So sick of being pregnant...whingers welcome!

[MooseBreath]

I am 31 weeks pregnant with DS2, due end of October. While the pregnancy has no complications (I'm lucky, I know), I had a rough first trimester and now the third trimester has gifted me with sciatica.

All I want to do is lay on the sofa and sleep. I can't though, because DS1 is 27 months and really pushing boundaries. I've got him watching way too much TV, but it's the only way to get through the past couple of weeks.

I hate being pregnant. I want to skip ahead to when DS2 is finally here, when I won't be quite so enormous, when hopefully the sciatica will subside, and when I will be able to properly parent DS1 again (and have cuddles with DS2).

Anyone with me?

Omeprazole has been much better than gaviscon for me (although sometimes I've needed both) if you're not on it already?

The pregnancy insomnia has hit, every time I actually get somewhere near to nodding off, my toddler wakes up crying. I'm absolutley shattered. My boy is currently doing settling in days at a new nursery and they arent going great so far which is really bothering me as he loved his old nursery but it's too far from our new house for us to keep him there, it seems to be having a knock on effect on everything and he is super clingy with me at the moment.

I've been thinking about potty training him as he has been telling us when he has a wet nappy recently but he isnt a great walker so think it would be a lot of hard work right now - though I'm not sure why I'm thinking it will be easier with a newborn. I also feel like I'm the size of a cow right now and just constantly full of air but hungry, and just tired and miserable

Lightening crotch has started , and not even in third trimester. Gosh the weeks need to speed up but at the same time I have sooo much to do!!

I am eternally hungry these days! I know it's only supposed to be an extra 200 calories per day, but that feels so unrealistic. I swear, I could eat double and still want more.

@greenerfingers What is lightning crotch?!

It's when you feel like you've had lightening strike your crotch . Usually happens at the end of the 3rd trimester when baby headbutts the cervix or kicks it really hard and sharp. I had it much later my last pregnancy but this one I randomly started getting it yesterday. Might be overworking misled.

@MooseBreath i know that feeling. I’m honestly never away from the fridge 😂. Oh lightning crotch is the worst. It’s like a shooting pain right up your bits but inside. Not pleasant at all

@MooMooseBreath same here! I spent the whole of yesterday obsessed with having a sausage sandwich. Just finished it, and it hasn't even touched the sides 😅

I think it might be tiredness compensation as I'm also craving fruit. Livid I didn't pick up any watermelon.

I have been craving so much fruit, it's ridiculous! Also, carbs. All the carbs.

Just to hop on this thread and say I have a newborn and a 2.5 year old and it is WAY easier having a newborn and a toddler than it was being pregnant with a toddler

wishing you all lots of luck for the remainder of your pregancy, it gets much easier when you’re back in control of your own body

@ShirleyPhallus ahhh music to my ears!!! I really hope that's the case for me. My toddler has always been a handful but my God, it's been so hard and TIRING whilst being pregnant. I could literally close my eyes at any given moment and just doze off for a few hours. The fatigue is never ending...I can't wait to have my energy back!

I'm only 10 weeks with a 1 year old but I am so sick of feeling sick. I was only ever nauseous with DS but I've already been sick multiple times this pregnancy. DS is just walking and trying to climb everywhere and I just want to lay down on the sofa!

I'm craving crisps, chips and anything potato related at the moment. We don't have much in snackswise, I've just done the grocery shop for delivery on Tuesday and I think I've just ordered to satisfy my cravings 🙈
Anyone else started getting wierd stitch like pains around their bump? I've been getting it a lot, especially when I'm in bed.

34 weeks now, I HAVE to pack my hospital bag tomorrow!!

Can someone make me feel better? Have had sickness for the past 10 weeks, and now just found out I've had a UTI for the past couple (high fever but I thought it was a cold). My 3 year old has spent all day telling me he hates mummy, probably because he's barely seen me for two months, and has been otherwise shunted between nursery, grandparents and with his dad while I vom. Feeling sad and failing and like this pregnancy was a mistake. I miss my little boy 😭

It's really tough, tractor, but it won't be forever and I also hold onto the fact that they're unlikely to remember any of it. Plus he's benefitting from time with his dad and grandparents which is lovely. Totally recognise and have felt that guilt.

I'm 38 weeks and haven't got round to a hospital bag yet. I did finally sort out all the clothes from last time yesterday though!

How far along are you @Thetractorjustmoved? Are you on the hyperemesis board? There are a lot of women in similar situations and often discuss different medications options that might help.

Hopefully your sickness eases up even if it doesn't disappear entirely, and you can spend some more time with your little one. How about him just laying with you and watching a movie?

Thanks, I'm already on meds to varying degree of success...!

Think I'm just so sick of feeling so damn ill all the time now. It grinds you down.
Thanks for your suggestions though. Hopefully my ds will never remember any of this rubbish time

@ShirleyPhallus Thank your for the reassurance. I am definitely feeling quite concerned about how one earth to cope with two. But I also remember how much lighter, freer, more manoeuvrable etc I felt after DD was born. Do you have any tips?

Is anyone making any plans around how to help their older children cope with the transition?

Also, I am only 32 weeks (I think!) but have nothing prepped yet. Is that just me? I have bought a couple of items of baby clothes but nowhere near thinking about hospital bags etc.

@Keha I'm not far behind you and I've done zero prep! Only started thinking to make a list of stuff I need to buy this week. Luckily the list is fairly short as it's another girl so minimal clothes shopping :) I started getting terrible heartburn this week which happened a LOT later on for me last time around- that's what's suddenly given me a kick up the backside haha- I think this baby might come earlier than expected. I've just started decluttering the flat and trying to make some more space etc.

You're right about being able to manoeuvre etc after baby is out- I'm excited! And the heavenly feeling of lying on my stomach...aaahhhh!

You’ll honestly be fine

my tips would be:

• get toddler used to not being picked up now, I found it really difficult to pick her up to go up the stairs etc but much easier to teach her to be a big girl and do the stairs on her own before I physically couldn’t carry her
• get DH to do bedtimes if they don’t before, and if they’re not in a big bed then get DH lifting the toddler in to their cot
• accept that you’ll be knackered and that they’re watching more cartoons than usual - that’s ok!
• specific time spent with them that’s theirs / yours that you can carry on when they’re born and more energetic time with dad
• get them really involved in helping with the baby but respect if they don’t want to, make sure they have time set aside with you when the baby is with dad
• Make sure they feel like the baby has to wait as much as they do for your time - sometimes I’ll pretend to ask the baby to hold on while I give toddler my attention but hearing “hang on baby, toddler needs me…” is good so they don’t always feel like they’re waiting around for you to look after the baby

that’s everything but it really will be ok, it’s true that second ones slot in a bit more to family life

Those are such helpful tips @ShirleyPhallus thank you!

Have just come on here again for another whinge. Am now 36+1. My maternity care has been shocking the whole way through pregnancy (as it was first pregnancy in 2020 but I blamed that on covid, clearly it's not and it's just a broken system). Have seen my assigned MW twice, she's often off or clinics are changed/cancelled. Yesterday turned up to appointment to be told it had changed location as she was off again. No one had informed me of change and I had my toddler in tow so couldn't get to other place quick enough. Missed the appointment, tried to rebook for 38 weeks, no availability. None with her, none with any other MW.

See them when the baby is born then I guess!

Had my "consultant" call this week to book cesarean. Was a junior doctor, didn't know the answer to any questions and just kept barking on about how it was a "follow up" and not about cesarean. Asking me if I'm taking multi vitamins etc. Ummmm... yes.... as I have been all pregnancy. What a waste of a call! No clearer on if I am on the list for cesarean or not - he was useless.

Great midwife for my 36 week growth scan this week who was just lovely & reassuring. Am now confused more than ever about whether I should try VBAC or not, and basically no one to talk to. Pretty convinced I'll go into labour before 39 weeks (when I should have alleged ELCS date).

@mightbeyesmightbeno Whoa that sounds completely ridiculous. Maternity care in some areas is absolutely abysmal, and it certainly sounds like you're on the receiving end. Could you complain to PALS even though you haven't been admitted yet? I'm not sure how it works.

Fingers crossed they book a cesarean for you. Such a worry!

You can complain to PALs about poor care even if you haven't been admitted and I would most definitely do it.
Mine was awful with my first which I also put down to Covid as I found out I was pregnant the weekend we went in to lockdown so everything was chaotic. I found things were following suit in this pregnancy but we moved when I was 5 months pregnant and the MW services in my new area are fantastic in comparison. Had I stayed at my old address I most certainly would have complained, there is no excuse for moving/changing/cancelling appointments and not letting patients know, I would get crucified for that at work and rightly so as it's totally unprofessional - and no ones health is at risk in my job!

Hi all,

I finally need to join you! I’m 29+3 and naively thought because I had a fairly ‘easy’ first and half of second trimester that I was out of the woods. Well, how wrong was I. I’m so grateful to be pregnant (it’s my 1st!) but my god is hard physically AND mentally.

currently suffering with high blood pressure, low iron, sciatica, usual aches and pains and crippling anxiety/mood swings.

Hopefully only another 7/8 weeks of this!

Welcome @PinkFizz1! Here's hoping you only need to make it to 38 weeks. I think we're all in that boat!