Catching up with TTC #1, thread 8!

[MrsEG]

Getting a new one started before we are full! I’ll go back now and add people - answering everyone’s last posts here!!

@MrsR16 Nesting sounds like a good idea! Our house is such a mess at the moment mid-decorating and I cant wait for it all to be done so I can tidy!!

@BabySquid Fabulous bump! Glad you had such a brilliant time. I’m starting to think that pain sleeping is all just part and parcel of being pregnant now! At my yoga class everyone complains of it!

@Tropicana1 I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about!

@purplefig Yeah it was amazing to hear! Apparently IVF twins are more likely to be small but she never explained why. But yeah, induction is less likely for growth - it could still be needed for other reasons but it’s nice to have one of them off the list! How are you feeling, sleeping any better?

@ELW85 I did sleep a little bit better! I still woke up about 4:30 but slept all the way from 10 til then which is amazing! I feel like I’m slowly getting used to just being tired now! Glad you managed a better sleep!

@PippaPug Glad you got the radiator sorted! Yeah I’m amazed at how care changes from place to place but I think the main thing is as long as someone is seeing us at least once a month then that’s great!! How have you been feeling? I’m 24+4 today and really starting to feel uncomfortable now. My bump measured approx 32 weeks yesterday!! 32!!! She thinks they must be lying all at the front.

@cupcakesandglitter From doing some googling I think at the 28 week appt they’ll more start telling me what I can and can’t do in the birth - like start laying out all of my options? So I’m not gonna worry too much and wait to see what they say! My only ‘preference’ is everyone arrives happy and healthy and all are safe and well! I love the bong haha - how are you feeling today?

Evening all!

@purplefig - thank you, I’m pretty pissed off with work to be fair. And I agree, they wouldn’t say this to a man.
I can’t believe you’re 1/5 engaged! Do you find out at appointments? I hope you’re feeling good on your last week of work!

@MrsEG - thank you lovely. DH and I are solid as a rock, and you’re right, I wouldn’t have married him or had a family with him if I doubted that. Work people need to shut up when I’m hormonal 😂
What a day you’ve had! How are you feeling now? Did they say what else it could be?
I’m so pleased you’re being looked after!

@Lemonysherbet - congratulations on the scan! It’s lovely to see them again isn’t it?

I hope everyone has had a decent Monday? I might be about to tuck into a pizza. May be necessary after today and work being shits. Never mind 😂

Morning ladies!
@ELW85 work just sounds awful. I'm starting to think what we will do when I go back I'm not sure we can afford for me to have 12 months off (18 weeks normal pay then statutory mat pay then no pay for 3 months) couple of friends have said they had £10K in savings for mat leave 😱

@MrsEG glad you're being looked after and remained dry! What a way to start the day

@Lemonysherbet beautiful scan it's amazing at the 20 week isn't it!

Well I'm tired having had an awful night sleep due to pregnancy nightmares!

Have a good day ladies

@Lemonysherbet glad the scan went well! The level of detail is amazing isn't it?

@ELW85 like MrsEg said, there are some great campaigns / organisations out there raising awareness around the topic of returning to work / flexible working / making work work for mothers etc. Could be worth seeing what they have to say? So at my last appointment (34 weeks) she felt the baby to check position and that's when she noticed it was 1/5 engaged. Think it's written down in your notes as 4/5 of head is present ie. 1/5 is in pelvis. Prior to that it was noted as "free" (ie. not in pelvis). Hope you enjoyed your well deserved pizza!

@MrsEG hope all is well with you and the boys?

So I stood at my standing desk all day yesterday for the first time since Christmas. Woken today and feel like my pelvis is going to crumble 🤣 so so soooo excited to finish work on Friday! Have a good one everyone x

@purplefig Ooh you’ll have to let me know if you can freeze dumplings! 4-6 weeks is nothing - I can’t wait to find out whether you have a boy or girl!! Oh poor you; have you got a birthing ball? I find sitting on that good when my pelvis is really at me.
I am doing okay; think the leakage is a massive increase in discharge (joy) but my god it’s constant, was all over the bed again this morning. I’ve got a pad on today to monitor it and it’s taking everything in me not to call the midwife about it even though my rational mind knows it’s just discharge - google has naturally scared the life out of me again!!

@Lemonysherbet Ah how lovely! Congrats on the little boy :)

@ELW85 Hope you enjoyed the very well deserved pizza! I’m doing okay just so stressed with it all - these last few weeks are sending my anxiety in to total overdrive. They’ve said it’s very normal for it to be increased discharge and I wish I’d just listened to that and not googled it!!

@MrsH497 Ah pregnancy nightmares are the worst! I hate to say it but they get weirder if mine are anything to go by!! I won’t be able to afford a full 12 months either at all and we have savings ready too - I’m hoping to be going back after 10 months - absolutely no way I could do any time unpaid! Luckily I’ll be going back 3 days though so at least my weekend will be longer than my working week :)

Afternoon all!

The pizza was fantastic. Attempting a gym class (heavily modified) tonight so at least there’s a balance, haha!

@MrsH497 - work situations are crazy aren’t they? 10k for mat leave is a lot to have to have put to one side. I get 13 weeks full pay, 13 weeks half and then SMP. There’s so much to consider, but I’m sure we’ll get sorted 😊
I hope you get better sleep tonight. Pregnancy dreams/insomnia is awful.

@purplefig - thank you, I’ll have a look at the organisations @MrsEG very kindly mentioned 😊 I still woke up in a mood about it today, and was awake at 4am so clearly I’ve not processed it in my head.
Very exciting about the engagement on your notes! I wonder what it’ll be next time!

@MrsEG - I totally get why the last few weeks have kicked your anxiety up. You have us though, we’ll keep each other sane (as sane as we can!) and soon, those gorgeous little ones will be in your arms and it’ll all be a distant memory!

@MrsEG good to hear from you! Speaking of rational minds...I somehow managed to convince myself you'd gone into labour glad they're still in position, though sorry to hear about the increase in discharge. It's so bloody irritating isn't it?! Sure your midwife wouldn't mind in the slightest if you called for reassurance though. Google is just the worst. If it makes you feel any better, I've been torturing myself today googling movements at 36 weeks! Apparently it is actually quite common for movements to be a lot less jabby/kick/punch once they've started to engage / or just run out of room. Ok so dumpling consensus is: fine, but freeze uncooked. They will take longer to cook (e.g. 35 - 40 mins), but that's not a problem if you're using the slow cooker anyway. Ooo I know, I cannot wait to meet whoever we've got in there...got a name for both, though worrying I haven't given it enough thought. (This, the woman who spent a good 4 years debating whether or not motherhood was for her...I think sometimes a deadline is a good thing for me ). I have got an exercise ball and I've been meaning to dig it out for general positioning reasons, so I'll send DH up into the loft tonight to retrieve. Thanks for the tip.

@ELW85 Very impressed you're still getting to the gym - that's so good! Maybe you can work out some of your frustration at the class? Fingers crossed there is a punching bag involved!! In all seriousness though, I hope this gets resolved for you because it is really not on.

Good news ladies - after having to bring up the issue with my MP (!!!) and have them chase HMRC twice (!!!), I have finally heard back and I am getting Maternity Allowance. I just need to give them a ring tomorrow to confirm maternity leave date (no idea why, as I have already written it down on my form). Anyway, I am just so bloody relieved and actually feel like I can properly relax and go on mat leave without feeling guilty now. Bring it on!

Off to my chilled yoga class tonight and feel like it's just what I need to wind down. Hope your Tuesdays are all ticking along pleasantly. X

@purplefig - I’m so pleased they’ve confirmed your maternity allowance!
Yoga sounds like the perfect way to wind down, too! I wish we could swap classes 😂
I hope your exercise ball helps with the pelvic pain.
Google is definitely the best and the worst thing simultaneously!
Ooh on the names front, have you gone for a family based/heritage approach or something totally unique to you guys?

@ELW85 thanks, I'm so overwhelmingly relieved. I sort of knew it would be fine, but until it's all confirmed it's just felt a bit up in the air. Names wise we've just gone with what we like! Our heritage is pretty bog standard for the UK, but if I had an interesting connection to another place I could be tempted to go down that route. I've just googled and one of them has German origins and the other French. Both are fairly common over here though. I found the hardest thing was finding names that are both recognisable, yet not super duper popular. Middle names we're going for sentimental/family connections. Have you had many ideas yet?

@ELW85 thanks, I really am so glad to have this group/thread! Helps talk me down on so many occasions! You’re doing so well still heading to the gym - enjoy! I am so excited to move again once babies are here.
Definitely look up Pregnant Then Screwed - I know they have a phone line to help with flex working requests! pregnantthenscrewed.com/flexible-working-hotline/

@purplefig Ha! I think DH thought I was gonna go in to labour all day yesterday especially as I got a few quite painful Braxton Hicks (‘mildly uncomfortable’ my arse!) and he was checking in on me constantly haha! I have to say though I did have a niggle myself and checked over my hospital bag one more time...!
Super common for movements to change - mine totally have the last few weeks as they can’t move past/around each other anymore. It was nice having the consultant confirm that was normal though!
Ahh I’m so pleased your maternity allowance has finally come through with mere moments to go!! What a relief for you. You can now fully relax as of Friday! Enjoy yoga :)

@MrsEG ahh I didn't realise they were an actual thing! I woke up exhausted and so upset (dreamt I lost baby 😢) I do wonder if it's down to my friend having had a still born at 26 weeks playing on my mind a bit.
Glad you and @ELW85 don't think £10K is realistic! I think I'll apply for a year off and just go back early or take AL!

How are all the bumps coming along?!

@Lemonysherbet congrats on the scan! So exciting you're having a boy! I'm convinced we have a boy - no reason other than I'm finding boy names harder than girls to think of. It must a be a relief to have the scan done and everything be well.

@purplefig glad your maternity pay has been confirmed! You've reminded me that I should look into mine. My boyfriend is doing the first 6months and his company only pay if I still work I think. I'm not really sure how that all works - something to look into when I haven't got a load of other things on I think. Not long until your maternity leave starts! Exciting. I keep meaning to start pregnancy yoga but haven't felt pregnant enough yet!

@ELW85 I interviewed Anna Whitehouse (motherpukka on insta) last year about her campaigning for flexible work. I think she also has some helpful stuff on her website. Hope you get what you need from your employer and frankly, what you deserve.

@MrsH497 10k is a huge amount to save up and put away. I'm planning on working after the baby is born (on a reduced schedule!) and my partner will do the first 6 months. Slightly freaking out that we're having a baby and a wedding in the same year - what were we thinking! I've had a few nightmares too. Glad to know they're normal.

@MrsEG Yikes I thought when I read your post that there was going to be a double baby pic! Good to hear you're being waited on. As it should be!

Had some weird pains today, like painful period pains and a migraine. I got a bit worried and called the pregnancy unit but couldn't get through to anyone (not entirely sure who to call out of hours). Still have a headache but the pains have eased off so I'm hoping they were just stretching pains. It's a bit scary when you have no point of reference. I seem to have grown huge out of nowhere in the last couple of days (bump pic attached) so I'm hoping it's just that.

@Larrydavid funny you say you're finding boys names harder so convinced you're having a boy I have loads of boys names and about 3 girls names (everyone is convinced we are having a girl!)

I'm glad you all think £10K is a lot I felt awful we haven't saved anywhere near that! Sure we will manage!

Love your bump pic @Larrydavid remind me how many weeks you are?

@MrsH497 18+2

Hi ladies! Hope you're all doing well.
Sorry I've been a bit MIA. DH is working away during the week and only home on Saturdays and Sunday mornings for all of Jan, so I'm trying to keep as busy as possible! Didn't realise how difficult I would find it. Sending him lots of photos and videos of bump (I caught some movements on video today!) to keep him involved 😊

@Lemonysherbet ahh congrats on a little boy! It's just an amazing scan isn't it. Glad to hear all is well. Have you got any ideas for names?

@ELW85 that's so frustrating to hear that your work are not being accommodating at all and commenting on how you'll be feeling. Surely you know better than anyone what you can handle. Also how dare they make a comment about your relationship, that's awful! I really hope you get something useful out of the organisations mentioned.
Glad you enjoyed your pizza and wow props to you for still hitting the gym! I've given up on it all 😂

@MrsEG wow you had a crazy morning yesterday! I didn't realise the discharge increased that much. It's completely understandable that you're feeling so anxious, especially as you don't know when it will all 'kick off'.
I hope the next few weeks go by easy for you.

@purplefig ah amazing that you got your maternity allowance sorted! Annoying that you had to chase it up to make it happen, but glad it paid off! Hope your yoga class was fun!

@MrsH497 we get similar to you. I'm hoping to take the whole year off, so have been saving up for the unpaid months but £10k is crazy! If it gets too much I'll most likely use AL instead!

@Larrydavid ah lovely bump pic! I'm glad all went well at your cervix scan. I hope you enjoy New York, I already miss it! And Amsterdam this weekend, amazing! Enjoy 😊
Sorry to hear you've been in pain, it probably is everything stretching out to make space. Have you got the number for maternity triage? That's who I've been ringing if I needed some advice.
I hope all is okay x

So I got my little 'spot' on the pubic area checked out at the GP. Seems like a keloid, which I am prone to getting (got one on my arm), so Dr wasn't worried and said it wasn't malignant so happy I got the all clear for that! Had my GTT this morning. I'll hear from them within 48 hours if there's anything to discuss, otherwise I probably don't have GD. So keeping fingers crossed for that now!

Hope you all had a good day. The weather is absolute shite here! Good night all x

@ELW85 @MrsH497 @purplefig @MrsEG @lokicat thanks all, it's was such a lovely scan. DH is super super happy he is having a son too 🥰 (obviously as am I, but it really made me well up seeing how excited he got).

@larrydavid we thought boy too, everyone else said girl but we just had this gut feeling. Your bump is beautiful! How are you feeling in general? We had a few girls names but only a couple of boys. If it comes to it baby will be DH jr as its a family tradition :)

@lokicat we have a couple of names but need to look for ideas. It's so hard to give a tiny human a name they will be stuck with for life! How lovely is it that you caught movements on videos. I'm feeling a lot now but not quite enough for DH to feel.

@ELW85 your work sound like dicks! Pretty sure mine will be the same too. But as I'm on SMP with no additional mat pay I'll probably tell them to stick the job by the time I'm due back and get a new one. They've treated me poorly over the past year so I am 99% sure I won't be returning. I hope they listen to your points though. If you can justify the flexibility in a personal and business case then it's a bit stupid of them to deny it!

@mrsEG hope you're doing ok, that's next level slip and slide you've got going on! Horrible not knowing what these things mean, and Google is never reassuring but we're all guilty of going to it!

@purplefig glad you got you mat allowance sorted. It's just an added stress not knowing, even when you know you're very likely to get it. I keep.looking for pregnancy yoga near me but the pickings are slim and awks timings so I've given up for now. Also second @larrydavid comment about not quite feeling pregnant enough!

@mrsh497 I'm actually one of those saving £10k people. We were saving for house renovations but decided we were happy with the house for a few years so baby time happened instead 😁 I should have just about saved it by the time baby gets here, but I get minimum SMP which doesn't cover the mortgage. DH is self employed and doesn't earn much and I want to take 12 months (maybe 9) and don't want to return to the same job so it's my safety blanket to get us through. Gotta buy baby bits out of it too though so probably won't actually go as far as we had hoped.

Sorry if I've missed anyone, feels like a full on essay here 🤣 still not done either.

Currently having a late night I haven't done anything panic. No idea how or when I get my matb1, or when it has to be with my employer by. My midwife hasn't mentioned it and I don't see her again until I'm 24+5, sure I read somewhere it has to be with work by 25 weeks?

Also panicking I haven't booked onto any NCT or NHS antenatal classes so DH tried to book and somehow blocked my NHS number 🙈

On top of that I lost my season train ticket this morning and ended up late at work because of it.

I'll probably start worrying about something new next week. Anything else I should be considering around the 20 week mark?

Also @LokiCat glad to hear your spot is ok, sorry missed that bit before xx

@Lemonysherbet ah that must have been amazing seeing your DH's excitement as well. Exciting that you're feeling movements! DH didn't feel them until 23 weeks really, as they weren't as often. She's only got really active in the last week or so that I can see my belly moving! It's so surreal.
I only got my mat b1 form last week at my 25 week midwife appointment (I think that's the general time frame they give it in). My work said they needed it at 25 weeks, but they haven't chased it up yet (still haven't got around to sending it to HR 🤦🏻‍♀️), so I'm sure it'll be okay.
It's so easy and understandable to panic about everything but as long as you and baby are happy and healthy it's all that matters!
Hope you manage to sort the classes out!

@MrsEG oh bless your DH, mine was saying from 37 weeks we'll be paying super close attention to every twinge etc.! Bet your movements have changed even more given you've got two babies vying for space in there 💕 I spoke to the MW about it today and she said it's totally normal, there's simply less room. How're you feeling today?

@MrsH497 re: money, I think it ultimately comes down to your outgoings. E.g. we have a pretty small mortgage and no credit card debt etc., so we can cover all outgoings + have some spare each month on DH's income and SMP. But if not, we'd need to top up savings if I was going to take 9 months off. I can understand needing £10k if you had a whacking great mortgage or something, as SMP would be a drop in the ocean!

@Larrydavid cute bump! Sorry to hear about the pains and headaches. I remember sometime around the 20 week mark I went through a horrible phase of headaches - making sure I was eating enough seemed to help. You're also fine to take paracetamol if you need it. I'm not sure how mat allowance works if your partner is off on paternity - you could ring the advice line? As for not starting yoga too early, I've been going since 12 weeks 😳😂 for me, it's been so great for working on my breathing and staying active. Also lovely way to meet other pregnant women.

@LokiCat oh that is tough having your DH working away, but glad you caught the bump moving on video though! Fingers crossed your GTT results are all clear too.

@Lemonysherbet there are some great pregnancy yoga videos on YouTube if you don't feel ready for a class yet? Though as I said above, I've been going since 12 weeks and it's been really wonderful in my experience. At my classes at least there's usually a real range attending, from 12 weeks right up to due daters!! Sorry to hear about your stressful day yesterday. It's definitely worth registering your interest with NCT soon as those classes tend to book up quite quickly. You're supposed to get your MATB1 at the 20 week MW appointment, so I'd ring your MW or GP surgery and ask. Think it's supposed to be with your employer by 25 weeks.

How lovely is this sunshine after the storm?! I had my 36 week midwife appointment today where we went through the birth plan. DH was there and it suddenly all feels very real and exciting. Baby is still playing ball and is in a decent position and now 2/5 engaged!! Suffice to say I need to finish packing my hospital bag this weekend 😅 x

@MrsH497 Yeah 10k is a huge amount! We have about half that saved mainly as I’ll only get SMP and DH is self-employed so we’ll definitely need to top up each month. I hate the idea of worrying about £ while we’re off though - it’ll test my fingers spreadsheet and budgeting skills for sure! My bump is enormous; I feel like I could topple over when I walk down stairs!

@Larrydavid If you ever have any worries call Triage, the number should be on your notes and they’re available 24/7. Even if it’s not urgent they can give you advice on the phone and let you know what to do next etc. Hope you’re feeling better today!

@LokiCat So pleased to hear the spot was all okay - I’ll keep everything crossed the GTT test comes back clear too :)

@Lemonysherbet I got my MATB1 form at my 20 week appt but I specifically asked for it as I knew I’d be finishing up early - just ask your midwife next time you see her :) There really is a new panic every week!!

@purplefig 2/5 engaged! Baby is edging closer and closer! How exciting. I need to finish my bag too - it’s done, but it’s little things like chucking my charger and water bottle in etc. But I think I’ll just get them in now as I have spares so I don’t know why I’m being so precious about them haha!

Had another fun day today ladies! Woke up and liquid and...white stuff just gushed out of me when I sat up. Really quite a lot of it! I naturally panicked like mad (DH says it’s good to see how calm I’ll be when things kick off...) and called triage who had me straight in and had a bed waiting when I arrived. After some monitoring and a rather painful internal exam it wasn’t my waters at all but I have a pretty bad case of thrush - the shame! I haven’t felt untoward or itchy at all. Midwife said that coupled with my weeks gestation means I am watery discharge city down there at the mo (nice, I know!!) I was falling about apologising but the midwife and doctor couldn’t have been nicer about it and the plus side was I was in and out within 1.5 hours!!

Went to the cinema afterwards and saw 1917 - it’s excellent if anyone is after something to see at the moment! Home now for a long, long nap.

Afternoon all!

Currently on my 4th train of the day, back from Glasgow. Is it time for bed yet?!

@purplefig - I’m pleased you got your mat allowance sorted. It’s one of those things that should be a given, but definitely more comforting now it’s done for sure!
Names wise we’re calling him Finlay Alexander. It goes nicely with our surname (which isn’t overtly Scottish, but recognisably so). I’m very excited to meet him now!
How exciting that little one is more engaged! That hospital bag packing session sounds like a great idea!

@MrsEG - this thread is an absolute god send! I’d be lost without all of you ladies and was actually saying as much at work today 😊
How was the nap? I’m really keen to go and see that film, so I’ll see if I can convince DH to go in our week off together!
I’m pleased everything is ok and it wasn’t your waters; good to get an answer on it and they’ll definitely have dealt with worse!

@Lemonysherbet - thank you; if they don’t agree, I can’t see myself going back to that role to be fair. I just need to speak to my boss about it again on Friday and be really honest with her. Again!
I think there are always worries from one to the other in pregnancy, but this thread is great to help you sound them out as everyone has likely been through the same. Don’t worry about the classes; if they’re booked, there are alternatives online and I’m sure your hospital will offer shorter courses.

@Larrydavid - what a lovely little bump emerging! I definitely had really intense stretching pains and headaches around the 20w mark, but if you are worried or they seem to be lasting ages, no harm in checking in with your midwife.
Thank you for the tip on flexible working. It sounds like you have a brilliant job; so varied and exciting!

@LokiCat - I’m so pleased your ‘spot’ is ok and I’ll keep everything crossed for your GD test 😊
Work are definitely testing me at the moment, but I’m not backing down from this one. Too unfair!

Well ladies, it’s only 4 working days til I have a week off with DH! We’re touring the birthing suite on Saturday which I’m so excited for 😊 has anyone else done anything similar and did you have any specific questions you asked?
Just sent the registration fee across to the nursery too. How real is all of this getting?! 😀 so excited!

@MrsEG oh my god you're having a right old time of it! What a horrid experience. Huge big hugs. Pregnancy thrush is the weirdest isn't it?! I had it a few months back and didn't twig for over a week as there was none of the usual tell tale 'cottage cheese' discharge. So glad the midwife was lovely to you - it's great they could sort it for you. Also Glad you got to the cinema afterwards, I d heard good things about that film. Are you feeling any better now? Ah yes that's exactly what my bag is like! Also need to seriously up my snack game. Looking forward to that shopping sesh 😉

@ELW85 Oh my god you must be shattered!! To bed with you!! Oh sorry - you've already shared his name and I recall fawning over it then 💕 just gorgeous. So glad you've got a week off soon! We didn't get to tour the birth centre (change of policy to prioritise labouring women) but did watch a YouTube tour of it 🤣 I'm sure you'll have a fab time and it'll make it seem even more real. So exciting about the nursery too...ahhhh its all happening!

Can I pick your collective brains re: out of town visitors after the birth?

DHs sibling lives about 7 hrs away. They are proposing they come and stay in a nearby holiday rental 3 weeks after my due date for a week. I get on well with them in a surface sort of way. I just worry that’s such early days and there are so many variables e.g. my labour and recovery, how the baby is, establishing breastfeeding etc. I don’t want the added pressure of having to factor in time for them to pop over every day.

FWIW, I have lots of out of county family and they are all waiting to hear when the baby arrives / how we’re doing before making any arrangements. But it’s different in that my parents live 1 hr away from me, so most of my side would stay with them.

Would you say:

a) that’s too long that early on, can you come for a weekend instead

(side note: it’s a long journey, but we’ve done it countless times for birthdays, weddings etc.)

b) that’s fine but we can’t commit to seeing you every day and will likely be all over the place with sleep deprivation / establishing feeding etc.

c) something else ?!

You might remember me asking a similar question re: DHs parents. They’re now staying nearby for two weeks when it’s 5 weeks past my due date. Not ideal but they’re also treating it as their holiday, so no pressure to see them all the time.

I really want to put us first, but I don't want to cause a rift or prioritise my family. Sorry for the bloody War and Peace length ramble.

@ELW85 4 trains!! I hope there’s a good dinner in your future! My nap was non-existent - in one of those moods where I’m exhausted but cannot switch off. Enjoy your week off! We did the hospital tour - it was quite quick/brief as obviously there are women there giving birth so they don’t like you hanging about! But we had chance to chat and ask questions at the end once we were out - I mainly asked what my specific options were/what room I’d likely be in etc as I know I can’t use the pools etc. The most asked Q from other ladies was ‘can I definitely use the pool’ and the answer seemed to be ‘yes, if it’s free!’

@purplefig I had thrush years ago and I’d never in a million years have guessed I had it now, I don’t feel like I have any symptoms at all (apart from the Niagra Falls in my groin at the mo!) - I have to say I was so relieved as well though, I was really scared when we arrived and the doctor told me if it was my waters I’d be admitted for steroids and monitoring and I so didn’t want that to happen. So I’m very happy it wasn’t that! I have a pessary to pop in before bed and hopefully that’ll clear it.

Re: visitors I’d definitely say that’s too much too soon. With our family in Ireland we have now left it at ‘Can we see how we get on when they arrive, and make plans from there?’ And that has worked/gone down quite well. It’s not saying ‘Please god don’t visit leave us alone’ and just politely asking for some space while you figure it all out in those early days! They’ve also agreed that the initial visit will just be a long weekend Fri-Sun and that once they’re a bit older we’ll go over and see them on the ferry as a bit of a compromise! But a full week when baby could essentially be a week old is too much. You may not want to leave the house at all, might be struggling with feeds/sleep etc. Is there any reason they have picked that week?

@MrsEG thank you - really, really appreciate your advice. I was really struggling to see if I was being unreasonable or not! Totally agree with you - think the only issue is we've effectively ok'd their parents coming down for two weeks shortly after. Wish we'd have used your brill line about playing it by ear! DH feels the same! So weird how pregnancy thrush can be nothing like normal thrush. When I had it it barely even itched either, apart from one very specific spot. Bizarre. So glad it was 'just' thrush and you haven't ended up having to stay in for monitoring. I used the pessary with mine and it totally resolved it. Warning: it does sort of crumble out in a pretty disturbing looking discharge for a few days, so liners at the ready!

So got a phone call from the midwife earlier this evening that my glucose levels were slightly higher, so it looks like I have developed GD. It was good having a few weeks of anxiety free pregnancy to enjoy :( I've been googling like mad since getting off the phone (which I know is the worst thing to do!) and I've just causes myself to go into even more panic!
I'm seeing the midwife on Friday to discuss everything and get my blood sugar testing kit. They're going to monitor me a lot more now and I'm going to have another scan at 28 weeks to see how baby is doing, because I haven't been scanned since my 20 weeks. Just so worried how it's all going to go now...

@purplefig wow 2/5 engaged! Looks like it's getting close to the time, how exciting.
Re visitors, I think at 3 weeks you'll still be figuring things out and getting used to being the 3 of you, so a week is a lot. If they insist coming down then specifically, could you limit to maybe a day or max two for a visit? They don't need to stay the whole week.
You should definitely prioritise yourselves first. Could your DH mention something since it is his sibling and it'll be less of a rift?

@MrsEG oh no, you are having a right time of it! I'm glad they've figured out what it is and the doctor/midwife were so lovely about it all. I hope you're okay.
Glad you had a better day after all that and enjoyed the cinema (and your nap!).

@ELW85 ouch 4th train! I hope you're getting some well deserved rest tonight! Also that you've got a week off with DH soon, that'll be lovely!
We get a tour of the birthing centre as part of one of our antenatal classes, which we've booked for mid Feb.
How exciting that you've registered for the nursery as well! So happy for you, all happening now!

Gonna sort some laundry out then put mind numbing Love Island on to get my mind off things 🙈

I hope you all have a good night

@purplefig - don’t worry about the name thing at all 😊 there’s so much (in a fantastic way) on our thread, it’s way too much to remember!
I would just go for the option of “it’s too much too soon, we’d love to see you but it’s a huge trip so if you’re happy to come and make it your own holiday with no guarantees of seeing us, go for it” or something to that effect? I hope you get it all sorted; it kind of feels like DH’s family are just descending on you!

@MrsEG - thank you for the tips on the questions, and the cinema reminder. DH is now planning a cinema date night for our week off 😀
We’re also going to take a walk around the waterfall where we got engaged. Can’t wait!
I’m now tucked up in bed after manning a chicken noodle thing with DH. I’m also in the ‘exhausted but can’t sleep’ category for some reason!

@LokiCat - are you ok? So sorry to hear about the GD. Easy for me to say, but try not to worry too much; I’ve seen loads of threads where they manage it really easily with diet and exercise. And the great thing is they’re watching you closely so you and little one will be in the best of hands. Enjoy Love Island! We’re giving Treadstone a go on Amazon x