Aug 2021 - 2nd Trimester continues

[Alittlexmasmagic]

Hi everyone, another thread begins & things are getting real now 😄 x

@WolfMother326 you would think so but still super anxious about it all. Probably going to book another scan for Friday, even though I had one last Thursday, and have my 20 week next Thursday 😩

@Daffodil21 I know what you mean. I haven't had a scan since mid-Feb and finding it really hard. Been working on positive affirmations and distracting myself with walks, work and spring flowers as much as possible! But I will get to see the baby twice next week due to appointments, including 20 week scan on Friday the 26th!

@WolfMother326 ah yours is the day after mine! Hope all goes well. It feels like a massive hurdle to get over. I wish we could just fast forward to august 😩

I'm finding it hard to keep myself distracted when wfh. But I'm also so glad not to be in the office!!

I love that all our 20 week scans are coming up soon, so exciting! ☺️ Mine is on 31st so 2 weeks today

I'm an all girl household just me and my sister and I think because I didn't grow up with brothers thats why I feel I would like a girl as I understand them more.

@Daffodil21 my 20 week scan is also next Thursday!! Exciting times

@WolfMother326 Fellow Crohnie here! I’ve been offered the vaccine too, but I’ve weighed up my risks and I’m going to wait until baby is here and have it then. I’m really glad you have had a positive experience!

I’ve been on Azathioprine until I fell pregnant and now I’m not on anything. I’m one of the lucky ones that pregnancy puts me in to complete remission. So with that I decided for now I can probably wait to have it. I did have an awful flare up when my daughter was born so I’m fully expecting that again this time and I’ll probably end up back on pred.

I’m seeing my consultant next week so I’m going to follow her lead on recommendations etc!

@WolfMother326 Mine is on the 26th too 😊 Our scans are always so close! I can't wait! I'm finally feeling his movements every day now, loving this! Although I wouldn't call them "kicks" yet, they're quite gentle. He clearly loves it when I eat cake 😳🤣 xx

Hi everyone, following on from the vaccine discussion, I found the Q+A section on the royal colllege of obs&gyne really helpful in answering some of my questions and debunking some myths.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2021-01-12-covid-19-vaccine-info-sheet.pdf

Ah @Jessicapebbles that's all really interesting and helpful to hear. Glad you were able to come off the meds and your symptoms are lower in pregnancy. May I ask about your flare up after giving birth? When did it start, how long did it last, did you need meds to manage it? Thanks x

@PurplePansy05 yes we seem to have synchronised scans! I won't be quite at 20w yet (19+3 on the 26th) but really looking forward to it. I think I'm feeling flutters but I can't really tell yet.

Also, I wanted to ask: how is everyone doing with exercise?

I am really struggling to exercise with tiredness between not sleeping well and working full time from home. I tend to get a walk in 4-5 times a week from 20-50 minutes depending on the day. But it's a slow walk! I feel a little nervous because I've read that exercise helps with labour, so feel like I need to up my game.

@WolfMother326 I still feel really tired and climb in bed at 9. I just can’t get myself to do any exercises..... but do try my best to get out for a walk, even if it’s just 10 mins. I try to do pregnancy yoga once a week (zoom class). Find it really relaxing but always sleep so badly after the session.
I only did walks and yoga in my first pregnancy and used breathing techniques during my labor which I think helped
Sounds like you are doing good with your walks though

@WolfMother326 I've definitely been feeling less fit than pre-pregnancy - I did a 1.5hr dog walk on the weekend which usually I wouldn't struggle with and found it quite tricky by the end. In particular, I'm finding my hips getting very sore, which is the biggest issue (plus needing to pee all the time!! Anything over about 40 minutes now requires a quick pee stop behind a tree 🙈). Last night I was having a read and annoyingly that seems to be common at this stage of pregnancy (hips and peeing!), I'm wondering about some pregnancy yoga/Pilates and hoping that'll help strengthen me, and also maybe be helpful for the birth.

@WolfMother326 to be honest I've barely done any exercise the whole pregnancy. We go on an odd walk at the weekend when we've got a day off together. I was going to the gym 6 times a week before hand

@WolfMother326 im barely managing any exercise, I’ve got such a sore lower back that just getting out of bed hurts. I’m hoping it’ll get better cos I need to get moving but walking is too painful right now. I don’t really find stretches etc that effective and I stopped doing any sort of weight training as soon as I found out I was pregnant (mainly because of nausea)

@Inmypjsagain have you tried sleeping with a pillow between your knees to help your lower back?

@WolfMother326 I’ve only just started to workout again this week, pre pregnancy I was resistance/ strength training 4 times a week but stopped due to nausea. I’ve bought a book called bumps and burpees which has all suitable workouts for each trimester but also about pelvic floor etc, safe to say my muscles are feeling it today but want to do it twice a week and walks too, just taking it easy and listening to my body about rest

@Daffodil21 thank you, I have and have tried 2 pillows too, it’s not budging it. I googled it and apparently you’re more likely to get lower back pain if you have anterior placenta but I don’t understand the logic?! x

@Inmypjsagain that's interesting I also have sore lower back and an anterior placenta

I've had some quiver sort of feelings down low or far out to the side which I think might be movements??

@Inmypjsagain oh really? I do have an anterior placenta too. I had lower back problems before pregnancy (scoliosis - not sever thankfully!) but it is getting worse - getting up off the sofa, walking up the stairs etc. I've moved my computer downstairs (walking up two flights of stairs was becoming exhausting!) and have been sitting on the sofa and working up the table which oddly enough has helped slightly!

I'm hoping it doesn't get worse, but I assume it will as we get bigger 😩

When it comes to movement - I've been feelings some sort of flutters today but really low down so I'm wondering if imagining it?! Or maybe it's pulsing?? I have no idea. I was really hoping to feel movement soon so I can stop booking these bloomin scans, but doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon!!

@Smurf123 and @Daffodil21 there must be some method to it then, sorry to hear you’re both struggling with it. It’s so unpleasant- it’s odd because I’ve had pelvis pains too, but that’s stopped and moved to my back. Its making me waddle as well!! I work from the sofa too, being a bit reclined helps. I’ve said this before but I didn’t realise how uncomfortable pregnancy is!

And the movements you’re both describing are the same as mine! Low down quivers/pulsing! I describe as a twitchy flutter but I’m sure it’s movement. I’ve been getting it every day for 3 days now, most in the morning and evening. I’m sure it’s not wind etc and it’s something I’ve not felt before. Like the more extreme version of a faint flutter I felt a few weeks back!

Hi all!

I’m walking up to 90mins once a week, and 1-2 20-30min walks or walk with a little bit of running in other days BUT all much slower. Walking & running pace have dropped off by about 2mins per km, and running is really hard to maintain at moderate heart rate, so it’s literally a 3min jog with 2min recovery in between!

I haven’t swapped to pregnancy yoga yet - still doing body balance (mix of yoga, tai chi & Pilates set to music) via the LesMills app as there is always a pregnancy option.

I really really want the outdoor pool to open!!

@Inmypjsagain fingers crossed it's a risk movement then!

@HopefulB jogging?! Wow! I can't imagine jogging, even just for 3 mins 😂 but tbf I haven't jogged in years!

When it comes to exercise I've only been doing a 20-25 min walk about 4/5 times a week. I wasn't doing any for a bit but I've been trying to at least!

It’s all relative - I wouldn’t have thought anything of running 5-10km or cycling for about 2hours before pregnancy - and that is a lot less fit than I have been in the past.

I borrowed bump it up from the library which had a really nice approach & recommendations based on previous activity levels. Essentially if you weren’t regularly exercising before it’s safe to start walking, swimming or yoga. Otherwise you can continue activities you did before (non contact/ low risk of fall) but at no more than 75% max heart rate. So if you’re Paula Radcliffe your still ok to run a marathon. If not don’t forget your body is working harder at EVERYTHING so just taking the stairs, doing the hoovering, etc is all gentle exercise, so don’t focus too much on traditional definitions - be kind to yourself, your body is doing something amazing!

I’m barely exercising at all because I’ve been so tired ☹️ Not helped with my arthritis making my fatigue worse. Had a 45 min walk today though and that felt good so hoping I can increase I and do it more frequently 🤞