December 2013 part 2.

[TakingTheStairs]

Just starting a new thread as we're starting to run out of room on the first. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/a1716486-December-2013#38680515

There was a lovely baby grey dove just on our window, must have been the first time from the nest as mummy & daddy dove were flying about and trying to land. Baby dove flew off the window towards the bin shed opposite to its mum, aiming for the roof but didn't get the height and flew inside.
Husband doesn't understand why I'm upset, it might be stuck in there! I went to look but it's so full of shit (old mattress, massive old boxes) I can't even step inside. Worried it won't be able to get out and it might die :(

DH is not one to rely on in Swedish at the best of times, let alone when he is stressed. When we went to hospital after DD was born, he had the home phone in his pocket! I can do a bit of Swedish, but I can't ask my Swedish teacher because my lessons are at work and we're not telling anyone yet.

I'll have a proper chat with the midwife on Monday, I know they all speak basic English.

Holly, I had a water birth with my first. At hospital though, not at home. I have nothing to compare it too and it was still blooming painful but it all went very calmly and smoothly. As far as these things go it was a positive experience.

The main downside was the water turned into a total blood bath after she popped out (TMI) and I was desperate to get me and her out of it. So had to cut the cord and hand her over almost straight away and didn't get her back for 90 mins while they stitched me up. So didn't really get that 'yeah my baby's arrived' moment. Think I had more gas and air in those 90 mins than the entire birth, just trying to control the overwhelming urge to hold her.

Would do it again, particularly because I really felt the contractions in my lower back and it took all the weight off that area but I don't think it'll be an option in France.

Anyone who can't get enough baby talk at the moment, I recommend a blog called the-mothers.co.uk its fascinating to read other people's experiences

Oh my god, I love that website readyornot I've just spent half an hour absorbed by it, will def go back and read more later. Thanks for the recommendation!

I really wanted a home birth for DD but had to go into hospital for an induction in the end. I'm booked in with the home birth team this time round too, so fingers crossed!

ready you may be able to labour in water but there are only 8 hospitals in the whole of France equipped for water births :( Sadly none are near me or you, but I'm hoping my local hospital is overbooked so I can go to the next nearest which has a bath in one of the delivery rooms even if they'd make you get out for the birth itself!

That said DS's birth was a pretty positive experience (thank you stroppy birth plan) and I'm working on brainwashing a whole new generation of midwives 5 are going for placements in England so I've told them they have to see a water birth, a home birth, delayed cord clamping and tons of other things.

But birth is waaaay ahead. There the whole yucky pregnant bit to get through first.

Hi inky! I'm due 17th, when are you?

I am really hoping to have a home birth this time too as I had my first at at midwifery unit as you describe Holly. It was lovely and couldn't fault it. No maternity ward, my own room, as many people as I wanted in, home 2 hours after the delivery, brilliant!

The only issue is that when giving birth to dd1 I have done something to my tail bone which has made it very tender to touch and uncomfortable to sit down. Of course GP has been fobbing me off with "That always happens after birth, give it six months..." etc etc

Anyone here had a successful no drugs birth with back problems/ pain?

Also due the 17th madbanners going off my dates anyway. I'd love a waterbirth this time round. Last time I gave birth there was someone in the pool. I ended up having an emergency c section anyway. Hopefully can have VBAC this time round

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap! Just been to the loo and a streak of bright blood on the toilet paper.....crap! 10+4 today and was beginning to think I was out of the woods. Also not helped by the fact that we are flying to Zakynthos tomorrow. Just bought the travel insurance (as I realised today it wasn't an autorenewal like DH said, doh!), will feel like a scammer if we have to cancel. If it stops or just stays like this with no pain I think we should go... guess if its going to happen its going to happen at this point. crap, crap, crap.

Oh no lady - can you go in for a reassurance scan before you go on hols? Thinking of you, good luck xxxxx

Hope everything's ok Lady - Fingers crossed it's just nothing and doesn't appear again x

I'm sorry too lady. I agree with yoga - could you phone midwife perhaps?

I could do with some advice. I'm 8+5 and for the last few days have felt very dizzy and lightheaded. This is those kind of blackouts when I stand ( doesn't matter how slowly I get up) and a constant dizziness. (Although the room isn't spinning) It has got progressively worse this week but became really bad yesterday at work. I got home last night and went straight to bed, sleeping on and off all evening and night. It was no better this morning and is still the same now. I phoned my mum to ask her what she thought and she suggested phoning nhs direct. Their advice? Don't do anything which makes me feel dizzy! Great!

The only time it stops is when I'm chewing - It comes back between mouthfuls. It has got to the point that I'm struggling to do anything but lie in a dark room.

I'm just wondering if anyone is going through anything similar, or if anyone has any advice for me. I would really appreciate it.

Sorry for long post :)

No more bleeding so far. Don't feel any better about it but if nothing else happens before tomorrow morning I guess we go on hols. I haven't rung anyone, not sure how weekends work anyway. Just trying not to worry and crossing fingers and toes.

I have fingers crossed lady.

Ganet - could you have low BP? Have you tried increasing your fluid intake and possible sodium?

Ganet it could be blood flow, when you are lying down, have your feet elevated (preferably above your heart) and feet up when sitting down. It could also be low iron, that can make you light headed and short of breath.

Got my NHS maternity exemption through today, dentist here I come!!

Does anyone else find their feet swell? It could be because I stand all day but I get to about 4 and they feel like they are squeezing in my shoes

Thanks guys, I'll try those. Much appreciated! :)

Readyornot, great website, thanks for recommending!

Lady, keeping fingers crossed for you xx

Ganet, definitely get it checked out, sounds like low iron or another mineral deficiency? Or low BP as someone suggested.

Hope everyone well. I'm hoping for a midwife-led centre birth. Seeing midwife on Tue so will see what she says.

Nauseous today, all day. Bleurgh.

Lady thinking of you. Hope its just that. And hope you can enjoy your hols.

Ganet get your bp checked hun. Could be too low or too high and make sure you are eating enough.

Im eating plenty enough lol. Havent stopped eating for 2 days lol.

Does anyone know if you get to listen to the baby's heartbeat at the first mw appointment? I've got mine in 2 weeks - I'll be 10 weeks then. I can't remember with previous pregnancies if you do.

For some reason I'm starting to freak out about mmc- I read something about people's experiences -probably shouldn't have and now I'm worried (for no reason other than I read too much and my brain is working overtime!) It just seems really scary that you can still feel pregnant but the baby might have died. It's not quite the same as a mc where you feel the pain and see the blood. I don't think I was even aware of mmc in my previous pregnancies so was blissfully unaware.

(and really sorry to anyone who's been through either, I don't mean to upset anyone, just trying to get my head round it)

I was told by my midwife we will listen to the heartbeat at the 16 wk appt.
Whats mmc?

mum, you could ask but i think they generally don't - some will try and listen at around 16 weeks but others won't even then. I know what you mean about the mmc worry though, Although everything was fine at the early scan and I felt reassured, that has now worn off and I'm really worried again. Especially as I've been feeling so well, my symptoms seem to have tailed off. I have had some slight twinges in my lower abdomen this afternoon though

Hope all is well lady xx

Usually MWs won't try to listen until at least 16wks. I don't think it's recommended until 20wks because it just worried you if they can't pick it up and at this stage it's pretty difficult to track even for someone with training and experience.

Lady keeping fingers crossed for you. At this stage there's nothing you can do really :( but hopefully your travel insurance covers medical treatment if you need it (which I'm obviously hoping you won't)! Anyone planning to travel abroad you need to check that your policy covers pregnancy related conditions and after 24 weeks make sure or would cover a baby born prematurely as well.

Gannet could it be low blood sugar? Dehydration? Or as others have mentioned low BP or a vitamin/mineral deficiency?

DH has gone to a housewarming tonight. I was supposed to go but I'm just tooooooo tired. Plus our moving date has been pushed forwards so we have less than a month to organise (and get rid of lots of crap). Thankfully the current tenant in the new place is moving out next week so it's available if we need it. Our current landlords are being somewhat challenging to deal with...

Mmc - missed miscarriage. It's where the baby has stopped developing but your body doesn't recognise it and maintains the pregnancy.

Hi mumof2,

I haven't seen a midwife yet, I'm 9 weeks ish and bought a doppler. Husband and I got babies heartbeat earlier today. Maybe its worth investing? Husband has been grinning like a Cheshire Cat since! But we haven't told anyone about baby yet so he can't tell anyone he heard it!

From what I remember the first midwife appointment she says 'hi' takes personal details and that's it! But last baby I had is now 7!

Sammy

Hi mumof2,

I have had a lot of anxieties about mmc since hearing about a close friend's experience of it and reading a lot online. I've been feeling quite low since around 2 weeks ago when pregnancy symptoms started easing up. Today is the first day I've felt nauseous again but I am still terrified in case it's my body tricking me.

The only things that keep me going are:

1. Being busy at work (but am part-time so not a great help the rest of the week!)
2. Counting down the days until my scan
3. Knowing there's nothing I can do to avoid a mmc except try my best to avoid toxoplasmosis (eg by avoiding cat poo!) and that if it happens, it's just fate and completely out of my control.
4. Thinking about how my friends and family might react if I do mmc and hoping that they would be kind and let me grieve for a while.
5. Reminding myself that I could grow and develop through such experiences and maybe could become a support to others going through a loss.

Hope this doesn't belittle anyone's experiences. I have been having bereavement counselling for a year and a half due to the sudden death of my best friend and have found it helpful to talk to my counsellor about these anxieties and fears too.

I have considered buying a doppler but I think it would make me even more anxious if I had one and couldn't find a heartbeat, and I'd quickly become addicted if I did find one and spend all day checking it!

Hand-holding all who feel similarly. We'll get through this, with each other's support.