July 2023 (Thread 2)!

[RandomCatGenerator]

Creating a new thread as we’re about to finish the first - just as we finish our first trimesters!

I was just thinking the exact same! @RandomCatGenerator also stopping 2 weeks before (due date in my case). i’m getting really annoyed that people expect me to be working flat out when they know I have hyperemesis. Also looking at whether I can stop earlier now 😅

@habiller Same 😂 she's literally all over the place. I'm not too keen on the cervix kicks though, feels really uncomfortable. I felt like yesterday she may have had her back to my front, because I was feeling kicks but sort of... internally if that makes sense. Couldn't feel anything with my hand on my tummy like I usually can, was just mostly 'inside'.

@RandomCatGenerator I think 3 or 4 would be reasonable, I'm going around 3-4 weeks before. I don't mind my job though, but it's definitely worth hanging on in there as long as poss so you get more time off when baby is here.

@RandomCatGenerator I'm starting my maternity leave 3rd July (due the 16th) however taking two weeks holiday prior to this so would be finishing work on 16th June. I just have a nice easy office job but didn't want to leave too late. Personally I want to enjoy a couple of weeks (hopefully) preparing everything and just enjoying a last bit of time to myself

That’s it! My job is really intense at the moment and there’s an expectation I’ll just be working at 100% when I’m really struggling to sleep and struggling with pretty severe antenatal depression. I’ve told my boss that I am under supervision by the perinatal mental health team and have upped my medication but he doesn’t seem to get that that does impact what I can reasonably do. Had a cry at my (female) director on Thursday and she was excellent (and I think told off my boss today about heaping on the pressure although not sure that will help…)

if you have hyperemesis - stop now! Just stop! Sending much love, that must be so hard.

you Might be onto something!

Ladies...
My ribs. Oh my goodness.

So for the last few days I have on and off had the worst pain in my right hand side ribs, mid to under boob and occasionally it radiates to my back too.
I initially thought it was when baby was kicking or laying there, but now I am not sure because even when I feel him kicking much lower, the pain is still there. Sitting is unbearable at times and the only time it doesn't hurt is when I stand.
28 weeks today. What could this be? And what can I do to help?!

I just cannot get comfortable. It doesn't help that I do not have a comfortable bra either. I am using Primark crop tops, but they are getting too small and I don't know if that's not helping, but have no idea what size I am or what bras are even good to get now.

SOS. Please tell me someone else has experienced rib pain and you were able to relieve it a bit? 🤣

@RandomCatGenerator i’m so sorry your work aren’t supporting you to reduce your workload. Will keep my fingers crossed for you that your director has managed to make your boss see sense and start supporting you better! 💕

@AnxiousAnnie94 I’ve been having this a bit. Sitting for work is horrible I feel like I’m all bunched up. It’s probably from lower ribs starting to move out a bit to accommodate the bump. Haven’t got any advice on improving it I’m afraid but definitely talk to your midwife cause it’s no good you’re in pain from it!

@gg9320 I have an appointment on Thursday so will definitely mention it. I'm currently off work for the Easter holidays, when I go back next week, it's going to be very fun if I'm still in pain like this... Cant wait 😭🤣

Let us know what they say please! I've had the same pain a couple of times!

It does sound like your ribs expanding @AnxiousAnnie94 ☹️ And that sounds no fun at all.

Re: bras, I’ve switched to M&S’ maternity/nursing bras and they’re much comfier, plus M&S tend to have a pretty wide selection of sizes to try on. Though I’m going to have to buy new ones for the third time this tenancy soon, they’re starting to dig in again!

I will second that the M&S nursing/maternity bras are good! I switched to one a couple of weeks ago and wont be looking back 😂normal bras were digging in too much but these ones are so much comfier!

Has anyone's boobs not got bigger?? My nipples have got their own postcode but my breasts still feel soft and empty - I haven't had any pain the whole way through. I'm 27 weeks today and normally a D/DD cup - I've switched to nursing bras just for comfort but I don't notice any increase in breast size at all. Having a freak out as I would really like to breast feed!

@Leezo Mine didn't in my first pregnancy, but have slightly this time around.

@Leezo mine have gone up incrementally from a 34DD to a 34G - and they apparently get bigger just after birth when your milk comes in 😅 I’ve got an array of bras in different sizes now I could own my own shop

Mine are bloody massive. Last time they got even bigger after birth. I recommend loose tops / dresses just to avoid getting ogled!

I struggled to breastfeed and I did put it down to the fact they hadn't increased in size, even after birth. Pretty sure my milk supply was none existant, couldn't even express any. Bottle feeding this time, not worth the stress. It took away the enjoyment of those precious first couple of days bonding with baby

@habiller Size isn't everything; my copious-breasted mother-in-law recently shared that she was 'all show and no go' when it came to breastfeeding!

I've had to buy new bras twice already and a third time is on the horizon 🙄

I was the same - massive boobs, couldn’t breast feed at all. A friend who had her baby a few months after me who is on the very petite side, on the other hand, breast fed just fine. It can also vary pregnancy to pregnancy: one friend had a nightmare with her son but was determined to BF. Then her daughter came along a few years later and it was very straightforward.

My plan is to try this time but not get too hung up on it. It was so awful and stressful last time: I pumped for hours every day and felt really quite ‘triggered’ every time anyone spoke about it for over a year afterwards. This time, I will try but if it doesn’t work, I hope to be much more relaxed about that.

Ps “all show and no go” 🤣 @BackOfTheMum5net

Anyone else's bump feel crushingly heavy? So far I've gained 21lbs and feel like it's all in my uterus. My clothes feel the exact same on my legs/arms/chest, so not sure how much is fat gain, but my belly is so big now my bellybutton is almost flat, I'm worried it'll pop out lol I don't want anyone other than myself to see something like that.😭 Also how will my spine pull through the third trimester!? I'm still only 24 weeks!😱gonna be snapped in half before i deliver lol

@MountainLaurel7 Yep! 😂 24 weeks here also. My belly button is at the sticky out stage, but I think that's because it never returned to being an innie since my last pregnancy 😂

I have spent the past few days moving stuff in to our new house and getting organised. Have changed where my antenatal care is and I'm currently waiting to be seen. Hope everyone is keeping well!

Nope; it got so bad and stressful today that I feel like my brain just stopped working. My boss called me, I cried at him, I took the rest of the afternoon off and went to bed.

don’t know what to do tomorrow.

@rach971 I didn't even know it was a possibility it wouldn't go back if it popped out nooo🥲