May 2013- boys , girls or the unknown? Over half way there!

[scooby26]

Hi all, new had for may 2013!

p.s. Tas, I hope you feel better soon - have a and a . Apologies if you have already said (I can't keep up with the thread) but are you having treatment for your PGP? What do you find helps?

Just a quickie

SeaSalt - what sort of vision problem was it? With DD1 I had odd flashing lights in my eyes and it was the first sign of pre-eclampsia. I very much doubt it's that but did they check your BP and urine? Whatever it is it sounds like they are being very thorough which must be good, maybe more thorough than you'd get over here so maybe that's a bright side of being so far from home.

Tas - sorry you are suffering so. I would say not long to go but, er, we have ages! I feel a bit the same: huge, stiff and achey but I do find very gentle stretches and exercises help.

Thanks Artigene, I partially lost vision in my left eye for a short while (there was a big grey bit where what I was looking at should have been), so no flashing lights (though interesting to hear that's a sign of pre-eclampsia). As you say, they are being incredibly thorough, which is great; I am feeling a bit better than earlier - I figure that there isn't much I can do at the moment so I may as well relax and hope for the best.

I meant to say 10 thanks for telling me about your niece, that's very reassuring.

Sorry to you all for bringing up something that isn't pregnancy related (though I don't think you mind), and I really really appreciate all the support! You ladies are great.

OH MY GOD, SCOTTISH SMILEYS!!

[bgrin] [bsmile]

Happy Burns' Night, Scots xx

Seasalt Thanks for the happy vibes and really hope you get sorted soon.

I feel really bad saying this as there are some on here with real problems.But omg my mood has been momentarily lifted.By the arrival of my maternity underwear Some over the bump pants extremely ugly but oh so comfy and some matching super comfy bras.I am officially losing my mind but oh they feel so good

seasalt hope you're feeling ok - as everyone else has said it's good if something has been picked up so quickly, I'm positive everything will be fine and you have nothing to worry about. Pregnancy does funny things to our bodies - I know how you feel with the homesickness but it's not long now until you go home :)

Seasalt-I'll speak properly on fb if you like, but want to reassure you (I hope).

My DH had/has what you've described even down to the PFO (hole in heart). He las lost permanently half his vision. But, his clot was passes over across his hole in heart (which is now closed) and up to his brain-stroke.

What I wanted to say, is the fact that the dr have jumped to that conclusion so quickly from what you've said is astounding! My DH had his stroke when DD was 6 months. It took months of tests to determind what the cause was. It was such a rare occurrence that he had students and all sorts of specialists go out of their way to come and talk to him.

As for treating you if it IS what they've said to you-aspirin 75mg (the thinner prescribe to my DH after said stroke) is exactly what I've been prescribed during this pregnancy. So completely safe!

Gosh. I hope I have reassured you. My hope was that telling you how RARE what they've said to you is, that it might help.

Also. Slightly connected. I had massive eye issues during my last pregnancy. My blood vessels in my retina leaked into my macular-area responsible for central vision. It really affected the detail I could see. I didn't feel safe driving. I was told to 'not have children again' (destroyed me as was given thi news two weeks after DHs stroke).
Obviously my eyes recovered and fingers crossed things have so far been ok this pregnancy.

I don't think that last paragraph helped. What I meant is, my eye problems sorted themselves and are now fine .

I'm starting to think I should stop !

Btw-the hole in heart thing didn't show up on ECG? And a quarter of whole population have this and most never know. You have to have a bubble echo cardiogram to diagnose.

Right. No more. (if you want me to say more of course you bloody don't let me know on fb).

seasalt hope they find whatever is wrong soon, sounds like you're in the right place though, and now only a few more weeks until you're home.

Randomly and not connected at all but I developed a heart murmur when I was pregnant with DD. I have to have ECGs every few years (being a carrier of muscular dystrophy means I'm at higher risk of heart problems, plus my Grandma had several heart attacks) so I know I definitely didnt have it before, GP only listened during pregnancy as I was feeling breathless. It had gone by my six week check, DD was also born with a hole in her heart which had closed by the time she was 5 months, like someone else said its apparently very common.

artigene how bad was your PE? Oddly I think I'd find it strangely reassuring to experience symptoms of it, I think most people have heard of the flashing lights and would know to get checked out ASAP. Worryingly I had PE with DS but felt absolutely fine, even though my blood pressure went up to 200/100 at one point. It was even in my notes that I had protein in my urine and my blood pressure was steadily rising at each visit but nothing was done, it was only picked up on when the hospital wanted me to go in for a follow-up blood test following an abnormal blood result.

Hope things are ok seasalt, have the tests so far shown anything? You are certainly in the best place and it sounds like they are being really careful which is good.

Apparently your eyes can change considerably when you are pregnant, so hopefully it's just something pg related that isn't serious.

Scan went ok earlier, consultant said 28 weeks is a major milestone in terms of the babies healthy survival so that's my next milestone now - got my next scan & GTT then too, so it's a sensible goal.

I have seen a pushchair today which is reduced - unfortunately it's plum though which DH doesn't like, but I love it. Also, the carseat that we already have will fit into it (with the adaptors that we have), which is a bonus. Just don't know if it's too early for me to buy yet though [bhmm]

elly I've heard that too, although they can survive from 23/24 weeks, realistically speaking you'd be looking at much better survival odds from 28 weeks. I'd say if the pushchair is the one you want with a good discount then go for it. And heaven forbid if anything did go wrong if it is well discounted and unused you'd probably sell it for what you paid anyway.

Does anyone have any nice plans for the weekend. We're going out for dinner for a friends birthday tomorrow night. There's another friend going who I don't see that often, she's also pregnant and strangely has the same EDD, so will be interesting comparing pregnancies and seeing who's bigger!

22+0

Hello everyone, and thank you for your lovely messages - you are a good bunch of ladies, you really are.

Maybe, wow, sounds like you really went through the mill. I'm so glad both you and your DH are ok now, and that the doctor was wrong about you not having more children (I too would have been devastated). It sounds as though your DH's condition is a little different to what I potentially have as there has been no sign of a hole in my heart (another poster mentioned their niece had one, but that wasn't me). From what I gather, the consultant is more worried about a possible rhythm problem with me, though I'll know more as the test results come in. Hopefully it is nothing, or something that can be dealt with easily. I'm in such good hands here - I googled the consultant cardiologist I saw yesterday and he's a really top person, I feel so, so grateful for the amazing health care here (and for my health insurance, there's no way I could be paying out what it's costing to have all these tests if I didn't know I was going to get the money back). I am still strapped up to the portable ECG but only for a few more hours, not too long to go.

Elly really interesting to hear about eyes changing when you are pregnant, it's amazing what happens to our bodies. Fantastic news about the scan, I'm so pleased for you. You and 10 are carrying brave little fighters, that's for sure! I would go for it with the pushchair (if your DH can bear it!), it sounds great.

Berri, thanks for your message, hope you aren't feeling too homesick, when are you next able to get home? Hope it isn't too long.

Beautician, I love that your maternity underwear has cheered you up so much! I am really looking forward to buying some maternity clothes, my bump is big enough now that I think I'll be going shopping pretty soon...

Seven thanks for your message, sorry to hear about the heart murmur you developed - interesting that it was picked up in pregnancy. I guess it's a time when doctors are on high alert for problems.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the posts. I Had some blood tests this morning and am going back this afternoon to have the portable ECG taken off. Think that'll be it for today so I'm hoping to go for a swim afterwards. Life goes on and I have to say this whole thing is making me feel so grateful for what I've got - I'm a lucky lady and this whole thing has reminded me of that.

Thanks 10, I didn't want to upset you with my post, I hope it didn't. 28 weeks is the earliest my local hospital will take the baby too so hanging on - 2weeks on tues for us, how about you? How are you doing? Glad you are back home, I hope you are managing to rest xx

seasalt I hope the results come back clear, yay for health insurance & seeing the top consultant!

Thanks seven, DH is dead against it, he really hates purple!! Think we'll keep our eyes out for a lime green one if it comes in the sale instead! DH also thinks plum is too girly if we have a boy

Lovely weekend ahead by the sounds - we have had masses of snow here overnight so will stay in today, maybe send DH out for a DVD later, then we are going to try to see the Hobbit in 3d tomorrow morning, then out for lunch - looking forward to it!!

seasalt sorry . That makes my post even more daft! I thought you'd said the dr had mentioned it could have been down to a hole in the heart letting a clot through? My brain seems to be slowing down a lot.

Thanks for all you replies about the mole. My DH said last night that he remembers the same thing happening last time. I really don't! Will mention it at my appointment next week.

Sounds like a nice weekend elly. I really enjoyed the hobbit. I'm going to try and convince DH that we can eat out tonight. Problem is, it's becoming a habit! I've completely gone off cooking which I normally would class as a hobby!

10 hope your DH spoils you this weekend!

How many of you have the 'belly line' ? I had it so dark last time and it lasted for 18months after birth. It hasn't appeared this time at all.

Not daft at all Maybe! I really appreciated your supportive post. I don't completely understand the physiology but I think the cardiologist's concern is that some underlying heart issue (rhythm-related as far as I can gather) may have caused a clot (and could cause future clots), which could travel out of the heart (but not via a hole). I must be missing a tonne of information there but I think that's basically what he said.

I now have to keep the portable ECG monitor on until Monday morning. I'm getting used to it and don't really mind but the tape holding the bits on is a bit annoying. It's been a funny old couple of days and I'm exhausted now, I'm looking forward to having a good sleep tonight (with lots of funny wires and a box thing taped to my chest. Hmm...)

Maybe my line has just appeared this week! Wondered whether it was going to come, I'm sure it was earlier last time.

seasalt, so glad you're getting top notch care. I hope they manage to work out what it is and fix it quickly.

My Dad had a heart arrhythmia (sp) which they shocked back to a normal rhythm and then went on to have an embolism (rogue blood clot). His Dr thought the two might be linked. It was sorted really quickly and painlessly but he has to take warfarin now to thin his blood. As with most things, the risks are seriously minimised by timely medical intervention and they sound like they're taking extra care with you because you're PG.

Seasalt- sorry to hear your woes- hope you get sorted.

Phew- moved out! Removals were pants so hoping they prove for second half! Currently residing with parents for two weeks... Can't wait to halve our own shiny new place!

SeaSalt sorry to hear about your scare. I think it's partly pregnancy that does weird things to our bits and pieces but very helpful that you're getting the full MOT to be sure.

I've had vision disturbances before - it feels like my ability to focus suddenly jerks horizontally, if that doesn't sound too odd. I went to the GP, who told me he could see 'a shadow of concern', and was referred urgently to the nearest eye hospital where I had tests upon tests for months. They found....nothing.

I've recently been experiencing a milder version of the same thing again since becoming pregnant. The link to potential heart problems is a worry. In my case, my Dad suffered a stroke when a clot formed in a hole in a valve and travelled to the brain. The hole is family trait, and my mother is hugely concerned that I have the same thing (her reasoning is because I 'look like Dad'...[bhmm]).

I suppose what I'm trying to say - and what I suspect you already know - is that there are many reasons why your eyes might play up. Blood pressure, stress, exhaustion. You've been ill and tired and the new life as an ex-pat, in a new job, far away from family and friends will be taking its toll.

Just make sure you take good care and relax as much as possible - and keep us updated.

10 how are you getting on?

24+5

Glad you are all ok. Nothing much to report here either (23+4). H has been away for a month, so struggling a bit with DS and work. Ho hum!

How do I join the Facebook group? I'm on there more than here... Thanks!

Glad they're taking care of you Seasalt. Hope all the tests come back reassuring.

We've (finally, after months of being almost decided) ordered our double pram. A Mountain Buggy Duet. DS will just have to keep his elbows in! With carrycot for the LO and carseat adapter. As last time, DH was sceptical to the need, until I reminded him that we said "let's wait and see" with the adapter for DS's single pram, and spent the first week carting him along endless hospital corridors in his carseat, saying "an adapter to fit this to the pram frame would be really useful", bought one, and said "this is so useful, why didn't we get one earlier?" Given that we borrow a car from a friend mostly, and have to walk about 6 blocks to get to the car, with baby and car seat, yes DH, it is very useful to have an adapter and fit it on the pram frame!

(Hope someone finds that little anecdote useful and I'm not just muttering to myself.)

(Oops. Am namechanger who's on this thread under another name .)

zorra I've PM'd you.

Hope you're doing ok today seasalt.