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 yes the leg cramps are horrendous when they strike in the night! Stay as hydrated as possible but also Magnesium and tonic water both really help. The quinine in tonic water is supposed to be really good for cramp. I like the fever tree flavoured ones!

I had my 25 week midwife appt today (although I'm 26+1). Heard baby's heartbeat and am measuring bang on 50th percentile which is good. She's referred me to a consultant to talk through my birth options given my past c-section which is routine. she said a previous c-section means I'm on the exclusion list for the birth centre but it can all be discussed with the consultant. Got another midwife appt in 2 weeks when I'm 28w. The appointments are definitely becoming more regular now!

@Whatshouldbemyusername I've not had any truly horrible cramps yet but I've had a few and so I think that'll become more of a feature soon. I've discovered one of my least favourite things is googling an unpleasant symptom hoping to be told that I can make it go away only for everything to say it's just a normal part of pregnancy 😩 I hope the baby appreciates this eventually, I'm certainly appreciating my mum for having gone through this for me a bit more!!

@biscuitcat my mum was saying the other day that she didn't realise how easy she had it!! 😂

Yes to the very vivid dreams here too. There was a girl I was really good friends with at high school, then she ditched us all when she got married (didn't even invite us to her wedding). This was years ago, I probably haven't seen her in about 6 years but for some reason she keeps popping up in my dreams! It's so weird!

Hi all - has anyone signed up for NCT, or decided to do a different class?

I feel really put off by NCT after a recent experience. DH and I booked an NCT course for late June in the hope that it would be in-person (thinking we'd both be vaccinated, hopefully). The main reason was so that we can learn some things together - DH is quite nervous about helping to care for the baby and thought this might give him some more confidence.

Anyway, the course has just been moved online and I wrote to the woman organizing it asking if she thought the July courses might be in person. I got a lecture back from her, scolding me about how I will be high risk at 8 months pregnant and I should just accept the online course. That wasn't really what I asked her, and her tone really pissed me off. The reasons we want to do it in person are that our internet at home is really patchy so hard to follow a 6+ hour/2 day course online, plus we both work 40 hours a week on the computer and don't want anymore screen time if possible.

Anyway, I am just venting I guess, but I think I am going to cancel and find a different course. Even if its online, I don't really feel like giving the NCT my money at the moment! Suggestions for alternatives would be welcome.

@WolfMother326 goodness she sounded horrible. I am signed up to NCT for July and hope it will be in person but so far it's still down as online. Like you I spend all day in front of a screen so try and avoid it at weekends.

I think there are other paid for classes you can do but I'm no help to you there as I'm relying on the NCT class. We're also doing a hypnobirthing course 5 weeks 2 hours a week. It includes one full session on how partners can help in birth but it's not a how to look after baby type of class.

My partner is very nervous too bless him. Hope both courses help.

My dreams tend to be about zombies! Very scary.

Thanks @Ready2020 - good to hear you're in a similar boat!

We're also signed up for a hypnobirthing course, but wanted something more all around as well.

Defo have a Google around for alternative antenatal classes in your area. In most places there will be more than just NCT!

@WolfMother326 That's so bloody rude!!! I'd definitely complain, either they sort themselves out or get a refund! The cheek of her lecturing you, idiot!

FWIW, mine is in July and as it stands it is taking place in person. However, who knows what might happen. If it's moved online, we might pull out altogether, I don't feel like paying the full price for half the benefit.

Leg cramps overnight here too, or more often this horrible feeling of tense calf muscles and being on the verge of a massive cramp! Plus I sleep so bad now that don't even have time for nightmares or dreams, I'm exhausted. Must be stress and hormones, and hip pain. xx

I love it @Whatshouldbemyusername! I'm going for a similar theme as you know. I've ordered one from MamaShack and honestly, it's gorgeous, fabulous quality and look and arrived within one day! They are a bit more expensive than the cheapie Argos ones etc., but they really are fab, I recommend this website! xx

@WolfMother326 I mentioned earlier in the thread, Baby Academy UK do online courses, might be worth having a look. They would be cheaper than NCT, however I don't know how they compare content-wise, it might be the case you'd need more than one in which case they could cost more. Very annoying NCT is full price if it's online, they should be reduced. Clearly meeting other local parents and making friends in person is one of the most important elements of it. xx

Thanks for the tip @wimbler - will get some fevertree tonic water next week when I can step out from my 10 day self quarantine x

@biscuitcat trust me it's like new things popping up every other day 🤣🤦🏽‍♀️

@WolfMother326 Aaw babe am sorry for your experience. I am going to sign up this weekend too for the NCT. I tried bumpandbaby club but apparently they are all full. Am on wait list now. Like you and @Ready2020 I don't want to do mine online too and will be disappointed if changed to online later.

@PurplePansy05 leg cramps are the worst aren't they! Thanks for the tip will check our mama shack. I got mine from Etsy! I still have pretty much everything to get. I've got an in person appointment with John Lewis mid May so looking forward to that x

AIBU to be pissed off?
Got a letter from antenatal dept with vague instructions to drop off a repeat urine sample at GPs. So I fill a sample pot (that MWs give you) and trundle down with it and my letter. Is it labelled... no, do you have a pen? No. Off I trot back to the car to get a pen and label it. Can I have a copy of my letter back please? No the scanner is broke sorry.
Then get a phone call, sample not good enough, I have to collect a urine kit. Trundle down... can I use the loo? No. Back home to fill sample pot and trundle back down for the third time. If they do decide I have an infection, I’ll get to go down for a 4th time to pick up my prescription.
But I can’t have my vaccine because I’m pregnant and should avoid unnecessary risk 🙄

one thing I will say about the NCT classes is that they are really valuable for creating a ready made group of other mums (and dads) you can be in contact with people who are all going through the same thing as you at roughly the same time. I know online isn't ideal but actually what I got out of NCT more than anything else was the support network. It's someone to message at 3am when your baby is crying and you need some moral support. It's someone to go for coffee and walk with when you feel like you are about to lose your mind. and it's someone else to go to a baby class with so you have someone to chat to. As long as one person in the group (and I suggest it is you) takes on the initiative to set up the whatsapp group after the first couple of sessions, you're more likely to get that experience out of it. it's likely to be a bit awkward at first not being face to face, but there is nothing to stop you all meeting up in the park for a coffee as you should all be local to each other.

Obviously I realise I had an excellent experience of NCT and my course was over 2 years ago and in person but I don't see why online classes can't offer a good experience as well! I agree it is a really shame they aren't face to face when mother and baby classes are operating again but I'm not sure I would let that put me off.

@Kiki275 Not unreasonable at all! I'd be fuming! how ridiculous

@WolfMother326 that's so rude of her! Mine was also moved online, I'm really disappointed. Also, I may have forgotten the details, but I'm sure that parenting classes and the like are allowed to take place indoors under the guidelines from well before June? I found the slightly patronising email explaining how vulnerable I am and they're moving them online for our own good to be quite irritating! Surely that's up to me to make the decision, given the government have said it's safe from then.

@PurplePansy05 I've been offered a 15% refund for mine moving online, so I wonder if yours might give that too?

@Kiki275 what a pain in the backside! Something like that just hasn't been thought through, silly system

Yes I just had a google - parenting groups have been allowed to go ahead indoors since the 12th April for up to 15, so that's particularly galling that NCT have made the decision to stay online.

Yes I got this NCT email too, I was also really annoyed and thought well I want a full refund then. But the NHS ones are also online and I still need to learn about how to care for baby so I had no choice really.

That night after receiving the e mail I had a dream where we were back in full lockdown form 1st June!!!! Our NCT is July.

Also annoyed as we booked NCT on Saturdays so DH could come but now it's online I could have chosen and evening one!!

I'm not suffering from cramps but do have restless legs? Anyone else have this with this or previous pregnancy, does it mean I'm more likely to get GD? I will be asking MW for a iron and folate check earlier than 25 weeks?

Oooh @LyraShaeLilly that's such a good point re weekend bookings!

Thanks for the tip @Biscuitcat! Ladies I am tres confused, I've not had an email saying it's not in person I wonder if it's because I'm in Wales or is it yet to come xx

My NCT has been moved online too, with a 15% discount. I was also really disappointed and looked at other courses later but they are all further away so I think I’m going to stick. My friend did hers online and said it was good, and I figured we can always arrange to meet up separately with those who feel comfortable doing so.

@Whatshouldbemyusername love the changing mat! We’re having a safari theme nursery. Where did you get it?

Just had my scan - all ok! His legs are measuring two weeks ahead though! She said it's not a problem at all, and again commented on what a wriggler he is! She was surprised I couldn't feel much/anything really yet. We could see him wriggling away and she asked if I could feel it but nope!

@LyraShaeLilly not necessarily GD. It can be anything. Apparently restless leg syndrome and cramps happen and they haven't been able to tell why it happens as it's not with all women. X

@LottSE20 it's from Etsy but @PurplePansy05 said that mama shack also do these kind x

@Daffodil21 glad your scan has gone well!! Looks like you’ve got a tall baby with long legs 😂

I’m feeling so tired today, and I’m really starting to struggle with what I can only assume is sciatica in my left left above my bum. If I’m in a certain position it’s really painful. ☹️

Counting down the days until I’m 28 weeks and my work put me on maternity suspension 😂

I've had a combination of weird pains at the top of my legs going into my bump today too🧐

Thanks everyone for responding re: NCT. I will look into some other options and report back. Mostly I just felt judged before the class even started, which doesn't feel like a great start!

I've found one last spot in a local bump & baby antenatal course for late June/July and signed up. I think it might be a better fit anyway, as it includes first aid which was something I'd like to learn. And I admit, I couldn't stop myself from letting the woman from NCT know I thought she had been impolite when I asked for my refund.