SI Graduates - From pots to bumps

[eloiseislost]

@AdriannaP
@ComebackQueen

I think it's just us at the moment (sorry if I forgot anyone) but hoping that more and more of us will be joining soon!
I figured it would be nice to stay in touch here too, throughout the exciting yet nerve-wracking next stages! 💞

How are you getting on? 🙂

Hello lovelies, hope all is well!

@Carol1980 I'm so sorry to hear about your news - I could share my story of loss but I know you had gone through this yourself and I am so sorry that it has happened again. Miscarriages are far too common and it doesn't mattet how early on they happen - your world gets turned upside down for a few days. I'm so happy that your partner is supportive and I hope you're taking some time for yourself.

Hope all the other ladies are doing okay. I'm 18w today and I feel like my bump is still quite small but I think it will really pop soon. Has anyone had stretching pains in your second trimester? I went pretty symptom free in my first but the pasy few days I've really felt it in my back and in my lower abdomen - nothing unbearable but definitely often there reminding me that a human is growing inside.

Hey ladies
I have been notified by NHS track and trace I have come into contact with someone that tested positive. They can’t disclose who that person was but I have to isolate for ten days which means my next growth scan is cancelled tomorrow.

The midwife asked me how I felt and if I can feel baby moving, touch wood the latter definitely and I’m congested but that’s from pregnancy rhinitis according to my GP although this was his opinion before I got this text message.

I’ve now have to do a covid test too. What good timing I got the first jab as midwife said this will mean if I do have it, I’ve got some protection than not.

Midwife has told me keep an eye on symptoms and come in immediately if I feel like baby isn’t moving or I feel like I can’t breathe.

Besides that it’s stay hydrated and take paracetamol to control temperature but I don’t have that so I guess it’s a wait ten days re test and then go to my appointment.

@primrosechill 18 weeks already, how exciting!! When's your 20-week scan? ❤️
Like you, I had an easy first trimester -apart from the constant nausea and carb/junk food cravings but there were definitely growing pains in the second. They only got worse in the third -don't mean to scare you! 😂 What's amazing is that I can feel the baby running out of space, she's is kicking my ribs and punching my bladder at the same time when she does a full stretch! It's as unsettling as it is magical! 💖💓💗

@ComebackQueen I'm so sorry you have to isolate and miss your growth scan! I'm sure baby is absolutely fine! 💙 The data are very encouraging about the effect of vaccination in pregnancy, it seems that even just one dose prevents hospital admissions. You will be OK! 🙂

I'm 31+3 today, the third trimester fatigue has hit me like a truck! 🛻
I am in full preparation mode, washing baby clothes, packing hospital bags etc.

How's everyone else? @AdriannaP your due date must be close now! 🌈

@eloiseislost thanks even though I’m a bit chesty this morning and bunged up, with the jab, I’m positive I’ll be ok to avoid medical intervention.

Bit nervous to miss a scan but as you say hopefully everything will be good and I just am concentrating on being calm for my little one.

Wow you’re already 31 weeks time has flownnnnnnnn by.

When does mat leave start?
I’m so nervous about doing the bag, makes it real, too real. What are you packing, I’m thinking of buying a pre packaged bag just to avoid the rigmarole of it all.

That reminds me. I need to designate a day for my mother and sisters to come over in September and wash all the baby clothes for me. I’m too nervous to even do that in case I use the wrong detergent or shrink the clothes lol!

Also a lot of baby items have started to be delivered, we have just locked them in one of the spare rooms, not even in the designated ‘nursery’ because I am getting nerves thinking I’m approaching the home straight!

@primrosechill hope you’re progressing well, any more thoughts on Labour? Vaginismus really takes choice away from us as in we must consider so many factors especially mental ones just to function.

I’m thinking normal birth with gas and air but refusing internals unless medical emergency, I was all certain for a c section but the risks spoken about online are scaring me, at 31 weeks I can get my referral to consultant for a c section but have you seen how scary the complications are?

Then I’ve ready first baby Labour can be on average 12 hours, my mother told me Labour was a doddle, tooth pain worse, over before you know it. Sounds like she was either a super human or lying!

Hope everyone else is doing well and @Carol1980 I hope you’re healing up and getting all the support you need.

Hi everyone! @primrosechill yes I’ve had quite a lot of hardcore ligament pain since week 17 which has taken me by surprise a bit although don’t know why it has- it’s mad how much I’ve forgotten from DD.

@ComebackQueen I’m so sorry to hear you’re having to isolate- it’s so miserable just being stuck in and really gutting you have to miss your growth scan too. I hope they’re able to schedule you in for the day your isolation finishes or as soon as possible! Yes 12h is the textbook time for active labour for first time mums. What nobody prepared me for was the 4 days of stop start latent labour which preceded my waters breaking and stopped me from sleeping for 3 days before the birth. Thankfully I had a tens machine which I used relentlessly to get me through. I also carb loaded on whole grain pasta which I was grateful for because by the time my daughter was born I hadn’t eaten in about 20h. I’m not sure I would describe labour pain as like bad tooth pain but I’ve never experienced bad tooth pain so... I would say though that I found the pain bearable albeit v intense with tens machine, birthing pool and copious gas and air and my hypnobirthing techniques. Having said that if with this one I do not find things as bearable I will not hesitate to ask for something more like pethidine or epidural. I do really recommend a water birth though it was so lovely and also meant once you’re in no internal exams cos they can’t get to you 😏 they didn’t ask to do any once I was in but if they had they would have got short shrift because nothing would tear me away from my lovely warm watery space.
I hope whatever you choose you’re able To have what you want so it can be a really positive experience ☺️

@eloiseislost gosh you’re so close to the end now!! How exciting! I am so jealous 😂 although sorry to hear third tri exhaustion has really hit hard- I hope you’re being able
To get lots of rest and put your feet up!!

I’ve got my 20wk scan tomorrow which I am SO excited about and also a bit apprehensive in case they spot anything worrying. But am trying to stay positive. I’ve been feeling baby move lots over last few days after a quiet period so am taking that as a good sign 🤞🏻 We will be finding out the sex and telling my 3yo the news that a new baby is en route so please wish me luck for that bit!

@Makingnumber2 Let us know about your 20-week scan, can't wait to see pictures! 😍 Best of luck with the announcement to your 3-year-old! 😅
In terms of the actual scan, I know there's nothing anyone can say that can make you less anxious about it, but really the possibility of something being wrong with the baby is minuscule. And most of the things they find are either self-correcting (e.g.: low lying placenta) or simply require more frequent monitoring (e.g.: belly measuring ahead).

I can't believe how big I'm getting, with still 8 weeks to go! 🎈

@Makingnumber2 a water birth sounds good, especially if they can’t reach you but then I worry is the water warm enough for me to be comfortable when I’m starkers and, will I get shrivelled up like a prune LOL. Also, the baby’s head being under water whilst waiting for the body to pop out scares me, I know there’s some science behind something along the lines of their lungs don’t expand until they’re out of the water so them being out is akin to them thinking they’re still inside.

I think it’ll be no internals for me and gas and air or…. An epidural, I’ve heard from people that have no vaginismus complain about how rough and painful the internals were but I also read internals are medically necessary so epidural might be what I finally decide to do.

Also, don’t worry too much about the 20 week scan @Makingnumber2 even when they flag things they’re doing it because of caution but it can be scary, I had a meltdown of high resistance

Hope it goes well today @Makingnumber2!! I’m sure everything will be just perfect. Enjoy seeing the baby and good luck for telling your tot!!

You look amazing @eloiseislost. Not long to go now 🤞🏻🤞🏻

How did it go @Makingnumber2? 🙂

Hi everyone I meant to come on last night and update but my 3yo was playing silly buggers all evening so didn’t get a chance!
Scan went really well 😊 baby was being a bit of a pickle and kept turning their bottom up to the probe so I had to get up and jump around a bit a fair few times 😂 if I had known I would deffo have worn a sports bra! But eventually the sonographer managed to check everything aaaaaaaand we are having a boy!! My husband is over the moon! I am also very happy but it feels so surreal because i was so sure we were having another girl! Just goes to show you never can tell! Anyway I made a start yesterday on going through my DD’s baby clothes so we can pass on to my sister and SIL and I did get a bit emotional that we wouldn’t get to use a lot of lovely outfits again. However- it does mean shopping is in order and I am just so happy baby is healthy and happy 🎉

Oh and DD took the news very well and was very excited about the news. She kept telling me before bed that I would have ‘lots of muscles’ once the baby had grown bigger 😂 not really sure what she means but it’s so sweet she’s trying to get her head round it all!

@Makingnumber2 congratulations and so pleased to hear scan went well and your daughter has taken the news so well.

I’m so glad there’s now a few of us on here having boys, we can exchange stories on how many times they manage to pee on us during the nappy changes LOL!

Aww I’m sure your sister & SIL will get much use with the clothes you’ll give them, and as you say, at least you get to do some more shopping for the little one.

I’m still on the look out for shops that sell bright clothing, I’m finding a lot of the boys clothes are just blue or this weird trend now of browns and neutrals, I blame the kardashians for that!

Failing that I’ve told my husband I’ll be using my old clothing and turning them into rompers for our son.
He is a bit concerned because even though I’m a Tom boy in my interests, the last decade of so I’ve just been into all things floral and pink hehehee!

@Makingnumber2 Congratulations!! A wee healthy boy, amazing!! 💙💙💙
@ComebackQueen I love your idea about exchanging nappy horror stories, maybe another thread in Parenting "SI Postgraduates"? 😄

Congrats @Makingnumber2! How exciting and glad to hear he is perfectly healthy too. Your family sounds just like mine, my almost 3 yo DD is very excited for a little brother. I need all the nappy changing tips lol, I come from a family of mostly girls, there are no baby boys at all and I still don't know how we got one 😅💙
@ComebackQueen I wish I was handy enough to make clothes for my kids, they sounds amazing. My son will have a fair few floral bits passed down from his sister to be honest but I did get some nice boys bits in the next clearance sale, bright purples, yellows and teals fir example. I also have a few scandi bits but they are a bit expensive for how long he'll be in them!

@eloiseislost oh yes, a postgraduate thread would be awesome!

@Bluey18 I’ll check out next for clothes then, I want a much colour as possible, if not look out for my blue Peter, here’s what I made earlier creations!!

My husbands colleague has just given birth to a boy this morning and the pic he showed me is so adorable I just want to fast forward to November so I can hold my little one!
Seems like an age away.

Awww congratulations @Makingnumber2 💙💙. Half way there now. Your DD sounds sooo adorable, so wonderful that she’s so excited 🤩🥺❤️.

My little tot is only 2 so I’m trying to get her used to the idea, but I’m not sure how much she can really understand / process. I’ve trained her to say that “baby sister” is in “mummy’s tummy” and to give my belly a kiss, but god knows what she actually thinks that means. Whenever anyone brings up the “baby in mummy’s tummy” she also nods and adds “only one!” Because my best friend just has just had twins 😂😂😍. She did say to me the other day that she wanted “baby sister to come out” though, so perhaps she knows more than I give her credit for 🤔😂.

Aww how adorable reading how all the soon to be older siblings reacted to the news.

Btw what is the protocol for Third Trimester appointments?

I am now officially in the third, I have my rescheduled growth scan this week which I couldn’t attend due to self isolation last week.

Then I can see I don’t see anyone until 32 weeks for my last scan. Although they said 32 weeks will tell them if I need additional or I can just follow the normal ones for FTM mis wife appointments only.

Then it’s 36, 38 and 40 weeks.

Is that the state of play?

Quick update im currently in the day assessment unit awaiting further instructions.

Baby’s weight has plummeted to below 10th percentile when I was 48th four weeks ago.

Husband has been kicked out the room and I’m in tears and scared.

I’m on a machine and being sent to fetal medicine unit in a few days. I’m so scared because of what Google told me. Midwife in here isn’t saying much

@ComebackQueen oh gosh poor poor you, so sorry to hear you are going through this stress. How far along are you now?
The good news is you are being really carefully and closely monitored. This means that if there is an issue they will identify and deal with it really fast 💜.

Also it’s worth bearing in mind that the growth measurements can be inaccurate, they were over 2lbs out(!!) when they measured my DD at her last scan (40 weeks). So it’s good that they are investigating further and sending you to fetal medicine where they can review more thoroughly/ expertly .

What percentile did they put you on? How were your Doppler readings? Sending you lots of love and deep breaths ❤️❤️❤️

@ComebackQueen I'm so sorry you are going through this, here for a handhold and sending you good wishes .

Could you request to speak to a consultant/doctor today if the midwife isn't being very forthcoming? I'm sure they will look after you very well in the fetal medicine unit but a few days feels like an eternity when you are waiting in a situation like this. Google is always so negative and definitely worse case scenario imo (although completely understandable that you are looking at it with the midwife being so quiet, I would be doing the exact same).

I have to agree with Bizawit that the growth scans can be so inaccurate. My DD was apparently going to be off the scale big. I was sent for growth scans at 31, 34 and 36 weeks. Even put through the GTT multiple times as they were convinced I had to have it (all negative). She was 9lbs at 39+6. So larger than average but nothing like the monster sized baby they were predicting.

Thinking of you xx

Thanks @Bizawit and @Bluey18 for such kind words.

I did a CTG and everything came back fine, the consultant even looked at this along with my scan from the morning and couldn’t pinpoint a drop in weight so drastic.

Obviously it means I need more monitoring but I can go home today.

I need to come back for another CTG on Wednesday and then I have the scan on Thursday at the fetal medicine unit, so based on that they’ll know more.

Placenta statistics were also within the mean range, Blood pressure was ‘text book’ urine was clear, glucose test normal, pre eclampsia ruled out.

Consultant is happy for me to go home as I’ll be back in Wednesday and then Thursday.

Midwife knows I had bad HG and recently was self isolating due to NHS track and trace so said those factors may be at play. I admit when I was pinged I did all but stop eating as I had bad congestion and due to HG when I was vomiting I felt like I was choking so did deprive myself of food for at least a week and mainly kept my fluids up. But she said May and didn’t sound too convinced.

Midwife said by Thursday we will have a better picture so told me consultant is happy for me to go home and rest.

She was asking me about mat leave and things and I said I have rolled over AL from last year so have almost two months that my work want me to take by the end of the year. She said maybe I should consider using some for this week so I can relax and attend the appointments.

Thank you all once again for your helpful and supporting replies.

I’ll update on Wednesday and Thursday if you don’t mind.

Hopefully we will know what’s happening and I’ll have a clear plan of action.

Btw from all what Google tells me on FMU referral - it was all doom and gloom so I’ve now banned myself from researching anything more.

I really just pray baby is due a growth spurt ASAP and next scan on Thursday shows a massive jump!

@ComebackQueen

Thanks *@Bizawit and @Bluey18* for such kind words.

I did a CTG and everything came back fine, the consultant even looked at this along with my scan from the morning and couldn’t pinpoint a drop in weight so drastic.

Obviously it means I need more monitoring but I can go home today.

I need to come back for another CTG on Wednesday and then I have the scan on Thursday at the fetal medicine unit, so based on that they’ll know more.

Placenta statistics were also within the mean range, Blood pressure was ‘text book’ urine was clear, glucose test normal, pre eclampsia ruled out.

Consultant is happy for me to go home as I’ll be back in Wednesday and then Thursday.

Midwife knows I had bad HG and recently was self isolating due to NHS track and trace so said those factors may be at play. I admit when I was pinged I did all but stop eating as I had bad congestion and due to HG when I was vomiting I felt like I was choking so did deprive myself of food for at least a week and mainly kept my fluids up. But she said May and didn’t sound too convinced.

Midwife said by Thursday we will have a better picture so told me consultant is happy for me to go home and rest.

She was asking me about mat leave and things and I said I have rolled over AL from last year so have almost two months that my work want me to take by the end of the year. She said maybe I should consider using some for this week so I can relax and attend the appointments.

Thank you all once again for your helpful and supporting replies.

I’ll update on Wednesday and Thursday if you don’t mind.

Hopefully we will know what’s happening and I’ll have a clear plan of action.

Btw from all what Google tells me on FMU referral - it was all doom and gloom so I’ve now banned myself from researching anything more.

I really just pray baby is due a growth spurt ASAP and next scan on Thursday shows a massive jump!

That’s fantastic news on the ctg and urine/ bp/ placenta readings etc. And so glad they have sent you home for now. Hope you really spoil yourself tonight and can get some rest/ relax. It sounds like a really good idea to take some A/L from work if you can..? Absolutely do not go anywhere near google !! I’ve made that mistake far too many times. I would see the referral to fetal medicine as really positive in the sense that you will get the absolute gold standard care 🌟 . Hopefully they will be able to get to the bottom of it all and give you some reassurance on Thursday ❤️❤️. (You may even find the measurements are quite different). Please do come on here and update us whenever you can/ whenever is helpful. Sending lots of love xx

Hi @ComebackQueen so sorry to hear you had such a stressful day yesterday, but I'm so glad the hospital took really good care of you and that all your results came back looking great. Being under the FMU means you really will be getting top notch care and they will pick up on anything that needs to be dealt with.
I was sent for growth scans in final tri with DD because they said fundal height was measuring too far behind and then we got to the scan and said she was fine and measuring on track to be over 8lbs.... She was born 41+1 at 7lb6 so it just goes to show that these growth scans are really not an exact science. I hope bubba is gearing up for a mega growth spurt too. Hope you're feeling ok today and will check in for your update on Weds. Get your feet up and just rest as much as you can xxx