👣 Due Nov/Dec 👣 it's the 20 week scans! 👣

[ChampooPapi]

Half may mark approaching or even completed for some of us 🙌

Hey @Kj1010 I don't get health anxiety but I get terrible anxiety that makes me nauseas - I think definetely speak to someone you don't want mental health problems (which most of us have) to interfere with what should be such a blessed and happy time in your life ❤️ sending hugs.

Yay @peachypetite

@Kj1010 I think talking to someone about your anxiety would be a good idea, especially if you think it's getting worse because of or during your pregnancy. I would talk to your midwife first as they will be able to signpost you to where you could get some support. They understand that previous mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can be hightened during pregnancy, especially in these crazy times we are living through just now. If you think your midwife won't be helpful then definitely talk with your doctor about it.

@chubbyhotchoc it's terrible isn't it this whole covid stuff as everything delayed I had a smear the year b4 falling pregnant but they want me to have one after baby born in 2001 I was diagnosed with cin3 but they caught it b4 went to cervical cancer thankgod as my son was only a year old never missed a smear but the thought of going to doctors over a lump and them sending u for scans etc frightens the hell out of me I dont get how u can be consistent with 1 thing but not something else @nearlyamummyof2boys yes think I'm gonna have to what doesn't help is being pregnant ur boobs change anyway and I have got to admit since finding out I havent been checking silly me also dont think its helps my mum has stage 4 lung cancer even though that is going well i just think the whole lot of whats going on etc just weighs on your mind

@NaomiB79 havent spoke to midwive for a while they dont reply to texts etc my doctor is Male so I feel awkward I know silly I will keep a check on this if it doesn't improve I will bite the bullet and go but just getting my fears out to u all had brightened me up I'm thinking more logically thankyou

@Kj1010 glad you are feeling a bit better about things. I suffered from depression for a few years before getting help and honestly it was the best thing I did. It can be daunting opening up to your doctor about it but they are usually really understanding and would be able to suggest therapies that would work best for you. Maybe ask your surgery if you can see a female doctor if that would make you feel more comfortable. It was my midwife that pointed out that things can be heightened during pregnancy so to speak to her if any signs of depression came back. Generally the wait lists on the NHS to get some support are really long so if you think that you would benefit from that kind of support then I would discuss it with someone sooner rather than later.

@Kj1010 agree you should try to get some help. My anxiety got about a million times worse after birth and I was quite a mess. Hoping to be so busy this time I won't be as bad but I will def have to get to the gp. I ended up on citalopram
Last time which did calm me a bit.

I agree with all PP - speaking to someone about your anxiety is certainly a lot of help. I had it a bit at the beginning of this pregnancy because of a previous miscarriage and spent a few day solidly in bed as I was sure something would happen again. That is not how to deal with it and once I spoke to the midwife about how I was feeling, it was loads easier to deal with. 😊

That was when I was able to get in touch with my midwife, however, I’ve still not heard from her in almost 3 weeks now - still don’t have a 25 or 28 week appointment booked in. 🙈

I’m on a completely different note, what is everyone doing re: hospital bag for mum? As in pj’s and going home attire, etc. I was thinking about what i might need yesterday and was starting to think I’d need a suitcase with all the stuff!

@PipTed - I am starting to think about a hospital bag. Being back to school in September and away over October half term means that I want everything sorted and ready before I go back to school (as I suspect I will not have the time or energy after that) -- I was thinking of using a wheeled hand luggage case :-)
One of my friends shared a great tip for a hospital bag - she sorted everything into ziplock bags and labelled them. That way it was really easy for anyone looking in her suitcase to find what she needed (she had an EMCS so needed a little help with this initially).

@peachypetite ah. So nice you felt fluttering. I hope I feel it soon. 20 weeks on Thursday. I did press my belly slightly and feel what Felt like little balls or something. I got paranoid and started thinking it could be baby’s hand or foot.

Don’t know if that is even possible or my imagination it’s getting carried away. I defo still feel these little hardish things at times.

@Kj1010 it’s totally understandable that you feel like that. With the circumstances.

I get anxiety over things that I am just overthinking about that are not even issues. I make them issues in my head. Some days it’s very very bad.

I have downloaded amazon Audible, I am not a reader but listening to books helps me.
Also my husband has recommended head space and mindfulness.

It may be worth a try. Hope you start to feel better soon ❤️

glad I’m not the only one. Was worried I might seem a little extra with a wheelie case, but seems only logical with all the stuff!

I’ll be working until the end of October, too so trying to plan ahead as I have a feeling nesting will be very real once I’m on maternity leave - I will absolutely want to have everything sorted prior so I can batch cook and clean every inch of my home.

@EithneBlue Zip lock bags are a great idea. Thanks for the tip. 😊 There l’s just so much to consider; pads, disposable pants, lotions and potions ...

@PipTed yes I agree a little suitcase. I would come home in clean pjs personally but I got a maternity lounge suit from boohoo so suppose I could wear that. It’s super comfy.

@EithneBlue that’s a great ideas labelling things.
I honestly haven’t even thought about my hospital bag yet.

I still feel like I have so much to get for baby.

Pram, Cot, bath, all toiletries, and much more.
Some people are saying it’s too early for me to panic and buy stuff. I just feel like December is creeping up quickly xx

My plan is to have two bags - one for me, one for baby and my husband will pack so he can find everything!

@EithneBlue my friend recommended that too, especially for the baby outfits, she said put whole outfits in each size (if you think you might need different sizes) into a sandwich / ziplock bag so they are easy to find. Like a vest and a sleepsuit in each bag and anything else you might need, I think it's a great idea I'm defo going to do it.

@PipTed when I was getting my whooping cough jag I saw someone going into the labour ward with a huge suitcase - it looked like one I would take on holiday for two weeks so you might need one 😂

Thanks all feeling much better after a good night's sleep and all seems in perspective I know most of this worry is just in my head I will have chat with midwife at my appointment in august though just to get those fears out etc I hopefully finish work tomoz I'm a school cleaner so havent stopped since pandemic then I'll have 3/4 weeks off then return 1st september I'm hoping to go on maternity at the end of november then that gives me 13 days till due date but also hoping to sort my house out in holidays I no my partner is gonna paint whole house so its fresh for me and just gotta sort baby bits etc I'm quite calm now but will get a stress head come end august sept lol

@Kpm7 yes I was thinking a really comfy smock dress to come home in - will hide a multitude of sins.

@NaomiB79 oh really? It’s serious stuff this hospital bag malarkey, isn’t it!!!

@peachypetite great idea to get your partner involved. I’m not sure everything would get to the hospital if I left my OH to pack! He’s really great, but he is forgetful - manages to forget to make me the drink he offered to make and go into the kitchen for, on a daily basis. I think he has sympathetic baby brain.

@PipTed I'm absolutely taking one of those hand luggage size wheely cases! If anything so my partner can wheel it for me while propping me up😆

@PipTed hahaha! No I just meant better that your husband puts the things in the bag (under your beady eye) so that he knows where they are if there are things you need in the middle of labour you want him to find it quickly and at least have some idea where it is.

@peachypetite yes that's a really good idea to have a separate small bag for baby things

@PipTed haha, yes, my male of the species is not permitted to pack 'things' this goes for all situations and outings

@ChampooPapi thank you for that! I realised after I typed it that question sounded pretty stupid like of course I should know you can't swaddle and put them in a sleeping bag haha one long day and my brain turns to mush! but that's really helpful to know kind of when swaddling is useful (if the baby likes it that is!). I'll need to practice a few times though, if my ability to wrap a burrito is anything to go by my technique will definitely need work lol.

And I'm definitely going to get one of those Gro Eggs or something similar! There's loads on Facebook marketplace for like £5-10 so that'll be ideal.

@Hanrora06 yes absolutely get them second hand, they are half the price then 👍

@Kj1010 glad you are feeling a little bit better this morning! I'm so happy you are finishing now for summer so you can have a proper relax over the holidays, make sure you really take care of yourself and rest and make plenty of time for yourself and your partner to chill. Especially if you've been working as usual this whole time! No wonder you're feeling a bit anxious.

@Kpm7 I haven't even thought about my hospital bag at all. Like, at all. I think I will actively avoid thinking about it until at least October/November haha. I think it's definitely too early to be panicking, just get what you feel you need as you feel. I haven't got a single thing, not buying any baby stuff until we've moved! I have literally nowhere to put it. One reason we're moving is our tiny 1 bedroom flat has got no storage- we have no room for our own stuff, let alone any baby stuff!

I'll probably pack in early October case wise I reckon

Anyone got any cute coming home outfits yet?

@Hanrora06 yes will defo be relaxing well needed and maybe just maybe start to enjoy this pregnancy I cant wait to start preparing for baby bits but it's all summer bits and the baby groves ain't that nice at mo managed to pick up three lovely ones that's it pram moses basket etc sorted pre ordered it on online4baby so just really clothes bottles steraliser nappies blankets etc to sort but the person I am I will prob have that all sorted by end of sept dont want to rush to quick lol also I swear for last 2 days have been feeling little pops I'm assuming its baby starting to be more active which is quite reassuring normally only feel at night time this is during the day