April 2023 - We’re nearly half way! ✨ 🍼

[Cuppasoupmonster]

New thread! Hopefully this one will see us through 20 week scans and crossing the halfway point! 💕

As ever if you’re missing from the list give me a shout and I will add you:

Cuppasoupmonster second baby 7th (induction 37w) 💖
Milkandfenty third baby 1st 💛
Searchingtheskies second baby 2nd 💛
Biscuitsplease first baby 2nd 💖
Chocolat first baby 3rd 💛
Bluebubbles12 second baby 4th 💛
Erber third baby 4th 💛
CariadBB first baby 5th 💛
Skylark1990 second baby 7th 💛
Melissa2023 first baby 8th 💙
Tubbytele second baby 14th (CS 39w) 💛
Alwaysseeingstars first baby 9th 💛
Lj2022 first baby 10th 💖
Emeal123 second baby 11th 💙
DBS94 first baby 11th 💙
tattlytote second baby 12th 💛
Bernesemum first baby 12th 💛
Lid88 second baby 13th 💛
Ncbn first baby 14th 💙
Kennadams fourth baby 16th 💛
Margo34 second baby 16th💛
Aliceinslumberland first baby 16th (CS 39w) 💙
Appleandcheese first baby 18th 💛
Xalexandra first baby 20th 💛
Piggybean first baby 20th 💛
Tropicana1 second baby 20th 💛
Puddingbear 27th (CS 39w) 💛
Springblooms08 first baby 21st 💛
Hannah223344 first baby 21st 💙
Gilm0reGirl second baby 21st 💛
Pommy1 first baby 22nd 💖
Deek88 second baby 24th 💛
Marshmallowmountain first baby 25th 💖
LauraA31 first baby 26th 💛
Peachesthecat third baby 26th 💛
Allfurcoatnoknickers second baby 28th 💖
Limoncelloo 29th March second baby 💖
MamaMenna second baby 30th 💖

@MamaMenna @alwaysseeingstars thanks I'm having a really overwhelmed few days about finance and wondering how the hell we are going to manage but I suppose that's normal. Can't seem to get through to my personnel dept to figure it all out 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm a bit of a control freak and need to know how much I'll be getting exactly for to make spreadsheets for my peace of mind on how we're going to manage financially.

Hi all, looking for some reassurance tonight... I know it sounds ridiculous - please do tell me so - but I can't help but worry. DH and I went to a rugby game and it got very heated in the end with tons of cheering, stomping, shouting etc. I generally haven't been sure if I felt the baby previously, but during the loud noises, I could definitely feel him/her move SO MUCH! I know they can react to sound, but I got worried this might have been damaging... I'm 17+4 today. There's no way this could cause problems, right..? Am totally overreacting, my first pregnancy after many losses! Xxx

@SavedByGraceAlone everything they hear is super muffled in there! it's like having your head underwater. Noise generally can't harm them, I think any levels of noise that could would really damage your ears first. That's great you felt them kick more. My first always kicked loads when I went to gigs - they got quite loud!

@lj2022 I'm exactly the same, trying to use spreadsheets currently to work out the different options, how much we'd be down at different stages of me being off, whether to go the SHPP route or SMP - my issue currently is not being able to work out how much a nursery/childminder is actually going to cost and decide if it's even feasible!

Could I ask for some advice please... I'm having some uncomfortable feelings down low (kind of just feels very full and slightly painful) - it started after going for a pee this morning so my first thought was UTI, but I've got no other symptoms and have had UTI's in the past which felt very different. Also feeling a few pulling feels which I can't decide if it's baby (although pretty low down on the right so unlikely) or linked to whatever this feeling is. Doesn't help DH is in a panic as I've not felt baby move in a few days! Although was only sporadic at best before that. Just under a week till the scan and hopefully some reassurance.. but this crampy feeling now isn't helping!

Just found out my best friend is 10w pregnant too 😍 buuuuuut......I borrowed all her maternity clothes, next2me crib, baby bouncer chair and newborn stuff as she had her DC1 a year before I did which means this baby is going to be so much more expensive for me already 😩

@Margo34 I'm trying to buy everything secondhand )apart from mattresses and car seat). It's staggering how much cheaper everything baby related is secondhand. I've set up eBay alerts and following FB marketplace. So worth looking at this to save some money if you don't mind second hand. Also I might pop along to a local(ish) NCT nearly new sale next weekend which apparently is good for bargains.

Good morning ladies!

We had our gender scan this morning and we are having a little GIRL! 💕

@LauraA31 congratulations!!!! 💕💕

@LauraA31 congratulations! 🎀💖

Yeah second hand is the way forward, the stuff we had to buy for DC1 ourselves we bought second hand. Even our infant carrier car seat for DC1 was second hand (from family, so known history) but even that has expired now too 😩

@LauraA31 ahhhhh yay! 💗

@LauraA31 congrats!💞

Thank you to everyone who reassured me about hair dying, I got it done yday with new hairstyle and feel so much better!

@LauraA31 yay for baby girl 💗
@Tubbytele glad you got it done, make you feel so much better doesn't it
@Skylark1990 I think I'm going to sign up for a pregnancy yoga class too.

Anyone else just super tired still? I want some of that 2nd trimester energy we're supposed to get but I'm just knackered still

@LauraA31 congratulations 💞

@Tubbytele glad you got it done, I felt so much better after mine too! 😄

Congratulations @LauraA31 ! 💕💕💫💫 Super exciting 😁

@MamaMenna yes I am exhausted 😴😴😴😴😴 and my leg and hips still hurting so not feeling the best although it's a lovely day and DH and I have a date night tonight so that will be good. But yeah so tired, wondering if I'm low in iron ...

@Margo34 that's such good news about your friend! Second hand stuff definitely way to go for lots of it...

@alwaysseeingstars childcare is terrifying isn't it. I'm hoping to go condensed hours and my mum works part time where I'd only need 2 days childcare but even at that it can be so expensive. I feel better about sitting working things out roughly last night and I'm going to phone the personnel department again on Monday and demand that I get an email back explaining it all. It's awful how unsupportive my work have been throughout my pregnancy. Going to have a chat to my mum tonight too about how worried I feel. My other half is amazing but there's just some things mums can make you feel better about.

@alwaysseeingstars my Movements so far just feel like pulling so hopefully it's just baby in a different position for you ❤️ keep us updated on how you're feeling and hope you don't have a UTI

I have noticed I have two swollen areas on the exact same place on both my boobs, is this normal? Sorry it's my first pregnancy so im unsure of what's normal! It's in the exact same place on both boobs and kind of near the nipple, it's almost just like a raised area!

@xalexandra very likely to just be your milk ducts getting into gear but if worried get them checked at GP. I noticed a lump when I was 8 weeks and had it checked and all good. I've now got some more lumps on that same boob! I think they're just milk glands but have a follow up at the breast clinic in December so am glad they'll be checked out again. I am assuming due to 2 years of breastfeeding and pregnancy there is just a lot going on in there.

I decided to get the bbhugme pillow, I've been waking loads feeling uncomfortable so hoping it helps! First night using tonight woo. I also have the theraline pillow so I'm going to have one on either side of me now! 😂

@xalexandra I had a pain in my armpit. Went to the GP and she found a lump there. I've been referred to a scan as the doctor said although it's probably pregnancy related, it should still be checked

@Skylark1990 I might just get it checked anyway but the only thing that is making me feel that it's possibly milk ducts is it's exactly the same on both boobs, same size, same area as well and just a little risen! I just haven't noticed it before. Just get a bit paranoid about lumpy breasts!

I was at the breast clinic yesterday. One breast had been painful, itchy, and became much harder than the other- I was assuming it was pregnancy but the one-sidedness seemed a bit odd. All was fine luckily- apparently it's normal to have a dominant breast and 'breasts are sisters not twins'.

The doctors were equal parts 'most changes in pregnant women are just pregnancy' and 'changes must always be checked anyway'.
Sure it'll all be fine (especially if bilateral) but yes good to get checked.

My boobs have changed drastically since falling pregnant. Both are very swollen and tender and nipples are much darker. Also get shooting pains in both sometimes and a burning feeling in the right one... I definitely think it's down to pregnancy but I'll mention it to the midwife just in case. It's amazing how much our body's are changing x

I had an ultrasound when pregnant with DD as I had really lumpy boobs and armpit pain. All fine just the joys of pregnancy 🥴

@LauraA31 congratulations on your little girl! 💕

@DBS94 oh I get the shooting pain's too they really take my breath away.

Well I sneezed and peed myself tonight which I'm not too happy about. I must have a weak pelvic floor and now so worried about it happening when I'm out. Really want physio to get back to me soon about my pelvic pain as this is just another thing to add. I try to do my pelvic floor exercises but tonight really took me by surprise😢

Also are anyone else's emotions out of control just now ? I don't know if it's stress from work making me worse but I've just cried so much this week