December 2013 - waddling slowly onwards

[LadyMedea]

Our new thread!

daley is the clicking like a ticking feeling inside? I get this but it's the baby having hiccups. Not sure if that's what you're feeling?

God I'm so tired today. went to bed late so it's my own fault and now I'm annoyed at myself for just lounging around whilst DS2 naps instead of doing stuff. And now I'm having a cuppa and a twix! Should really eat some fruit at some point today...

mum I know the feeling, except DS doesn’t nap and I’m just faffing instead of getting stuff done while he’s occupied with stickers.
Clicking sounds while Bfing are not normal if they carry on throughout the feeds. It means the seal around the breast has been broken, so feeding isn’t efficient. Some babies pull off because you have a fast letdown and you can get a click for a couple of sucks, sometimes an ear infection, teething or thrush can cause a temporary click because the baby is in pain. An overfull breast can be difficult for a baby to get a latch on in the first place and cause a click. Sort the external problem and you should sort the click. In your case it might have been because your DS was trying to suck his tongue and you ended up with a shallow latch which shreds nipples.

If you have flat nips you might find that a classic cradle hold is less effective for you and you’re better off with biological nursing or a rugby ball hold. Flat nipples certainly don’t mean you can’t BF but they can make it harder if baby has a small mouth or tongue tie. However it’s breast feeding, not nipple feeding, and baby should have a good mouthful of nipple, aereola and breast tissue, which all gets squooshed up anyway so the shape of your nipples is (to a certain extent) irrelevant. If you’re worried then breast shells (not shields) will help draw them out. In fact I’d be putting shells on your list ahead of Lilypadz :)

Hello mean! Does your pregnancy yoga DVD not have adapted poses for later in pregnancy? I find yoga brilliant for dealing with spine related aches and pains.

Alyssa I’m really jealous of you having such little work left! I think I’ll still be going by the time half of you have had your babies!

daley I thought mine was going in for most scanned baby (we’ve had 5 so far and 1 more due) but you’re beating me hands down.

I’ve been feeling really short of breath, and according to my bloods this morning I’m anaemic which might be causing it. DH was oh so sympathetic when I told him on the phone – ‘yeah, I thought you’ve been looking really pale recently.’ Thanks darling nothing like making a girl feel beautiful, is there?! No GD though as far as I can interpret. My system seems to metabolise glucose just fine.

mum, no, it's like when you crack a knuckle. It happens when he moves his feet, I think he has clicky joints :) all my joints click so it wouldn't be that unusual :)

Nom, I have another one next tuesday! Glad you don't have GD, I'm anaemic too and it's relatively easy to control it you remember to take your iron :)

Hi ladies,

Just another suggestion for those breastfeeding - I BF'd DS1 no prob's but DS2 was a nightmare! I was in agony every time he latched on - was awful. I refused to give up as I knew it wasn't 'normal' and attended every BF group I could find so I could get some help. Finally an experienced midwife saw that he had thrush - hence my agonising nipples. She recommended I get some Jelonet - Vaseline soaked gause. I used to cut it up and put that over my cracked/sore nipples before the breastpad. Was safe for baby and stopped breast pads from sticking to sore nipples. T'was a life saver (maybe quite literally as I had awful PND). After he was treated for thrush we managed to BF just fine, and my poor nipples got better. :-)

Cried at uni' on Friday - I've decided to stay on my course until absolutely necessary - although I need to do some risk assessments before I go in the labs as not sure microbiology labs are a great place for heavily pregnant women. Anyway, I went in to register and they refused to see me on the basis I was a 'returning student', despite there being no-one else there. I explained I had come in especially to register, no I couldn't come back later as I work and have 2 kids to pick up from school - they'd just registered someone else from my course, they weren't busy etc and then burst into tears. They must have thought I was a mad hormonal woman. Finally managed to register today in between lectures, but took an hour, as this time they were busy, and I almost fainted queuing up for so long.

I don't start my maternity leave from work until my due date - they wouldn't let me book it any later! I can't do my normal job when pregnant, so sit in an office doing not a great deal - seems silly to go on mat leave earlier then I need to, may as well get paid a decent wage for longer and do very little at work as opposed to do very little at home.

I haven't thought about hospital bag really yet. Both my DS's were late, and induced, so I'm not expecting to have this baby before my due date - watch it be early now.

As for PND all I can say is listen, listen, listen, I don't think it's picked up a lot of the time. I had it with both DS's, the 2nd time I didn't realise until I caught myself planning on how I could manage to successfully kill myself but make sure the kids came with me to (as I didn't want to leave them without a mum) - I went through various scenarios of how I could do it, but I couldn't think of a way that would guarentee none of us would survive. After a while of thinking things through like this (often I'd be looking for 'opportunities' when driving with them in the car) - I realised I had 'issues'.

I spoke to a very good friend who had me stay with her, I talked and talked and talked - she listened. Things got better. Not great - but, well, I'm still here and my boys are fine young men.

Really sorry, just realised that's an epic post. I have t proof read it as I just realised its youngests bed time. Sorry for any iPhone related typos.

5ammy.

Hi Nom my dvd does have a late pregnancy bit but even struggling with that now. I've been making a list of all my symptoms today ready to bombard the doctor tomorrow and tbh I'm beginning to think that perhaps the cause of a lot of them are down to the dreaded constipation causing extra pressure and weight. Sorry if TMI!

Thanks for the invite to add my stats, not sure how i do this though can someone please explain?

Scan went fine, baby still head down and weighs approx 4llb 7oz so he's put on 2llb in 5weeks.
Apparently my GTT test was fine but my urine sample showed some glucose so they are just watching it.

Saw the boy bits again so its good to know all the blue clothes and nursery furniture etc wasn't in vain lol.

Bp was 130/80 when its always 120/70 but she said that was fine so that's good, have my mw appt on Thursday so I guess she will be doing all the same again.

How many weeks pg are you nom ?

Just got back from a yearly festival a neighbouring town has and we won ds1 a HUGE Spider-Man teddy, well its actually the height of me and actually looks like its gonna come to life and web us all

Have a good night everyone xx

Hi mean and the toy sounds very cool Alyssa

Thank you for your honest post on PND 5ammy I know I am at risk of it, already having anxiety/depression issues. Hopefully having made it very clear with MW and Doctor should help with it being spotted.

Should so not be watching Midwives ... making me all hormonal and tearful.

Will catch up properly tomorrow morning as I've missed loads but I'm just so excited because I squeezed a boob and liquid came out!!!!!!! Never felt more like a mammal in my life but in a very good way!

Thanks nom for the bf info/advice- really appreciate it-any extra info I can get now could help me be more successful this time round- and I'll look into breast shells- is that what you called them? On my phone so can't look back at your post- will look later! The frustrating thing is I was told baby had a good latch then a day later the cracked bleeding nipples started so obviously something wasn't right!

5ammy how awful to go through that, but great that you're sharing it as it could help someone else who may not know they have PND.

Have the worst heartburn/indigestion tonight and I can feel even the usually great Gaviscon struggling to keep it at bay time to try and sleep tho, knackered...

Lol mrs makes me remember how excited I got too

Mum i haven't really had much luck with bf either, ds1was fed through a tube for the first few days and not much seemed to come out of me at all so i gave up after a bit and ds2 was always feeding near the beginning and i was tired and made the worst ever decision to let dp top him up with formula and after that my milk never seemed to satisfy him, I think if I hadn't done that it may have gone ok.

It wasn't until after the fact the hv told me because I'd had dia morphine it makes baby more hungry the first few days until its out of the system completely, so to just feed on demand as itll ease after a couple of days, but it was too late as id already topped him up
I'm determined to give it a good try this time, no formula in the house etc. i have to admit i felt guilty also as dp and pil wanted to give ds2 bottles and i was bf all be it not very long or successfully

ive got my tough head on this time, so if yous wanna bond then do the nappy changes also get some Lanolin, the stuffs a god send but its a shame you were told the latch was good and the cracked nipples came, I hope it goes well for you this time but don't beat yourself if it doesn't. I'm gonna give it a good try and if it works great but if not then it will be formula, the other 2 have turned out fine but very noisy lol

On the heartburn topic......ouch bloody ouch, I was up at 2am searching for the gaviscon and a cup of cold milk, but I did have pastry and was naughty and had a coke during the day, both of which cause heartburn anyway so I need to step away from the good stuff

To all the ladies for the BF info thanks so much, I need to call the GPs to find out about any NHS classes around our way, MW didn't mention anything to me at 28 week appointment about any classes and I forgot to ask.

Welcome to the new December baby ladies

5ammy really admire you for sharing your story and like mum says you might end up helping people out who don't realise they have it either.

Glad all went well Alyssa with the scan, really want to see little man again - also to doubley check he is 'little man' although there should be no doubt as he gave us a very good flash at the 20w scan!

Do people have any good baby shower games? I am being incredibly spoilt and having two, one back up in my old home town in the midlands thrown by my mum and she wants some ideas as she's never thrown one or been to one before. The other my friends are doing for me in Kent and are taking care of the games etc.

Meandbumpy - i copied and pasted the last post in the stats thread and just added my details to the bottom. Not sure if that was right, but it seemed to work!

meandbumpy sorry I didn't get chance to post as promised yesterday, the stats thread for you to add your details can be found here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/a1803742-December-2013-Stats#42107608

We also have a Facebook group, which you can join by PMing your details to DaleyBump or Whisper

Alyssa, so glad to hear your scan went well! Really wish we cold have another one just to see little boys bits again - they were pretty clear on the 20 week scan, but every time I buy something blue I start doubting myself!

And 5ammy thank you for sharing your experiences. Must have been horrible to have to go through that but I'm so glad you were able to ask for help and that you're still here to tell the tale. You sound like you're a great mum to your two boys

MW appointment went well yesterday, ended up with one that I'd never seen before but she seemed nice enough... Despite telling me that she was running late because her last patient fainted on her(!) and then refusing to try and take blood from my better arm (cue several failed attempts and a very bruised arm!)
Apparently little one is all good but measuring slightly large for dates, which she said is probably down to me rather than him... i.e. I'm getting bloody huge

I was awake for half the night with awful heartburn as well. Downing half a bottle of Gaviscon didn't seem to make much difference though so if anyone knows of any other remedies that work then feel free to let me know!

ohhhhhh, so that's what a stats thread is, HA! I've copied and pasted and added myself in, thanks Pink and itsliz

its sometimes I find that a glass of cold milk works wonders if there's no gaviscon at hand ooh and I tried a packet of Trebor soft mints and that seemed to help too.

Not sure about any games mrs no ones ever thrown me a shower
I did see one on the tv though were everyone had to drink (a drink of your choice) out of a baby bottle and the first one to finish won a prize.
I've only ever been to an Ann summers party with games which I don't think would help you here and would be slightly inappropriate lol

I've been cleaning the kitchen and downstairs toilet today like a mad women, maybe my nesting is kicking in
Baby feels like he's pushing down a lot too, lots of pressure low down.....anyone else??

Hi all

Am stressing, probably totally unnecessarily. Just called the Dr's to check on my 28wk blood test results and apparently I have to make an appointment to see the Dr.

Just feel annoyed as it's a faff to arrange an appointment - I have to call at 8.30am tomorrow to see if I can get a last minute appt for that day, or do the same on Friday, or wait until next week. Which means I will be worrying why they need to see me until I do actually see someone.

Anyone know what they're looking for at the 28wk blood tests - is it likely to be anaemia, or anything nastier?

I have been feeling totally fine, a bit knackered and breathless but I put that down to being a) a bit overweight anyway, b) unfit - dog walking is my only exercise and c) pregnant, and nothing more serious.

Aside from this blood test irritation, all is good with me though. My sore arm after the whooping cough jab went down, and I now feel brave enough to book my flu jab, which I will do once I have seen the Dr.

DH has a day off work on Friday, and my Mum will be looking after DD from Fri-Sun, so that we can decorate her room, as well as the baby's. I think we have our work cut out - DH has never picked up a paintbrush in his life, so it could be entertaining!

That is the extent of our organisation and prep for this baby though - I am very alarmed by seeing people write about prepping hispital bags etc - I am properly head in the sand about it all at the moment. I finish work on the 7th Nov so am hoping to get it all sorted then. Most of our baby stuff is with various friends, so am trying to gather it all back, and then hopefully remind myself what it's all about and what I need to do! Someone please reassure me I am not leaving it too late!!

lisbapalea I haven't started on my hospital bag either. I have started buying some bits like maternity pads but that's it. I also need to gather stuff from friends but will do that once I'm off work.
When I called to get my 28 weeks blood results, they just told me that my iron levels were fine so I guess maybe they want to see you to give you some iron tablets if your results showed they were a bit low.
5ammy - I agree with others. Was very brave to share. It sounds like a terrifying experience. Hopefully anyone who has similar feeling will know that that they aren't alone.
Hope everyone else is ok. I am feeling quite happy at the moment as my SPD seems to be not as bad as it has been. I don't want to tempt fate by not going to my physio appt later but is so nice to not be in so much pain. Touch wood it doesn't get really bad again. My huge sympathies for any of you who are suffering from this.

lisbapalea I had my 28 week bloods taken yesterday (even though I am 30 weeks on Thursday - for some reasons my appointments are running a week or so late).

I received a call from the doctor this morning to inform me that the tests show I am slightly anaemic and that I need to pick up a prescription for iron tablets. I know that the previous surgery I was at the reception staff would not give results over the phone as they are not medically trained and they didn't seem to over the service which my current surgery does of having a doctor phone you. I therefore assume it is just protocol they are following. I know that the other thing they tested for yesterday in the bloods was antibodies levels. In terms of the anaemia I am relieved in the sense that these iron tablets should make me feel better than I have in the past few weeks and from what I gather has no impact upon baby. I hope you get an appointment asap.

itsliz my bump too measured big - in fact 3 weeks ahead of schedule! The midwife hasn't weighed me since my booking appointment and suggested that it was all baby (from what she could feel). I have a scan booked for 4 weeks time for a low lying placenta issue so she said they will measure baby then - have you had to be booked in for a measurement scan?

Hope everyone is keeping well. I made the mistake of watching the Midwife program on BBC 2 last night - I suddenly feel very nervous!!!!

Gannet...

So we went to our first NCT class last night. It was really good! I'm quite a clued up person but learnt so much! It's also nice to have a good whinge with the other pregnant women as I don't know any others! The men also had their own group discussion about how they are feeling about everything, which is good as I don't think they often get the chance to voice their thoughts and feeling on the subject

Hello everyone.

Wow, thanks for sharing your experiences with us 5ammy it really helps to know about signs and stuff.

I haven't started my hospital bag yet either. I suppose I should probably start looking at stuff soon.

I am fully exhausted today after two busy days. Sunday I was up at 4am to go to london and then a whole day of walking. Monday I met my step sister and had a wander round town and then this morning I had to be at the hospital at 8am for blood tests which was a 2 mile walk. Everywhere aches now. Even having a bath didn't help I seem to have developed hip pain that is only bad when I lie down. I was in bed crying my eyes out last night because I was so tired but lying down hurt so much. Poor DP didn't know how to help me and just faffed around trying to make me smile.

I definitely feel pregnant now. Which I guess is due to the fact I am 30 weeks on Thursday so not long to go now! I just want the aches and pains to go away. Paracetamol does bugger all!

I heard (another wives tale perhaps) that bad indigestion is worse when the baby is hairy! Don't know how much truth there is in that!

I mean hairy in the right places :) i am not suggesting anything strange!

Afternoon all

This thread moves really fast! Spent 20 mins just catching up from when I last posted which was only yesterday or the day before I think?

Anyhows, I don't know about anyone else but I am fucking knackered. All the time. Everything is a real mission to get done, and instead of being busy all day like I used to be, I'm fooked after about 12/1pm. How you girls who are working or running around after toddlers cope I really have no idea. All I have done today is the school run (1 mile walk), had a mooch around town centre and tesco's, put some shopping away and done a bit of tidying, made lamb tangine in slow cooker (never had it before but it smells delish!), done some paperwork and I am seriously knackered. My whole body aches and I feel really tired and heavy. The thought of walking back to school is exhausting and I've had a little (20 mins) snooze on the sofa and am still yawning!

Iron levels were 11.6 at 28 week blood tests and I'm assuming they are still ok (was only 2 weeks ago) so can only think that it's just generally being pregnant that is knackering! I never felt like this 9 years ago when pg with DD. And I smoked and worked my arse off and didn't eat properly whilst PG with her. This time I'm a lot more sensible, gave up the fags and have a much healthier diet and lifestyle and I'm literally dead on my feet lol.

I don't like complaining (it took us 3 years to get PG so feel bad for moaning) but I really can't wait to not be pg again and get back to normal. Which I think is a good attitude to have as last time I loved being Pg and wanted to be pg again as much as I wanted a baby if you know what I mean lol. Now I am just looking forwards to having baby here and won't miss being pg and certainly won't be planning another one. To fit it in (I'm 36 this month!) I'd have to have one PDQ, no 9 yr gap this time and I just don't think I could do it with a toddler to chase after!

My nesting instinct has kicked in too and I'm slowly getting things done. Front room was blitzed yesterday, all skirts and windows and behind sofa's ect was done. Going to do bathroom and hall and stairs tomorrow, then our room on thursday. DD's room can be done when she is off at half term. It wasn't so many weeks ago I spent 2 days in there sorting out and its a tip already! So she can bloody well help.

Then I'm buying a carpet cleaner at the weekend (how sad is it to be excited by that lol) and can do all the carpets next week, pick cot and rest of stuff up from dsis and start getting stuff properly organised. Buying pram end of october, so can spend november getting little bits sorted and christmas sorted out.

Gulp. Its all happening too fast now!!!

Dsis is also home from hospital and recovering slowly. Baby doing OK and dsis is as sore as can be expected but says other than that she feels better than what she has in a long time. Thing is she has told m/w twice about these pains she's been getting, been to the GP and went to the walk in centre on friday before she went to A & E! Doesn't fill you with much confidence does it? Triage nurse at walk in centre wouldn't let her see dr, told her to rest on bed and take 2 parecetamol for pain. Not good.

But the main thing is she is fine now I suppose.

Oh frouby I'm with you on that one, got a nearly 3 yr old and a just gone one year old so not much of a gap, but I'm 36 in the new year and this pg has knackered me, I'm so ready to be done.

I also quit smoking before this one and I'm more tired....go figure?

pink ds1 didn't have much hair and I had very little heartburn but I was plagued with it wigh ds2 and he had tons of black hair so maybe some truth to that one, we will see when this ones born as I'm ill with it again this time.

itsliz if the gaviscon is not cutting it anymore you can move on to ranitidine - sold as 'indigestion relief' in tesco etc. you can get it on prescription but it's £1 or £2 for 12 from the supermarkets and you only need one or two a day so I haven't bothered.

It actually reduces acid production rather than masking it - I take one at lunchtime when the acid starts and it works all day. I still take gaviscon occasionally at night but it has made a huge difference. It's considered safe in pregnancy - a rare FDA category B drug - you are meant to take it under a doctors supervision but I forgot to ask mine last week and everything I can find says it's absolutely fine.