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Conception

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Angels and Rainbows-remembering our angels and hoping for rainbows

998 replies

Star0909 · 29/10/2013 09:27

New thread ladies. Come in here for support.

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 11/06/2014 20:36

Sorry had to dash off... To finish the previous post...

missa, hope you are well and your blood pressure is OK. Look after yourself.

Waves to everybody.

Welcome Betty, sorry you find yourself here. I lost my daughter in Sept 2012, she was starved of oxygen during the birth, and died when she was 3 days old. I now have a beautiful rainbow son, who is 3 months
old. This thread really helped me, it was great to share with others who knew what I was feeling. Please keep posting if it helps.

I checked out the SANDS garden and the graves at the weekend. The garden seemed OK, had been replanted by the looks of it. The graves were all fine. Thanks for the kind thoughts everybody.

ducky the hospital said c section at 39 weeks, I'd have probably chosen 37! What is slightly different for me is that the damage was done to my daughter during the actual birth, so they were managing that aspect out of the process, to try to ensure it wouldn't happen again. So I had on my notes, if the waters break deliver by c section immediately etc. Very reassuring for me. Then the actual date was set after the final scan around 37 weeks. Presumably they would have done it sooner than that if they felt they needed to based on the scan.

AllTerrainMammy · 11/06/2014 22:46

Hi Betty, so sorry you find yourself here but please be assured that everyone here knows what you are going through.

I'm relatively new to the thread, I lost my son in February at 20 weeks. It's very early days for you so be kind to yourself.

Waves to everyone else x

BettyFriedansLoveChild · 12/06/2014 08:54

Hi Ducky, Earth, Owlina and AllTerrain, thanks for welcoming me. I think that I'm mainly going to lurk for a bit.

Our little girl was born at 35 weeks after a total, hidden placental abruption. I went in to triage with some minor abdominal pains, and as they were monitoring me her heart rate vanished, and they sent me for a crash section. She was born with no heartbeat, resuscitated and sent to a neonatal unit in another hospital, but after three days she passed away. We saw the consultant for a debrief earlier this week, and she confirmed that our daughter was healthy prior to this happening, and pathology tests on the placenta suggest that that was completely healthy too. I had none of the risk factors for an abruption (apart from being over 35), and they could give no reason why it happened. So it looks like her death will always remain one of life's unexplained tragedies.

More positively, the consultant did give me the go-ahead to start trying to conceive after a few months have gone by, so I'm just concentrating on getting fit and healthy again before another pregnancy.

missalexandra · 12/06/2014 11:24

Betty so sorry you are joining us on this thread, but welcome. It is so hard to come to terms with losing what was a perfectly healthy child, so cruel and incomprehensible. Your loss is so recent, I hope you have good, supportive people round you in RL. We lost our long awaited daughter at 34 weeks on Xmas eve 2012.

Ruby so good to hear from you, and to hear that things are going well. Your experience with the useless at the hospital brought back memories for me too, unbelievable! I remember also being told someone would see me TOMORROW (!!) after complaining about reduced movements. The nurse also gave me this pearl of wisdom after I told her how worried I was: "Dont think bad things cos if you do they end up happening". Thank goodness your little bear was fine in the end. I also have had my fair share of utterly stupid comments like your line managers...my next door neighbour said to me "years ago I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks and I was carrying twins - so you see, there is always someone worse off than you". FFS Shock

Ducky I had acupuncture twice a week in the weeks leading up to our embryo transfer and am convinced it helped. If nothing else it calmed me down, I think it even took the edge off my grief a little bit. I am going every 3-4 weeks now just to "top up" on my qi. Just make sure you find a good one if you decide to go for it though. Did you decide what to do re: the painting smells at work issue? Hope youre feeling ok

Earth hope the house move went smoothly, it is such a massively stressful event! Just got a message from a friend with a 1yr old saying she has given up on the packing (theyre moving too) , thats its absolutely impossible with her daughter unpacking everything that just been packed and climbing into all the boxes! Your consultant sounds like he needs a damn good slap, how dare he refer to F as a "symptom" oh it turns my stomach how cold some of the medical professionals are!

Blue sorry to hear about your experience at the hospital near your work, and that youve had that bit of reassurance taken away from you. Two hours does seem to be a long time to be seen. I think that in the case of an emergency (even if its just that we feel its an emergency) its worth making a fuss if necessary to get seen. Even if you have to fake a faint/pain/bleeding or something, the most important thing is to get seen soon. I havent needed to do it yet. But if the time comes when I have an emergency I will do whats necessary to get in asap! I think its just you and I on nightwatch, I think Earth's stint was while she was pregnant (am I right Earth?) the other day I forced myself to not have any naps during the day so I was reeeaaallly tired at night - didnt make any difference, still awake at 3.50am Confused

ATM I think any decisions that can help take a little stress from you are good, so not actively TTC sounds like a good thing for a time. Sounds like you are pretty busy too, which can be good for distracting your mind for a while.

Owl so glad the grave wasnt damaged. I had a look on the Net about Sands memorial gardens and was amazed at how many have been vandalised, even a statue of a baby was stolen in one! Just totally unbelievable. Have these peope no human emotions like compassion/empathy left? Hope Owlet is doing well.

AFM went for my 15 week checkup/scan with the obstet yesterday. The 24hr blood pressure thing shows my BP is prefectly normal, even on the low side. So if I had gone ahead and taken the medication she prescribed (over the phone) without comparing my monitor with the Chemist's I really dread to think what might have happened - maybe something serious? But she just fluffed over the issue, even tried to make it look like it was MY fault as my readings had been wrong! Surely she should have called me in and taken a few readings herself before prescribing meds? DH is furious with her, and we are rapidly losing confidence in her although everyone tells us she is the best Confused. Anyway the important part is that the baby is fine, he/she refused to get into a position where we could see the "bits" so we are still in the dark about gender. To be thruthful Im in no rush to find out, as long as he/she is born alive and healthy that will be enough. The obstet says there is no need for another detailed scan between 12 and 20-22 weeks, and that a "normal" scan at every visit (every 3 weeks) is enough until then. But I find that between 12 and 20 weeks I need the reassurance of a proper scan with a sonographer as all the obstet does is a quick once-over and refuses to even tell us the HB frequency, just says "its normal". Am I being over-anxious on the scan front? Last night I really felt like I was going mad with the wait, just no idea how I'm going to ge through the next 5 months :( I have booked myself in for a visit next week with my lovely midwife, just to get some moral support!

Waves to everyone I've missed and any lurkers

EarthWindAnd9 · 12/06/2014 14:39

Hi MissA, I can understand why you are angry with your consultant, but the good thing is that you followed your instincts, I think as mothers we have a hard time trusting our instincts, but just goes to show that yours are good! Have you done any research to see if there is an alternative dr you could see if you lose confidence in this one?

I don't think there is any such thing as "Too much" when it comes to what we need to make it through a pregnancy. If you feel like you need more information then ask. The job of the dr is to ensure baby gets here safely and a happy mum means a happy baby so reducing your stress levels can only be a good thing. I had a growth scan every 3 weeks from 20wks onwards, but had some "quick check-over" type scans before then (and after too!), I did always get the heartrate, I think that's strange the dr won't tell you, has she given a reason why not? Well done on 15wks and I'm so pleased that bean is doing well, even if a little shy!

EarthWindAnd9 · 12/06/2014 14:40

Oh and I was on night watch the other week making mental lists for moving house! The move went ok, not too many casualties. We still have a few boxes to unpack, but generally I'm happier where we are now which is great.

Ducky23 · 12/06/2014 16:59

Totally with you on the scan thing missa! My 12 week is Tuesday and I have no idea how il make it from then until 20 weeks Hmm hospital said they won't scan me imbeteeen then Confused

I don't know about work Hmm the painting has stopped now. I don't know for how long though. I took a trip to the other office the oter day and it was a NIGHTMARE getting there and back. Will see how it goes where I am, if they do any more painting I won't have a choice Confused

Waves Grin x

BlueSkyandRain · 12/06/2014 20:22

Grr, just wrote half a post and lost it.

betty so glad you came over to this thread, hope it's as helpful to you as it has been for me. I'm struck again by how similar our stories are. I'm glad your cons was helpful, even if they had no answers for you. I found it helpful after our meeting to have something positive to 'do' in getting fit and healthy again in preparation for trying again. I'm certainly healthier now than in that pg, and although there are never any guarantees it does help to think that when I'm anxious.

ducky and missalex I didn't have a scan between 12 & 20 weeks - ironic really since I have in previous pgs due to an ovarian cyst. But having now had it drained there's apparently no need. Anyway, I decided I would manage without if I could, or get a private one if I couldn't cope otherwise, and I did think I would need to but managed to keep going. It did help to hear the hb at 16wks and then I've felt some movement since then... But it was such a relief to see the scan earlier this week. Looks like we're having a little girl this time :). missalex I don't know where you are in the country, but where I am (not London) there are several hospitals that aren't too far... Would you consider trying a different one? I'm sure you could get advice/opinions/experiences if you started a thread? My experience at the other hospital last week made me realise how much confidence I place in my normal one & how much difference it makes to me, I'm sure it would to you too. Glad your bp is ok though, that's good news :)
ducky I'm really not sure about when you get things agreed about induction etc - we haven't seen the actual consultant since the pm results, but he said then that the default would be induction at 38 weeks as there are higher risks to the baby before then but no advantage to delaying further (simplified what he said a bit). But I saw another cons the other day who said they'd leave it as late as poss... Didn't like the sound of that, and the mw I then saw said it would largely be influenced by me &if I wanted induction at 37wks they'd go with that... So that's as clear as mud then! I think I'm ok atm with playing it a bit by ear, if there's any signs of poor growth it'll be different and I'll be pushing them to get her out. but right now I'm managing taking one day at a time - guess I've got used to it as a way of coping. I think the reason their opinions differ is because there are different risks to weigh up (& they'll change depending on how things are going so their advice will change).

earth thanks for your suggestions, they're not silly. I actually got a text from the hospital asking for feedback so I gave them the worst mark I could. And think I'll just avoid getting checked there if I need to again. Hope you're feeling settled in your new place :)

owl so glad your daughters grave was ok, such a horrible idea that anyone might damage it.

atm not ttc but not preventing seems like a good plan. Hope you manage to not get obsessed (unlike me...) it's so scary isn't it?

Waves to ruby - glad you're ok - and tulip and any lurkers x

Rubyshoe · 13/06/2014 15:19

Hi all!
Betty a warm hello to you. Like the other ladies I am so sorry you find yourself here. 6 weeks really is absolutely no time at all. I am sure everything is very raw and the darkness still completely overwhelming at times for you. I got a huge amount of comfort from this thread after losing my daughter 'H' in July 2013 when she was still born at 40+2.

She was a perfectly healthy baby up until 24 hours before she died. We were given a cause which was infection although all my swabs were negative so its not entirely clear. I'm now nearly 25 weeks with our rainbow. I hope this thread provides you with some comfort even if sometimes its just to lurk.... its knowing you are not alone isn't it? And you're not, we are all here for you and each other x

Rubyshoe · 13/06/2014 15:34

Ducky hope all is going well. I've no experience of acupuncture so can't help on that front I'm afraid! Like you I am curious as to when I will get a date to be either CS or induced. I have my 28 week appointment on July 7th so I'll let you know!

Owl - Glad all was well with the memorial garden and graves. Hope all is going well with your little man. How is he coping with the warmer weather?

ATM Good for you on going for the relaxed approach and particularly for sitting down with your DH and talking about it openly. Its such an emotive issue after the loss we've all had, if you are both on the same page I think it makes a big difference.

MissA Glad your BP is ok. You were so right to follow your instincts! I'm sorry your consultant isn't providing the support you need. It must be making things so much more stressful. I know is I am honest I've got very attached to my Consultant and Community midwife who both looked after me with H too. So much so that when I saw the CM this week for my 24 week appointment and my usual midwife was on holiday I really don't think I managed to hide my disappointment! I can't explain it really. I think because I'm trying to break the pregnancy down into small chunks between appointments, when I get to one I feel a bit like Ta daaa! It all seemed a bit of an anticlimax! BP good, urine dip good, Heart rate good... any questions? NO? lovely see you in 3 weeks. I'm such a saddo I sat in the car and cried!

Bear is moving lots, particularly at night which is helping me a lot. So far have only bought a pram toy (we don't really need anything, as have it all from last time) but as am 25 weeks on Saturday think may treat Bear to some new sleep suits! At this rate I'll be packing my hospital bag the morning I'm admitted!

Ducky23 · 13/06/2014 16:33

Ruby I know what you mean about the midwife! I am soooo attached to mine, it's a different one than with dd but she saw me the morning I lost dd as mine was on holiday. I can't even look at my old one now Hmm

Ducky23 · 13/06/2014 17:56

Can I ask you guys what you think of this, I didn't want to post it on pg board as I didn't want to go into detail.

Obviously after dd I was off work for a while (5months) the first month or so I stayed in the house in my jim jams not doig a fat lot, after that I started doing LOADS of tidying so I was on my feet a fair bit, as well as drs appts and runnin round for family members.

Since I have been back at work, my feet have been absoloutely killing me! They feel as if I have been running around for a year without a break! It only gets better if I sit down for some time.

Do you think this is because I'm not used to walking around so much at work (sounds really lazy now Blush) or do you think it's because I'm pregnant?

I would have thought if it was because of the walking it would have improved by now? I've been at work for a few weeks now Confused

Anyway.. How is everyone today? Smile

EarthWindAnd9 · 13/06/2014 18:24

Ruby, 25 weeks wow! So glad Bear is wriggling lots, it really helps doesnt it? I think I packed my hospital bag at 38 weeks this time and he came at 38+6! I left everything as late as I possibly could.

Ducky-that's strange maybe a combo of both work and pg? No idea really though

Ducky23 · 13/06/2014 20:12

Haha yea you are probably right!

Bit of a stupid question really wasn't it!

Rubyshoe · 13/06/2014 20:16

Thanks Earth, nice to know the last minute denial thing is 'normal'!

Ducky my only thought would be maybe Plantar Fasciitis? Think it can be more common in pregnancy, apart from that I'm stumped, don't know much about feet sorry! Confused X

Ducky23 · 13/06/2014 20:24

I have never heard of that! Am off to google Smile x

EarthWindAnd9 · 13/06/2014 21:59

Oooo me too!

Ducky23 · 13/06/2014 22:02

Could possibly be! I have put on weight Blush first few weeks I couldn't stop eating! Hopefully if it is that it will be getting better as I have no appetite at all now! Grin

Rubyshoe · 14/06/2014 07:03

ducky I really wouldn't worry about the choccy biscuits even on the off chance it is PF! I don't think it's all related to weight. A non pregnant girl at work had it and she's a skinny Minny! Your feet are probably hurting co should are so active and putting the rest of us to shame! I know I've definitely slowed down in the last few days with the hot weather. Had Great plans to go into town yesterday and in the end couldn't be bothered!

missalexandra · 14/06/2014 18:40

Ducky I have had Fascitis Plantar in both feet for about 10 years now, and I was under 8 stone when I first got it so its not necessarily got to do with being overweight. I hope you havent got it as its quite nasty, I even had the operation but it hasnt sorted it. In the last few weeks I have noticed its got quite a lot worse, and I was wondering if its the extra weight (Ive put about 4 kilos on) or maybe just that all the tendons in our bodies soften during pregnancy, so maybe thats it. Have you got really high arches? That definietly makes you prone to it. It feels like you are walking around with redhot daggers under you heels, is that the feeling you have? Hope for you its something much easier to solve!

Earth glad youve settled in to your new home and are happier. Hope you wont be joining us on nightwatch now youve got it over with! No idea why the obstet doesnt give us the heartrate, she seems to me to be a control freak who likes to keep all the info to herself and deems it unnecessary for us to know anything! Can you beleive that on Wednesday I asked her about some sort of birth plan (we hadnt spoken about it yet) and she said "oh at 15 weeks theres no need to be worrying about that yet, its way too far off" Shock Of course I informed her that there most definitely IS a need for us to know! We are so torn between looking to change yet at the same time listening to adivce about her supposedly being "the best"...

Blue you were really strong to manage from 12 to 20 weeks with no scan! I have already stressed myself into such a state that I'm having a private one done on Monday (I can get it on my healthcare thing) I just dont feel happy with a general "oh everything looks fine" for the next 5 weeks. Maybe on Monday the baby will be a bit less shy and we'll find out the gender. How do you feel about your rainbow being a girl? I'm so not sure how I'm going to feel. On one hand I'd love another girl, on the other hand I think it would be better if it were the opposite sex then there would be no similar memories...

Ruby great to hear little bear is moving a lot, it must be so reassuring. Like you I think I am breaking down the pregnancy into small chunks between visits, there is just no way I can bear to look at the whole 5 month wait, I think I would go crazy! You made me laugh with the sitting in the car and crying cos it felt like an anticlimax, I so know what you mean! I sometimes get upset with DH after a visit as all I want to do is go over and over what has been said/seen whereas he prefers to talk about it a bit then not dwell on anything, ggrrr. So our visits sometimes end in a huge fight/tears! Monday I have got the private scan and Thursday a visit with the midwife, so I know this week is going to be a bit easier to get through than a non-visit one. Its such a shame we cant have a glass of wine to relax us at those freaking-out moments... just have to make do with the Galaxy!

Betty hope you are doing ok x

Waves to all

Ducky23 · 14/06/2014 19:58

I wouldn't say they're very high, and it feels like that but all over Shock

Hope everyone is havig a nice weekend! Smile

missalexandra · 15/06/2014 16:12

Happy Fathers Day to all the DHs on this thread. Thinking of you and hoping that your rainbow dreams come true Thanks

Ducky23 · 18/06/2014 07:50

Hi guys, hope everyone is ok Grin

Had 12 week scan yesterday and everything went great although bp was raised but they think because of the stress of the scan. They have moved me forward and am 12+6 now. My due date is now Xmas day Smile

missalexandra · 18/06/2014 08:27

Ducky great news about your scan, what a lovely Xmas prezzy you and DH are going to have! Wouldnt worry too much about the BP, you can get it checked at the chemists just to make sure when youre not feeling as stressed :)

OwlinaTree · 18/06/2014 08:51

Great news ducky! Congratulations.