The March-ers 2019 - #7

[Angelmiracle]

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Thread 6

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/3379197-The-March-ers-2019-6

@ballanj I don’t think they start measuring until 28 weeks or that’s what my notes say anyway.

I would be careful about self measuring your bump as it can vary massively midwife to midwife and they are supposed to get exactly the right point - could cause concern if you don't quite hit the right area :)

@wineandchoccy it must depend on your trust as mine was done today and it was technically my 24 week appointment.

@squirtlesmumagain true, as I've just tried to recreate what she did and got 15cm to my belly button but 30cm to the top of my bump... It must be somewhere in between the two because she commented that it was right on target and that should be around 25cm (based on 50th percentile) so who knows! But it's still interesting, providing you don't get caught up in it IMO... But then we've also drawn pictures of our baby based on the 20 week scan percentiles, which tells the kind of people we are!!!

@melissa112 My appointment went really well thank you. She said it's got its back to my belly so any kicks will be against my spine so I won't feel them until it's a lot bigger. @cardboard33 My midwife also said not to worry until about 28 weeks as they take a while to get into a routine. She also said it's probably moving all the time but you can't feel it as you're busy doing things.

Woke up today and it's really low down so I've got hip and butt cheek pain! I think it must be laying on a nerve

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever I've been waking up with lower back/sciatica pain on one side a couple of times this week, didn't think it could be because he might be laying on a nerve!

@ballanj It's the only thing I can think of! I only drew the connection because baby's much lower down than normal and it's the first time my back/bum has been sore!

I've found reflexology has really helped my hip/back pain.

@cardboard33 Thanks again for your wise words. Yes - you're right, the theoretical bit is a bit of a minefield as it is a lot to process / work through. At the moment I don't even know what the consultant would recommend if I do have the fault, so I am imagining every scenario! I can't remember if I've already said that I have done a knee-jerk diet change and cut out dairy, based on some things I have read online about BRCA2 fault carriers, but I don't know how hokey that research is and whether I am depriving myself of cheese and milk for absolutely no reason. Totally get what you're saying about having a set time where you are forced to talk about things, which allows you to compartmentalise a bit for the rest of the time... I'm definitely finding that it is simmering in the back of my brain a lot; I'm dreaming about it, too. My husband has been with me for many, many years - we actually got together around the time my mum passed away - and he knows a lot about my cancer fears. He isn't a talker himself, though, so he doesn't quite get my need to talk things through, and I don't think he entirely gets how different this feels to the vague fears I had before. If it happened to him, he would shut it entirely away in a little mental box until he had a result and knew what he was dealing with!

I love that you've drawn pictures of your baby! Must help a lot to imagine the size of it!

I got my blood test results back today and surprise, surprise - my iron levels are low! They should be between 120-160 I think? Mine were 98. Not too low, my midwife said, but low enough that I need to be taking iron tablets. I am relieved that I have a reason why I feel so rubbish - and a reason that is fixable, too!

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever glad your appointment went well. It always amazes me how they know where baby is and where he/she is facing.

I have a new anxiety today. Someone has been round to fit our new oven. All went ok until he left and when i went into the kitchen it stinks of some chemical smell. He said they used it to get the glue off the front of the oven. I'm not happy about it but I didn't know he was going to do that.

I've got the back door open and living room windows but can still smell it. Not sure what to do as I'm working from home so can't go out and can't have the back door open for too long because of the dog.

He did also say that when the oven is first used (it's an electric one) it will have a smell to it. Really worried now about both new oven smell and chemical from whatever he used to remove the glue

They wouldn't be allowed to use them if they were going to put people at risk @melissa112 and obviously don't sit in there all evening, but smells are most likely smell worse than they are.
Did you look into the self referral for some support?

@melissa112 the smell won’t be pleasant but won’t harm you or baby but I know you have been struggling with smells triggering your anxiety. The 1st time you use s new oven it does smell but it’s nothing to worry about.

@BadBadBeans hope the iron tablets make you feel better.
I have been on them since I was 10 weeks but my bloods at 28 weeks showed my levels were way up but they still want me to keep taking them until the end.

@AssumeItWasSomethingClever it's so hard seeing people you care about going through that. I hope it's the best outcome for them.

@Wineandchoccy leg cramps here too. Luckily they don't last long and I've been able to get back to sleep so far but hoping the ease off soon.

@melissa112 just get plenty of air in there and it will soon clear? Have you got an extractor - that would help. I really need to clean my oven but I've neglected it a bit this year and really need to get right in there. Might try it with the steamer rather than the oven pride....

I had my GTT yesterday. It went well hopefully levels are normal. The orange flavoured sachet was a lot better than the warm tumbler of glucose I got with DS!

While I was waiting on bloods I met with the consultant midwife. She deals with helping you manage high BMI in pregnancy.

However she said she also consults women who want an ELCS. And asked had I thought about how I want to deliver this time. I said I'm still undecided I can chat more with consultant next week. She informed me it will be one of his registrars at the appointment. But if I feel I want an ELCS to contact her at 32 weeks and she'll make sure I get to see the consultant to discuss things.

She was really lovely and that has calmed me somewhat that the option is there should I decide that's what I'm happier doing.

@Angelmiracle I didn't find the drink to bad neither, just the 2hr wait was the worst!

I also have an appointment at 34 weeks to discuss my birth plan.
My midwife is pushing for me to have a VBAC, I would love to have one but so scared and paranoid!

I got induced with ds and ended up having an emergency c-section and ds has to be resuscitated when born!
Also having 2 miscarriages I just want this baby here safely with no complications, so really undecided on what to do!

Also I have a scan on 8/1 to check if placenta has moved, it was totally covering my cervix at 20wk scan. So a section may be my only option anyway!

@melissa112 you poor thing, you have definitely had more than your fair share of horrid chemical smells to worry about! The kitchen windows being open will have provided plenty of adequate ventilation. Probably too late now, but is there any way you can get DH to turn it on for a couple of hours while you are out of the house so that its first use is not going to bother you?

@HidCat you could try making a bicarb paste to clean it? Steamer also sounds like a plan! We are away from home this weekend and my MIL has decided to clean the oven while I am out of the house, bless her, so that I am not exposed to the fumes. Thought that was v thoughtful of her. They are also going to light our logburner on our side of the house for a few hours as it gave off a hideous chemical smell when we lit it a few weeks ago and we haven't wanted to light it since. FIL reckons it just needs burning through. I hope so as it is bloody freezing and I would love fires on a daily basis!

@Angelmiracle what a lovely midwife experience for you. I am so pleased. @kee80 I was told by the doctor at my consultation that 3 out of 4 women have a successful VBAC. However, I have elected for a second c-section. Just don't want another emergency one! I was actually speaking to three women yesterday at a party who had all had two or more c-sections. They did all say they found recovery harder after the second. But none of them were emergencies I don't think - the first sections were all for breech, so I think (hope?!) it will be different going from emergency to planned.

Thanks all for the advice on the oven. The chemical smell from whatever he used to remove the glue was gone within a couple of hours of all the windows and doors being open. Still haven't used the oven but OH is going to let it run for a while on the highest heat with the back door open this morning and hopefully we can have a roast later if it smells ok! We had our first Chinese since I've been pregnant last night. They made everything without MSG for us and I could definitely taste the difference although it was still nice. Feel so silly keep posting on here about smelly stuff but you do all make me feel better about it.

Glad the GTTs are going well. I'm still convinced I should have had one as BMI was 29 when I got pregnant but as it was down to 27 at my booking in due to morning sickness they said I wasn't a risk. Fingers crossed for good results all round

@HidCat I second the bicarb paste option for the oven if not the steam. I like the idea of the steam blasting through it though! Wish I had a handheld one!

@BadBadBeans Hope you start to feel better once the iron tablets kick in and hope you are feeling a little better about the other stuff too

Checking in!

@kee80 oh what a traumatic time with your DS. Not that I've had a CS but I would be wary of a vbac too. I suppose I'm wary of vaginal again after forceps. But equally ELCS is daunting too! Oh the decisions.

@BadBadBeans I know 3 woman in the same family! Last year who all had ELCS after EMCS and they all recovered much quicker. They said the difference is day and night!

@angelmiracle so good to hear of a supportive midwife re your birth options. Makes you realise you have a real choice.

@badbadbeans I’ve been meaning to post after hearing all your stress with tests and now the anemia. You’ve had a rough time of it. A friend is in a similar position re the tests, though she’s not pregnant, and she’s being v pragmatic about it - her mother died when she was 8 and her aunt shortly after, so she wants to know if she is at risk too. I’ll be thinking of you.

Re chemicals I’ve been desperate to put mould remover on our bathroom but am put off by the awful smell it leaves - v strong ammonia I think.

Anyone else having increasingly uncomfortable nights sleep? I have two pregnancy pillows and feel neither is helping. If I lie on my right side I get tingling in my arm (this is a pre-pregnancy problem due to an old dislocation injury), and I think I’ve trapped a nerve in my left shoulder from constantly sleeping on that side. I know I shouldn’t sleep on my back but it’s hard when the alternatives are painful. I am seeing the midwife tomorrow so will ask her, but in the meantime has anyone had any luck with one of those pillows that curls round? The sleep genii or something? I was put off by price but if it means I can sleep for the next few months that would be £50 well spent!

@Nightmanagerfan I don't have that pillow but have the Kit for Kids cuddle me pillow and I find it great. It took a little while to break in at first, but now I'm never without it. It goes behind your neck then round your bump and between your legs.

I kept getting sciatica whereas since using the pillow I hardly get it anymore as it props your leg up a bit when sleeping rather than it falling flat against the other one, and I either have it resting against my bump or tuck it under my bump depending on how uncomfortable I'm feeling. Even if you roll over onto your back accidentally during the night it helps to prop you up a bit so you're not completely flat.

I got it quite early into my pregnancy though so I can't really compare how I would feel without it, but I never wake up because of not being comfortable anymore, only for needing the loo!

@Nightmanagerfan like you though I probably wouldn't have bought it for full price beforehand. I did like at them but thought well surely it's just a pillow right? - I was lucky enough to get it for free as a bundle with my pushchair, but having used it I think it's worth the money, and with it being so long you can try different positions with it to get comfy as well. I'm used to it a bit more now but when I first got it it felt like sleeping on a cloud!

@nightmanagerfan I've got one of these which has been amazing and I would highly recommend: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071WW36VR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_d0KfCbJY4H1B9?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Also for anyone who's struggling with anxiety or emotional issues I'd recommend looking into hypnobirthing. I've been referred to our trust's mental health service for pregnancy but it's taking its time coming through; in the meantime I've signed up to an online hypnobirthing course and find it's really helping me work through my feelings and anxieties and feel more in control.

@Murphyrocks thanks for the tip that sounds interesting, what sort of things does it involve?

@amyem it's essentially a series of MP3s taking you through relaxation exercises and methods for preparing for birth, letting go of fears and such. Technically they call it hypnosis but I don't really like connotations of that and prefer to think of it as guided meditation. Happy to refer to the one I've used but didn't want to sound like I'm selling something!