Aug 2021 - 2nd Trimester continues

[Alittlexmasmagic]

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

@Inmypjsagain Try not to worry - there are so many women still looking good after having a baby, some even better than before. I personally think it's the menopause that is a right bitch later on in life. If you're thinking about being an active mum then you will lose the weight and get back in shape. I think we need to embrace it for what it is and accept we will still grow A LOT. But all of my friends have managed to lose the weight, three are slimmer and fitter than pre pregnancy and all are mid-30s. We can definitely have a fitness support thread later on to keep each other motivated. For now let's be body positive - we're changing on a temporary basis for a fantastic reason, men can't pull this off! xx

@Alsh my 16 week was face to face and they did bloods and urine, I think it varies depending on your trust 😊

@Inmypjsagain it's such an odd feeling isn't it! I don't really have any noticeable bump yet, so I'm also just feeling a bit fat. At my scan today it was a bit of a let down almost, I feel like I looked the same externally as at the 12 week one apart from some bloating. I have a couple of stretch marks, and I'm quite prone to them so think that as and when I do get a proper bump, they'll definitely appear! Trying not to worry too much, as it's not really in my control.

Hi everyone! New to this thread... 18 1/2 weeks with baby no. 2. Loved the Mumsnet antenatal thread for when I had my first, so wanted to jump back on that train this time.

Anomaly scan end of this week... very apprehensive as this pregnancy has been a bit bumpy so far.

Hi everyone, what does the first baby movements feel like? I’ve had what feels like a muscle twitching on and off bottom right of my abdomen for the last couple of hours. It’s so weird. I got very excited and had a little cry about it but now thinking I might be just being silly and it’s just a muscle twitch 🙄

@PurplePansy05 You’re right! I think I’m just grieving my jean collection and all my bras! I will hold you to the fitness thread 💪🏼 thing is I’m feeling this way and I’m really not that big.. as you theres a lot of growing to go... best just start getting used to it! And lol I’d love to see my DH pregnant, he’s great but I think he’d have given up by now!

@biscuitcat how many weeks are you? I felt the same until the last week, I’m 20 weeks today and something happened this weekend- I still think I look more fat than pregnant but it’s getting there. We’re all different though and will pop at different points. And as purple Pansy said we all still have a lot of growing to do!!!!

@Angelesque welcome and congratulations! Sorry to hear it’s been bumpy so far but hopefully your scan will put you at ease 😊 my scan is on Friday and I’m nervous!

@CountryGirl84 that’s exactly how I described my movement! Like a twitch low down but I knew it wasn’t a twitch because it didn’t feel quite right, because I could feel isn’t a muscle. A twitchy flutter! Exciting if it is movement!

@Inmypjsagain oh yes you’re right there isn’t any muscle there. Yay how exciting it must be the first movements 😀

@Angelesque welcome to the group! Hope you’re doing okay? Keeping my fingers crossed for your scan on Friday. How old is your first? x

@Inmypjsagain one of my closest friends was quite chubby before getting pregnant and she's so skinny now. The thinnest she's ever been. Breast feeding can do wonders! As long as you don't sit there and eat biscuits whilst feeding.

Welcome @Alsh and @Angelesque

Despite the constant feeling of hunger and weight gain/bloat, I’m pretty positive, I figure baby’s telling me what they need and the weight is within expectations, therefore all baby/baby supporting. It’s an amazing thing our bodies are doing, and you’re right @Inmypjsagain our OH’s would probably have given up by now. I remember when I had the miscarriage my OH saying if that happened to men they’d be off work at least a month and everyone would know!

@lucyrp you’re giving me hope, I’ve found weight loss really difficult the last couple of years, hoping the pregnancy and feeding will give my metabolism a reset!

In other exciting news the open air pool is opening next week! I cannot wait - I really hope bump enjoys the water

@Inmypjsagain yeah I've read stretch marks are genetic too! I don't see how but going to keep using cream just in case it helps even a little!

@Alsh she did use a Doppler at mine but she said she doesn't usually. I asked her if she would though and she agreed.

Welcome @Angelesque ! Sorry to hear you've had a bumpy ride. I hope it smooths out for you from here on in.

@Inmypjsagain But how good will it feel to be back in them in a year's time or so? Something to look forward to!

I've already grieved all my work clothes and heels which I love. Nothing with the exception for few stretchy dresses has come out of the wardrobe for a year to the day and whilst it's nice to be comfy in stretchy casual/smart casual clothes, the novelty has worn off and I'm now looking at myself thinking I look really sluggish for me. So that's not easy, but then I make sure to look after my hair, face, nails etc, just to have a boost. Making the most of home pedicures for as long as I can reach my own feet! 🤣😳 We all need an image boost sometimes! xx

@HopefulB I'm hoping for the same! The best I've managed with weight loss was 2 years ago when I had lots of gallstone attacks and lost a stone quickly then !

@PurplePansy05 I am currently rotating a couple of pairs of maternity leggings with a couple of long sleeve black stretchy tops and 2 peplum style floaty ones and that's all my wardrobe consists of at the moment. Waiting for warmer weather to purchase w couple bodycon midi dresses from a maternity range to live in with sandals for the rest of the time! Also booked my first nail appointment for 23rd april so excited for that and need to book in for my lashes too which will help.

Tell me about black leggins and black tops lol @lucyrp 🤣 A bit too comfy to resist, haha! On a separate note, part of me thinks if we are blessed to have another DC soon, this is going to be hard on my body, such a yo-yo! I might focus on getting fit but not necessarily slim after this pregnancy and then go all out in few years' time. I say that as if this was easy, it's totally not! But I think my son will give me a huge boost. He already has, I think I'd feel really down a year into the pandemic if I weren't expecting now. So I'm staying positive despite the ongoing and no doubt, upcoming, exhaustion! xx

@CountryGirl84 hopefully you’ll start feeling it more regularly!

@Daffodil21 yes, ditto, it can’t be bad and at least I’ll have a soft tummy!

@PurplePansy05 oh I so hope I can get back into them! I really feel like the first trimester I felt so crap I lost myself a bit- no painted nails, no eyebrow maintenance, slacking on my skincare. I’m only beginning my to fell like me again recently and I think there’s a lot to be said for self care!

It will be a bit of a yo-yo but I think focussing on strength and fitness is key and then hopefully the rest follows!

@lucyrp that made me giggle, shovelling biscuits while breast feeding... I know I’ll be tempted 😂

@HopefulB men definitely cope with things differently. I just think the sickness would have finished him off and he probably wouldn’t have left bed...!

Also planning a pedicure as soon as they open!!

@Inmypjsagain you do get very hungry when feeding but the best idea is to get healthy snacks as it's so easy to grab a pack of biscuits and eat them all in one sitting!🤣

I’ve not read every comment because there are so many but I’d like to show you this photo of me pre and post baby just to help anyone settle their minds ❤️
I lost 4 stone during my maternity leave by using slimming world and just walking my baby in the fresh air! I will be doing the same after this one too! I am by no means an active person and never have been so I know if I can do it, anyone can ❤️

Eeekkk!! It's my 20 week scan today... hardly slept I am so nervous 😬 doesn't help o don't have much of a bump and only felt a few movements, praying all is ok good luck to everyone else who has scans coming up this week

Kally users (or other U-shaped pillow) - please could you tell me how you position yourselves these days? I think I've gone wrong somewhere recently, hence my hip pain. I sleep on my left side and left hip pain joint is unbearable every morning now. I think this is due to my weight shifting to the front.

Do you stick the pillow slightly under the bump when you sleep on your side? I've discovered this morning this might be the trick?

Also do you tend to have it tight around your back and back of your legs, as I found this might be helping too?

I'm currently trying to wriggle my way in to a more comfortable sleeping position to try out tonight and for me it seems the more support I can get everywhere, the better. Anyone with the same problem? xx

And another stupid question, should I be taking notes (eg on my phone) of baby movements to discover a pattern? I can remember the movements daily but in my head they don't form a pattern yet - or maybe they are starting to, but I just don't have an overview of a few days, that's why I think this might help? My memory is also pretty poor now.

Do babies move more so "morning", "afternoon ", "evening" or closer to specific times, eg 7am, 11am, 3pm etc? Or are patterns linked to your activities every day, eg after breakfast, after exercise etc? xx

@PurplePansy05 when I last spoke to my midwife she got me signed up to the nhs service "Florence" which is a text service when they text you later on in your pregnancy to remind you to think if your baby has moved etc il add a screenshot below. They haven't text again yet but I don't think they text more regularly until end of second trimester

@PurplePansy05 Kally user here! I tend to sleep on my right side (only because I prefer to face outwards and don't want to switch sides of the bed!), usually with one leg over and the other either under (like in the foetal position), or trailing down the bed, then one arm over and one under. I don't really have a bump to speak of yet so can't advise there sadly. I don't think mine is too tight round the back, but that might change as I get bigger! For me, I think the thing that's been helpful is the elevated leg as it feels like it better aligns my hips, which can be a bit of a pest.

For movements, I'm not noting anything down yet but might start in the next few weeks. I think I have a very vague pattern of more movements when I'm lazing on the sofa/lying in bed (especially in the evening), plus after I eat something sweet or drink cold water quickly, but not much more and I'm not feeling a lot during the day for the most part xx

@Hoares3 good luck for today!

@Jessicapebbles you look amazing! And thank you for the reassurance 💛 I'm hoping the combination of walks with baby and dog will go some way to helping (plus being disciplined with breastfeeding snacks...)

Patterns are more often time and routine related. I never kept track of mine, IME you'll notice if they suddenly aren't moving as they have been. But if you want to be more organised about it, you can do the other method which is to have a set time of day to lie down on your left, have a child drink and then count kicks up to 20 and time how long it takes. If one day it takes much longer to get your 20 or by the end of the time you've had much fewer, ring triage ASAP.

I've noticed the baby kicks me in the evenings and when I'm putting DS2 to bed!

@Jessicapebbles you look great! I also did slimming world a few years back and I know it works so I think I’ll rely on thy again- I’m quite greedy so I like knowing I can eat as much as I like (of the right things)!

No movement for me yet - I’m 18+3 with no bump too so trying to reassure myself it’s normal 😬 Though hearing you all talk about movement is making me a little nervous!

Hi everyone, sorry I’ve missed so much!
On the weight gain, I was worried as I’d put on 5lb and the midwife wasn’t concerned at all. She said that the NHS doesn’t have specifics on how much you should/shouldn’t gain, but to have a balanced diet.
I’m a little nervous on the after effects as I really struggle to lose weight and gain really easily since I got chronic fatigue/me about 4 years ago.

@Hoares3 good luck with your scan today! Xx

You look amazing @Jessicapebbles....thanks for sharing! It gives me some hope that I can shift the weight. I've put on more than I'd hoped to but not worrying about it anymore.
A post baby fitness thread is a great idea, I'm not quite ready yet to throw my entire wardrobe away and would love to able to wear those clothes again!

My hip pain is quite bad at night, but even worse is the pubic bone pain. The pillows aren't helping at all for me. I think what I really ought to be doing is some stretches and exercises....my routine keeping is awful.

Good luck with your 20w scan today @Hoares3 xx