Catching up with TTC #1, thread 9!

[MrsEG]

Replying to everyone in a new thread as the old one is full! Also tagging @Lemonysherbet @ELW85 @MrsH497 @LokiCat @larrydavid - so sorry if I’m forgetting anyone!

@MrsR16 It’s so weird, I was thinking back to getting my BFP for the twins the other day - some days it feels like yesterday but others it feels like a lifetime ago! I bet now Ethans here the pregnancy also feels like a distant memory!!

@TrashKitten10 Ah thanks lovely - wow a 9 pounder!! Well done you! I will definitely let everyone know as soon as I can once the twins are here :)

@PippaPug Thanks lovely! How are you feeling at the moment? Funnily enough they don’t do the steroid injections at my hospital if you’re going to deliver post 37 weeks so I’ve managed to swerve that one - how have you found them? Hurray for big babies - looks like we’re both going to have some chunky twins on our hands!! Do you find you are constantly congratulated at hospital for keeping them in so long/growing them so big?! I get it every time!

@Fivebyfive2 Joe is adorable! How was your first night away?

@thumper59 12 weeks! He is so so cute and I LOVE the matching jackets haha!

@purplefig Ugh the first lie in didn’t go to plan, I woke at 3 and couldn’t drift off again until 6... so glad it isn’t just us wobbling on names at the midnight hour! Yep ours will be Irish names - narrowing it right down and making it even harder for ourselves!! Hope you enjoyed your last yoga class!

Had a scare this morning; after a shocking night trying to sleep I woke quite late (well, around 9) - twin 2 dancing the jig as always but couldn’t feel twin 1 at all. I tried absolutely everything, I must have had a full litre of orange juice, chocolate, prodding at his side of my belly and I just got nothing. I called DH at 11 and just broke down, and we were soon off to triage. I literally cried all the way there! We had a CTG and as much as she struggled to find twin 1, he’s there and heart is pounding away. She told me he’s very low now, and position wise twin 2 is actually almost sitting on top of him so masking some of the stronger movements. The little swines! I’m so relieved, but it was horrible - I was terrified. Tracking twin movements is such a minefield!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend :)

[purplefig]

@MrsEG oh just look at them 😍 such beautiful boys! So glad to hear you've got relief now they're out, must be amazing being PGP free a. Just gotta keep up with your scar pain medication now! Great news they passed all their checks and the clicky hip was flagged. How long do you think you'll be in for now?

@Lemonysherbet ill be going for another float this weekend for sure - it's heaven on Earth at this stage!

I had some reflexology last night which was relaxing but afterwards I realised the way I'd been lying was murder on my back! Ooops. Nice weather again today so I'm taking the dog out later and meeting DH for lunch. Hope everyone has a nice Thursday - this week seems to have flown by x

[purplefig]

@thumper59 yeah agreed! It's mad to think they'll be here THIS MONTH!!! 🥰

[purplefig]

How're we all doing? I've had more on and off period like cramps and the pelvic pain has ramped up big time. Walking back from NCT coffee and I also have started getting groin pain. Oh the unending glamour of pregnancy! My incredibly fortunate good sleep also appears to have come to an end...so, whenever you're ready baby 😂

Any nice weekend plans? We've got family staying nearby and I'm definitely going for a float 🐋 ooo and maybe some wave watching thanks to storm Kiera. Unless I'm otherwise engaged that is. X

[MrsH497]

@purplefig we've had our 25 week appt this afternoon all good got my Gestational diabetes test booked. Lovely strong heartbeat heard 🥰. Started painting the nursery and currently sat enjoying a curry with baby wriggling away.

No weekend plans really DH is working so might meet my aunty for a coffee Sunday but other than that sleep as the last few nights I've tossed and turned xx

[ELW85]

Morning all!
Sorry I’ve been MIA; trying to get work into a decent place before I go off is proving a lot harder than I thought, so sorry to anyone/anything I’ve missed!!

34 weeks today ladies! It’s all very exciting. To anyone who’s using a birthing ball at home; how often do you use it/should you use it?

@MrsEG - I hope you’re getting on well? Those boys are absolutely beautiful; you’ve done an amazing job!

@purplefig - I’ve got my massage oil but (stupidly) has no idea what the massage itself had in store until I’ve just read the instructions 😮 need to figure out how to do this, haha!
How are you feeling? I bet you’re beyond ready for the baby to arrive now! It’s a shame your run of good sleep is gone.

Right that’s me off to get ready for town. Having a shopping day with DH before fitting the car seat 😃
Have a great Saturday everyone!

[MrsR16]

@ELW85 I religiously used it every day for a fair few weeks run up to labour! I'm convinced that why Ethan engaged quite early on and was the right way round 😊 enjoy your day!!

[ELW85]

@MrsR16 - thank you! How long were you on it daily? And how are you and Ethan? 😊

[MrsR16]

@ELW85 probably 20 mins as a minimum? I managed 45 mins without realising one day! 😂 we're doing alright, he's just eating at the moment. He slept in this morning so his feed times are all out of whack today 🙈

[ELW85]

@MrsR16 - probably a stupid question, but do you have a schedule for feeds or do you just see what happens?

[MrsR16]

@ELW85 I try and get him to go every 4 hours, but that has absolutely gone out the window today! I aim for 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm and 2am... but sometimes it just doesn't work! 🙈

[ELW85]

@MrsR16 - wow, what a schedule! I’m sure you’re smashing motherhood and every bit of insight helps, so thank you!

[purplefig]

@MrsH497 it's amazing hearing the heartbeat isn't it? Never gets old! Enjoy your chilled weekend - sounds lovely.

@ELW85 if you google perineal massage midwives there's a great YouTube video on how to do it presented by two midwives. Like you it wasn't quite what I expected...the word massage is misleading!! Did you manage to pick up a car seat? I found that the most stressful thing to buy!

Bit of a strange one - I was up from 12am - 3am with what felt fairly regular but painless contractions. They've totally tailed off now though. Wondering if it's the start of the latent stage or just some late in the day braxton hicks. Time will tell I guess! Due date tomorrow 😅 we're off for a swim (float!) and then I'm having a very, very chilled one with lots of oxytocin inducing activities 🤣 cmon baby!! X

[MrsH497]

@purplefig oh I just beam every time I hear it. Love having a swim/float think I'll go this week.

Come on baby purplefig!! Your mummy wants to meet you!

I've possibly stupidly applied for a new role at work! Because at 6 months pregnant that's a normal thing to do?! I love the girls I now work with but the job itself is dull! The new role know I'm pregnant and off on mat leave soon. It's again a Monday to Friday office hours. Fingers crossed!

Off out with my aunty and then more decorating xx

[LikeTheFruit]

Hi everyone!

Hope everyone is well! Finally caught up on old and new threads!

@MrsEG hope everyone is going well with your gorgeous boys! Hope you've been able to establish the boundaries you wanted to too.

@purplefig ohh you're getting so close. I'm so excited for you! Hopefully not too long to wait now!

@MrsH497 I say go for it with the new job!

@PippaPug hope you and the twins are all well! Not long to go for you either!

I had an interview for a consultant post on Friday at 36 weeks and got the job 🎉🎉🎉. Such a relief knowing I'm going to be financially secure for a long while now and not having to apply for jobs while on mat leave (which is what I would have had to do).
Going out for Sunday lunch to celebrate! Need to try and be a little bit reserved with portions or I'll be regretting it later!

Sorry everyone I've missed! I'll try keep a better handle on thread now that I can forget about interviews etc

Xx

[ELW85]

Morning all!

@purplefig - car seat wise we went for the Cybex in the end, and DH is going to fit it today. These weekends really run away with us, time-wise!
How exciting about the potential contractions 😃 I can’t believe it’s your due date tomorrow. Everything sounds really promising though, you’ll have to keep us updated - I’m on tenterhooks for you!!
I’ve done a bit of googling on the massage now and I think I’ve got it. But a bit perturbed to try it still 🤣

@MrsH497 - good luck with the job application! Totally makes sense that you’d want a job with standard office hours job.

@LikeTheFruit - congratulations on getting the consultant role! That must be such a relief, I’m so happy for you (and very jealous of your Sunday lunch!)

[Larrydavid]

Hi guys! Hope you're all having a good Sunday! I went to a small wedding fair today. (It's the only wedding-thing we've done!) I couldn't try the oysters or Prosecco so I filled up on cake tasting and at the apple crumble bar! Not too much left to plan for the wedding - want to get it all sorted so we can forget about it for a bit after the baby is here! How's everyone else's Sunday going?

@purplefig - ooh exciting that things might start happening for you soon! Does it feel surreal or are you totally ready now?

@LikeTheFruit congrats on the new job! That's great news. What a relief for you. Enjoy your Sunday lunch!

@MrsH497 I think it's great that you've applied for another job. There should be no hard or fast rules around what you can or can't do in pregnancy! If you're the right person for the job - that should be all that matters! Good luck!

@ELW85 When do you go on mat leave? Exciting!

@MrsEG Aww those little faces - so gorgeous. Glad you're all doing well!

@Lemonysherbet I just went through a growth spurt and am feeling very stretched this weekend! How are you doing?

[MrsH497]

@Larrydavid @ELW85 thanks girls. It's a safeguarding job still police (obviously!) but it's an area I've always fancied working in so fingers crossed xx

@LikeTheFruit congratulations!! Brilliant news

[Jessikka]

Sorry it's late- havent lurked in a while!
Massive congratulations @mrseg - how exciting! Hope you are recovering well and the baby boys are healthy and happy 💙

[purplefig]

Due date today! Nothing exciting to report, just more of the same on and off dull period aches and painless tightenings. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow where I can have a stretch and sweep; I'm currently debating whether to go for it. The evidence isn't great, but on the other hand I'm so ready to not be heavily pregnant anymore. Decisions decisions.

@MrsH497 ooo that sounds exciting! Would you start the new job when you get back from mat leave?

@LikeTheFruit congratulations on the new role - how exciting! Must be a lovely feeling - I hope you enjoyed your celebratory Sunday lunch.

@ELW85 yeah it's a weird one to get your head around...I found the word massage most misleading! In my experience it's been easiest after a bath and sort of lying on the bed on one side, half propped up on one elbow if that makes sense? Some people find it easier in the bath, one leg up on toilet or get their partner to do it. Guess it all depends on your anatomy! Great news you've got the car seat sorted, that's a big one to tick off.

@Larrydavid I'm very ready now - hauling around a watermelon is pretty taxing 😅. LOVE the sound of an apple crumble bar! When're you getting married? Exciting times for you ahead!!

@MrsEG no pressure to reply as I can't imagine how full on life is right now, I just wanted to send you some internet love and wish you all the best.

What's everyone up to today / this week? X

[MrsEG]

Hi all, thanks again for all the lovely messages and sorry for not responding properly!
We actually are back at hospital with the boys at the moment - the short story is both really struggled to feed well, so are very dehydrated and blood sugar levels are low. They’ve had medicine and IV saline drips etc and are improving at every check - I really hope we’ll be going home today. But what I did want to say was - trust your instinct as a mother. The boys struggled to feed well from the get go - both latched instantly, but I always felt they pulled away very fast or became very frustrated at the boob. Ruairí by day 3 was going hours without waking for a feed and was then a demon biting and punching. I mentioned it a lot to midwives and was told ‘it takes a while to establish feeding, newborns are sleepy some need waking to be fed’ etc - but my instinct just knew something wasn’t right and I’m so glad I came in with them as wee Conor was so dehydrated it was actually affecting his kidneys.
Breastfeeding is hard and utterly relentless and we’ve used formula since getting to the hospital and the relief in knowing exactly what they’ve taken is amazing. I had hoped my BF experience would last longer than 6 days but so be it!! I have pumped a lot at hospital but even that is such a rigmarole - basically, you’ll find what’s right for you and whatever that is is right for you and babies, no matter what anyone says to you!

Here’s a pic of the bubs just because they’re so darned cute :)

[MrsH497]

@MrsEG oh poor little things and poor you! Hope you're all doing ok you've done amazingly and yes they are just ridiculously cute! Hope you get let home today xx

[Lemonysherbet]

Hey all, very quick question, not sure if anyone can help but do you know how to complain about the level of care/ simple tests being missed, etc? I've got a friend who is due the same day as me but doesn't live close by, and they've missed her GTT test booking, never seen the same midwife, they missed testing the babies blood to see if she will need the rhesus injection, etc and I think she needs to complain and take it further but no idea how she does. I vaguely remember someone in here mentioning something before? She's so upset about how she's been treated the poor thing

[Lemonysherbet]

@MrsEG so sorry to hear your back in hospital, I hope you're all doing ok xx

[MrsH497]

@Lemonysherbet I'd probably raise it to the senior midwife or PALs. My GTT has only just been booked despite it being raised at the booking in appt. We've not seen the same midwife yet but honestly that doesn't bother me as they are from the community team and there's 3 of them so least I've met them all!

[PippaPug]

Hello, how is everyone doing?

@LokiCat - cough has kind of gone now - babies have moved down just a friction enough so I can breathe a little better at night, however I’m getting pretty breathless during the day when I’m moving around a lot! My friend turned up 2 hours later then she said and obviously because I was at home it was fine 🙄
Sounds like your doing a great job managing the GD, although it can’t be easy! How are you doing?

@purplefig - Happy Due date! Do you think your have a stretch and sweep? Tough decision to make!

@MrsEG - sorry to hear your back in hospital with the boys again - that must be really rough on you all, but your in the right place - I’m not sure if your a big fb user but there is a breastfeeding twins/triplets UK fb group - if you wanted to continue breastfeeding, however I also understand that you know exactly how much formula they are getting which is making you feel a lot better about it all, do what you want to do but just incase you wanted any extra support 💐

Is anyone doing/done colostrum harvesting? it’s a very strange thing to do isn’t it, although strangely satisfying at the same time - I don’t know if I’m not doing it right or just not getting a lot atm and finding it tricky to start with but the last time I did it it went better.

I’m 36 plus 2 and ready for these babies to make a appearance - and I’m also sick of the messages each day asking if they are here or not! I’m half tempted to send a photo from google of 5 year old twins and saying yes I had them last week 🙈😂 not to much longer now!