September 2021 - Thread 4

[Poppins2016]

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

Previous thread

I Think I really need some maternity pants, I just am starting to feel restricted in my usual ones.

With leggings I've gone for over bump and I like them, but can't imagine pants coming up that high too. But dubious about how Comfy under bump will be.

Can anyone recommend what you've found that's working and fits nicely for you please.

@Bubbles1st I recently bought some non VPL pants from ASOS but sold out now, but they’re the same as these from matalan and they are incredible. I went one size bigger for comfort and are super comfy. They’re really stretchy and because there’s no seam there’s nothing to dig into you.

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2725082_c47q/3-pack-no-vpl-short-knickers-multi?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping

@Bubbles1st I've gone for these from Asda: https://direct.asda.com/george/women/lingerie/knickers/lace-top-full-briefs-5-pack/GEM773202,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M18G2C2&gl=1112isqohohgaYW1wLVlYMlJORXVmWTdYSnJzbDZPZndrMGRkQ19SV0l0eDZnWWtlM1ZYRkpVU2ttVGliemJLaENpT2NObE1zTlVZcFA.

Honestly I wasn't sold on the "cotton brief" at first being a lace thong kind of gal usually, but they are actually so comfy 🙈 I've got their nursing bras too... so sexy 😂

Hi all, newbie on here. Pg with first child, due on my birthday in September. Been an interesting ride so far with HG treatment and now SUPER itchy boobs!
Hope you are all keeping safe and well!
@SP2Bx just to add I also have the Asda nursing bras and can agree, they are super comfy and like you say ‘sexy’ 😂

@Mamabearwhere @SP2Bx
Interesting so neither of you have gone for actual maternity knickers just different and bigger ones? Least that gives more options!

However I'm feeling old as most of mine just look like both these anyway - been choosing comfort for a couple of years already 🤣

I have to vote for the massive over bump knickers @Bubbles1st they’re sooooo comfortable especially as the bump grows.

Welcome and congratulations @FlossBoss1987! I'm pregnant with my first too. Amazing that you're due on your birthday! Xx

With you with the comfort thing @Bubbles1st!! Been a while here too 🤣

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is ok. Still surviving in my normal underwear but it won't last much longer... Went through my wardrobes the other day and removed some items which are already no good. Sigh. I had my 16 week appointment yesterday and was able to listen to the heartbeat. 💓
Suffering from lower back pain atm. Does anyone have a pregnancy pillow they reccomend?

@Clouless I bought the Queen Rose one from Amazon, it's a big U shaped pillow and so comfy! I haven't tried out any others so not sure if it is the best one around but I'm really happy with it. So exciting you got to hear the heartbeat 🥰 I heard my baby's heartbeat too yesterday at my midwife appointment, it was amazing, can't believe how fast it is!

@Clouless, lovely that you heard your baby's heartbeat. So special every time.
I bought a Niimo pillow and love it but like @aurora2021, I haven't tried any others so can't compare. I have backache too and it helps me get comfy at night or sitting in a chair. There's so many different ones out there isn't there? I read some reviews but in the end just went for the Niimo as I thought it looked comfy! 😊

@FlossBoss1987 welcome and congratulations! That’s amazing you’re due on your birthday! What’s your due date? I hope the sickness has eased off for you! X

Congratulations @FlossBoss1987

Sorry if this is going over old ground as I think this may have been mentioned previously. Are any of you ladies consultant led or considering an elective section? My first baby was born via emergency section. I am considering an elective section this time around and have my first consultant appointment on Monday. I am trying to think of questions to ask as I don't want to come away and think of things in hindsight. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

@MrsTD88 i am consultant led but for high BMI so unsure what my road map will look like, but hopefully if normal growth scans along the way it may actually have little or no Impact on the birth plan.

I've read lots of positive and encouraging stories about VBAC however of course it depends on the reason for your ECS in the first place.

Hopefully after your consultant appointment you will feel like you can make the best decision for you.

Thank you for your reply @Bubbles1st have you had any consultant appointments yet? I have a high BMI this time around too so have a growth scan booked for 28 weeks and consultant appointment afterwards. I have the GTT that morning too so will be a full day at the hospital. My sister had two successful VBAC deliveries but I'm still undecided at the moment, I'm veering towards elective. The midwife told me they won't let me go past 40 weeks this time (daughter was born at 42 weeks) and I don't think you can be fully induced after a section due to risk of rupture and it lowers the chance of a successful VBAC so not sure what the process will be if I hit 40 weeks but I'll ask on Monday.

@MrsTD88 I have my consultant appointment week after next to discuss the birth plan as I also had an emcs last time. I have already been told though that if it came to it that they needed to induce labour, they’d skip that part and go straight to the elective csection, thank god as my induction last time was awful!

I’m keen for a vbac though so hoping the consultant oks that.

In terms of questions, I’m going to confirm that I definitely will not have to be induced, and I’m probably just going to ask for more information about what the extra risks of a vbac are as I’m not too sure about that. I’m also going to ask about water births as I’m hoping to use the pool this time if I can.

@Squibble84 oh that's good to know as I found the induction more traumatic than the section. Hopefully my hospital do the same. I think I'll feel better once a few things are clarified on Monday but I definitely don't want to be induced again.

I hope they ok the VBAC and water birth for you. I've seen lots of ladies have successful VBACs so the odds are in your favour.

@MrsTD88 I'm consultant led due to high BMI and other complications in my last pregnancy. I've had one phone appointment so far and I'm due another next week after my 20 week scan. Tbh I found they actually answered everything I thought about asking. Sorry I'm no help with the c-section but hope the consultant supports you and helps you to make an informed decision with whatever you decide to do

@MrsTD88 ye so had my first consultant appointment at 13 weeks, they are scheduled every week following my scans.
In addition to 20 week, my growth scans will be at 28, 32 and 36 weeks. I'm assuming the further I progress the clearer the situation will become.

Due to bmi i need blood thinner injections daily from 28 weeks and have a phone consultation with the anaesthetist to discuss options, as if I am inactive Labour within 12 hours of an injection it means I cannot have an epidural so if a c section is needed a general is the only option. So I'm keen for a vaginal birth and if pregnancy and consultant allows I am thinking of asking for a water birth.

I found the who consultant led approach very daunting and over whelming to begin with, however as I get further along I definitely realise extra scans and reassurance is only a good thing, just sorry it's all down to me weight - oh and not forgetting age 🙈

I have the niimo pregnancy pillow too, very impressed so far.

I have an appt with a consultant 27th May when I'll be approx 24 weeks, it is to check on my endometriosis I think according to the midwife to check all is OK.

Sorry I haven't contributed much over the last few days, I'm struggling a bit at the moment just not feeling as excited and happy about the baby as I should be as we tried so hard for it, and feeling very down and worrying about how I'm going to cope and how to make decisions eg bf vs bottle etc seems so bloody stressful. Tried to talk to my friend who has a 14 month old as I'm really not feeling good about it all and she just brushed it under the carpet - I think as one of her friends has PND she doesn't see my feelings as being 'as bad'. I'm doing better today but had a down few days.

@MrsTD88 I am consultant led because I have a higher BMI and also Low papp-a

I have had 2 phone appointments so far. I also have additional scans booked from 28 weeks xx

@MrsTD88 I’m having an elective this time around. I had an emcs with my first, then an elective with my second due to having my appendix out at 36 weeks and they were worried the 6 inch incision would rupture in labour. I had a consultant appointment straight after my 12 week scan where we discussed options, I opted for another elective. The consultant and my midwife were confident I’d made the right decision, although they did they they’d support me etc either way I chose. Il be having growth scans at 28,32 & 36 weeks to monitor how he’s growing after daughter stopped growing and was born with a congenital heart defect, so they want to keep an eye on everything. So assuming they go ok they said they’d book me in around 39 weeks which is my hubby’s birthday so he’s hoping it’s exactly 39 weeks! I’m due on the 14th. If I’d have had one previous section I’d deffo go for vbac but because I’ve had 2 I’m too nervous!

Sorry to hear that @Kirky658 it can feel overwhelming, I still get overwhelmed with my DC😬. ❤️Lots of time to think about your options and they don’t have to be lifelong commitments when you do make those decision, you can change you mind. There’s lots of experienced ladies on here who’ve done it all before a few times.

@Clouless I have the kolbray from Amazon and it’s comfy, not tried any others tho.

Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time @Kirky658 ❤️ It’s always hard when you turn to friends for help and they don’t understand how you’re feeling or give you the time you need. There are so many decisions to make aren’t there but just remember whatever you decide it will be the best thing for you and your baby, everyone does things differently and you can only do your best ❤️

I woke up this morning feeling strange and in a weird way empty. I hadn’t felt any movement for a day or two either. I phoned the maternity centre and I was expecting some phone advice to calm my nerves and they said to come straight in so of course I panicked even more! The midwife was wonderful and checked the heartbeat which was perfect and felt my tummy and all felt ok. Just so worrying but she was so reassuring.
She spoke to me about where I’m planning on giving birth... I always just thought it would be the hospital but she said as I’m low risk I could have him in a maternity centre or even at home if I wanted!! I don’t think I would cope well at home!

Thanks for all the advice regarding pillows. I've ordered the Niimo as it seemed to get good reviews for the price. I was going round and round in circles and starting to feel overwhelmed which doesn't bode well to much bigger decisions to come! 🤣🙈
Sorry you're feeling down @Kirky658. Just take each day as it comes and be kind to yourself.

Hi ladies. Just had my 16 week midwife appointment this morning. She did a smoke breath test and it came up as a 6, which is medium/high even though none of us smoke at home. Really strange and has caused me so much anxiety. I have called the gas company and they came to do a check for carbon monoxide leak just now and found nothing. They even checked inside my car because the only place I’ve been in the last few days is home and the drive to the midwife today. Has anyone had anything like this? Last appointment when she did the breath test it scored 1 so I was shocked to see it a 6. I haven’t been around any smoke and haven’t left the house for a few days. I’m now worried something is wrong or something may have harmed the baby (lack of oxygen is linked to carbon monoxide exposure) according to google.