Minster's 8th Side Car - Best not let the men see our post-partum bodies eh?!

[larrythelizard]

2022 Bumps

DKDK123 10 May💗
bez91 14 May 💛
Minster2012 22 May 💗 (C-section the week before)
whatwonder 5 June 💛
feliznavidad2 5 July 💗
SWAttempting 23 July (will be delivered in June) 💗
paintfairy 24 July 💗
Vil10 1 August 💛
Juno231 11 August 💗
kaylsd 15 August 💛
larrythelizard 18 August 💛
Inkypaper 28 October 💛
BellatrixK 15 November 💛

Sidecar Babies 👶👶👶

Kirky658 11 August 2021 💗
Kate105 14 October 2021 💙
Justanothercyster 10 November 2021 💗
2020Mission 27 December 2021 💙
blackcurrantqueen 17 January 2022 💗
Crazydoglady123 29 January 2022 💗
Haiyaa 1 February 2022 💙
becarefuloutthere 26 February 2022 💗
Lexber 14 April 2022 💗💙

Might be different in England to Scotland @Vil10 but I got the red book when my HV visited for the first time after Matthew was born. I got a call from her at about 33 weeks - there was no visit before baby for me.

@Minster2012 such good news on Bronte's weight!! Amazing!

@Minster2012 missed that Bronte is back up above her birth weight 🙌 great news! I'm was told to keep feeding Matthew during the night 😂 and I still do! He's still low on the chart despite always gaining so I'm afraid to stop incase he drops low as I definitely have a better supply overnight. The rare time he doesn't feed I wake up with really heavy sore breasts too.

Yay paragraphs are back! Might be able to follow better now 😅

@Minster2012 very similar birth weight and drop for R and she got bk up like Brontë and is now in the 91st percentile at nearly 11 weeks, she's a right porker 🐷 glad it's all going well my lovely 😊

@2020mission we were the same but I don't wake her anymore, was able to stop that by 5 weeks thankfully 😅 she started sleeping until 5/6/7am a couple weeks ago but the warm weather and her stuffy nose has stopped all that. Bk to 3 and 5am feeds now 😫

@2020mission Thankyou!! It must be different in different areas, it's all very confusing!!

So midwife app went fine, babies heartbeat good, but my urine showed positive for a possible UTI, which I suggested to the midwife on Saturday when they put me on the monitor because I'd had a little pain and, excuse my minging explanation but last Friday my flaps felt fat and swollen🤔😂 and obviously after googling I came to the conclusion it was a UTI, so the midwife has sent my urine off today and should get results back next week, had bloods done too, mentioned that my 20 week scan still hasn't shown up on my app and she showed me and seems baby was on 20th centile when I had my 20 week scan, I feel like this is small? Was anyone else's baby the same at 20 weeks? But she said from my growth scan baby has grown so that's the main thing!

I don't know how much it matters what centile baby is on @Vil10 as long as it tracks at the expected amount of growth (or that's how I understood it anyway)? Hopefully they'll get your UTI sorted. Will keep 🤞🏼 for some firm dates for the house soon.

I also don't think I got my red book until DS was discharged from the hospital - was nearly 3 years ago though!

It's the having to not do everything I like doing when I'm pregnant that annoys me and random stuff like ligament pain!

Sounds like a winner of a day @Minster2012

Fab day @bez91 and you should absolutely be smug being out and about with such a teeny tiny one!

MW appt was fine, apparently no monitoring with the belt until 28w (sure I went in at 24w last time!) but she listened with the Doppler and heart was thudding away and the most reassuring bit was when baby booted the Doppler and I couldn't feel it very strongly so my initial suspicion that he's changed position seems to be right. She wasn't my normal MW though and was lovely.

Still planning on the holiday @Minster2012 - it's not like I was particularly over-exerted yesterday! DH particularly freaked out as I was in London so sent his brother to pick me up and basically sort me out! Such drama 🤦🏻‍♀️. My lack of ability to talk did freak out the boss though so he's expecting very little out of me this week!

Yay for Brontë @Minster2012 you've done so well! And for making it out of the house. If it makes you feel any better, I stepped on poo today. Twice 😂🤦🏼‍♀️ but poo aside, I am mildly concerned about PTSD's charisma. I don't think I could handle him as PM if he turns out anything like Boris 😂😂😂

Ah yes @bez91 superworm is the big favourite in our house by a country mile! I think I know it by heart now...

Good luck on the house @Vil10 i didn't get my red book until PTSD was actually here so don't worry about that. And I must have missed you needing a growth scan. Definitely don't worry about that! I had to have an extra one at something like 33 weeks because of "excessive growth" (lol thanks) but went to the scan and all was fine and PTSD was a very normal size!

Sob. I've only got one more hair appointment before I go back to work. WTAF 😭

@Vil10 I'm with @larrythelizard in that I got told it didn't really matter what centile long as the baby was growing relatively consistently so I wouldn't worry. Plus one week of growth spurt could change all that. I've just checked & my health visitor came a couple of days before 33 weeks & that's when I got her red book. Hopefully the UTI will clear up soon, was it too much holiday sex??

@becarefuloutthere ha hopefully B will be similar then, I'm sure she will be a greedy guts!

@2020mission oh wow really? Weird isn't it the different advice. Yeah we were told last tine too long as they are over birth weight then you don't have to wake them, but I mean last night she woke me before my alarm went off anyway

@paintfairy your resting bitch face putting them off then!! We are on outfit 3 today for her but that's not always the case. Just wish I didn't have to wash her car seat & sheets & mattress protector as well today 🙄the nursery will help to "focus her eyes!" Oh and the crumpet def then went back on his plate whichever way round it fell 😆

@bez91 operation 2 children is hard! But honestly we are super women! Fingers crossed you get good news on Z's weight tomorrow

@larrythelizard again I'm with your boss & DH, it's scary stuff & you need to be careful. Good about the booting the Doppler, we never had that 😋

I'm knackered. Friends came over & the boys are absolutely shattered to the point where she sent me a picture of her child face down in the dog basket passed out 😂I've def done too much but it was hard as both of us had sections & both at some point had a feeding baby in our arms so when the boys needed pushing on swings for instance then one of us had to do it 😂

Small wins today though too...I'm wearing normal pants not the high waisted granny ones!

Annoying on the MIL @Vil10 mine sounds similar, glad DH is on side with you. Completely different here on the red book, I didn't get one until I gave birth. All the growth scan stuff was just kept in my maternity notes. Hope that test all comes back clear 🤞🏼, I had leukocytes in my urine every time and the MW said some people just do but each time they came back ok from testing.

@larrythelizard that's horrible and scary, can you check in with the doctor? You should definitely be taking it easy this week and no work expected. Good news on the appointment and that baby all ok 🥰

@Soph0105 arrggh stepping in poo is traumatic! Condolences 💐 We love Superworm too and all her books actually

@Vil10 anywhere between the 2 lines is normal. As long as everything is going the right way and it's following that line. Mine was the same and only low 20s. However, you've got nowhere to fall to is the problem, as I just found out today!

So- most stressful bloody scan appointment ever. They asked me to go a week early. Fine. I'm 30+5. Because there was a drop in the stomach measurement last time. Scan was on time. Baby moving happily. Funnily enough at times I couldn't feel it either- which shows you can't feel all movement. Head was down so couldn't measure that, but they did stomach, femur, cord, fluid. Then you are sent out whilst they write the report. I thought I'd be going home then. Nope. I got referred up to the day assessment unit to see a Dr. 🙈 The femur had dropped a bit but still OK and in the 40 odd centile. Stomach is now 15th centile (was like 23rd before?) And the estimated fetal weight has gone from 10th centile last time to now the 6th. I've no clue how they even work that out though? I had to wait 2.5 hours to see the dr. Boiling.
So the upshot is- if the EFW drops to 5% you get referred to the early baby unit. And they consider getting them out early? I honestly can't see how that's ideal? I've a rescan in 2 weeks. My consultant phone appointment is Monday so I'll see what she says too. The stomach has grown in mm but clearly has dropped off in rate of growth. But my fluid and cord stuff is all fine which shows she's OK. Movement is fine. And my fundal height was normal last week? So I'm honestly not sure what to think? I do feel I've lost weight though on my arms and thighs, so whether I'm not eating enough. But I'm eating like I always have really? I did also question a GD check but I don't meet the flag criteria. I just thought it was worth ruling out? But clearly not. 🙄 So now I'm panicking as fetching a small baby out early seems ludicrous. DH is telling me I don't eat enough and I will try to eat more. The dr said I can try eating more protein but there's no evidence it works. 🤷‍♀️

@paintfairy my friend who came over yesterday has small babies & they did a c section for her at 38 weeks because of small baby. Last child she had preeclampsia as a result so that's one of the risks & the cord can fail, they deem it much less risk to be out & able to be treated than risk things where something could happen unexpectedly inside you & be an emergency or worst. They would give you steroids to help the baby develop as much as possible but sometimes it's better out than in & be able to build her up. It's stressful & tough though so sending you hugs

Stepping in 💩 @Soph0105 again I feel it's a right of passage for a parent

Tough night here last night & I fell asleep about 8.30. DH just brought me a coffee up & crumpets whilst I'm feeding & HE DIDN'T BOIL THE KETTLE so brought me a cold coffee. Wtaf??? And he was out of the door before I realised so he can't correct it ffs

@Minster2012 38 weeks would be fine. But I'll only be 32 when I go back and if they start saying that, its terrifying. I'm now thinking I've got this far- only for it all to go tits up at the final hurdle.
I held it together last night but I couldn't sleep. And I've woken up crying about it. How on earth you are meant to just sit for 2 weeks wondering if it'll be OK or not, I've no idea...
The cord and fluid looked fine though. They did say that.

Quick check up, I got worst, yesterday I had really bad oxygen numbers, off to the doctor again with me,
Af here but very light, cramps and sore boobs gone so just a light one

I'm sure when they say early @paintfairy they mean 37/38 weeks. Try to focus on the cord and fluid being all good and not to worry. At least 2 weeks gives you a good chance to settle your nerves and then work out what questions you have for them.

Ba ha ha loving all the sleep deprived dad activités!

@larrythelizard this is why men couldn't actually cope with being the main care givers to start off with. Honestly cold coffee for me in the morning after a cluster feeding night? That's grounds for divorce surely??

@Franklydear def get yourself to the doctors again.

@paintfairy I'm very confident they mean 37/38 weeks not now, but they have to be prepared and like my friend was going in (like I was) for cord scans every week from around your point then steroids the week before section, so I think they are saying so they can start to make preparations & monitor you more closely, you are doing great, the cord and flow is good so you are doing what you need to, you may, like my friend, just create small babies...from now you may need to "tick off the time in between appointments before she arrives" which she did, she focused on getting through to each appointment & there she was reassured all was fine, and it was 😊

Got an appointment for this afternoon

@Minster2012 😂 gutted for you with the coffee I think we've all made that mistake at least once! I know the feeling of being trapped with newborn feeding too and it's almost impossible to go and get yourself anything. My husband was quite good at putting my drinks near me but still out of reach 😅

@Minster2012 it could be at any point if she's stopped growing. Which is what scared me! Hopefully it'll not be sooner rather than later though. Jesus. I suppose it literally depends how things look next time. But it's a shock when everything has seemed OK until now.
As for the cold coffee- wtf?! How on earth can you not realise its cold? I mean, I've done that with tea before but I realised as soon as the water hit the cup? 🤣 Men. Yeah thanks for that. 🤭

@paintfairy they will keep baby in as long as possible even if they decide baby isn't thriving I'm sure. The 2 weeks will help them make a more informed decision when they see you again but I know it feels an age 💕 pay close attention to your body and just go and be seen if you have any doubts at all even if that's just to check everything is ok in between times for those 2 weeks.

@Minster2012 wow yes, as someone else said I don't know why you wouldn't realise when you poured the kettle. Caffeine is caffeine all the same though - I'm missing it with no end in sight as to when I'll have my 24hr ECG, just want a caffeinated cuppa in the morning 😆

We are justtttttt back to birth weight so that's good. He's just small like his sister was but more chilled about it this time. Rant - We have my brother coming over later to meet baby for the first time. Bringing his GF and her daughter. I think I’ve mentioned her on here before, I dislike her for a number of reasons inc her living off my brother, has no zest for anything in life and is a crappy mother (I never usually judge people on this btw but I've known her 3 years and just feel sorry for her children). Her DD is a bit older than my DD, a complete sh*t and I hate having them round, she lets my bro do all the parenting. She’s had another child a year younger who she gave away to his dad (different dad to her other child) when he was a baby, she doesn’t see him, pay maintenance and her attitude is now just basically to move on and forget she ever had him and hopefully she'll have another baby with my brother and my heart just breaks for the little boy. The thought of her anywhere near my own children has always made me feel ill, I'm probably being very unreasonable but I'm just dreading having to make all the small talk with her later and her being near my baby 😬

Omg yes on the "putting things just out of reach @2020mission" so I'm craning over my scar to to try reach it, just cruel 😩

@bez91 you are NOT being unreasonable on the girlfriend, Jesus. Paint that smile on, and get DH on board with the "smallest amount of time there possible". If I had to go caffeine cold turkey I think I'd have a meltdown 😂brilliant news on Zac's weight! Well done!

@paintfairy well ok yes it could be anytime and if it is then it's for the best, but yes it could all be fine at each appointment so focus on that 🤞🏻😘

@Minster2012 amazing news on Bronte’s weight: she’s a mini warrior. Cold coffee though is a complete joke. Easily grounds for divorce.

@becarefuloutthere love R’s weight gain. Nothing better than a chunky baby! My auntie has ordered me to make sure I have a chubby baby! She’s doing well sleeping too.

@Vil10 definitely most important that they’re growing. It seems like the estimates can be so wrong, so try not to worry. Have you got antibiotics for the UTI?

@larrythelizard I’m the same, I hate feeling restricted and nauseated and tired all the time. Hopefully that’ll ease soon though. Oh no! Your migraine sounds horrendous, I have had them in the past and they are unbelievable. Make sure you look after yourself and rest now. Glad you won’t have any pressure from work at least.

@paintfairy it’s an absolute minefield, I totally understand how stressful that appointment was. I hope that you are okay. I think especially when things have been difficult being here, everything seems heightened.

@Soph0105 oh god… do we all have that to look forward to?

@bez91 he seems to have regained weight really quickly? She sounds like a complete nightmare… who could just ‘move on’ from a child? Hopefully your brother will see through her soon?

@Franklydear hope that you feel better soon. So sorry about AF.

So, I went for my quad test today at 14+1 and the nurse decided that it was too early, despite being allowed from 14 weeks. She was adamant that this hospital doesn’t do then until 15 weeks. So I have to go back next week. She wouldn’t budge. I had to get cover at work for this afternoon and will now need more cover next week. I was really hoping to have results before we go away next Friday. I’m so so angry.

Little update, my infection has cleared, the mucus of my cold is causing all the problems, but I feel better today and haven't been in bed in the daytime, so back to work on Monday, I'll demand light duty, we'll review after the x-rays, starting to consider long covid, but still within normal time frame for asthmatic, translation, you were sick anyway....

I went out for tea too a lovely little family run Italian just by out house. I’m less angry now 😂

@Lexber amazing on the twins' weight gain! They're little strong warriors indeed 💪

@larrythelizard those migraines sound brutal. Did you have a tendency to suffer from them a lot pre preganncy or is it the hormones causing them to be so frequent and bad right now? Hope you're resting up.

Happy 3rd trimester @Juno231 🥳 So close to that finish line now!

@Minster2012 hooray for Brontes weight gain, another baby who's smashing it 💪 🥳 And well done you getting you all ready and out the door for 8.30, I forgot just how much is involved with trying to get out the door for a set time with a baby let alone a baby and a child, we finally got DS to nursery on time after the 3rd attempt, failed attempts included up to an hour late 😂

@bez91 glad your farm trip was a success hope its given you more confidence now with taking them out. I'm fine going out with DH but I know I'm not ready to take them both out myself next week, mainly because I'm still not able to run if DS decides to be less than Co operative and leg it elsewhere or cant pick him up and carry him to the car if he decides hes having a sit down protest. So I think we'll be stuck to activities in the garden for now.

@Vil10 we get our red book after birth here too. I'm getting mine next week now that I'm discharged from the midwifes care and onto being under the health visitor care, apparently our HVs bring out the red book on their first appointment.

Going to have to post in 2 parts again as it won't let me copy and paste what I've got so far to the next page to read 🙄 MN has been a shambles recently!

@Minster2012 normal pants already, go you! 🥳 I'm still way too tender and scared to attempt normal pants, I'll probably still be in big high waisted granny ones come Christmas 😂

@paintfairy it's really scary when they start to talk about taking your baby out early as your motherly instinct is to say no keep it inside where its safe! Big hugs you must be going through a lot of emotions right now! But as others have said they really will try to keep baby in for as close to the 37/38 week mark as possible, they'll monitor you very closely and if it comes to a point where they think baby will thrive better outside with support than inside then they'll take it out but they'll try all they can to help it thrive inside you first. They do need to tell you it may need to come out early to prepare you but it doesn't necessarily mean they'll whip it out after the next appointment. The fact they've not offered you steroid injections yet is a good sign. And remember too that the growth scans can be very inaccurate so it may be that baby is small but not as small as they're predicting. They can only take measurements from growth scans every 2 weeks for them to be meaningful so if you get to your next scan and all is stable then try get some reasurrance that it'll then be another 2 weeks till the next growth scan decision so by then you'll be 34 weeks which although sounds early is actually not too bad an early to be born and not need a lot of NICU support if it does need to come that early. The cord blood flow being good just now is a great sign, maybe you just make small babies. We're all here for you to see you through to the end till you've got that little baby safely in your arms who will be totally oblivious to all the worry they caused you. ❤️

@bez91 how did the visit with your brother and his GF go? I don't blame you for not looking forward to it!

@Franklydear hope you feel better soon!

@BellatrixK that's so annoying on the test when you'd arranged time off to have it done, all for the sake of a week 🙄.
Glad to hear your dinner out tool the edge off the anger.

We're still plodding away here, currently have a sleeping DD on my chest who has only drank 1.5oz of her bottle and conked put milk drunk, which isn't a good sign as that means she'll waken up in half the amount of time feeling short changed and wanting the rest of it. That means half the amount of sleep for me 😴 have tried changing her nappy and shoogling her awake but the little madam is having none of it, there doesn't feel like much point me going back to bed for what will probably only be an hour before she decides she's starving again so thought I'd catch up with MN and enjoy the snuggles while I wait. Tho I really should move her and do some expressing instead as my boobs currently feel like I've got two bowling balls strapped to my chest 😂