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

@Houseelf90 I've got mine on Monday 😊 looking forward to it as it feels like ages now since I last saw the midwife. But the weeks are flying by! Definitely feeling more relaxed at this point. How are you?

@Tinkerbell098 ahh exciting! My diabetes test is early July - I’m not looking forward to that one!!

@Astar21 its crazy that this appointment is 9 weeks after the last midwife appointment and then they go to every 3 weeks!! I think that will help it fly by as not long to wait between appointments! I’m feeling ok thank you, definitely more relaxed! Just hoping the kicks get more regular as there have been times where I’ve not felt any for ages!

I’m hoping we get to listen to the heartbeat again!

Does anyone have any tips for lower back pain? It’s right in my coccyx and definitely worse when I’m on an office chair all day. I was thinking of trying one of the donut cushions to hopefully relieve pressure.

Hey everyone, I’ve got my 25 week appointment tomorrow morning. I will be asking about the certificate then too. Is anyone having a baby shower? I seem to be doing things unconventionally- I’m having a pre- wet the baby’s head lol (just a mixed sex shower without the ‘typical’ games)
Also I’m going on a baby moon without my other half 😂 (he has other commitments away so I don’t feel bad)
Baby boy is kicking away so much now, it feels amazing each time!

Hi @Houseelf90 I have mine on Friday ,@Tinkerbell098 good luck tomorrow I hope you don’t have it 💕

Hope you are all well! 💗 my next midwife appt is 15th June, so I’ll be just over 25 weeks at the point. Good luck to all of you with upcoming appointments and tests 😘

Baby boy is active alot and it’s such a surreal feeling. My DP has felt him a few times and it’s honestly magical!! 💙

Feels amazing to be at this stage, feel so lucky and blessed xx

So exciting all the appointments coming up!! My other half felt baby kick for the first time last night 🥰 the kicks are still pretty irregular although I felt much more this morning when I got to work than I usually feel during the day. I’ve also got no idea where baby is laying/what position they’re in, which seems absolutely crazy as they’re around 29cm long now!! All the kicks are low down so wondering if they’re head up now, during my scan they were laying transverse but I have only ever felt kicks down low and central 🤷‍♀️

So lovely to hear everyone enjoying their baby’s kicks and their pregnancies. I have my next appointment on 15 June too like @kl1999 and will be just over 26 weeks. Baby is starting to get stronger so kicks are becoming more regular now, but @Houseelf90 it’s very normal for them to still be light and irregular around 23 weeks. Every body is different and position of baby, placenta, amount of fluid etc can all affect this. Re back pain, light daily exercise is meant to help, and maybe set a timer to get out of your chair every hour for a bit while working.

@Goneaboutthiswrong Haven’t planned anything yet but for our first child we had a little party with close friends to celebrate us becoming parents. No games and mixed gender, but it was super fun and there was lots of talk about babies and parenting among both men and women. Glad we did it. ☺️

@HopefulBee thank you! I have horses so I do exercise daily, and I try to go for a walk round the office regularly at work, although I could definitely get better at this. Interestingly the pain has worsened over the last couple of weeks when we’ve been really busy so I have probably been sat for longer periods without getting up and moving! I’ll make sure I stand up more often going forward and hope that helps!

Hi all! Little boy is moving around loads for me too now and hub was able to feel for the first time this week! I had my 24 week appointment a bit early, wasn't much to it - just checking blood pressure and wee and hearing heartbeat and first measure of bump. I'm still feeling really really good with no complaints really! And still actually barely look pregnant (def have a bigger tummy but it's definitely not a proper bump yet!) Hope everyone else is well x

Has anyone started thinking about, or have previous experience regarding a birth plan? My MIL and SIL have asked me a few times about it now and I just respond with a shrug and that I haven't thought about it yet. I'm normally someone who likes to be organised, very much in control and I have drummed it into my head from day one, that things may not go the way I want them to, and that's ok! As a FTM, I'm not sure if there's anything I should be thinking and noting down for when the time comes. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated 💙🌈

@kl1999 definitely you are right you could have a plan and it literally could change because anything could happen.

but I do think as we are approaching third trimester definitely have a plan it’s always good to have one than not. Speak to your midwife they will be able to assist you and you have to make a plan that suits you best! If you have a consultant that might even be better have a chat with them and they can give you a realistic idea of what you want on the day and guide you very well!

I have had mine since week 12 when I met with my consultant I know exactly what is going to happen and that has helped me organise myself properly in preparation for the baby.

@kl1999 I keep thinking about that too, haven’t made a plan yet but also keep changing my mind! I was adamant I didn’t want a water birth as I don’t think I’ll cope with the bodily fluids/blood in the water with me, but at the same time I love being in water and then suddenly yesterday started researching water births! I did also read that you can labour in the water but get out before the birth, but that obviously means no epidural - which until I started thinking about a water birth I was adamant I was going to have as I don’t cope well with pain!! So really my head is a mess and I am clueless about what I want 🤣 my other half thinks we have loads of time left so isn’t particularly helpful when I try to discuss it, but I like to be organised and have everything ready!

Hello all! I hope everyone is feeling well. It feels like the weeks are really flying by now. All the best to those of you with your 25 week midwife appointments. A bit disappointed that I don’t get an appointment to hear baby’s heartbeat since this isn’t my first pregnancy. I feel like I’ve hardly seen a midwife. Even at the 20 week scan I didn’t have a clinic appointment to check blood pressure or water sample. It was just scan and go. A bit odd. Feeling like they just leave you to get on with it this time around 🙈 Anyhoo. Hope you’re all getting on well. It feels like it’s starting to get more real now and I’m starting to feel the urge to climb up in the loft and sort through DD1s baby clothes 🥰 can’t remember what’s up there 😂

@kl1999
As far as a birth “plan” goes, my last one went right out the window during labour. But I definitely think it’s worth researching everything and feeling very well informed. This time I’d view it as a list of my preferences. Try to research make as many informed decisions/preferences before you’re in the heat of the moment and might not be able to process much. Things rarely go to plan but it really helps to feel like you know what’s going on. Most hospitals offer a free birth class, I know mine did before. Not sure if I will take it again, but my DH and I found it very useful last time. I’d look into how you feel about certain types of pain relief, last time I hired a TENS machine but I’m not sure if it made much difference so idk whether to hire one again. Also look into things like delayed cord clamping and the vitamin K shot once baby is born in case that’s something you want to do. Once you feel well informed, go over as much as you can with your partner so they can advocate for you.

I was in no fit state to talk during my previous labour. There were whole hours where I couldn’t even open my eyes they were clenched so tight. Only after I got an epidural the midwife said “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you open your eyes” 🙈 (I obviously don’t cope well with pain😅😂) so my DH really was a huge support speaking on my behalf and advocating for me.

Hi all, so nice to hear everyone's OK ♥ @Houseelf90 my 25 week appt is this week, right in week 25! Bit nervous about bump measuring if it comes up as I feel like mine is suddenly growing super fast so I'm panicky about GD etc, but all info is good right. Also going to get this flipping mat B1 form off the midwife as my job ad actually went out today, I need to get paid while I'm off 😂

@kl1999 birth plan was in my week 25 nhs email this week so I think now is a very normal time to start thinking about it! There's a template on the website somewhere which might help. A friend has sent me hers as she said seeing someone else's really helped her. I know what I'd like but prepared for it to all go out the window. We'll see! Most nervous thing for me is our hospital is 35-45 mins drive, all my friends have had theirs in hospitals more like 15-20 mins away, I'm scared of timing when to go in wrong and absolutely do not want to be told to go home and come back as that's a 70-90 min round trip! Bah. Looking forward to hearing baby's heartbeat again ♥ x

@Skw11 ahh mine is on Friday this week! I also feel like my bump is growing super quickly now!! I’ve weighed myself and I’ve put on about 13lbs, which I think is about right/slightly low for a “normal” BMI, but as my BMI is high I think I should have put a bit less on! But needs must when you have to eat every 2 hours to curb the nausea!!
Out hospital is a little closer, 25-30 mins, however, other half is absolutely useless at directions!! It’s a route we take semi regularly, maybe a couple of times a month but he’s hopeless!! So we’re either going to have to drive that route every night for a week or two for him to learn it or I’m going to have to give directions through contractions 🤣

@Houseelf90 defo agree weight gain can't be helped! And glad I'm not the only one with a fast growing bump at this stage, I swear week to week stuff doesn't fit. Ohh directing while contracting sounds like it could be a nightmare 😂 practice runs maybe sensible but can't imagine in the weeks running up to it you'll be in the mood for that!!

@Skw11 I feel like even my maternity tops are getting too small 🙈🙈 I can never find anything nice to wear to work, end up in jeans and a (men’s baggy) jumper most of the time, I really want to be able to look nice for work but I’m going to need an endless supply of nice clothes for that haha!
I think I’ll suggest some practice runs over summer, I don’t know how anyone can be so useless with directions but he has to do the same journey every day for a couple of weeks to learn it 🙈 I still have to give him directions to the local shopping centres and we’ve lived in this village for 2.5 years 🤦‍♀️

So nice to hear everyone doing well!
@kl1999 i def recommend a birth plan, also because it means you have to already think about some things like if you had a caesarean, would you want them to still give you skin on skin immediately, etc. there are lots of examples online. I found it useful as a way to prepare for the birth and it even helped be assertive during birth when I wanted things to not be rushed.

@Houseelf90 my DH and I also did practice runs last time! I think it helps on the big day. Maybe you can practice that he has to find the way without your help. 😉

@Skw11 I also feel like I suddenly got huge! Though no one else things so apparently. But I def feel there’s less room in my belly now.

@HopefulBee glad it’s not just us with the practice runs!! I definitely think it’ll help ease the stress a little!! It’ll probably all go out the window when we actually need to get to the hospital but at least we can try!

@Daisy155 @Houseelf90 @CaliGirl47 @Skw11 @HopefulBee
Thanks all for taking the time to respond and offer some advice on this! It is most appreciated 💙 I've spent a few days looking into certain bits and bobs (like skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, possible water birth) it's been very insightful and helpful. It also makes me a tad bit nervous. I'm very content with pregnancy and my bump at the moment and I feel really good in myself. Then it starts to dawn on me, hey - you know you have to give birth right?! 😂

@Skw11 @Houseelf90 How did your 25week appt go ladies? Mines on Thursday 💕

@kl1999 Yes it becomes more and more real doesn’t it? I don’t know if it helps, but just in case: I had a water birth, and I found it very helpful. I stayed in it the entire time. In NL they don’t do any pain relief unless you really beg for it or there is a medical need, so I did it without any pain relief and though the last phase is quite tough, it is absolutely doable. Of course you never know how things will go on the day but our bodies are amazing and you are more than capable ❤️.

@HopefulBee It really does! I am so excited for him to be here, but as a FTM I have no idea what to expect over the next few months. Luckily there is so much information online these days and forums like this one, that really educate and help me understand things a little better. Wow, our bodies really are incredible aren't they?! Thanks so much for this ❤

@kl1999 I am so excited for baby to be here but definitely worried about the giving birth part 🙈🙈 I almost want there to be a reason to need a c-section so the decision is made for me and I don’t have to think too much about what I want!! I’m terrible at making decisions at the best of times let alone something this big 😬

My 25 week appt went well thank you! Heard baby’s heartbeat again 🥰 didn’t really discuss much else, it was a different midwife covering the clinic so not my usual and I’m not sure if that’s why but it felt very vague! I thought that they started to measure bump at 25 weeks too but she didn’t do that so not sure if I was just expecting more or if there should have been more done!

@kl1999 glad yours went well, mine did too! No bump measuring, she said that starts at 28 weeks so not long to go. Can't believe how quickly trimester 2 is almost over. I'm hoping antenatal will help with birth plan choices but the midwife made me feel quite relaxed about not knowing much yet - she pretty much said you can talk to us about it anytime, maybe week 34 appt, write it down week 36. Feels like ages! Soon come around though. And @HopefulBee this is really helpful to hear, I'm definitely keen for water birth too ♥

Hope everyone's OK in this warm weather!

Had my 25wk appt today, all went well! Midwife did measure my bump, measured at 25cms, baby's heartbeat was perfect, bp was spot on 🥰❤

She did say my urine was showing some leucocytes, so it's being sent to the lab for testing. She thinks I may have a UTI, but I haven't had any discomfort, burning or pain when peeing. If the lab find something they think needs addressing, I should get a call, which may mean a course of antibiotics to treat. But the midwife didn't seem to concerned, so can only assume the levels weren't extremely high. More a better to be safe than sorry situation I think ??? She also mentioned I'll need bloods taking @ 28 weeks. Has anyone else got to do the same?