July 2016 (7) We're halfway to meeting our little bubs

[allthegoodnamesalreadytaken]

Hi all started a new thread as the old one was getting almost to 1000. We're a very chatty bunch! Happy Friday

Took a bump picture the other day for a thread on another forum - can't believe the variance between different ladies with bump sizes! This is me at 23 + 2

Hello ladies, hope you are all enjoying this springlike Sunday.

I'm back on the thread after 2 weeks with family and lots of internet connection problems! Wasn't worth wasting the time to try and log on to mn. Especially with my cute niece and nephews to play with, and my friend's 3-week old baby to cuddle

Must read back over the last ten pages or so to see what I've missed.

Welcome back gnat!

cookies i started 2015 at 13stone and lost 2 stone by the time i fell pregnant in may... after i lost that baby i lost a further half a stone so started this pregnancy at 10st 7ish... im now 12 stone.

Trying desperately to be only positive about being pregnant but am very self concious and upset about having put so much weight on (majority was comfort eating through first trimester!)

26 weeks today and soooo looking forward to 2 weeks off work!

Hello all!

dats - back pain not PGP according to my friend the osteopath, just baby's grown and joints are being pulled all over the place. I think being a midget and a runner is making me a prime candidate for back pain alas. It's eased a bit but seems to hit every time baby has a growth spurt! So sorry you're in pain too - it's really dispiriting eh? Hope you get some relief soon - I actually slept properly last night so feeling much better for that.

Cookies - I'm so impressed with your gym going! I've suddenly started to look really pregnant and feel mahoosive! Think I've put on about 9kg and I'm short so slightly worried how much more is going to go on in last trimester…..I guess I'm used to running about 25 miles a week and now doing zero with a bit of gym and swimming, bound to have put on a bit. Also carbs are what I want darn it!!! I'm trying not to worry, having had eating issues in the past. I'm telling myself as long as I'm eating healthily and exercising fairly regularly (even if it does feel like old lady exercising), and the baby is well, then that's ok. I bet you look lovely btw x

Bluebell - oh lordy the transport! I thankfully don't have to travel through London everyday like Thom (don't know how you do it) but people are hilarious!! My cousin once asked a lady if she could sit down, whilst on the tube when she was 6 months pregnant. Lady said "you don't look very pregnant" and refused to move!! Flippin heck!

Jem thanks for congrats to SiL!

Fifi - glad you're feeling a bit better - suffering with depression on top of all the other pregnancy anxieties and physical changes must be so tough. Much respect to all you ladies that have to deal with it x

Had midwife apt on Friday - heartbeat strong and think all ok - waiting for bloods back. Apparently I look really well so hooray.

Happy Sunday all x

P.S. Eating healthily is including quite a lot of cake……..

Ooops missed this page!

Elizardo - oh bless Polly! She's quite severely dyslexic so maybe she needs a helper whens she decorating cakes with writing! At least it makes for a funny story……?? Glad they were delicious though - that's the main thing!

Also realised I didn't get the blooming Mat 1B form at MW apt! Flippin preggo brain!!! I'll have to see if I can pick it up another time grrrrr.

Hey Gnat ! x

Another one that gets fat ankles by the end of the day. My diet isn't helping with my weight in eating absolute rubbish.

We have had a lovely sunny weekend and yesterday we had our first BBQ of the year. This week is supposed to be mostly rain I just hope that we get a teeny bit of sun the following week as we are away on holiday.

Time seems to be flying now only 14 weeks left. Everything is feeling real.

26+2

Hey ladies. Well cervix pain has been constant the last few days. To the point I'm on the sofa and can't really move around. Midwife recommended going to the Gp tomorrow to rule out pelvic or gridle somethingorother (forgot the name) I fell like someone kicked me in the lady bits :(

Cheery I am sure if you ring the midwife she can leave the form with the receptionist at the surgery for you to pick up - I seem to remember someone saying that they had done that earlier in the thread.

Cookies I don't know how much weight I have put on, but I can tell you that I put on my maternity swimming costume for the first time today and had a little sigh at my cleavage (never had cleavage before, and don't want it once I'm done breastfeeding!) and my depth from bellybutton to back. I don't think I have put on much weight other than my bump and boobs, but my god my bump looks enormous! Fifi you look very delicate and elegant compared to how I looked at 23 weeks, I'm sure!

That said, I am just trying to focus on the reason for the huge change in my figure :) And he is not letting me forget he's the reason, either - little scamp still won't stop moving, and the movements have got reaaaaally hard to ignore - they are almost making me feel sore! But I am glad, because I like the reassurance of him moving.

First NCT class today. It was much, much better than I was expecting. I think I found it more useful than DH did, but even he found it quite good. The other couples seemed nice, which was a relief. It has made everything seem VERY real though!

photographer sorry you are in so much pain. That is really rubbish.

27 + 5

I hope everyone's had a nice weekend.
Sorry to those with back and pelvis pain, I can whole heartedly sympathise

I just ordered a 3 piece nursery sey and a nursing chair eeekk! Bank balance is looking A LOT smaller now.
I was thinking of getting the halo bassinest for the first few months - anyone heard anything about it?

Set*

fifi you look very neat and great for 23 weeks.
bluebell glad you enjoyed your NCT - sounds good!
Welcome back gnat!
photographer really sorry to hear you're in so much pain. Maybe do get it checked out to see if there's any help you can get?
Thanks cheery - alllll I want is carbs too. I'm not getting enough cardio in either I'm sure that's not helping. Did you choose to stop running? I don't think I could anymore! My cellulite is HORRENDOUS. I'm sure you can ask at reception for a mat1b
primary wow enjoy your time off. Yep the self conscious-ness is not fun. I'm really trying to tell myself what a great thing my body is doing etc but sometimes when I look in the mirror I'm so unhappy. I had put on a bit before conceiving so be happy knowing you started lighter!
Ooo kaytee your purchases sound great! Don't know about the halo bassinet I'm afraid. Wish we had room for a nursing chair!

I really sympathise photographer - my "undercarriage" has been sore for weeks now, and when it doesn't hurt too much my lower back kills instead! It's agony at night now especially!

I've just ordered a Kari-me wrap - I wanted to get it nice and early so I can practice tying it and get the knack before baby arrives. Quite excited about the prospect of carrying the baby. DH is really keen on the idea as well, bless him.

Can't believe I am going to be 28 weeks tomorrow and into the third trimester. The second trimester has really flown by! With a due date of 27/06 I'm really cheating by being on this thread at all!

Ha ha some of the vocab on this thread cracks me up! Lady garden, foof and undercarriage

Greetings from Venice! Two glorious weeks off work. Bliss! Felt my blood pressure go down the moment I left London on Friday. We've been doing lots of strolling and eating. Indulged in a cheeky gelato - cookies and dark chocolate flavour - yum! Heading to the seaside tomorrow for some nice coastal walks (I think bringing my swimsuit was optimistic but we'll see...) then further south for some warmth. Has been a while since we had a hol, so enjoying it all the more.

Today for the first time I couldn't do up my coat. Baby has been growing loads over the last couple of weeks. I didn't really look pregnant at all at 5 months / 22 weeks, but now at 25 weeks I'm suddenly vast!

Sorry to those who are suffering. Hope you feel better soon. I think keeping active helps, if you can.

Thanks for all the birth stories and tips. Really helpful. Quite looking forward to NCT to learn more (and meet people). Mine's not til June - the intensive version over a couple of weekends.

DH is actually getting quite excited now, I think. Strokes my tummy and likes to feel the kicking.

Have a good week, y'all!

Anyone else getting cramp in their calfs?! It's agony! I'm most annoyed as DD is sleeping in and I've had to get up because of the cramp!

Julfin your holiday sounds great** and very relaxing. Hopefully you'll get a bit of swimming done.

Happy Monday folks, hope you've all had a good weekend. DH has been painting the nursery this weekend, and I went to collect the cot with my mum. It's all starting to feel very real!!!
Is anyone else struggling to sleep on their side? I can only really get comfy on my back. Whenever I lie on my left side for a while I get a pain in my ribs, don't know if it is something to be concerned about.
24+6

Have had a message from my midwife with instructions about my GTT. Has sent me into a bit of a panic - I am to fast from 9pm (fine) but after midnight am supposed to "try" not to even have any water. I usually drink a fair amount overnight and the thought of not being allowed it is making me want to cry.

I also have to provide my own bottle of lucozade! At least I know it won't taste too awful.

youandme that sounds a bit odd I don't remember being told to not drink water. I drink nearly a litre a night! I would probably rebel but that's me. Be thankful of the lucozade though, my memory of trying not to gag whilst drinking their sugar drink will always stick in my mind! I used to crave the pink one all the time in my last pregnancy no wonder I gained 5 stone. You aren't cheating being here at all! Yey to the third trimester, I'm counting down this week, can't wait to feel like I'm on the final third.

becks I've heard that's common! I got it last time it really bloody hurts. Maybe try stretching them before bed? Ouchy, hope it doesn't continue.

julfin your holiday sounds an absolute dream. Sat in my office very 'green eyed' have a lovely time, and get lots of relaxing in.

sunny do you have a maternity pillow? Or tried propping yourself with normal pillows? I don't think that's normal but could be baby later down the line? Maybe mention it to MW. I can't lie on my back at all now, only on my side and I'll wake myself up if I'm on my back for too long.

27 weeks

youandme I'm surprised by the no water instruction too. I had a GTT earlier on this pregnancy, and was allowed to drink water during the fasting period. I'm having another GTT this week, and again I'll be allowed to drink water. Maybe you could give the non-emergency number a ring and ask them to clarify? I would hate not to be able to have a glass of water in the morning before the blood test.

Morning all! My first day back in the office and my ankles have already swollen up dread to think what they'll be like when I commute to London tomorrow.

Have made myself a foot rest out of some computer equipment...

Fifi Can you see if work will buy you a footrest? I got an ergonomic chair out of mine

I'm another one with a very sore foof it really feels like I've been kicked in the lady area and it's all bruised as well as lower back pain with it :(. I've had 20-30 braxton hicks a day recently and a very active baby. All normal in 2ndpregnancy so I've read. Not enjoying it much.

26 + 2

Hi everyone and sorry to all those having back and foof pain not nice at all.

I will apologise in advance because this is probably going to be a really long and boring rant but I just need somewhere to vent. Last week I was diagnosed with PUPPS/PEP which is a pregnancy rash. I have it on my thighs and stomach and the itching was unbearable so GP prescribed hydrocortisone cream, antihistamines and aqueous. Over the past week I've been using all of these as well as other remedies like bread soda baths but all of these are only giving me very short term relief. Since Friday the rash on my thighs has blistered and I'm at the point where I can barely stand up and walk. It hurts to wear clothes. I spoke to my friend who's a MW on Friday night and she told me to go to the hospital which I did. The MW there told me she had never heard of it so couldn't recommend anything but that it would be hard to live with. That was it!! I cried coming out. I just don't know how I will cope with this for another 16 weeks. Also, my GP signed me off work last week, I was due back today but I physically couldn't go (1hour commute each way). My boss was very understanding but I'm so worried about what this means for my job long term. I'm seeing my consultant tomorrow so I'm praying she will have some solution for me!!!

I'm so sorry for moaning. I am genuinely so happy to be pregnant and the main thing is this doesn't affect the baby. Also, I know some women have much harder things to deal with in pregnancy. I think sleep deprivation and being stuck at home is really starting to get me down

Gosh smallplainblonde, that sounds really difficult . I sympathise completely as I have had horrendous eczema in the past, and when your skin has become red-raw where it touches other red-raw skin it is awful. Can you go back to the GP (or get a house call) and ask about other treatments - they might be able to give you oral steroids or different antihistamines. Also check that the aqueous cream doesn't contain any SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate), as some do and it can irritate instead of sooth. I have found pure Aloe vera to be cooling and healing, and I've also had some success using Phytocare papaya ointment to help healing. To relieve itching, you can wrap an iceblock in a teatowel to hold against your skin.

Also, pregnancy related sickness cannot be counted against you, legally, at work. Please don't worry about this, they would be very stupid to do anything that would put them at instant risk of losing an employment tribunal.