May 2017 #12

[savagehk]

Hi all! No imagination for a name but it was getting tight!

I've had to slow down massively too! I'm only 34 weeks today and getting a waddle due to PGP/SPD. I've always clicked in my joints and am horrendously hypermobile in many joints, which makes the spd easier to bear (no real pain just discomfort) but I'm much more aware and sluggish now.
Re the two friends with miscarriages: I would also feel very awkward but if they're close friends they'll still want to know how you're doing and they'll ask you. You can ask them outright how they would like to stay in touch and they'll let you know what suits them. For my friends, it helped that my FB is free of pregnancy and baby related stuff. A friend who openly claims she doesn't want children has told me how much she appreciated the silence on my fb when she found out she had an ectopic pregnancy unexpectedly and is now hoping to TTC... another friend is in the process of adopting (foster to adopt) and has said the same.

It is true that our world changes a bit when expecting and it will change even more when we have our baby so we are having different friendships from MN and NCT but I'm hoping to stay on track with non pregnancy related friends as well. In fact some of them have been long ahead of me and they've managed to stay in touch with me.

My vote is to stay in our warm supportive group at least until beginning of June to make sure everyone has crossed the line. It's a 100% more supportive thread than lots of other MN threads.

Happy Easter to all of you! Thinking of @teainbed and hope things are progressing nicely? Sorry about the GD @ShiniBerry. If there is still a pool in labour ward you may be in luck? I may be transferred there too and can be monitored wirelessly whilst I'm the pool which they can't do in the MLU. Fingers X

I also agree about staying here until we are all ready to move... I love this group and the support it gives and wouldn't want to lose you all!!

Growth scan today rearranged from last week... had so many now but always feel a little anxious!

Just catching up again here, it's a bit mad now DD1 is off for Easter. Heading out on an easter egg hunt shortly- think I was getting more rest at work!

Hope all is going well with your induction tea, and that you are close to getting lovely newborn snuggles- it's very exciting! Sorry to hear about the GD shini, I know from experience it's a bit upsetting to have your birth plans turned on their head, but it will all be worth it in the end, we just have to focus on that I suppose. Glad all was OK with you esme, I'm another who can't believe nobody helped you! That's a lovely idea for your DH raspberry. I am still trying to decide what to get the girls from this new baby, really need to get that organised now. Our other tradition is to buy the baby it's own special teddy, and I am going to get it a new 'going home' outfit, as it's had nothing new at all so far.

I was at my final midwife check on Tuesday. She measured me with the tape measure (first time they've bothered as I've been having scans) and as I was measuring 33 rather than 38 I got packed off to the hospital again for monitoring. All was fine, as I expected as this bean never stops wriggling. In other news, my section has now been put back a day till next Friday, so still a week to wait! I expect I'll have to stay on post-natal for 2 nights, as I have before, but if there's any way I can escape quicker I'll try my best!

Ha! mighty, rise team yellow VAT return can be an honorary group member!! Like the fur babies without the fur?

Rasperry I now have a baby vest in my etsy shopping basket with 'proud owner of a bearded daddy' on it, DP has a tremendous firey red beard that I'm sure our baby will be fascinated by. A silly inexpensive idea I saw on etsy and will make myself (I don't like to rip other people's creations off normally but hold off the horror until you read what it is...) was a dads newborn survival kit, earplugs for the squalling, matchsticks for eye propping open and a peg for getting the nose used to shitty nappies. Also I will be including a punnet of raspberry's in my present selection in honour of the source of the greatest idea for a project to kick off maternity leave ever!!

Just went to collect some baby gates I'd ordered (to keep the intermittently grumpy fur baby away from LO) and got asked if "they were at the mobile stage". Clearly not looking very preggers today

@Barnes79 ha ha at not looking pregnant I was just wondering how you were getting on with your grumpy fur baby this morning.

@dreamofhungarianlanterns I need that vest! Bit of a running joke about my OH's beard. He has a great beard but always shaves it or trims it to stubble when we go to visit his grandparents as they don't approve hehe

So annoyed... if all but finished my long post and it bloody deleted before I could hit post 😤

Monitoring is going ok, still finding a lack of movement but the heartbeat monitoring is showing that she's active and seems fine.

DH and I decided on the off chance to pop into the Birthing Centre to have a look around (they only do a tour on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and we have our final NCT class next Weds and that means the next available tour will be the week before I'm due) and the MW was very obliging - the rooms are so nice, double bed, wet room and birthing pool to labour in and you'll only be moved when another lady comes in to labour and then you'll be moved to a smaller private room.

Seeing as we're back at the hospital today, we're going to try our luck in the delivery suite today.

Thank you all for the Babymoon Box ideas! I need to actually get on with ordering some things now!

@jennymac31 @peasandquiet @dreamofhungarianlanterns I hope you all had a good last day! Enjoy some rest time now! 💐

@teainbed I hope all is going well?

Welcome @Bethany0903 👋🏻

@EsmesBees I hope you're resting after your fall? I can't believe no one stopped to help you, are you not able to go to your local hospital for the Anti-D injection rather than trecking all the way back into town?

I'd like to jump on the staying here bandwagon until everyone's popped... you lot have been a saving grace to me and DHs ears so it would be great to stay in touch ☺️

I should probably think about dragging myself out of bed shortly... 🙈

Hi all, hope everyone has a nice Easter weekend.

I've had a bad nights sleep and DH has complained I kept him up all night with my snoring,constant fidgeting and moaning!

I have dull stomach and back ache all night and still have it now, so just taking it easy today. Feel abit breathless too but think it's baby's position as my rib is still so sore.

Amazon came this morning with a book for me - the blissful baby expert.

Have started reading and interesting tips so far - she recommends a dummy for baby in the early feeding stages- to help with less sucking on boob for comfort.
Anyone else read it?

vanilla I'm sceptical, suckling at the breast is a hugely important part of getting your milk to establish and regulate at first.

Re staying on thread, happy to share that but suggest birth stories on a new thread, both means easier to find and easier to ignore for those wanting to only hear positive stories!

@savagehk yes I was sceptical.
She says in the first few days when there is only colostrum that baby's can be left on the boob for too long, and advocates use of a dummy for short periods to help prevent getting sore nipples in early stages

Well, from my own experience, every time baby niggled i let him suck and i had no sore nipples.

Heard on the bus: "Daddy, this lady is going to have a baby, she needs to go to the hospital" hopefully not yet sweetie

Heard on the train: "Mummy if the lady is wearing pink jacket is she going to have a girl?" Poor little boy in my belly

😂😂😂

@newbieho from the mouths of babes...

Vanilla - I'm another who was lucky and didn't get sore nipples. DD went more or less straight onto 4 hour feeds, one boob per feed and fed for 10 mins. I had quite a fast flow, and she totally refused a dummy anyway. We tried a few times over a few months but she didn't like it. Good for photos I guess!

@newbieho that's so cute, I love the things kids come out with and their logic!

Newbie - that's fab. I'm wearing grey today, hope my baby doesn't come out like sensible Norman!

Thanks @savagehk @WishIWasSleeping just a case of seeing how things go.

Sorry in advance for mammoth post - catching up on SO MUCH chat!!

Welcome Bethany!* This is such a great group!! Am in the same boat - not much scope to talk baby URL (and like Rustler,* not keen to put lots on FB until actually have bubs here in my arms!) so this has been a godsend!

And congrats to Jenny, Peas & Dream on finishing work.... v jealous! 8 work days / 6 office days and 1 conf to go. Eek!

Barnes can fur baby jump?!? We talked about a stair gate and banning the boys from upstairs but concluded that locking the baby room is the only option.

Dream I LOVE ❤️ the new dad survival kit! May have to nick that too ;)

Northern exciting to have a date?? And we were talking about toys today!! We have 3 that we bought from Ikea early doors and have decided that the Labrador is the hospital toy that bubs will have as her first cuddly. Can't wait 😊

Rustler, Esmes, Mighty, Rise & Yellow & others who commented on this thread staying live - I agree. As a first timer I've found the support from everyone incredibly helpful. And the shared stories and pics have meant that the weeks and months have flown by!

Mighty lol re the back view not giving you away!! I sometimes feel like a need a bumper sticker to stop people on the tube whacking into me with their mahoosive handbags! Though the guilt on people's faces (usually) when they see me turn round with big sad cow eyes and a baby on board badge is priceless #meanpleasures

Bean re GPs - you can be temporarily registered for up to 3 months I believe. They don't get your records transferred until /unless you swap permanently but in other practices use System 1 they may be able to share records if you have given permission. You can also request hard copies from your registered practice (for a fee) and take them with you to the practice you want to get temporary care from.

Also Bean re your pals and MCs, so sorry for them and for you. I think they need to set the pace but just let them know that you are there for them. Badger's advice was spot on. A good pal of mine miscarried just after I found out I was expecting and has struggled to be in contact ever since as she's still dealing with the fallout. It hurts to lose a close friend at this point, but I think she need sto get through that sort of loss in whatever way she can. I just hope that your friends cope differently.

Esmes commuters are shitbags!!! So glad that you are ok. And it must have been a huge shock. Hugs!!

Thanks Bean, Savage, Tea, Wish & Lullaby for the sweep info. I stared reading up on inductions and detail of sweep etc yesterday and freaked myself out a bit. Keep having to remind myself that despite all the medical intervention stuff, women have been doing this for centuries.

Good luck* @teainbed* hope everything is going well!!!

Adventure that sounds quite uncomfortable!! I think bubs keeps dipping down and engaging then popping back up. But when she is down it's like someone's turned on a tap and I'm fighting a drip!!

Newbie congrats on what sounds like a good and reassuring scan!

@MrsJW15 I'm there on Weds too! What time? I have a 3pm and a 4pm.

Hoping to get out of the house for the Tall Ships Festival 🚢 tomorrow. Music 🎶 and fireworks 💥 . Just depends on energy levels. Anyone else got fun Easter plans??

I also would love to see this thread continue to thrive throughout all the births and after - I can't keep up with it very well but usually get to read the posts and it's been a great journey together to this point

Newbie love the overheard kids comments!!
Sharing a shared comment from my pal BGGs eight year old niece:

"'Uncle Graham are you still gay?; 'Yes'; 'Who are you gay to'; 'No one at the moment' (To her friend) 'That means he likes penis not vagina'."

Eight!!! Am slightly scared of all the things I did as a kid/ pre pubescent/ teenager and the fact I am having a girl child

teaspoon that's bloody brilkiant!!! She knows what she's talking about!!!

Went swimming for first time since preggo today.... loved it!! Did 20 lengths and gonna go back next week.

Yay! To us all staying together.. it's getting so exciting people getting so close now. I still have 6 weeks to go.... we'll see!

How you doing today beth?

Thanks for the advice and reassurance ladies. This is such a great and supportive group, we definitely should stick together post babies!

I am not as freaked out despite having a bit of a wobble and tears that day over concerns for the baby's health (also feeling mad at myself about my body not staying healthy for the baby which is ridiculous I know). My pre- GD diet was actually pretty good, mostly meat and veg and low GI carbs with the occasional cheat hot chocolates, so it hasn't been difficult modifying it more after the diagnosis. My fasting levels were high which is why they started me straight off on metformin, though now my post breakfast numbers have also crept up. I'm on the lowest dose ATM, 500mg at breakfast and dinner and the levels have been low since. I was told if i had 4 high readings after meds to increase it to 1000mg breakfast and dinner. It hasn't been too bad so far, I was a bit nauseous this morning, but then I still have third trimester morning sickness so can't fully attribute it to the metformin. Thanks for the tip about staying active post meals, I usually am pretty active after breakfast and lunch though can barely move after dinner. But now that i'm on mat leave I want to stay active through the day and think i'll try incorporate a post dinner walk too and see if it helps. I do forget to drink water though (mainly at work), so I need to make sure I stay on top of that

This midwife was one i'd not been seen by before, very forthright and very blunt. She told me to not stress and take it easy, to which I told her I was still working. She told me I was nuts (her exact words) and that as the baby could potentially arrive any day now I needed to have time to myself to prepare and rest because i'd feel cheated if I went straight from work to having a baby and it would take a toll on me mentally and physically. She also said that we need to mentally prepare for this next stage of our lives. She actually told me if I were to continue like that she'd not want to be my midwife which I thought was a bit harsh!!!! While I do love my job and it can be stressful, I think the commuting at this stage of pregnancy is what stressed me out more, so in the end maybe starting mat leave will be the best option for me. It's interesting to hear that you managed to control levels after stopping work "@BouncingBlueberry" (and also about the empty bowels! I usually only go every 2ish days though metformin seems to have sped this up a bit).

"@MightyMouse76" I am sad about my relaxed birth plan going out the window, but I completely agree that we are lucky to have all the options available to us, and to be able to be monitored closely and any issues dealt with and managed quickly. "@Rustler74" there is only 1 pool in the labour ward (compared to 13 in the birthing unit) so it depends on how busy the ward is at the time I suppose. I didn't know you could be monitored wirelessly while in the pool, I just thought the pool was ruled out if the monitors need to stay on.

A positive postnatal ward thread sounds like a fantastic idea!!!

I used to walk at top speed everywhere, and it's only been in the last month that i've slowed down a lot. It now takes me ages to shuffle/waddle up to the top of the road. I also am sure people behind me get annoyed with my slow pace as I don't show from the back, but am massive in front.

"@Newbieho" and "@Teaspoon74" the overheard kids comments made me literally LOL

Hope everyone is having a lovely long weekend!

shini it depends on the hospital and what equipment they have as to whether they can continually monitor while you're active and/or in the pool.

Re break before baby arriving... That differs person to person. I'm working to due date. Although i do expect baby to be late, but I'm trying to get it into a better position than last baby was which can mean they arrive a little earlier (or more correctly don't arrive so late!!). Still not the right way though so we'll see... I know if I'd taken off from 38w last time I'd have gone nuts by 42+5...

Teaspoon fur baby can jump but not that high - I've got extra tall baby gates. My problem is he crys and scratches if shut in a room and can't see me or my DH, so the baby gate means he can be shut out but still see us and not get anxious.

Teaspoon, mighty I wish people could realise I was pregnant from in front, never mind behind. One of the downsides or upsides, I can't decide of having a bump measuring below the 1 centile (if such a thing was marked on the growth chart). I think I just look like one of those ladies who could just be chubby rather than pregnant