Due January Part 2024 Part 6 🎉

[Bims2019]

Hi all, I couldn't see a new thread and the last one looks full so starting part 6. Hope that's ok! Have tagged as many people as I could, really sorry if I forget anyone.

@Mushroo
@Kalodin
@matildahoney
@buckingmad
@FirstT1meMum
@Vikki7
@Littlealien24
@sashastuck
@xLJ1990x
@suz2285
@TunnocksTCake
@Mummyme87
@Redpanda21
@luhou
@Rootshere
@Matildahoney
@flowerpot258
@Ttcdcno1
@Onedayatatime24
@PartRadish
@youaremysunshine03
@dannic2018

20 week scan went well! Baby was fast asleep, with head wedged down low. They tipped me upside down on the bed to try and get baby to move down 😂 didn't work but got the measurements in the end.

Although looks like baby is going to have short legs and a massive head judging by the measurements they took!?

Cerclage is booked in for tomorrow. Shitting it tbh.

I'm the same @WitcheryDivine Never really found a comfy way to sleep but never got myself one of the cushions, perhaps we should!

@WitcheryDivine I'm using pillows to prop myself up all over the place and I'm still constantly achy! It's really getting sore!!

Pleased scan went well @Kalodin

yes to feeling baby low and above belly and basically all over
does anyone’s belly go hard and feeling pressure ? I think it’s when she’s rotating into a certain position as I’ve got an anterior placenta. But then I get little nudges in what it feels my cervix or something as it’s so low! When it’s like that I struggle to walk without waddling!
My ds hasn’t had any bugs since he finished nursery in July. One week back and he is starting to cough, which then ends up with whooping cough and he isn’t the greatest sleeper to start with so I’m really looking forward to it now 😩 not!!

Money is definitely a worry all round, I’m still waiting for my payroll to let me know what maternity pay is going to look like, I only work 13 hours a week now as they changed my contract in July so I’m basically working to pay for my son to go to nursery so I can work? It’s depressing isn’t it 🥴

@WitcheryDivine I have a Mamas and Papas pregnancy pillow from Amazon, it is one of the U-shaped pillows. It's comfy but I find it hard not to roll onto my back whilst sleeping. I think I'm going to have to wedge myself on my side somehow.

Glad the scan went well and they managed to get all the measurements @Kalodin

I think you're making the right decision going for a preventative cerclage now. Mines a 'rescue' stitch and cooking a basic meal is about as much as I'm advised to do now. I'm really not enjoying the forced inactivity and I know you're a gym lover so I think you'd really hate it too. You should hopefully be able to carry as normal once it's in. I would advise a loooooong bath tonight though just incase. Some Consultants are okay with baths with a stitch in, some aren't, mine isn't 😭 Ridiculously minor in the grand scheme of things but man I really miss baths!

Hope it all goes well x

@sashastuck I was reading into moving through pay scales as I was debating putting in for my UPS (decided against it as it seemed too much hard work ATM!!) So I was looking jnto it with my union and they can't refuse a movement through the pay scale because you are pregnant or going on maternity, definitely something to look into with your union!

@Dannic2018 yes to my tummy going hard! I think it's got to be to do with how she is lying or flipping over as sometimes it can be really hard on one side then cab go back soft!!

For those having pain: I've had back and front pain since 13 weeks 😫midwife suggested I saw the physio and I was able to self-refer through the GPs receptionist. Physio did a full assessment and gave me a load of exercises and a recommendation for a belt which has made a massive difference. I'm still a bit uncomfortable, and have to be careful not to overdo walking up and down the hills here but it's nothing like as bad as it was, and I'm double the size I was then! There's lots they can do so I really recommend physio appointment if you can get it.

I'm also happy sleeping on my back, the latest research seems to suggest it's not an issue at all, and that it's actually really unkind to warn pregnant women about it given there's so little evidence of any risk parentdata.org/expecting-better-updates-pregnancy-sleep-position/ or https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31503146/ So I'm just trying to sleep however I can!

Thank you all so much for the advice re pay scales - I’ve been bummed out about it today. A couple of friends at work said contact the union right away, so hopefully I’ll have a good experience @FirstT1meMum thank you!! It definitely would feel like discrimination. I think our pay rises are discretionary but nobody ever gets turned down if that makes sense. You should move up once a year until you get to the upper band (to my knowledge). Thanks again x

@Dannic2018 yes I get that hard belly with pressure as well, I figured it’s him moving. I could feel his head sticking out of my side this week, it went rock hard and felt like a round ball!
Glad your scan went well @Kalodin x

I’ve actually stopped using my pregnancy pillow and have given it to DP for his back pain 😂 I do find myself on my back for comfort sometimes but have got used to falling asleep on my side now. Lower back pain is starting to set in after sitting though x

@sashastuck You're right, it should be based on performance managements but I've always known people to pass through the main pay scale with no issues, it's when you hit M6 then the next stage is UPS1 and then you need like mammoth loads of evidence (in my case anyway) which if I had the time or energy I would collect but it can wait until I'm back 🤣

@Barblarble this is so interesting (and reassuring!) I do make a conscious effort to sleep on my side but I do sometimes wake up on my back and panic so it's nice to know I possibly don't need to worry as much as I do!

@Kalodin glad your scan went well and good luck for the stitch appointment.
@Dannic2018 when i walk my lower belly goes hard and i feel pressure.

On sleeping i have a pillow between my knees and end of it under my belly. It is quite comfortable.
But what to do when you just can't sleep. I sleep for few hours and then suddenly wake up and can't get back to sleep. Takes me hour or more to get back to sleep and then it's all over again.

@WitcheryDivine I havent actually started using my pregnancy pillow, just a small cushion between my knees is enough at the moment

I've been super uncomfortable sleeping as well, tried a pregnancy pillow but actually too big for me hurts my hips even more so I'm just using a normal pillow between my legs which helps a bit.

Is everyone trying to sleep on left? Midwife told me to try sleep on left side but sometimes I wake up on my right side and then feel bad for baby 😬

Also have you all been doing pelvic floor exercises? I genuinely forgot until recently and trying to use the Squeeze Time app to remind myself 😅

I do them whenever I'm making a round of drinks at work @EL27 , I've found that I now do it automatically when I start putting the tea bags in, so no need to remember now it's a habit

Thank you for that advice @PartRadish , currently soaking in the bath (I love baths!). DH made it proper cute when I told him you said it may be my last until next year.

Just catching up but I feel you on not getting comfortable at all anymore! I fall asleep on my side but always wake up on my back 😬

@EL27 I've always slept in my right side so have just stuck to that! I did hear left side is meant to be better but also that any side is fine. 🤷‍♀️ god knows, I'm just trying to get any sleep I can at the minute.

@Kalodin pleased your scan went well.

Ugh god feeling shit this morning still. Anybody else morning sickness come back?

@Luhou yes I've had waves of nausea the last few weeks, google seems to suggest nothing but I've certainly heard of a few people having return of random nausea though out...

@EL27 I usually fall sleep on my left but I change to right and back to left through the night, both are ok though! I'm uncomfy sleeping too, my hips and back and neck! I've got all the pillows. But it's still uncomfy!

@Dannic2018 could also be Braxton hicks I get it on and off too, just a hard feeling for a few seconds (30 or so) then goes away... but I also feel pressure I think when baby is pushing or turning so yeah, I also sometimes feel heavy and pressure when walking but sometimes it's ok! I've got so many questions about nursery I'm so confused by it all and what's covered and how much it's actually going to cost, I also hate the thought of working and paying them to look after my child... it's really not ideal

Good luck today @Kalodin

I've tried so hard to train myself to sleep on my side but still constantly wake up on my back throughout the night!

Has anyone else gained around 10 kg already with pregnancy? Looking online I may have put on more than I should have

@xLJ1990x I have definitely put on more than I should have, can't bring myself to weigh though 🙈

Thank you @PartRadish Already had it, was first on the list! All went well but not gonna lie, in a lot of pain with this post op cramping.

glad it’s all done @Kalodin and hopefully will do it’s job and keep baby tight up in there

I feel a bit rubbish today. Headachey.
have tried doing some of the hypnobirthing course online today but can’t get my head in the game.

@xLJ1990x I stopped weighing myself as I just felt depressed about it tbh.

@Mummyme87 I've had a constant headache for weeks, my neck and shoulders are tight but I've just ordered a bp machine just to keep an eye on that though I'm sure it's just hormones/tension! Everything on google says preeclampsia for any headache! 🙈🙈

@Kalodin Glad it's all done. Ah yeah I kind of forgot about the cramping. It didn't last too long for me thankfully, was much better by the next day, hopefully it'll settle down quickly for you too.

@xLJ1990x I've put on almost a stone and I measured myself and have gained 10 inches extra around the middle 😩