July 2015 - we are nearing the halfway point!

[Fattycow]

We are already nearing the halfway point! Some of us have already reached the 20 weeks, the rest will follow suit. Let the countdowns begin!

Here is the stats list, please update them with your scan dates and the sex of you baby (if you know it):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p3idkH2TaQYAy22I_N73k1_-G6Ezq67lAdhQvDjQkU0/edit?pli=1#gid=0

Mister I managed a 48 hour back to back labour with no pain relief... Didn't know she was back to back so may have asked for an epidural if I knew! I don't have anything to compare it to but all my labour pains were in my back, nothing at the front at all.

Congrats Jen, how lovely!

both of mine have been back to back and both came out face first! (awkward buggers, no wonder DS got stuck. DD had a much smaller head so wasn't so bad) did have gas and air, I love that stuff!

Yes ive seen that, had anterior placenta last time and back to back labour. But i think i got stuck at 2cm dilated with frequent contractions, but no pain relief allowed.

i think it is relatively unusual that the contractions didnt progress me any further so 2cm for 5hrs+ until waters broke. I asked to be induced and they did, eventually. (Probably a good thing as due to waters breaking, i had an infection as was put on anti-B)
I assume a back to back second labour may not be too bad as it goes quicker so no getting stuck before pain relief is allowed.
I said to sonographer about anterior placenta causing back to back labour and she dismissed it. Said something like its not low down so not in the way.
I did think about trying to 'spin' the baby this time but it doesnt sound like it works.
Dd was pretty stuck, taking both a failed ventouse and forceps.
I dont think you can compare other peoples experiences as we are all shaped differently as are the babies, dps family popped that babies out pretty easily in a few hrs, but had a few with chord issues.

Wow that's good going GotTo and ouch fattymc! I did have gas & air with DS but it didn't really do much for me so not relying on that to help (found it most useful for being stitched up after). He was actually back to back to begin with although luckily he turned during labour without any trouble, but I remember those bum pains all too well, I felt sure he was trying to come out of the wrong hole!

Was deluded optimistically hoping for a shorter and easier birth with number 2 (not that my first one was at all bad but I did find it hard to cope with the pain so am slightly dreading round 2) and have been reading up on how to encourage good fetal positioning which I've read can make a huge difference (from this website ). However now thinking I'm more likely to be in for a tougher rather than easier birth. I really can't complain though as it all went pretty smoothly first time, I was just shocked by the intensity of it all, but maybe a birthing pool will make all the difference (if I get to use it!).

Naty yes getting stuck in slow early labour is one of my fears about being back to back, sounds like you had a tough time of it with dd, I hope it goes easier for you this time! You might be right that it may not cause such a problem for a second birth, I hope so anyway.
Not sure I understand the sonographer's reasoning, I don't think being back to back has anything to do with the placenta being in the way, that would be placenta previa wouldn't it? Think it's more that, because the cord connects babies belly button to placenta, the baby is more likely to be facing the placenta so if anterior that means baby facing outwards (i.e. back to back).
I have no idea how successful the fetal positioning techniques are to be honest, and I'm sure you're right that much more depends on size and shape of both you and baby. I did give a couple the exercises a try right at the end last time because I had a midwife appointment at 39+5 who told me that DS was not in a very good position, not engaged and probably wouldn't come for another 2 weeks. I went home, cried for a few hours and then did some frantic googling, tried a few things from the website I linked earlier and DS was born less than 2 days later on his due date. Probably complete coincidence though! ...and he was still back to back at first so obviously didn't quite do the job.

it was ouch! labour was a nightmare, with both but luckily with DD I was kind of expecting the pain so it was easier in that respect (having had DS back to back I had only that pain to go on!) im fully expecting this one to be an awkward bugger aswell and am mentally preparing myself for a very sore stitched up foof suppose im used to it though

I also have an anterior placenta, the midwife didn't mention anything other than I might not feel as much movement but I seem to be feeling him moving quite a lot!

I wouldn't worry too much about the position of the baby. 95% of babies are born in the optimal position. Even if the baby is back to back they may turn before labour begins. DD1 was head down facing my back but facing one hip from at least 20 weeks onwards and even she turned during labour to face the other hip so it's not something to panic about.

Morning all, interesting to hear about anterior placenta meaning back to back more likely. As my placenta is low I'm not thinking about birth plans until I know it's moved at 28 week scan but good to be aware.
Back to work today after a lovely break in the Alps, and I'm starting back more tired than I left! Our flight hit severe turbulance and had to dive a few thousand feet and then there were high winds at gatwick as we landed and we were thrown all over the shop. The plan was veering all over the run way
Roads were terrible and we didn't get home till midnight. I need a weekend away to recover!

Anyway, we were away with friends with babies and I can report that bugaboos do not handle well in heavy snow- just in case that's on anyone's checklist for prams

Morning ladies,

Got a bit of an odd symptom, not sure if pregnancy related or not.

FYI this is my third and I have never experienced this - I can feel and see my heart beat in my eyes when I exert myself?
It's like black flashing dots in rhythm with my heart?

Totally odd. Anyone else had this?

number not in my eyes but I have had very odd pulses all over when I exert myself (which counts as climbing stairs these days) I've been very aware of pulses in parts of my body I didn't know they existed and I can actually see the pulse under my skin. I guess it's the excess blood pumping around?

Maybe? I can certainly feel a strong pulse in my stomach too (defo mine)
Sometimes it's loud in my ears too and annoying!!

I guess it's all that extra blood being pumped around.

I have the sound of my heart beating in my ears, particularly my left one. It drives me mad.
Coupled with really bad blocked ears and nose I feel deaf..... And then I shout or whisper as I can't control the volume of my voice.

Midwife said absolutely nothing when I raised it with her

I am struggling today, speaking on the phone is proving tricky as I can barely hear the person on the other end.

One of those hidden joys of pregnancy I guess!

Oh yes the stomach pulse is a bit mad. It moves my phone if I rest it on my stomach and it's definitely not baby kicks (unless baby has exceptional sense of rythem...!)

Glad to hear it's not just me removes panic thoughts about abdominal aortic aneurysm from the list of Dr Google results

Yes I have blocked nose and ears too. So much pressure in my sinuses!

Does anyone have any recommendations for how to clear it in pregnancy? I usually take sinutab, but I don't think it is safe in pregnancy. Feels like my head is going to explode from the pressure!!

Number3cometome the eye thing sounds weird. I guess it is excess blood, but you should get it checked out as I have heard of people having eye problems during pregnancy and it can be pretty serious.

Yeah I would get an eye exam for the eye thing and if that is clear mention it to the mw.

lucky you are right you can't take sinutab when you are pregnant. Have you tried steaming your head for 5-10 min twice a dsy. It works for me with colds. I pour boiling water in a big bowl a put a towel over my head and the bowl. It makes a mini steam room. (It is fine to steam only your head in pregnancy) wow that sounds weird!

I agree with nature re not worrying about anterior placenta/back to back birth. We are still a long way from birthing, ladies!

I'm 19 weeks today. Still not feeling any definite movement and my bump isn't that big but I saw a pic of me at 26 weeks this morning and it wasn't huge then either so no panicking about that. Tonic water consumption, however, is a worry for me today as I've found out it's apparently not recommended in pregnancy after drinking it for a week. Bit of an arse as it's the only drink I can stomach and it removes my nausea so stops me being sick. Grrr.

Hey all, haven't checked in for a while as the app decided to keep crashing on me (amongst other apps on my phone) and I got fed up with it so gave up! (currently on a pc)

Currently 21wks, had my 20wk scan last week and found out we're having a boy! Very shocked as DM was so certain it would be a girl. This will be the first "first" boy born in both our families on both parents sides for about 5 generations! Everytime it's always been a boy on the 3rd child, never before - Hence our shock! :) Does mean we can treat ourselves to a couple of boy outfits now, as we had only bought unisex baby gros before. Not buying many outfits though as I expect these will be given as gifts from family members when baby arrives.

Also found out baby's legs are measuring a little small, lower 5th percentile or something. so we have to go back for another scan at 24wks. Everything else was fine, and we were in there for well over 1hr30mins with the senior sonographer, so I'm hoping it's nothing to worry about. He did say it could just be due to our size, as I am 5ft4, DH 5ft7, and both of us are very small framed. FX!

Have been buying on and off for the past two months now, and almost have everything needed! I setup a spreadsheet at Christmas of everything required (by actual mum's standards, not by shopping centres ones!) and researched alot to ensure the list is correct and not missing/adding anything irrelevant... only got a few last bits to buy now and we're done! :) Going to an Expectant Parent event at Mothercare tomorrow night, and hoping to pickup the last few big bits then when I get a "10% off everything purchased on the night" voucher in my welcome goodie bag!

Got my baby shower booked in for April with a group of close girlfriends and family members. We're doing an afternoon tea session with games, so I'm really looking forward to it :D

That's it for my check-in! Sorry for the long post! :D x

Hi guys,

Not been on mumsnet for a while, I keep forgetting and using the facebook page instead (if anyone wants to join the group inbox me your email and I will send you an invite, it's totally private)

Had our 20 week scan last Tuesday and found out we are expecting another baby girl! So our little girls will be 14 months apart and hopefully the best of friends growing up.

Have also ordered the new uppababy vista pram (9 week wait on my colour option) but now considering swapping for the Bugaboo donkey (any advice gratefully received on either)

Bought a couple of bits over the weekend as I sold all DDs things to 9 months before Christmas as I didn't know I was pregnant)

x

For those of you worrying about OP (back to back) babies have a read of this article, it has some useful links for labour etc.

midwifethinking.com/2010/08/13/in-celebration-of-the-op-baby/

interesting read jmojo. I definitely had an early urge to push as DD1 turned during labour (even though she wasn't back to back in the first place) but it was quite a different feeling to the actual urge to push IYSWIM. I didn't find it bad though but every labour is different.

Does anyone have a link to information that points to the increase in risk with an ap. I can only find one reference that suggests that in the study group the ladies with an ap 11% presented with a back to back baby but in the information I can access it doesn't say what it was in those with a pp. All I seem to be able to find is anecdotal evidence (which I hate as a scientist!).

broody quinine is not recccomended in medicinal quantities- ie in anti malaria drugs- but you would have to consume quite some tonic water to get those levels of quinine in one dose. I believe the concern is that it can cause uterine contractions so even if you had drunk vast quantities you'd know by now if it had caused any harm.
I cant link to a reference now as on my phone but will find one later.
For what it's worth I've practically bathed in the stuff for the last 20 weeks with no ill effect!

I believe you can get quinine free tonic too in larger supermarkets.

Nature I have been looking for that too, as it was never a "risk" for OP when I was practising, I would be interested to see any info. I know we were taught more first time mum's start with a baby in OP, but most rotate in labour.