Thread for us classed as mature pregnant ladies

[Sheera1]

Hi all. I wasn't wanted to hijack any threads on hear with specific questions, but wondered if anyone fancied a chat thread for us classed as mature mums to be? Anyone who feels they fit in that box are welcome to join.

I will start. 🌞

I am 41. I have a 10 year old ds and one mmc 3 yrs ago. New partner is reason for the gap.

I was very shocked when I found out as we had assumed that ship had sailed as no joy since mmc. Head was in that camp and was quite a shock to come out of it.

I am 13 weeks based on my scan later Friday. Awaiting NIPT results hopefully today or tomorrow. Been cautious after mmc but hard to not get so attached as the weeks go by.

My first purchase if all ok will be a pregnancy pillow.

Honestly I feel massive already. I am very overweight but was with ds and had a perfect fuss free pregnancy. This time I am so 🤢 and tired and feel just ill from 4pm onwards.

Instead of it easing up, last night I was still feeling 🤢 trying to sleep and was very uncomfortable due to feeling like my womb is massive.

Anyone else feeling like this? Goodness knows how I will be weeks from now. Eeek.

@footprintsintheslow that's fantastic then!!

Oh how lovely @footprintsintheslow to be ahead! Really pleased for you!
It's great that they'll offer the NIPT on nhs if you need it. We don't have that. It's shame the services differ so much across the country.

Great news @footprintsintheslow, hope you hear about dating scan soon.

Welcome @Louscarlet sorry you’ve been having a worrying time. I had brown and sometimes red spotting/ a few bleeds on and off for the first 12 weeks - last one was the day after my 12 week scan actually. It was horrible and so so worrying but turned out to be normal for me and it does for many others too. In my case I think it was my cervix which is a bit fragile and quite easy to make bleed!

Hi all!

@louscarlet, welcome! You've found the right place to share your worries and hopefully get some reassurance. I hope everything is fine and you'll hopefully get the reassurance you need soon. Please keep us up to date with how you're getting on.

Scan all done for me today - was a measurement scan as they couldnt get all the measurements they needed at my 12 week scan. So I'm 15+3 and due date moved forward slightly to 19/12. I'm hoping to have an elective c section so hoping the wee one's birthday will move a bit further away from Christmas! They also did the 2nd trimester bloods as they couldnt do the 12 week NT test due to baby's awkward position. They were trying to reassure me that it's still really accurate etc but I'm not sure. Already looking into the harmony test. Need to make a decision on it sooner rather than later. Glad other scans seem to have gone well too.

We dont have a spare room for another nursery in our house but TBH I've been nagging my husband to move for ages now so I'm hoping this will be the kick up the bum needed to get him to agree probably not the best.time to be thinking about moving but hey, when is a good time?!? Hope you all have a nice evening x

It's going to be an evening of crochet here for me today I think whilst watching Talking Heads by Alan Bennet on iplayer. No doubt snacking and drinking tea will be involved too

@footprintsintheslow haven't been able to crochet for 2 days...I've given myself an rsi 🤦🏽‍♀️ Post pictures when you've got time!!

Welcome @Louscarlet

Great news @footprintsintheslow and @Countingblessings !

I'm currently in hospital as I was worried about reduced movements.. Had the monitoring and everything seems fine so just waiting to see the doctor.. Feel a bit of a numpty coming in when I have a scan tomorrow anyway but was freaking out a bit so thought better to come than wait.. Thing is that baby just doesn't seem to have much of a "pattern" so I'm always either thinking "crikey she's moving loads" or worrying she's not moving enough 🤷‍♀️

Always better to be safe! @PregnantPorcupine - Baby is probably starting as they mean to go on....making you out or be a liar 🤣

I'm planning on going in for checks whenever I have any inclination that movements are reduced. I'm not at that stage yet but you all go for it! There are people in this world who waste nhs resources but we are not those people!

Crochet picture below. It's a bit of a crazy made up thing but it la been crocheted over three pregnancies so hopefully I might wrap a little one up in it this time... that's made me a cry a bit but I'm feeling emotional after the scan and hungry so I think I'll get toast and marmite!

@footprintsintheslow that is really beautiful!! Sending you love! I'm an emotional wreck most of the time too! I cry at practically everything or become unreasonably worked up about something pretty small - like missing the 111 doctor ringing back about one of our sons who has an ear infection. They mustn't have anything to do atm because they rang back within 5 minutes - on a Sunday!!! Then I had to ring 111 back and they rang again within 5 minutes! So actually it was a good outcome but I was so worked up about missing the call because I'd got the vacuum out thinking it'd be at least a couple of hours before anyone rang.

Morning all.

Sorry for radio silence. I am seriously struggling to keep up in here now. There must be hundreds of us!

I will try and have a read through the past few days at some point today

Not much news from me, except that the last couple of days I have been majorly uncomfortable and feel constantly full up like I've eaten a huge meal to the point of feeling like I need to be sick, even after eating half a plate of food.
I think I need to start eating really small meals and often, rather than three a day. Also my maternity jeans over bump material is already digging into the top half of my body and I feel like its compressing my stomach further so I'm wondering if I need to buy the next size up, although the legs fit fine so I don't know. I keep having to fold the material down below my bump but then they fall down!

I finally finished my giraffe!
A friend asked if my book has a penguin in it so I am secretly making her one. She's my hairdresser so I will give it to her as a surprise when she comes over to finally cut my hair

I hope everyone is doing well. I'd better go and do some work!

@footprintsintheslow I love that blanket. I'm still working on mine, I keep getting distracted by animals since DP bought me the Amigurumi book.

I know what you mean about getting emotional. It should have been our 3rd lost baby's 1st birthday yesterday. I didn't do anything, but I thought about him a lot and I always wonder what all of them would look like or be doing right now xx

Hi all, love the blanket and the giraffe so cool you made those ♥️

I’m 9+3 today - shocked still going as thought I’d mc given I’m 46 next week. First Midwife appt today by phone, scan at 12 wks came through. I am still in denial and my hormones are raging, I cooked a Sunday roast at the weekend and then got the worst sickness and sat at the dinner table and burst into tears which is SO unlike me!!! My partner and kids were all stunned as I sobbed at my roast pots. 😂🤦🏼‍♀️ My boobs are like watermelons and I’m up and down like a helter skelter. Waves of utter despair 😩 then waves of extreme exhaustion then next thing I’m super smiley and all fine 😃😭😃🤢😃😭.

I hope you’re all well ♥️

@footprintsintheslow that’s beautiful! Sending love x

@Frazzlerock I LOVE the giraffe. I want one! Going to see if there’s anything on Etsy (you should start a shop!)

@PregnantPorcupine hope you got seen by doc and are feeling reassured. It was the exact same thing when I went for monitoring- the second they put the monitor on baby started moving. Definitely wanted me to look like a liar Don’t ever feel bad for getting checked. I know what you mean about a pattern, this baby doesn’t seem to have one either. I’ve been a tiny bit worried the last few days as it’s seemed a bit less to me, not enough to make me phone triage but I’ve been constantly aware of it. Having a good old kick his morning though.

I’m thinking I might start packing my hospital bag today. I’ve bought most things, just need snacks!

We also need to buy a baby monitor - I’ve asked this before but any recommendations? I think I want a movement sensor.

@footprintsintheslow and @Frazzlerock those are brilliant! You guys are talented. I'm not creative like that at all, really wish I was. Well done!

@celibacy congrats on getting to 9 weeks and good luck for your appointments. Totally hear you on the emotions. I was tidying the kitchen and a song came on the radio that just made me burst into tears. Felt like an idiot. Seem to be calming down a bit now thankfully.

I need to think about telling work soon so that they can plan for my cover. Weird to think I might not be physically back in the office until after maternity leave depending on how things go. Wasnt even pregnant when I left

@Celibacydidntwork I'm still shocked at 19 weeks as I thought I'd MC again but sometimes these babies are right toughnuts!
Oh yes the emotional rollercoaster is fun isn't it, haha!

@AliasGrape I found the most amazing baby monitor that I think we'll get. It's not cheap but its also not as expensive as some I've seen on the market. It's this one www.johnlewis.com/bluebell-smart-baby-monitor/p4127305
DP and I are quite into our tech stuff as we both work in that field so it is right up our street.

@PregnantPorcupine You've done the right thing and I am sure the hospital staff would say the same thing. I went in last week as I was having a wobble and my midwife was lovely and said to come in any time I'm worried. I hope you'r'e feeling better about things today

@pregnantPorcupine definitely always get checked, I'm glad the wee one made you out to be a liar always better to be safe.

@AliasGrape hospital bag time!! Makes it all feel so real! I remember taking loads of tracker bars (the peanut and chocolate ones) and the midwife wouldnt let me eat in case I needed a section. I was gutted, although she was right, I did need a section in the end. Just meant I had loads to snack on in the ward after

Will follow the baby monitor chat with interest, no idea what we'll be getting this time round!

@Countingblessings trust me, I am not in the least bit creative. I had a go at crochet months ago and gave up as I found it too hard. Then when I found out I was pregnant, I decided to get my act together as I really wanted to make some things for the baby. A friend gave me a beginners crochet book and recommended me some better wool and hooks to work with and it finally clicked. Once it clicks, you just have to follow instructions, doesn't take any special talent honest! The animal book I have is written for beginners so its really easy, just takes me ages.

Morning everyone! @Frazzlerock can empathise with the getting full quickly - I am too! I've been eating little and often due to the nausea though. I'm still nauseous a lot but I did have some really good hours yesterday and the last two evenings I've managed to do the evening meal for the kids. So I must be feeling a bit better! Have to be careful not to push it though as tiredness makes me really nauseous again! 🙄
Love the giraffe 🦒 ❤️❤️

How are the movements? - I'm getting some (not lots) that I can feel each day now but the majority I'm still not feeling - I know this from when I use the Doppler and I can hear movement but defo not feeling it. I have an anterior placenta again and whilst last time it didn't seem to affect I think this time it is.

@Celibacydidntwork congrats on getting to 9 weeks! With you with the emotions (as mentioned yesterday).

Anyone with cravings? I basically crave food with taste but can't eat any of it!! Just had some readybrek....enjoyed that...so I'll be on several bowls of it today and then will hate it tomorrow 🤣🤣🤣 yesterday was Nutella 🤗

@onlyreadingneverposting8 I'm still not really feeling anything much at all. I deffo felt the odd very subtle tap and roll from about 16 weeks but not really had anything for a week or so, which is why I went to get checked. I don't have an anterior placenta so I should really be feeling more i reckon. But I do have a titled uterus so maybe that is hiding the movements? Just weird that my bump is so big but not feeling much. I thought the movements would get stronger not less! I guess I have to be patient.

I don't really have cravings per se, but I do love mashed potato with hot sauce and I am really enjoying chicken chow mein that DP makes and could eat either at most meals given the chance. But I don't crave it all day everyday. I seem to remember real cravings didn't really kick in until much later on with DS1&2. DS1 was S&V Kettle Chips and egg mayo sarnies. DS2 was jars and jars of black olives, two jars per day sometimes.

Tilted not titled uterus. My uterus isn't a Lord or anything

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! It's refreshing and reassuring to read so much of what I'm going through others are too. I still have the slight cramping on and off - akin to mild/moderate aunt flo pain but some of it is actual normal tummy ache and the dreaded trapped wind! - to date, no more spotting.
I can sympathise with the nausea Vs hunger. I either want to throw up or eat the contents of the fridge. Doesn't help I suffer from emetophobia 🤢
I've also developed this odd thing of seeing some sort of random food on TV and then absolutely needing it right now - what is with that?! Currently I could eat coleslaw until it comes out my ears . I also buy loads of something I like one time and then can't eat it - oops.
With this being my first I have no idea what is going on half the time and whether to panic or not. Google is either my best friend or worst enemy.
I daren't buy anything yet (I'm only 9 +5) but I'm already finding it hard to fit in some clothes both top and bottom. Doesn't bode well! Although this whole COVID lockdown thing is awful for the most part, I am thankful I don't have to try to squeeze into my work clothes every day and can live in stretchy leggings or joggers. I can't wait to tell people at 12 wks and hopefully some of my lovely girlfriends will donate me some of their old mat stuff.
I wish I was creative enough to be able to make some of the lovely things I see @Frazzlerock and @footprintsintheslow making. Having something that personal for your little bubba is beautiful. When I can finally tell my mum, perhaps she'll pick up the crochet hook again as I know she can do it!

If anyone wants to get into crochet 🧶 I've taught it and happy to help but my main tips are get onto you tube. There are so many basic tutorials that will solve any problem you have.
Also expect it to be a an absolute nightmare to begin with. Expect to have thoughts like "I will never be able to do this" and "this feels so awkward" and then ignore those thoughts and carry on.

how did your scan go today @pregnantPorcupine? i just got back, baby seems all fine, about 45 centile, estim. 6lb 2oz, booked for a sweep on 16th and induction on 22nd..really hope the sweep will work..can't believe it's kind of happening..if the sweep works he could be here in 2w time..exciting and scary..i'm still working, till next fri, so won't have much time left to get ready..not sure i'm mentally ready yet, but feeling so huge i do want him out..

glad to hear you are all well.
@footprintsintheslow and @Frazzlerock your creations are beautiful, i love that giraffe, so cute. Love that baby monitor but def out of my price range..will just reuse our old motorola one, which is still working.

Great news @fool11 all good here too - baby is a little on the small side but within range so they don't seem worried, and she is HEAD DOWN! Woo hoo! They also confirmed that they should be able to make an exception to the "no swapping birth partners" rule if labour goes on for ages and DP isn't well enough to support me, which is a huge weight off my mind.

Re the induction - have you read about eating dates to soften the cervix and speed up labour? Might make the sweep more likely to work?? It may well be a load of BS but can't hurt and I like dates anyway so I'm giving it a go from today.

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-dates-to-start-labor/#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%20randomized%20trials%20have,effect%20on%20postpartum%20blood%20loss.