August 2021 - Scans and booking in!

[BertieBotts]

Continuation of August 2021 thread :)

@LBunz I don't think you need to push yourself in pregnancy in that regard, just try to be reasonable and avoid foods that will obviously make you put on extra weight like chocolate, sweets, biscuits etc. I know to an extent we can't avoid them or avoid lots of carbs in general because there's a well-known love of all things beige right now, but that's normal and I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just eat best you can and not for two - that's a myth - and walk every day. Some yoga might help too. Moving is good for pre-eclampsia prevention anyway and should allow you not to put on unnecessary weight. At some point you'll tolerate healthier foods which will help and you can go on a serious fitness mission afterwards 😊 I am definitely doing that. I've put some extra weight on during lockdown which I never have before and ideally I'd have wanted not to before pregnancy, but I'll just crack on with this after the baby arrives and be as mindful as I can for now. Don't worry yourself 🌺 xx

On a separate note, can anyone recommend a good body cream/lotion that will keep the skin moisturised and flexible? I want to start using something early to prevent /minimise stretch marks later on, it's a well known issue in my family. Plus my skin seems to be more dry in pregnancy even though I drink more water.

I've also noticed my hair is straighter (usually wavy) and it doesn't curl very well since I was aroud 5-6 weeks. So odd. I could go 4-5 days without washinv it too, whereas normally I have to wash it every 3 days. It's strong and smooth now, sadly can't say the same about my nails which grow fast but break every day currently!

@Champson last time round I got a lot from h and m but been looking the last couple of days and ASOS looks pretty good along with new look too!

As for bloat etc I can't wear anything other than leggings and in the evenings I find I have to walk around in my pants or some really loose pjs 😂 I think I do have a bump coming, I had a bit of a belly before being pregnant and then lost it through the morning sickness and I haven't put the weight back on but seem to be getting more rounder below my belly button. Hoping for a proper bump soon😁 as it's my second I'm guessing il show earlier anyway.

@NewMamma21 I haven't suffered any problems as such yet but I do have gallstones anyway and haven't had my gallbladder removed and my midwife informed me that I am to expect a huge fall stone attack a week or so after birth when my hormones change which will be horrendous so am already preparing myself for that monster.

@LyraShaeLilly im the same with food! I have to psych myself up for hours before I eat it so that I actually can eat it.

@PurplePansy05 so jealous ! My hairs been the oppposite. I normally wash it every 3-4 days but having to wash it every 2 days at the moment as it's getting greasier quicker !

@LBunz I'm not very slim either and a chronic yo-yoer. I've done WW for years on & off, as soon as I can tolerate the thought of fresh veg I'll go back to it. WW don't condone their plan for weight loss during pregnancy however. SW do.
Weight on your tum won't prevent a bump from forming, please don't worry. You'll maybe start feeling the top firming up a bit soon.
I bought most of my maternity wear from new look (jeans & t-shirts) but for the most part I live in standard maxi dresses when the weather is nicer. I can then keep wearing them when not pregnant x

@BertieBotts thanks for starting the new thread. Can't believe how fast the previous one filled up!

@LBunz I was struggling with nausea so bought some travel sickness bands off amazon. They put pressure on a tendon just below your wrist and don't stop nausea/sickness but make it a lot better

Lovely to see these scans appearing, hope everyone is well x

Morning - anyone else got snow this morning? First snow of the season here.

I caved and went into maternity stuff last week at only 7 weeks 😬 clothes pressing on my stomach made me feel so awful. I lucked out and got a ton free on FB marketplace last weekend and ahhh the bliss of maternity jeans 😍🥰

I've had my booking in appointment now and have been referred to the VBAC clinic which is good but have no idea what to expect!

Scan not for 3 weeks, feeling a bit stressed as I just don't feel pregnant the last few days, trying to talk myself down and stop stressing!

@PurplePansy05 bio oil is nice, and I lasso like This Works dry leg oil, but try not to stress about stretch marks - one of the consultants when I was pregnant last told me they are largely a reaction to the hormones so don't feel bad if you still get them! My hair does the same, I go from wasting daily to weekly when pregnant! It lasted till DS was about 6 months 😁 v useful for newborn madness!!

I'm mostly eating brocoli and potatoes at the moment. Going off protein sources one by one

@PeacockingAbout I was going to ask if anyone had a vbac mentioned to them. It’s the one thing I’m really anxious about and I’m swaying towards wanting an elcs. My midwife has said to talk to my consultant about it when I see him 😬 she seemed very much pushy that I should have a vbac!

@PeacockingAbout I am stressed too and over analysing everything, I had a good viability scan last weekend and it kept me calm for a few days but today I've woke up and feel negative, i don't even know why. I also have another 3 weeks to wait for my next scan and it seems like forever away. 😩

Thanks, but I do want to maintain good flexibility of my skin. I know Bio Oil helps with stretch marks but this isn't something I'd use now, long before I have them, I'm looking for something moisturizing against dry skin and to some extent preventative.

@PurplePansy05 I’ve been using burts bees mama bees belly butter. I suffer with dry skin and it’s been so moisturising. I obviously can’t tell you personally if it’s good for stretch marks but the reviews online seem to all be good

Hi all!
Popping onto the thread as an ‘elderly’ first timer, currently at 9+3 (I.e scraping into August!) Had scans at 6 and 8 weeks due to past history of miscarriages.

Empathising with scanxiety big time due to the prior missed miscarriage.

Re maternity wear - I’m living in bamboo yoga pants which have a very soft fold down waistband

@PeacockingAbout we have snow too! Couldn’t get my winter walking trousers to fasten so ended up in ski salopettes which don’t have a waistband to go out & enjoy it!

@PurplePansy05 I just used a Nivea Rich body moisturiser with my first and avoided getting many. Even better I used to get DH to rub it in and give me a back rub every night.

@ItsPrincesspeach I'm the opposite as I'd quite like a VBAC. I just don't want to get to 42wks, be induced and then end up with EMCS again. I'm definitely just going to keep my options open for now. If you want an ELCS, you have every right to ask for one and it would be odd if they didn't consider it for you. The MW will be trying to make you aware of all the options and risks. I do see the appeal as it's a known territory but then my recovery was quite painful and I'd need to drive ASAP. Arghh, so torn x

I’ve caved and bought some maternity clothes today 🙈 I wouldn’t say I’m getting a bump yet but waistbands on my belly is getting really uncomfortable, especially in the evenings. Dorothy Perkins have a really good sale on at the moment with some shorter sleeved things that I can take through to when I’m bigger in the summer 👍

Had a horrendous nausea day yesterday, was a total write off ☹️ But actually feeling quite good today!

Hope you are all doing well and have had a good weekend

@Alittlexmasmagic sounds like total opposite haha my recovery was really easy plus I won’t have anywhere I overly need to go. I managed to get to 7cm before they took me for emcs and myself and partner were so exhausted as it was such a long labour before getting to that point and nothing was great about it haha. I think for my mental health aswell it’ll be the better option as my anxiety is quite high thinking about VBAC. We’ve got a little while to think about it I guess anyway! X

@HopefulB Are you under RMC care? I'm just guessing because I have the MMC/MC history too and also had scans at 6 & 9 weeks. MMCs are a bastard when it comes to causing scan anxiety, I felt awful before every scan because of 2 prior MMCs, you just feel the world is going to collapse every time. But I hope this is your time for the rainbow.

Thank you for the recommendations, I'm going to have a look online and order something as ny skin is just not as well moisturised as it should be and it's getting worse.

@MrsB2019x I'm glad you're feeling better! How far along are you now? I'm finding the nausea isn't so bad anymore, but it comes in random waves and some are surprisingly bad!

@PurplePansy05 I’m 11+2 today ☺️ I’m finding the same, I felt mostly better at 10wks but it seems to be coming back in waves this week! The end is hopefully in sight for both of us soon 🤞

We're exactly the same then, @MrsB2019x, 11+2 😊 Yes, let's hope the nausea passes soon, the aversions already got better too, so there's hope! xx

@PurplePansy05 @MrsB2019x I’m only a day behind you both! 11 +1 today, however my private scan yesterday dated me three days further gone than I thought so we will see what the nhs one says.

I’m anxious about vbac vs elcs as I had an esc last time and it was hell, horrible recovery and it really affected my mental health

@Magik01 it’s funny how everyone finds it differently. Has your midwife spoken to you about it? I’ve been recommended birth afterthoughts to talk through the birth although I don’t think it’s going to change my mind from ELCS. I found the surgery actually more relaxing, maybe I’m just crazy. Recovery wise everything was good for me and even the anaesthetist was amazed to see I was up the next day as I had a problem with the epidural during the labour part. We’ll see though after the conversation with the consultant that’s not until after my 20 week scan though

@ItsPrincesspeach sounds like you had a similar experience to me, long hard labour and then easy EMCS and recovery! You should absolutely go for what will make you happy! MWs tend to be very pro vaginal delivery but should support you if you've made your decision. I've not ruled out an ELCS, I still want to try for a VBAC but want to get all the info on them both and make my decision. I know DH would prefer an ELCS, hes still a bit shaken up by last time!

Sorry you didn't have such a positive experience @Magik01 and @Alittlexmasmagic, i know a few people who had terrible recoveries and it was very hard on them and completely different experience xx

@PurplePansy05 ah sorry - I use them as moisturisers but tbh I'm not super hot on skincare and what should do what! I get quite dry hands while pregnant and also like Palmers cocoa butter, and my SIL loves burts bees multipurpose ointment. I think the dry leg oil is quite hydrating.

@diamante11 glad you had a good reassurance scan! I'm holding off as I think I'll just get stressed after it again and fall into the trap of weekly scans or something 😅 DH is reassuring me that I got just as worried last time which helps 🤣

@HopefulB Glad you had positive scans, I hope it all goes well for you this time, must be so much more stressful after a MMC. We had such a paltry amount of snow and I went for a nap and it was mostly gone by the time I woke up 😂 stuff without waistbands is the dream these days!

I'm so tired today 😴 DS is up multiple times every night these days and the nights he isn't i wake from insomnia,

Hi everyone, hope everyone’s well? How are we all doing?!

@BertieBotts oh your son is just totally gorgeous! 😍

@K2a0t1i5e lovely scan! Love seeing these scans!

@PurplePansy05 I’ve been using Mama Mio- my tummy has got really dry and itchy (and hairy???? This is new!) www.mioskincare.co.uk/mama-mio-tummy-rub-butter-120ml/12078032.html I also use their boob tube which I’ve really liked as I’ve been having really itchy boobs too!

We had snow today too, our first in a few years and I tried to put jeans when we went for our walk and they won’t do up! Odd because im lower in weight than pre pregnancy! Also having a very bad time if it with the taste in my mouth- I’ve barely managed 2 sips of water or any food- really getting to my wit’s end. I’m nearly at 12 weeks and I’m hoping it goes... I don’t want to be having sickness and associated side effects for the next 6 months 😭

@PurplePansy05 @Magik01 Ah how lovely we’re due so close together! An early scan by EPU put me 5 days ahead so I’m half expecting to be put back again at my 12 week scan

@ItsPrincesspeach no she hasn’t really mentioned it other than asking what I plan on doing. I said vbac and that was literally it! Not sure if she was meant to give me any information on it as I haven’t read up on it yet. I’m consulate led with it being an emergency last time (cord prolapse ) so I’m assuming il get an appointment somewhere down the line. But I found the whole experience very traumatic, plus I ended up also getting an infection in the wound.

@PeacockingAbout Yes some people have wonderful experiences and it makes me quite sad when I think about mine. Always so to my DH that it should have been the best day of my life but it was one of the worst.

@MrsB2019x my nhs scan isn’t until 5th feb! Which il be nearly 13 weeks going by my own date, just want it to come sooner!

@PeacockingAbout I think the biggest problem with my recovery is that DH couldn't get time off for paternity leave (self-employed farmer) so wasn't there to help me in the morning before my pain-killers kicked in. Climbing out of bed was horrific. I'm hoping things will be a bit different this time. If I can guarantee he'll be there to help then I might consider the ELCS x

Had a mega busy day here. DS2 was up all night (literally - from 12am to 4 just wide awake! Then he was up for the day at 8!) and then we went off to another town to collect a high sleeper bed for DS1.

When we got there it wouldn't fit in the car with two of the back seats up :o so DS2 and I had to catch the train back! I had no idea where I was going, only been to this place once and we really weren't dressed for the cold, so we had a little adventure. Luckily, found a bus going to the train station and they had a McDonald's open for takeout so all was OK. By the time we got home I thought DS2 would sleep, but he didn't want to! And DH decided he might as well go ahead and make up the new bed which somehow turned into us clearing both rooms and swapping most of the furniture around. So achy now but vv pleased! DS1 has a lovely cosy room with a high sleeper which is like his tech den - perfect for a teenager - and DS2 now has masses of space to play. We've left DS1's old bed frame in there for now but no mattress, so he's used to the amount of space being taken up as eventually, DS2 will move into that single bed and new baby will have the cotbed. And DS1's old desk (huge one from DH's company) actually makes a perfect changing station for little ones so I'm going to set up some clothing and nappy storage for them there.

DS2 was a bit unsure about the change but he was so tired he went to sleep quickly, fingers crossed he stays asleep.