Catching up with those from TTC thread 5!

[Tropicana1]

Took me ages to work out my post wouldn't work because the last thread was full!!

@MrsEG @MrsC87 @Fivebyfive2 @Delilah7 @EltzBee @Crossfitgirl @CobaltRose96 @BabySquid @LikeTheFruit @daisiesandpeonies

(Runs back to old thread for more names... bloody baby brain!)

Hi ladies, goodness you know how to chat! Great to see everyone doing so well 😊 I am 18+5 already and I now have a definitive baby bump! Had last week off of work to do my volunteering role and I went back today to everyone saying "oh goodness, there's baby!" I'm still struggling with body image, but I know it's for an awesome reason.

Hope everyone's doing ok today! Xx

@purplefig just wind unfortunately 😂😂😂
Just to town, see friends and family, even just a walk with the pram. It's essential for me otherwise I'll get myself in a hole. Going to go to some groups too soon. Like it's a lot easier but there's still challenges. First week is the hardest. You have to get used to no sleep or disturbed sleep and all the other things. It's hard. How are you? Xx

@Crossfitgirl not long to go now. You did so good keeping it up until then. I gave up body pump around 30 weeks as just got too much and got too tired.

@MrsR16, good to hear from you!! What volunteering did you do, if it is OK to ask? I bet you look gorgeous with your bump xxx

Hope everyone is doing OK in the hotter weather? Ice creams and water all round?!

I thought I was doing well in training myself to sleep on my side, but the last few nights I keep waking up to find I'm on my back so maybe not as on it as I thought!

Possibly weird question... So we've got less than 6 months to go which I'm guessing will kind of fly by in a way. Then we'll be parents! To an actual little person! Does anyone else just randomly get hit with those thoughts and be equally excited and capping themselves?! 😂😳

@Fivebyfive2 hello lovely 😊 I volunteer with the Air Cadets, and had a week away on camp with them. Doing that while pregnant was a lot harder than I thought it would be!

I have thoughts like that all the time - I am absolutely petrified! 😂 one of the hardest things for me at the moment is that DH is (and always has been) outwardly emotionless. I know he's excited but he never shows it! Blooming men hey? Lol xx

@MrsR16 sorry to hear you struggle with body image, unfortunately I think it's a prevalent issue for many women. I think, like you're doing, reminding yourself of why your body is changing and being grateful to your body for doing this incredible thing can help. I love reading the development updates on the app Ovia, that really helps. It might also be a good idea to follow a couple of pregnancy accounts on something like Instagram if you're on it, to help normalise the pregnant body. Also sorry to hear your DH struggles to show his emotions, another common issue in our culture! My DH used to be quite similar to this, but over the years we've have a lot of chats about toxic masculinity / cultural male norms and he's really opened up a lot. I don't say this to brag, but to show that often this type of behaviour is just a cultural norm rather than an ingrained way of being.

@Delilah7 hahaha I see! Well, wind looks good on him! That all sounds really positive and I bet the groups will be a great addition, as you'll be surrounded by women in the same situation as you. I'm definitely planning to get out too (after some time spent recovering), but it'll be Feb so we'll have to wrap up! I'm all good thanks - 10+5 today and definitely feeling brighter than earlier on in the first trimester. Sleeping loads and have some nausea, but on the whole feeling much better. Mainly just excited for my scan next Monday!

@Fivebyfive2 urghhh I'd forgotten we need to train ourselves to sleep on our sides too. I'm a front sleeper, it's going to be quite a change when the bump arrives. Have you seen those pregnancy pillows? Could be useful for side sleeping. And yes, I totally get you on those thoughts. I think it's just such a monumental shift in identity and lifestyle, it's completely normal to be thinking about these things. I mean, it is a huge responsibility - so I think it's good we're thinking about it. We spend so much time TTC and then when we do it's like: ah shit, now I need to know how to parent! I've started listening to The Parent Hood, a podcast by Marina Fogle which has got some good tidbits. I also quite fancy reading 'The book you wish your parents had read' before the arrival, too!

@Crossfitgirl Yes a huge shock! A lovely one though. I could barely look at the screen as I was so nervous so to turn around and see two in there was a moment I won’t forget! Hope you’re coping in this heat!!

@MrsR16 I really get that. I haven’t been allowed to exercise and feel to tired to do anything anyway, and that with all the carbs I just feel like a lump already. My ‘normal’ self goes running several times a week and loves a good salad so it’s been a bit tough and I’m already having a hard time with the mirror! I keep telling myself that not only is it all for the greater good, but it’s all temporary - my running shoes will still be there when babies have arrived. But it is tough, and I know how you feel. My jeans already don’t do up and I’m only 9 weeks! Glad you enjoyed the volunteering! Sounds fab :)

@Fivebyfive2 I have always slept on my side luckily, but if you struggle pregnancy pillows are supposed to help.
For some reason my mind can’t go there yet! All I can think of is the next step - so let’s get to the next scan, then let’s get to 12 weeks... My mum keeps asking a million and one questions and is all ‘January will be here before you know it!’ and I’m like a sullen teenager like Ugh, get off my case haha! I think I’ll get my organised head screwed on after the 12 week scan for sure :)

@purplefig DH is currently reading a parenting book (way ahead of me!) I can’t remember what it’s called, something like ‘Perfectly adequate parenting’! He’s really enjoying it - says it gives good advice dressed up as jokes.

I am very queasy today! Almost called in sick but made it in. If I don’t eat pretty much every hour the waves start to come back. Polos have been a godsend though! I am very much looking forward to this phase passing. It’s bearable; I’m not actually being sick, and have gotten in to a good food groove of cereal at breakfast and then a sandwich for lunch (I will never hate on carbs ever again). So boring though!

Hope everyone’s doing okay in this heat! My poor husky dog is having a terrible time. Got his paddling pool out last night and he didn’t even want to get in that! Night indoors sat next to the fan for us :)

@MrsEG that sounds interesting. I've been reading up on the 'Good enough parenting' movement, which sounds pretty good (especially as someone who sometimes struggles with perfectionism). OMG I totally forgot what a lifeline polos were for me week 7 - 9! That and cracked black pepper crackers. Your poor pup - it's too hot for mine too. Luckily our house is quite cool and we live near a beach, so he can get in the water to cool down, but it still means shorter walks and maaan does he need his walkies.

Quick question. When did everyone get their blood results back from their midwife booking appointment? My appointment was over a week ago and haven't heard anything - is no news good news / can I relax now?!

@purplefig now you mention t, I've not had anything back from mine which was... (checks diary as brain isn't working)... 5th July!!! Wow that's a while ago now! Hopefully no news is good news! I imagine they'll tell us at the scan/ next MW apt?

@purplefig it's silly really, as I'm still a size 6! Just can't fit into normal stuff now and feeling like a whale already. DH thinks it would be worth me chatting to my midwife about it, see if she can suggest anything to help. I've never struggled with mental health before so this alongside the pregnancy is exhausting my brain!

@MrsEG we'll totally get through this and then we'll realise that it's all worth it! The volunteering is absolutely amazing - I love it! When you can get a teenager through the most terrifying experience they've had (normally flying) and they come out with the biggest smile ever, it just makes it all worth it. My cadets trust me to tell me stuff they're too scared to tell their parents, which means I'm doing my job right!

Baby is kicking away today! It's getting more active by the day! I think DH would be able to feel it if he was quick enough 😍😍

@Crossfitgirl I’m 31 weeks now and just starting to slow down slightly, my lungs are getting slightly squashed now and it’s making me feel unfit, it’s really frustrating as other than that I feel great and I try to carry on as normal when I’m swimming or whatever then end up out of breath when I feel like I shouldn’t be

@MrsR16 I’ve struggled a lot with body image, particularly around 22 weeks when I started to show properly, didn’t help that we were on holiday at the time so lots of photos wearing a bikini etc. I’ve cried on DH multiple times about being ‘huge and disgusting’ and being worried that he won’t want me any more. I’ve always been petite so the change has been hard for me.

@Fivebyfive2 I’ve reached the stage where I’m mostly excited about it but I still have moments of total panic - I still have no idea how to take care of a baby 😐

@purplefig I got my results by letter around 4 weeks later, my bloods were taken at my scan appointment though not my booking in appointment

@stormtrooperjulian that's exactly how I feel!! How are you doing now? Does it pass eventually? I mean, don't get me wrong, I am so proud of my bump, but it's just so different to how I look normally and obviously it's changing at a rate of knots!

Sorry for being a bit of a downer today ladies, but you guys are the best to talk about things with! Honestly, you're all amazing xx

@BabySquid yes I'm sure you're right. But if there was an issue e.g. low iron, presumably they'd get in touch as we'd need to do something about it pronto.

@MrsR16 Don't apologise for being down in the dumps! I think ultimately, just try and be kind to yourself. Accept that those thoughts are normal, but they aren't helping you. It's easy to let yourself spiral (or at least, I find that to be the case!). So now if I have any such thoughts, I quickly intercept and gently remind myself that my body is currently building a brand new human being and that is going to require some changes to my shape.

@stormtrooperjulian it seems like it's a different protocol for everything depending on where you live! How have you found swimming btw? That's my plan for when I'm feeling a bit less nauseous/dead on my feet.

@MrsR16 don't apologise! It's hard dealing with body changes-the hormones definitely don't help either!

@purplefig I keep trying to remind myself we've got lots of time...,before pregnancy I was one of those people that would have to finish a job ASAP once I started it, so it's probably taken twice as long to sort the spare room out, but I've got to look after baby.
I got a phone call about my bloods about a week after they took them, but that was because my platelets were raised and the midwife didn't want me to panic when the consultant raised it at the 12 week appointment.

@MrsEG I had a similar sleep pattern in the first trimester, luckily by about 11 weeks I was sleeping through the night instead of waking between 2 and 4, 🤞 that happens for you too.
Sorry to hear you've been so queasy today - keep thinking of the second trimester, you're nearly there!

@Fivebyfive2 I'm with you on swinging between excitement and being scared! 4 months to go here and since my niece arrived a couple of weeks ago I think it's just heightened those emotions!

@BostonFern that sounds very sensible. You'll get there in the end, but I think it's sometimes hard to accept that pregnancy does slow us down. For a very good reason! Thanks for sharing when you heard back about your bloods - I don't know why I've become anxious about them. Just trying to reassure myself that it's been 1.5 weeks and they'd surely have rang if there was anything urgent.

How're are you all coping in the heat? I've been sat in my north facing office all day with the window cranked open and it's just about OK. (It's an absolute ice box in here come winter, so swings and roundabouts).

@purplefig @BostonFern thanks ladies, you're the best 😘

Evening all!

@MrsEG, I was exactly the same!! Was only saying to dh the other day, how weird it is... When ttc it's just about getting the bfp. Then at first it is all about getting to 12 weeks... You don't let yourself think much further ahead. Aaahh the thought of your pup not even wanting the paddling pool, bless him! I hope you feel better soon, in the meantime, carbs are your friends xxx

Re midwife results, I think some areas only call if there is an issue?

Dh will hopefully get the car on Thursday, so excited!! Then we try out car seats and prams 😀

Not pregnancy related but just a cool thing... My grandad is 90 this weekend so Saturday we're having a party for him! Apparently my aunt has arranged for him to meet Brian Little (old Aston villa manager) on Friday, as a lifelong fan he'll be so excited!!

@purplefig I've just been in front of a fan all day.
Heat is definitely making the sickness worse 😢

I so feel for you ladies in your first trimester at the moment with the heat and sickness! That can't be a good combination... saying that, you ladies in your third must be struggling!

So after a down day, DH got to feel baby kick for the first time which makes me very happy! It's really early for other people to be feeling it though - I'm 19 weeks tomorrow... could I be measuring ahead again? Xx

Well that was an interesting night! We had two hours of thunder storms, did they keep you all awake too?

@MrsR16 my DH felt baby kick round then too- my placenta is lying low over my cervix, not sure if that's made movements easier to detect?

@Bostonfern, they woke us up at about 2am I think, looked very impressive I must say! Went to check my cat was safely inside, he didn't seem too bothered by it all. At least it feels slightly fresher this morning... For now! Xx

@BostonFern we were woken up at about 2.00am. Puppy went mad, think it's the first time he's heard thunder poor thing! Lots of flashing light but didn't go and look

@BostonFern that's awesome to know - I already feel that this pregnancy is going far too quickly, I could do without losing another few days hehe!

I slept right through the storms! So did DH and the dog! 😂

@purplefig I’d say no news is good news with blood results! They may give them to you at your 12-week scan. Oh I so wish we lived near a beach, the dog would love that! He was a mess last night!

@BostonFern Glad it’s not just me! I had one night this week that I slept through but otherwise it’s every night, always bang on time between 2-4! Can’t wait for it to stop!

@Fivebyfive2 Oh how lovely, hope your Grandad has a fab time! Enjoy the new car :)

@MrsR16 How lovely you’re feeling some kicks!!

We didn’t have a real storm in Manchester just a lot of rain! Apparently our storm is on the way tomorrow. I do love a good storm though when you can just listen in bed!

I had a bit of a ‘I have gained so much weight I am a lump’ meltdown on DH yesterday and bless his cottons, he got to Googling. Apparently not only is a 4-5lb gain in the first tri with twins normal but also, the steroid I am on (and taking 4 tablets a day of it) is notorious for weight gain. So, I feel slightly better today - especially as I am being weaned off the steroid starting next week. I just hope the consultant will sign me off for some gentle exercise next week now too!

Hope everyone is coping in this heat - my office is like a greenhouse!