Due May 2024? Part 3

[Sa11yCinnamon]

Just kicking off a new thread, hoping no one else does it at the same time!

@Athena1984 hope all is ok, keep us posted xx

[Sa11yCinnamon]

Tagging in others, will have missed loads but blaming preggo brain 😇

(No I'm not skiving at work, how rude)

@Holdmysunhat
@Nina7
@SarahBowie
@LondonGirl1992
@TheBirdintheCave
@Toda11
@Judethepud
@PeppedUp
@Colourfulflowers
@Emmacb82
@GratefulMum10
@Twinkles18
@Yourowgirl
@newbie12345678
@nh93
@Clarkey34
@junebuglb
@thePoddingtonPeas
@MrsB2005
@ClrDvs
@Geekygirl13
@FirstTim3Mummy
@Mum2b2024

[MrsB2005]

@Sa11yCinnamon - Thank you for tagging me!!

Cant quite believe we are on part 3! And despite having quite a few symptoms still and starting to struggle with sore hips and generally moving about like a waddling hippo - I still cant quite believe in less than 15 weeks there will be a new baby.

Hope everyone is getting on OK? Hopefully its not just me that seems to get quite overwhelmed at how expensive things are and how much I think we need, despite this not being our first.

[Sa11yCinnamon]

I'm doing grand, 26 weeks today and still feels like aaages to go - and getting quite concerned about how much bigger I'm going to get in that time! My tummy just feels very 'full' and baby is ideally going to get 3-4 times heavier, eek! Other than that I'm just insanely tired.

I'm actually feeling quite organised in terms of stuff we have/need, but I'm sure that will change as we get closer.

[SarahB88]

Good idea @Sa11yCinnamon

Can’t believe we don’t have long to go now! I’m well and truly on the last leg of work and doing some projects that will see me up until the end of April for finishing, eeek!! My maternity cover is nearly finalised now too!

Having a bit of a stressful time outside of pregnancy at the moment as we’re remortgaging and they keep asking for so many documents! I’ve been asked for proof of tax credits today 🙄 I don’t have any and will not have any because my salary means I’m not eligible. Having to do a call with the mortgage advisor straight after work to talk about insurance as well, what a faff.

[Toda11]

27w3d here and not doing too bad, I'm starting my leave in early april so less than 2 months to go at work which is a nice feeling!

Had a pregnancy massage the other day and left feeling a million times better!

Husband has nearly finished painting the nursery and then will be ordering furniture, pram, etc

[junebuglb]

Thanks @Sa11yCinnamon x

26+3 here, just out getting my whooping cough jab. Can’t believe how quickly the time is flying now! Roll on spring! 💕

@MrsB2005 definitely feeling this! But had a lovely midwife appt the other day where she reminded me there are really only a few key essentials to sort before they arrive. x

For anyone else that has been struggling with pelvic/hip/lower back pain, i bought a birth ball and using this in the evenings has massively helped x

[MrsB2005]

@junebuglb oooo ... I hadnt thought about a birthing ball - I may well have to get one and see if it makes any difference.

[Sa11yCinnamon]

@junebuglb thanks for the reminder, my yoga teacher showed us some stuff to do with birthing balls last week, need to order one!

@Toda11 I have a pregnancy massage and facial booked for Friday, got a voucher for Christmas and cannot wait!

[Toda11]

Funnily enough I had my birthing ball delivered earlier and husband has blow in up ready for when I am home from work so hopefully that will help!

[Athena1984]

@Sa11yCinnamon thank you for tagging me.
Just to give you all an update:

Midwife at my 26wk appointment did the bump measurements and flagged that the baby is below 3rd centile, so referred us for a scanning in the evening.
Scanning has put the baby in the 10 centile so at the lower end of the range but also noticed that the abdominal circumference is at 5th centile! so they send us to triage to see a doctor, we waited for 9hrs in the labour waiting room along with women who are in labour but waiting for a bed in the ward!. They finally saw us around 2am, we are going to have regular scans to monitor the baby, growth at lower end is fine but if growth tapers off then it's a problem. Doctor mentioned several reasons, could be because placenta is not supplying the nutrients or chromosomal defect (😔) or ethnic factors ( the growth chart is based on Caucasian other, while I am a Caucasian- braziiian mixed race and partner is Indian).

[Yourowgirl]

@Athena1984 how worrying for you, and draining having to wait all that time to be seen. I hope you feel some reassurance that all could be well as long as growth continues, and the extra scans will help track that.
I had a midwife appointment today and she measured heart rate but didn't seem to measure my bump at all. She did have a feel but didn't say anything about growth charts or where my uterus is. Should I ask about this at the next appointment?

[Judethepud]

Thanks for the tag @Sa11yCinnamon

I'm 26+3 now. Confirmed my maternity leave today, finishing at the end of the April. Counting down the weeks can't bloody wait!

Haven't had a pregnancy massage yet but definitely going to book in soon.

Have got a lot of hip and pelvic girdle pain and just generally finding movement more difficult plus feeling super full and heart burny all the time. I have got a birth ball but I'm scared my dog will think it's for him 🙈

@Yourowgirlnot sure how far you are but I believe they start doing measurements at your 28 week appointment. At my 26 week I was actually only 25 weeks so she said it was a bit early and they start from 28 weeks.

@Athena1984 that sounds like a horrible, long day. Hope the follow up scans are positive and there's nothing to worry about.

[SquashPenguin]

I’m 26 weeks today. My hips are in agony, not slept properly for weeks!

[SarahB88]

I think when they measure bump might depend on where you are. I got my first measurement at my 24 week appointment and was told they’ll measure at each appointment after that. I get additional growth scans due to my age so they’ll look at fundal height and the scan measurements to try and get a good idea.

[Emmacb82]

Thanks for the tag 😀 27 weeks tomorrow, it’s flying past. I’m currently in Disneyland Paris with hubby and 2 kids, my god is it knackering! Luckily there are a few perks to being pregnant, can queue jump some of the rides and meet characters etc, having a magical time despite walking like Donald Duck a lot 🤣
@Athena1984 what a worry for you and a stressful wait, hopefully everything will turn out to be fine x

[Yourowgirl]

Thanks @Judethepud @SarahB88 I am only 25 weeks so maybe that explains it. Will see if they measure at 28 week appointment. Really appreciate your replies.

[PeppedUp]

Thanks for the tag @Sa11yCinnamon. I’m okay apart from pelvic girdle pain and sciatica. Hope everyone else is doing well.

[Clarkey34]

I'm proper starting to struggle. I'm 28 weeks nearly. Everything is just feeling heavy & uncomfortable.
I'm at the hospital today for GTT test & growth scan.
Love reading how everyone's trusts do different processes, you'd think everything would be standardised & be the same things done at the same weeks.

I'm also worrying/stressing over the amount of things we still need to buy. Having a baby is sooooo expensive 🤣

[Sa11yCinnamon]

@Athena1984 that sounds really stressful, I’m keeping everything crossed that baby keeps on growing and is just an extra small bundle of joy.

I last saw my midwife at 22 weeks and there was no mention of bump measuring, I have growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 and don’t see her again til after those (assuming all is well) so I guess there will be no need then. It is interesting how everywhere is different!

[Toda11]

@Sa11yCinnamon I also have growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 on top of an additional scan at 24 weeks and my midwife appointment is jus a few days after these.

At the 24 week midwife appointment she didn't measure as it was done by the sonographer a few days before so I am expecting my midwife won't ever measure me.

[Mum2b2024]

Thanks for adding me! I'm 26 weeks at the end of the week. Not feeling too bad atm. Mostly leg cramp and thighs uncomfortable when sleep but bearable atm. First time and can't believe how much bump is growing these last few weeks haha!

@Athena1984 sorry to hear this. Hope everything will be ok!

[MrsB2005]

Hi Ladies,

I've been wondering if anyone else is / considering a home birth or at a stand alone birthing centre (away from the main hospital)

I have always given birth within a main hospital, and have never considered any other option for various reasons. At my 16 week midwife appointment, the midwife asked why I had never considered a home birth as my labours / births were pretty much text book. She then made us an appointment with the home birthing team which I dont feel we really agreed to but didnt argue with (We had this, this morning), between the two appointments my husband & I have gone backwards and forwards with the pros and cons and I feel pretty much that a home birth wouldnt work for me but am now considering planning for the birthing centre which is run by community midwives and is about 30 mins from the main hospital.

We are seeing her again in two weeks for our 28 week check plus to go over what we discussed today.

Unfortunately I am struggling abit with the mental load anyway at the moment as my Dad is receiving end of life care and isnt expected to live much longer and my eldest had a huge mountain biking accident at the start of the year and whilst is recovering well, I have had to take on his physical care as he is unable (As a mum, of course I have no issues with this but its not what I expected to be doing with him being 16).

I now feel pressured into making a somewhat plan for birth, when I genuinely dont have a clue what I want or where.

Sorry - thats turned very much into a woe is me post when it most certainly what I set out to ask.

[Sa11yCinnamon]

@MrsB2005 That sounds like a lot to deal with, I don't think anyone would blame you for feeling a bit 'woe is me'.

It's not something I've considered, I can see why they suggested it to you but please don't feel pressured into making any decisions when you have so much other stuff on your mind.

Maybe visit the birthing centre, take some time to think of a list of questions you'd like to ask while you're there? Ultimately I think all that really matters is that you feel safe and comfortable (I mean, not physically comfortable... you know what I mean!) so if you'd rather stick to what you know I think that makes perfect sense too x

[Toda11]

My midwife has mentioned a midwife led centre vs a main hospital, however as a first time mum I feel far more comfortable in a main hospital

[SarahB88]

@MrsB2005 I’ve chosen to go with the midwife led birthing centre for my birth and I’m hoping to utilise the birthing pool for part of labour as well. Not set on actually having her in the pool but if I can I think I will. If there’s an emergency and I need a c section they will transfer me to the hospital in less than 20 mins.

I prefer the sound of the 121 care that is provided at the birthing centre. Our hospital also has a terrible reputation for inductions and emergency c sections. These stats must be published so you’ll be able to find your local trusts info online which may help in making your decision as well.

I do also have it in my notes that I am under no circumstances to be induced so if I go over term I’ll be getting an elective section which does mean going to the hospital but I’m comfortable with that decision. I’m also convinced my due date is slightly off and baby is due about a week before they say she is so I feel like she’ll make her own way in to the world.