Due May 2009 - The 2nd thread... our pregnancy-addled brains can't think of anything wittier!!

[SpangleMaker]

Here you go

I felt a bit queasy for the first time this morning, so maybe I'm not imagining I'm pregnant. Or it might be the fish I ate last night

Oh I'm going the opposite way - I jumped out of bed like I used to. Been thinking that my symptoms have been tailing off for quite a few days now. Not sure how much longer I'll be on this thread. Going to get a scan if possible. Not looking forward to another MC/D&C but trying to prepare myself. I know you'll think I'm bonkers but just haven't really felt pg in the last few days. The little belly is practically the only 'sign' I have. I'll let you know what happens.

Hiya,

Saw the doctor yesterday and finally got some anti-biotics to clear up my chest infection as had almost no sleep for about a week now. so hopefully they will start working soon.
Saw my midwife as well and I am booked in for my dating scan tomorrow yay !

LOL at MrsEvs my DS was 7lb 5 and I was happy with that since I am just under 5ft and I'm hoping this one will be around the same because even though I had an emergency CS carrying that weight around from 38 - 42 weeks was enough for me. I'm hoping to go for VBAC this time. MW promised me plenty of Membrane Sweeps this time as I didn't get any last time. Not sure if I should be happy about that or not ... lol

nauseous - how many wks are you? Perhaps it's just your symptoms settling down naturally? Please don't worry yourself too much - it may still be fine. Lots of people seem to suddenly start feeling better and their babies are fine.

Take care, and if I were you I'd definitely be on the phone by now demanding a scan. If you have a history of MC they should be happy to give you one immediately for peace of mind if nothing else - at least I know they will where I live and assume they have the same protocol country-wide. Do you have an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit in your hospital? If so just contact them directly.
I have my fingers crossed for you x x

I've had a little bit more spotting but not much so hopefully my bean is ok. Find out tomorrow. DH doesn't want to come with me, as is 'useless' at these things apparently. So I said, well I take it you won't be coming to the birth either as you were so bloody useless last time! Oops.
True though, he was fantastic support in labour with DD1. Expected the same with DD2 - but he just sat in the corner, ignored me and fell asleep. Was absolutely crap. I think he was bored. He was not happy to have this pointed out to him last night though and ended up in a big argument. Went to bed in a huff. Not good.
Sorry, waffling again.

morning all.
in ref to epidural talk below - I def want one but very worried I'll be denied one. in the USA my sisters/friends all had them and it doesn't seem to be as much as stigma as it is here in UK. with DD2, i begged for one and think they were too busy so got the pool instead (as if that was an effective alternative, though more comfy than a bed). after a horrible labour (though thankfully shortish), the midwife said, 'aren't you glad you didn't have an epidural'?... NO. and why should I have been?

I won't go into detail of last labour but it was enough to want an EC or at least epidural. does anyone have any tips on how to 'order' one? luckily, i'm seeing doc regularly (for PND) so she will do her best to help me - maybe she's the way I can get one.

gotta get off to work now. hope all ok today.

nauseous hope you can relax until you have a scan. it's hard, I know.

momimo - so sorry to hear you've had an awful labour experience before. I find it completely weird that people congratulate you if you 'cope' without an epidural and that it seems to have a 'stigma' attached to it. There are no prizes given out in the maternity ward to the brave super-mummies who manage to labour without one, so I say if you want or need one, bloody well GET one. I've given birth with and without one and would definitely say the more positive birth experience was the one WITH epidural (even though the labour itself was horrific and traumatic).
Put in your birth plan that you would like an epidural asap in labour. Make sure your midwife and consultant are aware of this, and also your birth partner. Tell them this again when you phone the hosp to tell them you're on your way in in labour. Hopefully then when you do arrive in hosp in labour they will be geared up to give you one as soon as you're in established labour. (I think it's usually 4-5cm before they will give you one, but that might be wrong?). As long as you don't arrive at the hospital fully dilated you should be fine!!!!!!

Right, this first time mum to be needs some anti nausea tips !! I've now had nearly 24 hours of constantly worrying that I really am going to throw up in some inappropriate work situation. I have a big client presentatation to give tomorrow and have got visions of me throwing up over their shoes or something !

Ginger biscuits
Crackers

Anything else I can try ? I already have Pregnacare, which contains B12, so I'm not sure if I should have any more, or if it would help anyway ??

I've just left my name and number with the Birth Afterthoughts service at my local hospital. I said NEVER again after dc2. The labour wasn't THAT bad but not what I was expecting after dc1. I never really discussed it with anybody and feel that had I had some refresher antenatal classes, they would have been helpful. Best get any issues I don't know I've got out of the way before dc3!

OH and I'm not at work today because I've just had another migraine. Off to bed again and off the pc.

jools- here are my tips for what they are worth.
Eat little and often (every 2 hrs)
eat before getting out of bed and if you wake up in the night (cracker, biscuit, bit of banana, whatever you feel you can take)
sea bands - worth a try
sleep - don't get too tired or you'll feel worse
don't get hungry or you'll feel worse
don't eat and drink at the same time (I find if I leave 20-30 mins after eating before drinking I feel less sick)
ginger capsules
ginger tea
in fact anything with ginger is good
Vit B6 tablets are recommended by some books / online. I'd google for doses or ask doc. I take 50mg per day which I think has brought mine down from dreadful nausea to low-mid level occasionally which is more bearable.
Eat what you fancy, not what you feel you should eat
Flat coke can settle stomach
There isn't a magic cure (or not that I know of). Trial and error is key to finding what will help you. Acupuncture is also meant to be good but I haven't tried it (nobody near me will do it on pg lady for 'insurance purposes!!)
Good luck - hope you feel a bit better soon.

Thanks for the tips It is good to get them all together for reference

I woke up hungry in the night, but didn't eat - think I shall put some crackers in the bedroom tonight and munch on a couple - maybe that will ease the nausea in the morning.

I seem to be living on mini cheddars, tangerines and bananas at the mo !

ooh could quite fancy some mini cheddars!
Just made myself some syrup pancakes as was having a bit of a nauseous wobble. Am supposed to be working
(Hazard of working from home)

By the way (before I get back to work) I would recommend this book to anyone (even if you've had kids before) - The Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Kaz Cooke. It's fab, funny and full of good tips. Not a text book, more like a friend having a chat.
jools its also recommends some anti-nausea tips and gives a dose for the B6.
Enjoy!

I had that book delivered a couple of days ago - must start reading :D

I'm AT work, and getting nothing done

just had three yum yums (iced doughnuts if you don't know the Thomas' speciality). feel so unhealthy!

Momino - In my experience, breaking down and sobbing in front of one's gynecologist pretty much guarantees being offered a c-section

Finding a small amount of brown stuff when I wipe now - trying not to panic and failing, even though I know that brown blood is not bad blood.

No cramps though - just mild pulling getting a bit more persistent.

Feel a bit anxious because I have no contact numbers for midwife / EPU - will have to rely on GP if this gets worse

Frazzled - I'm glad you've mentioned the deep breathing thing, cos I am suffering with it too. I had my booking in appointment with MW yesterday and I mentioned the feeling - as if I'm 20 months preg and there's no room to breathe in - she told me it was stress! Well that could be partly to blame because I'm having one prob after another with my business at the mo (my export licence and import licence applications keep getting lost my 1 Royal Mail and 2 DHL - AARRGHHHH!!!) But I personally thought there was more to it than just stress. I too feel as though I can't take a deep enough breath, and feel sort of out of puff any time I go to do something! I sound like an old man getting out of an armchair!! Heave-Ho!!

divedaisy am sure it's due to increased blood volume so you need more oxygen (or something). It's actually really annoying me, sometimes I can't get enough of a deep breath but then when I do it feels so good! Weird.
jools - don't panic. I'm in the same boat and the consensus seems that spotting off and on is often quite normal. I know it is worrying though. Keep an eye on it and if it gets worse call your gp or phone your hosp switchboard and ask for the Early Preg Assessment Unit if there is one. I'd be reassured that you've just started feeling sick which is definitely a good sign (for the baby if not for you!) Take care and don't stress about your big presentation tomorrow either x

Hi Guys! I haven't been on a while and it's taken me nearly an hour to browse through 6 pages.

I had been looking at the pregnancy bands/belts - I may give them a go, but at the mo I'm fitting my clothes OK. jeans have been baggy anyhow.. but at night tummy comes out.

Don't know how you girls are even interested in sex. God the thought makes me want to throw up! As does all this talk of food. I still feel so sick. Cleaning teeth is terrible - very sensitive gag reflex.

I saw MW yesterday and she bombarded me with all this information. Some of it she provided in book format, but other stuff was verbal - eg a big list of not what to eat! I couldn't remember any of it! Does she not know of pregnancy brain??!! On the subject of food - we know that bought mayonaise is ok, but what about salad cream that contains egg yolks? It doesn't say they are pasturised on the label?? I am going for an early scan tomorrow to confirm my dates. I'm having the nucal fold scan also - £250 here in N Ireland privately as not on NHS!! DH wants to have it done, so if he wants to pay, that's his option. Can't wait to see pea - but also very nervous incase all is not what it seams.

Off to get a cuppa - anything to try and settle this nausea... - not for envy, but for feeling green!!!

Hello Ladies,
Anyone want to listen to my rant?????
Gunna tell you all anyway!
I feel like Im dying, I cant eat cause it makes me sick, if I dont eat it makes me sick, I cant even go into the kitchen now because the smell sets me off! I actually losing weight rather than putting it on. So I ring my Dr. and MW and they say this is normal and to get a cracker or ginger biscuit, this is where I go mental, I am a coeliac, I am extremley allergic to wheat and gluten and my own bloody DR and MW suggest Crackers and Biscuits! Marvelous!
So I ring my Coeliac Nurse and have an emotinal breakdown over the phone to her, subsequently I have an emergency appointment at the hospital and will have to stay in and be put on a drip!
So you actually need to be dying to get help! WTF!!!
Sorry for the rant! A tad hormonal!

jools yes brown is good, if it's not bright red you are probably safe, but I would try and give someone a call to put your mind at rest because I know it's almost impossible not to worry.

I agree about the symptoms too, though it is certainly a good sign if you have them, it is not a bad sign if you are not. With DD1 I had sore boobs for a couple of days when I first tested and that was it, not a single other symptom of any kind until I was really big. I also had enough bleeding for me to think it was an actual period, so didn't even test until gone 6 weeks when boobs hurt as I said. I continued to have "mini periods" throughout and all was well.

Agree too about the epidural, I'm in the US and it's true, no stigma whatsoever, in fact my doc said he perfered it when patients had one as the experience was so much nicer for everyone. I know people have very strong feelings about this and everyone is of course entitled to their own opinions, so I don't want to start an argument or anything, but personally I can't comprehend why if you have the option of pain, or no pain you would choose the pain????? (Should also mention my Dad is an anaesthetist, so predisposed to liking them ). Had them with both of my girls and would not do it without one! I also totally understand those who want to do elective C/S after awful first experiences - I really think you should be able to make that decision if you want to, since you know your body best.

It's interesting to hear different people's experiences and it does always seem to be the midmives who encourage you to tough it out in England. Here in the US it is pretty unusual for a midwife to deliver a baby! You have to go to a special midwife facility mostly. There are some Certified Nurse Midwives who can deliver in hospitals but it's the exception rather than the rule. I think docs are generally more in favour of the epidural and since all your prenatal appts here are with your OB/GYN, and they deliver also, I'm wondering if that is the difference? Sorry to ramble on, just thinking out loud really, could be talking rubbish!

Speaking of prenatal appts I have my first one on Tuesday and a scan, am so excited will make it all seem so real! Just out of interest, how often do you have check ups at home? Here it's once a month until 6 months, then every 2 weeks until 8 months at which point you go in once a week. Is it similar in the UK?

Must go and pack lunches and get the kiddos to nursery am running (perpetually!) late!

Oh Nikki - I hope you get better soon. Your GP should've known better.

MrsEves - I've watched some of the US birthing progs on sky, and to me it always looks as if epidurals are a no-no! I requested one for my first and got it. I've already placed my order for one for this time, and there's not a problem in asking. I find although the NHS is stretched and the staff could do with a few more hands, I have always found that they can never do enough for you to have your birthing experience the way you want. They only step in if there's a big problem!!

Away to get DS from school!

MrsEvs, this is my 3rd. Don't have to go often as I don't have too many medical complications. I saw the midwife at 10weeks, have a scan at 12-14 weeks, another mw appt, anomoly scan at 20weeks, mw at 28 weeks then every two weeks from 32 (I think) weeks.

now that I write it down, it sounds like a lot! I think I also have to get a shot for my rh neg blood thing.

when I talk to my family and friends, they do think it's odd we have midwife care, i think it sounds very 'new age' to them. I almost wish our system was like the US though I know the hospital fees would be a shock! not that it's free here, but you just don't notice it when paying taxes over the years (or do we?).