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 :-)

How you feeling today baking? I'm almost 15 weeks so I'm crossing my fingers it's maybe finally lifting.

Harmony was £400 here including the scan, still a lot of money I guess. Think next year it will be available on the NHS for people who get a bad nuchal result.

I'm actually ok in the mornings thanks Rose, just seems to be late afternoon the nausea seems to kick in, though yesterday had a snack around 4, which seemed to make a difference :)

Picked up my 2 remaining Emma's diary packs today - a couple more nappies, breastpads (though recommend the washable ones), tenna pads, weaning spoons and non-bio washing liquid :) Read the Pampers leaflets while DS was napping in the car after our trip to town. Don't be disheartened ladies if your newborn doesn't sleep in 3 or 4 hour stretches during the first few weeks as they suggest though! Think that's the minority of newborns, especially if breastfeeding, as they like to cluster feed in the late afternoon/early evening and then again during the night in the early days, and most want feeding every 2hrs round the clock in the early weeks. Just annoys me a bit when I see things in print that give parents unrealistic expectations!

@bakingmad83 just registered with Emma's diary? How does it work lol

Hi Amanda, you can print off vouchers online once you're registered online www.emmasdiary.co.uk/about-us/gift-packs :)

Thanks @bakingmad83 will have a wee look tonight! Getting ready for another nightshift!!!

One week today until my scan 😳🙄 come on already!!

I'm getting really anxious now as I'm approaching the point I lost the pregnancy last time. I guess this is normal. An stupidly I'm just not sure we will be lucky enough for it to all be okay. Which is crazy I know. Somehow trying to lessen the giant fall if the awful did happen.

I so need to be buying a maternity pencil skirt for work as mine is ridiculous now as it's waist high with a zip.😳 I'm wearing it half undone these days. But I'm holding off just incase it's bad luck. Then I can purchase galore after. Shopping spree!!

These Emma diary things sound interesting. I shall take a look. I got free sample of Aldi nappies in the post. Can't remember how I signed upto it. Albeit that was from last pregnancy an they actually turned up a few months after we lost it which wasn't ideal at the time....But still I've kept them hoping they will be used!! Nice to try the different ones too. Think you got 5 newborn samples ☺️

Thanks for the info Baking. Does anyone know if it's just big boots that have the packs? I have a small local one.

Keep the pma Anna, I'm sure all will be fine this time. I must say I've felt much less worried since getting past the 12 week mark and time has sped up a bit now too.

I'm really struggling for clothes my bottoms have gotten uncomfortable and some of my tops don't fit. I've ordered some maternity jeans from asos but it's the kinda thing I'd like to try on first. It's free returns but I don't want to order like 10 pairs. I seem to have a noticeable bump now but it feels way to early. Can't even hide it under baggy stuff

Hopefully will be good news at your scan Anna, let the next week fly for you :) I've been lucky with my pregnancies that I haven't needed to buy smart mat clothes with working from home. Probs does explain though why my 2 pairs of yoga pants that I lived in till DS was around 6 months looked so washed out when I got them down from the loft :)

The one in my nearest town is just small Rose, that's where I got my first pack from. They stocked the Bounty packs too. I decided to redeem the 2nd two Emma's Diary packs at Argos to see if it made a difference, but didn't seem to. Think people said previously that Asda gave out better Bounty packs, but I'm now wondering if it's all just the same stuff wherever you go.

@Anna2006 aww not long now did u have an early scan?? I can't remember sorry. It's such an anxious time ❤️❤️

@Roseandbee everyone keeps saying aw look at ur bump. R u sure ur only 14 weeks are u sure there's only one!!! I feel like I'm more bloated though than anything!! Defo need to buy some new clothes this weekend!!! Skinny jeans r cutting me in 2 lol!!!

@AmandaP86x yes I had one when I was measuring 9 weeks exactly. An all was fine an healthy heartbeat. An having a little wiggle. It's just such a worry what's happened since then. Wish there was a little window to see all the time so we knew!

Aww @Anna2006 I know it's so unbelievabley scary. I am 14+4 today and my belly is getting bigger I just wish I could feel kicks and stuff for some reassurance ❤️

@Anna and @Amanda after your 20 week scan and when you start feeling the movements and kicks all that worry and anxiety will fade away - I promise. Completely understandable that you are both apprehensive but someone said to me that unless you have had any obvious signs that something is wrong (pain, bleeding etc) then I think you can be assured that everything inside is happy and healthy :)

@Rose - got all my packs at small local boots so I think you should be ok :)

@Rose and @Baking - I hope your nausea / sickness has subsided?? I haven't been sick for a week so fx!! I was bad from week 6 to 12, then nothing until week 19 and then from week 19 to last week which was around week 24. I found that eating little and often (every 2 hours during the day), hen I woke at night I had a rice cake / plain biscuit), I also bought preggie pop drops from amazon (I think they are just glorified boiled sweets but they definitely helped) and started putting a spoonful of sugar on my cereal in the morning (as I read that it is related to low blood sugar - I definitely find this is helping although it could be coincidence!).

Spent yesterday with my cousin and her kids and they are also staying with us this weekend. The little one (girl, 3) is obsessed with the baby "can I touch your belly? can I talk to the baby? I am going to teach it to crawl!" The best one was "I better not squeeze you too tight or I will squish the baby like a pancake!" Made me lol!

@Dolly - have you got your MAT B1 form yet? If so when / where did you get it? I am seeing m/w next Tuesday (25+4) and hoping she gives it to me then! Technically (possibly legally) I am supposed to let work know by week 25 what mat leave I am taking but that is 2 days away and I haven't even had a discussion with them yet about that! Have you let your work know?

Really hope your right Moo and we can relax really soon!

Who else has got any cravings going on? Mine is for chip shop curry sauce or Chinese curry sauce. Literally got home from work & thought I need to have it so off DH went to chip shop for tea. Was so so good! Literally can't get enough of it! One pleased wife tonight.

Thanks Moo, haven't felt nauseous today at all, so hoping it was just a few days of nausea and that's that :) Hope your sickness is gone for good now!

Kicks are reassuring for sure, though I have panicked myself a few times thinking I've not felt DD so much, but in fairness don't think movements settle down into a regular pattern till about 28 weeks.

Anna, my cravings have been milk chocolate and cheese (though not together!), but I'd not had them for 2 years with DS's milk allergy and me breastfeeding so long, so probs related to now being able to indulge :) Glad you enjoyed your tea!

Got my 24 week appointment with mw tomo. DH and DS coming with me then we're going for a walk/trike ride with lunch part way - 4 miles each leg, so good amount of activity for tomo :)

@Baking - that sounds like a lovely day! I hope you get good weather for it :)

@Anna love chip shop curry sauce and Chinese curry sauce! Have you tried the mayflower one from home bargains? It's a powder that u add water to and it's so quick and easy and tasty!

My cravings are anything ice cold! I've also been off cheese for about 13 years but am back on it but maybe more to do with trying to get my calcium intake up (as I don't drink milk)

Thanks Moo! Sounds like your cousin's little girl was coming out with some really cute comments! DS talks about the baby a lot - has decided himself he's going to help at bathtime, no doubt because he loves water play :)

Think my body is after the calcium too, as wouldn't be getting anywhere near the 700mg just from the almond milk on my cereal - even though it's a big bowl! Did try calcium supplements previously, but they're pretty big and found them hard to swallow, though if you're taking a pregnancy supplement I guess they have all you need. Not on these, so guess body knows what it needs. Doesn't harm baby if you don't get enough calcium, just means you deplete your own bone stores, which isn't good for future bone health.

Aww Anna - I remember the wait before the 12 week scan felt never ending. It is such a worry but hopefully it comes round fast and you'll see your healthy wee baby in there to give you a bit of reassurance!

Glad your nausea seems to be dying down again moo and baking - hope it stays away! There's nothing worse! I had 14 weeks of it all through the day and felt pretty miserable at times. I do NOT want it back again thanks!

I got my MatB form last week at my appt, you should get yours too. I've not handed it into work yet cos my boss hasn't been in and I need to get it photocopied etc just incase. But I defo should make it a priority! I also got lots of info about antenatal classes etc - was it you that was asking about them a little while ago?
Have we discussed NCT classes on this thread?! Sorry, my baby brain has stepped up a gear this week! Either that, or its tiredness!

Evening ladies,

Thanks Dolly, felt a bit nauseous this morning, but nothing since.

Dolly, I briefly mentioned I'd looked into NCT course when I had DS, but none running anywhere near here as we're pretty rural. Also was put off by the price. But know some people like them, as chance to get to know other parents due around the time you are locally. However, if you attend several classes run by the NHS, there's still the possibility of doing this - ours were pretty interactive. Plus once you're on mat leave you can always go along to local baby groups - know the local children's centres here run some open to both parents-to-be as well as those already with little ones. You can also pop along to a local breastfeeding group near you when on mat leave - NCT runs these, but also held at children's centres often too.

I got my matB form at 24 week appointment today too. Did ask if I wanted to do antenatal classes again, but less than 3 years, so declined, as fairly fresh in my memory. Going to do hospital tour though, as new hospital since having DS, so will be good to see new labour and maternity wards. Also a refresher breastfeeding session they run locally, probs sounds daft as only just giving up now, but DS always had bad latch so want to try to avoid that 2nd time round.

Knew when midwife asked my what I'd eaten for breakfast, she must have found glucose in my urine. Apparently less than a trace, and although not concerned said if that happens twice more she'll refer me for GTT just to rule out gestational diabetes. Going to try to avoid sweet stuff from now on though (not that I'm having much that way apart from choc and that's not daily), as if I am headed down that road, don't want to give my body extra sugar to process.

Also when checked baby's position, she was transverse. Explained they still move around a lot at this stage. Don't want her getting comfy in that position though, as if they settle sideways they usually end up keeping you in hospital from 37 weeks and needing a C-section. So no more lounging on the sofa in the evening for me, sat on my exercise ball as I type!

@Baking your DS sounds really sweet :) hopefully he is the same when DD arrives! Is it 700mg now and then how much when b/f? My Dr gave me calcium supplements when i was 8 weeks or so but only because I asked for them as I was worried I wasn't getting enough but she made it clear that she won't be prescribing them again and I just need to sort my diet out!

Oh yes @Dolly I was asking about them! Tell me more! That's great about mat b1 form - thank you! How long are you taking? I think I'm gonna take 9 months mat leave to the end of July then annual leave to end of August and then 3 days a week until Christmas and then 4 days a week permanently (hopefully - if they approve it) from Jan 2019.

Also don't think NCT exists in NI ... My cousin in England went to NCT and some of her best friends are people she met on her NCT classes with dc1 :)

We cross posted @baking! Hopefully you don't have to go for GTT tests. I'm torn about the hospital tour - did you do it for ds? Was it useful? Re position are they supposed to be head down from around now? I'm getting kicks/punches bottom left and top right so think baby is diagonal ...

Hi Moo, the 700mg is just same as what adults in general need, but when breastfeeding it rises till 1250mg. You can actually get cheap supplements containing both vit d and calcium from places like pound shops, Home Bargains, B&Ms if your GP won't prescribe. Not sure if you've looked at non-dairy sources of calcium, but might be an option to up your intake naturally - www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Calcium.pdf

I did tour for DS - think it put us at ease knowing exactly where to go, what wards were like. They also showed us some useful bits like topping and tailing (cleaning face and bottom), safe sleep etc too - but guess what initial baby care they cover just varies from hospital to hospital.

Tbh I don't think they get into final position till nearer due date and even if they aren't, they can attempt to manually turn a breech/transverse baby. Just remember DS always being head down when I went to midwife. I guess it's just made me more aware of looking at my posture, as how you sit can influence baby's position.

@baking - that calcium link is fab thank you! I'll have to print that for reference! That's interesting about posture and baby's position - will have to read up on that! :)

Almost the weekend ladies! 😀

Got this today!!! Slight reassurance lol!!!

I have my 16 week midwife appt next week. Anyone had this recently what do they do?

Can recommend getting an exercise ball Moo if you don't already have one - you can use them for leaning against as well as sitting on, so good for getting into favourable position, as well as labour.

Pleased you liked the calcium fact sheet - the BDA have some really useful ones for various nutrients and conditions and you can trust that all the info is evidence based and up to date :)

Glad your results came back as low risk Amanda :)

At 16 weeks they just checked my blood pressure, dipped my urine, went through the bloods I'd had taken at booking appointment for things like blood count and infections. Also listened to heartbeat using Doppler, though know they don't always start doing this till 24 week appointment. I was in and out in about 10 mins.