Jan 2016 #4 - heading for the end of the 1st trimester with dating scans and wacky dreams

[OTheHugeManatee]

New thread! Previous one here.

Black that's awful hope your ok love x

Miss I remember talking about hating blood tests with you and someone else on the last thread. I had mine done today at the booking appointment and honestly it wasn't TOO bad. I told them the midwives I was dreading it, and asked if we could do it first so that we could get it out of the way and then I could behave like a rational human being! The midwives were so incredibly lovely - one held my hand and reminded me to breathe whilst the other did the blood tests. It did pinch, but I found that mentally repeating "the baby does not need stress" and breathing deeply helped. I did cry, midwives were both so nice, when I apologised for being silly and pathetic the one who did the blood samples said "Don't be daft, everyone finds different things scary, you haven't been silly or pathetic at all." The other midwife gave me a lollipop for being brave :D I have changed my antenatal care to them rather than my doctor's surgery on this basis alone!! I do have a bruise, but I'm glad it's over with - and it wasn't as bad as I was dreading.

Lily I had to admit to a previous bout of chlamydia (that for obvious reasons I don't particularly like discussing!) and felt really awkward as midwife I'd seen previously had been a bit "Oh, I see" about it all. This midwife was lovely and said "Oh don't worry about that, it's been treated an clearly caused no problems - and it's not your fault, it's where other people have been" which I did quite appreciate. (Another reason I've changed my antenatal care to this midwife, aside from the lollipop bribery!)

Black Massive hugs to you :( SLT are usually twats, but they do sound insanely twatty!! Was anyone from HR/governors present? Was it an inappropriate question in terms of something you need to pass on to the union? Remember if it was a personal question it may fall under discrimination depending on what it was (I know it would probably be too identifying to say here). I'm also back to looking for another job after maternity leave due (mostly) to dreadful SLT, so sympathise with you.

Also - I know this has been an essay post - but people who have mentioned watermelons you are a genius! Can I recommend watermelon and feta salad? (Sounds weird, but my greek housemate used to eat it all the time, and it's lovely!)

Thanks everyone, the sympathy is definitely helping. Valancy I don't want to give any details, as you guessed, but no, no HR involved and our governors are only in it for the dinners don't do anything anyway. Nothing worth bothering unions about, but I am really pssed off. Just really poor management and a bllocks attitude.

However I'm going to talk to my union before I announce my pregnancy, slt are so sh*t that I anticipate a totally inappropriate comment. DH & I want to be primed!

Ah I feel better for the swearing.

Going to raid the fridge for some watermelon. I'd forgotten all about that magic stuff!

frozen good news on the scan, sorry the nt is stressing you. Fingers crossed your bloods are good.

b&w sounds like a really horrid day - they sound awful! I have cried in a job interview too - the interviewer was an arse and i got very upset. He left not long after, quite abruptly. I saw it as karma. Plus the guy who got the job instead of me (his favourite, but job was a stretch for him) has left too as couldn't deal with job... whereas i got another better job. Moral of the story, it'll all work out for the best, and a new job elsewhere means mot working with them again!

I'm a bit upset tonight. A good friend has a month old baby boy and he is critically ill in hospital. And it is the anniversary of losing her first son this week too. I feel so helpless, life feels very unfair. Keeping everything crossed and even sent the big guy a couple of prayers - i'm a very lapsed catholic!

Sounds like we both had nice positive booking experiences today, valancy! Glad to hear yours went well and you had such a nice team.

black so sorry to hear about what sounds like a thoroughly horrible experience. I have teacher friends and have heard some real horror stories about management. At the very least, you've made a decision to move on from that after your ml so you'll have something to aim for. I'm really not enjoying my job and am similarly planning to look for something new as soon as it's reasonable to do so - just keep thinking of that and stay positive!

Valancy and MissMartin it was me...

I'd said how they always have trouble finding my veins but if you drink loads of water for the 24 hours before and up to the blood test, it helps keep the veins hydrated and plump and a lot easier to get too. I had my bloods taken twice yesterday, both arms, I did the water thing and there were no problems at all

MissMartin the booking questions focus on you and your health, combined family health, any historic illnesses including Depression STI's and Cardiac, any drug use or alcohol abuse and if your partner abuses you.

Black If anything specific comes up down the line after you announce your pregnancy, one of my best friends is an employment solicitor and I'm happy to pester her on your behalf. Recently I had a meeting about attendance (after I'd made them aware I was pregnant and had time off with morning sickness last week) - I rang union for advice about whether they could discipline me and they were rather useless. Rang best friend who gave me great advice, and I was sooooo bloody ready to throw Section 18 of the Equality Act 2010 at them and point out that their unfavourable treatment was unlawful - in my head it was a very empowering Ally McBeal like moment. I was a tiny bit disappointed when they were very reasonable and supportive about the whole thing!! Just bear it in mind, the offer's there if SLT are twats and you need any specific advice

Kep Hugs, that's awful I really hope he improves, how awful for her.

frozen I got moved up by a whole week as well which surprised me as I was pretty sure about my dates. The NT does grow in line with gestation dates so a 12+3 baby will have a higher NT than the same baby at 11+3. Did they mention anything at the scan to make you worry?

kep Very sorry to hear about your friend, that is terrible news.

b&w What a shitty way to conduct an interview. Sorry you were made to feel that way. I'm handing you a stiff non-alcoholic drink.

well valancy - you have made me feel a whole lot better ! but i can't lie im terrified.. im going to do what you did and ask them to do that first. . oh goodness i feel flippin dizzy talking about this. . what evers best for baby .. i LOVE feta salads.. salads my favourite food... boring.. i know!

Sleepy im gna do your tip aswell and drink a good amount of water... luckly on my right inner arm where it bends i have a very visable vein it dosent need much mining to find and hopefully won't hurt lol

Black swear away if it makes you feel better! I'm sorry you've had a terrible day and your interviewers sound like absolute twats. I hope you've managed to relax and rest a bit tonight and your OH is spoiling you. Hugs x

Kep I'm sorry to hear about your friends little one. Can't even begin to imagine what she must be going through.

So I've felt surprisingly well today, could it be getting a good sleep also relieves symptoms?? I know we talk about disappearing symptoms almost daily, but at 8+6 surely I've still got a few weeks to go until they start to fade? Trying not to worry and enjoy every minute of no nausea as it'll no doubt be back with avengeance tomorrow - 9 weeks and apparently uterus is the size of a cantaloupe!

Hope everyone's doing ok tonight!

oh teenie im 1 day infront if you im 9w today..feels like a little milestone hehe. . are you due on the 28th?

teenie mine took a dip around then and this week come back with a VENGENCE was 11w on monday and Monday Tuesday were probably the worst days I've had. Today though was so much better! Actually got a few compliments today...enjoy the lull and if that's the ms completely passed then wonderful news bring on the 'glow'
I've downloaded 9 books onto my kindle for my holiday...would it be wrong to start one now...don't go until Monday. ..

Xkep sorry to hear about your friend's baby.

crumble you'll be pleased to hear I'm on the calcium/magnesium/potassium after your advice this morning. I downed the drink you gave me in one, too!

Valancy that is a very interesting offer. Your friend sounds like a very useful person to know. I might pm you...

the calcium/mag supps should work really quickly and well b&w. I'm sorry you had such a shit interview; what an awful bunch of interviewers.

And yes, the water thing works really well! I did it too sleepy and they found my veins first go, both times (when they stuffed the harmony blood taking). Just don't drink too much right beforehand in case you have a long wait for collection!

Who's doctor told them they might not have thrush but something awful?! What is wrong with some GPs??!! Actually cant think of anything all that terrible that could be mistaken for thrush.

Just catching up after a busy evening on here!
Sorry, you've had such a shitty day b&w, they sound unbelievably unprofessional. Try not to go over it too much. Just think, a few months and you can think about looking elsewhere.

Also so sorry kep. That is so tough. I'm sure you feel helpless but I'm sure just being there for your friend for whatever she needs, if even just an ear or a shoulder to lean on is really appreciated. I really hope her little boy improves.
Good luck to all having scans tomorrow! Enjoy seeing your wiggly beans!

That was me coffee. He said it was odd as I'm in a bit of pain with it, and it really shouldn't be so sore when not peeing (sharing too much!).... But doc today was really nice and said it can be really sore actually and not too surprising as I also suffer occaisionally with vestibulitis (which makes me even more scared about labour!). Admittedly I've never had it this bad this, but then I've never been pregnant before!

Jeez! There's nothing glam about pregnancy is there! Where's this mythical glow people talk about?

fish sorry that it's painful Over here they examine you automatically and swab you if they think you have thrush anyway but it's never been mentioned it could be anything that couldn't at least be treated! I've felt uncomfortable and had a lot of discharge over the past week - hormones ramping up I think? [tmi sorry I know]. Combined with dry, itchy, spotty skin and generally "widening", I feel really sexy right now.

Sorry I forgot to mention kep, that sounds awful about your friend's child. I can't imagine losing one let alone having one seriously ill like that in hospital. I hope he's okay.

Morning, coffee! (Sorry, felt I had to ). It worked! Not even a hint of cramp. I couldn't actually face a tablet, but had some mineral water with a high content in those.

Got my game face back on this morning. They can all go f*ck themselves. I've got my most awesome class first thing this morning and we're going to have a good time.

Oh, and DH has been marvellous.

Teenie glad you had a better day yesterday. And chatty. Let us know about any books that are really good

kep that's awful. I'm so sorry for your friend. I really hope the little boy pulls through.

b&w what is it with SLT at the moment. I'm sure they were once reasonable and useful human beings. Mine can be terrible but weirdly pregnancy is one thing my head is really supportive of for which I even more grateful now I've heard some of your stories.

Just woken up from a very long, detailed dream revolving around a mc while at school and a car crash. Not feeling that motivated to go in today now!

X post, glad DH has been supportive and you've got a good attitude for going in today. Enjoy the bits you love and fuck em - only a term and a couple weeks left and you'll have much more important priorities.

oh good b&w!!! Sounds like you are ready to kick arse

So. I finally got my harmony results. All low risk, thank God.

And ladies sign me up for ....

TEAM BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fingers crossed all goes well for the scan tomorrow.

Ah coffee nut that's great! I'm now considering harmony too, how much was it? X

Wow coffee I'm amazed you know baby's gender do early, at least you can really focus your mind on a name I suppose.

frozen thank you for exercise explanation, how many times should I do it a day/ for what length of time? Just two minutes like planking?

yay! coffee that's amazing news so pleased for you.. i have my early scan tmra .. im so nervous!!

ohhh a boy!? i was wondering what team blue meant! im so thick