Due September 2022 (Thread 5!)

[IzzyLeigh]

Continuing on from thread 4!

I am with you on the scan anxiety, although I have a doppler and regularly listen in on the babys heartbeat and all was well at 12 weeks I can't help but panic about the anomoly scan, finding I am worrying more and more as I get closer to 20 weeks. I couldn't even imagine anything being life threateningly wrong after feeling the baby move and starting to create a bond. Tiny odds I know but I think very natural to worry

@TotoAnnihiliation congrats on deciding on a name! It’s so cute that your DD already started sorting through toys for her sister. Absolutely adorable

@Peauela Hey! Weight sisters! We’ve gained the same! I know I’ll likely gain a good deal more (they say to gain 25–35 for average weight women) but I’m just so scared that I’ve gained too much of it too soon and that by the end I will have gained well over the recommended amount, which of course isn’t ideal for my baby or for me. I think I might start a food journal today to start helping me keep on track with my caloric intake. I thought I was doing well with keeping track of it all mentally, but I think the pregnancy brain is starting for me too and I’m starting to forget things left and right.

@amorningperson thank you so much for the sweet words It’s really helped to hear from everyone on here. You guys have all been so kind and supportive even though I know some might not totally understand the attachment. Just know that it has all meant the world to me and I’ve definitely cried at some of your messages (in the best possible way)

And regarding shopping, we’ve just been picking up the winter stuff on clearance in the stores because it’s all sooooo cheap right now. I’m itching to buy more but I feel as though I might jinx it if I do. Instead, I’ve found it really helpful to get that fix by “shopping” early for my baby shower registry. I’ve read that baby showers aren’t really as big of a thing over there, but maybe creating a registry (or just a detailed list even) for yourself will help get you that shopping fix too? You get all the thrill of picking stuff out but don’t actually buy anything. Of course, there’s no guarantee that I’ll get any of it, but that’s okay. It’s just fun to “shop” without the commitment. Plus it helps me knock out a bunch of the research early on!

Also, thank you to everyone who shared stories about feeding and colostrum harvesting! That was all really really helpful to read. I’m hoping to strictly breastfeed, but I totally understand that my baby and my body might have other plans. With that in mind, I was planning on having some bottles and some formula on hand just in case it doesn’t work out. Is there anything else I should be prepared with right away?
I’ve mentioned before that I’m pretty sure that c-section will be my only delivery option (I find out definitively at the end of this month). For those of you who have been sectioned and then tried to breastfeed, did it seem like it made it more challenging? I vaguely recall reading something about how it can make your milk take longer to come in or for baby to figure it out? Is that true?

Anyone on here using my fitness pal?? I know I'm eating way too many carbs, I'm just so hungry all the time!! I plan to start tomorrow. Thinking 1800 calories a day but more fats and protein and moderate carbs ??

@ShiningStarz 1800 is way too low when pregnant.

I was doing 1800 at the beginning of pregnancy but I think will probably try to stick to 2000 after Easter (no point until after!!)

hi, hope everyone is well 🥰

i'm just looking for some advice, i have been gifted a private scan tomorrow to reveal the gender of my baby. I'm 17+2 weeks pregnant and my little one does not cooperate in scans at all (they are either so active or do not want to move haha).

just wondering if anyone else has had a private scan so far? and what's their experience? thank you in advance xx

hi @veryberrie! I knew I was having a girl because of my NIPT results around week 11. I've had 1 regular scan (11w 6d) and one private scan since then (14w 2). My little one was very active on both scans, kicking and turning and rolling the whole time. Despite all that movement, the sonographers (the one at my doctor's office as well as the one at the private scan place) both told me it was very clear I was having a girl, even though to me it didn't seem like she was holding still long enough for them to get a clear view of her privates.
Hopefully that helps to know that they know what they're looking for and will likely be able to tell even if your little one isn't exactly cooperating!

Iv done some reading and 2000 is the recommended for females but depending on height, age, physical activity etc.
I think 1800-1900 is fine for now. The nhs website does say increase by 200 cals a day in final 3 months

NHS doesn't say 'eat for 2' until the last 3 months and even then it's only extra 200 calories.

Im defo over eating now!!!

I’m definitely going to try to eat less carbs than I have been doing because They’re the one thing I tend to over eat on. I find them
Sooo appealing right now.

@veryberrie I have to say I enjoyed the experience of private scan, I was able to have DH and my sister there. I had the same experience as @IzzyLeigh, my baby moved round very quickly but the sonographer seemed sure that baby is a girl.

@IzzyLeigh for feeding I would get yourself a bottle warmer. We just got a cheap Amazon one, but it really helped. Whether formula or breastmilk in bottles (if you use either), it is really great at 3am. As the US is warmer, we tried to mix room temp bottles/cold bottles/warm bottles, so that if she was on a flight or something and we couldn't heat them, our DD wouldn't refuse to eat. Turned out to work. I visited a friend's baby at the weekend, she is 4 weeks old and sleeping 7.5 hours at night. This gives me hope :).

Also, if anyone wants a funny weekend story, my toddler was driving me insane trying to rip keys off my keyboard and I put her on a timeout last night which she obviously didn't want to do, so ran away to where she thought I wouldn't be able to get her, the dog crate. i closed the gate over (not locked) to show her that she shouldn't try run away laughing/turn it into a game, walked away, not engaging in her game, and came back 30 seconds later hearing a commotion. I'd closed the poor, terrified dog in with her, who was hiding from her already. Parenting points from yesterday 0/10. Definitely not ready for another child!

It is crazy how fast our bodies are changing. I am 20 weeks tomorrow, (scan this friday) and 2 weekends ago I was able to do up my pre pregnancy jeans, and just felt a bit fat. Today, I put on jeans and the button was nowhere near coming together. I tried the belly band thing to cover it but I just felt ridiculous, so I think i've gone past that point. I feel massive already, but still look small (ish) in pics, so I think this is all in my head. At least there is a sort of bump now I guess?

@madeleine85 there's definitely a bump there! you look great! and bonus points for having a pup in the pic
I was considering posting an bump update (bumpdate?) pic today today too as I feel like I've changed a lot this week also! I might give it a couple days to really make sure I'm not just confused and bloated though haha

P.S. great idea about the warmer! thanks!

I’m all here for bumpdate pictures as everyone grows, hope we can create some body positivity while we feel like human incubators 😂

@ShiningStarz I'm on my fitness Pal, have always been on it, I think I'm tracking 1850 a day, which I find about right for me, I would struggle to eat more than that to be honest, I up it in days I exercise

Can I join please I am due 19th September xx

Thanks @annlee3817 what does your day look like in terms of nutrition?

Welcome @Sweetbabydust1989 and congrats ❤️

@ShiningStarz thanks lovely this is my third baby 5th pregnancy I unfortunately lost 2 last year to my right tube (ectopics) both naturally miscarried so kept my tubes this is my rainbow baby xx

This is a bit of a scared mum rant, so apologies. I’m 20 weeks and I’m having massive flashbacks to my prior pregnancy where I had a premie at 35 weeks but labour started at 31-32 weeks. I wasn’t taking care of myself, had an eating disorder, was over exercising etc. this time mentally and physically I am in a very different head space, in a good way. But I woke up on Monday to a migraine and a full day of stomach and lower back cramps that’s still going on. Hoping they stop when I get up, but it’s bringing back horrible memories of last time’s early labour. Honestly this is what it felt like then. My doctor is pretty convinced that my early labour last time was a result of my eating disorder but also advised that I take progesterone this time, on the off chance I also have an incompetent cervix as they can’t rule it out as a cause. I haven’t been taking the pills as I hated the side effects and they were negatively impacting my mental health. I’ve had one cervical measuring a month ago, I’m due to go to the consultant for my second cervical measuring and my 20 week anatomy scan on Friday but I’m a bit scared if there’s a problem and I wait till then, I could make it worse. Hoping I sleep and wake up feeling “normal” and that this was all migraine induced, but I’m moderately terrified as I told myself by making positive life choices I wouldn’t subject my family to another premie nicu experience, and I’m worried it’s all repeating. I also don’t know if after a month without progesterone if I’m better staying off it till Friday to see if I’m completely fine without it, or if I should admit defeat now and just start taking it ASAP. Not helped that it’s a new consultant this week rather than my usual doctor. Basically I'm all over the place right now. I’m doubting anyone has had a similar experience, but now feeling worried to have these feelings again so early in pregnancy. Why is it never just easy being pregnant 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Also kicking myself as I had sex with HD Sunday which is a rarity these days. And now wondering if this is the cause. I’ve not been told not to, but I’ve also not asked. This doctors visit cannot come soon enough. I’m hoping that this was all some weird migraine dehydration effect combo and tomorrow is a new day. Anyway, Hope you’re all doing well ladies!! Looking forward to news of all the 20 week scans coming up, hope to hear a few this week x

@Sweetbabydust1989 sorry to hear of your losses. A beautiful little miracle will be joining your family xx

@madeleine85 you look stunning!

@IzzyLeigh waiting for your bumpdate!

I have another ridiculous thing going on - my right hand and wrist is getting numb at night - no matter if I sleep on one of my sides or on my back 😅 I feel like I'm winning the contest for strangest symptoms ever 😂

@madeleine85 I hope you are feeling better now? If not, please call your midwife, you shouldn't be dealing with these feelings alone. I would ask for a referral to the perinatal mental health team. I've been referred to them and they were brilliant, there for me and no one else!

I've mentioned to you before that my DD came at 35 weeks too. I've been told there was no reason for this. It's made me nervous it will happen again, I will have everything packed and ready by 30 weeks.

If your baby comes at 35 weeks or early this time, it may not be down to anything you do. It might just be the way your body makes babies. Luckily, we live in a world where these early babies can be supported and looked after. Please do ask for support for you too, you are just as important as your baby. Please message me if you need a sympathetic ear x