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 :-)

@Bella just saw this and thought of you! Might be useful ...
www.emmasdiary.co.uk/lifestyle/family-life/family-health-safety/your-cat-and-your-baby

Re monitors I tasked oh with sorting that one and he got us an angelcare one (he thinks it might be the 400 model) he also bought a separate wireless camera from Amazon and has installed an app on both our phones and the ipad so we can log into the camera from anywhere. He thought the display was a bit small on the angelcare monitor apparently! The camera is hd and has sound. I've heard mixed stuff about the movement pads but it was out of my hands as i asked him to sort it but I'll give them a go! Both the monitor and camera were about £100 which sounds crazy doesn't it!? But in baby world I guess it's reasonable!

Lol about the shower thing - I asked oh last week how do I shower when you're not here!? He said just set the baby on the landing ... 😕 hoping he was joking lol so I'm thinking shower before he does to work or bring the bouncy seat in the bathroom with me ...

@Soph fab about the movements and great your oh got to feel them 😍

@Amanda I reckon it is movements - I remember it feeling like wee flutters at that stage and also wondering whether it was wind or not but I know now it was definitely movement!! I don't know whether I said but I went to a mamas and papas event last week and it was far better than the mothercare one! Maybe just our local mothercare isn't great but m&p was much more professional, there was a baby 1st aid demo which was great and we got a goody bag with babygro, bib and rattle! They also put a yummy breakfast spread on lol

@Baking keep em coming! I am screenshotting for future reference!! :)

Hope everyone is well and had a lovely bank holiday weekend!! 😊

Ps I'll have to look up this sleepyhead and moove things - no idea what yous are talking about! #clueless

thank you so much @Moo31 ill be straight on to that article once iv eaten!

this is the baby moov thing i bought. at the recommendation of a few friends. the sleepyhead deluxe looks so cosy and comfy but i opted for this instead as the size just put me off as my house is already started to feel crammed!

just had a major barney with DH due to fucking garlic! i'm sure iv moaned about this before but my god, he loves it and the smell of it right now gives me the heave! i asked him a couple of months ago to pack it in and he kindly agreed but appears to have indulged in 3million garlic cloves for his lunch. i mention it and he goes apeshit. he can go breath garlic all over the spare room tonight cos he certainly ain't sleeping with me. ITS RANK! i'm soooo raging! x

Bella and Moo, I put DS in bouncy chair in bathroom like you say. Sometimes he was sick/had explosive nappy while I was in there, but quickly cleaned up once I was out the shower :)

I'm with you re the garlic Bella. I don't like the smell at the best of times, but can tell if DH has had something garlicky as soon as he comes in from work (I refuse to cook with it at the mo), as hits me as soon as he comes in the door. Worst thing is if he's had Chinese take-away on nights - the bedroom reeks when he wakes up!

Tbh never bothered with any extras like sleepyhead/babymoov last time round, but know people who bought all sorts to help their little ones sleep - maybe that's where we went wrong with DS!

Hi ladies,

First of all, I am so sorry to read your news magpie - how heartbreaking for you after getting to the stage you were. I hope you're being kind to yourself and giving your mind & body a chance to heal.

Beautiful scan pic sophsta - my little baby wouldn't behave at any of my scans either so I think we'll be in for a very active child! I'm gonna say girl for you too!

Moo Glad you had a lovely but busy time in Malaga! Although the travelling bit sounded like a bit of the pest, I think people just sometimes don't think! Pregnancy isn't looked on in the same way anymore cos we ladies get on with it a bit more than they used to, although I feel it should be sometimes noted how enormous a job our bodies are carrying out. My mum has my pram for superstitious reasons also however we have everything else in the house, including the car seat just incase. Hope your 30 week appt goes well today?

Baking sorry to hear about your near public explosive episode - i hope your tummy has settled down a bit now? Also, thanks for the tips - i love getting tips from people who have been through it, so helpful!

Bella - how far along are you now? I was told by the obstetricians and midwives that I work with about perineal massage - id originally laughed it off but according to them, there's some very favourable outcomes for women that have used it. Like you said, it's defo worth a try to avoid tearing!

Amanda - it prob is little movements you're feeling - so exciting! When is your scan?

ohb - I've been troubled with fanny daggers now and again since about 17 weeks! I've just thought it was a normal pregnancy thing haha! Hope you're keeping alright!

Sorry I've been off the radar recently ladies - had a bit of a stressful week. Started off when I finished my 4th nightshift Fri morning (I don't know how far along you're planning to continue nights Amanda but I'd advise you not to by 30weeks!)
Hadn't been feeling right at the weekend, very tired, dizzy and a lot of pain in my ribs. I'd put it down to not feeling right after nights and doing too much. But by monday, I hadn't been feeling baby move nearly as much. Phoned my midwife and she advised triage - turns out I have protein in my urine, my BP was elevated and with my symptoms, they wanted me admitted for pre-eclampsia. I was absolutely terrified. Thankfully my BP came down quick and my symptoms are much better, baby is healthy and moving away so I've been allowed home and just have to keep getting regular monitoring. I have an appt at 31 weeks and in the meantime have to phone triage immediately if my symptoms worsen again.

Hey @Dollydaydream2829 oh u poor soul. U must have been terrified! 😭 I'm glad u r better now. 4 nightshifts is tough on anyone never mind being 30 weeks pregnant!!!

Defo not wanting to do much nightshifts but jus now I feel worse on the dayshift. I am dayshift today and I am absolutely GUBBED! & I have 6 hours to go 😭

xxx

Oh @Dolly you poor thing that sounds scary for you! Thank goodness those symptoms have subsided and hopefully they stay that way. Hope you are taking it easy?

30 week app was this morning and went well - bloods, urine, blood pressure and a wee scan (but no pics unfortunately!). Baby is breech but apparently its nothing to worry about and there is loads of time (and room) for him/her to go head down yet.

@Amanda hope the rest of your shift goes in quickly for you!!

@Bella and @Baking - both OH and I love our sleep so I am being optimistic in hoping that baby will too and will hold off looking at sleep aids until we need them lol

We got home from Malaga late last night and I fly to Portugal with my mum and sister tomorrow morning - really cramming the baby free holidays in before its too late lol! Heading down to my parents house for dinner and to see the pram soon - can't wait!!!

I also called the Midwifery Led Unit and they were lovely - I explained my predicament re asthma / the hospital wanting me to go consultant led and they said mild asthma falls into a "very grey area" and they need to wait until nearer the time to make a call on it so I am going to see them a few days after my 36 week scan so they can make the decision then - fingers crossed!!

Sorry to hear about your hospital admission Dolly, glad to hear all well now and you're home. Paid you recognising symptoms early and them able to lower your bp - have friend who wasn't so lucky and had emergency C-section at 28 weeks last year, but both doing well now.

Moo, glad to hear your appointment went well. Is your 36 week scan because your baby is currently breech? Mw said at my last appointment they aren't bothered about position till then.

oh @Dollydaydream2829 so sorry to hear you've been feeling ill and in hospital. glad you're home and hope you're back on your feet in no time. albeit not pacing a ward on night duty! so glad the bp came down quickly for you. i always wonder if worrying about high bp and being admitted to hospital would continue to give you high bp, if that makes sense. anyway, have everything crossed it was a 1 off and the rest of you're pregnancy is smooth xx

yesterday marked 24 weeks for me to which i woke up and announced it to DH. he simply replied "no babe, let's do 16 weeks to go, that's more exciting" so we are on the baby jesus/santa countdown like 2 big kids. if i got way over with this baby i think ill be devastated, i do not want to be into the new year still pregnant or worse still, giving birth on my 37th birthday (2nd jan)! as much as i absolutely love hogmanay celebrations as my favourite time of year is much rather enjoy them with my baby in my arms than kicking my ribs from the inside haha

we are now talking after garlic-gate. honestly @bakingmad83 i'm the same as you can smell it at 100 paces. anyway, i had a bitch fit and threw out all our dried and fresh garlic. he now is under zero tolerance as i was lenient before and allowed the odd bit. i mean business this time haha

i'm not so superstitious when it comes to having baby bits and bobs in the house. our nursery furniture will be delivered end of sept and pram etc ready in nov. ill probably keep the pram here as ill be 8months by then. i understand why parents to be are superstitious, the whole TTC to being parents is so stressful that you never want to tempt fate or risk anything xx

oh the excitement ladies, i'm having my hair done on saturday! new colour infact. going lighter as i have grey coming through at the front (all within 6 months of being married might i add). ohhh i'm buzzing about it. changed days eh, hahaha xx

Thanks for your concern and well wishes ladies! Feeling much better now. On a weeks holiday from work so it's came at just the right time! I think it's so easy to forget that we can't go at the same pace as we used to at times so in my case, my body maybe just gave me a gentle reminder. Ive got my last set of nights in two weeks. I'll be 32 weeks so I really don't know if I should speak to my boss now or wait and see how I feel.

I'm so jealous of your holidays moo - like you say, make the most of those just now! Glad your appt went well and think the babies are so active at this stage that he/she will defo turn umpteen times before. You're so lucky you get a 36week scan! Must be lovely seeing them again.

Glad to hear your friend and baby are doing well baking - it's mad to think how much they can do for premature babies these days! Hope you're continuing to keep well so far?

Bella - that's an exciting way to look at it, DH and I sometimes do that! Sounds mental to think all going well, we have a MAXIMUM of 12 weeks to go, if I'm overdue. I love getting my hair done! I've actually just gone back dark after having my hair gradually lightened for that very same reason! Since getting married, the greys seem to have multiplied haha! However after having it lightened over the course of a year, I decided I'm much better suited as a brunette and have returned to the dark side. Sod the greys....

Glad your feeling better now Dolly. Can't believe some of you ladies now seem so close to the finish line!! Can't wait to see which baby decides to turn up first!! Who is technically due first?! I've got forgotten everyone's due dates etc. Maybe we need to do the list again.

Had a lovely wedding for my friend at the weekend. Was a very hot day! Been busy at work since then I've not had much time to catch up on here until today. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Friday tomorrow yay!

Enjoy your trip to the hairdressers Bella! I now get the lady who does DS's at home to do mine, so nearly 3 years since I actually went into a salon to get it done!

I was glad DS turned up 3 days after due date on 31st Dec rather than 3 days before on the 25th, but I guess they show up when they're ready :) Was just thinking today that all being well DD will be here somewhere between 8 and 13 weeks time. So not long now really :)

Glad to hear you're feeling well now Dolly and like you say, your hols came at the right time. All's good here thanks, but eaten for Britain today. Breakfast - 2 bowls of cereal with fruit and nuts, then a slice of toast. Lunch - baked sweet potato with baked beans, cheese and a tomato, then 2 slices of toast with cottage cheese Dinner - spaghetti with a large helping of homemade tomato, roast veg and bean sauce, followed by peach and fromage frais. Just now a slice of toast with Nutella style spread on it and thinking about a bowl of cereal shortly. Wondering if baby is having a growth spurt or it's my body's way of trying to put a bit of weight on.

Good to hear you enjoyed your friend's wedding Anna and have a nice relaxing weekend ahead of you. Won't be long till we're starting a new thread and can recap on everyone's stats, but I'm 29 weeks today :)

DH is working all weekend, but looks a good forecast for Saturday, so will make the most of it even if we just head down with DS to the beach in our village.

Meant to say, one of my friends just passed on some raspberry leaf teabags she had left over from when she had her little boy earlier in the year. I didn't have the tea/capsules last time, but regretted it, as my contractions fizzled out part way through pushing. Think it was largely down to being dehydrated/ depleted in electrolytes from being constantly sick during labour, but not taking any chances this time, as hoping to avoid forceps again - though in fairness would take that over C-section esp with a toddler at home. Anyway, going to try the teabags at 36 weeks to see if I like them and if not get some capsules to take from 37 weeks. You aren't meant to take them beforehand, but in theory you won't go into labour till your body is ready and they merely strengthen uterine contractions rather than bring on labour. Sorry if you're all aware of raspberry leaf tea already, but handy to know about if you're not :)

I think it's moo and myself that are due first! I'm sure she may be 30 weeks tomorrow and I'm 30 weeks on Saturday! EDD 11/11. Ohb and baking on our tails so realistically it could be any of the four of us depending on the babies!

Hope you enjoy your relaxing weekend anna - that's my plan also!

Thanks for the raspberry leaf tea too baking - I had heard it before but had forgotten! It's defo worth a shot - and i love fruity tea anyway! I'm going to try out all these types of things! I'm sure by 36weeks I may be getting slightly impatient and if i try out different things, even if they don't work, it'll at least seem like I'm doing things, if that makes sense?!

I've heard a lot of people don't like the taste of the tea Dolly, which was why I was planning to use capsules and think you have to drink a lot of the tea (not sure how many cups a day for benefit, so will have to read up), but 2.5 years ago I switched to peppermint tea, so may not mind the taste with liking more herbal teas. I didn't get impatient last time surprisingly - perhaps because I finished work late and there was Christmas coming up. I began losing my mucus plug the day before due date, so knew things would be happening soonish. Not sure what I might have tried to help things along, as was still walking a few miles a day and bouncing on my ball, but from what I understand the only thing that may help a bit is sex, as the prostaglandins in semen help to soften the cervix :)

Hi all!

Yes @Anna @dolly is right I'm 30 weeks today so anywhere between 8 and 12 weeks which is craaaazzy! We need to get a wee list going with due dates - I don't think we ever had one. I think we said we would.do it on our 2nd thread but I'm surprised we aren't there yet! Glad you had a great time at the wedding and enjoy your relaxing weekend!!

@dolly glad you are taking it easy :) I would definitely speak to work and get those nights changed to days - more notice you give them the more likely they are to accommodate you (if they are the sort to be accommodating that is!)

@Bella glad you and oh have made up after garlic gate and I hope he sticks to the zero rule from now on. It's oh aftershave that is turning me lol! Xx weeks to go is much more exciting isn't it!? Enjoy getting your hair done - wee bit of pampering! 😀

@baking the consultant said she'd like me to come back at 36 weeks which i thought was because of the breech but then i was talking to the girl who does the antenatal classes and she asked when my 36 week appt/scan is so it sounds like it's normal in these parts! I still have my box of RLT and planning on drinking it coming up to due date - didn't know when to start or how much so thanks for the info! I don't normally like herbal teas but actually did like the taste of it thankfully! Not sure I'll be going for your other baby-moving suggestion though! 😂

Think if you ask mw/pharmacist/at Holland and Barrett etc they will advise 37 weeks for RLT, as that's when babies are classed as ready to be born, but no evidence that it triggers labour, only strengthens contractions once you're ready to go. Know people who've taken it much earlier though. Found an article on baby centre UK that suggests fine to take from 32 weeks, start with one cup daily and build up to three. Appears certain contraindications to it from the article though www.babycentre.co.uk/x545986/can-raspberry-leaf-tea-help-to-ease-labour.

That's interesting that they do an extra scan at 36 weeks in NI, but I guess at least that way they can confirm position and anything else so it doesn't come as a surprise when you deliver - though seen plenty of times on here about babies turning up to 40 weeks, so probs still quite early for anything definite.

Thanks @baking so RLT and the hypnobirthing CD you recommended from 32 weeks and then perineal massage from 36 weeks (?)

@Bella saw this and thought of you!!!

Felt my first movements from baby last night. I've felt odd thing here and there when still in bed an wasn't 100% it was deff baby. But last night baby kept kicking and hitting me. An even DH could feel it from the outside. 😍😍 can't wait for them to get stronger. Strangest but nicest sensation ever.

HAHAHAHAHA @Moo31 look at my whatsapp with DH just now. i sent him that pic earlier 😂

aww how lovely @Anna2006 those early movements are fab aren't they? so so pleased for you both xx

ohhh @bakingmad83 you just said a bad word in my house S.E.X!!! DH has forgotten what that is! 😂 i genuinely feel sorry for him but it's the last thing on my mind so i never initiate it and then whenever he does, is always the worst possible moment. hoping i'm not alone here! 🙈

That sounds right Moo :)

Sorry there's not much happening in that department for you Bella - guess if you don't feel like it, you don't feel like it!

Lovely to hear about feeling your baby's movements Anna :)

@Bella you are not alone! 🙈

@Anna 😍😍😍 best feeling ever, I am so chuffed for you! I wish someone had told me earlier in my pregnancy (or maybe they did and I didn't believe them!) that the kicks/ hits would become a regular occurrence. I thought I would be anxious for the whole 40 weeks not being able to tell what was going on in there but since 22/23 weeks they have been really regular and it's such a comfort - you have that to look forward to ❤

Hope you've all had a nice day :)

Just a quick one. For all I didn't do the NCT course last time, I did read up on some of their online info before labour. Think I may have missed a chunk of it or they've updated it, as this section on pain management interesting - explains hormones involved and how you can influence them in your favour. I was moved 3 times in labour - apparently just moving rooms lowers oxytocin, which slows things down, so may explain why it took ages to progress and I'd probs be a bit firmer 2nd time round! nct.org.uk/birth-topics/coping-pain-labour