Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

... this is a new thread following on from the last one, welcome oldies & newbies ...

iwcas - So so sorry to hear about your friend there just aren't the words...

Thinking of you.

Happy birthday by the way, hope you have a nice dinner.

Hi, everybody, gosh I am glad that this is the end of a Very Very Long Day!

EmLouT, tell your small but I am sure perfectly formed bump to behave itself! You do not need any more worries! Sorry to hear you had a rubbish response at the hospital. Hope bump has resumed its wriggling activities again in the meantime.

IWCAS, I do hope you can enjoy your birthday a bit and have a nice dinner out with your mum. May your next year be only full of joy and happiness!

Just in brief: yes, yes discharge is another glamorous part of pregnancy, isn't it!
And and that anybody would still be interested in using a vibrator!!

IWCAS I'm sure you are in no mood to celebrate but thinking of you on your birthday.
Pacific sorry to hear you are suffering from UTI as well as the white blood count worry.
designerbaby I hope the early morning doc appointment was worth the effort and stress and they have given you something to sort you out.
EmLou sorry to hear that the hospital weren't much use and I do hope that baby EmLou is moving lots now.
I managed to fall over today whilst walking the dog as the woods were just so muddy and slippy after all this rain. No injury apart from a cut finger and a dirty pair of trousers but I did give myself a bit of a fright. Baby is obviously very well cushioned and has been moving lots since so no worries there.
Poor DD also took at tumble today, we were out at my tennis club dinner and prize presentation (not been playing recently mind you but thought I'd go along anyway) and DD was loving it playing with some of the big boys and girls then right at the end she tumbled and hit her mouth on a metal bar of a table and there was so much blood. Fortunately the chairman of the club is a GP (and his wife) and they had a look and were able to reassure me that there was no permanent damage and that mouth injuries bleed a lot but heal very well but still I'm not very good with blood and it's horrible to see you LO distressed and in pain.
Here's hoping for a nice quiet Thursday.
I'm another mooncup fan (but haven't used it for ages!) and also a fan of the Nature babycare eco disposables. Never tried weaving lentils but I do have at least 3 varieties in my store cupboard

On the increased discharge front (if you had told me 6 months ago I would be posting that phrase online...) I did have this a few weeks back but it seems to have held off a bit recently.

However...

...something I don't know if anyone has mentioned yet (as I haven't read all 805 messages in detail) is a small leakage from your nipples.

I have noticed a small mark about the size of a 10p piece on my t-shirt I wear to bed a few nights now. It is definetly coming from my nipples and I have not had it at all during the day but it has happened quite a few times at night.

I hope my post doesn't send you all slightly MN crazy with the whole worrying if you have not had this but just thought I would share in case anyone else is getting this. I'm 26 weeks now.

Hi Tigress, I believe that's quite normal for collostrum to start developing and leaking early, just your body getting ready for when baby tigger arrives

Smac sorry to hear about your fall, that must have been a bit of a shock, glad you're ok tho

Pacific don't work too hard, make sure you've got time to put your feet up every now and again x

IWCAS - really to hear your news... How completely tragic. And also probably the last thing you needed on top of everything else... Do hope you're feeling a bit more positive in other areas despite this latest blow...

GP wasn't actually so bad - largely because I got a rookie receptionist, I think. A young guy - when I mentioned 'urinary tract infection' and that I was pregnant and he looked a bit terrified and booked me straight in with the GP. Also the triage nurse was off sick, lots of people sent away, but those who weren't went straight to a GP. So was out by 10, so only 2 hours, which is a bit of a record...

Also had a young rookie GP who had to keep rushing off to 'check' stuff with another one, who finally gave in and saw me himself.

Sent off a sample to the hospital, as it was a bit cloudy, and miraculously got results back yesterday evening - no UTI!? Glad that I don't have to have any more antibiotics, though...

GP said 'unidentified symptoms secondary to your pregnancy' which I read to mean "you're pregnant ? suck it up."

But the pain is still there, basically the whole are around where I imagine my bladder to be, (kind of underneath my bump) and into my groin. Both sides.

Thinking maybe 'round ligament' pain? Wondering if some kind of bump support band might help? Anyone any kind of experience of this?

Dunno - moving around is uncomfortable...

Hmm...

PD - really hope you didn't catch your UTI from me via mumsnet... Actually, no, I don't have one, so it can't be me! [feels cleared of suspicions of virtual-infection spreading and breathes sigh of relief] Hope the ABs clear it all up soon.

Hi to everyone else - I'm hopelessly behind with all your news...

db
xx

Hello all,

After weeks of lurking, my first post.

Am 23 weeks along, first child, and live and work in southern Africa (hence the 'original' name). This group has been just fantastic for me - being pregnant out here is not easy, and being able to read all your posts has been so informative, helpful and often funny - so a big thank you to all of you!

And I need your advice! Has anyone flown in their last trimester? I've been advised to return to Europe for the birth, but need to fly as late as possible due to crap maternity leave (only 14 weeks) - anyone done a long international flight at around 36 weeks?

Hello to everyone, another lurker wanting to join in.

Am 25 weeks and trying to maintain positive attitude, you all seem so chatty and helpful!

Hello Jashook and Afribaby and everyone else,

just wanted to answer your question about flying Afribaby - I'm off on a flight in the next couple of weeks (internal in the UK - so hardly long-haul) but the airline were quite specific in their blurb that they would not accept anyone over 34 weeks and they would only take you between 28 and 34 weeks without a medical certificate indicating fitness to fly.

You may have covered this already - but have you checked with any airlines you are thinking of using to see whether they'll be able to take you so late on and what their terms and conditions are?

I don't know where you are in southern Africa and at the risk of exposing my very limited knowledge of the region - would hospital in South Africa be an option for you (Jo'burg / Cape Town?) if you didn't want to travel so far? Just a thought.

IWCAS just wanted to add my sympathies to the others. Hope you are doing OK.

Otherwise all is glamour as ever round here - I've just spent about 40mins on the phone to the council trying to get a replacement recycling bin as ours disappeared after the last collection. Odd but not unheard of round here. It could take up to 6 weeks apparently. Do they want me to recycle or not!!! I have empty milk bottles and loo rolls littering the house at the moment. If it doesn't turn up soon I shall have to have some kind of major blue peter moment and make something. A recycling bin perhaps.

Hello newbies, and lurkers anon,

AfriBaby - is your employer a UK employer? If so, perhaps they have to be more considerate legally than they are (by allowing you to fly earlier. Perhaps you could ask for flexible working, and work from home if you fly home early. Entirely depends on your job of course...

Am I alone in this, or does anyone else have a fear of tieing their shoelaces in case the squash the resident? I sometimes pull my jeans down and THEN tie my shoelaces Yet to be tried in public.

Typo alert. I meant TYING not tieing. Think I've just invented a word. Placenta-brain.

Thanks Swings, and hi to JasHook...

Have looked into going to SA, but don't know anyone there...and if I have to be in a place for at least 2 months, I figured it would be good to know people and feel somewhat 'at home'.

Airlines I've looked at will take you up to 35/36 weeks. But has anyone actually done this? Flown this late?

Perhaps one advantage of not being in the UK (lived in London for 8 years before this posting) is no major swine flu here. Plenty of malaria though.

Hi Shroomer,

I work for a Swiss organisation and in my experience they are terrible with things like maternity...no offence to any Swiss ladies on here. Am using up all my annual leave to fly out early. This pregnancy was very unplanned (but is very wanted). Will be more organised next time (she says).

I've already got the DH 'assisting' with putting on shoes. bending over that far is soooo uncomfortable.

big hellos back to AfriBaby, Shroomer, Swings and all...

Also ta to Shroomer for making my new phrase/excuse of the day "placenta-brain". :P

Haven't read all all the messages since I last popped in... but I shall.

Just got some after being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday evening. Not bleeding this time, thank god, but was sudden onset agony with what they think was... well, they're not entirely sure. I had ketones, ++ blood and ++ white blood cells in my urine sample - and when the microbiologist looked at the sample under a microscope he informed the registrar 'lots of white blood cells' but my blood seemed 'ok' (hb 10.6 (so a little low) and wbc 12.4 (so a little high...) ) so they adopted a cautious 'give anti-biotics, painkillers, admit and observe' strategy. As I seemed to be having quite a few braxtons too I understand why they did but felt a fraud to be on the ward with women in labour when all I have is some infection they can't place their finger on (apparently they couldn't culture anything from the urine so I'm a 'mystery'). Not to mention the place seemed awfully short staffed - I was written up for 4 hourly paracetamol (after 12 hours of anti b's the pain had subsided so didn't want the co-dydramol anymore) and didn't get any until 5pm yesterday. The dr also said yesterday about getting me stockings (as I was in bed virtually all the time just wiped) but they never appeared and looking at my notes now I see I've also been prescribed iron tablets that, you've guessed it, I haven't seen.

I am a little concerned my hb is falling (it was 11.4 two weeks ago) given that there is iron in my prenatal vitamin. Ah, well, maybe I should look into that spatone stuff I've seen mentioned as I'm kinda constipated much of the time and I know taking a load of ferrous sulphate will make it much worse - anyone here tried it?

So, there we go - another me, me, me, post and although I plan to read through everything I've missed and respond to all that I can I'm still feeling pretty rubbish and so may not...

Just got 'some'? Wow, what an unfortunte typo, considerin my sex-ban. I meant home* of course.

My DH is finally back from Florida after 3 weeks and I'm so happy! I saw the taxi outside about noon and I screamed "daddy is here!". Me and DD rushed to the door and there he was, I cried with happiness and DD shrieked. It was really wonderful. We were kissing and hugging and both getting "in the mood" but didn't want to traumatise DD by doing any strange activities while she was awake... and now she's asleep but DH is too tired! I knew that was going to happen. Oh well I guess I'll have to wait another day...

I'm glad everyone is ok-ish despite various leakages, niggles, falls and hospital visits.

Smac - oh it's awful when they hurt their mouths, that's the worst, I always check the teeth first and then the blood I worry about second...

DB, Manda, Pacific, Pixie and anyone else I forgot? - hope you all get better soon. DB & Manda - it must be frustrating not knowing exactly what's wrong with you! DB yes try a bump band, I felt it helped a lot but I think that was a bit later on. Manda I have lower HB levels too, think it's common in pg, try to eat iron rich food? Spinach, dried apricots & red meat...? Don't think the iron in multivits is absorbed so well, liquid is better I heard and not supposed to be causing constipation? I'm not sure though, I would just find the answers on google...

Welcome newbies / former lurkers! I think flying should be ok as long as you don't end up giving birth on the plane! I'm going to fly (to sweden) at 29 weeks and need doctors certificate because it's after 28 weeks...

Evening, ladies!

Manda, how awful for you, but glad to hear you and bump are ok and back home.
I think there is a fair chance you can legitimately join the UTI Club, we are not very exclusive ! Negative culture means squat, sometimes you just can't pin the wee buggers causing all the trouble down... Also falling Hb can just be a "normal" dilution effect in later pregnancy (yeah, we are in the later stages of pregnancy, ladies!): there is more of you plus baby plus a bit of water retention and the perfectly sensible Hb you used to have is a bit more diluted. If you find oral iron difficult to take, I would suggest to have your ferritin (iron stores) checked before you start. Or try Spatone?

Hallo, Afribaby and Jashook, and welcome .
Afri, how long is a flight from where you are to the UK? As long as you find a carrier to take you, you should be ok. Wear lose fitting clothing (is there any other kind at the mo??), drink lots of fluids, wear flight socks and expect increased water retention by the time you reach your destination. Is anybody going to be flying with you? I think that would be a big help.

Pixie, do use your brown inhaler, please! The beauty of inhaled therapy is that the absorbtion into your system is negligable and your babies need a mum who is breathing provides them with plenty of oxygen . Use it as prescribed (usually 1 or 2 puffs twice a day, yes?) and your wheeze will improve and your LOs will be just dandy.

I am enjoying small glass of white wine, water works feel ok and crappy movie is on SKY - good evening so far !! Hope the same can be said for you all.

Just popping in to reassure pixie. I'm asthmatic and have been on brown and blue inhalers for years. I took them through my last pregnancy and ds is just fine.

My asthma seems to have gotten worse this time but tbh hasn't been 'contolled' for a while anyway so doc has put me on a whole new inhaler. It's great actually, I take one puff morning and night and have no use for my blue one! Before I went on it I was on a double strength brown one, 2 puffs morning and night then the blue on several times a day . So glad to finally have it under control.

As Pacific says, much better for you to be breathing effectively and baby getting plenty oxygen

It appears MN towers have fixed me. Now to read back through three weeks of posts....

Evening all
Welcome to newbies one and all, hope you find equal solace/laughs/understanding here that I seem to?!! I mean where else can you find answers to UTIs/discharge/toilet training/and use of vibrators in pregnancy??!!!!

I am only just stepping back into real life - this flu or whatever i've had has really knocked me for six, i'm not moaning per se, just it's so unusual for me that it's been a bit of a shock really! I think my blood pressure took a knock too, it's always pretty low in pg but yesterday in particular it took a real dive and i couldn't even get up from bed...not the best when you have a toddler around!! luckily (and i mean this nicely) she also has a touch of it and was safely tucked up in bed when said flake-out took place.

Anyway i think i'm on the mend now so all good. Sorry for everyone else also suffering etc, my brain isn't switched on enough to make clever comments but sounds like most of you are feeling better?

And finally - how is it please that we are nearly (and some of you are already?) into the Third Trimester?!!! Where oh where is/has the time going/gone please???!!! March suddenly doesn't seem so far away does it.....

Oh and I did get "lucky" last night after all, hehe. Tip of the day if you want sex but don't want to put too much pressure on a tired husband/partner: Just get your boobs out and innocently say "do you think they have got bigger since you last saw them...?" Anyway, now I probably won't want it for a week or so, my sex drive isn't too strong in pg.

MummyElk - hope you and Elk girl get better soon! I guess immune system is weaker in pg, that's probably why you're so ill and you're not used to it.

Third trimester?! A quick googling found this:

The third trimester covers weeks 29 to 40 (months 7 to 9). These are the last few weeks of your pregnancy. It is an exciting time and the end is in sight.