Due June 2020: thread 6

[AndddddHerewegoagain]

Hi everyone. Hope you don't mind me setting up the new thread didn't want to run out of space on the other one!

So the perineal massage. Does it take place inside or outside ?

Today, baby's been simultaneously poking me in the right hip and upper abdomen. DS used to always have a big foot wedged up in my ribs at this stage - not comfy!!

@umabb I've been having awful constipation too. And piles. Trying to drink plenty along with good fruit/veg intake. I've also a bottle of stuff called dulcosoft for when it's really bad. And (sorry if tmi!), I find the suppositories for piles seem to help things along a bit!

I have to say, perineal massage is not something that has occurred to me at all at this point 😆 I will look into it ...

@umabb A few weeks ago I had the most horrific constipation I’ve ever had, it is awful, you have my sympathy! I now take Lactulose morning and night, it really really helps me and I’ve not had problems since. It helps the bowel absorb more water to make stools softer. Also other tips... never strain. Put your feet up on something (I use toddlers bathroom step stool) while doing a poo. Warm squash seems to get me moving as well if needed. Avoid too much caffeine. Really hope it gets better soon!

@Rinoa here is a how to from NCT on perineal massage. The only bit that surprised me in this is they recommend only doing it one to two times per week. I’m sure with my last pregnancy they advised to do it every day? What have others heard/been advised?

www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/how-do-perineal-massage-step-step-guide

@AndddddHerewegoagain I consider myself a big water drinker but 6 litres - wow! That's is a lot! I probably have 8 glasses of water in those pint classes everyday perhaps still not enough. Thanks for the advice xx

Is the perineal massage replaceable by pelvic floor exercise by any chance?.

@Magpiefeather @MissisBee thanks for the tips!! Really appreciate it! Sorry to hear that you are also suffering the same thing. Real awful. I do hope things like this will be gone as soon as baby pops 😂 xx

@Rinoa the link @Magpiefeather provided explains it well, but it’s just inside the vagina, and it’s more of a pulling/stretching of the bottom part of the opening, rather than just a rubbing/massage. She explained it like “press down at 6 o’clock, then five o’clock, then 7 o’clock, then make a U shape from 5 to 6 to 7 and back” and just do that a couple of times and done. And yeah, my midwife said just twice a week from 34 weeks.

@gigitree my movements are also all below the belly button still, with occasional kicks at belly button height. I had a scan on Saturday and baby is head down with bum to the left and feet to the right, all curled up. I think it’s because I have wide hips and a narrow waist so she’s probably just more comfy down there lol. I’m also similar weeks to you (30+3). I get lots of head butts and punches to the bladder which is fun.

I’ve also been having constipation on and off for the past couple of weeks. I was awake last night with what I assume was constipation pain in my stomach and down my right side. Anyone else find that it sort of... accumulates... over a day or so before it comes out. I’ve been quite shocked a couple of times... sorry tmi

That’s really reassuring to hear @UKtoSK thank you! Sounds like ours are in a really similar position. The last time the midwife felt my tummy a few weeks ago she said baby was head down but with her bum over to the right so perhaps her legs are kicking towards my back sometimes so I feel kicks there less.

Oh yes the punches to the bladder are oh so fun especially when you already really need a wee! 😂

@umabb I wish the perineal massage took place of pelvic flaw as I am so crap at doing it I remember probably once every 3 days and only then do one short round of 10- I'm going to be a mess afterwards if I don't pull my fingers out.

@Magpiefeather leaflet from my hospital says 3 times a week from 34 weeks x

Feel like I'm having quite a few things different, which I hope isn't something to worry about! All my kicks are really high, some basically kicking my boobs, nearly all way above belly button. I've had very soft stools the whole pregnancy, no constipation, but I wouldn't say they feel super 'healthy'. I haven't had any braxton hicks that I'm aware of.

I've been feeling OK, no more stressed than anyone else, and then had a full blown panic attack yesterday. It was awful. Husband kept saying things (asking about what we should have for dinner) and I was like 'I don't understand what he's saying' and then started hyperventilating. It lasted about half an hour and my eyesight went weird during it too. Baby was still kicking and OK after but it was really unpleasant. Hope it was a one off!

Done a big job of stripping and sanitising all the second hand cloth nappies I bought. I bought a massive bulk lot for pretty cheap from somewhere who lived near me so I've got loads of the birth to potty size. Was quite a lot of effort doing all the washes and drying them so I'm glad it's done now.

I have had no Braxton hicks that I know of either @peetieswie have also had both soft stools on and off and constipation so an unpleasant mixture. 😐

@peetieswie I’ve not had any braxton hicks yet either. I think some people just don’t get them at all? I could be wrong. But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about if you don’t get them.

Like @Busylizzie85 I’ve had both when it comes to constipation vs soft stools too so just be glad you haven’t suffered from constipation yet 😂

That sounds really scary, if it happens again maybe it’s worth ringing your midwife? Could be blood pressure related with the eyesight going? I’d deffo mention it at your next appointment regardless. Hope you’re feeling ok today.

@peetieswie that sounds awful, I’m sorry that happened. Have you had panic attacks before? It’s such a stressful time, definitely don’t worry about the things you said. I have only noticed two braxton hicks contractions so far and it’s only because I looked down or felt my belly that I even noticed, couldn’t feel them at all. Apparently lots of people have them while sleeping and never know about it. But also it’s not necessary to have them at all. One friend had them constantly in her first pregnancy and another friend never had any that she knew of. Both had natural births. Also carrying high isn’t a problem, just means you get to deal with rib kicks instead of bladder punches lol each has its down sides. Do you have bad reflux? My sister in law carried high and said she suffered really badly with reflux.

@peetieswie I'm in the same position as you, getting kicks in the ribs and the occasional foot or bum poking out right at the top of my stomach. He also manages to use my bladder as a pillow at the same time so now permanently need a wee!! Literally going from sitting to standing means I have to run to the toilet!! 😬😬 And same here with the exact opposite of constipation!!

I have no idea what braxton hicks feel like so assuming I've not had any, my bump does occasionally go hard but I don't feel it other than by touching it from the outside if you know what I mean!?

Thanks to the ladies who gave advice re indigestion last night, downed lots of cold milk throughout the evening, skipped dinner and had a peppermint tea before bed and was able to sleep which was a big improvement! Mission for today is gaviscon!! 😊😊

Hi everyone, I've been a bit quiet on here recently! I'm finding the whole situation in the world at the moment very difficult and my brain felt a bit overwhelmed to the point I was struggling to keep up with conversations. I feel a bit calmer now which is good. I hope you are all doing well 😊 not long now!

I have had quite a lot of lower back ache and pelvic pain/pressure over the last day or so but I'm hoping it's everything stretching and getting ready.

@peetieswie i didn't have a single Braxton hick with my first pregnancy and this time they started at 16 weeks! My friend had braxton hicks for weeks in the lead up to giving birth and still went to 42 weeks so i dont think they mean much either way

@chocolate26 I hear you! It's absolute madness isn't it I'm just selfishly praying it will be better by June for all of us

@mrssunshinexxx me too! I think we stand a good chance of that happening 😊 (hopefully I'm not just wishful thinking) my SIL works in the ward where they are treating coronavirus patients local to me and she said they are very quiet now so it's looking positive.

Thanks guys. Had panic attacks about ten years ago a bit but felt I was a bit of a moody early twenties and maybe worked myself up to them, but had nothing since then. Really felt out of control and was gasping for air. Has given me more insight into my students who have them quite regularly though. Really felt unwarranted because I haven't felt that stressed. Also regarding reflux, had none, then all of a sudden loads.

Have all your partners organised paternity leave? Husband is changing jobs in May but they know I'm expecting in June so I'm assuming it's fine.

@Magpiefeather thanks for the link!

Hi @chocolate26 that sounds positive I've seen a few threads on here from nhs staff saying there hospitals are quiet too and the nightingale hospitals they built aren't being used so 🤞🤞🤞 I feel awful for the women due now stuck inside with tiny babies hopefully life will be abit more normal for us x

@peetieswie pls correct me if I'm wrong but I thought they had to be in a position for 6 months to receive 2 weeks paid paternity x

How healthily is everyone eating?

@uktosk I’m just trying to get a balance of things and just eat what I fancy really. I’m probably eating a bit too much chocolate and not enough leafy greens. It’s all relative really isn’t it? To some people they probably think I’m eating really badly because we still have a take away every now and then, but to others they probably would think I’m doing quite well because I’m eating plenty of fruit and veg alongside the chocolate and banana bread 😁

@UKtoSK
Slightly better than before due to the gestational diabetes but do still have the odd treat, keeping on top of with just diet.

I have healthy meals (mostly!) but reckon my baby Is made of 90% biscuits and chocolate that I eat in between!! I keep trying to be good but have zero will power stuck at home and just want sweet stuff all the time!! My iron levels were good at my last appointment and my bump is measuring spot on so hopefully I'm not doing too much damage!!

Eating pretty good on the whole but definitely baking too much with boredom I would usually be eating less crap if In the office and doing a lot more walking