September 2021 - Thread 4

[Poppins2016]

Ta da, thread number 4 so that we can keep up the chatting!

Previous thread

@bluemagicalsky and @Clouless - hope you don't mind me jumping in here but I'm 16 weeks tomorrow and have my midwife appointment in an hour! Not really sure what to expect or what I should be asking but let's just see how it goes!

As for the sickness, I feel less nauseous most of the time but I'm STILL throwing up sporadically, can go 4 days without then 2 days in a row, whether it's just once or a few times, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason for it! Definitely thought this would be over by now! But I'm thankful to have some energy back at least :)

Has anyone heard or tried the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump? Someone mentioned it and raves highly about it. Super cheap at £11 but apparently it’s amazing. I’ve just ordered as at that price worth a go once I start breastfeeding.

@SP2Bx hello! How exciting- good luck with you appointment. Let us know how it goes. I'm sure I should have loads of questions but can never think of any when the time to ask them comes! Sorry you are still feeling so sick. I felt foul most of the first 14-15 weeks but was never actually sick. I am so grateful to have some energy back too! I felt sorry for my DH when I collapsed on the sofa at 7pm each night!

@Clouless the appointment was pretty uneventful to be honest! No heartbeat but she said from 25 weeks I see her more and she has a listen then, for now, they just leave us to our own devices! Lol. All she did was tell my blood/urine results (which were all normal), told me about the anti-D and whooping cough jabs, and took my blood pressure! Hope yours is a bit more exciting on Thurs!!!

@SP2Bx I have my 16 week appt on Thursday, so good to know what to expect! Did she talk you through what to expect for the 20 week scan? Were those the blood results from the booking appointment? I don't think I ever heard back from mine, at the time she just said no news was good news so I assumed it was fine!

Afternoon all, I’m having a bit of a down day today, I’m just suddenly full of (even more) worry... I’ve got my 20 week scan next Friday and I’m just so nervous something has gone wrong! I had a well-being/gender scan about 10 days ago which was perfect but my mind is going crazy! How are you feeling @RaeRae84? Yours is the same day as mine I think...

To all those talking about buying things... I know I’m having a little boy 💙 so have bought a few sleep suits but that’s it so far.

I totally get what you mean @Taybz I was so convinced I was having a girl that I was imagining everything to be a girl so I was a bit taken back when they said boy... I would have been happy either way but I think I had just convinced myself. I’ve got some boy clothes in H&M.... I know it sounds silly as they are babies but some clothes are so babyish!

@aurora2021 She didn't really say what to expect at the scan no, other than the form she gave me to pass on for my anti-D because of my negative blood, oh and that they'd probably offer me the whooping cough jab there and then. The results were from the booking appointment yes but I hadn't heard anything either so assumed all was fine and it was! Oh she asked about my screening results too and reassured me on those. Some people have been lucky enough to listen to the heartbeat, I tried to ask but that's just when she said from 25 weeks! Boooo 👎🏼

Sorry to hear you're feeling that way @CherylLW , our minds can be really cruel on us, I'm sure everything is just fine. Thankfully it's not too long to wait until your next scan although I know it feels like a lifetime! Try to keep yourself occupied ❤️

Ah I didn't realise there were a few of us around the 16 week mark on here. Brilliant @Clouless @SP2Bx @aurora2021
Great to hear yours went well today @SP2Bx Really hope that sickness subsides for you soon, there's nothing worse

@Clouless oh chewing gum might be good for nausea too, why have I not thought of this! I guess it's just luck of the draw these days for the heartbeat at 16 weeks

Stay strong @CherylLW It's just one of those days, you might wake up feeling completely different tomorrow ☺️

@Mamabearwhere not heard of or really looked at breast pumps but I'll definitely be checking that one out! Thank you

Thanks @SP2Bx @bluemagicalsky I hope tomorrow will be a new day and I can put this worry to the back of my head. I was looking at last minute scans for this week but had to tell myself not to be ridiculous as I have one in about 10 days!! 🤦🏻‍♀️

I also had my 16 week appointment today and it felt quite pointless. Didn't listen to heartbeat  just took a urine sample and checked blood pressure. She was going to give me the whooping cough vaccine but they didn't have any in stock so I have to book it through my GP.

@CherylLW I completely understand the anxiety! My private scan is tomorrow and I have moments where I'm just convinced something has gone wrong even though I have no logical reason to think that way.

@CherylLW sorry to hear you are feeling down 😔 I've been very hormonal all weekend. Broke down Fri as I just keep panicking about everything and then getting frustrated that I can't just enjoy the experience. I fell over yesterday whilst out running (something I just don't do!) So I managed to limp back but I was in a bit of a state. Once cleaned up I was laying in bed just focusing on my bump for hours and if I could feel any movements. Totally ridiculous as I didn't even land on my stomach. Just worry! So you are definitely not alone in how you feel but I'm sure we are just hormonal and we will have a great 20 week scan next week and think why do we stress ourselves!!
I have a feeling my biggest stress next week will be trying to think of a boys name 😂

@showmorekindness anxiety is the devil, I think the closer it gets to appointments the more anxious I get!

At my 16 week appointment they said they would do my whooping cough jab at my 20 week scan so I hope that works out!

@RaeRae84 sorry to hear you’ve been having a tough time 😞 you’re right tho, our hormones are all over the place. Your baby will be so tucked up and safe but I can see the worry.
I do this a lot! I’m 18+4 and haven’t really felt much yet, I have an anterior placenta so it may take a little longer but I lay and concentrate on my tummy and any flutters that could be there!

Boys names are so hard! I only have one so hopefully me and the baby’s dad can agree!

Sorry to you ladies who are struggling and having some anxiety. This was me all weekend and I felt awful, my stomach just didn't feel how I thought it should. A trip to the emergency dr didn't really leave me feeling any better and that was why we ended up with a last minute scan yesterday despite my DP wanting to wait until 20 weeks.

it felt surreal to have the scan and the sonographer be so chilled and talking us through how great everything was without evening noticing I was basically holding my breath. Then he sent me out for half a wee as apparently by bladder gave too much resistance.

Anyway, whether you have a scan this week, next or down the line, how you feel won't last and hopefully as we all start turning 20 weeks in the coming weeks the thread will
Become full of excitement and anticipation as we prepare for the second half and getting ready for our babies to arrive.

@Bubbles1st sorry to hear you had some anxiety too but so glad you’re feeling better after the scan. You sound like me, I feel I let out a huge breath when they say all is well!! I tell them I’m going to close my eyes and wait until they find the heartbeat as watching the screen at the beginning is to much 🙈

Such lovely words, I can’t wait for those times ❤️

Sorry to hear that some of you have been struggling with anxiety, this really does feel like such a rollercoaster doesn't it! I've been feeling anxious as well over the last few days, the dating scan feels like it was ages ago and the 20 week scan feels like ages to go, it's horrid to be in between and not know what's happening. But it won't be long before those kicks start coming and that will be such lovely reassurance!

I’m also 16 weeks and have my midwife appointment on Friday but given it’s half term break and two kids are home I’m wondering if I should postpone as childcare is a struggle with DH at work. By the sounds of things it’s a urine sample and blood pressure check. And so far I’ve not spent less than 2 hours per appointment as waiting time seems to be ridiculous

It's tough isn't it! I think even without having a previous MC I would feel exactly the same. I hate these weeks in between appointments as it seems to drag. Everyone keeps telling me how fast time is going but I feel like I've been pregnant for a year 🙈 I haven't had a scan since my 12 week one but heard the HB twice and I can feel the movements when I'm concentrating. I can't wait for DH to be able to feel as he feels a bit sidelined at the moment. @Bubbles1st glad you feel a bit better after your scan!
I only have one boys name too!

@CherylLW sorry you’re feeling low! It is such a hormonal roller coaster and I think this stretch between 12-20 week scan is the worst as it’s such a long wait! I’m really anxious too, haven’t seen baby since 12 week scan and since I’ve started feeling movement, it’s been really inconsistent so spend so much of every day trying to sit/lay still and concentrate - which is hard with a toddler who never wants to stay still!

@Mamabearwhere I couldn’t get a drop out of the haakka but it works wonders for some people. I think it just depends on your body, my milk let down only seemed to respond to DD rather than a pump. Worth a try though as it’s so cheap! Aldi do a similar pump during their baby event usually x

@Poppins2016 just wanted to say a massive thank you for recommending the Gap pyjamas, they’ve just arrived and I cannot believe how comfy they are!! What on earth have I been doing to myself with those uncomfortable pyjamas and tight waist bands I’ve been wearing.

Oh dear can I really afford to spend more money on maternity clothes this month!? off to Gap I go 😂

@Squibble84 you’re so right, the wait between 12 and 20 is so long! I had one at 17 weeks and I still think it’s not enough 🙈.
I look forward to going to bed as that’s when I feel the most movements... even tho it’s still very very little.

@Squibble84 haha sorry!! You won’t regret it I promise. They feel like you’re not wearing anything!

@Mamabearwhere so glad you like the pyjamas! Wish I'd tried them the first time around!

Re the Haakaa pump... my experience is similar to @Squibble84
I bought the Aldi Mamia pump that's very similar to the Haakaa when my DS was coming up to a year old (so I still had a fairly decent supply), but it barely enabled me to express anything unless I hadn't breastfed for absolutely ages and was feeling very full. I ended up taking it to work when I went back (in case I needed to relieve engorgement, but I needn't have worried) and it ended up abandoned, unused, in my desk drawer for months...
But, having said all that... I do know of people who have found the Haakaa pump really beneficial in the early days of breastfeeding, for example to relieve engorgement, catch the let down when you're feeling on the other side, etc. I also know people who have a more abundant supply/more responsive breasts (🤣) so they manage to express more later on as well. Everyone's different!
I'm planning on giving the Mamia pump a go much earlier on this time round, I have a feeling there will be much more benefit then!

@CherylLW, I keep laying down in the evening, hoping to feel movements. I thought I felt something a couple of weeks ago & haven't felt anything since. Not surprised I haven't as it's my first and I have a anterior placenta but still hopeful!

*feeding, not feeling! 🤣