November 2017 #3: Flutters, bubbles and a proper bump!

[GingerHanna]

Previous Thread

Here we all are... delving into our second trimesters and awaiting 'The Big Scan'! Don't forget to keep the list updated.

I was wondering where everyone was gone! :) 15+4 here, obvious pudge/bump to me and my dh and mum, but not to anyone else. Told a friend yesterday and her and her mum visibly looked me up and down, my mum said I look totally normal so it's a bit strange when I say I'm this far along. Don't know why they're surprised because I was the same last time!

Finishing up a mad few weeks of work this weekend, going to have some well deserved relaxation for the next few weeks. Have a gp appt next week to check blood pressure, it's not my usual gp so am dreading it, as it will defintely be high and I'll have to explain everything and my fear/anxiety of it to another person, who won't be able to act as appropriately as my gp would as she knows me so well.

Nice Would it be worth you getting measured in Bravissimo, just to check sizes? Not sure how easily you could get to one ... I often get measured there and then go online to buy cheaper bras!

I was supposed to do NCT last time around but never made it due to DD arriving too early. Fortunately, I've made some other Mummy friends via a local baby group which was free! I'm debating joining an NCT ante-natal group this time too as I didn't really have to look after DD when she was a newborn due to her time in SCBU. I'm most nervous about trying to breast feed after bottle feeding DD, who was unable to breast feed.

My sister in law gave birth in April, and she said her NCT group are amazing and they have all become very close friends and have all met up already even though there haven't been any official group meet-ups! A friend of mine is due in November too (with twins!) I haven't told her I am expecting yet but when I do I will see if she wants to go to NCT and maybe a prenatal yoga group with me. She is due a couple of weeks after me but I expect will deliver early due to having twins.
I definitely want to do some sort of group activity to make baby friends :)

Guys I have got to ask, do you think this is slightly discriminative behaviour...So my colleague and I have worked together for absolutely years, we started a few months apart in this office job and she is a very close friend of mine. We are on the same scale, and equally qualified in our roles.
Another colleague last week handed her notice in. She is a couple of scales up and has already been chatting to us about whether one of us would go for the job as we are both pretty familiar with her role and what it entails. I'd say we are equal candidates in that.
My friend told me today that yesterday our department manager called him in to his office and encouraged her to apply, and pretty much implied that she would be a shoo-in. Am I being paranoid in thinking that he is trying to push her to go for it and that I would be less likely to get the job because I am pregnant? I plan to come back to work on a part-time basis after the baby is born, but I always thought if you were applying for a job they weren't allowed to take pregnancy or maternity leave in to the equation? Maybe I am being too sensitive. I don't even know if I want the bloody job! Sorry for the rant. X

Sorry I meant to say called her in to his office, not him!

@Hazandduck I'm sorry I don't know the answer to you work related question. It does sound a bit off though, I would call ACAS for advice, they will give advice for free. When I phoned they didn't even ask where I worked, they just advices on the law around my situation.

17 weeks today. I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

I used booborbust.com and went from 32B to 32 DD/E. I bought a few bras from primark for now and will get some nursing ones in a couple of months.

I did classes for DS but it wasn't a friendly group like I've heard nct groups are. I've found a group that meets twice a month near to where we're hoping to move to so I'm going to make the effort to meet them. I think not knowing anyone when I had DS played a huge part in my pnd. I'm determined not to be in the same situation again.

I've also contacted someone about hypnobirthing. Just waiting to hear back with class schedule.

I got DS's buggy from his father this week and other than needing a bit of a clean it's looking good. One less thing to have to think about.

AGnu, you're amazing. Thank you so so so much. You made my week

Haz I dunno, if they know you're coming back only part time and it's a full time role that's understandable enough on their part. Sucks though :/

Zampa best of luck on breastfeeding this time :)

We don't have NCT things here but I was lucky that a local mum and baby group started just weeks before I had ds, and I've made some good friends at it and the local breastfeeding groups.

Yeah I see what you mean, I've just never known that feeling of rejection before in the workplace! And we've not even had the discussion of whether I will come back, be it full or part-time, or when I will even go on maternity leave yet, I have just told them I'm pregnant and that's it. Seemed kind unprofessional of my boss, but he is very tactless and does things like this all the time. Numpty lol. They have to legally advertise the job even internally, so I guess there is nothing to stop me applying...:D

Haz I think it is discriminatory but I think your issue would be proving it, sadly. Try calling the Maternity Rights Advice Line on 0808 802 0029. They'll probably give you better service than I can offer!

Thanks Foggy.

The Maternity Action website is full of useful information.

Hazandduck I think you are right but I don't see how you can prove that they discriminated against you. If they don't want to hire you because you are pregnant, they will not tell you that, they will find another reason... But definitely apply for it! It will be a usefull experience and you never know!

Marking my place glad I have just about been keeping up with you all! It's been a tough couple of weeks, had a few major blood losses and ended up in A&e at one point - I thought that was it, but it seems that I have managed to hold on to this little one... lots of secret home Doppler checks later the heartbeat is as strong as ever!

@sockportal I also have a gender scan tomorrow and am very excited/nervous about it.

@haz I agree with the others, you should apply for it, if you want it. I was promoted once during mat leave and once while pregnant, sometimes you just have to pretend you haven't noticed any discrimination and carry on regardless! It normally makes people think twice. Good luck x

Lovely to see the proper bumps, I am still just looking like I ate all pies!

Here's to the next round of scan pics and gender reveals... I can't wait!

Haz, it does sound quite discriminatory - From their point of view they are likely to need to prove that they haven't discriminated on the basis of your pregnancy. Acas are really helpful.

I did nct with my first, was a godsend to have friends in the same situation at the same time. Also did a local NHS class and met people there too. I wouldn't do the classes second time round though, as I'm probably far too cynical and would worry I'd either have to zip my mouth shut or would end up spoiling things for others

Had my repeat nipt blood test today. They did the vision test last time but this time it was the harmony. They were a bit cagey about why they've changed but were also very reassuring about the inconclusive result. So another 7 day wait for answers now

Good luck with the test, B!

Anyone else still throwing up or is it just me?

You're welcome stuck! Glad it got there ok!

Zampa I've not actually vomited at all but I'm still queasy every day & gagging frequently.

I've been ill today. I nearly had to call DH home from work because I was panicking a bit about the baby. My first labour sign with DS2 was diarrhoea so when my belly suddenly got bad out of nowhere & for no obvious reason, I did get a little concerned! Feeling a bit better now, no idea why I was ill in the first place though which is a bit disconcerting!

Is everything ok now, Agnu? I remember my body clearing itself out at both ends when labour started! But not want we want right now! Get well soon.

Yes, all good now. Other than a lack of sleep! Was finally drifting off the night before last when DS1 woke at 3am... I put him back in bed several times & woke DH at 6.15 when I couldn't take any more. Then there was the whole stomach thing at lunchtime yesterday & I dozed for most of the afternoon so then couldn't sleep last night! I know I'm pregnant when I'm sitting in the garden at 5am eating an ice lolly... Happened with DS2 too! I've got to the point where if I go to sleep now I'm just going to feel worse when I wake up. I'll try & nap a bit later but will have to time it so I don't end up not sleeping tomorrow night!

AGnu diarrhoea is common in pregnancy like constipation is but nobody seems to mention it! I had it a good bit with ds from 7 weeks to about 27 weeks.

I haven't vomited at all either, and have mostly solved my queasy heartburn feeling by giving up bread and dairy, so I'm almost permanently hungry :(

Ds is sick, he's usually an awful sleeper anyway so I've basically had 2 nights of no sleep, thank god I finished work yesterday for a while.

@user1489352197 oooo so you're planning on finding out if it's a boy or a girl. We've decided not to, but seeing all the cute little summer dresses makes that decision hard.

Hope you're feeling a. It better AGnu.

I've started feeling the occasional bubble and flutter. Started on Thursday when sitting in a 2.5 hour meeting! Obviously Limpet (nickname for LO) got just as bored as I was! I was utterly distracted trying to figure out if it really was just three bubbles popping and then had a flutter! Got some more a day later again, whilst sitting still for a long time.

DH sulked comically as they were both whilst he was at work! So when I had some bubbles last night I'm bed he put his head on my tummy and said he could hear them! So sweet. He did it again this morning even though I wasn't feeling anything. I think items really starting to feel real for him now.

*a bit better

*it's not items!

Insomnia driving me insane :-/ big BBQ today and loads to do and am knackered already. This is my first so I feel for those of you with toddlers running around right now!

@izzibee29 yes, with two boys, I would like to know

I didn't find out with my first, which was fun but I know I won't last the distance this time I am happy either way, the camp is split at home with DH wanting a girl and the boys wanting a boy!

Today is the day I find out the flavour of my baby. I'm so nervous, especially as I've told people we are expecting now. I think it's a hangover from finding out in my first pregnancy that I was having a mmc at the 12 week scan.

Wish me luck! And I'll be along to update you after the scan which is at 4pm.