September 2019 #10.

[Karigan195]

New thread so we can leave #9 as a type of condolence book for little Roy and Twittlebee. Sleep in peace little man

[Fortheloveofscience]

challengeyourreality I’m pretty sure I’ve read that although they will plan the section if you’re breech at 35/36 weeks, they scan right beforehand so if baby has turned you can opt not to have it at pretty much the last minute. Suspect it’s just easier if they have you booked into the calendar.

[Karigan195]

@Whisky2014 I am getting kind of evening cramps if I do too much and they are uncomfortable. Usually reduced with sitting down and drinking lots of cold drinks.

I was really worried at first as I got them first time around 20 weeks but I think it’s doing too much. Definitely get them checked though

[Puglover88]

How many scans have people had out of interest? I’ve had 5 so far, the regular two, two extras early on and a growth scan - got another growth scan next week but am worried I’m having too many scans!

[Megan2018]

@Puglover88 how can there be too many scans?!
I’ve had 10wk, 12wk, 20wk, 26wk and have 30wk on Monday. Will have at least 2 more. Scans are good IMO.

[DustyDoorframes]

@challengeyourreality have you seen the spinning babies website? spinningbabies.com/
Lots of good advice for shifting babies. DC1 got his head pressing against a nerve at about 20 weeks, and I was struggling to walk, and someone on here suggested trying spinning babies and it did work for me.
You can also don't HAVE to have a c section for breech. You might need to talk to the supervisor of midwives about it, but there will be someone in the trust who knows how to deliver breech babies (probably an older midwife!). And obvs worth trying to figure out why the baby is breech, and what kind of breech, in case there are other factors to consider.

[Whisky2014]

Karigan195 hmm maybe I have been drinking a bit less recently, maybe I'm dehydrated.

@puglover88 I paid for a private scan at 6 weeks cause I had a pain and wanted to make sure it wasn't ectopic. But they couldn't see much so I went back at week 8. Then I had 12 week scan and 20 week scan and nothing since and nothing due.
So I've had 4 in total but should have only had 2. I did read you should only have scans if they are required medically and not for "fun" like the 4d scans etc.

[IVEgottheDECAF]

I have only had 3 scans this pregnancy. One about 9 weeks, next 13 then 20.

The other day when i was in the bath baby went into a very clear straight oblique position! It looked so strange. Then he went back to head/bum down. So he is definitely still on the move but he hasnt had any period of staying transverse for a while which is good.

31+2 today

My pram came, and i am happy with it. Thankfully!

I dont have much to buy at all now as i got pram / carseat / bag as a bundle

[DustyDoorframes]

There is actually very little good evidence that scans are "completely safe", because they are so astonishingly useful that they came in very quickly once they were invented, and it's very hard ethically to do much research on pregnancy.
I'm scheduled 5, my trust does 3 routinely, plus I've 2 extras scheduled.
I'd avoid extras unless needed (I'm slightly in two minds about the extras I do have scheduled- as they are due to risk factors from two pregnancies ago).
They are still medical interventions- brilliant and life saving if you need them, but I'd avoid unnecessary ones!

[Whisky2014]

Yes I think they say that at the moment there's not much evidence to suggest they cause birth defects but it might show in the future. Or like at the moment a babyhas as birth defects they just wouldn't know if it was a scan that caused it. Also, the practitioner needs to make sure the device is on a setting as low as reasonably practicable thus not inflicting any surplus energy (heat) to the baby.

[Stroan]

I've had 9 scans so far! 2 private following big bleeds, 2 dating scans as the midwife sent me too early, 20 week, private gender scan (to try to bond), 2 growth scans and one during a check for reduced movements as he wouldn't stay still on the monitor.

At least another 2 growth scans to go as well.

I braved the Next sale this morning. Didn't queue, just walked in a couple of minutes after 6. Turns out a huge bump does not offer much protection and the boys selection is really poor compared to the girls. A sea of baby blue.

Still, in and out in half an hour and DH has taken DD out so I can have a morning nap!

[DustyDoorframes]

If they do have any kind of long term effect it's clearly something very subtle, which is probably mixed up with many other "modern life" things- increases in child allergies, obesity, autism, asthma etc which have very very difficult to pin down causes. And the effect is clearly not strong or it would have become obvious by now.
So I wouldn't worry, but I wouldn't rush out for extra extras either.

[boodles101]

I didn't have any early scans, so far just had 12, 20 and 28 week scans. I've got another tomorrow for 30, one at 32 and 36. They will do another at 34 if they need to based on the outcome of tomorrow's. So 6 scans possibly 7 in total.

[Puglover88]

Yeah I started googling about scans and wish I hadn’t as now I’m second guessing myself! Sometimes I wish I could escape from my own brain!

[Megan2018]

Mine are all necessary -standard and growth apart from 10wk which was for NIPT and essential for us as we wouldn't have continued pregnancy if there had been a positive result.
As I have a measurable risk of stillbirth due to placenta failure from being over 40 plus additional risk factors from GD I think the currently unproven risk from an extra ultrasound or two is bollocks.
Much like the claimed health benefits if breastfeeding-lots of bold claims made but largely unsubstantiated as too many contributing factors.

[BBell2]

@Puglover88 I have had 12, 20 and 28. Have two more which will increase/decrease depending on babys growth. At this stage they are being done for the health of the baby. I think everyone should have fluids and placenta flow checked in the last 38-42 week period. A scan showed DD wasnt in a great place and helped me agree an induction, it can be life saving.

[KnobJockey]

Only 2 here so far, but I have absolutely no concerns about the safety of them. Hopefully will get at least 1 more to check baby's size. My DP regularly complains at me for resting my phone on my bump,that I'm radiating the baby! But I think life's too short and we have too many big things to worry about, without adding the small stuff.

[Puglover88]

@KnobJockey I need to have your philosophy! Going to look into some sort of mindfulness/positive birth affirmations as my anxiety is starting to reach peak levels! 😩

[KnobJockey]

Puglover, I think that's understandable, especially this week. But I would put money on it that stress will affect your body, and therefore your baby, more than those outside influences. Is this your first?

I often feel guilty because I have so much going on at the minute that the baby hasn't been the focus of everything, and it's only in the last month that I've started to relax (I haven't got less to do, but I've got less energy to care with!). But I just keep reminding myself that it's in the best place, and when it comes it's going to be in a happy home and loved. With what a lot of other babies come in to, it's a lucky little one!

[strawberrylaces88]

Has anyone who is planning to breastfeed bought any BF specific clothes? I bought a handful of maternity items around 16 weeks but then found they seemed a bit boring/fuddy duddy and that actually going up a few sizes in normal clothes worked just as well and gave much more choice. Worried I'll buy a load of BF tops and then never use them. How useful really are they?

[Puglover88]

@KnobJockey no we lost our little girl last year, and I think that coupled with poor Twittle’s news has sent me into panic mode. I know what you mean as well, I’ve been so busy at work, I feel like I haven’t been paying as much attention as I should have - luckily I finish work in two weeks so hopefully that will help. Bring on September!

[Hsunshine]

I’ve had 11 so far and more scheduled in

@Stroan I just came back from next. I was determined not to have a baby wearing too much blue but it went out the window today

[Puglover88]

@strawberrylaces88 I haven’t bought any specific breast feeding tops but have been looking at some so would also be interested to hear people’s opinions on them!

[KnobJockey]

I'm sorry to hear that Puglover, and of course makes even more sense that you would be anxious. I've not been through it myself, but I can understand how hard it must be to stay calm. I think in your position I would just need to keep reassuring myself that the vast majority of pregnancies at this stage end up in a healthy baby. What you need to do is keep calm and as stress free as possible, and help your baby keep on going until it's their time. Don't worry about the possible - not definite!- tiny risk there is from having scans, or a small glass of wine, or a hot bath, or whatever is a worry right now! Just concentrate on giving those happy hormones over to the little one.

[DustyDoorframes]

@strawberrylaces88 you don't need special clothes- just things where you can get your boobs out- normal top with stretchy vest under, pull one up and one down, will see you right, and stuff with buttons. There's a great Facebook group called "can i breastfeed in it" which is brilliant for nice stuff which works.

Re data- the stuff on breastfeeding is way better than the stuff on ultrasounds (especially when you consider the HUGE vested interests in selling people formula), but as megan says, mixed up with so many other factors, especially in the "west".
Life is complicated. Everything we do has risks and benefits (getting in the car... eating bacon...). The weigh-up is going to be different for everyone, and different day to day. Ease, pleasure, mental health are important too. You can't spend your life/pregnancy overthinking each and every thing or you'll go mad!

[Megan2018]

@DustyDoorframes
Yes thats it, I think breastfeeding should be encouraged and it has huge number of other benefits, but I am totally unconvinced about the evidence for health benefits in children, its no better than a weak correlation, there’s no genuinely robust data as there’s a huge demographic swing in BF rates that is probably more influential.

I’ve bought 2 cheap nursing vests but only because I needed some vests that fit for pregnancy and thought may as well get nursing ones. Will get nursing bras but nothing else unless I think I need it once we see if we can establish BF (I plan to try but not a hill I’m prepared to die on if it doesn’t click).
If I need a dress or something for a special occasion might think about something specific for BF otherwise just plan to layer a vest under normal tops.