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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Due April 2021

986 replies

BoJingle · 30/11/2020 22:14

Is around who's due in April 2021? How are you feeling?

I was in a thread on here in early pregnancy, dropped off when I joined the buddies Facebook group, I'm still in it but its not really for me.... I miss having a place to go to chat pregnancy though.

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1sttimemumtobe2021 · 23/02/2021 09:43

Warning, this is a bit gross but a common side effect apparently. Piles. They have started in the last few days for me - I'm not straining or anything - but I went to the loo today and there was bright red blood and it was so sore. Has anyone had an issue with this before? Is it bound to get worse if I don't mention anything (scared that it will make childbirth even more painful!). Shall I mention to midwife or just get some anusol (had a read and that seems the best over the counter option).

I'm just over 33 weeks.

BaaHumbugg · 23/02/2021 16:34

@firsttimemomtobex yes I've had terrible trouble with them in both pregnancies. I was put on iron tablets and this made them even worse. I try and eat dried apricots every day now to keep things going ok doen there, it's so painful otherwise! Definitely keep on top of it as they can get really painful, I could barely sleep they were so bad!

1sttimemumtobe2021 · 23/02/2021 19:55

@BaaHumbugg oh dear! How did it affect you when it came round to the birth? Nervous as il be straining down there to push baby out won't I!? Eek!!

I had fruit and fibre this morning! Will look into more foods like that. Not a fan of dried apricots or prunes!

BaaHumbugg · 23/02/2021 22:01

No worse after the birth really, probably as everything else hurt Grin definitely be wary of the iron tablets if they try and give you them though as they make everything ten times worse down there!

TheViewOutsideMyWindow · 25/02/2021 18:22

Haven't experienced piles myself but it's really common from what I understand. Definitely one to ask the midwife about, they'll be used to it.

Feeling absolutely shattered today. Had to juggle work and my 3yo today. Seriously considering taking an earlier mat leave that I would have done. I'll only get statutory mat pay so was going to work right up until the end, but parenting, working and growing a human is becoming just too much. When are all the second/third time mums starting their leave from?

flappityflippers1 · 25/02/2021 18:52

@TheViewOutsideMyWindow If section was going ahead as planned at 39 weeks (so 5th April) iI'd be starting my mat leave on 29th March Shock

Looking more likely that baby will be born at 37 weeks, so w/c 22nd March now, so I'll take mat leave the week before.

In all honestly, I'm absolutely exhausted and could happily take it now. I do work p/t of an evening though in a very easy low stress job, so it's not bad - just would rather be sleeping right now!

BaaHumbugg · 25/02/2021 23:27

@theviewoutsidemywindow I am working up until mid April, well that's the plan. I really felt it today as well, I have given up on home school as I'm too tired. And I can't even complain as my OH is here all the time, I actually cried today as I was feeling so tired and uncomfortable. And I never cry! I don't know how this pregnancy can be so tough when my previous one I was literally sky diving (well I wasn't doing that but in comparison to now I might as well have been!) Maybe I'm just old now!

1sttimemumtobe2021 · 26/02/2021 07:35

@BaaHumbugg I am crying every day this last week! I am a first time mum so maybe I am being a wimp! I'm struggling with the pressures at work, I feel like I'm being made to achieve the impossible before I finish for mat leave and I'm getting stressed. I think I will mention it to the midwife as to whether it's wise to give myself the extra week as I can't deal with another month of daily crying!

BaaHumbugg · 26/02/2021 08:16

@firsttimemomtobex you're definitely not wimp, pregnancy is hard full stop doesn't matter if it's your first or last child! Might be worth you finishing earlier at work if they let you? Sounds pretty stressful to me Sad

TheViewOutsideMyWindow · 26/02/2021 08:57

Had a big cry yesterday too! Was just exhausted. Then went to bed straight after my 3yo at 7.30pm and feel better for it today. Pregnancy is hard!

RandomUser18282 · 26/02/2021 13:10

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Catlady21 · 26/02/2021 13:19

Also, I know it sounds yucky, but, do as many wees in the shower as you want to. My mw told me it takes the sting out and you don't have to wipe clean either. It really did help me.

Ttwinksy · 26/02/2021 16:54

Someone also suggested keeping a squeezy bottle of water by the loo to pour while you pee to dilute so it stings less...

...and putting your spritz for bits in the fridge...

And yep, stocked up on the lactulose already Confused

RandomUser18282 · 27/02/2021 00:32

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firsttimemomtobex · 27/02/2021 08:26

@Handsoffstrikesagain I used to suffer with restless legs before I was pregnant and they've got worse the past few weeks 😩 I've found that I'm less likely to get it if I've done quite a lot of walking during the day though

RandomUser18282 · 27/02/2021 09:26

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LuckyFlash · 27/02/2021 10:17

Yes to the restless legs! I also had it before but it’s every night now. It’s so hard to explain how bad it can be.
I also find walking in the days helps (although then my pelvis hurts). I tried magnesium tablets which definitely helped but when I checked with my midwife if they were ok to take she said yes absolutely but check with a pharmacist on the dose and the pharmacist said not to take them - very mixed messaging. They told me to drink tonic water for the quinine but that doesn’t seem to be working.
I just spend my evenings going from lying down on the sofa to sitting on my ball to pacing up and down. Driving me nuts

TheViewOutsideMyWindow · 27/02/2021 10:59

Magnesium sleep is a great lotion for restless legs, and safe to use in pregnancy. I got mine from Amazon. Well worth a look if you're struggling to sleep.

Ttwinksy · 28/02/2021 13:01

Can I ask, I'm really curious about this....am I the only one not needing to get up for a wee at night?! I'm 34+ weeks and enormous, but can count on one hand the number of times I've had to get up at night this whole pregnancy. Still sleeping absolutely terribly though with pelvic pain...so its not all roses. But I'm quite surprised I'm managing to avoid getting up after hearing everyone else's stories! No signs of dehydration on the midwife urine tests and I drink pints of water throughout the day. I've always had a strong bladder....and I do have a long back so maybe there's just more space in there. Slightly hoping its a sign of strong pelvic floor!!

flappityflippers1 · 28/02/2021 13:20

@Ttwinksy I don’t get up through the night either and didn’t with my first. I’ve always been able to hold my wee for forever though

I had a c section with my first, and my pelvic floor was destroyed in my arse 😳 wee fine and could still hold it like a camel. However had to have physio it was so bad for my back end - when my DS was a few months old I actually pooped myself at the zoo 😳😮 (that’s what made me go the GP for a referral! And from then on always had a backup outfit for me as well as DS and soon to be baby 🙈)

Needless to say I’ve been doing my pelvic floors religiously this pregnancy!!

Alakasam · 28/02/2021 14:21

@Ttwinksy - I'm the same - but again, I've always had a strong bladder. Only difference now when I need a wee first thing in the morning (usually when woken by toddler in the next room having a party at 5:30), is that the effort of holding it in unconsciously overnight makes my muscles ache like period cramps. And I HAVE to go before picking up toddler/getting onto the floor to change toddler or I'd probably wet myself (not that I'm going to be able to do those things much longer regardless - he weighs a tonne...).

RandomUser18282 · 28/02/2021 15:11

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TheViewOutsideMyWindow · 28/02/2021 15:34

I'm up loads in the night to pee! Had excellent bladder control both before and after baby 1, so don't worry the urge to go constantly will usually disappear once baby is born.

BaaHumbugg · 28/02/2021 15:36

I am up loads of times too but have always had the bladder the size of a coin anyway! It's just so hard getting out of bed now!

Alakasam · 28/02/2021 15:41

I mean that's not what I was getting at at all, but now you mention it, it's pretty important that first time mums are aware that having a knackered bladder is even a possibility and having a weak pelvic floor will make it a bit more likely! It's not about fear-mongering, but more about honesty. I mean I read yesterday that it's something like 1 in 3 women with bladder issues after birth and I certainly didn't realise it was anywhere near that high when I was a FTM.

Whilst having a strong pelvic floor is pretty important in preventing this in general, I'm under no illusion that a lot is still down to (bad) luck. It's also certainly not the case that if you are up to go to the loo 8 times a night that you will definitely have incontinence after baby is born. Second time round, I could very easily have issues but good pelvic floor will certainly help make this less likely, so it's important to talk about!