Due March 2009 - 3rd thread - Aches, cravings and... is that a bump I see?!

[auntyspan]

Brand new thread ladies!

Hi Sara, another Newbie!

I was sick til 21 weeks with my other two and I'm still pretty crap in the evenings but as I am now 18wks, I'm hoping it will get better.

One thing I am struggling with tho' is lots of tension headaches - It seems to be a combination of a bad period of clenching my teeth in my sleep, lifting my one year old, retching and being preggars. Any advice anyone? It's really getting me down.

Morning all, haven't been on for a few days so took me ages to read though last two pages!

I have developed awful back pain. Every morning it aches and if I stand or walk slowly for too long it hurts. Was thinking of seeing my oesteopath.

Sickness seems to have gone!?! Hooray!

Only had one tension headache very early on but not had one since so cant help I'm afraid. Just went to bed very early and it was gone by morning.

I have had quite a few tension headaches, not sure whether due to pregnancy or stress at the thought of having to move house and countries at the end of this year. For headaches I take paracetamol (not that it seems to work), a little mint oil on the temples helps clear the head and other times just have to sleep it off when DH has been able to look after kids.
I had lower back pain with sciatic pain down one leg in my last two pgs, acupuncture really helped, haven´t had the same problem yet with this one (fingers crossed!)

Emma - If you felt something that was more like pressure than tiny kicks then it could have been braxton hicks. I get this all the way through pregnancy. With DD I used to think it was her moving and sticking head/bottom out at strange angles, but it happened one day at MW appointment and she said it was actually braxton hicks. Some people don't ever notice themselves having them, and some people find it so bad they think they are in labour. I'm somewhere in the middle. At the moment when I get it it feels like the baby has suddenly sat on my bladder and I really need a toilet. I like getting braxton hicks, as it's the womb practicing for labour, and I think that the more you practice something then the better you'll be at it!

Has anyone else got a fetal doppler? I've just invested in one, and after 15 mins searching I found baby. Now I wonder if there is a way of telling if it's a boy or girl? I've heard midwives say that 140 and below is a boy. Anyone else heard this, or got any proof if it's right or wrong? With DD her heartbeat was over 140, and this baby seems to have one around 132, so is this a boy? Or a sleeping girl?!

HC I have a doppler and was wondering the same thing as I am convinced its a boy and am getting heartrate of between 130 and 135!

I'm not sure about what I felt now. It was very central and can probably be best described as what it would feel like to gave a foot apply pressure from the inside (rolled from heel to toe)...how annoying...why can't it be easier to tell these things!!!

So I spoke too soon about the being sick and have been sick for the last two days. Ah well - I keep having to tell myself its worth it !!

Hopingcat - DD was almost constantly on a heart trace for about 5 days before she was born and consistently had a lower heartbeat so went against what they say about heartrate. So, I don't think there is anything in it? Are you going to find out what sex it is ? I'm not I don't think but I still can't help trying to guess what it is !

Slickbird - I've had quite a few headaches this time round. Mainly when I'm really tired. The only thing that seems to help is sleep (although I have avoided painkillers which would no doubt do the trick).

Hi ladies.
I am 15+1 today and I definitely definitely felt baby moving. I stood up and bent forward to get a file out and wham!!!!
Something nice after a weekend of being shattered and barely able to keep my eyes open! Have had raging headaches too....

Hello ladies..... sorry been a bit quiet!

I've been suffering from headaches - I've found that lavender oil (you can get gel based ones from Boots) has really helped. Also - anyone been getting really bad skin? I have terrible spots all over my jawline and on my cheeks and it's REALLY getting me down....

Also - isn't Mandy going in for her amnio this week? Anyone heard from her?

oh dear, everyone else is feeling poorly too! thus as well as morning sickness and headaches, i have had the norovirus, a streaming cold, and now bronchitis. my doctor is trying to put me on antibiotics and steroids and i'm attempting to beat him off with a stick. the problem is that because i have been so poorly i have not gained any weight in 15 weeks, in fact i have lost 4 pounds, and i only had a bmi of 18 when i got pregnant. i'm trying to eat lots of high calorie, nutritious foods but nothing is happening. i would prefer to be referred to a nutritionist. what do you reckon ladies? do i let the medical professional win, or do i trust my instinct? i have to admit i'm very worried about losing weight and damaging bubba, but i'm sure lots of women who have that crazy morning sickness thing go on to have perfectly babies. argh, so confused...

Auntyspan - I too have spots on jawline and back so thankfully mostly hidden but its a bit grim isn't it ?

Ellieorollie - sorry to hear you're having a rough time. Are you able to take pregnancy vitamins and keep down ? I had a friend who threw up all through her pregnancy and the midwife just told her the baby would take what it needed. She wasn't underweight though to begin with but still.... Slightly unrelated but DH too is about 20 normally on BMI and his illness has meant it has plummetted so I am trying to feed him back up (although he can obv take the drugs that help too). He has been prescribed some drinks which are called 'fortisip' which come either in like a milk shake type drink or a juice (he says the juices are horrid). Apparently 3 of these a day are enough to give you all the vitamins you need and they are each about 300 calories. Might be worth asking about this ? He also had 'Build up soups' in hospital which are also available on prescription but he wasn't so keen on these but they were packed with extra vitamins and proteins. Good luck - I understand your reluctance to take steroids but i think some antibiotics are absolutely fine in pregnancy. What about meeting him/her half way and having the antibiotics and then asking about some of the build up stuff and/or a dietician referal. The dieticians DH saw were really good - not preachy at all but sensible !

Ellie - Lots of women have horrendous MS and do have perfectly healthy babies - my friend had severe hyperemisis and was in an awful state - she lost weight and did have to go to hospital to get her intake up, but that was because she couldn't keep anything down and they were not bothered so much about the weight, more that if they got her hydrated she had a better chance of getting on top of her sickness. She had a perfectly healthy beautiful boy. I'm sure once this stage passes, you'll start to gain some weight. Usually in all instances the baby will always be fine and get what it needs, it's just you that can languish somewhat!

Ellierollie

Try not to worry, the baby will take what it needs. If it any peace of mind to you when i had dd2 last september i put hardly any weight (I am very over weight) and when i had her i lost 19lbs and she was 9lb 2oz and perfectly ok.

Don't worry ellie - my BMI is 17 and I had gained a little weight but with morning sickness etc I have lost it all again also at 15+4. The midwives aren't bothered. And I still seem to have a rapidly developing belly... The baby takes what it wants first and leaves you the rest which will leave you knackered, but it means you need to stress about you more than your Jr!

Would definitely say that as long as you are getting some food in you and eating what you can don't fret about what it is and how nutritious it is. ATM, you just need calories to keep your energy up, anything else is just a bonus.

Tis all IMO though!

I agree with Law - That same friend I was talking about - the only thing she could eat was custard and she was convinced she was going to have a custard pie rather than a baby.

Well my day started off prety sht and ended pretty good. I spoke to work about condensing my hours as I am just too exhausted doing what I have to do and my manager was very sympathetic and pointed out that I must be suffering as I fcked up 3 times last week (I was only aware of one!) and I was off the last two days!! So I was really upset and couldn't speak to anyone for two hours because I kept getting teary! (V. Hormonal at the moment and not sleeping) I was upset because I just hate letting folk (that I respect)down - I took this job to cover someone else's maternity and got pregnant myself. And they have been so great and understanding and I just felt so frustrated that despite me trying my best 12 hours a day (not just at work, at home), I still cocked up. Anyway, she's going to look into it and see what we can do.

But then when I got back I was fed up waiting to hear from the Midwife about my Downs/Spina Bifida screening - I think I have been more nervous this time because there have been a few unhappy results on here recently - and I had a feeling she would have the results. Anyway, she did and apparently I have "No increased risk" so that was good. Obviously it doesn't mean 100% in the clear but it's a good start and I feel lucky as I'm still thinking about Meep and Mandy. Anyway, that's my day - hope you're all well.

auntyspan Mandy had her amnio yesterday - no news on her other thread yet - she should have the results by tomorrow - she is being so positive and brave about the whole thing - not easy (as I unfortunately know - 8 days till my amnio)

The midwife phoned yesterday and I feel like my pregnancy is jinxed. I now have some sorty of infection (from my urine sample) - when I asked her what it was she sort of mumbled something that sounded like ......accocous. I was at work so couldn't question her and she seemed desperate to get off the phone and told me to phone y GP.

Phoned Gp and left a message. Got a call this morning to say that a prescription for anti-biotics had been left at reception for me!

Am fuming! Firstly I have no idea what the infection is, whether it could cause harm to me and/or my baby, whether I will need screened for it again. Secondly I don't really want to have to take antibiotics unless I really have to for the saftey of my baby.

Told the receptionist this (in a nice way and am now waiting for the doc to phone me to explain what the hell is going on.

of course I am now imagining all sorts of horrors like having Group B Strep (though I didn't think they routinely tested for it?)

Sorry for the rant ladies - but this is just the last thing I need.

On the plus side I am no longetr sick and not as exhausted, so am obviously reaching the lovely 2nd trimester stage.

I just want to know that everything is okay with the bean so that I can just bl**dy enjoy things! Aaaagh!

slickbird you have my sympathy about work - I have been useless up to now - but had a good day yesterday and blitzed a lot of stuff.

eliie hope you're feeling better

argh. I have the flu.

Have thrown up six times already but I think I've managed to keep some water down, and have stopped panicking about dehydration. So exhausted/headachey/achey/cold chills though... got sent home after only being at work for an hour! I just feel really pathetic. Have curled up on the sofa watching Sex and the City though which is always nice. But I would just like to feel better instead!

Blooming plumber is coming later and there is a house inspection later this week by our letting agency for which I have to cover up a few things... just rubbish timing for being sick.

Does anybody else feel like whenever the smallest thing goes wrong being pregnant seems to make it twenty times worse?

Oh no everyone is feeling so down and/or poorly. Big hugs all round.

I hope every starts to feel better soon. I am feeling quite cheery today - but I have been one of the lucky ones, I have suffered no morning sickness whatsoever and the tiredness stage seems to have passed so I feel pretty much normal - except with a rather rotund belly. (sorry that sounds a bit like gloating doesn't it - everyone else has my sympathy - I'll probably get punished during the later stages or during the labour instead!)

Anyway I saw the doctor / obstetrician this morning and I should be all OK for a normal birth and just seeing the midwife from now on. Had been slightly worried becos I have had some surgery previously but she seemed to think it would all be OK. So have come home feeling all smiley - only too find everyone else is having a bad time.

Just a quick word to meep -- sounds like you've got a horrendously frustrating situation going on, but try not to let your mind jump to a worst-case scenario. "-occoccus" is a standard taxonomical denominator for LOTS of infections, including just your basic piddling little UTIs.

Fingers crossed that that's all it is!

thanks corgi. Still waiting for the GP to phone .............

Aw meep thats rubbish still thinking of u x

Well I have had a few of these headaches too, horrendous when you have screaming kids to look after! Seriously though I found going out a drive with the car window open was the only thing that eased it for me and avoiding the tv/computer.
Got my scan tomorrow FINALLY! I will be 16 weeks and it will be such a relief to see the wee button! Am getting excited now even though dh has just called and said he now can't get time off to come so I will have to go myself with ds!
Hope you all start to feel better soon, think the weather is making everyone a bit fluey.
l XX

Hey all, just to add to the misery I am having the most awful aches ever! I have a pain down the right hand side of my bum that feels like trapped nerve. Been there since pregnancy started but about 100 times worse last night and today. Also similar pain down left hand knee and muscle pain in right hand side of belly and back. Generally feel like an old woman today!

Otherwise seem to be okay. Little tired but no sickness thank god.

Good day ladies!! I am joining thwe troop of those feeling like crap!! I was off work yesterday as was so full of snot I was blowing my nose evrry 2 minutes, the sheer amount of snot was making me feeli sick and I couldnt stop sneezing...resulting in me sneezing sick on more than 1 occasion!! I am also suffering headaches (I usually get migraines but since being pregnant havent had one...touch wood!) also my tiredness hasnt shifted yet...I am now starting to think it may not shift at all!!

Also, if you dont mind...small rant!! At my most recent midwife appt (the 2nd one in my new town) it came to light that the first midwife had not yet sent my refferral documents to the hospital and as such I was not booked there and did not have an anomaly scan appointment. The midwife said she would chase it up and get back to me...that was last monday. I am still waiting and thought I would give them a call to see how things are going...BUT they havent provided me with any contact numbers, for midwife or the hospital and when i rang my GP surgery they advised the midwives operate out of 2 centres, 1 on a monday (useless to me as it is tuesday) and the other on a wednesday. I now have to wait until tomorrow to ring...I know its not major, but my experience of midwives (bar one) have all left me with no confidence in them what so ever and this is just another to add to the list. Also they didnt ask me about the parenting classes and when i was reading through all the info it said to tell your midwife asap (at your 16 week appt) to make sure you get a place...so I also need to ask about this...i have images of me not getting into the classes and getting sent home with baby with no clue what to do Im not very happy at the moment.

Sorry to rant!

And auntyspan I have been suffering terrible skin since almost day dot...on forehead, chin and nose!!

Emma, I went to parentcraft classes and was still sent home with a baby that I didn't know what to do with! The classes only covered labour and birth. I would imagine though that they can't refuse to give you classes if you want them. I imagine you might get classes later on than some people (eg at 38 weeks rather than at about 34) but every health authority is different on this subject just as they seem to be on every other. Hopefully you'll get home tonight and find a letter with scan date and loads of info on parentcraft sat there waiting for you.

Oh Emma - that is rubbish for you - keep phoning till you get it sorted.

Well - I still haven't had a call from my GP - so phoned my MW team and got a lovely lady who looked at my results and totally explained them and reassured me. I don't have an infection as such - just the possibility of one so they want to make sure it doesn't turn into one and that is why I need to take anti-biotics! I have nothing scary that could harm the bean.

I burst into tears on the phone - have been so stressed about it all - think it was just one more thing on top of the blood results and it made me go into melt down.

I think I will say something to the one that phoned me (I am seeing her on Thursday) - as she really scared me and gave me no explanations at all.

Hopingcat and Emma - I went to NCT classes and they do teach you about what to do when you go home with the baby - and even then I still didn't have a clue !