Due September 2023 after miscarriage 🌈 (thread 2)

[CaliGirl47]

Hello all. Here is a fresh thread to fill up with lots of chitchat and milestones. So sorry if I’ve missed anyone out or got the EDD wrong. I tried to look back through but there were so many messages 😅 I’m sure I must’ve missed some people out. Many apologies, it wasn’t intentional. Sending hugs to all. 🥰🌈👶🏻🤰🏻

@luna57 September 2nd

@Tinkerbell098 September 9th

@elleh2023 September 13th

@Astar21 September 14th 💛

@Daisy155 September 15th

@RMS0209 September 17th

@Skw11 September 18th

@Hopefulbee September 19th 💗

@Pandalovee September 20th

@pinkpirlie September 22nd

@log51 September 23rd

@kl1999 September 23rd

Caligirl47 September 23rd

@Houseelf90 September 25th 💛

@Littleheart5 September 28th

@Bizzybee900 September 30th

@Passenger87

@00Bubbles00 💗

@poochielagrande

@KellyJean

@Goneaboutthiswrong

@log51 @Houseelf90 sorry to hear you're both suffering with pains 😣 it's the final stretch now! I'm just feeling much heavier and definitely can't walk anywhere at a fast pace 😅 But on the whole feeling okay.

@Houseelf90 I hope the scan goes well tomorrow! Let us know how you get on. I had a growth scan last week and everything looked good. They predicted baby is about 4lbs so far. I tried not to look too in detail at the screen incase the sex was obvious 😂

@ooohoobigsummerblowout first time mum here too, so it's all a guessing game isn't it!

@log51 and @Houseelf90 pains around this time are def quite normal but annoying of course. What helps me is sleeping with a pillow between my legs, using a mattress topper (if mattress is hard) and doing regular light exercise. Hope your scan goes well today @Houseelf90 ! Nice that you get to see baby. I have a scan to check baby’s position in two weeks and can’t wait.

@Astar21 how nice that you got to see little one and all looked good. Crazy to imagine we are carrying around 4lbs (not counting everything else other than baby)!

@ooohoobigsummerblowout Everyone is different of course but I found it quite tiring after 34/35 weeks and where I live we have to take mat leave from 36 weeks latest. Def appreciated the rest before baby comes.

Thank you @HopefulBee and @Astar21 the scan went well, placenta has moved out the way and baby is still on the 50th centile - been there since 20 weeks! Weighing 4lb8oz which sounds loads with nearly 8 weeks growing left to do 😂

@ooohoobigsummerblowout my first baby too and although my job is mainly work from home now I'm a lawyer so it's relatively high stress so, I'm finishing on 6 sept ahead of 23 sept due date. Not even really to have time to organise stuff (as I've done most of that!) Just more that I want to be fully mentally switched off and hopefully just have some time to myself to read and chill (if that doesn't sound too selfish!)

@ooohoobigsummerblowout same boat here, ftm pretending I'm confident I know when I'll finish work 😂 due date 18 Sept and planning to work until the 8th, I walk to work or work from home so no risk of going into labour on a commuter train or anything - might have finished earlier if there was. But I keep reminding people that I could be off and away earlier... I felt this was a good balance of trying to finish before baby arrives while not using too much of my mat leave up pre baby. We'll see! X

@Houseelf90 that's great news. I bet your relieved and what a good weight so far for baby! There's time for these babies to get even bigger 😂 my bump is definitely feeling bigger by the day now! Someone said to me today 'not long to go now I guess' so it must be looking big 😂

Has everyone made a start on packing their hospital bag?

Thank you @Astar21 @HopefulBee @Skw11 @log51 🤓💖
Feeling better now! I've got a bit to do with handover still so going to focus on that so I feel 'finished up' with work and can then take it from there. First antenatal class today and it went well, helped clarify some birth plan decisions.

@Astar21 I’m definitely feeling big and uncomfortable now!! I think babys hospital bag is pretty much done, a couple of bits still to go in (coming home outfit still needs to be washed as we hadn’t bought it when I did the first lot of washing). I have a few bits put together for me, but we are away next week so it will be packed properly once we get back - currently in a shopping bag as I’ll be using the same case as I’m taking away next week! I think I’ll also pack clothes last minute or at least nearer my due date as I’ll need to wear them still, so will just have to keep a set of clean clothes handy that gets rotated, probably until early September and then I’ll pack a couple of comfy outfits. I do have nightwear and toiletries packed in the shopping bag though!

@Houseelf90 Fantastic news about the scan and well done for having started your hospital bag already. I am planning to do it when I go on leave in 3 weeks but also still have all the baby clothes to wash and also pram, car seat etc. 😱 Was waiting for better weather to have them dry faster but this summer is awful weather wise.

@HopefulBee its awful isn’t it!! I was so looking forward to seeing all of baby’s clothes out on the line drying 😩 first lot I washed, dried on the airer inside and my mum has taken the rest to do! I might have to rewash a few bits if we ever get any sun 😂

How is everyone getting on? We’re getting very close to due dates now!
There have been quite a few babies already born on a September Facebook group I’m on!

@Houseelf90 Hope all is going well for you, currently at the hospital and my due date is no longer the 15th of September, baby is coming on Wednesday via C section at 36 weeks 5 days so almost 37 weeks.

I am really happy as I have been ready to give birth and see our little girl.

How are you getting on as well?

@Daisy155 oh wow!! That’s so exciting, I hope it all goes well for you! Keep us updated 💕
I’m mostly ok - feeling fat, uncomfortable and fed up, still have 5 weeks to go!! I’ve still got a UTI which I’ve now had for over 7 weeks - antibiotics aren’t helping (I’ve had 2 lots now and it’s actually got worse) so just waiting to see what they’re going to do about that!

@Houseelf90 oh wow, it's really starting to feel very real now! All good over here 😊 despite feeling heavy and needing a wee all the time!! Not quite ready for baby to arrive just yet, feel like there's still things I need to get done the next few weeks 😂 Been in full on nesting mode the past few days though. Sorry to hear the UTI is lingering. Hopefully the midwife/GP can advise what to do next?
Has anyone been for a pregnancy massage? I have one booked for early Sept, looking forward to it!

@Daisy155 oh how exciting, not long to go 🩷

Oh wow this is so exciting! Congratulations! 🎉🎈🎈 @Daisy155 I hope it all went beautifully and you and your baby girl are recovering nicely. 💞👶🏼🌈

Sorry to hear about the lingering UTI @Houseelf90 Hopefully you get some relief soon. I really relate to feeling big and uncomfortable. Getting out of bed seems more and more difficult each morning 😅 And I’m getting a bit fed up of random strangers saying “any day now” and then looking shocked when I say I’ve got 4/5 more weeks to go. 😩 I came home crying the other day after some thoughtless comments from some elderly family members. They didn’t mean any harm, but a few of them made thoughtless comments about my size and how I need to join a slimming club. 🙄😒😞Usually I just laugh it off but this time it got to me (blame it on the hormones) and I just came home and cried. I love my baby and I love my pregnant body, but I’m getting to the point where I’d rather have her in my arms now. I’m 36 weeks on Friday and really praying I don’t go overdue 🙏🏻 I feel like the last stretch is a mental marathon.

Has anyone tried raspberry leaf tea? 🫖 I’ve heard it’s supposed to help with shorter labour and softening of the cervix. Not sure if it’s worth the ££ I’ve ordered some colostrum syringes online so I think I’ll start trying to express some colostrum a bit closer to 37 weeks. I didn’t do that last time but I think it will prove useful if I can have a bit on hand for when baby is first born to help get feeding off to a good start. I’ve also hired a TENS machine which should arrive tomorrow so it’s all feeling very real now 😬

A pregnancy massage sounds lush 😍 What a great idea! @Astar21 So nice to have something to look forward to. A nice pamper at a time when our bodies have worked so hard. Very well deserved.

Thank you @Astar21 and @CaliGirl47 - I ended up back in triage this afternoon having had abdominal pain/tightening all morning and a tiny bit of spotting. They’ve done another urine sample…had the usual “any signs of an infection” I laughed and said yes it’s been going on for over 7 weeks now….thankfully I laughed and didn’t cry (had already cried in the waiting room) as I’m just so fed up with it now!! They’ve sent the sample off (again) as well as sending a swab off!! They’ve said the pain is either ligament pain or related to the UTI!
@CaliGirl47 thats awful 😔 what a horrible thing to say to a (heavily!) pregnant lady!! It’s incredible what our bodies do!! 💕
I’m going to order some raspberry leaf tea capsules, and start taking them when I get nearer 37 weeks. I’m also going to start eating lots of pineapple then too!
I’ve got a midwife appointment next Tuesday so waiting to see if she gives me any syringes for colostrum harvesting - have heard they do in some trusts! If not, I’ll order some on Amazon 😊

@CaliGirl47 sorry to hear about the thoughtless comments 💕 I'm feeling very irritable at the moment and practically any comments are grating on me. I had someone imply last week my bump wasn't big and asked if it's a very small baby 😂 you can't win!! We are doing an amazing job at growing our babies and that's all that matters 🌈

@Houseelf90 I'm not surprised your fed up with it now 😣 Hopefully you get some answers and the pains ease off soon. If you don't hear soon I would definitely chase them up about it.

I've read about the raspberry leaf tea but not tried it yet. I've bought some medjool dates though, as I've read eating a few a day in the last few weeks leading up to labour can help soften the cervix!
My midwife gave me some colostrum syringes and info last week, so now I'm at 37 weeks I'm going to give it a go this weekend, wish me luck!

Hi all, so nice to hear your updates! 36+3 here and had my first "bump is measuring small so we'll send you for a growth scan" experience today - felt horrible to hear that even though I've heard from lots of people it's usually fine and bump measurements can be inaccurate. Scan is hopefully tomorrow so not long to wait. I'm definitely feeling heavier and more tired by walking, we're pretty ready in terms of stuff here but I'd rather baby cooks a bit longer! Hoping all OK tomorrow xxx

@Astar21 I’m also thinking of booking a massage! Thinking this might be my last pregnancy so want to treat myself. I think I will do it end of next week. Hopefully I will
have ticked a few things off my nesting list then and can really relax!

@Houseelf90 how are you feeling now? Did you get any more results? This must be so frustrating. Really hope they find a way to help soon!

@CaliGirl47 People are so jnsenseitice abs they also comment no matter what. Today one person said “Wow you’ve really grown“! (No shit, I’m growing a human in there!) and two minutes later two other people said my belly was still so ‘contained’. I try to ignore it but I know it’s hard to do sometimes.

I drank raspberry leaf tea and ate dates with my first, so will do the same again. Started with one cup this week and will do 2 cups next week and 3 from 38 weeks onwards. I had an easy birth so am hoping this will helps again 😄. No colostrum harvesting here - I prefer to wait till baby is here and then hand express if more is needed.

@Skw11 I’m 36+2, almost the same! I measured small with my first and had a growth scan which was perfectly fine. They still predicted she would be a small baby - she turned out to be 3,5kg and they called her chunky at birth 😜. Hopefully your little one is also doing just fine in there. Measurements and scans this late can be inaccurate Indeed. Crossing my fingers for you that the scan is soon and will give you some peace!

@Skw11 good luck for your scan! Im sure it’ll all be fine but it’s so easy to worry isn’t it! My fundal height measurement had dropped at my appointment last week but because I’d had a scan between measurements she said it’s reset! To be honest my measurements have been all over the place but mainly on 50th centile so the drop is a bit of a worry! Have to wait till next week to see if it’s dropped any more and then I’ll be referred for a scan if it has.

@Astar21 and @HopefulBee thank you, I think it’ll be next week when I hear about results, I usually get a letter in the post although my midwife has changed and my new one did text me last time before I got the post through so hopefully she’ll be keeping an eye out for the results!
The pains have been much better today thank god!

Oh no sorry to hear about your pain and time in triage. 😔 @Houseelf90 it sounds like your new midwife is on the ball, so hopefully you hear some results from her soon. I was going to order the syringes off Amazon but the ones I was looking at were like £4.99 for a pack of 10 which seemed expensive so I went to the manufacturer’s website and they had an over stock box of 100 for £5 so I got that instead 😆 I’ll never get through them all 🤪 but it gives me plenty of chances to practice without feeling annoyed at wasting syringes. And I’ll just donate the rest to my midwife when I don’t need them any more. But it’s worth asking if they’ll give you some for free.

You’re so right @Astar21 any sort of comments on bump being too small or too big is hurtful. Our bodies are doing an amazing job. We’ve all come so far 🥲 Ooh medjool dates sound nice. Do you eat them everyday on their own or do like a smoothie thing? I might have to give that a try.

Sorry to hear about your measurement experience. @Skw11 As you say the fundal measurements can vary so much and be inaccurate. Hopefully all is well at the scan and it’ll be a nice chance to see baby again. 🤗 Feels like forever since my 20 week scan. Our Babies have grown so much since then. 😊

Thanks for the solidarity @HopefulBee Some days I can just shake it off, but I’ve been so emotional lately. I’ve been crying at loads of things this week. 😅 Brings back memories of PMS and AF 🤣 How many dates do you have each day? Do you mind me asking which brand of tea you use? I think I want to give it a go. I’d bought one from Holland and Barrett in my pregnancy with DD1 but then I saw it had hibiscus in it and that freaked me out so I stopped drinking it.

@CaliGirl47 oh dear, yes the hormones can really cause havoc. For me it’s heartburn and restless legs. 🙄

I eat 6 dates a day, that’s what my birth course teacher recommended but I also see some people say 3 is enough. Guess it depends on size too, mine are quite small. I eat them as a snack in between meals (yummy with some dark choc as well) but I’ve read you can make great smoothies - never tried though. For the tea, I ordered one off Amazon, Biojoy organic raspberry leaf tea. I think it doesn’t sell in the uk but if you go on the uk Amazon you should find other options that are 100% raspberry leaf. I think the brand doesn’t matter really a long as it’s pure. Oh and last time I ordered 200g and had soooo much left. This time I got the 100g bag and I’m sure I won’t make it through that one.

@CaliGirl47 yes I looked at the ones on Amazon but was also put off by £4.99 for 10 syringes! It’s a small amount in the grand scheme of things but all the little costs soon add up don’t they!! I’ll have a Google and see if I can get something more cost affective like you’ve found! I absolutely don’t mind buying things like that as long as the price is reasonable; means the midwife will have more stock to give those more in need!

@Houseelf90
Yes all of my little Amazon purchases are really adding up 🙈So I was determined to find them at a better price. I love a bargain. Haha. and it’s such fiddly work trying to get the colostrum out I don’t want to be stressing over wasting a few syringes. This is the website I used and my big box arrived yesterday

Colostrum syringes

I decided to give it a go last night and hardly got a drop. But I woke up at 2 am with these strong tightenings. Like Braxton hicks but stronger and with back ache. I’ve never had Braxton hicks lying down in the middle of the night. I was panicking that I’d sent myself into early labour because they kept coming one after the other but then they died off after an hour 😅 so I think I might hold off trying again for a little while. Not sure if it’s related but it really took me by surprise. I was partially panicked at first, and then partially disappointed when it didn’t turn into real labour.