August 2016 number 4 - bumps popping and scans happening, we actually have babies!

[PickleBot]

Looks like we've nearly filled the last thread, so here is a nice new one for you all!

Ack... In a world of nippleyness... I swear one is way bigger than the other, the sticky out bits are growing at an alarming rate, and one (the bigger one) is soooo sensitive, I can't even sleep topless as the duvet is too much for my pointy bits! Also just now, biggy looked pretty shiny like it might have been up to some leaky business... Is it normal to just have one going off on its own merry business and the other a little more sedate or what?

Also nappy related, first babe here, but I'm going for reusables, friends have said disposables are a good idea first off as usually too little at first and poop is like tar, but a few pounds on them and they're good to go. It's the bum genius ones I've been mostly looking at.

fizzy I always found when bf/ expressing that righty got going quickly, lefty always took a bit longer but produced more milk so I think they can both have minds of their own so to speak.

fizzy my lefty is the most leaky! righty is smaller and less leaky so yes I think they can be entirely independent! Buggers.
I'm going to buy some sleep Bras/crop tops for bed as I am making a milky mess in bed every night so think I need to wear pads to sleep.

hi hgleslie! Nice to see you here too I've been attending for a year and a bit but am finding it hard to make the jump to going every week - partly because I have no history of church-going in my family so not in habit and partly because I am lazy and keep sleeping in on a Sunday Love it when I do go though.

After a pain in the backside few days trying to organise it. I've finally booked my 4D scan! They ONLY do Wednesday and Sunday evenings and I work both those! So managed to get my shift covered and our appointment is Sunday 24th! She warned me that we may not be happy with the pictures as 24 weeks is very early and they recommend you waiting longer but it's more so to tell whether or not it's definitely a girl! Any added pictures is a bonus! Has anyone had a scan at 24 weeks? Interested to know what the quality will be like

I'm a cloth nappy user too, we had bumgenius ones for ds which are still up in the loft. My friend had a set of newborn ones, so I'm going to borrow those after the initial meconium tar poos are all over! I haven't got leaking boobs yet, but I have got some dischsrge there as it dries in the ends of the ducts - nice!

Hi guys, I posted this in the main pregnancy thread with no joy.

I've had strong period cramps (front and in back) since yesterday afternoon. I'm 20 weeks pregnant and have had period pains during both trimesters but never for such a length time as this or intensity.

I went to hospital last night to get checked (urine sample, baby's heart beat etc) and nothing could be identified so told it could be stretching pains. I've had about 5 hours sleep and now woken up with the pains still going strong.
Has anyone had similar pains at this point in pregnancy?

Paracetamol has taken the edge off but it's still pretty painful and unrelenting. Just wondered if anyone else has had this? Can feel baby moving which is also quite uncomfortable at times as it distends my stomach.

Thanks ladies! Good to know I haven't got a rogue agent in my bra then!

Maternity leave question. My HR manager has sent me a proforma letter to send to let them know about my pregnancy and maternity leave. It lays out what I am entitled to as SMP and extra from them. Do I then need to specify how much of that I am actually taking?

Am planning to take 6 week at full pay, 11 weeks at half pay and then use my annual leave to take me up to Christmas, but do I need to specify that now? [I work from home and DP does too so he and I are going to share childcare once I go back and even when I am 'at work', baby will be downstairs for snuggles and breastfeeding] Despite knowing winks from mums at work who have come back one day a week there is very little chance I can stay off longer unless we win the lottery!

Hi Kstar Sorry you're in pain, but great that baby seems well. I haven't had very strong cramps, but have had what might be Braxton Hicks. Midwife advised me to take a warm bath with water covering as much of bump as possible. I've also found hot water bottles useful. Could you ring your midwife for further advice?

Thanks Sophia,
I live in the bath but it doesn't seem to stop the pain. I'm going to ring the hospital again in the afternoon if it's still bad. They were brilliant last night (nearly cried with appreciation for the NHS!). I don't think it's Brixton hicks as that seems to be described as sporadic tightenings across the bump where as mine is low down, constant period style cramps in front and back.
Just seems odd that it would all hurt this much so soon. I thought I was sailing through pregnancy and a day of pain has quickly knocked my confidence!
Sorry I'm unable to help with mat leave questions!

Hi Kstar, sorry to hear you're in such pain. I don't think I can shed any light but calling the hospital again seems like a reasonable course of action. Maybe a different midwife will have a better idea of what it is that's causing it, or at least be able to give you a second opinion. Sounds positive that all was good with baby last night though.

Sophia I have it in my head that I have to confirm to my work the dates of my planned leave but I can't recall whether that's only because I want to use some as shared parental leave for DH. Seems likely that they would need it for planning purposes though. It did say somewhere that I can change the dates with 4 weeks notice. Not sure what's standard vs my work's policy though.

kstar I haven't experienced exactly what you describe. I was woken up with cramps the other night and during my consultation with Dr.Google discovered that some period style cramps (in a range of places- front and back) are down to constipation and bowel/gut issues. I don't know if that might explain any of your pains? If so, lots and lots of water plus a pregnancy-friendly laxative (a 'mover' rather than a 'softener') is worth a try.

I'm sure I felt the baby move quite a bit about two weeks ago. I haven't felt anything since (or nothing definite). I'm 'only' 19 weeks and apparently this is absolutely normal (and not worth phoning the midwife about) but it's really niggling away in the back of mind. I wonder if I'm just always going to be worrying about at least one thing! My scan is a week on Wednesday, I hope that will be reassuring.

kstar could it be round ligament pain? Might be you've pulled something in your abdomen.

plimsolls I mentioned to the midwife at my 24 week check that there were times when the baby seems quieter. She said not to worry as it doesn't really settle into a pattern until 24-28 weeks. Could also be the position of your placenta (which they should check at the 20 week scan).

kstar I feel your pain. Definitely call again (says she who should take her own advice)

I'm back at work today, though was at the EPU yesterday after passing a really weird clot. Then yesterday afternoon I had loads of pink when I wiped, but just the once, and this morning I had loads of brown. Now my cramps have ramped up again and have been sat at my desk almost in tears, but nothing showing when I wipe or on a pad. What I would give for one non-stressful day!!

plimsolls as hgl says, midwives generally won't worry re: movement until 28+ weeks. Before then baby is still little and has plenty of room to hide so it's easy to miss movements. This babe was super active for weeks but has flipped now so his limbs are all facing my back and movements are much more subtle and muffled than they used to be. They now feel a lot like digestive stuff because I'm being kicked in the intestines all the time!
It will be lovely to see little one at your scan, they change so much from the last one. And yes, you'll be worrying about something else straight away
kstar sorry you're in pain, sounds horrible! If you've been checked over and not contracting or anything I wouldn't be too worried, it's most likely something totally normal and just one of those weird pregnancy things. The aches and pains are a nightmare though, they come on so suddenly!

Hope everyone's doing well, was lovely to see all the bump pics this weekend - was lurking but not posting. We're all really popping now!
Back pain has started up over here, it's not terrible but it is niggly and annoying. I'm trying to be more aware of my posture and doing a bit of 'angry cat, happy cat' when necessary, and it seems to be under control so far.
House move is all still going well, we are on track to complete this month so this week will be spent doing a bit of packing and sorting! Very excited, can't wait to have the whole summer term to spend with my big girl, day-tripping distance from central London, the coast, all sorts! We're going to have a blast

Thanks for the responses you lovely lot. I don't think it's bowel related as I've had some "movements" today and I thought round ligament pain was related to movement? I've had the sharp pains when standing that I thought were ligament related but this is a constant nasty period cramp.
I think it's the not knowing that makes me anxious. And I'm a first timer so not familiar with all of the fun pregnancy gripes but none of my friends have experienced this. I'll ring after another bath.
Lily sorry to hear you've had some trouble again. Definitely ring the EPU again! I will if you will! Cramps are horrible aren't they? Because they feel like periods which normally come with a release except we don't want a release, we want babies to stay where they are!

sophia I think you need to put in writing how much maternity (not counting the holidays) leave you want to take, then you should get a letter confirming your return date. I would discuss with your line manager about taking annual leave after this.

In our HR policy you can change the return date as long as you give notice. I plan to take 10 months, but 9 months maternity so that's all I will request.
Telling my brand new boss tomorrow of my pregnancy

Sorry to hear about your pains kstar, sounds really uncomfortable. Hopefully things will ease up soon for you.

Re mat leave Sophia, from what you've said you want 17 weeks mat leave, so presuambly put the date after 17 weeks as your start back date, then book the annual leave however you would do it. You can change your return to work date from the date you give, I had to do this in 2012 (wanted to return earlier) and at that time you had to give 12 weeks notice of a change in date. Worth checking what the official advice is for this now, as you would have to decide pretty quickly if you did want to change the date and needed to give 12 weeks notice of the change.

Working from home sounds amazing, I wish I could!

Thanks Mrszumba HR Director has said I don't need to tell them and that annual leave will be dealt with separately. Will send letter as such to Chief Exec, but my line manager knows when I plan to return - you'd have thought they would need to know this to arrange my cover, but that maybe says a lot about my employer!

Good luck tomorrow! I saw my Chief Exec at a work party and he was very lovely and congratulatory but also asked 'Was it planned?' He's not really a 'people person'!

Kstar so sorry to hear you've been in pain how are you feeling now?

and Lily how are you? So sorry you're stressed out, hoping it will get easier for you

Sophia I plan on doing something similar to you when baby is here as me and my oh work from home as well. Do you and your dh plan on sharing childcare whilst both working from home? I've considered it but I can't imagine I will get much done with a little one around. Although, it will be handy in regards to picking him/her up from childcare. My position will be in a different office when I come back from Mat leave and I'll have a 130 mile round trip on the days I go into the office 😞

Baby kept me awake kicking last night, first time it's happened! Oh is away with work so I have the bed to myself 😬 Is anyone else starting to get tried again during the day? I felt great for a few weeks but starting to get shattered again early evening and have had to nap a couple of times
22 +2 bump attached, starting to feel massive and can't believe Ive 17 plus weeks to go 😳

So I've still had this lime green my discharge.. Then today I had a really bad stomach ache, went to lay down and after a two hour nap it was gone. An hour later i had a usual leak of discharge and when i went to the toilet my underwear had like an orangey discharge in it. I feel like it can be an infection and feel terrible for not getting it sorted sooner! Anyone have any insight as to what it may be? If I go to the GP what will they do? Can I do a swab myself?

Meant to also ask you guys about weight gain... I weigh 5lbs less than my weight at my booking apt. I'm putting it down to no wine/beer calories and healthier eating and in fairness, I was slightly overweight at my booking apt. Should I be worried? I think between no alcohol and feeling sick I lost weight but am probably now gaining again as baby gets bigger...?? Don't have a midwife apt until the 22nd so will ask her then, presume it's ok to wait until then

Sorry Christine X post - does the discharge smell at all? I had an orange discharge not so long ago and it was thrush