September mums-to-be - the bumps get bigger and we all get more excited!

[HettySunshine]

Here we are ladies. A shiny new thread for us all. Let the chatting continue!

I've had a couple of days like that flip....but he comes back with avengance!

Jammy I've got a TENS which was purchased during a particularly nasty back spasm incident a few years ago (so bad that I'm still to be convinced that childbirth could possibly top it on the pain scale).

Anyways, it feels like a tingling sensation....you have to start on the lowest setting & build up gradually until you can 'just' feel the tingling. If you're not in pain then you feel the tingling alot stronger than when u are so I wouldn't recommend placing the pads anywhere that's pain free....and def don't touch them with ur fingers if u don't want a really weird sensation!

My ante natal class woman reckons there is a different tens that u use in pregnancy.... ?? I haven't got a clue.

Frog, I'm now encouraging the monkey with an ice lolly. Still nothing! I so hope this little one starts beating me from the inside again, will be so reassuring. I'm missing all those kicks and watching my tummy move.

Yep, there are different grades of TENS machine. I bought one from Lloyds pharmacy for my first labour which was maybe £15 ish, it took the edge off the pain for a lot of the latent phase of labour (then I got in the pool, then I got the entonox) but I had it racked up to the maximum setting on a variety of patterns of pulses. I have that back from the tribe now, plus a Labour-grade one which my friend says is much much more powerful, and she could only stand it at 30%. As I'm one of the earliest due here, I will be sure to post a comparison!!

Flip, a white chocolate magnum just woke my monkey up. Strangely though, he doesn't like DP so I use his hand to calm him down when I want some sleep!!

I didn't buy mine as i couldn't walk at the time...but it looks pretty similar to this:
m.boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/Boots-Advanced-TENS-Pain-Relief-Unit_844276/

I rented a tens from Tesco last time, only ever made it to setting 11 out of 15. I'd recommend it!

Hmm...just checked & lots of things refer to needing a special tens for labour, yet no one seems to know why! An reluctant to fork out for a new one when I have a perfectly good one already...maybe a question for NCT...

I'm currently being kicked/thumped downwards into my bladder and I assume my cervix as I can feel it going right down, it's been quite today too, so I can only assume this is an effort to turn around but it's horrible! Anywhere but there please!

My baby has also had a quieter day or so but have just been to choir practice and he was going mad, so that has reassured me! I have a friend there due about the same time as me and her baby was going mad too apparently!

Hello, really rated the Tens when I had DS1, it really helped me. I rented a labour one and haven't used any other. I'm feeling really grumpy at DH today, in fact I might just call him 'H' today, not 'DH'. Sometimes its like living with a dopey teenager. I do remember feeling like this first time round so I'm trying to bite my lip...... will need lip cream soon,

Wincher, I don't think I could inflict singing on baby or DH but if there's no movement before I go to bed, I'll start warming the vocal chords!! Reassuring to hear I'm not the only one that's had days like this. So glad I've been checked out as I'm still stressing. I'd have been a state by now if I hadn't gone.

Scary and exciting thinking about TENS and preparing for the birth/arrival. Wonder who will go first, let's just keep them cooking for another couple of months.

I have a placenta question, charl made me think of it with her comment that her low lying placenta has moved (hurrah!)....how they know this wont happen to those of us without low lying placentas - ie now that there probably won't be any more scans how will they know if it becomes low lying towards the end?

Oh flip how worrying for you, glad everything is ok though and your cheeky monkey was just chillin' out in there! Mine definitely has quieter days too and I've wondered a couple of times what point I should really get worried. I have noticed that sometimes baby seems to be kicking back and downwards - kind of towards my bum and those seem to be the quieter days so maybe just can't feel as much in certain positions?

Interesting tens machine chat, I might look into getting/renting one if you all rate them so highly!

Hey Mooster I'm using the snoring strips and they are def worth a try - its surprising the difference they make and my DH is very pleased!! I'm using Boots own but they are a bit temperamental... You literally can't have any cleanser/moisturiser/grease on your nose or they won't stick. Going to try Breatheright ones which I've heard are better... Start with a small pack as they are expensive so worth trialling first.

Also, black over bump trousers - I've got some from H&M for 24.99. They are like chino material so are smart casual and are really comfy. H&M are rubbish for delivery though - took 2 weeks and cost £4 then they 'invoiced' me at the end of the month rather than paying by card and charged me for the invoice!! The most annoying thing was they had them in my store just not in the right size! They've got a sale on at the mo - online only. There are a few bits of maternity wear in it but I can't be bothered with the order hassle!

Reassuring to hear everyone is having mixed amounts of movement - perhaps it's part of the stage? I'm going to ring my midwife today to check. I'm feeling her every day so not too worried but the movements are much gentler and only a few times a day - none of the ice/noise/caffeine tricks seem to work either!

Oh and I've joined Facebook group but can't update the excel sheet on My iPad and haven't had chance to post bump pic yet... Will get my act together soon!

My DP this morning has called time on my snoring. I thought he was lovingly holding my hand in the night.... Turns out he was squeezing and shaking it to get me to shut up. It's mainly because I start off on my side and migrate to my back due to being uncomfortable after a while. Any suggestions?

Ladies I'm in hospital after a bleed this morning

Im 28 weeks
I had partially covered cervix with placenta at 20 weeks.

Experience and words of wisdom appreciated!! Scared shitless...

I'm another one who is having very variable amounts of movement. Littley was kicking hard enough for my colleague to be able to see yesterday but was really faint last night when dp was having his evening listen. I'm sure it will hot up as they all start running out of space!

Frogchops, I got one of those long pillows from Argos and have found it to be brilliant, I sort of wrap myself round it and it keeps me on my side and comfy. I think they are £20.

And, sorry on my phone so can't double check who mentioned it, but my midwife said that placentas only tend to move up, not down, so that's why us high upsies don't need to worry (yay!) but also don't get anymore scans (boo!).

Kamikazee I don't have any words of wisdom but didn't want to leave your post unanswered. All I will say is you are in the right place, I hope someone more helpful will be along soon

kitten I've been thinking that about the placenta too, maybe they only move up and not down?

So sorry Kamikaze, I didn't refresh before I posted.

Try not to panic, you are in the best place and surrounded by experts.

Xxx

I've had a few separate days of less movement, but I reckon it's all down to baby having a bit less space and being between positions. About a week ago I'm sure mine was legs up cause I was getting my ribs kicked constantly, then one evening I had a huuuuuge flip (made me jump) then a couple of days of baby being very quiet, and now she is happily doing a dance inside again but feels like she is right in the middle of my tummy.

Giraffe that's good to know about H&M, I was going to have a look at them today! I got a really comfy pair of jeans from asos when I was about 4 months pregnant, and they were quite big so I actually had to get them taken in. I've worn them so much to the point I thought they were going to fall apart so I got the exact same pair again, and oh my days they are so tight!!! Last pair obviously had time to stretch gradually... DH came home yesterday to me half stirring some spaghetti, half having a strop trying to 'jump' myself into my jeans/ do up the zipper properly...

Someone was asking about books on birth the other day- I haven't read this yet but it sounded really good (woman who wrote it is a midwife, I watched an interview with her on the news I think). It says in the reviews that she articulately recommends a home birth, so worth checking out if that's you! www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1907974032/ref=aw_ls__7?colid=2K12G3W5D7WY7&coliid=I34Z27H8W2BCFW

Thinking of you Kami, got everything crossed for you. Please update us when you can.

That's meant to say particularly... Thanks autocorrect.

Sorry, third post now. Kamikazee have all my fingers and toes crossed for you, sending you positive thoughts, try to stay calm in as much as possible.