May 2017 #8....... Bumps, Bargains and Baby Clothes

[RasperryInAMelon]

Here goes thread #8

Hello to all! If anyone is just joining us - please add your details on the spread sheet of EDD's...

May 2017

Also a link to the last thread Thread7

dream if you think you are going to have a problem with your manager, which it looks like you are, then I would put everything down in writing and lodge a potential concern with HR regarding your return to work. Usually employers are careful to tiptoe around employees on maternity leave - my redundancy only came into effect the day after my maternity leave ended, even though it was on the cards before I went off for 12 months. She can't push you into accepting anything and is putting herself into a precarious position if she tries. I don't have any experience on using up so much accrued leave as it was all paid to me last time, and along with no pay my current position also doesn't come with holiday entitlement

Again, thanks both of you very useful points of view. I know I'm in a better position than many, our maternity package is not the best but certainly not the worst. The leave I've got left from this year is about half the total, a bit less than what I had left in the pot this time last year so well within my normal pattern. I assumed that I would have to take it but HR said I didn't. I think based on your collective comments that she's sailed pretty close to the wind. It's probably good that I've splurged it out on here really as I'll remember exactly what the conversation was now as I have it (I can write it up a bit more professionally!) in writing as suggested.

Hi everyone. I feel like a crap member of the group after not posting for a while- have been catching up when I can between crazy work schedule last few weeks but it sure moves fast.

Having awful few days. I'm scared, tired and in pain right now. Wanted to see if anyone knew of similar to this

Had searing pain yesterday evening, right side lower back/above hip, radiating round the front a bit. Went away when I sat down for a few minutes but was intense enough to make me sweat and feel sick.

Came back today late morning so went to maternity assessment. Was crying and writhing in agony by that point-pain extending into bump and was having to breathe through it. Preterm labour ruled out by trace on his heart and speculum check, appendicitis ruled out and they didn't think it was a kidney infection based on bloods. Given paracetamol and released (they wanted to give me stronger but I refused-regret that now) and told to take every six hours, no break. They're waiting on more results, not sure how quickly they'll come, guessing day or two.

It's so so painful...at home trying to find comfortable position but it's coming and going when I move. Standing is bad, walking bad, sitting bad and can't lay on right. I'm scared that they can't confirm what it is. Midwife in unit thought kidney stone, and doctor hinted at renal/kidney issue.

I feel at a loss. They said to go back if it gets really agonising again but it's close to that anyway if I let the painkillers wear off (like I stupidly let them this evening- DP gone to get more).

I'd welcome any voices of experience, if anyone knows of or has felt similar. This pain is just quite frightening as well as being bloody awful.

I hope everyone else is well...

mightymouse no experience
I'm afraid but just hoping you are ok. Can you call triage if it gets too bad again tonight or I guess it's the dreaded a and e :(
Wishing you a more peaceful night

mightymouse that sounds horrible, poor you. Glad it's not the baby trying to make an appearance at least! Could it be gall stones? Surely they can do further tests or scans to confirm its kidney related rather than leaving you in limbo? Don't hesitate to go back and/or get stronger pain relief if you need it x

Hi mightymouse,

Are they confident they have ruled out appendicitis? A friend was told she didn't have it but turns out she did!
Hoping that you get it sorted, if it gets really bad get yourself back to hospital

I go away for a few days and it takes me forever just to find where I last read too!
Sorry if some of these replies are a bit late!
Loved our weekend in Rome, the weather was amazing. Lots of walking though. Oh the aching!
Spam - there is no advice too clean your boobs, however I always wiped when baby was finished as I don't like my skin being too wet and I didn't want to smell of dried milk! And washed at least once a day if I didn't have a shower.
Maternity tights - I'm not sure why I'm still struggling along in normal tights because I loved my M&S ones and wore them for months after. Even with a ladder that never ran near the top!
We did a few nights overnighting in our wayfarer pram, DD slept lovely@5mo. (In a tent... I didn't!) we used it all the time downstairs for naps and walks. They are fine for a few hours each day.
Autumn- nothing wrong with going to a normal bed - depends on your toddler! Toddler beds are usually lower to the ground, so easier to get in and out of and not as harsh to fall out of. We have a cotbed because I wanted one she could use for a few years, although Hubby is insistent that we use this for the new baby and buy her a new bed.. I just want to buy a new cot bed! They are good up until around 4 I think. Although I fail to see how you can 'grow out' of a bed so early.....
My bloods just happened to be at the same time as my GTT, but unrelated. GTT confirmed normal and they took bloods again a couple of weeks later. They are on alert for pre-eclampsia for me though, so I think I'll have that every couple of weeks. Next appt is in about a week I think.
Some of the aches and pains you guys are having sounds awful. And HR issues are just the worst!
Oh sugar - been reading that long I'm running late for work!
Hope you all have a great day.

Thanks Dream Esmes and Barnes. I will definitely follow it up. I expect I will measure small but am still horrified they'll discount an accurate measuring tool because it was done privately and instead rely on something that has proven to have a significant margin of error... So am bringing DP to midwife appointment on Friday as back up. Have also booked another private growth scan on Monday and will ask for private obstretic referrals if he is still tiny/smaller/not growing. Hopefully, they can then refer me back into the NHS... In the mean while I am obsessively counting foetal movement and will go in for monitoring at the smallest worry... They'll be sick of seeing my face I suspect....

mighty no experience I'm afraid but if you're in that much pain my gut feeling would say go back and try and get pain relief and diagnosis sorted. There are some good suggestions by others on what it might be to follow up. It sounds like you've tried to brave it out without meds for the babies sake but you sound like you've been in distress for some time now. Looking after yourself = looking after your baby too sweet pea so don't feel bad about doing what you need to do if you need something stronger than paracetamol.

Goodness I have so much to catch up on!!

Sorry I haven't been on, I literally came home and died on Sunday evening then was up and down all night as LG was poorly, then yesterday I got home later than planned and LG was moody with me.

So currently sat in. Wth with bump kicking me in the bladder!!

So spoke to my main boss man, got myself all upset as I waited until the very end of the day, and he'd been pushing me to lap the shop floor all day, so was on 16,000 steps with swollen ankles and a lot of pain.

He doesn't do crying so looking back I do have to smile as was really uncomfortable for him. He's asked me to stay until the 13th, which is 1.5 weeks early rather than 3 weeks. However this goes alongside removing me from late finishes - so wants me out of the building by 6.30 every evening, I'm not allowed to be left alone on the shop floor (again I think because I got abused verbally by an irate customer and no other manager around) and he's given me extended breaks and happy for me to sit down if and when.

I think it's a fair deal to be honest

I can't remember who was talking about each thing now!!

The person who was talking about holiday, it's a massive no no. She needs to allow you to make that decision and you need to tell her that so long as you give her 6 weeks notice that you're extending or coming back early that that is your choice not hers.
By law flexible working is allowed managers may not like it however for the primary caretaker you cannot be penalised for wanting to work flexibly - also sounds like she does this so hypocritical springs to mind!!

For beds - we had a cot bed for LG and when we found out we were pregnant we asked my dad to buy her a cabin bed for Christmas - so LG was very impressed that she was in a "big girl" bed like her cousin (who got the same bed a year earlier) and free'd up the cot bed for baby.

However we have a HUGE odd shaped bedroom so we have the cot bed set up and have room for Moses basket next to the bed.

I have had a lot of reduced movement last few days, but just as I get to point of - right I need to go to maternity day care, she wakes up!!

I'm going for blood tests today to see my levels, then GTT Monday (BMI over 30) and then scan and consultant on Wednesday who will give me GTT results, TFT results, and look at babies growth.

Oooo for the person who had a low growth scan privately.

My first pregnancy NHS measured me at 50-60% the whole way along. LG was born at 38 weeks at 5lb 6oz so at 3% at the line

If you are eating fruit and vegetables, looking after yourself, getting he baby the nutrients it needs (salmon is great apparently - I'm eating it but hate it ) you can't do any more. But I do think you should ask for a consultant referral if you're worried, in my town they're held every Wednesday at the hospital, and referrals take 1 week. So either refer through midwife or get GP to refer.

God longest post ever! And I'm sure I've missed people!! So so sorry!!

I'm off to Slough to see my grandad shortly who's just had his hip replaced!

Thanks so much badger, vanilla, lullaby and dream,
I managed to sleep through but haven't braved getting up yet!
Appendicitis ruled out thankfully, and yes was such a relief when they said he wasn't planning on turning up yesterday! I was toughing it out solo until they mentioned preterm...got DP over at that point!
Think the problem with kidney stones is they would usually x-ray but can't expose the baby so think it takes longer winded tests to identify. Will ask about gall stones also- I remember my mum having those and she was on tons of similar pain.
I have been worrying about painkillers so thanks for the reassurance- I certainly can't get through the day with that agony. It's like bad sciatica but to the side. I keep wondering whether it's a ligament thing but they haven't mentioned it at all. I'm a really little build so carrying big. Hoping it's something like that and not a sodding stone...! I think they can cause preterm labour anyway in some cases...guess I better get that bag packed!
Thanks for the messages, really though, I was feeling very alone last night x

Has anyone else had any dizzy spells? I'm 30wks tomorrow and recently seem to keep feeling sick and dizzy, I had the day off work yesterday (prebooked day off) and ended up spending most of it on the sofa as I nearly passed out several times, one of which was in the shower first thing - I had to quickly sit down as everything was going black... getting back up again was less than simple 🙄 I tried eating more to boost my sugar levels but it doesn't seem to help much and I don't really want to be filling my body with lots of sugar if I don't have to. Also keep seeing stars, may be linked??

MightyMouse I have had small amounts of something similar - intense pain above/ by my right hip in my back, feels like a trapped nerve and I can't walk on it at all. However mine goes away when I lay down, so may just be a coincidence that it sounds similar. I think mine is nerve/ ligament related. Seems to have improved by using a pregnancy pillow and a rolled up duvet either side of me at night to support both my leg and bump, and my back.

The nerve/sciatica pain a couple of you describe had been really really helped by the tens machine for me. I've been using for about 30 mins in the eve before I sleep and I've been much more mobile in the day afterwards. I reallly notice if I miss a day or two. I'm putting the 4 pads on my right side, two at the top of my bum and two towards the bottom.
Feeling horrendous today, tired and have a headache. Last place I want to be is the office.

Mighty I hope you feel better soon and they work out what's going on. Good news at least that baby isn't planning on turning up early!!

I got a call from the midwife this morning, my bloods showed low haemoglobin so now I need iron tablets... (yipee!! ) would this help to explain why I've been feeling so tired?

Found someone to do pregnancy massage so trying to book for tomorrow, my aches and pains that were disappearing after a good sleep are now still there in the morning

Cinnamon I was really dizzy at the beginning, really had to take my time getting up. Midwife was concerned it might be low blood pressure, it wasn't and it went away eventually but it might be worth getting it checked, especially if you're getting to the passing out stage.

cinnamon yes, sounds like low blood pressure. Rather than sugar, eat something salty (or both!). My blood pressure is usually low-ish and pregnancy makes it lower.

mighty hope they sort you out soon. Does sound like kidney stones are a possibility, I've never had them but remember I was at the doctor's once and someone came in with kidney stones, he was doubled over in agony and sweating with the pain.

Yes I was going to ask is it low blood pressure cinnamon? My dad had a fainting spell recently (orthostatic LBP)and broke his nose on the bathroom sink! Do take care if you're feeling dizzy.

Rise I'm on iron supplements and they make me feel so much better - less tired and more energetic.

I wondered about low BP but at my last appointment it was high (for me - I always usually have v low BP) so I don't think it's that. I messaged my midwife as someone at work said I should really raise it with her and she said it's probably low blood sugar, low BP or a virus. She didn't seem concerned so I'll just try to ignore it... it's quite hard to concentrate at work with this weird spaced out feeling though! Roll on maternity leave when I don't have to worry about concentrating any longer!!

Rise - iron tablets helped me learn loads. I was feeling dreadful last week - really tired, distant, like my arms weren't attached to my body - but a couple of days and iron and I feel back to my old self!

Helped me loads - not learn loads! Ha!

Cinnamon - are you drinking plenty? If you're dehydrated it can contribute to low BP. It could also be ear infection or something similar so I'd suggest a GP appointment to rule other causes out...

Barnes I'm drinking at least 2L a day, so I would hope it's enough, I am constantly thirsty at the moment! My blood test flagged up vitamin D deficiency (something I asked them to add onto it as I have a history of problems with this) previously this hasn't given me dizzy spells but I googled the symptoms just out of interest and it can make you lightheaded/ dizzy/ faint, so I think it could be that causing it! I've got a drs telephone appointment in a week to get a prescription, so hopefully that will help!

CinnamonTwist yes I have been having dizzy spells & fainted a couple of times. But I do have very low blood pressure. I have had spells particularly after I've eaten oddly enough, but apparently it's because the blood pressure is diverted away for digestion and so leaves you light headed. Mentioned to midwife and GP anyway and neither were concerned, just said to keep fluids up and make sure to get plenty of rest.

I wanted to ask please about Hypnobirthing.... I am sorry as I have a feeling it has been covered before but I can't find which thread! Anyway, I have got the Maggie Howells CD. I just wondered on your thoughts as to whether hypnobirthing worked; if just using the CD and book is sufficient; or are classes worthwhile? Thanks.

Sauvignonismysaviour I did the CDs last time. I was so fed up when they refused to attend me at home when I was in labour that I didn't keep up with listening to it etc when I went to the MLU, so it probably didn't help as much as it could have. However, having said that, my notes keep going on about how well I'm coping, so perhaps it was still useful.

This time I've gone for a course, as I think it might be more useful for me, and I want to focus on how to keep my concentration if things start going pear-shaped; plus it will help OH to support me through labour if he attends the same course so we're all on the same page.

I've not started the CDs again this time, some practitioners probably have different techniques and methods so I figured to wait till the course and then see. First session this Saturday :)

Sauvignon I've booked onto a short course (4 hours) about six weeks before the due date. After discussing on here, I've decided to get the CDs after that to make sure it's the same type. It seems worth a try!

Mighty hope you are feeling better soon and they can figure it out.

Just had a mild panic as I had a missed call from the hospital and I thought it was about my blood test results and there was something wrong. But actually it was to try and arrange this MRI scan I was offered as part of a trial. Not sure I'm going to be able to do it, as it's just a big time commitment, which is a shame. On the plus side, I also found out that my voicemail wasn't working properly on my phone