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 💖

@BeingHappy your post made sense. I can imagine the situation with the sarcastic man was so awkward. I feel like some people think that we want some kind of special treatment as a fun treat so they intentionally act like an idiot. The reality is that we just don't want to be wedged by peoples elbows and flung about the carriage! I never ask either and I don't mind if people don't get up, it's the ones who deliberately push in front that enrage me 😂

I would absolutely ask for a seat if people didn't offer. It's dangerous for us and baby if the train or bus suddenly stopped and we were flung forwards or back. Not to mention uncomfortable for us especially if we have Pgp or something! But I always go back to the danger to baby thing and have decided I'd rather come across demanding than add that risk 😂😬 it's really lame when people don't offer.

@Longbin gosh yes, I know exactly how you feel!
think because I was feeling so grim at the beginning of the pregnancy when I finally remembered to apply for the badge and I received it, I was so excited that it might get me a seat. There were so many trips where I wanted to cry because I felt so unwell but felt I couldn't ask someone for a seat without proof of bump or badge 🙈 I even ended up getting Ubers home from work for a couple of weeks. Painful for the purse but I felt so unwell I didn't care. Gosh, I shudder just remembering how awful I felt but having to keep it quiet at work.

@Skylark1990 you're absolutely right. I was telling my DH I really need to work on my assertiveness especially now I'm becoming a mum.

I have agreed to take part in a study (because I'm taking aspirin and moderate risk) and so every time I go for a scan they take extra bloods for this study. Was saying to DH at the 20wk scan I'm just going to pull out of the study because I hate needles and I can really do without the additional anxiety. And then when the lady came to ask if I was ready to give some blood, I meekly conceded and said 'Yes, of course' 😭😭😭 it's silly really!

@Longbin I've found those badges have other uses as well, I was in Pret the other morning and the person serving me spotted the badge and gave me my order for free, said it was for the baby!

Does anyone know when we get the Matb1 form? I know it's after 20 weeks and I sort of assumed it would just get sent automatically on email as that happened with NHS dentist/prescription exemption form.

@Hannah223344 I'd rather that than a seat to be honest!! The badge is staying!

@Biscuitsplease I think you're meant to get it straight after 20 week scan but I've had a nightmare trying to get mine. My midwife has said she will post it (currently been waiting 2 weeks) so try calling them.

@Biscuitsplease I applied for mine weeks ago but still nothing too.

A friend of mine already has hers and she's only 13 weeks!! Wondering now whether Mat1b form is different from the 'certificate you get exempting you from paying for prescriptions '...

Matb1 is to do with mat leave I think @BeingHappy . And yes assertiveness! It's hard but totally worth it... I think they would totally understand re the study if you pulled out! Would it be easier to tell your midwife or ring them up to pull out rather than in person at the next appointment?

@Hannah223344 I was also given a free croissant at Pret and he said "congratulations" and at first I was confused then realised I was wearing my badge haha!

@Biscuitsplease I was told yesterday I could get mine at 25weeks as it was my first, or 28weeks if it was my 2nd. It might vary from area to area though

Yes it is, the I got the certificate of exemption via email at about 12 weeks. MATB1 is an actual form

My midwife said she would give the MATB1 on my next appointment and work have asked for it before I’m 25 weeks!

Sorry for the long one -
Haven't had my 20 week scan yet - it's next Friday. But just read a post on one of the Facebook groups I'm in that someone went to their 20 week scan and found out she miscarried at 16 weeks and it's really filled me with anxiety and stress 😞 this is my first (so far) successful pregnancy after a miscarriage. So nothing good to compare it too. And when I see these posts, they really get to me! The amount of people commenting saying the same happened to them as well then I convince myself it's common.
They heard a heartbeat at 16 weeks so don't know why I'm still so worried that something is wrong... I just feel like when I start feeling positive, I will read something negative somewhere and that's it! I'm 27 and have no health issues - so it's annoying that I'm such a pessimist. Sorry to put a downer on anything but I just wonder when the worry ends and I can enjoy pregnancy 😣 I know I'll probably be tearful with worry before the 20 week scan rather than look forward to seeing the baby!

@xalexandra the worry never ends, well at least it didn't for me last time. I felt a bit better once the baby was about to go home from hospital

@xalexandra I've had equal anxiety around the 20 week scan, and sounds like we've both found similar threads! In the end I had to be really firm with myself and come away from my phone in the evenings when I was scrolling the most as I was getting really down. I also tried to remind myself of the stats at this stage which are massively weighed in our/baby's favour! I was also reminded that sadly people who have had a bad experience do tend to share their stories more so than those that have had a positive experience so tried to bear that in mind too.

It's so tough keeping positive, but it's a really good thing that you've heard the heartbeat so recently - when is your scan?

@xalexandra I also have anxiety for the 20 weeks scan. Mine is on Tuesday. The anxiety has taken all of the excitement away at the moment. I've had a bit of a stressful week, so think it's all getting on top of me.
I hope your scan goes well, and that we can put this down to usual pregnancy worries!

@xalexandra I think this is totally normal, my DH & I were exactly the same - both so convinced for some reason that we'd get given bad news we were both in shock when we saw the heart beating straight away! I spent a few days in a happy cloud now have gone back to worrying - I think this will stay this way until I feel regular movements, then I'm sure the mums on this thread will confirm the nerves are probably then whether baby is moving enough! Such a rollercoaster x

Yep it's just as bad when they are moving unfortunately, because then when you haven't felt them for a while you feel like there's even more of a reason to panic. We are half way now though, the end is nearly in sight

@Hannah223344 I know I'm my own worst enemy because I know I shouldn't do so much scrolling. I really wish some people would make the "trigger warning" more obvious!

It's next Friday - one week today. I have no worrying symptoms at all. I had a bit of a scare at 11 weeks but was all fine and all been fine since.
I suppose just because I've never made it this far so it's all new. Any twinges or tiny cramps I get (not even painful) I'm just thinking "hmmm wonder if this is normal, wonder if this is normal" 😂 It's a shame because before any scan I have had, I've cried and almost not gone because of nerves or made myself feel ill from the worry!

I'm hoping after the 20 week scan (if everything is fine) that'll be the big one for me and I'll be much better. Or I should probably accept maybe I won't enjoy the pregnancy experience!

@appleandcheese my 20 week scan is also on Tuesday! I'm extra worried now after my cervical scan but at least I know the baby is OK in there as I saw him wriggling away and I feel him constantly now, I seem to get kicked every hour. I just think getting more unexpected issues come up at a scan might tip my anxiety disorder into panic attacks and I really could do without that! I've been doing really well since I've been pregnant, the pregnancy hormones calm my brain down.

@alwaysseeingstars @Longbin ah yes I'm already worrying about the movements! 😂 worrying about whether I'll know what's normal and what's not 😅😂 it does make me feel better that it's not just me though because it sometimes feels like it is. I quite often just look at other pregnant women and wish I could just enjoy it like they seem too.

@xalexandra some people trundle along in an ignorant bliss. I think a lot also pretend to love it because you get told you'll miss it when it's over. Personally I don't miss any of it after really, I will be glad when the baby gets here as that's the only reason I got pregnant in the first place, not to waddle round feeling anxious for months!

@Longbin I feel exactly like that! I'm counting down the days until the baby is here... eagerly!!! 😂

@ancienthouse Good luck for Tuesday!
It is reassuring to know that everyone is feeling the same - I was worried I was overreacting.
Lovely that you can feel regular movement! Mine is a bit random at the moment with no clear pattern, but definitely there! ☺️