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 💛

@LaceyMermaid amazing news! You must be so relieved! ♥️

@Fran919 I think the one book that I recommend is “expecting better” by Emily Oster. Also pelvic exercises - I haven’t been on top of it but when I do it it takes like 2 minutes if that! Do it when you’re sitting down or something.

Someone recommended an app this morning that I downloaded and done two cycles already. It’s called Kegel Trainer. It makes it so much easier x

That's a great app @Whatshouldbemyusername, thanks! I'll be using this now. I find I have to tune in to just exercising the pelvic floor, when I start I usually move my abdominal muscles as well, only when I put my hand on my bump and concentrate I stop that and recognise the pelvic floor muscles movement. For some reason it doesn't come naturally to me 🤦🏼‍♀️ xx

@PurplePansy05 same! I feel like I tighten my abs too!

There’s this video I watched where the lady said try and pick up a blueberry with your vagina and do it in three attempts. So first pick it. Second second hold it tighter and third second really squeeze it. Somehow when I try it that way and hold it for 10 secs it’s abit easier. It’s a weird analogy but I swear it works with me every time x

I also read expecting better and would definitely recommend. Although it did say I probably could empty the cat litter after all (and annoyingly my husband read it over my shoulder!)

@LaceyMermaid what a relief, glad it was a good result x

@LottSE20 not emptying the cat litter is definitely at the top of my perks of pregnancy list!!

Thanks all! App has been downloaded and first exercise done, really helpful to have something to count the timings.

@Whatshouldbemyusername @LottSE20 thank you

Had a very dramatic day today so need a rant ☹️ went to a consultant appointment because my daughter was apparently born small she was 6 pounds 14, 9 days early! So I now need to have extra growth scans for this baby! Whilst I was there they noticed that my blood pressure was on the high side of normal... this then caused a whole lot of panic and I had to be tested for pre-eclampsia there and then and wait for results!! Luckily came back all is fine but I now have to remain on a weekly blood pressure check and start taking aspirin 😔 anyone else having blood pressure issues?? Never had anything before it's all such a worry!!

Busy day on here!

Excellent news @LaceyMermaid

I started following Oxfordshire Maternity Voices Partnership on Facebook. They’ve put our lots of useful info - topically today there was a statement about maternal request sections, and also a list of books for world book day They also have a YouTube channel, so could be worth a look?

Bowels/Laxatives - Fibre, movement and water are your friends ladies! Someone mentioned Lactulose earlier in the thread - as far as I’m concerned this is the devils work. It tastes vile, takes at least 48hours of taking a large volume twice a day to have any effect, is renown for causing wind, and also requires you to drink a lot of water. Given in pregnancy you have a higher fluid needs anyway, I wouldn’t recommend this at all. Ispagula husk (Fybogel) is the first line recommendation in pregnancy, second line is a macrogol (Laxido or Movicol). Consistency is also important, take whatever you find works everyday for a few days to get back on track, then taper down gradually, don’t just stop. I’m still on the all bran twice a week, but also made a batch of homemade Flapjacks to improve my snacking, oats, seeds and dried fruit all add to the fibre!

I’m in the privileged position of having been allowed to watch an epidural and c section in a previous job (with the patients consent), so I’m actually pretty relaxed that what will be will be! I’ve also read lots about active births and physical fitness reducing labour time and need for intervention, so at the moment I see that as being something I can control, so am Prioritising exercise and reading about hypnobirthing etc to give me the best possible experience.

Wobble moment for me today - 2kg lighter than two days ago!! That can only be fluid surely?! (Or maybe I really have got my bowels working again )

Hope everyone's doing well, just catching up on thread.

Congrats@LaceyMermaid on the NIPT results, the wait is horrible but really pleased all is well.

I downloaded a Kegel training app this morning too, it was the one suggested on an nhs leaflet - have yet to try it.

I've had a couple of stressful days and this coinciding my weight dropping by a kg and pelvic pain almost disappearing my mind just went into overdrive with worry. Thankfully community midwife squeezed me in for a quick Doppler and I heard a lovely heartbeat.
I'm not fully reassured but I guess I just have to take control over my anxiety. Would help if I could feel something but so far still nothing.

Sorry to hear you had a scare at the hospital @Hoares3. I don't have any experience with high blood pressure but sounds like they are just being cautious. But you're right, it's just one worry after another!

I drank a huge bottle of aloe Vera juice and then read its not recommended for pregnant women and cause a whole list of issues!!!! I had no idea! I wonder if I should go and hibernate in a dark room for next 5 months!

@HopefulB @NeedaKitKat thank you!

Lactulose was my MW's recommendation at the 16 weeks appt, I haven't actually used it myself but I trust her judgement, she cane across v experienced and supportive.

So I had a private scan tonight, my son is fine, very wriggly 💙🥰 All the measurements are great, he's actually a bit ahead again, approx. 17+2, but of course we're sticking to the official EDD which puts me at 17 weeks today. The most exciting moment of my life, I SAW HIS WILLY 🙃🤣 Brilliant! Posterior placenta also confirmed, the sonographer said she wouldn't be surprised at all if I felt the movements. Here he is, so big now 💙💙💙 xx

Ah lovely scan pic @PurplePansy05 - congratulations on your beautiful boy 💙💙💙💙💙 can you feel any kicking or movement?

I'm counting down to my 20w scan when I can see baby next. I don't think I can feel anything just yet....I know I have an anterior placenta though.

Morning early birds, happy Friday! 🥳

Beautiful scan pic @PurplePansy05 😍

@Dia12 Thanks! No kicking, no, too early for this, but I occasionally feel some fluttering and it's a feeling as if a bubble was moving in my uterus if that makes sense. For days I've been wondering if that was him and I think it is, he moves A LOT 🤣 And with posterior placenta the sonographer said this sounds very familiar around this time.

Don't worry if yours is anterior though, it's completely normal to feel movements later then (she said it could be nearer 24 weeks, so appreciate that's a big difference) and they won't be as strong because you have an extra layer of protection then. When she showed me my placenta, they look so thick now, I was amazed. At 12 weeks there was barely anything there in comparison. WIth posterior I consistently read the description that babies "kick the crap out of mums" to the point of it becoming uncomfortable and painful later, so pros and cons of each I guess...and my DH played in our local football league when he was young, my son is already taking after him, so wish me luck for later 🤣

Thank you @MrsB2019x 🥰 He's a big boy, wriggly and making mummy gassy for the 4th month now, but he's my fav already, no doubt 💙😍😍😍 I just love how he stuck him bum cheeks out in full view of his willy for us to see, haha! 😄 There's no mistaking it if your baby decides to show it, ladies!

It's so strange when the sonographer scans you higher up close to the belly button and then all over the tummy, I've realised how much he's moved up and why my bump has popped out now. He moves from one side if the bump to another and she was following him, I was fascinated to watch so much going on and how she knew where he's moved 🙈 xx

@PurplePansy05 ah congrats it’s always lovely to see them at a scan

@PurplePansy05 oh what a lovely scan pic! Beautiful 🥰🥰 makes me so excited for my next one! Still 3 weeks away though 🙈

Happy Friday ladies!

What a gorgeous scan @PurplePansy05, and your description is so detailed! I've been wondering if I'm feeling some movements now - the past couple of nights when I lie down in bed I can feel some really odd sensations where my uterus is, almost like rolling I suppose, with the odd little tiny poke (though so tiny that poke is probably too big a word!). It goes on for ages though, whereas I was expecting movements to feel more sporadic, so I wonder if it might just be muscles or ligaments or something. Weirdly, last night it was making me feel a bit seasick.

Finally have my 16 week appointment today (at nearly 18 weeks!), and I have a list of questions as long as my arm. Luckily I managed to meet almost all the midwives at the booking appointment as they all had a go taking blood from my difficult veins 😂 so I know they're all lovely and hopefully won't mind!

And as a little update on DH's family coming over at the end of August - I was not wildly surprised to learn that it's not DH pushing for this (I didn't think it would be as he's typically very thoughtful and reasonable), but his sister (who is not!!), and she's insulted that we've suggested an air bnb as we do technically have space 🙄 no mention that it might be just a touch unreasonable to have two children and two grandparents stay for a week(!) with a brand new newborn/me going in to actually birth the baby!!

@Biscuitcat that's so annoying of your SIL. She has no right to be offended! In the days after birth you're likely to be in a lot of pain, bleeding, if trying to breastfeed, you'll sitting about topless ensuring baby gets a lot of skin to skin. You'll also have midwives coming into your home to check stitches etc if you have any. They used to do this on my sofa. They come most days until you're cleared which for me was over a week as my daughter wasn't back to her birth weight. The whole time is incredibly intimate and special for bonding, you really want to be able to control who is coming in and out of your home during that time to protect that space!

If it's pre birth then obvs you wouldn't want to do be in labour while trying to entertain guests. Again, incredibly intimate etc. I was pacing about from bath to bed to downstairs, and only felt comfy naked 😂 Both are a ridiculous notion on their part!

Can I join? Been lurking for a while. EDD August 24th, going to be a surprise

If she has kids she should get it! I guess she's just unreasonable :o

A friend has offered to look after DS2 for us while I'm in labour, I am incredibly relieved. We have no family here and no idea when they will be able to travel. So covering the due date was always going to be tough. They are in the same boat as they are from Australia.

I hope we get to see our families this year. So far it's not looking very hopeful. We haven't seen them since September 2019 :(

@biscuitcat just to go back a few pages (I'm still catching up) absolutely do not have house guest when u will be 42 weeks. If your over dur you will be hell bent on thinking about birth and you will resent anyone/thing getting in your way. If u have a newborn I really suggest to everyone on baby number 1 to limit guest for the first few weeks as much as possible.

My first baby I felt guilty if I didn't let guest come and see the baby. I felt I had to. I told all my family/inlaws I didn't want any visitors at hospital and my mother in law and her bf showed up uninvited when I was still on the ward with massive Teddy balloon etc cos they were going on a night out so it was more convenient for them to come then! I have never forgiven my husbend for letting them come on to ward 😂 i felt so vulnerable and absolutely did not want her bf who I hardly knew at my bedside when wearing massive maternity pad, catheter etc. I still remind dh of it today and he can't believe he didn't tell them to do one!

I put my foot down with 2nd child and thankfully mother in law had fallen out with us at the time so I got no unwanted visitors and when I got home I was honest and told people I would meet them in a few weeks or go round to theirs etc. Having people in your home is just awful cos you want to be comfy and do as u like and u can't ask them to leave. I definitely bonded better with second child because of less interruptions trying to appease people.

Any FTM feeling excited about Mother's Day coming up? I don't expect anyone to do anything for me, just looking forward to finally having the year come around and feeling good about shortly becoming a mum. I've wanted this for so long.

Welcome @2u2years, and congratulations!

@PurplePansy05 what a lovely photo, always such a good feeling to see them. And exciting to see proof that he's a boy!!

I can't wait for my next scan. I've thought about going for a private one, but I have a lot of extra scans scheduled in the 2nd and 3rd trimester due to monitoring health problems (I'll have an extra growth scan at 32 and 36 weeks), so trying to be patient. Plus I have a cervical check on the 22nd, when they'll probably let me hear the heartbeat and see the baby for about 30 seconds afterwards just for reassurance, and then the anatomy scan on the 26th (which will be on my birthday!) Can't wait.

@biscuitcat Wowww she sounds so unreasonable! Hopefully you guys putting your foot down won’t cause too much of a fall out

@WolfMother326 Yeah I’m excited, I love thinking that next year I will have my daughter to have our first Mother’s Day and it does make me a bit emosh! Also how lovely to have your anatomy scan on your birthday 😍

Welcome @2u2years ☺️

Thank you ladies!!! ❤

@WolfMother326 I feel exactly the same as you about Mother's Day. When you said "I've waited for this for so long", I choked up a bit. xx