Pull up a pew and tell us about your stage of pregnancy

[IonaMumsnet]

Hi folks!

We're after picking your collective brains if anyone has a few minutes.

We're putting together some new content on pregnancy and what goes on at every stage, and we'd love to hear your experiences - which month of the pregnancy you're in, how you're feeling physically and emotionally, any weird and wonderful pregnancy symptoms you have, as well as what you're enjoying about this time of pregnancy (and possibly, what you're not!). Whatever you like really!

We'd just like to be able to use Mumsnetters' experiences to build a sort of timeline of pregnancy for others to look at as they go on the same journey and be able to find advice and benefit from the experiences of those who have been there before.

If you're able to help, please do scribble down any thoughts here and let us know what month of your pregnancy you're in and what's going on with you right now.

Many thanks in advance.

30+2 here. First pregnancy. Feel like I am on the home stretch now! Ready for it to be over. Finally invested in some non-underwire bras and it is a revelation! Can finally breath again. Sitting at a desk all day has given me constant back ache. Heart burn is my new best friend apparently- won't leave me alone! Considering starting my maternity leave earlier than 37 weeks as just knackered all the time. Feel sorry for my OH as I cuddle my pillow more than him. Leaky boobs have been here since about 16 weeks, but I was really lucky with almost no morning sickness. Feet have swollen up but managed to keep all other weight off- if anything I think I lost one of my chins so bonus! But all the moaning aside when I go into the nursery and see all those tiny clothes ready for him I know it will all be worth it!

30+2 here. First pregnancy. Feel like I am on the home stretch now! Ready for it to be over. Finally invested in some non-underwire bras and it is a revelation! Can finally breath again. Sitting at a desk all day has given me constant back ache. Heart burn is my new best friend apparently- won't leave me alone! Considering starting my maternity leave earlier than 37 weeks as just knackered all the time. Feel sorry for my OH as I cuddle my pillow more than him. Leaky boobs have been here since about 16 weeks, but I was really lucky with almost no morning sickness. Feet have swollen up but managed to keep all other weight off- if anything I think I lost one of my chins so bonus! But all the moaning aside when I go into the nursery and see all those tiny clothes ready for him I know it will all be worth it!

16+6, so basically 17. Second pregnancy, but first baby (hopefully).

Upsides? Way less greasy hair. Just getting the first sensations of movement, when I pay attention. DH slowly getting used to the idea this is likely to be successful, and starting to talk about the future. Really starting to show now. No more nausea. Much, much calmer after a positive first scan.

And the down? The complete absence of maternity wear in any shops (really - mumsnet need to start a campaign about this!). I'm mostly buying stretchy stuff a few sizes up from Primark just now. Sore abs, and back this week - really wish I didn't have to go to work in an office. Mood up and down like a yoyo. Generally just don't feel this mysterious "glow" I'm supposed to have in the 2nd Trimester!

35 weeks today with dc2. Dc1 arrived at 33 weeks after I developed severe preeclampsia and went from healthy to hdu in 4 days, so every day this pregnancy continues feels like a bonus. The two pregnancies couldn't be more different. There are no signs of preeclampsia returning so far, and I'm feeling great and if it wasn't for the kicks I'd forget I was pregnant sometimes - none of the back pain, heartburn, swelling or insomnia that plagued me first time round. I'm measuring quite big, so trying to get my head around giving birth to a baby that could be over twice the size that dc1 was (!) My baby seems to like sitting with its feet behind my tummy button, so I'm spending an alarming amount of time crawling round the house on all fours trying to encourage it to swing round into a better position - don't fancy my chances for a vbac with a 9-10lb back to back baby. I've had an awful lot of monitoring over the course of the pregnancy because of my history, with blood pressure checked weekly, growth scans, consultant reviews as well as midwife appointments. So far though I've received fantastic care from local providers, and couldn't be more impressed with our local nhs services.

17 weeks with DC3.

My boobs are incredibly sore - for the first time in my life. I brushed against a doorframe yesterday and felt like I'd been stabbed.
Craving curry.
Insomnia - again a new thing. I'm therefore constantly tired.
Not nauseous but my gag reflex is extremely sensitive, especially if my throat is a bit dry.
This pregnancy is completely different to DS and DD!

I'm 22 weeks and finding pregnancy HARD!

First trimester:
Morning sickness started at 6 weeks - especially bad in mornings but all day nausea and sick again in evenings
Hair / skin so greasy
Constant bloat
Complete and utter exhaustion
Nails grew long and strong
Very emotional and bad tempered - cried at everything
Strange food aversions - didn't eat meat for 5 weeks and I LOVE meat

Second trimester so far:
More energy
Morning sickness generally isolated to mornings only but have to constantly suck on mints to stop myself been sick for the rest of the day. Worried I will have no teeth by December.
Migraines - oh the migraines!!! These are worse than all the other things for me!
Hair now dry and brittle
Skin no longer greasy and miraculously (despite the sickness and migraines) have that "glow"

31 +5.
Negatives:
Struggling with work by the end of the working week due to severe fatigue. Having to nap in afternoons on days off else I feel really unwell. Feet and ankles swell. Can't walk too far (but am trying!). Managing GD is difficult (having hypos) . Lots of monitoring currently (2 weekly scans/consultant appointments). Get frustrated about not being able to do what I usually do (am usually really active) and struggling to keep going to the gym, do any gardening, housework.... Really hard to get decent maternity clothes in bigger sizes (size 20- 22 pre pregnancy).
Positives
Mostly feel like I'm coping well psychologically but do have the odd wobble when it all seems like too much. Hair is lovely and never greasy. Skin clear. Appreciate the effort DH is making and trying to reciprocate looking after him too when working so hard. DS is great and excited about the new arrival and overall has been accepting that mum needs some help too at the moment. Swimming is really nice even if I can't do what I did before. Glad I chose this time to have booked some annual leave from work. Getting really good care from my local maternity service with a 'high risk' pregnancy (grateful for the NHS!).