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December 2010 - Time to stop feeling sick. Please

757 replies

RaceyLacey · 16/05/2010 19:35

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
DuelingFanjo · 17/05/2010 16:40

PS I mean my BIL barely works, not my DH!

JodieO · 17/05/2010 16:44

Ah I see. That would piss me off too. Don't blame you for getting annoyed about it.

TheChangeSpiral · 17/05/2010 16:44

JodieO Totally undestand why you'd avoid it but alcohol crosses the placenta at all stages of pregnancy and the issue is whether this is harmful or not to the baby. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has found that "there is no conclusive evidence of adverse effects in either growth or IQ at levels below 120 grams (15 units) a week". (Not that I'd consider drinking anything like that amount.)

When the government guidance was changed in 2007 they openly admitted this wasn't due to any new evidence showing increased risk but purely because they were hoping to get a "message" to some people who were ignoring the advice on limiting alcohol and drinking heavily, which is definitely demonstrably dangerous. As I said, I totally understand why you would make that choice but I do feel it necessarily to correct the factual inacuracy that there is now any evidence at all that drinking moderately is harmful in any way.

LittleSnoo · 17/05/2010 17:11

JodieO I'm with you. I gave up alcohol - not to mention anything delicious and tasty - last year for 10 months while I lost weight because I thought it would help me concieve. Now that I'm actually pregnant I feel I can go a little longer. I think most of the abstinence advice is probably an over reaction (my mother ate raw liver when she was pregnant with me because she thought it would be good for the baby!) but there's already so much to worry about that's beyond my control I've decided to take the hit for a few months. That said, I could weep for sushi, it's the only vaguely healthy thing I feel like eating - bummer!

Had a visit from the midwife today. She's referring me for consultant led care because of my operations for endometriosis and cervical cancer. She was very apologetic, as if perhaps I thought she was abandoning me to the nasty doctor, but to be honest I'm happy - the more medical opinions the better really. She also said that all the pain I've been having is probably due to scarring and stiffness from my operations rather than anything sinister with the baby. She was nice but very forthright and said I was 'probably useless on one side' meaning the ovary and tube where I was operated on. I'm glad nobody put it like that before I got pregnant! It's also made me realise how incredibly lucky I was to conceive first month.

JodieO · 17/05/2010 17:55

spiral - I've read some new reports online from around the world, not just here, I read the new scientist a lot too and have seen it mentioned briefly in it too. It's more important in early pregnancy as the baby is developing. I wouldn't drink at any stage though. Just because our government hasn't brought it out yet doesn't mean other parts of the world haven't had studies. I'm very cynical of government in general anyway and don't just believe anything they say just because they say it, if you see what I mean. In other countries the advice has been to drink nothing for years too, we're behind on that one. From what I've read personally, there is a risk, and it's the newer studies that point to that.

If you look at it logically too, it must affect the baby, it affects our adult bodies over time and a newly developing body is smaller and more at risk to smaller amounts of poison. The only reason, again from what I've read, that the studies aren't more widely held is because it isn't ethical to test on pregnant women and so the evidence they have to use isn't as freely available. Anyway, I'm happy with what I'm doing. Others need to make their own choices.

Littlesnoo - I don't know, I think the list is there for a reason in that it can harm the baby but isn't always going to. Just because 50 women do xyz and nothing happened doesn't mean that the same would be true for all, it's just risk factors I guess.

I'm just overly cautious maybe when pregnant, as, like I said, with the losses I couldn't cope if I thought I'd caused it by any lifestyle choices. I hasten to add that I'm not like that as a parent in general! Hehe.

Lucypeanut · 17/05/2010 18:10

Hi everyone, hoping i can join your thread?

I am 10 weeks pregnant, due on the 16th Dec, first baby, very nervous. I have pretty much every symptom going and can't believe how naive I was, thinking I would just grow a bump and give birth!
I'm also very keen to have my first scan, reading through all the other posts, it seems most people have already had an early scan. my friend is due the week before me and had one at 7 weeks. is it based on where you live?

emmaxmas · 17/05/2010 18:31

Hi all- great to see the new thread. Reassuring to read that others have had some bleeding too (although sorry that you have). I woke up this morning and had a little- nothing major but still bleeding which freaked me out. Rang EPAU at my hospital and they said they only take referral from my GP as I haven't had a history of MC or ectopic pregnancies. I can't get a GP appointment this week! So not sure what I am supposed to do......probably just wait and see what happens..... doesn't sound like fun to me.

Confession time from me too-

I had goats cheese (lots of it) a couple of weeks ago and also had unpasturised gruyere and parmesean (didn't realise at the time until after when I checked the packet). I love my cheese and it's killing me not being able to have blue cheese. I miss runny eggs BIG time.

Also have been worried because before I knew I was pregnant I took eye drops for a bad eye infection and then a few weeks later when I read the insert it said no way should you take during pregnancy. Been beating myself up about that too.

Oh well off to try and relax and stop stressing myself out (easier said than done).

Have a nice evening all

OnlyWantsOne · 17/05/2010 18:51

I ate two runny eggs a day for the first 6 weeks.

PJen · 17/05/2010 18:56

emmaxmas what kind of eyedrop? did you buy it over the counter? check with pharmacist but I can pretty much assure you that it is not going to affect your baby. See, MHRA (UK ministry of health) makes pharmaceutical company to put that warning on their over the counter medicine if they don't have a study to show it DOESN'T harm pregnant women. But all it really means is that they didn't do the study not that the drug actually harms your baby. Drug absorption through eye, specially drugs for treatment of local eye infection is not that great... don't worry

PJen · 17/05/2010 18:59

Lucypeanut I am convinced that your local EPU's policy changes based on where you live... for example I have had two scans as my EPU is very lax about scanning if you have a problem. Once I saw minor spotting and once I had shooting pain. Both times I received a scan, which was really assuring... My friend lives in different part of London and she had to pay since she was worried about cramps and EPU wasn't seeing her... But I don't think any EPU will book you scans if everything is fine unless you go private and pay...

SlightlyTired · 17/05/2010 19:00

Oh emmaxmas, try not to worry. My sister was taking majorly toxic medication to shrink a brain tumour when she found out she was pregnant (doctors had told her she wouldn't be able to conceive naturally). She now has a lovely and perfectly normal 4 year old boy. This is also what I am reminding myself of when I think of the cold medication that I took in the early days, while also being unaware of the pregnancy. Don't beat yourself up.

Wholelottalove · 17/05/2010 19:27

Hi all and welcome to slightlytired and lucypeanut I think I might have forgotten to say welcome to you too emma sorry!

Well I was feeling hugely satisfied with myself today as I managed to get myself in gear and finish the second draft of my book! I only had the last bit to finish but have been finding it hard to motivate myself. Now just need to do an edit then I'm going to see whether I can find an agent.

I am now feeling pretty guilty because I missed a call from nursery to say DD had suddenly started with temp. I only got there about 20mins after I would have done had I got the message, but felt stupid for leaving phone on silent and she was hysterical because they'd stripped her down to cool her off and she wanted her clothes back. She perked up a lot this evening and has cut a big tooth at the back so that partly explains it. Got a feeling I'm going to have another disturbed night with her tonight though.

Confessions - I didn't drink any alcohol in 1st trimester with DD and haven't with this one (other than a couple before I got positive test) but mainly that's because the smell is turning my stomach. I expect I'll have some later on. I have had several warm-hot baths (I usually have arse-burners so have toned it down a bit) and at least one runny egg before sickness kicked in. Currently the thought of them is making me yack.

DuelingFanjo · 17/05/2010 20:01

Wholelottalove what kind of book is it? Sounds exciting.

I have a warm bath every evening but have also toned them down so they are much cooler than I am used to.

DH and I have been manically spring cleaning the house, not nesting bujt just generally decluttering while we can and also because we know a midwife will probably be coming here so don't want her to see how we usually live

JodieO · 17/05/2010 20:23

wholelottalove - echoing Dueling, what sort of book? I love reading.

Dueling - have the midwife coming tomorrow for booking appt so been trying to tidy too!

Poor ds2 has some bug, he's been sick and quite hot and now dp seems to have caught it. Dp has been sick lots more though and looks quite ill. I'm hoping I don't catch it, I have a bit of a phobia about being sick :/ I'm really hungry but reluctant to eat now.

OWO - I could kill for a runny egg right now hehe

TheChangeSpiral · 17/05/2010 20:31

Welcome Lucypeanut - I haven't even told my GP I'm pregnant yet so you're not alone in remaining unscanned!

JodieO - I read New Scientist too and have never read anything about moderate alcohol being dangerous. As far as I'm aware, internationally there has never been any scientific study published that has demonstrated that moderate alcohol consumption is damaging for an unborn child because if there was I wouldn't do it so I'd be really grateful if you could post any evidence that proves me wrong though. As far as logic goes I don't follow it at all. Your assumption is that all alcohol is bad for a person, which is demonstably not the case. On the contrary, moderate alcohol consumption has proven health benefits. Everything is a poison in sufficient concentrations - even water can kill you if you drink enough. Here's an interesting article on the subject:
www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/31/women-pregnancy-alchohol-birth-defects

maxpower · 17/05/2010 20:35

Evening all. Reading your confessions reminded me that I must have had a sixth sense as a couple of weekends ago while oblivious to being pregnant I stayed with DC at my in-laws (sans DH - how brave!) who were trying to plaster me with vodka. I bravely fought my corner and managed to fend them off, which I'm really glad about now!

I've gone right off tea which I previously thought would be a sign of the apocalyspe coming or some equally signifcant event as I've pretty much mainlined tea my entire life.

JodieO · 17/05/2010 20:40

Spiral - I prefer not to use the links from newspapers as they all report things in their own way. I've definitely read about it in the new scientist, not a huge article but one of the side ones. My brain has gone to mush lately so I can't remember what exactly or where I've read the rest but I'll have a search when I'm not so knackered. One thing I have read a lot though is that it's not proven that a small amount doesn't hurt, one reason being because they can't measure how the baby would have been without the alcohol, if you see what I mean. As each baby is so individual. There is a risk, I'll admit a small one obviously but, is that risk worth it? It's just 9 months after all. This is the way I look at it for me, btw, not what I think about others. I know plenty that still have a drink or two whilst pregnant.

Alcohol does have health benefits but I'm not so sure about benefits to a developing baby. I'm not teetotal usually btw so I don't object to alcohol per se. Each to their own, but personally, I won't take the risk. I didn't imply that it's bad for a person, but to a developing baby, yes it is.

Moderate consumption isn't recommended, mild is afaik. Anyone, no point debating the semantics, we can agree to disagree. I'd rather not have it on my mind though tbh, one way to be sure that it won't affect the baby is not to drink it!

elportodelgato · 17/05/2010 20:49

hi ladies, I was just wondering if I could get away with half a glass of wine this evening but perhaps not! ah well, I'll have one once I've had the scan and we know all is well.

Hope some of the vomming is starting to subside, I feel weirdly normal, although the weight is piling on like nobody's business. Have decided to tell my boss this week as I am expanding at an alarming rate even though only 9ish weeks. Oh dear, will be the size of a house by November

Wholelottalove · 17/05/2010 20:52

DF and Jodie - it's a young adult book,
the first of two. Although goodness only knows when I'll write the next one - I began this one when DD was a few weeks old and now she's 2! It is aimed at the 14+ age bracket and it's set in a future dystopia - think Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' meets Scott Westerfield's 'Uglies' series...!

Actually, I really need to work on synopsis, marketing etc now as well as the edit.

DF - mw not expected here for another 5 weeks or so, thank goodness as the house is a tip. I am seriously thinking of scraping some beans together to pay for a cleaner to do a Spring Clean for me this pregnancy.

JodieO · 17/05/2010 21:01

novice - if you want one then you should, don't let me put you off, each to their own and all that. I have a bump now but have been losing weight which I find odd as I haven't stopped eating!

Wholelottalove - that sounds really interesting, let me know the title when it's finished so I can buy it A cleaner sounds like a great idea, wish I could hehe.

DuelingFanjo · 17/05/2010 21:06

I think a cleaner would take one look at my house and refuse

Velvetcu · 17/05/2010 21:15

Wow I seem to have missed so much in a couple of days!

I'm 10 weeks today and we have booked in for a private scan on Weds - we just dont want to wait another 2-3 weeks before we get to check on the bean!

My tummy seems to have popped out over the past couple of days - it already feels overstretched! Anyone else having their first and showing already? I know that with subsequent pregnancies you show earlier anyway.

We told close family at the weekend and they were all shocked and a bit annoyed because we hadnt informed them we were trying for a baby lol

Take care everyone - look after yourselves. We are all amazing

Lucypeanut · 17/05/2010 22:49

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

Velvetcu, I think I may book in for a private scan too because I just can't wait. I'm 10 weeks tomorrow so we are very close, I also think that my normally slight pot belly has expanded, or it might be the horrendous food I am consuming because I can only eat chocolate brioche's, crumpets and pot noodles. Normally I eat really well but anything unprocessed I just can't stomach, I am embarrassed!
I have been signed off work this week by my GP due to back ache and been referred to a physio, midwife says if it's related to the pregnancy it's only going to get worse. So maybe I'll stop being sick soon but back pain is going to get worse, so unfair!

mumatron · 18/05/2010 07:19

morning all and welcome to the newbies.

8 weeks today and still feeling grim, so thats a good sign for me. my symptoms usually tail off from 8 weeks onwards. I really dont want to wait another 2 weeks for a scan so i think i might book another private one for next week.

does anyone else find they look bigger in the evening? i have a definate 'bump' in the day but by the evening i look about 6 months gone

also got a bad back here, i fractured my coccyx last year and it is playing me up atm.

crazykat · 18/05/2010 07:57

Welcome lucypeanut, slightlytired and emmasxmas.

I look bigger in the evening too, must be all the junk food I'm eating at the moment. I can't eat a thing until at least 12 but then keep snacking then till 7.

Thankfully MS seems to have stopped (mostly anyway)but I still can't even think about touching raw meat without retching. Chicken and pork are the worst coz of the skin [cringe].