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 poor you I hope you feel better soon. I've had shingles before and it is not pleasant. Glad all ok with chocciebean I think mines is a boy too but we will not be finding out. Hope you can start to relax a wee bit now although I know you'll be nervous for remainder like me!

kitty OMG we were just moaning here the other day about boobs/bras but I think you've won with the head in cup story!

Got midwife again today so hopefully get to hear lo's heartbeat again. Lot's of popping movements now!

How did the midwife appointment go boba?

I'm feeling sort of bubble feelings occasionaly, which I assume is baby? But not all the time ... does it get more regular as it progresses?

Since the 20 week scan we've started to slowly tell people. The couple I told you about who had a stillbirth already knew and have been so sweet - hubby came looking for DH to find out exactly how the scan went and have invited us around to theirs for dinner soon. I hope they've found it easier talking to us because of our own difficult history, and I sort of want to talk to them too, because I've never really sat down and talked to anyone about what we went through. So looking forward to that.

Shingles is crusting over and just one more day of mega-pills to go. Still very itchy though, but have discovered aloe vera ointment the most effective of everything I've tried at reducing the itch.

Hope you're all well. x

Hi choccie midwife went well thanks. I describe the movements as a popping but I think everyone feels them differently. I've heard lots of people describe them as bubbles though so must be chocciebean dancing !

I've been getting movement for about a week now & defo getting more kick like!

I'm off on hols for few days tomorrow to Ireland so will catch up with you lovely ladies next weekend! x x

Hi folks - can I join you - BFP 8/5/11 - need all the support and advice I can get - have no idea what is going on and too scaerd to do anything it case soemthing goes wrong - have been trying so long!!

FrOOtbat Congratulations!!!!!!! welcome to the other side...we are all here for you X

Welcome froot. It is a mind blowing and weird and scary experience, but we're here to answer all your questions no matter how silly you think they are and hold your hand. Welcome, and congratulations .

Thankyou.
Have booked a private viability scan to hopefully manage some of the crazy - but not sure whether to book from LMP or from ovulation - the scan date I have been given is LMP wk 7 (bloody sonographer on leave for wk 8) but only 6w3d by ovulation and am really worried that we are not going to see anything reassuring - and may in fact just worsen the worry if no HB seen.
What do you all think??
Secondly - is there anything which makes the errrrr..........gas more manageable, just starting to get the hint of some nausia, but bottom end more of a problem and getting lots of gassy cramps which won't go - right under my bloody ribs!
Also - bra recommendations - BBS getting really quite sore - I know is early - but going to need to upgrade soon I think!
Thanks, hope all well,

froot I saw a heartbeat at 6 weeks on my scan, but I'm afraid I think its more common not to. There is a chance that all they'll be able to tell you is the PG is in the right place (i.e. not ectopic), and to say you just need to come back in a week's time.

The most ideal time to have decent reassurance is at 8.5 weeks, because most MCs happen between the weeks of 6 and 8. MC rates drop quite a lot after that, but when I asked an obstetrician if I could relax after my 8.5 week scan, he said advice is really only that after 12 weeks do risks dramatically drop.

On gas (and sadly, you may start suffering from constipation as well) - just grit your teeth and get through it. I have a muffin recipe which is my daily fibre resolver and worked better than any homeopathic remedy I bought - if you want a copy let me know. What's happening is your uterous is starting to grow, and your intestines are still in their old place and need a bit of time to shift to new spaces to make space for your uterous. So they're being squished and squashed until they find room.

On bras, I had to buy new ones quite quickly as well, and I'm now on my second batch. Your ribs are expanding as well as your boobs getting better, so don't fall down in shock thinking your back is getting huger when you do go get measured. I'm told I will go back to normal afterwards and I bloody well hope so! You are supposed to avoid underwire - I got cheapies from John Lewis which I hated but were worth the first cost because I grew out of them so fast. Haven't really found a decent non-wired bra yet, and its one of the things I HATE about being pregnant, but something I'm trying to tolerate as best I can.

I think you're going through one of the most nerve wracking times so just hang on to your nerves and keep your mind busy and try not think too much. The weeks drag like years in the first 3 months. And keep coming back to us here. x

Thanks Choccie - is so nice to have people to talk to - we have agreed not to tell anyone until 12 week scan - so tying self up in knots and googling far too much.
Have moved scan to 4th June - at different Private Hospital, will then be 8weeks by LMP and 7w3-4d by ovulation - so think will be more reassuring, or at least I hope it will - there is more to see at 7+3 right?? Keep telling self having uss will not make baby stickier - nothing I can do now will affect whether it stays, trying to stay calm. I know you've all been there - how did you cope?? ANy tips?? Am trying to book in something nice for every weekend between now and 4th July (12w) to give me something to look forward to- manicure/dinner with friends/ haircut etc.
Thanks for the bra tips - will head off to Lewis' this weekend - not sure how much longer current bras will cope!!
It really is dragging.......................

Hello Ladies,

Welcome to Frootbat and massive congrats on your BFP!!!!

Everything you are going through is totally normal, we can all vouch for that!!. Choccie's advice is very good so I second what she is saying.
The fact that you are giving yourself something to look forward to every weekend should definately help stave off the urge to announce to everyone you meet (friend, family member or stranger in the street) that you are up duff, but believe me you will think about it 24/7!!!

I had my first scan at 8 weeks and we saw HB then so you've probably done the best thing, peace of mind wise by moving your scan to nearer that time. Then we had another scan at 10wks and was very reassured to find everything had progressed normally for the stage we were at.

I've had really bad gas and heartburn throughout my pregnancy. Recently though the gas problem seems to have subsided a little, I think it might be down to the fact that I'm carrying baby high and its given me a little more room. Heartburn is still there though, but some women get it and some don't.

Bras - I haven't bothered to change anything about my bra's apart from the size. I'm sure some would disagree but to me you can stick to too many rules and the Maternity ones are hideous, not to mention the fact that they do not support my jugwangers in any way shape or form so have stuck to ones with underwires - they don't dig in and fit perfectly which is what I am most aware of.

Wishing you loads of luck froot . We're here whe you need us!!!

Boba very pleased your midwife appointment went well and I hope you have/are having/or have had a lovely time in Ireland.

Choccie yes its a bit like popping, you are right!!! The way I described the first movement I felt was a bit like lots of little bubbles popping. This then morphed into much more noticeable kicks and I sometimes even got the strange sensation, like your on a boat or when you go over a hump in the road to fast and your stomach jumps. Now at 31 weeks the movements the movements are still regular but are slower and more refined and rather than my belly jumping when he moves you can see a lump appear where his foot might be and then move across my stomach - very strange but fascinating all the same. Hope you are ok hun.

Well I had another Midwife appointment yesterday and am pleased to say that baby is head down (cephalic - as they call it). He's lying with his back against the left side of my stomach which explains why that bit is so hard sometimes and his feet are tucked up under my ribs - which can be rather annoying at times! I got the results of my Glucose Tolerance Test and everything was normal, 28 weeks bloods are normal, and baby's heartbeat is normal too!! Also and most importantly I've only gained 7lb's since the beginning of my pregnancy - that's only another 2lb since my last MW appointment 3 weeks ago! I can't believe it. But I do feel rather chuffed with myself. So many of my friends put on 4/6 stone etc........

I can't remember if I posted about this but I had a growth scan around 2 weeks ago and everything was in the normal ranges except his not so little legs were measureing around a week and a half ahead of everything else, but I'm 5,10 and his dad is 6,3 so what can you expect LOL. He weighed approx 2.5lb's. We have another on Monday morning so will update then

Apologies for the mammoth post........!!!

Hope you are all well.

XXXX

Here are the stats:

Froot add yourself in hun xx

Harry if you are about I hope you are ok and have now added you in as a Graduate who's graduated - I hope I got the details correct!!!!

=== Graduates having Boys ===
StormBird DC#1, age 28, BFP 10/11/10 - EDD 14/7/11
AnytimeNow DC#3 age 39 BFP 20/11/10 - EDD 27/07/11-elective c-section

=== Graduates having Girls ===
MissLolita DC#1, age 32 BFP 30/10/10 - EDD 7/7/11

=== Graduates having a Surprise ( for now ) ===
Ilovekittyelise DC#1 (kind of) age 34 BFP 30/12/10 - EDD 11/09/11
Boba82 DC#1, age 28, BFP 07/01/11 - EDD 13/09/11
Chocciechip DC#1, age 39, BFP 1/01/11 - EDD 15/09/11
Missyraines DC#1, age 34 BFP 19/3/11 - EDD ??/11/11

=== Graduates who've Graduated ===
Harry2007 Gave birth to baby boy called Taliesin on 24/3/11 weighing 6lb 14oz

Hi - just popping on to read, catch up on your lovely news and say hi! Glad Froot made it to here and there should be another grad coming over soon - the CBFM thread is having lots of success. As for me, we see consultant in July so hope we can have another ICSI after that. Still using monitor but recovering from left sided weakness, so on one crutch now. Glad all is going well for you all xx

Hi Keziah

You sound pretty positive which is good - keep it up girlie, I know you'll get your long overdue BFP one way or another.
Glad your recovering I hope you get back to full health soon.
Its about time your luck changed lady!! I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. Hope to see you here soon.

XXXX

Thanks Storm - done the self pity and it got me nowhere! Definitely full health and no more disasters would be a good start towards good luck. I keep popping here (hehe!!) as feeling left out xx

=== Graduates having Boys ===
StormBird DC#1, age 28, BFP 10/11/10 - EDD 14/7/11
AnytimeNow DC#3 age 39 BFP 20/11/10 - EDD 27/07/11-elective c-section

=== Graduates having Girls ===
MissLolita DC#1, age 32 BFP 30/10/10 - EDD 7/7/11

=== Graduates having a Surprise ( for now ) ===
Ilovekittyelise DC#1 (kind of) age 34 BFP 30/12/10 - EDD 11/09/11
Boba82 DC#1, age 28, BFP 07/01/11 - EDD 13/09/11
Chocciechip DC#1, age 39, BFP 1/01/11 - EDD 15/09/11
Missyraines DC#1, age 34 BFP 19/3/11 - EDD ??/11/11
fr00tbat DC#1, age 32 BFP 8/5/11 - EDD 14/1/12

=== Graduates who've Graduated ===
Harry2007 Gave birth to baby boy called Taliesin on 24/3/11 weighing 6lb 14oz

Hi Keziah - pleased to hear you are back on feet!!
Good luck!x

Hello lovelies

keziah you're welcome anytime, there's a lot of new faces on other thread now aren't there? I still like to stick my oar in though! Glad you're on the mend and have a PMA!

fr00t We had scans at 5 weeks & 7 weeks to check for ectopic. Couldn't see much at either tbh but they confirmed heartbeat at 7 week one so I'm sure they'll be able to re-assure you at yours. I still panic every day that things are going to go wrong. I think when you've struggled to get pg it's just gonna be like that until baby's here.

I had to get new bras at 6 weeks but they lasted me until about 19 weeks and had to get remeasured, defo a downside of pg for me. I wasn't particularly busty & always thought I wanted bigger boobs - turns out not so much!

I too was really bloated until bump turned up. By the end of each day at 10 weeks I looked full term! I agree with choccie re upping the fibre!

Good luck and hope you're getting on ok?!

storm had a lovely holiday thanks. Glad you're doing well and baby is nice and tall! Oh & I'm very of your tiny weight gain! I've put on 15lbs as of this morning and look like a whale!

storm, like boba I too am at your weight gain. I weighed myself this morning, and have piled on another 6kgs (about 13lbs) since the midwife last weighed me.

And then I did a stupid thing and found this tool. Oh my word - it's telling me I'm likely to gain 2st 2lbs by the end of the pregnancy - and most of that is me, not the baby. I feel quite gutted.

What exercise are you ladies doing? I haven't increased my calorie intake at all, so what's going on with me?

Hi Ladies,

Boba glad you had a nice holiday.

Choccie I just tried the weight tool thingymebob and it said I should only gain 15lbs my entire pregnancy.

What you have to understand is that I was already a curvy lass to begin with. Yes I am tall and carry it pretty well (never really had any issues with my size) but I couldn't possibly afford to put on lots of weight during pregnancy as I was already overweight before I got PG.

I'm 5,10' (ish) and a size 16/18 usually. I've had no cravings and my apetite has not really increased which I think is down to why I have not put on so much weight. I have always been a relatively healthy eater but I haven't denied myself the odd blow out on shit food either. I think I'm just lucky during PG - not so lucky when I'm not though with the whole weight thing!!!

Everyone is v. different at the end of the day!!!

Excercise wise, I haven't increased my excercise at all (I'm lucky as my brother is a fitness instructor and I get lots of low impact stuff to do from him) but I was advised not to increase on my excercise!!

Your body will do what it will do I suppose!

Don't stress or get about it, I'm sure it will drop off!!

I've defo been eating less cals than usual as have gone off chocolate a bit so I'm at the weight gain. I usuall walk 2 miles a day and have been trying to keep that up but have had to give up 3 weekly gym sessions and my weekly pilates & yoga classes just due to sheer exhaustion after work! Gonna try and start going swimming a few times a week and got a pregnancy yoga DVD to do at home at hours that suit me more. I miss keeping fit but I'm trying to listen to my body when it's tired.

Just tried the tool and it estimates 1st 11lbs for me, I think it's safe to say it'll be a stone over that!

I'm 5'101/2'' and was size 10 before. I was prob about a stone over my normal weight when I fell pregnant (I blame the Clomid!) so like you storm I didn't want to put on masses of weight. Hopefully we'll all be so busy with babies it'll drop off!

How are you all sleeping? I've had dreadfull sleeps all week.

I'm not sleeping that well at all boba - I get very sore and uncomfortable at night. But I suppose at least I'm not going to the loo four times a night anymore.

I'm a bit worried about my exercise though ... you both sound so good. I used to walk everyday with DH but I now have mild spd and its difficult to 'stride out' or go up inclines, so that's dropped off a lot (which might explain some of my weight gain). When we do go out now its for shorter gentle strolls and my pelvis is usually aching when I get home. And that's about all the exercise I get (we live in a rural location so I don't have easy access to fitness and health activities).

storm if what you're saying is that pregnancy knows whether your body has the resources for motherhood in advance, and then compensates with extra weight gain when you don't, then it does make me feel a little better because I was fairly slim to start out with. Amazing if it's that clever at levelling us all out.

I think what bothers me is it possibly NOT dropping off afterwards. I was a bit shocked at my reaction to the scales this morning, which was gutted, and then overwhelming instinct to start dieting - which I know I can't do, and won't do. I'm now thinking I need to get walking regularly again - spd or no spd.

choccie I feel exactly the same & I feel awful for being so worried about weight gain when like us all I've been waiting for so long to get here.

Don't start going crazy walking if you're struggling, I really do think you have to listen to your body. I was knackered this morning so took car to work instead of walking.

Like storm said we are all different, it is hard though I have a friend in RL who is only a week behind me and can still get in her prepreg skinny jeans with the aid of a bobble. I can't even get mine over my thighs!

We'll probably start loving our preg bodies just as we give birth!

Ladies!!!! Please stop stressing over the weight gain!...I know it's hard watching everything expand, but you can sort that out after the baby is here, please try and enjoy this special time...it will soon be over.

With my first baby I went from a size 10 (I'm 5"9) 10 stone, to 16 stone the day the weighed me before the section! can you imagine how shocked I was!!!!...lost 2 stone almost instantly after she was born, and was down to 11 stone 5 months later when I found out I was pregnant again.

Was swimming 50 lengths, 4 times a week during the whole pregnancy, and still managed to ballon to 15 stone!...after second section, started slowly getting back into the gym, and just ate lower fat food, with one day off per week for wine and whatever I wanted (usually chinese .

6 months later was a size 8, more toned and fitter than ever!...kept that weight and shape till just before we started trying for this baby.

Over the course of 10 months and 3 miscarriages I put a stone and a half on, and I put that down to hormones being all over the place and being so depressed...so went into this pregnancy larger than the other two.

I did stress a bit when the weight started creeping on, but have to remind myself how fortunate I am to be pregnant, and all being well I will deal with the weight after our boy is born...I've done it before I will do it again!...anyway with 3 children I won't have time to stress .

Will catch up soon when I've got more time (homework needs doing )...hope everybody is ok and blooming!...don't want to seem that I'm having a go at you all, but honestly the stress is not worth it!...XX

I hear you anytime, and if I knew for a fcat that I would lose the weight after PG I'd stop worrying in a heartbeat. And how do I manage afterwards to get to those exercise classes / swimming etc/ if I live in a rural location and have no access to affordable childcare? Another thing that bothers me. Aaaargh - I can drive myself crazy over it!

I know so many women who, once having had thir children, turned into matronally rounded types and say things like "I used to be a size 10 until I had my children...." etc. And be depressed about it. I don't want to be one of those women - catapulted into a middle-aged body overnight - and I know excessive weight gain in PG isn't good.

I just don't know if my weight gain is within the realm of NORMAL or not? I seem to be putting it on so fast! I'm going to be having a heart to heart with my midwife next week, that's for sure!

Anyway, I feel powerless to do much about it. Yesterday I stumbled badly in the garden and my spd flared up the whole day making me realise that longer walks wouldn't really work either.

Your pram will be your best mate! power walking will help alot! I know what you mean about getting to the gym, and affordable childcare...so taking the baby out and loading up with bits of shopping will add to the weight of the pram!...everybody wins, baby gets fresh air and usually sleeps, you get out and get some excercise and you can pick up supplies.
I know loads of people that use the "I was sooo slim" before line, and I honestly think that's an excuse, I don't mean to offend anybody but I have done it and lost it all and more!.
Personally I had a real determination after having basically 20 months of pregnancy! and I'm sure I will be the same this time! after being in breeding mode, you will want to claim your body back...after all we are all determined women! look at what lengths we have gone to to get here in the first place!.

Whatever we put our minds to, we can do!!

Ooooh I can;t wait to get my pram, is that really sad - Its on order and won't be ready to collect until 2nd June!!!

I'm hoping that the pram will help me to lose any additional pounds (and more LOL) too. I've also already booked in a Kettlebell lesson with my brother so I can rebuild what little stomach muscle I had!!

But hey, Anytime is totally right! We went to a great deal of trouble to get where we all are now and quite frankly we are very lucky so stuff the weight gain!! It is what it is, so long as baby is healthy....

XX