March 2016 #6, we're just breeding here!

[MyNameIsSuz]

New thread, whoop whoop. Come on over!

oh no maybe six weeks?!!! I've not got a lot in the way of green gobules but the cough is very persistent, hope you are feeling better soon. You're right that a shower works, I stood in there for quite a while this morning..

Thanks all - I know it simply didn't occur to DMIL/DFIL, I'm not really that bothered by it but had to (mildly) vent somewhere! vroc your DFIL is hilarious - make sure baby arrives "on time"?

vroc and maybe It's a horrible cough. DS has it, been hacking on and off for a couple of weeks. Dispiriting to think there's maybe another month of it to go! We've got a cold steam thing (humidifier?) going in his room at night and it seems to help.

Rhubarb If I waited till March, baby would probably arrive the day I left! I'm due on the 5th .

Sorry to hear about all the bad backs. If you can manage it, you might try walking. I've had back issues for years and for me it's the only reliable relief when I can't take anti-inflammatories. (I've also been sitting on my birthing ball at work for a couple of weeks already - picture the fat pregnant woman bouncing gently at her desk.)

A friend had her first baby early Saturday morning after a 3 day labour, and she phoned me in tears right when I got to work today. Baby's nursing constantly but not getting enough fluid (no wet nappies) and she (mum) hasn't really slept since Thursday. I basically ordered her to bed and said she should take her midwife's advice: let her DH give the baby a couple of ounces of formula and then try bf'ing again once she's rested. She's got her first home midwife visit today, but I'm really hoping she's been able to sleep. It's a stark reminder of how difficult those first days can be.

I've always found swimming great for my back - even at the worst points of the injury I had a few years back it always felt better if I got in the water. Mine gets a bit tight these days if I'm on my feet for too long or if I'm standing on public transport, not too bad though.

Oh no Mship, your poor friend . It can be so hard when you're exhausted and hormonal to remember that the occasional bottle of formula (or even just ff completely) is no big deal. I hope she takes your (and the mw's) advice and manages to get some sleep. Has she had her latch checked and baby checked for tongue tie, etc? I expect different areas of the country will vary but they are very on the ball where I live and will usually get someone out to see you the same day or the following morning if you're struggling. I hope the mw she sees today will be able to help her.

I'm another one hoping not to go back to my current job. I've mentioned before about how they've completely transformed my job role so I'm now caring for very different patient, but this is apparently only temporary and it will be all change again by the time I'm back from mat leave . I just can't be bothered with working somewhere so unstable so I will hopefully be going elsewhere if I can find something in time. If not I might have a go at sahm-ing until ds1 starts preschool .

that sounds tough on your friend Mship. Remind her to make sure she takes enough fluid herself, as bf can really take it out of you - I remember being thirsty and hungry all the time. And if she wants to continue to bf, do lots of skin to skin, lie in bed with baby feeding, and just try to recover, but feed when she can so that her supply doesn't get messed up. Hope she gets some rest and gets through the difficult first week ok. Her milk should be coming in any day now and that's a really tough hormonal time - I remember just crying loads . Even though I was expecting it, it really took me by surprise how intense it was!

And for people having back pain- one good exercise to do is pelvic tilts which strengthen your back. They're normally done when led on your back, but you can do modified ones for pregnancy. I'm trying to do them every day but often forget...

Hey everyone!

Sorry to hear your news ffaux and ginger, I hope you your anxiety improves soon. I've started going bright red a lot; bloody hormones. I'm trying to ignore it otherwise I'll get really anxious!

Me - hope your back is a bit better. Mine hurts today too but not as bad as yours!

I was up for about two hours last night scratching my feet. I know in theory that's a danger sign but I always have itchy feet in bed (though never that bad!) It's torture :(

Trinpy I don't know how much bf'ing support she's had so far, but my experience with the same hospital and health board was pretty good. When she called earlier I was mostly talking her off the ledge and into bed! I haven't heard back today (told her not to worry about updating me but to call if she needed help or support, so fx that means things are improving). When I hear next, I'll ask about tongue tie and latch. There's also an excellent drop in bf support group at the hospital that I used and hopefully she'll be referred to that.

I really like my job most days and will be doing KIT days before I go back after about 6/7 months off. DH likes his job too but is getting bored of it after several years and we're considering him doing SAHP or downshifting to part time or freelance for a few years. Without childcare costs we can certainly manage on my salary alone.

TriJo I love swimming too, but struggle to find the time when I'm falling asleep at 8:30 every night. Maybe it's time to get off my ass and get back in the water ... though that does mean digging out the razor and doing my legs before I can't see what I'm doing anymore!

Thanks everyone.
Has anyone felt kicks standing up yet I'm 21+2. Felt three jabs standing up earlier however it feels more in the centre as opposed to when I lie down or sit it feels all on my left side.

Feeling anxious still today. Getting pains in lower abdo. Have had to do a fair bit of stretching at work at today though because my boss is a thoughtless ass hole. I could easily be swapped and do an easier job. It's only a week ago I told him I couldn't stand up 8-5 anymore as it kills my legs. Really worried I've done damage today.

Beautiful- I always have itchy feet but I suffer with blisters.

Ginger you sound like you're having a really hard time with the anxiety my lovely. I have an anxiety disorder myself so I know how you feel

While it's very annoying and not ok that you have to be stood up all the time (what is your boss thinking?!), honestly your baby will be ok. They are very, very resilient little creatures. As an example my sister fell down the stairs at 34 weeks, right onto her stomach - my DN was absolutely fine. I think some pain is fairly normal to be honest - I quite often feel stretchy pain/discomfort in my tummy. I think as long as it doesn't feel period crampy and isn't accompanied by bleeding etc it will be fine. Just keep an eye on it and call your midwife if you feel very uneasy.

I do sometimes feel kicks standing up but they're not as easy to feel.

I have Ginger, but generally when I've been standing still for a while. It's party time for the little fella as soon as I sit down or lie down though!

Ginger I've been getting jabs standing up, but only noticed in when I'm not doing anything... so a couple of times when I have been looking at things for work.. either that or she likes the great outdoors and stinky holes in the ground...

Lunchtime seems to be our most active dancing time and presume its because I have just eaten although atm with the honey and lemon she's probably on a permanent sugar high while holding dearly onto the edges so not to get coughed out! Ginger remember all those deep seated muscles in your abdomen have got to stretch a lot, I always seem to notice them more though when I have been more active like it cant cope with the support and the stretching at once..

Ginger I've only felt a kick whilst stood up once (22+6). Also I keep forgetting to say to you that my baby is always on my left side too :) it's like she hasn't realised there's a whole other side to me!

My new bedroom is complete! I feel like I've made my nest now and can't wait to have a baby in it!

I'm only getting them when I'm not doing anything too, I was really busy yesterday and got worried that I hadn't felt much but then I had loads when I sat down in the evening - dh even managed to feel some kicks from the outside!

Party time for baby me seems to be late morning around 11-12ish. I remember having lots of kicks then (when I was in a client meeting!) but then I've had a really busy afternoon and haven't noticed any. Probably ive just been distracted though. I don't think I've felt any standing up yet.

My back is feeling much better, thanks for all the good wishes - it must be MN good karma or something! Will just need to be careful I don't jar it again but I haven't needed any paracetamol since first thing this morning which is great.

Mship your poor friend, a friend of mine went through something similar where she massively struggled with bfing as her DD was waking up every single hour for feeds that were taking 40 minutes a time - so my friend basically hadn't slept for more than a week. She eventually snapped, handed the baby to her mum (her DP wasn't much use unfortunately!) who gave her a bottle of formula while my friend slept. I hope I manage to bf but if I supplement or end up switching completely to formula it's far from the end of the world. Happy mum = happy baby.

vroc you are ill! Don't worry about working from home, take some time off sick! Go to bed! (That's an order!)

Ginger I've had a few standing-up kicks (but this is my second so might be easier to notice).

Beautiful I'm sure DS got himself into a comfy spot with his back on my right and so only kicked on the left. This one's like a flipping octopus! Never a kick in the same place twice!

Scan day for me tomorrow! (And flu jab day). I didn't get a wee pot after my 16wk appt - I'm planning on asking at reception for one and doing the sample there and then. It's first thing. That'll be alright, won't it? (Not that there are many other options!)

Also, I think I've got a cold sore coming up inside my nose. Delightful - but very glad it's not visible! (I had so many with DS, I've been lucky so far).

Good luck for your scan tomorrow Indom. Hope all goes well.

Beaut, when I was pregnant with DS I went bright red all the time. I didn't think about the fact it was hormones! Thankfully this time it doesn't seem so bad.

I'm not sure I've felt any kicks standing yet. I'm still trying to get DH to feel one. My belly moves a lot but he doesn't have the patience to sit waiting and feeling for ages. I remember it was the same with DS that he'd be moving like crazy but as soon as DH put his hands on me it would stop!

Has anyone else felt their pelvic floor weakening already? I sneezed the other day and a tiny bit of wee came out . Need to get on those pelvic floor exercises! It's crazy as never had that with DS and didn't have a vaginal delivery with him either. I'm guessing it's just the extra weight on there?!

Anyone want to share their name lists? Would love to get some fresh ideas! We still don't really have a short list but these are some of the ones we both like: (we're team yellow)
Jude
Zach
Etta
Tabitha (Tabby for short)
Stanley
Dexter/Dex

Ones I love but DH isn't keen are:
Rowan
Eli
Ellis
Nell

Missi my pelvic floor is dreadful, I've been leaking wee loads with all the coughing and sneezing

I had a bit of a cough a few weeks ago (only for a few days). My pelvic floor felt sufficiently delicate that I've been doing exercises whilst driving ever since!

Definitely felt a bit weaker pelvic floor wise, particularly noticeable when I'm throwing up (thankfully not often!)

DH felt two kicks yesterday - he was beaming for ages after.

I've gone back to not being able to sleep - I'm exhausted and really hoping I get a good night's sleep soon. I will be asleep at my desk by the end of the week at this rate!

I've been managing to do pelvic floor exercises most days but didn't for a few days and really noticed how much harder I found it so trying to keep doing them regularly! I've also always had quite strong pelvic floor muscles though thankfully - I have a friend who leaks when she sneezes sometimes despite never having children just remember strong pelvic floors are also good for sex in case you need an additional motivator

ginger sorry to hear you are still really suffering from anxiety issues. Strange question but do you have much caffeine in your diet? If so you might want to consider cutting down as it can make anxiety worse. I have suffered terribly with anxiety and phobia in the panic in the past, often late at night in bed and I cut out caffeine down to one cup of tea and it made a massive difference. Recently I've had a few days where feeling knackered I have had three cups of tea, which doesn't sound like a lot, but have had anxiety/panic at night when trying to get to sleep. Took me a little while to realize what was causing it. It might not help but might be something to consider.

Indom - good luck seeing your Octupus tomorrow!

Missikat - Jude, Dexter and Stanley were on my boy list DH said no

I am a bit of a blusher anyway but I definitely think it's hormones - I'm always worse when I've got PMT too. Hopefully people will just think it's some kind of pregnancy flush

You're making me feel guilty marmite with your regular pelvic floor exercises! I haven't even thought about doing any yet ... although I do do Pilates which does involve them anyway.

Missikat I like all the names on your list, especially love Tabitha! I knew a Tabitha at school and she was lovely (I do find that having known people at school massively influences how I feel about names!)

I love Tabitha too. But I couldn't choose another 'cat' name or we'll all look like loonies!

indom, we already have another cat name too (DS) but I am a massive cat lover so if we did have a girl and chose Tabitha I would deal with the people thinking I'm a bit of a loony cat woman! (Prob true!)

Beaut, great minds huh?!

Me, i totally agree about the school names thing. Some potentially great names (Erin and Rafe to name a couple) have been spoiled by the people I knew at school with those names. And I guess the opposite is true too. I don't envy you teachers for that reason, I know my teacher friends really struggled as too many negative associations!

A great friend chose the name Ayla for DD1 (from
The Clan of the Cave Bear books if anyone's read them.....if you haven't you should they're fab), which I think is a gorgeous name.

Ooh Miss I admire your bravery in that! Tabitha's been my favourite name for about 20 years, but had ruled it out after having cat-named DS.

Well, hopefully we'll find out if a feminine name is required today! Maybe I'll join you in not caring about the implications! (Especially because the other boy name I like is Rufus!)