July - we’re half way (thread 3)

[PeanutButterFalcon]

Spotted the last thread was almost full so started this one.

Ooh looks like there will be so many boys on this thread!

I'm after a bit of reassurance around movements, currently 22 weeks with an anterior placenta. I've been able to feel movements the last few weeks, but not really as a pattern as such yet. Everywhere I've looked says if you notice reduced movements after 28 weeks to get it checked, but what about before? Is it just presumed to be normal to have changes and periods with less movements at this point?

@FirstTimeMummy2021

Ooh looks like there will be so many boys on this thread!

I'm after a bit of reassurance around movements, currently 22 weeks with an anterior placenta. I've been able to feel movements the last few weeks, but not really as a pattern as such yet. Everywhere I've looked says if you notice reduced movements after 28 weeks to get it checked, but what about before? Is it just presumed to be normal to have changes and periods with less movements at this point?

I think our deduction from our experiences so far on this thread is that it's normal to have quieter days this early and several of us have had this, but that that's not the same as it definitely meaning things are okay so if you are feeling particularly concerned then no harm in giving your midwife a message/ call.

Has anyone else had problems getting their whooping cough jab sorted? It's basically impossible to get through to my GP surgery at the moment and I've called practically hourly for two weeks, and left several requests on their online appt request forms. Really keen to get it sorted before restrictions ease!

@PurpleCurtain I had mine from my midwife last week rather than my GP.
Is there no chance that your midwife will do it instead?

Thanks @purpleCurtain I was starting to worry but all seems normal again now.

I've managed to get my whooping cough vaccine through my GP as the midwives aren't really doing it at the moment.

@PurpleCurtain I got mine through my GP no problem, next day appointment - but if you can't get through I'd ask your midwife to book it for you. My arm is sore today from it!

@PinkGiraffe1 I believe the current Covid advice is to only have the jab if you're pregnant if the benefits outweigh the risks i.e. if you have a significant health condition or are extremely overweight for example. I personally will definitely wait until after the baby is born as I have no risk factors for Covid. I understand there are no concerns about breastfeeding and the vaccine as there are only ever risks with breastfeeding for live vaccines (smallpox, yellow fever) and Covid is not a live vaccine.

Joining :) due early July with a baby girl xx

@notalwaysalondoner I'm definitely waiting too. There's been no evidence what effects it can have on "pregnancy" I don't think? Or the baby? Could be wrong. But it hasn't been looked into

My Trust won't consider giving it to anyone pregnant, it isn't patient choice they are not prepared to give it..the exceptions are if you are in the CEV category.

I still have my movement some days then nothing for a few days and I'm nearly 22 weeks. My midwife said unless I have pain or bleeding there is no reason to worry until 28+.

Thanks all! Will give my midwife a text and let her know I'm struggling to book, but she had previously been pretty clear she doesn't give it!

On the COVID vaccine, I don't know everyone's ages here, but for anyone below 30 I imagine it's not a relevant consideration unless you are e.g. CEV, a carer etc? I had a look at the Omni vaccine queue calculator which estimates that for those 18-29 the first dose is likely to be between 31/05 and 02/07, i.e. the end of that window is already into July anyway, and we can have it as soon as baby is here (albeit there are the logistics of that to work through!). For reference, for those 30-39 it says May, and April for 40+, so can understand that that then feels like delaying, albeit not by too much!

@FirstTimeMummy2021 I'm 20+1 and still haven't felt anything I also have an anterior placenta. Give midwife a ring if your worried xx

Had my scan today, all is good and still a boy 🤣

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE mine are 13,12,11,8,7,2 and 1!

I am slightly worried but less so than I was a few months ago. When they said they weren’t going back after Christmas I was relieved but now I’m excited for them to go back and I feel like it will be good for all of us to get back into a normal routine.

@FirstTimeMummy2021 I wouldn't worry too much especially with an anterior placenta, it really does make a difference. When is your next appointment? Is there a number you can call to speak to a midwife if you’re worried? X

@isadorapolly My next midwife isn't until the end of the month but if I notice it again I think I'll call for reassurance. Its so hard not knowing what us normal!
@coffeeandcaramel I think I had only felt a few flutters before my 20 week scan but since then they have developed and are more little kicks! It's quite lovely to feel baby moving around now. Fingers crossed it won't be long for you now

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE I am in Wales so this is my son's second week in. He is so very pleased to be back at school. He missed seeing his teacher (he adores her) and his friends. He has seemed much happier being back so any worries I have have disappeared.

Sorry for delay in replying. WFH and home-schooling = no energy and def sick of screens. Thank you to all who replied regarding my covid vaccine question. I was having a bit of wobble this week. Kept feeling really anxious which I've not done for most of lockdown or even the last 12 months. I just worry that having a child in school and a mum with major health issues is increasing my chances of catching covid, and being really ill with it (and then something awful happen to the baby!) I'm probably being daft but I hate the lack of info. My midwife told me I could have it and to call my GP - so far I haven't as I can't decide what to do for the best. But hearing that pregnant women after 28 weeks are more at risk (still no idea why), which coincides with lots of social distancing restrictions being reduced, how can I keep myself self safe unless I lock myself in the house! There must be loads of pregnant women who have had the vaccine because they are high risk - what's happened to them? Any side affects? My mum (ex-nurse) is encouraging me to have the vaccine as she says if the flu jab is safe (and encouraged with pregnant women) then there's no reason why this isn't!

@TiredAlreadyOhDear who told you you couldn't have the vaccine?

@Flittingaboutagain can I ask what trust has told you you can't have it?

Anyway, I'm not going to derail the thread with my OTT anxious thoughts. Sorry for the long post. I don't have many people to chat to in real life about this, so thank you to anyone who has replied.

Regarding the pain in the backside I had that a few weeks ago for about a week. Always on the right hand side. Was awful. Was hobbling everywhere. And then it just went! No idea!

I've also got my scan on Tuesday so hopefully will find out if it's a boy or a girl! Good luck to everyone else who has got there's coming up!

Morning all

Will update list shortly

Its looking like i wont be returning to work before mat leave (on furlough) which feels strange but is also helping me feel better about eldest 4 dc returning to school as it atleast limits our mixing a little bit!

I wouldn't have the vaccine given their is no long term research on pregnant women

Been receiving some comments this week about my bump one being ‘you are huge nearly the size of someone who is 32 weeks’ and ‘you have really expanded’ 🙈 not going to lie I find it all a bit offensive especially given I’m only 20 weeks and this is my first baby so maybe I am huge lol

@Sweetpea12 it's so annoying and rude IMO. Where else would you comment on someone else's appearance. I've had 2 people message with 'wow, you're huge' and 'are you sure it's not twins'! I replied with this image I found online (hopefully it attaches)!

Ignore the comments. Who cares what size you are. My bump is big for 22 weeks. I think it's because I have an separation from first pregnancy but even so, as long as baby is healthy it doesn't matter. I'm proud of my baby bump.

@PinkGiraffe1 i love that

In my last pregnancy there was another mum on my school run also pregnant, i looked like i had eaten her. And she had her baby before me.

@PinkGiraffe1 I’m sure it was my midwife who said I’d have to wait until the baby was here before I had it. To be fair I’m not so worried as I WFH and don’t really see many people so the chances of catching it I’d hope are low touch wood

I think I’d be nervous to have it while pregnant just because of the lack of research on pregnant people however I think it’s each to their own if you’re allowed it and will feel better for having it then do what makes you feel less anxious.

@Sweetpea12 aw I honestly feel a bit jealous when I see people with their bumps - a friend of mine is two weeks behind me in pregnancy and she’s got such a lovely bump and I hardly have one - I’m can’t wait for mine! It is rude people commenting tho especially when you’ve not asked them for their opinion on your size! Ha! I bet people won’t mean it to be offensive they’ll just say it not thinking.

I think I felt the baby kick for the first time the other day (my placenta is anterior and low so they said not to worry that I’ve not felt any movement yet) and I honestly almost cried 🙈😂 I just thought it felt so lovely, I always imagined it would freak me out as well but it didn’t - hopefully this is the start of much more movement now!!

I sometimes find the comments funny, I used to be asked was I pregnant years before I was because my stomach would distend and I would be really self conscious of it. I should just be pregnant and proud I think it depends what my mood is that day lol. I have anterior placenta too I wasn’t sure what that meant I can feel a good bit of movement and today for the first time baby was moving noticeably in the morning had only been night time before

How's everyone feeling? Can't believe that for the majority of us we are well over halfway there, time is starting to fly!

My bump has really started to grow in the last couple of weeks so I weighed myself for the first time in a while thinking I've put on lots... I've put on less than 1kg in 3 weeks?! Feels like I've put on about 10!

@Luckyelephant1... same here r.e. weight gain not being as great as expected, but it may be that in the first instance we've lost muscle mass? My bump is definitely so much bigger than I expected already, a bit nervous about how big I might get and relieved I can work from home therefore!

Finally agreed our maternity/ parental leave plans, which makes the 'countdown' feel quite real (although acknowledging that anything could still happen/ baby could come any time!).