Due November 2023 Part 3

[vix_85]

@mldn @travellinglife

Anyone else super stressed about how they are going to pay the bills when on maternity leave?
I will be getting SMP as I will miss the mark of occupational by a week or two at most and won't even make enough to cover my half of the bills let alone carry on saving for mine and my DP wedding in May 24.
I am so happy to be pregnant and the baby is so wanted and loved however trying to juggle the finances isn't so fun!

@JD90 amen to that. Everything im buying will be second hand or free from neighbours. Things cost too much and on that note @TMI2000 yes paying for the bills while im off wont be fun but were saving and tightening the belt now and budgeting carefully. A wedding is a big cost. We didnt have a big do as wed just
bought a money pit of a house so prioritised that instead.

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 that’s not too long to wait then for your scan, hope it goes well.
I am still awaiting my 12 dating appointment date and so I think I’m going to go for another private scan next week, can’t handle the long waits!
@FfoxRedN o did read that as hormone levels fluctuate then so do the symptoms so hopefully just that, hope everything goes well for you x

Yes to finance stress!
With my last I was lucky to take 12months off, we had saved ahead of time. She's just 15months now so I am not long back. This time we're struggling to save as crèche costs are so high. Then the sooner I go back to work after the more crèche costs .. never ending cycle.

Is anyone else waiting on combined screening results? I'm on day 4. I know it can take a week but I was kind of hoping they'd come back before I go on holiday so I don't spend the holiday worrying. There was an issue with my first child's results so that's why I'm super nervous.

@MeganC104 yes me. Only taken today but sonographer and nurse both said within 3 days wed know if there was anything wrong as time is of the essence but that otherwise all being well wed just get a letter in the post. The fact its been 5 days i think is already reassuring xx

@MeganC104 sorry 4 days x

@Hopewishprayer they actually called me today and said the lady who takes the bloods is off that day and not going on the 5th so get to see baby next week now.

I am still waiting on date for NHS scan but only had booking appointment a week ago so will hopefully get it this week x

Hey, I’ve been given my first scan appointment for dating and I will be 13+5 which feels quite late - do you ladies know at the first scan is it literally just a scan or are there other tests that need to be done by a certain time frame?

@Hopewishprayer I think it depends on the area. In my area at the same appointment they do the blood tests for Downs etc and also they check the neck for that I think this needs to be done by 14 weeks but not 100%. In some areas I have heard they do the blood test separately.

On my first I was 13 weeks but they moved me back a few days as well I guess the issue would come if you are potentially measuring over 14 weeks at the time. Is there a number on the letter you could call to see if you could get an earlier appointment? X

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 thanks, yeah I’ll try find out if the scan appointment is also when the screening is done. Unfortunately I called them today and they don’t have anything any sooner 😕

@Hopewishprayer that is a good idea x

@TMI2000 yes we're in the same boat too. I think we would have coped better last year, but with the cost of living this year, it's definitely going to tight. As some of the girls have mentioned already, we're watching the pennies already and have a savings pot set up for baby stuff and we top it up just as and when we can. I had a peek at prams on the John Lewis website earlier and oh my word 😱 sooo expensive. Will definitely be using Vinted/eBay etc for second hand baby clothes.

@flowerlover1990 not sure if your friends have kids but I was one of the last in my group, 2 of our friends have us so many clothes and a lot of them were brand new or worn once so you may find people gift you things. After this baby I will deffo be having a clean out my attic is literally full of kids clothes haha x

Has anyone had any midwife/GP advice on having baths? I avoided it during conception and so far in this pregnancy but I really fancy a bath. I know hot tubs over 37 are not ok, bit baths can also get quite hot. Are people bathing or avoiding?

@vix_85 I had a bath the other night and did all the way through my last pregnancy. I've not heard that you can't x

So glad you’ve asked this as all I want is a bath @vix_85 but I’m not
good at having a warm bath! Already cancelled my gym membership as I was paying over the odds for the steam room/sauna which I used to use everyday but not anymore.. so joined a cheaper gym. But good lord. I’d love a nice long bath 😩

Baths are OK as long as the water is not hot. Had one just last weekend and i felt so light like a feather. I like to put epsom salts in mine. Also be mindful if you are fighting a uti, id keep taking a shower until it clears.

I'm avoiding baths till I start feeling a bit better. In last pregnancy I had them constantly after that, nearly every night esp as I started getting bigger.
I do tend to like a hot bath tho.. my DP used to come & test the water before I got in to make sure it wasn't too hot!
As long as you don't over heat / raise heart rate / sweat they are fine. I'd always have a glass of cold water up with me & get it refilled when needed.

Me & my never ending UTI will be in the shower for the foreseeable @NatGee

My 12 week appt tomorrow! Super nervous, even though I only had a scan a week ago today.

Thanks all for the feedback! Good to know there are those enjoying baths!

I have bloods tomorrow then an EPU reassurance scan as I've had some pain, so all being well I may have the bath this weekend 🤞🙏

@Tryingtoconceivenumber2 Yep I have lots of friends with children and I have 5 nephews so if we have a boy, we'll be loving life with hopefully lots of freebies 🤞🏻😅 Nice that you have a stash you can go back to!

@vix_85 my midwife told me to try and keep the bath water at around 37 degrees. I bought a little floating water thermometer from Amazon so I can keep an eye on the temp. As I tend to like my baths scalding 🙈 Will defo miss them!

Hi sorry to jump on , I was just reading and I've got a cyst in my right ovaries and my first scan it was 8cm at 5weeks and then second scan was 9cm at 6+6 and then my last scan was 7cm at 9 weeks . I am currently 9 weeks and the gynaecologist wasn't concerned and said to be scanned at 12 weeks scan and look at it . I ovulated from the same side and my cyst is keeping my baby alive I was told I get pain all the time and had a spot of blood but that's it . I'm hoping mine has strunk now . I'm more than happy to answer any questions and help you xx

@Mldn Good luck! tell us all about it, hope it goes well x