Aug 2021 - half way there!

[HopefulB]

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@Champson - EDD 22 August (but really June/July), TBC 💖💖💖
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

@Whatshouldbemyusername - thank you! That’s made me feel as it’s only just 1kg gain even though I’m eating normally if not more! (I’ve gained more previously on a weekend away haha)

Snap with being tired, I’ve had a bath thermometer delivered today so I can make sure it’s not too hot

For the what month are we bit, this is quite helpful from what to expect website, because I’d calculated it all wrong!

@Fran919 everyone is different so I wouldn’t panic! My weight has gone up a stone but I certainly look like I’ve gained more than that! When you have your next midwife appointment I’d just ask then but they’d tell you if they have any concerns.

Having said that, I’m not sure when my next face to face mid wife appointment is, I have a feeling it’s end of May which seems a long time- I last saw her at 8 weeks!

@Inmypjsagain You should be seeing her at 25 weeks with your first baby? My MW appt is next week, I had too book it myself at the previous one xx

@PurplePansy05 thank you, I have a telephone appointment next week for the 25 week one, but I’ve just checked on my app- I have another appointment end of May but again it’s over the telephone. I know I’m having less appointments because of COVID I’m just not sure when someone will see me, I’d have thought I’d need bloods and stuff but guess not 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’ll ask next week!

@Fran919, based on a BMI 25-30 I was ‘aiming’ (as if I have some control) for a weight gain of 300-500g/week 2nd/3rd trimester. So far I lost 2kg in first, and have put on 3.5kg in 8 weeks of 2nd trimester, so I’m ok with that

Pampers website had a weight gain predictor week by week if you are interested.

I am really hungry in the morning, but possibly eating slightly less in evening meal, seems to work best if I just eat a small meal every 3-4hours.

Lovely bump pics- mine was taken as I turned 21weeks.

Thanks for the Aldi muslin tip off, bought a couple of packs.

Had a lovely swim this morning, hoping I can work on my front crawl for the next couple of months as I ease off the running.

The whole pregnancy thing is totally surreal - I can't imagine having another baby and you'd think I'd be able to as I've done it twice :o

I mean I can imagine bits of it and have a vague idea about how it might be etc but I can't really picture this little person (we are still totally undecided on names as well!) actually existing and being part of our family.

But I know once they are here and we've got past the first few weeks we won't be able to imagine life without him 🥰

@Inmypjsagain Yes they should be checking your urine and blood pressure. I only had bloods done at 12 weeks, but all the rest regularly. Definitely ask for this. Shouldn't she also give you MATB1 at 25 weeks, how are they going to deal with this? xx

@Inmypjsagain you should have an in person appt at 28 weeks as I think they need to take bloods then? If I remember correctly that's when test for anaemia and GD (if not done already) so if your bloods come back with certain levels they might refer you for the glucose test but ever trust has different procedures. I feel lucky that all my appointments have been face to face so far and I get a 25 week one despite the NHS website saying this is for first time pregnancies only - not complaining, I enjoy the midwife appointments!

Ahh another lovely bump pic 😊

@PurplePansy05 I’ll definitely follow up, I had bloods and blood pressure at 8 weeks, at my 20 week scan I had blood test for rhesus stuff but nothing else. It looks like my next face to face might be 31 weeks. I was told my maternity form would be sent to me in the post.

@wimbler so either way I should be seeing someone in person before 31 weeks so I’ll chase them. I need a rhesus injection too but that’s not been booked in either. I was given a schedule but she crossed out everything from 25-41 as she said because of covid they wouldn’t take place as per the schedule. Great yours has been in person so far, just wish all trusts worked the same!

@BertieBotts i understand entirely. I think I’m
A bit in denial if I’m honest!

@Inmypjsagain yes I think the anti-D is supposed to be given at 28 weeks too. I am Rh negative too but the blood test said baby wasn't so I don't need the injections. The inconsistency with covid policies is so difficult. I feel fortunate but really feel for the women & their partners whose experience hasn't been the norm. Hopefully by the time it's our turn to give birth things will be better with hospital visits. my trust has restarted home births again which is promising.

Just out of interest, is anyone planning a homebirth? I would love to have the confidence to try one but given I'm hoping for a vbac I doubt it would be entertained anyway!

@wimbler I was really considering a home birth (though DH was quite against as it's our first one), but decided against because if I had to transfer to hospital it wouldn't be the one I'm registered with because I'm out of area, and I'm not as keen on my closest one. From what I know, their home birth team are excellent but I'm less sure about the hospital-based part (plus their covid policies are far stricter than my hospital's). I'm now actually debating between an MLU and the labour ward but set up as a 'home from home' type environment, which is offered, as I'm a right wimp with pain and think I may want to be closer to the good drugs!

@wimbler I made notes on my last call that I’d need the injection at 28 weeks- but that’s another thing to raise with the midwife, I haven’t had the results of the blood test from the 20 week scan a month ago- i usually get them pretty quickly on the app. Like you I’m hopeful by august we’ll have a bit more normality.

I like the idea of a home birth but I’m in a flat, I’m sure all my neighbours would hear me scream 😂 also, what if I made a mess? The carpets...!!! lol

I'm25 weeks tomorrow and really struggling with tiredness, backache and headaches though the headaches are just there and niggling rather than particularly sore.
Also craving fizzy sugary drinks to try and boost energy levels. Did phone gp re it all so had bloods done and blood pressure so apparently I have low haemoglobin levels and high white blood cell count.. Their helpful answer to this was we will just keep an eye and check again in 6 weeks as I'm already on iron since 21 weeks. Doesn't seem right to me but have consultant appt on Tuesday so I'll ask them too I suppose.
I've been told today I will be working from home from 28 weeks which is a weight off, I'm a teacher so I'll officially start maternity on my due date but will be finished work competely at 35 weeks due to term end.

@Inmypjsagain funny you say that - we moved into a flat several years ago now but our heavily pregnant neighbour introduced herself over the garden fence and warned us she was having a home birth! She had the baby about a week after we moved in. I did hear a few screams but only if I really listened. they told us a funny story about how their birthing pool leaked and went through the ceiling to the old lady downstairs though! thankfully they were on excellent terms but can you imagine explaining that one?!

I think you can rent kits that come with a pool and liner and sheeting you put down. I did read that statistically its the safest place for a woman to have her second baby

@Smurf123 are the headaches and aches impacting your sleep, too? That’s annoying if it’s low when you’re already on iron but I’m not sure what doses you’re allowed when pregnant. Hopefully consultant can sort you out!

@wimbler it leaked?! Oh no. I’d be horrified but what a story to tell- at least she’d warned you first though. It’s interesting because I was just googling home births- I’d always thought a medical setting would be “safer” but it doesn’t seem that way, I wonder if being in a familiar environment helps? I also might feel weird in the future about moving if I gave birth here, like I’d feel connected to it? I’m probably overthinking.

@wimbler the midwives are pushing for me to have a home birth because my first birth was so easy and I'm not sure how I feel about it 🙈

@wimbler i did consider a home birth but this is our first and we're over an hour away to the hospital if anything goes wrong. I am considering an elective c section though

I will be induced at 38 weeks if baby doesn’t come before then so can’t consider a home birth, but my brother and I were both born at home and although it was a long time ago, it always sounds like it was a good experience for my Mum. My parents still live in the same house aswell and it’s quite nice thinking that I was born there!

@Inmypjsagain my worries are that this happened in my last pregnancy with ds too.. Later turned out my b12 was low and I was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia which needed weekly injections. And then ds was born anaemic and needed a blood transfusion. So I'd rather get started on something to bring my levels up sooner rather than later..
Definitely not sleeping great due to the aches and also have a toddler this time round who is always on the go.. He's also (hopefully just coming out the other side) of nightly 2/3 am wake ups which doesn't help either.

@Daffodil21

I am considering an elective section too. birth terrifies me in general so a home birth would not be an option for me, If did come round to the idea I would want everything under the sun in terms of pain relief, so would be hospital all the way for me, but I am very familiar with hospitals, I work in one and have worked on the maternity ward in the past so I am very familiar with the setting.

Does anyone know when they discuss your birth options with you, I prepare myself for this talk at every appointment and either I don't get to see a MW, i'm too flustered after a scan or it's the community MW who can't answer that as shes doesn't work at the hospital.

I'm 25 weeks at the mo (I think) and starting to suffer with lower back pain and tired legs. I'm hoping it's just due to some rubbish nights sleep and not the start of something. I have some bad dreams occasionally that wake me during the night and it takes a bit to relax and get back to sleep.

I've been lucky in that I've only had 1 phone appointment and the rest has been face to face. I think the Scottish Borders have generally had lower covid cases so kept them going.

My appetite has really gone down a lot in the last few weeks too but I'm just eating normally now compared to the glutton I was in my first 18 weeks 😂 I have a diabetes test on my next appointment (28 weeks) that I think I'm only getting as I have a higher BMI

@LyraShaeLilly I don't think you discuss birth plans until at least 28 weeks if not for another 4 weeks from then. Its very late on

@Smurf123, iron tablets can take a good 3-4 weeks to take effect, so I can see why GP would want to wait before rechecking. There’s also very little evidence that increasing the dose increases the benefit (but it does increase side effects). You can try and improve the absorption - avoid caffeine, tea or milk for a couple of hours around when you take them, and take with a glass of orange juice.

Also worth noting that pregnancy ranges for haemoglobin and white cells are different to non-pregnant, they’ll let you run lower in Hb and higher in WCC before worrying.

Hope you feel better soon!

No home birth for me, first timer, and the resistance measurement in my uterine arteries have put me on a medical pathway, with induction planned if baby hasn’t arrived by term. There’s a great section at the beginning of one of the Yorkshire Shepherdess episodes where she talks about giving birth at home!

Those with house moves/Reno projects, don’t consider a Rangemaster - the lead time is immense!

Oooo! 25% off in cheeky wipes - until Monday.

@HopefulB is that a covid/brexit(?!) thing for the rangemaster?! We ordered ours about a year ago and it didn't have a long lead time at all, looks like we got in just in time!