July 2019 (thread 10) - the final furlong...maybe

[Kentishgal]

Thought we had better start a new thread - wonder if we'll see some (more) babies arriving on this thread...

Lovely seeing all the prams they're so pretty!

We're waiting for a 10% off day at mothercare then will get ours ordered plus the car seat.

Ordered a chest of drawers with changing table top and mat in the white company sale yesterday - got £100 off so pleased with that. Will be here in 3 weeks apparently...

We've had first two NCT sessions and found them really helpful so far. Got another full day of it on Saturday...

Saw the midwife this morning - my iron levels are still low and making me feel really rubbish. She's changed tablets and said try and adjust diet so I've gone for it today with a kale and watercress smoothie with loads of fruit to get the vitamin c and help absorb as much iron as possible! Roast beef sandwiches for lunch and lentil ragu for dinner... come on iron!! Bump is still measuring ahead but got to wait for scan on the 13th.

Going for a read on the June thread...

@kentishgal yes I'm considering it! A place in town does a spa experience for mums to be, and it's so tempting!

Yesterday my baby has his foot in my ribs. I poked it and he kicked back! Like three times in a row, so weird but amazing feeling.

I've started my hospital bag now. A girl in my nct has had her baby 3 weeks early so that got me going!

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well and that you don't mind me posting here. I am currently studying for an MSc in developmental psychology and I looking for a volunteer family to help me to complete the practical component of my studies. This requires me to observe the normal development of a baby for the first year of its life (please see the flyer I have attached for more details). If you would be interested or have any questions please let me know. You can contact me on here or via my university email address which is [email protected]. It is worth highlighting that I am living in London so I would be looking for a volunteer in this area. Thank you all.

@stargazeydrifter I bought a couple of dummies too, I’d rather have them and work it out as we go.

@blueeyedviking and anyone else in pain, I saw a chiropractor on Friday and OMG the difference is unbelievable. She realigned my spine, hips, shoulder, diaphragm (my god I never realised how painful it was if you put pressure under your right ribs) and used some vibration machines. Felt a bit bruised the next day, no actual bruising, but no pgp pain at all since so I’m going to try and maintain visits. Was well worth the money.

morning ladies, just wanted to ask a question if you don't mind. I weighed myself this morning and I've lost another pound, thats 2.5 pounds since I was last checked at 28weeks. I'm back in for checks at 32 w next Wednesday.

Midwife last week at the time said not to worry, but, all everyone talks about is massive weight gain in the last trimester and I can't help but feel a bit concerned. I do have a blood condition that could cause issues getting nutrients to baby, meaning baby isnt growing to plan, but at my last scan baby was ahead of schedule and their were no concerns over current treatment for the condition.

Anyone else experiencing this in general?

My appetite is non existent, but I think I am eating 'normally'. I can't help but feel if I'm losing weight then surely baby isn't gaining any either? The two go hand in hand?

Morning @yukka
Could you call your midwife if you are concerned? I did read the other day as some mums loose weight in the third trimester as they starting losing water (peeing more) so I dont think its uncommon.

I know it's not the same, but I lost weight in my first trimester but they baby gained and grew so I think that the baby will take whatever it needs from you. Hence why scan results were positive re growth. You may however feel fatigued etc. When is your next scan?

I'm not eating as much as normal as feel full really quickly which apparently is normal. Some days I just dont feel there is any space left in there!

Thanks @blueeyedviking I saw midwife last Thursday and mentioned I'd lost 1.5 pounds since 28w checks, she was like 'just think of it as less baby weight to lose afterwards' but having weighed again this morning and another lost another pound that's made me worry a bit more.

32w Growth Scan is next wednesday along with meeting with consultant again. They were concerned about borderline GD and Iron levels, so prescribed iron at last appointment and I'm going for repeat bloods tomorrow which we'll discuss next week.

I feel well, and baby moves well, so my mind is telling me its fine. I guess its normal to worry a little with the blood condition. I did ask before if I was at risk of a spontaneous late loss as the blood condition untreated can cause it, they said no as I am being treated and its effective so I shouldn't let it worry me. Perhaps because we're getting close to the end, the thought of something going wrong at this stage terrifies me.

I'll make a conscious effort to ensure I'm at least getting 1500 calories a day, and see. I guess its only a pound - I could have drank less yesterday and it could pop back on the scales tomorrow. Plus I was eating extra fibre because of the iron, so I've been going to loo regularly, no build up there! In fact that more I write it down the more I think I'm worrying over nothing xx

@Yukka my midwife hasn't weighed me at all since my 12 week scan. Although I can see why it's common to lose weight as feel full so much quicker now. I would check with midwife if worried. Remember though that baby will take all the nutrients and what it needs before your own body so it will always take priority x

@yukka All the signs of the baby doing well are there but I completely understand the concern and anxiety that kicks in. I've caught myself worrying more the last week then I have before although no reason to. I think its because its becoming so real and as it's my first I'm starting to freak out.

I've been told to be closer to 2000 calories a day (based on normal movement) so you may be losing weight if you are simply eating less than you burn? Perhaps stay clear of the scales if it triggers worry.

thank you @Mrsof20118 and @blueeyedviking for the reassurance :)
yes agree too re 2000 per day but I'm not sure I'm doing even 1500 so I'm going to make a conscious effort to eat regularly and see what they say next week. This is my first too, I've lost 3 in the past due to this condition hence regular monitoring and checks, so I think you're right, its probably more anxiety than anything given we're so close to having a real live baby. Thanks again - I feel better and more rational. Its only a pound. xx

Yukka if it helps, no one has weighed me since booking and the MWs where I am don't seem to take much notice of weight either way. I've been throwing up lots again with ongoing hyperemesis and have lost half a kilo in the last 10 days or so. No appetite either. As others have said, nutrients go to the baby first in any case so any adverse impact (if any) will be on you, if that makes sense. The thing to watch are movements, which all sound good. Pretty sure I also read somewhere that weight gain slows from 500g p/w to 250g p/w after 35 weeks? Hopefully your MWs/consultants can reassure you a bit next time.

Here it is:

Instead the pattern of weight gain looks more like a side-lying S, with a slow rate of gain in the first trimester, a more rapid weight gain in the second trimester, and then a slow down during the third trimester. In the last month of pregnancy, many women gain almost nothing or even lose a pound or two.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/expectingscience.com/2017/11/14/five-little-known-facts-about-pregnancy-weight-gain/amp/

yukka I think what everyone has said sounds sensible - baby will get what it needs first - and you only know because you're checking rather than the midwives (plus I don't know about you, but I fluctuate between a few pounds on a daily basis anyhow). However, I totally get your concern given your history. I'm.sure it's all fine but definitely give them a call if you think it might give you some reassurance.

Can I just ask what movements people are getting? Mine have really decreased in the last 2-3 days - she is moving but definitely far less than before and far less frequently - I'm sort of going all day without really feeling anything at all.

@Kentishgal how many weeks are you? Movements for me have changed in type - I'm 34 weeks and they have become less wave like and more stretchy and jabby/punchy over the last few weeks. But they are still regular throughout the day. I would call in if you're concerned especially if you have noticed a change - it's been a constant message in my trust to always call if you're concerned in any way and never to feel like you're wasting anyone's time!

At 34+3 still getting pretty frequent movements and kicks, especially when I'm lying down and/or after food. Overall she's kept her pattern, more or less, though the kicks are fewer and stronger - some early morning shuffles (presumably as my cup of tea lands with a swoosh), post lunch poking, late afternoon lunges (I swear she's asking for sugar!) and full on rioting between 9-11pm when I'm trying to wind down and go to sleep. Sometimes if we poke her she pokes back!

Re weight gain - no one has weighed me either since booking in. I weighed myself a while back (around 25 weeks I think?) and I had put on a couple of pounds but not much at all. Think everyone is different - some friends gained nothing in pregnancy apart from a bump and others gained all over. All had healthy babies and pregnancies!

Thank you both - I'm 33 weeks - I can't remember if they changed last time or not. I guess I am still feeling her so I would feel a bit of a fraud to mention it. My gp said to contact the midwife last week when I was ill to check things but I haven't bothered because I know she wouldn't do anything anyhow! I'm seeing consultant next week so I guess I could just keep an eye and mention then if she's still not moving as much.

On the subject of movements; my little one has never had an actual pattern which makes life very difficult for me. I've been to the assessment unit 6 times now (I think) with worries regarding reduced movement.
I went in yesterday because I hadn't felt her much for over a day and they monitored me but also booked me in for a scan because of how many times I've had reduced movement. Had my scan this morning which was very nice. It has been a long time since I last saw her, 12 weeks to be precise.
They checked her over properly and said everything looks good. She is growing well and is already estimated to be at 4lb 11oz with 8 weeks to go.

They did say to go in whenever I am worried about my movements though so I can only advise the same to everyone else.

Oh, the other thing they said was that the reason they worry about reduced movements is because babies have a tendancy to move less if there is something wrong. The MW said it isn't necessarily that you won't feel baby move at all, it could be that you feel baby less because they are distressed. If that makes sense..!

Kentishgal I'd be tempted to get things checked, you've had all this extra poorliness and in any case they say to not hesitate to go in if you've got fewer or drastically more movements. You're not meant to get fewer movements as they get bigger. As Becky says changes either way can be a sign of distress. It's probably nothing, almost certainly nothing, but a bit of reassurance at this late stage won't hurt and it'll be beyond any doubt then. Plus they care and won't view it negatively.

@yukka glad it helped a bit 😁

@kentishgal I agree with the others, I would also call/go in. I'm 34 weeks but have had consistent movements for a while. Very similar to yours @stargazydrifter ! They would rather you call than not.

I've just been to my midwife appointment and my normal one was off 🙄 so I had one who was just annoying. I've gained 10kg which is pretty normal but she made a comment that's why I cant take my rings off. Then she told me the importance of exercise and I said I know, but I'm limited due to my back. She was like oh well go for walks and do yoga; again not possible..

I think I'm going to try swimming on Friday though.

Just typed a great big long message and then lost it all! Thank you for all your helpful comments. I've just had a 20 minute sit on the sofa and had lots of movement - then it occurred to me I haven't sat down to relax like that since Sunday - usually I sit on the sofa of an evening and that's when she rolls and kicks but I haven't done that as we've been busy. So that might explain why. Meant to be working from home today and need to luck daughter up from nursery so will just keep an eye this evening and make sure I have my usual sitting on the sofa session!

Ps she never has moved other than when I sit down to relax so I guess that would correlate.

blueeyedviking she sounds like a kindly, tactful and understanding soul. 😉 last pregnancy my nct group had a standing joke about the short fingered midwives of Kent who couldn't perform sweeps. I think this season's theme must be the down right rude and tactless midwives - my midwife called me "a silly little girl" at my last appointment when she (incorrectly) thought I'd made an appointment with her and the hospital. Really appreciated that as a 36 yr old pregnant woman - I should have said "no you stupid old lady" but I thought better of it 😁