Due August 2009 - Does My Bump Look Big In This????

[kitkatqueen]

Hello everybody Here is the shiny new thread, hope you found it ok!!

Hello all, haven't posted for a bit, sorry (always lurking though )

I have been told that I am having a blood test at my next ante-natal appointment with my GP (stupid, old fashioned system of shared care, which I'm only attending to keep dh happy - we have an IM so it's really surplus to requirements) Of course, my GP hasn't told me what this test is for or why I'm having it - from what I've read here today, this must be a diabetes screen? Is it dependent on where you live then, whether they do this or is it standard? I didn't think that I had any risk factors.

Hello to YanknCock. I'm sorry that you feel so awful. The way that you feel is not daft; it is the way that you feel. However, you might be assuming the worst and depression can do this to you (I know from experience).

For what it's worth, I think that accents are lovely - my dh is an aussie and I love it.

Even though it's hard, getting out and being with people was helpful to me. I also found that self help is good - whatever that is... For me, exercise and talking have always worked (I know that the exercise thing isn't realistic when you have pain)

Finding an osteopath might make you feel as though you are a bit more in control of a bit of your life; and if you can reduce the pain then you might feel less depressed too (pain and mood seem to go hand in hand). Other stuff might be good too, like looking for food/supplements/alternative remedies that are supposed to help with depression. Stick with your meds - i've heard really good things about citalopram and maybe in a week or two you will begin to feel better.

Listen to your MN friends and ignore the rest!! They don't matter.

YanknCock - is swimming an option for you? Meant to be a very supportive form of exercise. Just a thought.

Sheena - The blood test is probably the routine 28 week one. It's just to check your iron levels.

Citalopram really worked for me with my pnd last time so fingers crossed it works for you Yank. Btw I found it affected my sleep pattern so I ended up taking them in an evening.

YanknCock, everyone deserves to be judged on their own merits, not on their accent or nationality. But what people write and say isn't necessarily how they feel when they meet a real live American - people should accept you as an individual, and I think for the most part they do put their stereotypes aside when they actually meet someone from the US.
Rx

Hi all, just a little pop in from me...

firstly, I think you're being very brave YanknCock, have been on citalopram myself and it really worked for me - the best days were about 2 weeks after i started taking it when I got a huge high dont' worry about what other people think, it does sound like your paranoia is taking hold of what might normally be something that hardly bothers you. Not all Americans are bad, and not all British are judging them!

Secondly, thanks to johnworf, i think i've messaged you on facebook but if not please let me know as i might have got the wrong person.

Finally, quick update on our brave and strong boy - well really God is working big miracles on him as he's still going strong after 8 days (ooh, 9 now that its after midnight!). he is still needing a lot of oxygen and full ventilation, but just about everything else is going well - his blood pressure medication has been drastically cut, his infection seems to be reducing, and he is weeing a lot which means his kidney function is OK. So all in all, very good news. I'm sooo pleased, obviously, but it's quite an emotional struggle being here and not really beign able to do much to help him. It's all worth it though when I can see his little facial expressions (when his blue light is off and his sunglasses are off) - he is starting to open his eyes and its SOOO cute. and he has his daddy's frown too. awwwh.

hope you are all talking to your bumps, as I'm sure Nathan can hear when there are loud sounds around him - he would be 25+3 today (sunday) so i'm sure all of your bumps can hear your voices too.

love michaela

So glad Nathan's holding his own, Michaela. I am sure you are helping him immeasurably be just being there, loving him, rooting for him to get well, even if it doesn't feel like you are "doing" much. It must be so very hard for you when you are so worried, raging with hormones and in a situation you never wanted or planned for, but you are doing absolutely brilliantly, I think. Lots and lots of love to you and Nathan and your dh.

Yank- hope things improve for you. I think depression is well known to exacerbate people fears and worries about how others perceieve them so some of your feelings about people's response to you may be a bit negative at the moment. Hope it's that rather than you running into a load of mean pratweevils all at once.

MichaelaS, thank you SO much for coming on and updating us on Nathan's progress, that's so nice of you to think of us. I can't express how happy and relieved I am for you all. Isn't it amazing what they can do for little babies.

I truly can't comprehend the idea of my LO being 'out' and seeing him/her react to the world around him/her. You've made a good point about how we should be talking to our bumps etc. Thank you. Continuing my wishes for strength for your gorgeous Nathan

Yank, a symptom of depression is sadly self loathing, which sounds like where you are at. Honestly, not all brits think Americans are loud and obnoxious(!), in fact a very VERY small minority do. There's FAR more prejudice against other nationalities than Americans. Personally speaking, if I hear someone with an American accent I'm always interested to hear where they're from and chat to them etc. This is probably because I don't often come across Americans. Be proud of who you are and where you're from.

MichaelaS - I've not said anything before, but I've been reading your updates - I'm not someone who prays, but I've been keeping everything crossed for you all, your news made me so teary (probably as I'm at around a similar stage as you, by days) - and hearing each update is great. Keep strong, and I'm thinking of you. So good to hear Nathan is improving too.

In my news, well, nothing much has happened, bar I went to Wembley yesterday for what will almost definitely be my last football match before little one arrives. Actually, I think it should be my last one - I was hopeless! Applauding the opposition (I got all the names muddled), and forgetting the goalkeeper switched ends at half time. This is from someone who's spent a large chunk of her teenage years watching York City, and a large chunk of the last 3-4 years watching Tottenham (though I've supported Tottenham for longer) - so it's not like I don't know these things!! Little madam kicked the whole way through, so now I'm hoping she'll be a footballer when she's old enough...

We've a birds nest outside our back door, and mum and dad birds keep going off to get worms for the little ones - I haven't seen them yet (husband has), but oh, it's so sweet to watch!

MichaelaS - so glad your little man is a fighter. My prayers are with you.

Yank - I can't imagine how isolated you must feel, but honestly we Brits aren't all narrow minded zenephobes! I hope you start to feel some acceptance soon. Is there anywhere you go that makes you feel secure?

MichaelaS - have been thinking about you loads. It sounds like their is a lot of hope for Nathan and glad to read the update. What a roller coaster you're on at the moment though. Take care of yourselves.

So glad to hear that little Nathan is hanging in and fighting his corner so well.

Yank- my obs is making me do a GTT due to my being OLD! No other reason. I'm 41 and peachy in health... No weight problems. It seems a little random. Mine's at week 28 (in 2 weeks) and I'm dreading it.

Happy Monday All! Been away on holiday for a week and just catching up. Just wanted to say I am thinking of you MichaelaS - Nathan sounds like a little fighter.

MichaelaS - that is a lovely update, what good news, lets just hope he keeps fighting

Yank - I second a lot of what many say. Where we live we don't get anyone from the US and the only one I know gets lots of attention (nice) because of her 'cute' accent

Well I am truly starting to feel enormous, clothes I could wear a few weeks ago are now far too small and I am definitely in maternity tops as long as possible I am finding. No other negatives though apart from a lack of sleep as now hitting the not very comfy phase, and doesn;t help by DH tossing and turning (and snoring!!! he never does that) as a result of having injured his shoulder on a gardening project.

I have our 28wk growth scan this Thurs which I am very excited about, I love the scans and the appts as you get to hear/see the LO.

I am dealing with a grumpy MIL at the moment, she invited herself and her 89 yr old mother to stay with us for a 3-4 days(so I guess my gran in law), as they live quite far away and don;t get to see DS or DH much I don;t mind them staying, its just that they 'booked in' a month ago but had to cancel so have now booked in again for early July (I will be 37-38 wks then). DH agreed to it and then told me, and I have had to force DH to phone and tell them no and can they come an earlier date as I think I will be huge, shattered enough with DS to look after never mind IL's during the day while DH is working (they do not help and have certain expectations !) ... . MIL very huffy and puffy saying, well my diary is probably already booked up earlier (she is retired). Is it me , or are they a bit inconsiderate. Sorry for the whinge, I just would never do that with someone so close to labour,... worst case scenario is I go into labour with 'spectators'

Cairns - no YANBU. I wouldn't want anyone staying that close to the birth.

MichaelaS - thanks for the update. Thinking of you all still and hoping nathan keeps improving.

Fed up here. Been to docs this morning as my back and hips are so bad. Dh had to dress me and help me out of bed. Last week he had to help me walk (we were out with ILs and I spent most of the day sitting on a bench while they all played with dd).Anyway doc was USELESS...told me it's sometimes like this when you're pregnant, that I should go swimming, gave me a prescription for paracetamol...I pushed for a physio referral and he said he'd do that but that he couldn't do an urgent referral and that I'd be waiting at least 2 months and that it was unlikely I'd be seen before the birth . Am now waiting for my IM to call back so I can find out if they can get me a quicker referral.

Cairns - yes, they are being inconsiderate. Last thing you need at that point is to be waiting hand and foot on visitors!

crafty - sorry your GP is so useless. Though given my experience with physio, I have to say I'd learned almost all of it from MN and The Pelvic Partnership website! Am thinking of going to an osteopath, as lots of ladies on MN have suggested. I feel like I need some hands-on treatment.

duchesse - GTT wasn't too bad. Two people I know said the sugar drink made them throw up, but if you drink it down quickly so you don't taste till the end, it's only the dodgy aftertaste to deal with. In any case, I'd done all my throwing up before I got to the hospital. Results this afternoon!

Thank you everyone for your kind words about my accent paranoia. I am one of those weird people for whom antidepressants work very fast (if they're going to work). Two days on the higher dose and I actually do feel a bit better. I even talked to some strangers today. Still getting some negative thoughts, but finding it a bit easier to shove them aside. Working up to going to aquanatal class now.

Being sick almost daily again, but apparently my dad's mother and sister also had this. My mom and her sister both had very quick labours, even first time around, so I'm hoping that part is inheritable too.

Michaela - special thanks to you for responding to my post, when you have so much going on! Very pleased to hear Nathan is improving, will continue to cross everything for him. As you've suggested, DH and I are talking to bump, and have found out he kicks loads when DH plays Led Zepplin songs to him on the guitar.

Hello ladies,

I was wondering if I could join your thread as I have finally managed to get my arse into gear and join MN today!

Little bit about me:

I am due on 03rd August (so 28 wks today) and this is my PFB..don't know the sex but getting v.impatient now, so may have to go and have a cheeky scan!!

Have suffered with Hyperemesis (constant sickness & dehydration, for those of you not in the know..) since 11 weeks, and it's still going strong; managed to get away with just morning sickness up until then. Hence I have been off work since I was 4 months and haven't really got out or online to meet anyone.

Finally after months of severly poor NHS care, (glad to see on this that I am not the only one with a crap midwife!!) I have managed, under near pain of death, to get some injections from the doctor which just about keeps me out of hospital every week, which is good enough for me! Although after just reading MichaelaS posts, a bit of sickness seems very trivial compared to what she has been through recently..I know as long as the baby is well, I have nothing to complain about.

Thought as I am feeling a little better that I should now make the effort to join some groups and meet some other mums to be, as DH getting very annoyed with me constantly talking about babies...

I hope everybody is well and blooming

Crafty - I too have been suffering for SPD for the last week or so. It really is awful isn't it? My midwife suggested that if you do go swimming don't use breaststroke at all. You need to keep your legs together as much as you can so crawl is fine ( I cant crawl at all so the only swimming I'll be doing is bobbing about!). She also suggested using two plastic bags on your seat in the car to help you turn to get out of the car and said to imagine you are wearing a mini skirt!! I have been lucky (probably helped by working as a nurse in a large teaching hospital) and managed to self refer myself to the maternity physio who has been fantastic. You can also get support belts (which I will get) on line for about £30ish. A couple of girls at work have them now and say they really help with the pain.

I feel like an invalid at the moment so understand how you feel completely. My other half has to help me turn over in the night and helps me get out of bed - I'm sure I'll find it all very funny after the birth but at the moment its just depressing.

Has anyone had problems with unexplained bleeding? I have been bleeding throughout my pregnancy on and off and am now under the care of a consultant to keep an eye on me. The babys fine its just very worrying. The midwives and Drs take it very seriously and end up scaring you silly.

Michaelas - all the very best, sounds like he's a little fighter.

hencath, good advise there on SPD, fellow sufferer here. It's more sacroiliac pain I'm suffering from. It really is AGONY and I'm genuinely scared about how I'm going to cope for the next 3 months. I've got physio on Friday but will have to take DD (20 months) with me so that'll be 'interesting'. I had loads of bleeding episodes with DD and it was due to a cervical ectropian (completely harmless).

Hi all - just checking in to say I'm sorry to hear so many of you are suffering!

Michaela - I am constantly thinking of you and your little fighter - thank you so much for the update. You are being an amazing mummy - hang in there and all my best wishes!

Hiya everyone, Just checking in too, baby brain is preventing me from intelligent conversation atm so I'm going to just lurk for a bit after this post!

Hencath in all 4 pregnancies i've had unexplained then explained then unexplained bleeding. I am at the point now where it honestly doesn't stress me any more - I go through the motions of midwife / scan etc but mostly they really can't see where the bleed is coming from. A couple of times they have spotted the remains of a bleed from the placenta which obviously would be a panic if I hadn't already had to wait 6 days for a scan and been getting kicked to bits in the interim

I was recently talking to a midwife about random bleeds and the fact that in several countries it is classed as "normal" to have minor random bleeds throughout ( or even bleeds that coincide with pre pregnancy periods) and she said that thinking about it with the number of calls she has from women with bleeds it probably should be classed as "normal". Obviously don't get too complacent, but don't let it stress you too much either. It is a scary and a shock when you realise you have a bleed situation, but You are not alone.

Make them scan you asap, you are entitled to go straight to a&e if you want too, A&E dept have previously told me that it doesn't hold up the dept because they transfer preggies to gynae straight away, the sooner they look the more likely they are to see where its coming from.

Hope that helps.

Michaela, Keeping everything crossed for you and your little babe. xx

Welcome, Bored! Don't think mine is quite as bad as yours, but I'm still being sick almost daily. Had a few weeks respite, then it started up again. But it seems a bit different now---I don't have to go lie down after, and I'm immediately hungry right away. Eggs on toast after this morning's episode.

GTT came back negative yesterday.

Exactly 25 weeks this morning, and FINALLY DH was able to feel the baby move! He is wandering around singing nonsense now.

Welcome Bored. Sorry to hear about the sickness.

Yank - glad the gtt test was negative.

KKQ - keep posting, think lots of us have baby brain (I know I do)

Well dh dashed to get a support belt yesterday and it's too big even though I measured as per the website instructions. He can't get back with it today cos he's at work. Feeling a bit less achey this morning but still v bad at night.Finding the birth ball quite comfy.

Mostly fed up cos I want to get the house sorted. Made dh move the furniture round in dd's room last night. Also got him to go through our wardrobes and sort all the clothes that no longer fit for him to take to charity shop (ended up with 4 1/2 bin bags full ).

Hello all,

Good and bad updates, hope everyone's managing to get through nonetheless. Welcome to new people

Things aren't too bad here. I'm still vexed at work, no idea whether I'll get any more hours or responsibility (and therefor the money that I'll need to ACTUALLY work when I finish Mat leave). I have a feeling I won't, despite me working my arse off for the last two weeks and so yesterday there was nothing to do! I've taken a day off to rest my pelvis, which is getting slowly but steadily worse, as you might expect. I'm really not too bad though, but frustrated at my limitations.

Huge panic yesterday as my mum rang to tell me that DD was burning up with a rash on her stomach. Well, after dashing there and finding her covered in vomit while my mum panicked (and I retched in the kitchen sink) I think it was a through-and-through bug, with prickly heat rash.

My worst niggles at the moment are disgusting wind from the Iron tablets (think cow farm + seaweed drying in the sun + sewage works) and how painful my bowels are. I'm having nice normal motions, but from time to time they seem to get a bit stuck on their journey round the bump and set off nerves. It's absolute agony!!!

Hoping to do a bit of knitting this afternoon to relax and make a positive contribution!

Bloody hell. I might have to stop looking at any other threads besides this one.

This is exactly the kind of thread that sets me back. Sitting here crying like an idiot over it, when I really thought I was feeling better.

And I was in such a good mood when I woke up this morning.

Well at least I tried to defend myself. Probably stupid to bother.

Sarah... it's easier to be racist when it's not overtly about colour. I'm very against intolerance of this sort... what a bunch of idiots.

If it makes you feel any better, when I was in the US people asked me if I was from Canada!!

People should spend more time worrying about their own problems and sorting their own issues out. Must be nice to have time to worry about how someone speaks...

BTW, good news about your hubby feeling your baby move. DD felt mine for the first time yesterday... was a bit startled!