May 2017 #10 - To be prepared or not prepared

[RasperryInAMelon]

Here's a link to the last thread and photo updates just incase anyone's looking for anything!

Thread 9

Photo Page - Bump Update

I don't have access to a desktop right now though so can't post the link to the GoogleDrive spreadsheet, but it's a few posts down in the previous thread!

Happy chatting!

@MrsJW15 I know right?? I'm not sure how much a baby uses!

@WishIWasSleeping love your advice about getting out the house to buy the nappies! I was given some ASDA ones in a bounty pack and they do smell, plus they look a bit smaller than the Aldi ones.

Planning to, and actually getting outside are two totally different things!
What with spares of everything plus milk (unless it's boobs!) and food for you and then getting the baby in a car seat before it poohs (again) I think anything more adventurous than visiting family or a supermarket where you can buy everything you've already forgotten is brace to say the least!

@nursebickypegs
I get the same feeling that I don't get told everything, but it's the other way round; I think they don't know that I'm a physio, and just like to keep me ignorant. Also because I've seen so much in babies and young children, I may be more anxious about something not quite right with baby. Other times I'll be perfectly rational and realise how many good babies I don't get to see professionally, because they're fine!
Your Obgyn sounds terrible indeed! She'd have a complaint running if that was mine!

@Teaspoon74 I don't buy that either about the epidural... I'd like to do without one! And my nct course is starting same day! Being at same age as you, I'll be induced between 39-40 weeks due to placenta getting 'old' quicker, at least my Ob registrar told me so.

@mightymouse76 sorry to hear about your mum. I'd say if you go for the bednest, at least you know you're not stuck with it afterwards. I'm sure she'll be able to find something else to help you with. GD is not good news surely, but it's quite common so why can't they be slightly more positive?

@1004Rise beautiful philosophy x
@Barnes79 thank you for the monster giggle
@growcookeat not sure about hv although I think it's likely to happen, as a friend who lives in same city had hv seeing her and baby before last visit of midwife.

Took me more than 2 hours to catch up on today's messages!

peach glad you liked the nct class, are you doing the signature or essentials one?

Our nct class starts tomorrow - feeling a tiny bit lonesome because DH is away for work for 8 days so will miss the first one (plus missing him generally - and honestly, I have to unload the dishwasher myself, what's that about??)

Baby event starts in Lidl from Thursday

Agree with WishI about the nappies and stockpiling. So much depends on the shape of your newborn as to which brand fits, there is little point stocking up now as you may end up with a load of leaky ones. They do go through loads in the early days.

Sorry your DH is away Cox. It's always much harder on your own. I've had to put a temporary ban on any more work trips. There was one period where mine was away every couple of weeks, and I was finding it so tiring looking after DD, working and being pregnant.

Thanks everyone. I won't worry about the HV yet then, I'll ask at my next MW appt in 2 weeks if I haven't heard anything.

I have 2 packs of different brand nappies so I'll get a couple more brands and see which are best. Good to hear the Lidl event is on this week!

Cox one lady at our NCT was there without her DH as he was working away. Everyone was really friendly and she was as included as everyone else if that helps? Our group is 8 couples btw.

Right off to work. 13 days to go...

Don't see HV till 10 days after the baby is born here. I have to say I don't really rate the 'service/support' 1st time round I was made to feel like a failure each appointment and that any issue we had were all in my head.
Cox, my husband travels for work quite a bit, combined with a love of sport and and an inability to say no to anything some weeks we barely see him. Is he going to make it to your other class(s)?

LOTS of catching up to do! I've only been away for a day so far and I've got war and peace to catch up on! 😂

Sounds like there are lots of us having wobbly moments... I know I've had a few too, all of those what ifs - but there's not a lot that can be done about it now. So I guess my outlook is that I have to step up and be the best mum I can be once DD arrives.

@mrscrocopop re leaky boobs... lucky you! I can't wear a bra to bed (too restrictive) but keep finding I'm waking up with a wet arm where I've been laid on my side the pressure has caused me to leak even more.

@beanturnipandspud I'm going to have to go for a fitting again when I get back. Really begrudge buying new things now with only 10 weeks to go though!

Must come back when I get home to have a look at the hospital bag suggestions - thanks @1004Rise @nursebickypegs . My Midwife made a good point at a class the other day... get your birthing partner to go through it. That way they know what's in there and where everything is too!

@nursebickypegs re birth plan I've been encouraged not to write it yet, but I think I'll be doing it at my 32w Appt. Ideally I'd like to stay at home for as long as possible, minimal support and pain relief and a water birth... BUT, I frankly haven't got a clue and will do whatever is bloody well needed!

@RedBluhope your physio Appt went well - I can't wait to see mine on Monday! I've started suffering really bad with rib and upper back pain particularly at night which is so debilitating it's leaving me in tears 😔

@PowerofThree I hear you on the not bending over front - DH now us to do my shoes up for me 🙈

I'm supposed to be going on Mat Leave at 32 weeks - I've got 22 days of Leave to use and the commute is absolutely ruining me. But am hoping to discuss possibly working from home a bit and perhaps not starting quite so early if possible.

@WishIWasSleeping I've got my next pregnancy massage at the end of April... cannot wait!

I seem to be polishing off Melon and Pineapple like it's going out of style at the moment, but really struggling to find either here in Barcelona 😩

@savagehk Sainsbury's are quite good for t-shirts and leggings too!

@MrsJW15 loving that day bed!

@mightymouse76 sorry to hear about your mum 

@nursebickypegs your experience at the clinic the other day sounds horrendous! I really hope things get looked into for you. 😡 So glad to hear LO's heart is better!

Stupid question maybe... Im not sure if I've been tested for GD... but I had bloods done at my 28 week appt - would it be picked up from that?

@Barnes79 I've been silently reading and chuckled out loud when I got to your Monster Munch comment! 😂 I'm pleased that I've got 6 packets left for my return, so I'll have a go!

@Teaspoon74 my trust do the #HelloMyNameIs thing!

I too have a stash of nappies tucked away in various sizes and brands to see what we get on with.

@coxsorangepippin @EsmesBees I'm putting a ban on DHs work trips unless it's local

I'll try and find out about a HV trip before LO arrives.

In brighter news, Barcelona is glorious! Sun is shining and I'm pushing through this stinking cold. DH and I had lunch brought for us as a baby warming gift by a random guy we sat next to at lunch which was so lovely!

A trip is just what's been needed! ☀️

Hope everyone is having a lovely start to their week!

"I can't wear a bra to bed (too restrictive)" - have a look at some of the very soft (no shape really) nursing bras. Can't remember what brand mine were, but I needed something post-birth to stick the breast pads into when sleeping. They're not restrictive at all (but then I have a relatively small bust).

"My Midwife made a good point at a class the other day... get your birthing partner to go through it. That way they know what's in there and where everything is too!" - or pack it together - they'll be the person rummaging in it. Put out whatever you need and make them pack it perhaps?

Re GD - from the pictures you seem pretty slim so you're probably lower risk anyway. I know it's never been mentioned to me. I think they can pick up sugars in your urine which is a marker for if you might need the GTT, or if there's family history.

@savagehk I know I'm going to need to find something - I just hate wearing anything to bed. Not worn clothes in bed for 15+ years, I get waaaaaay too hot

I think it's the emma jane ones that are the best for this (in my case anyway). I have the carriwell one too (I normally don't wear underwire) but it's a much firmer material so not as comfy for sleeping in. Wouldn't recommend a padded one if heat's an issue! www.bras4mums.co.uk/breastfeeding-bras-for-sleeping-53-c.asp

Coxs I'm doing the signature one, it's in 6 separate sessions. Don't worry about your DH missing the first one, it's very inclusive and I'm sure they'll give him a good welcome when he's able to go (but the dishwasher thing is unreasonable!).

Glad you are enjoying the sun rasperry!

I'm on my way to my scan to check if placenta has risen enough to be out of the way... please have moved up!!

Rasperry enjoy your holiday! We had to postpone our short break due to OH work schedule and will probably go somewhere close in September with a baby. It will be fun 😲

Savage! That's cleared up so much for me! I half wondered why everywhere sold these sleep bras (I love not wearing a bra in bed!) but it makes so much sense now that you say to put the breast pads in. I've ordered one from Mothercare, but will look at getting a couple more. It turns out I have very short shoulders, so I need ones where you can adjust the shoulder straps.

Raspberry I love Barcelona! Hope you are having a wonderful time.

Fingers crossed on the placenta Peach.

Thanks @RasperryInAMelon
There are a few markers for GD - certainly your urine tests are one and the midwifes will be watching that. My last urine was fine but a week later my marker was picked up by a sonographer -too much amniotic fluid (although baby measuring normal at that point). If any markers are triggered you'd be sent for a GTT so no need to worry unnecessarily.
The detection seems very fast-mine was identified within two weeks of coming on which is a relief as I wasn't considered a risk for it. I was a low bmi sparrow at 7 stone before pregnancy and was only 56kg at my last weigh in! Most of that gain is obviously on my butt

Enjoy the rest of your trip! It sounds lovely ☀️

mighty I was the same unfortunately, a slim 'GD' in my last pregnancy that was actually the start of an adult form of type 1.

Good luck at the clinic tomorrow, they should be pretty thorough and you usually see specialist diabetic midwife, dietician, obstetrician and endocrinologist which is why it's such a long appointment.

That's my worry @mightymouse76 I've actually put quite a lot of weight on... around 2 stone 🙈

I bust my ass to get in shape for our wedding in August and feel dreadful now

The Jojo soft sleep bras are great. Lovely and soft. Great for keeping the breast pads in, but also for providing a bit of support while your boobs are still tender.

My GD marker was a higher than they'd want BMI. So far at scans I've had there's no problems other than a bigger head. But that's a family trait from my OH so they aren't concerned.
When I had my first GD appointment we had a small group meeting with a diabetic midwife who explained things quite clearly, although there was one girl there who got mardy at the fact she was told to try to cut out her KFC habit, she was getting a meal there at least once a day.
The midwife showed us how and where to test your bloods, I don't use the pen thing as it scares me and I'm frightened by needles as it is so I just prick with the needle. ALWAYS make sure your hands are warm when testing. I've found this makes it easier to get enough blood to test so you don't have to prick again. I also alternate my fingers on each test so they don't get sore.
I'm currently testing at 3 different times. One day I test pre meals, the next I test an hour after meals and then I have a day off. I'm due to ring my results in tomorrow where they are going to review my testing routine again. I've kept my results constant so I'm hoping they may reduce my testing further.
GD is a pain but I survived my 30th birthday with it and I still enjoyed myself.

Rasperry I put on over 2 stone last time, it all fell off pretty fast with the breastfeeding (although: caveat! - I do know of someone who couldn't shift the weight until she stopped bf, hormones are strange, eh?). I've put on less than expected this time really, as I'm still huge perhaps this one will be lighter!

Phew all is ok with my placenta! It's where it should be now so that's a relief. Had to have an internal scan to check it. Apparently baby is 'still a girl' too - well that's good considering what I've bought already! But my goodness the GEL - she squeezed out excesses of the stuff and no amount of paper towel could shift it, its everywhere!

Great news Peach on placenta

That is great news Peach! I've got my scan next week so fingers (and legs and toes) crossed I have the same result.

That's good news Peach.

Arrived at hospital antenatal clinic. Usually here for 1.5-2 hours!