Due December 2022 (thread 4)

[Sdoubleyou]

Hi all, looks like we'll be filling up today or tomorrow. I wanted to create the thread early so we can have a link to the new one. Have a nice weekend!

I have been getting the baby's heart rate monitored weekly due to possible CHD. Had my normal weekly Doppler check with my midwife and she said I had to go straight to the hospital because the baby's heart rate had dropped dramatically. We are talking under 100bpm. Ended up rushing to hospital to be checked out in assessment only for them to tell me everything is fine. Honestly those Dopplers should be banned, nothing but stress.

@MadamMaltesers it is possible issue with me, so the mother. I had heart scan and 24hours ECG monitor. They said the scan was fine, but 2 days later I was called and asked to have blood test for BNP and another heart scan. Thanks God, I had private scan for the baby and they said the baby is fine, heart rate 144.

@Vg92 oh ok I see, they are probably just double checking if everything seemed fine with initial heart scan and ECG. Those checks are quite thorough so hopefully there won't be an issue with you. Glad the baby is okay too. This worrying won't end I think until baby is safely in our arms and we are in one piece.

I had my 25 week appointment today. Was told my hospital no longer does GTT tests (owing to covid) so although I’m booked in for one it will just be a fasting glucose which kinda seems counter intuitive. Other than a slightly dodgy kidney function all is well though was surprised they measure my bump as she said it was too early

@Seraphim87 lots of people would pass a fasting glucose who would have elevated levels with a full GTT. If you're concerned you could push to do a week of home monitoring instead, or if you start getting symptoms later. The GDUK website and Facebook group are really helpful if you're worried.

Apparently though where I am that’s not the case they categorically are not doing them regardless of the fasting result that will be it. But then at the same they are shutting the midwife led services here so lots of people are complaining as there is literally no choice in where you go now

@Seraphim87 that's not best practice. My fasting results have always been fine but I do have GD. If you're concerned I'd push for home monitoring instead if they won't do a GTT because I don't think they're following NICE guidelines. If you want more info the Facebook group can help with what you'd need to say to push it with them.

See I was pretty sure this was the case. I used to work in a biochem lab and the whole point of the gtt over the fasting test is it can pick up other things. I think I’m just getting tired of the healthcare in my local area everything seems sub par. I have an unusual kidney condition which my consultant hadn’t heard of and they are just kinda winging and making odd choices - like finding my renal function was off today and they just said they didn’t know what to do ( p.s I do a medical job and I sometimes think it’s a negative as you know too much)

Hi all, I've just come across this thread. Can I join in? I'm due Dec 21st with a surprise second baby 😬. My son will just be 19 months when the baby is due

GD question!
Do you have sweet taste in the mouth when you have GD? I am waiting for my GTT appointment. I am currently 25+4 days and over the last few days I have this sweet taste in my mouth even if I have not eaten anything sweet. I have also urinate a bit more in the night but I know this may be my growing baby.

I had my gtt today at 25+5. I was starving by the end of it. They said they will only ring if it's positive and that no news is good news. I hope it's negative I have enough drama going on with this pregnancy already.

@Vg92 no experience of GD I'm afraid. The last thing I ate before I stopped eating in preparation for the gtt was a bag of sweets so I'm scared it might have been in my system still.

@Beachy10 congratulations and wlccc. I'm due 4th Dec, hope we have a smooth end to our pregnancies and a uneventful birth.

@MadamMaltesers you shouldn't need to worry about the sweets. If your body is processing sugar normally there's no problem with what you are the day before. If it's still in your system it will be because you're struggling to process sugar normally - ie you have GD. Much better to know.

@Vg92 not sure on the sweet taste. It's not something I've had myself. I'm also having to wee more in the night now but I don't think it's the GD as that's well controlled. Just growing baby I think. Pregnancy throws up all kinds of symptoms all the time. Some overlap with GD which is why the test is the only way to know what's going on.

Good luck all with the GTTs - hope you don't get the call. If you do, it's honestly manageable - second time with GD for me.

@lifechanginglemoncake oh ok that makes sense. Even if it's positive good to know that it's easily manageable.

@lifechanginglemoncake thank you for reassuring me, I definitely feel better 🤗

Hi all, can I ask, I'm 26 weeks and I've still no proper movements? Like I still get bubble feelings and the odd thump. Most people at this stage have constant kicks and can see from the outside. I went to triage last week and the midwife said she wasn't concerned as I shouldn't monitor until 28 weeks and he still has plenty of room. The first midwife couldn't even find his heartbeat, the second came in and found it right away it was so stressful.

Also, my friend is due two weeks after me said she has lots of movement, this is her second so not sure if that makes any difference. She also said I should monitor at 24 weeks (she is also a midwife funnily enough).

I don't have an anterior placenta although the sonographer said my placenta sits to the left so I'd feel more movement on the right.

I have managed my anxiety ok up until now but I'm starting to worry something is wrong or is going to go wrong. Everyone I go on social media I keep seeing horror stories. My mum had a stillborn baby and it always lives with me a bit fear.

Any other first time mums at this stage and what are you feeling?

@hopefulsunshine11 it's difficult not to worry isn't it?! Take comfort that they found the heartbeat last week and must have sounded good.
I am 24 weeks now with second baby (8 year gap) and I have so much movement I often feel sick with it but I read on a hosp poster some people won't notice until a bit later and it said you may feel from 24 but it wouldn't be in a pattern /established until around 28 weeks? My partner can only feel the really big thumps and I only see belly twitches if I'm sat really still for quite a while. Remember everyone is different but if you are worried or its causing you a bit of anxiety speak to your midwife or maternity unit for reassurance and support x

@JC84 Thank you. I know it's so hard not to worry, even though they tell you not to. Aww that's not good either, I just don't know what's "normal" I know we're all different but I don't even have a noticeable bump, when I'm dressed it looks more bump but I am plus size. The top part of my belly has grown and my OH notices the change. It was such a relief hearing his heartbeat I was so emotional.

As the majority of people say don't count h til 28 weeks and the midwife also said it's quantity or quality, so meaning as long as I feel something but I feel like I should be feeling him a lot more.

I'm so tempted to book a private scan!

@hopefulsunshine11 my midwife has always said that try and notice your movements from 24 weeks, but don't worry about a pattern till 28 weeks. Some babies will have a pattern straight away, this baby for me has had a pattern from about 21 weeks, but my previous two didn't really fall into a reliable pattern till about 27/28 weeks. So try not to panic or worry, I know that's easier said than done though!

@hopefulsunshine11 this is my 4th and I definitely can’t feel the kicks as easily as my last 3 and my placenta is also on the left, I can only feel bits on the right but even then I don’t feel much. I’m not quite as far along as you are but thought from 24 weeks I should be monitoring it as that’s viability 🤷‍♀️ I could be wrong though x

Hello all, I'm on the November babies thread but am due the last few days of November so am in that borderline area. I thought I might as well join this group too as I'm so far behind others in the group.

My baby's movements have becomes more pronounced since it turned transverse, before that they were light and very bubble like, tiny pitter patters. I'm not yet 27 weeks but now they're full on movements and I know it's because the baby has turned. So as long as you're feeling movement (especially try in the evenings when laying down), then I wouldn't worry too much. Baby's position as well as the placenta both play big parts. My first I felt much earlier and he already had a pattern. This one is all over the place. A bit of chocolate usually helps though

@hopefulsunshine11 I'm 23+2 but this is my second baby. At 26 weeks baby still has a lot of growing to do, still tons of room for them at this point. From 28 weeks you should feel more but my midwife at the time said some people don't have a real pattern as such, when I said I felt my daughter move regularly but it varied each day!

@greenerfingers was your first baby transverse at any point? My dd was transverse and I'm hoping that this baby is not as I'm considering a VBAC after having an emergency c-section first time.

@hopefulsunshine11, I was just talking to my cousin today and she barely felt her first during pregnancy. The second was a little more active. They are both VERY active now that they're out though!

On the topic of movements, last night I woke up to a feeling of what felt like clawing, way over on my right side. It was definitely baby since he moved a bunch again after. It was the freakiest thing to wake up to. Has this happened to anyone? I usually really don't mind all the movements, even at night, because it reassures me, but this one made me think I had an alien inside there! So, so weird.

@Chanel05 my first was transverse too but he eventually settled head down and then back to back.

I'd suggest getting a yoga ball and really utilising it toward the end as well as crawling on all 4s till the baby comes head down. I've done the crawling tip a couple times but baby moves back again as still so small. Once I hit 34 weeks I think I'll do it with a lot more rigour lol.