April 2020 Babies - Thread 2!

[LokiCat]

Hey all!

Looks like we filled up the first thread pretty fast! Took me a while to realise why I couldn't send a message.

This is the first thread I've ever created, so hopefully I've done it right.

I'm going to tag the most recent users that commented, so sorry for a lot of the people that I miss. Hopefully everyone will find this.

@ellarosee
@Sunshine8888
@PrincessConsuela12
@Nikkinoodle84
@Nebulae1981
@Harriettenightingale
@morgan158
@PurpleViolin
@poopatroop
@ruthsoph
@eskimod
@Sorbfsiabs

Previous thread - https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3640572-April-2020-Babies?pg=1&order=

Happy 9 months to us all (or most likely less now!!) and congratulations to everyone new joining 💕

@bookworm83 That's so good! I can imagine how much you must be looking forward to Monday!

I've got a friend that said that lime lollies helped her with heartburns. I haven't tried, but since it's also really good, it might be worth a try.

Yesterday I felt some sharp pain in different places in my tummy. I'm still not sure if it was baby moving, wind or something else, but I was so scared that I was just laying down and trying not to move. Did anyone have something similar?

xx

Thanks @lannacorrea, I'll try that!

The first movements I felt were more like someone blowing bubbles in my belly, if that makes sense. Very gentle. Now it's anything from butterfly wings to kicks and punches! Last night, during his usual active time, I had my hand on my belly for around 15 minutes and suddenly felt a very definite kick in the palm of my hand!

@lannacorrea I've had really sharp pains, from everything I've read it's all muscles. There is no great way to say this, but lightening crotch or fanny daggers are a real thing. Where you get shooting pains, my friends at work said it's all normal and has all happened to them. Last week I was so scared something was wrong because everything hurt but it tends to come and go. X

@Pip231018 that’s so exciting! 💖 Congrats! I wish I had a scan before 20 weeks, it’s a long time to wait! But hoping I’ll hear the heartbeat on Friday at my midwife app and that will keep me going ...

I have some stretching pains and it can be quite sharp if I move too quickly in bed. But mostly just this heavy feeling down there! And extremely tender sore boobs! I’m a little behind you all though at 15/16 weeks. No movement here yet - eagerly awaiting this!

@Pip231018 Good! That's a relief! Everything is just so new.. Thanks!
xx

Hi everyone,

I've had such a busy week I've just caught up to the messages. So nice to see the thread active again! And congratulations to everyone on their gender scans - we chose not to find out but I do all kinds of reading for hints on the sex haha!

@lannacorrea I sometimes get sharp pains too and the first time I got it I was really worried but from what I've read and what the midwife said it's just normal and most likely ligament pain. It tends to go away quickly too.

When I hit exactly 16 weeks I felt the baby moving and it felt like popcorn popping in my tummy and I kept wondering if it was the baby or gas! But since a week I've been feeling proper little kicks and I seem to have a very active baby! It's such a nice feeling whenever I feel a kick I stop what I'm doing and put my hand over my tummy for a bit!
I think this part is what people mean when they say they miss being pregnant.

@LokiCat have fun in NYC. We are headed there too after the new year! I can't wait! I've been in December before and it's really really cold so wrap up warm

@nikdan123 I had my 20 week scan this morning at 19+6, baby was active but would not turn over even with jumping jacks, Ribena and water, so I have to go back at 23 weeks for spine and kidney measurements (not complaining, love seeing the little one)

Hi all! Caught up on the missed messages. Welcome to all new people and congrats to you ladies! 😊

How exciting that so many of you have had your 20 week scan!! Congrats to those that have found out what you're having :)
Also that so many of you have started feeling movement! I don't think I've felt much yet, although midwife did mention it can feel like bubbles/gas, so it's very easy to confuse the two 🙈😂

I've been getting the stretching pains too if I move too fast or get up suddenly. I hope it is normal and that things are just stretching out to make space for everything!

@lannacorrea those nurseries are absolutely lovely!! I love the look of the All Natural design. Do you know which one you're picking for your nursery, or will it be a mix?
We're thinking a safari design for our nursery!

@Pip231018 I felt really nervous to start buying things incase something went wrong, but we spoke to Mamas and Papas about it and felt a lot better. They said of course they understand that sometimes things can go wrong, so we can cancel at any time. Plus the refund policy or warranty doesn't start until collection (which we've pushed till February, so things aren't just taking up space at home), so that made me feel more comfortable with ordering our pram bundle. The sales assistant that we dealt with was absolutely lovely, so I do recommend speaking to them about your concerns.
Congrats on your little girl!

@Bookworm83 someone in another group I follow recommended chewable Gaviscon tablets for heartburn and a few have sworn by them since trying. I haven't tried it myself, though.

@Serendipity001 thanks! I'm so excited to go. I'm planning on searching for a maternity coat soon to keep me bundled up. My current Eskimo cost is brilliant but I imagine won't be big enough soon! Have an amazing time as well :)

I’m feeling super happy after my midwife appointment this morning. She was so lovely and heard a lovely healthy heartbeat which I found very reassuring. Happy Friday 💖

@Sunshine8888 Awww so glad it went well and you got to hear the heartbeat. That must have been amazing to experience 🥰

Thanks @LokiCat, she found it straight away. She did say she doesn’t always offer listening to heartbeat at 16 weeks as it is early and can be hard to find. But she said because I was slim I had the option ☺️☺️ It was just amazing, sounded like a galloping horse! She also detected movement just by pressing my belly! I haven’t felt anything and spent many a night pressing trying to feel 😂

Hi there!
So glad to hear scans and appointments are going well!
I'm 20 weeks today, but my scan is one week from today. Can't wait!!

@LokiCat I'm glad you liked it. We chose a mix between natural and glam. We'll start putting all together after Xmas. Looking forward to it!
I've seen many cute nurseries with your theme, I'm sure will be lovely!

Xx

16 weeks here. Sickness more under control, although nausea definitely not! Wish I had an appetite! Dragged myself to pregnancy yoga this week - very relaxing, and found it nice to chat to other women too. Feels a little more real.
Still have some family and friends to tell, the sickness has meant I have been a bit of a recluse for weeks now!! One step at a time...

Hi everyone, I would love to jump on. I was originally due 7th May but have been pushed back to April 27th. Still following the May thread but feel like it would be good to have some people one step ahead of me so I can learn what to expect next.

I was diagnosed with hypermesis gravidarum at a pretty early stage. Spent more than 2 months off work and basically bedbound. Still suffering with nausea most of the time but vomiting tends to have shifted to mornings and evenings leaving me the middle of the day to function normally (ie shower and walk the dog).

Started back at work yesterday but on the advice of GP only doing 3hrs per day working from home. I was already thin and have lost 12% of my body weight so currently very weak. I can't imagine how I will cope if I feel like this all the way to the end but trying hard to take it one day at a time. Getting some mental health support arranged as in all honesty I've found the whole thing quite traumatic.

I've had my 16 week appointment and beard the heartbeat. My 20 week scan is 11th December but we already know it's a boy.

Hope you are all feeling well and have a lovely weekend planned. X

Just wondering if anyone else is struggling with commuting?

It might be a very London centric issue but I’m finding people really really reluctant to allow me to sit down in the priority seat/ to offer a seat when the train crowded.

Prior to being pregnant I thought perhaps people were just too engrossed in their own phones etc to notice but now I see people scanning my bump and baby on board badge and then looking away quickly.

Added to pregnancy fatigue after a long day and pregnancy sickness and hormones it makes me feel a bit upset.

I commute and hour and a half each way and can’t always change from rush hour due to my work role. But standing on a packed train for that time is likely to result in me fainting at the mo.

At times when I’ve felt particularly unwell I’ve asked for a seat in the priority area and been met with signs as the person stands up. Not always.. some people are lovely but more often than makes me feel comfy to ask.

Yesterday a lady who’d walked briskly to the bus stop and stood for the 10 minutes waiting for the bus literally barged me out the way to sit in the priority seat/ last seat on a crowded bus.

Xxx

@Leag1
Ha ha your post made my smile. This was exactly how our baby was at the 16week scan ... brisk walk and hot chocolate and he/she moved ... just in the wrong direction
for measuring!

@Pastnowfuture

@LokiCat Zalando had a good discount going on maternity coats this week plus if you google I found an additional 10% off code which worked to and managed to get nearly half off in total.

@lannacorrea I’ve been having those sharp pains too especially since week 17. My belly also feels a little tighter this week so I think baby is having a growth spurt

@Pastnowfuture hope you survive going back and that the sickness continues to ease it sound horrid . Glad you’ve got a supportive gp.

Hi @Pastnowfuture,

Your situation is very similar to mine, I'm currently due 19th April and have been off work due to HG since 7th September along with a bleed on my womb. I'm am currently it talks with occupational health regarding returning to work/ doing some work from home unfortunately I don't think HR are in agreement with their report regarding my issues and are being a nightmare getting anything organised. Occupational health have advised if it's not sorted I don't go into work - simple as that so nice I have their support. Work keep implying that I can take my maternity early and that's getting quite frustrating as I can tell it's what they want but will not work for me unfortunately sometimes I am a little too upfront and blunt when frustrated so turned around and told them I have no family support for returning from maternity as all my family have died and could they make any suggestions to make that work - that soon stopped the maternity leave questions ! Thankfully on plus side my annual leave allowances starts in January so OH have requested I use this to work a 3 day week until I go off. I hope your feeling ok and if you ever need to talk I'm here

@CateyA I drive into Manchester City centre so I don't face any challenges with other passengers. Just the drivers (this guy was shining a laser pen in my eye the other day - much to the amusement of his gf...don't think he'd give up a seat for you).

But, my best friend got the tram and she was much like you. She was stuck thin so her bump stuck out a mile, she had the same issues all of the time, on very hot trams, almost fainted twice - one time a man caught her and shouted able bodied commuters to move to let her sit down.

In the end she'd get the tram in and arrange for someone to pick her up/drive so she could avoid the journey home which seemed to be fair where it was worse with everyone rushing to get home.

It's not a problem you think of as a problem until you or someone close to you is pregnant. I can imagine it must be upsetting for people to treat you like your invisible. I hope other commuters become more courteous, but if they don't I wouldn't wait for them to offer, I'd directly ask them to move or ask if they have a need to be in the seat politely or make a comment how there isn't enough seats for everyone with badges. Easier said than done I know.

I hope it improves for you. X

Hi @Marshy86

I found this organisation when I was googling sickness advice.

From what I see they can provide employment advice re HG and related issues plus other stuff

Might be worth a peek
www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/get-help/employment/
They have factsheets

And

www.maternityaction.org.uk/
Have a helpline

Thanks @Pip231018

I’m sorry your friend had the same issue but also glad it’s not just me! I had wondered if it’s cos I look stern when my face is relaxed .. or so I’ve been told!

I also wondered if as I’m petite although I have a pretty obvious bump people don’t think I’m ‘that’ pregnant so not in need of a seat. One of my colleague suggested that which is frustrating as I’ve defo been feeling ill enough to justify sitting even if my bump isn’t touching both sides of the train carriage just yet!

Roll on Matt leave! Xxx

@Marshy86 Thank you. I wouldn't wish HG on anyone but it is hugely comforting to have someone in the same boat. My manager has been fantastic and has used the employment information from the link @CateyA sent to negotiate with HR. My doctor also wrote a sick/fit note specifying exactly what I could/couldn't do and told me not to be forced into starting maternity early. I'm glad you have occupational health on your side, it makes such a difference.

@CateyA I'm so sorry to hear your commute is causing extra hassle. I can't get my head around people being so rude! I was raised to give up my seat to anyone who was older, pregnant, with a small child etc. I actually joke with my mum that I can never relax on public transport if I'm sitting down because I'm constantly scanning for someone who needs the seat more!

Hi ladies, can I join please?! Due 29/04 , so 16 weeks, I'll expect a c section may be week before that. My son (from ex) is 10, trying to work out how my n oh will tell him, he's our priority. Might try to wait till 20 week scan on 17/12 to be sure most stuff looking ok. I am 39 btw. Had a private scan yesterday and oh and his Mum heard heartbeat which was lovely x I've had a few private and nhs scans as this is our 5th pregnancy over 3.5 years so 16 weeks feels a fab milestone after 3 early mcs and a tfmr. Starting to get some hip pain so now I have energy going to get back on my running machine for brisk walking and hope I can feel better and fitter, might find a yoga class too. Hope you are all doing well!

@CateyA I have the same issue in London, and if I feel I need a seat I politely ask: "Excuse me, would anyone be sble to offer me a seat?". Sometimes the tube is so packed no one can actually see the badge. Other times like you say, they just look away, but I find asking that question makes someone get up. Don't feel bad to ask!

Good morning girls,
Last night I felt a bit dizzy so I decided to measure my blood pressure (I've got that mini machine home) because I thought I was having low blood pressure. Turns out my BP was 140x70.
I've never had high blood pressure before, so I panicked a bit. DH calmed me down and the BP lowered a bit. We tried to ring the hospital but no one was picking up at emergency. We googled it and my lowest is still low to be consider high blood pressure, so I went to bed.
I just woke up and measured again and although I'm just off bed and calm, it's 145x70.
I'm starting to get worried.
Does anyone knows more about this or have experienced something like this before?
Not sure if I should talk to the midwife or just wait to my appointment this Friday. All very confusing.
Xx

@lannacorrea I would call your midwife. I got given a number for contact over 16 weeks.
A friend of mine had high BP and she had additional scans & took 150mg of aspirin every day. X