#TTC1 - Second Wave grads thread the Second!

[kavanaughkj]

Hello all! Welcome to the second thread for the 'new wave' of grads from #TTC1 - the first wave ladies seem to have decamped en masse to Facebook now (I heard weaning mentioned last time I ventured onto it) so this is now officially the place to be!

We're pretty spread out over the pregnancy journey so far with some newbies and some about to pop I'll try to maintain a list so if anybody wants to leave details of due dates and whether you're Team Blue, Pink or Vanilla (I think we're pretty heavily skewed towards Pink at the moment) then leave your details and I'll amalgamate them!

As Moose mentioned in our last thread, please do feel free to join in if this is your first time walking this weird and wonderful path - there is no such thing as TMI and we're all learning off each other!

Oh Eva I have everything crossed for you today, hope it's good news

kav glad to hear you had a lovely time down in Cornwall. We'll be there when I'm 36 weeks so I not optimistic that we'll manage a great deal of walking! I know what you mean about wondering how you'll be feeling at the end of it, yesterday I was really starting to feel quite cumbersome at 31 weeks! Hope it doesn't get too much worse for you.

moose I am sending you all the labour vibes! Have you tried any natural remedies? Nipple stimulation?! I was just looking it up out of interest and have seen a lot about raspberry leaf tea and clary sage oil but have no idea if there is any science behind those at all! It seems unlikely that they would achieve something that a sweep wouldn't?! The RLT thing said that it's good to start drinking it in small amounts earlier on to build some of it up in your system. Again, absolutely no idea if that is based on anything at all. I'm looking forward to fxskip and glittery getting to that stage so they can give us the low down

I have had a bit of an eventful morning as I ended up going to the assessment centre at 7am for fetal monitoring. I had felt reduced movements from last night and then when I woke up and still felt nothing and hadn't felt anything during the night (when I usually do) I just burst into tears and wondered whether I had left it too late because I hadn't wanted to bother the hospital. Anyway, baby started kicking away as soon as the ctg monitor was attached. I was so relieved. I'm feeling pretty exhausted now though and have had to work from home instead of going in. The doctors and nurses were lovely and reassured me that I did exactly the right thing so if any of you guys end up in that position don't ever worry about calling!

On an unrelated topic has anyone got any thoughts about changing bags? I can't work out whether is prefer a back pack or a shoulder bag or a handbag type style. I am assuming I wouldn't take my handbag out as well and so it would need to double up but I would also quite like for it to be something that DH wouldn't mind carrying if needed. Any opinions welcomed!

Hope you are seen today and it's good news eva

Had my scan this morning and all good, dd now 19th Dec so 12+6 today.

I have no idea on the rlt and other labour inducing remedies, I think sex and nipple stimulation may have some evidence behind them. But to be honest when your due and just wishing labour I would probably try out any of the myths out of hope!

Hope you're ok and Eva?
*
Music* glad all is ok for you. I've been thinking the same re change bags and look forward to reading some feedback from people on here.

Oh Eva I'm so sad for you. I'm hoping against hope that it's ok. I was told at an early scan that there was no progress from 6 weeks - 8 weeks and then they found the baby so there is a possibility she missed it as it's so small. It's so unfair after waiting so long . I don't know what to say x

Just had a massive catch up as been really busy at work, was good as it meant my last week flew by. Trying to get everything done this week in case baby Seahawk makes an early appearance. Keep telling myself I can relax next week!

Kav I felt the same at 32 weeks, but to be honest I don't feel any less lumbery and uncomfortable at 37 weeks so I think it just plateaus. I also have more energy now as just want to get everything done and do all the things we won't be able to do for a while. Went to see Book of Mormon with DH last night, was hilarious and a great night out.

Regarding change bags I really struggled, I either hated them or they were so expensive, e.g. I liked the Anya Hindmarch one! In the end I got a lovely big new handbag that I can clip to the buggy and a portable travel mat that you can keep nappies and wipes and a spare babygro in. DH can use that in his own bag or we got a free bag from jojo maman Bebe that we can stick under the buggy in the basket. If I have to bottle feed I might have to cave but for now I think it will work and I haven't lost all style! Will
Post pics later

This is the handbag - it's from Stella and Dot. My sister uses the same buggy/bag combo so I know it works! The other bag is the one from jojo which I thought we can stuff with dozens of spare nappies/outfits in the early days and stick in the basket under the buggy! I'll post a link to the travel changing mat.

glitter thanks for the immunisation links, my sister is immune compromised so I really understand the need for the herd mentality. I do get that it's hard when you have a tiny baby to trust that it's the right thing. I have one friend who decided not to have the jabs done but she has also barely left the house in 8 months and if she does she has to drive so she can bring everything the baby could possibly need for all weathers - I swear she would bring the cot if she could so I tend to discount her as wildly overprotective!

music you did the right thing getting checked out. They will never say you shouldn't bother them.

kav I meant to say I think keeping up swimming and yoga and walking has really helped. I try to move as much as I can even though I don't always feel like it.

moose hope something happens soon! Although a bit terrified that I'm next - maybe take your time 😊

Need to go now as my parents are about to arrive to help with a days DIY to finish everything off for baby. DH who is not at all practical is safely out of the way at work 😂. Hi to anyone I've missed!

Finally from me - the change mat pouch link

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/d6014.html?gclid=CNLczOvButQCFUmNGwod-gAL3g

Love the bag Seahawk - goes well with your buggy too!

Thinking of you Eva

Ha ha seahawk I defo think I'll want to be out and about asap! The herd mentality is the main pro in my book. I have read books that seem to suggest that a healthy baby/toddler should be able to fight off these diseases (except polio) on their own or can be treated effectively if caught early, but that because they are becoming much rarer then they are often misdiagnosed so are more often fatal than they need to be.

One of the biggest obstacles I've faced is the crap info from the NHS - this is what they say about the 5-in-1:

How well does the 5-in-1 vaccine work?
The 5-in-1 vaccine works well. It produces very good immunity to diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib and polio infections.

Oh, it works well. Ok then, thats all I needed to know!

I will definitely be getting LO some of the vaccinations, but my investigations are ongoing. What worries me is that all of the vaccines were deemed 'perfectly safe' until new 'safer' ones came out, that were supposed to not have the side effects that had previously been denied. I just cannot seem to get enough information!! However, I am going to investigate which of the vaccines have the lowest aluminium content and see if I can request them, probably privately.

Eva I really hope everything is ok with you love.

RE changing mats I am swinging between just using an existing backpack and getting a nice one! Just like everything. I think we've got everything else we need so think I might treat myself to something quite fancy, that can then double up as a nice gym bag later in my life!!

Thinking of you Eva, so hoping for good news for you. I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now but I can give it a good guess.

Thanks for the reassuring words Seahawk - I do think activity is the way to go as well and it's nice to know I'm unlikely to feel more elephantine than I currently do! Unfortunately now I'm back at work my ankles are swelling up again - I'm a lot more sedentary at work than I was during my week off and I can't sit with my feet elevated as high as I need to, so hello cankles ...

Wow Music - glad you got baby checked out, that would freak me out too! I've had a couple of moments where I've been poking my bump to get a reaction as I've felt nothing in a while, but so far I've been lucky and Junior has woken up and responded before I got too panicky. I'm glad they took you seriously though and it's nice to know that if any of us are worried it's absolutely worth following up on.

Re changing bags - I bought one I kept seeing Facebook adverts for. It's from Mia Tui and I think is going to be fab - there's a link here: miatui.com/collections/baby-changing-bags to the collection. It seems to have compartments/bags and clips for just about everything you could think of, and seems to have won a few awards. :) certainly better utility level than the bag that came with my buggy.

Hi all just wanted to check in as for some reason or other my posts have not been updating over the past couple of days.
eva read your post and just wanted to say you've been in my thoughts and hope so much all is okay.
I checked out the list and can't believe how many of you I remember from when I joined to ttc#1 group are now nearly due time seriously does fly doesn't it!!!
Had my booking appointment yesterday just working for the ultrasound letter to come through now. Can't get excited or anything until that scan has happened I'm to paranoid and wary!!!
moose hope you get your wee one soon !!!
music so glad all okay I'd be the same and it's so hard to not feel like your are being a burden I know but it is always the best and safest thing to do to be on the safe side I think!!!

Eva I really hope you're ok, have been thinking of you xxx

Music so relieved everything was ok at the assessment centre. The lady who runs our antenatal classes says there is a lot of evidence for raspberry leaf tea but you need to take the capsules as they are stronger. She said don't take them before 38 weeks. She was also raving about nipple stimulation from 40 weeks, she said have a bath each night & have a good fondle!

Pleased your scan went well Glittery

Ooh love the bags Seahawk!

Kav I'm 29 weeks & feel huge. I'm going to end up the size of a small elephant at this rate!

Missy I couldn't get excited until after the 12 week scan either, hope it comes round quickly for you or you could consider paying for an early scan.

Bump & back are quite achey today so I'm going to have an early night. Really getting kicked this evening! The little monkey! We are going to a spa hotel for a long weekend, I'm so looking forward to sitting around & doing nothing. Just three more crappy days of work to get through first.

Haven't posted much lately... just wanted to add about the vaccines, I think it really important to have things like the 5-in-1, on our August Babies Facebook group there's one person who works with tiny babies in hospital and lots of them have been admitted lately with whooping cough because the mum didn't get the jab either through choice or just forgetting and the babies caught it before they were old enough for their vaccines. Better safe than sorry in my opinion, even if babies can fight off certain infections I'd rather they didn't end up in hospital in the meantime.

Thanks everyone!

I have my consultant appt tomorrow to discuss induction - getting nervous now!

Eva I've been thinking of you lots xx

Seahawk how did your appointment go?

Hi ladies, just checking in.

Hope you're ok eva,thinking of you, and hoping you've lots of support.

Re the injections, I'm pro. I think the benefits far outweigh the risks.

32+1 here and feeling big and hot. Started our NCT which I'm really enjoying. Also started reading some birth books - I'm on the juju one at the moment, some of it is a bit out there and I don't think I'll use, but other bits are really good and useful. Anyone else read anything they can recommend?

Also I'm going to pregnancy yoga now and would really recommend it. It's nothing like normal yoga, you go at your own pace and there's lots of exercises and positions to help you get through labour.

wanting I'm wondering about yoga but as only 8 weeks not sure if I'm too early to go to pregnancy yoga. I'm guessing you can go any time???

missy they usually say 12 weeks before you take up a class, or when you've have your first tri scan. I went throughout, as I have a daily practice, and just modified gradually as the bump grew.
wanting Michael Odent has written some interesting books on birth, they're quite old but a nice reassuring read I think! I'm currently reading Marie Mongans hypnobirthing book which is quite good, Ina Mays guide to childbirth is also good as well as the Gentle Birth Method. All are about non-violent, low-intervention birthing with a focus on relaxation and preparation. I've read loads more but these are the ones I found most interesting. My DH is reading The Birth Partner, but I don't know how he's finding it as he's away with work for a few months.

Thanks skip I'll check those out.

missy I was told to wait until 12 weeks, and did, but you could always see if there's a waiting list and get yourself on it in good time?

Missy, it's worth checking out local pregnancy yoga groups as the one I wanted to join was very over subscribed and I had to join a waiting list before there was space for me. I really do enjoy the classes and it's totally worth going. :)

So I had fun yesterday - I've been getting really bad oedema on my feet and ankles recently and I was looking positively elephantine the evening before last - everybody from DH to several folks at work were telling me to go to the GP so I went yesterday morning. Cue the GP finding trace protein in my urine and my blood pressure being pretty high, so I got put in touch with the midwives at the main hospital to have some bloods taken. I spent the whole afternoon at the hospital having CCG tests, blood tests, being checked over by the doctor, repeat urine tests (thankfully no protein in that one) and have been advised to work from home every day but one or two a week. Just got a call this morning that there's no problem with the bloods they took so that much has set my mind at rest at least - I really want to stay low risk so I can give birth at the local midwife run facility. I think really the ankles swelling up has mostly been due to the heat but it's been good to know if I do need help it's there when I need it, and fast! Hope all the rest of you are doing OK in this warm weather. :)

Oh my goodness kav that's intense! I guess because of the risks associated with pre-eclampsia? Like you said good to know they take action quickly! I find my feet swell up like little sausages if I sit or stand for too long, or if I don't drink enough water. I'm sure you're doing everything you can though so not trying to imply that it's your fault!
Booked in the remainder of my holiday days today, and handed in my matb1 form. All that's left to do is cancel my gym membership from September and I'm ready to go!!

Hi guys!
Sorry for late update but we finally have a baby! Edith Lily (Edie) born on Friday at 14:00. 8lb 15oz. Three days of failed inductions, finally broke my waters and started drip on Thursday eve. 12 hour labour, 1 hour pushing and her head was at the wrong angle to leave. Prepped for forceps but consultant refused and ended up with emergency c section.
Horrendous at the time, but it's true it's all forgotten straight away! We are totally smitten and she's been a dream (other than a few screaming fits!) feeding going really well, just hoping milk comes in soon. They let us out of hospital yesterday and everything has just been a whirlwind! Starting to realise that this is normal life for us now!

Ohhhh congrats Moose - wow, you've been through it and no mistake - but yay for the birth of little Edie! You have a perfect time now to enjoy being a family, such gorgeous weather at the moment :)

Huge congratulations moose so lovely to hear she is finally here