Due February 2024 Thread 5!! 🤰🩷💙

[MummyTo4BoysXXXX]

last thread is nearly full so thought I would make a new one for us all 😊

We’ve had sex literally 3 times this whole pregnancy and always instigated by me as OH is totally freaked out about it 🤣
there’s a part of me that’s really missing the connection so wants to but I can’t really be bothered … plus I felt quite odd sensations afterwards once, almost like mild contractions so it freaked me out a bit 🫣
I think we’re probably leaving it now… OG assures me he’s doing fine and happy to go without 🤣🤣

It is soooo relieving to hear I'm not the only one barely having sex! We haven't in ages - partly because I'm just so exhausted and in bed by 9pm everyday and partly because DH finds it a bit weird! Also found it sooo difficult to find a position that's comfortable for both of us :(
Bit of a shame really but it's really not on my priority list!

I'm glad we're all in a similar boat.

I remember doing it in the first tri and I was so uncomfortable and if anything it just felt painful.
We last did it once in the 2nd tri and that was ok, no pain.

But I agree with you all in regards to the third tri and the heavy feeling down there, baby moving more and generally just not feeling it.

And I know baby likes to go head down position and I know you can't actually poke him but I think that puts me off more so 😄

Thank you. Called triage and they said to take paracetamol, drink water and see if it improves. Back ache has eased but still getting Braxton hicks/ tightening every 30-40 mins. They didn’t seem worried though so I’ll just keep an eye on it for now.

We haven't DTD at all since the day I conceived, we were too scared at first because of the MMC we experienced last year and then I had bleeds up until 15 weeks. I think we're a bit traumatised but I think we're both fine with waiting and rekindling things later down the line. I feel like I'd end up kicking him off because of hip discomfort or something anyway.

Phew! This has made me feel better. I was thinking something was wrong with us.

We are affectionate in other ways, cuddling , kissing and being quite sweet to each other in general (more than our norm!) so I am fine with how it is but kept thinking , is this an issue? Haha

@Cheetocat same here, think it’s been twice this whole time. We lost at just under 24 weeks last year and my husband is just scared it’ll cause something bad to happen, which I totally understand. Just needed telling that it’s not because I’m all gross now 😅🙈

When does birth plans start to be discussed?
I'm under a consultant so I next see her in 2 weeks at 32 so unsure whether it'll start to be discussed then.

The only thing I got told when I last seen her at 20 odd weeks (baby brain) was that cos of my bmi risk factor I may end up needing a C-section or forceps.

If anything I'd rather have a planned C-section than an emergency 1 but I don't really want to say I'll have 1 cos I'd love to see if I could do it naturally but then I also don't want forceps etc.

I feel at such a crossroads at what's best to do now it's getting all that bit closer🙈

Very little sex over here also, and very glad to hear we aren't the only ones! Felt so ill first trimester I really wasn't in the mood. 2nd, every spare moment was spent renovating, working, looking after toddler and pup. And now third trimester I really can't be arsed. Don't care if he finds me gross either at this point 🤣

Also yep not planning on ironing any clothes. Don't iron for myself! Will wash everything after Christmas so it's fresh and clean, but beyond that, definitely not!

Oh on the breastfeeding, I found it useful to look at videos on YouTube before. I was expecting it to hurt, bought nipple balm etc, but never had to use it. If the latch is right it shouldn't be painful. @Kelb79 I have teeny nipples too but it wasn't an issue - you kind of shove the whole nipple area in the mouth like a burger so they aren't just hanging off the nipples 😅

@CheeseAndCrackersx I think the birth plan might differ from trust to trust, but I was consultant led last pregnancy and they didn't start to discuss it until 36 weeks. Seemed a little late as I was due to be induced at 38 weeks, but 🤷‍♀️

@Kelb79 my nhs badgernotes app had a leaflet about breastfeeding a couple of weeks ago. It said pretty much it's called breastfeeding for a reason, it's not meant to be nipple feeding 😂basically baby apparently should be getting a chunk of breast in their mouth, not just nipple. If they are just getting nipple it's going to hurt you so it shouldn't matter if yours are smaller. I will caveat this with I'm a FTM so have no actual experience of breastfeeding.

@CheeseAndCrackersx I had my 31 week midwife appointment this week and she briefly asked if I had started thinking about it.

Looking at my file it looks like it is discussed at the next appointment at 34 weeks

Is anyone else really struggling to find black pjs and nighties suitable for the hospital?

Trying to find nightwear this time of year in stock is hard enough but it seems all the black coloured are just snapped up straight away

@Havanalily1806 I got some gorgeous ones from Boohoo and Primark!

I just learned that soon enough I'll be swabbed for Strep B and the GP nurse told me they just use a big cotton bud on your perineum but I just googled it and the diagrams are showing insertion. Of course I'll get it done but I feel very uncomfortable about it.

Are all pregnant women tested for strep b?

@Cheetocat When GBS was picked up for me in my second pregnancy it came from a thrush test which was a cotton bud inserted (not that deep). Absolutely painless xx

I think so, you need to take antibiotics before birth so baby doesn't get ill if you have it.

Thanks for the info, glad they caught it. I'm not so much worried about pain, it's just something that's out of my comfort zone. I'll do anything for baby though. 😊

It depends on the hospital. My hospital didn’t, but they’ve literally just started a trial to screen women. You have to pay for it though I think, unless invited perhaps.

Just to add - I would definitely get tested, even if I had to pay, if I wasn’t having a section. The test is quick and simple, the impact of having strep B however can be awful for the baby. I caught it when I was born and caused horrific eye infection.

Any tips on surviving with a cold from those who have recently had one?

I do think testing should be standard for GBS, it's such a shame. You could always ask to be tested for thrush and it would show on there (well that's what happened with me anyway). I wouldn't have known otherwise!

If you have it in one pregnancy, you will more than likely have it again but they will test through the NHS for you. It can come and go xx

Had the whooping cough vaccine yesterday and the area is quite sore and itchy, the muscle in that arm aches and now I've got a bit of an upset stomach. I was much worse with the covid shots though. Hopefully it passes as the day goes on.

@MrsW9 this medicine is safe when pregnant. Honey & lemon drinks and soothers or jakemans throat sweets. I get the black ones for throat and chest if feeling really rotten/chesty cough too.
& I think a nasal spray can be used, but I haven't yet.

I've been on & off feeling full of cold for weeks now.