August 2016 number 5 - waddling towards the third trimester!

[Mslg]

For the August 2016 ladies and babies!

I'm having a girl...

• Little leg hair
• Amazing oil free skin and hair (can now go two days without washing my hair which is a miracle)
• cravings have included fruit, strong Mexican tastes and rich food like lobster (normally do not like lobster)
• enjoy sweet food but prefer savoury (opposite with my son)
• no heartburn or constipation (had both with my son)

Owlina Am having a boy, so breaking the leg hair theory! Though my belly is getting furry..

Been teaching in a primary school day - am bloody knackered! Sitting watching Jeremy Kyle eating crisps now. Bloody love pregnancy sometimes - the only time a medical professional will tell you you need to eat 'at least one packet of crisps a day'!

Sophia Crisps? One packet a day? Why did no one tell me this?? Can I back date?

At least! (it's cause my blood pressure is low so I need more salt!)

In less happy news, have decided to rehome my pet bird in the next few weeks. It would be completely impractical and unhygienic to have him and baby as he currently has run (flight) of the house and gets feathers everywhere, and we won't be able to give him the love and attention he needs. Have found a lovely-seeming woman who is crazy about parrots who is going to adopt him - she has a lady cockatiel so he won't be lonely and if he doesn't settle there she also works for a bird rescue charity so will be able to find him somewhere else. It's breaking my heart though as he's such a sweet little thing and i am very sentimental about pets! :-( Trying to convince myself that it's better for him to have maybe a couple of weeks of readjustment but then be somewhere where he gets to be out of the cage all the time and be in a 'flock' and get lots of attention vs. staying with us but being shut up in his cage for a fair amount of time and not getting as much attention. Sorry for going on - I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it's been a really hard decision for me to make. It's going to be a really hard couple of weeks waiting until he gets collected too :(

Hmm Sophia I have really low blood pressure too, I think I'll give the daily dose of crisps a try. Love crisps! I find I'm having a bowl of ice cream every night after I put the kids to bed, I'm sure I'll regret it after baby comes and I'm stuck with massive hips. I'm a bit disappointed, I was so active and had tons of energy when pregnant with DC2....this time around I'm only 30 weeks in and I'm already exhausted, have a sore back and quite moody. I'm really worried about work, they were supposed to backfill my old position a year ago after I was promoted, but it kept being delayed. Now I've been told its unlikely they'll be hired before I go out on mat leave, and they'd wait for me to return before hiring so that I can train someone....which means I have two roles I need to find people to cover, and no immediate relief when I go back after 12 weeks. Its really their problem, but I'm stressed about who'll keep everything running while I'm out.

I'm having the ice cream too - full of protein and calcium to help baby's brain and bones develop!

Urgh your job situation sounds really stressful. My position is being covered by a part-time person and a couple of freelancers while I'm gone, so I have similar concerns about it being kept going, and about handing over to them. It's really difficult to get out of the 'caring about work' mindset, isn't it? Are you working up until your due date? I am, and am so fed up and want to be on leave already!

I seem to have disappeared for a while! I'm just back to inform everyone that today I quit being pregnant. Someone point in the direction of pregnancy HR so I can hand in my letter of resignation.

Christine I am with you on that one. 31+6, already been off work for 3 weeks can't sleep, really breathless and can't walk any distances! This is not the bumbling around, slightly bigger but managing to get loads of jobs done I was sold!
Plus the vomiting has returned. Sob.
Sophie sad about your bird but will be the right thing to do in the end. My sister had to do the same and he is well settled and loving his new home.
Biscuits glad the growth scan went well
Plimsolls my growth scan was the same. Didn't get to see a face profile or anything, think that there is less room and it makes it difficult to get all the shots you could see at earlier scans. Just relieved we got through ours and are still none the wise to if baby is a girl/boy!
No idea about the old wives tales here. Not looked at my leg hair in weeks , no idea about Chinese predictions, got a real sweet tooth and skin has been variable throughout so who knows!

I really needed to hear that sloth - thank you!

Sorry you're suffering so much- if my job wasn't home- based I think I'd have been signed off by now- current list of joys is: SPD so not able to walk far or stand for long, constant feeling of faintness/weakness, back ache, heartburn and insomnia! Know exactly what you mean about the image of late pregnancy we're promised! The idea of being able to go shopping (not online), manically clean the house or decorate the nursery is laughable! Ah well only 6-8 weeks to go!

My house is also depending into a complete shit tip, I'm so lacking in energy I can't get round to doing anything. I'm just thirsty, sweaty, and tried.

Hey all! The end is definitely in sight now!

I'm gutted that I can't keep up with this thread constantly, but I try and have a quick read through and some of the things everyone is going through sounds awful But definitely the home stretch now

I've sadly been admitted to hospital with a posterior placenta that's partially covering my cervix! I've also had a bit of bleeding and a very lazy little baby for the 24 hours, so I'm on the dreaded monitor for a day and getting yet another scan tomorrow. That'll basically decide whether or not I have to get a C-Section which I'm gutted about, as I was really looking forward to being induced at 37 weeks and having a nice natural birth (only because I'm petrified at the idea of an epidural! )
Guess babies never follow our plans!
Has anybody else got a posterior placenta? What advice was given to you? It was kinda swept under the rug with me - I didn't even know until Friday! And it's been like that since my 12 week scan! Didn't realise how serious it can be!

Oh Erica

I thought that posterior placenta was good! I'm very confused now! I'm guessing perhaps it's posterior and low? Mine is anterior and I've been told it's not the standard position but it's not a problem as long as it's high enough. I can't feel movement as much as I would with a PP though.

Let us know when you know more!

Sorry to hear that Erica, but good that they've (finally?) picked it up and you're getting the care you need. If you're going to have to have a C-section because of a low-lying placenta, it's actually better for it to be posterior as it means they won't have to cut through it to deliver baby. How many weeks are you? As you've had some bleeding, it may be that they want to keep you in hospital until the C-Section. Don't read too many horror stories! It's only potentially dangerous if they haven't spotted it and let you go for a vaginal birth x

I'm 31+2, they've given me some steroid shots for lung maturity so they're covering their bases!

Posterior is good, as it means good feeling of movement, but mine is posterior praevia? It's blocking the opening of my cervix, so if I was to go into labour id be high risk for placenta abruption and bleeding

Just trying to relax but difficult on this monitor as baby doesn't want to play ball and isn't moving very much!

Sorry I'm not keeping up with the thread, I got out the way of checking as often.

Erica I hope the baby starts playing and you get to go a bit longer. I had all the booking stuff done for my section today, so can understand feeling a bit apprehensive. I don't know anything about your placental position, but sounds like they are taking good care of you.

I'm hopefully starting my leave a week on Friday, if my boss grants me a weeks holiday. Still just doing 3 half days a week, so not too much more to do.

I had my 34 week check today, baby is in a really awkward position, head down and in my pelvis, but body is diagonal and really curled up. They struggled to get her measurements, but did get there eventually and she is apparently 4.5lbs just now, so a good size.

How is everybody sleeping just now? I'm really struggling, between needing to pee all the time and struggling to get comfy, I'm totally exhausted.

33+3 and baby still transverse lie and I'm getting worried

Getting checked tomorrow so see what they say about it , praying he is head down by 36 weeks as really don't want a c section

What position are others babys in..??

I know there is still a bit of time to turn and being 2nd baby there is that little bit more room but can't help feeling concerned

Gonna start with birth ball and spinning babies stuff at weekend

Lily girl I haven't had more than 4 hours sleep in nearly 2 years

Last 2 months of first pregnacy I couldn't sleep then my son who is now 20 months is a terrible sleeper and has been since day one

I can't remember what a decent sleeps feels like 🙈. And for first year was a walking zombie that said I've never done any kind of controlled crying as it just wasn't something me or hubby were comfortable to do. Even now as a toddler I can't leave him crying. It's just the way we are.

My son was up every 45-60 mins from birth to 10 months then it slowed a bit and he would sleep 2-4 hours and now he still wakes 2/3 times a night

Pray this baby sleeps but not holding out much hope

Erica I have placenta previa, I've got to have another scan next week and then they'll decide from that what the plan of action is. I'm 33 weeks now so can't imagine it's going to move all of a sudden, so looking like a section for me too. I'm quite disappointed about it, but have come to terms with it now. Hope baby wakes up and starts moving a bit more soon to put your mind at rest.

Erica It's really rubbish that they didn't tell you about this at your 20 week scan, as it would have given you longer to do research and come to terms with it. Not that it is bad, but it is a shock! I was told mine was low-lying at 20 weeks and then had to have a re-scan at 32 weeks. Mine had moved, which in a way meant I was worried for 12 weeks for nothing, but also meant I had completely made my peace with needing a C-section if necessary.

Honestly, they will keep such a close eye on you, they won't let you get to a point where it's dangerous. If you have any bleeding, you should get an ambulance straight to hospital - it's a good idea to have your hospital bag ready in case. If there's any risk, they will admit you and keep you on bed rest and then carry out a C-section if they need to. Just in case they haven't told you, you're also meant to take it easy and not have sex or do any heavy lifting or exercise :)

SantaClause it's not a nice feeling is it? Just feeling so helpless! He's still being quite lazy and I've had shooting pains in my back all day so I'm panicking slightly now
Did you have any spotting through your pregnancy? I've had a few episodes so I think they're on red alert.

Hello ladies,

Erica, sorry to hear the placenta position is causing you such grief. At least you're being well monitored & looked after, though? Hope baby is nice & comfy in there & sits tight for a bit.

I forget who asked about the TENS, sorry. I really liked it last time & used it a lot till I got in the pool. But I got to have a play with one beforehand at our hospital's antenatal sessions & decided I liked the tingly feeling, so hired one based on that. I know some people find them useless or irritating, so probably best to try one if you can.

Bearhuggy, I was very concerned about optimising the comfort of my nethers after pushing a baby out of them! My saviour in the early days were padsicles - I basically wet a dozen or so maternity pads with witch hazel, put a couple drops of tea tree oil (I think? Can't quite remember) & slathered over a bit of aloe vera gel, then wrapped them individually in foil & chucked them in the freezer. They felt soooooo good to use a few times a day in the first week or so. (Bearing in mind I didn't tear - they probably come in handy for longer if you do!) I also had Femme pads (I think that's what they're called), which are gel pads you freeze that have disposable sleeves, but I actually found them too cold/freezer burn inducing. Some people swear by them & they make useful cold packs after anyway! I went for cotton covered maternity pads as I found them the softest. It's probably a bit princess-like to put that much thought into maternity pads, but whatever made me more comfortable!

A sports water bottle is a saviour to keep in the loo - fill it with water & pour over yourself as you wee & it reduces stinging & makes the whole business a lot more comfy at first. And I had Earth Mama New Mother Bottom Spray or some such (Amazon) & found it really soothing, so just sprayed it liberally after every time I went to the loo. (You pee a lot in the early days as you lose all the extra fluids we're piling on now...) I also took a bath every day with sitz bath concentrate in. No idea if that helped healing per se, but it was a lovely thing to do anyway! Some people swear by arnica, but I didn't end up using any.

There's a cushion (valley cushion, I think it's called?) that your local NCT branch may have available for hire. It's basically a donut to sit on that can be much more comfy if things end up rather bruised. And I found a supply of incontinence pads (or puppy training pads) to be handy at first, mostly for peace of mind while sitting around & bleeding like a stuck pig in the first few days (I gushed every time I moved ) but also for in bed where I leaked milk & sweated TONS at night at first. (Waterproof mattress covers are a godsend. Just for life post-baby in general, to be honest.)

I think that's it that I used! A bit of an essay, but I'm rather fond of my ladybits & thought it fair to treat them kindly. I have an essay on the things I prepared & did to optimise boob comfort in early days of breastfeeding too, but I might save that for another day!

I'm not sure what position my baby's in, as I haven't been seen for ages. I assume mostly head down, cause I feel a big bony bit grinding into my pelvis sometimes, but I think I need to try a bit harder to encourage good positioning as sometimes things feel all uncomfortably sideways.

Lilygirl sleep is a pain for me too. I was so smug last time as I slept well till the end, but this time I need to buttress my bump & hips in bed with a million pillows, which I then have to shift every time I get up to pee (which is constantly), & they make me feel hot & bothered in this muggy weather. No winning. I have been trying to take naps whenever possible!

Loved the gender guessing upthread. I didn't know heartburn was linked to gender, I thought it was linked to baby having hair or not? At any rate I had loads last time & had a boy with a full head of hair. This time I haven't had any, so maybe I'm having a bald girl?

Rum you've reminded me that I put an old towel under the sheet on my side of the bed to protect the mattress. Might do the same again soon, just in case! Think I also slept on top of an old duvet to cushion knackered hips/pelvis/back too like the princess and the pea I was!

Tea tree oil was a godsend in the bath afterwards. I tore with ds and that really helped. Boots sell it.

Am on my phone and memory is shot to pieces so can't remember who has low lying placenta Sorry. But I would think that forewarned is forearmed?

This baby feels low now. It's head down but still swivelling around so that it's bum can be either at the rhs or lhs depending on it's mood.

rum you've just reminded me about the stingy peeing, how could I have forgotten that? Its been 5 and a half years since my last baby, I think I've forgotten more than I remember...bit worried now.

Sophia, yes I'm working right up until I go onto labour, expect I'll be induced at 41 weeks again. Work is so rubbish right now, I'm really fed up.

At least my kids are out for summer break now, during term time I have to be up at 5.45 to get them out the door to school at 6.30am. Honestly, Americans are nuts thinking that's a reasonable time for primary aged kids to go to school. Just now we can sleep in til 7.30 every day, its bliss. I'm not sleeping well at all, so its a real life saver.

Just back from MW good news at last
Blood pressure and urine back to normal so they no longer worried about preeclampsia, said it must of been my pneumonia causing it

And I'm finally feeling better the antibiotics have nearly cleared my cough up

And my husband is home in 2 days. At last I feel happy ha ha.

I also soaked tena in water and witch hazel and put in freezer in tinfoil for after birth , it defo helped

I had a small spray bottle with water and tea tree I would spray on after a pee

I took arnica tablets too straight after birth for A few days to help with swelling

It all really helped I found