October 2013: Growing bumps and the second trrimester glowing begins!

[OrangeBlossom2]

Welcome to thread six of the October bus. how long will this one last us?!

Old thread here

Stats thread here

roofio that blanket is gorgeous! Lol, your poor niece. I thought my friends photo was embarrassing, her son had his finger up his nose for all his 20 wk photos

My stomach has been easily upset recently and I haven't been eating as much as usual, I've had heartburn from hell! I think I put on about 4lb at about 8 weeks but I don't think I've put on as much since, haven't weighted myself tho! Too chicken!

Oh Cherry, sorry to hear you are worrying. This is why they don't generally do it at the 16 week scan I think though. I did hear mine, but got a really fleeting heartbeat straight away, and then she was poking around for about 10 minutes before finding it again, and then she only caught it for a few seconds again before baby disappeared again.

Not sure whether this is useful advice, but might be worth kicking up a bit of fuss and see if they will scan you if private scan wasn't an option. With DS I was measured at 29 weeks which showed no growth. Doc wanted me to come back again in 2 weeks to measure again. I was very firm that I was not happy to wait that long, and in the end they agreed to send me for fetal monitoring and a growth scan 2 days later.

Oh no cherry, that must be horrible for you. Isn't 16 weeks quite early to hear a heartbeat on a doppler tho? I thought I read somewhere that they can only reliably find it on a doppler later? Fingers crossed for you!

Cherry, if I were you I would push for a scan... If nothing else to reassure yourself all is fine! At my 16 week appointment, the midwife said she wasn't 100% sure whether she heard 1 or 2 heartbeats (reminder - twins!)... She turned round that instant (gel still on my tummy) and phoned for a emergency scan immediately. I had had the scan within half an hour or so (all fine!). I am sure it's nothing to worry about, but she did seen to think it warranted an emergency scan... I would have thought you'd get one if you phoned the midwives and/or the emergency scan team now? Poor you!!! I know what it feels like!

cherry I know its easier said than done not to worry but it is still early. maybe its where the placenta is too?! the mw couldn't find the hb at my sil's 28 week check and sent her to hospital where baby was absolutely fine and is now a gorgeous 3 mo. sometimes doplers just aren't reliable!! hope you're feeling ok x

Sorry to hear you're worried cherry. If it makes you feel any better, my midwife really heavily informed me before putting the doppler onto my tummy that she may not be able to find a heartbeat because it's still early days (and I know a few others on here said the same). I too would try to get an earlier appointment though (i.e. tomorrow).

Jesus they do like to worry us these midwives, don't they.

I'm sure it's just because it's too early, but you could book a private scan if you're very worried.

Thanks for the replies, midwife did explain that she may not find it but she is rather experienced so she did seem quite surprised when she wasnt able to find it. I asked about checking at the hospital and she just said she could check herself next week, no mention of a scan. Looking at booking a private scan for tomorrow evening though, to hopefully put my mind at rest. Dp keeps finding positive stories online and reading them out to me which is sweet. I can tell he is worried too though. I just want to march to the hospital and demand to be seen as im worrying myself silly

Protocol won't be if heartbeat not found at 16 week appointment to refer for scan, as it is still very early. But I think if you make really clear how worried you are you may be able to get more clarity.

But I am sure it is fine, big fingers crossed for you x

I think the midwife referred me / was so jumpy was because its twins... She emphasised that I am / they are v high risk....

Just to say that you can usually get want you want out of the NHS by applying pressure! Try calling the midwives in tears/ emphasising how worried you are... I suspect you will get an earlier appointment at the least x

I would agree with legally. I told my MW that I was worried about the little bit of spotting I had, and she said "If you ever have any fears, then just call me and we can do another doppler."

yes, I would do the same cherry. I would call back in tears, saying how it's affecting and stressing you. You feel depressed etc... they should find 10min to try again tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. At the least! Perhaps baby will be in a different position etc. I think it's fair to ask to be seen again asap.

cherry my midwife tried to find heartbeat at nearly 15 wks & couldn't-she was pretty surprised as v experienced midwife & that combined with bleeding with clots had me 100% convinced baby had died. A scan next day showed happy baby wiggling around. I know how worrying it is though.

Awe sorry u had a worrying appt cherry the NHS are good at giving in though when u apply enough pressure! Hopefully u get seen sooner rather than later

With regards to birthing partners I had dh and dm last time and two of my sisters waiting at the entrance doors to labour ward lol I would never ever ever have my Hmil (horrible mother in law) at the birth has I hate her lol. I will probly have dm and dh again this time too and then when baby is born have my sister meet him half way on the Half hour hospital trip to bring dd to visit as I want her to meet us when it's just us there so she isn't over whelmed but everyone fussing over the baby as she will not even be 3 when baby arrives.

15+0 today, 25 weeks to to, seriously did anyone forget how slow 40 weeks passes? Lol 4+4 till I find out if I'm cooking a ham burger or hot dog lol

Cherry, with DS the midwife didn't do heartbeat till after 20 week scan as it was policy to avoid this stress if they couldn't find it, so even if she is experienced, that means nothing so early on (I have a retro verted uterus so they even struggled at 24 weeks with me), hope that reassures you a bit

As for birthing partner, only had DH when I had DS and would do exactly the same this time. It was the best 'family' moment in the world to share him for the first time, and although I love my mum so much, I do think DS birth was our moment to share and no one else's (no way in the world I would have had my MIL there! )

I took your advice ladies! I have an appt first thing in the morning for a second opinion with the doppler and if they dont manage to find it i'll be sent for a scan. At least tomorrow i'll know! Thank you thank you to you all- i wouldnt have pushed for one if not!!

Pleased to hear it Cherry! Please also try to heed our advice about them not being able to find the heartbeat being quite a common thing and don't worry yourself too much tonight (easier said than done I know!)

Oh that's great news Cherry

Glad you managed to get another check up cherry. It doesn't matter how much they attempt to reassure you before these things, nothing can stop your mothers concern. I'd be exactly the same as you! Hoping your lil bump was just being awkward.

As for birthing partners, so glad so many also just want their partners. I was thinking it may be nice for my mum to be able to pop in during the early stages but not at the end, like so many have said its such a special time it should be just the two. But that's just my opinion :)

Wow - busy day here, ladies.

Can't add anything to what's already been said, but fingers crossed for tomorrow, cherry.

As for mothers/mother-in-laws at the birth? No way. Nope. Definitely not. Just no.
I think that about covers our position on the matter, (and if you'd met either of them, love them though we do, you'd understand!)

LOL shire sounds like my mother and MIL! Amazing in small dozes and definitely not in stressful situations

Lol shire that made me chuckle tbh with u I dunno why I even had my mum first time round partly cos dh isn't great under pressure and I was unsure how helpful he would be but I was so drugged up my entire street could have been there and I wouldn't have cared lol

Ok I am crocheting for the first time in my life after all this lovely talk of blankets! It a fair pain in the bum hope it gets easier as i get better!

cherry glad you have a check up tomorrow.

Glad you are going to be seen soon cherry.

Re weight gain, I have put on 8lb so far and now weigh 8st 1lb.
My nan (5ft ish) and my sister (5ft 3) both put on 4stone in their pregnancies. Eek! I am aiming to put on about a pound week from now on.

I will definitely only have DH with me in labour. We are not sure if we will even tell in laws we are in labour as don't want to worry about mil turning up and interfering! Also there might be false alarms. I get on really well with my mum but still no way I want her there. I think on shows like OBEM people often have their mums where the dads are very young or nervous, or no longer on the scene, and women need the extra support from someone else. I know DH will be fine and is the only one I want. We will just call parents when it's all over and say its a girl/boy!

I told my class today! They were very sweet and excited and asked if I had a name yet and when I said no they started making suggestions. One girl got the wrong end of the stick and told another teacher all excited that I am having a baby and am letting my class choose the name!