April 2013....from Flumper to Bump! (Part 4)

[toobreathless]

Over here!

Another place for us April 2013 Ladies!

We have old thread & stats threads as below:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1569780-April-2013-part-3-scan-scan-scan

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1560543-April-2013-stats-thread

As the days darken & winter approaches may this thread bring us all blossoming bumps, peaceful nights & more friendship and laughter.

I drink a loose herbal infusion that is a fruity mix with raspberry leaf in it. I drink 3 cups in a typical day. I was off it while I was puking, but now drinking it again. Drank it through my last pregnancy too. My labour was 4 hours and the contractions were really strong. Don't go loopy on the rlt, just bring a cup a day in, if it's a mixed tea it's quite nice, on it's own it's a bit yuk.

It's blended at the local Green Shop by a herbalist who knows me. I think it's got nettle, rose and hibiscus flowers among other things. I like a big spoonful of our honey in it too.

Having a duvet day on the sofa with cbeebies babysitting DD.

Ooh a raspberry leaf tea debate already

Like aufaniae says rlt will NOT induce labour, it strengthens contractions. There was a randomized controlled trial done in Oz which found it knocks 10mins off a first labour, which doesn't sound like much, but women who drank it were also significantly less likely to end up with either an instrumental delivery or a c-sec. I drank it last pregnancy starting at 32 wks, starting with one or two cups a day and increasing to 3 or 4 by the end. I had a 20 minute second stage of labour (the pushing bit), although no idea if the tea helped. I've also read that it's meant to be good thought pg for morning sickness etc, and meant to help with pmt too, although you should only drink small quantities early on.

The info I read on it did say avoid if you have a history of premature labour or a previous c-sec, but don't know how much that was evidence based and how much of that was just for peace of mind.

Good to hear of all the good scans.

glad to hear about everyones scans going well...and interesting links to raspbery leaf tea. i did drink it last time just before full term but don't think I drunk it at the right doses as my labour was as long as possible! Had my 20 week scan today, all was great, baby was tucked up so she really struggled to get a view of baby spine but after much jigging, walking, drinking sugary drinks baby moved and she could get a good image...but the most important news is we are having a ...........SURPRISE!! very tempting to find out but even if we had wanted to baby just would not uncurl! I do have a small problem though hopefully you ladies can give me advice on. I have a low lying placenta and have to be re-scanned at 36 weeks..she did say that in the vast majority of women the placenta does move but what if it does'nt? what are my options?

Hi Ladies
Not heard back from my friend about the raspberry tea yet. Will let you know as soon as I do though.
I couldn't find the publication for your Oz trial Bunnygirl do you know the details (authors, journal, year etc), I know a lot of the research on it seems to have been done in Oz?
Hey I'd take it for the 20min 2nd stage alone (how big was your baby if you don't mind sharing bunny) mine 2nd stage was 2h with DS but I did have quite a big baby for a first one! The good for PMT part sounds great too mine came back with a vengeance after I stopped bf.

Congrats miarosemum sometimes its good not to have to make that decision isn't it? re: finding out the sex!
Low lying placentas were discussed on here yesterday I think, can someone remind us pls? And IIRC there's a good chance with the growth of the uterus that it won't be in the way at term (which they'll be able to confirm on your 36wk scan) for a NVD. Otherwise I think you're looking at a C-section, try not to worry about it now though we've got a lot of growing to do yet so things can change alot by 36wk.

Afternoon ladies

somewherebecomingrain I suspect you are far from the fattest on the thread and I probably own that crown so give it back please before I sit on you

I bloody hate herbal tea, not sure why but I just don't seem to get on with it so I shall just continue to avoid it and deal with a longer birth if I have to (I quite like giving birth so not worried about that)

I'm knackered and have taken to writing massive to do lists so I can look back and realise I am getting somewhere, even though it feels like I am wading through treacle sometimes!

Still no real movements being felt, I sometimes think I feel something but then realise it was probably just wind

18+5

miarosemum- me! Me! I had the same low-lying placenta problem. Sonographer said they'll rescan at 30-odd weeks to see if its moved. If it has, great, if it hasn't then it's a c-section. She was v. nice- said no point in worrying as nothing to be done. Having done an anecdotal straw poll of friends and colleagues (and their stories of friends of friends...) Of the 7 people who had low lying placenta at their scan 3 went on to have c-sections- but all 7 babies and mums were fine. So, if you don't worry, I shan't worry- deal? (Seriously, if you start worrying I'm happy to panic too!!)

I told all the children at school (I'm a teacher) yesterday- they're all v. excited- yet a little disappointed that I didn't have the baby with me today!! I needed to explain again.... It'll take a while!!!

Glad to hear positive news from everyone. I've just bout DH a baby grow that says 'I love my daddy' it's very naff!! and a badge that says 'she's pregnant- I'm drinking for two' even naffer! to go in his Christmas stocking! And more nursery furniture is arriving this week!!!

SO EXCITING!! We're all having babies!!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!! Xxxx

Hi everyone, can i join? I'm 19+2 today, due April 15th.
I had a horrible 10 weeks of hyperemesis, but no vom for 1 week now so thats good.
I read its 1lb a week weight gain, thats alot isnt it? thankgoodness for matalan maternity trousers only being £14!

Is anyone else stressed out? Me & dh were TTC for 2 years, but seemignly i never once thought what it would be physically like to be pregnant, so the vomiting, hospital stays, going to the loo at 4am, insomnia, restless legs etc has all been a bit of a shock.
I'm even worrying about offsprings gcses etc, i told you i was stressed! anyone else been like this & how did you deal with the anxiety??

many thanks

Welcome milktraylady. Sorry to hear you've had a tough time but huge congrats to you. I know what you mean about anxiety, I found myself worrying about how the hell we'd be able to afford DC's university fees today which is like 18 years away. It made a change from worrying about my 20 week scan next week which makes a change

Great to have all this info on RLT, think I'll give it a bash in my third trimester. Although I'm a tea addict and love herbal teas I remember not liking the taste of RLT when I tried it but the possibility of a faster labour will help it taste better I'm sure.

Fantastic to see more great scan news! Keep 'em coming.

Thanks wishful thinking...all I was handed was a leaflet that said I could possibly start bleeding and to call the maternity triage immediately, were you given any other advice?

Anyone got swollen feet by the end of the day? They seem to have happened since the bump popped out properly last week and I got hit with a yuck cold! This is number 1 so nooooo idea of its normal?? Any ideas???

Trying here's a link to the abstract and this has a summary of the study and also their preliminary observational study as well. I did read a more detailed version (could have been the actual paper, I'm not sure!) but that was 2.5yrs ago when I was pg with DS, so no hope of me remembering where I found it now . DS weighed 3.2kg, so pretty average I think, but his head was only on the 10th percentile, which I imagine helped with his speedy exit! I checked out this one's measurements after my 20week scan, and it seems she also has a petite little head, so hopefully she'll just pop out too

Raspberry leaf tea from 34 weeks then from 36 weeks 5 dates a day all to help due date and labour... Sounds weird seemed to work for a couple of friends!

tiff yes, really bad after 12 hour shifts! Advice is to sit as much as possible ha not in my job! and I sleep with my legs on a pillow. You should speak to your midwife about it though because it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia...my mw didn't seem too concerned. Could you put your feet up at work?

Welcome to milktray. I've found I stress less because all I really care about is the baby (ok and DH!). But work is more inoersowctive. Now I just think things will work out.

miarose I wasn't given any info re bleeding- but I guess if I did have any then I'd high-tail it off to a and e anyway, just incase.

tifftops -yes- me! My feet are achey, infact all of my joints are achey by the end of the day- my ankles, knees and hips. I walk the dog in the morning, the walk to work and back, the walk the dog in the evening, and I'm on my feet most of the day. I was quite worried on Monday night as I was really achey, but I woke up on Tuesday ok, so I don't think it's anything to worry about. I'll just try to keep off my feet if it gets worse,
X

Thank you both for the advice and info! I will try resting and see what happens tonight! Another daft question at 17+2 the bump has as I said popped out the size sixes are a distant memory as are normal thighs- I know it's daft but the physical changes scare me a bit - anyone else not loving them?? Hoping soon to be blooming and loving it but need to alter body image view any tips? Xx

Oh the other thing with the legs is I might try wearing surgical stockings for work!

I am actually struggling more than I thought with the body changes. I am a bit weird about having a bump and my pregnancy being obvious now. I've always been big (size 14) and had weight issues and I feel like control has been taken away to a certain extent. However I was following Paul Mckenna's I can make you thin when I got pregnant which has helped me to try to focus on eating well but stopping when I'm full. In pleased not to have gained weight. I just keep telling myself the growth is normal and a healthy sign of pregnancy!

Ooh and 18+0 today :)

Tiff I had swollen feet for the first time the other day, which is weird as have a desk job so spend most of my time sitting down. It went down pretty quickly and hasn't happened again, seems like a normal part of pregnancy but as faith says best to keep an eye on it as it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

This is DC1 and I am also little freked out by bodily changes, although that hasn't stopped me eating cake like it's going out of fashion. If the bump wants cake who am I to argue?

19+00

im officially on weeks countdown to my scan now! can't wait to next Wed. im not feeling so nervous about it now i feel them wriggling and kicking alot in day.. hooray.

ps im looking huge.

19+1

Interesting stiff about raspberry leaf tea, thanks aufaniae. I'm going to carry on drinking it because I really like the taste (pregnancy has made me go off normal tea, and I don't usually like herbals) and the vitamins sound good. If it helps with labour like my granny said - bonus!

Thanks jj for the tip about compression socks, will definitely try those. tifftops my legs & feet are really achey too even after walking only a little. I guess we aren't used to carrying the extra weight?
Welcome milktray!

Had my scan last night, it was awesome though just like 12 weeks my stubborn little child refused to show us his face so pictures aren't great. We are having a surprise

Hmm, I just said 'his' though I guess this reveals what I want! Got a feeling it's a girl though.

Thanks for the welcomes!
I have a bump now too, it's a bit odd I have to say, people are starting to notice.
Rasp leaf tea sounds interesting, I'm going to look into that.
Has anyone else signed up for nct? It's quite expensive isn't it?

I just want to whinge for a few minutes. My 'adorable' DS has lovingly shared his summer cold with me. So I'm dealing with pregnancy insomnia, my own cold as well as my sons snot. I just want to sleep well for a few days and actually have some energy so I can feel like my house isn't being held together by dust, cobwebs and crumbs.
And I haven't been food shopping for ages, and there isn't anything nice to eat like biscuits or chocolate or cake.
And I just look fat not pregnant.

Just rushing to get back to work so will catch up properly later just wanted to say I've been for my scan and everything looked fine, baby was being naughty and not staying still and we're having a suprise will be online later. have a great day!!!

mumofwombat I could have written that post. I feel pretty rotten too, can't smell or taste a thing. MiL has DD for the morning though, she's due back any minute, and I succumbed to online grocery shopping yesterday and it was just as stressful having to find everything.

Hope you get some rest/recovery and feel better soon.

mumofwombat That sounds really bad. I think you?re allowed to let the housework slip on these occasions! I thought I was having a bad day (had to run for my train this morning through pouring rain which bump did not like) but at least I don?t have a cold or bug or anything. It?s hard enough for us all just being pregnant, it seems asking too much to make us cope with illness on top!

Thanks for all the debate on raspberry leaf tea. I had always assumed it was on the banned list but I will reconsider now. Anything that can help in labour?
Does anyone know about tulsi tea by the way? I have been drinking quite a bit of it. I contacted Pukka Teas and they seem to think it?s perfectly fine (but with the usual ?nobody knows for sure? warning).

Also, when people are talking about surgical socks are these the same as flight socks? I have some of those and might start wearing them at work.

milktray I signed us up for NCT pre-natal classes for Feb. Quite pricey though I can? remember the exact amount right now. I can?t imagine going into labour without having that preparation though I consider it money well spent. I am also doing pregnancy yoga through NCT which is on the pricey side but, again, very beneficial so far.

birdbrain Congrats. It?s so great to be safely past that 20 week scan, isn?t it?

lutrinae I spent most of my pregnancy refering to the baby as 'she' by accident and then correcting myself. Funny how our subconscious can do that! So glad I was able to correct myself at the scan and now know for sure to say 'he'. I now have another few months to get used to the correct gender!

I have developed a obsession concern that my baby has an abnormally large head!!! I was looking at the measurements they gave me after the 12 week scan. They are all slap bang in the middle of the expected range except for his head circumference (and cerebellum measurement). HC was 189mm. For all my looking online I can?t find anyone else who had a baby with this big a head at 20 weeks!

I am a very small headed person (hats tend to fall over my eyes) so am now scrutinising DH?s head to see whether it?s large!!!

I know it?s a stupid thing to worry about but I?m the one who has to push the head out eventually!