September 2021 - Thread 6 is here!

[Bubbles1st]

Can you Adam and Eve it we are are on Thread 6! Hope I included everyone on the update!

@Noodles4Me - 26th Aug 💙
@Scotti84 - 30th Aug 💖

@Sceptre86 - 1st 💖
@primhutch - 1st 💖
@RaeRae84 - 1st 💙
@KHR1 - 1st 💙
@CherylLW - 3rd 💙
@GWhiteley - 3rd 💖
@deedeebythesea - 3rd 💙
@Allicit - 3rd 💙
@Poppins2016 - 4th 💛
@2021mumma - 5th 💙
@Squibble84 - 6th 💛
@leftitlate37 - 7th 💙
@SillyBry - 7th 💛
@LouiseJayne23 -7th 💖
@bewitchingnight - 8th 💖
@SK28 - 8th 💛
@Taralweaver - 8th 💖
@AdventuresAwait - 9th 💖
@mumof23188 - 9th 💙
@Bubbles1st - 10th 💙
@Catkin7 - 10th 💖
@FTEngineerM - 12th 💙
@CobleCloud - 13th 💙
@Maybebaby29 - 14th 💙
@Taybz - 14th 💙
@Bigdreamer9 - 14th 💙
@Eppy123 - 14th 💛
@Kirky658 - 15th 💖
@Hopefulmummie - 16th 💖
@Mamabearwhere - 17th 💙
@HollyMoore - 17th 💖
@aurora2021 - 18th 💖
@Bluespace - 18th 💙
@ErrolFinn - 19th 💖
@xsjrx - 19th 💛tbc
@unicornpower - 20th 💖
@Moominmiss - 20th 💙
@Sophieandtiger - 20th 💛
@bluemagicalsky - 21st 💙
@Clouless - 21st 💛
@Jay3004 - 22nd 💙
@SP2Bx - 22nd 💛
@Geegee20 - 22nd 💙
@Holly91 - 22nd 💛 tbc
@Rach921 - 23rd 💙
@LittleCatDog - 23rd 💖
@SproutingSprout2021 - 24th 💛
@LittleAurora -24th 💙
@RadDarwazeh - 25th 💛
@crobo87 - 25th 💙
@d0nut - 25th 💖
@GummyBear91 - 25th 💛tbc
@AdriannaP - 25th 💛
@MrsTD88 -27th 💖
@MrsBrett20 - 27th 💛
@marshmallowmode -27th 💙
@ams92 - 30th 💖

Whilst Bf is establishing @unicornpower they leak, especially when you’re feeding DC with the other boob the letdown happens on both.

Thanks for the new thread @Bubbles1st

Has anyone still to have their 20 week scan? I had mine yesterday at 21 weeks but they couldn't get all the measurements so back again next Wednesday. Feel a bit deflated today, everything she did see was perfect but can't help have a bit of anxiety. I know a few of you had to go for a rescan, those who did have you all had those now?

@unicornpower not a silly question at all! In the early days, someone else’s baby crying is enough to set your boobs off!! And when you feed, the other boob can leak, so pads just soak it up and save any damp feeling or unsightly marks!

@MrsTD88 oh that unexpected anxiety when you go for 20 week scan for it to no be complete, I wish I knew how common it was before hand as I felt horrible.

However yes I had My rescan at 22 weeks and all measurements complete as he had moved but my placenta hadn't so that needs rechecking later on.

Hopefully your next scan comes round quickly.

Thanks for new thread @Bubbles1st! i need to find the old one and catch up with the last of the messages! @unicornpower glad u asked, cos i was going to ask the same too! Who knew?!
we've just been looking at cheeky wipes too - those of you who got them are you gettting the ones for bums too?

@Bubbles1st it's so disappointing isn't it! Never had this issue with my first, they persisted until they got everything they needed. Glad your rescan went well and all is good with baby. Is your placenta low lying? Mine is anterior but "not low" according to my notes. She said they'll check it again when I go back next week.

@MrsTD88 yes currently placenta doesn't clear the cervix by enough, mine is posterior. Hoping it moves but not even thinking about it until next checked as could be an unnecessary worry if it does it by itself. Despite the first sonographer at 20 week scan saying it would most like move by the next scan and it didn't....

@FTEngineerM glad that's helped put your mind at ease! To be honest, even if I'm told they want to intervene, I'm going to go with my instinct and request a hands off approach (unless something is seriously wrong and/or I'm given information and evidence beyond 'this is just what we do as routine in this situation'). You don't have to consent to any interventions if you don't want them!

Slightly unrelated, but last time round they wanted to induce me because I was overdue (narrowly avoided the induction by 12 hours in the end) whereas this time around I feel more confident about outright declining and just requesting more monitoring. The idea of induction caused me so much stress and I'm wondering whether the intervention (3 sweeps) that I did have in the end, because I was so stressed and desperate to avoid induction, may have caused my rather long drawn out labour because my body just wasn't quite ready.

I'm certainly not against medical interventions, they definitely have value when needed, but that's the key word for me: need! I suppose it all comes down to taking each decision on a case by case basis, weighing up the evidence and trusting your instinct, too.

So I guess I'm trying to say, don't panic if it does all start to seem overly medicalised, you can push for more information and then choose which way you want to steer it!

I'm going to second the suggestion regarding the reusable breast pads, I really liked them (and will re-use for this baby).

It is, however, definitely worth having a stash of disposables for your hospital bag and when establishing breastfeeding, especially if you have issues such as nipple soreness or cracking... I found that any little weeping or bleeding cracks on my nipples stuck to the cloth when they dried out, whereas the disposables were much more forgiving.

Don't panic at my mention of nipple soreness, it does subside. I was unlucky with DS as he had a substantial tongue tie that had to be divided and it caused quite a bit of nipple pain at first, but it subsided as feeding got established and my nipples healed. I successfully breastfed him for 2.5 years in the end with no regrets!

@sp2bx I get random cramps that feel like period cramps too so you're not alone! I'm finally starting to feel our little girl wriggling a lot more it is such a relief.

Does anyone know when you're meant to actually start monitoring movements? I've read conflicting info online.

Lastly (feel like I'm spamming the thread but one post per subject seemed easier!)... maternity leave!

I'm currently planning to work up until 38 + 5. Looking at my work calendar, I was 39 + 2 when I went on maternity leave with my first! I had an easy pregnancy last time and this one looks to be following the same pattern so I'm reasonably confident that it'll be fine.
I have a short commute to work (20-30 min drive) when not WFH and it is a desk job, so it's easy to keep on working.
For me, my decision is swayed by the fact I like there's no point taking time off before the baby is born if I'm feeling OK.

The only thing that's making me question my decision is how I'll feel about going into the office (even if occasionally) so close to my due date if the R rate spikes. Also whether I might like a bit of time to relax on my own (while DS is at nursery) before baby arrives.

Luckily I am the HR contact for work and my boss is very relaxed about it all... so I can decide at pretty much the last minute if I want to! It'll depend on how handing over to my maternity cover goes, but I might take a few days annual leave as my due date approaches.

@Kirky658 I’m so glad you’re feeling more movements now, it’s a relief isn’t it!

I’ve been feeling more and more for the past 3ish weeks... I’m now 24+4. I have an anterior placenta and have been to the maternity centre twice now as I keep feeling movements are reducing or I don’t feel him! The midwife told me that with an anterior placenta it may take longer to feel a regular pattern or it maybe that we just need to get used to what is a normal pattern for our little anterior placenta babies.

I’m seeing my midwife for my 25 week appointment at 26 weeks so I’ll be sure to ask a few more questions at what I should be expecting.

@cherlw glad to hear you're feeling more too! I'm 23 weeks tomorrow and probably only started to feel proper movements a few days ago. She seems to be active first thing at breakfast time, then again late afternoon and into the late evening. I'm hoping I don't have to go to the MAU again after my experience last time, I was so unimpressed! Our hospital is meant to be one of the best maternity units in the country (UHNM) but I wasn't convinced! I'm also seeing the midwife on thursday, should be my 25 week appt but it's at 23 weeks as I have a consultant appt next week then I'm away the week after x

That’s the exact same with me @Kirky658 I feel them in the morning and then when I’m relaxing or in the bed in the evening.... as time goes on I’m feeling him move during the day also.
Luckily all three times I’ve called the maternity centre they have been amazing and got me in straight away for two of the calls (the third call they gave me some tips that made the baby move) so didn’t go in.

They said to me to drink some cheapy orange juice and lay and relax for an hour or so and that should get the baby moving.

Sorry to hear you haven’t been impressed by them, hopefully they make some improvements ASAP!

@Kirky658 Our little girl is very much an early riser (was nudging me at 5am this morning) and gets more active in the evening too! she definitely doesnt have a strict pattern at the moment but my midwife told me that because i have an anterior placenta to not be too worried until after 28 weeks!

My baby has fairly regular movements but been quiet yesterday afternoon and a bit quiet today. He is still moving. Doppler says all is well but not sure if I should be flagging it up. Don't have a named midwife so don't know who to flag to.

@cherlw @unicornpower good to know thanks ladies! We had ice cream last night and she was dancing or that's what it felt like 😂 she's a sugar lover like her mummy!

@Poppins2016 I’ve heard some right awful things about induction 😟 it’s so hard knowing what’s best. Yeah I defo agree that not every piece of advice should be taken as gospel; the midwife when I rang saying I wanted to come in when in labour with DC1 said ‘you don’t sound like someone in the throes of labour, have a bath and a paracetamol’ what was actually happening was I was 4cm and my contractions kept taking breaks every hour or so. That carried on all the way to when I delivered😂. I’ll definitely be more confident this time to just say no I’m coming in thanjs the first time.

We have that pattern to @Kirky658 I hope that’s his pattern and he sleeps in between when he’s here that would be the dream 🙋🏽‍♀️😂.

@Noodles4Me we have to ring our labour ward for reduced movements and they put you on a monitor for a bit. Always call if you’re worried, it really doesn’t put them out having you in to check.

@FTEngineerM I had a similar experience... my contractions were never consistent and in the end they only accepted that I needed to come in when I called and said I was (in the early stages of) pushing. I was 9 cm dilated when I arrived at the MLU!

I've been reassured that they'll take my word for it this time around... however I've told them (nicely) that they'll have no choice as I'll be heading to the hospital when I feel I need to, rather than asking for 'permission'! My midwife is on board with this approach given my experience last time. 🤣

@Bubbles1st hopefully it sorts itself out in time for your next scan. As you say, it could be an unnecessary worry so you're right not to focus too much on it just now. I've started with the same mantra since yesterday, I know there is a very good chance everything will be fine at the repeat scan so just going along with that for now.

@FTEnigineerM @Poppins2016 I hated being induced, so glad I can't be induced this time around (ended up having c section last time). I have heard some success stories but just didn't work for me and our little girl was forcibly removed at 42 weeks!

@Kirky658 When I called the MAU as I was having a bit of spotting last week (at 21 weeks), I also mentioned that I couldn't feel baby as much as I had been feeling them the week before, but they were really reassuring and said they don't expect movement to be regular until 24 weeks, and even then don't expect us to be able to recognise a pattern until 26 weeks... anything before that is just a bonus! She said as baby still has plenty of room they probably just moved so limbs were facing inwards meaning I couldn't feel them as much/at all. Sure enough I'm back to the movements being unmissable now!

We're definitely in a morning and late evening pattern too! Most noticeably at around 9.30/10pm, but that's usually because I'm sat chilling at that point so really notice it... rather than in the morning/daytime when I'm flirting around I suppose!

Especially as I have an anterior placenta I'm not worrying too much for now and will put more weight on the movements from 24/26 weeks-ish as advised. For your own peace of mind though, I've been advised a very cold or sugary or caffeinated drink followed by a lie down flat on your back should be enough to get baby to give you a little wiggle!! 🙊

flitting around* lol defo no flirting going on rn 😂

Hi all,

New here. Due September 24th in Tunbridge Wells!

@sp2bx no flirting here 😂😂😂 good to know its not abnormal till 26 weeks ish with anterior placenta then that's great! A few more weeks of relative worry less 😉

I usually only feel much in the way of movements/kicks in the evening and early morning... but I wonder if during the day, I just don't notice them so much. They told me I have a high anterior placenta, so I think when baby moves around a bit, he/she must go into a position I can't feel. (Generally movements seem to be like f*nny daggers when I feel them in the day... oh the fun of being pregnant!!)

I took my 4 year old out for a 5km buggy run this morning with some friends. It was lovely - and surprisingly, I didn't die! Running was ok, even pushing her great weight... but then I came home and sat down and now, man my hips are telling me all about it!!

I bought a new breast pump yesterday... found my old one and it was dead as a dodo, which made my decision easier as they do say you shouldn't use it for multiple children due to any bacteria build up etc and mine hasn't been used for over 3 years! I had the single Medela last time, which cost me £130 and they have the double one reduced from £250 to £150, so I bit the bullet and bought the upgrade whilst it's cheap. Now hoping it's not a total waste of money and this baby breastfeeds too! ;-)