August 2021 - Heading into the second trimester

[BertieBotts]

Old thread was about to fill up again

I will try to get to the car seat/pram Qs in a bit...

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, having a surprise! 💛
@Champson - EDD 22 August (but really June/July), TBC 💛💛💛
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July) 💛
@smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep EDD 2 August, TBC 💛
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, having a surprise! 💛
@runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, TBC 💛
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, TBC 💛
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 16 August, TBC 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@northernsquirrel- EDD 31 August, surprise 💛

Oh god I don't know if I'd want to fiddle with my vagina whilst I'm about to burst from the other end on my toilet 😳🙈🤦🏼‍♀️

I feel my life has reached a new low...

@PurplePansy05 I think the thumb is the bit that disturbs me the most 😳

@MrsB2019x @PurplePansy05
that's what I was on about when I posted it yesterday! 😂

@PurplePansy05 it’s quite normal I’m afraid, you can get something like lactulose from the pharmacy or gp for it which will help. I find if I have one day of not enough fibre I pay for it! That’s why I try to have a handful of prunes every day.

@lucyrp I couldn’t remember if I saw it here or the FB group 🤣

@PurplePansy05 I feel for you! I had the worst constipation of my life after my egg collection snd was so uncomfortable and unwell. I've had it quite badly since I've been pregnant as well and spoke to my midwife about it last week. She said it's safe to take Movicol (which is what finally cleared the 'blockage' after egg collection) and Lactulose. On the Movicol packet there's directions for blockages, I think it's 8 sachets in quick succession. It's rank but two days later I was back to normal. The Lactulose helps soften the stools so that it's not painful to pass. I wish I wasn't such an expert 😂 Good luck!

I remember my mum had told me that when she was pregnant with me and she felt constipated she had pysillium husk with milk/water and it made her go. It’s safe for pregnancy and it’s just fibre. Maybe @PurplePansy05 try that?x

I thought I read about the thumb method somewhere too @MrsB2019x @lucyrp but didn't register it was on here! 😂 Complete baby brain. I have to check 3 times if I've locked my car too 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thank you ladies, I think I've truly gutted myself and there's nothing left 😂 DH bought me prune juice (rank) and prunes, I went for a walk, drank lots of water and had bran flakes. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day 🙏 But I will visit the pharmacy too, feel I need something for another crisis like today! xx

I don't know about anyone else but I find myself popping even more every Sunday evening, I look in the mirror and I'm like what I've got bigger again 🙈🤣

@lucyrp awwww I’m so jel I don’t feel like I have any type of bump yet at all
Just get bloated on a night but in a morning it’s gone back down x

@Caz1226 I think I've only got such a bump as this is my second. The first picture I've got on my phone from my first is at like 18/20 weeks and I'm that size now at 15 with my second🙈x

Hello all, hope Monday is treating you gently.

I've been having a rough few days. Similar to others, I've been constipated on and off though its a little better after the weekend (took walks, drank tons of water and ate more fibre). @PurplePansy05 I hope you're feeling better - I feel your pain!

But more than that, I've been having unpleasant pelvic discomfort - it's part what I think is round ligament pain from moving too quickly, little shooting pains, but also just a really achy pelvic area. I suppose everything is stretching, but I don't have much of a bump yet, just a tiny one.

I've got a hospital appt today for a transvaginal US to measure my cervix, has anyone else had this done? There is a bit of concern that I may have a short cervix due to comments from a dr when I had a mirena coil inserted in the past, and I think they are just being cautious in case I need extra monitoring/a stitch, which I hope I won't.

@WolfMother326 I'm having the same on Thursday (I think they will do an internal scan, but no one has actually confirmed this, it's what dr Google told me) because I had colposcopy before, I had abnormal cells removed from my cervix when I was younger. It wasn't LLETZ, but they're erring on the side of caution and sent me to see a consultant for this.

However, when I had a private scan at 13 and bit weeks (when I was concerned about a fluid leak), the wonderful doctor at my private clinic has actually checked my cervix then and it's good lenght and closed, no damage. For that he didn't even need an internal scan just FYI, he measured it using the CRL on the screen. I suppose if they want to be super accurate they will probably scan you internally but mine was measuring significantly above the risky length (which I can't remember what it is, but I remember being shocked when he told me what it was as mine was about 3 times longer). I'm sure you'll be fine, but best to be checked over for peace of mind. xx

Thank you @PurplePansy05, that is so helpful and reassuring. Glad yours was looking healthy and just as it should be too.

No worries @WolfMother326. FWIW, even if it turns out you need cervical cerclage it's a good thing to have it diagnosed now as it will support the pregnancy later on when you get bigger and might well help prevent a prolapse/PGP later on, so don't be worried 😊 💐 xx

PS prunes might be disgusting BUT they do help with the 💩 situation, I'm pleased to report! Constipation still present, but more manageable. Looks like I'll need to eat them daily like some of you have suggested 🤢 xx

Yes @PurplePansy05 I definitely would rather catch any problem now, I'm grateful that it's being properly checked out. Not sure how others' experiences have been, but I've been impressed by my midwife and obstetrician taking my concerns seriously and looking after me so well!

Glad the prunes are helping too! I bought some Yakult over the weekend and that seems to have helped me too.

Oh that's a good shout @WolfMother326. I'd love to have some kefir which I had fairly regularly pre-pregnancy but I believe most if not all are unpasteurised so a bit risky. It works wonders for your gut though xx

@PurplePansy05 I thought most store bought Kefir was pasteurised? Yeo Valley products are all pasteurised and they do a frozen Kefir too if you fancy an ice cream hit x

I have Qs about short cervix also? how do they know if you are affected if it’s your first baby as they don’t routinely check? I had so many questions to ask the midwife but I was so flustered at my 12 week scan I didn’t get around to asking any of them?

I’ve just been looking at my A/L and mat leave and it works out that I can finish on my 30th Birthday, Yay. I’m going to have 2 months off before baby arrives I’m very excited about the prospect and by being hopefully out of lockdown by then.

For those suffering from constipation also try ground flax seeds. I add a couple of teaspoons to my cereal in the morning or you can add it to smoothies, porridge, sprinkle on salads etc.

@LyraShaeLilly I talked to my midwife and she wasn't concerned, but then I mentioned it to my obstetrician (I have consultant led care due to an unrelated health issue) and she referred me to get it checked out. I think they don't do it unless there's been a red flag in your past, but you might be able to ask them to look at the 20w scan, I'm not sure.

@Alittlexmasmagic Oh I didn't know that! Thanks a lot. I used to get it locally from a niche place and my mum makes her own. I'll have a look in the shop next time.

Flax seeds might also go on the list, thanks @WatermelonKisses 😊

@LyraShaeLilly I suppose this isn't a common problem and it is often linked to prior procedures you may have had on your cervix. I was asked about any cervical procedures and any gynae procedures (such as D&C/MVA after miscarriage, which I also had) several times at my MW appointment and then at my 12 week scan. Like I said, cervix length can be measured at the scan so you can ask about that then xx

I love prunes stewed or tinned and then heated up and eaten with custard!

But then I also like them dried so I might be a weirdo :o

@WolfMother326 @PurplePansy05 @LyraShaeLilly I have an appointment with the pre-maturity clinic on 7th April too. It’s coz in the past I was told I have a short cervix but since this is my first pregnancy I want to be careful just like yous. So I had mentioned to the MW at the booking scan. I will be about 19 weeks then though so they said they can take a vaginal swab through which they may be able to determine whether my cervix will be an issue and based on that they can take the next step. The swab I was told can only be taken after week 18 so I think that’s why they have booked me for week 19.

Like you girls as worrying as it is I would rather get it checked now then later. It will go well for all of us xx

@Whatshouldbemyusername that's great - glad they are checking you out too. Interesting that there are so many different techniques for doing so - would be better perhaps if they did this for all FTMs as a standard check up!