The elderberry copter thread #4, for all your hand holding, sausage wanging and burger toning. Entrance criteria: ttc#1 for >12mths, prev berry experience preferable but not essential

[BlindKitty]

New home, as requested!

thunder anything interesting to report back?

Heard that to max had those dream genii pillows in for £16.99 so called up and they only have one and its reserved until 13.00! Really hoping the person reserving it doesn't go!!!

Well I didn't think I needed a sleep pillow but I've been using a spare one between my legs and waking up much more comfortable the last few days. Do I really need to buy a fancy one though? How much better are they??

The only real reasons for a sleep pillow I think is that its also big enough to go under the bump and/or around your back as well as between your knees. And they can be used as breast feeding pillows too. You're supposed to support between your knees and under your bump to keep your pelvis in line and remove strain from the ligaments while you sleep, but what you use doesn't really matter I don't think

kitty loads learnt! I loved it actually in the end. Good to learn it all but also useful just to have time put aside to think about it and to do that with DH too.

WTF!
so after a rubbish night last night I still felt the same this morning, all pukey and headachey but not actually sick. had breakfast then crumpets again at 11. gave up and had a promethazine and tried to have a little nap.
I have just got up!!!
did wake up loads to turn over, but could not believe it when I woke up and it was dark!!!
We have tickets to see The Penguin Cafe Orchestra as 19.30 (OH birthday Present)
Apparently OH did try to wake me a little while ago, but I was too asleep (don't think he tried very hard and I had ear plugs, so if was just talking to me that was never going to work)
Good news is headache has gone and don't feel sick (apart from hungry sick!)
So have been online to order Pizza and check out parking for tonight.
Can't believe we neraly missed going to this, OH has been excited about it for ages (hense the birthday present)
Original plan was to eat in town first, glad now that I did not get round to booking a table anywhere.

Sounds like you had a good day thunder we have a couple of birth prep classess booked in April and really should send in our form for the NHS class too!)

tally I tried using another pillow but I just kicked it out of bed! As you sleep on the flat part it should hopefully stay in the bed!

thunder come on then, share the knowledge!

kitty you want me to share 15 hours of NCT on here? Crickey girl, I think I'd get RSI from the tapping on my phone! Is there anything in particular that you're interested in tho?

No, just dazzle us with an amazing nct fact!

Ok, I have a weird symptom: a small patch of my belly on the right is really sore to the touch, as though it's bruised. There's no sign of marks on it though, and nothing I've done to damage it. It is in about the place where little one has been poking her foot out the side.
Any ideas, folks? Is this just a stretch mark about to happen? Could I have somehow pulled a virtually non-existent abdominal muscle? Or has she just kicked me so much I've bruised from the inside?

foody hope your evening out went well

kitty happy to share NCT thoughts too - had class #2 today. Like thunder, I'm finding it useful as a way to focus DH and I on thinking about some of the choices and decisions. Today's question I hadn't even thought of: if baby gets rushed to special care for any reason, do you want DH/DP to go with baby or stay with you?

Poppy I would guess if it was a muscle/ligament it wouldn't be such a small area that felt bruised. I really have no idea what it could be, I doubt its anything to worry about but you could call your midwife to find out what she thinks?

poppy the fact that you know your lo has kicked you there is making me think ligament damage but then I'm no mw so id just her a call her to put your mind at rest

That's a good point, that's never occurred to me. I guess all the more reason to ensure a back-up person. I actually asked one of my friends the other day to be a back up and she was ecstatic!

foody how was last night?

merk you feeling any better about stuff?

kitty&Poppy last night was really good thanks! seats a bit uncomfy so didn't help the back ache, but ok. OH loved it so thats the main thing

Poppy I had a sore patch just above my belly button and to one side that was really tender on and off for a couple of weeks, I put it down to the muscle being stretched/pulled. there was no visible bruise or anything but it felt like it was bruised/grazed. I have had couple of pulled muscles in my sides too, I think from coughing & being sick or just turning over fully when my back has been bad. They seem to have resolved fine.
But like the others say, give your MW a ring is its concerning you at all.

foody I have one question - penguin cafe orchestra?!?

I've been feeling very headachey lately, I think I just need to drink more water but I just can't stomach it at the mo.

bunny

give it about 30 seconds to get going

www.penguincafe.com/#mythology

Ah I see, coolio! I thought it might be a cafe where the penguins serve you your tea

merk?boom?anyone
bit of advice pls, I have got myself into a bit of a tis - got funny pulling/pushing feelings really low down, like pressure right at the and of my cervix -sorry TMI, the only way I can describe it. really short bursts of this feeling. I am worried because of previous leltz, though I did have 3 internal scans to check cervix length and for funneling, these were done a bit early, the 3rd one is usually done at 24 weeks and I had mine at 21.
so basically I have got it into my head that I might now have shortening/funneling.
I have called MAU and they were lovely, said to take paracetamol and rest for a couple of hours and call again if I needed to. The most they would do today would be an internal exam and maybe refer me for another internal scan, but that would just be when the next appts were, not sooner.

Does anyone else have similar feeling/sensations, could it really just be baby kicking/pushing? it just feels so low down .

I am not a naturally positive person and often focus on the negative, I have tried to change my outlook during the TTC/ ivf experience which I needed to do to keep sane I think.

I have just posted in a I am grateful thread and wanted to share with my berries, feel free to post your own.

I am grateful

1. to be 8 weeks pregnant after being off the pill for 2 years and struggling to get pregnant
2. that ivf worked first time for us
3. that we saw a flashing little blob at our early scan at 6w4
4. that DH hasn't left me through the hideousness that was TTC
5. for science!
6. for a home and a job in this tough world
7. for a lovely family who will be thrilled when they find out
8. for fabulous friends online and off

Gosh that's a bit soppy and hippy lol

Thanks Bunny, I think some gratitude would do me good right now so let's see:

-For my patient and loving husband who has been such an amazing support.
-For the miracle of a natural BFP when I had almost given up hope.
-To have made it out of the first trimester and seen a wriggly, live baby at the scan.

• That I still have a 98% chance of a trisomy-free baby, and that advances in medicine mean I can get a more definite result without risking mc.
• That I'm feeling a bit less sick and tired this weekend and even managed a little tennis in the sunshine yesterday.
• for support of friends online and off.
• For my strong heart which keeps going even when things look dark.

Foody I have no experience that will help. However when baby has her hand on her head and is fiddling around it does feel super super low. However its obviously a baby moving feeling (a fluttery feeling) which doesn't sound like what you're getting.

Thanks merk it may well be a baby moving feeling as I can't feel it moving anywhere else at the same time. Just feels strange and hard to figure out once I've worked myself into a state.

foody fingers crossed its nothing

Lovely jess x

foody know what you mean re chairs! My coccyx has been killing!

I am grateful to god that he answered my prayers after 2.5yrs and sent me this wonderful gift
I am grateful for my perfect dh, although I probably forget to tell him that sometimes
I am grateful for my lovely friends, who love me to bits as do I them (especially the ones already planning my baby shower haha)
I am grateful for my health and that I don't have a debilitating illness like my patients, and must remember to live each day to the full

foody not much to contribute I'm afraid! but just to let you know that although I mostly get poked in the side I have occasionally had bursts of movement that feel more like tiny hands hitting my cervix - very uncomfortable and sharp feeling. No idea what shortening/funneling would feel like though.

jess/bunny I'm not a very naturally Pollyanna-ish person either, but this gratitude thing seems like a good idea when I'm starting to feel a bit tired and sorry for myself (aside: in NCT yesterday, we were all asked to say what we were most looking forward to about being a new parent - one poor girl said 'not being pregnant' - she's been having a terrible time with lots of sickness and SPD )
So here goes:

• for a DH who keeps telling me I look amazing and seems to be falling more in love with this bump with each day (aaah!)
• for getting this far after 3 years TTC and one MMC
• for work colleagues and friends who are so excited and happy for me, and support me in taking my mat leave
• for parents and PIL who have both said they understand that we will need some space when she's born (hope they mean it!)

Thanks guys
I don't think I would be able to feel the shortening but just worried at feeling pressure so low down.
Mostly am convinced its just baby doing a jig, the kicks elsewhere have been pretty strong and bit uncomfy too today so hope its just that.
It is less when I lie down, more when sitting upright or standing.
Not got any worse at any rate so telling myself that must be a good sign.

Things to be grateful for -

• that we are 24 weeks today after over 2yrs ttc and 1mc
• that i have the most amazing OH who tells me every day he loves me and truly is in love with bump (and my boobs!)
• for the NHS for mostly being fab and for the cervical screening program and treatment we have in this country. Though the previous leltz causes me worry, I don't like to think what could have been without it
• for my friends and family for being great (apart from the odd stupid thing said)
• for work being as supportive as they have
• for you guys on here keeping me sane (just)
• for lazy days off!