PMA Grads Thread :-)

[Dollydaydream2829]

Hey ladies,
We've finally made it to the other side and are journeying through the unknown territory of pregnancy! Here to share our stories, our worries and keep that all important PMA!
This is a thread for our PMA TTC Grads and for any women expecting their babies and feel like injecting a bit of positivity into their pregnancy journeys and the gang!
Feel free to join and introduce yourselves below :-)

aw that's a lovely touch @Moo31 you can't go wrong with winnie the pooh for a nursery theme! yeah the nursery is currently 3 lemon walls and 2 grey but it's too bright so i'll repainted them all grey and stick with lemon for accessories. need to get cracking lifting the floor so the carpet can go down! the list of to dos just never ends! x

That sounds lovely @bella. Loving the balloon idea. Bet they were so excited once the news settled in!

Separate birthing centre sounds lovely. We only have one local hospital so no choice in terms of that. But the hospital has a labour ward and then midwifery led unit. So I have opted for midwifery led unit. Again guess it's same as birthing centre. Meant to be home away from home etc with sound system, mood enhancing lighting and every room has a birthing pool. So lot better option for water birth. Obv once you start labour there needs to be space for you to go on midwifery led unit as its popular. But I'm praying there will be. Then if there are issues or complications or you have a break down and want epidural (which could be likely 😂) which is not available on that unit. They transfer you to labour ward as it's same hospital building. So best of both worlds I guess!

Morning,

Sure every time you find confetti it'll make you smile Bella :) It was like me and this little purple heart sequins we had on our tables at wedding reception, still finding the odd bit at home nearly 4 years later. Must have spilled some before/after the day, but nice reminder :)

Still plenty time to think about birth plan Bella. Think going with the flow is best thing. I was v set I wanted only gas and air before labour, but it made me even sicker, so I soon had to knock that on the head. I went for a shot of diamorphine to knock me out to get some sleep as felt so unwell.

Think you're right Anna, midwifery led units at hospital are ideal. Our local hospital just got rebuilt, was hoping they might add some extra pools to the labour ward, but unfortunately still just one. They're potentially wanting to downgrade our local hospital to midwifery led, which will be bad news, as an hour drive to another hospital if you need a C-section or other intervention from a consultant.

I was eventually given an anti-sickness injection Moo, which helped for a little while, but think this time round if the same happens I'll push for antiemetics sooner, as know how bad I got. At booking appointment midwife confirmed me getting dehydrated and so tired from all the sickness was most likely reason for needing forceps. Though not pleasant, I'd have forceps again if it meant avoiding a C-section.

Can confirm the 4th trimester is a very real thing :) DS was attached to me for the first three month, mainly feeding. Then all of the sudden in the 4th month, it got a lot easier :)

Enjoy your Sunday everyone. Not sure what to do today, but nice forecast, so shame to waste the day.

Do any of you lovely ladies have a belly button pericing? And if so what are you doing with it/did you do with it in previous pregnancies??

I preferably would like to try retain the pericing An for it to not close up completely. So figured I would maybe wear a belly bar until the point I can no longer. Mines a bit irritated at the moment weirdly which hasn't never happened an I've had it pierced 14 years. I've ordered a couple of flexible pregnancy retainers in couple different sizes as my bump goes so will put when in when it arrives as maybe my bars irritating as it starts to protrude. Altho it's not anything of a bump yet.

I got some TCP to clean around it with to help soothe it if it is irritated. Strange it's never Done it before. Maybe I caught it.

So yeh any suggestions of previous experience?? I know most ppl would just take it out An be done with it. I genuinely think I look rather odd without tin after 14 years An had it done for a sticky out belly button which I hate!

My chicken roast dinner is cooking in the oven. Smells delicious. Happy Sunday everyone!

Sorry can't help with belly button piercing Anna, but hopefully someone else on this thread can :) Can understand after that long you'd like to retain it. The skin on my stomach has been quite irritated since the beginning of the 2nd trimester, which I don't think you're that far off now?

Slightly jealous of your roast chicken dinner! though just made some chicken tika to make wraps to go with salad for tea, so sure that'll be nice enough :)

Went to the park this morning and a walk while DS had a nap. Then my parents minded DS for a bit this afternoon so I could get another walk in and do a few jobs round the house. Nice day for everyone, apart for DH at work!

Hi ladies,
Hope you're all having a lovely weekend! I'm battling through another weekend of nightshifts. Only another two nights to go and then not on them again for a few weeks! I am noticing them getting progressively harder, which does not bode well for the sleepless nights I'll have with a newborn Haha!

Anna - I've got a belly piercing and actually still have it in at 23 weeks. I'll defo have to remove it soon though cos I don't want it to end up being forced out 😳😳 I'm in two minds about letting it close up. My friend got the plastic flexi bars and was absolutely fine with it! It's defo an option!

Bella - you're reveal looked and sounded fab! I'm quite jealous that you guys who have found out the sex can prepare and buy lots of a scrummy gender appropriate stuff! As we're starting to shop, it is quite difficult to find nice gender neutral things in a lot of shops. Anyone got any suggestions of places for cute unisex babygros??

As far as the birth plans go baking - I'm hoping to go for the midwife led unit in my local hospital. All going to plan and I stay on the green pathway, I'm hoping to try out the water birthing pool.... but we'll see! Sounds like you had a lovely day enjoying the nice weather!

Thanks @Dollydaydream2829. I think I will put in a pregnancy belly bar when it arrives and try keep it in as long as it wants to stay in. Guess some can get away with it & others can't depending on how you grow.

We won't be finding out sex so I've been keeping an eye out for some nice gender neutral sets. Definitely the pink and blues have lots of options but between all the shops there's a fair few nice neutral ones around. I find the supermarkets are quite good. Boots has some lovely unisex stuff. An mothercare has some lush Peter rabbit stuff in 😍 Guess it depends on people's taste and what they like.

Think I will get baby grows in new born and 0-3 in neutral only. An then after that when it's a bit older dress it in gender appropriate when they can wear clothes a bit more.

My friend just had a baby and puts it in babygrow/sleepsuit only at night An get it's dressed during the day 🙄 noting that it was quite difficult to get jeans on a week old baby. No shit Sherlock. I can imagine entirely uncomfortable. It probabaly just screamed!!

Boots has unisex in these colours which I think is cute. Kind of like a mint green.

These are the others I've liked so first. Peter rabbit from mother care. An the other two are Sainsbury's. Love the eeyore one! But I'm biast because he's always been my favourite since I was little lol!

I'm sure you'll surprise yourself and manage just fine with being up at nights when you've a newborn Dolly :) Think it's easier when you've a good reason to be up! DS has only just started sleeping through at 30m and I'd do it all again - and no doubt will be :)

Hopefully you'll get your waterbirth Dolly :)

Even though we knew we were having a boy last time, I'm not keen on baby blue either, so mainly avoided packs with those in. I found that Mothercare, Boots, Next and supermarkets had various packs of animal print/patterns/shapes/solid colours for vests and sleepsuits - though in fairness that was nearly 3 years ago.

Anna, it was bad enough when someone gave DS a pair of 9-12m skinny jeans. He had a nappy leak the first time he wore them and it was awful taking them off when they were all wet - must have been awful for him. Needless to say that was the first and last time he wore them! Not sure why people make it so hard for themselves dressing tiny babies in outfits. We were given a few before 6m, so just remembered who gave what and tended to dress DS in them when we saw them :)

Hey girls

Hope ur all well.

Well after a few days in a bikini - I have got so much cellulite 😭😭😭 not been to the gym since I found out I was pregnant & think it's starting to have effect. Didn't feel good on holiday at all there 😭 especially as my brothers GF is a wee tiny size 6.

I am 13+2 today. Have a scan again on Thursday to get my proper due date. I bloody forgot to take my prenatal vitamin for 2 days never felt so bloody guilty! I am petrified about this scan incase something is wrong 😭😭 will this feeling ever end lol

I'm sure all will be fine @Amanda. You are past the high odds stage. Nice to see baby again and then you are set on your due date.

I am 11+1 today and this past week all of a sudden this baby bump has popped out of nowhere an I am struggling a bit to conceal it with my work clothes due to what I usually wear. Think because I'm so petite it's suddenly became majorly obvious unless I'm in baggy clothes. Only 2 weeks left to go until all can be revealed.

How is everyone else getting on?

@Anna2006 that's cute won't be long now!!!

Beautiful day in Scotland - had 3 washings out lol!!! Gone are the days I would be sitting outside with a wine lol.

Has anyone thought about those tommy tippee prep machines???? Keep reading diff reviews xx

I had a prep machine with DS it was bloody amazing

Not long now Amanda, hope you enjoy seeing your little one tomo :) Don't think you ever stop worrying tbh. I thought I was more relaxed with this pregnancy, till late yesterday/today when DD's movements changed. She was really active in day yesterday - unusual I feel anything apart from first/last thing - and then nothing really till late afternoon today. Think she has changed position, that's all, as now had some kicks in bum as well as across stomach. Ha, now got me thinking she is breech and time to get sitting on my exercise ball :)

Never needed to make a bottle with DS, but if I ended up needing to use formula this time round I had wondered about one of those prep machines. However, doing a bit of research it seems there is some question over their safety, but can see why they're popular www.firststepsnutrition.org/pdfs/Statement_on_formula_preparation_machines_Feb%202016.pdf

morning all, 18 weeks today for me woo hoo

we are in broughton-in-furness enjoying some mobile phone free wifi free chill out time, got wifi for about an hour a day so we've actually spoke to each other! shockaroony!

weather has been fab hasn't it? visited windermere, ambleside and waterhead yesterday which was beaut. also kinda looking forward to the storm later as i love thunder and lightening. if the temp dips DH will do the coal fire in the cottage and there's not much that beats an open fire for me. sheer bliss!

hope you're all well 😘

i have already bought our prep machine - 3 friends had them in the last year or so and loved the convenience of them. i have read the reviews on safety etc so there will be a routine cleaning of pipes etc where people reported mound (why people wouldn't clean them i'm not sure). it's down to £70ish in mothercare right now so we snapped ours up last week - the matching steam only sterilising unit with 6 bottles is also only £30 at the mo (6 bottles alone cost the same so it's a bargain)

hope you enjoyed Barca @AmandaP86x it's 1 of my fave cities. i went about 8 times in 2 years when i was younger as i fell in love with it. shame about the pick pocket reputation but not a lot of cities don't have that issue nowadays.

i'm not long awake which is a surprise for me as iv been waking around 5-6 am when at home so i'm obvs v chilled. off to the bakery/cafe for breakfast shortly!

thanks for the food tips @bakingmad83 the black cock inn food has been great! it's about 100yrds from the cottage we are in. bloody brilliant xxx

for anyone on fb, i have found a few pages that shares deals of when things are on offer etc, they are:-

www.facebook.com/mumstobe/

www.facebook.com/bumpbabyandyou/

xx

The weeks are flying Bella :) I'm 23 weeks tomo. Glad you're enjoying your hol! We had a bbq yesterday to make the most of the weather and been spending most of our days outside - DS loves the outdoors and find it's the best way to tire him out :) Met up with some of the mams from playgroup this eve for a pub meal. Enjoyed my madras - just hoping I manage to avoid heartburn again this pregnancy, as love my spicy food!

Tbh the issue with the prep machine isn't down to improper cleaning, more that the water may not be heated to high enough temp to kill the bugs in the formula. But obviously lots of people use the machines without any prob, so maybe only an issue in little ones particularly susceptible to infections. Hopefully you find the machine useful :)

Sounds like you're having a lovely time away bella - it'll be so nice to spend some quality time with your other half!

Thank you for the unisex shop suggestions ladies - will have a look in there! I picked up a few cute things in baby gap the other day! It's making me want the baby here right now.....but then I remember I'm hideously unprepared in every other way Haha! Currently stripping out the spare room for the nursery. What a job!

I'm going to start researching feeding options soon. I desperately want to breastfeed but realistically, if I wasn't able to, I want to be prepared for bottles and also want stuff to express etc
Some of the baby stuff is a bit overwhelming when I seriously sit down and think of everything we need!

I have my 24 week midwife appt today, it'll be lovely to hear baby's heartbeat again! I think this is where they may test for Gestational diabetes too? It's something I've been quite worried about as normally I don't have a sweet tooth but this pregnancy, I've really craved sweets & chocolate at times so ate a lot more than I usually would. Diabetes runs in one side of my family so I'll definitely need to be careful I reckon.

hi @Dollydaydream2829 how did your appt go today?

i had only read about mouldy pipes for the prep machine @bakingmad83 now that i'm home and have wifi ill give the link a read

i will give breast feeding a go but i am not sure how long i could keep it up. i spoke to the midwife about it (very briefly) as i have 1 inverted nipple and was worried it would cause an issue. she mentioned that even if breastfeeding for 3-7 days is successful it's worth it due to the initial milk etc. i don't want to start just so i can stop again but also don't want to buy a pump etc just yet incase i can't feed myself. there's not a lot of positive breast feeding stories in my family but i will try. ill aim for the first week at the very least and if it's going well, i will buy a pump so that DH can take over at some point.

speaking of boobies, by god are mine itchy! any advice? slightly swollen and tender but the itch is sooo frustrating!

well thanks to my batshit crazy MIL my baby has 20 outfits already. collected them off of her this afternoon. they are soooo cute. this has made me want to sort the nursery right now so i can wash everything and get it all hung up.

do we have scans coming up ladies? @AmandaP86x or @Anna2006 ? my 20wk isn't for another 3 weeks yet xxx

Hi gals!!

Had my booking scan and appointment today!!! 13+4 eventually got due date of 21st January ❤️👍🏻 can't wait. Feels slightly more real again.

It was being a wee bugger upside down and not moving so I was jumping up and down wiggling my hips etc! 20 mins she scanned me for 🙈 amazing to see the difference in growth!!! I have attached the two pics! Can see it's wee spine so clear!!!

20 week scan is 7th September!!!

Starting to feel a bit better now even managed to cook the past few nights ha ha. Went and done 6km walk last night and tonight. Trying to get active as poss seeing as I haven't moved in 3 months 😭

Yay@AmandaP86x for finally having an official due date! I feel like all I've done is eat loads recently. Although I've only put on the average weight for pregnancy an I don't look any different other than this bump appearing where my flat stomach was. But think if I keep up it this rate I will be a whale 🙈🙈

@Bellamoon my dating scan isn't now until the 1st August 😩 So 12 days to go. I will be 13+1 by my dates and 9 week scan. It's going SO slow these last few weeks.

I will deff attempt to give breastfeeding a go. An agree even if you manage it for a week etc it's worth it just for that initial milk. I think ideally I'd like to do it for first 6 weeks at least an then see if I want to move onto bottle for ease of use. But that all depends if you get on with it. If not, bottle it is!
Xx

Evening ladies,

Hope your appointment went well Dolly. Round here they only test for GD if you are considered high risk - my granddad had it, but they only class parent/sibling as high risk, along with high BMI, belonging to certain ethnic groups at increased risk etc. Tbh I don't think what you eat increases your risk of GD, unless it leads to excessive weight gain, so I wouldn't worry too much about the extra sweet stuff :)

Last time round I loved washing all the new baby clothes Bella and took pics of them hung out on the washing line :) That reminds me, need to get DH to go into loft and get the baby clothes up to 3 months down to sort through and wash. I seem to remember having v itchy nipples last pregnancy, don't think I put anything on them, though maybe some lanolin cream may help - get a tube of Lansinoh for breastfeeding, as amazing at healing cracked and sore nipples, as is rubbing a tiny bit of your breast milk into them :)

Lovely scan pics Amanda - sure 7th September will be here in no time! Good to hear you're feeling better and managing cooking and activity. Find exercise makes such a difference to how you feel.

Hopefully you'll find the weeks speed up after your dating scan Anna. Remember last pregnancy the weeks leading up to it dragged, but then time seemed to pass more quickly.

Decided last time I'd just get bottles/formula/pump if I needed it, as at the time we had a 24hr Tesco a 10 min drive away. Didn't need them, but did get a pump for expressing milk when starting solids with DS having milk allergy, but as it happened I could hardly express anything despite DS exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months, so no probs with supply, I was just one of those women for who expressing didn't work well. Understand though why parents want to buy in advance though and be prepared just in case. Any length of breastfeeding is definitely beneficial - I seem to remember reading a statistic last time that even if you didn't breastfeed after 3 weeks that you significantly reduced their risk of serious chest infections up to age 7 from all the immune factors in breast milk. Hopefully all of you who want to breastfeed will be able to continue for as long as you want to.

Yes ladies, booking scan went well today thank you. Everything was normal apart from the fundal height which was measuring small. I'm petite myself and my DH is 5ft 11 so I wouldn't imagine the baby will be that huge but nevertheless, if it is still on the small side at the 28week appt then I'll be referred for growth scans. Hopefully he/she will catch up! I've put on just over a stone so I must be holding a LOT of water weight.....ahem!

Lovely scan amanda - very clear! It'll be great having a date to focus on now too! Glad you're also starting to feel more normal - it's a great feeling after weeks of sickness/exhaustion/general bleugh.

Bella I haven't struggled with itchy nips but my God does my belly itch like hell! I can only presume it's because I'm growing and the skin is stretching causing it to itch? I just moisturise religiously which seems to take the itch away, the cream may help with nipple itch too??

Thanks baking - that makes me feel a bit better! I don't get the test until 28weeks after all. My mum is borderline diabetic so maybe makes me SLIGHTLY more susceptible but pre-pregnancy I've always been a healthy weight, exercised and ate well so hoping it stands me in good stead. Plus, I don't have any diabetic signs....yet lol!

@Dollydaydream2829 tell me about the Mat leave thing again? Midwife told me today the accumulate ur wages from a certain point and I remember u telling me this? Is that true? Also what weeks is it between xxx