Mums-to-be (2)

[Enid]

Joe1, Tetley, Ouch and the other October Mums to be, how are you all?

Joe1 - well done on winning the baby carrier!!

p.s Ialso think hubby was more worried last time too & so helped more & was more supportive, thought i'd break! This time round he's more relaxed about it all as 'I've done it before!'

Dixie agree with you on the dh front. Although whenever I have been totally shattered he has always taken over.

Just got back from docs. Says I have to rest and take it easy for rest of pregnancy. He says I have a touch of vertigo and says it is quite common in prenancy, although I couldnt find anything in any books I have. I have some tablets, but hate taking tablets while pregnant. Blood pressure back to normal so would explain why I am not so dizzy. Has anybody else suffered with this?

Joe1, I looked on the internet for you and some sites say that vertigo during pregnancy is quite common and is usually caused by low blood sugar - that would explain your low blood pressure too. I have been eating little and often (doctor recommended 6 small meals a day). I have found that eating a bit of cereal and a banana before bed helps me sleep better - I was waking in the night feeling dizzy whilst in bed, horrible.(apparently this is because blood pressure drops even further at night).

I eat every hour now, something small like a banana or a piece of toast with peanut butter, or a boiled egg. I certainly feel much better. I am also trying to avoid very high sugar foods as they cause your blood sugar to drop very quickly after eating them (although find it hard to resist the odd bowl of Haagen Daz )

If i were you I'd try and avoid the pills and modify your diet - also drink lots of water as this helps to increase blood volume.

Let us know how things go.
x

Thanks for the buggy board suggestions, it's already on my list, ds is 20 months at the mo. However, as I spent the last playgroup outing ds had me running around imitating a satellite moon to the central group's sun, I'm aware of the limitations at the moment. Also ds is starting Swedish nursery soon so when I go to pick him up I imagine he will be tired enough to want to sit rather than stand on a board (but not to run around).

Def a different anticipation kick this time. At 29 weeks I was looking to give up work, get baby stuff ready and do more ante natal homework. I've got a GTT on Weds which is standard issue here. I'm off to a coffee morning after and shall prob spend the whole time peeing.

Dixie/Malmomum, these sit on type buggyboards are available from a company called Interben Limited, they are called Seat2Go Hitchhiker and are £39.99, Tel: 020 8731 9666 or www.interben.com. They look really good, by the looks of the picture I have here the toddler can either stand or sit. If you do decide to go for an ordinary buggyboard you could always use it in conjunction with a wrist strap, this is what I am planning on doing with DS as he has a habit of doing a runner when I am not looking!

Joe1, glad to hear you are a bit better, look after yourself. I hate to say that this time round I have found the pregnancy easier, I think I am healthier and fitter this time round, I continued with aerobics etc up to 32 weeks (stopped by a nasty cold) and still go to Aquanatal classes and go for the occasional swim. Last time I was working so much, office job, that I was tired all the time but never really got up off my bum! However getting very tired and grumpy now, not sleeping very well at all and hoping the end is nigh! The nesting instinct isn't helping with this either, just want to clean all the time - NOT NORMAL FOR ME! Also having a shoe crisis, feet and ankles swelling, not enough that I notice until I try to put shoes on, must mention this to the midwife on Thursday!

Thanks Enid, was going to do that today, have a surf around for info. I do tend to eat like that because I get so hungry and because I suffer with low sugar level anyway I am very careful with what I eat. I too have been waking dizzy in the night, not nice. I will rest as much as possible and watch more carefully what I eat. I was going to try and leave the tablets, didnt have any dizzy spells in the night. Was expecting it though as I was sick last night and awful heartburn, I dunno what next. This only started because I wore my high heels and was higher up

Demented, I must admit, although I do an awful lot of rushing around, I am probably not as fit this time round. I have just got myself a swim suit and am going to go to the pool take ds and go to Aquanatal classes. I too hate cleaning, cant wait for the nesting period. Going to have a look at that board so ds can have a sit down if he gets tired (chance would be fine thing), I havnt seen them before.

THANKS DEMENTED! Exactly the thing I've seen attached to other mum's prams but couldn't find them being sold anyway...brilliant, thanks again!

I'm now 38.5 weeks and have just received a selection of 4 different nursing bras, ordered from the NCT website. I wasn't sure what size I needed (am currently wearing 34D, and pre-pregnancny was 34C), so they've sent me a 34dd, 34e, 36dd and 36e. The thing is, they're all too big now but how do I know how big I'm going to get? All the baby books and mags include '2-3 nursing bras' in their lists of items to pack in your hospital bag - any advice? I have got an Active Birth Centre bra, do you think this will be enough for the time being? Thanks.

I've heard some goods things about the Active Birth Bra, so that should see you through some. As your milk does not come in until day 3-5, you should be home by the time your breasts engorge.

Breastpads will protect your bra from leaking and, if your birth is fairly straight forward, you may not stay in hospital longer than one night. One bra could see you through that and then you can see which bra is comfortable. Do you return the ones you don't need?

MBB, there is no law that says you have to use a nursing bra for nursing. After a year of nursing, when I was down to once a day, my nursing bras were too big so I just wore my normal bra and pulled my breast out of the cup to nurse. Not quite a subtle as unhooking the cup, but certainly perfectly manageable for a week or two until you know how big your breasts are going to be while nursing. I would just make sure you have enough nappies and cotton wool for the baby and disposable underwear and sanitary napkins for you. Your partner can always bring what you forget or realize you need the next day if you stay that long.

I've heard some goods things about the Active Birth Bra, so that should see you through some. As your milk does not come in until day 3-5, you should be home by the time your breasts engorge.

Breastpads will protect your bra from leaking and, if your birth is fairly straight forward, you may not stay in hospital longer than one night. One bra could see you through that and then you can see which bra is comfortable. Do you return the ones you don't need?

I have never unhooked my nursing bra much too fiddly. Most of the time I use those sports bras, all soft no cups especially good for the early days.

Just to add, I have been spinning all night, something I suppose I am going to have to get used to until September/October. Feel a little delicate today. Seeing midwife today.

MBB, I have recently been measured for nursing bras. The fitter measured it tight around about as the baby's head has not engaged (and probably won't until birth if my pregnancy with DS is anything to go by) and recommended a cup size bigger to allow room for my milk to come in and a breast pad.

I had ordered the Active Birth Bra to try and found it didn't offer enough support for me but if you have been wearing it during your pregnancy and it is supportive enough and comfortable I don't see why you shouldn't wear it for breastfeeding. If it is the same one I ordered (I think they only do the one) it has a nice drop cup, nothing that cuts in and truly a one handed operation. These are nice points about it that do not exist in my feeding bras - mine look more like a couple of bullet proof vests!

Joe1, just noticed your post, sounds awful. Hope your midwife can help! Let us know how you get on.

I'm going to the midwife today too, I can only wear trainers now, feet not huge but swollen enough not to allow me to wear ordinary shoes or boots, maybe they'll just take me in and induce me!

I had a horrid day yesterday, felt really weird & dizzy, put it down to tiredness or low sugar levels but did a blood glucose test & all was well. Then I started seeing 'black dots' and walking into furniture....all a bit worrying, phoned dh who came home from work. Haa a midwife appt a couple of hours later so off I went...My blood pressure was really high, had to go to the hospital immediately...it was all very scarey. The baby & I was monitored for a few hours, they took some blood for tests. After an hour my blood pressure stablized so they then let me go home about 30 mins later. I feel better for being home, don't really want to be admitted but I'm also quite scared about being on my own with ds, suppose something does happen, it would be horrible for me & baby obviously but ds could be stranded & come to harm too. I know I'm worrying about so many what if's & my sensible head is so saying to stop worrying but it does make you realise how vulnerable you are when your alone at home (no friends as in new area). To make matters worse, hubbys work have been so horrible about him having to take time off through this pregnancy (all my medical complications & then the problem with the baby itself), do you know his manager had ago at him today when he went in for rushing of yesterday he said "you can't just rush off everytime your wife is feeling unwell" my husband explained it was more than just feeling unwell & that I was actually rushed to hospital, his manager said "well is this going to be a regular thing?" I can't believe how uncompassionate the man is..he's done this a few times to my dh, so my dh went to personnel & has told them all about my medical conditions etc but even they are not very good about it. I can't believe they are so uncaring, I worry about future problems I may have & then there's the problems we may have once the baby is born...our Tuesday scan showed it has entered the 'higher risk' of needing an operation when it's born...so what will he's manager do then when dh asks for time off??!! The man has no compassion...I really want to complain to someone about his behaviour but it's not my place. Even Tony Blair gave Gordon Brown time off from financing the bloody country when he's wife had problems in pregnancy (I know there circumstances were a lot more traumatic & I don't mean to make their situation sound any less sad than it was I'm just trying to think of a comparison). Well, I'm feeling okay this morning, abit dizzy but no where as bad as yesterday...if I get worse I feel hesitant to phone dh in case he gets into trouble at work though. Am I being unreasonable in feeling his work should be more understanding, any of you or your hubbys in managers positions who can help me get it into prespective? Hubby has only asked to 'rush off' 3 times in the whole pregnancy, for the scans & consultations he's always booked annual leave.

I've waffled enough here...sorry...but it's really worrying me. He's work, my conditions, the baby possibly needing an operation, being alone etc etc etc.

Dixie, my heart goes out to you. I think your husband's boss is being a total prat and that you should just forget ever getting any sympathy from him. Your husband isn't breaking any rules doing what he's done, so try and let his bosses snotty attitude go over your heads (easier said than done I know).

Please try and rest and relax as much as you can, are you having your bp checked regularly? It might make you feel better if your midwife could see you every day for a week and check your bp, so you feel slightly more 'on top' of things. Remember, your hospital let you go, and your bp did stabilise, these are good, positive, encouraging signs.

I know there have been other posts about your baby's medical condition - it must be horrible to think about poor little one needing an operation. Remember, it may not come to that - if it does, how serious an operation is it?

Keep posting,
love E x

Oh Dixie horrible man. I went through similar problems with my first pregnancy, my team leader really stressed me out horrible woman she was. The only things that are important are you, the baby and your little man everything else will always work itself out. Put your feet up and just channel your energies into everything at home, your dh will work our his problems at work. Luckly dh work is very family friendly but the manager he had at his previous job while pregnant with ds wasnt, he just told him he was going at that was that.

I am back from midwife appointment and she says I have fluctuating blood pressure. So everytime it drops i get dizzy. She advises just to slow my pace of life down, take things alot slower. Obviously I am worried of fainting and going dizzy while driving so everything will be cut back. She says by 30 weeks everything will start to get back to normal, roll on the next 9 weeks. At least Im not anemeaic (sp?) this time and have to take those horrible iron tablets, well not yet anyway.

Oh dont forget to tell your dh to remind that horrible man that men are entitled to paternity leave now.

Well, my midwife turned up earlier she said the blood tests have shown an increase in ????? (can't remember the word) and she took my bp again, it's up again but not enough to admit me and she's advised me to rest & put my feet up often (easier said than done with 2yr old running round like a lunatic!). She wants to come back on Saturday & re-check me again & had advised me of some warning signs to look out for!

THEN........2 hours later the hospital rang, they asked if midwife had been etc & explained about the blood test results & have asked me to return for monitoring again tomorrow & another set of blood tests.

So fingers crossed all will be well, but if you don't hear from me by Sunday I've probably been admitted!

Dixie, sounds awful, I really feel for you. Can't be easy either when they are telling you to rest one minute and asking you to come into hospital the next (always a big expedition for us anyway). Your DH's boss sounds a right pain in the bum. Hope things settle down over the next couple of days and try your best to rest, easier said than done!

Joe1 glad to hear things will hopefully get better by 30 weeks, hope the time passes quickly for you.

My problems are much more minor in comparison. Bump now measuring a good 40 wks (only 38wks & 1 day), blood pressure lowest it has been the whole pregnancy and urine clear so swollen ankles/feet not causing midwife any concern. Just want it over with!!!

Fingers crossed for you Dixie, I would hate to be admitted.

I know what you mean about getting the rest. Ds is 20mths and I try and sleep when he does. He has only just decided to sleep so I have washed up etc cooked myself a quick tea as I have a body shop party to do this evening, no driving involved.

Well I'm still here just!!....Friday I attended thr hospital for 2 hours of monitoring & more blood tests, discharged but midwife had to come Saturday.

Saturday, midwife said bp still a bit high & the blood tests showed I still ahd an increase in this thing in my blood? so she wanted to return & re-check me the following day...

Sunday, blood pressure up again, told to attend hospital immediately...Was there for 3 hours & more blood tests. Eventually discharged but blood tests still show higher than normal levels of this particular thing so they are worried. Had to go back on Monday.

Monday, today...more monitoring, ok to be discharged but want me back tomorrow to see my consultant so she can make a decision as to what happens next....either admitting me for constant observation, admit for early delivery by 'c' section, or allow me to continue being monitored as an 'out patient' (not that I feel like an out patient, as I'm always there!). I can not believe this pregnancy! I keep trying to laugh it off that things just can't get any worse but the way its going I really am finding it hard to stay positive....but hey you haven't got rid of me yet!!

Dixie, glad to hear you still here. I hope things work out well for you tomorrow. It must be a worrying time.

I've been having a strange few days. Strong Braxton Hicks contractions since Thursday. Ended up in the hospital Sunday night having regular tightenings along with period type pains, between 1 and 2 cms dilated, but this is apparently normal second time round as the cervix doesn't always close properly, so perhaps not much to do with the contractions. Monday felt really strange most of the day and have had a show hoping not to be around to post on Tuesday but maybe that is just wishful thinking.

Anyway hope everyone else is OK!

Dixie glad you are feeling more positive about things even with all the trips to the hospital. Hope all goes ok today.

Demented fingures crossed for you and hope not to hear from you for a few days

Im not feeling too bad, taking it easy as instructed and it seems to be working. Wasnt aware of any real dizzy spells last night still got a fuzzy head this morning so must have had a couple but not strong enough to wake me up. 22 weeks this week so over half way, and that wont take long to get here.