March Mummies 2015 - ever hopeful for the return of sanity and departure of sickness as we approach second tri!

[lotsoftoast]

New thread - think this is number 4?! Can someone post the link to the stats please? Thank you

ZebraZeebra - wise words. I was having a think about your situation and I wondered if perhaps there was an Independent Midwife who'd be happy for you to ring her (and pay) for a phone consultation in the event that your labour was not as straightforward as you hoped and you needed advice? At least that way you'd be able to either back up what the health professionals were telling you needed doing, or give you the confidence to stand your ground and resist them? Maybe have a look and see if there are any Birthrights meetings near you. We have a couple round here and it's a great way to meet various HCPs who are keen to support womens' rights in birth - both independent and NHS.

And yeah, I'm what I classify as a 'lazy mother' in my parenting - bf, co-sleep, sling and BLW all because those were (in the long run) the easiest, even if the bf took a little while.

Zyla - would be very happy to give advice if possible - looks like toast and I could set up a little clinic for us all :) hand expressing is a bit of a misunderstood art, but I had to do it a lot with DS at one point so I'm well versed!

Whoever mentioned Downs Syndrome tests - apparently age and nuchal fold measurements give you about 80% of the risk, so if those are low, then your chances are good. The blood test provides another 10% of certainty, so for those awaiting their bloods in the post, if your nuchal fold measurements are under 3.5 then you're on the right path I believe (this is what the MW told me at my scan/test the other day. I was in a bit of a state though, so take me assurances with a grain of salt).

One thing I would suggest for all those wishing to breastfeed is to hunt out any support groups in your area nice and early on and start going as soon as you're on maternity leave. Find a mum with a really new baby and ask if it's OK to watch her. I was completely clueless when I had DS and it would have been so helpful to have watched a baby actually feeding before I had to do it myself. If you're nervous of doing this then you can speak to whoever is facilitating the group and ask them to direct you to someone - it really can be very helpful.

Thanks all. I should be low risk but as the scan is getting nearer it's just one more thing to panic about!x

I had my scan on the 20 Aug and still haven't had my results!! I got my
Nuchal fold which was 1.51mm which I know is low. But haven't had the combined results with bloods. Was told that if it's high risk they phone anyway and so I'm sure of have had the call by now. But still, I would really like to know!!

Have my 15 week midwife appt in an hour. Anyone know what they do?

Someone asked when we started to show. I am showing. No getting away from it. I had little odd sprouts before but have really popped over the last week or so. And it looks like a pregnant belly more and more and less like fatness. Thank God! Give it another couple of weeks and I think I'll look really pregnant. I can't wait!!

Ooooh yes if anyone is in London and wants to BF and is around come the time, I'd be happy to meet up and spend some time with you! I'm not a peer support but I had a horrendous time in the beginning but eventually BFd DS until he was 19 months - he weaned himself three months ago (sob).

I lacerated my nipples from the moment he latched on because he had tongue tie. It was so painful I dreaded every feed - which was every two hours. I hand expressed and manually pumped because it was the less painful option. Every feed was An Event of getting pillows sorted, getting positioning sorted. I truly give props to my DH because while I say crying on the couch saying I couldn't do it, he watched endless You Tube videos of different holds and latches, and latched and re-latched DS over and over and over again until I got the hang of it. We also went to a BF clinic within a couple days of his birth, which really helped. I never thought it would not be painful or uncomfortable but it became a really beautiful thing and I had intended to BF him long term - 2+ years - but he had other ideas.

eats I am meeting a doula next week who is bringing with her new research about how the placenta actually produces new growth cells - blowing this deterioration theory out the water. I think the NHS is so entrenched in set ideas, it can be difficult for them not to constantly act like they're only concerned with managing things to protect themselves. For example, I've only ever been talked to about WHY I should have an induction. Never the benefits of not having one.

Your ideas are so fab and I'm so grateful you're in this group. I have firm ideas and do research but wobble under pressure and it's so good to have people like you and notoast who have similar thoughts and feelings on this to talk to.

Clueless I'm in Aus so things are a bit different here. I had my blood test 7 days before the scan, then results are sent though to the sonography clinic. They then do the scan and you then see a "Genetic Consultant" who goes through all the combined results with you.
Now the scans etc are done I will have my first proper meeting with my Obstetrician on Monday. I think if it was my first baby I would have had an appointment earlier, but as it is I'm fairly relaxed about the process.

Rather disconcerted by just how active the baby was at the scan, though. I'm so tired at the moment and looking at the little bundle of energy made me a bit worried!

Off on a girls weekend this weekend - woohoo!! Or as woohoo as things can get when your pregnant anyway!

In terms of bump I definitely have one and have put on 2kgs but somehow, unimaginably, I'm still in my skinny jeans and cigarette cut trousers - they're even a bit loose! This is completely unprecedented. I get fat super quick and I don't expect it to last.

Zebra, my nipples were incredibly painful and bleeding with both my previous babies. Do you think that would indicate undiagnosed tounge tie? I just assumed it was normal because everyone around me seemed to be in the same boat!?

Re the nuchal scan, do they measure the nasal bone in the UK?

surfs I'm really not sure as I've only my own experience to go by. I was told a lot it shouldn't be painful so I tend to think possibly...but I also sort of think that it's a learning curve for both you and baby and sometimes you both get it straight away, and other times you both need help and practice. We went to Kings to have his tongue snipped but they watched us BF and decided that somehow we'd just adjusted to it and it was better not to do it, even though he is still tongue tie to this day. So it's certainly possible you both just found a work around by yourselves.

I'm really hoping that bf goes better for me this time. Ended up giving up just shy of 4 weeks due to TT (though it had been snipped by then) and thrush. my nipples were in such a state still are (there's a bit missing from one of them).
I have already said to the midwife that I don't want to be discharged from hospital until I'm certain there is no TT - doubt that will happen as it's not like they can snip it there and then (though they should be able to imo).

How can you tell if there's tounge tie?

I had a difficult time getting BF established also - took me about a week probably to get going and I was close to giving up. In fact on my last night in hospital (kept in for 4 days after he was born as we both had an infection) he wouldn't let me put him down but wouldn't latch on properly so my nipples were bleeding and horrendously painful and I cried myself to sleep with him physically attached to me for 14 hours straight.

So glad I didn't give up though as I ended up loving it and carried on until DS was 9.5 months old and I went back to work. I struggled then to keep my supply up and DS naturally weaned himself off me, although I would've loved to have kept on going for longer if I could.

One thing I never knew before DS was born was about the various positions for feeding - I had only ever really seen the traditional hold with baby across your front. We just could not get the hang of that, and DS refused to latch on that way. However, the "rugby ball" approach, where he was lying under my armpit with his legs behind me (iyswim) worked well for us in the early days. Required pillows to support him but it worked for us.

Ive had sore, bleeding nipples breastfeeding all of mine, but only for the first week. I found after the scabs dropped off (yum) the skin was tougher and had no problem after that. DD2 was tongue-tied. I had to point it out to the staff after investigating why she just couldnt latch on all night!! Im 13+5 now and have a nice little bump when i lie down but just a large blob when i stand (courtesy of the spare tyre the previous three gave me :p)

On bumps, mine is definitely in. I'm still 6lb down on my pre MS weight so should be slim as can be, (usually a slim waited 8 at that weight) but have what DH refers to as a Buddha belly. All bottoms have to be worn below the bump now. (only old size 12s from pre diet can fit at all) Have a wedding to go to in a week and a half and I cant wait to show it off!

I'm jealous you have your MW appointment so soon Foscar mine isn't until the 19th....I'll be nearly 18 weeks by then!

Anyone else have baby brain? I didn't believe it existed. But washed my hair with shower gel this morning, wore odd earrings yesterday and got told I messed up one persons pay last week by giving them paid overtime and time off in lieu. I'm normally quite capable.

I also had a rough start with breastfeeding. I was pumping colostrum until my milk came in on day 4, we were syringing the colostrum into him and then topping up with 35ml of formula. Once my milk came in though he latched on great and got the hang of it. I always had issues on my right side (never left), sore latch, maybe it was the way I was holding him. I couldn't master any other positions either apart from the traditional hold so would like to explore others this time round, especially the lie down!

zebra - what type of sling did you use? I'm definately interested in getting one for this baba, as i'll have a toddler to run around after.

We are telling my husbands family tonight and then a few close friends tomorrow :). I'm swelling up in the evenings but no noticeable bump - only 11 weeks. I'm not going near the scales either, ignorance is bliss!!

Just received my appointment letter for my scan in the post & it specifies that if I want to purchase a scan picture that I will need 5 x £1 coins to buy a token so I can have 1 scan picture

Hi all, had my 12 weeks scan this morning, baby is fine and doing well. Definitely takes after their dad as they were sleeping on their tummy and food not want to wake up (exactly like OH this morning, did make me laugh). After a walk (and vomit unfortunately) baby spoke up and started wriggling about definitely makes all the sickness worthwhile!

I was weighed before my bloods were taken and noticed I have lost 1kg in the last 3 weeks due to ms...anybody else losing weight due to ms or is everyone starting to gain?

eatscake that's brilliant! thank you! I know for a fact I'm going to need to do it, even if they don't push for it at the hospital (in a specialist clinic though so I'm hoping they will know their stuff!). So I'll bother you about it nearer the time if I can. Thanks! :)

I'm just gaining unfortunately! Glad all went ok with the scan :)

Breastfeeding can be v v v hard - I always said when I was at the the point of giving up I'd go for another 24 hours. By the end of that 24 hours, I'd always be feeling better. Despite a myriad of problems we managed 18 months in the end!

Cute already Durham!

Thanks lots & surfs I was bang on for my dates as scan dated me as 12 weeks today, so no change to my due date!

Thanks for the advice on booking app - it went well!

Durham, lovely scan photo! Congratulations on little one!

Hey every one, lovely to see everyones scan pictures. Had my booking in appointment today. Boring as ever but got through it without vomiting on anyone. Thought I was going to be sick on the tube on the way in so walked back which was nice as I haven't really been out in about 6 days
San booked for next thursday, heading up north to my mums tomorrow as she's been looking after my dd and puppy for the past week so I can try and recuperate.
Really dreading 3 hours on a juddering train really don't want to have to throw up In a train toilet they are so disgusting!

All that talk of breastfeeding really brought it back, nothing prepares you for how fucking hard it is! But so worth it if you can nail it. My daughter weaned her self at about 13 months will hopefully have the same experience again. Also based in London (nw) if people need any help when the time comes.

I'm starting to think I may have a battle on my hands to have elcs the midwives were already mentioning to pros of a vbac. I'm not very good at standing up for what I want and I'm pretty sure I could be talked into a vbac even though I really would rather have a elcs. Already getting nervous about it. Which is silly as there's loads of other stuff to worry about too.

People talking about slings, I would recommend a ring sling. Totally loved mine.

Got my booking in appointment at 2pm, and am already over 13 weeks! Bump noticeable too, just want to get this first app over with, so glad I decided to go with a reassurance scan last week

Got my booking in appointment at 2pm, and am already over 13 weeks! Bump noticeable too, just want to get this first app over with, so glad I decided to go with a reassurance scan last week