Pregnancy after MMC

[sadtoday21]

Hi everyone! I moved our thread over here so we can all keep in touch as we continue on this journey.

Many congratulations again to @Amanda81 on the birth of your beautiful baby girl Holly! Our first baby on the thread. Also tagging the regulars @Catconfusion @Kiki061190 @bananamonkey. Newcomers welcome as well!

Ladies does anyone have experience with PGP? I was told I have sciatica weeks ago but the pain has been getting steadily worse, I ended up unable to move last night and the NHS have now said it sounds like PGP. Do yous have any tips to deal with this? I feel like I’m constantly uncomfortable 😣

@Kiki061190 I was diagnosed with PGP at 20 weeks which is early but understandable with my hip issues. There are lots of things you can do. Mine is a bit better now. Self refer for a physio appointment and they will give you exercises and a bump support band. It will help by taking some of the pressure off your pelvis. At night I’ve found sleeping in the recovery position helps take the pressure off. Or try a pregnancy pillow between your legs. Hopefully a combination of those things will help. Xx

@Catconfusion I have a number to self refer for Physio so I’m going to give it a go! Anything to help. I’ve been swimming several times a week as well to help. Hoping it doesn’t get any worse!

@kiki061190 that’s a good idea. You can buy the bump support bands if you want one sooner rather than later. They shouldn’t take too long to get you in for physio. I had an appointment within 24 hours. Swimming is brilliant for a gentle core work out. The other exercise that’s been good for me is bridging, laying flat on the bed and lifting my bum slowly up and back down. Hopefully it’s just a flare up as you’re getting bigger and your body will adjust. Xx

Hope everyone is doing well. I've been quietly following here and aside from the aches and pains I'm glad to read how well your pregnancies are progressing.
I have my viability scan this afternoon and you can imagine the nerves. Yesterday I was upbeat and optimistic. Now the closer it gets the more I'm convinced if the worst. Trying hard to remain positive! Keeping everything crossed x

@MamaB80 best of luck for this afternoon. Remember there is nothing you can do about the outcome and more pregnancies that have reached this stage progress than not. Your chances are statistically very good. We’re all here to offer support what ever happens. I really hope this is it for you! Xx

Good luck today @MamaB80, will be thinking of you x

Thank you ladies. On my way to the clinic now. Appointment at 4pm. Trying visualisation and positive thinking to block out the bad stuff! Here goes xx

Good luck @MamaB80 - positive thoughts are being sent your way x

Good luck @MamaB80! Really hope everything goes well today xxx.

I had an emergency growth scan today and all looked fine but baby measuring only 4lbs 12 ounces at 33+5 weeks. So dropped from 60% to 36%. Is this ok? I have another scan in two weeks.

@sadtoday21 I’d have said that’s a really healthy weight considering you have at least 6 weeks to go. If you’d said 5th or even 10th I might have worried. They grow about half a pound a week in the last stretch so he’s on target to be between 7 and 8 pounds. Try not to worry, I know it’s hard. Just think, if you had him now nearly 5 lbs would be a good weight for a premature baby. How many weeks were you when they told you he was 60%? Xx

Thanks @Catconfusion it was above 60% at 20 week scan, 46.1% at 28 weeks, and now actually 34% at 33+5. But all the measurements taken today were above 50%, except for the femur length. And I thought 5 lbs was about average for 34 weeks, so he’s only 4 ounces under that. And placenta blood flow was fine. Could it be I’m not eating enough or not enough protein? 🥺

@sadtoday21 it does seem like a pretty average weight and good all other measurements were average. It’s likely just the size he is. Try not to worry about what you’re eating, baby will get what he needs so long as you have a healthy varied diet. If you feel you’re not getting enough protein you could up it a bit. It sounds like your scan was really positive. Babies grow at different rates so comparing with scans from a while back might not be that relevant. It’s great you only have a couple of weeks until the next scan. I think the growth in that time will give you a better picture. Not long now until he’s here. You’re doing so well! Xx

Thank you so much for your well wishes...we have a healthy heartbeat! And measuring at 7w 5d at the moment. Will be booking in for Harmony so won't be too long until we hopefully hear and see the baby again! It was so special. I'd forgotten the wonder of that moment when you hear the heartbeat, the realisation that there's a life growing inside you. I'm so very happy today!

@MamaB80 it’s amazing isn’t it!? I’m so pleased for you. It makes all the worry worth it to see all normal and healthy. That’s a huge hurdle you’re over now and chances are brilliant now you’ve seen a heartbeat. It’s so wise to have the harmony. We’re both 40 so looked into it but couldn’t really afford it at the time. I think if we have another one we will as we’ll be 42/43 by then. I found waiting for the results of the nhs testing so gruelling, knowing it can give a false high risk result. Luckily our results were extremely low risk but it can be nerve wracking. At least you can relax a bit now until the next one and you’ll know all chromosonally ok very soon! Xx

That’s brilliant @MamaB80! The relief of hearing that HB is amazing.

I had my 28 week appointment today, all is normal and no GD. Still have that moment of anxiety when they’re looking for the heartbeat but was lovely to hear it. Baby is firmly head down and lying all on one side so my bump is wonky 🤣 Have been reassured that bump is measuring normal even though I feel ginormous.

Thats great news @banamonkey So glad you don't have GD. Also good she's head down albeit on her side. That heartbeat sound is amazing!

Mine is still head down I think. He likes to grind his head into my pelvis which feels really odd. Pretty sure he's facing back as well as the kicks are fainter. Getting some pretty big jolts either side of my tummy. This seems like elbows to me. I've not heard any news about my GD test so assume all ok. I'll call later to double check. It looks like I just have a ginormous baby! xx

Hi ladies!

@MamaB80 congrats on the scan! So happy for you 💓

@sadtoday21 Oh no! Why did you need an emergency growth scan? Did the midwife refer you? I think your baby weight sounds perfectly on track, I wouldn’t worry yourself. You’ll end up making yourself ill!

@Catconfusion Agree with you about the kicks being fainter, I just feel more wriggles and pokes at either side of my tummy. Great about no GD though! I’ve heard nothing back from my blood tests so assuming I’m not anaemic!

@bananamonkey Great news on no GD! I had a panic when the midwife took a like 10 secs to find the heartbeat at my 28 week midwife app! My heart stopped for a moment.

Is anyone else on the countdown to finishing work. I have 8 weeks left and I sooooo am wishing they fly by as I’m starting to feel tired now.

Yes @Kiki061190 I’m losing motivation now! Luckily I’ve already handed over filmy most stressful project. Am starting to get tired and physically I feel really slow, just can’t walk as fast as I want to!

Just found out for sure I don’t have GD and my blood count/iron levels are good.

I can imagine you’re on countdown Kiki061190 I’m so glad I didn’t try and go back to work after my sickness died down. I’m really struggling some days with moving as the bump is huge and my arthritis is not helping. Also not sleeping well. How is your pelvic pain now @Kiki061190?

@Kiki061190 yes, absolutely with you on the countdown! My work has picked up a lot in the past two month and I'm exhausted. I haven't had time to do any batch cooking or sort the hospital bag/baby things fully yet. And I had to break down and buy a new black suit dress to fit over my bump because I have a big presentation next week. How many weeks will you be when you go on mat leave? I'm thinking it will be about 38 weeks for me, but hoping to slow down after 36. Sorry to hear you are suffering with pelvic pain! I haven't experienced this, just also tired and large these days.

I had the growth scan due to reduced movements and I have another routine one in two weeks at 36 weeks. Hopefully growth picks up a bit and he comes out average size.

@Catconfusion glad to hear your results came back and no GD! How are you feeling otherwise?

@Catconfusion Pelvic pain seems to vary day to day to be honest. I’ve had a lot today but not so much yesterday. I feel ya on the not sleeping well front, I’ve forgotten what a good nights sleep is!

@bananamonkey Oh it’s so hard at this stage. I just feel sluggish and tired. I think the commute to work although not very long takes it out of me too! We’re almost there though!

@sadtoday21 I’m finishing at 37+1 for some annual leave and my actual mat leave kicks off at 38+4. 8 weeks until my finishing date tomorrow! Oooh you can keep a nice black maternity dress though and reuse for the next baby. I’m sure he will come out a fab size. Try to enjoy these last few weeks and not worry!

I’m trying my hardest to reduce spending ladies and get saving as much as possible! I thankfully don’t have too much left to buy for baby!

@Kiki061190 actually its not even a maternity dress! Just a nice stretchy Reiss dress that I found half off that accentuates the right places. I even bought it in small, so definitely can wear again after! Was super pleased with myself, after my seraphine debacle, and will just throw a normal black blazer over it. It's the little things like this that still make me feel more like myself!

Has anyone bought any cute hats or baby blankets yet? Looking for ideas!

So envious of you all on the final countdown to mat leave! I finished three weeks before due date last time and our son came at 41+2 so I had a month of blissful self indulgence! I eventually took the full year off after initially thinking I'd go back after 9 months. Couldn't tear myself away! Juggling work and motherhood/family life is no walk in the park so whatever time you do take off for mat leave is so special.

Ladies, what stage did your clothes start getting tight? My jeans are already way to tight and I'm having to open the top button under my desk! I don't recall it bing this early last time! I'm only 8 weeks. When did you feel it?

We had a clear out of our loft last weekend. Oh my. The amount of baby boy stuff. I know girls can wear blue too and if we do have a girl I'll definitely keep some of it but at this stage I'm looking at 3 years worth of clothes thinking how much cheaper it'd be if we do have a boy!!

@sadtoday21 apart from getting about 4 hours sleep some nights and heartburn I’m not too bad thanks. Feeling a bit sicky again but it’s manageable. Not too long to wait now for your growth scan. I have to say I’d be going crazy if we weren’t in again next Friday. Your dress sounds amazing. We’re going to a charity music event a couple of weeks and I tried on a bodycon dress I already had to wear for it. I was amazed at how good the bump looked. When I turn round I’m tiny around the waist at the back. You wouldn’t know I’m pregnant. Then when I turn round it’s a very big surprise as it’s huge. He’s definitely all in front. Best of luck with your presentation. Not long now!

My DHs mum is a knitting and crochet genius. She’s made some beautiful hats and blankets for us. We’re very lucky to have her. Yesterday she came round with all the baby toiletries he’ll need. All natural products. Something we’d not really thought about yet. Just need a bath now!

@Kiki061190 glad to hear it’s not all the time but it’s such an uncomfortable pain. Hopefully it’ll ease as your body adjusts. Any luck with the physio? It sounds like you’re doing all the right things which is all you can do.

So I completely messed up yesterday. I went to the hospital for my physio appointment and I’d got the wrong day. I’d written it down wrong in my diary. Luckily they were lovely and said staff are so stretched it freed my physio up for admin time. I’m just getting so forgetful and finding it hard to hold thoughts in my head. I honestly think you ladies are super heroes for working still. Some days I’m like a zombie. Xx