Minsters Sidecar Bumping Along - ttc graduates thread 5

[larrythelizard]

As I'm avoiding doing any of the useful stuff I should be doing I thought I'd just pop another sidecar up x

@larrythelizard oh well done for remembering to tell them about the migraine! I need to remind them to test my TSH (although I suspect I'll be told to get a GP referral for it) and to remind them of my potentially short cervix.

Just remembered my embryo gets upgraded to a foetus today - yay 😂

@Minster2012 see pic!

@blackcurrantqueen I hope today goes smoothly! Can't wait for the update.
@whatwonder I hope your scan goes well. I think it really varies- some people have to go for a walk and come back if the baby is being really unhelpful! So it depends what yours is doing? 🤣
@Minster2012 I don't have enough progesterone for much longer so I do need to stop! I'll drop another 100 tonight as planned, see how i go with that.
@Juno231 enjoy the appointment! I found it a bit unexciting. 🤣 And I need to remember to mention headaches too at my next one @larrythelizard

Hairy belly?! 😱 Just something else to look forward to. Actually the baby ends up covered in that hair (usually gone by birth) so maybe it happens at the same time? My friend had a really premature baby and so it still had the hair. Was weird. He was tiny, like 2lb. He's nearly 20 now though!

Talking about bellies (thinking ahead) any recommendations for stretch mark prevention? And at what point do you need it? I've got terrible stretch marks from being a teenager (my skin is shit) so I think it's going to be an issue for me. Likely nothing will work but I'd like to try?

@paintfairy unfortunately there's not much that can be done to prevent stretch marks because they mostly come down to genetics. That being said, staying hydrated and using some type of moisturiser (shea butter is good for this) can help a little. If nothing else then it's a nice little self care moment to put some lotion or oil onto your bump. I've been trying to moisturise my bump every day but have accepted the fact that I'll almost definitely get stretch marks as I already have them on my boobs and bum.

@paintfairy I've been alternating bio oil and plamers cocoa butter for stretch marks since my bfp pretty much. I know it probably won't make a difference but if I'd used nothing and had gotten lots of stretch marks I'd always be kicking myself for not having tried.

@Crazydoglady123 I do too!! It's also more annoying now because OH is on these meal preps so I'm cooking tea just for myself every night😒I put a chicken dish in the slow cooker this morning so I'll have thet a few nights and I have some left over slow cooked braising steak from last night too! Ohhh no wonder you're fed up with the LFT and not having your boy home☹️ I hope you're feeling okay about everything though and not feeling too ill either!!

@Minster2012 with you on the hairiness! I'm very dark naturally and have always been a hairy person😂 but my fanny hair is so much thicker now!! And also starting to get a little garden path down from my belly button, OH thinks it's hilarious, I think if I get to film any kicks it'll be from afar👹

@bez91 it really was!! I've never used to many Tupperwares😂

@Juno231 exciting!!

@whatwonder that's exciting! I hope it all goes well!!

@blackcurrantqueen thinking of you today!! I hope it all goes smoothly for you!!💗

Good luck today @whatwonder

I also think that stretch marks are genetic @paintfairy but keeping your bump moisturised and drinking lots of water might help. I got none with DS until about 38weeks!

Oh god if I was left to feed myself I'd live on cereal I think @Vil10! Although didn't feel horrendous yesterday so cooked a bolognaise that'll do us for a couple of days.

That's a good list @Juno231 - the midwife was pretty thorough with the questions but I think it's good to know what you need to tell them. Ive got the same community midwife I had with DS which I'm really pleased about, she was great

@larrythelizard honestly I've contemplated living on crunchy nut but I'm very aware at how bad my diet has been recently, and also with OH on this new training plan I feel like it's giving me a kick up the arse too! I mean I'll definitely still be having my bags of discos😂 how is your nausea now?

Also with the booking in bloods do we get them at our 12 week scan unless something is wrong and they'll ring sooner? The midwife said if someone remembers to authorise my bloods when they come back they'll come up on my app but she said as it's a new thing they might forget, so not sure when I'll get them?

Good luck with scans today @whatwonder and @Juno231 also same to @blackcurrantqueen for birth! What an exciting day!
@Crazydoglady123 hope everything works out for you and little one comes soon so you can see ds! X

@whatwonder @larrythelizard yeah I know they are genetic but I feel I should make some effort, so I can't regret not doing, as @Juno231 says. At least then I know there's nothing more I could have done. Like with the scar- I regret not using silicon tape earlier. I do have bio oil I bought for my scar (but haven't used as the hospital don't recommend on new scars) so I didn't know if to use that or the creams also make sense. So I wondered about using a combination method? I haven't started yet though.
@Vil10 do you mean the results? It doesn't seem to me (here anyway) that things are very joined up. The midwife you see locally and the hospital seem to be 2 different paths. No one mentioned anything at my 12 week scan about bloods already taken or anything. They'll take blood at the scan if you have chosen to have the genetic tests (and the results get posted or you'll hear direct from them if a problem). The ones from my booking appointment i assume she'll mention at my next 16 week appointment? You'd hope. But I think if there's an issue you'll get some kind of contact? (You would like to think). I had that letter about my rhesus negative blood group, and that came off the back of the booking appointment blood test, as that's one of the things they check for.

@whatwonder good luck for the scan! Mine took about 25 mins with a cooperative baby & was lovely 😊 and my hair has not got shiny & luscious, just more coarse 🙄

Oh god yes that is a lasagna @Juno231 brilliant!
🤪and your embryo into a baby! Yessss

@paintfairy I am also using bio oil and a weleda stretch mark oil from a few weeks. Same as @Juno231 I think I might as well try especially as o have scars that are stretching but like @whatwonder says I have stretch marks on my boobs so I bet it's a forgone conclusion

@Vil10 urgh so cooking for yourself, urgh that's annoying and depressing too 🙄seeing as you did his meal prep could he cook for you a couple of times? I need to inspect if I've got a garden path now too 🤔. On the booking in bloods I didn't get told my results til the next time I saw the midwife which was 16 weeks & that's when they said I was rhesus negative, so you might not actually get them for a while

I've just knocked the back of my hand on a cupboard & because of my blood thinners it's smashed a vein & come up with an immediate bruise & lump so sat here nursing it with ice.

@Vil10 re booking in bloods, for me my MW went over them at my 16 week appointment, they're separate to the screening tests you do at your 12 week scan. The booking in bloods look at things like blood group, STIs, blood disorders (if relevant) etc.

@Vil10 I'm impressed you bothered with the slow cooker for one person! I get so lazy if there's only me to cook for... What kind of chicken dish is it? I'm having a bit of a recipe drought

The bloods seem to differ depending on where you are. My scan letter came with a separate appointment for blood tests the week before so that the results would be in for when the scan happens!

@Minster2012 Christ your hand 😥 that's not ideal!

@Minster2012 really not too sure about that one! Glad you're feeling movement now too. You've got an anterior placenta too haven't you? Pregnancy body hair is weird! I have a fluffy tummy 🙈 Well I felt 100% fine Friday and Saturday but came down with a cold and sneezing yesterday and aching again today. My midwife was messaging me last night to see how things are going and she's going to have a chat with the consultant with planning an induction but she's going to book me in for some sweeps from Thursday when I see her and also depends if any concerns on the growth scan too if they change anything.

@bez91 no plan on induction yet. My first day out of isolation I'll be 40 weeks.

@Juno231 hope the appointment goes well!

@whatwonder had been absolutely fine but now full of cold and my arms ache. I don't think disturbed sleep, getting up every hour to wee through the night is helping my body not get run down. Good luck with your scan! Mine was about 20mins

@paintfairy omg 2lb is tiny!

@Vil10 I did my Tesco delivery order last night and was actually impressed I could think of three healthy dinners for us. I could live off cereal or toast but the OH couldn't live without a proper "meal" 🙄 Thank you, counting the days down.
Re the bloods mine was done straight after my 12 week scan and I received the results in a letter

@becarefuloutthere thank you.

@paintfairy yes sorry the results! I also got that impression that it's all very different and they aren't linked! Not entirely sure why my midwife mentioned getting my bloods at my 12 week appointment then! I'll just take it as if I don't hear anything then all is okay and I'll get the results when they feel like it😂

@clolo Thankyou! That's also what I'm thinking that they'd ring if they'd need to! I thought my results would be on this new app but seems they might've forgotten!

@Minster2012 well I'm the cook in the house, all he can cook really (other than a good breakfast) is steak, and considering I can't have it how I usually would, I don't think I'd want him to bother🤣 he turned round last night and said "is there anything I can persuade you with to do my meals every week" so currently trying to think what is worth the stress😂 inspect the path then get back to me! Are you quite dark haired naturally or fair? Ohh yes I remember you saying now about your bloods, oh well I'll just wait!

@whatwonder Thankyou! I did think why would they go through my results at my 12 weeks when it's completely different bloods!

@Juno231 well usually I wouldn't bother but I've made enough for a few nights to have with different sides but I'll probably have it tonight then not want it again🙄 well it's one my mum used to make and she called it "Spanish chicken" and it was only last night me and my sister were laughing about it because there isn't really anything Spanish about it😂 maybe my mum was trying to sound rogue in her cooking! So it's chicken breasts, corn, mushrooms, onion, loads of chopped up veg like peppers, courgettes, garlic, leek, then passata, chopped tomatoes and a bit of tomato purée (I mix the sauces and the veg up together before pouring in to make like a chunky veg sauce to pour over the top) then black pepper and mixed herbs! Also which bio oil do you use? I should maybe start using it, my mum got really bad stretch marks with my sister so if it's genetic I want to try and do what I can to prevent them, even if it's just a little bit!

@Crazydoglady123 ohhh me too! My favourite toast/butter combination is warburtons orange toasty with lurpak but white bread doesn't do my stomach any favours so we only have brown bread in but my mum has the good stuff so when I've been at hers whilst pregnant I've stocked up😂 any tea inspiration for us all for healthy meals??

Sorry just another quick question now about the 12 week results! Whilst at the scan do they give you an idea on the NT measurement at all? Or does that come in a letter too, and is it usually about a 2 week wait for results? Why does pregnancy consist of waiting for everything🙄

Oh good shout @DKDK123 will try that thank you! Those bibs look fab too!

@paintfairy I use fleece liners (you don't have to while they're still on milk only but it keeps the bum dryer for longer so I'm all for anything that means less frequent nappy changes) 😂 see previous comment RE being a slattern! And everything just goes off the bum into a bucket (I have a wet bag for out and about which just gets added to the bucket when back home) and then when the bucket is full it all goes straight into the washing machine, job done! Then usually into the dryer although I do promise I'll start putting them outside when the weather improves 🙈. At newborn stage was washing every day because they shit so much but now it's every other day so way easier. No smells or anything, and it all comes out in the wash! BF poo is water soluble so it just gets washed away in the machine with the rest of it. I just do a regular wash with an added pre rinse and that does the job. I can wax lyrical forever about cloth nappies so keep the questions coming if you have them! Or if you want to do some more research, the Nappy Lady is the guru. There's a website and a Facebook group which is really good for any questions you might have.

Lol @Minster2012 we've been told we don't need calpol for these ones but guess who's going to get trigger happy with that syringe regardless... No advice on the preggo minge, but an interesting side effect of the BF seems to be a weird lack of body hair! I defluffed pretty soon after birth and it has not grown back in 12 weeks! Armpit hair significantly lighter too. Who knew! However my post partum hair loss is also in full flow so I think within the next few weeks I'll just look like one of those baldy cats?!

I'm still just dosing TSD up with calpol so we can all sleep. It'll probably turn him into a kleptomaniac druggie or something, but we'll deal with that when the time comes 😂

@Vil10 I'm sure my sonographer commented that the fluid measurement was good but I don't think it means too much until paired with the blood test. I'm sure it'll be fine so try not to worry and just enjoy seeing baby on the screen!
Yeah I'm the same with bread tbf. But I'm just happy to pick at whatever we have in the cupboard or fridge rather than have a "cooked meal". Well we have dinner options for the next three days:
Joe Wicks lean in 15 turkey burgers, sweet potato wedges and slaw
Toad in the hole with carrot & swede crush and veg
Mixed leaf salad with cherry toms, radishes, Stilton, walnuts and blue cheese dressing with trio of olive bread

@clolo hahaha obviously, isn't googling the only we do during pregnancy??

@Crazydoglady123 OH keeps telling me to stop worrying and enjoy pregnancy, it's like I go through phases, one minute I'm like this baby is fine and growing perfectly, then the next I'm convincing myself something will be wrong at my next appointment!! Oooo they sound delicious!! Especially the salad and the burgers, might have to try those!!

Anyone who is taking the pregnacare supplement have you found they've made any difference to your bowels? I was really constipated up until like 9 weekswhen I was just taking folic acid on its own and vitamin D on its own, then I switched to the pregnacare that has loads of other stuff in it because my diet wasn't the best with being nauseous and food aversions so thought I'd be better taking the pregnacare and getting more goodness in me, and since taking it I feel like my bowels are back to normal most days, it's such a relief😂

@Kate105 the poo goes in the wash??? I thought you had to rinse it off first. I always found it a bit overwhelming to know where to start in terms of quantities, sizes etc as they're a bit pricey. If you cock up with regular ones it's not the end of the world in but if you've just spent £££ on reusable ones...

How the hell is it after 1pm???

@Crazydoglady123 here's hoping you can get the sweeps (or they are not needed) and they work, pleased you still aren't feeling that bad 😬I've got a posterior placenta so kinda expected movements before now

Spanish chicken sounds lush @Vil10! And for the 12 week scan I was told the measurement was within the normal range at the scan then fit my results 2.5 weeks later

@Kate105 def don't worry bout the calpol. It's your friend right now 😂 didn't realise you cloth bummed, interesting! I rinsed off poo @Juno231 but don't know if being FF made a difference & you can get good second hand bundles if you wanted to try first without buying a load

@Kate105 The nappy lady looks fab! There's a questionnaire on her website and it tells you what sort of nappies/quantiles etc would likely be best for you and your circumstances.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to take the dive into cloth nappies but am seriously considering getting on bored with cheeky wipes or similar this time around.

Quantities not quantiles- fat fingers 😒

scan over - everything is looking good and measuring normal!

baby did not cooperate though (had to do squats and star jumps in the scan room, move between my right and left side multiple times and then was told to go for a walk and get something to eat in the hopes that baby would change position). was there for just over 2 hours all in. but don't really mind because they got all the measurements they needed and was told they don't have any concerns! and very much still team yellow, couldn't make out a bloody thing in the scan (most of the scan was super zoomed in so she could see the organs, etc. so it looked like an amoeba in a petri dish more than anything else).

Have been told I have a high anterior placenta. Anyone else in this camp?