Due end of January 2022 - Thread 3

[spttc]

New thread before we run out!

@thecapitalsunited definitely no need to be ashamed you have GD. From what I've read it's all to do with pregnancy hormones affecting the effectiveness of insulin to allow sugar to be absorbed from the blood stream into cells, and nothing to do with our diet and exercise during pregnancy.

Thank you for starting the new thread @spttc!

I was on the last thread but can't log in for some reason so started up a new account!

How is everybody feeling? I feel like I am on baby countdown now, 29+2 today! Only a few more days until I hit the 30's, which is a scary but exciting thought!!

I'm 30 weeks end of week, feeling pretty emotional for no reason!
I've had really low iron the last month and had an iron infusion last Friday, another this Friday. Baby measuring on 90th percentile.. had a growth scan. It was lovely to see ! But because he's big on the actual scan consultant wants me to do the GD test this Thursday. I've been relying on sugar far too much as I'm so tired with the low iron. Really nervous at what I can eat if I do have it.. I really don't have an appetite for a dinner and rubbish at measuring food. Thought I'd get away with it as my weight was ok ( not slim could lose some lbs pre pregnancy but not high to need test. ) any advice would be great. And has anyone else had an iron infusion. I think I'm starting to feel a bit better but they said it takes three weeks.. goes into the bone marrow! I feel this baby is draining me !

@Erinrose82 Ohh bless you! It is good to know they are monitoring you from every angle though. I get what you mean about the emotional part though, my hormones have been on a complete rollercoaster this whole pregnancy, and the past week or so been super emotional and no idea why!

Also has anyone looked into / thought about contraception yet? I have tried multiple different types over the years - pill, implant, injection etc. I don't like the idea of an IUD so wouldn't go for that, but I am struggling to work out what I want to go on after baby is here. We definitely want more kids and to have them close in age, but I want to give my body a year or two's break at least! Struggling to work out what type I want to go for.

@winterbabyrose Obviously it’s not for you but I had a copper coil before pregnancy and have decided I’m having one put back in. I don’t tolerate hormones very well (probably why I’m being a grump during pregnancy) so the coil is the only long lasting, highly effective option for me really.

I was also thinking about a copper coil, because as a non-hormonal method it seems very rapidly reversible if you then decide you want a second. I am hoping I could have one put in straight after the birth but I know some places like you to wait a few weeks after delivery to have one inserted so I'll have a chat to my midwife about it.

Hmm my baby is quite fat (95th percentile for abdomen) and has quite short legs (just under 5th percentile). Had my Dr appointment and they don't seem worried about this, although I've read some scary stories online. He said these are normal tolerances, and there were no issues identified in the scans, anatomy, or nipt.

Have to go back in 3 weeks at 32 weeks for another scan. But that's for the diabetes.

Was wondering if it could be because my dating scan moved me forward by a whole week, to a week before I even ovulated (I was using opk's and temping). But still that'd mean legs are only 16th percentile and abdomen is 97th percentile.

Does anyone have any info/knowledge on these measurements?

And on contraception again, I was thinking withdrawal again 🙈 It worked for us for a couple years before and I've had so much of my life on the pill I'm not keen to go back on it!

Has anyone thought about newborn photoshoots yet (those who intend to)? Just having a little panic as I haven't, until now, and I've been reading that it's most usual to get booked in straight after 20 week scan! Don't know if I'll be lucky enough to find any availability now

Not gonna bother with a newborn photoshoot, I am quite happy I can set some decent shots up at home with a bit of thought, but would think about getting professional pics done when little one is a bit older and more challenging to photograph well perhaps!

@SouthwestSis yes, I did think at least I could take my own if not. I just quite like the professional ones. Think I'll be too scared to pose him like they do - I know babies are very flexible and bendy but they just seem too delicate, to a first time mum!😅

Planning on doing our own photos here, we have a semi decent camera and a tripod to get some timed family shots. The super staged sleeping angel type photos are just not for me, same as 'bump' shoots. For those that do like them though, hope you can find slots easily, i would imagine you can get them done fairly last minute as surely most people want them in the first week or 2 and you don't know when that is necessarily??? Or is it like nursery when you have to get your name down as soon as the stick turns blue 🙈

We didn't do a newborn shoot but I've never had the feeling that you need to book that far in advance. May vary by area though. My plan is to get a shoot done at some point with both DSs when they're a little older.

For contraception, I'm also considering a coil as I'm not a fan of hormonal options either. We don't plan on any more after this so happy to think longer term. Though I would say that after a pretty miserable vaginal delivery, if anyone had tried to insert one immediately after the birth I think I'd have kicked them in the face!!!

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 I'm not sure about growth scans but when I went recently, I was told that the femur length is the one they worry about least and abdomen most important. I was sent due to measuring small so I'm not sure if it's the same with GD.

Has anyone had the coil before and can share experience? Does it affect periods in any way? Is it painful to have inserted/removed? Otherwise I'm thinking condoms, just because the hormonal options are not for me. Wonder how they are doing with that male contraceptive pill....

The NHS website says periods can be a bit heavier and more painful for the first few months after having a copper coil put in but it settles down after. Probably worth it if it works for over 5 years.
I think they are more uncomfortable to have put in if you've never pushed a baby out of your cervix so hopefully it would be easier for all of us!

@BobbleWobble1 thanks so much. Hope your growth scan went okay.

@Tangfastic91 yes where is that male pill 😂!

@Tangfastic91 I have previously had a copper coil and it was horrific! I bled every day for months and suffered with severe period pain every week, to the point that I would end up sitting on the bathroom floor at work. However I did discover afterwards that you're not supposed to have the copper coil if you've never had a baby because it's too big, and at the time I'd obviously never had any children as I'm currently pregnant with my first. I also can't take hormonal contraceptives but I was advised to get the mirena coil inserted after I'd tried the copper, apparently the hormones only enter your cervix and don't go anywhere else. It was definitely better than the copper coil as the pain stopped but I was still bleeding most days, although I think they can take a while to settle in! In regards to contraception after baby I am considering the mirena coil again, although at this point I think withdrawal is the best option for me!

@Tangfastic91 I had a copper coil for 8 years before having it removed to TTC. It did make my already heavy periods heavier and longer but for me the pros of no hormones and not having to remember anything outweighed the annoyance of the prolonged heavy periods. I had it fitted before I’d had any children and it was ok if painful as it was going in but settled really quickly. I had it done at university and managed to head to lectures afterwards. However my SIL went into cervical shock so it very much depends on you as an individual and the skill of the person inserting it. Removal was a piece of cake. If you have it put in/taken out while you are on your period it’s easier as your cervix is already slightly open to let the blood pass. It is gross though!

Thanks everyone. I already have pretty horrific periods so I'm not sure I want to risk the coil if they get worse. I think condoms may be for me (having used them effectively for years)

I didn’t realise there was a new thread, just thought it had gone quiet!

@spttc I feel like an overtired grumpy toddler at times now. I can feel myself getting more tired and longing for the weekend.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 on my growth scans baby is pretty much average apart from little legs. Again no one seems worried. I’m a bit confused as my height comes from my legs but it isn’t something I can control so I’m trying not to worry.

Is anyone else crawling to their maternity leave now? I have 17 working days left. It seems to be dragging for work but flying at home as we still need to decorate the nursery etc. I’m hoping we can do it after I finish but before Christmas.

Also, Contraception wise, I’m going with the “don’t come anywhere near me” approach initially! I was previously on the implant but I don’t want anything hormonal really. I think it will depend on if we want to ttc again quicklyish. 2 babies is definitely my limit though - OH can have the snip after that!

@Jonesy88 thanks for replying. I actually set a thread up shortly after posting on this one, and quite a few people had had similar news and it came out okay. How small on the centiles are yours measuring? Because mine are still over 3% they're not investigating further beyond another scan in a few weeks

And yes I'm grumpy also. Got insomnia, tired, and my partners away on the other side of the world on hols for a month and everything's going wrong. Got some complications, have to go on insulin, works busy, cars broken down and I've no shopping in after a trip away so now have to walk and carry it all back and everything just feels a bit hard. V pathetic 🙈 Have been snappy with him on the phone while he was out for dinner and now feeling guilty and horrible

Can't even order deliveroo because of my stupid GD diet 😂 first world problems

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time right now. It's so easy to be grumpy when all your energy is taken up by just existing then you have more problems on top so you definitely won't be the only one who has been snappy with your partner! I'm with you on stupid GD diet though, that can get in the bin. I visited relatives over the weekend and they arranged for a pizza night. I had one slice then filled up on salad, cheese and pork scratchings while they all stuffed themselves with delicious stone baked pizza.

Finally had my appointment with the diabetes clinic this morning and I have to test 6 times a day. My poor fingers!

Talking about contraception - is anyone else planning to get emergency condoms just in case they find themselves unexpectedly feeling romantic before they've arranged anything long lasting? I expect that I too will not want DH near me but you never know!