Due April 2023 💕 into the second trimester 🍂🎇

[Cuppasoupmonster]

Welcome back ladies. Here we are, second trimester 🥰

@LauraA31 sorry to hear all this, sounds you're in the wars a bit! having the bleeding would worry me too, but hopefully it's nothing as you've had it before. Do you know where your placenta is? I think low lying placenta can cause bleeding sometimes?

Antibiotics are safe in pregnancy if we need them, I'm a bit confused as to why your GP won't prescribe them. Of course if it is viral good to avoid them, and perhaps she thinks it will clear up on its own but two weeks is a long time! Have you already taken antibiotics this pregnancy? When I had to take them for my ear infection when I was about 5 weeks, my other ear actually got inflamed shortly after and the doctor at that point said he thought it looked a bit infected but because I'd just had antibiotics wouldn't prescribe again - that ear did clear up ok on its own! Hope you get some answers as the stinging pee also doesn't sound nice!

@LauraA31 hope you’re okay! I know lots of women do get bleeding on and off through pregnancy, my friend did, no rhyme or reason but the blood must look alarming.

Just got my swab results, yippee I’ve got thrush 😬 but no infection, phew ( been having tons of discharge a bit greenish! Yuck sorry).

Just booked a few nice treatments for early December so I don’t feel too grim over the Xmas season, I’m thinking if I get my hair done in early December than I’ll book it in again for just before my induction date so I look half decent for the photos. Me, shallow? Never 😉 I’m going to ask DH for a pregnancy massage for Christmas (or 2 if he’s feeling generous).

@Cuppasoupmonster ooh, a pregnancy massage sounds like a perfect Christmas pressie! Glad it's just thrush and nothing more sinister, my friend had awful thrush in pregnancy so it's good that you've picked it up quickly!
@Peachesthecat that's wonderful news 💕
@LauraA31 very glad you have a supportive EPU, that definitely helps! fingers crossed all looks good at the scan. I agree with @Skylark1990 re the antibiotics, I was prescribed them for a chest infection in week 11? Hopefully it clears itself up before the 2 weeks!

Does anybody follow any good pregnancy/new mum instagram accounts, any recommendations?

@alwaysseeingstars ooh yes have lots of Instagram accounts I'd recommend... For responsive and gentle baby sleep stuff I'd really recommend heysleepybaby, gentle sleep family, Lyndsey Hookway and motherbabysleep to name a few!

For breastfeeding id recommend milkitivity and lmj.infant feeding. There are loads more but I'm not on Instagram right now so can't remember them off the top of my head!

La leche league and lullaby trust are also worth a follow!

@alwaysseeingstars for birth I quite like Lucy flow yoga birth, she's a yoga teacher who specialises in pregnancy yoga and postnatal plus she's also a doula so has lots of good info. The independent midwife kemi Johnson also has good content on birth choices etc, and positive birth company hypnobirthing course page is pretty good too for birth stories and info (and discounts on their course!)

Love leggings - the fleece lined ones are incredible! They are so soft and warm and look good and I am about to order them in more colours. Fit wise I think these have more give then their standard maternity leggings so I wouldn't size up as the glided on like butter. The burgundy colour is a vibe!

@alwaysseeingstars
Instagram accounts for normalising sleep and breastfeeding and fourth trimester info - lyndsey hookway (she is amazing), care it out sleep consultant (she just had a baby), milkmakingmama, nomilklikemamas

I don't think I follow any specific pregnancy related accounts. Ashley Louise James (off made in Chelsea I think?) is currently 20 weeks pregnant and posts a lot about it, she's pretty interesting to follow and has lots of good opinions about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum.

Another vote for Lyndsey Hookway on Instagram! And for yoga videos, yoginimelbourne has quite a few pregnancy videos and they are free.

Nipt results were waiting in an envelope for me when I got home, everyone who looked at my scan photo and said girl was right, well done 👏 💝💗💓

So excited for my loveleggings now, my expectations are very high 😆

Congratulations!! 🎀 Another little girl for our gang!

@alwaysseeingstars I partially credit Bonne Nuit Bebe with having a good sleeper. Also love BigLittleFeelings, it's mostly toddler based, but both the founders recently had babies, so there's a lot of baby/post-partum content too.

MotherCould is cute for activities when they're a bit older, and Dad Feeding Family is good for weaning. I followed a few other weaning accounts too, but can't remember what they were.

I don't tend to follow pregnancy Instagrams because I have horrible pregnancies and don't find them very relatable, but I do like Pregnant then Screwed and Pregnant Chicken.

Thank you ladies for the suggestions, I'll be doing some serious following this evening haha! They're really helpful, as a FTM I just want to get some good insights as I don't have any close friends/family who have had babies in a very long time! There is SO much I have no idea whatsoever on 😊

@MamaMenna congrats on the baby girl, lovely news!

Do we have a tally on how many girls/boys there are so far?! I'm so excited to find out ours but still have another few weeks till the 20 week scan 😩

Also thanks @Skylark1990 (I think it was you!) for the recommendation on the Milli Hill book - I've started it and think it's going to be super useful 😊

@MamaMenna congratulations! 💖🎀 lovely baby girl

Hi all.

A question about midwife appointments. My 16 week appointment was due to be tomorrow when I’d be 17+5. They’ve just called to cancel it and due to work I may struggle to go any other time this week
or possibly even the next. Then I’d be pushing 20 weeks.

How important is it that this one is on time? They’re phoning me back to try and book another time later this afternoon.

I’m so frustrated. We’re in a densely populated city - it feels like there should be another midwife available if the usual one is sick or whatever.

My job is very flexible with a week or two’s notice but I can’t cancel things 2 days before.

@OttilieKnackered I don't think the 16 week appointment is particularly important. Mine was a group appointment last time! They just gave us some general info and took urine samples, that was it. If you have any specific concerns then you can bring them up. The timing of it makes no difference I don't think, it's just so they see you between the two scans.

@ancienthouse ok, thank you. That’s somewhat reassuring. Mine definitely did say we’d be hearing heartbeat with doppler though, which is mainly what I’m interested in!

I’m also just frustrated at the NHS’s total disregard for their patients’ availability. I need to work to support myself, my impending baby, and contribute a little to the coffers to pay for the NHS!

You're welcome @alwaysseeingstars it's a great book IMO!

Ooh maybe I'll look at the fleece lined leggings... just a heads up for anyone with thrush/if you get predisposed to it in pregnancy, wearing very thick or synthetic undies/trousers/leggings is not good for it so beware 😅I tend to like cotton and thinner bottoms as I went through a phase of getting it a lot. I don't seem to get it now that I take probiotics regularly (touch wood) but I'm always a bit scared it'll come back... but with the energy crisis, the heating won't be going on loads this winter so may need to get some fleecy leggings!

What are people's thoughts on hot water bottles and electric blankets while pregnant? Hot water bottles fine as long as directly not on the bump?

I've just had about 4 cups of green tea as I kept refilling the teabag, I thought it would be OK as apparently the caffeine comes out mostly during the first fill, but now I feel very wired 😳wondering if baby is having a party/OK in there!

Congrats on your little girl @MamaMenna ! So exciting! Is that one of each for you then? x

@Cuppasoupmonster for thrush, alongside the meds they give you, you can take some good probiotics - I find the BioKult Candea ones v good, they're designed for women to keep candida/thrush away, and v reasonably priced on Amazon x

@Skylark1990 wouldn’t think twice about hot water bottle. I’ve been having a bath every 2-3 days throughout this pregnancy, I just haven’t run it red hot - if my skin goes pinker I know it’s too hot! I’ve also been drinking 1 caffeinated coffee and 1 or 2 cups of caffeinated tea a day, which I did in my last pregnancy as well.

Thats a good point about thrush and leggings 😬 hoping the treatment will clear it up otherwise I’ll stick with pantyliners and making sure I shower thoroughly every day. It’s grim but not harmful as I understand it?

Im approaching the halfway point to 37 weeks now so starting to get a bit more excited!

Thanks Skylark I will give them a try. It’s so uncomfortable!

You defo want to clear it up @Cuppasoupmonster - as yes it is nasty, and not good to have it hanging about - you'll be misreable! But no won't be harmful to baby. Sometimes one dose of the meds doesn't work - I have found the best meds are the canesten internal cream and I do 2-3 nights in a row (so effectively 2 or 3 doses) and use the external cream during the day. Taking probiotics, eating lots of yoghurt and limiting sugar will also help. Panty liners won't be good as not breathable - you need breathable clothing to get rid of it so cotton undies for the win, no liners for now! This is my advice after having it loads of times in the past 😅xx

@Cuppasoupmonster Also if you're warm enough without bottoms in bed, you can air things out that way too... and if you like baths, add some tea tree oil or lavender (like 3-5 drops lavender or tea tree in a bit of milk) - this can also help!

Good to hear you wouldn't worry about a hot water bottle ;)

@MamaMenna congratulations! 💖

@Cuppasoupmonster nice that you’ve had a swab. They also test all pregnant women for GBS if you have a swab so reassuring that that wasn’t picked up. Hoping to find a way to have a swab too 😅

Great that you all love the love leggings. I’m planning to hold out until Black Friday and hope there’s some good deals 😬