Late December - Early January '17 Babies

[GerberaDaisy]

Hello,

So couldn't see a January baby post (probably because no one is mad enough to POAS as early as me!)

Anyway, I thought I would start one (waves). I am 28, this will be DC#2 making my 4 year old DS a big brother which he has been so excited about becoming (we haven't told him yet though as very early days!) I am roughly around 4 weeks and we're not planning on telling anyone for ages so thought I would start a thread so I have someone to get excited with!

Please come and say hello! Xx

I'm definitely more thirsty than normal, but I seem to be extra thirsty around 9pm which is perfect as it means I have to pee a million times during the night but don't have the feeling of having eaten salty food. X

Same. Seem to be wanting to down cold water just before bed. My poor bladder & body stumbling around at 2am trying to use the loo quietly!

Good morning! Hope you're all doing really well! My bump has grown loads over the last week so can't wait for next mw appt to start being measured to make sure its meant to be this big! Have to wait till 15th september though so a while to go yet.

Had a wonderful experience last night, DH and I went for a long walk I haven't been walking enough as I'm always so tired but afterwards in bed baby was very active and I felt some strong kicks (only had flutters so far) so grabbed DHs hand and he felt his first movement! He's been dying to feel something for weeks, I've been feeling flutters for a whole month now so it's great to finally share this with him.

Great news Bella. It's lovely when they can finally feel the kicks & be more involved. I feel massive but keep being told I don't look pregnant. Will be interested to see measurements too. I'm seeing MW at 24 weeks but not sure if she will measure then or not. Evenings are when this little one is the most active. He/she was kicking so hard lastnight my tummy was jumping! So much more exciting this stage when you can feel them but aren't too big

Great news Bella! I wish I could summon the energy to do some walks! I think the weather will turn before I get some energy for recreational exercise!!

I keep trying to get OH to feel the kicks but we never seem to get the timing right! I do get some 'big' ones which make my tummy move and he has seen that! The first time we both saw it was quite special . I now watch my tummy before bed to see any movements as mine also seems to be more active in the evenings! Also, ditto for growing in the last week- I've really popped out and now look pregnant.

Does anyone know when we are supposed to start keeping a log of movements/reporting any variations to the midwife? At my 20week scan the sonographer was quite dismissive and said don't worry until I'm 28 weeks. But this seems like ages away!!

Ah Bella that's lovely. I've been getting strong kicks since about 18 weeks when lying down but I've just started to feel them when moving around. Admarks we struggle with timing too. Baby will be kicking away like mad then as soon as I get DH to put his hand on the bump it stops. He has managed to feel it once or twice but I think it freaks him out a bit (DH not the baby!). I don't know anything about keeping a log but the last few times I've been seen they've asked if I've felt movement and just ticked a box. I read somewhere you should tell the midwife if you've not felt anything by 24 weeks though?
Been back and fore the hospital re the fibroid this week. The first time they scanned me they said they couldn't see a fibroid but thought the edge of the placenta may be touching the cervix. So I went back the next day and they couldn't see a fibroid then either and the placenta was completely clear of the cervix. They did however think they could see some thickened blood vessels which is what may have been mistaken for a fibroid. Nothing to worry about apparently but I'm now consultant led again and getting scans every 4 weeks.
In other news my morning sickness seems to have made an unwelcome return . I put it down to going back to work and maybe eating breakfast too early but I'm feeling really queasy this morning too and I didn't eat until 9:30. I'm also feeling repulsed by certain foods again and that's the way I was for the first 16 weeks.
Hope everyone is doing well - almost 6 months already!

admarks I think we're supposed to monitor from 28 weeks normally or from 24 weeks if high risk pregnancy. I guess the mw will cover this in the 24 week appt (I'm going to have sooooo many questions for her at that appt!)

happylass glad the fibroid investigations were positive, gutted about the nausea coming back though. A few people have mentioned the same in the december thread, I didn't even know it was a possibility - hope it is over quickly for you.

Have my 1st consultant appt tomorrow, not sure what to expect but hoping all goes well!

Good luck Bella. I found I had more questions after the first app but only because I wasn't sure what they were going to say. Will be more prepared for next one. Hope yours goes well.

I'm feeling pretty bad in the morning but not on sickness tablets anymore. About mid morning I'm ok but horrible smells can suddenly push me over the edge.

The whole movement thing really makes me panic. I worry I'm not going to know the pattern. For me it adds an extra worry but hopefully it'll all be fine. I'd heard from 28 weeks which is when I should see MW next but seeing consultant again so got MW next week at 24.

Feels mad to be almost 6 months but does still feel a long way off!

Anyone finding their sleep different? Iv always been a fairly deep sleeper but DH told me I'm sleeping like I'm unconscious! he can get in & out of bed & I don't wake at all where as I would normally. I still wake if DS shouts (on the rare occasion thankfully). Didn't know if this is hormones to combat the frequent pee trips

Thanks Emz
argh gutted for you too with the bad smells. I'm scared now that my nose will start to feel it too, was so glad to see the end of nausea! The monitoring of movement thing is quite daunting, all that responsibility, hopefully we'll get used to it and natural instinct will kick in when something isn't right.

I'm not sleeping very well at all at the moment, tossing and turning all night, but I seem to be in a very deep sleep in the morning when DH gets up so I'm the same as you, don't hear his alarm or him getting up despite being a very light sleeper normally. Wish it would be like that for the whole night and not just between the hours of 5-8am!

I'm not too sure about the movements thing as well. DD1 was very laid back and rarely kicked so I didn't really monitor kicks but I was considered high-risk and saw a consultant or MW every 2-3 weeks - so I had continuous monitoring and I was less worried.

Does anyone have recognisable movement patterns yet? Mine's been inconsistent so far, DC2 is could be active in the afternoon, sometimes in the evening, there could be clusters / more spaced out. No pattern. How am I to monitor it?
And when's too early to be packing a hospital bag? A close friend gave birth earlier this year at 27wks. Very early and she was very unprepared. But i feel like i'm "tempting fate" as well if I get too prepared too soon (i'm beginning to sound like a total loony here)

I think we are way too early to have movement patterns. This little one seems to be a constant whirl of movement but am sure that'll settle down.

And I wasn't planning on doing things like hospital bags until 32-4 weeks. I'm assuming if you go any earlier than that you'll be in for ages anyway so lots of time to get DH to run and get everything we need.

Mind you, I have done exactly nothing about anything. Including things like booking antenatal classes - must get onto that. Can't believe we're all at the 6 month mark!

I hadn't thought about hospital bags until i read this and the Facebook page- it's all becoming a bit real now!! Think I will wait until 30 weeks (6-7 weeks time) to start planing the bag, like Stealth, i think I should get into gear with antenatal classes! I sent off enquiries ages ago and never acted on them.

What's the norm for hospital bag packing? I've seen some tips saying one bag for me, one for baby and one for a longer stay (to stay in the car boot in case not needed). This seems reasonable to me as a first timer.... We just need to replace the car so we can fit it all in (we have a mini which we've been holding off relaxing - until now!)

A little advice on bags would be great for us first timers! I have an idea (such as i want a rucksack not a baby changing bag as it will hurt my back less) and think its perfect, until a mum points out something i would never have considered until it was too late eg all the compartments in a changing bag mean you don't have to frantically rummage for everything like you would with a rucksack.

I have some serious trapped wind issues in work at the moment. It's really painful (so much so I want to curl up on the office floor and roll about) but as I share an office I've come to the loos to hide and to hope that it releases itself soon I can't stay here all afternoon! It's so painful and uncomfortable! Ouch!

I stayed 1 night for DS (before I discharged myself as the ward was quite an unpleasant experience). My DH couldn't stay on the ward & was turfed out so he came back in the morning with anything i needed, so I wouldn't worry too much about extras. Take enough to get through the labour & 1 night. Maybe an old t-shirt to sleep in, slippers & light dressing gown (hospitals are so hot & stuffy) with a change of clothes & several pairs of pants. That's what I'm going to be doing. I'm going to take a couple of baby grows & vests in several sizes & nappies in size 1. Wil need a hat, little coat/cardigan & blanket probably for that time of year. I found it useful to have baby in vest, sleep suit & cardigan. Then put hat on & blanket tucked over them just before we went outside the hospital. Just my experience. If they have to stay in in NICU for whatever reason they have clothing & nappies, if like us you aren't prepared. I'm going to try & pack as light as possible because most stuff you don't need. My DH did find a change of clothes useful & a toothbrush. Plus some shorts (he got very hot in hospital too with no windows that open!) just meant he could freshen up after the birth. I'm going to see if I can get it all in one hold-all with babies stuff in a separate carrier bag in the bottom, if not then I'll use a small change bag. A dark towel is also good to have with you. Lots of maternity pads. My MW told me not to use always as they aren't breathable due to the plastic backing & therefore can cause infections & not let any stitches heal properly. Not sure how true this is but I went with it & have a load of tesco pads to use from last time. Iv started getting mine packed but think I'm just cautious after last time. I will also have a list by the side of my bed for last minute items as there was sheer panic last time for me & I just chucked a load of stuff in the bag & left. Anything that I really needed was left behind. Had I had a list I could read off it would have helped in the craziness.

I had a few times yesterday when I went really dizzy & not feeling right today so Iv booked to see MW tomorrow a week early. Just want to get BP & urine checked. Part of me thinks I should just leave it. I have constant really bad heartburn which is rubbish. Trapped wind is the worst Bella. I hope it passes for you. So uncomfortable. I had that a lot in the early days & it would want to pass at the most inappropriate moment (Middle of pregnancy yoga class!!!)

hope you are feeling better emz32 and that nothing was thrown up from your checks. I also have a slight wait now until the next MW check & scan at 28wks given this is my second. Although we have a BP machine at home and some urine dip sticks which I do do if I remember.
Bump is getting bigger now and I feel enormous. My innie belly button is fast becoming an outie. tsk tsk.
I've been drawing up lists and lists of things to do but not getting to any of it as work is hectic until next Monday when our big presentation gets underway. We are off to Center Parcs at the end of the month, mainly for DD. DH & I work FT and we try to go away every 3-4months for 1-2weeks to spend uninterrupted time with DD.
We are also getting our kitchen refurbished and it has been causing me much stress as the date we wanted is now not available (due to the muck up by our kitchen supplier), they will only be knocking down our old kitchen towards the end of Nov with a completion date of 2 December. I hope all goes smoothly as I am due a month later, but DD came 3 weeks early!
Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to FRIDAY!

I'm feeling bit better & seem to be sleeping better which helps. DS is also napping well which is great. MW unconcerned about anything & said there's nothing to worry about. I don't particularly like her though. Next time I'll see her is 30 weeks. Seems likes ages away. We are holidaying in just over a week. Looking forward to it now. I feel massive but keep being told I don't really look pregnant. Don't know if I'm wearing "slimming" clothes or just carrying small.

Glad your checks went well emz. Yes lucy it's finally friday tomorrow! So happy! Can't wait for lie in on Saturday! I seem to sleep between 4am and 8am (which isn't enough so looking forward to lazing in bed until 10 on saturday (sorry for those of you who work weekends or have children who wake you up early)

I went to pregnancy yoga last night, loved it! I'm not a yoga type person at all, and had never been to a class but found it to be really relaxing and nice to meet other mums in my area. I'm signing up for the next 4 weeks! Would highly recommend it for anyone who's like me- not had enough energy to continue with regular classes like zumba but wants to do something other than plop on the sofa!

Great to hear that all your checks went well Emz. A holiday sounds so good right now - and I've only been back a few weeks!!
My bump has expanded rapidly over the last week or so but I was measuring spot on the 50th centile at my check up last week.
Bella I've just started pregnancy yoga too (was it you who is also in S.Wales? Think there were originally 2 others but can't remember who!) Was hoping for something a bit more intense but there doesn't seem to anything around here so going to keep up with the swimming/walking too. We've also signed up for NCT classes in November. I was under the impression that the NHS didn't offer ante natal classes anymore but was told this week they do. Have had to tell DH that they are different to the NCT ones. He's such a Scrooge he'll be devastated if he finds out we've forked out £200 for something we could have for free . Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

happylass yes I'm in South Wales too I looked for NCT classes in my region but they don't have any around november (I think they must be sold out) so I'm hoping the nhs antenatal ones are good. I've heard that the NCT ones are really good to meet like-minded people, friends with babies have said that their post birth support group have mostly been the NCT friends they made.

I have my check up next week so can't wait to find out where I'm measuring. I couldn't help myself at yoga and compare bumps with others around the same weeks as me and I think I'm quite similar sized (which is a relief as I feel huge!)

We're picking up the egg thermometer things today (the ones that go blue if a room is too cold). I'm a little obssessed worried with how cold our house is and will we need to have the heating on all night when baby comes. We don't have a thermostat on the boiler and no timer so we have to manually turn it on and off when required so I'm worried we'll be asleep and little baby will be freezing/boiling. Anyone else worrying about this or am I getting a bit ahead of myself?!

Whereabouts are you Bella? We booked the classes in Caerphilly which isn't too far for us. Was a nightmare trying to fit them in though as DH mostly works evenings and weekend and I'm school hours!
We have the opposite problem with the house as its only 4 years old and really well insulated so a bit worried about it being too warm! If the monitor we get doesn't have a temperature display then we'll get an egg too.

I booked in for private antenatal as the nct didn't have any conveniently timed classes. I believe you can still turn up to nct coffee mornings and the like post birth so I was just planning to do that and hopefully make some friends that way.

My bump is definitely much smaller than average for my gestation. But the baby is measuring much larger. Go figure.

For those looking for something other than yoga, I have been doing classes online from Herasphere Pregnancy Club. It's an Australian physio whose put together videos that are a mix of Pilates, training and yoga - they're not hardcore but they are a bit more active than restorative breathing. You get 2 new videos every week and I've been enjoying them. I think it's £25 per month.

Ooh those egg thermometers sound great. I haven't even started thinking about buying ANYTHING yet - I guess I should!

happylass I'm in the Swansea area (which is why I assume that no NCT= fully booked because surely there'd be a few in a city!)

The egg thermometer is cool! And has made me chill out a bit...it currently says the house is currently 21 degrees which is a bit warmer than baby would need, I would have guessed it at 15 degrees so I reckon we won't need to panic as much with the heating situation if the house is so much warmer than I thought. I will be monitoring like a fool for the next three months (we bought 2 so we could check which of our 2 spare bedrooms will eventually become the nursery!)

Iv found pregnancy yoga really good. I started at 12 weeks because I was starting to suffer from sciatica. It really helped & it's completely gone. I find some weeks more strenuous than others. But find I feel a lot more relaxed after & sleep much better. Glad others are enjoying it. We just did the NHS classes for DS as we had no spare money (DH had just quit his job to set up his own company). I made good friends. We did start drifting apart when babies were about 9 months as some mums went back to work but I'm still very good friends with 1 mum & our boys are 2.5 now. I found it helpful for practical info on what to sleep baby in, how warm to keep them etc. We have a grow egg & irs been great. We still use it now, mostly as a soft nightlight but also just to keep his room at a good temp. I think you will be surprised. Iv never seen ours go blue & its felt freezing in his room before. I think I'm coming up quite small but looking forward to hearing some measurements at 28 week appointment. (Which seems ages away!) feeling organised for holiday & looking forward to it. Not looking forward to the 10 other adults all boozing at the champagne & vineyard visits whilst I get run ragged by my DS but maybe I can enjoy the smells of the champers

Oh emz poor you heading to vinyeards without being able to take full advantage of the wine! At least you'll be able to buy a nice bottle or three to celebrate baby's arrival!

I slept much better on Wednesday after yoga so I'm hoping that will be a regular pattern as sleep at the moment is rubbish!

Forgot to mention in earlier post - thanks stealth about info re nct coffee mornings, will look in to that. Glad the nhs ones were great to make friends emz, I'm depending on those to meet other mums. All my friends here work full time and socialising mostly included bars and alcohol so I think I need to expand my circle a bit if I want to see anyone at daytime during mat leave!

Iv found the local children's centre good as well. They run quite a few classes that they fund or part fund. Plus other people advertise through them. It's out of my comfort zone to go to these but Iv made friends through forcing myself to go. Mums from anti-natal were great in the beginning as we held each other's hands through sleepless nights & other issues. But as the babies get older we grew apart. I shal be buying lots of bottles to enjoy in Feb when i turn 30. Had imagined myself on a beach for my 30th but might have to scale back my dreams.

A friends invited me to her hen weekend in March. It'll involve 2 nights away & a short flight. What would you decide to do? DH has said he will be ok if I want to go (DS will be a week away from being 3)