Due July 24 - Part 2

[MixedCouple]

Started a new thread as the last one is full.
Got my apt letter today for my scan in Jan will be the 11th should be 12w 3D.

@Oatmilk - it is tough but what else cam we do. Have no other choixe but to suffer and keep going. I reflect very very often in the ease of my last pregnancy. Naps when I wanted. Sleep in when I wanted. Just really self centered 😂 now I am lucky to put my feet up for 10mins.

I just think loooooads of women have done, are doing it. And I need to suck it up.
My Nausea is easing up a little the last couple days. So hopefully it goes soon.

Hi July Mumma's

How you all doing?

18+2 today and have started feeling movement, like bubbles popping such an amazing but surreal feeling!

Scan next week, I don't want to find out the sex but my partner does... anyone else having this debate any suggestions other than rock scissors paper to make a decision?

@LStar1 unhelpful story incoming lol:

Last time I didn't want to find out but DH did - so we compromised on finding out but not telling anyone else.

My reason for not finding out though is not wanting to receive gendered things from others, not because I was dead set on a surprise (it's a surprise at any time isn't it, whether 12, 20 or 40 weeks).

And my plan failed, because we were just sent a bunch of gendered stuff after the birth instead 🤣

Now I'm over it and just grateful for the cards and gifts 🤷‍♀️ Their heart is in the right place isn't it.

@User491 im glad both bubbas and you are well🫶🏻
we couldn’t be twinning more even if we wanted to i think😂😂
had an internal scan with my consultant today as well for cervical length witch is quite good 32mm and im so relieved!
my low lying placenta on internal scan actually showed that is slightly overlapping cervix which is not great but i still hope for the best and to move by 20w🤞🤞

how’s your spotting? Mine became really watery since last night and went into overdrive that my amniotic fluid is leaking😅 but all good

that constant worry will kill me one day I swear🤣

@CB2805 thank you 🥰 so happy!

Honestly I was actually thinking how crazy is this after they told me 🙈😂

That's great about your cervical length, is that checked due to your history or surgeries etc?

Ahh mine is the same 🙈 it's overlapping, but they reassured me that usually it will move up, and they only checked it at the particular scan due to the bleed, so to try not to worry.
On my notes it just says placenta covering internal os - so I'm not sure how much was covering.. really hope it moves for both of us 🤞🏻
Bless you still having the spotting, hopefully that means it's easing off for you now 🤞🏻 mine stopped after Monday lunchtime, but now I'm checking every time I go to the toilet.. which is like 4000 times a day 😂😂

I thought the worry would start when they were actually here, not before they were even conceived, and the whole pregnancy 🤯🙃

@Morningcoffeeaddict
I'm better now, the pain has subsided. I'm sorry to hear, sounds really uncomfortable, really hard if you can't walk with ease. I've been doing hip rotations, my doctor has asked me not to do any kind of yoga/exercise because of my short cervix. I'm hoping her stance changes later on because I'll need to get moving. But I'm glad it works for you and provides relief!
I'm so happy you're on the safe side with the pre eclampsia. Terrible business. :/ There were traces of protein in my urine as well, but she said I had a UTI and had to drink more water.

@missmoosh
Hope you're doing well!
I think it is pelvic pain related to growth yes! I'll look into the pregnancy support belt, thank you! I barely have a bump, I thought it had popped but it's gone back down again. I wonder whether the pains start as early as 15 weeks.

@pleasehelp5
I was hoping it would be that and nothing serious, luckily the pain has gone away. Sorry to hear you're going through the same thing.. are you doing anything to relieve the pain?

@ceruleansky - glad the pain has subsided! Definitely ask the doctor but makes sense in your circumstances they’ve said that.
midwife did say that extra discharge can also make it show as trace urine so on its own I don’t think they worry - my history makes everyone paranoid. I’m meeting the consultant on Thursday for her plan of action so that’ll be interesting.

If anyone is a podcast fan I’d recommend “Is it normal? The pregnancy podcast” it’s with Jessie Ware during one of her pregnancies and she interviews midwives / obgyns and other specialists every two weeks about things relevant to pregnancy at that stage and it’s quite interesting. This week for me (16-18) they talked sciatica / PGP and preeclampsia so very relevant to our chat at the moment!

@Morningcoffeeaddict
Yes I did get an alert on the flo app that I can expect increased discharge from this week but so far I haven't noticed it. Yesterday I had a major upgrade to do at my work, and worked until 11pm. I wasn't too tired Yesterday but today, I'm so tired. I have a severe migraine and cannot even raise my arms half way. It's always something every day. I just want to feel normal. When do people start feeling better in the 4th trimester? I'm tired of feeling sick. I'd like to step out of my house at least for lunch or dinner. I miss spending time with my husband. I hate being a complain box.

The podcast sounds really relevant. And I think it's good info for people who are just looking for info/ knowledge on the topic. Sorry if you've mentioned it before but do you know where the pre eclampsia risk came from? Is it something to do with hormones or your physical/body itself?

@Morningcoffeeaddict Thanks for that recommendation - I'll give that podcast a go. I also had pre-eclampsia last time (2021!) so at risk this time too. Have been on aspirin since 12 weeks. Have my 20 week scan next week (omg how fast has that come around?!) where they'll check the blood flow to the placenta as that was the trigger last time for me. Bp has been ok so far.
Hope your meeting goes ok on Thursday - will be interested to know what plan of action they've got for you. I'm also under consultant care this time round. I'll see her after my scan next week!

The things we go through for our kids eh? 😂

@chilliflakesmum - hello fellow preeclampsia mum! Also on the aspirin from as soon as I found out here (my GP asked for advice from obstetrics as soon as I told them I was trying again) and at my birth debrief from DS I was told I’d get extra scans to check on the placenta - I’ve insisted on the same consultant so I imagine that will happen still? Will let you know what she says tomorrow.

@ceruleansky i don’t think I have mentioned, as chilli says it’s to do with the placenta - they’re not sure but think maybe the arteries are too thin when it’s constructed? My risk factors were/are my mum had it and a thyroid condition that’s managed this time but was undiagnosed in my previous pregnancy. Consultant says the research on what causes it isn’t great in honesty but the placenta is to blame is the main theory.

So nice to read all your updates! Still feels like it’s not really real here! still feeling sick and getting pains in lower tummy/hips so taking that as positive - anyone else feeling a bit down for no real reason? think it’s hormones tbh

Can’t wait for scan I’ve got mine in 2 weeks time - still can shake the worry that everything is ok but I’m hoping that’s just normal we had a missed miscarriage at 13 weeks a couple of years ago so probably just that!

going to download that podcast now so thanks for the recommendation

hope you all have a fab week ahead - almost the weekend!

@User491 yes my cervical length check was bc of previous surgeries, which my consultant didn’t recommend but did it anyways to ease my mind which I’m glad.
will be also seeing a consultant for a complex c section? But I guess that will take place later on as I haven’t received a date yet.
my spotting comes and goes which is frustrating- I think the internal yesterday triggered it and I had an increase last day but it’s super light brown mixed with my own discharge so I guess is nearly the end.

can’t wait now for 20w scan which is a month a away🙈

@Morningcoffeeaddict

Thanks for the podcast recommendation. Listened to week 16-18 on my daily walk and I really enjoyed it! Looking forward to listening to the rest throughout pregnancy.

@ExpectantEs - glad you enjoyed it! I think they’re quite interesting and she asks good questions.

@CB2805 yeh the internal probably has made it worse, hopefully it's completely gone soon 🤞🏻
Pleased they checked the cervical length for you. Just nice to have your mind put at ease isn't it ☺️

Haha I've just had one, and already looking forward to the next one. I'm sure I'm booked in for 6th march.

I think I'll also end up with a section, which I would have initially preferred to avoid, only for the recovery side of things, but actually the more I'm thinking of it, it may be a more suitable option I think!

What was your due date again? Have you started to buy anything yet?

I've been told I'm consultant led (due to C-section last time) but at my 16 week appointment the midwife commented that the appointments hadn't been set up. I've still not had an appointment through and have been told it would be after my 20 week scan which is in 2 weeks. Do you think I should chase it with the midwives or do you think I should wait a bit longer?

@wannabe123 I'm not sure if it's the same in all areas but I'm consultant led (East Kent) and I had my first consultant appointment when I was 17 weeks exactly and have another booked for when I'm around 28 weeks. The appointment I had a few weeks ago was totally pointless - she read out my notes (IVF pregnancy, previous ectopic, c section) like I didn't know and then told me she'd see me again at 28 weeks! I would chase it if you haven't had anything booked in though.

@wannabe123 no harm in checking up on it tbh, it's defo worth an ask.
I think each pregnancy is different even when consultant lead.
I'm having twins and had a consultant appointment yesterday at 16weeks, and will get these every 4 weeks from now.

My stomach is so sore after the scan yesterday, has this happened to anyone else?

It feels really achy and bruised. She did dig in quite deep, but I'm just a bit worried incase it's not normal?

@User491 i had an ultrasound yesterday at 16+4 and have felt like my stomach is very tender and uncomfortable ever since.

I had cause to phone the maternity assessment unit tonight (unrelated) and mentioned it. She said that it’s normal if they’ve had to use quite a bit of pressure.

if you’re worrying definitely phone your maternity assessment unit for reassurance or advice!

@Oatmilktea thank you for that, I'm sure it is just from the scan, as I was sore immediately after too.
I'm booked in with my midwife tomorrow so I will mention it to her also.

Hope you are ok otherwise?

@User491 my 20w scan it’s March the 6th as well🙈
official due date is the 19th of July but obv they want me in for a c section reaching 37w BUT I just have a feeling bubbas will show up even earlier😅
I haven’t bought literally anything just bc I’m so scared of all that bleeding! But I will start buying things for the spare room shortly like black out curtains, maternity chair(that’s my dream lol) a rug etc and then if everything goes well I will go full stream after my 20w scan.
how about you? My plan is to have everything ready by 30w just in case they decide to come earlier

@CB2805 hahaha no way 🙈😂 that's hilarious and so nice to have it the same day!

Ohh you think they will come even earlier, better to be prepared isn't it just incase, for when you feel the time is right ☺️
My ODD is 22/7, but I have the 3rd July on my head that they will arrive!

I've literally bought some little teddies for if I did a social media announcement, thought they were cute but haven't done it yet 😂

We are going to order the pram, only because we were told of major delays, so will probably order that at the weekend, then I'm thinking the same, start from 20 weeks 🥰
I'll probably start and go crazy 🙈

People have been asking me what stuff I'm getting, and telling me all the gadgets and the must have baby items.. then I'm just like 🙈 i don't think it's even full sunk in that this is happening 🤯😂

@User491 it stills feels so surreal for me as well🤭 every day I say I will start making a list and then keep delaying it😅
which pram you were thinking of getting? Still haven’t thought about it

Re: buying things, for my first I didn't know where to start. Some things that helped me:
--you tube videos with recommendations for things to buy and things to avoid.
--look up recommended lists for packing your hospital bag.
--go to John Lewis or another shop with a baby department, look at everything, and make a list
--make your own list based on the advice you have gathered and start thinking about your lifestyle and particular needs, do some research, like looking at 'which' or blog posts on recommendations and particular brand websites you are interested in.
--if you have any big grocery stores nearby with baby clothes, go and look thru what they have. Very handy for multi packs and basics!

A friend of mine threw me a small/casual baby shower with a handful of friends at a local pub in the daytime (my friend and I are both North American, so baby showers are very normal) and asked for a list of things people could get me. So I made up a list of the smaller things I was planning to buy anyway (didn't do a gift registry on a website or thru a store) which helped give them ideas. I think they did a Google sheet so they didn't all bring the same gift.

My advice is to make sure you have enough stuff for at least the first two weeks. I was not prepared when covid shut the shops and disrupted the supply chain!
Anyone else feeling movement yet? I was feeling quite a bit but now it's stopped. Although I know 18 weeks is early so bubs might've moved round a bit.