Due May 2022 (thread 4)

[Bubbasmama2017]

Hi all I hope I've done this right.

@fejkalove just catching up I haven't noticed anything on my notes although my BMI is in over weight category too which was brought up by the midwife but they haven't seemed too concerned at scans. Let us know how you get on! I've got a growth scan on Monday as seeing a consultant so maybe they'll mention it to me then as well.

@luckygreenduck I've had morning sickness again too, when I first got covid last week my taste and smell went and the sickness seemed to go too but it's back with a vengeance the last couple of days!
Also been incredibly tired which I put down to covid but I think is just pregnancy!

@Sarah239 yeah I think it was the worry that buggered me up. They took 6 vials of blood yesterday. 5 at beginning one after 2 hours. For gestational diabetes, full blood count, parvovirus, toxoplasmosis and something else (mega-something-virus u can catch from children) they wanna rule all that out. I've only got a mild case of excess fluid but midwives yesterday all said make sure you hospital bag is ready. Plus I've been losing some of my mucus plug. Like tiny amounts when I go to the bathroom. They've also said if my waters break gotta get an ambulance straight to hospital as its like a balloon bursting the sudden release of pressure can cause cord prolapse and placenta coming away from wall. But again it's a mild case so hopefully it won't be case.

@YummyMummyXoX oh bless you, that sounds horrible 10 steroids a day am glad to hear your LO is well. I'm anxious for you can't wait to hear when all us mums get our babies in our arms and healthy.

@aNewYorkerInLondon they won't provide nappies and wipes and things so pack your own. I've not been suee whether to pack my own towel or if that is needless space taken up. I've heard hospital provide u with towels but NHS website says bring your own so not sure.

Welcome @JMill13

@Luckygreenduck my breasts have been leaking for weeks especially when I sleep and accidentally smoosh them lol. Im using the breast pads savers sell they super comfy and not to pricey. Am planning on self expressing and freezing in a fortnight ready for LO get my supply going.

When my boy was scanned when I was supposed to be 33+3 his estimated weight is 5lb 2oz so he's a big boy bless him. Gotta go back next week for another scan to see if my fluid us still high if it is they may need to induce. But after reading about polyhydramnios on mumsnet and other ladies who had it I don't feel as nervous or scared plus my LO is bouncing around like a madman still. Oh and he's in my pelvis they told me that at scan to.
Sorry for long message ladies. I was so exhausted physically and mentally last night that I fell asleep at 730 which is not normal for me 😂 x

@aNewYorkerInLondon No I don't think you get anything from NHS, bring your own stuff! I've found YouTube quite useful for figuring out what I need to take - look for videos explaining "what I actually used" vs. "what I've packed". I've read some lists I've found online too and found some of them quite OTT, we're not meant to be there for a week long break, but only overnight (if even that for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery) and I just didn't understand why I would need all my shampoos and three sets of pyjamas and everything for a 24-hour hospital stay. If there are complication and I need to stay longer then husband can bring more stuff in.

@Kittycaz Glad you've got all the tests to rule things out, and are feeling calmer now. Sounds like little man is a bit too eager to join us! Best of luck with all the scans and let's hope he stays put and you won't need to deliver him just yet, although chances are very good at this stage xx

Thanks all

When I went in to have my boy in 2020 the only thing hospital supplied was the first newborn hat and those ready made formula bottles/teats. Obviously if you're breastfeeding you'll not get those but I had a boy that refused to suck from the breast or bottle and with him being so small his blood sugar was too low so had no choice but to Formula feed. I expressed a bit here and there for a couple of weeks but it was just too much after a week in hospital and visitors then coming from the second we got home. Final straw was knocking a full 80ml expressed bottle over the kitchen and crying for half an hour over spilt milk.

What I found most useful: a few baby vests, sleepsuits and nappies + going home outfit.

Then for you pants for you: pjs/nighties, slippers/flip flops, towel, shower stuff, pads, nipple pads if your milk comes in quickly (mine was day 4 or 5 last time), phone charger, headphones, comfy going home outfit and snacks. The food at my hospital was rank so needed all the stuff from home. After being in for a couple of days I definitely could have done with something to entertain me a bit like an iPad with movies downloaded, or a book/magazines just for the period of no visitors, not being able to sleep and baby sleeping but they aren't really essential.

Oh and if you have an epidural/section I'd recommend packing face/body wipes so you can have a bit of a face/pits etc. clean in bed before you can move to get in the shower. I had to wait over a day before they allowed me to shower and felt absolutely rank until my OH's sister sent wipes up for me.

What are the visiting rules like at your hospitals now? Having done all this in the height of lockdowns last time it's all so different but with our hospital its not changed much. Last time my OH was able to visit for 2 hours a day 6pm-8, but had to leave 45 minutes after LB was born. This time (at the minute anyway) he's allowed in for the entirety of labour/birth 2 hours after but then only gets to visit 1 hour a day, so hoping beyond hope we don't end up having to stay in for an extended period of time this time.

@Jillybean13

Oh and if you have an epidural/section I'd recommend packing face/body wipes so you can have a bit of a face/pits etc. clean in bed before you can move to get in the shower. I had to wait over a day before they allowed me to shower and felt absolutely rank until my OH's sister sent wipes up for me.

What are the visiting rules like at your hospitals now? Having done all this in the height of lockdowns last time it's all so different but with our hospital its not changed much. Last time my OH was able to visit for 2 hours a day 6pm-8, but had to leave 45 minutes after LB was born. This time (at the minute anyway) he's allowed in for the entirety of labour/birth 2 hours after but then only gets to visit 1 hour a day, so hoping beyond hope we don't end up having to stay in for an extended period of time this time.

This was me by the way haha didn't realise my name had changed 😂

I have started on metformin for GD in the past couple of days as my endochrinologist feels it would help bring my blood sugar levels down. I'm getting some unpleasant side-effects like wind and cramps but nothing that puts me off taking them and I'm hoping they'll ease when I've been on it for a while.

@Honeymint I keep wakng at 4.30am so sleep is not great at the moment either. I would have thought that sleeping upright should be OK because sleeping on your back puts pressure on your blood vessels but I don't think that would happen if you're upright?

@GinnyBee So pleased your c-section has been confirmed with no issues.

@YummyMummyXoX I'm glad you're feeling positive and hope you get through the rest of the pregnancy without more stress! It's great that the baby seems fine despite all the interventions.

@aNewYorkerInLondon well done on getting the house move sorted, that must have been an ordeal in late pregnancy! I'm pleased you're happy with the new hospital too.
I wouldn't expect the NHS to supply anything, it might vary a bit in different hospitals but it's just safest to assume you have to bring anything you want. I remember being given maternity pads last time because the nurses were unimpressed with the thin ones I'd brought along. I only stayed overnight for both of my previous births so I didn't need much, but I know other people who have ended up staying for a couple of weeks after complications so I understand why they encourage you to pack more than you might need.

@aNewYorkerInLondon @Kittycaz they do have towels but they are really small- like tea towel size (might be different in each hospital).

They had pads if you don't have them but I think they expect you to take your own and it would be annoying having to go and ask for them every time you want to change. I think they have a small supply of basic everything but best to your own if you can. My experience was they are really keen to help and wouldn't leave you without but your not going to get given a load of freebies either and they are so busy you will wait a while for anything you ask for. An extra pillow from home is really nice if your staying longer.

@Luckygreenduck ah right ill pack one of my towels then not my massive bath sheet but a normal towel. I'm not taking pregnancy ball as Ive been told they have those u can use there the less room things take up the better.

@Kittycaz yeah they seemed to have loads of yoga balls around.

Happy mothers day all you mums/ mums to be. Won't be long until our little ones are here and we can shower them with love. My little boy is being a wriggly worm this morning x

@Kittycaz Happy Mother's Day to you too! Happy Mother's Day all.

My hubby got me a card from the baby - I almost cried!

Happy mother's day, next year will be my first one hehe! Got all teary thinking about my little boy giving me a card and breakfast with his daddy.

Happy Mother's Day everyone. Think it hit me this morning that this time next year I'll be a mother!

How is everyone doing?

Celebrated my nephew's first birthday yesterday - had my (rather frazzled) DB teasing me saying this'll be me and DH next year for our little one's first birthday. I'd already decided ours will be a much more chilled out affair!

Also we started out NCT classes this week, and actually enjoying them far more than we thought. It's really helped give me a better idea of what I want in terms of birth preferences and pain control.

Hey ladies I've just noticed on my bump I have red dots it looks like bleeding under the skin like pin pricks. Tried to google and it comes up with Pupps but it's not that as they not raised its underneath my skin. Am assuming it's from stretching. Does anyone else have this? Also my wriggly worm keeps getting lower I've noticed. It's ace to breathe full breaths again, not so much the running to the bathroom every half hour when he uses my bladder as a punching bag x

@Kittycaz I don't have anything like that but I'd agree it's probably to do with the skin stretching. My baby is also feeling lower, I often don't notice it until I'm out walking for a while and I really notice the kicks down in my bladder/cervix.

I'm getting more Braxton Hicks - I was worrying the other night that they were getting too regular and thinking they might be real contractions, but thankfully not. I remember when I went into labour with my DD, I was a bit dismissive with the real contractions and just figured they must be BH as it wasn't painful at all, but then it turned out to be the real thing!

Mother's Day was pretty uneventful here, though I got a flowers and a card! But we usually take my DD swimming and a class on a Sunday, then she had a birthday party to go to, so we didn't do anything out of the norm.

@Kittycaz I've not noticed anything on my stomach, but have spotted something similar on my upper arms. Tiny red dots under the skin. But they seem to go after a couple of days. Do you still have them?

It's occurred to me that I'll be going on maternity leave in a month, and still feel like I have a long list of things to do!

@YfenniChristie, me too! my leave starts three weeks from Saturday and I still have SO much to do just to get the bare min done. I'm sure we'll get there, but ooof, time is flying!

Hope everyone is doing ok and had a nice Mother's Day for me was bitter sweet went to partners mum grave she died just as I got pregnant was teeminal never got to meet her first grandchild. Sunday had quality time.
Had specialist appointments was 2 consultants and a junior doc. I may now had GD due to my being on so much steroids got to test myself for a week to see i think il be able to work out by tomorrow/fri from readings.
If I don't have being induced at 38/39 weeks after an infusion
If I do have it will be 37 weeks.
Just trying my best to be positive! Have infusions next week then fortnightly and seeing consultant on 25th to get my actual date x

Hope you're all well ladies?

I feel like it's always something at the moment - just waiting to move into our new place, waiting on a van this weekend to get the bits in (then broadband being installed next week!)
I've been for my 32 week growth scan today and of course it's not plain sailing.
Baby was plotting on 22nd centile at 20 week scan, which then shot up to 59th at 28 weeks (just after GD diagnosis and before I'd started any form of treatment) and has now dropped to 23rd but they are concerned with liquor volume as now appears reduced (it's on lowest level of 'normal') so I assume they're concerned about placenta failing. The doctor reviewed the scan report and has asked for me to be rescanned in 2 weeks rather than 4 and I'm worried sick already waiting. They've said to keep an eye on movements and blood sugars and I'm already panicking that my in target readings are low for me and baby often has days where she is more quiet anyway but having to keep a close eye on it feels like so much pressure on me to not mess up and miss something

@YummyMummyXoX I'm sorry about your partners mum. Oh god not like you need any more on your plate 37 weeks is still term so your little one will be healthy.

@fejkalove I'm in same boat waiting for scans to check my fluid but I have too much from what I've been reading may have to induce 38 weeks as it's like a tidal wave and can cause cord prolapse. Moving is do stressful I'm hoping after my LO is born to move aswell.

@yfenniChristie I think it may have been a heat rash as its gone just over thinking like normal 😂

I'm 35 weeks tomorrow which means only 2 weeks til am at term so excited thought LO was gonna claw his way out last night though he was repeatedly punching cervix it made me sharply intake my breath. He's back to kicking my tummy this morning though. X

Last day at work today! 🥳 Well, at one of my jobs, so I get 2.5 days a week for the next two weeks until I finish at the other job too!

My brain is getting into a knot though! The other day I first left our garden gate open and let the dog escape, then left the hob on for an hour after I made dinner, and finally forgot to brush my teeth before going to bed. Then last night I had a dream that husband was sleepwalking and tried to strangle me, but I was also asleep and couldn't move so tried to wake him up by screaming in his face, and actually did scream and woke myself up! I've never sleep talked in my life!

I also think my abs have started to separate 😫 I really hoped that wouldn't happen as I'm quite fit and strong and have a strong core, but that doesn't seem to have helped!

[quote Kittycaz]@YummyMummyXoX I'm sorry about your partners mum. Oh god not like you need any more on your plate 37 weeks is still term so your little one will be healthy.

@fejkalove I'm in same boat waiting for scans to check my fluid but I have too much from what I've been reading may have to induce 38 weeks as it's like a tidal wave and can cause cord prolapse. Moving is do stressful I'm hoping after my LO is born to move aswell.

@yfenniChristie I think it may have been a heat rash as its gone just over thinking like normal 😂

I'm 35 weeks tomorrow which means only 2 weeks til am at term so excited thought LO was gonna claw his way out last night though he was repeatedly punching cervix it made me sharply intake my breath. He's back to kicking my tummy this morning though. X[/quote]
Sorry to hear you're struggling with fluid levels too - do you have GD too or just lots of fluid?

@Kittycaz thank you
It is term but more like to end in emcs if body isnt ready for natural labour and Im high risk for any surgery/bleeding cos of the blood disorder crazy!
Hope to be able to get to 38/39 x

@fejkalove keeping you and baby in my thoughts ❤️

@GinnyBee congrats on finishing on one of your jobs I hope you can begin to really relax and enjoy your last weeks xx

Morning ladies. I'm currently sat in a hospital waiting room.

Had my 34 week community midwife appointment this morning, and my blood pressure is high. It's usually on the high side of normal anyway, but she's not happy with it so I've sent to the hospital for observation .

I have been thoroughly questioned on pre-eclampsia symptoms, none of which I'm experiencing (and not sure I appreciated it being described as "denies" over the phone when she spoke to the hospital).

Not sure how I'm feeling. Trying my best to stay calm cause I don't want to stress and get my blood pressure even higher. I'm now trying to think of everything I've done in the last 12hrs from lack of sleep to what I've eaten so see if that might have had an impact.

@fejkalove no GD just excess fluid. They can't find any reason for it from blood tests and no issues they can see with baby. May just be one of those things. I've heard though that I may not be allowed to have my waters break naturally but I find out more Monday just a waiting game now lol.

@YummyMummyXoX I hope you do get to 38 weeks and have ur beautiful LO in ur arms ❤️