Jan/Feb 2021

[2020N]

Hi everyone,

I hope that I don’t upset or offend anyone with this post, it’s not my intention at all!

I’m a first time (hopefully to be) mum and I’m 33. I’m 7 weeks pregnant and found my positive at just 4 weeks, due date Jan 31st. Since then I’ve been trying to find a thread that I fit in to.

I’m quite a private person but as no one around me is pregnant, I’d like to connect with other mums to be. I know lots of people are more chatty, but some of the threads and sharing of detail sent me into a bit of an anxious loop where I dissected every twinge etc and it wasn’t healthy for me personally.

I was wondering if there’s anyone similar out there that would like to connect, as I’d love to know about your experiences and go through this journey with others too.

Again, I hope I haven’t upset anyone, as I fully get that everyone meanders through things differently.

Wishing you all a healthy journey x

Morning ladies 😊

Struggling with exhaustion still but I’m probably not helping myself to be honest, been doing more work up at our new house and then crashing out in between. It’s weird how I’m so tired but when I sleep it doesn’t feel like I’m really sleeping? So I’m not rested when I wake up. Oh well, probably one I’ll have to get used to 🙈

@2020N of course, the totally head-screwed-on thing to do is just sticking with the midwife’s experience and words, very tough to do but I’m sure it’s kept you calmer.
New car! That’s very exciting!! Hopefully one for easy car seat access? We’ve started thinking about cars - both of ours are 3 door so no chance!

So excited for your scan today 🥰 having your DP there too will be perfect. What time are you going? Even though it’s just a few days there will be changes to see I’m sure!

@SparklingPinot my 12 week scan is the 16th too! 😊 It was originally the week after but I’d be too far for the combined test so they moved it. It’s been frustrating waiting longer but now I’m feeling happy that it’s a bit later, baby will have grown more and it’s closer to the 20 week scan. We’ve got to go through every week of pregnancy so the more good bits saved up the better 😂

I’d feel the same about DP going out, Scotland’s still a couple of weeks until we open up so I’ve had a chat with him already what makes me worry and why, as well as things I think aren’t so risky so hopefully he gets that and picks things from the low worry list 😬 sounds like yours was good about it though. Hopefully it’ll settle down a bit soon and going at a time when it won’t be crazy will feel a bit safer.

My weekend hasn’t been exciting at all... the one bedroom we thought didn’t have a woodchip ceiling turns out has a false ceiling constructed around the old built in cupboards. It’s woodchip underneath 🙈 I’m back to working from home next week so will have today off 😊 hope you all have a lovely weekend, however exciting or dull! xx

Oooh new car @2020N - that equals an exciting weekend to me. We are also going to be looking at new cars, not started yet but feel like there will be some cracking deals out there. Got to be some advantages of current sh*te!
Yes you are right, it must be results of bloods etc. I can only imagine now how long the 4 days between the scan & the results appointment are gonna be!!
You must be so excited for your scan today, it’s just so amazing to see with the OH. Keep us posted !

@Mandalory i don’t envy you with the house renovations at the moment, I don’t know how you do it! How long are you anticipating it all taking??
Glad it’s not just me whose anxious about DH going out - we had a bit of a scare this week because 3 x close family members of someone he works with tested positive. Luckily his colleague hasn’t got it but I think that has made him realise he really does need to be careful!

Weather has been pants here so far so been relatively sedentary indoors but planning on getting out for a bike ride later on, have a lovely Sunday all xx

Morning @Mandalory

I’m sorry that you’re struggling. Completely understand that you’re wanting to. Tack on with your new house, but take care not to overdo it, take time for yourself to relax x

I know what you mean about the weird sleep. I struggle to keep my eyes open and then I’m awake early hours and drift in and out for the rest so ‘wake up’ tired too. Think it’s our bodies way of sleep training us in preparation! 😂 Can you try squeezing a nap in early afternoon to see if it helps you to reboot for a little while?

Yes car seat access and pram boot space were top of the list! We both drive fiesta’s at the min and the boots are tiny. When my nieces were little we had to take the wheels off the pram to fit it in the boot and it was such a faff. OH is keeping his fiesta and I’ve been treated to a Puma - slightly higher too so hopefully less bending to get the seat in!

We’re just back from the scan now. So nice to have the experience together this time and the ladies at Window to the Womb were so lovely and really took time to show us all of baby on a huge tv screen on the back wall. Jellybean was wiggling away happily, very strong heartbeat and we could see the little arm and leg nubbins moving about. No better feeling is there!
I’m glad you’re giving yourself the day off and hopefully you can fit some relaxing time in next week too while working from home. Put your feet up! X

wanting to crack on

Morning @SparklingPinot

Definitely go and take advantage! The showroom was so quiet and social distancing was in place.

Time goes so slow, but fast at the same time doesn’t it! Definitely try and keep busy for those 4 days!

Ah the scan was brilliant thank you. So nice to be together and the ladies were lovely and really took the time to go through everything on screen with us. Jellybean was happily jiggling away with teeny arm and leg nubbins and the heartbeat was so clear today. So happy to see baby again and can’t wait to see the changes at the 12 week scan now!

That is frightening. I’m glad his colleague hasn’t got it, and hope the family recover well. It is just staying cautious isn’t it and being aware of everyone and everything around you and do the best we can!

A bike ride sounds lovely, have a lovely day x

Hi Ladies,

How is everyone doing? Am I right in thinking that this week is your dating scans @Mandalory and @SparklingPinot ? x

Hi @2020N 😊

I’m sorry I dropped off here for a while, had a chaotic return to work as I was the only one in from my team last week. We also shared our news with our parents, and had my birthday too... it feels like I’ve not had a moment to myself for ages!

My scan is tomorrow afternoon - thank you for remembering 😊 I’ll update with how it goes of course, especially because I’m really not sure what to expect in the 2 hours they’ve said it’ll take! Last week it was announced that Scotland would allow a partner to attend ante natal appointments from this Monday so now I’m so happy that my scan is on the later side (I’ll be 13+2 😲), and DP is over the moon 🥰

How have you been feeling? Do you have a date for your scan yet? Have you got the new car? We’ve started looking too, since both of ours are 3 door and completely impractical 😂 x

@SparklingPinot hope all goes well for your scan tomorrow too 😊 x

Hi @Mandalory

Oh dear, that sounds full on! Will more be joining your team soon?

Ah lovely that you've shared your news with your parents. How did it go?

Hopefully you can get a moment to yourself over the weekend!

Good luck with your scan this afternoon! Very exciting! I’m so pleased that your partner can now attend with you, what a relief and even more special that you can experience it together now. 😊 Good that you won’t have to sit and twiddle your fingers for 2 hours alone too! 😂

I’ve been feeling fine to be honest (hoping that’s still a good sign!) everything seems to have eased up. Had uncomfortable stomach growing pains yesterday but they’ve eased overnight too. I’m showing already though! No date for scan, and no news about the car either - I’m getting impatient, haha!

3 doors would be tricky! What are you thinking of going for?

Best of luck with your scan! Can’t wait to hear all about it x

Hi @2020N 😊

Scan was amazing!! Still measured at 13+2 So officially due 19th January. After a lot of undignified prodding, jiggling and jumping around we had to accept that baby wouldn’t cooperate with the NT measurement so I’ll have to go back for the quad test in a few weeks. They could see glimpses of the NT thickness and it didn’t cause any concern tho... so I’m taking that as positive 😊 although we have an awkward baby 😂 it was upside down in a meditation pose, knees out and ankles crossed, bopping it’s head! I’m so pleased that DP could be there too - fingers crossed for yours!

It took about half an hour in total, would have been more like 15 with a cooperative child. Of course it’s focussed on checking the baby so was quite different from the private scan. I couldn’t see the screen particularly well, I’m glad we did the other one too, more for watching baby. I’m amazed how much it’s grown tho!

Luckily there wasn’t much waiting time, and we had about 40 minutes with the midwife doing bloods, height, weight etc. She was so lovely although I’ll probably not see her again, our system seems much more disjointed than yours. Would love to have her throughout! I’m sure the others will be lovely too but I think it’s great that you can build a bond with yours.

We came away with a huge pack of leaflets, vitamins, bounty bag (don’t get excited 😂), maternity file and our photos 🥰 it feels much more real now! Went to DP’s parents after - they couldn’t be more excited - and told my sister last night too. I’d been nervous about telling anyone but it’s been amazing and made it even more exciting to share it. My parents are thrilled as well! We won’t have any big reveals, we’ll share with close friends as and when, extended family after 20 week scan but that’ll be it 😊

Glad you’re feeling fine - I think it’s a good sign that the placenta is doing it’s job, although of course anything is normal at this stage! I’ve felt pretty good for a few weeks now and definitely been a good sign... still bloated rather than bump (I’m jealous!) but boobs keep on growing and occasional weird uterus sensations. Oh, and waking up at crazy times! 😂

I’m impatient for your appointment too! Maybe give them a call and ask? You never know if everything is getting sent out as it should just now. Although the benefit will be less time to count down the days!

We haven’t chosen what car yet, but we’ll only change one for now so it’ll be a slightly bigger family sized that will work for everything. Need lots of rear legroom as DP has to have the seats right back. And have a huge boot!

Friday again already 😊 I’ve got another person in with me this week which has been easier, but still very ready for the weekend. Hope you have a good one too 😊 x

Hey Ladies, well I had my scan yesterday, all went well & is fine (for now). Baby is now measuring at 13.5 (!!) so my due date has gone up even more & is now at 16th January. All very exciting. Whilst I still couldnt take DH in with me the full NHS experience I found really positive...perhaps because I believe they’ve spaced the appointments quite significantly because of Covid but I barely had to wait for anyone, the midwives were lovely, sonographer brilliant, lady who took my blood made me giggle so I barely noticed the 6 x vials she took from me. I was in & out in an hour & a half....having said that all I don’t feel much less anxious than I did because of course now there’s just more stuff to worry about!

@Mandalory glad to hear all went well & I know what you mean with the scan - quite different to the private one, all the different measurements & he explained some of them to me but a lot of it I couldn’t understand what I was looking at 😂 We did exactly what you did - did the rounds to close family / made phone calls all yesterday evening to let them know. They are all delighted & I think it’s just the kind of news people need at the moment! We won’t have any big reveals or anything either - anything not to tempt fate! Whilst I’ve told my boss I’ve told her I don’t want it to be public knowledge amongst our company just yet - I’m not ready just yet & whilst I’m WFH I just don’t see the need. She of course thinks I’m mad but agrees it’s my choice & my news. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@2020N OMG I can’t believe you’ve not got your scan date yet! I definitely feel like you should chase this up! I can’t work out if I’m showing yet, I didn’t think I was but then when we told DH sister yesterday she told me I was (she’s not the most tactful of people) so to compensate for it I ate all the food last night.

I’m back at the hospital again on Monday to see a consultant at the antenatal clinic because I’ve had (minor) thyroid issues in the past - feel happy that they have been so thorough in everything for me, when you go on some of the forums on the various apps & see ladies from the US talk about pregnancy care over there & how much they pay to have a baby, you realise just how lucky we are!

Have a great Friday everyone xxx

@Mandalory

Ah I’m so happy for you! An official due date to count down to! 👏🏻 Scan was amazing!! So funny that baby wasn’t playing ball! Glad that the measurements looked good though, you can relax a little now instead of worrying about the wait.

I’ve heard that they’re quite thorough, which I suppose is more important - we’re lucky that we can have the private ones too so that we can enjoy the screen time without the medical need. Glad that you had a lovely midwife too - I think there’s many more lovely ones out there and I’m sure they’ll all be caring and supportive for you.

That’s a big bundle to come away with! Night time reading 🤣

So happy that you’ve had a great experience telling everyone too! Definitely more real for you both now! You can plan away now without having to hide it from your closest people!

I’m glad that you’re feeling well too, our symptoms seem to be on par so I’m taking that as a plus!

I think I will give my midwife a call next week if I don’t get a letter through.

Glad you’ll have help in the office next week. Enjoy your weekend admiring your new baby scan pic! x

@SparklingPinot
Ah I’m so pleased that your scan went well and baby is growing nicely! Brill that you’ve also got a due date to look forward to! I’m sorry you couldn’t take your husband in with you yet, hopefully things will change soon, but I’m so happy that your experience was positive and that everyone was lovely. 6 vials?! I’ll start to prepare for that now! 🤣 Ah try to enjoy the calm of reassurance for a little bit. Another month or so and you’ll have the reassurance kicks and nudges to keep you staying positive.

Great that you’ve done the rounds and shared your lovely news. It’ll help to take your mind off worries to have the chatter of baby news.

I know, I was trying not to be impatient but after speaking with you both I’ve realised that I’m allowed to be 😂 I’ll contact her next week. I don’t want to miss the boat for the screening incase baby has had a spurt that takes me back up to +9 days ahead of where the early scan put baby at.

😂😂😂 I love your response to your sister’s comments!

I’m glad that they’re being thorough with you, you’re right, we are very, very lucky to have the NHS.

Have a lovely weekend and I hope that everything goes well on Monday for you x

Little update... I called my community midwife, who is now on holiday so spoke with another midwife who told me to call the hospital. Called the hospital and they had no further info on me apart from the initial pregnancy confirmation 🙈 Phone call back to the community midwives and then a phone call from the hospital and I’m now on their system and awaiting a letter in the next 7 days. Good job I called instead of waiting patiently for a letter that I was never doing to receive! 😂 Ah well, I’m in the system now! 🤞🏼

Hope you’re all okay x

Hey ladies, hope everyone that was on this thread is doing well? I can’t believe it’s August already!!
I have had the worst couple of weeks...my combined test results came thro as increased risk...queue an extremely stressful 10 days or so going for the Harmony test which thankfully has come back low risk. During this time I then contracted shingles & have been really really ill (much better now tho thankfully). I hope everyone’s had an easier couple of weeks than me!

@2020N did you get your scan date thro (have you maybe had it?) - hope ur getting nearer 🤞🏻🤞🏻

@Mandalory how are you feeling & looking? I - just this morning, have conceded that I may be starting to get a little bit of a preggo belly (as opposed to what was almost certainly bloat / fat) but haven’t felt any movement from the baby as yet 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I can’t wait!

Hi @SparklingPinot

I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve had a tough couple of weeks. Shingles is awful! I’m glad that you’ve received reassuring news from the harmony test, hopefully now you can get some much needed rest and can de-stress to get yourself right x
The hospital were great and got me in the following week after I contacted them. Baby was having a great time buckarooing about and the sonographer was lovely, we spent quite a bit of time just watching! 😂 Officially 13+1 and DD 09/02/21. Waiting on our results now too.

Happy to be in the second trimester! I bought some magnesium spray (safe for pregnancy) from Holland & Barrett and 🤞🏼 it is making a difference to the restless arms and legs, making it easier to get a decent sleep. I’ve got a bump too, saw my family yesterday and they confirmed; I’m definitely showing!

Really hope you’re starting to feel a little better and are taking some R&R time for yourself and baby x