but realised Dh was too scared to even hope we'd be OK because of our previous miscarriages, and I thought his fears might be getting in the way of bonding for him. Easier for me because I'm feeling everything going on. So I figured knowing the sex might make it more real and help him connect more. I think we found out at about 24/26 weeks at a growth scan, and DH has double-checked at every scan afterwards so we're fairly sure. I think it was the right decision and that it has helped make it all more real for him.

She hasn't got a name though! Just been too busy to work my way through name books and am a bit short of ideas.

keziah Those early days with maternity clothes were a real pain in the bum for me - nothing felt like it fit properly. In early pregnancy I found maternity jeans with adjustable sides the most comfortable, now I can't wear anything other than the jeans with the big band that hauls up over my bump (these used to fall down). I found this type gives a bit of much needed support.

kitty I still haven't had any BH. Just theses cramps which get stronger every day. I'll be interested to here how you got on today. I had appointment with obst today and mentioned them to her but she didn't seem that bothered. Hope it gets things moving for you as I know you're not keen on CS but at least you know it'll be over by Tuesday at the latest. I just hate all this waiting!

choccie Congraulations! I've been so tempted to find out at our scans but haven't - can't wait to find out now! We can't agree on a single name for boys or girls so have about 15 of each and we'll just have to go with my choice discuss when baby arrives.

keziah your little bean is a miracle!

Choccie - from what I have learnt so far everything should be written in your maternity notes that you take with you to each appointment, so if they read it they should notice all measurements, etc. BUT my dh would phone up too - it can't hurt!!

boba - yes, a miracle x have started telling a few people = very scary!! Like your style of choosing name too

choccie im glad you are at least having re-assuring movements, even if you are not re-assured by the professionality of the NHS! i know exactly what you mean though, it doesnt feel very joined up. sounds like you dont need my encouragement to push if need be. when they did growth scan did they do a doppler to assess placenta/cord blood flow, fluid measurement etc? i presume all normal. i find it really unhelpful when a potential problem is highlighted, without a potential solution, whether that be pregnancy or anything else related.

well i had my cervical examination today, and what a bloody joy that was. they assess the thickness, length and dilation of the cervix and score it as a 'bishops score'. my score was 5 which is quite encouraging at 38+3 and suggests that the induction next week has a good chance of being effective. the cervix is short and soft, but not dilated, so she was unable to do a sweep. im hoping that if i continue with the evening primrose oil assault (oral and 'topical' application!) and have another acupuncture, that things might progress a little before tuesday's induction (im having another internal on monday). his head apparently, is extremely low (feels like its practically hanging!).

boba the cramps continue. its a great sign that the body is getting ready. for some people they go on several weeks but for others it can be a sign of imminent labour. whichever way, things are going the right way for you.

right, better go and stir my incredibly hot curry, down my glass of wine, and brace myself for sex.....

bump

Boba - how are you doing?

Ilove - not long to go now!!

Well I return to work Monday after 6 weeks off and frustratingly real exhaustion has hit this last week!! Typical timing. And am 13 weeks now. Begun to tell people, but still scared to in case find out anyting wrong or things don't go well. Was this how others felt too?

Yeah I felt exacly the same keziah TBH I told family and friends but didn't make a point of telling others for a while. I just didn't feel comfortable. I think do what feels right for you - it'll be all too obvious soon enough! Just sleep as much as you can. I was coming home from work, having tea then straight to bed and that was me until about 28 weeks I think!

I'm so fed up Still having lots of cramps and definite increase of pressure down there but it doesn't seem to lead to anything . . .

How's everyone else doing?

boba - im doing pretty much exactly the same as you - BOO. go in for induction tuesday morning. was hoping to beat the clock. not looking likely. BOO again x

FX for a miracle for you then kitty, I'll have your induction tomorrow if you don't want it?! This is just so frustrating!

boba and Ilovekitty, I hope things advance for you this week! I can't imagine how impatient you must be getting (and I am a very impatient person). FX for the start of labour!

Keziah, we started telling extended family and friends after about 13/14 weeks. To be honest, I was sick nearly all the time and starting to show at the front, so it was inevitable! It was actually quite a relief to tell people, as I felt a lot of pressure (from myself) to keep it secret whilst gagging at nearly every smell and dashing to the toilet at work!

Well been for reflexology and acupuncture today so if that doesn't work I give up!

kitty I hope your induction went well yesterday and you are now sitting with a lovely wee boy in your arms? x

keziah have you told anyone at work this week yet?

choccie how are things?

boba - no I haven't told anyone yet. I need to as need a risk assessment, but as they do nothing and change nothing with them don't see the point. My stroke consultant said I need to avoid tiredness as that may trigger another episode, if I wasn't pregnant I would have no risk. So need regular breaks ... mmm.

Kitty - looking forward to hearing of your little boy's announcement soon (am hoping your induction was successful)

boba - reflexology and accupuncture, wow you are determined x

boba Things are fine but trying to get through a contract. I am HATING work at the moment. Wish I could go and lie down and sleep. Finding it hard to sit at my desk with the bump - it's getting very achy. The house is still in disarray and DH trying very hard to finish painting out the nursery in between his work committments too. Not sleeping very well with worry of getting things ready. But the good thing is everything is now bought although still in boxes (yes, even the pram hasn't been experimented with yet!). And I am trying to pack my hospital bag today (1 week before due date .... ... nothing like cutting it fine). Had a bit of a scare on Monday when baby stopped moving and with all the growth concerns we went into hospital for a check. She's fine, but we're back in again on Friday for a repeat check and then again Tuesday. I think we're discussing delivery options on Tuesday - what have they said to you? Your due date must be around about now if not in next day or so? While we were in triage on Monday a woman came in whimpering with pain - in labour. Was so surprised by my reaction - suddenly felt really scared and almost started crying. Not like me at all, but because things have been so busy I haven't thought about the nuts and bolts of it at all and it hit me like a sledgehammer. Still feeling very unprepared and scared.

keziah We only started telling people after our 20 week scan because we were that nervous, so I totally understand how you feel. Can you only tell who ever absolutely needs to know at work and ask them to keep quiet until you are ready to tell more people?

kitty Thinking of you and looking forward to hearing all your news.

Choc so glad all is bought now and the bag is on its way. Wise words about work - have emailed the Head asking for a meeting today. Glad the checks are reassuring you.

Due tomorrow choccie but still no signs despite my best efforts I'm bricking it too, it has really hit me also this last week. I'm just trying to not panic and if it really is too much to deal with there's always the pain relief! Get that bag packed!!! x

bump

Very quiet here - so am hoping that at least one of the 3 has a cute little baby at home now .

Am going to have to meet with my manager next week to show them my fit note for reduced hours, get to see the obstetrician and look like I am coming down with tonsillitis again, joy!!

Not me! I could use a few more days. The house looks like a bomb hit it and even when we get all that done I think I could do with a day of nothing and my feet up before labour. So tired now and bump is aching all the tme. My right foot is so swollen its shiny.

Am I the only woman in the world who wants to drag things out by a few days...? My due date is next week Thursday so I guess it could be any day now.

Bag is sort packed ... boba what are you taking for the 'energy snacks' bit?

choccie - really hope you go overdue that you get work done, finished, house sorted and some days to rest for you. Why not pack some cereal bars, dried fruit (and choc of course), an energy drink with straw etc?? And snacks for dh so he doesn't disappear at a crucial time to find food

Popping in to see baby news good luck to boba choccie and kitty hope you are/soon enjoying your babies! X

choccie have packed cereal bars, boiled sweeties and lucozade sport drinks.

Good luck with telling work keziah hope you're not feeling too poorly?

No news from me - fed up and bored out of my mind. Have obstetrician on Wed so will see if they can do a sweep then or something to get things moving.

Anyone heard anything from kitty?

Not heard anyting, just knew she was to be induced on Tuesday last week.

Sorry you are bored boba - hope you can enjoy a little bit of your last childfree days! Thanks for good luck wishes, am so nervous about it - because I know people will gossip, not understand and I will lose the good reputation it took ages to build etc. And it causes work a massive headache etc. Am glad most pregnant people are healthy, but 2 separate consultants telling me it is not good to work the hours I have been given has been a massive wake-up call!! Keep waking in the night worrying about it, got meeting tomorrow - eek!!