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 💛

@PurplePansy05 yeah, I do have an anterior placenta so that's probably why!

@MM1993 I can't believe they didn't even give you any prints!!!

sorry some of you are having such a difficult time trying to see a midwife. It's hardly conducive to a stress-free pregnancy is it?! Seems to be such a postcode lottery which is very unfair indeed.

@PurplePansy05 that sounds terrible!! I can't comment on the mattress protector yet as I haven't opened it, but we ordered our mattress and protector from The Little Green Sheep. The mattress looks fab! Unfortunately the cat also thinks so, and she hopped in the crib last night on the mattress, even though it wasn't laying properly in there and still has the plastic cover on it they had both been so good at ignoring the crib, but clearly won't be the case when it looks nice and cosy, so they'll just have to be permanently banned from our bedroom (and will keep scratching at the door no doubt!)

@MM1993 I was at King's for my first pregnancy. Did they not let you take photos or videos on your phone? we got loads and they spent lots of time helping us choose the best ones. You get a routine 36 week scan there don't you? make sure you ask then , should be good photos to get then.

We have to pay for photos at my hospital. Didn't get any for the 12w scan stupidly as we forgot money!

@Daffodil21 I will be in the same boat with cats, one already had a ride around the house in the stroller, tested out the sling and now she's in love with the rocker, thinking this is her new snoozing spot and the toys are hers 🙈 I had to fold it temporarily. They do those cat nets on Amazon but I think they only make sense if the room is empty with baby not in the crib/cot. Might still prevent the cats from settling in there to sleep though! xx

@wimbler - at the 12 week scan they told me to take pictures on my phone of the screen, she only gave 4 options of pictures tho, which I understand as I know that isn't the point of the scan. At 20 weeks pictures were not discussed at all, not physical or of the screen and tbh it had slipped my mind until I left and realised I had none. I had gone to the scan alone (out of choice) so was disappointed I had nothing to show anyone.
36 week scan is standard at Kings but I also have one at 32 weeks due to low lying placenta which is why I'm not massively bothered by the picture thing as I know I have other opportunities however would be nice if I was given physical copies and would have been happy to pay!
I find it so irritating that the level of care etc that you receive seems to vary so much depending on location

@PurplePansy05 @Daffodil21 my cat also seems to love the baby's room already and sitting in the cot 😩😩cx

It really is shocking. I feel very lucky that my care hasn't been affected at all. Everything is as normal here.

So bad about you ladies not having pictures! With my first pregnancy I could have pictures but had to pay for each one, however this pregnancy I got given 2 pictures at 12 week scan for free and at 20 weeks I got 3/4 for free !

@lucyrp I bet it's very attractive to them, cosy, high up, nice mattress, what's not to like! 🤣 xx

@PurplePansy05 the cot with the cover thing I said about the other day has now arrived. I haven't got it out yet, but I'll have a look over the weekend and let you know what it's like. It looks fairly study in the pictures so hopefully it actually is!. I did look at the cat nets but then I read about cats still being able to sit on them so it put me off. Our cats are sooo needy, they're going to be so put out when they don't have all the attention!!

@Daffodil21 I said before, one of mine is honestly in love with the bump, she cuddles up to me every morning for an hour, headbutts the bump, purrs, it's so adorable. The same cat loves his toys, rocker etc. She is super affectionate and loves being around us and it seems I'm her human of choice. Same goes for my dog. I think I'll feel like having a newborn and two toddlers with the attention they all need at times tbh! Luckily my other cat ignores me unless she's hungry 🤣 xx

Sorry some of you are having rubbish experiences. Can I encourage you to look if you have a local maternity voice partnership? The one in Oxford is very effective at working with the Trust to improve care.

You can also feedback via the CQC
www.cqc.org.uk/give-feedback-on-care?referer=promoblock
This is different to a formal complaint, I’m genuinely thinking about pulling together a response about variability of care from what I’ve heard on here.

@PurplePansy05 that's lovely! So adorable!!

@MM1993 what? No scans!! Babe am so sorry x - yes and that's the thing with Kings college and St Thomas you wouldn't expect this kind of service from the antenatal dept would you xx

@PurplePansy05 they not even doing a virtual/telephone one for me for 25 weeks!! Straight to 28 week! Am so gonna call them. Thanks for this tip x

@wimbler really is a postcode lottery isn't it. It's abit stressful to be honest x

I also have an anterior placenta so haven't really felt any movement and waiting for another 6 weeks just doesn't sit right with me!

@HopefulB thanks I will be leaving my comments there. It's appalling service esp for @MM1993 with the pictures x

Well ladies, I'm officially on gardening leave, and then officially unemployed as of next month 😱😱😱

I should have said each hospital will also have a PALS team you can feedback to, for kings the info is here www.kch.nhs.uk/patientsvisitors/help-and-support/pals

The National MVP page is here, you can search for your local one on the site nationalmaternityvoices.org.uk/

My bargain of the week, £75 brand new from mamas and papas and I got it for £11 from eBay and it's in great condition!

Has anyone suffered from bad dreams during pregnancy. Not about being pregnant or giving birth but just scary dreams that wake you up? I've had them before when not pregnant so maybe I'm prone to them while stressed but I heard pregnancy hormones can make them worse.

Yes defo. I have had the worst dreams ever when pregnant. I don't normally have scary dreams at all but I've dreamt things like I'm being kidnapped, or once I was driving on a motorway and all the drivers of the other cars were horrible deformed burned skeletons!

Mostly though they are just weird! Last night I dreamt I had the baby, which turned out to be a girl, and she was bigger than DS2 and could stand up! I was so annoyed she didn't fit into the newborn sleepsuits I'd bought :o

@Ready2020 yes definitely. Such real dreams too, I never really have dreams or very rarely and from about 12 weeks I haven't stopped having them. They're about everything literally ranging from people I went to school with, something I've seen on the tv, OH cheating on me🤣 and other weird things. They're so annoying as normally wake me up in a panic too

Yes I have awful dreams when pregnant. I’m glad to say lately they haven’t been in relation to the baby, but last night I had one where my cat was being abused by loads of people in front of me, it was horrendous 😥

Oh no, that sounds horrible!

I've just had my latest appointment. Very simple today but loads of blood tests. I'll have a blood test every time from now on. My cervix is 6cm long just in case anyone was wondering :o when I mentioned about DS2's mystery illness they decided to run a test just to be on the safe side but said it wouldn't be a big concern anyway as I'm over 20 weeks.

GTT next time and I'll be starting regular monitoring of the baby's heart rate at every appointment from the next one on. From memory this is quite relaxing. You just get to lie down for half an hour on a bed with a pillow!

Morning ladies,

How are we all? It's Friday and it's sunny! I haven't been sleeping well at all due to acidity and heartburn and been working my new role in zombie mode.

Anyways wanted to ask has anyone got any leg cramps? I got one this morning and I literally screamed. Woke my Husband up and he massaged for me. I'm still feeling slight pain. Apparently it's common in trim 2 and 3. X

Also super excited as got my jungle/safari themed changing mat delivered this morning! 🥰🥰