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 💛

Hey guys,

Hope you have all enjoyed the sunny day. I’ve been back at work today after 3 weeks off on holiday...exhausted!
Also sent my little girl to spend the night with nana for the first time since the start of the pandemic, I cried like a baby...Darcy however was so excited and was shouting “see you soon!!” From the car. Not really sure what to do with myself now 😶

Also living in leggings over here but I’ve really popped out now! This happened with my first, I showed super early and then just dropped when I was late on.

Just chiming in with the problem of early bump vs full bump clothes - I have been struggling with this because my normal leggings and knickers just don't fit/feel comfortable right now. I had bought some maternity leggings and a pair of stretchy maternity jeans but my little bump is not quite there yet. I finally broke down this week and bought a set of knickers from M & S that are low rise and 2 sizes up from my normal, finally comfortable! Thinking about doing the same with leggings, just getting a pair 1-2 sizes larger than normal. I guess I can wear them after the birth too when I'm in between again.

@WolfMother326 that's funny you say about low rise ! I've been trying to find higher rise thongs so they don't squash into my bump and make it a weird shape!

Ha @lucyrp that's an opposite problem then! The low rise has been good so far because the knickers sit just below where my bump starts without stretching or feeling tights, hopefully I'll be able to stay in them for a while.

You'll need different clothes once you're full bump anyway, because it will be much hotter.

For this stage I mostly just get by nicking DH's jeans, using trouser expanders and so on. You can get bra extending hooks, if the cup size is still OK. Belly bands are good for going over normal trousers unzipped with a hairband or button extender to hold them closed.

And yes stretchy leggings and loose, long tops. As you say you can use them afterwards, it will be Autumn very shortly after we deliver so the weather will be getting cooler again.

Maternity clothing in the summer is easier too because so many things are stretchy or floaty anyway! Lots of dresses!

@HopefulB I am just chatting with someone on a car seat group I'm in now about the Recaro car seat. She has very kindly let me use a picture of her newborn in the seat in the article, so I've updated that now if you want to see how they look in it. The infant carrier part of the seat is VERY small! This lady is also having issues with the angle of the seat in her car but it sounds like her seats are a bit tilted, which might be why.

I asked her about the seatbelt rubbing and she said it's not been an issue at all, no sign of any discomfort however her baby hasn't been in the seat longer than about an hour at a time.

Those harness pads are a bit different in material from other seats, sort of mesh on the top rather than smooth like others, but I think the mesh might be a bit more breathable? It doesn't feel rough as such, but it's not as smooth a feeling as other fabrics if that makes sense. It's quite similar to the fabric on the Ergo Air models (baby carrier, not car seat!) which I suppose doesn't help if you haven't seen one of those either :o

Checking in with my early risers 👋 how are we all today?

Morning all!
My sleep is actually settling, and no nausea yesterday. Lots of aches/stretchy pains.

@BertieBotts, bless you! Thank you so much for asking, that’s really helpful.

Re small bump clothes I love www.bambooclothing.co.uk, their yoga pants and some of the tops mention if they are suited to early pregnancy, they are soo comfy!

Morning all!
Lots to catch up on, apologies if I’ve missed anything

@PurplePansy05 - hope you’ve began to settle in the house now

@Inmypjsagain I’ve been suffering with headaches for the past few nights quite bad and found some of those cooking strips for forehead to ease it.

@BertieBotts thank you for the blog, very useful can’t wait for the shops to open so I can browse

Out of curiosity how long did everyone wait for the NHS screening results? I’ve got my NIPT ones back so I’m not overly bothered but it’s been longer than 2 weeks now so don’t know if I need to chase?

Is anybody thinking of a private scan before the 20 week one? X

@Fran919 Is that the combined screening along with the 12 week scan? I got mine back after a week but they said it could take up to 3

@Fran919 they said it would be between 7-10 days but I got mine back after 4 I think. If there's nothing to worry about they send a letter at my trust and if you're say higher risk they normally call you x

Thanks @MrsB2019x @lucyrp, I’ll give it till Friday and if I’ve not received anything I’ll chase x

Morning all, after feeling great for a few weeks now I've felt really crap all weekend, dizzy, sick and last night I woke up with a pain around the top of my belly just under my rib cage. Probably just everything stretching but it actually woke me up. Has anyone had this? I suffered really badly with rib pain in later pregnancy last time but this is much earlier and was more like an intense pain that came then went instead of a more constant ache. Has anyone experienced this? Not sure if I should be worried.

@Fran919 Getting there, thanks! Although it's only for 4 weeks before we start renovating here comes the mess again. I am so excited to unpack properly and get a lovely bright nursery done 😍 Focusing on June when things will be ready and then I can relax more in July & early August.

@Millymay13 I have H&M maternity leggins and I find they are the thickest if that's what you're after. Very comfy too. I also have the Asos two-pack and they are comfier, but a bit more shiny and see through than H&M. I guess this is where they stretch! The way I'm growing atm is bump in the front, you can see I've filled up, but primarily from the side. They get a bit see through there.

As @WolfMother326 says, to me the comfiest underwear is actually under the bump now - I'm still wearing my usual pants, just under the bump. It doesn't look like I've put anything on around my hips/legs, it's all bump and boobs so far. I have some full briefs too which fit over the bump, but not sure how long they'll fit, don't think I could pull them off till the end of the pregnancy the way things are going.

I'm slowly discovering my weight has shifted to the centre of my body and I need to watch not to trip on something, luckily I can see my feet, but it's a weird feeling of carrying something in front of me that I can now see! Another few weeks and I'll be doing the duck walk 🤣

My boobs were killing me again last night, I was standing in my shit and trickling shower for half an hour trying to warm them up. A new bathroom will be so nice 🤣😍

Have a good week everyone! xx

Also @Fran919 re test results, mine came back a couple of days after my 12 week scan, very efficient. They did say if nothing is wrong it can take up to 2 weeks. Like you I had NIPT privately and was relaxed about it. I think I'd give them a bell if it's coming up to 3 weeks if I were you, maybe they got lost/forgot to send them xx

@PurplePansy05 funny you should say that about h and m leggings as I found my pairs I had last pregnancy got holes in them rather quickly! Maybe they've changed the material since then?!x

Currently not wearing a proper bra at all just a double layer crop top that's meant for bed. First day back in work today so finally ordered some nursing bras hoping they fit when they come!

Morning Ladies!

I had severe acidity last night! I was uncomfortable all night and my headaches are back! I feel like I can’t work but slogging away.

I have a question to the women’s who sadly have had missed work due to pregnancy related illness. How does it work. Do you have to give a letter? Does it affect your SMP by reducing it when you eventually do take maternity leave?

TIA x

@Whatshouldbemyusername at this stage it should be no different to any other illness. Report in the same way. If you're treated badly that's discrimination. It definitely shouldn't affect your SMP.
pregnantthenscrewed.com/
This is a great site for knowing your rights x

@Fran919 sorry to hear about your headaches too, but thanks for the tip, will look on Amazon. I was told my blood test results would take up 2 weeks but I got them within a week.

@PurplePansy05 ohh renovations sound so exciting but also stressful! When you say the weight has shifted to the centre, has this affected your balance at all? Realise it’s a dumb question, but my balance is all out atm. I still wouldn’t say I have a bump, just that I’ve overindulged.

@Whatshouldbemyusername oh I’m sorry you’re feeling crap. I spoke with my dr who actually suggested time off work, mine was sickness related, but achiness, tiredness etc are all valid! Just tell dr you’re struggling to work, I was signed off for 2 weeks extended by a week twice. I needed a letter because if I have longer than 5 days I need a sick note. My note just said pregnancy related illness. My company don’t pay sick pay so I was on statutory sick pay for the month. It doesn’t impact maternity pay (if you’re off sick pregnancy related in the 4 weeks before your due date they can make you take mat leave early I think)

Hope everyone doing ok today. My legs are so sore today, like shooting pains from my pelvis. I didn’t realise how uncomfortable pregnancy could be!

I have another question... maternity leggings, I’m looking at seraphine and H&M. Do you still with normal size and the bump bit stretches, or worth going up a size? I just can’t imagine I’ll stay a size 8 my whole pregnancy and would rather buy stuff that lasts....

Thank you @PurplePansy05 I’ve ordered a pair from love leggings as they do a petite size and I’m short but ASOS and H&M are on the list for when I need more!
@Inmypjsagain on one of the many maternity leggings websites I looked at it suggested going for your normal size up to the third trimester but then going a size bigger for comfort. I’m hoping by then the weather will be hotter and I might be able to go bare legged but we shall see!

@Millymay13 thank you 😊 sounds like a good tip but I’m nervous to buy my actual size!

I’ve just ordered these which seem really expensive but I was intrigued: www.seraphine.com/en-gb/overbump-bamboo-leggings/ I’ll report back if they’re worth the £. This also says go for your normal size but it’s annoying because if you’re over 5ft 7 they say go for a medium but my hip measurements would be a small... so went for a small and hoping for the best!

@Inmypjsagain I've just bought a size 10 which is my usual size and they fit nicely. They go right over the bump. You can't expect leggings to cover your whole bump for the whole pregnancy, over the bump stuff does tend to just go half way up the further along you are. Hoping I'll just be living in dresses and sandals soon anyway x

I've got loads of maternity leggings my friend gave me and they all seem to be H&M and Next. They've lasted through three pregnancies now so they are doing well! Some are starting to lose their elasticity a bit.

You can just buy normal size as they accommodate pregnancy weight gain as well as bumpage.

Anything you buy online you have 14 days to return as well because of the distance selling act.

Thank you @Alittlexmasmagic and @Inmypjsagain. Yes it’s these headaches from the minute I wake up! It’s like on stop 😔

I have called the gps office. Waiting for a call back and then will take it from there. Thanks again xx